Thanksgiving Travel Tips

It's almost here- the most traveled holiday of the year! Whether you're driving with your pets to see family members or leaving them home with a pet sitter, here are some tips for the Thanksgiving holiday.

If driving with your pets:
1. Check their medications.

Do you have at least a weeks worth of extra? You do not want to run out while you are away. Don't forget to pack their medication! Getting prescriptions for pets refilled while you are out of town can be difficult because veterinary hospitals are not legally allowed to act as dispensing pharmacies unless they have a relationship with your pet. Meaning, if they haven't seen your pet, they can't refill their medications.
2. Pack their food.
Swtiching up their diet while on a trip can lead to serious stomach upset. Vomiting and diarrhea can be made worse by the stress of the trip. It is always best to take the food and treats that they are used to with you when traveling. Avoid the temptation of giving them any fast food from "quick stops" along the way as well.
3. Check their collars/ identification. 
There is nothing worse than losing a pet while out of town. Make sure their collars and tags have the up to date information on them. This is a great time to check and see if the microchip information online is also up to date. The few minutes you spend doing these things could save their lives


If leaving your pets at home:
1. Make a list of important numbers for the pet sitter.
These numbers should include your veterinarian, a nearby kennel and your neighbor's number. If your pet sitter has an emergency and can't get back to the house to let your dogs out, a neighbor that is home should be on-call to help out. Call your veterinarian before you leave and give your pet sitter your permission to have your pets treated if there is a problem. It is difficult to predict what could happen while you are gone but these actions can make a big difference.
2. Write down all instructions.
Most dogs are on a schedule and it's very important that pet sitters try to adhere to the schedule already in place. This helps the pets feel less stressed in your absence. Write down how often they go outside and whether it is play time in the yard or walks. Also, specifically explain the feeding routine as well as medications administered. If pets need to be fed separately, make sure to include these details.
3. Pet proof the house.
If you know your pets have a tendency to get into the trash or destroy pillows while you are gone, make it easier on the pet sitter and take steps to prevent this from happening. Empty all trash cans before you leave and clean up so there isn't anything for the pets to get into or destroy. If your pet sitter comes home to a knocked over trash can and shredded news paper, you can be assured she will be very frustrated. Also, make sure you have enough food for the time you will be gone. You should not expect your pet sitter to go and purchase food if you run out.

Have a very safe and happy Thanksgiving :)

Cool Halloween Costumes

Wayfair.com has recently announced what they predict will be the most popular pet costumes of 2012. The amount of money spent on costumes for our pets is shocking. Halloween costumes for pets s expected to hit a record $370 million this year, up nearly 20% from last year's $310 million, as reported by the National Retail Federation. At Wayfair.com, owners have the options of shopping for accessories with LED lights and other safety products.

Owners are looking for costumes that are related to popular movies this year including superheros as well as costumes that they can pair with another dog or themselves such as a cheerleader and football player or Minnie and Mickey mouse.

Wayfair.com's Most Popular Pet Halloween Costumes for 2012

1. Superhero
2. Elephant
3. Lederhosen
4. Taco
5. Chef

I'm not ashamed to say that we are going to be reusing last year's costumes. But maybe I'm the minority. What will your pet be this season? 

Rawhide Jerky Treats for Dogs- Good or Bad?

If your dogs are anything like mine, they go crazy for raw hides! My dogs can smell them when I walk in the door. They love chewing on them and I enjoy giving them to my dogs. But with so many questions regarding the safety of raw hides, many of my clients and myself question whether we should continue giving these treats.

The FDA recently released a question and answer article regarding the products. You can read it in detail by clicking here. This website will also provide you with information regarding how to submit products that you believe made your pet sick. 

The thought that jerky treats are making dogs sick isn't a new idea. Previous warnings were issued in 2007 and 2008 but the number of complaints dropped between 2009 and 2010. In 2011, the FDA began conducting an investigation after an drastic increase was appreciated in the number of complaints concerning dog related illnesses after consuming chicken jerky products produced in China.

The products of concern initially were chicken jerky treats that were produced in China. During 2012, the FDA began to receive complaints about duck and sweet potato jerky treats and today the investigation has been broadened to include these products. Despite the significant number of complaints, studies have failed to identify any contaminant or specific cause of disease related to the products or a particular brand. As a result, no products have been removed from the market. Numerous laboratories have been conducting tests since 2007. The tests are screening for microbiological and chemical contaminants. According to the FDA website, "Product samples were tested for Salmonella, metals, furans, pesticides, antibiotics, mycotoxins, rodenticides, nephrotoxins (such as aristolochic acid, maleic acid, paraquat, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, toxic hydrocarbons, melamine and related triazines) and were screened for other chemicals and poisonous compounds." 

