HESPELER ANIMAL HOSPITAL is a full-service veterinary medical facility, located in CAMBRIDGE, ONTARIO. The professional and courteous staff at HESPELER ANIMAL HOSPITAL seeks to provide the best possible medical care, surgical care and dental care for their highly-valued patients.
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Articles of Interest Dr. Langlais has written for The Record
INTRODUCTION
PET LOSS AND AFTERCARE
WELLNESS TESTING WIN-WIN FOR PETS AND OWNERS
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR PET’S TEETH
ATTACK THOSE FLEAS BEFORE THEY ATTACK YOU!
INDOOR CATS NEED TO SEE THE VET TOO!
FELINE LEUKEMIA
OLD DOG, NEW HOME
LIPOMAS
HYPERTHYROIDISM
HOW TO GET A CAT TO LOSE WEIGHT
SECOND HAND SMOKE
FIRST AID KIT
RABIES
ABANDONED CAT
INTRODUCTION
Do you have questions about pet care and don’t know where to turn? Is the huge volume of information on the internet overwhelming? Do you get conflicting information from friends and family?
I have recently been asked by Susan Chilton, Life and Arts Editor of The Record, to write a column in response to questions pet owners may have about veterinary medicine or pet care. I will be thrilled to answer your questions, and to point you to internet sources that have valid information (there is a lot of great info on the web, but there is also so much inaccurate material out there!)
Unfortunately, I cannot diagnose specific medical conditions or make recommendations for treatment for individual cases. It is difficult if not impossible for a veterinarian to make any assessment without collecting a detailed history, performing a physical exam, and in many cases running special tests. Trying to do so would be a disservice to the animal and to the pet owner, and also be contrary to regulations set out by the College of Veterinarians of Ontario.
Any questions regarding pet-specific medical or surgical conditions should be directed to your veterinarian. He or she is always a great source of information. Please don’t be afraid to ask about things you don’t understand. As a practitioner, I can assure you that veterinarians don’t mind answering questions, and we feel there is no such thing as a dumb question.
What I can do in this column is answer general questions. For example “How do dogs get roundworms?” Or, “What are the causes of heart murmurs in cats?” Or, “How can I get my dog to stop barking so much?” “What is the best way to house a pet rabbit?”
Let me tell you a little about myself. I have always wanted to be a veterinarian, for as long as I can remember. I have always adored animals, be it dogs, cats, cows, horses or even spiders and earthworms. (I will confess I am not crazy about earwigs or mosquitoes though!) So of course I wanted to work where I could be with animals. I was also attracted to veterinary medicine as a career because I felt it would be more challenging than human medicine. Animals can’t tell us how they feel or why they are sick, so veterinarians have to be great detectives in putting all the clues together.
I also enjoy working with the public and teaching. Working as a companion animal practitioner lets me combine all of the things that attracted me to veterinary medicine in the first place. And now, responding to your questions will give me even more opportunity to be an educator!
I attended university at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph. It takes 6 years to study to become a veterinarian. One of those years is at the pre-med level, in a program such as Bachelor of Science. After being accepted into the program, the remaining 5 years are in the veterinary curriculum. I graduated from the University of Guelph in 1986.
I also have a post-graduate degree in Clinical Pathology. This means I have special training in interpreting test results and in evaluating cytology, such as fine needle biopsies.
After first graduating in 1986, I worked in general practice in Brantford and in St. Catharines, and then in emergency practice in Toronto and Mississauga. I have owned a companion animal hospital in Cambridge since 1989. I have since developed a strong interest in veterinary dentistry, but my main focus is still in general practice.
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PET LOSS AND AFTERCARE
One of the hardest parts of my job is euthanizing animals. It’s been even worse when I’ve had to put one of my own pets down. I understand why, for many pet owners, it’s a heart-breaking, emotional time. We know it’s an act of kindness for a creature facing poor quality of life, but it’s still a difficult thing to have to do.
Your veterinarian will help you to understand the process and how to recognize when it’s time to let go.
What happens to an animal after euthanasia? Most pet owners choose to have their pet cremated. Some request private (individual) cremation, so they can have the ashes returned in a special urn. People who live in the country can bury their pet’s remains in their back yard, but we city folk are not supposed to do that, for public health reasons. If you prefer a Pet Cemetery , a few local ones include Waasenaar Pet Cemetery just outside of Lynden, Ancaster Pet Cemetery , and Sandy Ridge Pet Cemetery in Eden .
When a pet dies, we’re suddenly left with a large void. I think most people find that some type of ritual helps them say goodbye and find some closure.
I’ll often suggest planting a tree in the back yard in memory of an animal, or making a donation to the local Humane Society in the pet’s name. Children can be encouraged to make a scrap book or to write a poem. One of my clients told me he was going to buy a digital photo frame for his dog’s pictures; I thought that was a great idea.
Our pets touch our lives deeply through their friendship and unconditional love. For many of us, the loss of that love is also the loss of a part of our lives. We have lost the companion who has seen us through college, a new career, and maybe even a marriage or two. Losing that is almost too much to bear.
To many, admitting to that level of sorrow is hard. We’re afraid our friends and family will make fun of us or think we’re silly. It’s tough when people trivialize our feelings, telling us it was “just an animal”. Not everyone understands how it feels to lose a pet. However, it’s normal to feel sad over the loss of our furry friend, angry that things didn’t go the way we wanted them to, guilty that we didn’t do enough, and alone now that our pet is gone.
There is help available to grieving pet owners. Most veterinarians have received training on recognizing extreme grief in their clients and helping clients validate that grief. Pet loss support hot lines have been set up at many of the veterinary schools, where students have been trained to listen and to provide non-judgmental support. The University of Guelph has one at 519-824-4120 extension 53694, Tuesday to Thursday, from 6-9 p.m.
