Top of the World

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!!!

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

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

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

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?

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....

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.