Posts in Category: Cats

Veterinarians and other scientists have been studying canine cancer patients’ DNA to identify mutations involved in several types of cancer, many of which also affect humans, such as lymphoma and osteosarcoma. The findings will likely lead to better diagnostics and treatments for animals and humans alike. “The key to unlocking some of nature’s most perplexing puzzles in human health has actually stood right next to us, wagging its tail,” said Matthew Breen, a genomics professor at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Santa Cruz Sentinel (Calif.)

Pet dental disease progresses through four stages from mild disease to severe gum disease that may be irreversible, writes veterinarian Karen Dye. Preventing dental disease is the best option for maintaining oral health, notes Dr. Dye. Thorough dental cleanings under general anesthesia are necessary to fully evaluate all oral structures, clean the teeth above and below the gum line, and apply antibiotics and extract teeth if needed in advanced cases. The Culpeper Star-Exponent (Va.)

Most odors from a dog’s mouth come from periodontal disease and bacteria in the mouth.  Plaque and tartar build up along with inflammation cause periodontal disease (the periodontium includes the bone, connective tissue, and gingiva which surrounds and supports a tooth).

There are several stages of periodontal disease, from Stage 1 (the most mild) to Stage 4 (the most severe).  Dental disease affects more than just the teeth and gums.  Over time, bacteria accumulate in the mouth along the gum-line, where they enter the bloodstream.

Once enough bacteria are present in the bloodstream they begin to cause systemic damage, affecting the liver, kidneys and heart.

Bacteria in the bloodstream can also cause sepsis (generalized invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms).  Obviously, an additional concern is tooth loss and pain associated with dental disease.  These conditions can take years off your pet’s life.  Most studies show that 80% or more of all adult dogs have periodontal disease and at least 70% of all cats have some form of dental disease.

Dental disease is easily treated if done at the appropriate time.

A dental prophylaxis performed at periodontal disease stage 1 or 2 can help ensure that your pet will not suffer any of the aforementioned conditions.  Once your pet has reached periodontal disease stage 3 or 4, irreversible damage may have already occurred and extracting teeth may be the only option to maintain your pet’s oral health.

Dental extractions are uncomfortable for the patient and can be financially costly for their owners.

Therefore, detecting periodontal disease early and treating early with a prophylactic cleaning are important.Q: What happens during a dental cleaning?

A: At Clevenger’s Corner Veterinary Care, we recommend pre-anesthetic blood work to detect any underlying disease that may affect our anesthetic protocol. Your pet will be under full anesthesia, while being monitored by a trained technician as well as monitored by pulse oximetry machines and Doppler blood pressure.  Core body temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate are also monitored.

Our patients all receive IV fluid support during the dental prophylaxis. The oral cavity will be examined closely for any unusual discolorations or masses. The teeth and gums will be evaluated to determine the degree of dental disease.  The teeth will be checked for fractures, pulp exposure, irreversible gum recession, cavities and abnormal wear.  The tartar will be removed using an ultrasonic scaler as well as hand scaling instruments by a licensed veterinary technician.

Using special curettes, the plaque, tartar and bacteria will be removed from the tooth surfaces as well as under the gum line.

At this stage of the procedure, the doctor will determine if the patient would benefit from additional therapy such as extractions or special antibiotics applied directly under the gum line.

Finally, the teeth will be polished and fluoride applied to help prevent re-accumulation of tartar and bacteria.

If necessary, the patient will go home with pain medication and/or antibiotics.

After a dental prophylaxis, it is important to follow up with home care. There are several options including brushing (the best), oral rinses or water additives, and special dental chews.

It is also quite possible that your pet may need an additional dental prophylaxis in the future.

Hopefully with diligent home care we can increase the time between professional cleanings.

Veterinarian Julianne Miller writes that seeing the pain of pet owners who must euthanize a pet because they can’t afford emergency medical care is the toughest part of her job. Dr. Miller points out that good medical care inevitably carries a cost, and veterinarians can’t render services for free, so owners should be mentally and financially prepared for a pet before they commit to ownership. One way owners can be prepared is to purchase pet insurance, Dr. Miller writes. The Arizona Daily Sun (Flagstaff)

As I think about my life as a veterinarian here is Flagstaff, first and foremost, I feel incredibly lucky to be part of such a diverse and wonderful profession in which I get to meet terrific people who love animals. It is also fulfilling to be able to support the local animal charities.

