Vets and physicians find research parallels
Dr. Jonathan M. Levine at Texas A&M studies spinal cord injuries in pets like Dexter, a dachschund.
By WILLIAM GRIMES
Published: September 10, 2012
Three times in the last two months, researchers from St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in Manhattan headed across town to the Animal Medical Center to look at dogs.
Exchanges of this sort are becoming increasingly common. Once a narrow trail traveled by a few hardy pioneers, the road connecting veterinary colleges and human medical institutions has become a busy thoroughfare over the last five years or so, with a steady flow of researchers representing a wide variety of medical disciplines on both sides.
One reason is a growing frustration with the inefficiency of using the rodent model in lab research, which often fails to translate to human subjects. So researchers are turning their attention to the naturally occurring diseases in dogs, horses, sheep and pigs, whose physiology and anatomy more closely resemble those of humans.
“The drugs cure the mice and keep failing when we try them on humans,” said Dr. John Ohlfest, an immunotherapist at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, who began working with the university’s veterinary school in 2005 to study canine brain cancers. “The whole system is broken.”
Dr. Laurence J. N. Cooper, who develops immune-based therapies at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and recently started making canine T cells for lymphoma research at Texas A&M’s veterinary school, said: “There’s got to be a better way. Canine biologies look like ours, and the treatments look like ours.”
The growing realization that vets and medical doctors may have very good reasons to talk to one another has led to a host of collaborative research projects aimed at speeding the journey from lab to human clinical trials and, in the end, producing a result that can be applied to human and animal patients alike.
These projects often emanate from partnerships like the National Cancer Center’s comparative oncology program, created in 2006 to coordinate canine cancer trials among 20 oncology centers across the United States, or the Center for Comparative Medicine and Translational Research at North Carolina State University’s veterinary college, which recently signed a partnership agreement with the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center to do research on regenerating organs in humans and pets.
“In the past I might have gone over to the medical school with a specific problem and ask advice,” said Dr. Larry D. Galuppo, an equine surgeon at the University of California, Davis, who has been experimenting with the latest stem-cell therapies to repair tendon injuries in horses. “But it wasn’t programmatic the way it is now.”
It is not unusual, these days, for veterinary surgeons to call in their human-medicine counterparts for consultations or even to take part in tricky operations. Vets go on rounds at hospitals for people, and vice versa. Both sides attend each other’s conferences. “It’s still grass roots, it’s still early days, but it’s very exciting,” Dr. Ohlfest said.
In part, the proliferation of partnerships reflects a philosophical movement known as “one health,” or “one medicine,” the recognition that about 60 percent of all diseases move across species and that environmental pollution, animal diseases and human diseases constitute a single interlocking problem.
This was the subject of a joint declaration by the American Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2006 aimed at encouraging information sharing and joint projects among the far-flung branches of veterinary and human medicine.
More concretely, the completion of the canine genome map, in 2005, set off an explosion in basic research. Although less celebrated than the Human Genome Project, the canine map gave researchers a blueprint with clear potential for human use, since the gene codes for canines could be matched, one for one, with their human counterparts.
Cooperation can take the form of advanced research into new forms of diagnostic imaging, or gene manipulation. Or it can be as humble as fitting a dog with a shoe.
Dr. Robert Hardie, a surgeon at the University of Wisconsin’s school of veterinary medicine, turned to the orthotics lab at the university’s medical school in 2005 when he could not heal a post-surgery foot wound in Sam, a 200-pound Irish wolfhound.
As many other large dogs with footpad injuries do, Sam kept putting weight on the wound, caused when a toe had to be amputated. The orthotics team took a cast of Sam’s foot and made a foam-lined plastic boot with Velcro straps. Dr. Hardie later worked with the team to develop specialized braces for tendon injuries.
Often, partnerships embrace multiple institutions and, within institutions, fields as diverse as biomechanics and textiles.