Just as our pets now receive “human-quality” medical care, many dogs, cats, and other pets are being remembered in ways similar to human funerals. Ask your family veterinarian or their staff about resources in your area to help when your pet passes away. And remember that grief is a normal occurrence. It’s okay to mourn the loss of your best friend, and it’s okay to reach out for help and understanding.
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WELLNESS TESTING WIN-WIN FOR PETS AND OWNERS
Q. My vet asked me if I wanted a Wellness Test for my dog when he was last in for his Heartworm Test.
What is this, and is it important?
A. Wellness Tests are blood and urine tests that are run on your pet when it is well, rather that when it is sick. I think Wellness Testing is a great idea, and highly recommend it when your dog and cat come in for their annual exam, or for dogs at the time of their Heartworm Test (since we’re drawing blood anyway).
What is the purpose of Wellness Testing?
1. To diagnose disease early, before the animal is showing any signs of illness. Fluffy and Fido cannot talk, so they cannot tell us when they are not feeling well. A human can tell their parent or partner: "I have been feeling listless lately" or "I am nauseous today" or "I have been experiencing a tight feeling in my chest for the past few weeks". Dogs and cats cannot.
Also, animals are programmed to hide signs of disease. In the wild, sick animals are considered an easy meal and singled out by predators. They therefore know by instinct that it is not wise to make it obvious if they are unwell. They will also usually continue to eat, since they risk starvation otherwise. Humans are predators, so it is okay if we show we are sick. But, by the time an animal is showing signs of illness, the disease is far more advanced than it is in a person showing similar symptoms.
Sometimes pet owners decline Wellness Testing because they think if their pet looks healthy, it probably is okay and does not need testing. One of my staff veterinarians, who is an excellent clinician and has been practicing even longer than I have, just found out her cat has Hyperthyroidism, based on his recent Wellness Test. She’s a vet and she did not know he was sick! How can the average pet owner know when a doctor cannot even tell? In the early stages of many conditions, we cannot and neither can you!
A dog or cat can hide signs of illness early on, but they cannot alter their blood and urine test results.
2. To establish a baseline. If we know the "normal" value for your pet when it is well, we can interpret tests results better when it is not well.
For example, the reference range for creatinine, a kidney test, is approximately 50-200. A normal creatinine for Molson might be 60; for Buddy it may be 180. If Buddy has a creatinine of 190 when he is sick, I can rule out kidney disease as a cause of his illness. However, a level of 190 for Molson is more than 3 times his normal results, and is likely indicative of early kidney disease. If I did not know that Molson’s creatinine is 60 when he is well, I would probably miss the diagnosis, because a value of 190 is within the reference range of 50-200.
3. To look at trends. Our physicians do this when they check our blood pressure or our cholesterol tests every year. They too are screening for early disease, but also looking at trends over time. An annual Wellness Test on a pet allows us to do this too.
To use the example of creatinine, let's say that Fluffy has had the following creatinine levels: 60 in 2001 at age 4, 80 in 2002, 75 in 2003, 80 in 2004 at age 7, 120 in 2005, 150 in 2006 and 170 in 2007 at age 10. The trend shows that a kidney problem is coming down the pipe, and that we had better take action even before her creatinine is increased over the “high normal” value of 200.
I will first put Fluffy on a prescription kidney diet. Yes, early on, it can be as simple as a change in diet. Compare that to the treatment of advanced kidney disease, treatment that includes intravenous fluids and many days in the hospital. I will continue to monitor Fluffy; and if her kidney tests continue to rise, I can also put her on medication to further slow the progression of her disease. Because she had Wellness Testing, she may very well live out her normal life span of 18 years, rather than die of renal failure at age 12.
It makes sense that if we detect a disease while still in the early stages, the prognosis is much better than it is once the condition is advanced. It is also usually far less expensive to treat something early than when the pet is very sick. Wellness Testing is a win-win-win situation. The animal wins because it will live longer, the veterinarian wins because Wellness Testing helps us save lives, and you, the pet owner, win because you get to enjoy your pet for a long, long time.
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HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR PET’S TEETH
Q. My vet has talked to me about something I find weird but intriguing: oral hygiene for dogs/cats. Do people "really" brush their pets' teeth? I can't imagine many pets would enjoy that. How does that work??
A. Yes, many people brush their pets’ teeth. Oral hygiene for pets is just as important as it is for their human counterparts. When you think about it, why not? Dogs and cats have teeth and gums too. Why wouldn’t they therefore also be prone to dental tartar, gingivitis and periodontal disease?
Gone are the days when vets used to wait until a dog or cat had rotten teeth, extract all the bad ones and then clean what was left. Thank goodness we now know there is a much better way. We now try to be proactive, so that advanced periodontal disease and extractions can be prevented. We realize how critical dental care is to an animal’s health and well-being. We have discovered that pets who receive frequent dentistry live an average of 3 years longer than those that do not.
If an animal has infected teeth and gums, it will hurt to chew its food. The pet may not show it has oral discomfort, but that does not mean it is not present. Animals have instinctively learned to hide signs of pain, for in the wild they would have been singled out as easy prey. They must continue to eat, or risk starvation. It might not be easy for their owners to know their teeth hurt.
"Maintaining your cat and dog's teeth is one of the most important things you can do to improve your pet's quality of life," says Joanne M. Bicknese, DVM, ELS, Global Veterinary Medical Director for Pharmacia Animal Health. "Too many people consider their companion's bad breath to be normal. It's NOT. Often it's the first sign of an oral health problem."
Sandra Dow is aware of the importance of regular dental care for pets. Her last dog lost most of its teeth to dental decay by age 5. At that time, like most pet owners, Sandra had no idea how quickly dental disease could progress, especially in a small breed. She then saw how much better Shanty felt after her diseased teeth were treated.
