"Lucky" Talks

Raisin Toxicity - Guess the number of raisins in a single cookie!

2011-12-04T23:37:00.001-07:00

Grapes and Raisins are Toxic?
Actually, yes. The idea has floated around the internet as an urban legend, but it really is true. The exact mechanism that causes the toxicity is still unknown, but consumption of grapes or raisins by your dog can cause renal (kidney) failure which can lead to death.

How much is considered a toxic dose?
There are numerous variables that seem to play in to determining a toxic dose. The lowest known amount that caused a toxic response was about 1 oz, or 1/2 Tablespoon, of raisins. However, the animal's metabolism, other foods it may have eaten, size of the animal, and other factors combined determine whether an animal will be affected.

If you are a visual learner perhaps the following pictures will help you understand the potential danger. Some of our Veterinarians wanted to know just how many raisins are in a single oatmeal raisin cookie. So in the middle of a slow ER shift they found out! This dissection was of a standard 3" diameter cookie from a local supermarket bakery - the kind you might pick-up to bring to your next holiday party.

Cookie Dissection

One Cookie = 1 TBS Raisins


Drs. Fields & Germundson

Turns out this brand contains a whole tablespoon of raisins in a single cookie. Who knew? But really, in all seriousness, that means that if a 10 lb dog ate one cookie it could be a potentially deadly dose of raisins.

What should I do if my dog eats raisins or an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie?
The best thing to do is bring your pet to your veterinarian right away. If the consumption of the raisins or cookies was recent the veterinarian will try to induce vomiting followed by administering activated charcoal to absorb any remaining toxins in the stomach. A blood test will be used to check the blood chemistry values related to kidney function. Your pet will be started on IV fluids to help flush the kidneys of the toxin and should be hospitalized to monitor blood chemistry levels as well as fluid input and output, another indication of renal condition. If your pet is already exhibiting signs of renal failure medications such as furosemide, dopamine, or mannitol will be used to support the kidneys.

Caught soon enough, and provided with good supportive care, your dog should make a full recovery.

If you perform any of your own at home dissection of oatmeal raisin cookies in the name of science be sure to let us know your results. But, keep the raisins and grapes out of reach of your dog!

Thanksgiving Thankfulness

2011-11-23T12:47:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving is truly a wonderful holiday. Time set aside for family, friends and remembering all there is to be thankful for. Because really, no matter the circumstances, we can choose to find things for which we can be thankful.

Our pets usually rank on the "thankful for" list. The funny noises, kisses, friendly swats, companionship and warmth make them wonderful additions to the family.

As you prepare for your family dinner, no matter the size of your gathering, remember to keep your "Lucky" dog or cat safe with the food choices offered. Cats and dogs don't usually do well with a lot of diet changes, especially if the food contains a lot of grease, fat, bones or skin. So while your turkey tastes delectable you should only share a small portion of cooked meat and vegetables with your furry family members.

Another caution is to keep your pets out of the kitchen during prep time. It is easy for pets to get under foot when they smell all the deliciousness being created in your kitchen, but that can be dangerous for you and/or your pet. A recent patient found that out firsthand when the hot drippings from a roasted turkey got spilled on his back. The 3rd degree burns healed and he is doing great, but Mom and dog learned to do things different the next time.

All the activity can be the way an otherwise indoor animal manages to escape outside when the door is open and closed to welcome visitors. It's best to contain your pets to a room with a closed door or place them in a kennel until the activity level has died down a bit to keep them safe.

Warm wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving from Central Veterinary Emergency Services at VRCC Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital.

Picture from http://dynamitedogtraining.blogspot.com/

The Unforgettable Moment - The Loss of a Pet

2011-08-14T23:45:00.000-07:00

So many of the Facebook posts and blog articles we post for VRCC are happy and carefree, sharing the excitement over the great outcome for a family and their beloved pet. We love those stories - and rightfully so. But what if you didn't get the happy outcome? What if you, directly or indirectly, had to make a really hard decision and your pet isn't coming home? What then?

“Zeke” Adopted February 4, 2000

Over the rainbow bridge and

forever in their hearts –

September 24, 2009

Part of the everyday life of working with sick animals is walking through the process of letting go for pets and their humans. It is a difficult process, whether it's a sudden accident or a long battle, and we don't take it lightly. Sometimes it is easier than others, but they all have an impact. We recognize that these animals are precious parts of other lives and each has a different story.

As professionals in animal health we do our best to listen and empathize with clients during the pain of those moments. But we can't walk out the door with the clients and help them through the healing process. What we can offer are some great resources that can help you or a friend on that journey.

The Pet Loss Support Page website has Ten Tips on Coping with Pet Loss on the home page. They also have a directory of resources by state. Just click on your states initials in the upper left hand corner of the home page.

Are you a parent wondering how to talk with your kids? Gail Weinhold wrote an article in the Richfield Post talking about that very topic. She has some great tips about memorializing the special place their pet had in their family and helping her children to grieve. She also recommends the book Dog Heaven that can be found on Amazon.com. She ends the article with this thought. "Think of their soft eyes, purring tummies or wagging tails and the answer is clear, they love seeing their loved ones happy. In our house, we are still struggling day-by-day and sometimes hour by hour, but we recognize that our lives are better off because of the time we spent with our furry family member. Life is precious and in the end every paw printed moment counts."

Denver has The Human Animal Bond Trust (HABT) "which exists to serve those who are anticipating, or have lost, an animal companion". The HABT provides the Denver Pet Loss Support Group which meets every Thursday evening at the Denver Area Veterinary Medical Society office at 191 Yuma Street in Denver. Anyone is welcome to attend. No reservation is needed.

CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital has the privilege of having the Argus Institute on their campus that offers a client support program. Counselors are available to help advocate for you and your pet's needs and to support individuals and families during and after the process of losing a pet. See their website for contact information and hours. Argus Institute Website

The ASPCA offers a Pet Loss Hotline by calling (877) GRIEF-10. This hotline can be utilized for assistance with the decision to euthanize as well as support after the loss. The ASPCA website has additional articles and insights that might answer questions you still have.

Admittedly it is a sad subject, and yet one that is better acknowledged than ignored. Loss is hard and I hope some of these resources, plus relationships to which you can turn, will help you on the journey to healing.

Will You Please Fill My Prescription?

2011-07-17T21:27:00.001-07:00

More than a request.

As a Veterinary Emergency practice we often receive phone calls from clients who have run out of a prescription requesting that we either refill the medication ourselves or call the request into a Pharmacy. The request seems innocent and simple enough, but there is more to the story. Unless a veterinarian has examined the patient and prescribed the medication for the current condition we would not be able to say "yes" to the client's request. Why? It has to do with federal and state laws surrounding the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship or VCPR.

The Creation of the VCPR.

The American Veterinary Medical Association, or AVMA, is made up of medically educated and licensed veterinarians who care deeply about the current practice and future well being of veterinary medicine as a profession. Formed in 1863 and renamed to the AVMA in 1889 the association has helped form much of the foundation on which the profession operates. Part of that foundation includes the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics of the AVMA originally approved by the House of Delegates in 1867 as the AVMA Code of Ethics. The code of ethics includes the definition of the relationship between a veterinarian, their clients, and patients. The state of Colorado has also defined the VCPR in the Veterinary Practice Act that governs the ability of veterinarians to dispense medications.

Establishing and Maintaining a VCPR

The VCPR is defined by the AVMA as a "relationship that exists when your veterinarian knows your pet well enough to be able to diagnose and treat any medical conditions your animal develops." A VCPR is established when your veterinarian has the opportunity to examine your animal in person and continues only as long as regular visits with your veterinarian are maintained. Once the VCPR expires, your pet would need to be reexamined by the veterinarian before any diagnoses or dispensing of medication could take place. As stated by the AVMA "a valid VCPR cannot be established online, via email, or over the phone."

Ethical, Legal and Medical Basis

For those reasons the veterinarians at Central Veterinary Emergency Services have to deny the request to fill medication prescriptions for any animals they have not examined on an ethical, legal, and medical basis. We truly want the best for your pet. Our veterinarians have on average 8+ years of training and internships that give them the basis of knowledge by which they can examine, diagnose and treat your pets condition. To be certain the best care is provided to your pet a personal examination is necessary in order to establish the relationship with you and your pet. It couldn't be said better than as stated by the AVMA "a hands-on physical examination is incredibly valuable to your pet and can't be replaced by a phone conversation, web-based conversation, or e-mail description".

For more information about the VCPR visit the AVMA and Colorado's Practice Act websites

Marijuana Is NOT Safe for Pets

2011-04-17T21:14:00.001-07:00

Dispensaries have popped up everywhere in Colorado since the legalization of medical marijuana. As a result, our veterinary emergency service has also seen a marked increase in marijuana toxicity cases. We see 2-3 cases of marijuana ingestion/toxicity per week compared to the 2-3 per month that used to be the norm for our hospital.

There is lots of information on the web that makes light of animals getting exposed to marijuana either accidentally or on purpose. Unfortunately, some of the information would actually put your animal at risk if you followed the advice.

Marijuana is toxic to cats, and dogs. The most common type of exposure is ingestion of the plant, or a baked good that contains various forms of the plant, like "marijuana brownies", "canabutter", or "hash cookies". The main ingredient in marijuana is Tetrahydrocannabinol or THC. THC can vary in strength from 0 - 70% depending on how it was prepared - the "canabutter" tends to be the most potent. Dogs are far more likely to ingest marijuana than cats - 97% to 3%.

Clinical signs of marijuana exposure (usually ingestion) include prolonged depression, vomiting, in-coordination (ataxia), sleepiness or excitation, increased heartbeat (tachycardia) or decreased heart beat (bradycardia),excessive drooling, dilated pupils, low blood pressure, low body temperature, uncontrolled urination, seizure, coma, or even death - though it is very rare.

Should your animal display any of these symptoms it is important to bring him/her to the vet right away. It is also important to let the Veterinarian know about the possible exposure to marijuana. The other most common toxicity that has the same clinical signs as marijuana is Ethylene Glycol. The testing and treatment for Ethylene Glycol is much more involved and requires longer hospitalization to ensure the patient doesn't go into kidney failure. The Veterinarian is not under obligation to report the owner/client to the police and it is better for all involved to treat the animal appropriately.

Treatment may include causing the animal to vomit if the ingestion happened within the last 2-4 hours. They are then given activated charcoal to decrease the absorption of THC or other psychoactive substances found in marijuana.

Animals that ingest the marijuana in brownies or the hashish butter are at risk for chocolate toxicity or pancreatitis as well as the marijuana toxicity. Additional treatment may be necessary to combat the effects of the other toxins.

Your pet may be hospitalized for observation of temperature, heart rate, and breathing, and for treatment with intravenous fluids, repeat administration of activated charcoal, and intensive nursing care if critical. Some animals require sedation with Valium. Most animals recover fully following treatment.

The moral of the story...Fluffy and Fido should not get into the stash.

Garden Design with Your Pets In Mind

2011-03-21T00:28:00.001-07:00

Today is the official first day of spring and I'm itching to get into my garden. Of course, your dog or cat usually follows you into the garden and there is always that one favorite spot where they like to dig or curl up for a nap, usually right on top of your favorite flower. So how can we garden, with our pets in mind, to make it enjoyable for them and us?

I found lots of websites with ideas for designing your garden or landscaping with your pets in mind. The Gardening Know How website has a great post on Creating a Dog Friendly Garden and Sunset Magazine included an article titled How to Landscape a Dog-Friendly Garden. Both are great articles and include some ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Maybe your dog will even help with the digging. (just kidding)

In an emergency practice, of course, we see cases where animals have gotten themselves in trouble in the great outdoors, including the backyard garden. So whether you are planning your spring planting, or your next major landscaping project, here are some additional things to keep in mind to keep your pets safe.

Thorns
First, consider the roses. I love roses, but as I was pruning some this weekend I was reminded of my love/hate relationship with all those thorns. If you plan to have roses, or other bushes with thorns, consider putting them behind a fence or up against the house where there is less likelihood of "Lucky" getting some nasty scrapes on the snout or in the eye. The thorns can scratch the cornea causing permanent injury, infection and potentially loss of sight; thorns can also get embedded in the skin and form an abscess.

Mulch
In dry Colorado many plants do better with mulch to retain some moisture. Be aware that "Cocoa Mulch", which consists mainly of cocoa bean shells, is potentially dangerous to your pets. The cocoa bean shells contain theobromine, a substance similar to caffeine that is not easily metabolized by animals. Theobromine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, ataxia (unsteady on their feet), and in serious cases, even death.

Lawn Edging
The metal demarcation between lawn and garden is supposed to keep the grass where it belongs. Unfortunately, it is a dangerous knife in the grass waiting for a soft paw to step just right and cause a serious injury. Choose a plastic edging material, treated wood, or other natural material for your yard to eliminate this danger. In a study done by Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the 60 dogs injured by lawn edging in the study, 85 percent of them needed surgery, and 18 percent required extensive surgical repair of skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle, tendon, or fascia. We see multiple lawn edging injuries every year.

Wood Chips or Rock
Creating a rock walkway or zero scape area is pretty common and usually a great option in landscaping design. But, if you have a dog that likes to eat wood chips or rocks it could become a daily hassle. Some dogs, more so the large breed dogs like labs or golden retrievers, have a fetish for eating rocks or wood chips. If it's just one or two rocks or a couple wood chips, no problem, it all comes out the other end. But, if for some reason the dog gets stressed out or is overly bored and decides to eat lots of rocks or wood chips, you could be looking at a foreign body obstruction that requires surgery. So consider your pet's habits when you choose a landscaping material or you may be saying "no, don't eat the rocks" many more times than you'd like.

Poisonous Plants
It's always good to review the lists of poisonous plants. Unless they smell especially tasty it is unusual for the common plants found in most landscapes to be consumed by pets, but it's always better to be safe than sorry. The fact that we had Peony's for years and our cats and dogs never touched them would be little consolation if yours decided to take a sample.

In the end, there is more likelihood of lots of enjoyable hours with your pet in the garden and your troubles could be as small as an occasional hole, stolen vegetables, or a squashed flower. Just keep these few tips in mind and we wish you lots of happy gardening.

After the Vet Visit: The At Home Care Instructions

2011-03-13T22:25:00.000-07:00

Imagine with me...it's 2 am and you just got home from an emergency visit to the veterinary hospital. "Lucky", your 2 year old black lab, was running in the yard and cut a tendon in his leg on the lawn edging. You make it back home with his fresh bandage, e-collar, and a bag with pills in it and all you want to do is fall into bed. When you wake in the morning your late night saga comes rushing back and you vaguely remember that "Lucky" needs a dose of medicine. But you can't quite remember what to do.

Does that sound familiar? Perhaps a different scenario, but the part about being confused about medicine or bandage changes, follow-up visits or food restrictions might resonate with you. It can be confusing, and maybe even overwhelming, to get a sick or injured pet back home and be responsible for his/her care. The important thing is to make sure before leaving the hospital that the instructions are written down and you ask questions. Then never hesitate to call your Veterinarian's office if you don't understand the instructions.

Here are some typical home care instructions and why it is important to follow them:

1. Medication instructions: Most medications have a very specific amount and administration frequency to ensure the best outcomes for your pet. It is important that you follow those instructions. For instance, check if it needs to be refrigerated, whether the medicine should be given with food or on an empty stomach. Read all instructions on the bottle and/or in the written instructions from your veterinarian. If you are unsure, please call for clarification. Also, if it appears your pets condition is not improving or you think the medicine isn't working consult with your veterinarian before increasing the amount or frequency of dose. Increased doses could be harmful to your pet.

2. Restrict Activity: This is a tough one, but can be vitally important. Fractured bones, deep or large cuts, stitches, neurological problems, etc are all conditions that may require one or more days of confinement for your pet so that healing can take place. If your pet gets too active too quickly there is a greater possibility of added injury or longer healing time. A crate, small room with a door, or quiet companion can all help to keep your pet from getting too rowdy.

3. Bandage Instructions: If your pet is sent home with a bandage the instructions will most likely include something like:

- Keep the bandage clean and dry.

- Check the toes twice a day for swelling.

- Check the bandage for slippage, loosening, pain, limping, bleeding, heat, foul odor, etc.

- Check for rubbing or pressure sores at the top or bottom of the bandage/cast.

- Keep your pet from chewing at the bandage.

- The bandage should be checked by a Veterinarian in 3-5 days to reassess the wound and decide if the bandage needs to be replaced.

All these instructions are important to decrease the risk of infection and to increase the chances for healing. If you are unsure call your vet and say "I don't know if this is a big deal or not, but".... and describe what is happening with the bandage and the area where the bandage is applied. It's always better to ask.

4. Elizabethan Collar or E-Collar: We like to call them their "party hat"! Not many pets like their party hat, but it is important to keep it on. Pets have a propensity for chewing on bandages or ripping out sutures if left with access to the wound. They may also try to lick a painful area excessively which can aggravate and cause additional problems. So the longer they can wear the party hat the better.

5. Diet Restrictions or Changes: Often, if an animal comes in for vomiting and diarrhea the veterinarian will recommend restricting access to food or water for a short period. This can help the pet feel better and can also be an indication of underlying causes should the conditions continue. Other types of diet changes may include feeding a bland diet of rice or boiled chicken or perhaps adding some sort of fiber to the diet. These instructions are important and should be followed as close as possible.

6. Re-check: If you take your pet to an animal ER it is always good to call your family veterinarian to let them know about the visit and make sure they got a copy of the medical record. You might also need to follow-up with bandage changes, staple or suture removals, or additional diagnostics. Your family veterinarian can help with the follow-up care. Re-checks and bandage changes are important to ensure a safe and full recovery or to find out sooner than later that maybe additional or different medications are needed or that the wound needs additional care. Be sure to get back to a veterinarian if a re-check is recommended.

Albuterol Toxicity : Why Inhalers Help You, but Harm Lucky

2011-02-28T00:18:00.000-07:00

Written by: Sara Shypkoski

For many of the 22 million people in the United States with asthma a simple device known as an inhaler can offer almost immediate relief during an attack.

Inhalers are composed of a small pressurized canister that contains a solution of asthma medicine fitted into a plastic actuator that releases a fixed dose of the solution in an aerosol or inhalant form. An Inhaler can either be used in emergencies to manage acute symptoms or on a daily basis to control chronic symptoms. The majority of rescue inhalers contain albuterol, a drug used to stimulate the bronchial muscles in the lungs to relax and allow the air passages to open. When used properly, an   inhaler is the safest, quickest, and most effective way to manage an asthma attack.

Unfortunately, to dogs the colorful plastic, small size and odd smell is something they won’t just pass by if they find it lying around. When his sharp teeth puncture the pressurized canister, the entire contents are released instantly. In a 60-lb dog, a full inhaler contains approximately 10 times the therapeutic dose of albuterol. In an overdose, these drugs affect both the bronchial muscles as well as the cardiac muscles. The results are immediate, severe, and include the following:

•    Increased heart rate (up to 200 beats a minute!)
•    Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
•    Increased respiratory rate or panting
•    Abnormal behavior (Tremors, shaking, restlessness, hiding, agitation, lethargy, weakness)
•    Low or high blood pressure
•    Electrolyte abnormalities, most commonly low potassium
•    Nausea and/or vomiting

If you see your pet bite into or ingest an inhaler, or if your pet is experiencing symptoms of albuterol toxicity, take him to your nearest emergency clinic for immediate care. Bring the inhaler, and if available, the original packaging as well as any medications that your pet is currently taking. Do NOT induce vomiting at home or give your pet any over-the-counter medication.

Lucky will typically need to be hospitalized on IV fluids for 12 to 48 hours while his body metabolizes or gets rid of the albuterol.   An electrocardiogram or ECG machine will provide continuous visualization of his heart rate and rhythm, and his blood pressure will be regularly monitored. Blood tests will be used to check his electrolytes and regular doses of a beta antagonist (aka beta blocker) may be used to counteract the effects of the albuterol, an agonist. Other drugs may be given for muscle tremors, seizures, arrhythmias, vomiting, or diarrhea.

If treated promptly albuterol toxicity is rarely fatal, though pre-existing heart conditions or pets on other medications are at greater risk for complications. The best thing you can do for your pet is to keep those inhalers out of their reach. Avoid disposing of used canisters in trash cans that are accessible to pets as even used inhalers can be dangerous. Central Veterinary Emergency Services is available night, weekends, and holidays so that, if Lucky does take a bite out of your inhaler, you can breathe easier knowing that he’s in the best of hands and hearts.

Hit By A Car

2011-01-25T12:53:00.003-07:00

It's scary when it happens. Your pet darts into the road at the wrong time and gets tangled with an oncoming car. But what do you do next? How should the pet be handled? Should you take him directly to the vet? What if he has an open wound? Or, what if he doesn't look hurt at all?

These are all great questions, but the main one I want to answer is the last one, what if he doesn't look hurt? Maybe your pet came out of the incident with a small cut or a slight limp and you are debating whether a trip to the veterinarian's office is required. On the one hand "Lucky" has lived up to his name and it's great that the external injuries are minimal. However, the potential internal injuries that can't be seen are actually still life threatening.

When a client brings an animal to the vet that has been hit by a car obviously the external injuries are easier to see and treat. Any lacerations, penetrating injuries, or fractures need to be assessed and treated appropriately. But the Veterinarian is also observing and evaluating the animal for appropriate gum color, breathing difficulties, bleeding from the mouth, nose, or rectum, blood in the urine, indication of pain when touched, uneven pupil dilation, staggering, or inability to stand. All of these are indications of potential head injury or internal organ damage that, if left untreated, can be critical or even fatal.

The Veterinarian will likely recommend x-rays to view the size and shape of internal organs, silhouette of the lungs, and whether there looks like free fluid in the abdomen. Additional diagnostics may include a blood test that might indicate internal bleeding, and an ultrasound to get a better view at the internal organs if there is suspicion of injury.

Your pet may also need treatment for shock which would include intravenous fluids and hospitalization to stabilize before heading home.

Of course, we hope for the best possible outcome; that the pet truly has sustained no more than a couple scrapes and all is well. We also believe that it is in your pet's best interest to get checked out at the Veterinarian's office should such an unfortunate event occur.

