A-Z Challenge: G is for Go and Get the facts

Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! This year my theme is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

Go ahead. Sniff around. 

It is highly recommended that your pet go to their veterinarian on a yearly basis. Your veterinarian isn't trying to squeeze all of your hard-earned money out of your wallet, trust me. Okay, maybe there are a few of them out there. But in general, veterinarians realize that you only have so much to spend. It's just like with people, going in for regular health check-ups allows doctors to catch problems earlier, thereby allowing those problems to be remedied.

Taking your pet to the doctor every year for an annual health check does the same thing. They may be able to notice a trend over time, or see something that you don't. Also, it's a great time to ask your veterinarian questions about your pet's health, diet/nutrition, weight, vaccines, or potential surgeries.

Many people "shop around" before actually choosing a veterinarian, and that's perfectly fine. Sometimes personalities don't mesh well, or you may not like a doctor's "bed-side manner", or you may not jive with the staff, or the price just isn't right. Before choosing a veterinarian, it's always a good idea to give a clinic a call and set up an appointment to meet with the doctor(s) and get a tour of their facility.

Ask the staff questions when you get there, price shop with them, what kind of payments they accept and if they accept Care Credit as a payment option, if they accept pet insurance and how it works with their office. And when you meet the doctor ask them what's on your mind. Ask them about their surgical procedures, their recommendations on vaccine protocol, if heartworm disease is prevalent in your area, how often they see parvo, what they recommend for food, etc. Ask to see their exam rooms, their treatment area, their equipment, their lab area, their kennels, if they board pets and if so ask about their requirements and how often they have the staff walk and feed the animals, etc. Ask about the laboratory they use, how long it takes to get results for basic testing like Complete Blood Counts and Chemistry Panels for routine check-ups (also good if you have a pet that is on long-term medication like phenobarbitol which often requires annual blood work), and how they like the lab they use. Leave no stone unturned.

As they said in Dragnet, 

Go to your vet's office and get the facts. If you walk away feeling unsure or uneasy, don't go back. If you leave believing your pets are in good hands, then you just found your veterinarian.

Getting the facts can be hard. No two veterinarians operate the exact same way. No two clinics have the exact same protocol. It's important to understand why your veterinarian office does it their way. And people also have the internet, which can be a very helpful tool, but it can also steer you in the wrong direction. Your veterinarian can always recommend reputed sites that will be helpful.

My sources: Pet Health Network, Pet Education by Dr.'s Foster & Smith, and my own experiences working in large/small animal practices as well as a veterinary laboratory.

A-Z Challege: F is for (K9) Flu

Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! This year, my theme is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

Yes, there is a K9 Flu. But don't worry, it's not contagious to people like Swine Flu, Bird Flu, etc. Although, while people can't get it, we can help spread it. If you unknowingly pet an infected dog and go directly home and love on Fido, you've just contaminated your dog.

The K9 Flu (H3N8) wasn't discovered in dogs until 2004. When your dog is vaccinated with his DHLPP shot every year (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvo), and if he receives a Bordatella shot (Kennel Cough), your dog already has some protection. However, this is a K9 Flu vaccine, to help prevent your dog from catching the H3N8 strain.

If your dog is going to be boarded, taken to a lot of dog parks or dog shows, it's a good idea to have your dog get his flu shot. Always check with a boarding facility as to what vaccinations they require as they may now be requiring the K9 Flu vaccine in addition to others they require.

Just like in people, the symptoms of the K9 Flu are similar to the people version including fever, lethargy, decreased appetite, runny nose, and coughing. And more often than not, it'll have to run it's course just like in people. However, you know your pet best. If see that your pet isn't drinking enough or eating enough, or the cough sounds worse, take your dog to the veterinarian. Your dog may need fluids to prevent dehydration or even antibiotics if a secondary infection such as pneumonia happens.

People often ask if their dog getting the vaccine will mean it will never get sick. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee. Just like people who get a flu shot can still get the flu, your dog could still come down with the flu. However, if Fido's been vaccinated, it could lessen the severity of the his illness and it can also lessen the change that he'll shed the virus when sick, thereby not infecting other dogs. Just remember, there is no guarantee your dog will not get sick if he has been vaccinated. Prevention is always best.

My sources: Pet Health Network, Pet Education by Dr.'s Foster & Smith, as well as my experience working in large/small animal practices and a veterinary laboratory.

A-Z Challenge: E is for Ethylene Glycol Poisoning

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Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! This year my theme is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

Ethylene Glycol Poisoning - in Antifreeze - should be a concern of any pet owner whose animals are ever outside. The reason this toxin is so dangerous is due to it's sweet smell and taste to our furry critters. This poison can and will affect the brain, liver, and kidneys in a short period of time.

