Fall 2007 Issue # 3
HOWL & PURRS ANIMAL CARE NEWS
Hello! It’s that time again! In this newsletter we are going to cover some topics that are pretty important and will have you thinking about a few things that you may not have thought about before. Again, we would like to say thank you to all of our great clients here at Howell Veterinary Care Center. We are continuously growing as a business and improving every day thanks to your business and glowing referrals. Our goal is to keep our patients healthy and our clients happy by providing “Exceptional Care for your Exceptional Pet!” Please enjoy our newsletter.
DID YOU KNOW? A cat that bites you for rubbing his/her stomach is often biting from pleasure, not anger.
AND NOW…A WORD FROM OUR DOCTOR!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our great clients for your patience in scheduling appointments which allows me to continue to work teaching at Baker College. Although my patients are my number one priority, I also enjoy teaching. Working at Baker College keeps me up to date on learning which is vital in a good medical practice. For instance, Baker College recently sent me to an ultrasound seminar and I have also been using digital dental radiology at the college. All of these experiences help me to help my patients at the Howell Veterinary Care Center.
DID YOU KNOW? A dog’s whiskers are touch-sensitive hairs called vibrissae. They are found on the muzzle, above the eyes and below the jaws, and can actually sense tiny changes in airflow.
HOLIDAY DANGERS
It’s that time again! The cold weather is upon us along with a long holiday season. The holidays bring us unforeseen dangers for our pets. We will uncover some of the dangers in this article to help you care for your pet this cold, holiday season.
Holiday Foods
Chocolates- are a very popular treat around the holidays.
We want to remind you that chocolate candies are poisonous to dogs. Chocolate contains a substance known as theobromine, a bitter, caffeine-related alkaloid, which can have dangerous effects on the dog that gobbles down a chocolate treat. The dog can fall victim to the theobromine caused condition called chocolate toxicosis AND the animal could be dead within hours. The effect of the theobromine on a dog depends on the size of the dog and how much it eats. It also depends on the type of chocolate the dog finds as each type contains different levels of theobromine. Unsweetened chocolate, such as that used for baking, contains much higher concentrates of theobromine than does milk chocolate. In case of accidental ingestion seek help immediately or the animal may die. Signs of chocolate toxicosis arise within hours of ingestion, they include vomiting , diarrhea, hyperactivity, heavy breathing, an increased heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures, lack of bladder control and in the most severe cases, coma.
Ham/Turkey Bones- Any kind of bone is NOT good for your pet. Bones may get lodged in your pet’s throat, stuck on their jaw, stuck in their mouth, or splinter and cause gastrointestinal tract irritation and diarrhea. Pets cannot digest bones any better than people can.
Bread dough/Dinner Rolls- When bread dough is ingested an animal’s body heat causes the dough to rise in the stomach. As alcohol is produced during the rising process, the dough expands. Pets that have eaten bread dough may experience abdominal pain, bloat, vomiting, disorientation and depression.
Alcohol-Watch your pet around your holiday drinks. If your pet consumes alcohol it can be poisonous. Remember pets generally weigh less than people so the effects would be far greater.
Holiday Plants
Mistletoe/Ivy/Holly with berries- If large quantities are ingested, these plants can potentially produce gastrointestinal irritation, excessive thirst and urination, a drop in blood pressure and heart rate, seizures, coma and even death. If an animal ingests small quantities it typically results in mild stomach upset.
Poinsettias-The toxic potential of Poinsettias has been highly exaggerated. Poinsettia ingestions typically produce only mild to moderate gastrointestinal tract irritation which includes drooling, vomiting and /or diarrhea. So keeping your plant out of reach is a good idea to prevent a miserable holiday.
Christmas Tree-Keep your pet from drinking the water in your Christmas tree stand as the water can be toxic with whatever chemicals the tree may have been treated with.