Until the FDA is able to determine the causative agent that may link the pet illnesses to jerky treats, they are recommending that you feed these treats with caution. Here are some things to remember:

1. Jerky and other treats should never be substituted for a maintenance diet. 
2. If you feed your dog jerky treats, monitor for changes in energy level, appetite, bowel movements, urination habits, attitude and water consumption. Any changes should be reported to your veterinarian. 
3. Read the labels of jerky treats before you purchase them. Try to find products that are made AND distributed by the US. Several products are distributed in the US but are processed in China.

If you feed your dog jerky treats and you think they are beginning to become sick, call your veterinarian immediately. They may recommend blood tests to evaluate your dog's kidney function as well as glucose and electrolytes levels. Always inform your veterinarian about any treats or changes in dog food that you feed. 

I've shopped around in pet stores and in the pet area of stores like Target and have been able to find several jerky treats that are made in the United States. For the time being, these are the only jerky treats that I will be feeding my dogs! 

My Pet is HOW Old?!

We all know how to calculate our pet's age in "people years"- you take their age and multiply it by 7. Well, that's how we used to do it! Turns out, it's not so simple. The size of your dog needs to be factored in, as large dogs age faster than young ones. (Explains why miniature poodles can watch your first child be born and still be around as they go to prom but an 8-year-old Boxer is viewed at as "old") There's also a difference between indoor and outdoor cats! Outdoor cats live a harder lifestyle than those kitties living the posh life inside and will actually age faster. Check out these tables for more information! 

Dogs: You start to see the big difference at 3 years of age. Before then, the size of dog has little difference. By 13 years, there is almost a 30 year gap between a large and small dog!

Cats: Like dogs, you start to see the difference at 3 years of ago. By age 14, there is almost a 50 year gap between inside and outside cats!

Pets over the age of 5 should be seen every 6 months for exams as they are more likely to develop serious medical conditions. The sooner we catch these diseases, the more treatment options there are! Call your vet to schedule today. 

Saying Goodbye to a Friend's Best Friend

Last week on the 4th of July I received a voice mail from a good friend that her family dog was sick. They wanted to see if they could wait until our office was open for me to look at her but when I didn't answer, they decided to take her to the emergency clinic in our area. While my friend and her family thought the Corgi had back pain, the doctor at the emergency hospital diagnosed her with a life threatening disease called Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA). In this disease, the body starts to attack and break down it's own red blood cells. The red blood cells are essential to carry oxygen throughout the body and help keep the liver, kidney and other organs functioning.

She was hospitalized in the intensive care unit and given 2 blood transfusions. After each transfusion her cell count rose and then we watched it drop steadily. She was started on medications to stop her body from destroying the red blood cells but it wasn't enough. She wouldn't eat and was depressed.

When she came in to see me today, we did a cell count and it was 1/4 of the normal value. She had started into liver and likely kidney failure as the organs were shutting down from a lack of oxygen. She was lifeless, responding only to her family out of loyalty.

We talked about the options and I decided I would go to their house so the family could say goodbye together. At home euthanasias are not my favorite thing to do. It's an emotional experience and you can feel like a stranger in a house you've been in a million times. I will tear up and feel the urge to cry when I see people I care about crying. It's so hard to watch them say goodbye to life's most faithful companion. But when it is time to put her down, I will not cry. These are not my memories to cry over. I wasn't there. There is a great shift in the mood when it is time. Sadness overwhelms the room and I have a job to do. I want so bad to make sure my friends and their companion do not feel any pain. I have to focus, I can't cry.

As I leave with their best friend in my car, I can't wait to get home to my animals. My "land angels" as I refer to them. Tonight I'll step over the spilled basket of toys, throw them an extra treat and even let them sleep in my bed. Because tonight I was reminded that these companions come into this world asking nothing of us and yet they give us so much. Their lives are too short. There are no words that I can say to my friends that will fill the emptiness they will feel tomorrow. Because their lives have forever been changed by a creature who loved unconditionally and yet never spoke a word.

Memorial Day Exhaustion

Tony is so sleepy. Basil looks bored!

Liver Disease in Cats

 Liver disease is a terrible, angry disease that affects people and animals. Everyone knows the characteristic yellowing of the skin that can occur as someone progresses deeper into liver failure. Although we seem to think of liver disease as mostly affecting people, we do see it in cats and dogs as well.

The liver is an organ with many jobs, including the breakdown of fats, carbohydrates and proteins, storage of vitamins, minerals and fats, and maintaining cells that play a role in normal clot formation. The liver also helps detoxify drugs and other chemicals ingested. Although the liver is susceptible to injury, it is known for its ability to regenerate if there is damage. The liver must be greatly damaged, approximately 2/3 to 3/4 compromised before it will show signs of failure.