If you're concerned that your pet has ingested any antifreeze, do not induce vomiting. Call your veterinarian immediately or a poison control center and do as instructed. And remember: time is of the essence!

There are three stages of poisoning:

Stage 1: 0-12 hours after ingestion. Nervous system signs including mild depression, lack of muscle control/staggering, knuckling, seizures, hyper-excitability, stupor, and rarely coma, and death. These signs are similar to acute alcohol intoxication and resemble drunkenness. Other symptoms may include lack of appetite, vomiting, drop in body temperature, and an increase in drinking and urination.

Stage 2: 12-24 hours after ingestion. Cardiopulmonary system signs are seen including increased heart rate and respiratory rate.

Stage 3: 12-72 hours after ingestion. Kidneys are affected. Symptoms include severe depression, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, kidney failure, and death.

 A veterinarian can look at your pet's urine for the presence of crystals, which is an indicator of antifreeze poisoning. Unfortunately, it can also mean other things, and can even show up in normal urine. A lab test is available, for dogs only, but that means you have to wait for the results. Most, if not all, veterinary labs will be 24 hours. The lab location I worked for was open 24 hours, as I was on night shift. As an FYI, ethylene glycol tests are considered "STAT" - meaning we have someone stop what they are doing and do it now and get the results out ASAP. I myself only had a couple of positives when I did the testing. The test is rather involved; we take the blood sample submitted, spin it down, and add various chemicals in various stages in different tubes. It takes almost half an hour to do the test properly. Even in the lab, we know that your pet is sick, and we want the test to be negative just as much as you do.

Always remember that your garage is full of toxins. If you even think your pet has ingested any toxin, call your veterinarian immediately. If it's late at night, either your vet's office will have a vet on call, or hopefully there will be a 24 hour emergency vet open. Larger cities usually have the latter option available to you, and if you're out in the country, country vet's will offer 24 hour service on an emergency basis.

My sources: Pet Health Network, Pet Education by Dr.'s Foster & Smith, as well as my own experience working in large/small animal practices and a veterinary laboratory.

A-Z Challenge: D is for Dental Health

Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! My theme for this year is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

Yep, just like us peoples, pets often times require dental work. And just like us peoples, no two pets are the same when it comes to their teeth. I know people who never see a dentist (I mean like, never), and they have a healthy mouth. I know people that go to the dentist every 6 months and every single tooth has a cavity, they need root canals, crowns, you name it, they got it. Same with pets: your Chihuahua will need maybe one dental in it's life, and your Lab may need 5. Your neighbor could have it opposite. No two mouths are ever created equal.

Would it shock you, though, if I told you that according to the American Veterinary Dental Society, dental disease is the #1 health issue affecting 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of 3?

Your pet's dental health is just one of the many reasons you should take your pet to their veterinarian at least once a year. During the annual exam, they will do a once-over on your pet, checking everything from the nose to the tail and just about everything in between. Plus, if you have any concerns, your veterinarian can answer any questions and give you information so that you can make the best decision for your pet.

For example, if your sweet little Fido has breath that makes Pepe Le Pew smell like a rose garden, there's a serious problem. Bad breath is not natural in our pets mouths. Of course, it won't smell totally awesome to us, either. But Fluffy's or Fido's breath shouldn't knock people out.

Plaque and tartar build up will cause bad breath, and can also cause infections and periodontal disease. This can lead to expensive vet bills: a dental cleaning, tooth extraction (prices vary depending on the type of tooth pulled - it's expensive either way), and antibiotics. Poor dental health can also lead to larger problems down the road, such as heart, liver, and kidney disease.

Any veterinarian or technician will tell you that dental care starts at home. It is recommended to brush your pet's teeth as often as you can. Even doing it a few times a week is better than never at all. Starting when your pet is young is often easier than starting when they are "senior citizens". Just like teaching them to take medications, getting them used to nail trims, it can just become a part of your training that eventually becomes daily routine. Doing this at home will help prevent the plaque and tartar from building up an causing problems. (I should talk, I've never brushed my cat's teeth. However, I will only do so if I have a death wish. She knows where I sleep.) Also, don't use your own toothpaste - human toothpastes can make animals sick. Always make sure you're using a toothpaste that is made specifically for pets.

Vet offices will have toothpaste, toothbrushes or finger brushes, and oral rinses available for pet owners. You can also find them at many pet stores (or if you're in the country, your local feed store might have them, too), including the retail giants of Petco and Petsmart.