Dr. Jonathan M. Levine, a veterinary neurologist at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, joined forces with the medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, to test a promising new drug that blocks a particular enzyme that inflicts secondary damage, like the aftershock to an earthquake, on injured spinal nerves.
Working with dachshunds and other dwarf canine breeds, which often suffer from spinal cord injuries because of their propensity to develop herniated discs, he recently won a grant from the Department of Defense, which is interested in the application of his research to battlefield injuries.
At the same time, one of Dr. Levine’s colleagues, Dr. Jay Griffin, has collaborated with specialists at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston to develop a new technique, called diffusion tensor imaging, whose sensitivity allows them to see precisely how spinal cord cells die.
The big bet is that veterinary science and human medical science can combine to achieve efficiencies that translate across species. In some instances, this has already happened.
Dr. Hollis G. Potter, head of magnetic resonance imaging at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan, has been working with Dr. Lisa A. Fortier of Cornell University’s college of veterinary medicine to analyze meniscus injuries using sheep.
Quantitative M.R.I. techniques like ultrashort echo-time imaging makes it possible to see how knee tissue heals, and how much stress it can stand after surgical repair, information that has immediate application for the human knee. “In just a couple of years, we’ve taken this process from sheep to humans,” Dr. Potter said.
The reverse route is even quicker. “Traditionally there has been a 10-to-20-year lag between animal and human medicine,” said Dr. Chick Weisse of the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan, who for the last two years has been treating hard-to-reach canine tumors with a frozen-nitrogen technique he learned at Sloan-Kettering.
“That gap has narrowed,” he said. “Now you see renal transplants, hip replacements — things they said would never be done on animals. Things are happening so fast right now that it’s almost simultaneous.”
A single heartworm can be fatal in cats
Veterinarian John Kaya reminds owners that cats are susceptible to heartworm disease and should be on a monthly prevention medication because even a single adult worm can lead to the untimely death of a cat. Dr. Kaya relates the story of 4-year-old Chisai, a cat who died of heart failure caused by one heartworm that had become wrapped around a heart valve. MidWeek (Kaneohe, Hawaii)/MidWeek Kauai (8/29)
This story is about Fumiko and her beloved cat Chisai, and their story must be told.
It was a brisk morning in December, and I arrived at the office early to check on a hospital patient. Walking through our parking lot, I noticed a car parked with someone sitting inside.
As I peered in I noticed Fumiko clutching a towel in her lap. I could tell she was distraught, and asked if she would like to come in to the office.
Once inside, I noticed a limp tail peeking through the towel folds and ushered Fumiko into an exam room.
Fumiko complied and gently laid the towel with its contents onto the exam table. With tears in her eyes, she tried to tell me what happened.
“Dr. Kaya, I woke up this morning and found Chisai lying under the dining room table.”
Her voice cracked as tears came rolling down her face.
“I called out to my little girl but she did not move. She just laid there.”
At this point Fumiko began sobbing.
“It’s OK,” I told her, “let me take a look.”
As I opened the towel, I saw Fumiko’s cat lying peacefully, as if asleep. Reaching down, I held Chisai’s cold body and found no pulse.
Fumiko looked at me as I slowly shook my head.
“Look at my baby … Chisai…” cried Fumiko. She then leaned over and cradled Chisai in her arms.
After a few minutes we talked about the events prior to this morning. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Chisai was a happy, healthy 4-year-old indoor cat. I asked Fumiko if I could perform a necropsy to determine the reason for Chisai’s mysterious death.
Culturally, Fumiko had a difficult time making a decision, but in the end consented to the postmortem exam.
Carefully looking through Chisai’s organs, I eventually found the reason for her death. A single heartworm was wrapped around one of her heart valves, which led to heart failure. Although sudden and unexpected, Chisai died quickly and with very little suffering.
Heartworm disease is more commonly thought of as a disease afflicting dogs.
The worms are transmitted by mosquitos and can live up to eight years. These worms take up residence in the heart and can grow up to 12 inches in length.
Single worm infections are tolerated by the dog, but can be deadly in cats.
