Pet Health | Just for Dog Lovers

Distemper Outbreak in Kansas Kennel Forced Euthanasia of over 1000 Dogs

December 23, 2010 By drdawg Leave a Comment

After a distemper outbreak in Wyoming, the source of the infection was traced back to a dog kennel in Kansas.

The kennel was under investigation after the Wyoming State veterinarian contacted the Kansas Animal Health Department. Bill Brown, the Kansas Livestock Commissioner said the Health Department had quarantined the kennel twice after distemper was diagnosed there.

The kennel’s owners couldn’t sell any of the dogs and could not afford to pay for staff and upkeep of the kennels so euthanizing the nearly 1200 dogs was the only way to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease. Most of the dogs euthanized were adults.

This brings to light about commercial breeders and puppy mills that do not take care of their animals. A simple vaccination of the puppies and the parents could have prevented the outbreak and the deaths of countless dogs.

Distemper is caused by and air-born virus and can cause multi-systemic disease and seizures in infected dogs. Sometimes the dogs just show “cold like” symptoms of a thick, yellow nasal discharge and will seem to recover and then several weeks later the distemper virus travels to the brain which results in twitches and seizures that do not respond to anti-convulsant drugs. Many of these dogs will eventually have to be euthanized.

Caution: The video below shows a dog with distemper. This dog was a stray dog found on the side of the road and brought to my clinic by a good samaritan. Unfortunately, there is not a treatment for distemper and this puppy was euthanized shortly after this video was taped.

Filed Under: pet health, pets in the news Tagged With: 1000 Dogs, Animal Health, Brain Seizures, Contagious Disease, Convulsant Drugs, Countless Dogs, Distemper Virus, Dog Kennel, Good Samaritan, Health Department, Kansascity, Outbreak, Puppy Mills, State Veterinarian, Systemic Disease, These Dogs, Twitches, Upkeep, Wyoming State, Yellow Nasal Discharge

Holiday Dangers Lurking for Your Dog

December 13, 2010 By drdawg Leave a Comment

Winter is here and we are thinking of family gatherings, holiday parties, and perhaps even snow and ice. Wintertime can be beautiful, festive and a great time for winter sports, but keeping our pets safe could involve a little homework and preparation.

Whether or not snow actually falls in your area, many people will gather for traditional holiday parties. With all of the delicious smells and exciting new people, our pets may take advantage of a stranger’s generosity or an unattended plate in order to help themselves to the appetizers. However natural it is to share with our pets, there are a few foods that should be avoided. These foods include:

Chocolate and sweets deserve special mention due to their abundance during this time of year. Some candies and foods that are artificially sweetened with the ingredient, xylitol, can actually cause a rapid decrease in blood sugar of dogs and has even been implicated in some liver failure cases.

Chocolate is a well-known toxic for dogs, but baking chocolate and the semi-sweet varieties are much more dangerous, causing heart problems, vomiting, and even death. And, it should go without saying that pets should never be given any alcoholic beverage. Not funny, potentially dangerous.

In our quest to decorate and create a cheerful atmosphere, we often will use various plants. Almost any member of the lily family can be deadly to cats and other holiday foliage, such as mistletoe and holly, can also cause severe stomach upset to our pets. Interestingly, poinsettias are actually over-rated with respect to toxicity. Most pets who ingest a poinsettia leaf may have mild irritation of the mouth and/or stomach.

Artificial decorations can be just as bad. To a cat, a ribbon or strand of tinsel can be too much of a temptation. These long string-like objects can be swallowed and cause major problems in the intestines and stomach. Electric cords can cause electrocution or severe burns if chewed upon and many glass ornaments or lights can be easily broken and cut your pet’s feet or mouth.

Beyond the dangers indoors, the outdoor world may be just as bad. One of the most common poisonings of pets during the winter months is a case of ingested car anti-freeze. Its pleasant, sweet taste masks a deadly poison that can kill with very small amounts. If you even suspect that your pet has consumed anti-freeze, you need to contact your veterinarian or nearest emergency hospital immediately! Rat and mouse poisons, as well as ice melting products should be used with care around any pets.

Pets can suffer the effects of frostbite and hypothermia just as easily as their owners. Household pets should stay indoors in very cold temperatures. But if your pet must stay outdoors, be sure to provide them shelter from the wind and moisture. In this case, bigger is not better! Smaller homes will help to trap body heat more efficiently. Use heated water bowls and replenish everyday.

Knowing your pet’s limitations will be very important during these months. An older dog may not be as sure-footed on the ice and young puppies may not have enough body fat to keep them warm for extended periods in the snow. Monitor your pets when they go out for exercise or for their “bathroom breaks” to insure that they are able to make it back on their own. In addition, the added excitement and presence of strangers in the house may be too much for some excitable pets. Find a quiet room for their kennel and make time for them after your guests have left.