Gorilla Glue: Apparently To Pets It's Rather Tasty

2011-01-09T22:08:00.000-07:00

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Resting comfortably in his cage is a one year old boxer named Wiley who had an up close and personal experience with Gorilla Glue. Fortunately he didn't eat much, but what remained in his stomach had to be surgically removed. He'll be feeling much better in a couple days.

CVES sees about 3 to 4 cases a year of Gorilla glue ingestion and so far most of those cases have had a positive outcome. The problem with gorilla glue is that it can actually adhere to the stomach lining and, depending on the amount of time it remains in the stomach, may require removal of some of the stomach with the gorilla glue to get it out.

This is an example of the type of mass the glue can grow into. This was not the actual glue removed from Wiley. You can see that about three quarters of the bottle was consumed and it grew into a size significantly larger.

On the Gorilla Glue website you'll find this statement: Gorilla Glue is a polyurethane glue. All polyurethane glues foam when they come in contact with moisture and may cause gastro-intestinal blockage if swallowed. This is not unique to Gorilla Glue, but true of all polyurethane glues. If you think there has been a case of ingesting the glue, seek medical or veterinary advice immediately.

The primary signs of a problem after gorilla glue ingestion are vomiting, diarrhea, and poor appetite. If you suspect your pet has ingested gorilla glue get him or her to a veterinary hospital right away. Gorilla Glue has its place, but do your best to make sure that place in not in your pet's stomach.

Hypothermia in Pets

2011-01-03T00:18:00.000-07:00

Winter finally hit in Colorado. With temperatures in the teens and 20s and overnight lows dropping below zero it is important to take some extra precautions to keep you pets warm. Some dogs are more sensitive to the cold than others. Small breeds, short haired dogs, puppies and geriatric dogs, dogs that are normally "indoor" pets, and those with heart or other medical conditions are all more sensitive to colder temperatures. A dog's normal body temperature is between 99.5 and 102.5. When a dog fitting one of the above descriptions is exposed to colder temperatures he or she often has a difficult time keeping his/her core body temperature within the normal range. When the temperature dips below the normal range hypothermia sets in. Hypothermia means that your dog is loosing body heat faster than it can be replaced.

Signs of hypothermia:
- shivering
- lethargy
- stiff muscles
- pale or gray gums
- stumbling or lack of coordination
- fixed and dilated pupils
- low heart and breathing rates
- collapse
- or even coma

With mild hypothermia your dog is likely to be shivering and appear lethargic. As the hypothermia increases in severity the other symptoms become evident. Your dog becomes increasingly unresponsive as his body goes into heat conservation mode. At this time your dog's focus will be on keeping his vital organs working by restricting the blood flow from all other parts of the body. If it's not treated, hypothermia can be fatal.

Prevention is Key
Dogs sensitive to cold should be kept inside with quick potty breaks outside. The small dogs and short haired breeds benefit from a doggy jacket that helps to keep their core warm. Booties may also be a good idea as lots of heat escapes through a dogs foot pads.

Treatment
Mild hypothermia can be reversed by getting back in a warm environment and wrapping your dog with a blanket until the shivering stops. Hypothermia that has dropped the dogs temperature to the 90-94 degree range will require rewarming methods. Water bottles filled with warm water placed around your dog deliver a safe warm heat source. Stay away from heating pads as it is easy to burn your dog's skin. It is recommended that you take your animal to your family veterinarian or veterinary emergency service for observation and/or treatment if you need to treat for hypothermia. Severe hypothermia requires immediate veterinary intervention. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to reverse the damage at this level of hypothermia, but we can hope for the best.

Cuddle up with your four-legged friends and stay warm!

Skiing and Your Dog

2010-12-19T22:46:00.000-07:00

Winter in Colorado is a funny thing. Storms can dump feet of snow in the mountains and not a flake will reach the valley and plains. Such is the case this winter. The great part is that the feet of snow in the mountains makes for great skiing, on the slopes or back-country, whichever you choose. But if you choose to bring your dog into the woods with you, consider his safety.

A very energentic 11 month old Visla was having fun in the woods with his owners, who were on snowshoes, when a back country skier collided with their dog. Unfortunately, the dog sustained a severe laceration to his right front leg that needed immediate medical care. The edge of the ski sliced through the muscle and a nerve, cutting down to the bone. The owners were able to get him to Central Veterinary Emergency Services where the ER Veterinarian sutured the wound. This sweet dog lost a lot of blood, but he recovered well and was sent home that evening. It will be 2 - 3 months before the Veterinarian and his owners will be able to determine the full extent of his injuries and whether he suffered any long term effects from the accident.

Fortunately there is a positive ending to this story, but had his owners been in the back country when this happened he might not have faired so well.

Outside magazine has a great article that describes the steps to train your four footed friend to behave safely around you as you're skiing, but it really depends on the dog. Cross-country skiing is less dangerous, but, as some commentors pointed out at the end of the article, is still best done with a well trained dog.

The moral of the story... enjoy the great outdoors, but consider how well your dog can obey commands before bringing him along.

Toxic Compost Pile

2010-12-06T01:56:00.000-07:00

Composting has become a rather common practice as more people look for ways to "go green" or to simply decrease their food bill. The booth at the farmers market was busy all summer long describing the various systems of composting and how to get started. If you are considering starting your own compost pile and have a dog, consider the method that is best for keeping your four legged scavenger out of the pile.

Unfortunately, a largely unknown danger may be lurking in your compost pile. A substance identified as a tremorgenic mycotoxin could be growing in your pile and if ingested by your dog, could cause a serious or even deadly reaction. Tremorgenic = shaking, tremors, seizures and mycotoxin = poisonous fungus. Penitrem A is a type of tremorgenic mycotoxin associated with the Penecillium fungi that can be found in compost piles and spoiled food.

If you see your animal get into the spoiled garbage or catch him eating from the compost pile it is best to get him to a Veterinarian who can induce vomiting, especially if symptoms of poisoning are present. Symptoms of toxicity include increased heart rate, panting, tremors, very excited or anxious, vomiting, hyperthermia or fever, and if enough has been ingested, or if left untreated, can develop into seizures or even death.

Treatment will include making the dog vomit followed by a dose of activated charcoal (also known as Toxiban) that helps to absorb any remaining mycotoxin left in the stomach. Then medication will be administered to stop the tremors which will help decrease the body temperature. Additionally IV fluids and other supportive measures will help flush the poison from the body and make the dog more comfortable.

Tremorgenic Mycotoxin is not a common household name, but if your dog is caught munching in the compost pile it's one that you know warrants immediate action with a trip to the Veterinarian. Tell "Lucky" to leave the compost for the garden - he has plenty of delicious food in his dog dish!

My Pet Is Having A Seizure - What Do I Do?

2010-11-29T00:30:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy holiday weekend for Central Veterinary Emergency Services. When I asked one of the Technicians the most common condition among the cases her response was that we had seen all kinds of conditions without any common theme. Then just an hour later we had three dogs come in for seizures all in a row.

This sweet Rottweiler may look like she's ready or Christmas, but the bells are actually to alert us if she starts having more seizures.

Seizures are an indication of something else going on in the body. The cause can originate from a toxic exposure, epilepsy, too much calcium after having puppies, a tumor, a head injury, or multiple other disease conditions. Your veterinarian can take a full history and do some diagnostic testing to rule out possible causes and narrow down the reason for the seizures.

Watching your cat or dog have a seizure can be frightening. His body may tense up. He may have a far away look on his face along with body twitching or feet paddling. His whole body may shake and convulse. He may start drooling and seem unaware of your presence. He may even stop breathing or urinate or defecate on himself.

The best thing you can do for your pet during a seizure is to keep both of you safe. Protect him from rolling off a bed or couch, or falling down stairs. Keep your hands and face away from his mouth so he doesn't unknowingly bite you. Place pillows or blankets under his head and between his body and sharp corners or furniture. Remove other pets from the area. Dim the lights and turn off load noises like TVs or radios to provide a quiet environment. Time and record the length and intensity of each seizure. Call your veterinarian right away to determine if an immediate visit is advisable. Be sure to inform your veterinarian of any possible exposure to a poisonous substance.

Give your pet some time to recover. He may be groggy or "out of it" for a while. Once he has returned to normal (within about 10 to 20 minutes) he can resume regular activities. Allow him to go outside for a potty break if he is stable on his feet and seems aware of his surroundings. It may be advisable to keep him in close proximity for a while to see if another seizure develops.

A seizure can be an isolated incident or they can become recurrent. Medications can be prescribed by your veterinarian to control seizure activity. As always you know your pet the best ,so be an advocate for him to be sure he gets care if you are concerned or feel like something isn't right.

Thanksgiving Safety for Your Pets

2010-11-22T01:35:00.000-07:00

Just a couple days left to finish your meal planning and decorating for the start of the holidays. What is your favorite part of the Thanksgiving dinner? The turkey, or maybe ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, or let's not forget the stuffing and pumpkin pie. Are you drooling yet? Guess who else is drooling? Or maybe a four legged feline is walking between your legs, purring loudly, letting you know he wants some too.

Pets add a special part to any holiday celebration, whether you are entertaining one or 20. You may be tempted to include your pet in the festivities by handing him some table scraps or letting him lick your plate clean. For the sake of your pet, and your stress level, you may want to rethink that "treat".

Pancreatitis
Dogs that are fed very fatty food can develop a sudden onset of pancreatitis. Symptoms of acute pancreatitis may range from mild to very severe. The symptoms are similar to those of other diseases and may include a very painful abdomen, lack of appetite, depression, dehydration, a 'hunched up' posture, vomiting, and perhaps diarrhea. Fever often accompanies these symptoms. Cats can get pancreatitis also, but they don't usually have the acute symptoms and it is usually associate with other causes.

Turkey Bones
The other common food indiscretion at Thanksgiving are the turkey bones. Even if you try your best to keep your pets out of the turkey carcass they have a way of being sneaky just when you turn your back. Cooked turkey bones can be brittle and will shatter easily when chewed. The sharp slivers of bone are dangerous if swallowed. They can get caught in the throat causing him to choke, or pierce the stomach or intestine requiring surgery. Sometimes the bones will pass uneventfully. To increase the likelihood you may feed your dog some pieces of bread. The thought is that the bones will get encased in the bread and decrease the danger of passing through the intestinal tract.

For either of these instances, if your pet is vomiting, has diarrhea, seems very week or lethargic, has pale gums, or seems painful it is best to bring him to see a Veterinarian right away.

Hopefully these tips will decrease your chances of needing a Veterinary Emergency Room on Thanksgiving, but if you do, we'll be open all day and would be happy to see your pet. If you are in the Denver area just call 303-874-7387.

From our Veterinary ER to you, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Coughing Kitty

2010-11-15T00:50:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed a persistent cough from your favorite feline? There are a few possible reasons for a cough. They range from a respiratory infection or asthma to parasites or even a heart condition.

If you've recently adopted your kitty from a shelter it's possible that he/she picked up an URI or Upper Respiratory Infection. URIs can be be either bacterial or viral. Either way you should separate her from other cats in the house and have her seen by a Veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment.

There are simple things you can do in your home to help decrease respiratory problems. Keep the air clean and smoke fee, use a litter with little to no dust, be careful about cleaning products - if you have a hard time breathing when you use them your cat probably does to. It is also important to decrease stress for your kitty. Give her a safe place to get away from young children, other pets, or loud noises.

See my early post titled "Cat Air" for more information on a heart condition known as cardiomyopathy that can be indicated by a persistent cough.

If the cough is combined with decreased activity, decreased appetite and less drinking it is important to get her in to see a Veterinarian right away. These signs could indicate pneumonia or other infection that could be life threatening. Cats tend to hide illness much longer than dogs and often by the time the signs are evident they are already very sick.

The AAHA PetsMatter November/December edition has a great article on coughs in cats as well. Be sure to jump over to their website for additional information.

Herbal Remedies for Animals

2010-10-31T23:43:00.001-07:00

CAVM aka Complementary and/or Alternative Veterinary Medicine is a growing segment of the veterinary market. CAVM can include chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathic, naturopathic practices along with use of herbal remedies, Bach flower essences, massage, traditional Chinese medicine, nutraceuticals, and many other modalities. This blog post is not intended to make a recommendation for or against CAVM treatment options. Rather, as I have done in many other posts, in order to keep you informed and your animal safe I will point out some products or practices that without proper application could be potentially harmful to your pet.

I will mention that there are strong opinions on both sides concerning the use of CAVM modalities in Veterinary Medicine. As with any type of medicine, it is important to research the education and practice background of the person providing treatment. Treatment of your dog or cat by someone unfamiliar with small animal anatomy, physiology, and body systems may prescribe a treatment that while non-toxic for humans, could be potentially life threatening to your pet.

For instance, there are herbal remedies that affect animals differently than people.

Garlic: Garlic is used in herbal remedies in whole plant form or infused oil for its antiviral, bactericidal and fungicidal properties. Like onions, garlic ingestion can cause anemia in pets. Anemia is a decrease in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin in blood. Since hemoglobin caries oxygen from the lungs to tissue, severe anemia can have negative effects on multiple organs and systems in the body. Symptoms of anemia often show up three to five days after an animal has ingested the vegetable oil. Exposure to garlic oil on the skin can cause a dog or cat to have allergic reactions of the skin or asthmatic attacks as well.

Chamomile: This herb is often used in tinctures or teas as a digestive aid, stress reducer, poultice for cuts or burns or for the treatment of abscesses. It can also be found in oil form. For animals chamomile causes vomiting and lack of muscle coordination.

Oil of Wintergreen: Are you familiar with Bengay ointment? Bengay and other natural pain relieving ointments use Oil of Wintergreen as a main ingredient. It comes in ointment or oil form and is applied to the skin to relieve muscle pain. The scientific name for this type of medicine is a Salicylate. Salicylates are toxic to cats and dogs. Signs of salicylate toxicity include nausea, vomiting, restlessness that progresses to seizures and coma.

Tea Tree Oil: Ridding your animals and house of fleas can be a tough job. One of the suggested methods is the use of Tea Tree oil as a topical application for your pet as well as a spray for bedding. Tea tree oil can be toxic to pets if applied in large quantities or groomed off the skin by the pet. According to the ASPCA "clinical effects that may occur following dermal (skin) exposure to significant amounts of tea tree oil include loss of coordination, muscle weakness, depression, and possibly even a severe drop in body temperature, collapse and liver damage."

Moral of the story...what's good for the goose may not be good for the gander. In other words, talk to your veterinarian about herbal remedies before using them for your pet. Your pets may be thought of as human, but their body systems are very different and some medicines don't cross over well.

Much of this data can be found in Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy volume XII

Counterfeit Pet Drugs - FDA Warning

2010-10-24T22:17:00.000-07:00

US - COUNTERFEIT PET DRUGS The FDA has issued a consumer alert to pet owners, warning them about the dangers of buying discounted pet drugs online. The FDA warns that its own investigations have found online companies that sell unapproved drugs or other counterfeit products and some will sell them without a veterinarian prescription. The FDA advises pet owners who want to buy online drugs to place orders at sites that are a Vet-VIPPS (Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites) accredited pharmacy. (Veterinary Advantage)

I know it is sometimes tempting to try to find a "deal" on medication for your animal, but the FDA has issued a very valid warning with good reasoning behind their concerns. Website pharmacies who dispense drugs without a veterinary exam or try to evaluate your pet through a questionnaire on their website are potentially putting your animal in danger. It is very difficult to assess and diagnose an animal without an actual hands on examination. Often, results of blood tests must be reviewed before dispensing certain medications to ensure that your pet will not be harmed by taking the drug.

There are two types of medications sold online through disreputable websites that are especially concerning.

NSAIDS - Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Heart Worm Medication

I've written about NSAIDS before under the title Is She In Pain? as well as the post titled Top 10 Human Medications that Poison Pets. In addition to that information there is really only one NSAID that can be given to cats and it is only approved for one injection after surgery. Otherwise, any NSAID given to a cat can cause life threatening kidney damage.

Secondly, heart worm medication can be harmful or even fatal to your dog if already infected with heartworm. Before starting a preventive program, all dogs should be tested for heartworms.

Adult heartworms produce millions of microscopic "baby" heartworms (called microfilaria) into the bloodstream. When you give a monthly heartworm preventive to a dog with circulating microfilaria, this can cause the sudden death of microfilaria, triggering a shock-type reaction. Even if your dog does not have this type of reaction, heartworm preventives do not kill the adult heartworms (although they may shorten the worms' life expectancy). This means an infected dog will remain infected with adult heartworms.

Unfortunately, as long as a pet remains infected, heartworm disease will progress and damage the heart and lungs, which can lead to life threatening problems. Giving heartworm preventives to heartworm-positive dogs can mislead an owner into thinking everything is all right, while within a pet, heartworm disease is worsening.

The moral of the story...look for the Vet-VIPPS certification before buying online.

Halloween From Your Pet's Perspective

2010-10-17T21:08:00.004-07:00

Halloween is a fun time of year, especially for kids and many pet owners who consider their pets to be their kids. While it's great to go all out for the holiday and have fun with dressing up and decorating, there are some aspects about the event that need a little oversight.

Dr. Pointer with the ASPCA gives some great tips to keep your pets safe this Halloween. Dr. Pointer covers things like pet costumes, candy, and proper identification. You may have heard these before, but perhaps you have recently adopted, or purchased, a new pet and this is your first Halloween. Watch the video for ways to keep your "Lucky" safe.

Remember, how you view Halloween and how your pet perceives the holiday are very different. The costumes, constant doorbell ringing, candy smells and burning candles can be very unsettling to even the most friendly dog or cat. Keep that in mind as you look for your favorite costume for this Halloween.

Trick-or treat!

Pennies Cause Zinc Poisoning in Dogs

2010-10-03T22:56:00.001-07:00

I saw a headline recently that caught my attention from the sheer craziness of the animal involved in the story. The headline was Puppy Survives Swallowing 113 Pennies. Why would any animal swallow that many pennies? Then I got to wondering, how many dog owners know that swallowing even one penny can be cause for concern for their four-legged friend?

Penny starting to corrode in stomach

It's true that this story is not the norm, most dogs will only swallow one or two pennies, not 113!! In our ER we see a case about every 4 months where a dog has found a penny and decided to find out how it tasted. The problem is the contents of the penny.

All pennies minted after 1983 have a zinc core covered by copper. Pennies are just heavy enough that they tend to stay in the stomach even when the animal has been given medication to make him or her vomit. The acidic environment, depending on the amount of food in the stomach, can cause the penny to break down rapidly. Once the penny starts to corrode the zinc is released into the bloodstream and causes anemia and liver damage. It could take a few hours to a couple days before signs of toxicity start to show up.

Corroded penny removed from Dachshund

Signs of zinc toxicity and anemia can include extreme tiredness, vomiting, bloody urine, decreased appetite, and seeming depressed. These signs signify the need to get your dog to the vet very quickly.

Radiographs and blood tests will be used to determine the cause of the symptoms. Once penny ingestion and zinc toxicity is determined the immediate treatment goals will include decreasing zinc absorption, correcting anemia, minimizing liver damage, and removing the penny. Most likely the penny will be surgically removed although endoscopy may by possible if the penny is still sitting in the stomach. The time it could take to allow the penny to pass, if it even will, could cause irreparable damage to the liver or even death.

Once the penny is removed the patient may need a blood transfusion to correct the anemia and will be given IV fluids to flush the liver to help the body get rid of the zinc. Additionally, the dog may receive Pepcid for stomach upset and/or an anti-nausea medication to prevent vomiting. Supportive care may be needed for additional days or weeks depending on the amount of toxicity and how the animal responds to treatment.

Other common objects or products that contain zinc include zinc supplements, diaper rash ointment, sunscreen containing zinc oxide, automobile fuses, wire, and some nails. But the one most often overlooked is still the penny.

The moral of the story...you can't count your pennies with your hound dog by your side!

Methane Digester at the Dog Park

2010-09-19T21:19:00.000-07:00

An artist in Massachusetts has created a proper pooper scooper depository. Simply scoop up the poop, place it in the chute and give it a little stir to power the light in the park. What a great idea! What else could be powered by dog poop? We have so many dog parks here in Colorado. I wonder which one will be the first to sponsor a Methane Digester to light their park.

September is National Pet Health Insurance Month

2010-08-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) is sponsoring National Pet Health Insurance Month. I've written about pet insurance before and believe that is does play a significant place in the lives of many pets and their families. I continue to hear of stories where pet insurance allowed the pet owners to make a decision they would not have otherwise been able to afford.

Part of the month long awareness program includes an opportunity for you to submit a story about the impact pet insurance had in your family for the medical needs of your pet(s). To enter the contest see the NAPHIA website for the guidelines. Please note the deadline for submissions is September 15, 2010 at 11:59 pm EST. You could win $1,000 or an iPad.

Or, you could nominate your vet for an educational grant and award of excellence plaque. Write about a one time encounter, or a life long relationship, with the veterinarian who has shown compassion and medical excellence for your best friend. See the NAPHIA website for the recommendation requirements.

If you don't currently have pet insurance consider PurinaCare. Their plans make sense and I believe you get what you pay for with their policies.

Disclaimer: PurinaCare has not asked for my recommendation nor have they offered me any financial compensation for doing so. My selection comes from extensive research of the products currently on the market.

Kitty Virtuoso

2010-08-22T23:18:00.000-07:00

I thought something a little light hearted to bring a smile to your face might be in order. Enjoy this kitty virtuoso on the piano.

National Take Your Cat to the Vet Week

2010-08-15T23:59:00.000-07:00

August 16-22 has been designated the 2nd Annual National Take your Cat to the Vet Week. Feline Pine, maker of natural cat litter, is sponsoring the event. Their slogan is so fitting "Every dog has his day. We're making sure cats have their day too!" I've noticed as I've been writing this blog for over a year and a half that the majority of my topics relate more to dogs than cats. I'm not trying to be bias, it just seems like the canines get into more stuff than the felines.

The main reason I've heard for not bringing kitties to the vet is the fear of the car ride. I get that, my own kitties were never fond of being placed in the carrier and our vet lived right across the street.

Some tips for getting your kitty in the carrier:

Wrap kitty in a towel first and then place in the carrier.
Tip the carrier up on it's end with the door in the air then gently put the kitty in head first. This will give you time to close the door before kitty has time to escape.
Try a soft sided carrier.
Place a favorite toy, towel, catnip mouse, etc. into the cage first.
Set the carrier out in the room a few days ahead of the appointment to let your kitty get used to the feel, look, and smell. It won't seem so foreign and kitty might just take a nap inside if it has her favorite towel or blanket to lay on.
Never transport kitty in a towel or loose in the car. They are great escape artists and can hurt you or themselves trying to get away. It is also dangerous for the other animal owners in the waiting room as some dogs are not so friendly with cats and vice versa.