When Sandra and her husband Richard adopted Lucy, an adorable Yorkshire terrier, Sandra was determined to do whatever she could to ensure Lucy keeps all of her teeth. She brushes Lucy’s teeth once a day, and brings her for veterinary cleanings once a year.
How do you brush your pet’s teeth? Start by handling its muzzle and mouth, and give a small food reward. Then dip your finger in some tuna juice, or beef broth, or whatever your pet finds yummy, and rub a little on its gums. Do this a couple of times per day for several days. Next find a veterinary toothpaste that your pet loves, and brush one or two teeth. Slowly progress to a point where your dog/cat will let you brush all its teeth. You only need to do the outside surfaces, since dogs and cats do not get much plaque on the inner surfaces of their teeth. Make sure you give lots of praise. It should be fun. Make it a routine at the same time every day, so that like Lucy, your pet will “ask” to have its teeth brushed.
However, brushing your pets’ teeth does not replace the need for regular cleanings by your veterinarian. You and I brush and floss our teeth every day, yet we still need to have our teeth cleaned on a regular and repeated basis. The same goes for our pets.
Lucy Dow will be turning 6 this February. She still has all her teeth, and is well on her way to a lifetime of good oral health.
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ATTACK THOSE FLEAS BEFORE THEY ATTACK YOU!
Spring is here and we all look forward to spending more time outdoors. Unfortunately, the warm weather also brings out perennial parasites… Fleas!
Fleas are very small but they can jump 12-18 inches high. They are one of the toughest pests that I have come across. They have a hearty appetite for blood, multiply like mad, and can be difficult to get rid of.
Although there are many different species of fleas, the cat flea is the most common one in this area. They dine on the blood of dogs and cats, and occasionally may even choose to nibble on us! Fleas love warm weather and high humidity, so they are most commonly found on our pets during the spring and summer months. With increasing global temperatures, flea season is becoming longer every year. However, when the cold weather arrives, they can move into our warm homes and quickly become a year-round problem!
Once adult fleas hitch a ride on your pet, there will be flea eggs in your house within 36 hours. They hatch into larvae that live in your carpets and in your pet’s bedding. The larvae munch on organic debris, such as dead skin cells and flea dirt. In optimal temperatures, an egg can yield adult fleas in as little as 12 days! In cold weather, they can remain in the cocoon form for many, many months.
Fleas not only breed quickly but they also reproduce in incredible numbers. A single female flea can lay about 2000 eggs during her short lifetime. Few of the fleas in your house will be adults; most are present as eggs, larvae, or the hardy cocoon.
Fleas can make our pets itchy. Even worse, fleas can transmit diseases to our pets and us! How can we help protect our dogs and cats from this annual menace?
Fortunately, there are many flea preventatives and treatments that work well and are safe for pets and for the environment as well. On the flip side, however, there are also a lot of insecticides that are not effective at all or that are downright dangerous.
I highly recommend you consult your family veterinarian before choosing a flea product. I have seen cases where the wrong medication was used, with serious consequences. This is especially important when selecting flea treatments for cats. Flea products containing permethrin are toxic to cats.
Some pet owners like to use products that kill fleas as a preventative, before the animal has any fleas. I worry that fleas will develop resistance to these if they are over-used and then we will have fewer options when dealing with a flea infestation. My personal preference is to use flea products that contain flea “birth control” ingredients such as lufenron or methoprene for prevention, and to reserve flea treatments for pets that actually have fleas.
Lufenron works by tricking fleas into laying mushy eggs. Lufenron is the building block for chitin. Chitin is what makes the shell of the flea egg hard, and is part of an insect’s exoskeleton. When a flea takes in a blood meal from a pet that has lufenron in its system, the flea essentially says “Hey, I don’t need to make any lufenron for my eggs. I already did.” So the flea lays eggs without their chitin shell. These eggs will dry up and die, rather than hatch out in your house. Lufenron has no effect on our pets nor on us, since we do not lay eggs with chitin and since we do not have exoskeletons. Hence the beauty and the safety of this product. Lufenron is contained in Sentinel and Program.
Methoprene works in a similar yet different way. This Insect Growth Regulator mimics the hormone that flea larvae need to grow an egg tooth. Without the egg tooth, they cannot break out of their eggs. Flea eggs exposed to methoprene never hatch. Methoprene is found in many flea preventatives, including specific brands of collars, flea foams and sprays.
Don’t forget to put all the dogs and cats in your household on a flea preventative. It won’t work very well if Fido is on a Flea Prevention Program but fleas are laying viable eggs on Felix.
Spring time allows us more time to spend outdoors with our pets. Be sure to see your family veterinarian to learn more protecting your furry companions from parasites.
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INDOOR CATS NEED TO SEE THE VET TOO!
Q: I have a cat that never goes outdoors. Does it need to go see a vet?
A: Yes, indoor cats need to go see a veterinarian on a regular basis. It is just as important for them as it is for an outdoor cat, or for a dog.
All dogs and cats should have an annual physical exam. This allows for early detection of disease. Some of the conditions that we look for include dental disease, heart murmurs, skin cancer, and obesity. If caught early, most diseases can be successfully treated, and the prognosis is much better than if the animal is presented once it is showing clinical signs of illness. Also, it is usually less expensive to treat a condition when it is caught early, rather than having to treat an advanced case.
As many as 70% of cats have periodontal disease by age three (see http://www.dr-dan.com/dental.htm). Dental disease hurts! Most animals do not show signs of oral discomfort, but rather suffer silently. They have the same dental structures that we do, and need dental treatment just like we do. Statistics show that pets who receive regular dental care can expect to live an average of 3 years longer than those who do not! For example, kidney disease is very common in older cats. I am convinced many of these cases are secondary to chronic untreated dental infections, where bacteria gain access to the bloodstream and then seed the kidneys.