Wintertime can be glorious and full of family fun. It does not have to involve a visit to the animal emergency room if a few simple precautions are taken. Talk to your family veterinarian about a winter “check-up” for your pet and how to avoid a winter catastrophe. Visit www.MyVNN.com to watch a video filled with some simple winter pet tips.

Filed Under: Dog Care, pet health Tagged With: Alcoholic Beverage, Baking Chocolate, Cheerful Atmosphere, Failure Cases, Family Gatherings, Fatty Foods, Heart Problems, Holiday Dangers, Holiday Parties, Lily Family, Liver Failure, Mild Irritation, Mistletoe And Holly, Onion Powder, Poinsettia Leaf, Rapid Decrease, Salty Foods, Snow And Ice, Traditional Holiday, Winter Sports, Wintertime

Dog Steps and Stairs Help Prevent Injuries

December 5, 2010 By drdawg Leave a Comment

Meet Harley. Harley is just a little sad because he broke a front and back leg from jumping off his owners bed. Luckily, he is still a puppy and the fractures could be set with a splint and healed well.

Most people don’t think about their pets breaking their legs from jumping off the bed, but in same month that Harley broke his leg, I had two other puppies also break their leg from jumping of the bed, and one puppy from jumping out of her owners arms. The injuries are not just limited to the puppies, older dogs get injured, also.

In the older dogs, especially the chihuahuas, jumping from the furniture can cause undo stress on their joints, especially their knees resulting in rupturing their anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL). These injuries can’t heal with a simple splint but usually requires TPLO surgery from an orthopedic veterinary specialist.

(See previous post on ACL injuries.)

In Dachshunds, jumping from the furniture may aggravate their back and cause a ruptured or herniated disc. (See post on back injuries)

So, how can you prevent these injuries. Well, you can train the dog not to jump on the furniture, and don’t let them sleep with you or your kids. But, if you are like a lot of pet owners, the dog is where you are, you can put stairs or a ramp by the bed or furniture so your pet can get up and down without help from you. There are several to choose from and they are relatively inexpensive when compared to a bill from a veterinary surgeon.

Check out dog steps and stairs here.

34614255279302597 Dog Steps and Stairs Help Prevent Injuries

play Dog Steps and Stairs Help Prevent Injuries

Filed Under: Dog Ramps & Stairs, pet health Tagged With: Acl Injuries, Anterior Cruciate Ligaments, Back Injuries, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, dogs, Fractures, Harley, Herniated Disc, Joints, Knees, Legs, Pet Owners, puppies, Puppy, Ramp, Splint, Stairs, Veterinary Specialist, Veterinary Surgeon

How to Take a Tick Off Your Dog

September 4, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

A tick is a small parasite related to spiders. They are most normally found in wooded areas and those fields of high grass and like mosquitoes and fleas pose a health hazard to your dog and to people as well as they carry the Lyme disease, Rocky mountain spotted fever and other illnesses that can affect your dogs health and even his life. While many people know that ticks can be detrimental to their dogs health they simply aren’t sure what to do to protect their dog from these parasites. Here are a few tips that may help you to protect your dogs from ticks and keep him healthy.

Since ticks are found in wooded areas and high grass and especially prevalent during the spring and summer it is a good idea to keep the grass in your yard mowed and short. Ticks are far less likely to inhabit areas where there is no tall grass.

You will also want to keep your yard free of spilled bird seed and other things which might attract mice and squirrels because ticks often use these animals as a host and food source.

Don’t allow your dog to roam. The best way to protect him from ticks is to limit his access to areas where there is not a high concentrations of these parasites.

If you take your dog camping with you check him/her every three hours for signs of ticks. Make sure you check him thoroughly including the inside of his ears and around the genital area. Ticks do not attach immediately to a new host and usually don’t start feeding until after they are on the host for about 4 hours. (It is also wise to thoroughly check all humans who are camping in wooded areas for ticks as well.)

If you find a tick use a pair of tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the body as possible and pull the tick straight out. Never remove a tick with your bare hands. Ticks have teeth designed to latch onto a host and remain fixed and twisting and turning the tick may result in leaving the head with the disease carrying fluids attached.

Once the tick is removed then clean the area with soap and water and apply antiseptic.

Using protectants such as Advantix and Frontline Plus may prevent ticks from using your dog as a host. Ask your Veterinarian about these and other products that may help to protect your dogs from ticks.

If your dog has had access to any area where ticks may live and suddenly appears lame, feverish and has a loss of appetite and appears lethargic then take him to your Veterinarian immediately for treatment. Be sure to tell your Vet of the places your dog has been so that he can be tested for tick spreading diseases.

Your dog is your trusted companion and your friend. You want to be able to share those outside adventures, picnics, hiking and camping trips with him but, you also want to keep him safe. Following these few tips will help protect your dog from ticks and the associated health problems they cause while still enabling him to enjoy all those out of door adventures.