Most cats with liver disease will display some combination of not eating, vomiting, diarrhea or fever. Sometimes with our pets we don't identify the early signs of liver disease until they have been present for several weeks, sometimes even months. It is hard to keep track of vomiting or appetite in a cat that goes outdoors. Jaundice (yellow tint to the gums, whites of eyes), fluid accumulation in the abdomen and weight loss are signs of serious disease. 

We need to understand what is causing the damage to the liver to be able to determine the appropriate treatment. Blood tests are our main tool for diagnosing liver disease. A blood chemistry panel may show liver enzymes that are generally elevated when the liver is diseased. Inflammation, infection, toxin or drug ingestion, bile duct obstruction and cancer are a few things that can cause elevations. We can also identify decreases in the red blood cells causing an anemia or in the platelets, which can cause spontaneous bleeding.

After blood work is performed, radiographs (X-rays) are useful in determining abnormal liver size or shape and diseases of the gallbladder. Ultrasonography can further help to determine if the problem lies in the bile duct or blood vessels. Irregular densities noted on ultrasound might suggest a tumor. Using the ultrasound and a needle, we are often able to obtain a sample of cells from the liver to get a diagnosis. In some cases, an exploratory surgery with biopsies is required to be able to determine a diagnosis.

Early treatment is important for the greatest success. If no cause can be identified, supportive care is usually started. This often times includes intravenous fluid therapy, antibiotics and nutritional supplements to protect and support the liver. Diet changes also will help preserve liver function. There are a few supplement type medications that have been shown to greatly promote healing of the liver and give it a chance to regenerate. Prognosis of liver disease depends on the underlying cause and your cat's response to therapy.

Rabies Statistics in Maryland

My biggest concern as a veterinarian is the possibility of contracting rabies. While this would be highly unlikely since I am vaccinated against the virus, it is a highly fatal disease. In June of last year, a girl became only the 3rd person  in the U. S. to survive rabies. Last December a woman in South Carolina was diagnosed with rabies after being bit by a cat. She died a few days after her story was released.

 There were 305 confirmed cases of rabies in 2011 in Maryland. 17 of the cases were cats and 3 were dogs. The majority of cases were raccoons. This is the smallest number of confirmed cases of rabies since the 1980's in Maryland. Since that time there have been great efforts by health officials to prevent the spread of rabies in our state. These efforts have included vaccination clinics for domestic pets as well as treats that are dropped in forested areas that have an oral form of the rabies vaccine for raccoons to eat. The goal is that the raccoons will eat the bait and be immunized against rabies. 

 While these numbers have been improving, 3 positive dog cases is an unusually high number.  Rabies is a very serious disease. If an animal contracts the disease, they begin to show neurologic signs including excessive salivation, staggering and falling and unusually aggressive behavior.  Rabies in animals can only be diagnosed after the animal dies. If you are concerned that one of your pets or a wild animal near your home may have rabies, please contact your veterinarian or state health officials immediately.

Why Veterinarians Hate The Internet

We all love the internet. It's amazing. I can send emails to friends overseas, video chat with my grandmother and buy everything I need for Christmas gifts without leaving the house. It's a great place to share news and information. As a veterinarian, I am able to stay up-to-date on current topics in medicine and communicate with specialists across the nation. I even REFER my own clients to the internet to look at sites with more information about surgeries or diseases their pets my have.

But overall, I think most vets HATE the internet. "Dr. Google" has become one of our enemies. About 50% of my clients that come in with a sick or injured pet believe they already know what the problem is and how I should treat it before they walk in the door. Quite often I'm told, I already looked it up and I'm pretty sure that he has "X disease" and I came to you for "Y medication". Sometimes they are right, and it makes the appointment go very smoothly and I run on time. But sometimes they are wrong, so wrong. The worst cases are when they have gone to a blog written by someone who does not provide any type of credentials and posts his or her random thoughts about veterinary medicine. Or when people misdiagnose their own pets and come to me when they aren't getting better.

Here are a few examples:

Yesterday I was talking to a client about her cat's hyperthyroid condition and explained to her that there is a new diet, Hill's Y/D, that has a very low iodine content to help suppress the amount of thyroid hormone the thyroid glad releases. This diet has been shown to be an effective treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats, where the gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormone, causing cats to become very skinny and sick despite having a ravenous appetite. She questioned me saying, "Are you sure? Because I read online that cats with hyperthyroidism need more iodine so I gave her one of my extra strength iodoine pills. She seems to get really sick after I give it to her though." What she was doing was making the disease worse by giving the cat these pills, but she had no idea.