Dogs and cats age approximately 6-7 years for each human year. Taking your cat to the vet every 3 years would the same as you or I getting a check-up once every 20 years. Once a year is the bare recommended minimum, and twice a year preferred for older pets. See http://www.ovma.org/pet_owners/pet_health/physical_exam.html for more information on the importance of an annual physical exam.
In addition, booster vaccinations at prescribed intervals help protect your cat by maintaining a strong resistance to disease. Many of the diseases we inoculate against are very serious and prevention is the only way to avoid death or disabling illness. Many are so contagious that even indoor pets are at risk. They can be exposed to respiratory viruses carried in the air or germs carried on your clothing or shoes. Cats do not have to go outdoors at all to be at risk.
Rabies is a significant human health hazard. Rabies is a frightening disease because it is 100% fatal for humans and for pets. There is post-exposure treatment for exposed individuals before they actually come down with the infection, but once an animal or human is showing clinical signs, there is no cure. Death from rabies is not a pleasant death. Rabies vaccinations are mandatory by law for all dogs and cats in Ontario. That includes indoor cats too. Indoor cats usually get exposed to rabies when a bat gets inside the house, or when they accidentally get let outdoors.
Your indoor cat is an important family member. Why not ensure it gets the very best medical care, and help ensure it lives a long and happy life.
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FELINE LEUKEMIA
Q:The breeder from whom I'm getting a Siamese kitten insists on a record of all shots, spaying, etc., in her contact ... she has her vet do the initial feline leukemia blood test ... and then she said it's up the owner whether they want to do those particular shots, because they can occasionally cause death. Is that true? And how contagious is feline leukemia? (My breeder insisted on my 9-year-old cat's record showing he does NOT have it before she would sell me a kitten.) What are the symptoms of feline leukemia and how prevalent is it?
A:Feline Leukemia (FeLV) is a disease caused by a virus in the Retrovirus family. This virus is a distant cousin of the virus that causes A.I.D.S., but Feline Leukemia virus does not infect humans.
How common is this infection in cats? It is seen in about 3% of all cats. Certain cats are more at risk: more than one out of ten cats that go outdoors or live in multi-cat homes will come down with Feline Leukemia virus infection.
I have never seen a cat die as a result of getting vaccinations for Feline Leukemia virus infection. I have seen many cats die from the infection itself, however. There is no cure. Thankfully, since vaccination against FeLV became a common practice, I hardly see cats sick with this virus. When I do, it is a cat who has not been vaccinated. So I do not agree with your breeder. Sure, pets can occasionally get sick from vaccination, and allergic reactions are always a concern, but the risk from the disease is much higher than the risk from the vaccine. By far.
Feline Leukemia virus is contagious, but it is a fragile virus, so it is only spread from cat to cat under certain circumstances. The virus is spread via saliva and other body fluids. Fighting, sharing food bowls, breeding and mutual grooming puts cats at risk for infection. That is why Feline Leukemia is rare in indoor cats that live away from other cats, but more common in felines that go outdoors or where several cats live together. Cats from catteries (i.e. breeders or rescues) are at very high risk.
Infected cats can go years without showing signs of infection and can pass the virus on to their “roommates” before their owners realize anything is wrong. That is why I recommend isolating a new cat from the other cats in the household, and having it tested for the virus before allowing it to have any contact with Fluffy or Felix.
If a cat gets infected with Feline Leukemia virus, it may not necessarily come down with the disease. One third of cats will mount an immune response and defeat the virus. Approximately another third of infected cats will eventually become sick. The other 30% carry the virus without any illness.
What are the signs of Feline Leukemia (FeLV) infection? They vary widely. The virus can cause of variety of cancers. Cats with cancer of the blood cells (leukemia) can show signs of anemia such as pale gums and lethargy. Cancer of the lymph nodes (lymphoma) is actually more common than leukemia in cats with FeLV infection. Signs vary depending on which lymph nodes are affected, and can include problems breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, or unexplained weight loss. Feline Leukemia virus can also cause immune suppression. These cats can show recurrent infections, gingivitis, or poor wound healing.
How can this disease be prevented? For one, please keep your cat indoors. Cats that roam are at high risk; indoor cats are not. Do have your vet blood test any new-comers before exposing your resident cat to any potential infection. If your felines go outside, or if you are one to adopt several cats, do have your cats vaccinated.
Should indoor cats be vaccinated? Some vets recommend all cats be inoculated against Feline Leukemia virus. Other vets, myself included, only vaccinate cats in the higher risk category but not indoor cats from single-cat homes. Ask your vet to make specific recommendations for you and your cats.
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OLD DOG, NEW HOME
Q:I’m thinking about getting an adult dog from the Humane Society. There's lots of advice out there about bringing a puppy home. How do I acclimatize an older dog to a new setting?
A:First of all, let me commend you on your decision to adopt from the Humane Society. I especially love that you are considering getting an older dog rather than a puppy. My dogs have all been adopted as older dogs, and I have never been sorry. Puppies are a lot of work!
Let me tell you a tale of two dog owners, to illustrate what not to do and what to. Their names are fictional, of course.
Mrs. White adopted Bailey, a 2 year old Border collie, from the Humane Society. She already had a 5 year old Jack Russell terrier named Max. Bailey had been surrendered to the Humane Society because her old family found themselves too busy for a dog. Mrs. White was told Bailey was a gentle, easy-going dog.
When Mrs. White got home with Bailey, Max greeted them at the door, growling and barking. Mrs. White figured Max would calm down once he got to know Bailey, since Max was fine with dogs at the park. Instead, to her horror, she found she had a dog fight on her hands. Max lunged at Bailey, Bailey snapped at Max, and Mrs. White got bitten when she tried to pull Max off of Bailey’s neck.
Mrs. White decided it would be best to keep Bailey in the spare bedroom until Max settled down. Later that night, when she went to take Bailey for his first walk, she found he had peed on the rug. Annoyed, she told him he was a bad dog. Mr. and Mrs. White took both the dogs for a walk to Max’s favourite park. Max was still growling and lunging at Bailey for most of the walk.