Filed Under: Dog Health, pet health Tagged With: Bird Seed, Dog Parasites, Dog Tick, Dogs Health, fleas, Flowplayer, Food Source, Health Hazard, High Grass, Iphone, Lyme, Lyme Disease, Mosquitoes, Pair Of Tweezers, Parasite, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Spiders, Spring And Summer, Squirrels, Tall Grass, Ticks, Wooded Areas

Diseases of the Kidneys in Dogs

August 14, 2010 By drdawg Leave a Comment

The kidneys normally filter the blood, cleansing it of waste products, toxins, and other substances. They maintain the correct balance of water and electrolytes, help regulate blood pressure, and keep the blood pH at the right level. Unfortunately, failure of the kidneys is one of the most common diseases of dogs. In this condition, the functional tissue of the kidneys is damaged, leaving them unable to filter the blood adequately. Toxins build up within the body, a condition known as azotemia.

Acute Renal Failure (ARF)
Acute Renal Failure means that the kidneys are damaged suddenly. This is usually caused by poisoning or a lack of blood flow. Poisons that can cause ARF are ethylene glycol (antifreeze); heavy metals such as zinc and lead; and large doses of certain antibiotics, acetaminophen, and chemotherapy drugs. Inadequate blood flow can be caused by shock, hemorrhage, low blood pressure, or dehydration. Infectious illnesses like Leptospirosis can also cause ARF.

Signs of acute renal failure are not very specific. Loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea or dehydration may be seen. Some pets with ARF urinate excessively while others stop urinating altogether. Information on the pets recent experiences is crucial in diagnosis of ARF. Once the veterinarian suspects kidney disease, blood and urine tests are used to determine the cause and the severity of the condition.

Animals with ARF are treated with IV fluids. Additional medications are used to correct electrolyte and pH imbalances and to reduce symptoms. Specific treatment for the original cause of the kidney damage is given if the cause is known. Healing can occur in tissues that are merely damaged, and viable parts of the kidneys will work harder to compensate. Unfortunately, the portions of the kidneys that have been destroyed will not recover.

Pet owners can do several things to reduce the chance of ARF. Keep antifreeze away from pets, and clean up spills immediately. Follow medication dosage instructions, and never give people medicine to pets without first consulting your veterinarian. Make sure that pets, especially older ones, always have access to fresh water.

Chronic Renal Failure (CRF)
Chronic Renal Failure is seen most often in pets over eight years of age. CRF occurs when the functional structures of the kidneys wear out. The damage happens gradually, so months or years may pass before symptoms appear. As much as 75% of the kidney tissue may be destroyed by that time.

Like ARF, symptoms of CRF can be vague. Early signs include loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and sores in the mouth. As the illness progresses, animals drink more water, urinate more, and may have urinary accidents in the house. Eventually, toxin buildup and electrolyte imbalances can damage the nervous system and the eyes, causing seizures, coma and blindness. Many animals with CRF become anemic, because the kidneys are also responsible for stimulating production of new blood cells. The veterinarian will perform blood and urine tests to confirm a diagnosis of CRF and to assess the severity of symptoms.

CRF is a progressive, irreversible disease. Treatment is aimed at slowing the rate of damage and minimizing symptoms. Diets for pets with CRF usually contain restricted amounts of high quality protein and are low in minerals. Many pets require supplemental fluids given periodically under the skin or intravenously. Medications are given to manage nausea, correct electrolyte and pH imbalances, control high blood pressure, and stimulate blood cell production.

The newest treatments available for pets with CRF are hemodialysis and kidney transplantation. These procedures are very costly and are only available at certain veterinary teaching hospitals and specialty practices. Hemodialysis is used as a temporary, emergency method for cleansing the blood. Transplantation can extend a pets life for two or more years. Kidney transplants are complex surgeries with a high rate of success. Pets that receive transplants must remain on anti-rejection medicine for life. Regardless of the type of treatment, the goal is to maintain the pets quality of life. When this is no longer possible, euthanasia may be considered.

Chronic Renal Failure is not preventable. Although some have suggested that low protein diets might have a protective benefit for animals with healthy kidneys, scientific research does not support this belief

Filed Under: pet health Tagged With: Acute Renal Failure, Antifreeze, Arf, Blood Ph, Chemotherapy Drugs, Common Diseases, Correct Balance, Diseases Of The Kidneys, Ethylene Glycol, Functional Tissue, Heavy Metals, Inadequate Blood Flow, Infectious Illnesses, Iv Fluids, Kidney Damage, Kidney Disease, Loss Of Appetite, Low Blood Pressure, Medication Dosage, Vomiting And Diarrhea

Leptospirosis is Still a Problem for Dogs and People

August 2, 2010 By drdawg Leave a Comment

The Centers for Disease Control eliminated Leptospirosis from the “reportable human diseases” list, there is, however, still significant concern about this zoonotic disease. Our pets are at risk of lepto as well, however, many owners are afraid to vaccinate for the illness. What’s the true story and just how can we continue to keep our pets and families safe?

