PetMeds® Why Spayed or Neutered Dogs “Mount”

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To stop mounting behavior, use a water gun or shake a can of coins to distract your pet from continuing this behavior One of the most common questions asked in the clinic is why a spayed or neutered pet still sometimes appears to have sexual desire. This can often appear as mounting of people’s legs, other animals, furniture, or sometimes fluffy toys. And while sex hormones clearly play a role in sexual desire, there are many other factors in surgically sterilized pets that can lead to such behaviors.

There are adrenal and other glandular sources of sex hormones in the body, which can play a role in such behaviors. Also, mounting can often indicate a dominance gesture in dog society, with the mounting dog expressing a dominance behavior by sexually mounting. Finally, I have seen some pets that have had chronic reactions to rabies vaccinations and become more sexually aroused. In fact, in the veterinary texts, one of the symptoms of rabies is actually increased sexual desire. And while pets that start excessively mounting in the months following a rabies vaccination are not actually rabid, they are expressing symptoms of what is actually seen in the natural disease.

The best solution to this common and frustrating behavior is to simply interrupt the behavior with a noxious stimulus such as shaking a coffee can full of coins or spraying the pet with a water pistol during the unwanted behavior, so that the pet couples this stimulus with the behavior and thus learns not to mount inappropriately.

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PetMeds® Relieving Your Dog’s Skin Allergies

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Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
Environmental allergens (such as ragweed, pollens, grasses, trees, molds,  etc) have long been suspected as being a major factor in flare-ups of canine seasonal allergic dermatitis (known as atopy).  Multiple routes of exposure include ingestion and inhalation but most recently contact and skin exposure has been considered a major role in intensity of allergic symptoms. Frequent bathing can help reduce the symptoms of skin allergic reactions

This highlights the important need for frequent application of topical therapy to remove the allergens and decrease penetration of the skin and subsequent itching and inflammation from these allergens. Therefore, I recommend frequent bathing with low allergy products on a routine basis to help relieve clinical symptoms and also help cut down on drug doses needed to control allergies.

In some affected patients bathing up to 2-3 times weekly is often quite helpful. Some of my favorite shampoos for this include 1-800-PetMeds Oatmeal and Aloe Vera Shampoo and Conditioner or Epi Soothe Shampoo and Epi Soothe Oatmeal Cream Rinse to name a few.

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PetMeds® Common Puppy Illnesses and Ailments

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Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
Some illnesses or conditions can go away on their own as your puppy grows older As in growing children, growing puppies can sometimes develop mild self-limiting conditions that will resolve on their own or with minimal medical treatment. One of the more common skin conditions seen often during times when puppies are being vaccinated is the appearance of a rash most commonly on the abdomen known as Puppy Pyoderma. The rash which is often characterized by the appearance of white heads (known as pustules) and red blemishes may be due to hormonal factors or a mild reaction to puppyhood distemper vaccination.

In most cases no antibiotics are needed, and this problem is usually more of a concern and bother to an over worried animal guardian than to the dog. Another common condition which can be seen is the appearance of a greenish to yellowish mucoid discharge from the vagina or penis of a growing puppy. In a male dog, this mucous buildup is known as smegma and most commonly does not need to be treated. And in the female puppy, puppy vaginitis is again a hormonal condition of young growing female puppies which is also self-limiting.  Another big question we are often asked in the clinics is why a client’s puppy scratches so much. And while certainly excessive/intense scratching and secondary sores can have many causes from mange mites to allergies, many puppies simply itch more with no ill effect for no reason, which they often outgrow, or perhaps again due to hormonal changes.

