In July 1993 a drug called cisapride was approved in human medicine for treating gastroesophageal reflux in humans. In January of 2000, cisapride was removed from the United States market by the FDA after reports of cardiac side effects such as rapid and irregular heart rate. In veterinary medicine there were never any such cardiovascular effects seen. The drug was extremely helpful in treating many gastrointestinal disorders so it continued to be used, primarily in cats.

Cisapride is very effective in treating certain types of constipation in cats, such as constipation due to hairballs and constipation in cats with a condition called megacolon. Megacolon is a condition where a certain part of the intestine gets dilated causing its regular motion (called peristalsis) to become somewhat paralyzed. Cisapride is also used for gastrointestinal reflux as well as a condition called postoperative ileus.

The positive effects seen from cisapride in cats include accelerated gastric emptying of both liquids and solids, and a decrease in transit time. Although there is another drug called metoclopramide that can be used for similar conditions, cisapride is more potent and has a broader range of activity for many conditions. Cisapride also has much less of an effect on the central nervous system because it does not so readily cross the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is one of those very important and regularly studied terms in pharmacy school that signifies whether a certain drug has any effect on the central nervous system or it does not.

Since cisapride has been discontinued in human medicine, the pharmaceutical company that used to market it under the trade name “Propulsid” has decided to stop making it available. For a while this medication was not available in any form. After the realization that this drug was extremely useful in veterinary medicine, certain compound pharmacies were fortunately able to make cisapride available to the millions of suffering pets that have benefited from using it. Cisapride has been considered a ‘miracle drug’ for many pet owners who have continuously watched their pets suffer from certain gastrointestinal conditions.

It is extremely important to watch the dose of cisapride and to make sure the pet does not get a higher dose than that prescribed by the veterinarian. Animals with liver disease may also need to have their dose reduced in order to reduce the chances of bad side effects. Cisapride also has many drug interactions because for one it accelerates the time that certain other drugs pass through the intestines therefore possibly affecting absorption. Other drug interactions include many of the anti-fungal drugs such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, and miconazole. Using this medication along with these anti-fungals has the potential of causing very dangerous ventricular arrhythmias. Cisapride may increase the rate of absorption of cimetidine, ranitidine, and may increase the effects of certain anticoagulants. Other possible adverse reactions and interactions have occurred.

It is important to stay in close contact with your veterinarian and discuss any medications your pets may be taking along with any observed adverse effects seen after administering the drug. A close relationship with the veterinarian is one of the best ways to get the most benefit of any treatment while still managing the dangerous bad effects. Your 1800PetMeds pharmacist is also available to answer any of your medication related questions. When dealing with medication such as cisapride it is so important not to leave any of the questions you have unanswered.

Related posts:

1. Special Breed Risk: Siamese Cats & Megacolon
2. Drug Interactions with Pet meds
3. Don’t Just Grab the Medicine Bottle… Read the Label First!

These are my Mongolian gerbils, Bert and Ernie, when they were just babies.  I think they were about 8 weeks old in this picture. Bert and Ernie are two and a half years old now. They used to live in a big glass aquarium in my home.

I admit that I did not pay much attention to Bert or to Ernie, but Harley loved them greatly. He was always trying to get them to play games with him.

Sadly, the glass kept Harley and the gerbils forever apart.

Still, Harley  never gave up. One time Ernie even tried to bust out using his 4-wheel-drive vehicle. This plan did not work on account of his vehicle was made of cardboard.

But guess what happened? The gerbils busted out after all! Now they live in my Mommeh’s office at PetMeds!

Even though Harley and I do not get to see Bert and Ernie any more, they have lots and lots of visitors every day now.

Do you have any exotic pets?

Related posts:

1. Introducing Daisy the Curly Cat
2. Why We Are Thankful
3. Harley: The Story of Me!

The sleep requirements for any dog will depend a lot on its age and its size. Small dogs like me tend to sleep fewer hours than big dogs, and puppies and seniors will sleep more than adult dogs. We have higher metabolisms than humans do, which requires more sleepy time. The difference, however, is that dogs will sleep for multiple short periods and then be awake for multiple short periods while humans will be awake for a long period of 12-15 hours straight then sleep for the balance.

