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Cancer is one of the most common geriatric diseases affecting both dogs and cats. Cancer may involve any organ system from the skin to more interior locations, including the lymph nodes, digestive tract, liver, spleen, kidneys, lung and brain. While cancer may affect pets of any age, cancer is more likely to occur in adult and senior pets.
Symptoms of cancer are quite variable and often mimic many other chronic diseases. General signs of illness include lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss, and changes in behavior. Other nonspecific signs may occur including vomiting, diarrhea, changes in urination, more rapid difficult respiration, and coughing. The development of sudden growths of lumps felt on the skin also may signal cancer. |
It is important that pets with any of these clinical signs be thoroughly evaluated by the veterinarian, and that a full diagnostic workup including blood, urine and radiologic testing is done so that cancer may be differentiated from other diseases. Most lumps or growths can often be routinely aspirated right in the office with a needle to find out if they are malignant, so that appropriate treatment can be instituted.
| Rawhides are indeed favorite chewy bones sold in pet stores across the country, and are available in many varieties. Rawhide is a by-product of the meat industry, and is actually the tough inner layer of animal hide made from bull, horse, cow and water buffalo. The toughness of rawhides actually comes from the collagen linked together.
While chewing is often a very important healthy outlet for most dogs to help keep teeth clean and healthy, the use of rawhides is fraught with many dangers. |
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As rawhides are not food items, there is no regulation on rawhide products, especially those that are made overseas. Many rawhides contain chemical preservatives, artificial flavorings and colors. The imported chews may contain various heavy metals including arsenic, lead and mercury, all which are very toxic to mammalian enzyme systems.
The FDA has reported that even bacterial contaminants such as salmonella have been detected in most of the rawhides imported from other countries. In addition to these chemical risks, rawhides also may swell inside a pet’s digestive tract, which may lead to life threatening obstructions. I have also seen many dogs chew off and swallow large pieces of rawhide which can also result in digestive tract discomfort and obstructions. The truth of the matter is that even the hardest of rawhides may splinter in this way. It is for these reasons that I do not recommend giving rawhides to our canine companions. I much prefer alternatives including Kong toys and beef chews, which tend not to splinter and are also made with healthy minerals.
If clients are insistent on feeding rawhide to their pets, I recommend that they choose an American brand, as well as closely monitor their pet, being careful to throw away chewed down pieces as the rawhide gets smaller.
Happy New Year, everybuddy! Since yesterday was a special holiday, I got to have an extra-delicious treat… whipped cream! I even get to eat it off a glass TABLE so you can see my undercarriage.
This is delicious! And I also get to watch my Mommeh lying on her back under the table trying to take my picture.
Do you want to see a close-up of my TONGUE?
My tongue is also good for keeping my curly furs clean.
And now, I will demonstrate my crabby face, on account of there is no more whipped cream.
Do not worry, the Harley Quinn got to have some, too. And the table got all cleaned up, in case you are the sort to worry about germs.
Do you ever get whipped cream as a special treat?!
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Cats will eliminate outside the litter box for several possible reasons. Emotional stress or changes in the environment may be involved in many cases. Medical issues including impacted anal glands, food allergies, metabolic disease such as inflammatory bowel disease, hyperthyroidism, infection, parasites, etc all may be involved. |
A complete medical workup, including CBC/Chemistry/thyroid blood test, as well as urine analysis and stool check for parasites is indicated. If no medical reasons are found, then behavioral strategies including adding additional litter boxes as well as trying different litter types may be tried. In some cases, anxiolytic medications with drugs such as Amitriptyline or Clomipramine may be needed.
| New Year’s Eve is a time of celebration and parties. However, for many pets that are fearful of loud noises, crowds and fireworks, New Year’s Eve can also be a very nervous time. There are many natural and safe alternatives for those nervous and timid pets.
Bach flower essences are often wonderful natural alternatives to help calm a frightened pet. Formulas I have used include Rescue Remedy, rock rose, aspen and mimulus. I have also found the combination flower essence Be Serene also quite helpful in many pets. Some animal guardians have found the herbal remedy Composure quite helpful in many situations |
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Homeopathic remedies that may be useful include the remedies aconitum and arsenicum album, particularly for sudden fears, or in those pets that become excessively clingy or restless when frightened. The combination homeopathic remedy HomeoPet Anxiety drops also may helpful in some cases. Finally, there are some pets where prescription medications such as Acepromazine or Alprazolam are needed to calm overactive anxious responses.
| In recent years, there has been increasing awareness of pain in our pets and of ways to prevent, as well as manage, pain. There are several clues that your veterinarian will use when diagnosing pain in your animal companions. Many pets will moan and strain to get up, especially in the morning. Lameness may be present with limping during or after walking. |
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There are often changes in attitude and activity levels, as well as loss of ability or interest in regular activities and social interaction. Jumping up may become increasingly difficult, as well as the ability to climb stairs and/or take walks. These changes may be subtle initially, but over time typically become more obvious to animal guardians.