Your real Christmas tree drops needles which, if ingested, can cause gastrointestinal tract irritation for your pet along with angel hair which can also cause irritation of the eyes and skin.
If you decorate with tinsel, garland, or ribbon, know that it can cause a linear foreign body which will result in an emergency surgery situation.
Try not to use metal ornament hooks as they; also can cause an obstruction.
Also, keep all electrical cords out of reach or covered as your pet can be electrocuted if the cord is bitten into.
Outdoor Danger
Paw Pads/Toes/Toe Nails-When taking your pet on winter walks, be sure the hair between your pet’s toes and pads are clipped short. When hair is left too long, snow sticks to it, forming ice balls that are uncomfortable and hard to remove. Long hair also reduces traction and may cause your pet to slip and hurt himself on the ice. Nails that are too long also reduce traction, they force the dog to walk on the backs of their feet, splaying their toes and accumulating snow between their pads and toes. Another problem is cracked and sore paw pads. Salt used for deicing roads and sidewalks dries out your dog’s pads leading to cracked and sore pads. To prevent this, wash your dog’s toes and pads with warm water after walking and dry them thoroughly. If you use salt after clearing your walkways, be sure to use pet safe products such as SafePawtm Ice Melter that is 100% salt free and safe for pets and children.
Anti-Freeze- is extremely toxic to dogs and cats, it is sweet tasting and pets will lap it up. One half teaspoon of anti-freeze per pound of dog body weight is enough to cause the clinical signs of poisoning. The poison attacks the nervous system and kidneys. The symptoms of anti-freeze poisoning are depression, lack of coordination, vomiting and diarrhea, increased thirst and seizures. The toxin is rapidly absorbed: symptoms can begin within an hour of exposure. There is an antidote available but time is of the essence; the poison can be fatal if the kidneys are damaged.
Frost bite/Hypothermia-Frostbite can occur in both dogs and cats. The parts of the body most likely to be frozen are the ears, and sometimes the tail and feet. Body parts damaged by frostbite will appear normal. Within 48 hours, damaged tissue will swell and become painful. Within 7 days, due to interruption of the blood flow and nerve supply, the affected tissue dries up and turns black, eventually falling off twenty to thirty days later. Dying tissue attracts bacteria, and severe, life-threatening infection can result. If frostbite is suspected, it is best to immediately, but slowly warm the animal. Do NOT place the animal in hot water and do NOT rub the area. You need to immediately contact your veterinarian for treatment. Pain relief medication and antibiotics are usually prescribed.
Hypothermia is an abnormal lowering of the body’s temperature. This is a serious condition that can cause unconsciousness, shock and even death of a pet. Pets that are outdoors in cold or subzero temperatures can become hypothermic. If your pet shows signs of frostbite he or she may also be experiencing hypothermia. Do NOT rely on frostbite alone as an indication of hypothermia, as it can occur without the presence of frostbite.
CANINE OBESITY
There is an estimated 41 million pet dogs in the United States. Of that 41 million, approximately 17 million dogs are considered overweight or obese. Many of these pet owners do not believe their pet is overweight. Why is this? It is because people see their pets as a reflection of themselves and if their pet is overweight, then so are they? That is not always the case.
People often wonder “What causes canine obesity?” There are many different contributing factors to canine obesity, which can include; feeding habits, lack of exercise, slow metabolism, breed, and medical problems. If your pet is overweight or obese it can cause major health problems. These animals are more apt to develop osteoarthritis, cardiac disease, respiratory conditions, and dermatologic conditions. Overweight/obese animals have an increased surgical and anesthetic risk.
How can my dog lose weight? A combination of diet and exercise is one of the best ways to help your pet shed those extra pounds. If diet and exercise alone does not seem to be helping, there is another alternative; Slentrol
Slentrol is a prescription medicine, developed by Pfizer Animal Health, to help overweight/obese dogs lose weight. This medication is available only at veterinary clinics and must be prescribed by a veterinarian.