The hardest part of my job is watching the emotional suffering of pet owners as they try to deal with an emergency with their pet. My clinic deals with a large number of animal emergencies and these are highly charged, emotional situations that no owner can possibly be mentally prepared for.

The hardest part of my job is watching the emotional suffering of pet owners as they try to deal with an emergency with their pet. My clinic deals with a large number of animal emergencies and these are highly charged, emotional situations that no owner can possibly be mentally prepared for.

It is the financial toll, however, of these situations that are the most devastating for most owners. Speaking for the profession, most of us did not enter this field to make money but rather to fulfill some deeper need to help and treat animals. Unfortunately, medical care is not free and we must charge for our services, and in an emergency situation, this can be devastating.

If I could give all pet owners one piece of advice it would be that when they adopt a pet they need to be mentally and monetarily prepared for the possibility of an emergency medical situation with their pet. This could mean getting pet insurance or putting money in their budget every month for pet expenses.

Emergencies never happen when you are expecting them and to have to euthanize a pet because of financial reasons is devastating. Trying to emotionally support an owner through this horrible decision is the worst part of my job.

Veterinary care is not free and good veterinary care is not cheap. Make sure you’re prepared for emergency care by budgeting or purchasing pet insurance now and not regretting it later when you need it. Contact your veterinarian to find out more about pet insurance.

Spaying or neutering a pet is an important preventive health measure as well as a means of limiting the number of homeless pets, writes veterinarian Ann Hohenhaus, who notes the AVMA’s Guidelines for Responsible Pet Ownership encourage owners to help keep the pet population under control. During a neuter operation, a veterinarian removes a male dog’s testicles, the main source of reproduction and testosterone, thereby preventing the dog from siring puppies and protecting it from testosterone-related problems including behavior issues and health threats such as prostate cancer, Dr. Hohenhaus points out. WebMD/Tales from the Pet Clinic blog

By Ann Hohenhaus, DVM

Neutering meets the guidelines

The American Veterinary Medical Association has developed guidelines for responsible pet ownership.  One of the guidelines obligates pet owners to control their pet’s reproduction through spaying and neutering; subsequently helping to control pet overpopulation in their community.  Neutering is the common term for castration of a male dog or cat and spaying refers to removal of the ovaries and uterus, or in some cases just the uterus, of a female pet.

Lifesaving responsibility

Pet overpopulation is a serious issue in the United States today.  According to the Humane Society of the United States, over 4 million unwanted pets are destroyed annually.  For every puppy or kitten prevented by neutering an adult pet, there is one less homeless and unwanted puppy or kitten euthanized in an animal shelter.

The traditional surgery

Surgical removal of the testicles is the current standard of care in both dogs and cats.  This surgery renders a male dog or cat unable to reproduce and also removes the major source of the male hormone, testosterone.  Removing the source of testosterone eliminates mating behavior in males and also plays a role in eliminating other unwanted dog behaviors.  In both the dog and cat, neutering involves a small skin incision through which the testicles are removed.  Cats typically go home the same day, but dogs may stay overnight to recover from anesthesia and for incisional monitoring.

My recommendation

Dexter’s owners were concerned about the surgery.  They asked if he could just have a vasectomy instead of the traditional neutering surgery.  Because my job is to make the best medical recommendations for the specific health concerns of each of my patients, I recommended the traditional surgery for Dexter.  It provides him with the greatest number of health benefits.  The surgery prevents unwanted litters of puppies and also prevents prostatic disease, testosterone-induced tumors and behaviors linked to testosterone production.

Preventive care is the most important strategy for keeping pets healthy, writes veterinarian Lidja Gillmeister. Preventive care includes regular veterinary visits, vaccines, internal and external parasite control, proper nutrition and exercise, and routine dental care at the veterinary clinic and at home, advises Dr. Gillmeister. A good relationship with a veterinarian is the foundation for the best possible preventive care, Dr. Gillmeister adds.

By Lidja Gillmeister, DVM

The New Year is a great opportunity for individuals to set goals for health and prosperity; and this year, why not consider making a few resolutions to help keep your pets healthy as well? When it comes to pet health advice, most veterinarians will agree that preventative health care is the single greatest gift you can give your furry and feathered friends. With that in mind, here are some tips to help jumpstart a healthy New Year for your beloved pets.