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PetMeds® Constipation in Dogs and Cats

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Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
As with people, pets can sometimes become constipated for various reasons. These can range from inadequate fiber in the diet, metabolic diseases of the liver or kidney, electrolyte imbalances, dietary indiscretion/foreign body ingestion, lower spinal cord disease, anal sac disease, compressive masses, ingestion of too much hair. In cats, constipation can be caused by a problem known as megacolon, where the muscle of the walls of the colon in essence stops working. Including canned pumpkin in your pet' diet can help relieve constipation symptoms

While most pets have usually one to three bowel movements a day, some pets may only have bowel movements every two to three days. As long as there are no signs of abdominal discomfort, ineffectual urging for stools , and appetite/energy remain normal, then I wouldn’t worry about pets going a few days without a bowel movement. For those pets that are straining or having trouble passing bowel movements, there are some home remedies that animal guardians can try at home first, as long as signs are not that intense.

Adding some extra fiber to the meals, whether in form of Metamucil as a source of soluble fiber, or bran as a source of insoluble fiber, may help some pets. There is a wonderful commercial pet product called Vetasyl which is often used. Even a teaspoon or two of canned pumpkin added to meals can help some dogs or cats. Adding a teaspoon or two of olive oil to the diet can also help in some cases. However, if symptoms persist or intensify, a full veterinary workup, including blood work and X-rays should be done to rule out underlying causes of chronic constipation.

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PetMeds® Your Pet Ate What?! (Foreign Bodies in Dogs and Cats)

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Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog

Anyone with an overzealous dog or cat (particularly young kittens or puppies) must always be concerned about foreign body ingestion as a cause of progressive vomiting in animals. Particularly in young animals, but even many older dogs will often eat indigestible items. In human medicine this is known as PICA, and while many used to think it was from a nutritional deficiency, the desire to eat indigestible items has no known causes in most cases.

Cats prefer more linear objects including floss, string, and rubberbands

Amongst the favorite items include articles of clothing, parts of toys, corn cobs, pine cones, and rocks to name just a few. Cats often prefer more linear items such as string, rubber bands, tinsel around the Christmas tree, and dental floss. While routine X-rays are often done on severely vomiting animals, many foreign bodies can be easily missed because they often don’t show up on routine survey X-rays. Many times vets only see stomach or intestinal gas distention, and “suspicious” patterns hinting at “possible” obstruction.

While in years past, many vets simply did exploratory surgeries on chronically vomiting pets to discover if foreign body obstructions were present, we have since developed more sensitive technologies like Ultrasound and endoscopic exams to diagnose and remove certain foreign bodies. While many vets still will use contrast X-ray material like barium swallows, I’ve found that in most cases this technique is not as helpful and often raises the cost for the client due to higher number of X-rays, as well as increased X-ray exposure of both veterinary staff and animals.

In addition, my experience has caused me to believe that many barium studies are inconclusive.  So, as with any severely or chronically vomiting animal, an appropriate workup, including X-rays, blood work, and Ultrasound can often make a diagnosis of foreign body obstruction. Plus, it may also avoid unnecessary exploratory surgeries and physical and/or emotional trauma for both the animal and guardian.

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PetMeds® Addison’s Disease in Dogs

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Symptoms of Addison's disease can mimic those of other more common diseases An often overlooked hormonal disease of dogs today is a condition known as Addison’s disease, which is an under active adrenal gland and fails to product adequate amounts of cortisol. This deficiency in cortisol is necessary for an appropriate stress response, as well as hormones necessary for appropriate water balance in dogs. This condition, which is often overlooked by veterinarians as a possible cause of chronic disease symptoms, has often been called “The Great Imposter” by veterinary endocrinologists, because it can mimic so many other more common diseases.

Addison’s disease is most commonly seen in young to middle aged female dogs of all breeds, particularly in Standard poodles. However, either sex can be affected, and I have on occasion seen this disease in geriatric animals as well. Symptoms can vary widely from dogs who are simply “poor doers,” having poor appetites with trouble maintaining their weight, to dogs who present circulatory shock and kidney failure without warning. Between these extreme presentations, many dogs will have waxing and waning symptoms of various digestive symptoms ranging from intermittent vomiting to intermittent diarrhea.

