Frequently my office fields calls from pet owners describing a problem their pet is having and whether they should come in or if they will be ok to watch and wait. Unfortunately, it is difficult to judge the severity of most situations via a phone call. Just think, sometimes it is difficult to tell exactly what is going on when the pet is actually in front of us for an exam, so imagine how much harder it is when we haven't performed an exam. Below are a few situations that warrant a trip to the veterinary office, although this by no means is an exhaustive list of emergency situations.
1. Vomiting more than 2-3 times in 24 hours or attempting to vomit but nothing comes up.
Vomiting can be caused by many diseases and does not necessarily mean something is wrong with the stomach or intestines. There are many metabolic problems such as kidney failure, diabetes with complications and liver diseases that can cause vomiting. In larger breed dogs, non-productive retching and a large "bloated" belly are very concerning and could be a bloated/twisted stomach that requires an emergency visit. At the very least, if your vet thinks the problem is not severe and will pass with a little time, your pet can be made more comfortable with anti-vomiting medications.
2. Persistent watery diarrhea in a pet that is quiet and not drinking water or vomiting.
Just like vomiting, diarrhea can occur for multiple reasons. It becomes a problem when your pet is not able to drink enough water to supplement for all the fluids it is losing. When dehydration sets in it can make your pet very sick.
3. Collapse
Although most pets with collapse will get up right away as if nothing ever happened, this does not mean you should ignore the problem. A dangerous heart problem or many other concerning diseases can cause collapse/fainting.
4. More than one seizure in 24 hours or a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes.
Luckily most seizures stop on their own in less than a minute (although that minute can feel like an eternity). The best thing to do if your pet has a seizure is move anything they can bump into or prevent them from falling down the stairs. The next best thing is to look at your watch and time it. If it is taking more than 3 minutes start getting ready to safely carry your pet to the car and head to the vet. Stay away from the mouth to avoid having a severe bite injury!
5. Cat or Dog unable to urinate or urinating very small amounts while straining.
This can be caused by urinary blockage which will be deadly if it is not corrected. Toxins from the body are cleared by the kidneys in the urine and if your pet cant urinate those toxins build up in the body. Some cats will act as if they are blocked but the best news from the vet is that the bladder is empty or is not blocked and they can go home on some medications.
6. After ingestion of a possible toxin or other item.
Dont wait a few hours to see if your pet will be sick. By that time the toxin has been absorbed and there might not be anything we can do to stop the damage. If you take your pet in soon after ingestion, depending on the toxin, your veterinarian may be able to make your pet vomit before large amounts of the toxin are absorbed.
7. Red, runny or squinty eye.
Eye problems are scary because they can lead to permanent vision loss in a short period of time! See your vet sooner rather than later.
8. Coughing or heavy breathing.
Respiratory problems are always an emergency. Again, they can be caused by problems in the lungs or heart failure among other things. If you wait too long it may be too late to intervene.
9. Swelling or bumps on the body suggestive of an allergic reaction.
Allergic reactions can become complicated and lead to shock and death. A few injections from your vet should help stop the reaction from progressing.
10. If you are concerned enough to call, it is best to come in.
This is what I always tell pet owners! The worst (or actually best!) thing that can happen is that I tell you all is OK and you can go back home with your beloved pet.
Showing posts with label julio lopez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label julio lopez. Show all posts
Friday, July 22, 2011
Monday, December 20, 2010
Aflatoxins: What Are They & How They Hurt Your Pet
*Press Release & List of Affected Foods*
What is an Aflatoxin?
Aflatoxins are compounds produced by various fungi that grow on crops in the field or while in storage. Crops such as corn, rice, wheat, oats, sweet potatoes and peas are used as ingredients in many pet foods and therefore aflatoxins can contaminate them. Commercial grains are screened routinely for aflatoxins but as you can imagine not every single grain can be screened (for example one moldy orange in a large bag may not be spotted when you purchase it from the store).
How do aflatoxins cause my pet to be sick?
Dogs and cats are very sensitive to aflatoxin. A dose as low as 0.5 mg/kg can be lethal. The disease has only been reported to clinically affect dogs, but that does not mean that cats are not susceptible. Aflatoxins are easily absorbed by the small intestines. Once in the blood stream they bind to proteins, those that are unbound go to the liver and other tissues. The breakdown of the aflatoxin produces the product that is highly reactive and causes the damage we see. It causes death of liver and kidney cells.
What are the signs of aflatoxicosis?
In most cases pets have been exposed to the toxin for weeks to months and then suddenly become sick. The most common early signs you may note if your pet is affected include refusing to eat, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. Some pets may die unexpectedly without ever showing signs. Later in the disease pets may develop a yellow color to their gums and skin (icterus), fresh blood in the stool or vomit, black tarry stools (intestinal bleeding), bloody nose, bruises on the skin or gums.
How is aflatoxicosis diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will run blood and urine tests to check for liver and kidney damage. Other tests may include clotting times and stool analysis. A liver biopsy may be obtained. Make sure to bring the bag of dog/cat food being fed. A sample may be submitted for testing; although many times the bag that was the culprit was consumed before the pet showed any signs.
What is the treatment?
Unfortunately there is not special antidote for aflatoxins. Treatment consists of supportive care until the toxin is cleared from the body. Medications given include liver protectant medications such as vitamins and antioxidants, blood and plasma transfusions for the bleeding problems, medications for the intestinal system and fluids to help keep good blood flow to the kidneys and liver.
In most affected pets signs do not show up quickly. Usually large amounts of contaminated food have been consumed and the pet will most likely succumb to the disease. Pets that have ingested small amounts may survive with appropriate supportive care.
It is important to remember that many other diseases may cause similar signs and your veterinarian will want to make sure other diseases are not responsible for the signs. If you note these signs and your dog or cat has been fed a recalled food call your veterinarian immediately!
What is an Aflatoxin?
Aflatoxins are compounds produced by various fungi that grow on crops in the field or while in storage. Crops such as corn, rice, wheat, oats, sweet potatoes and peas are used as ingredients in many pet foods and therefore aflatoxins can contaminate them. Commercial grains are screened routinely for aflatoxins but as you can imagine not every single grain can be screened (for example one moldy orange in a large bag may not be spotted when you purchase it from the store).
How do aflatoxins cause my pet to be sick?
Dogs and cats are very sensitive to aflatoxin. A dose as low as 0.5 mg/kg can be lethal. The disease has only been reported to clinically affect dogs, but that does not mean that cats are not susceptible. Aflatoxins are easily absorbed by the small intestines. Once in the blood stream they bind to proteins, those that are unbound go to the liver and other tissues. The breakdown of the aflatoxin produces the product that is highly reactive and causes the damage we see. It causes death of liver and kidney cells.
What are the signs of aflatoxicosis?