In a cat, their presence can lead to lung and kidney damage as well as sudden death, as in Chisai’s case.
Like dogs, cats should be given a monthly heart-worm preventive.
I called Fumiko and shared my findings with her. Although saddened by her loss, she appreciated knowing why Chisai died.
“Maybe Chisai’s story can save the lives of other cats,” whispered Fumiko.
“I’m sure it will.”
Foods that can poison pets
Veterinarian Tanya Karlecke explains that some staple foods are dangerous and potentially deadly for pets, including raisins and grapes, chocolate and even raw bread dough. Xylitol, a component of many household items such as sugar-free candies and human toothpaste, can also harm pets, writes Dr. Karlecke, who points out the importance of seeking immediate veterinary advice for pets that may have ingested a poisonous substance. The Record (Hackensack, N.J.)
There are several food items that are toxic to pets and should be avoided at all costs:
* Macadamia nuts can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia (elevated body temperature).
* Grapes and raisins can result in acute kidney failure, which may be fatal even with prompt medical treatment.
* Onions and onion powder can cause damage to red blood cells, which can lead to anemia in dogs and cats.
* There are several sugar-free products and candies that contain xylitol (a sugar-free substitute), which can result in a life-threatening drop in blood sugar. At high doses, xylitol toxicity can also result in acute liver failure. Xylitol is found in many products, one of which is human toothpaste. It is very important to always brush your dog or cat’s teeth using only pet toothpaste.
* Chocolate ingestion can lead to hyperactivity, increased heart rate, tremors, vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst, increased urination and lethargy. At high enough doses, although rare, chocolate toxicity can be fatal.
* Raw bread dough made with yeast can be hazardous. Upon ingestion, the dough is activated by the animal’s body heat, which causes it to rise in the stomach. During this process, alcohol is produced, leading to signs of abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, depression and ataxia (lack of coordination).
If your pet has ingested any of these items, it is imperative that you speak to a veterinary professional to determine what type of treatment is warranted, if any. If your veterinarian is unavailable or unfamiliar with a particular toxin, he/she will refer you to the animal poison control hotline (888-426-4435). A veterinary toxicologist will gather additional information from you (e.g., amount of toxin ingestion, the body weight of your pet, information on current clinical signs), and will advise as to what the next best course of action is.
Time is of the essence with any type of toxin ingestion, so it’s important to call your veterinarian as soon as possible.
— Tanya Karlecke, DVM
Identifying, treating and preventing heatstroke in pets
Amid the heat of summer, veterinarian Kathy Gagliardi reminds owners that heatstroke can be prevented by ensuring proper shade and cool water for all pets. If signs of heatstroke such as breathing problems, lethargy and vomiting occur, owners should start cooling measures and bring the pet to a veterinarian from immediate care, writes Dr. Gagliardi. Daily Camera (Boulder, Colo.)
As we rush toward the comfort of air conditioning during hot weather, we should not forget our pets and their sensitivity to heat — not only for their comfort, but for their health. Heat stroke is a very serious and often fatal disease that occurs when an animal’s cooling mechanisms cannot keep up and their body temperature elevates beyond 105-106 degrees. Cells and proteins in the body are sensitive to excess heat. When they are damaged, they can lead to conditions that include kidney failure, brain damage, heart arrhythmias, liver failure, muscle damage, systemic inflammation and excessive blood clotting.
Since animals do not sweat (except to a minor degree through their foot pads), they do not tolerate high environmental temperatures as well as humans do. Dogs depend upon panting to exchange warm air for cool air. When the air temperature is close to body temperature, cooling by panting is not an efficient process. Cats differ from dogs in that cats that are open mouth breathing or panting are showing signs of serious stress and need immediate veterinary care. With a cat, panting is never a sign of the animal just trying to cool down.