Any pet with symptom histories like those stated above should have an ACTH stimulation test done at by their veterinarian to rule in or out this disease. Many vets will often only consider this disease when they find a low blood sodium and high blood potassium levels on routine CBC/chemistry blood screens. However, many dogs can have normal blood electrolyte levels. Again, it is important that if a pet has a clinical history possibly compatible with this condition, that an appropriate ACTH stimulation test be completed whether or not blood sodium or potassium levels are abnormal.

If your pet is diagnosed with Addison’s disease and is not in advanced kidney failure on presentation, than prognosis is usually excellent with once-a-month injections with a drug called DOCP. Some clients will opt for oral pills called Florinef as an alternative. Both are relatively expensive, and at the same time very low doses of prednisone are often prescribed as well. With early diagnosis and effective treatment, prognosis for a long life is certainly favorable.

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PetMeds® Over Diagnosing Cushing’s Disease

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Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
One of the more common yet over diagnosed hormonal diseases of middle age to older dogs (and to a much lesser extent cats) is Cushing’s disease, which is an overproduction of adrenal gland hormones. This can be due to either a small tumor in the pituitary gland, brain, or an adrenal tumor.  Although Cushing’s disease is more common in breeds like Beagles, Boston Terriers, Poodles, and Dachshunds, this disease can occur in any breed and is more commonly diagnosed in females. Boston Terriers are among several dog breeds prone to Cushing's disease

Symptoms most commonly include increased thirst, urination, and appetite, along with the development of the common pot belly appearance along with muscle wasting over back muscles. In addition, there is sometimes the development of symmetrical hair loss down the back, as well as thin skin prone to secondary infections. Many affected patients are prone to secondary urinary infections due to the immune suppressive effects of this disease, as well as rarely diabetes.

Many pets will develop excessive panting and in some cases the development of hypertension, blood clots, and/or secondary heart changes from elevated hormonal levels. Diagnosis is best made through the history of relevant clinical symptoms mentioned here, as well as blood, urine testing and ultrasound.  One of the most common errors made by today’s veterinarian is the over diagnosis of this disease in dogs. Many vets will rely only on results of blood tests, while not taking into account if the pet has symptoms of this disease; the most common being excessive thirst/urination and appetite.

Because of this, many pets are mistakenly treated with potentially toxic drugs on the adrenal glands that actually don’t have this disease.  Even in pets where I’m able to document this condition, it’s only in patients with severe clinical symptoms that I will treat because of the risk of toxicity of the drugs. Although there are newer pet meds like Trilostane, which is believed to be safer, there is still the possibility for serious side effects in sensitive animals.

Other drugs like Lysodren and Ketoconazole are alternative options in treating this disease. Any secondary urinary infection and/or high blood pressure should also be treated appropriately. However, before you start your pet on one of the drugs used to treat Cushing’s disease, I would make sure that a complete thorough diagnostic workup is performed and that your pet also has clinical symptoms compatible with Cushing’s before starting treatment.

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PetMeds® Healthy Pet Food

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Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
healthy-dog-food As I have written in other blog entries, one of the most important health care decisions an animal guardian can make for their pet is the type of diet they feed their pet from puppy/kitten hood and as they grow up. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, was quoted as saying, “Let food be thy medicine.” Nutritional imbalances, as well as deficiencies and toxic ingredients are major factors in the increase in chronic degenerative, autoimmune, and cancerous diseases in younger pets these days.

Also, as I have previously stated, veterinarians receive minimal formal training on nutrition in veterinary school. As a result, some veterinarians often make pet food recommendations based on what sales representatives tell them. Fortunately, in recent years, there has been a great expansion of wonderful quality and natural brand commercial pet foods that I have discussed in previous blogs, such as Be Well, Pet Guard and Wysong

However, an alarming trend that I’m noticing in the pet food industry is the process of corporate companies buying out previously reliable and trustworthy pet food companies, who may be more interested in profit over quality, at least from my perspective. Many pet food company giants include companies whose initial business began in various industries including toothpaste, chocolate, and ketchup. Just because these companies have excessively large marketing and sales forces does not mean that they are the healthiest choices for your pets.