Mary Fleming always followed the advice of her veterinarian when it came to her miniature poodle, Mitsie. Regular examinations, heartworm preventive and even a good diet helped keep Mitsie active and healthy. Thinking that Mitsie was safe, Mary did not opt for a Leptospirosis vaccine for her dog. Unfortunately, Mitsie got very sick not long after visiting her city’s dog park and needed intensive care and hospitalization. Thankfully, her veterinarian was there to help her recover and explain how moist soil or puddles at the park actually put Mitsie at risk!

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease- a disease that can be passed between animals and people. It is spread by spirochete (spiral-shaped) bacteria in the urine of infected rodents, wildlife, and pets. There are more than 200 different strains of lepto and certain strains appear to prefer certain hosts, like dogs, pigs, raccoons or even rats.

The leptospira organisms enter the body through mucous membranes or through abrasions on the skin. People and animals can become infected from direct exposure to infected urine, but also through contaminated environment, such as water or damp soil.

People and pets are also exposed to Lepto while camping or participating in outdoor recreational activities. Drinking or swimming in water that is infected with Lepto is the most common exposure, but wet soil can be contaminated as well. And, as Mitsie’s case illustrates, a city environment will not always provide protection against this serious disease.

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play Leptospirosis is Still a Problem for Dogs and People

The signs of Leptospirosis can mimic many other diseases and illnesses. The first signs in dogs are often depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, and generalized pain. Affected dogs may also drink water and urinate excessively and have swollen, red, and painful eyes. Because these signs are common to other diseases and non-specific, owners may try to treat their pets at home for such problems as an upset stomach or arthritis.

This “wait and see” response delays proper diagnosis and treatment for the dog, as well as increasing the owner’s exposure to the disease. If caught early, treatment is usually effective and the survival rate is good. However, time is of the essence. A mere three or four day delay can lead to irreversible kidney failure.

Vaccines are available but many pet owners, like Mary above, have either experienced or heard about adverse reactions associated with these vaccines. In the past, Leptospirosis vaccines were generally created using the whole bacterial organism. In many cases, when a whole bacterium is used, the likelihood of a “vaccine reaction” increases. Thankfully, newer vaccines have been developed that reduce this possibility by using specific Leptospirosis proteins instead of the whole organism.

A study reviewing vaccine reactions in more than one million dogs vaccinated found that reactions occur about 13 times for every 10,000 vaccines given. More importantly, the lepto vaccine was no more likely to cause a reaction than any other vaccine.

So, if the vaccine appears to be safe and the disease deadly, shouldn’t all dog owners vaccinate their pets?

Unfortunately, that question is difficult to fully answer. Because there are so many Leptospirosis strains, no one vaccine will cover every possible exposure a pet might have. At present, vaccines are available that protect against four of the common strains infecting dogs. In addition, the vaccine will prevent clinical disease, but may not stop the pet from shedding bacteria in his urine. This makes the pet a threat to other animals, especially those who are not vaccinated. And, as mentioned above, humans are at risk as well.

Worldwide, Leptospirosis is the most widespread zoonotic disease. Cases occur routinely in tropical countries, but increases have been seen in Europe and North America as well. Floods and hurricanes are instrumental in spreading this illness and coordinated efforts to rescue and re-home pets from these disasters might actually transplant lepto into new areas.

Protecting your pet from Leptospirosis is a complex situation. Use your veterinarian as a resource to help assess your pet’s risk factors as well as the benefits and hazards of vaccination. Other important steps that might minimize your pet’s exposure to this disease include removing animal pests, such as rodents and draining areas of standing water.

Filed Under: Dog Health, pet health Tagged With: Abrasions, Centers For Disease Control, City Environment, Contaminated Environment, Even Rats, Hospitalization, Human Diseases, Lepto, Leptospira, Mary Fleming, Miniature Poodle, Moist Soil, Outdoor Recreational Activities, Puddles, Raccoons, Rodents, Tvet, Veterinarian, Wet Soil, Zoonotic Disease

Did you know that your dog can start a House Fire?

July 11, 2010 By drdawg Leave a Comment

Everyone is familiar with many of the common causes of house fires…smoking in bed, unattended candles, or even kitchen mishaps. But, are you aware of another leading cause of fires in the home? This one has four legs, a tail and might be your best friend!

By: Dr. Jim Humphries, Veterinary News Network

Like many dogs, Lucy had a passion for chocolate. She doesn’t know it’s not good for her – the Labrador/Basset mix only knows that it tastes yummy and she will do anything to get some! So, when owner Kay was at work one day, she had no idea that Lucy’s passion and energy would lead to a near disaster!