Why take kitty to the vet?
As kitties age they are more prone to some serious diseases and unfortunately cats tend to hide illness better than dogs and you might not even be aware of the change before kitty is already pretty sick. Conditions like chronic renal failure, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes are three illnesses that tend to land older kitties in our ER when they have otherwise seemed to be healthy cats.

An annual check-up with your regular veterinarian can screen for these conditions through a physical exam and simple blood tests. To learn more about common feline medical conditions visit the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

Cats up to 10 should have an annual exam and cats over ten should be seen every six months. Feline Pine conducted a survey and discovered that fewer than 50% of cat owners took their cat to the vet unless their kitty was obviously sick.

Do you need to find a veterinarian? Try visiting AAHA's Healthy Pet website to search for an AAHA accredited hospital near you.

Happy Cat Week!

Rimadyl Overdose or Toxicity

2010-08-08T22:22:00.000-07:00

Rimadyl is a commonly prescribed medication for dogs to help alleviate pain and inflammation related to osteoarthritis. Rimadyl is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) similar to aspirin and can be prescribed for short-term or long-term use.

Overdose - how does it happen?
Rimadyl tastes terrific to dogs. The chewable tablets are liver flavored and dogs have no qualms about taking them. Pet owners often refer to the medication as a treat. Just reach for the bottle and your canine friend will start salivating and prance around like a puppy. If left within reach of your dog he/she will find very creative ways of getting that bottle open and ingesting the remaining contents. But therein lies the problem. Rimadyl is not a treat. In fact, when a dog ingests too much Rimadyl the results can be life threatening.

Toxicity
Rimadyl toxicity can also happen even if the prescribed dosage is given. Sometimes after being on the drug an animal will develop a sensitivity and will exhibit the same symptoms as an overdose. It is important to bring your pet to the veterinarian immediately if you suspect or witness your dog ingesting more than the prescribed daily dosage of Rimadyl, or if you recognize signs of a developed toxicity to the medication.

Signs of Overdose/Toxicity

Gastrointestinal symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, melena (black, tarry stools), and abdominal pain.
Damage to the kidneys may cause signs of acute kidney failure such as increased thirst, increased urination, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy and dilute urine (lighter in color).
Symptoms associated with damage to the liver include jaundiced skin, gums, inside of ears, and sclera (whites of the eyes) as well as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and lethargy.

MobileVet.net also has a very comprehensive feature about Rimadyl on their website. PetPlace has a great article on all the specifics of drug reactions and signs of Rimadyl overdose.

Treatment
Depending on the timing, your pet may be given medication to cause it to vomit followed by activated charcoal to absorb any remaining medication in the stomach. The main concern with Rimadyl is damage to the kidneys or liver. Your pet will be placed on IV fluids to flush the liver and kidneys and eliminate the drug from the animal's body. Multiple blood tests are performed over the length of hospitalization to evaluate the red and white blood cell counts, BUN, and creatinine levels. Each of these values indicates whether the treatment is decreasing the toxicity and if the liver and kidneys are working correctly.

The moral of the story...make sure Rimadyl is in a secure "dog proof" location.

Urethral Obstruction in a Cat (AKA Blocked Tom)

2010-08-01T22:53:00.000-07:00

Male cats have a tendency to develop stones or debris in their urine that can become an obstruction in the urethra, the tube that connects the bladder to the penis. A urethral obstruction prevents urine from exiting the body and can become a painful and dangerous condition in just one or two days. A complete blockage (no urine can getting through) can cause irreversible damage to the kidneys and can even cause death.

Signs of a urethral obstruction include:

using the litter box often
straining to urinate with no or little resulting urine
unusual accidents in the house
constantly licking his bottom
vocalizing more than usual, especially when using the litter box
depression
weakness
lack of appetite
dehydration (lift up the neck skin, it if doesn't return to normal quickly your kitty is dehydrated)
collapse

Some cat owners think these behaviors indicate constipation. While that is a possibility, it is safer to assume an obstruction since the condition can become life threatening quickly.

Your veterinarian will attempt to remove the obstruction. Often unblocking the animal is successful and the cat can return to normal function after hospitalization and IV fluids. However, sometimes blockage is a reoccurring problem, or the obstruction is too large to remove, and your kitty will need surgery. The surgeon will perform a perineal urethrostomy. The surgery involves removing part of the penis to enlarge the exit for urine out of the body.

"Lucky" will be hospitalized for several days, and often a catheter will be left in place overnight or longer. Afterward, "Lucky" may be treated with antibiotics, urinary antiseptics, and urinary acidifiers. Post-operative care at home will require you to carefully observe "Lucky" and his litter box habits.

Diet is a key component in decreasing the likelihood of an obstruction if crystals or stones were the cause. Free access to water is a must. In addition, wet food, that is low in magnesium, seems to decrease the formation of crystals and provide increased hydration to flush the kidneys and remove debris. Because many cat owners feed this type of diet, urethral obstructions is less common than it used to be.

The moral of the story...diet and exercise are the age old answer.

Pet Adoption? Yup, there's an app for that.

2010-07-25T22:49:00.000-07:00

I know the title of this blog says it's to help keep you pet healthy at home, but I thought this was such a great use of technology I just had to share. There are so many sweet, cute, funny, adoptable pets at local shelters in cities across America that need a home and this Iphone App is helping the cause.

They're still fine tuning some of the details, but if you love to look at pictures of dogs and cats and were thinking about adopting, this is a great little tool.

Download the App from the iTunes store:

Hot, Hot, Hot!

2010-07-18T17:11:00.001-07:00

Sultry summertime is in full swing. The forecast is for consistent 90 degree days for the next week here in Denver. As you apply your sunscreen and head out for some fun take a few minutes to assess how you'll care for your sweet dog that's going along on the adventure.

A dog's temperature can be considered normal in the range of 100 to 102.5 degrees. Temperatures above that range are leading into dangerous territory. Dogs don't sweat so helping your pet stay cool is important.

Suggestions for keeping your canine cool:

1. Shade – a 90 degree day can feel very different if you're spending it in the shade instead of the sun. Make sure the shade doesn't change to sunny as the sun moves toward the west.
2. Ice cubes in the water dish – Everyone likes an ice cold drink of water. Your dogs do as well, plus it will be very fun to watch him try to get the cubes in his mouth. Or, if you’re planning a hike, freeze an extra water bottle for "Lucky".
3. Kiddie pool – fill a hard sided kiddie pool with water and let your big dogs frolic. Of course the little ones may have a hard time getting in and out so you'll need a size appropriate pool. Change the water once a day to keep it clean.
4. Get out the hose – some dogs go nuts when you turn on the hose, snapping and barking at the stream of water, it's pretty fun to watch. Just be sure to get out of the way of the spray when it's time to shake.
5. AM or PM – plan your active play or walks for the cooler parts of the day. Early morning and evening are much better times for engaging "Lucky" in a game of Frisbee or taking him on a long walk. Plus it's easier on his paws – the pavement and gravel gets very hot. And avoid places like the dog park between noon and 4 pm when the temperatures are high.

Know the Signs of Overheating:

    Symptoms your pet is overheated include:

        * Excessive panting
        * Difficulty breathing
        * Elevated body temperature (over 104 degrees)
        * Increased heart rate and respiration
        * Drooling
        * Weakness or collapse
        * Seizures
        * Diarrhea and vomiting

If you have an older pet, one that is overweight or obese, an animal with a heart or lung condition, or a dog or cat with a flat face, the very best thing you can do during hot summer days is keep your pet inside in the air conditioning, with plenty of cool, fresh water to drink

The moral of the story...if you're feeling hot, hot, hot, so is your dog, so get him cooled down.

Mmmm...Grass!!

2010-07-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever watched your dog or cat nibbling on grass and wondered what it meant? You are certainly not alone in your curiosity. There have been many theories and olde wives tales about the reasons for the behavior. There are two theories that are the most common, the first is that the animal is sick and eats the grass to make himself vomit. The second is that the animal must have something missing from his diet and needs the grass as a supplement to his food. But according to research conducted by Benjamin Hart, DVM, PhD, both theories are false.

The University of California-Davis vet students took part in the study and found that their pets, like the other 1500 dogs, were predominately eating grass simply for pleasure. Only 9% of the pet owners reported that their dog appeared to be feeling ill before eating grass. And less than one in four vomited afterward. The results of the study also showed that lack of fiber or poor diet had no impact on the dogs' desire to eat more grass.

So then, why do dogs eat grass? Dr. Hart concluded that ancestry was the clue. Wild dogs, wolves, foxes all eat grass either by purposely grazing or inadvertently ingesting the grass in the stomach or intestine of their prey. And, similar to wild canine, young animals seemed to eat grass more often than older animals.

So rest assured that your grass eating pet is fairly normal and the behavior should not cause undue alarm. However, there are a couple precautions. We actually had a dog come in for a food bloat because of eating too much grass. They can still get too much of a good thing. Be alert to whether the grass being ingested may have been treated with insecticides or chemicals that could be toxic. Also, be aware of the poisonous plants in your house or yard. Be sure to get your pet to a veterinary hospital right away if you witness a potential toxic ingestion. Otherwise, bon apetite!

Big Dog vs. Little Dog

2010-07-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

There seems to be an epidemic of large egos in the dog world lately. We've seen a lot of big dog vs. little dog staking territory conflicts. Most of the time the big dog wins, but occasionally a particularly feisty little dog inflicts great damage to a larger canine.

Several types of wounds can be inflicted in a dog fight which is why a trip to your family veterinarian is prudent to check for injuries.

Bite wounds, lacerations, and skin tears to or on the surface are easier to see and most likely easier to repair. The other injuries are those that are not as readily apparent like head trauma, fractured ribs, internal hemorrhage, internal organ damage, or wounds that extend into the chest or abdominal cavity. Unfortunately, we have seen all of these types of injuries, but fortunately, not all on the same dog.

All of these injuries can be life threatening and require veterinary care. So even if there doesn't seem to be a serious wound on the outside that requires immediate attention you should watch your animal for the following signs.

Differences in pupil size
Rigid limbs
Uncoordinated movement
Unusual eye movement
Bleeding from the nostrils
Bleeding from the ear canal
Seizures
Head tilt
Difficulty breathing
Pale gums
Hard belly
Collapse
Vomiting

Blood tests, x-rays, ultrasound, neurological exams, abdominocentesis (a needle in inserted into the abdomen to see if fluid can be withdrawn) and many other diagnostic tests may be needed to determine the type and severity of injury your animal may have received. From these diagnostic tests a treatment plan is established to support your animal and provide the care necessary for healing. Pain medication and IV fluids will be administered as necessary to keep your animal comfortable and help aid the healing process.

If you are witness to the dog fight do not place yourself between the fighting animals. Avoid getting bit by learning how to break up a dog fight. Here are a couple websites with some good ideas.
http://tinyurl.com/m2d4mz;
http://leerburg.com/pdf/howtobreakupdogfight.pdf (kind of lengthy);
http://www.howtoguides365.com/how-to/dog-fight/

The moral of the story...the bite is always way worse than the bark.

Abscess - No fun for Dogs or Cats

2010-06-20T21:27:00.002-07:00

Have you experienced an abscess on your cat or dog? If you have, then you know that they can kind of sneak up on you. One day "Lucky" is playing and energetic and the next he's lethargic, lame, and seems almost depressed. When you start running your hand over his body you might find a area that is raised and warm; and when touched your pet will pull away or look at you funny like he's saying "hey, that hurts!"

One of the possible reasons for the swelling is an abscess - a pocket of pus that has built up in defense of bacteria from a puncture wound, foreign material, insect bite, or parasite under the skin. As a defense mechanism your animal's body produces lots of white blood cells to fight the bacteria. As the white blood cells die off the pus forms. Eventually the skin becomes thin and ruptures allowing the pus to disperse and healing to start in the area. But that doesn't always happen. The abscess can get large and very painful and will need treatment from a veterinarian.

Cats are especially prone to abscesses. During a cat fight if a deep scratch or bite wound is inflicted on your cat the outside of the wound will tend to form a scab quickly. Unfortunately, the scab seals in the bacteria and sets up the perfect conditions for an abscess.

Abscesses need to be drained in order to heal. A trip to the veterinarian is the safest for a couple reasons. First, the abscess can be evaluated to determine the extent of the infection and whether surgery is necessary to remove dead tissue and place multiple drains to allow the wound to heal. Secondly, antibiotics will most likely be necessary to get rid of the bacterial infection. Once the abscess is drained your pet will start feeling better very quickly since the pressure has been relieved and the infection cleaned out. To keep "Lucky" from scratching or licking the area an Elizabethan collar may be required, depending on the location of the wound.

If your cat has been in a fight, examine him thoroughly from head to toe to locate any puncture wounds or deep scratches as these usually require antibiotics from your veterinarian to alleviate possible infection. At home you will be instructed to clean the wounds and watch for any signs of infection. Place warm compresses on these areas 10-15 minutes 3-4 times per day to decrease the chances of an abscess forming. The compresses increase blood flow to the area which increases the immune response. If an abscess is immediately adjacent to the eye, the anus, or the genitals, or inside the ear don't try to treat at home. Get your pet to the veterinary hospital right away.

The moral of the story...a drained abscess equals relief.

Rattle and Hum

2010-06-08T14:45:00.003-07:00

Summer in the west brings wonderful long days of sun and fun. But with that sun, comes some unfriendly fellows - namely the rattlesnake.

Colorado's species include:

Prairie Rattlesnake: (Crotalus viridis viridis) western 2/3 of the state.
Midget Faded Rattlesnake: (Crotalus oreganus concolor) Western of the continental divide.
Massasauga: Western Massasauga (Integrade between S.c. edwardsii and S.c.tergemimus)
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake: (Crotalus atrox), isolated population may occur in southeast Colorado, unverified.

Listen the to the sound a Western Rattlesnake rattle.

Most North American snakes are timid and will avoid you and your pets. Bites usually occur because the snake was harassed or surprised. If you see a snake that sees you, remember that a snake can strike only a distance of half its body length. Give the snake time to just go away. Snakes are not looking to interact with people or pets, either defensively or aggressively.

You can minimize your pet's exposure to snakes by staying on cleared, open paths while hiking. Keep your dog on a leash and do not allow your pet to dig under rocks, logs, or explore holes. Many species of snakes, particularly rattlesnakes, are more active at night. You should avoid evening hikes in areas where these animals are prevalent.

If you dog or cat is bitten by a rattlesnake it is best to get your animal to your veterinarian as quickly as possible. Carry your pet to your vehicle and try to keep him/her as quite and calm as possible. Do not ice the area. Do not try to cut or suck the venom out of the bite - neither are beneficial for the animal.

The venom in rattlesnake bites contains a digestive enzyme that starts to break down the tissue surrounding the bite. The amount of swelling, pain and complications depend on the amount of venom released. Expect swelling at the bite site with increased swelling and bruising that will spread over the area. There are very few fatalities from rattlesnake bites.

Outcomes are best for those animals that start treatment right away. Treatment will include IV fluids and medications to control pain and nausea. Antibiotics are also necessary to control any infection from the bite. Some dogs are also treated with antivenin, but a vial of antivenin can range from $400 to $800 and is subject to supply restrictions.

Some veterinary experts recommend training your dog to avoid snakes. This type of training could be very useful, but, like many training regimens, the dog will need refresher courses routinely.

The moral of story...back away from the snake or, if bitten, get "Lucky" to the vet immediately.

Barbecue Blues

2010-05-30T23:06:00.003-07:00

I always feel like Memorial Day is the official start of summer and barbecue season. Although in our house we barbecue all year round. Still, there's nothing like steak and burgers on the grill, the sun sinking low on the horizon, a gentle breeze, some soothing tunes and a refreshing drink or two. Can you smell the aroma?

So can your favorite four legged friend and she's about to grab the steak off the grill!

As with all events that involve every member of the family there are some aspects about the beautiful picture I painted above that could cause the evening to have a very different ending. As you think about that perfect barbecue you might also notice a grease bucket under the grill, perhaps a rack of ribs on a plate covered by aluminum foil, and some corn on the cob. For me, each of those items have names and faces of patients attached to them because of visits to our ER. What? You may think that's crazy, but give me a little latitude and I'll describe for you the reasons.

First, aluminum foil, which was covering those delectably marinated ribs was simple irresistible to "Lucky" and had to be stolen off the counter or out of the trash. The outcome is somewhat dependent on the size of the animal and the amount of aluminum foil actually ingested. Most likely the foil will pass in the next couple days and other than strange looking piles in the backyard, nothing will come of the eating indiscretion. However, you should watch your pet (dog or cat, both have been known to be equally silly) for vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, or nothing coming out at all. These could be signs that the aluminum foil has caused an obstruction somewhere along the digestive path and needs to be surgically removed.

The same is true of corn cobs. We have a sweet dog in the hospital tonight for inhaling a corn cob in the few seconds left unattended. Fortunately the surgeon successfully removed the cob and some other items and he's recovering well.

Remember that rack of ribs? Where did they go? "Lucky" did you get into the ribs? "Lucky"!!! Has this scene ever happened at your barbecue?

Many dog owners don't hesitate to give their dog the discarded bones from the rack of ribs. Unfortunately, cooked, brittle bones are more likely to splinter which may cause fractured teeth and possible perforation of the intestine or throat either on the way down or on the way back up if the dog vomits. Cooked or uncooked, small bones or those broken or gnawed down small enough can be gulped down either choking the dog or blocking its digestive tract. Some bones don't need to splinter to have sharp points. Any bone that the dog can break up is dangerous. If you dog does get hold of a bone and you're worried about fragments feed him some bread. The hope is that the sharp fragments will get embedded in the bread and not cause any danger as it passes through the digestive tract. Again, watch for vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, lack of appetite, a depressed state, or change in behavior. If you see any of these signs quickly get your dog to your veterinarian or head for the animal ER. The fragments could be causing a blockage or might have punctured the intestines.

Last, but certainly not least, the grease trap. Remember that small can or bucket under your grill to catch the grease from getting all over your patio? Fortunately many new grills have a built-in system that catches the grease inside the grill, but there are plenty of the cans still around. Dogs find themselves drooling like crazy and licking their lips when they smell all that grease. Unfortunately, their pancreas is not as excited. Pancreatitis or excessive vomiting leading to dehydration are risks of animals ingesting lots of fat. Pet Education.com has a great article on pancreatitis in dogs.

So....before you put your feet up, make sure the offending items have found a safe home, out of the reach of your curious dog or cat. Then freshen up your favorite beverage and enjoy the sunset.

Help, I have a Hot Spot!

2010-05-24T00:42:00.002-07:00

In Emergency medicine we don't tend to see many acute dermatology cases. Most skin issues can wait until the family veterinarian is available for treatment. One exception is a nasty "hot spot". Hots spots can worsen dramatically in a few short hours and it is in the animals best interest to start treatment as soon as possible to control the infection and manage the pain and irritation.

What are hot spots?
A hot spot is a localized area of skin irritation and infection. Hot spots can appear on any area of an animal's body, but are frequently found around the neck and ears or hind end of an animal. Hot spots are often referred to as pyotraumatic dermatitis which is a self traumatic condition where your dog or cat may be contributing to the actual development. There is often an underlying condition that needs to be treated in addition to the hot spot to decrease the possibility of reoccurrance. Causes range from an allergic reaction to an insect bite to a bacterial skin infection, or an ear infection and even poor grooming habits. Highly matted cats are more likely to get a hot spot that can become seriously infected before being detected.

Treatment usually involves shaving the hair around the area and applying an antiseptic solution. In severe cases removal of the infected skin, also known as debridement, may be necessary to allow the underlying tissue to heal. Depending on the depth of the affected tissue special bandaging may be used to encourage regrowth of healthy tissue. Steroids and/or anti-inflammatory medications can be taken orally or applied topically to provide relief from the pain and swelling. Antibiotics are prescribed for up to three weeks to treat the bacterial infection. Whatever form of treatment prescribed, you will want to accompany it with an Elizabethan collar if the lesions are anywhere near the head or the neck to prevent your cat from future self damage by biting or scratching themselves.

Warm, moist environments tend to increase the likelihood of your pet starting a hot spot. Be sure to keep "Lucky" brushed and mat free and start treatment right away if you see a hot spot forming on your pet.

Be Kind to Animals Week

2010-05-02T20:23:00.001-07:00

The American Humane Society has designated May 2 - 8, 2010 as "Be Kind to Animals Week". Though this sentiment should be followed year round, it's great to take some time to focus on how we can take action. So what can you do?

1. Plan to add a pet to your family? Consider adopting from a shelter.

2. Donate to your favorite local shelter
3. Report animal abuse
4. Live humanely with wildlife.
5. Teach small children how to play with pets.
6. Be a responsible pet owner.
7. Return to this blog often for tips to keep your pets happy and healthy at home.

As you can see, there is a lot we can do to "be kind to animals".

Have a great week!

Spring Gardening

2010-04-25T21:03:00.002-07:00

Do you love to garden? I took advantage today of the few moments of sun to get some seeds in the ground. As I was working I was reminded of a neighbor down the street who's dog loves to lay beside him as he gardens. It always does my heart good when I drive by and see them out there together. As you work on your garden this spring and summer here are a few tips to remember.

There are some garden materials that are not safe for pets. See the ASPCA "Guide to Pet-Safe Gardening"
for a list of items to use cautiously, or not at all, in your garden. Another website has a list of Cat friendly plants that can help to keep your furry feline safe.

Below are some comments from the Pet Poison Helpline about fertilizers.

Fertilizers
For whatever reason, many dogs thoroughly enjoy snarfing up fertilizer products, which may contain peat moss or bone meal, or other tasty ingredients. A dog might eat a teaspoon or pounds of the stuff, depending on his or her palate. Generally speaking, fertilizer products are not highly toxic. The most concerning ingredients contained within would be iron, or any insecticide which may have been added for dual purposes. If your dog has ingested a fertilizer product, I would advise you to call a veterinary professional. We can then determine if the ingestion is potentially harmful, based on the product's ingredients. If a large ingestion takes place, and the product contains iron, the risk for toxicity is great. I have personally spoken to a woman whose Labrador ingested six pounds of fertilizer! We would then want to initiate preventative measures to ensure the safety of the dog. Regardless of iron content or insecticides within, a small lick (a teaspoon or less) is not likely to be significantly harmful even in a tiny dog.