When it comes to treats, it's best to give "dental" treats for your pets. While cavities in pets are rare, veterinarians have seen a rise in cavities due to the table scraps many pets will get at home. A normal diet for your pet is not high in decay-causing sugars. But we all spoil our pets with bits from the table, the trick is to keep it to a minimum. Or none at all.

Many pet owners are curious about feeding canned food versus dry kibble. Dry kibble is better at preventing plaque build-up than canned food. However, feeding a small bit of canned food shouldn't be detrimental. My cat gets maybe 1/4 of a can of canned food once a day. Sometimes it's every other day. But it's not her main diet; she is free-fed dry kibble and eats as she pleases.

If your pet will definitely require a dental cleaning, or if you just want to do a preventative cleaning every few years, here's a tip: February is Pet Dental Month and most vet clinics will offer a price break on their dental cleanings. It may not feel like it's a big break, but it's cheaper than normal. They may also offer price breaks on dental supplies for home dental care.  Also, many clinics get dental treat samples from their food representatives, you can always ask if they "happen" to have any lying around.

Here are some FAQ's on dental health for your cat or dog.

My sources: Pet Health Network, Pet Education by Dr.'s Foster & Smith, plus my own experience working in large/small animal practices as well as my experience in a veterinary laboratory.

A-Z Challenge: C is for Chocolate Poisoning

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Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! My theme this year is Pet Health - information for people and their furry, four-legged family members.

Unless you just plain don't like it (which makes you weird . . . not unlikeable, just weird), chocolate is just plain wonderful. Sometimes a bright spot in an otherwise horrible day. For pets, however, they think it tastes good, too, but unfortunately it can be quite toxic to them.

The reason being is that chocolate contains two items that can be toxic: caffeine and theobromine. Caffeine directly stimulates the heart and the central nervous system. Both ingredients can cause an increase in heart rate, and in some cases can cause an irregular heartbeat.

Now, different types of chocolate will contain these ingredients in different amounts. For example, white and milk chocolate are less toxic than baking cocoa. However, none of it is good for your pets.

Just an FYI:  a dose of less than 1 oz of milk chocolate per pound of body weight could potentially cause death. Less that 0.1 oz of Baker's unsweetened chocolate per pound of body weight could be lethal. Usually the more bitter the chocolate, the higher the level of theobromine.

Symptoms of your dog having devoured your secret chocolate stash are: vomiting, diarrhea, panting, increased drinking, bloating, lack of muscle coordination, muscle twitching/tremors. Please note that these signs will typically occur 6 or more hours after ingestion. Which is why it is so important to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible for treatment. In extreme cases collapse, seizures, and even death can occur.

Typically the veterinarian will induce vomiting to get the chocolate out before too much is absorbed by the body.  Activated charcoal may also be administered to absorb anything left in the stomach and/or intestines.

In general, most animals that find your super secret chocolate stash recover completely within a couple of days of treatment. 

When I was in high school, I babysat for some neighbors kids. One Valentine's Day, I came home in the evening and went out the front door to feed my horses. On the front porch I noticed bits of foil wrapping and cardboard packaging. Picking it all up, I deduced it had been a giant Hershey Kiss. I called one of my neighbors and asked if they had dropped one off; they had as their boys had wanted to get me something. They had placed it on top of the dog house on the front porch, against the wall of the house so that the dog couldn't get it. Unfortunately, our shepherd/lab cross managed to get to it (we never could quite figure out how as it was a BIG dog house). They felt terrible and asked if Dustie was okay. No one knew how long it had been since she ate it, and she showed no signs of being ill. (perhaps the cardboard packaging absorbed most of the chocolate?) Of course, this was a dog who regularly ate tennis balls and at one point, my volleyball. I really think she was part goat . . . In the end, we were very lucky nothing happened to our Dustie that night.

My sources: Pet Health Network and Pet Education by Dr.'s Foster/Smith, as well as my own experiences working in large/small animal practices as well as a veterinary laboratory.


  

A-Z Challenge: B is for Bordatella

Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! My theme for this year is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

Bordatella is often referred to as "Kennel Cough". It's a highly infectious cough that would closely resemble the common cold in humans, with an annoyingly scratchy throat. Most boarding facilities will require this vaccine for your dog(s) before being allowed to board, and may vet offices will require it as well. Always check with whomever you're boarding your dog with for required vaccinations.

In kennel environments, this hacking cough can go 'round and 'round, as dogs can catch this virus from close contact with infected dogs or infected surfaces.