In most cases pets have been exposed to the toxin for weeks to months and then suddenly become sick. The most common early signs you may note if your pet is affected include refusing to eat, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. Some pets may die unexpectedly without ever showing signs. Later in the disease pets may develop a yellow color to their gums and skin (icterus), fresh blood in the stool or vomit, black tarry stools (intestinal bleeding), bloody nose, bruises on the skin or gums.
How is aflatoxicosis diagnosed?
Your veterinarian will run blood and urine tests to check for liver and kidney damage. Other tests may include clotting times and stool analysis. A liver biopsy may be obtained. Make sure to bring the bag of dog/cat food being fed. A sample may be submitted for testing; although many times the bag that was the culprit was consumed before the pet showed any signs.
What is the treatment?
Unfortunately there is not special antidote for aflatoxins. Treatment consists of supportive care until the toxin is cleared from the body. Medications given include liver protectant medications such as vitamins and antioxidants, blood and plasma transfusions for the bleeding problems, medications for the intestinal system and fluids to help keep good blood flow to the kidneys and liver.
In most affected pets signs do not show up quickly. Usually large amounts of contaminated food have been consumed and the pet will most likely succumb to the disease. Pets that have ingested small amounts may survive with appropriate supportive care.
It is important to remember that many other diseases may cause similar signs and your veterinarian will want to make sure other diseases are not responsible for the signs. If you note these signs and your dog or cat has been fed a recalled food call your veterinarian immediately!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Feline Chronic Kidney Disease
Video Link from The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Cat owners guide to kidney disease. Includes tests used to diagnose it, what it is, medications used to manage it and instructions on giving fluids under the skin (subcutaneous fluids).
Kidney disease implies that one or both of the kidneys are not working as they should. It can go undetected until the disease is severe enough to cause clinical signs or changes in blood and urine tests. Other terms used include renal or kidney failure. Kidney disease can be acute (recently occurred and may be reversible) or chronic (has been occurring and progressing for a long time and is not reversible). Sometimes it can be a combination where a patient with stable chronic kidney disease has an acute worsening of kidney function, termed acute on chronic kidney disease.
The kidneys are important for daily function as they eliminate the waste the body produces, make sure electrolytes and water balance and they produce a variety of important hormones including one that helps prevent anemia. Luckily the kidney is made with plenty of “back-up” help. 66% of the kidneys must be damaged to lose the ability to concentrate urine and 75% of the kidneys must be damaged to see elevations in levels of wastes the body clears from the blood. This is why people and animals can donate one kidney and continue to live a normal life, as both kidneys are not necessary if they are completely healthy. One disadvantage is that the “back-up” help makes it difficult to detect kidney disease early on.
The goal of identifying kidney disease early is to attempt to slow its progression. How can you tell at home if your cat may have kidney disease? Early on, your cat will appear normal and healthy. Once 66% of the kidneys are damaged, concentration of the urine (a way the body conserves water) is not possible. A sign of this is that your cat begins to drink more water and urinate more often. You may notice that your cat is always at the water bowl or that you fill it more often than usual. You may also notice that your cat is using the litter box more often or that you are scooping the litter box more frequently.
As the disease becomes more advanced your cat will lose weight, have a poor hair coat and may not eat as well. As the kidney damage progresses body wastes are not eliminated properly and they accumulate in the blood and body. This elevation of toxins can be measured with blood work and when these levels are increased the condition is called uremia which literally means urine in the blood. Signs of uremia include loss of appetite, vomiting, ulcers in the mouth, weakness and bad breath due to the accumulation of ammonia.
Other abnormalities that can occur include anemia (the kidney produces a hormone called erythropoietin that is responsible for making red blood cells), and high blood pressure. The anemia makes the weakness and loss of appetite worse. High blood pressure can cause blindness, stroke-like signs such as changes to behavior or seizures, injury to the heart and worsening of the kidney disease itself.
So how can you identify this disease earlier rather than when your cat is sick? This is where the importance of yearly urine and blood tests during your senior cat’s annual visit comes in. A urine sample will show whether the kidneys can concentrate it appropriately (remember loss of this ability is one of the first indicators of kidney disease). If the kidney is damaged enough or there is high blood pressure proteins will also accumulate in the urine and this can be detected as well. Sometimes, urinary tract infections can affect the kidneys and a urine test can also identify if this is present. A complete blood test is important to monitor not only for two main indicators of toxin accumulation in the body (BUN and creatinine) but also to make sure that anemia is not present. A blood test can also identify electrolyte abnormalities which may require special supplements to correct.
Other tests that should be done during your senior cat’s exam should include a blood pressure. Once kidney disease is identified x-rays and ultrasound are needed to evaluate the kidneys. This evaluation is important in identifying possible kidney stones, abnormalities in size and shape of the kidneys.
Although chronic kidney disease is irreversible, for most cats treatment can “assist” the kidneys and allow a good quality of life for months or years. There is no single treatment for kidney disease. Your veterinarian will tailor make a plan for your cat based on the severity of the changes in the blood work and the signs that your cat is experiencing. Treatments include a “kidney friendly” diet, hydration therapy by giving fluids under the skin, supplements and medications to vomiting, nausea, poor appetite and high blood pressure. If your cat becomes anemic injections of the hormone erythropoietin may be recommended.
Your veterinarian will formulate a schedule for exams that will include re-checking blood work, urine tests and blood pressure. This will assist in making adjustments to the treatment plan.
In humans chronic kidney disease is sometimes managed with hemodialysis (where a machine acts like a kidney and cleanses the blood of wastes) or by kidney transplant, both of which are available for cats but usually not a realistic option for the general cat population due to limits in availability, costs and specific criteria to be an ideal candidate. It is important to remember that hemodialysis is not a cure and those receiving kidney transplants require long-term medication administration to try and avoid rejection of the donated kidney.
Remember, just because your cat seems healthy at home, it is important to see your veterinarian at least yearly for younger cats, every 6 months for senior cats (>7 years old) and that blood work and urine tests be performed in senior patients to try and spot changes before your cat is actually sick!
Kidney disease implies that one or both of the kidneys are not working as they should. It can go undetected until the disease is severe enough to cause clinical signs or changes in blood and urine tests. Other terms used include renal or kidney failure. Kidney disease can be acute (recently occurred and may be reversible) or chronic (has been occurring and progressing for a long time and is not reversible). Sometimes it can be a combination where a patient with stable chronic kidney disease has an acute worsening of kidney function, termed acute on chronic kidney disease.
The kidneys are important for daily function as they eliminate the waste the body produces, make sure electrolytes and water balance and they produce a variety of important hormones including one that helps prevent anemia. Luckily the kidney is made with plenty of “back-up” help. 66% of the kidneys must be damaged to lose the ability to concentrate urine and 75% of the kidneys must be damaged to see elevations in levels of wastes the body clears from the blood. This is why people and animals can donate one kidney and continue to live a normal life, as both kidneys are not necessary if they are completely healthy. One disadvantage is that the “back-up” help makes it difficult to detect kidney disease early on.