Despite the level of toxicity, another serious concern when cups or pounds of fertilizer have been ingested is the risk for intestinal obstruction. The material can clump together in the stomach or intestinal tract, unable to pass through. If the ingestion has been fairly recent, there are steps to be taken in order to prevent this. If not, you would want to watch him or her very closely over the next few days for recurrent vomiting, persistent diarrhea, loss of appetite, or painful belly. If those signs develop, contact your veterinary hospital immediately. In the worst case scenario, intestinal surgery is necessary to remove the obstruction.

Even if your fertilizer is neatly contained within an unopened container, hide it safely in a cabinet or place it up high, out of the reach of your dog. They'll not think twice about opening up the bag, spreading it around the patio or yard, and potentially enjoying it as a special snack. At worst, you could be dealing with toxicity. At best, you could have a significant mess to clean up!

Last, a poem found in the April/May 2010 issue of The Bark Magazine.

IN THE GARDEN

My dog

has disappeared into the hydrangeas,
her tail, a taut corkscrew,
nearly as imaginative as a hydrangea
and tipped with a white bud.

"Dog," I say, "get out of the garden."
The hydrangeas shake.

Later she trots our to me,
Pokes my novel with her nose.

What is it you wanted? she huffs,
I am busy discovering new lands
and eating bugs.

- Amy C. Elliott

Is She in Pain?

2010-04-04T23:13:00.001-07:00

Sometimes it would be so much easier if our pets could talk back. Wouldn't it though? The hardest question to get a clear answer on is whether "Lucky" is in pain. There are some ways to get an idea, even if I can't get a clear answer when I ask "where does it hurt girl?"

Fortunately our pets are giving us signals through behavioral cues all the time. A little yip might mean it's time for a walk, or an extra rub against the leg from my favorite feline could signal that it's dinnertime. By paying attention to changes in behavior, or when your pet no longer does the normal ones, we can learn a lot about what might be wrong with "Lucky".

The American Animal Hospital Association or AAHA has some great handouts for assessing pain in a dog or cat. Each of these fliers describes possible changes in posture, aggressiveness, activity level, facial expressions and other aspects of behavior that might indicate the presence of pain. Your pet might suddenly exhibit abnormal chewing habits, drastic weight gain or loss, start avoiding affection or handling, choose decreased movement and exercise, or even start having "accidents" in the house. These signs are described in more detail in the article entitled Clues to Detecting Fluffy and Fido's Painful Secrets also available on the AAHA website.

If you decide that the signals are loud and clear and you take your animal to the vet it is equally important that the DVMs and Technicians are assessing the pain level of the animals they are caring for.

In our Critical Care Unit here at VRCC Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital we have fliers that provide pictures of animal postures and descriptions of behavior as reminders of the levels of pain an animal might be experiencing. Each of the animals are assessed on their pain level and are given a score of 0-4. From that assessment the Veterinarian can make modifications in the animal's treatment plan to increase or decrease pain medication to keep the animal comfortable and aid in healing.

It is important to remember two things when it comes to pain in your animal:

First, you know your animal the best. The descriptions provided are guidelines to help you, but if your pet seems different and you're not sure what is going on, a trip to your family veterinarian might be necessary.

Second, do NOT give any over the counter human pain medications to your pet. NSAIDS - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a class of medications that include, but are not limited to, aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and COX -2 inhibitors (Celebrex). All of these drugs can be toxic to dogs and cats and should never be administered at home. Veterinarians can prescribe anti-inflammatory and pain relieving medications that are safe for "Lucky".

The moral of the story....if things change, monitor for pain.

Signs of Illness

2010-03-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever looked at your pet and wondered if her behavior warrants a trip to the vet. Below is a compilation of symptoms that could indicate a problem.

Early Warning Signs of Illness: the Basics
The following signs of illness can indicate potentially serious problems. If you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, you should call your veterinarian for a consultation:

She seems tired or sluggish.
She has trouble urinating or she's urinating more than usual.
She's dragging or scooting her rear on the floor. She may have worms, her anal glands might be blocked, or she might have kidney disease or diabetes.
She's drinking a lot more water than usual.
She refuses to eat for more than two days.
She eats a lot but is losing weight.
She's drooling a lot. She might have tooth or gum problems, or she could have gotten into something poisonous.
Her gums are red or swollen.
Her eyes are cloudy or red, she's squinting, or has a lot of discharge from her eye.
She's gasping or short of breath.
She flinches or whimpers when she's touched.
She has any kind of lump on her body.
She vomits, gags, repeatedly. Vomiting is the most common symptom, and can indicate a variety of problems: food allergies, parasites, intestinal disorders, poisoning, diabetes, kidney disease. Occasional vomiting may just mean the dog ate something that didn't agree with him, but frequent or consistent vomiting should be checked out, especially if the dog also has a fever with diarrhea and is losing weight.

Her coat is rough or dull.
She is unspayed and has a vaginal discharge.
She coughs or vomits up blood.
She has a temperature over 103 degrees.

The following signs of illness can indicate very serious problems. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your dog to the vet immediately:

She's dehydrated. Pinch the skin at the back of her neck. If it doesn't return back in place quickly, she might be dehydrated. Another sign of dehydration is dry or tacky gums.
Her gums are pale, white, or blue.
She can not urinate.
She faints or collapses.
She has a seizure or convulsion.
She becomes overheated.
Her abdomen is enlarged. She might have a gastric torsion (a twist in her stomach), mammary tumor, heart or liver disease, peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal lining), or pyometra (uterine infection).
She's unable to use her back legs.

You know your pet the best and can pick up on some of the nuances of behavior that are out of the ordinary. If you are ever in doubt call your family veterinarian. If it is after hours and any of the signs of illness from the bottom list are present get your animal to an emergency vet hospital as quickly as possible.

Orchids Vs. Lillies

2010-03-21T23:40:00.001-07:00

When many people think of the quintessential Easter flower the first name that comes to mind is the Lily. The beautiful white trumpet blossoms with yellow stamens grace the front of churches and dinner tables all across the country during the Easter season. But perhaps you didn't know a very important tidbit of info about the Lily.

Many varieties of lily are extremely toxic to cats. Within only a few hours of ingestion of the plant material, the cat may vomit, become lethargic, or develop a lack of appetite. These signs continue and worsen as kidney damage progresses. Without prompt and proper treatment by a veterinarian, the cat will develop kidney failure in approximately 36-72 hours.

All parts of these lilies are considered toxic to cats and consuming even small amounts can cause severe poisoning. If there is a lily in your home, there is always the chance that your cat could be accidentally exposed. For this reason, cat owners should avoid exposing their cats to plants of the Liliaceae and Hemerocallis family.

COMMON NAMES             SCIENTIFIC NAMES

Easter lily                                Lilium longiflorum
Tiger lily    Lilium tigrinum
Rubrum                                   Lilium speciosum
Japanese show lily                   Lilium lancifolium
Day lily                                    Hemerocallis species

The safest best is to substitute with the equally beautiful and exotic Orchid this Easter and keep "Lucky" safe from accidental or intentional ingestion.

Poison Prevention Week

2010-03-14T22:36:00.005-07:00

Poison Prevention Week starts March 14th and runs through March 20th. This annual observance was started in 1961 and is designed to highlight the dangers of poisonings and how to prevent them. More information is available at www.poisonprevention.org. Although originally created to focus on preventing poisonings of children and adults, this week is a great time to discuss potential dangers to our pets as well.

The Pet Poison Helpline service has released this list of most common toxins for our pets.

Xylitol, a sweetener found in many sugarless gums, desserts, and other baked goods, can be toxic to our canine friends. The compound can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, or, in some cases, liver failure.
Human pharmaceuticals are also on this "most common" list. Through accidental or purposeful ingestion, many pets are sickened by over the counter pain relievers (such as aspirin,Tylenol or NSAIDs like Aleve). Another common poisoning occurs when our pets get into an owner's antidepressant medications.
With Easter approaching, many families will chose flowers to decorate their homes. Flowers of the Lily family can be deadly to cats and ingestion of a few petals or even the pollen can cause severe kidney failure.
Chocolate is another potential poison that is prevalent during Easter. Dark chocolates and baking chocolates are more dangerous than milk chocolate, but enough of any chocolate can cause abnormal heart rhythms, vomiting, and hyperactivity in dogs.
Springtime also puts people in the mood for yard work and cleaning. Be wary of using certain fertilizers for your lawn and garden if they contain organophosphates and/or carbamates. These poisons can cause severe seizures, respiratory failure and death in pets.
Many pets will find pest control products, like snail bait or rodenticides. Rat poison toxicity is seen in many emergency veterinary hospitals and will eventually kill the pet without intervention and treatment.

If you see your pet ingest any of these poisons, you need to contact a veterinarian immediately. Sometimes, severe damage can be avoided with prompt medical attention. Keep your veterinarian's office number along with Central Veterinary Emergency Services (303-874-PETS (7387) available on your cell phone or near your home phone. You can also reach the specialists at Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680.

For all of your pet health related questions, be sure to visit www.PetDocsOnCall.com, the Internet's largest gathering of licensed veterinarians available to answer your concerns.

Zoo What?

2010-03-07T22:19:00.002-07:00

Did you know?
There are a handful of diseases that are termed "zoonotic". By definition zoonotic means that a disease can be transmitted from an animal to a human. The list of zoonotic diseases includes the typical ones you may have heard about like rabies or lyme disease. But there are a few you might not be familiar with that are worth a quick read to familiarize yourself with the means of transmission and the associated symptoms.

Zoonotic Diseases
The following in an inconclusive list of zoonotic diseases typically found in Colorado.

Cat Scratch Disease - Also known as "cat scratch fever," this flea-borne infection is typically transmitted from a cat's scratch or bite. Signs include pimples at the scratch site and swollen lymph nodes that may persist for six weeks or longer.

Ehrlichiosis - Transmitted by ticks, this bacterial disease can cause fever, muscle aches, vomiting and other, more serious symptoms. As many as half of all patients require hospitalization.

Giardia - People become infected when they drink water containing the parasite Giardia lamblia. You can also become infected by putting something in your mouth that has come into contact with a pet's stool. Signs include diarrhea, stomach cramps and nausea.

Leptospirosis - "Lepto" is a bacterial disease spread by contact with urine from an infected animal, including dogs, raccoons, squirrels and skunks. Lepto can cause high fever, severe headache, vomiting and, if left untreated, kidney damage or liver failure.

Lyme Disease - Spread by ticks, Lyme disease can cause arthritis and kidney damage. The number of Lyme disease cases has nearly tripled since 1990, and the disease is now found in virtually every state.

Rabies - This well-known disease is caused by a virus found in the saliva of infected animals and transmitted to people by bites. It is invariably fatal if not promptly treated.

Ringworm - Ringworm is a fungal infection - not a worm - transmitted by contact with the skin or fur of an infected animal. Signs include a bald patch of scaly skin on the scalp or a ring-shaped, itchy rash on the skin.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever - A very serious, tick-borne disease that causes fever, headache and muscle pain, followed by a rash. May be fatal if left untreated.

Toxoplasmosis - This is a parasitic disease spread by contact with cat feces in soil or litter, although the major route of transmission is contaminated meat. It can cause serious health problems in pregnant women or people with compromised immune systems.

Simple ways to protect your family
*Wash your hands often when touching, playing with or caring for pets.
*Never handle the stool of any animal without wearing disposable gloves or using a plastic barrier.
*Avoid kissing your pet or letting your pet lick your face.
*Do daily "tick checks" on yourself, your kids and your pet. Especially if you've been in a wooded or brushy area and more so when temperatures are consistently about 45 degrees.
*If you are pregnant, ask someone else in the family to clean the cat's litter box. If you must do it yourself, wear gloves and immediately wash your hands after changing the litter.
*If you are scratched or bitten, wash the area with soap and water right away and administer first aid. If you are concerned, contact your healthcare professional.

Simple ways to protect your pet
*Twice a year wellness exams at your family veterinarian can help detect and treat zoonotic infections before they become serious, or are transmitted to other pets or people in your household.
*Many zoonotic diseases can be prevented by vaccination.
*Ask your family veterinarian about tick and flea control.
*Inspect your pet for ticks after outings through wooded or brushy areas.
*Don't let your pet drink from standing water outdoors.
*Don't let your pet come into contact with feces or urine of other animals.
*Keep your pet away from wild animal carcasses.
*Remove food, garbage or nesting materials that may attract disease carrying wildlife.

Fortunately, the incidence rate for most of these diseases is low. It is always best to see your health care provider if you suspect that you have contracted a zoonotic disease. The earlier you start treatment the better.

The moral of the story...a few common-sense measures can go a long way to keeping zoonotic diseases at bay.

Rising to the Occasion

2010-02-21T22:44:00.002-07:00

A Little Dough
I attempted to make bread this weekend. I say attempted because the loaf looked beautiful, but it was nearly impossible to get out of the pan and then it was really dense and doughy. Perhaps a lesson from a real bread maker is in order. When considering what to blog about this week I remembered that bread dough can actually be dangerous if ingested by an animal. Do you know why?

Rise and Shine
Of course the bread dough I'm referring to must contain yeast. When ingested, the animal's body heat activates the yeast which causes the dough to rise in the stomach. Even a small amount of dough can cause a problem since the dough can rise to many times its size. When the dough rises it causes the animal's stomach to distend and can cause abdominal pain, bloat, vomiting, disorientation and depression.

A by-product of the fermentation process is ethanol - that's right your dog can get drunk. That may seem like a funny statement, but it is a serious condition. The ethanol poisoning can be fatal if not treated.

Treatment for bread dough ingestion usually starts with trying to get the animal to vomit up the bread dough, depending on how long it has been since ingestion. The best results for vomiting are within 30 minutes or less of ingestion since the dough hasn't had much time to rise. There have been cases where the dough has had to be surgically removed. Treatment for alcohol poisoning is IV fluids to flush the ethanol out of the blood and hospitalization to monitor recovery.

The moral of the story....bread dough is a no, no.

Where There's Smoke...

2010-02-14T22:34:00.005-07:00

Did you know?

According to the US Fire Administration's website (www.usfa.dhs.gov), more than 1.7 million uncontrolled fires occur annually in the US. The Fire Administration does not keep tally, but other groups have estimated that more than 500,000 pets are killed by house fires each year. Why are we so good at saving human lives, but our pets seem to perish?

Let me tell you why.

Human lives are saved from a tragic end in house fires every year because of mandatory use of smoke detectors. Unfortunately, the sharp, unfamiliar noise designed to alert people also scares our pets causing them to go find a "safe" place to hide making it more difficult, and even dangerous, to find them in a scary situation.

But even smoke alarms in good working order won't save pets whose owners are not home to let them out. Sadly, many pets die simply because they were trapped inside.

To help prevent the loss of your pet, the first steps start with you, the pet owner. Prevent potential problems by "pet-proofing" your home and looking for fire hazards. Consider confining younger puppies and kittens when you aren't home as a means of preventing them from accidentally starting a fire.

Experts recommend that pets left at home should be kept in rooms on the lower level, near entrances, so that fire fighters can find them more quickly and easily. Window clings that alert fire fighters to the presence of pets are also a good idea. Newer clings can be taken down and edited as your pet family grows!

Practice "fire drills" with your family and include the pets. Keep collars and leashes handy and know your escape routes. Pets left home alone can't escape on their own. The use of smoke detectors connected to monitoring centers can greatly increase their chances of survival in the event of a fire. Monitored smoke detectors can also protect cherished possessions in addition to saving your four legged friends.

Responsible pet ownership includes planning for unexpected emergencies. A house fire is a prime example of how devastating and deadly these emergencies can be.

All Sewn Up

2010-01-24T21:53:00.002-07:00

Animals eat the strangest things. I was perusing the patient board in the Critical Care Unit Sunday night and was surprised to read "FB needle". Fortunately I knew the code and realized that "Ozzy" had eaten a needle. What?!? I went to find "Ozzy" in his cage and found an adorable orange colored domestic short hair kitty resting quietly. Hanging on the side of his cage was a plastic bag with the needle and thread that had been recovered from his stomach during surgery.

I included the digital x-ray taken of "Ozzy" before surgery. If you look right in the center of the image the needle is clearly visible. Most likely "Ozzy" got to chewing on the string and pretty soon had the whole string and needle sliding right down his throat. Fortunately "Ozzy's" owners saw him ingest the needle and brought him to the hospital right away. A needle like this one could perforate the stomach or intestine and cause internal bleeding and infection. Or the needle could migrate to another part of the body and cause multiple other issues. "Ozzy" got lucky, this needle stayed right in the stomach and didn't cause any further damage. Most likely "Ozzy" will go home tomorrow and will recover just fine from this incident and hopefully he won't chew on anymore string, especially string attached to a needle.

Good luck, "Ozzy"!!

Wiley Coyote

2010-01-17T23:35:00.011-07:00

We have the cutest Dachshund ever in our hospital. He has one brown eye and one blue and his tail has not stopped wagging since he arrived. He is wrapped up in bandages with a cute little penguin attached to the green wrap. Despite his wonderful personality it is plain to see that the poor little guy has had better days. Unfortunately, he is here because he was attacked by a coyote.

Coyote attacks on dogs and cats have become quite common in urban areas around the Denver area. If we were to average the number of cases we have seen in our Veterinary ER over a year we estimate that we see one coyote attacked dog or cat per week. Most of the cases we see are dogs with the unfortunate reality that cats are often taken by the coyote with no chance of recovery.

Injuries can range from minor abrasions and a couple puncture wounds to very serious lacerations and open chest cavity wounds depending on the severity of the attack. Fortunately, we have been fortunate and better than 90% of the cases have recovered from their injuries.

As winter wears on and breeding season starts the coyotes will be looking for food and may become more aggressive. There are precautions you can take to keep your animals safe if you know of coyote citings in your neighborhood.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife has the following recommendations on their website:

Keep pets on a leash when walking.
Never allow your pets to "play" with a coyote.
Pick up small pets if confronted by a coyote.
Do what you can to discourage a coyote's approach - yell, stomp your feet, throw small rocks or sticks at it.
Always supervise your pet when outside, especially at dawn and dusk.
Never leave cats or dogs outside after dark.
Don't leave food or water outside for pets.
If you must leave your pet outside, secure it in a fully enclosed kennel.
Keep your pets up to date on vaccinations.

For more information contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife by calling the main Customer Service # 303-297-1192 or go to the CDOW website for a listing of an office closer to your location.

The moral of the story...living with wildlife requires a bit of precaution.

Top 10 Human Medications that Poison Pets

2010-01-10T23:05:00.010-07:00

Below is a list of the top 10 human medications most frequently ingested by pets, along with some tips from the veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline on how to prevent pet poisoning from human medications. This list comes from calls received at Pet Poison Helpline.

1) NSAIDs (e.g. Advil, Aleve and Motrin)
Topping our Top 10 list are common household medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), which include common names such as ibuprofen (e.g., Advil and some types of Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). While these medications are safe for people, even one or two pills can cause serious harm to a pet. Dogs, cats, birds and other small mammals (ferrets, gerbils and hamsters) may develop serious stomach and intestinal ulcers as well as kidney failure.

2) Acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol)
One regular strength tablet of acetaminophen may cause damage to a cat's red blood cells, limiting their ability to carry oxygen. In dogs, acetaminophen leads to liver failure and, in large doses, red blood cell damage.

3) Antidepressants (e.g. Effexor, Cymbalta, Prozac, Lexapro)
While these antidepressant drugs are occasionally used in pets, overdoses can lead to serious neurological problems such as sedation, incoordination, tremors and seizures. Some antidepressants also have a stimulant effect leading to a dangerously elevated heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. Pets, especially cats, seem to enjoy the taste of Effexor and often eat the entire pill. Unfortunately, just one pill can cause serious poisoning.

4) ADD/ADHD medications (e.g. Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin)
Medications used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder contain potent stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. Even minimal ingestions of these medications by pets can cause life-threatening tremors, seizures, elevated body temperatures and heart problems.

5) Benzodiazepines and sleep aids (e.g. Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, Lunesta)
These medications are designed to reduce anxiety and help people sleep better. However, in pets, they may have the opposite effect. About half of the dogs who ingest sleep aids become agitated instead of sedate. In addition, these drugs may cause severe lethargy, incoordination (including walking "drunk"), and slowed breathing in pets. In cats, some forms of benzodiazepines can cause liver failure when ingested.

6) Birth control (e.g. estrogen, estradiol, progesterone)
Birth control pills often come in packages that dogs find irresistible. Thankfully, small ingestions of these medications typically do not cause trouble. However, large ingestions of estrogen and estradiol can cause bone marrow suppression, particularly in birds. Additionally, female pets that are intact (not spayed), are at an increased risk of side effects from estrogen poisoning.

7) ACE Inhibitors (e.g. Zestril, Altace)
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (or "ACE") inhibitors are commonly used to treat high blood pressure in people and, occasionally, pets. Though overdoses can cause low blood pressure, dizziness and weakness, this category of medication is typically quite safe. Pets ingesting small amounts of this medication can potentially be monitored at home, unless they have kidney failure or heart disease. All heart medications should be kept out of reach of pets.

8) Beta-blockers (e.g. Tenormin, Toprol, Coreg)
Beta-blockers are also used to treat high blood pressure but, unlike the ACE inhibitor, small ingestions of these drugs may cause serious poisoning in pets. Overdoses can cause life-threatening decreases in blood pressure and a very slow heart rate.

9) Thyroid hormones (e.g. Armour desiccated thyroid, Synthroid)
Pets - especially dogs - get underactive thyroids too. Interestingly, the dose of thyroid hormone needed to treat dogs is much higher than a person's dose. Therefore, if dogs accidentally get into thyroid hormones at home, it rarely results in problems. However, large acute overdoses in cats and dogs can cause muscle tremors, nervousness, panting, a rapid heart rate and aggression.

10) Cholesterol lowering agents (e.g. Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor)
These popular medications, often called "statins", are commonly used in the United States. While pets do not typically get high cholesterol, they may still get into the pill bottle. Thankfully, most "statin" ingestions only cause mild vomiting or diarrhea. Serious side effects from these drugs come with long-term use, not one-time ingestions.

