Tufts develops quality-of-life assessments for pets with heart disease
Tufts veterinarians developed two quantitative tests for pets with heart disease that can help owners make decisions about treatments and euthanasia. FETCH (Functional Evaluation of Cardiac Health) and CATCH (Cats’ Assessment Tool for Cardiac Health) are surveys that ask owners to rank aspects of their pet’s health from zero to five. JAVMA published evaluations of both FETCH and CATCH.
(Phys.org) — Quality of life has become accepted as an important predictor of survival among human patients with heart failure. Now veterinarians at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University have developed two surveys that may prove to be similarly useful in evaluating the quality of life for dogs and cats with heart disease.
Known as “FETCH” (Functional Evaluation of Cardiac Health) and “CATCH” (Cats’ Assessment Tool for Cardiac Health), the surveys ask owners to rank aspects of their dog’s or cat’s health on a scale of 0 to 5. Veterinarians are then able to assess the animal’s perceived quality of life, which may inform decisions about treatment, nutrition or even euthanasia.
Researchers found that the FETCH and CATCH scores correlated well to the International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council (ISACHC) classification for disease severity.
Results of the CATCH evaluation were published in the May 15 edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, building on the earlier publication of the FETCH study.
“Studies have indicated that pet owners value quality of life much more than longevity in their animals,” said Professor of Clinical Sciences Lisa M. Freeman, board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition . “We want our dogs and cats to have happy lives, and we believe this tool is a helpful in evaluating whether our pets still do.”
The survey tools were developed by Freeman and Professor of Clinical Sciences John E. Rush, board-certified cardiologist and criticalist at the veterinary school’s Foster Hospital for Small Animals. Freeman and Rush set out to create and evaluate a tool for pets similar to the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire, one of the most widely used evaluation tools in human cardiology.
The CATCH tool was validated using studies in 75 cats at Tufts’ Foster Hospital for Small Animals, the University of Pennsylvania’s Medical School and the VCA Animal Care Center of Sonoma County (Rohert Park, Calif.), then tested in 200 cats at the three previous sites, as well as Oregon State University, Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital (Woburn, Mass.) and Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston.
The work on the tools will continue to measure their responsiveness to medical treatment and create a clinical and research tool for clinicians, Freeman said.
More information: J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2012 May 15;240(10):1188-93.
Journal reference:Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Provided byTufts University
New Disability Regulations Now Include Mini Horses as Guide Animals
Mona Ramouni, who is blind, rides a bus to work with her guide horse in Lincoln Park, Mich. Growing up in Detroit, Ramouni could never get a dog because her devout Muslim family considered dogs unclean. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio/File)
(CNSNews.com) – Although the Justice Department has extended the deadline for America’s hotels to comply with regulations regarding handicap access to swimming pools, new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines are already being applied at miniature golf courses, driving ranges, amusement parks, shooting ranges and saunas.
Among the provisions in the “Revised ADA Standards for Accessible Design,” which went into effect on March 15, is one requiring businesses to allow miniature horses on their premises as guide animals for the disabled. Another limits the height of slopes on miniature golf holes.
“The new standards, for the first time, include requirements for judicial facilities, detention and correctional facilities, and recreational facilities,” Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez said during a conference in Baltimore on June 7.
“We expect the implementation of these accessibility standards to open up doors for full participation in both the responsibilities, such as jury duty, and the benefits, such as playing at city parks, of civic life for people with disabilities,” he said.
“Miniature horses were suggested by some commenters as viable alternatives to dogs for individuals with allergies, or for those whose religious beliefs preclude the use of dogs,” the rules state. Also mentioned as a reason to include the animals is the longer life span of miniature horses – providing approximately 25 years of service as opposed to seven years for dogs.
“Some individuals with disabilities have traveled by train and have flown commercially with their miniature horses,” the Justice Department notes.
“Similar to dogs, miniature horses can be trained through behavioral reinforcement to be ‘housebroken,’” it adds.
However, “Ponies and full-size horses are not covered.”
A business owner can deny admission to a miniature horse that is not housebroken, whose handler does not have sufficient control of the animal, or if the horse’s presence compromises “legitimate safety requirements.”
The miniature horse addition has come under the scrutiny of at least one member of Congress, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), who offered an amendment that passed the House, banning funding to implement the provision. Chaffetz penned an editorial last month in opposition to the rule entitled, “Horses in the Dining Room?”
How spaying and neutering benefits pets’ health and behavior
Veterinarians Charlie Meynier and Jim Stortz write that spaying female dogs and cats reduces the incidence of mammary cancer, eliminates uterine and ovarian cancer risk and prevents pyometra, a potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus. Neutering male animals protects them from prostatic hypertrophy and infections, as well as testicular cancer and certain types of hernias. Drs. Meynier and Stortz also note that many less desirable animal behaviors are usually reduced by spaying or neutering, including roaming and territorial aggression.