The goal of identifying kidney disease early is to attempt to slow its progression. How can you tell at home if your cat may have kidney disease? Early on, your cat will appear normal and healthy. Once 66% of the kidneys are damaged, concentration of the urine (a way the body conserves water) is not possible. A sign of this is that your cat begins to drink more water and urinate more often. You may notice that your cat is always at the water bowl or that you fill it more often than usual. You may also notice that your cat is using the litter box more often or that you are scooping the litter box more frequently.
As the disease becomes more advanced your cat will lose weight, have a poor hair coat and may not eat as well. As the kidney damage progresses body wastes are not eliminated properly and they accumulate in the blood and body. This elevation of toxins can be measured with blood work and when these levels are increased the condition is called uremia which literally means urine in the blood. Signs of uremia include loss of appetite, vomiting, ulcers in the mouth, weakness and bad breath due to the accumulation of ammonia.
Other abnormalities that can occur include anemia (the kidney produces a hormone called erythropoietin that is responsible for making red blood cells), and high blood pressure. The anemia makes the weakness and loss of appetite worse. High blood pressure can cause blindness, stroke-like signs such as changes to behavior or seizures, injury to the heart and worsening of the kidney disease itself.
So how can you identify this disease earlier rather than when your cat is sick? This is where the importance of yearly urine and blood tests during your senior cat’s annual visit comes in. A urine sample will show whether the kidneys can concentrate it appropriately (remember loss of this ability is one of the first indicators of kidney disease). If the kidney is damaged enough or there is high blood pressure proteins will also accumulate in the urine and this can be detected as well. Sometimes, urinary tract infections can affect the kidneys and a urine test can also identify if this is present. A complete blood test is important to monitor not only for two main indicators of toxin accumulation in the body (BUN and creatinine) but also to make sure that anemia is not present. A blood test can also identify electrolyte abnormalities which may require special supplements to correct.
Other tests that should be done during your senior cat’s exam should include a blood pressure. Once kidney disease is identified x-rays and ultrasound are needed to evaluate the kidneys. This evaluation is important in identifying possible kidney stones, abnormalities in size and shape of the kidneys.
Although chronic kidney disease is irreversible, for most cats treatment can “assist” the kidneys and allow a good quality of life for months or years. There is no single treatment for kidney disease. Your veterinarian will tailor make a plan for your cat based on the severity of the changes in the blood work and the signs that your cat is experiencing. Treatments include a “kidney friendly” diet, hydration therapy by giving fluids under the skin, supplements and medications to vomiting, nausea, poor appetite and high blood pressure. If your cat becomes anemic injections of the hormone erythropoietin may be recommended.
Your veterinarian will formulate a schedule for exams that will include re-checking blood work, urine tests and blood pressure. This will assist in making adjustments to the treatment plan.
In humans chronic kidney disease is sometimes managed with hemodialysis (where a machine acts like a kidney and cleanses the blood of wastes) or by kidney transplant, both of which are available for cats but usually not a realistic option for the general cat population due to limits in availability, costs and specific criteria to be an ideal candidate. It is important to remember that hemodialysis is not a cure and those receiving kidney transplants require long-term medication administration to try and avoid rejection of the donated kidney.
Remember, just because your cat seems healthy at home, it is important to see your veterinarian at least yearly for younger cats, every 6 months for senior cats (>7 years old) and that blood work and urine tests be performed in senior patients to try and spot changes before your cat is actually sick!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Feline Pancreatitis
Cats can be affected by inflammation of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. The pancreas is an organ in the abdomen located very close to the stomach, intestines and liver. The pancreas has multiple jobs that are very important to every day life. It produces insulin which is necessary for keeping the body’s blood sugar stable and it also produces important products necessary to properly digest food. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, the products that it makes to help digest food in the intestines are activated within the pancreas and the pancreas basically begins to “eat/dissolve” itself.
Usually the cause of pancreatitis in cats is not found. Some causes are believed to include trauma, infection and some medications. In cats chronic pancreatitis is more common in cats, where the acute form occurs more commonly in dogs. Signs of pancreatitis are very nonspecific and can be hard to notice. 80-100% of cats have decreased energy/actvity, 87-97% stop eating and 54% are dehydrated. In contrast to dogs and humans, vomiting (35%) and abdominal pain (25%) are not common signs in cats. Other conditions that occur with pancreatitis include hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD-inflammation of the intestines), diabetes and inflammation/infection of the bile tract and liver.
Abdominal ultrasound is considered more useful that x-rays for the diagnosis of pancreatitis and should be the next test performed if x-rays of the abdomen do not provide a definitive diagnosis. A recently new blood test (fPLI-feline serum pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity) is being used to identify cats with pancreatitis. The only way to definitively diagnose pancreatitis is via biopsy, but this procedure is expensive and requires general anesthesia in patients that may be at higher risk complications. Using a combination of clinical signs, blood tests and ultrasound a strong suspicion that pancreatitis is affecting your cat can be attained.
If a cause for the pancreatitis is found, that cause must be treated. Other treatments are not directly targeted at the pancreatitis but more at helping the cat feel more comfortable and assist in balancing any secondary complications. This consists of providing intravenous fluids via a catheter to provide adequate hydration, electrolytes and blood flow to the pancreas. Medications that provide relief of nausea and vomiting as well as pain medications are given. In severe cases, protein levels drop and blood clots may form which require transfusions of plasma. Cats that have not been eating for a few days and do not begin to eat shortly after treatment is started may require a temporary feeding tube to be able to provide adequate nutrition. Cats that have inflammatory conditions of the liver/gallbladder (cholangiohepatitis) or intestines (IBD) require steroids to decrease the inflammation. If infection of the liver or gallbladder is suspected antibiotics may b administered.
The prognosis is very variable as some cases are more severe than others. Because the pancreatitis in cats is usually chronic, other bouts of pancreatitis will most likely occur at some point in time. If enough pancreatic tissues are damaged secondary complications can occur. One is diabetes as the insulin producing cells are damaged and the second is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency as the cells that make products that assist in digesting food are damaged. Sometimes the inflammation of the pancreas is so severe that the bile duct becomes obstructed.
Because cats hide disease so well, by the time they are showing signs they may already be very sick. It is important to remember that if you notice any non-specific signs such as lethargy or loss of appetite which do not improve after a day or two make sure you see your veterinarian. Pancreatitis may be only one of many possible diseases making your cat sick.
Usually the cause of pancreatitis in cats is not found. Some causes are believed to include trauma, infection and some medications. In cats chronic pancreatitis is more common in cats, where the acute form occurs more commonly in dogs. Signs of pancreatitis are very nonspecific and can be hard to notice. 80-100% of cats have decreased energy/actvity, 87-97% stop eating and 54% are dehydrated. In contrast to dogs and humans, vomiting (35%) and abdominal pain (25%) are not common signs in cats. Other conditions that occur with pancreatitis include hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD-inflammation of the intestines), diabetes and inflammation/infection of the bile tract and liver.
