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One of the most devastating, yet common diagnoses in both human and veterinary medicine is the diagnosis of cancer. While many types of cancer or tumors can be benign, such as common fatty lumps in pets known as lymphomas, warts, cysts, and skin tags, many other lumps both externally and internally can indeed sometime be malignant. When such masses or lumps are noted on exam or laboratory testing, it is often helpful for the veterinarian to try and obtain a diagnosis so that an appropriate treatment plan can be instituted.
While many times a needle aspirate and evaluation of the cells under the microscope (known as cytology) can yield a diagnosis, other times an excisional or surgical biopsy of the tissue is needed by your veterinarian. Depending upon the diagnosis, some tumors can be left alone, while others need more aggressive surgical treatment, chemotherapy and/or radiation, depending upon the tumor type. In recent years there have been tremendous advances in veterinary cancer therapy, both in terms of chemo and radiation therapy, as well as even now stem cell or gene therapy in veterinary medicine recently available for some diseases. Holistic veterinary medicine is also an option, including nutritional supplements, Western and Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and homeopathic remedies.
Dietary therapy is also very important in the management of many types of cancers. For conventional therapy, I usually recommend a consultation with a cancer specialist known as an oncologist, while for holistic veterinary medicine, I would also seek out a well trained holistic veterinarian in one of the above areas, whether as part of an integrative cancer approach or those interested in a more strictly holistic approach. No matter which approach is taken, with time, patience, and commitment, many pets diagnosed with cancer can indeed live long lives and in some cases even cured, depending upon the cancer type.
In recent years there has been the emergence of a few more virulent parvovirus strains in dogs. Parvovirus was first documented to occur in dogs back in the 1970s, and as with many viruses, over time there can be the emergence of more virulent or deadly viruses. While these newer strains can cause more severe disease in dogs, animal guardians should know that all of the current modified live viral parvo vaccinations offer as equal protection against these new strains, and there is no need for panic or concern.
As long as a dog is vaccinated with an effective modified live viral vaccination for parvovirus (over the age of 16 to 18 weeks) immunity to this vaccination lasts for several years, if not the life of an animal. Because of my concerns of overvaccination, I usually recommend measurement of parvovirus antibody titers in adult pets (over the age of 1 or 2) as if antibody titers are adequate, then vaccination is unnecessary in my opinion. The same opinions are shared by vaccine experts Ron Schultz, PhD from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Wisconsin, as well as Jean Dodds, DVM. Because I’m concerned of chronic overvaccination of dogs today, and that adult dogs are much less susceptible to clinical disease associated with parvovirus, I vaccinate adult and senior dogs with caution and only if indicated by low vaccination titers.
Another common complaint of animal guardians is why their pet has such bad breath, also known as halitosis by the medical and veterinary profession. Bad breath can have many potential causes. The first and most obvious includes some sort of oral periodontal disease. This can range from loose or infected teeth with bacterial plaque buildup, to more extensive lesions and swelling of the gums.
In older pets, tumors or growths which can range from benign gum growths called epuli, to more serious oral cancers can also be found. It is important, however, for an animal guardian to realize, that dental disease is not the only cause of bad breath in a pet. Sometimes upper respiratory and/or sinus infections, particularly in cats can be a common cause of bad breath. Poor digestion and/or digestive tract disease, including intermittent belching or reflux can present bad breath in a dog or cat who is otherwise not having any signs of vomiting or diarrhea.
Depending upon the cause of the bad breath will determine proper course of treatment. That is why any pet with chronic bad breath should have a full medical exam and veterinary assessment to rule many of these possibilities out. Once a diagnosis is obtained, an appropriate course of treatment can be instituted.
“Why does my pet bite his nails or toes so much?” is a very common question presented to veterinarians. Often clients mistakenly think that it is a nervous habit or that their pet’s nails are too long. In the vast majority of cases, however, this annoying symptom (which can sometimes lead to secondary redness, inflammation and bacterial or yeast infection of the feet) is usually due to some sort of underlying allergy in their pet.
The most common class of allergens include inhalant/contact allergens such as grass, trees, mold, pollen, ragweed, house dust, food allergies, and less likely flea bite allergies. Mange mites are less common a cause of this symptom. As an initial treatment at home, one can try an oral antihistamine such as Chlorpheniramine or Diphenhydramine, as well as adding an omega 3 fatty acid to the diet such as Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet and reassess if there is any improvement over a few weeks. If the problem is year round, changing to a restricted novel protein diet such as duck, rabbit, or venison-based diets can be tried for a few months to see if there is any relief.
Finally if symptoms persist, or worsen, your pet may need prescription medication such as oral antihistamines, antibiotics, or possibly oral cortisone to alleviate feet/nail chewing and biting and the secondary infections. It’s also possible a skin scrape may need to be performed at a veterinary office to make sure there are no mange mites causing the licking and itching. For those clients who truly want to uncover and treat the underlying allergies, often a referral to a veterinary dermatologist is needed who can perform the necessary skin and/or blood tests. However, even with this approach, much time and patience, sometimes up to one year or more, is needed by the animal guardian, as allergy desentization is attempted by the veterinary dermatologist.
Second week into our search for perfect toys for Greta, and I notice her Duckworth Splash plushie in the yard. Toys in the yard only end up in the yard because Greta loves them. She drags her favorite toys out there to toss around to herself. We thought at some point she would learn to play fetch with us but the only game she really likes is “keep away” and it never lasts for long because if she has something she wants to keep away from us, we never manage to get it. Greta quickly grows bored of winning. “Fetch” is what we do after Greta is finished playing with a toy and one of us has to go and get it and bring it inside. I guess we didn’t “fetch” Duckworth when we should have and now Duckworth has to stay outside because the nappy hair hasn’t come clean even after several rounds through the washer.