Because dogs spend shorter intervals in sleep, they don’t get to stay in that deep REM stage as long. It is presumed that dogs get as little as 10% of their sleepy time in REM. Humans, on the other paw, spend as much as 20-25% of their sleepy time in REM.  Dogs do dream, and will twitch, growl, whine, and make movements with their legs as though running.

Nutrition plays a big role in your dog’s sleep habits too. A poor quality diet will not give your dog the fuel for the energy he needs to be active.  I lead a very busy life as Pombassador of Southern California Pomeranian Rescue;  I do a lot of volunteering for charity, make pawsonal appearances for fundraising, attend an occasional pawty,  and I get to travel to a lot of different places.  My busy schedule can be demanding so Mommy has to make sure that I get a balanced diet with vitamins and plenty of beauty sleep so I can always bring my A-Game with me everywhere I go.

At the end of every day there is nothing better than being able to curl up in my beloved Sock Monkey Bed for a good night’s sleepy time!

Love,

Bella

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3. Bella Makes Her New Year’s Resolutions

If you’ve had to deal with fleas on your dog or cat, you’re probably already familiar with the common topical products used to control these pesky parasites. Maybe you even feel that the fleas in your area have become immune to all the standard treatments. Now there’s something new: Activyl and Activyl Tick Plus. According to the manufacturer, Merck Animal Health, it’s the first and only flea product to use metabolic activation or “bioactivation.” This new technology available only in Activyl uses the enzymes inside the flea itself to activate the flea-killing power.

How does Activyl work?
The active ingredient in Activyl is indoxacarb, which has not been used before, so there is no known problem with fleas being resistant to the product. You apply Activyl to your pet once a month, just like any other topical flea and tick product. Once applied, Activyl spreads through the natural oils in your dog or cat’s skin and coat. When a flea lands on your pet, it takes up the Activyl where it changes inside the flea into Activyl’s fully active form; the flea then becomes paralyzed and dies. Acitvyl remains on the surface of your pet’s skin, not in the bloodstream; therefore, fleas do not have to bite your pet to be affected. Since the majority of the activity occurs inside the flea, your pet’s exposure is lessened.

In addition to killing adult fleas, Activyl also prevents flea eggs and larvae from developing which effectively breaks the flea life cycle. Activyl begins killing fleas within hours of application and continues working for four full weeks. It’s waterproof, quick drying, fragrance free and is effective even after swimming, exposure to sunlight, or bathing your pets. However, for maximum effectiveness, you should not bathe your pet or allow your pet to swim within 24 hours of application.

Does Activyl treat ticks?
If you’re concerned about ticks, you can use Activyl Tick Plus for dogs only. It has all the benefits of Activyl, but with the addition of permethrin, it also repels and kills adult ticks on contact.

Related posts:

1. Certifect Flea and Tick Control for Dogs
2. PetMeds® Frontline Top Spot Flea Control
3. FiproGuard Plus

When we’re in dog training classes, the instructor invariably says, “Stop saying your dog’s name before each command. He knows it’s your voice giving the command, so he just needs to hear the command. He already knows it’s you and you’re speaking to him.” I have to say, my dogs are terrific about sitting promptly to my commands, while they ignore the same command given by the owner next to me in class when she’s talking to her dog.

Wheatie also seems to respond more readily to a bark from one of his mates compared with a stranger dog. When our next door neighbor’s dog woofs, Wheatie may not even pick up his head, but when Toby makes the slightest huff, Wheatie comes to attention. Researchers are beginning to investigate this ability of dogs to distinguish voices of their friends.