Kay left some chocolate cake up on the counter and Lucy was determined to make it her own. In doing so, she ignited the burner on the stove. The heat melted the plastic cover of the cake pan, filling the home with light smoke.

The US Fire Administration (usfa.dhs.gov) states more than 500,000 structural fires occur annually, taking more than 3,000 lives, including about 100 firefighters. Top causes of home fires include open flames and accidents in the kitchen. What’s even more interesting is that more than 900 fires each year can be attributed to pets!

Dogs and cats are very inquisitive creatures by nature and, like Lucy, will often persist in attempts to reach some sort of favored food item. These two attributes can lead to problems when combined with unattended candles, or open heat sources, like kerosene lanterns. Pets can easily knock these items over or ignite nearby material, causing a fire to spread.

All across North America, headlines show stories similar to Lucy’s. From dogs locking owners out of the house while fish is frying to many displaced candles, our pets are implicated in fires more often than people realize. Sadly, it is estimated that more than 500,000 pets are affected by fire each year and many of these will lose their lives.

Although a few pets wake the family and end up as heroes in these stories, many become fearful and try to hide. Others are left home alone and no one is there to rescue them, despite shrieking smoke alarms. For our cats, the excessive noise may even provoke a flight response to a hiding place where they feel safe and may not easily be found.

Thankfully, you can reduce the risk of a fire and injury or death of your pet by taking a few common sense precautions.

First, never leave any open flame unattended. If you are leaving the house for any reason, extinguish all candles and turn off open flame space heaters and/or stoves.

Next, consider keeping your pet confined when you are gone. A dog in a cage is unlikely to create a situation like Lucy’s near disaster. Walk through your home with an eye towards “pet proofing” and preventing accidental fires.

Invest in a home monitoring system that can alert the fire department, even when you aren’t home. Thankfully, in Lucy’s case, her owners had added monitoring protection to their alarm system. Firefighters were dispatched and arrived at the home quickly, only to find the heavy smoke indicative of a large fire. The captain of the engine called for two more fire trucks, fearing that the fire was beyond what his team could handle.

Upon entry to the home, Lucy was immediately rescued and the firefighters were able to extinguish the fire without the use of hoses. The fire was contained to the kitchen because of the quick response of fire fighters, due in part to the monitoring system.

Experts at the National Volunteer Fire Council (nvfc.org) also recommend the use of window clings that can help alert rescuers to the presence of pets in the home. Some people will even go as far as to place their pet’s cage within site of the front door to make rescue even easier.

Each year on July 15th, the American Kennel Club (akc.org) along with the National Volunteer Fire Council and ADT Security Services work to raise awareness to help prevent needless pet suffering from house fires. Check with your veterinarian and/or local fire department to find out how to obtain the window clings or visit www.adt.com to get a free one.

Thankfully, in Lucy’s case, damage was minimal and Lucy is just fine. But, many pets aren’t so lucky, suffering from smoke inhalation, burns or much worse. Learn to keep your pets safe by following the above guidelines.

Filed Under: pet health, pets Tagged With: Basset, Cake Pan, Causes Of House Fires, Chocolate Cake, Dhs, Dogs And Cats, Dogs Chocolate, Dr Jim, Fire Administration, Firefighters, Heat Sources, Home Fires, Jim Humphries, Kerosene Lanterns, Light Smoke, Mishaps, Open Flames, Smoking In Bed, Tvet, Usfa

ACL or Torn Cruciate Ligament Knee Injuries in Dogs

June 18, 2010 By drdawg 1 Comment

Meet Jack…an English Bulldog with a great outdoor job and an exciting story to tell. Sadly, Jack’s career was almost derailed due to an unexpected injury. Like so many NBA stars and skiers, Jack hurt his knee and was sidelined for many weeks. Thankfully, prompt care and a great surgery team got Jack “back on the road again!”

Just one look at Jack and you can tell that this is a dog meant for bigger things. From blogging about his travels as New Mexico’s Canine Travel Reporter to his awards from the governor, Jack oozes confidence and excitement. So, when Jack ruptured his cruciate ligament, neither he nor his human partner, Jill, were going to let anything stand in the way of his speedy return to the spotlight.

Stifle xray resize ACL or Torn Cruciate Ligament Knee Injuries in Dogs

Normal Stifle x-ray

Like people, dogs have two cruciate ligaments to help provide support for the knee. Their presence keeps the femur and tibia from sliding around and destabilizing the joint. According to veterinary surgeon, Dr. Phil Zeltzman, repairing torn a cruciate is the most common surgery at veterinary surgery centers. He adds that certain breeds (Labradors and Rottweilers) show up with this injury more frequently than other pets.

Dogs can rupture these ligaments with sudden twisting movements while running or even from slipping on ice. In Jack’s case, a sudden meeting with a child’s snow sled was enough to cause the injury. After seeing Jac

k limp into the house that snowy day, Jill knew an appointment with his veterinarian was needed.