Abdominal ultrasound is considered more useful that x-rays for the diagnosis of pancreatitis and should be the next test performed if x-rays of the abdomen do not provide a definitive diagnosis. A recently new blood test (fPLI-feline serum pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity) is being used to identify cats with pancreatitis. The only way to definitively diagnose pancreatitis is via biopsy, but this procedure is expensive and requires general anesthesia in patients that may be at higher risk complications. Using a combination of clinical signs, blood tests and ultrasound a strong suspicion that pancreatitis is affecting your cat can be attained.
If a cause for the pancreatitis is found, that cause must be treated. Other treatments are not directly targeted at the pancreatitis but more at helping the cat feel more comfortable and assist in balancing any secondary complications. This consists of providing intravenous fluids via a catheter to provide adequate hydration, electrolytes and blood flow to the pancreas. Medications that provide relief of nausea and vomiting as well as pain medications are given. In severe cases, protein levels drop and blood clots may form which require transfusions of plasma. Cats that have not been eating for a few days and do not begin to eat shortly after treatment is started may require a temporary feeding tube to be able to provide adequate nutrition. Cats that have inflammatory conditions of the liver/gallbladder (cholangiohepatitis) or intestines (IBD) require steroids to decrease the inflammation. If infection of the liver or gallbladder is suspected antibiotics may b administered.
The prognosis is very variable as some cases are more severe than others. Because the pancreatitis in cats is usually chronic, other bouts of pancreatitis will most likely occur at some point in time. If enough pancreatic tissues are damaged secondary complications can occur. One is diabetes as the insulin producing cells are damaged and the second is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency as the cells that make products that assist in digesting food are damaged. Sometimes the inflammation of the pancreas is so severe that the bile duct becomes obstructed.
Because cats hide disease so well, by the time they are showing signs they may already be very sick. It is important to remember that if you notice any non-specific signs such as lethargy or loss of appetite which do not improve after a day or two make sure you see your veterinarian. Pancreatitis may be only one of many possible diseases making your cat sick.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Why do puppies and kittens need a series of vaccines?
When a puppy or kitten is born its immune system has not yet matured. Kittens and puppies remain protected from infection because of the transfer of maternal antibodies in special milk from their mother called colostrum. Colostrum is only produced a few days after giving birth and it can only be accepted during the first days after birth before their intestines “close up” and can no longer absorb the antibodies.
Sometimes antibodies are not transferred either because the puppy did not drink the colostrum or the mother did not have certain antibodies, other times those transferred only last for a short period of time. If an appropriate number of antibodies are transferred there is protection for a longer period of time. However, the maternal antibodies that are transferred do not last forever.
What does this have to do with vaccinations? Well, there is really no way to tell if maternal antibodies were transferred, which were transferred or how long they will last and therefore a vaccination given early will help protect them.
So why not just give one vaccine early and forget about it? If a vaccine is given to a pet that still has maternal antibodies present it will be inactivated and new antibodies will not be made. How long maternal antibodies last in a pet varies with each individual and for specific diseases. We do know that maternal antibodies are gone or have decreased enough to not interfere with vaccines by 16-20 weeks of age. This is why the final booster is usually given at this time when there will be no interference and protection ensured.
So why not just give one vaccine when they are older, when we are pretty sure maternal antibodies will not interfere with vaccines? Again, since there is no easy way to tell if a pet has protection from maternal antibodies at birth or if protection will last until 16-20 weeks of age, waiting to vaccinate until that time puts them at risk of developing dangerous and deadly diseases.
Therefore, vaccinations are given in series every 2-4 weeks until age 16-20 weeks. This is done to protect those that lose maternal antibodies early while ensuring that those that have longer lasting maternal antibodies are protected as well.
What if the pet is older than 16 weeks of age? In this case there is no worry about interference from maternal antibodies, but one booster 2-4 weeks after the initial vaccine is necessary to ensure a better response.
Sometimes antibodies are not transferred either because the puppy did not drink the colostrum or the mother did not have certain antibodies, other times those transferred only last for a short period of time. If an appropriate number of antibodies are transferred there is protection for a longer period of time. However, the maternal antibodies that are transferred do not last forever.
What does this have to do with vaccinations? Well, there is really no way to tell if maternal antibodies were transferred, which were transferred or how long they will last and therefore a vaccination given early will help protect them.
So why not just give one vaccine early and forget about it? If a vaccine is given to a pet that still has maternal antibodies present it will be inactivated and new antibodies will not be made. How long maternal antibodies last in a pet varies with each individual and for specific diseases. We do know that maternal antibodies are gone or have decreased enough to not interfere with vaccines by 16-20 weeks of age. This is why the final booster is usually given at this time when there will be no interference and protection ensured.
So why not just give one vaccine when they are older, when we are pretty sure maternal antibodies will not interfere with vaccines? Again, since there is no easy way to tell if a pet has protection from maternal antibodies at birth or if protection will last until 16-20 weeks of age, waiting to vaccinate until that time puts them at risk of developing dangerous and deadly diseases.
Therefore, vaccinations are given in series every 2-4 weeks until age 16-20 weeks. This is done to protect those that lose maternal antibodies early while ensuring that those that have longer lasting maternal antibodies are protected as well.
What if the pet is older than 16 weeks of age? In this case there is no worry about interference from maternal antibodies, but one booster 2-4 weeks after the initial vaccine is necessary to ensure a better response.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Xylitol Toxicosis In Pets
Xylitol is a commonly used sugar substitute that is as sweet as sugar with only two-thirds its calories. It is frequently found in sugar-free gum, candy, baked goods, desserts, and toothpaste. In people, xylitol is a safe compound with few associated side effects however it may have significant adverse effects in dogs. The ingestion of xylitol has been associated with a severe drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and acute liver failure.
Signs of low blood sugar have been noted as soon as 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion as it is rapidly and almost completely absorbed! Why is there such a drop in blood sugar? Xylitol causes a rapid, significant increase in insulin secretion in dogs and insulin causes the blood sugar to decrease.
Acute liver failure can also become evident up to 72 hours after ingestion. Although there are two thoughts as to how this occurs it is not exactly known how this happens. It is believed that products produced by the liver when breaking down the xylitol cause severe damage. One toxic by-product depletes the liver cells of their energy source while the other reactive product damages the cell membranes, both leading to cell death.
If liver injury occurs after Xylitol ingestion the prognosis is unfortunately poor. A study revealed that 63% of dogs that ate xylitol containing products died despite aggressive medical management. Interestingly, the dose ingested does not equal whether one pet or another will develop liver failure.
If you noticed your pet eat something they weren’t supposed to, look at the ingredients. If xylitol is listed on the product bring the product packaging and your dog to the veterinarian immediately. If your dog recently ate a xylitol containing product your veterinarian can induce vomiting to try and get out as much of the product as possible. The vomiting may not be effective if ingestion was not within the past 30 to 60 minutes as xylitol is quickly absorbed by the body.