Common situations that can set the stage for heat stroke in animals include:
Being left in a car in hot weather, even with cracked windows and in the shade
Exercising strenuously in hot, humid weather
Suffering from a heart or lung disease that interferes with efficient breathing
Suffering from a high fever or seizures
Being confined on concrete or asphalt surfaces
Being confined without shade and fresh water in hot weather
Having a history of heat stroke
Overweight animals, long-haired breeds, brachycephalic breeds (short faced dogs or cats) and older animals are at increased risk of heat stroke.
Signs: Signs of heat stroke include excessive panting or trouble breathing, bright red gums, lethargy, behavior changes, muscle tremors, bruising, decreased urination, bloody stools, vomiting and unconsciousness.
Treatment: Emergency measures to cool the animal must begin at once. Move the dog out of the source of heat, preferably into an air-conditioned place and call your veterinarian immediately. Successful treatment for most heat stroke animals requires intensive emergency care at a veterinary clinic. Most affected animals will require inpatient hospitalization and intensive care for at least 24 hours, until their temperature and clinical signs are stabilized. Common nursing care protocols that can be done on your way to the veterinary clinic include spraying the animal with cool water; using convection cooling with fans or cooling pads, and using evaporative cooling with rubbing alcohol on the foot pads. Animals should not be immersed in ice or ice-cold water. Cooling a hyperthermic animal too quickly can cause its blood vessels to constrict (peripheral vasoconstriction), which will make it harder for their body to cool down.
Prevention: Some ways to help protect your pet on hot days include limiting exercise during the hottest part of the day, exercising in the cool early morning hours, providing shade and fresh clean water at all times, and NEVER leaving an animal in a car when it is 60 degrees or more outside, even if only for a few minutes.
Early recognition and treatment of heat stroke can mean the difference between life and death. So if you think your animal is suffering from heat stroke call your veterinarian.
What to make of a cat who is drinking and urinating more
The two most common causes of increased drinking and urinating in cats are diabetes mellitus and renal disease, writes veterinarian Jeff Kahler. In the case of diabetes, treatment usually involves insulin injections, which are generally well-tolerated by both owners and cats, Dr. Kahler notes.
Sandra is worried that her cat Chia might have diabetes. Over the past month or so, she has noticed Chia at the water bowl with ever-increasing frequency, and the results of the water intake in his litter box. Having done research on the Internet, Sandra picked diabetes as the likely diagnosis for Chia’s increased thirst.
Increased thirst when associated with increased urination is indeed a hallmark symptom for diabetes mellitus in cats, and dogs. But diabetes is not the only possible cause. In cats, renal disease also is a common cause of these symptoms.
I want to emphasize that cats do not drink for fun or enjoyment. If there is an increase in water intake, there is an underlying reason.
Chia will need to visit his veterinarian for a blood panel, urinalysis and a spot check of his blood sugar level. With these results, we can determine if he is a diabetic or if he has renal disease. While diabetes is manageable with insulin therapy, renal disease is managed in an entirely different way, depending on the extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Realize, of course, these are not the only possible causes for Chia’s symptoms. They are, however, the two most likely possibilities.
Let’s assume Sandra is correct and Chia has diabetes. Blood work will show an elevated sugar level because Chia does not have enough insulin in his body to drive sugar in his blood into his cells, where it is used as an energy source. As the blood sugar elevates, it increases what is known as the oncotic pressure within the blood. This increased oncotic pressure is perceived by the brain and the brain tells the cat to drink more water, in essence trying to dilute the blood. This increased fluid within the blood is then filtered by the kidneys, which produce excess urine as a result.
Treatment for diabetes involves the use of insulin to replace the lack of it from the pancreas. There are cases of diabetes that occur in hugely obese cats that can be controlled long term without insulin as long as the weight problem is addressed. Most cases, however, require insulin therapy.
Insulin is given by injection, usually twice daily. This can be daunting for some caretakers. But with proper demonstration in technique, it can be quite simple. In fact, for the vast majority of people with diabetic pets I have dealt with over the years, insulin injections have become as routine as feeding their pets.