The ability of animals to identify voices of their fellow animals was recently investigated in a study conducted at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover, Germany. Study results were published in the journal Animal Cognition. Researchers investigated the ability of bats to recognize calls from their mates. Presumably, bats use recognition of voice signatures from their fellow bats to find their own bat group when returning home from hunting. When bats were presented with a recording of a call from one bat repeatedly, they began to ignore the same call from the same bat. When a similar call was presented from another bat in his group, he became more attentive to that call. Researchers concluded that bats were able to discriminate among different voices within their group.

This bat research confirms what I’ve seen in training classes. When you tell your dog to sit and he ignores the request, just repeatedly saying the same request over and over is not likely to result in your dog responding to the command. But as soon as the class instructor walks over and says, “Sit,” his butt will hit the ground. Our personal experiences with our dogs and this new bat research helps to show, animals really can recognize the important voices in their lives.

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1. Teach Your Dog Tricks To Let You Know You’re Special
2. Look — It’s Another Dog Just Like Me
3. Professor Fido? College Gone to the Dogs

I have heard of dogs consuming their own feces for a variety of reasons; however, when I noticed my dog “Duke” eating feces from the cat’s litter box, I felt that he had taken disgusting to a whole new level. For the remainder of the day I kept wondering what caused this and how to prevent it from happening again. I certainly didn’t ever want to see him doing this again. You’d think that my cats, being very clean by nature would appreciate the help with the cleanup but even they did not. The further Duke is away from them and their litter box, the happier they generally are for some reason.

Consumption of feces by an animal is called coprophagia, and it comes in three different forms: autocoprophagia is when the pet consumes its own feces; intracoprophagia is when the animal consumes feces from another animal of the same species; the consumption feces of an animal from another species of animal is called intercoprophagia. Now knowing that Duke had intercoprophagia did not make it any easier to accept. The strange thing is that he was not bothered by this in the slightest bit.

Coprophagia in all of its various forms can cause ingestion of internal parasites, fungus, viruses, and bacteria so a solution must be found as soon as the problem is detected. Canine Parvovirus and hepatitis are also easily spread by the fecal to oral route. My biggest concern for Duke when I saw him eating from the litter box is toxoplasma which can be transmitted in cat feces, and may cause central nervous system and muscle damage in dogs.

In order to prevent Duke from doing this again I had to make sure all the feces were picked up right away, while trying to figure out why the sudden interest and change in diet. There are many behavioral and medical theories that may attribute to this behavior in dogs.

Behavioral theories may include attention seeking behavior, learned behavior (when a dog observes other dogs consuming feces and try to do the same thing), maternal behavior (cleaning after puppies is a good way to disguise their scent from predators), dominance behavior, anxiety or stress, and also possibly because dogs may want to keep their surroundings clean.

Medical theories include hunger because of food being withheld or improper absorption of nutrients, any disease or medication that can cause an increase in appetite (Diabetes, Cushing’s disease, thyroid disease, and treatment with steroids), food allergies that lead to malabsorption, pancreatitis, intestinal infections, and it simply could be because some feces (i.e. cat ) contains a high amount of protein and other nutrients. Sometimes over-feeding can cause a problem because it leaves undigested matter in the feces which can be tempting to dogs.

While searching for ways to prevent this from happening again I came across many different suggestions from a variety of sources. Some recommend exercise, scolding, positive reinforcement, or simply maintain the health of the dog. The suggestions I read about that seemed to have the most potential for me were to stop the behavior early to it doesn’t develop into a habit, keep cat boxes out of reach, and using a taste deterrent.

As soon as I realized that the recent change in food was potentially to blame for Duke’s sudden interest in eating the cat feces (probably to get the nutrition he was missing from his own food), the problem was very easy to solve. I returned to the food that I had been giving him that he seemed to digest well, rather than force the change in diet and I moved the cat litter box out of his reach. I also added a product called NaturVet Digestive Enzymes with Prebiotics & Probiotics to his diet as well as to the cats’ diet.