Signs of xylitol toxicosis include vomiting, diarrhea, a drunken gait, coma, and seizures. Sings of low blood sugar can occur within 30-60 minutes and if liver failure occurs signs are usually evident within 12 to 72 hours of ingestion.
Dogs have a better prognosis if improvements in blood work abnormalities related to the liver and stabilization of the blood sugar levels occur as well as lack of progression to acute liver failure within 3 days of ingestion.
It is therefore important to make sure that your xylitol containing products be kept away from your pets. It only takes a quick second for your dog to jump on the counter and eat the package of sugar free gum you just purchased. If this occurs call your vet immediately and don’t forget the package on your way out.
Signs of low blood sugar have been noted as soon as 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion as it is rapidly and almost completely absorbed! Why is there such a drop in blood sugar? Xylitol causes a rapid, significant increase in insulin secretion in dogs and insulin causes the blood sugar to decrease.
Acute liver failure can also become evident up to 72 hours after ingestion. Although there are two thoughts as to how this occurs it is not exactly known how this happens. It is believed that products produced by the liver when breaking down the xylitol cause severe damage. One toxic by-product depletes the liver cells of their energy source while the other reactive product damages the cell membranes, both leading to cell death.
If liver injury occurs after Xylitol ingestion the prognosis is unfortunately poor. A study revealed that 63% of dogs that ate xylitol containing products died despite aggressive medical management. Interestingly, the dose ingested does not equal whether one pet or another will develop liver failure.
If you noticed your pet eat something they weren’t supposed to, look at the ingredients. If xylitol is listed on the product bring the product packaging and your dog to the veterinarian immediately. If your dog recently ate a xylitol containing product your veterinarian can induce vomiting to try and get out as much of the product as possible. The vomiting may not be effective if ingestion was not within the past 30 to 60 minutes as xylitol is quickly absorbed by the body.
Signs of xylitol toxicosis include vomiting, diarrhea, a drunken gait, coma, and seizures. Sings of low blood sugar can occur within 30-60 minutes and if liver failure occurs signs are usually evident within 12 to 72 hours of ingestion.
Dogs have a better prognosis if improvements in blood work abnormalities related to the liver and stabilization of the blood sugar levels occur as well as lack of progression to acute liver failure within 3 days of ingestion.
It is therefore important to make sure that your xylitol containing products be kept away from your pets. It only takes a quick second for your dog to jump on the counter and eat the package of sugar free gum you just purchased. If this occurs call your vet immediately and don’t forget the package on your way out.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Performing a brief monthly at-home exam on your pet
Just as physicians recommend monthly self-examinations for men and women (whether we do perform them or not is another story), I recommend a brief at-home monthly check-up of your pets. This of course DOES NOT replace the more thorough 6-12 month check-ups recommended by your veterinarian (more frequently if your pet has a health problem). The purpose of these brief at home exams is to identify changes in your pet that may require you to see your veterinarian sooner than the previously scheduled check-up.
A great time to do this is before you apply the monthly flea/tick/heartworm preventative medication and it should only takes a few minutes. The more routinely you perform this the easier it will be for you to note when changes do occur.
Just as I start my exams in the office, step back for a moment and just watch your pet. Do they seem to breathing comfortably? Do they appear too thin or overweight? Do they have trouble laying down and getting up? This is a good time to go over and answer the important questions your veterinarian will ask (see previous blog post “10 important questions your veterinarian will ask that you should be prepared to answer”).
I then recommend starting at the face and working your way to the tail. Observe for any discharge or redness of the nose, eyes or ears. If discharge is seen, note which side is affected and the amount and color of the discharge.
Next, if your pet allows, gently lift the lip on each side and note any tartar on the teeth, broken or discolored teeth or changes to the gum color. Healthy gums should be a nice pink color. Bright red gums along the border of tartar covered teeth may signify gingivitis. Some pets have pigmented gums and these changes may be difficult to assess. If you notice pale, blue/purple or yellow gums it is best to call your veterinarian and have your pet assessed further as they may have a serious medical condition.
Next, move your hands along the neck to the shoulders, down each front leg and back up and down the rest of the chest and abdomen finally reaching the back legs. As you do this you should be feeling for any lumps, bumps or painful areas. Three areas to check as you move from head to tail are at the end of the jaw just below the ears, in front of the shoulders, and behind the knees. Major lymph nodes are located in these areas and any changes to their size may indicate inflammation, infection or cancer. You can ask your veterinarian to demonstrate where you should be feeling during your next visit.
If lumps are encountered they are most likely lipomas or "fatty growths" that don’t cause a problem unless they get too large and infiltrate adjacent areas BUT lumps that look and feel like "fatty growths" can also be dangerous cancerous lumps. The only way to tell the difference is to have your veterinarian sample them. This is easily done as we poke the lumps with a needle and apply the cells on a slide (fine needle aspirate). Your veterinarian may look at it under the microscope in their office or send it to the lab so a pathologist can analyze the cells. Obtaining this aspirate is not 100% as only very few cells are sampled, but is a good start in helping decide if this lump should be removed immediately or if it is ok to monitor it for changes in size and appearance. Your veterinarian will note the size and location of the lump in the record to keep track of it during future visits. Sometimes depending on the location, feel and look of the lump it may be recommended to remove a piece of the lump and send it to the pathologist instead of performing an aspirate or after an aspirate.
Once you reach the tail, again if your pet allows it, lift the tail and examine for any discharge, nodules or uneven, bumpy areas around the anus. Tumors involving the anal glands can occur and go unnoticed until it is so large that your pet has trouble defecating and by that time it has most likely spread. In female dogs you can monitor for any discharge from the vulva.
Finally, if your pet is good about laying on its side or back, examine the hairless areas of the belly for any rashes, redness, fleas or mammary growths. Run your hands along their bellies and note any lumps and bumps. In male dogs this is a good time to notice any discharge from the penis.
This simple and quick exam will help you identify any possible changes to your pet’s health earlier, instead of waiting months for the next scheduled exam. Recognizing these changes early may save your pets life, allow for a possible cure or at least be able to start important medications before the disease becomes too advanced. It also helps your pets get used to a part of the more thorough examination that your veterinarian will perform. As always, if you have any concerns about your pet, please call your veterinarian first for further advice before ignoring a problem, misdiagnosing a problem or self-medicating your pet as you may be causing more harm than good!
A great time to do this is before you apply the monthly flea/tick/heartworm preventative medication and it should only takes a few minutes. The more routinely you perform this the easier it will be for you to note when changes do occur.
Just as I start my exams in the office, step back for a moment and just watch your pet. Do they seem to breathing comfortably? Do they appear too thin or overweight? Do they have trouble laying down and getting up? This is a good time to go over and answer the important questions your veterinarian will ask (see previous blog post “10 important questions your veterinarian will ask that you should be prepared to answer”).