The chief intent of this article is to state proven scientific facts. we’ll go through the medical benefits of neutering and spaying both dogs and cats, and finish with our personal beliefs on the behavioral changes that can occur.
The principal benefit of spaying female dogs and cats is the prevention of mammary cancer. A dog spayed before her first heat will have a near zero chance of developing mammary cancer later in life. After the first heat, this incidence climbs to 7 percent, and after the second heat the risk approaches 25 percent. Statistics are similar in cats.
The prevention of what is frequently a very difficult and potentially fatal form of cancer is reason enough to spay our dogs. Another potential condition in intact females is a bacterial infection of the uterus called pyometra. Treatment is surgery in a potentially unstable patient and can be very costly.
Less common conditions such as uterine and ovarian cancer are 100 percent prevented by spaying. Intact female dogs come into heat about every 8 months, resulting in bloody vaginal discharge and an unpleasant odor.
The major health benefits involved in neutering a dog involve the prostate gland. As dogs age, the prostate will gradually enlarge. This is known as benign prostate hyperplasia or BPH (think Flomax commercials). The prostate under the influence of testosterone is also predisposed to infection. This is an extremely painful and sometime life-threatening condition which is not likely to resolve without neutering and often invasive surgery.
Other medical conditions that are prevented include testicular cancer, along with certain types of hernias and perianal tumors. The effects of neutering male cats are more behavioral and are listed below.
There are no concrete facts when it comes to the behavioral changes seen in spayed and neutered dogs and cats. Neutering male dogs and cats can reduce urine marking in your house, aggression towards other dogs, and territorial aggression. It is important to realize that these behaviors can become a habit and continue after neutering.
Many experts say that once a pet is older than 1 year of age and still intact, undesirable behaviors are more likely to become permanent even if they are neutered at that time. The most dangerous behavior seen in intact males is roaming, i.e., running away to look for a mate, because it leads to animals running away as well as car accidents.
The reproductive tracts of the female dog and cat are dormant for most of the year. From a behavioral standpoint, the animals will “act spayed” most of the time and no personality changes should be noted with spaying. When in heat, females are more likely to be aggressive and can show erratic behavior such as howling and writhing on the ground. And an intact male can detect females in heat from miles away so it is not safe to leave them outside unsupervised.
The medical benefits resulting from spaying and neutering pets lead to longer and healthier lives. In addition, the majority of animals will be more relaxed and less prone to undesirable behavior. The Vail Valley Animal Hospital recommends spaying and neutering at six months of age. They are outpatient procedures and animals can go home the day of the surgery.
Dr. Charlie Meynier, DVM, has been a practicing vet for more than 12 years with a degree from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Jim Stortz, DVM, has been a practicing vet since completing his Emergency and Critical Care Medicine internship in 2006. The Vail Valley Animal Hospital offers services at both Eagle Vail and Edwards locations. For more information and to make an appointment, call 970-949-4044 (Eagle-Vail) or 970-926-3496 (Edwards) or visit www.vailvalleyanimalhospital.com.
Another New AHF Caring Creatures Pet Partner Team
Cindy Daversa and her 6 year old Boxer, Bella, are ready to bring huge smiles to the faces of people and kids they will visit as a new AHF Caring Creatures Pet Partner Team. Congratulations Cindy and Bella!
New AHF Caring Creatures Pet Partner Team
Congratulations to Ben Buchanan and Yuki who passed the Pet Partner Team Evaluations in June! Yuki is a “career change” dog who was originally trained by Guide Dogs of America in Orange County. This loving dog will now serve in a different and just as rewarding way!
Worm-like organisms in stool may not be tapeworms
Worm-like creatures in dog feces may be intestinal parasites, such as tapeworms, but fly larvae, also known as maggots, can rapidly colonize fresh fecal piles, often confusing owners, writes veterinarian Jeff Kahler. Dogs acquire tapeworms from fleas that carry tapeworm eggs, so treatment for tapeworms includes medicine to kill the worms and flea treatment to rid the dog of fleas. Fly larvae in feces are easily prevented — just promptly clean up after dogs, notes Dr. Kahler.
By JEFF KAHLER, D.V.M.
McClatchy Newspapers
Darren was picking up his dog Robo’s waste and noticed white, wormlike creatures crawling in and on several of the stool piles. He finished cleaning up and then called the veterinarian.
Darren said Robo was prescribed medication to treat tapeworms. The dosage required several pills to be taken all at once by Robo. Darren followed the protocol and assumed the creepy little creatures were history. That was wishful thinking; about a week later, they were back on Robo’s stools.