And while one must always be vigilant when choosing a smaller pet food company which may make several wonderful claims, I would strongly recommend a consultation with a more holistically oriented veterinarian. For more information, I recommend visiting www.AHVMA.org for any questions you may have regarding which diet you should choose for your pet.

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PetMeds® Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

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Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog

One of the most frightening diagnoses a canine guardian can be given is an autoimmune disease known as autoimmune hemolytic anemia. This condition (known as AIHA) involves the pet’s own immune system destroying its red blood cells, leading to life threatening anemia with risks of blood clot formation and death. While most of the cases have unknown causes, there has been evidence that the overuse of multiple modified live viral vaccinations can predispose some pets. In addition, this disease can cause rare reactions to tick-borne infections, drugs, or pesticides.

Blood tests performed at your vet's office is the best way to determine if your pet has AIHA

Symptoms of autoimmune hemolytic anemia can include pale or white gums, lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite, and little energy. Diagnosis is made by blood tests at your veterinarian. Even with aggressive early treatment, mortality can range as high as 50%, even with some of the newer immune suppressive drugs available like Atopica or Cyclosporine.

The cornerstone of treatment of this potentially life threatening disease uses immune suppressive doses of cortisone, and in some cases, stronger drugs like aziothioprine or Cyclosporine. Some vets will include a 3-4 week course of Doxycycline antibiotic to the regimen, in case a hidden tick infection is involved. If a pet can be stabilized, drug doses are then gradually reduced over several weeks to months, with periodic monitoring of blood counts necessary to be done at your vet.  In some occasions, blood transfusions are needed; however, I have found that those patients who need blood transfusions often have a poorer prognosis.

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PetMeds® Treatment Options for Canine Degenerative Disc Disease

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Filed under Dr. Dym's Vet Blog
One of the most painful and frustrating diseases to treat in dogs is degenerative disc disease.  This common condition can be seen in any breed, but is particularly common in long-backed breeds which tend to gain weight, such as Dachshunds, Beagles, and Bassett Hounds to name just a few. Dachshunds are among several dog breeds that are prone to degenerative disc disease.

In healthy dogs, the disc material between the spinal vertebrae acts like shock absorbers in allowing smooth movement of the body. A variety of reasons ranging from obesity, over vaccination, overuse of certain topical pesticides, and genetics, have all played a role in the degeneration and mineralization of this disc material, leading to protrusion of the disc material on the overlying spinal cord. This causes varying degrees of spinal cord compression, pain, inflammation, and gait abnormalities.

In the worse case scenario, complete paralysis of the limbs can occur, often requiring immediate emergency surgery.  In other more common cases, disc diseases will flare-up periodically with an unpredictable severity and course. Many dogs are in such pain that we are left prescribing either nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) like Rimadyl, Previcox, Deramaxx, or even stronger cortisone type drugs.  Muscle relaxants like Methocarbamol, as well as mild narcotic derivatives such as Tramadol are also often prescribed.

It should be known, however, that none of these drugs are long term solutions for dogs because in some instances the pain returns with often worsening symptoms. That’s why there is no condition that is crying out more for complimentary or holistic veterinary medical options than dogs with chronic back or disc problems.  Modalities like chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathy and physical therapy can all potentially help those cases where drugs alone have failed.

In situations where your only conventional medical option is a $10,000 dollar surgery, I would always try other holistic modalities first, unless surgery is absolutely necessary or your pet is in a paralysis crisis. Nutritional supplements, including Omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants like Proanthozone, as well as Yucca Intensive can also ease discomfort in some patients and be safely used long term.   To locate a veterinarian skilled in these modalities see www.AHVMA.org or www.theAVH.org

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