In most cases, diagnosing a cruciate tear simply requires a veterinarian’s examination and, if the patient is not cooperative, a touch of sedation. Palpation of the knee joint is the key to the diagnosis although it is also a good idea to take x-rays of both knees to look for any other problems.

The next step is surgery. According to industry experts, pet owners spend more than $1 billion dollars on cruciate surgeries for their pets each year. A variety of procedures exist to help stabilize the knee, but most surgeons will utilize one of three procedures. Because of Jack’s anatomy, breed and size, surgeons at the New Mexico Veterinary Surgery Center determined that the Tibial Tuberosity Advancement surgery would be the most effective solution.

Radiographs to the left show a ruptured ACL ligament in one of my patients, Luna. Compare it to the normal knee and you can see at the 90 degree angle of the x-ray on the left, the femur or the big thigh bone sits almost behind the tibia or the lower leg bone. The cruciate ligament stabilizes the knee. Luna had a TPLO surgery (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) performed by Dr. Payne of North Houston Veterinary Specialists. Dr. Payne is a veterinary orthopedic surgeon and travels to the veterinary clinic that requires his services.

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The surgery requires very special instruments and surgical skills for a successful outcome and at Luna’s 6 week check up, she was walking great.

As with any pet surgery, cost certainly is an issue. It is not unusual for these cruciate surgeries to range in cost from $1200 to more than $3000. David Goodnight, CEO of PurinaCare pet insurance says that nationwide, the average cost for this type of surgery is $2500.

Some pet owners will question the need for surgery as fibrous tissue in the dog’s body will eventually stabilize the joint. Sadly, this could lead to bigger problems, including severe osteoarthritis or even a rupture of the ligaments in the other knee. Certainly this route only increases the pet’s discomfort.

After surgery, most dogs feel much better. In fact, it’s a challenge for owners to keep their pets rested during the recovery. Jill recalls her experience with Jack, “Luckily I remembered to always keep him on a leash outside…by day three after surgery, I could see him wanting to run!”

This 8-10 week recovery period is crucial. Too much activity can delay healing at the site or even cause enough damage that a second surgery might be needed! The doggie patients need to stay in a crate when they can’t be supervised, go outside ONLY on a leash and only for bathroom breaks until the surgeon says short walks are ok. Running, jumping and stairs should be avoided.

Jack has made a complete recovery and is now back educating people about the wonders of New Mexico. But he is not out of the woods yet. About half of dogs who rupture one cruciate will tear the opposite knee’s ligaments. Along the course of his recovery, Jack’s veterinarians have made several recommendations to help him avoid this fate.

First, weight control! Excess weight creates additional stress on joints and can lead to ligament tears.

Next, daily exercise is important. Spending about an hour each day engaged in moderate exercise is not only a good way to keep your dog healthy and limber…it will probably help you too!

Finally, don’t overdo it! You wouldn’t run a marathon without training, so don’t expect your dog to hike 4-5 miles with you immediately.

Your veterinarian will also have some helpful ideas to protect your pet’s joints. Nutraceuticals, like glucosamine or rehabilitation exercises can help strengthen and support the knees.

Filed Under: Dog Health, pet health Tagged With: 1 Billion Dollars, Cruciate Ligaments, Dr Phil, English Bulldog, Human Partner, Iphone, Knee Injuries, Knee Joint, Labradors, Ligament Injuries, Nba Stars, Outdoor Job, Palpation, Pets Dogs, Prompt Care, Rottweilers, Snow Sled, Snowy Day, Speedy Return, Tvet, Unexpected Injury, Veterinary Surgeon, veterinary surgery, X Rays, Youtube

Health Care Tips for your Older Dog

May 29, 2010 By drdawg Leave a Comment

orthopedic dog beds

Pets are living longer due to advances in veterinary care, diagnostics, and earlier intervention. Even so the key to enjoying our “older” pets lies not only in increasing their life span, but also in helping them enjoy their later years to the fullest.

Just like people, cats and dogs can be vulnerable to incapacitating health conditions as they grow older. Kidney failure, heart disease, arthritis, oral disease, malignant tumors, and cognitive dysfunction can take place through the typical maturing process. In earlier times, simply because quite a few health conditions weren’t recognized until the pet was in the advanced stages, veterinarians could do nothing more than make a pet’s golden years a tad bit more comfortable by caring for the symptoms of age-related health issues. If the pet was lucky, the issues could advance slowly. Most pet owners merely accepted the fact that their four-legged buddies were only able to survive a relatively brief life, get old, and pass on.
Yet breakthroughs in technical advancements in modern day veterinary medicine, surgery, diagnostics and nutrition, not only do pets survive longer but their quality of life has increased enormously as well.