The next day, when they headed off to work, Mr. and Mrs. White decided to put Bailey in the basement, where there was no carpet to soil on. When they got home that night, they found Bailey had scratched the door and chewed the baseboards. At the end of their ropes, the Whites took Bailey back to the Humane Society, stating that the dog was impossible and no wonder it had been given away by its previous owners!
Mrs. Black was the next person to adopt Bailey. She fell in love with his picture on the Humane Society’s web site. Bailey looked just like the dog she had as a child. She had been thinking of getting another dog to keep her Schnauzer Jack company.
The next day, Mrs. Black put Jack in his crate and went to pick Bailey up from the Humane Society. She used his new leash and training collar to get him into the car. Once home, she took Bailey for a short walk around the street and then in the back yard. She praised him for going pee in the right spot. Keeping him on his leash, she took him for a tour of the house. She let Bailey and Jack sniff each other through Jack’s crate and gave Jack a treat after he settled down. She also told Bailey what a good boy he was.
Mrs. Black then took Bailey to his new crate. She put a little food in his bowl inside the crate, and gave him a Kong with a little peanut butter inside to play with. She took Jack for a short walk, let him sniff Bailey’s crate upon his return, and told both dogs how good they were.
Over the next few days, the dogs took turns being loose in the house. Mrs. Black left a short leash on Bailey’s collar when he was out of his crate, so she could use the leash to keep him close to her or to direct him to the back yard if it looked like he needed to go to the bathroom. The Blacks switched the dogs’ blankets from crate to crate, so they could get used to each other’s scents.
Jack and Bailey were only together during walks, on leash, to a park Jack had not been to before, in case Jack felt territorial about his old digs. Mrs. Black portrayed a calm happy attitude around both dogs, and made sure she gave them plenty of rewards when they got within sniffing distance of each other. She made it clear she was the one in charge over each dog, so they could both look up to her for direction and protection.
Once the two dogs seemed to get along well on their walks, she let them play under leash control in the back yard, and then in the house. She fed them separately, leaving their food down for 15 minutes twice daily. Jack was already used to a meal schedule; Bailey quickly learned that if he did not eat all his food at once, his bowl would be picked up but he would have another chance later in the day. Mrs. Black let them have their special toys in their crates, but did not leave any toys lying around the house for them to fight over.
A few weeks after Bailey had come home to live with the Blacks, the Humane Society received a happy phone call to report that Bailey was an amazing pooch and that the Blacks could not understand how anyone would ever have been able to give him up! However, it was the Black’s careful planning that resulted in their wonderful new family member, as much as the dog’s wonderful personality. A little care and a lot of patience resulted in a happy ending to this story.
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LIPOMAS
Q.My Miniature Schnauzer of 10 years has developed three fatty deposits. They are about the size of a Looney and about 1/2" deep. When she got the first one the vet said it was nothing to worry about, it happens to older dogs. Now that she has three I am worried, and want to know if there is anything I can do?
A.It sounds like your dog has tumours called Lipomas. There are benign growths composed of fat tissue. Benign means that they are unlikely to spread nor make your dog sick, unlike malignant cancers. Lipomas usually are NOT anything to worry about, as long as they stay small. I like the “Toonie Rule” that suggests Lipomas may be okay to leave alone as long as they are smaller than a two dollar coin. I recommend having them removed if they get any bigger than that.
I hope you said “yes” when your vet suggested you test the first mass, via a fine needle biopsy.
Even when I am pretty suspicious a lump is a Lipoma, I like to be sure. There are other types of tumours that can look and feel just like Lipomas. Two that I worry about are Mast Cell Tumours (bad) and Soft Tissue Sarcomas (very very bad). And even if a dog has one growth I know for sure is a Lipoma, I do not want to make the mistake of assuming all new lumps are the same type. They are not always.
Why not talk to your vet about having your dog’s lumps taken off? Although they are likely benign, they can grow much larger over time. Some Lipomas can interfere with walking, especially if they are in areas such as the armpit or groin. I think it’s best to have these excised before that happens.
I have seen dogs with Lipomas so large that the dog had to be euthanized (this is rare, however, thank goodness). When I’ve asked the owner why they did not have the mass removed while still small, the reply is always “because my veterinarian told me it (the lump) was no big deal”. I’m sure their previous veterinarian meant it was no big deal in that the tumours were benign, but I doubt the message was not to let them get so big that they were about ¼ the size of the dog, as these ones were!
A good time to have Lipomas removed is when your dog is under anesthetic to have its teeth cleaned. Since Miniature Schnauzers are very prone to dental disease, most need dentistry at least once a year. I’m sure your veterinarian would be more than happy to remove your dog’s lumps so that you do not have to worry about them any more.
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HYPERTHYROIDISM
Q.My 18.5 yr old indoor male cat has been displaying some signs of distress. He will eat all of his food, and about an hour later, start crying for more. You could feed him constantly, yet he seems to be getting thinner. He often cries for attention, and if you hold him and pet him, he will soon get down on his own, but then will start up with meowing for affection again. Recently, he has twice messed on the kitchen floor. His water & food bowls are full, his box is clean, and I'm not sure what's up with him. He does seem to have significant hearing loss in the last few years. Is it just age, or could this be another problem? Friends of ours had an elderly cat with similar symptoms & it turned out to be a thyroid disorder.
A.I recommend you take your cat to your veterinarian. This is not normal age-related behaviour. It could be a lot of things, including Diabetes or Hyperthyroidism (a thyroid disorder), like your friend’s cat had.
All cats should see a vet for a check-up at least once yearly. Senior cats should go at least every 6 months. Cat age 6-7 years for every “human year”, so an exam once every 6 months would be the same as one every 3 years for you and I. Certainly the bare minimum for a senior pet, don’t you agree?
