Is She in Pain?

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

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

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

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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?

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

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...

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.