A client noticed their cat wasn't urinating in the litter box and was acting strange for a few days. She looked it up online and she found something that explained the same signs and thought it sounded like the cat was stressed and probably urinating somewhere else in the house. She bought another litter box and put it in a different room, thinking the internet was being helpful. After 3 days of no urine in the litter box, the cat began to cry out when trying to urinate. The owner found him in the litter box meowing loudly. This got her attention and she brought him in. When he was examined, his bladder was larger than a softball and very hard. He was blocked and unable to urinate on his own. This is a life threatening condition because the electrolyte abnormalities that develop can cause his heart to stop or his bladder could tear from the pressure. Luckily, we were able to unblock him and save his life but this could have been diagnosed a few days later if she had brought him in instead of "Googling" his symptoms.

These aren't stupid people, just misinformed people. If you want to look something up online, talk to your vet about reliable internet sites. My favorites include:

www.petplace.com
http://www.veterinarypartner.com
http://www.avma.org/

Dogs Get The Flu Too?

Everyone has heard about the swine flu and the bird flu but now there is a new flu to worry about, the dog flu. Canine Influenza is a virus that was first seen in greyhounds that mutated from the equine flu virus. It is believed that the flu virus actually jumped from the horse population in Florida to dogs. The dog  flu has been confirmed in 38 states. 

People cannot contract the flu from their dogs but they can spread the virus from one dog to another by fomites. Fomites are vehicles that allow a virus to be transmitted including clothing, water bowls, and toys. The most common way a dog becomes infected with the virus is from being around other dogs that have it. Most of our cases are seen after close contact at doggie daycares, boarding facilities and the dog parks. Because of this, more facilities are requiring the flu vaccine be given prior to admission. Pfizer Inc. has a vaccine available that will help lessen the severity of the flu but it is not 100% at preventing infection. The first time the vaccine is given, a booster must be administered 2-3 weeks later. After that, the vaccine is given every 12 months.

It's hard to ask our dog patients what they are feeling when we believe they have the flu but common signs include an ongoing cough and nasal discharge. In some severe cases we will see fever and difficulty breathing. While we usually base our diagnosis on clinical signs, confirmatory tests include a nasal swab or blood test that is submitted to a lab.

The dog flu only affects about 5-8% of the dog population. As with the human flu virus, our biggest concern when a dog contracts the flu is that secondary bacterial infections will form in the lungs and cause a serious pneumonia. The flu doesn't discriminate; all breeds and ages of dogs are susceptible.

My dogs are not vaccinated for the canine flu because they are at very low risk to contract it. I do not take them to work with me very often, we use a house sitter when I am out of town and we do not go to the dog parks. But every case is different and you should talk to your veterinarian about your dog's activities and decide if they should receive the vaccine.

Helping Cats Get Along

We were hoping you would be able to help us with our cats. We have three cats and two don't get along. We adopted Moose, a male, and Daisy, a female, within a few months of each other. While Moose became very comfortable around people, Daisy remains skittish and is nervous around people. In September we adopted another female, Zazzy. Moose and Zazzy get along without any problems, but Daisy has never accepted Zazzy. At first Zazzy would chase after Daisy and there would be hissing, growling and fur flying. Now Daisy stays in the bedroom by herself and only comes out if we carry her. Do you have any suggestions to help ease their friendship or a way to get Daisy to calm down?

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This is a great question to which many people with multi-cat households can relate. There are a couple of options for both cats, Zazzy and Daisy. It sounds like Daisy is afraid and anxious because of Zazzy, and Zazzy is a little over excited or obsessed with Daisy.

Pheromones such as Feliway can help ease stress. Feliway is a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone, used by cats to mark their territory as safe and secure. Using this product in the house would help both cats. Flower Essences and other natural supplements can help both cats adjust to the change and be less fearful.

Positive reinforcement, feeding and giving treats to Daisy when she is being tolerant of Zazzy, may help with repetition. Giving Zazzy other outlets for her curiosity may also help. Tall cat towers are great because they give her the opportunity to play and be able to look around rooms from multiple angles. Another good option might be window perches that allow her to look outside and become fascinated with birds and squirrels. Toys with catnip can also stimulate play and excitement in cats, which might help Zazzy be less interested in Daisy when she is roaming the house.

As a last resort, your veterinarian may prescribe a medication for one or both cats to help reduce their stress. Unfortunately, there are some multi-cat households where the cats never get along and have to be kept separated. This is more common than we would like to see, but it appears that cats are happiest this way if they cannot get along with other cats in the home.