NaturVet Digestive Enzymes with Prebiotics & Probiotics is a concentrated enzyme blend that does not come from animal sources. It contains a good source of naturally occurring microorganisms that help support a healthy digestive tract. Alpha Amylase will hydrolyze starch, Protease will hydrolyze proteins, Cellulase will break down cellulose, Lipase can hydrolyze triglycerides, and probiotics enhance normal digestion. This product seems to slow the growth of disease-causing bacteria while strengthening the immune system and normalizing the bowel movements. In about 2 weeks I was able to move the litter box back when I noticed that Duke had no more interest in it.

When the pet has autocoprophagia (eat his own feces), a deterrent called FOR-BID can help in the early stages. FOR-BID makes its way through the intestines as the purified vegetable protein and sodium glutamate are digested, ending up in the feces. This gives the feces a very bad taste when excreted, and discourages consumption by the dog. Some people recommend pineapple to be added to the diet which also seems to add a bad taste to the feces while others suggest adding hot sauce directly to the feces. Another recommendation is to use a high quality dog food (or as in Duke’s case one that he had an easier time digesting) and making sure the dog is free from any other underlying condition.

Whenever a change in a pet’s health is observed it is highly recommended to make an appointment to have the pet examined by a veterinarian. A good relationship with the veterinarian and maintaining a regular schedule for check-ups are two of the most important things that you can do to keep your pet healthy. If you have any medication related questions, a pharmacist at 1800PetMeds is also available to help answer those for you.

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1. PetMeds® Stopping Your Dog From Eating Feces (Coprophagy)
2. Enticing Your Cat Back to the Litter Box
3. PetMeds® Dogs That Eat Their Own Feces (Coprophagia)

Professor Daisy’s Tips for Cats:  You  might not be more interesting but you can be more comfy in a nice, cozy bed! You can probably skip the robe though.

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A POEM TO MY FOSTER DOG
By Diane Morgan

I am the bridge,
Between what was and what can be.
I am the pathway to a new life.

I am made of mush,
Because my heart melted when I saw you,
Matted and sore, limping, depressed
Lonely, unwanted, afraid to love.

For one little time you are mine.
I will feed you with my own hand.
I will love you with my whole heart.
I will make you whole.

I am made of steel.
Because when the time comes,
When you are well, and sleek,
when your eyes shine,
And your tail wags with joy
Then comes the hard part.

I will let you go-not without a tear,
But without a regret.
For you are safe forever–
A new dog needs me now.

This is my special “Thank You” to all the Foster Mommies and Daddies out there who have taken in a homeless pup to foster. You have given life by extending one that was nearly extinguished because there was no home for it. You have nurtured life by taking in one that was nearly lost and gave it room to run and play. You have given in an immeasurable way, shared burdens that cannot be weighed and experienced joys that cannot be described. There have been battles with health problems, some lost  and some won. Without you, the foster pawrent, there would not be as many lives saved and now living in happy homes.

This I know:  There is a beautiful place in Heaven for Foster Parents.

Love,

Bella

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2. Being Bella Pomeranian: Featured Dog in PetMeds Commercial
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Snows have given way to daffodils, tulips, and singing birds and many of us are enjoying springtime hikes in the woods. There’s nothing my dogs enjoy more than running through wooded trails, sniffing everything in sight. Once the deep snow is gone, we have to worry a bit more about picking up bloodthirsty hitchhikers – disease-carrying ticks. 

May is Lyme Disease Awareness month. As you know, ticks spread nasty diseases to both people and pets, including Lyme Disease. In humans, Lyme disease can initially cause a rash and a flu-like illness, with the later development of joint and neurological symptoms. In dogs, Lyme disease can also cause joint problems, as well as kidney and neurological disease.

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, Lyme disease concentrates in the northeast and upper Midwest parts of the United States. In fact, in 2011, 96 percent of Lyme disease cases occurred in 13 states:

• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Wisconsin

The Centers for Disease Control offers a variety of tips for reducing your risk of Lyme disease:

Know where to expect ticks

• Ticks are most commonly found in moist wooded or grassy areas. When walking through the woods, sticking to trails reduces your risk of encountering ticks.