Tips for Keeping "Lucky" Safe:

Always keep medications safely out of reach and never administer a medication to a pet without first consulting your veterinarian.
Never leave loose pills in a plastic zip bag - the bags are too easy to chew into. Make sure visiting house guests do the same, keeping their medications high up or out of reach.
If you place your medication in a weekly pill container, make sure to store the container in a cabinet out of reach of your pets. Unfortunately, if they get a hold of it, some pets might consider the pill container a plastic chew toy.
Never store your medications near your pet's medications - veterinarians frequently receive calls from concerned pet owners who inadvertently give their own medication to their pet.
Hang your purse up. Inquisitive pets will explore the contents of your bag and simply placing your purse up and out of reach can help to avoid exposure to any potentially dangerous medication(s).
It is also important to note that while a medication may be safe for children, it may not be safe for animals. Pets metabolize medications very differently from people. Even seemingly benign over-the-counter or herbal medications may cause serious poisoning in pets.

If your pet has ingested a human over-the-counter or prescription medication, please call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline's 24-hour animal poison control center at (800) 213-6680 immediately.

New Year = New You...and "Lucky" Too!

2009-12-28T10:37:00.003-07:00

Are you looking ahead to the New Year with some goals in mind? Perhaps the idea of weight loss or increased exercise is on your list. Before embarking on your new routine consider making the task more fun by adding "Lucky" to your plans. What better encouragement could you ask for?

According to AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association), a 2008 study by the Association for Pet Obesity and Prevention showed that more than 44% of dogs in America are considered overweight - about 33 million. If your dog is part of the statistic, now is the time to get him moving.

AAHA has created a tool for a 2010 New Year's Resolution for you and your pet to resolve to get in shape. A signature and a paw print mark your commitment to a healthy new year. To download your own copy just click over to the AAHA website .

There are lots more health and fitness tips for you and your dog in Dogs Lose Lbs! You Win!, also available through AAHA. To order your own copy click here.

While on the AAHA site you might also spend some time on the www.healthypet.com website for fun and useful information for all pet owners.

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays

2009-12-20T19:12:00.004-07:00

Central Veterinary Emergency Services will be open from 2 pm on Christmas Eve until 8 am on Monday, December 28. Hopefully all will be well and we won't see you, but rest assured that we will be here should an unforeseen event with one of your four-legged friends change your holiday plans.

Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many...
- Charles Dickens

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

2009-12-13T21:42:00.018-07:00

Did you know?
We've just come out of a cold snap in Colorado with temperatures in the teens and single digits and wind chill below zero. Other areas of the country are still in the middle of a deep freeze. You may have noticed your four legged family members being just as hesitant as you to roam outside for long in these temps. It is a misnomer that an animal should be able to withstand really cold temperatures just because it has fur without conditioning or special gear. I've covered this topic a bit already in the post titled "Winder Adventures", but let's consider a few other dangers that pop up in the cold weather months.

Small Vs. Big, Short Vs. Long
Although some pets are conditioned to cold weather, veterinary experts agree that you should bring outdoor pets indoors if the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Puppies, kittens, and short haired pets should come inside anytime the temperature goes below 40 degrees. Long haired pets do have a bit of an advantage, but proper grooming is essential to help them maintain a layer of warming air within their coat. Pets who are heavily matted cannot keep themselves as warm.

Shelter
If your pet must stay outdoors, be sure to provide shelter for your pet. A good "house" will have three enclosed sides, will be elevated off the ground, and will contain generous amounts of bedding such as straw or hay. In cold weather, bigger is not always better. A house just big enough for your pet will warm up faster and retain heat better than something that is too big. Your pet will need access to fresh water that isn't frozen. Use heated water bowls and replenish them frequently.

Antifreeze
Antifreeze is a common and deadly pet poisoning during colder months. If you suspect your pet has consumed any antifreeze at all, you must contact your veterinarian immediately! Antifreeze has a sweet taste to pets, so they will readily lap up any spilled material. If you spill antifreeze, dilute the area well with water and sweep excess water into a rocky or sandy area. Cover area with soil to keep pets from licking at the rocks. Read my post on a pet friendly Antifreeze alternative.

Cars and Pets
Cats love to warm up underneath car hoods. If your car is kept outdoors, or if cats have access to your garage, be sure to pound on the hood of the car prior to turning the ignition. Many cats are killed or injured grievously by fan belts and moving engine parts. Also, pets should not be left alone in vehicles due to the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning or hypothermia.

Hypothermia
Our pets suffer from frostbite and hypothermia just like we do. Consider keeping dogs on a leash when they go outside. Many curious dogs off leash will explore "frozen" retention ponds, lakes or streams and fall through the ice into frigid water. I cover signs and treatment of hypothermia in the "Winter Adventures" post.

Heat Source Cautions
You may encourage your dog or cat to warm up by a wood-burning stove, fireplace, or space heater. Be very careful to monitor your animal around any of these heat sources. They can cause severe burns. If your animal is mobile, let him move away from the heat when he's had enough. For non-mobile pets keep the animal a safe distance away and turn its body every 5 minutes to allow the area near the heat source to cool off.

Arthritis
Older pets may suffer more from arthritis during these months. You might consider providing warm, raised bedding to decrease the exposure to cold floors and drafts that can intensify the pain and stiffness of arthritis. Hydrotherapy can be a great exercise for pets with arthritis to gently loosen up stiff joints without weight bearing pressure on painful limbs. Marty Pease leads the CRCG clinical rehabilitation staff. She is a licensed Physical Therapist with over 21 years of experience and was certified by the University of Tennessee in canine rehabilitation in 2003. Marty would love to have you visit the Canine Rehabilitation & Condition Group (CRCG) to take your dog for a swim in the Open Dog Pool. You can also talk to your family veterinarian for other arthritis treatments for dogs and cats.

The moral of the story...snuggle a little closer with your cold nosed dog or cat to keep warm this winter.

What Should Santa Bring "Lucky"?

2009-12-06T19:07:00.004-07:00

Even if our pets don't know the true meaning of the holidays, they do enjoy the attention and special presents that owners give them. Pet owners and those looking to give gifts to pets or owners could consider actual physical gifts, gifts that benefit other animals, or a gift that might benefit the pet in the future.

Remember, when giving gifts to your pet to consider his or her personality. If your dog tends to shred his toys than a stuffed animal with a squeaky center is probably not a good idea. The last thing you want is to have a Christmas present become an ingested foreign body that leads to an emergency visit to the nearest veterinary hospital.

That said there are lots of great options on the market these days, and whether you plan a trip to your local pet super store or want to stay home and shop on-line we have some suggestions to get you started.

Consider the "Croc" shaped shoe bed at http://www.sasquatchpetbeds.com/ or the beds made from recycled material at http://www.mollymutt.com/, either option gives your friend a new and comfortable place to stay. It may take some time for "Lucky" to get accustomed to his new bed. Placing one of his familiar blankets in the bed may help his acceptance of his luxurious new accommodations.

Toys are important to help keep your pet occupied and out of trouble. A variety of laser pointers are available at most major pet retailers, including the new FroliCat BOLT Automatic Laser toy. Dogs love any number of toys and this year you can choose from tough durable Kong® toys and the new GoughNuts. PetSmart has their soft plush Luv-A-Pet toys and 10% of sales go to help homeless pets. Remember when choosing a toy for your pet to ensure that the toy is durable without any removable pieces that could be swallowed. The first introduction to a new toy should be at a time when you can spend time with your pet to make sure they "play responsibly".

Or maybe you just want your pet to have a new outfit for the holidays. At http://www.poochieheaven.com/, you can find everything from Santa hats to elf outfits and gingerbread tees!

Overall, beyond the fun toys or fancy clothes for your pets, we recommend that you consider some less common, but definitely helpful gifts.

Millions of pets wander off each year, unable to find their way back home. A microchip, along with proper registration can insure your pet's safe return in case he becomes lost. Ask your family veterinarian for more information.

Being prepared for any emergency may not be a flashy gift, but it could save your pet's life. Consider pet insurance or even a Pet Health Savings plans as one way to help protect your pet from serious illness or injury. A variety of insurance plans are available at http://www.purinacare.com/ or http://www.petsbest.com/ and you can even set up an interest bearing, insured savings account for your pet by visiting http://www.pawsitivesavings.com/.

There are lots of families who need some assistance with their pet's medical bills. Here at the VRCC Specialty & Emergency Hospital we raise funds for the Animal Care Foundation, a non-profit organization providing one-time, partial financial assistance for emergency or specialty veterinary care from VRCC to low income Colorado residents. You can donate here.

Remember your local pet shelters this holiday season. In the Denver area the Dumb Friends League or Maxfund could always use a donation to care for the animals for which they provide shelter and love. Can't add one more pet to your house? Consider being a Pet Pal for a Maxfund animal.

And, as Dr. Arnold Goldman from Connecticut writes, "the gift of time matters to them the most." Make it a point to spend a little more time with your pets each day.

Our pets give us so much and ask so little in return. Ask your family veterinarian about ideas to help keep your four legged friend healthy and happy.

Happy shopping!

Winter Adventures

2009-11-29T22:28:00.005-07:00

Did you know?
Sitting in a nice hot sauna at the gym today I was conversing with a guy who was excitedly conveying his plans for a three day winter camping trip with his dog, a Rottweiler/Doberman mix. I must admit, I was jealous. I remember the days when I had the freedom to take off for a few days into the silence and solitude of the back country on snowshoes. I never got to take a dog along, but that certainly would have been the cherry on the ice cream sundae for the soul. However, I digress. What I really want to write about are the precautions to take when bringing your four-legged friend on a winter adventure.

You may not be quite the die hard fan of winter to want to do a snow camping trip, but even if you decide to take your dog on a winter walk in the snow there are some things to consider, especially if the temperatures are in the teens or below.

Let me tell you why.
Some dogs are more sensitive to the cold than others. Small breeds, short haired dogs, puppies and geriatric dogs, dogs that are normally "indoor" pets, and those with heart or other medical conditions are all more sensitive to colder temperatures. A dog's normal body temperature is between 99.5 and 102.5. When a dog fitting one of the above descriptions is exposed to colder temperatures he or she often has a difficult time keeping his/her core body temperature within the normal range. When the temperature dips below the normal range hypothermia sets in. Hypothermia means that your dog is loosing body heat faster than it can be replaced.

Signs of hypothermia:
- shivering
- lethargy
- stiff muscles
- pale or gray gums
- stumbling or lack of coordination
- fixed and dilated pupils
- low heart and breathing rates
- collapse
- or even coma

With mild hypothermia your dog is likely to be shivering and appear lethargic. As the hypothermia increases in severity the other symptoms become evident - effectively your dog becomes increasingly unresponsive as his body goes into heat conservation mode. At this time your dog's focus will be on keeping his vital organs working by restricting the blood flow to all but these parts of his body. If it's not treated, hypothermia can be fatal.

Prevention is Key
Dogs sensitive to cold should be kept inside with quick potty breaks outside. The small dogs and short haired breeds benefit from a doggy jacket that helps to keep their core warm. Booties may also be a good idea for three reasons. One, lots of heat escapes through a dogs foot pads. The booties can help decrease the heat loss. Two, dogs with long hair often get ice balls caught in the hair between the toes. The ice balls can be irritating and your dog may stop every few minutes to chew at the balls of snow. Three, if there is a layer of ice on top of the snow; the jagged edges can actually cut your dogs pads. That is rare here in Colorado, but might be more likely at higher elevations with repeated melting and freezing.

Treatment
Mild hypothermia can be reversed by getting back in a warm environment and wrapping your dog with a blanket until the shivering stops. Hypothermia that has dropped the dogs temperature to the 90-94 degree range will require rewarming methods. Water bottles filled with warm water placed around your dog deliver a warm heat source that is safe. Stay away from heating pads as it is easy to burn your dog's skin and cause a hot spot. It is recommended that you take your animal to your family veterinarian or veterinary emergency service for observation and/or treatment if you need to treat for hypothermia. Severe hypothermia requires immediate veterinary intervention. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to reverse the damage at this level of hypothermia, but we can hope for the best.

Fortunately the gentleman at the gym was aware of the potential dangers for his dog from winter camping and was prepared. He had two dog jackets, was prepared to have his dog sleep with him, and knew the signs and treatment for hypothermia. He volunteered that he would willingly cut his trip short if his dog didn't seem to be able to handle the cold weather. I hope for both their sakes that their trip is peaceful and refreshing and is just the beginning of a many more adventures together.

Giving Thanks this Thanksgiving

2009-11-22T19:12:00.005-07:00

Thanksgiving is a great holiday.
We are coming to the end of a year that has been difficult. Economic fears have become reality for many people and businesses, and lots of folks are feeling the pinch. But at the end of the day, in the midst of the worries and stresses of daily life, it's great to walk through the door to a friendly greeting. The tail wags, entangled feet, wet kisses, and cold noses remind us that we can be thankful for the unconditional love of pets.

So this Thanksgiving, whether you are gathering with lots of family and friends or warming up a Hungry Man dinner, be sure to give your dog or cat a little bit of turkey and lots of love. Then start thinking of all the things you can be thankful for. You'll be surprised that even the simplest things, when added together, make up quite a list. We could all use a little bit of giving thanks this Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

H1N1 and Pets

2009-11-16T00:01:00.004-07:00

Did you know?
It's true, the headlines declaring a cat was diagnosed with H1N1 have been confirmed. But what does that mean for you and your feline friend?

Until recently, experts believed that, with the exception of birds and pet pigs, our pets were not susceptible to the H1N1 virus. In fact, we don't generally worry about our pets with any of the common seasonal flu strains. Now, several cases of H1N1 in ferrets, one cat that tested positive for the virus, and another reported case in a cat, have shown that human transmission of the bug to our pets is possible. So, even though pets bring us lots of comfort, it is best to avoid sleeping or snuggling with your pets if you are ill with flu like symptoms.

The good news is that like most people, it appears that this flu causes a mild illness in pets. Both cats survived and have recovered from the virus. Treatment for pets that contract H1N1 are supportive care and antibiotics if a secondary bacterial infection is present.

Your family veterinarian, the Veterinarians here at VRCC, the AVMA, and the CDC are all continuing to monitor H1N1 in order to make sure pets and people say protected. If pets were especailly susceptible, we would expect infection rates that mirrored the human population.

If your pet is showing any signs of illness, such as lethargy, fever, and runny nose, call your family veterinarian to schedule an exam. Or, if it is after hours, the Veterinarians and technicians at CVES are happy to see you and your pet to relieve your concerns and provide any care that is necessary for your animal.

As Leonardo da Vinci so elegantly stated, "the smallest feline is a masterpiece".

For additional information on the H1N1 virus and pets visit the AVMA website.

Loosing Your Lunch

2009-11-08T23:28:00.012-07:00

Did you know?
Unfortunately, animals can eat the darndest things at the worst possible times! Say for instance your cat eats your nylons, one of your dogs eats a tennis ball, and the other dog gets into some chocolate. Yikes! I certainly understand that you might want to avoid a veterinary bill and choose to turn to the internet to look for ways to make your pet(s) vomit without having to leave your home. You may find a solution, but it may not be the wisest choice.

Let me tell you why.
Most veterinarians will not routinely recommend at-home use of emetics (medicines to cause vomiting). The time it takes to find the substance, corral the animal, and administer the dosage may take as long, or longer, than the ride to the vet. Plus, at-home administration may just prolong the proper medical care the animal needs.

For one thing, when an animal swallows an object it might be dangerous to have it come back out the way it got in. For example, take the scenario of your dog eating a tennis ball. Causing him to vomit could lodge the ball in his esophagus and cause him to choke. Or, if an animal eats a particularly sharp object like a broken chicken bone, a pencil, or a piece of glass, the object has the potential of inflicting more harm on the animals body on the way back out. The solution for that type of ingestion could be to have the animal eat a lot of fiber (canned pumpkin, rice, bread) to "bulk up" and wrap around the object so it comes safely out the other end. Either way, call your family veterinarian first to find out if vomiting up the substance, or object, is safe for the animal.

Also, you may not know that it is very difficult to get a cat to vomit. Even with emetic medications available to veterinarians cats are a finicky bunch about regurgitating their lunch. Dogs are a bit more amenable, but I've seen a few dogs also unphased by the medications to make them sick.

The internet is abundant with recommendations for using hydrogen peroxide, ipecac syrup or salt as a means of causing an animal to vomit, thereby removing the toxic or dangerous substance he or she has ingested. Let's examine each of these substances for their pro's and con's.

Hydrogen Peroxide: The most common recommendation is to use 3% hydrogen peroxide (H202) in a dose of 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight for the animal. If it is successful, hydrogen peroxide should cause vomiting within 10 minutes. Never administer the dose more than twice in a row. Overdosing with hydrogen peroxide can have the unfortunate affect of making the dog vomit excessively; which could lead to dehydration and land the animal in the hospital for fluid therapy and administration of an anti-emetic to stop the vomiting. At best, hydrogen peroxide is effective as an emetic 50% of the time. So you could administer the dose and still need to bring the animal to your veterinarian for care since the toxic substance or object is still inside.

Ipecac Syrup: Most parents of small children have Ipecac syrup in the medicine chest for emergency use, so you may have some on hand. But, it is similar to hydrogen peroxide in causing the desired outcome - it works about 50% of the time. It is also difficult to administer because of the bitter taste. Most notably, if the animal does not vomit, the syrup still needs to be removed because of the potential for negative cardiovascular side affects. Ipecac syprup should induce vomiting within 10 - 30 minutes, although it can be delayed up to an hour.

Table Salt: The use of table salt as an emetic in dogs and cats is generally frowned upon because of the potential for causing more harm than good. The maximum dosage in dogs and cats is 1 to 3 teaspoons and usually induces vomiting within 10 to 15 minutes. However, if the salt does not cause vomiting the increased sodium levels can cause acute swelling of the brain and even death. Not a good outcome!

Veterinary Emetics: Veterinarians usually use one of two medicines to make animals vomit - Apomorphine or Xylazine. The apomorphine can be used for dogs or cats while the Xylazine is used only in cats. Apomorphine (Apo) has about a 90% success rate in dogs. Veterinarians also have another drug to counter the effects of the Apo to stop the vomiting if needed. The percentage of success in cats tends to be lower. Fortunately cats are less likely to get into toxic substances that requires them to vomit.

About 20 minutes after the animal has vomited, activated charcoal is administered for patients who got into a toxic substance. The activated charcoal helps to absorb more of the toxin since on average only about 70% of the toxin is vomited up - another reason to at least end treatment with your veterinarian if you choose to try one of the at-home remedies.

Overall, a trip to the vet is still the wisest choice. You may get lucky by administering one of these at home remedies and have a great outcome, but our veterinarians don't recommend you take the chance.

The moral of the story...hope you weren't eating lunch

Consider Pet Insurance

2009-11-01T21:45:00.013-07:00

Did you know?
It's no secret that veterinary fees have increased significantly over the last ten years and will continue to do so to keep pace with the cost of doing business. Still, when you consider that the education, technology, medicines and protocols are all very similar in scope and cost to human medicine, then veterinary medicine is a bargain. But a major difference is payment requirements. Co-pays and billing options for human medicine have softened the cost for office visits and made access to care more available. In comparison, pet medical care requires payment up front for the full invoice and the price tag can come as a shock, especially in the case of an emergency.

Pet savings plans in theory are great, but very few people have the discipline and foresight to create a special account for pet medical bills. Saving even $40 a month will take a pet owner 6 years to save enough to cover an emergency surgery if your dog gets hit by a car or blows out a knee. But where does that leave you, the pet owner?

The pet insurance industry has been around since the early 80's, but pet owners and veterinarians have been resistant to using or advocating pet health insurance policies. Historically pet owners have found it hard to see a significant benefit for the cost and veterinarians have strongly resisted the idea of networks and the headaches found in human health care. But as prices increase and the bond between people and their pets strengthens more people are looking for a way to cover their costs and help ensure that a medical emergency doesn't become a life or death decision because of money. As a result there has been an increase in the number of pet health insurance companies. While there are similarities in practice between companies, there can be wide variations in the details of the policies they offer. So how do you choose the best pet insurance for your animals that fits your budget?

Let me tell you how.
I was surprised at the number of pet health insurance companies in the industry when I started researching available policies. Currently I know of eleven companies that insure in Colorado and there seems to be new providers popping up every year.

Covered vs. Excluded
All the companies I looked at exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions. But you really have to read the fine print to know the definition of pre-existing conditions. For example, some companies will insure a condition or incident in one benefit year, but upon renewal that condition or incident becomes a pre-existing condition. The condition is then excluded from coverage or a 180 day waiting period must expire before the condition is eligible for coverage.

Hereditary conditions are another stickler. I am aware of one company who will provide limited coverage for hereditary conditions as long as the pet is insured by age 2; while other companies won't cover hereditary conditions at all. The broadest coverage for hereditary conditions seems to be provided by PurinaCare whose literature states that "hereditary conditions are considered to be qualifying medical expenses if they are not pre-existing".

Then there are the categories of conditions that are covered only by purchasing supplemental coverage. For example, reimbursement for Hip Dysplasia requires a separate rider with Trupanion; and VPI requires purchase of an Enhanced Cancer Rider for cancer treatment coverage. I strongly recommend reading a sample policy before enrolling in a plan to be fully aware of the type of coverage your premium will buy.

Deductible and Coinsurance
You'll want to decide what type and level of deductible you can afford. Deductibles are either annual, or by incident, e.g. all visits and treatments related to a hit-by-car accident on a specific date. Deductibles range from $0 to $1000 and your monthly premium is directly proportional to the size of deductible you choose. Once you meet your deductible, reimbursement for veterinary medical expenses is usually stated as a percentage. A common level of reimbursement is 80% of our veterinary bill after deductible for illnesses, accidents and injuries. Companies with a fee schedule will only pay the stated amount per type of injury, illness, or treatment. This may still be a good option, but you should be familiar with the amount of coverage ahead of time.