I then recommend starting at the face and working your way to the tail. Observe for any discharge or redness of the nose, eyes or ears. If discharge is seen, note which side is affected and the amount and color of the discharge.
Next, if your pet allows, gently lift the lip on each side and note any tartar on the teeth, broken or discolored teeth or changes to the gum color. Healthy gums should be a nice pink color. Bright red gums along the border of tartar covered teeth may signify gingivitis. Some pets have pigmented gums and these changes may be difficult to assess. If you notice pale, blue/purple or yellow gums it is best to call your veterinarian and have your pet assessed further as they may have a serious medical condition.
Next, move your hands along the neck to the shoulders, down each front leg and back up and down the rest of the chest and abdomen finally reaching the back legs. As you do this you should be feeling for any lumps, bumps or painful areas. Three areas to check as you move from head to tail are at the end of the jaw just below the ears, in front of the shoulders, and behind the knees. Major lymph nodes are located in these areas and any changes to their size may indicate inflammation, infection or cancer. You can ask your veterinarian to demonstrate where you should be feeling during your next visit.
If lumps are encountered they are most likely lipomas or "fatty growths" that don’t cause a problem unless they get too large and infiltrate adjacent areas BUT lumps that look and feel like "fatty growths" can also be dangerous cancerous lumps. The only way to tell the difference is to have your veterinarian sample them. This is easily done as we poke the lumps with a needle and apply the cells on a slide (fine needle aspirate). Your veterinarian may look at it under the microscope in their office or send it to the lab so a pathologist can analyze the cells. Obtaining this aspirate is not 100% as only very few cells are sampled, but is a good start in helping decide if this lump should be removed immediately or if it is ok to monitor it for changes in size and appearance. Your veterinarian will note the size and location of the lump in the record to keep track of it during future visits. Sometimes depending on the location, feel and look of the lump it may be recommended to remove a piece of the lump and send it to the pathologist instead of performing an aspirate or after an aspirate.
Once you reach the tail, again if your pet allows it, lift the tail and examine for any discharge, nodules or uneven, bumpy areas around the anus. Tumors involving the anal glands can occur and go unnoticed until it is so large that your pet has trouble defecating and by that time it has most likely spread. In female dogs you can monitor for any discharge from the vulva.
Finally, if your pet is good about laying on its side or back, examine the hairless areas of the belly for any rashes, redness, fleas or mammary growths. Run your hands along their bellies and note any lumps and bumps. In male dogs this is a good time to notice any discharge from the penis.
This simple and quick exam will help you identify any possible changes to your pet’s health earlier, instead of waiting months for the next scheduled exam. Recognizing these changes early may save your pets life, allow for a possible cure or at least be able to start important medications before the disease becomes too advanced. It also helps your pets get used to a part of the more thorough examination that your veterinarian will perform. As always, if you have any concerns about your pet, please call your veterinarian first for further advice before ignoring a problem, misdiagnosing a problem or self-medicating your pet as you may be causing more harm than good!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Do Microchips Cause Tumors?
There have been various stories warning pet owners of the dangers of implanting a microchip in their dogs or cats. One such concern is the development of a tumor.
Do microchips really cause tumor formation in dogs and cats? Probably yes.
Does this stop me from recommending to my clients that their cats and dogs (and other pets) have microchips implanted for their proper identification? No.
Why not? Well, to date the best data we have is from The British Small Animal Veterinary Association which has been tracking adverse reactions to microchips since 1996. They identified a link between microchips and cancer in two dogs of more than 4 million that have received a microchip. To me, this makes it a very rare event.
How would a microchip cause a tumor to form? It is known that irritation, inflammation, and/or wounds are promoters of tumor development. Therefore, virtually anything that causes a local inflammatory reaction may potentially be responsible for initiation of tumor formation.
What about the reports of tumors developing in lab mice that have microchips placed? It is important to remember that mice and rats in those studies were either inbred strains or strains that have been genetically modified to predispose individual animals to cancer formation, making them very prone to developing tumors. Therefore a direct link between what occurs in mice should not be made with what occurs in our pets.
I have not witnessed a case of a tumor at the site of microchip implantation but I have witnessed many cases of pets being brought to our hospital after being found and MOST have no form of identification. There have been a lucky few that had a microchip which our scanner identified. The owner was called and they were shortly reunited with their pet! It is therefore VERY important to remember to make sure your contact information is current, if you have changed your phone number or address since your pets microchip was placed please call the microchip company to update your information.
Other possible risks of microchip implantation include but are not limited to infection, severe bleeding, migration of the microchip and injury to the spine or other organs from the injection. I have not witnessed these events occur at our hospital.
Having a microchip placed in your pet is not a risk- free procedure, but like any medical procedure one must weigh the possible risks of the procedure with the possible benefits. In this case, the occurrence of lost pets is significantly higher than the reported reactions to microchip implantation and therefore in my opinion the benefits outweigh the risks.
Before having a microchip implanted in your pet (or any other procedure) make sure you have a discussion with your veterinarian about the risks and benefits so that you may make an informed decision. If you do feel any bump, lump or growth on your pet, it is important to make an appointment with your veterinarian to have it evaluated.
Do microchips really cause tumor formation in dogs and cats? Probably yes.
Does this stop me from recommending to my clients that their cats and dogs (and other pets) have microchips implanted for their proper identification? No.
Why not? Well, to date the best data we have is from The British Small Animal Veterinary Association which has been tracking adverse reactions to microchips since 1996. They identified a link between microchips and cancer in two dogs of more than 4 million that have received a microchip. To me, this makes it a very rare event.
How would a microchip cause a tumor to form? It is known that irritation, inflammation, and/or wounds are promoters of tumor development. Therefore, virtually anything that causes a local inflammatory reaction may potentially be responsible for initiation of tumor formation.
What about the reports of tumors developing in lab mice that have microchips placed? It is important to remember that mice and rats in those studies were either inbred strains or strains that have been genetically modified to predispose individual animals to cancer formation, making them very prone to developing tumors. Therefore a direct link between what occurs in mice should not be made with what occurs in our pets.
I have not witnessed a case of a tumor at the site of microchip implantation but I have witnessed many cases of pets being brought to our hospital after being found and MOST have no form of identification. There have been a lucky few that had a microchip which our scanner identified. The owner was called and they were shortly reunited with their pet! It is therefore VERY important to remember to make sure your contact information is current, if you have changed your phone number or address since your pets microchip was placed please call the microchip company to update your information.
Other possible risks of microchip implantation include but are not limited to infection, severe bleeding, migration of the microchip and injury to the spine or other organs from the injection. I have not witnessed these events occur at our hospital.
Having a microchip placed in your pet is not a risk- free procedure, but like any medical procedure one must weigh the possible risks of the procedure with the possible benefits. In this case, the occurrence of lost pets is significantly higher than the reported reactions to microchip implantation and therefore in my opinion the benefits outweigh the risks.