Symptoms include a dry, hacking cough that can often be followed by retching. In mild cases, dogs may still eat and play normally. In more severe cases, there may be nasal discharge, watery/goopy eyes, lethargy, fever, decreased appetite, and even pneumonia. While most cases of Kennel Cough tend to be mild, if you think your dog has been exposed to Kennel Cough, seek veterinary attention.

 If your dog gets its annual DHLPP vaccinations (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvo), your dog already gets some protection as the influenza virus is one of the causes of Kennel Cough. It is also recommended that your dog receive a Bordatella vaccine, especially if you know your dog will be boarding, going to doggy-daycare, going to dog parks or will otherwise come into contact with other potentially unvaccinated dogs.

Several years ago, my parents were camping with friends and family, most of whom brought their dogs. About a week or so after the camping trip, one of the friends called my parents saying their dog had had Kennel Cough and she hadn't known it, and suggested they take their dogs to the vet as her dog had progressed to pneumonia. My parents called me about it and I told them that was one of the vaccines I always told them to get, but to call the vet and get the dogs another dose to be safe. The took the dogs to the vet and all were safe and sound. The lady had called everyone who had shown up with dogs. Luckily, no other dogs came down with it. Unfortunately, I can't remember if the lady's dog made it or not.

The Bordatella vaccine is typically an annual vaccine, but many boarding facilities will require it be given every 6 months because they don't want the risk of your pet getting sick. Giving the vaccine twice a year will not harm your pet. The most common method of vaccinating your dog is by giving the vaccine intranasally (up the nose), which creates a localized immunity, and no booster is required. If it's given as an injectable (under the skin), a booster 3-4 weeks later will be required for immunity.

Be aware that dogs that are given the intranasal vaccine can shed the virus for roughly 72 hours, and up to 4 days for full protection. For best protection, make sure dogs receive the vaccine at least one week prior to boarding, showing, etc.

If you're concerned your dog has been exposed to Kennel Cough, call your veterinarian. And when you get to the vet's office, leave your dog in the car (if possible) until your are signed in the staff is ready to take you into a room. Some offices may even have a side door for you and your dogs to enter through to avoid/lessen possible contamination/exposure of the front lobby.

My sources: Pet Health Network and Pet Education by Dr.'s Foster/Smith, plus my own experience working in large/small animal practices as well in a veterinary laboratory.

A -Z Challege: A is for Aspirin Toxicity

Welcome to the A-Z Challenge! My theme for this year is Pet Health - information for people about their furry, four-legged family members.

 

First thing all pet owners should know is that human medicine is not always suitable for pets. Our pets metabolize chemicals much differently that we humans. Aspirin toxicity in dogs and cats is more common than vet offices would like. Sometimes it's accidental, a pill gets dropped on a floor and we don't see it. More often than not, though, people give aspirin to their pets, not knowing the consequences. And before you ask, even baby aspirin can be toxic.

Cats actually lack an enzyme that is required for metabolizing a by-product of aspirin and therefore get sick faster.

Symptoms for both dogs and cats are similar: depression/lethargy, vomiting that may include blood, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, and increased respiratory rates.

These symptoms  can occur 4-6 hours after the aspirin was ingested. Aspirin toxicity can lead to acute kidney failure, coma, and even death.

Chronic (over time) toxicity can lead to ulcers and even perforation of the stomach lining, toxic inflammation of the liver, and even bone marrow suppression leading to anemia.

Just an FYI: Children's aspirin contains 81 mg, regular aspirin contains 325 mg, and extra-strength aspirin contains 500 mg. Pepto-Bismol contains 300 mg of salicylate per tablet and 262 mg per 15 ml (1 tbsp.) of liquid. Numerous other products contain aspirin.

Toxic doses: For dogs 22mg per pound per day and for cats 11mg per pound per day.

About a month ago, a young couple came in with their pit bull, who was experiencing some of the symptoms. After about a half hour of blood work, the owners finally cop to giving their dog aspirin for about a month for what they thought was arthritis pain in their dog. The dog wound up being fine, but it cost the pet owners $300-$400 in blood work and medicines to  help with stomach ulcers and vomiting.

If your dog has arthritis pain, or other physical pain, veterinarians have pain relievers that are safe for your pets. It may cost you money every month, but I can guarantee pet pain relief medications will not cost you as much as giving your dog aspirin to save a few bucks.

Before you give aspirin, talk to your veterinarian about proper dosages and treatments and alternatives.

My sources: Pet Health Network and Pet Education by Dr.'s Foster/Smith, plus my own experience by working in large/small animal vet practices as well as a veterinary laboratory.