Darren again treated Robo for tapeworms. This time, he also treated Robo for fleas, as tapeworms are often associated with fleas. Darren also began to scrutinize every stool Robo produced. His skepticism was rewarded as the ugly little beasts reappeared within the next week after the second treatment. Well, Darren wants to know what the heck is going on!
Darren needs to harvest stool samples containing the worms and have them examined by Robo’s veterinarian. I believe these wormlike creatures are not worms, but the insect larvae of flies.
If Robo had tapeworms, I would expect the initial treatment to have worked. There would not have been enough time for a new population of tapeworms to develop inside Robo in the week after the first treatment.
Tapeworms are intestinal parasitic worms that occur in several species of animals. The more common type in dogs is carried on the flea. When a dog bites at a flea, it can take in the tapeworm eggs by mouth and swallow them. This starts the development process in the dog’s intestinal tract, which culminates in a population of adult tapeworms. These adults mate and produce small segments that break off the adult worm and are passed in the stool. These appear as tiny, whitish, wormlike creatures that can wiggle and crawl in an undulating fashion. This fits with Darren’s description and his veterinarian’s assumption that Robo had tapeworms. These segments will dry up and appear similar to rice grains over time. The segments will eventually rupture, and the eggs inside stick to fleas and start the whole cycle over again. This is why it is important to treat for fleas when treating for tapeworms.
Of course, we know that Robo does not have tapeworms. In fact, Robo’s stool is not indicating he has any visible parasites.
Robo’s stool is likely colonized by fly larvae, most commonly referred to as maggots. Flies will lay their eggs in fresh dog feces and these will hatch into larvae that then feed on the fecal material. When the weather is warmer, hatching time can be very quick. I know, you’re thinking, “Yuck,” and frankly I am, too. I am not a big fan of maggots, but they are a part of the circle of life and nothing to be concerned about in the disease realm. If Darren were to pick up Robo’s stools more frequently, the fly eggs would not have time to hatch before disposal and would therefore not be seen.
(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.)
Distinguishing the cause of allergic symptoms in dogs
Dogs exhibit allergy symptoms such as itchy, dry skin and gastrointestinal signs including chronic vomiting and diarrhea, and it can be difficult to distinguish the cause among the three most common allergies in pets: flea allergy dermatitis, environmental allergy and food allergy, writes veterinarian Chase Constant. Gastrointestinal symptoms usually accompany food allergies, which also occur year-round, Dr. Constant points out. He adds that a food trial directed by a veterinarian is the best way to diagnose a food allergy.
Unlike humans, dogs cannot scratch their paws and are forced to lick and bite them when they are itchy. There are two things to consider when caring for an itchy dog: Treat the underlying cause of the itch, and treat any secondary infections that have developed.
Like people, dogs can have allergies, causing them to become itchy. We usually think of three types of allergies: flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), food allergy or environmental allergy. Some dogs are allergic to flea saliva, and it takes only one bite to set off them off and keep them itching for up to two weeks. The key to treating this allergy is avoiding contact with fleas, which is why most veterinarians recommend the use of regular monthly flea control.
Food allergies are very common in dogs and can cause mild to severe itching (paws, face, and ears), red skin, or even gastrointestinal signs (chronic loose stool or vomiting). Environmental allergies cause similar signs, excluding the gastrointestinal ones. One key to helping differentiate between these two types of allergies is timeline. Food allergies will continue year round, whereas most environmental allergies improve or resolve at some point during the year (in other words, they are seasonal, with the winter months usually being the better months).
Many times, a secondary infection (bacterial or yeast) has developed because the biting and licking has damaged the skin. If your dog is constantly licking or biting his paws, he should be evaluated by your veterinarian, because it can be a painful condition and these infections need to be treated with oral or injectable medications (antibiotics or antifungals), with medicated shampoos or with both. Then the underlying allergy needs to be addressed.
A food trial is needed to determine a food allergy. This involves feeding your dog a very strict diet over several months with a protein source he has never been exposed to, like rabbit or venison. Your vet can help you plan a proper food trial to determine if your dog has a food allergy, then what food should be fed on a long-term basis.
Environmental allergies can be treated with different medications. Some dogs with mild allergies or allergies that last only a few weeks or months each year can be treated with antihistamines like Benadryl. Some dogs require more aggressive medications that actually suppress the immune system. Skin testing or blood testing is available and can determine what things in the environment are causing the allergies. This information is used to formulate allergy shots, which sensitize your dog to the allergens. This process can take several months to a year to start working and will require lifelong use. This is a special procedure that not all veterinarians perform, and it may require seeing a board certified veterinary dermatologist or a veterinarian with a special interest in dermatology.
Remember: When you are sneezing constantly and rubbing your itchy, watery eyes, your dog may be going through the same thing and may need treatment.