So, Duckworth may be a perfect toy after all. We have noticed Greta loves the feel of matted fur in her mouth. She chews on Duckworth but she never rips him up. She just tosses him in the air until she gets bored and leaves him outside until next time. Perfect.
A common complaint this time of year is when clients call or come into the vet clinic complaining about persistence of fleas, despite their diligent use of the tried, tested and effective topical flea and tick medications such as Frontline Plus or Advantage. Often this is the result of a failure of us as veterinarians in fully educating clients on a complete flea control program. Before all of the topical spot on flea products came out many years ago, it was taught to us in veterinary school to stress to clients to treat the home environment, given that almost 80% of the flea life cycle occurs in the environment.
While many of the topical flea products claim they are highly effective against flea eggs, many exterminators and parasitologists I have spoken with have told me that often flea eggs can be resistant to the insecticidal effects of some of these products. Most of the flea eggs that are laid on the animal do roll off onto the pet’s bedding, carpeting, or furniture in the home. It is therefore important for animal guardians not only to treat their pets topically with flea control medication, which indeed controls and kills flea adults and larvae on the pet, but also to treat the home as well with insect growth regulator compounds such as Virbac Knockout Fogger from 1800petmeds or other products like flea busters, or even employing an exterminator in heavy infestations to help kill flea eggs. There is also an excellent birth control-like product that works in sterilizing adult fleas from laying eggs called Program Tablets, which can be used at same time as the topical spot on flea products like Frontline Plus or Advantage.
I also find it helpful to treat the yard as well with a yard and kennel flea spray. Many garden stores sell special type of worms called nematodes, which are often effective against fleas when applied in the garden or backyard. Unless a multi-pronged flea approach is taken, as well as careful attention to application of the topical flea products, according to manufacturer recommendations, clients may find that relying on the topical spot on products alone may fail in their attempts to control these pesky parasites.
Acute diarrhea in dogs is one of the more common digestive complaints phoned into the clinic. Diarrhea can have many causes from digestive tract parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Giardia or Coccidia, various viruses such as Parvo or Coronavirus, as well as metabolic disease of the colon, liver or pancreas.
Dietary indiscretion or hypersensitivity reaction is also possible as a cause of diarrhea. If there is increased urgency, frequency, accidents in the house, bright red blood and/or mucous in the stool, then inflammation of the colon is more likely. If diarrhea is more watery, with sometimes the presence of vomiting, then upper intestinal inflammation is more likely. Localizing where the problem is in the digestive tract often helps direct veterinarians as to rule out the cause and work towards appropriate workups to determine the best course of treatment.
If a pet is still bright and alert, I will often have clients simply fast their animals for 24 to 48 hours while offering small amounts of liquids frequently, including veggie or chicken broth and water. At the same time, I will often suggest the soothing herb slippery elm from the health food store to help ease and soothe an inflamed bowel. Immodium AD and/or Lomotil can sometimes be given safely on a short term basis, and the dose will vary depending upon the size of the dog.
After 24 to 48 hours, a bland sweet potato/white meat turkey diet can be introduced as a 50-50 mixture, while continuing the slippery elm. I will often use probiotics such as Fast Balance and NaturVet Enzymes & Probiotics to help promote intestinal healing. If symptoms persist, intensify, worsen, or a pet goes off food all together, and develops frequent vomiting or other fluid losses that can result in dehydration, it is essential to take that pet to a veterinarian ASAP for a complete medical workup, and possibly IV fluids, etc.
A common presentation in dogs is those with increased urgency or difficulty in urination, inappropriate urination, and/or bloody urination. If the dog is an intact male dog, than a prostate infection should always be considered, which can only be diagnosed by appropriate veterinary medical exam, urine analysis, and rectal exam. In other situations, either a urinary infection, urinary tract stones of the bladder, kidneys or urethra are possible, as well as polyps and tumors, especially in older dogs.
While an animal guardian can try short term treatment by giving extra vitamin C in form of Ester-C to their pet, as well as cranberry supplements like Cranberry Relief to enhance antibacterial effect of the urine. However, any pet with severe or worsening symptoms should always be examined by a veterinarian. This is especially important in male dogs because there is always the risk of urethral blockage, which can be a surgical emergency.
Another common question presented by canine guardians is why does their dog eat grass? This common behavior can have many potential causes. Some dogs will graze on grass when their stomachs are upset. By ingesting chlorophyll and other purging nutrients in grass, this will often allow dogs to vomit, which makes them feel better. In other situations, dogs will graze on grass when their diet is deficient, although this is much less common. Always try and feed as natural a diet as possible, preferably one minimally processed with no byproducts and preserved naturally. If at all possible I would refer clients to books outlining how to make a proper homemade diet.
My clients that have made the transition over to proper homemade diets have seen amazing results in their animals in a wide variety of symptoms, including some pets no longer eating grass. Many of these homemade recipes will include many green leafy veggies which contain very important phytonutrients and antioxidants that have wonderful health benefits.
And finally there are pets who simply are what I call “lawn mowers,” in that they just have a habit of eating grass. As long as the grass has not recently been treated with pesticides or contains toxic mushrooms, most dogs tolerate eating grass just fine. It is important to keep in mind that the diets of the prey of wild dogs do contain grasses and grains, which dogs will consume indirectly when killing and eating an animal in the wild.