I cannot make a diagnosis on your cat based on an e-mail description, but since you asked about thyroid disorders in cats, why don’t I talk about that condition in general.
Hyperthyroidism is very common in cats. This disease is caused by a growth involving the thyroid gland. The cat’s metabolism becomes over-active, as a result of increased thyroid hormone production. Signs include increased thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss (these 3 signs are also seen with diabetes). House-soiling (peeing or pooing in inappropriate areas) is not uncommon. Many cats have an unkempt coat, and some may have hyperactive behaviour or vocalization. Lots of cat owners mistakenly think these are normal signs of ageing; they are not!
Your vet will make a diagnosis based on blood testing. Hyperthyroidism is very easy to treat, and the prognosis is excellent as long as it is caught early enough. There are several treatment options available. Your veterinarian can discuss these with you. Please make that appointment as soon as possible. Good luck!
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HOW TO GET A CAT TO LOSE WEIGHT
My clinic cat is fat.
Mel is overweight because she is a glutton and a thief. She steals food from the kennels of patients. She’ll rush in and gobble up their food after they have been discharged, if someone leaves the door open while they are cleaning the cage. Mel will break open bags that are for sale in our waiting room area and steal that too. Good thing she’s so cute and has such a great personality. I’ve lost count of the bags with tooth marks that I’ve brought home for my own pets to eat, donated to the Humane Society, or sold to clients for a substantial discount.
Mel’s obesity makes her prone to diseases such as Diabetes, Fatty Liver Syndrome and Arthritis. It can shorten her lifespan. I don’t want Mel to be fat. I want her to be healthy, and I want her to live to a ripe old age.
Also, Mel is ruining my credibility! I advise pet owners to keep their animals slim, but Mel is a poor role model! How can I expect my clients to take me seriously when my own cat is overweight?
I have tried taking Mel home for a couple of months to get her to lose weight. My staff jokingly tell clients, when they ask where Mel went to, that she is at Dr. Langlais’ Fat Farm.
I can get Mel to lose weight while she is at my house. How do I do it? Simple. I feed Mel apart from my two house cats Tino and Stitch, who are both slim and on a different diet. She and the boys get measured amounts of food (vs. free choice), twice daily. I lock Mel in the bathroom for 20 minutes with her food. That way she can eat in peace without the boys stealing her food (karma?), and she cannot eat their higher calorie diet.
However, once she goes back to the clinic, Mel goes back to her old habits and regains the weight.
Just when my staff and I were starting to get discouraged, Medi-Cal came to the rescue with their Slim Fit program. It is a program similar to Weight Watcher’s. We have quite a few patients enrolled in the Slim Fit program, and now Mel too.
We weighed Mel in at the beginning of the program. Using her starting weight and body score, the program calculated a target weight, and the calories Mel needs to eat to lose weight. We now know exactly how much canned and how much dry food to feed her, rather than using an approximate feeding guide. We know how long it will take her to reach her target weight.
We are checking Mel’s weight once a week. We enter each weight into the software, and plot her progress on a graph. We then know if we are on target, or if Mel is losing weight too quickly or too slowly. We can then make adjustments to her diet to ensure she continues to do well. Regular weigh-ins are important, so we can make changes as soon as they are needed.
In addition to a special weight loss diet, Mel also needs more exercise. Mel is a strictly indoor cat, so her exercise program consists of two five-minute play sessions every day. We throw toys for her to chase, or shine a laser pointer on the wall for her to jump at. All the staff has gotten involved, especially Sarah, my custodian (thanks Sarah!).
We are also “hiding” Mel’s dry food in several easy-to-find spots around the clinic, so she has to work for her meals. Pets like playing hide and seek too!
The Slim Fit program is available from all veterinarians who sell the Medi-Cal and Royal Canin line (most vets in this area do). Hills also has similar software for their prescription diets. Ask your veterinarian for more information, if your pet is overweight.
This time my staff and I are not giving up. Soon Mel will be her old, svelte self.
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SECOND HAND SMOKE
Q.My name is Alisha and I work as a Peer Leader with an anti-tobacco group called TOXIK. Our group is made up of six youth ranging from 17-19 years old and we are employed by the Region of Waterloo to help raise awareness about the effects of tobacco industry products on our society, particularly with youth.
Right now our group is focusing on a project to inform pet owners about the effects that second-hand smoke can have on their pets. We think that think advocating for smoke-free homes from the perspective of protecting pet health would be an exciting angle to cover in your column during National Animal Health week. We believe that more people need to know that second-hand smoke exposure can harm their pets' health as well as their own.
A.Alisha, I think this is a great topic for a pet care column. Most people know that second-hand smoke can hurt humans, but many do not know it can be just as harmful to pets.
I have seen several animals that were sick because they live in a smoke-filled environment. One was a cat with severe asthma-like symptoms. Ironically her name was Smokey. This kitty was so severely affected that she developed irreversible lung damage and had to be euthanized.
Another was a dog with a chronic cough. I could smell cigarette smoke on Thor’s coat from across the room every time he came to my clinic! Despite treatment with a variety of medications, Thor did not improve. He eventually developed heart failure and he too had to be put down.
The owners of both these pets knew their ailments were related to smoke in the household. It was obvious, because Smokey and Thor were fine when hospitalized but would relapse once they went home. Their owners loved them, and felt terrible knowing they were contributing to their illness. I don’t think they ever realized their pets would die as a result of their smoking, however, until it was too late. I can’t imagine how bad they must have felt when that time came.
I see many pets with cancer and some of them have owners who smoke. I have always suspected some of these cancers were related to that. Now there is evidence that second-hand smoke does indeed cause cancer in pets.