— Chase Constant, VMD
Treatments resolve symptoms of IBD
From the Journal of the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or lymphoplasmacytic, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, is characterized by chronic vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss despite polyphagia. A retrospective study of dogs with IBD found that tylosin therapy in conjunction with a novel protein prescription pet food are the first-line treatments and often resolve the gastrointestinal symptoms and cause weight gain. Immunosuppressive therapy should not be used as an initial treatment but can be employed if tylosin or dietary therapy are not working
Blood test for canine lymphoma may also help people
U.K.-based Petscreen has developed a blood test that detects early stage lymphosarcoma in dogs using biomarkers. The company found the test may also benefit human patients and is developing a similar screening process for people. The test won’t be available for humans for at least three to five years.
Petscreen has already launched a test to diagnose lymphoma in dogs and the business, which has won almost £100,000 of government-backed funding for its research, is now developing a simple blood test to determine if a human has early-stage lymphoma.
Their test uses biomarkers – a marker found in blood or urine that changes when a certain disease is present – to detect the cancer.
“What we’re looking for are proteins that can be easily detected in a non-invasive way, ie just from a simple blood sample which would then indicate the presence of a tumour. You want to be able to pick up the tumour early, confidently and non-invasively,” said Kevin Slater, Petscreen’s chief executive.
“The holy grail is to try to make these tests specific,” he added. Petscreen achieves this, said Dr Slater, by using an algorithm to measure a number of different biomarkers.
Through their research to develop the canine test, he added that “almost by serendipity”, Petscreen discovered that a similar test could be applied in humans.
Petscreen’s initial trial will take a year and any human test could take three to five years to get to market. If successful, it could simplify and speed up diagnosis, as well as monitor remission. Currently, lymphoma – the sixth-commonest form of cancer in Britain – is diagnosed through a biopsy and scan.
Petscreen was established in 2004 by Dr Slater, along with Graeme Radcliffe, a former journalist, after the pair met at a cricket match.
Dr Slater said the TSB funding will help Petscreen develop a ‘proof of concept’ and the business will later need further investment or a partnership with a major pharmaceutical company.
Olympic horses arrive in Longon via FedEx
Ten elite U.S. equine athletes arrived in London from Newark, N.J., via a special FedEx flight during which the animals were accompanied by the American eventing team’s veterinarian Brendan Furlong, as well as grooms. The animals are acclimated to world travel and usually arrive without incident, but the animal care team is always ready to intervene quickly if a horse gets nervous during transport
By Danica Kirka
“They are all special,” said Tim Dutta, who owns the international horse transport company that organized the trip. “We are working on everybody’s dream.”
Bringing these elite athletes across the Atlantic Ocean is a logistical feat – one small example of the many people and efforts under way behind the scenes to make the games go off without a hitch. This is particularly true for horses — the only animals that take part in the games, which start July 27 and end Aug. 12.
Let’s just start by saying that these 10 are not just any old group of horses. These animals have passports that would be the envy of any human wishing to travel the world. That said, they get used to traveling, and most of the time, they don’t ask for much — not even an in-flight meal.
But grooms traveling with Twizzel, Mighty Nice, Arthur and the other seven horses that made the journey would maybe give them a bit of hay.
Horses like these can move in their boxes quite a bit, unlike human sardines on regular flights. But in case any of them gets bothered by the noise, the grooms might stuff some cotton in their ears, says Dr. Brendan Furlong, the veterinarian for the American eventing team.
Carrots are always a good way to calm any horse who gets nervous — or even a horse tranquilizer in the rare case a prized animal gets really edgy. The goal is to get them to London stress-free.
As for the grooms, the vet, and the other humans that cater to these pampered prancers, well, they aren’t exactly going first class. Furlong says he’ll usually ask the pilots to keep the plane kind of cool, so sometimes this crowd finds itself wrapped in blankets to keep warm. There’s no in-flight movie, so jokes about whether they choose between “Seabiscuit” or “War Horse” don’t really cut it.
“It’s not a job for the faint of heart,” Furlong said. “You need to have someone who is a very confident flier and who can intervene quickly to calm a stressed horse.”
After all, 1,200 pounds of stressed horse can be an intimidating prospect.
Furlong says the crews are usually very accommodating — and always want to come back even briefly to see their precious cargo.
But even these horses didn’t escape Britain’s strict rules on quarantine. Furlong arranged to have a farm near Newark International Airport set up as a special quarantine area to comply with the U.K.’s rules – though admittedly the cherished 10 only needed five hours of intense scrutiny to meet the criteria. Nothing but the best for this crowd. Really.
But do they know — do the horses know that it’s the Olympics? That it’s a special event that happens only every four years?
Dutta swears they do.
“They’re athletes,” Dutta said of horses that jump big big fences and run oh so fast. “They love what they do.”