Early in the course of therapy, we like to monitor the patient’s response to the insulin by checking blood sugar values throughout the day. This will allow fine tuning of the dosing to fit the individual patient. I have many caretakers who even learn to check their cat’s blood sugar.
There are cats that will not allow insulin treatment and, as a result, successful treatment becomes unlikely. These cats face a grave prognosis. If Chia is diabetic and is amenable to insulin therapy, he’ll have a good quality of life.
(Jeff Kahler is a veterinarian in Modesto, Calif. Questions can be submitted to Your Pet in care of LifeStyles, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto CA 95352.)
How to balance puppy vaccination schedule with socialization
Reconciling the need to protect puppies from pathogens until they are fully vaccinated with the importance of early and proper socialization can be difficult, writes veterinarian Jeff Kahler. Owners should avoiding taking puppies to parks and other public areas where disease potential is unknown, but they can introduce their pet to others that are also following appropriate vaccination in a controlled environment, Dr. Kahler recommends. The Miami Herald/McClatchy Newspapers (free registration) (8/8)
Limit exposure to disease until immune system matures
Sounds like fun times ahead for Carly and Thane with the arrival of Bolo. The 9-week-old French bulldog has easily taken over his caretakers’ hearts.Carly has been doing her due diligence, researching what to feed and how to house train her “little boy” and also what to do about disease prevention through isolation and vaccination versus socialization. She has found conflicting opinions, especially concerning isolation versus socialization, and is not sure what to do.
Some references have advised keeping Bolo isolated from other dogs until he is fully vaccinated, while others stress the importance of proper puppy socialization starting at an early age.
In the past, veterinarians would usually recommend isolating puppies from contact with other dogs during the vulnerable period of the vaccination protocol. This is primarily because a puppy’s immune system is not fully competent until about 16 weeks of age. Even as vaccines are being used to boost the immune response and protect these youngsters, they are vulnerable to the very diseases we are vaccinating to protect against. That is until they can mount a full immune response. Parvo viral infection was one major reason for this precaution. However, this did not allow for socialization until the puppies were 16 weeks old, which, with some dogs, can result in inappropriate behaviors.
Avoiding exposure to disease-causing organisms by contact with infected animals or fecal waste that might contain infecting organisms is a good idea. That said, how do we address the absolute need for proper puppy socialization? It involves puppy socialization in a controlled environment.
It is still my recommendation that puppies be kept from areas where they can be inadvertently exposed to disease. I would avoid public parks and other such areas with unknown potential for disease transmission until the vaccination protocol has been completed. This is especially important for avoidance of parvo virus, as I mentioned above. This virus is hardy and can last in the environment for many months. The disease associated with infection with this virus is debilitating and can be fatal, hence these precautions.
Proper puppy socialization then should occur in areas where the environment is free of such potential disease and with all participants on a vaccination schedule. With this type of situation, chances for disease exposure are greatly reduced while at the same time, allowing for the critical need for puppies to be properly socialized.
As always, prevention of disease is much better than having to treat. Through proper vaccination and proper avoidance, Bobo can be properly protected while he learns the in and outs of associating with other dogs and, as well, other people. This ultimately results in a well-rounded pet secure in his home environment and the bigger world.
Jeff Kahler is a veterinarian in Modesto, Calif. Questions can be submitted to Your Pet in care of LifeStyles, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto CA 95352.
Demystifying the feline FIV-positive stigma
For many potential cat adopters the words “FIV-positive” seem downright scary; too scary, in fact, for many folks to bring an FIV+ cat into their lives.
It is true that the Feline Immuno-Deficiency Virus, commonly known as FIV, affects a cat’s immune system over a period of years — much like the Human Immuno-Deficiency Virus (HIV) does in humans.