Top preventative health tips for pets

• Schedule      a veterinary appointment: don’t wait for Fido to start exhibiting signs of disease or injury. Instead, make regular veterinary check-ups part of your routine – and stay ahead of the game with improved chances for early detection and prevention.
• Say      yes to vaccinations: talk to your vet      about the vaccinations that are right for your pet, and stay current with      the appropriate treatments.
• Focus      on nutrition and exercise: pet      obesity is a grown trend throughout the U.S., and just as in humans it can      lead to a number of serious health concerns including diabetes and      arthritis. Prioritize active playtime with your pet, and take dogs for      daily walks. In addition, make sure to discuss proper nutrition with your      veterinarian in order to select the best possible food source for your      pet.
• Take      a proactive role: whether the issue      is getting your pet spayed or neutered or scheduling behavioral training      sessions, it is important to take action early. Unless you are serious      about breeding your pets, get them fixed – and invest in some basic      behavioral training early on to ensure a better quality of life for both      you and your pets.
• Seek      out safe pest and parasite prevention:      ask your vet about the right flea and tick prevention methods for your      pets to prevent inconvenience, discomfort and the threat of disease. Not      all products are safe and effective, so do your homework before giving      your pet topical or oral treatments. Also, schedule routine fecal      examinations and dewormings to check for intestinal parasites, which can      cause disease in both animals and humans.
• Don’t      forget dental care: don’t skimp on dental      health care for your pet. Take your dog or cat in for professional      cleanings, and make at-home tooth brushing a habit early on. Your      veterinarian can give you suggestions to make this process easier and more      effective.

Ultimately, preventative health care for pets is all about common sense, customized recommendations and a good relationship with your local veterinarian. If you have a new pet in the family this year, now’s the time to visit La Jolla Veterinary Hospital for a complete examination and personalized care. Visit us online to learn more and schedule an appointment today, at www.lajollavet.com.

As pet owners, we do all we can to safeguard our pets from dangers in and around the house. We can do a lot to keep some risks — like medications, poisonous plants, and antifreeze — away from our pets, but some dangers — like wild animals — may be out of our control. In this podcast, Dr. Bernadine Cruz, associate veterinarian at Laguna Hills Animal Hospital in Laguna Woods, Calif., talks about what we can do to protect our pets from wildlife. Listen to the podcast.

When a pet owner asks about arrhythmia under general anesthesia, veterinarian Padma Yadlapalli explains that the issue can result from medications or underlying medical problems. Dr. Yadlapalli writes that in most cases, the arrhythmia can be corrected, but she recommends a frank conversation with a veterinarian to discuss the risks and benefits of anesthesia and the procedure for which it’s needed. Dr. Yadlapalli emphasizes that dental cleanings under anesthesia are an important part of preventive care. The Baltimore Sun

When my Chihuahua had her teeth cleaned last week, the vet said her heart rate went down into the high 60s and that an episode of second-degree heart block occurred, but they reversed it with meds. Does this mean she is at risk of it happening again under anesthesia? Other than perhaps a follow-up EKG at her next comprehensive exam, should anything else be done? I am scared to have her teeth cleaned again.

First, I would schedule a consult with this pet’s veterinarian and review the risks and the benefits of the procedure.

That said, there are a certain possibilities that could cause the heart rate to drop or cause an arrhythmia. Some medications used to anesthetize pets have the potential to cause bradycardia (a slow heart rate) or other forms of arrhythmia. The good news is that when you have good equipment and, most important, skilled personnel monitoring anesthetized pets to watch for these issues, you can correct them before major problems arise. And some of these medications can be reversed to eliminate those side effects.

While many procedures can be performed with the patient sedated, veterinary technician Christina Holland emphasizes the importance of general anesthesia for dental cleanings. Holland writes that animals under anesthesia are intubated and have a peripheral intravenous catheter, and these measures allow for a thorough, comfortable cleaning and exam while keeping the patient safe by allowing the veterinarian to respond quickly if an emergency arises. The Airdrie City View (Alberta) (12/21)

General anesthesia (GA) is something to be respected, but not feared. If your pet is being monitored by a qualified person, either a veterinarian or a technician, then issues can be addressed immediately. For most procedures, I would feel more comfortable monitoring a patient who is under a GA rather than one who is merely sedated. A sedated patient cannot be intubated (have a tube put down the airway) and this means that if the patient stops breathing, I first have to place that tube, and then breathe for the pet.

Also in many sedated pets, an IV catheter is not placed, meaning that if I need to give emergency drugs, I first have to place the catheter, which uses precious time. In order to have a better idea of how your pet will do under GA, you should have a physical exam performed by a veterinarian, as well as some bloodwork run. Bloodwork tells us how the internal organs are performing.