I found this information on a web page for Oklahoma State University at www.okstate.edu. Dr. Carolynn MacAllister, one of their veterinarians, says: “Second-hand smoke has been associated with oral cancer and lymphoma in cats, lung and nasal cancer in dogs, as well as lung cancer in birds”.
She reports a study conducted recently at the Tuft College of Veterinary Medicine found a strong correlation between second-hand smoke and certain forms of cancer in cats. The number of kitties with mouth cancer, also known as squamous cell carcinoma, was higher for felines living in smoking environments than for cats from a smoke-free home.
“One reason cats are so susceptible to second-hand smoke is because of their grooming habits. Cats constantly lick themselves while grooming, therefore they lick up the cancer-causing carcinogens that accumulate on their fur,” says MacAllister.
Researchers also found cats exposed to cigarette smoke were twice as likely to develop lymphoma, which is cancer of the lymph nodes, than cats that do not live with a smoker.
Another study, from Colorado State University, showed there is a higher incidence of tumours of the respiratory system in dogs living in a home with second-hand smoke. Longer-nosed dogs were more prone to cancer in the nose, whereas shorter-nosed dogs showed a higher incidence of lung cancer.
Poisoning is also a concern for pets belonging to smokers. Tobacco products can be fatal to dogs, cats and birds if ingested, according to Jill Richardson, D.V.M., of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.
"It's more common for a dog than a cat to eat cigarettes, but amazingly, pet birds often chew on them, too. Signs of nicotine poisoning can develop within 15 to 45 minutes and include excitation, salivation, panting, vomiting and diarrhoea,” Dr. Richardson said. “Signs of advanced stage nicotine poisoning include muscle weakness, twitching, depression, collapse, coma, increased heart rate and cardiac arrest. Death can result from respiratory paralysis.”
To keep your pets safe from the hazards of second-hand smoke, only smoke in an area that is physically separated from the home (i.e. outside or in the garage). Smokey and Thor’s owners opened a window or smoked in a designated room of the house, but unfortunately that was not good enough. To prevent accidental poisoning, always keep cigarettes, cigarette butts and other tobacco products out of your pets’ reach.
Best of all, why not quit smoking altogether? I’ve been told it is a difficult addiction to overcome, but isn’t Fluffy and Fido’s health (and that of your family) worth it?
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FIRST AID KIT
I just finished making up a first aid kit for my family and would now like to make one for my dogs. What should I have in the kit? Can you give me some first aid tips? I will cut them out of The Record to put inside the first aid kit.
Some of the items you might want to place in a canine first aid kit include: a spare leash, adhesive tape, cling gauze, sterile dressing pads, a tensor bandage, scissors, antiseptic soap, antihistamine, Pepto-Bismol, eye wash solution, large towel, hydrogen peroxide.
First Aid for Wounds
Wash the wound gently, using antiseptic soap that is safe to use on broken skin. You might want to purchase some from your veterinarian. Place a sterile dressing pad over the wound, then wrap the area with the kling wrap to hold the pad in place. Keep the bandage from slipping by securing it at the bottom and top with the adhesive tape.
Indigestion
For mild diarrhea or a single bout of vomiting, where Fifi is not acting sick otherwise, she might just have a minor tummy upset. Give her stomach a rest by withholding food for 24 hours, but make sure she gets water to prevent dehydration. One big drink might make her vomit, so only give her small amounts every ½ hour, or give her ice cubes to lick as they melt. You can give her Pepto-Bismol, at a dose of 1 ml per pound, up to three times daily. Call your veterinarian if the illness persists for more than a day, if you see blood or black material in her feces or vomit, or if she is at all lethargic.
Allergic Reactions
Pets can have allergic reactions to vaccinations, medications, or more commonly, to insect bites and stings. Signs include facial swelling, puffy eyelids or lips, or flat bumps called hives all over the trunk. You can give oral Benadryl at a dose of 1 mg per pound, and then take Molly to the vet right away. Anaphylactic shock, where the allergic response progresses to involve breathing and circulation, is uncommon but potentially fatal. I recommend treating every allergic reaction as very serious, just in case.
Shock
A dog in shock will have pale gums and cool extremities (paws and ears). It will usually be very subdued. Dogs usually go into shock after being hit by a car, or sustaining other types of severe trauma. Shock is a life-threatening situation, so seek veterinary care immediately. Wrap Fido in a blanket or towel to keep him warm during transit.
Fractures
I recommend you apply a muzzle before you handle any dog with a painful injury such as a broken leg. Ask your vet to show you how, next time you are in for a routine visit. Although Rex may be sweet and gentle when all is well, even the most easy-going of dogs may bite when hurt. Some old pantyhose or a shoelace can be used as an emergency muzzle. If you think Rex has a broken leg, be very careful not to jiggle it around and make the injury worse. Carefully apply a splint made of a rolled magazine or newspaper, bound to the leg above and below the break with adhesive tape. You can use the towel in your kit as a sling under his belly, to support his weight and help him walk, if Rex is too heavy for you to carry.
Poisoning
Call a poison control center that specializes in pets. The phone number for the ASPCA Poison Control Center is 1-800-548-2423. They will advise you whether the substance your pet ate or drank is poisonous, and what you should do. They may tell you to give your pet hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting. I want you to call the Center first, however, since it is dangerous to induce vomiting with certain toxins. Poison Control will give you a case number that your vet or the emergency clinic can use to get any follow-up information. Be sure to write that number down and bring it with you to the clinic.
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After you have tended to your dog, call your veterinarian or our local emergency clinic (519-650-1617) right away. The advice in this column is not intended to replace your vet’s treatment. Many problems that appear to be minor may not be at all. Your veterinarian has gone to medical school for at least 6 years; a do-it-yourself search on the internet or the brief information in this article is no match for that.