Before having a microchip implanted in your pet (or any other procedure) make sure you have a discussion with your veterinarian about the risks and benefits so that you may make an informed decision. If you do feel any bump, lump or growth on your pet, it is important to make an appointment with your veterinarian to have it evaluated.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The small but dangerous Foxtail (Grass Awn)
At first look you think, what’s the big deal with this little piece of a plant? (Foxtail picture: www.twitpic.com/21bbl7) Well, if your pet has had an encounter with a foxtail you definitely know how much trouble they can cause!
Most of the time they get into your pet’s ears, nose or eyes and with a little sedation your veterinarian can usually remove them easily. Sometimes they can bury into the skin and end up embedded (usually within a paw) causing inflammation, infection and PAIN! (*Viewer discretion* Picture from a few days ago of foxtail being removed from a paw: www.twitpic.com/21bbzu).
Last week I saw a little dog that was squinting and kept pawing at his eye. It was very inflamed and watery. I put some local anesthesia in his eye, probed around and noticed a thin tan colored object poking under the eyelid. I began to remove it and it kept going and going and going …It was the longest foxtail I have removed! Although it was the longest foxtail I have removed I almost missed it and was amazed as to how it made its way under the eyelid!
Unfortunately for pets, the little barbs on foxtails were designed to help them bury themselves and travel one-way deep into tissues, sometimes traveling internally to a body cavity and setting up an infection. In one unfortunate cat, the foxtail managed to burrow through the skin and travel to its heart causing a deadly infection! (*Viewer discretion* Picture of heart with a foxtail within it: www.twitpic.com/21bcvk and www.twitpic.com/21bdm0).
Signs that a foxtail may be causing trouble include sudden onset of squinting and/or discharge from an eye, pawing at the face, shaking of the head, pawing at an ear, constant sneezing, nasal discharge, limping or constant licking of a paw. If you notice these signs it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your pet’s veterinarian, especially if you find yourself removing foxtails from your pet’s coat.
If your cats or dogs go outdoors, especially during the summer and fall seasons when grasses begin to dry, be sure to brush them daily and remove all foxtails that you find. Always inspect their ears and paws as they can hide between the toes!
Most of the time they get into your pet’s ears, nose or eyes and with a little sedation your veterinarian can usually remove them easily. Sometimes they can bury into the skin and end up embedded (usually within a paw) causing inflammation, infection and PAIN! (*Viewer discretion* Picture from a few days ago of foxtail being removed from a paw: www.twitpic.com/21bbzu).
Last week I saw a little dog that was squinting and kept pawing at his eye. It was very inflamed and watery. I put some local anesthesia in his eye, probed around and noticed a thin tan colored object poking under the eyelid. I began to remove it and it kept going and going and going …It was the longest foxtail I have removed! Although it was the longest foxtail I have removed I almost missed it and was amazed as to how it made its way under the eyelid!
Unfortunately for pets, the little barbs on foxtails were designed to help them bury themselves and travel one-way deep into tissues, sometimes traveling internally to a body cavity and setting up an infection. In one unfortunate cat, the foxtail managed to burrow through the skin and travel to its heart causing a deadly infection! (*Viewer discretion* Picture of heart with a foxtail within it: www.twitpic.com/21bcvk and www.twitpic.com/21bdm0).
Signs that a foxtail may be causing trouble include sudden onset of squinting and/or discharge from an eye, pawing at the face, shaking of the head, pawing at an ear, constant sneezing, nasal discharge, limping or constant licking of a paw. If you notice these signs it’s a good idea to make an appointment with your pet’s veterinarian, especially if you find yourself removing foxtails from your pet’s coat.
If your cats or dogs go outdoors, especially during the summer and fall seasons when grasses begin to dry, be sure to brush them daily and remove all foxtails that you find. Always inspect their ears and paws as they can hide between the toes!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Pet Pool Dangers
I'm sure there are many dog owners out there with pools or those that take their dogs to their friends house who own a pool. Well, just as you have to be careful with kids and pools, you MUST keep a close eye on your dogs as well.
But all dogs know how to swim right? Why would they have trouble if they fell in a swimming pool? Well, for the most part they all know how to swim. The danger actually comes when the pool has steep sides and does not have a shallow area or easy access to get out. This is of most concern in small breed dogs and puppies, they get tired, cant get out and drown.
For those that must know, when water is inhaled the natural coating of the lung surface (surfactant) is compromised and it allows for the air sacs within the lungs (alveoli) to collapse. Collpased lung tissue can't replenish oxygen in your blood or get rid of carbon dioxide that has built up. Many severe metabolic changes occur in the body. Inflammation of the lungs can also occur and the tissue becomes leaky resulting in more fluid building in the lung (edema) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Most pool accidents are witnessed but some are not although it is easy to suspect when you find your dog soaking wet and having trouble breathing. Sometimes coughing is noted, they can be in shock, have changes to their behavior and they can even be in a coma. A recent study of fresh water drowning revealed that level of consciousness at admission was not associated with outcome and showed full recovery even of animals presenting in a coma. So call your veterinarian immediately and take your pet in!
Depending on your dogs condition they may be too unstable to do further tests and must be placed in oxygen immediately, sometimes a ventilator is needed if they are not breathing on their own. If stable enough blood samples to check metabolic status and chest radiographs will be obtained. If your pet seems ok, it is recommended to keep your pet hospitalized for at least 24 hours of monitoring as things may worsen and the initial tests may not show the real extent of the damage.
Not too long ago I had the first pool incident of the year. Although the owner did not observe the incident, she found her new puppy wet and having difficulty breathing. Chest radiographs were consistent with what is expected in a near-drowning. He was placed in an oxygen cage as part of his treatment and luckily survived. I saw him just last week to finish his vaccine series and he was doing great!
I had one client bring her puppy in for vaccines and told me that her puppy was playing and fell in the pool. She was swimming around but the tiny little thing couldn't get out. Luckily the owner was there and took her out of the pool. To avoid this, I recommend that my clients who own pools purchase a floating ramp that they can connect at one end of the pool and teach their dog what it is and how to use it. It can save their life, especially for the little ones!
What about just keeping the backyard door closed? Well some have doggie doors for obvious reasons, sometimes the phone rings and we stop watching our pets (and kids), the pool party conversation becomes very interesting or sometimes we don't even realize someone followed us out and we close the door on the way in. I have left my poor dog out only to wonder why the house was so quiet and who was barking outside!
So when it comes to pools be very careful with your dogs access to it when unsupervised and I recommend you make sure they can get out or make adjustments so that they can! Nothing is more sad than an accident that could have been prevented!
But all dogs know how to swim right? Why would they have trouble if they fell in a swimming pool? Well, for the most part they all know how to swim. The danger actually comes when the pool has steep sides and does not have a shallow area or easy access to get out. This is of most concern in small breed dogs and puppies, they get tired, cant get out and drown.