One example follows human medicine in the development and use of the new generation of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs.Because our older pets often develop arthritis and joint disease, these newer drugs help alleviate the aches and pains of many senior pets while keeping unwanted side effects to a minimum. Chondroitin and glucosamine supplements, such as Chondro-flex also seem to help older dogs with their arthritis. Advanced veterinary technology includes MRI’s, cat scans, radiation treatments, chemotherapy, advanced surgery with laser scalpels, laparoscopy, hip replacements, orthodontics, root canals, crowns, and much more. Physical therapy, water treadmills and even acupuncture can help pets recover from surgeries and gain their mobility quicker. More and more veterinarians are pursuing specialty practices to address the needs of those pets whose owners want the best treatment available.

Several age related problems will still be viewed as unavoidable, however the attitudes of both veterinarians and pet owners have changed. The belief now is the fact that “age is not a disease”, and veterinary medicine is adding greater emphasis on senior pet health through preventative health plans.

epakitin150 Health Care Tips for your Older Dog

Supplement for Renal Disease

The sooner we can detect a problem, the more likely we can manage or even correct the problem. Lumps and bumps if surgically removed when they are small may prevent the tumors from spreading throughout the body. Advances in oncology now makes chemotherapy and radiation therapy almost a normal course of treatment for pets that do have cancer. By addressing dental disease early on, you can extend your pet’s life span by nearly 3 years. Diabetes can be managed with insulin and special diets and heart disease also has newer medications available to help the heart pump better.
Epakitin for Dogs and Cats (150 gm) Cats and dogs with renal failure can benefit by many of the newer drugs released and fluid therapy to help them reduce the build up toxins that their kidneys can no longer flush out. There are even drugs that can help with cognitive dysfunction in dogs. These dogs seem to get “lost” or whine for no reason. There are specialists that can even remove cataracts so your pet won’t go blind.

At what age is a pet considered a senior? Generally, smaller breeds of dogs live longer than larger breeds, and cats live longer than dogs. Life spans vary with individuals, and pets, like people, grow older at different rates, some more gracefully than others. A few smaller breeds of dogs, like Bones, are considered geriatric at fifteen. Large and giant breeds like Labrador retrievers and rottweilers are considered seniors as soon as seven years old. Cats, especially if they are kept in the house, frequently live to their early twenties and do not attain their golden years until their teens.

Geriatric Vitamins

The single most crucial way a pet owner can take to keep their pet happy and healthy as long as possible is to pencil in regular veterinary exams. As pets age, these exams tend to be more critical than ever, because as with people, quick detection is essential for disease and problem intervention. Younger pets need routine examinations once or twice yearly. However as dogs and cats approach middle age, these exams should be much more frequent because each year in a pet’s life is equivalent to 5-7 people years.

To detect potential health problems earlier,veterinarians recommend routine lab work, electrocardiograms, blood pressure monitoring, and x-rays to detect early conditions like thyroid, kidney, heart, and liver disease. With early detection, pets with organ function conditions can be treated with prescription medication along with specific doctor prescribed quality diets that not only prolong their life span but the quality of their lives. Sometimes, health conditions could even be reversed.

In general, quite a few early warning signs that your family pet might be having a problem are:

* drinking more water than usual and urination

* urinary incontinence or having mishaps in the house

* recurring throwing up

* terrible breath, drooling or difficulty eating

* excessive panting or tires more quickly when exercised

* lumps, bumps, nodules or alterations in areas of skin color, bumps that bleed or are ulcerated

* change in appetite – ingesting more or less than normal

* changes in behavior for example “spacing out” or increased whining

* abnormal bowel habits – diarrhea or constipation

* fluctuations in body weight – gaining or reducing weight

Watch pets closely and convey any abnormal behavioral or physical problems to your veterinarian without delay. Veterinarians also recommend purchasing pet insurance so that if problems are detected in your pet, you will be able to afford the advanced therapies that are available. Talk with your veterinarian and develop a specific senior wellness strategy for your pet’s special needs so that your precious pooch or kitty can enjoy getting old gracefully.

Filed Under: pet health Tagged With: Anti Inflammatory Drugs, Care Diagnostics, Cats And Dogs, Cognitive Dysfunction, dog beds, Earlier Times, Glucosamine Supplements, Health Care Tips, Hip Replacements, Human Medicine, Kidney Failure, Life Span, Malignant Tumors, Old Dogs, Oral Disease, Radiation Treatments, Related Health, Root Canals, Technical Advancements, Tvet, Veterinary Care, veterinary medicine, Veterinary Technology

Heartworm Disease Continues to Infect Dogs

May 17, 2010 By admin Leave a Comment

Every year, veterinarians brace for a disease that has seriously affected our pets for many years. However this affliction is easily preventable using affordable and safe medications. Occurrences of Heartworms both in dogs and cats continue to escalate and the fee for treatment of (when recognized soon enough) is much more that the expense to prevent. So, how will you offer protection to your furry friend from the dangerous repercussions of this now widespread parasite?