How does it work? Slentrol is a medicine called an MTP inhibitor. It works by preventing some of the fat your dog eats from absorbing into the body. A message is sent to the brain telling your pet that he/she is full, thus causing you pet to consume less. No diet changes are needed, so long as you are feeding your pet a nutritionally balanced diet.
Slentrol is a clear oil based liquid to be administered orally. Easy-to-use syringes are provided with each bottle of Slentrol. You can give it to your pet on a healthy treat, in his/her food (only if you can ensure he/she eats all of the medication), or directly in the mouth.
Monthly weight-ins at your veterinary clinic is required while your pet is on Slentrol. This way the dose can be changed accordingly to your pet’s weight loss.
There are two phases of weight loss when using Slentrol. Phase one is the weight loss phase, were your dog loses enough weight to reach his/her goal weight set by your veterinarian. Phase two is the weight management phase, where you learn how much food and exercise is required to maintain your pet’s healthy weight. Once Slentrol is stopped, your dog’s appetite will return to normal. Continued exercise and proper food control will help you pet remain at his/her healthy weight. Slentrol is not a cure for canine obesity. Successful long-term weight management requires behavior and lifestyle changes of both you and your pet.
Slentrol is only approved for use in dogs. It should not be used on humans, cats, or any other animals. It is only available through a veterinarian and is now available at Howell Veterinary Care Center. If you have any questions about this new medication or if you would like to consider Slentrol to help your dog lose weight, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Howell to determine if your pet would benefit from the use of Slentrol.
HOWELL VETERINARY CARE CENTER WEBSITE
WWW.HOWELLVETCARECENTER.COM
Our website is doing very well. We have had over 3,800 hits on the website since we opened in April 2006! There are a few new pages as our puppies and kittens are growing up, they’re going from the Changes page to the Young Adult page. Most pages are being updated and moved around so it’s easier to navigate through the website. If there is anything you would like to see on the website or if you have any ideas on how to make it better, we would like to hear your thoughts on it!
DID YOU KNOW? A female cat is called a queen, a male cat is a tomcat, a group of adult cats is called a clowder, and a group of kittens is called a kindle.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DISTEMPTER
Many canine diseases are easily diagnosed because of the obvious symptoms that accompany the sickness. Unfortunately canine distemper is very different. Canine distemper is a highly contagious and very dangerous disease that attacks the respiratory system, gastrointestinal system and even the nervous system. If undiagnosed and untreated, canine distemper has a very high chance of being fatal to your pet. Because the virus affects various parts of the body, there are so many different symptoms the pet can show after being exposed. Some of the most common include a pus like discharge from the eyes, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and a nasal discharge. In later stages, if the virus attacks the nervous system, seizure like twitches may be a severe symptom. However, some dogs may contract the canine distemper virus but show mild to no signs of an illness. This is a very dangerous situation because an unknowing owner will take their infected pet to an area with other dogs and greatly increase those pet’s chances of becoming infected. Also, the virus can harbor in areas after an infected animal has left. This is so common that almost all veterinarians believe that most dogs will come in contact with the canine distemper virus in some way or another before they are even a year old. Since there is no specific cure or treatment for this virus, the best way to protect your pet is with the canine distemper vaccine. It is very important that puppies receive the proper series of vaccinations. Puppies are more susceptible to contracting canine distemper. While they are given some natural immunity from their mothers during nursing, this only last for a short time and the immunity they are given may disrupt the efficiency of the vaccine. This is why puppies are given a series of boosters, to ensure that they are protected as best as possible. An adult pet should receive the vaccine once a year to prevent this deadly virus. Canine distemper is very damaging and even if a pet survives they will most likely have irreversible health problems for the rest of their life. It is important to keep your pet up to date on their vaccines and watch out for any unusual symptoms or behaviors your pet may have.
DID YOU KNOW? People who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.