There are several very common misunderstandings about FIV that should be clarified, however, so that potential adopters who fall in love with an FIV+ cat can enjoy many years with their furry friend. The most important points to be made about FIV are the following:
- FIV is a “cat only” disease and cannot be transmitted to humans under any circumstances
- Most often, FIV+ cats live long, healthy and relatively symptom free lives
- FIV is not easily passed between cats. It cannot be transmitted casually through shared litter boxes, water and food bowls, or when snuggling or playing. It is also very rarely transmitted from a mother to her kittens
By clarifying the above misunderstandings potential adopters should feel more comfortable in putting FIV+ cats on their adoptive “short list.” There are other questions and concerns, however, that adopters may have and I’ll address the ones I hear most frequently from visitors to the MSPCA-Angell Adoption Center.
Just how is FIV transmitted?
The virus is spread through blood transfusions, badly infected gums or — in very rare cases — bite wounds. Unneutered male cats, because of their tendency to roam and fight when allowed to be outside, are at higher risk for exposure (and transmission) of the virus.
How do I ensure my other cat(s) are safe?
A neutered FIV+ cat who lives in a home, is extremely unlikely to pass the virus on to FIV-negative cats in the home so long as they are properly introduced. We have many cat adopters whose FIV+ cats live perfectly well with their FIV- feline housemates.
How do I keep an FIV+ cat healthy?
FIV+ cats should be kept as healthy as possible — but my recommendations for how to achieve this are the same for all cats, even those not exposed to the virus.
FIV+ cats should be kept exclusively indoors, free from unnecessary stress and fed a high-quality diet. Most importantly, any health issues that do arise — be it a dental issue, parasite infestation or common feline infections (e.g., infections of the urinary tract) should be dealt with as soon as possible by bringing kitty to the vet.
Read more: Boston’s MSPCA: Demystifying the feline FIV-positive stigma – Roslindale, MA – West Roxbury Transcript https://www.wickedlocal.com/roslindale/news/x866118976/Bostons-MSPCA-Demystifying-the-feline-FIV-positive-stigma#ixzz23GxoTRuK
Itchy guinea pig likely has 1 of 3 ailments
Guinea pigs suffering from itchy skin may have species-specific lice, a mite infection called sarcoptic mange or the fungal infection known as ringworm, writes veterinarian Jeff Kahler, who notes that ringworm can be transmitted to people from their guinea pig. A veterinarian can distinguish between the three using 
microscopic evaluations of skin and hair from the guinea pig as well as a fungal culture. The Miami Herald/McClatchy Newspapers
By JEFF KAHLER, D.V.M.
McClatchy Newspapers
When Allison told her mom that her guinea pig seemed to be scratching herself a lot, Allison was told to clean out Poppy’s cage. Young Allison put in a fresh bedding of cedar chips mixed with pine shavings. Poppy seemed to scratch less, but the improvement was short-lived. The scratching is now to the point of waking Allison up at night, and when Allison pets Poppy, she can feel scabbing along the cava’s back.
I do not recommend cedar shavings for any rodent or rabbit. It can be very irritating to the respiratory tract in these animals. The list of possible causes for pruritus, or itchiness, in guinea pigs is long, however three causes make up the lion’s share of these cases. While either of these three could be placed at the top of the list, I will start by focusing on sucking and/or chewing lice. In my clinical experience, I see this as the most common cause of pruritus in my guinea pig patients.
Lice are parasites. They can be found in many different species of animals from fish to birds to mammals, including humans. Most often, the type of lice involved with one type of animal is specific to that type of animal. In other words, lice from guinea pigs will not infest a human. In guinea pigs, these unattractive little creatures gain access from one guinea pig to another most commonly through direct contact, though lice can be transmitted through substrate such as bedding materials and also through food, especially bulk food.
Once these lice set up “house” on their hosts, they begin feeding by biting or sucking on the skin surface. As one might imagine, this is quite pruritic and irritating. Poppy’s scenario certainly fits with the possibility of an infection with lice.
Some people can see lice with their naked eye; I can not. I use clear plastic tape, placing it sticky side down in an itchy area of the pig’s skin. I then take the tape and stick it to a microscope slide and look at it under magnification for the presence of lice and/or their eggs.