Check yourself for ticks

• Check both your body and clothing for potential hitchhikers

• If you find a tick attached, gently and firmly remove it with tweezers or a tick comb

Make your yard less tick friendly

• Separate play areas from tall grasses and wooded areas using mulch

• Clear brush and leaf litter from around your home

• Discourage deer from entering your yard. Deer are a tick’s main meal. Fencing and selecting deer-resistant plants will make your yard less desirable for deer that might be transporting ticks

Remember to consistently and regularly use tick prevention treatments for your pets and inspect your pet for ticks after enjoying a nice romp outdoors.

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1. PetMeds® Lyme Disease Exposure in Dogs
2. PetMeds® My Dog Tested Positive for Lyme Disease
3. Anaplasmosis in Pets

The “aqueous humor” does not describe a funny guy on the swim team, but is actually a clear liquid that helps the eye maintain its shape. The aqueous humor also provides nourishment to the tissues in the eye. When this fluid is unable to drain away properly and the eye continues to produce more of it, the pressure within the eye increases causing a condition known as “glaucoma.” Last week I discussed keratoconjunctivitis (KCS) so this week I decided to remain on the eye and discuss this fairly common condition that also affects the eye.

When the pressure in the eye goes up the pet will most likely experience pain and in certain cases the pain could be extreme. One would think that when the pet is experiencing pain it would be easy to know that but many times it is not. The pet can’t reliably let us know what they are feeling other than the fact that there may be a reduced desire to play, to eat, the pet might become less active, sometimes squinting, and the eye may show some redness. If swelling or bulging is visible, the disease most likely has progressed quite far and immediate attention will be required to prevent blindness.

If glaucoma is inherited, it is considered “primary” and if the glaucoma is caused by something else it is labeled as “secondary.” Breeds susceptible to primary glaucoma are Akitas, Labrador Retrievers, Elkhounds, Siberian Huskies, Chow Chows, Shar Peis, and Cocker Spaniels. This disease may occur in cats but is extremely rare. Causes for secondary glaucoma on the other hand could include chronic retinal detachment, inflammation of the inner layers of the eye, and some have even suspected a tightly worn collar can cause the blood pressure to increase, in time leading to glaucoma, especially if the breed already has a predisposition.

It is extremely important to get the proper early diagnosis for this condition. A veterinary ophthalmologist may use a few different procedures to determine whether or not the dog has glaucoma. Once diagnosis is made then the veterinarian will usually decide on whether medications or surgery is the best approach for treatment. There are a few different kinds of medications used to treat glaucoma in pets; these classes are divided into the following:

1. Miotics – Shrinks the pupil allowing fluid to flow out through the canal. Some available drugs: Pilocarpine, Humorsol.
2. B-blocker – Reduces aqueous humor production.Some available drugs: Timolol maleate, metipranolol.
3. Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitor – Reduces aqueous humor production. Some available drugs: Dorzolamide, Daranide, Neptazane, Diamox
4. Osmotic diuretic- Dehydrates the humor. Some available drugs:  Mannitol , glycerine or glycerol.
5. Prostaglandin analog- Improves fluid flow from the eye. For example: Xalatan (latanoprost).
6. Cholinesterase inhibitor- Delays onset of glaucoma in unaffected eye. For example: Demecarium bromide.

The most important aspect of eye care in a pet is to be aware and alert of the signs and symptoms so that they may be treated early. In many cases the only way to get a definitive diagnosis is to visit the veterinarian. Having a good relationship with the veterinarian is vital at maintaining the health of your pet. Having a veterinarian detect the early signs of this potentially blinding condition may save your pet’s vision.

As always, if you have any medication related questions a 1800PetMeds pharmacist is available and will be happy to answer those for you.

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2. Why Do Some Cats Howl at Night?
3. National Service Dog Eye Examination Month