STAFF CONTINUING EDUCATION
National Vet Tech Week Celebrated with Continuing Education
Did you know that the third week in October is known as National Veterinary Technician Week (NVTW)? In June of 1993 the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America’s Executive Board passed a resolution declaring that the third week in October to be NVTW. The purpose of this week is to educate the public as to how valuable licensed veterinary technicians (LVTs) are to the veterinary medical team. This year, NVTW was October 14th – 20th.
There were several continuing education (CE) programs taking place during this week. Most of these CEs are complimentary and are put on for the benefit of LVTs in the area. These events are a way for LVTs to keep up with veterinary medicine topics and also to learn new cutting edge skills and facts. The LVTs at Howell Veterinary Care Center did attend two of these programs.
The first CE was sponsored in part by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. It was held at the Marriott at Centerpoint in Auburn Hills. The staff of Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) hosted the event and several LVTs from there did presentations on various topics. These topics included: ECG (Electrocardiogram), an eye disease termed Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or “dry eye”, and dystocia, which is the term for difficult birthing. These topics were all very good refreshers. The topic of acupuncture was also discussed. Acupuncture is where small needles are placed at certain points on the body where there are high levels of nerve endings and capillaries. OVRS is able to perform acupuncture on dogs and cats. There are many benefits to acupuncture, which include relieving muscle tension, improving circulation, and releasing endorphins and serotonin (which is a natural pain killer). Pets with arthritis, disc disease, hip dysplasia, allergies or seizures may all benefit from acupuncture.
The second CE was held at Michigan Veterinary Specialists (MVS) Southfield hospital. This CE was sponsored by Novartis Animal Health, IDEXX Laboratories, and Nestle Purina. The presentations were done by MVS technicians and doctors. The topics at this CE included: Addison’s disease, Cushing’s disease, and diabetes mellitus. These are all endocrine diseases that can affect dogs and cats. Addison’s disease, or hypradrenocorticism, is where the body does not produce enough cortisol. Cortisol is termed a glucocorticoid, which helps maintain glucose availability in the body. Cushing’s disease or hyperadrenocorticism, is the opposite of Addison’s and is where the body produces too much corisol. These two diseases are much more common in dogs and though they are not curable, they are very easily treated. The prognosis is good for these pets if the owner is dedicated to the treatment.
While NVTW is over for this year, the CEs will continue throughout the year. The CEs are very important for LVTs to attend and are a beneficial way to keep on learning new things. Learning is something that should continue for a lifetime.
These seminars allow for us to learn and refresh on techniques and educational tools to help our patients and their families. This way we can continue to provide exceptional care for our exceptional patients.
FECAL FAQ
A fecal exam is probably the most recognized test that is run on your pet. The fecal exam is a relatively inexpensive and easy way to determine whether or not your pet is infected with an intestinal parasite. This is a compilation of a few questions that are frequently asked.
Q. What happens to the stool after it is handed off to “the back”?
A. A fecal float is a test that is run on the stool sample. We use just 2-5 grams of stool for the test. It is placed in a small plastic container, similar to a prescription pill vial. A fecal solution is mixed in until the liquid reaches the top. A cover slip is placed on top of the mixture until a seal is formed. We then wait 10 minutes before we examine it microscopically. During the 10 minutes, if eggs of a parasite are present, they will float to the top, securing to the cover slip. When we do the microscopic exam, which is what we are looking for-the eggs of a worm, not the actual worm itself.
Q. My pet had a negative fecal, but now he is pooping worms. Why?
A. We recommend fecal exams every 6 months for this reason. When doing the fecal exam, if no eggs are seen it doesn’t necessarily mean the pet does not have parasites. We actually record the result as “nes” or, “no eggs seen”. We avoid using the term “negative” because the worm might not be at the point in its life cycle where it is producing eggs. Even though we don’t see eggs, there still may be a parasite infection present. This is why we follow the recommendation of the Center for Disease Control and do fecal exams at least twice yearly. This way, if the eggs are not seen the first time, there is a better chance catching it the second time.