We are very lucky to have an excellent Emergency Clinic in the K-W and Cambridge area. This clinic is co-owned by over 40 veterinary practices in our region. The veterinarians and staff at the Veterinary Emergency Clinic have special training and a lot of experience in this field. The clinic is staffed during the hours that most animal hospitals are closed. It is conveniently located to be accessible to all residents of the tri-cities, on Maple Grove Road near Police Headquarters and the Toyota Manufacturing Plant. Please take advantage of this wonderful facility and staff at night, on the weekend, or during holidays, when your regular veterinarian is off duty. Fido will be well cared for, and your veterinary team will get a report on his visit via fax, so they can continue with his care after they re-open.
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RABIES
Q. I found your last column about indoor cats very informative. I had no idea that people could get rabies! I didn’t know that cats get rabies. I thought it was just dogs and wild animals.
Can you tell me more about rabies in dogs and cats? Have you ever seen a case?
A. I have seen two cases of rabies. The first when I was still in vet school and helping out at a clinic in London, the other two years ago at Hespeler Animal Hospital. Both cases were in dogs, although in North America rabies is far more common in cats than it is in dogs. Rabies infects all warm-blooded animals, but especially cats, dogs, humans, cattle, horses, sheep, bats, skunks, foxes and raccoons.
My first exposure to rabies was from “Tessa”. She was brought to the vet by a farmer who thought she had been kicked by one of his cows. Tessa was paralyzed in her hind end, one of the signs seen with the “dumb” form of rabies. With “dumb rabies”, animals show signs such as lameness, weakness or paralysis, choking and change of voice.
My second case was “McDuff”, in the summer of 2004. It was his first visit to a vet. He was 7 years old. McDuff was not quite himself, and he appeared to have problems breathing. His owners related he had been in a fight with a skunk about a week before he got sick. Rabies is caused by a virus that is usually transmitted due to a bite from a rabid animal, via infected saliva. Signs of infection can appear within days of exposure, or may take as long as several months, depending on how close the bite wound is to the brain.
McDuff’s signs got progressively worse as the day passed. He started acting bizarre and showing signs of “mad” rabies. Animals with “mad rabies” act aggressive and unpredictable. They attack anything in their path, even stationary items such as car tires or cage bars. Bouts of aggression often alternate with periods of depression. McDuff had also started foaming at the mouth, a common sign in rabid animals because paralysis of the throat muscles makes them unable to swallow their saliva.
Sadly, neither dog survived the disease. Once an animal is showing signs of infection, the disease is fatal. There is no cure for rabies. It is entirely preventable, however, with the proper inoculations.
My staff and I all had to receive post-exposure treatment, once it was confirmed McDuff was indeed rabid. Fortunately, there is treatment for rabies before clinical signs appear. It is usually very effective, but only if given within 14 days of exposure. Treatment consists of antibodies against the virus (called immune globulin) and a series of vaccinations to stimulate immunity.
What can you do to protect yourself, your family and your pets from rabies?
- Get your pets vaccinated. Rabies vaccinations are mandatory by law for all dogs and cats, even cats who never go outside.
- Avoid contact with wild animals, especially if they acting tame or showing unusual behaviour.
- Don’t handle dead animals or bats with your bare hands. Wear gloves.
- If you or your child gets bitten by an animal, wash the wound immediately with copious amounts of soap and running water. Then contact your physician as soon as possible to find out if you need rabies post-exposure treatment. Don’t wait! The only way to prevent death from rabies is to seek treatment right away, before the virus reaches the brain.
- Teach children to avoid wild animals and stray dogs and cats.
If you read this article and take steps to prevent rabies, maybe Tessa and McDuff will not have died in vain.
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ABANDONED CAT
Yesterday, I found a cat at my rural home doorstep when I arrived home.
This has not been the first one over the years, often they arrive in the
summer to early fall.
It is February and -15F with expected wind chills dropping to -50-60F
through the night and into Sunday. This orange-haired scruffy cat wore a
chest of white resembling a tuxedo and was hunched on my step. From a
distance I could tell the eyes were sunken, the third eyelids prolapsed and
when I picked up the less than 2 pounds of scruffy hair, the word emaciated
would be one body condition score too good to describe her helpless frame of
skin-covered bone. Her mouth, paws and chest had numerous embedded
porcupine quills which spoke of her all out effort to survive in the woods,
a place foreign to her. While removing the quills, I realized here was no
way this cat could have 'caught' anything as she had been declawed! From
this I deduced she was someone's indoor companion, until they decided
otherwise. No doubt they had invested in her as she was declawed and likely
spayed.
While offering her food, which she ate voraciously, I could tell she was
friendly yet healthy enough to be protective of her meal as she growled
ferociously as she ate. She didn't seem painful as I further inspected her
body for additional quills. Putting it in perspective, what pain could
those quills be in comparison to starvation? I think she has a purr
somewhere, but with what some human did to her, I don't blame her if she
doesn't find that motor for awhile.
I wonder what idiot would have the audacity to toss a cat into the
wilderness. In the winter? Without claws?
If this is one of those pets involved as a result of a home foreclosure,
then I wonder if irresponsible describes them when they purchased the home
as well. If this is someone's lost companion, I will try to find you to
reunite you. She had no collar or ID. This is yet another reason to
microchip every pet as this owner should be held responsible.
I sense because I am a farm, you thought by dumping her here she would find
food and someone to care for her and your lack of irresponsibility. Shame,
shame, shame on you. Had I not found her on my doorstep, she would have
starved to death or surely frozen to death last night. An experience not
without great pain.
My advice is if you failed to realize what pet
ownership was when you took on the responsibility of "pet owner," then
surrender them to an animal humane agency or qualified rescue group. And
don't ever, ever own another animal. Go visit them in pet shops, a zoo, or
buy a book or find someone who has got a grip on animal ownership and ask to
pet theirs. Please don't toss animals into the wild, a place they can't
survive in with hopes someone will take them in. Sometimes, just sometimes,
they get lucky, but more often than not, they do not.
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