Treatment for lice in guinea pigs involves using an oral or injectable medication two to four times, with two weeks between each treatment depending on the severity. The two-week interval allows the eggs to hatch and the lice killed before they lay new eggs. I also recommend treating the environment every four days by removing and replacing the substrate and spraying with a spray containing the same ingredient as the medication used to treat the guinea pig. This therapy should rid the guinea pig of lice.
Mange is another cause of pruritus. It is caused by mites. These are specifically sarcoptic mange mites that burrow into the guinea pig’s skin and cause irritation and pruritus. The pruritus can be quite intense, to the point where some patients go into seizures. Diagnosis for mange involves scrapping the skin and putting the scraped contents on a microscope slide and observing the mites and/or their eggs under magnification. These mites can not be seen with the naked eye.
Treatment for mange in guinea pigs is virtually identical to the treatment for lice.
The last of the “big three” possible causes for Poppy’s itchy skin in fungal infection of the skin. This is commonly referred to as ringworm, though it involves no worms. This skin disease is caused by a fungal organism that colonizes the skin and causes an inflammatory response that is intensely pruritic. We diagnose this disease by growing the fungus on a special growth medium specifically designed for this purpose. Treatment usually involves oral and topical therapy, including bathing with specific anti-fungal shampoo. Prognosis for recovery is good. An important point to note here is that guinea pigs can transfer ringworm fungus to people.
Poppy likely has one of these three. A visit to her veterinarian for diagnostic tests will lead to a diagnosis and a cure.
(Jeff Kahler is a veterinarian in Modesto, Calif. Questions can be submitted to Your Pet in care of LifeStyles, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto CA 95352.)
Feline hyperthyroidism: Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
Hyperthyroidism, the overproduction of thyroid hormone, is relatively common in aging cats and may explain changes in behavior, weight loss, vomiting and diarrhea, among other signs, writes veterinarian Andrew Riebe. Findings from a physical exam including a heart murmur and palpably enlarged thyroid gland along with a blood test measuring hormone levels provide veterinarians with a diagnosis. Dr. Riebe explains the advantages and drawbacks of available treatment protocols for feline hyperthyroidism, including a new food that alleviates the condition if fed exclusively. WANE-TV (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
Clinical Signs:
There are various clinical signs or “symptoms” that a cat with hyperthyroidism may display. Some of the most common signs include weight loss, changes in appetite, gastrointestinal disturbances (e.g., vomiting and/or diarrhea), and changes in urination. Affected cats may also show changes in activity level and attitude. If you ever notice any of these signs in your cat, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian immediately. These clinical signs are caused by the over-production of thyroid hormone by the cat’s thyroid glands, which are small endocrine glands located on the cat’s ventral neck, just adjacent to the windpipe (trachea).
Diagnosis:
In many cases, a veterinarian will become suspicious of hyperthyroidism based on a history of common clinical signs and findings from a complete physical examination. Some of the most common findings on physical examination include evidence of weight loss, dehydration, and the presence of a heart murmur. In some cases, the veterinarian will be able to feel a lump or enlargement on the thyroid gland itself. To confirm a diagnosis of feline hyperthyroidism, blood tests are used to measure the levels of thyroid hormone circulating in the cat’s blood, which will be elevated in affected cats. Remember that all cats need to have a veterinary examination performed at least once each year so that diseases like hyperthyroidism can be identified as early as possible.