Q. What are the rice-like things on my pet’s stool?
A. Those are tapeworm segments. Pets acquire tapeworms through two main ways: fleas and eating rodents or birds. The flea is an intermediate host for tapeworm. While trying to bite at an itchy area, your pet may actually ingest the flea, thus introducing the flea to the digestive system and eventually the larvae in the flea turns into a worm and attaches to the intestine. Acquiring tapeworms through birds and rodents occur in a similar fashion. The pet eats a mouse, for example, and in doing so, consumes a tapeworm. When you see the white pieces in the stool, those are segments of the tapeworm that have broken off.
Q. Why does my puppy/kitten need to be dewormed?
A. Puppies and kittens are prone to roundworm infections when they are born because the worms can be passed to them from their mother.
Q. My dog/cat doesn’t have worms. How can the babies get it?
A. At some point in the mom’s life, she ingested eggs of a worm (for example, from eating another animal’s stool, or eating rodents, or was born with worms herself). The worm’s larvae can become dormant. These dormant larvae are reactivated when the pet becomes pregnant. They are activated by the hormones of pregnancy and migrate to the placenta and into the lungs of the developing animals. After birth the babies cough up the larvae and swallow them. The larvae can also migrate to the mammary glands of the mom, where the larvae can be passed to nursing babies. The larvae develop into adult worms in the puppy or kitten’s intestine. The process takes approximately 3 weeks after the birth. This is why a dewormer is done when a puppy or kitten is brought in. It is very common to see these types of worms in newborns.
Q. Can I get worms from my dog or cat?
A. There is a possibility that you can become infected from your pet. Roundworms can cause problems such as blindness, lung infections, enlarged liver, and sometimes fatal neurologic disease. Hookworms are capable of producing a dermatitis caused by migrating larvae. Infections in humans occur through skin contact with and penetration by infective larvae. Don’t freak out just yet! This is why it is important to wash your hands thoroughly after interacting with new pets that haven’t had a fecal exam or a dewormer. It is also important to maintain a clean environment. You can do this by picking up stool and keeping covers on sandboxes so animals cannot defecate in them, potentially exposing children to infected stool. There is no need to glove up to pet your animal, just be cautious if you do not know if the pet has worms. Exposure to humans is also another great reason to get your pet’s stool checked frequently.
Worms are not the only intestinal parasites that can affect your pet. Giardia and coccidia are also parasites that can harm your pet’s health.
Giardia is actually a protozoal parasite. It attaches to the intestinal wall. Some signs of giardia include diarrhea, weight loss, and flatulence. Pets can get giardia by eating other infected stool, or by drinking contaminated water. Coccidia is also a protozoal parasite. Symptoms include diarrhea, weight loss, dehydration, or straining to urinate or defecate. Pets from one month to one year of age are most commonly affected. Pets can get coccidian from eating infected feces or drinking contaminated water. We can diagnose both of these parasites by performing a fecal exam. Giardia and coccidian can be prevented by giving clean water, maintaining hygienic areas, and picking up after your dog.
Fecal exams are routinely run on your pet because they help diagnose problems. A parasite infection can cause problems such as anemia, weight loss, intestinal obstructions, loose or bloody stools and many other problems. There are treatments available in the event your pet becomes infected with an intestinal parasite. By doing a fecal exam, we are able to determine what parasite is present and what route of treatment would be best for your pet before it becomes a problem.
NEED A GIFT IDEA?
We now have Howell Veterinary Care Center Gift Certificates available in any denomination. They may be used for any veterinary service or product at Howell Veterinary Care Center. You’ll be helping someone else be a good pet owner, just like you are!
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ OUR NEWSLETTER WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT AND HOPE YOU PICKED UP ON A FEW THINGS THAT MAYBE YOU NEVER KNEW!!