When detected early enough your veterinarian may implement a pain control program that may include medications such as non-steroidal anti inflammatory medications such as Rimadyl or Metacam, as well as opiate medications including Tramadol and Buprenex. Physical therapy has also been increasing in popularity in recent years, as well as holistic modalities including chiropractic and acupuncture to help assist in pain management.
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Home First Aid kits are important first lines of defense for animal guardians should illness or injury strike our pets. Allergic reactions are common emergencies seen at home in pets. Oral Benadryl is important to have on hand in case of allergic stings or bites that may lead to swelling, itching and hives. The dose of Benadryl in pets is one half to one mg per pound given every 6 to 8 hours up to 24 hours.
In case of toxin or poison ingestion, animal guardians may need to induce vomiting or administer agents coat the digestive tract and/or absorb toxins to prevent absorption. Hydrogen peroxide and Ipecac tablets are sometimes indicated to induce vomiting. Charcoal tablets also may be used to soothe the digestive tract in case of diarrhea, as well as to prevent absorption of certain toxins. Slippery elm is also very helpful to soothe an inflamed digestive tract when vomiting and/or diarrhea is present. |
In case of injury, it is essential to have plenty of bandage material, including gauze pads, ace bandages, one inch tape and cotton. External dressing agents including Neosporin and homeopathic Traumeel can be quite helpful in covering wounds and preventing infection. For canine guardians, I also recommend having buffered aspirin on hand as a non-steroidal anti inflammatory agent useful for reduction of pain and fever in some cases.
Do you already have a home First Aid kit for your pets?
| One of the most rapidly growing areas in the veterinary market is the big expansion of the commercial pet food industry. It can be quite confusing for an animal guardian to try and decipher pet food labels, in trying to make informed decisions about what to feed their animal companions. The pet food aisle takes up more space in a supermarket than all other sections, except for the cereal food aisle for people.
Unfortunately most veterinarians get very little training on nutrition in veterinary school, and often make recommendations to animal guardians based upon what is told to them by pet food sales representatives, rather than what is truly healthier for their pets. One of the most important aspects of making a choice about what to feed our pets is in learning how to understand pet food labels in making that choice. |
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Whether feeding dry or canned food, I try and counsel clients on what I look for on the labels when choosing a pet food.
While there is often an extensive list of ingredients, the most important ingredients in the pet food are the first three ingredients, which are those present in highest amounts in the food. Given that dogs and cats are mainly carnivores, I recommend that two out of the first three ingredients listed on the label be meat. While I prefer the meat to be whole meat or meat meals, I counsel clients to stay away from those foods which have cryptic labels that are difficult to understand. Meat by-products and meat and bone meal are usually made from questionable quality ingredients and I recommend clients avoid these pet foods if possible.
Many pets have problems digesting soy, corn and wheat, so I will often recommend avoiding these, as well as those foods with a lot of filler ingredients listed on the labels. Fruits and vegetables are a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants, and are a big plus when listed on pet food labels. I prefer that the pet foods be preserved naturally with vitamin E (tocopherols) and/or Vitamin C, rather than other toxic preservatives such as ethoxyquin, BHA and BHT, which have been incriminated in chronic disease and cancer in our pets.
Given that there are so many choices when choosing even a natural brand pet food, there are those trustworthy and reliable companies who have been doing it the longest, and who have the best track record in my experience and opinion. Pet Guard and Wysong are often my favorite brands that have performed well for my clients over my twenty years of experience in clinical small animal practice.
| Kennel cough is an infectious disease of the airways most commonly seen in dogs. The most common causative agents include the bacteria Bordatella bronchiceptica, but additional bacteria including Mycoplasma may be involved. In many cases viruses such as parinfluenza also contribute to clinical symptoms. |
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Kennel cough is most commonly seen in areas where there is a high concentration of dogs including dog parks, boarding facilities, grooming parlors, kennels and veterinary hospitals. Stress and poor hygiene are believed to be the biggest factors involved with the development of clinical disease. Symptoms of kennel cough include lethargy, loss of appetite, dry hacking cough, exercise intolerance and in some cases, eye and nose discharge. Any pets displaying these clinical signs should have a full veterinary exam.
It is important to differentiate kennel cough from other causes of infectious cough including influenza and canine distemper. Veterinarians also must keep in mind that cats may also develop signs of sneezing and upper respiratory symptoms on exposure to kennel cough. Treatment of kennel cough typically involves a 10-14 day course of a broad acting antibiotic such as Doxycycline, Baytril or Clavamox. Cough suppressants as well as immune stimulants such as Echinacea and goldenseal also may be used in certain cases.
Ohai! Today is one of the best holidays of the year for cats… it’s Boxing Day! Boxing Day is a special day for all cats to play with boxes all day long.
This Christmas I was a very lucky cat, because I got many, many, many boxes. There are lots of fun things you can do with boxes. If you have a big enough box, it makes a great fort. Be sure you have a window to peer out of! This one might need some pretty gingham curtains.
I have so many boxes, I almost do not know where to start with all the fun and games.
Of course, Harley came along and ruined my Good Times. See? He tracked dirty wet footprints into my very best box!
Did you get any good boxes for Boxing Day this year?