Treatment:
There are a few different treatment options available for cats with hyperthyroidism, all of which have their advantages and disadvantages. Traditionally, the most common method for controlling hyperthyroidism is the administration of anti-thyroid medications that help to suppress the production of excessive thyroid hormone. These medications are often effective and are relatively inexpensive, however life-long treatment is required and some cats will develop significant side effects. A more definitive treatment option is also available, which involves the administration of a radioactive iodine injection to the cat. The radioactive iodine is only absorbed by the overactive thyroid tissue, which results in the destruction of this abnormal tissue. This procedure is very safe and typically very effective, however it is associated with higher initial costs and requires the cat to be hospitalized in a specialized facility for several days. More recently, a new therapeutic diet was developed for cats with hyperthyroidism. The therapeutic food has restricted levels of iodine, which is an essential component for thyroid hormone production. Therefore, by limiting the cat’s intake of iodine you are also able to limit the amount of thyroid hormone that the cat can produce. This option offers the ease of providing treatment by simply feeding the cat, however, the cat’s diet must be strictly limited to the prescription food, which can sometimes present a challenge in multi-cat households or in cats with picky appetites. Finally, surgical removal of the thyroid gland itself is also a method for treating hyperthyroid cats.
No matter which treatment option is selected, many hyperthyroid cats can be effectively managed and will often show improvement, if not resolution, of their clinical disease. Nevertheless, long-term monitoring and regular veterinary checks are important for affected cats. If you have any questions about this disease or if you think your cat may be showing signs consistent with hyperthyroidism, contact your veterinarian immediately.
All lumps on pets should be checked out, veterinarian advises
From the Miami Herald
By JEFF KAHLER, D.V.M.
McClatchy Newspapers
Danny has a lump under his neck that Allison describes as almost tennis ball-sized and firm to the touch. She is positive it was not there the night before. The lump apparently does not bother the 6-year-old golden retriever, but it does bother Allison and her family.
Anytime a mass develops, it should be addressed. Most of these masses are not problems, but that is not always the case. Danny needs to see his veterinarian for diagnostics to determine the origin of the mass and its treatment.
A fine needle aspirate, in which cells from the mass are removed, would be my first recommendation. The aspirated material is placed on a slide and sent to a laboratory for microscopic examination by a cytologist. This test often will reveal what type of mass we are dealing with.
Without the benefit of diagnostic test results, I am guessing as to the origin of the mass. One possibility is lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph system that involves the lymph nodes. There are lymph nodes in the neck area close to the angle of the lower jaw on each side. When cancer is involved, these nodes, one or both, can become extremely enlarged. I do not think Danny has lymphoma, primarily because Allison has convinced me that there was no mass one night and then a big mass the next morning. Though lymphoma can come on as enlarged lymph nodes quickly, it is usually not that quick. The fine needle aspirate I mentioned will give the answer.
Focusing on the rapid appearance of the mass, my strongest suspicion is that Danny has a salivary mucocele, or the accumulation of saliva under the skin. It most commonly occurs as the result of the tearing of a salivary duct. The gland connected to the torn duct keeps producing saliva, but rather than ending up in the mouth cavity it dumps under the skin in the area of the rupture. These mucoceles can feel very firm, as if they were solid. Aspiration will reveal a thick, clear fluid, sometimes with some blood.
I think Danny has a mucocele because of the sudden onset and because Allison mentioned in her letter that Danny likes to play tug of war with his rope toy. I suspect Danny was playing tug of war and ruptured a salivary duct. The saliva built up under the skin in the ventral neck area and by the next morning Danny had a mucocele. Tug of war is a common cause of salivary mucoceles.
Treatment for salivary mucoceles can be a bit frustrating. I begin with draining the mucocele as flat as possible. I then will introduce anti-inflammatory medication into the lesion and send the patient home. This procedure can be repeated several times with the hope of scarring of the duct and cessation of the mucocele. If this does not work, surgery becomes the next option.
Surgery is performed with the hope of finding the ruptured salivary duct and closing it off, but the ruptured duct can be difficult to locate. We sometimes introduce radio-opaque dye from the salivary duct opening in the mouth into the duct. This is followed by radiographs of the head, which highlight the dye and the origin of the leak.
In Danny’s case, the answer lies in performing a fine needle aspirate. I hope Danny will have a mucocele instead of lymphoma. Of course, there are other possibilities.
Jeff Kahler is a veterinarian in Modesto, Calif. Questions can be submitted to Your Pet in care of LifeStyles, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto CA 95352.