Limits
Insurance companies are required to keep a certain amount of money in reserve based on the limits of coverage stated in their policy and the number of lives insured. The limit can be stated as a per incident limit, annual limit, and/or lifetime limit of coverage. When comparing plans consider that an incident can involve multiple types of care and treatment. An example might be an animal that gets hit by a car and comes in to the ER on a Saturday morning then needs an emergency splenectomy followed by a transfer to Internal Medicine for several days of hospital care. Then after being discharged from the hospital bandage changes may be necessary. This typical type of case could easily add up to $5,000. At 80% coverage your reimbursement would be $3600 (after you meet your $500 deductible); unless your incident limit is $1500. Then the most you could be reimbursed is $1500; an important factor to keep in mind.

Accident, Illness, Wellness
One of the biggest decisions will be between an accident and illness only plan versus one that includes coverage for a wellness or routine care plan. Most wellness plans are paid by benefit schedule, meaning there is a set dollar amount the company will pay for the services such as the annual exam, vaccinations, or heartworm test. Each benefit schedule varies and it might be beneficial to compare the listed reimbursement allowed against the cost of those services by your family veterinarian before deciding if paying for coverage is cost effective.

Discounts
Some companies provide discounts for covering multiple pets. Discounts range from 5 to 15% off the premium depending on the number of animals insured. Other discounts might include 5% for microchipping or a small discount for paying the premium annually instead of monthly.

Monthly Premium
Pet insurance premiums are based on policy type, deductible, zip code, and species, breed, and age of your pet. Premiums can range from $5 to $250 per month based on the previously mentioned factors and the number of pets insured. You choose what works best for your monthly budget. Most likely your final decision will be determined by the premium, but be careful to look at the full picture to make sure you get the best value for the premium paid.

Recommendations
I just threw a lot of information at you all at once, kind of like getting sprayed by a fire hose. Let me turn down the dial a bit and give you the website of a company I would recommend. PurinaCare started offering policies just over a year ago. While they are new on the market, their brand has been around for many years and provides a solid reputation. PurinaCare offers two options PurinaCare Plus Preventive Care or PurinaCare without Preventive Care. Both are detailed on their website where you can also get a personalized quote.

Consider an accident only plan similar to those offered by ASPCA or Embrace. This sort of plan will cover things like bloat, foreign body ingestion, hit by car, poisoning, cuts and lacerations. The type of thing you always hope will never happen, but when they do seem to happen at the worse times.

Here are a couple websites where you can compare plans side by side:

Dr. Kay's book "Speaking for Spot" also includes a chapter on pet health insurance and has some great questions to consider in your search process.

AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) gives the seal of acceptance to three companies. You'll find details on their website.

The moral of the story...protect your wallet and your pets' life, consider pet insurance.

Halloween Hints

2009-10-22T11:45:00.012-07:00

Halloween Hints

Did you know?
We are about to make the plunge into the holiday season starting with the spooky and candy laden festivities of Halloween. Holidays are fun and offer great memory making moments and fun picture opportunities. They also can pose some safety challenges that aren't normally on your radar. For the sake of safety, and to help ensure a "spooktakular" celebration, I've put together a few tips for keeping your four legged friends safe and healthy on Halloween.

Costumes
There are some fabulous Halloween costumes available for pets and some kid costumes can be adapted to fit your furry "children". When choosing a costume keep the following in mind:
- tie or remove any strings that could be eaten
- keep your animal with you while the costume is on to decrease the chance of ingestion or strangulation
- look for Velcro closures around the neck that can be easily removed
- make sure your pet won't trip on a cape or hanging piece of material
- not all animals find costumes enjoyable - take the costume off if your pet seems anxious or keeps pawing at the costume to get it off.

Food
Halloween is all about the loot. Make sure you have some pet appropriate treats around for the evening and watch out for the following:
- No matter how much "Lucky" begs don't give in to those pathetic eyes and feed him chocolate or raisins, or the double whammy, chocolate covered raisins. See my previous posts on these two food items for the potential toxic results for animals.
- Keep the "loot" bags out of reach of your pet. If "Lucky" decides to devour the bag the wrappers can become stuck in the esophagus or intestines and cause problems. Call your Veterinarian if your pet chooses a night of dietary indescretion.

General Safety
- Do you have a black cat? It's best to keep kitty inside for the night.
- If your pet gets over stimulated by the doorbell consider placing a sign at the front door asking trick-or-treaters to knock; or talk with your family vet about a mild sedative for the evening.
- Place jack-o-lanterns in a safe place where they won't get knocked over by your pet or set a tail on fire.
- Have a designated quiet room for your pets where they can feel safe if you have a party in your home.

By the way, if you are a client of the VRCC, post your Halloween pet pictures on our Facebook page!

Have a safe and happy "Howl"oween!

Updated 11/01/2009

All Wired Up

2009-10-11T19:00:00.014-07:00

Did you know?
Halloween displays are starting to pop up around the neighborhood and my son keeps insisting that I start decorating. I love to decorate, but I've been resisting because I know that once I start decorating for fall the boxes just keep shuffling in and out of the basement for the next two months for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Maybe for you it's Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. But the lights and extension cords for air filled pumpkins, tree lights, and outside displays can get out of control. Not to mention that for curious cats and dogs all those cords may be fun to chew on and can be very dangerous.

Let me tell you why.
Animals chew on the strangest things! Causes of destructive chewing can range from teething in puppies and kittens to curiosity, to boredom, and even (surprise!) because of a nutrient deficiency, or rarely, a condition known as pica which causes animals to crave and ingest non-food items.

Whatever the cause for the chewing, it can be dangerous for your pet and for you. As most pet owners know too well, animal teeth can be very sharp, especially puppies and kittens. Just a few bites on an electrical cord can penetrate the plastic covering causing contact with live electrical wires.

If you see your pet being electrocuted do not touch the animal until you unplug the cord or shut off the power or you will be electrocuted.

If you are unable to get to the cord to unplug it from the wall use a broom stick or similar non-conductive object to move your animal away from the cord. Immediately assess your animal to make sure it has a pulse and is breathing. Administer CPR as necessary. Check out this site for more detail on animal CPR. Then immediately take your animal to your family veterinarian, or if it's after hours to Central Veterinary Emergency Services, or a 24 hour animal ER in your area.

Electrocution by chewing on a cord can cause burns to the tongue, gums and lips which may be visible right away or may be painful to the animal, but will take some time to appear. Burns in the mouth can make eating and drinking difficult for your animal. Careful attention should be paid to the amount of food and water being ingested by your pet. Your veterinarian can prescribe pain medicines to relieve your pet's discomfort. Another effect of electrocution may be noncardiogenic pulmonary edema which basically means the lungs fill up with fluid making it difficult for your animal to get enough oxygen. Hospitalization is necessary to administer oxygen and monitor lung function. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications may also be necessary. This condition is serious and can vary in outcome depending on the severity and any underlying illness.

So what can you do to protect your pets? If you have animals prone to chewing I would recommend trying to "animal proof" your home like you would for an infant or toddler. Place covers on outlets, move breakable objects away from edges, put away socks, shoes, underwear, etc.

But I digress, lets talk about electrical cords. I found two websites with products that look very promising. CritterCord has heavy gauge electrical cord covers that have a bitter coating and fit around various size cords. Their product was rated as a favorite by Cat Fancy in 2008. OnLineOrganizing.com has transparent floor cord protectors that can keep all your cords tidy while protecting them from sharp teeth. They even have a decorating suggestion of running Christmas lights through the center to create a nice glow in low light areas. Home Depot has a similar product called "wiremold" that comes in varying colors and lengths. You might also try stringing the cords higher or placing a throw rug over extension cords. If you will be away from your home for any length of time consider unplugging as many cords as possible.

The moral of the story...pretty and safe go together like chocolate and peanut butter.

Updated 10/13/09

Toxic Anti-Freeze and The Pet Friendly Alternative

2009-10-04T19:51:00.007-07:00

Did you know?
I drove down my street yesterday and caught sight of a tree that was ablaze with color. The yellows and golds glistened in the late afternoon sun. But, the changing colors means summer is officially over and your mental alarm might be going off to start winterizing your vehicle. If your plan includes flushing your radiator and refilling with antifreeze please take caution and clean up any spills. For cats and dogs one or two licks of antifreeze is all it takes for a lethal dose. Cats are four times as sensitive to the poison as dogs. If you suspect antifreeze ingestion, get to your Veterinarian's office immediately.

Let me tell you why.
The majority of antifreeze products on the market contain 95% Ethylene Glycol, a highly toxic chemical to all mammals and moderately toxic to aquatic animals. Ethylene glycol is also found in windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, hydraulic fluids, film processing solutions, paint solvents, and is used to de-ice airplanes and runways.

Animals are attracted to ethylene glycol because of the sweet taste. The poisoning happens in two stages. At first it may appear that "Lucky" is drunk from the staggering, vomiting, falling down, excessive drinking and peeing, and acting dizzy. These signs usually manifest within the first three to six hours after ingestion and tend not to last long. Then "Lucky" may seem normal and it may appear that you and your four legged friend are out of the woods. Unfortunately, that is far from the truth. The second stage of poisoning happens when the body starts to break down the ethylene glycol into other chemicals such as aldehyde, glycolic acid, and oxalate. This stage is dangerous because it can cause severe to fatal damage to the kidneys.

Diagnosis for ethylene glycol poisoning can be tricky. There is a test that was designed specifically for determining ethylene glycol poisoning, but it must be used within 12 hours of ingestion for accurate results. Otherwise, the tests needed for diagnosis include a urinalysis to look for crystals in the urine, and a full blood chemistry panel to look at values related to renal (kidney) function.

Treatment for ethylene glycol poisoning has been helped tremendously with the introduction of 4-Methylpyrazole or 4-MP. 4-MP helps to prevent the second stage of poisoning allowing the animal's body to eliminate the toxins without causing damage to the kidneys. Dosing for cats is much higher than for dogs and must be administered within 3 hours in order to be effective. For both dogs and cats dosing is usually done over a 36 hour period by IV. Treatment will also include IV fluids with continued monitoring of renal blood values. Prognosis for your animal can range from good to poor or even fatal depending on the amount of ethylene glycol consumed and the time elapsed between ingestion and commencement of treatment.

Of course the best treatment is prevention. Be sure to clean up spills or leaks and store the liquid securely out of reach of your pets. However, there is an alternative antifreeze on the market that uses propylene glycol. Propylene glycol has a less pleasant taste, is biodegradable and does not cause the kidney damage like ethylene glycol. Large amounts of ingestion may still cause anemia and gastro-intestinal upset, but it does not appear to be as potentially fatal. H.R. 615, The Antifreeze Bittering Act of 2009 has also been introduced that would require ethylene glycol manufactures to add denatonium benzoate to ethylene glycol to deter animals from ingesting the toxic substance.

The moral of the story...don't let car maintenance become a tragedy.

Can My Dog Get the Flu?

2009-09-27T21:13:00.009-07:00

Did you know?

That was the question posed to me last week at a class I was taking downtown. With all the talk about the H1N1 Swine Flu and the annual flu vaccine reminders on billboards it's no wonder that I was asked if dogs and cats can get the flu. Surprisingly enough there is a flu form that affects dogs. The first case of H3N8 Canine Influenza was first detected in racing greyhounds back in 1999. H3N8 is believed to have originated as an Equine Influenza that jumped species to greyhounds, mutated and has since become contagious to all dogs. The first major outbreak of the virus happened in 2004 and it continues to make an appearance throughout the country in varying degrees. The clinical signs for Canine Influenza are much the same as kennel cough, which makes the virus difficult to diagnose with out a lab test. But as of yet, we haven't seen that many cases in our ER.

Let me tell you why.
First, let me put your fears to rest and tell you that humans can not catch the canine flu. Phew, one less thing to worry about. But, your dog can catch canine influenza from other dogs. Just like humans some dogs can get the virus and have no physical symptoms while other dogs can get pretty sick and even develop a secondary bacterial infection that requires antibiotics and intensive medical care.

As I mentioned, symptoms of the canine influenza look very similar to other upper respiratory illnesses and the treatment would be very similar as well. Symptoms could include cough, runny nose or nasal discharge, increased breating rate, fever, and just feeling kind of blah. With those symptoms the best treatment is to make sure your dog stays hydrated and keep him or her away from other animals for a few days. However, if the cough gets worse, or your dogs normal attitude and behavior continues to be off, a visit to your family veterinarian is advised. If a secondary infection has developed into bronchitis or pneumonia then a full spectrum antibiotic will be prescribed and your furry friend may need to be hospitalized for continued supportive care.

Canine influenza can be spread through sneezing and coughing by contagious animals or through saliva left on balls or sticks when playing. Humans can bring it home on clothes or toys that were in contact with an infectious dog. So as with humans, if you are around dogs that are coughing or sneezing a lot be sure to wash balls, bedding, favorite blankets etc to minimize the spread of the virus.

The moral of the story...let's hope we all avoid the flu, humans and canines too.

Lost and Found

2009-09-20T21:55:00.005-07:00

Did you know?
As an animal ER we often have "good samaritans" bring hurt animals to us for care. Of course, besides taking care of their physical wounds or illness we also would love to reconnect the four-legged animal with their two legged human. In our hospital we keep an iMAX Black Label International Universal microchip reader - specially designed to read any of the microchips. Any stray dog or cat brought to our hospital gets scanned to see if we can match the pet with an owner. Being in an animal welfare profession we of course love it when we have a happy ending, sadly that is not always the case. The most frustrating is when there is a readable chip, but the client has forgotten to update their information after a move or phone # change.

Let me tell you why.
Animal identification systems are made up of three parts:

1. The microchip - a tiny rice sized component that is uniquely identified with a number that matches the animal with your personal information. The microchip is inserted under the skin just over the shoulder blade by your veterinarian or at your local shelter.
2. The reader - there are various readers that are either specific to the chip manufacturer and can read only that chip or universal readers that can read multiple manufacturer chips.
3. The database - there must be a repository of all the pets and their respective owners that shelters, animal control agencies, or veterinarians can access to attempt to reconnect you and your pet.

As you can see, there are multiple areas of potential breakdown in the process. The microchip could migrate to an area of the body that is unexpected and get missed when scanning. The reader might not read the type of microchip that has been inserted into your animal; or your information stored in the database is out of date and there is no way to reach you.

So, you ask, why microchip? Because that would be the perfect storm. The majority of the time when a microchip is present there is a happy reunion. Isn't that the way you want your movie script written?

A checklist of reminders:
- have your family veterinarian scan for the chip occasionally to ensure it hasn't migrated and the id # is readable
- whenever your personal information changes, update the microchip directory

So, if you have microchipped your animal and your pet squeezes through the fence, gets found by a "good samaritan" and is brought to our ER then we know who to call to return "Lucky" to his rightful owner.

If you haven't, here are some microchip identification systems for you to consider:

Bayer resQ Microchip Identification System
AVID - American Veterinary Identification Devices
AKC Companion Animal Recovery
HomeAgain Pet Recovery and Identification System
PetLink International Pet Directory

The moral of the story...help script a happy ending to get your lost pet found.

Home Remedies

2009-09-13T21:17:00.008-07:00

Did you know?

You may have called your veterinarian's office with a question about symptoms your pet is experiencing and been asked to bring your pet in for care. The honest truth is that it can be very difficult to provide good medical advice over the phone. There are so many variables that could be causing the symptoms being experienced by your pet and sometimes there is no way for a verbal description to convey the true nature or severity of the problem. Sometimes the best option is to bring your pet in for a physical exam by a trained veterinarian. However, there are some simple comfort and first aid measures that you can do at home to provide relief either physically or emotionally for your pet and for yourself. There are also a couple that are best avoided and you may not be aware of the risk.

Let me tell you what they are...

1. Skunk Bath
The first one is more for you than "Lucky". If your pet gets sprayed by a skunk there is a good likelihood that he/she could stay in the stench for a while (unless the spray got in the eyes - it burns). You, on the other hand, probably won't sleep unless you can get some of the smell out. The first step is to rinse the eyes with sterile saline solution. Then follow with the skunk bath.

Here is the "skunk bath" recipe we give to our clients when they call:
1 Quart (32 oz) 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
1/4 C baking soda
1 t liquid soap - citrus scent

Mix all ingredients together. Poor the liquid over the animal, lather up and rinse off. Depending on the size of the animal and the intensity of the smell you may need to repeat the procedure multiple times. These quantities can be doubled or tripled.

2. Eye Wash
Sterile Buffered Saline solution is safe to use to wash out your pets eyes from skunk spray, an air borne contaminant, speck of sawdust, or a small blade of grass. However, if your pet continues to paw at its eyes, the eye(s) appear red or the object seems stuck in the eye, then follow-up veterinary care would be required. The eye may have gotten scratched, or an infection may have developed, that requires an ophthalmic medication.

3. Canned Pumpkin
If your dog or cat is having the occasional case of constipation or diarrhea, one of the things that might help is canned pumpkin. Yes, canned pumpkin in its pureed form (NOT pumpkin pie filling) is a fantastic stool softener which makes it a good natural remedy for constipation. It often helps with upset stomach or indigestion for both cats and dogs. It is very rich in fiber and adding just one or two teaspoonfuls to your pet's food often gets the system moving in no time. Dogs will occasionally want to eat it directly and that's fine too. Sometimes though, finicky cats and dogs won't touch it, no matter what you do.

On the opposite end of things is diarrhea. Since the dietary fiber in canned pumpkin absorbs water, it can be a great help to a cat or dog that has diarrhea. Some pet owners report that it firms up their pet's loose stools or diarrhea within a few hours. Again one to two teaspoonfuls is all that is needed.

It should be noted that both diarrhea and constipation can be very serious. Whatever the cause, diarrhea or constipation lasting more than 24-36 hours requires immediate veterinary care.

4. NO NSAIDS
NSAIDS - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a class of medications that include, but are not limited to, aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and COX -2 inhibitors (Celebrex). All of these drugs can be toxic to dogs and cats and should never be administered at home.
The only exceptions for dogs are baby or buffered aspirin, or acetaminaphen, which should only be administered under the direction of a veterinarian for correct dosing. Veterinarians can prescribe anti-inflammatory and pain relieving medications that are safe for "Lucky".

5. Heat Support
If your pet has just had surgery, or "Lucky" comes in from playing in the snow and can't seem to get warm, you may be tempted to place him or her on your cozy electric heating pad for some extra warmth. Unfortunately, heating pads are notorious for large fluctuations in temperature and even though your cat or dog may seem very fluffy, the heating pad can actually cause serious hot spots or burns to your pet's skin. Instead, try a warmed water bottle or fill a balloon with warm water and place either of these under a towel for your pet to lie near. This indirect heat can be re-warmed, but has less likelihood to get too hot for comfort. If your pet is mobile, let him move off the heat at will. If not mobile, be sure to reposition your cat or dog every 10 minutes or so to be sure the heat is evenly distributed and does not burn one part of his body.

The moral of the story...have a few tricks up your sleeve, but play it safe.

"Speaking for Spot"

2009-09-06T23:16:00.006-07:00

Time for a Change

I've decided to change the format of the blog this week. Instead of my usual alerts about how to keep your "Lucky" safe I thought you might enjoy a quick peak at a book I was introduced to last week. Dr. Nancy Kay is a boarded Internal Medicine Specialist who practices at VCA Animal Care Center of Sonoma County in Northern California. Her book, Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life, came out in 2008. This book offers some excellent information for animal owners about veterinary care in the 21st century. Veterinary medicine has grown by leaps and bounds in scope and application in the last 10 -15 years and many more options are available for treating illness and injury for your four-legged friend.

The book seems to be targeted towards dog owners through the pictures and chapter titles, but the information inside applies for cats just as well. Topics in the book range from "The 10 Commandments of Veterinary Office Visits" to descriptions of some of the advanced medical diagnostic and treatment options that might be used for your animal. Sprinkled in between the data and descriptions are heart warming vignettes about animals, their humans and the emotional impact of an experience they have had with their veterinarian as they walked through medical decisions.

Dr. Kay has captured a book full of tips and truths that we often wish we had the time to communicate to our clients in the short time we see them in an emergency visit. I highly recommend this book to pet owners to get the most out of your interaction with your veterinarian and learn how to help your furry friend "live a happy, healthy, longer life".

You can listen to an interview with Dr. Kay about her book on a Fresh Air broadcast, the National Public Radio weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues hosted by Terry Gross. Just below the feature is an excerpt from her book that will give you a taste of the practical information this book provides. Dr. Kay also writes a weekly blog that expounds on topics related to those found in the book and there is a website dedicated to Speaking for Spot with links to purchase your own copy. I'm sure yours will become "dog eared" from lots of use.

Happy reading!

Kitty Kidneys

2009-08-30T20:43:00.003-07:00

Did you know?
As a cat matures (sorry kitties, it happens to the best of us) it is important to keep an eye on his or her kidney function. That seems like a rather obtuse statement so let me clarify. Unfortunately, older kitties are more prone to develop kidney disease. The clinical name you might hear is chronic renal failure or CRF. Cats tend to be discreet and try to hide any symptoms of sickness so it is often late in the game before chronic renal failure is diagnosed. The best outcome for a cat with CRF is directly tied with an early diagnosis and supportive care from a loving owner.

Let me tell you why.
The easiest symptom change to watch for in an indoor cat is increased drinking and increased urination. Other symptoms include dehydration (indicated by dry gums and skin that is slow to return to normal when pulled up at the base of the neck), constipation, weight loss, change in smell, drooling and/or nausea or vomiting. CRF is the process of the kidneys slowly loosing the ability to filter waste and toxins out of the blood. Often, by the time these symptoms appear the kidneys can be as much as 70% shut down and treatment is needed right away. Unfortunately, the damage to the kidneys is usually progressive and irreversible.

Two common tests that will be preformed at the hospital are blood chemistry and a urinalysis. The blood test may be either a full blood panel or a quick test and is used to monitor creatinine levels, electrolyte levels, and blood urea nitrogen (or BUN, the waste levels in the blood). The urinalysis is used to measure the amount of protein in the urine and the concentration of the urine.

Depending on the progression of the disease, therapy might include subcutaneous fluids, where fluids are administered through a needle that is inserted under the skin of the cat and then absorbed into the body, or IV fluids for faster rehydration; medications to control nausea, vomiting, and anemia; and dietary management. Diet management can vary, but it usually means canned food that has a higher water content, home prepared diets, or special diets with a lower protein content.

There are some wonderful websites available that provide a lot more detail about the development, progression, treatment and potential outcome of CRF diagnosed kitties.