If organs are not working as well as they should, different drugs can be chosen that will not be as hard on the animal’s system.

The bottom line is that there are some procedures that definitely can be done with only sedation, such as removing small skin lumps, but a dental procedure really should be done under a general anesthetic. If your pet is only sedated, your vet may not be able to do a thorough job.

I understand your anxiety, and encourage you to speak with your veterinarian about your concerns. Just like you, they only want the best outcome for your pet.

Christina Holland is an animal health technologist in Airdrie. To have your pet questions answered, contact news@airdrie.greatwest.ca

Veterinarian Linda Randall notes that at-home euthanasia of pets has steadily increased in recent years, and about 25% of the euthanasia procedures she performs are carried out at the owner’s home. Dr. Randall creates a quiet, soothing environment and gives the pet a sedative before the euthanasia injection. “It’s very painless and very peaceful,” Dr. Randall said. “We wish more people would do it at home.” However, it’s not for everyone, Dr. Randall says, because the cost is roughly twice that of in-office euthanasia and some people do not want their home associated with the pet’s death. The Medina County Gazette (Ohio) (1/16)

When Hotshot, a 12-year-old Labrador, became seriously ill in 2007, his owners realized they had a dilemma to face: Was it time?

“When he stopped eating, we decided he had had enough,” Robin Walker said.

When the day came, Hotshot excitedly greeted their guest, Dr. Linda Randall, like it was any other day.

Randall, a veterinarian from Cloverleaf Animal Hospital in Westfield Township, came inside their home and set up a comfortable environment — blankets and soothing music. She gave Hotshot a sedative. Once it set in, she injected him with an anesthesia.

Within 90 seconds, Hotshot had fallen asleep for the last time.

Walker said the decision was tough to make, but she couldn’t see it happening any other way.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again,” Walker said. “It was good for us, and it was good for the dog.”

Randall said Walker isn’t the only one who approves.

Although euthanizing pets is commonplace, Randall said opting to have it done at home is a growing trend.

“In the past couple years, we’ve seen in-home pet euthanasia upswing 50 percent,” Randall said.

Randall said her clinic, at 7777 Greenwich Road, euthanizes 100 to 150 pets per year, and a quarter of them are done at home.

While she always has offered home euthanasia, she believed it was becoming more common because pets are seen more and more as members of the family.

And just like end-of-life discussions about human family members, pets are subject to similar talks and practices, she said.

Home euthanasia can be calming for the animal because it avoids the anxiety of a trip to a foreign environment, Randall said.

“It’s very painless and very peaceful,” she said. “We wish more people would do it at home.”

Randal practices what she preaches: Her own pets were euthanized at home.

She said there are a couple downsides to the procedure.

Some families might not want to have a pet euthanized where they live, she said, much like some people don’t want to live in the home where a loved one died.

The cost also may deter some families.

Euthanizing a pet at the clinic usually costs between $50 and $150, she said, depending on the animal’s size.

“It’s about twice as expensive to euthanize at home,” she said. “We shut down shop while I’m out on call, and it takes longer than an in-house appointment.”

On average, the clinic euthanizes two animals per week.

She said it’s a tough job because she often gets to know the pets and the owners.

“It takes its toll,” Randall said. “It’s hard, but I have to separate myself a little bit. If I thought of every animal like my own, I’d be depressed all the time.”

To contact Randall at Cloverleaf Animal Hospital, call (330) 948-2002.

Contact reporter Nick Glunt at (330) 721-4048 or nglunt@medina-gazette.com.

It’s best to brush the teeth of dogs and cats to keep their breath smelling fresh and prevent other health problems. “Brushing is the gold standard for good oral hygiene at home,” said veterinarian Colin Harvey, a professor of surgery and dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. If dogs and cats won’t tolerate brushing, products such as prescription food and certain chew toys may help, Dr. Harvey adds. The Washington Post/The Associated Press (1/15)

LOS ANGELES — Dogs and cats can’t brush, spit, gargle or floss on their own. So owners who want to avoid bad pet breath will need to lend a hand.

“Brushing is the gold standard for good oral hygiene at home. It is very effective, but some dogs and more cats don’t appreciate having something in their mouth,” said Dr. Colin Harvey, a professor of surgery and dentistry in the Department of Clinical Studies for the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

The bulk of bad breath odor — the trademark rotten egg smell — comes from hydrogen sulfide, which is waste from anaerobic bacteria that thrive without oxygen in places like gaps between teeth and gums. Plaque buildup also invites the bacteria and as the accumulation grows, so does the smell.