Flash back to 150 years ago when a researcher very first detected the heartworm parasite in a dog. Then the parasite evolved and was then recognized in our cats 80 years ago. Even though heartworm prevention is available for both cats and dogs you would believe that we would experience a decrease in the number of cases, nonetheless every year hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are diagnosed and frequently die too soon from this dreaded parasite. A number of authorities estimate that in North America alone, cases of heartworms in our pets may possibly be in the millions.

The disease attributed to this heartworm residing inside of your pet’s heart is disastrous. Your pet could be infected with the solitary bite of only one mosquito. The worm can then migrate through your pet’s body finally taking up residence in your pet’s heart chamber and the blood vessels leading to the lungs. This leads to your pet’s heart being forced to pump harder to circulate the blood through his tiny body. The consequences to the lungs is even more severe with many pets gasping for breath as the lungs fill with fluid and tiny blood clots clog the vessels. Early warning signs can include coughing and exercise intolerance that some owners just attribute to the dog being lazy. Frequently, warning signs usually do not surface until the disease is well advanced and the dog is struggling with heart failure, fluid accumulation in the lungs and abdomen which could eventually lead to death.

In cats, it only takes one heartworm to cause harm. The first signs are asthma like symptoms and oftentimes vomiting that the owners will attribute to hairballs. Once that heartworm lodges in the lungs, it can result in the sudden death of the cat.

Treatment for heartworms is costly ranging from $500 for the smaller sized dogs, to well over $1500 for the larger breeds. Complicated heartworm disease with cardiac failure is even more expensive and oftentimes there is only a 10% chance of recovery in the severely affected dogs. As of yet, there is no remedy for cat heartworm disease, just supportive care.

Amazingly, veterinarians do have a remedy to this problem. Safe, effective heartworm preventatives are available in a variety of easy to use applications. What is even more amazing is that the cost of a lifetime of prevention for most pets is significantly less that a one-time treatment for the disease. So, why do pets continue to suffer and die from such a avoidable malady?

With all internet myths, two major hypotheses think that either the heartworm medications are failing or that the parasites are developing a resistance to the medications. While conspiracy theorists love these ideas, scientific evidence for either explanation is absent. Heartworm preventives possess a failure rate of less than 1 in 1 million doses. In addition, the complex life cycle of the heartworm does not lend itself to creating a natural resistance to the medications. The truth very likely lies in the memory of the owner to dispense the dose in a monthly manner and the warmer climate.

Rising temperatures in our climate has resulted in a prolonged mosquito season and a greater chance of transmission to our pets. Here in Houston, our mosquito season is all year round. Some places are currently experiencing more mosquitoes in previously mosquito-free locations. Irrigation of dry areas and expanded plantings of trees in certain locations might actually increase mosquito population. With a bigger number of mosquitoes, there is a greater risk of transmission of heartworm disease.

When all of the facts are reviewed, the simplest reason behind our failure to manage this dangerous parasite falls on the humans themselves. We simply do not give the preventive as we really should. Perhaps it is due to forgetfulness, or maybe one partner thought the other one administered it or even it might be because of the economic conditions as well as monetary limitations imposed on the family. Regardless of the cause might be, it can bring about serious repercussions for the health of our pets.

Thankfully, as pet owners, you do have powerful allies to help fight the war against heartworms. With the help of your veterinarian, you are able to find the ideal heartworm medication for your pet and your spending budget. Oral prescription drugs, like Heartgard, Sentinel, and Iverhart can be purchased. Additionally, there are topical medications for instance Advantage-Multi and Revolution that are formulated to also provide protection to your pet from both heartworms and fleas. Proheart 6 is additionally available as a long lasting injection. The prevention of this illness rests entirely on the pet’s owners to make sure the pet receives the prevention prior to the pet is actually exposed to the parasite. That means that this prevention should get started in puppy-hood and be administered each month, all year long.
Trifexis is now available and is a chewable tablet that covers heartworms, fleas, and intestinal parasites. I now use Trifexis on my own dog.

You should not waste time looking for “natural” or organic ways to defend against heartworms; they simply just do not exist. Some people believe they can formulate ivermectin to give to their pets, but improper dilution and storage can cause overdosing or underdosing. Adhere to recommendations by your veterinarian and the American Heartworm Society (www.heartwormsociety.org). Your pet is counting on you and prevention is far better and less expensive ın comparison to the treatment.

Filed Under: pet health Tagged With: Abdomen, Affliction, Amp, Blood Vessels, Cats And Dogs, Cats Dogs, Codebase, Dogs And Cats, Dogs Cats, Exercise Intolerance, Fluid Accumulation, Flv, Furry Friend, Heart Chamber, Heart Failure, Heartworms, Hundreds Of Thousands, Lungs, Mosquito, Object Classid, Occurrences, Param Name, Parasite, Repercussions, S3, Swf, Tiny Body, Tvet, Veterinarians, Videoplayer, Warning Signs