- Feline CRF Information Center - http://www.felinecrf.com/
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine put together a very nice video that provides information on many aspects of CRF. http://tiny.cc/GioD4
- Pawprints & Purrs, Inc., a non-profit educational organization - http://tinyurl.com/nf87pd

The moral of the story...regular care through your family veterinarian can help keep your kitty's kidneys healthy.

Pointed Discussion

2009-08-18T14:43:00.010-07:00

Did you know?
Ever gotten poked by a porcupine quill? Maybe, especially if you have an overly curious family pet who likes to get up close and personal with the prickly beasts. Actually, porcupines are quite timid and don't release their quills unless cornered or attacked. Then they swing their quill covered tail until it finds its mark right in the face of your dog or cat. Now you have a choice to make, do you try to remove the quills yourself at home or take the animal to your family vet or veterinary emergency room? Our suggestion, head for the vet's office.

Let me tell you why.
When I was a kid, every summer we could count on our dog "Christmas" getting too friendly with a porcupine. One June he got quills in his snoot so many times that when it happened he headed straight for the truck and looked at us as if to say "ok, I know the drill, let's go see Dr. Sue", our neighbor and family veterinarian. Just once my Dad tried extracting the quills from the soft flesh of the dogs muzzle and realized quickly just how painful that procedure must be for poor "Christmas". Dad decided that paying the vet bill was much better than taking the chance of "Christmas" reacting in pain and biting him or my Mom.

The possibility of getting bit by your animal isn't the only reason to take "Lucky" to the vet to have the porcupine quills removed. Porcupine quills have little microscopic scales on the end that point in the opposite direction. When a quill gets embedded in your animal's skin the scales make the quill very painful to pull out. Those scales are also what can cause the quill to burrow into the flesh and migrate to other areas of the body. Though rare, Veterinarians have reported quills being found in the lower spine, elbow, eye, or abdomen weeks or months after the animal has had quills removed from its face or legs. If a quill migrates to the chest there is a possibility of needing surgical removal so it doesn't wreck havoc on the heart or lungs.

It is best to get the quills removed as soon as possible. On the way to the vet try to keep your dog from rubbing his face with his paws which can cause the quills to break off under the skin or can transfer the quills to his legs and paws. To remove the quills "Lucky" will be placed under general anesthesia and the veterinarian will painstakingly remove each individual quill. Special attention has to be paid to the inside of the mouth as the quills can be far back in the throat or be easily hidden in the soft flesh of the gums.

After recovering from anesthesia "Lucky" will be sent home with pain medicine and 7-10 days worth of antibiotics to decrease the possibility of infection. It is virtually impossible to find and remove every single quill. You'll need to examine your pet for a few days after the porcupine encounter to look for signs of infection or a forming abscess (swelling, redness, puss, oozing). If you notice any of these signs bring your pet back to the vet for follow-up care. You might find a quill that has worked its way to the surface and is easily removed with tweezers weeks later.

The moral of the story..."Lucky" shouldn't poke his nose where it doesn't belong or it's gonna get poked.

Hook, Line, and Sinker

2009-08-09T23:13:00.004-07:00

Did you know?
My son has fishing pole envy! We were up at Lost Lake on Mt. Evans and a little boy was casting away with his Dad and friend. My 5 year-old boy was quite jealous and had to be pulled away when it was time to go. I started looking for kid sized poles in the store and was drawn to the rest of the gear. The hooks caught my eye and I was reminded of a vivid x-ray I'd seen not too long ago of a fishhook lodged in the esophagus of a dog. It is amazing what dogs, cats and small children can find with which to get themselves in trouble. This particular pooch was lucky that the hook passed safely through the other end. But it all depends on where the hook gets lodged, internally or externally, for the type of care "Lucky" might need to get "un-hooked".

Let me tell you why!
Fishing hooks can be quite attractive to animals because of the smell of the bait or because of the colorful wiggly fly. I've seen a fish hook poking out of a dog's nose and have heard about accidents where the hook is lodged in a lip, in the tongue, on the face, in a leg or toe, and yes, even swallowed. Treatment for each of these can vary depending on the location, the sensitivity of the spot, the type of hook, and the reaction of your pet.

If you Google this topic you'll find multiple sites that recommend pushing the hook through the lip of an animal then cutting off the barb and pulling the cut part through. My belief is that the percentage of animals that will let you do that are small and you run the risk of getting bit or scratched up should you go that route. The best bet is to bring your animal to your Veterinarian. The veterinarian can anesthetize the area around the hook, also called a local block, and perform the same procedure with less pain to the animal. The exceptions are aggressive animals that need additional sedation to be comfortable or animals that have actually swallowed the hook.

It really is true, and very important, that you not pull on the fishing line protruding from your dog or cat's mouth. Pulling on the line can set the hook and make it that much more difficult to remove. Also, if you need to cut the line leave at least a foot or longer outside the mouth. The line can be used as a guide for the location of the hook and the fishing line has its own set of dangers if it gets swallowed and caught in the intestinal tract.

If the hook is still in the esophagus it is possible to sedate your animal and use an endoscope to locate the hook and then retrieve it with a special tool. If the hook passes into the stomach it is possible for the animal to pass it through it's system with no further complications. Surgery would be necessary if the hook pierces through internal tissue and is unable to be expelled by the animal's body.

The moral of the story...pets can get caught swallowing hook, line, and sinker.

Mary Jane

2009-08-02T23:50:00.008-07:00

Did You Know?
If you live in Colorado you probably thought of the ski resort from reading the title for this entry. But you would be incorrect. In this post I'm talking about something recreational, but not the mountain climbing or skiing kind of recreation. Here's another clue, I attended a concert at Fiddlers green last night and the smell of this recreational substance was heavy in the air once the sun went down. I got to wondering if the smokers of said recreational substance (aka cannabis, weed, grass, marijuana, pot, and yes, Mary Jane) were animal owners and if they knew what would happen to their animal should "Lucky" accidentally get a hold of their stash or eat a marijuana brownie. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center "Lucky" could get very sick.

Let me tell you why!
You may think it odd or even inappropriate to mention this topic on our blog site. But I tell you the truth that I only write about medical topics that we actually experience in our ER. So, let me clear up some myths and let you know how you can help us help your dog should you experience this type of situation.

First, let me talk about reporting. As a medical institution we are not obligated to report marijuana ingestion by your pet to the local police. Since the symptoms of marijuana toxicity can look like many other types of poisoning it is important to let your veterinarian know if you suspect this type of exposure. It helps us know what type of supportive care we need to provide and can cut down on having to perform multiple tests.

Fortunately the majority of marijuana ingestion cases are not fatal, but the potential is there depending on the size of your dog and the amount of marijuana eaten. The fatality could come from a decreased heart rate, decreased breathing rate, or seizures that are all possible side affects of the marijuana. The onset of symptoms can occur within 30 to 90 minutes of exposure. Symptoms can range from extremely excited and spastic to extremely sedated and comatose. Your animal may also vocalize or bark a lot, stagger or have uncoordinated movement, have hallucinations, or dribble urine. Gastrointestinal signs could include vomiting, diarrhea, dry mouth or excessive drooling.

Once we have confirmed exposure, treatment will vary depending on how much time has elapsed since ingestion. Attempting to have the dog vomit is usually the first step but the anti-nausea effects of cannabis can make it difficult to get a dog to vomit if it has been longer than 30 minutes since ingestion. If still alert and breathing well, activated charcoal can be administered to help absorb some of the toxin. Otherwise, supportive care includes IV fluids, temperature control, and body rotation if the animal isn't moving or has slipped into a coma. To the other extreme the drug Diazepam may be needed to decrease excitability so the animal can rest. Animals usually recover completely within 12 - 72 hours of exposure.

The moral of the story...cats and dogs really shouldn't get stoned.

Mushroom Mania

2009-07-26T23:56:00.004-07:00

Did you know?
Who would have thought Colorado could possibly have been in a drought just a couple years back with all the rain we've had this year. Increased moisture levels for May, June, and July have contributed to abundant flora growth. The Denver Botanic gardens didn't even have to water one of its gardens until last week. Unfortunately, not all the flora is friendly. In fact, some of the mushrooms can be downright deadly.

Let me tell you why.
There are numerous varieties of mushrooms that grow here in Colorado. I think I've seen seven varieties in my own backyard. Most are harmless and don't even cause an upset stomach for your dog, but others can cause a severe reaction that can lead to death in a matter of a few hours.

Unfortunately, it may be difficult for you or your veterinarian to determine if the mushroom consumed by your family pet is dangerous, even if you bring a sample to the clinic. It would take a mycologist (a person who studies mushrooms) to differentiate one brown mushroom from another. Because of that we choose to treat according to the possible ingestion, the animal and the symptoms, not according to the type of mushroom.

Mushroom toxicity can affect the kidneys, liver, autonomic nervous system, central nervous system, and the gastrointestinal tract, depending on the species. The symptoms of toxicity can include vomiting, diarrhea, staggering or acting drunk, excessive drooling, and being mentally "spaced out''. The toxin can cause an immediate response and the dog will exhibit some of these signs of poisoning right away, or the affects may take 6 to 24 hours to appear.

Treatment for mushroom ingestion, and possible poisoning, most often includes making the animal vomit and then administering activated charcoal to help absorb any remnants of the toxin from the gastrointestinal tract. The animal may also be placed on IV fluids to help flush the kidneys. Additional treatment may be needed if the toxin has affected the liver or kidneys. Repeat blood tests will help to monitor enzyme levels for both organs to determine the type of medication needed.

The moral of the story...magic mushrooms cause misery.

(Note: Special thanks to Kristine Rotundo, CVT for her research on this topic)

Cat Air

2009-07-20T00:50:00.004-07:00

Did you know?
It seems my posts have been slanted towards "dog world" of late and the cat content has been sorely lacking. I don't want to leave the kitties out, it just seems like the dogs tend to get themselves in trouble more often and end up taking more trips to the emergency room. So, from that point of view it probably is better that the felines have had fewer posts. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean that we never see them in the ER.

One of the reasons we might need to see your sweet kitty "Lucky" is if she starts struggling to breath, opens her mouth, starts panting, and has pale or grey gums. These physical signs are what we call "open mouth breathing" and can be very serious.

Let me tell you why.
Open mouth breathing in cats can be a simple stress reaction to a change in environment which will subside if the stressful conditions are removed. Or it can be an indication of a serious condition such as an airway blockage, respiratory disease or heart disease. If you notice your cat struggling to breath or open mouth breathing you should bring "Lucky" to your family veterinarian or, if it's after hours, to an animal ER for care right away.

One type of heart disease that causes breathing trouble might be a thickening of the heart muscle, called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM, which decreases the amount of blood that is pumped in and out of the heart chamber and increases the workload of the heart. This type of disease, if left untreated, can lead to congestive heart failure and even death. Your family veterinarian may refer you to a Veterinary Cardiologist so your cat can receive specialized care for this condition.

Open mouth breathing might also be caused by a respiratory issue. A foreign body that is blocking the airway, pneumonia, or fluid in the chest are all conditions that the veterinarian will try to rule out as causes to get to the crux of the problem and start treatment.

To diagnose the cause of respiratory distress the veterinarian will listen to the heart and lungs, take a blood pressure, take x-rays, and potentially perform an ultrasound of the heart also known as an echocardiogram . Your cat may need to be hospitalized for a time and be on oxygen to help her breath easier. "Lucky" may also need some medications or further diagnostics to monitor progress.

The moral of the story...let the open mouth tell the story and get to the vet right away.

The Facts About Dog Bites

2009-07-12T23:11:00.006-07:00

Did you know?
A tough part of our job in an animal ER occurs when we learn that a person has been bitten by a dog either in a direct attack or when trying to break up a fight between two (or more) dogs. The latter is more often the case, and a recent incident lead me to search out an article that came across my desk earlier this year.

The Coalition for Living Safely with Dogs (CLSD) released the results of a study in May on the dog bite incidents in Colorado from July 2007 - July 2008. The CLSD partnered with the Colorado Association of Animal Control Officers (CAACO) for data collection and contracted with Corona Research, Inc. to analyze the bite data and to create a report on the findings. The project was funded by Animal Assistance Foundation. The CLSD says that "this report is the most rigorous study of its type and the first comprehensive collection and analysis through Animal Control."

I thought I'd share the Key Points and Recommended Actions in this blog. To see the full report you'll find a link to the PDF document on the CLSD website.

1. Most dogs do not bite. Less than one-third of one percent of dogs in the reporting area were reported to animal control for biting a human.
2. Many different types of dogs were involved in reported dog bite incidents. Bites from 129 different breeds of dog were reported to the 17 participating animal control organizations during the one year period of study.
3. Any dog can bite given certain circumstances.
- Running at large (unleashed) was the single most common bite circumstance.
- Many bites were not a result of aggression towards humans, but occurred when a
human intervened in fighting or play between dogs.
- Approximately half of all bites occurred at home, usually when a dog was
protecting property, food, or toys.
4. Whether any breed is more or less likely to bite than any other breed depends on knowing the number of each breed living in Colorado. There are more bites from some breeds than others in the dataset. To draw conclusions about breeds, we need to know whether bites are proportional or disproportional to a breed's population. At this time, there is no dog census for Colorado.
5. Adolescent dogs between one and four years of age were responsible for the most
bites.
6. Children (14 and under) were bitten disproportionately to their population; nine and ten year-old boys were the most common victims. Children were bitten twice as often as would be expected given their proportion of the population.

So What, Now What?
There are some obvious conclusions one can draw from these six key points.

- The worst combination is allowing an adolescent dog to play unsupervised with children 14 and under (especially 9 and and 10 year old boys). Please be sure that proper adult supervision is available to train both the dog and the children about how to "play" with each other.
- Any dog can bite under certain circumstances. As Veterinary professionals we hear many clients tell us their dog would never bite. The tough part for us is that the response of an animal that is nervous and in pain can be very different than when at home with family. So to protect us and your dog we may choose to muzzle when providing medical care.
- Never place yourself between fighting dogs. Avoid getting bit by learning how to break up a dog fight. Here are a couple websites with some good ideas.
http://tinyurl.com/m2d4mz;
http://leerburg.com/pdf/howtobreakupdogfight.pdf (kind of lengthy); http://www.howtoguides365.com/how-to/dog-fight/
- Keep your dog on a leash in a public place.

The moral of the story...stay cool and stay safe.

Top of the World

2009-07-05T23:53:00.009-07:00

Did you know?
After talking about heat stroke last week you may find it strange that I'd write about taking your dog on a hike up a 14,000 foot mountain in the Colorado Rockies. We locals just call them "14'ers". Over 500,000 people will visit the Rocky Mountain peaks this summer and many will take their dog(s). It sounds like a great idea to have your favorite companion accompany you on such a feat, but there are some things you should know to keep you and your furry friend safe and ensure a successful round trip back to your starting point.

Let me tell you why!
Just as it is a good idea to prepare for yourself for an all day hike the same careful planning should go into what your dog may need. Some thinking ahead may save you from carrying your 60 pound furry friend off the mountain.

1) Leash laws: There really is a leash law on the majority of the trails up to the 14'er summits. The leash law is for the protection of your dog and the other people on the trail. There is a pretty good chance of running into some kind of wildlife on the trail and it would be bad for "Lucky" to take chase. Often times the trail is on a cliff edge or next to a scree field (aka talus or loose rock) and your dog could get seriously hurt taking off after a pica or mountain goat. If you decide to let your dog be free be sure he is well trained and have a leash handy if other dogs come around. Be warned that if you get caught the fine is $200!

2) Dog booties: The most common injury to dogs on mountain hikes is torn pads on their paws from the jagged rocks and rough dirt paths. Imagine your worst blister and then consider having that on the bottom of your foot and walking on rocks or through the dirt. Yup, painful. To prevent these injuries get your dog a pair of dog booties. REI has some or you can go to dogbooties.com; ruffwear.com; or ultrapaws.com. I am in no way affiliated with any of these sites. I've just heard and read of successful use of these brands for mountain climbing dogs.

3) Altitude sickness: Logically it seems plausible that dogs can get altitude sickness just like their humans, but none of our vets have actually diagnosed an animal with altitude sickness. However, here are some signs to look for:

Increased panting or difficulty breathing
Change in gum color - kind of dull or grey
Stumbling or staggering
Mentally foggy - just doesn't seem to be there

If you notice any of these signs have your dog drink some water and then head back down the mountain. Returning to a lower elevation should decrease the symptoms. If they continue, head straight to the vet's office.

4) Water and Food: Just like you need lots of water and food to sustain you on the long hike to the summit so does your dog. Some dogs can wear a pack and carry their own water. Check Amazon.com for multiple options of styles and sizes to fit your dog. Dehydration is no fun for you or your dog and can be a precursor for heat stroke if left unchecked.

5) First Aid: It's best to be prepared. See my May 31st post on disaster preparedness. It's a good idea to have a basic first aid kit on hand that includes a guide for emergency response (for dogs and their humans).

6) Timing: Weather is unpredictable in the mountains and storms can move in quickly. The smartest thing to do is get started early in the morning so that you summit the 14'er in time to get back to the trailhead by early afternoon. Colorado is notorious for afternoon thunderstorms and the last place you want to be is on the side of a mountain completely exposed to the lightening strikes with no where to hide. Plus, many dogs are sensitive to lightening and thunder and it would be unfair to have them out in such a storm.

7) Cold and Hot: Another aspect of the weather is the temperature. Really hot days can lead to hyperthermia and heatstroke. Really cold weather can lead to hypothermia and frostbite. Either way you should be aware of your dogs response and make accommodations. For the heat let your dog indicate when he/she needs to stop for a bit to rest and be sure to provide lots of water. For the cold consider getting a fleece jacket of sorts that will warm the dogs core to stave off the chill.

I'm sorry this post is long, but hopefully this info will prepare you to have a fabulous time hiking with your furry friend.

The moral of the story...as the Carpenters sang, a dog's love really can put you "at the top of the world looking down on creation".

I'm...Too...Hot!!!

2009-06-30T07:45:00.007-07:00

Did you know?
Our cool weather for the month of June has given us quite a reprieve from the heat this spring, but as the temperature climbs with the official start of summer remember that you aren't the only one who needs to find ways to keep cool. Overheating in animals is a serious problem and can happen much sooner for dogs and cats than in people. Unlike humans, dogs and cats don't sweat beads of perspiration. Our furry friends use panting to cool off. Cats may also lick their fur for the evaporative effect to try to cool down. If they can't cool down their temperature will start to climb and can lead to hyperthermia or heat stroke. Heat stroke can happen in a short amount of time and can cause dire consequences.

Let me tell you why!!
A long run, being outside in direct sun without water, or being confined in a hot unventilated area can drastically increase an animal's body temperature. Be especially cautious about leaving your dog, or cat, in the car while you run into a restaurant or store. Invariably that 1-2 minute errand turns into 10-20 minutes. According to The Weather Channel your car acts like an oven when the sun is shining on it. And keep this in mind: if the outside temperature on a warm, sunny day is 90 degrees the temperature inside a car left in the sun in 10 minutes will climb to 113 degrees, in 20 minutes it will be 120 degrees, and in 30 minutes will be 133 degrees! Normal body temperature for dogs and cats is between 99 and 102.5 degrees F. If their body temperature rises above 103 - 104 they start to get in trouble.

We tend to see dogs in the ER for overheating and heat stroke more so than cats because of the tendency to over exercise or confine dogs vs. cats. Animals more prone to heat stroke include those with a heart condition, animals that are overweight, dogs or cats that have a thick coat, or breeds with short faces, also known as brachycephalic (e.g. Pug, Pomeranian, Bulldog, Boston Terrier, Persian, Exotic shorthair, Himalayan) . These animals all have a particularly difficult time keeping cool and need some extra consideration. For all animals remember to provide shade, plenty of water, and an opening into the house or other cool shelter to get out of the heat.

Rethink taking your dog for a run when you are mountain biking even if the temperature is 70 degrees. The dog will try hard to stay with you and the first sign of trouble you may see is when the dog collapses.

Besides collapse, other signs of heat stroke include heavy panting, excessive drooling, bright red gums, pacing, staggering, and weakness. Immediate veterinary care is vital to provide a chance for recovery. On your way to the vet place cold wet towels on your pets belly and apply rubbing alcohol or cold compresses to the pads of their feet to help lower their temperature.

Treatment for heat stroke is intensive and the majority of cases we see the outcome is not good, mainly because of complicating factors or waiting too long before seeking medical attention. Time really is of the essence.

Moral of the story...when it comes to heat stroke, prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The Ants Go Marching One by One

2009-06-21T17:06:00.003-07:00

Did you know?
Summer is synonymous with ants. Though none of us like to admit it, I'm sure we've all had trouble with ants at some time. They seem to appear out of nowhere, marching to and fro in a long black line having found some tasty food source in the pantry or on the kitchen counter. One of the methods used to stem the ant take over are the little traps. The ant crawls in, takes some of the bait, crawls out and takes it back to the nest to die. But, what if your pet finds the trap and chews it up. Is it dangerous? Maybe, but not for the reason you might think.

Let me tell you why!
There are a variety of ant traps on the market. Most contain a small percentage of a substance poisonous for the ants, and a large percentage of a sugary or greasy substance to attract the ants to eat the poison. For instance, the packaging on Raid Ant Baits lists n-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamide .5% and 99.5% inert ingredients. The .5% is so small that there is no danger to your animal if ingested.

Other traps contain a chemical commonly used to kill fleas and if ingested is just as benign. The inert ingredient for the Raid trap happens to be peanut butter. So of course, your dog smells a treat and tries to chew it up to get to the peanut butter!

So if an ant trap is ingested, the main concern is the potential for obstruction if the object or container becomes lodged in the stomach or intestines. If your dog chewed up one of the plastic traps and consumed some of the sharp pieces we recommend you feed several small pieces of bread or other type of fiber that can help the pieces pass through the animal without harm. Keep an eye on him/her to make sure eating, drinking, and defecation all continue as normal. Also, you can expect some vomiting and maybe even a little diarrhea from eating a non-food item. If the vomiting or diarrhea becomes persistent and your dog's attitude or behavior changes, get in to see the vet right away.

The moral of the story...don't let those ants march all over you.

