News You Can Use

Summer heat can kill dogs. Most pet owners understand the dangers of heat within a car. The temperature in a closed car in summer, even with the windows cracked, can easily reach 110 degrees or hotter! Dogs can’t sweat so they start panting. They can’t maintain their 101 degree body temperature with this kind of heat. Dogs may overheat on a casual walk or jog. Allow your dog plenty of shade time to cool down. Don’t think that just because he or she “wants” to continue that they are aware that their body temperature is rising. Be careful, use common sense, and understand that dogs are not “furry humans.” Their cooling mechanism is via their tongue, not sweat glands!  If you believe that your dog is overheated with symptoms of excessive panting or fainting,  immediately cool him/her with wet towels and transport to the nearest veterinarian for emergency care.  Don’t take chances with summer heat!

Springtime Dangers for Your Pets

 Springtime holidays like Easter and Passover are a great time to get together and celebrate with family, friends, and pets. It is also important to be aware of the different hazards for our furry friends.

 Easter lilies are toxic to cats, causing kidney failure and may even lead to death!  Any part of the lily is toxic: the flowers, the leaves, or the stem. Symptoms include vomiting, loss of appetite and depression. If you suspect that your cat has eaten a lily, contact us immediately. The faster treatment is administered, the better the prognosis for survival. Other lilies are toxic too, including tiger lilies, rubrum, day lilies, and Japanese showy lilies. Daffodils and hyacinths are dangerous too! Call us if you have any questions about this serious danger to your cat.

 Ribbon, string, and balloons can get lodged in the intestinal tract if swallowed and cause great harm.  If your pet eats ribbon or string, be sure to observe carefully for proper bowel movements.  If you notice abdominal discomfort, straining, or anything unusual after a bowel movement, bring your pet in to us immediately. Small toys (like plastic eggs) might look tasty to dogs and cats but animals can choke on these small pieces or become sick if swallowed, particularly if they are filled with candy. Also, some foods are harmful to pets, so we recommend not feeding any table scraps.  Especially dangerous are gravies and greasy food.  Raisins, grapes, chocolate, and onions are significant holiday toxins as well. 

 Some people impulsively decide to buy an “Easter Bunny” from a pet store this time of year while there are so many rabbits that are up for adoption and in need of a good home. Make sure to do your homework before taking on the responsibility of adopting a rabbit. They will need an enclosure large enough to exercise in that is also temperature controlled so they never get too hot or too cold, a diet of pellets and hay, and a salt lick. It would also be a good idea to talk to veterinary office that cares for exotic animals before adopting.   The House Rabbit Society or Escondido Humane Society are two great resources for rabbits and rabbit information.

We are frequently asked about vomiting in dogs and cats.  Here are a few helpful tips: 

Vomiting is not necessarily a bad thing.  Dogs and cats eat “stuff” that may or may not be dangerous.  Every cat owner has experienced hair balls from normal cat grooming.  Most dog owners have seen sticks or gravel that is regurgitated in a pile.

 Vomiting may be a symptom of something very dangerous such as a foreign object that won’t pass.   The most common things dogs swallow that are potentially dangerous are bones, trash and small toys.  Cats’ most dangerous objects of desire are linear foreign material such as dental floss or string from a toy.

 Vomiting should never be ignored, especially if it’s repetitive within a short period of time.  This may be a symptom of material that won’t pass from the stomach into the intestine, gastritis (inflamed stomach), an infection, or some other organ problem.  If your pet has recurrent vomiting then it’s time for a veterinary visit.

 When your pet has vomited, inspect the vomitus and save it in a plastic bag to bring to the veterinarian.   There may be evidence that will be helpful to the doctor for appropriate treatment.   Take away food and water immediately.  Call your veterinarian or local emergency clinic for advice if you are unsure.

 Some pets respond favorably simply by removing food and water for a few hours.  Gradually re-introduce water and then a very blande diet.  If your pet vomits even plain water, then he/she may get dehydrated.  It’s time to go to the vet!

Exercise, vet visits and lots of love may help extend quality of life

 Old age seems to sneak up on pets just as it does in people.

Long before you expect it, Fido and Snowball are no longer able to bolt out the door or leap onto the bed. But with routine visits to the vet, regular exercise and good weight control, you can help your beloved pet ward off the onset of age-related disease, one veterinary expert suggests.

“Aging pets are a lot like aging people with respect to diseases,” Susan Nelson, a Kansas State University assistant professor of clinical services, said in a university news release. Diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cancer, osteoarthritis, periodontal disease and heart disease are among the problems pets face as they grow older, she noted.

“Like people, routine exams and tests can help detect some of these problems earlier and make treatment more successful,” Nelson added, making a special reference to heartworm prevention and general vaccinations.

“It’s also important to work closely with your veterinarian,” Nelson said, because “many pets are on more than one type of medication as they age, just like humans.”

Cats between 8 and 11 years (equal to 48 to 60 in human years) are considered “senior,” while those over the age of 12 fall into the category of “geriatric,” Nelson explained.

For dogs it depends on weight: those under 20 pounds are considered senior at 8 years, and geriatric at 11 years. Those 120 pounds and up, however, are considered senior at 4 years and geriatric at 6 years, with a sliding age-scale applied to canines between 20 and 120 pounds.

Nelson said that to catch problems early, older cats and dogs need to be taken in for a semiannual health exam and lab tests. “Diseases such as systemic hypertension and diabetes mellitus are just a few that can occur at a relatively young age and often take owners by surprise. Urinary or fecal incontinence are other issues that may occur as your pet matures,” she added.

“Such actions obviously can’t prevent all diseases, but when caught early, many diseases can be managed” and the good quality of life extended, Nelson said.

Nelson also wants owners to be aware that pet behavior can shift with age if mental problems such as senility, phobias and various anxieties take hold. Disorientation can ensue, alongside changes in eating habits and the tendency to sleep more.

The risk for joint problems also grows with age, and older pets should not be encouraged to run or jump as much as they might have in the past. Swimming and walking are good alternatives, she suggested, and supplements and medications can help keep pain from arthritis at bay.

Overall, Nelson advises owners to “give your senior pets lots of TLC — tender, loving care.” That, she said, can go a long way towards easing the aging process.

We wish you a very happy holiday season!