For those that must know, when water is inhaled the natural coating of the lung surface (surfactant) is compromised and it allows for the air sacs within the lungs (alveoli) to collapse. Collpased lung tissue can't replenish oxygen in your blood or get rid of carbon dioxide that has built up. Many severe metabolic changes occur in the body. Inflammation of the lungs can also occur and the tissue becomes leaky resulting in more fluid building in the lung (edema) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Most pool accidents are witnessed but some are not although it is easy to suspect when you find your dog soaking wet and having trouble breathing. Sometimes coughing is noted, they can be in shock, have changes to their behavior and they can even be in a coma. A recent study of fresh water drowning revealed that level of consciousness at admission was not associated with outcome and showed full recovery even of animals presenting in a coma. So call your veterinarian immediately and take your pet in!
Depending on your dogs condition they may be too unstable to do further tests and must be placed in oxygen immediately, sometimes a ventilator is needed if they are not breathing on their own. If stable enough blood samples to check metabolic status and chest radiographs will be obtained. If your pet seems ok, it is recommended to keep your pet hospitalized for at least 24 hours of monitoring as things may worsen and the initial tests may not show the real extent of the damage.
Not too long ago I had the first pool incident of the year. Although the owner did not observe the incident, she found her new puppy wet and having difficulty breathing. Chest radiographs were consistent with what is expected in a near-drowning. He was placed in an oxygen cage as part of his treatment and luckily survived. I saw him just last week to finish his vaccine series and he was doing great!
I had one client bring her puppy in for vaccines and told me that her puppy was playing and fell in the pool. She was swimming around but the tiny little thing couldn't get out. Luckily the owner was there and took her out of the pool. To avoid this, I recommend that my clients who own pools purchase a floating ramp that they can connect at one end of the pool and teach their dog what it is and how to use it. It can save their life, especially for the little ones!
What about just keeping the backyard door closed? Well some have doggie doors for obvious reasons, sometimes the phone rings and we stop watching our pets (and kids), the pool party conversation becomes very interesting or sometimes we don't even realize someone followed us out and we close the door on the way in. I have left my poor dog out only to wonder why the house was so quiet and who was barking outside!
So when it comes to pools be very careful with your dogs access to it when unsupervised and I recommend you make sure they can get out or make adjustments so that they can! Nothing is more sad than an accident that could have been prevented!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Heatstroke
Heatstroke causes a severe rise in your pet’s body temperature and occurs due to elevated temperatures in the environment or from performance of strenuous activity. Unfortunately the summer time allows for a combination of the two and an increase in the cases of heatstroke. It can happen as quickly as 30 minutes and is worse in places with increases in humidity, especially if there is no access to shade or breaks to rest and cool down.
Dogs cool off mostly by panting as air contacts the mucous membranes of the upper airways and allow evaporative cooling to occur. With high humidity, the evaporative cooling mechanism is not as effective. Short nosed breeds such as Bull Dogs that suffer from brachiocephalic syndrome (partially opened nares or long soft palates among other things) or dogs suffering from other upper airway problems (such as collapsing tracheas or laryngeal paralysis) are at greater risk for developing heat stroke as their main cooling mechanism is not in top shape.
Signs of heat stroke can include excessive panting, collapse, seizures, excessive salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea and occur after exercising on a hot day or being left in a car even if the windows are cracked.
Permanent and life-threatening damage to organs such as the kidneys, liver, intestines and brain can occur if not treated immediately.
If you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke move them into a shaded area, wet them down with COOL water and call your veterinarian immediately to let them know you are on your way. Using COLD water will only make things worse as the outer blood vessels which are helping to cool your pet down will close off. Fans or air conditioning will also help with cooling.
Your veterinarian may need to obtain baseline blood work to evaluate for organ damage, place an IV catheter and administer fluids and other medications as well as hospitalize and monitor your pet. OVERCOOLING can be more harmful than helpful and this is why it is recommended to start the cooling process and go to your veterinarian immediately for careful monitoring and adjustment to treatments as necessary.
Studies reveal that pets that present to their veterinarian soon after are more likely to survive than animals seen later. Pets that survive the first 24-48 hours of hospitalization generally do well.
I have seen cases of heatstroke in dogs left in a car WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN for only a couple of minutes, dogs going about their usual outside play on a hotter than normal day and dogs taken on long runs and hikes.
Be safe this summer and remember that if you are enjoying a nice day out with your pets to allow rest breaks, access to shaded areas, plenty of water and know when to stop! If you have any concerns at all see your veterinarian, it’s always better (and cheaper) to be on the safe side!
For more summer dangers follow my tweets @expertvet and check back for updates to the blog.
Dogs cool off mostly by panting as air contacts the mucous membranes of the upper airways and allow evaporative cooling to occur. With high humidity, the evaporative cooling mechanism is not as effective. Short nosed breeds such as Bull Dogs that suffer from brachiocephalic syndrome (partially opened nares or long soft palates among other things) or dogs suffering from other upper airway problems (such as collapsing tracheas or laryngeal paralysis) are at greater risk for developing heat stroke as their main cooling mechanism is not in top shape.
Signs of heat stroke can include excessive panting, collapse, seizures, excessive salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea and occur after exercising on a hot day or being left in a car even if the windows are cracked.
Permanent and life-threatening damage to organs such as the kidneys, liver, intestines and brain can occur if not treated immediately.
If you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke move them into a shaded area, wet them down with COOL water and call your veterinarian immediately to let them know you are on your way. Using COLD water will only make things worse as the outer blood vessels which are helping to cool your pet down will close off. Fans or air conditioning will also help with cooling.
Your veterinarian may need to obtain baseline blood work to evaluate for organ damage, place an IV catheter and administer fluids and other medications as well as hospitalize and monitor your pet. OVERCOOLING can be more harmful than helpful and this is why it is recommended to start the cooling process and go to your veterinarian immediately for careful monitoring and adjustment to treatments as necessary.
Studies reveal that pets that present to their veterinarian soon after are more likely to survive than animals seen later. Pets that survive the first 24-48 hours of hospitalization generally do well.
I have seen cases of heatstroke in dogs left in a car WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN for only a couple of minutes, dogs going about their usual outside play on a hotter than normal day and dogs taken on long runs and hikes.
Be safe this summer and remember that if you are enjoying a nice day out with your pets to allow rest breaks, access to shaded areas, plenty of water and know when to stop! If you have any concerns at all see your veterinarian, it’s always better (and cheaper) to be on the safe side!
For more summer dangers follow my tweets @expertvet and check back for updates to the blog.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Welcome
Welcome to my blog! I will be posting further information here as a follow-up to my tweets from @expertvet. I am horrified of the things my clients tell me they read online. There is A LOT of misleading information out there for pet owners and have made this blog to provide information you can trust! Follow me on twitter @expertvet
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