The Case of the Swollen Face

2009-06-14T23:52:00.003-07:00

Did you know?
We had the cutest little miniature pinscher come into our hospital tonight with a swollen face. Poor thing was miserable and tried to hide his head as I brought him back to the Critical Care Unit of our hospital. Since there was no visible wound the first suspicion for this type of symptom was some sort of allergic reaction.

Let me tell you why!
Cats and dogs are a lot like us humans when it comes to stinging insects, spider bites and pesky bugs. Some animals get bitten and a quick shake of the head is all they need before they are back to the adventure that got interrupted. Other animals, like their human companions, have a much more drastic response and will break out into hives, have parts of their body swell up, or get a nasty localized itchiness or painful bite site. Cats tend to respond with less swelling and more vomiting or gastro-intestinal upset.

Allergic reactions can range from being mildly annoying to life threatening. Mildly annoying might include hives, some minor facial swelling or swelling around the bite area. Facial swelling from an allergic reaction is often associated with insect stings and usually occurs during warm weather. The swelling is often around the mouth, eyes or ears and generally is non-painful. It's good to remove the stinger if one can be found. A life threatening reaction could occur if the stinging insect was swallowed and stung on the inside of the mouth or throat causing swelling in the air passage that blocks off airflow and constricts the ability to breath.

Treatment for allergic reactions usually involves an antihistamine and a shot of steroids to decrease the swelling and itching. If the animal is scratching or biting at the affected area an Elizabethan collar might be recommended to keep the scratching paws away. Our veterinarians recommend a quick response for treatment to minimize the possibility of the life threatening situations and to decrease the overall discomfort for the animal. Some internet sites suggest treating allergic reactions with Benadryl at home. To be safe, it is best to have a veterinarian examine the animal to ensure that the problem is truly an allergic reaction and to recommend the proper dosage.

The moral of the story...tiny bites can cause big reactions.

Coming to an ER Near You

2009-06-07T23:17:00.007-07:00

Did you know?
I thought I'd continue in a similar vein as last week in the Emergency Preparedness post, but this time move to thinking about having to bring your pet to the emergency room for care. I know, none of us want to think about the possibility of our beloved four legged animal having to make a trip to the ER. However, if you have thought about it and considered some steps you might need to take before heading our way the trip may be more beneficial to you and your best furry friend. A recent AAHA article was forwarded to me by our Hospital Administrator and while it was a good article there were a few other items that our vets and techs mentioned that are great pieces of information to pass on to animal owners everywhere.

Let me tell you why.
Often, in the haste to bring an animal in for care, owners can forget to bring some vital pieces of information that would be helpful to the treating veterinarian in determining the best way to care for the animal.

Here is a list of items and info:

Bring any medication currently prescribed for the animal in their proper vials with the prescription label so we know type, quantity, and frequency of administration.

If the animal has ingested something bring the packaging (e.g. Decon, chocolate, gum) or a sample (e.g. piece of the plant).

Bring vaccination records for puppies and kitties - especially if they were within the last few days.

Bring any blood work results and/or x-rays from a recent visit to your family vet.

This is kind of a gross one, but a fresh fecal sample can be helpful for a dog with diarrhea. I know the smell isn't pleasant, but we are used to it.

Know the name of your family veterinarian and the name of the hospital where you take your pet for routine care. We like to send a letter to let them know we treated your animal. Grab their magnet from the fridge if you have one.

Small animals are best transported in a carrier. They are less likely to try to escape your arms and injure you or themselves. Especially if you are the only one in the car and trying to drive.

Wrap small animals in a blanket if you don't have a carrier.

Animals that can walk, but are too large for a carrier, need to be on a leash. We want to prevent animals from getting too friendly in the lobby and causing a problem.

For large dogs that are injured we can come out to your car and help put the animal on a gurney to transport inside.

Remember that any animal that is injured may behave differently than normal and if in pain may try to bite or scratch. Keep your hands and face away from the head of the inured animal. Let them show you what is comfortable.

Hopefully these tips will make your trip to the ER a little less painful.

The moral of the story...help us help you.

Are You Prepared?

2009-05-31T23:19:00.007-07:00

Did you know?
My perspective on emergencies is probably a bit skewed since I see clients responding with animals in an 'emergent' situation almost every day. But think with me for a moment about how you might respond should a hazardous situation suddenly face your family (and yes, family includes the furry four-footed felines or canines).

Since the attacks of 9-11 rocked our world in 2001 and Hurricane Katrina devastatingly hit Louisiana and Mississippi in 2005 federal, state, and local agencies have taken a hard look at their disaster plans. They all want to use the lessons learned from the terrifying days surrounding those two horrific events to be well prepared should a similar disaster hit somewhere else in our country. The reassuring part for pet owners is that companion animals and household pets now have a much more prominent place in the planning. But the planning can't be left at the government or agency level. Pet owners must think about, and take action to implement, their own disaster plan for themselves and their pets.

Let me tell you why!
Remember the Y2K scare? So many people gathered non-perishable food, created shelters, obtained generators and overall prepared for the end of the world as we knew it. Thankfully none of that materialized and the world buzzed on with clocks still ticking and computer programs working splendidly. The irony is that not many people make much effort to prepare for the seemingly mundane emergency situations that are far more likely to occur in our world at anytime, but without a specific date attached.

Colorado has its fair share of hazards that have and most likely will occur in our beautiful state. Events such as tornado, drought, counter-terrorism, avalanche, earthquake, extreme heat, flood, hail storm, landslide, lightning strike, winter storm, or wildfire are listed on the Colorado Division of Emergency Management website. The beauty of this website is that it provides information on how to respond and lists of items to have ready in case one of these disasters strikes.

There are also special websites for disaster preparedness for animals. The following is a list of resources with great information and things to think about when planning for your four footed family member.

American Veterinary Medical Association
Colorado Division of Emergency Management
State Animal Response Team
Larimer Humane Society
CDC Emergency Preparedness

So take a few moments and do your family a favor by preparing your kit, making a plan, and practicing a few drills so if, heaven forbid, a disaster comes your way you'll be as prepared as you can be and even the furriest family member will be cared for.

The moral of the story...planning and preparing prevents predicaments.

My Dog (or Cat) Ate My....

2009-05-24T18:40:00.006-07:00

Did you know?
Animals "eat" the strangest things. We've seen it all in our ER. From fishing line and hook, to golf balls, nylons, rocks, sticks, bones, batteries, underwear, string, toys, a knife, and even a GI Joe action figure.
(X-ray of a rock)
Dogs and cats are much like toddlers in their curiosity and desire to put everything in their mouths. Many times everything passes through with time and the animal is fine. But then there are the other times when "Lucky" gets far more than indigestion from the choice of snack for the day.

Let me tell you why!
In veterinary lingo anything ingested by an animal and stuck inside is called a "foreign body". It means just that, some object foreign to the animals body is inside where it doesn't belong and needs to come out. Foreign bodies can be dangerous depending on the object and where it is stuck. For instance, something like a pair of nylons stuck in the small intestine can cause the intestine to fold up on itself which in turn causes loss of blood supply and death of the tissue. The medical term for this tissue death is necrosis. This type of foreign body would require surgery to remove the nylons.

An obstruction anywhere in the intestinal tract can cause severe pain so that the abdomen is tense and rigid. "Lucky" might also have some vomiting or diarrhea. Or you might notice "Lucky" straining to defecate with nothing coming out. Any of these signs require immediate veterinary care. It is important to tell the veterinarian about any possible ingestion of a foreign body. The veterinarian will take x-rays or perform an ultrasound to look for the obstruction.

Most foreign body obstructions require surgery to remove the offending object. The surgeon will also inspect the surrounding area, remove any of the necrotic tissue and sew the healthy sections back together. Pets recovering from surgery for an intestinal obstruction usually need to be hospitalized for several days. Intravenous fluids are needed to keep the pet hydrated and to correct any metabolic imbalances. Follow-up home care includes small feedings with a bland diet for several days while the digestive tract heals and gradually returns to normal. Full recovery is good in uncomplicated cases, but the outcome may not be as favorable if the intestinal tract has been severely damaged.

The moral of the story...sometimes pets eat the darndest things and there isn't anything owners can do about it.

Darnitall That Xylitol

2009-05-18T01:19:00.006-07:00

Did you know?
Dogs and Xylitol do not mix. Picture this. You come home to find that "Lucky" discovered your pack of Trident gum sitting on the coffee table and couldn't resist that minty fresh smell. Strewn across the floor are multiple gum wrappers and as "Lucky" comes over to give you a welcome home lick you realize her breath never smelled so good. Unfortunately, "Lucky" has just earned an immediate trip to the Vet.

Let me tell you why!
Multiple flavors of Trident gum contain Xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol manufactured from birch trees or other natural xylan-rich sources. Xylitol occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables and is even produced by the human body during normal metabolism. Xylitol is used as a sugar substitute in low carbohydrate foods and sugar free candy and gum, including popular brands like Trident, Orbit, Icebreakers, and Altoids or Xylitol gum found in health food stores. Scientific studies have found this natural sweetener to have numerous health benefits for humans, but for dogs ingestion can be dangerous or even lethal.

In dogs Xylitol is absorbed extremely quickly. The immediate result is that it fools the pancreas into releasing a huge spike of insulin, which is quickly followed by a precipitous drop in blood sugar (acute hypoglycemia) since there isn't really any surplus sugar for the insulin to work on. The next problem, which isn't quite as well understood, is severe (and often fatal) liver toxicity and failure. There isn't yet clear evidence of causation and these cases may be due to late discovery and a progression of the severe hypoglycemia rather than a direct connection to the Xylitol. Either way, it isn't good. It doesn't take a whole lot of xylitol to be a toxic dose, and the effects are so rapid that the window of opportunity to treat the dog is extremely small.

Symptoms of Xylitol toxicity include weakness, uncoordinated movements, vomiting, and depression. Your veterinarian will likely induce vomiting if the ingestion is recent. Other treatments can include administration of fluids by IV and glucose supplementation based on lab tests to monitor Blood Glucose levels, plus other supportive measures to maintain proper liver function. The outcome is dependant on the amount of Xylitol ingested relative to the size of the animal and the time lapse between ingestion and treatment. The more immediate the treatment, the better.

The moral of the story...no matter how bad her breath smells don't let "Lucky" chew gum.

Grapes and Their Shriveled Cousins

2009-05-10T21:24:00.005-07:00

Did you know?

MMMM, grapes! They were on sale at the local market this week so I got a bag each of green and red. Buying them reminded me of a recent poisoning case from the grapes shriveled cousin - the raisin. A dog had consumed an unknown number of raisins and wasn't feeling like himself. His owners called after he had vomited a few times on the kitchen floor and was advised to bring the dog to our ER for medical care right away.

Let me tell you why!

Seriously, there seems to be something in the skin or fleshy part of grapes and raisins that when ingested by some dogs and cats makes them very ill and can lead to kidney failure. It is a relatively recent toxin alert for veterinarians and there is still much to be learned. There have been very few, if any, studies about this toxin since its discovery so the amount of consumption is sketchy as well. The safest bet is to keep all grapes and raisins out of reach for the four legged people in your house.

Signs of grape or raisin toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, not eating, increased drinking, and abdominal pain. Kidney failure can occur within 48 hours of ingestion. It's best to begin treatment very quickly after ingestion, especially since it is unknown what quantity of grapes or raisins may make your animal sick.

Your family veterinarian or emergency vet will give your dog medicine to make him vomit (much more difficult to do in cats, but they are also less likely to eat raisins). After vomiting the dog will be given activated charcoal in an attempt to block the absorption of the toxin in his intestinal tract. Additionally, he will be started on IV fluids to try to flush the toxin from the kidneys. Blood tests will help monitor BUN, creatinine, phosphorous, and calcium levels, all indicators of kidney function. The vomiting will be controlled with a medicine known as an antiemetic. The veterinarian will also be watching for the amount of urine produced by the animal - another indicator of kidney function. All of this monitoring is best done in the hospital by a trained veterinarian and should not be attempted at home.

Outcomes are best for animals that start treatment as soon as the ingestion is discovered.

The moral of the story...whether smooth or wrinkly the grapes and raisins are best left in the cupboard.

The Grass Blade

2009-05-03T22:43:00.005-07:00

Did you know?
There could be danger lurking in your backyard. According to the calendar it is spring here in the Rocky Mountain West with summer right around the corner. Spring and summer months usually equate with landscaping projects - like getting your grass to grow in a contained space. There are many options for trying to contain those pesky blades. The danger lies with choosing metal lawn edging that sits flush, or slightly higher than your lawn.

Let me tell you why!
If your dog loves to race around your backyard and chase after the ball, no matter where it lands, there is a very good likelihood that the metal lawn edging is a blade waiting in hiding to slice at your dogs paw or leg. Veterinary Pet Insurance consistently reports that lacerations are the number one type of injury requiring a vet visit and subsequent claim submission. The seriousness of injury from metal lawn edging ranges from a minor cut needing some cleaning and a couple stitches, all the way to a slash through multiple layers of skin, tissue and tendon with a long healing process or even permanent damage and loss of mobility.

CVES strongly recommends removing the metal lawn edging from your yard and finding a more pet friendly alternative. Home stores market a plastic cap that can be pushed onto the top edge, which for a time does decrease the risk, but the plastic is fragile after freezing and heating or being hit by the weed wacker a few times. The broken edges of the plastic cap can be just as dangerous.

Here are a couple lawn edging alternatives found in a quick website search:
http://tiny.cc/y28i8
http://www.guard-n-edge.com/

The moral of the story...get the blade out of the grass.

That Bloated Feeling

2009-04-26T20:40:00.008-07:00

Did you know?
I grew up with large breed dogs (Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Greyhound), but until I started working for an animal ER I knew nothing about "bloat" in dogs. Turns out it is a very serious condition that needs immediate medical attention for the affected dog to survive.

Let me tell you why!
There are two kinds of bloat. GASTRIC DILATATION, an excess build-up of food and gas causes the stomach to rapidly expand or dilate; and GASTRIC DILATATION VOLVULUS (GDV), after expanding the stomach actually turns along its long axis and thereby twists the esophagus and small intestine closed so there is no passage of stomach contents or gas in or out of the stomach. Both conditions are very painful, but the GDV is life threatening to your dog. Veterinarians and scientists are still trying to pinpoint the cause of bloat. However, from a study conducted in 2004, Purdue University researchers site the following five risk factors to keep an eye on.

Large chest. The deep chested boys and girls are more susceptible - like Irish setters, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Mastiffs, collies, standard poodles.
Raised food dishes. Turns out it is better to keep the dish on the floor.
Genetics. If the mom or dad in the blood line had a bloat then its offspring might as well.
Age. Geriatric dogs are more likely to get GDV.
Gulping. Dogs that devour their food or water all in one swallow often ingest a lot of air at the same time.

The symptoms of bloat or GDV can be similar to other illnesses. The two tip offs are when your dog's abdomen looks like someone put an inflated balloon in his stomach and/or if your dog is retching - trying to vomit without success. Other signs include excessive drooling, restlessness or pacing, fast heart rate, indications of abdominal pain - whining or groaning when pressure is applied to the belly, cold and pale gums, biting at stomach, and labored breathing.

The only solution for GDV is surgery. The surgeon will untwist the stomach, release the trapped gases, and inspect the tissue and organs to ensure the blood flow has returned to all the vital areas. The surgeon will also perform a gastropexy that secures the stomach to the abdomen wall and decreases the risk of the stomach twisting again should the dog experience another bloat.

The moral of the story...know your dog and get "Lucky" to the animal ER right away if you suspect a bloat.

d-Con - The Sneaky Poison

2009-04-20T00:00:00.006-07:00

Did you know?

From a recent random survey of our Doctor and Tech staff at Central Veterinary Emergency Services I learned that the number one least known danger for pets at home is d-Con. Now if you've had a pesky mouse in your walls, or rats in the neighborhood dumpster, you probably know what I'm talking about. d-Con is the brand name of a popular rodenticide, a.k.a mouse poison. Many animal owners don't realize that the same poison that kills those pesky creatures (my apologies to mice and rat lovers) is also a deadly substance for their own pets.

Let me tell you why!

d-Con and other rodent poisons contain either the chemical warfarin (brand name Coumadin) or Brodifacoum. Both chemicals decrease the active levels of Vitamin K created by the liver until the animal's blood has no clotting ability. A poisoned animal will suffer progressively worsening internal bleeding, leading to shock, loss of consciousness, and eventually death. d-Con and other brand name rodenticides (Finale, Fologorat, Havoc, Jaguar, Klerat, Matikus, Mouser, Pestoff, Ratak+, Rodend, Talon, Volak and Volid) are all produced to be odorless and tasteless so mice and rats will continue to eat until the agent has the effect it was created to induce. Dogs especially seem to like the taste of the grain-chemical combination and tend to ingest large amounts.

Symptoms of d-Con poisoning include bleeding gums, bloody nose, blood in the urine, weakness, and labored breathing (from bleeding into the chest). The trouble is that rodenticides have a cumulative, long-acting effect which means that symptoms of poisoning may not be evident in your pet for a few days or even a week. Unfortunately, once the symptoms are evident treatment is more involved, the prognosis is poor, and it may be too late to reverse the effects and save the poisoned animal. Immediate treatment is recommended as it provides the best chance for a happy ending.

Treatment for d-Con poisoning, when recently ingested, may include making your pet vomit followed by the administration of activated charcoal to rid the body of as much of the poison as possible. The antidote for rodenticide poisoning is treatment with Vitamin K1 which will decrease the internal bleeding by increasing the clotting factors in the blood. Vitamin K1 therapy usually lasts for 4 weeks to combat the long acting effects of the poison. A blood test called a PT/PTT may be performed to test the prothombin levels in the blood, directly related to the Vitamin K1 levels and blood clotting factors.

The moral of the story...let the cat catch the mouse and don't believe any exterminator who tells you rat/mouse poison is safe around your animals.

Easter Bunny Belly

2009-04-12T17:31:00.014-07:00

Did you know?

Easter is over, but I bet there's still chocolate in your house. Let's suppose your sweet Lab puppy "Lucky" decides to play with the chocolate Easter Bunny and accidentally eats the whole thing. "Lucky" is no longer so lucky. If fact, depending on whether the bunny was white, milk, or dark chocolate, "Lucky" could become a very sick dog, and I'm not just talking about a tummy ache.

Let me tell you why!

Chocolate contains two ingredients, theobromine and caffeine, that are dangerous to dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and reptiles. Both act as a stimulant and can affect the gastrointestinal tract as well as multiple organs and, depending on the type and quantity consumed, can lead to seizures and even death. Poisoning is more common in dogs because of their propensity towards eating large quantities of unusual foods.

The three questions typically asked when a client calls about chocolate ingestion are: what kind of chocolate; how much chocolate; and how much does your dog weigh? The Merck Veterinarian Manual states "One ounce of milk chocolate per pound of body weight is a potentially lethal dose in dogs." This might seem like a lot of chocolate, but consider that theobromine levels in semi-sweet chocolate can be five times the amount found in milk chocolate. That 35 ounces of milk chocolate needed for toxicity in a 35 pound dog is reduced to 7 ounces of semi-sweet or dark chocolate. It would only take 3-5 ounces of baker's chocolate to be deadly to the same dog.

There is no antidote for chocolate poisoning. Even if "Lucky" hasn't consumed a toxic dose of chocolate it may still be advisable to bring him in to induce vomiting to remove as much of the theobromine and caffeine from his system as possible, especially if the consumption is recent. In addition, activated charcoal may be administered to absorb the two toxins from the stomach and IV fluids can help decrease dehydration, flush internal organs, and increase urination, the only other way to rid the toxins from the body. For higher levels of ingestion the Veterinarian will also monitor for heart irregularities. Even if the dose is not toxic the fat and sugar content of the chocolate may also lead to vomiting and diarrhea, an unpleasant side effect. We recommend a call to your family vet, or to our animal ER, to ask more questions should you suspect chocolate consumption by your pet.

The moral of the story...don't let the chocolate Easter bunny get cozy with your pets.

Pretty Poison

2009-04-05T22:37:00.008-07:00

Did you know?

Spring is trying to appear here in the Rocky Mountains and the grocery stores are spiffed up by those glorious Easter Lilies for the holiday. Before you pick the best specimen, drink in the heady perfume, and head for the check-out counter, consider that Lilies can be a pretty poison for "Lucky" the cat.

Let me tell you why!

Members of the plant genus Lilium produce a chemical, present throughout the plant, which can cause a cat to suffer fatal kidney failure. It can be deadly for a cat to simply bite into a lily leaf or petal, lick lily pollen from its paws, or drink water from a vase containing cut lilies. Easter lilies, stargazer lilies, tiger lilies, day lilies and Asiatic lilies seem to be the most hazardous of this group of plants.

If you suspect that "Lucky" has been nibbling on your Lily plant call your veterinarian immediately, or bring "Lucky" to Central Veterinary Emergency Services. Signs of exposure include vomiting, refusing to eat, and acting depressed. Treatment is centered on kidney function for which repeated blood tests will track progress. "Lucky" will receive supportive care administered by way of IV fluids, and medications to control nausea and vomiting. Immediate treatment will provide better chances of recovery. This is not something to "wait and see" about.

The moral of the story - buy the Easter Orchid and leave the lilies for the pet free homes.

"Lucky" Talks

2009-02-22T19:38:00.010-07:00

What would your favorite furry companion tell you about life if those barks and meows could be turned into words? We try to interpret their sounds and nudges all the time and often wish there was a special decoder for those moments when a little indication of how they really feel would be very helpful.

We at Central Veterinary Emergency Services often feel the same way! The Doctors and Technicians that work with animals every day have learned the significance of a few of the signs, and behavioral medicine certainly has taught us a lot, but we are a long way from knowing just what is going on in those cute heads.

What we have learned is that many everyday things around the house, or in the backyard, can be very dangerous to pets. If "Lucky" could talk we would be warned that his friend "Fido" or "Fluffy" had to spend a night in the ER after ingesting too much of a good thing.

So this blog, "Lucky" Talks, is a message from the dog and cat world to their people about the things in homes that should have a warning sign attached and what to do if exposed.

I certainly can't cover every scenario and I don't for a minute suppose that you can diagnose your pets condition by the limited information available in this blog. If ever you are concerned about your pets behavior and possible illness please call your Veterinarian; or if you are in our area come see us for care by our Emergency Vets.

Thanks for reading and be sure to subscribe so you'll know when a new topic has been posted.