NUTRITION SPOT LIGHT

THE GRAIN-FREE AND GLUTEN-FREE DIET TREND

A majority of our clients these days will proudly proclaim that their pets are eating a grain-free or gluten-free diet.  Unfortunately, the gluten-free trend, which coincides alongside the same human trend, is just the latest nutrition craze, and gluten-free doesn’t always mean better nutrition.

There are a few key factors that need to be considered when selecting the appropriate food for your pet.

Dogs are omnivores and are able to handle plant and animal based foods equally well.  In other words, their digestive tract is built like ours, and they can essentially eat anything.  There are very few known diseases in which dogs have gluten or grain intolerance.  There are definitely medical reasons to switch your dog’s food, or have them on a certain diet, based on various health concerns, but a typical healthy canine does not “need” a gluten-free food.   

These days, there is a HUGE selection of pet foods on the shelves of every pet store, and grocery store we frequent.  It makes it extremely difficult to choose a healthy food for your pet.  Make sure you speak with your veterinarian about what food is the best for your pet if they have any health concerns, but otherwise, be wary.....Good marketing doesn’t always equal better nutrition.  

Ehrlichiosis

Another disease that is transmitted by ticks is known as Ehrlichiosis. Unlike Lyme disease and rocky mountain spotted fever, there are two different species of ticks that can transmit this disease. Ehrlichiosis is actually caused by bacteria that set up shop in white blood cells.

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There are a variety of symptoms that can occur and generally they do not show up for at least 1-3 weeks after the tick bite. The symptoms are typically assigned into three categories or phases. Mild symptoms including fever, enlarged lymph nodes and drop in platelets are typically associated with the acute or first phase. Owners will usually report that dog is just off, maybe lethargic and not interested in food. With the low platelets owners or veterinary staff may also notice bruising or delayed clotting after blood draws.  If treated at this point the disease will typically not progress. The next phase is the sub-clinical phase. There are no symptoms associated with the stage, which can last years. Bacteria are replicating inside the cells and just waiting for a chance to emerge. The last phase is called the chronic phase. Patients will begin to show symptoms again and could see lameness in the legs, prolonged bleeding times, inflammation in the eyes or neurological signs in severe cases.

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Diagnosis can be made with blood tests. There are simple tests that can be done in many veterinary clinics, however there are also more extensive confirmatory tests that can be done a specific laboratories. Based on these tests and/or symptoms treatment may be initiated. As with many of the tick borne illnesses, specific antibiotics can be used. Typically improvement can be seen soon after beginning these medications.

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If your pet has been around ticks or is showing any signs of not feeling like themselves it is definitely a good time to visit the veterinarian. They can start to rule out certain conditions and hopefully start timely treatment if needed. For more information on ehrlichiosis you can visit this website.

Breed Focus: Siamese

Another fairly well recognized cat breed is the Siamese cat. Their distinct markings make them stand out amongst some of the other cat breeds. Siamese are well documented in history and seemed to originate in Thailand. Royal families would keep and pamper these cats so that they truly lived in the life of luxury.

 

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Some of the appeal of Siamese (other than their noticeable appearance) is that they tend to be very social. They (for the most part) love to be around people and crave attention. Being a very intelligent breed also adds to their popularity. They can usually be taught a variety of ticks fairly easily. On thing to keep in mind with this breed is that they can be quite vocal, whether they are happy or mad, they will let you know!

 

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As referenced above the Siamese have a very distinct look. Their coat coloring is typically a point pattern. This means the pints of the body have the darker colors. Points include the ears, nose, tail and legs. Coloring can range from seal, to lilac to chocolate coloring. Most Siamese also have blue eyes that stand out against these points.

 

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Typically Siamese cats are very healthy. As with most breeds it is important to examine the genetic line and see if any health concerns are apparent there. Some of the major concerns are associated with heart disease or the eyes. Heart conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can be found in any cat, however purebred animals seem to be more prone to this condition. With regards to the eyes conditions such as glaucoma can bee seen in Siamese. Interestingly, it is common for this breed to have a nystagmus (an involuntary twitching) in their eyes. Having a veterinarian do a thorough physical exam every year can help monitor for any early signs of disease.

 

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Overall the Siamese cats seem to be very friendly and love spending time with their owners. If you can get used to a more ‘talkative’ companion this could be a good fit for you. For additional information you can visit this website. 

Doodle Days #11

So I love my people...sometimes I love them so much I don't want them to leave.....this is what I do many days when they try to leave me....

Please don't leave me!

I also try to give them my most sad eyes....

This is the most sad face I can throw at my people

This is where I spend most of my day when they are at work. It keeps me safe when I'm not supervised. I've been known to get up to shenanigans.

Sometimes I am very sad in my kennel....

I am not always sad though..sometimes I know they are just running through my commands to make sure I remember how to go to my kennel...and then I get a marshmallow!

Where do you spend most of your days?

Vaccine Spotlight: Lyme Disease

Many people are familiar with Lyme disease in people, but did you know your pet is at risk too? Just like in people, dogs can become infected with Lyme disease if a deer tick is attached. A good rule to remember is that the tick has to be attached for 48 hours in order to transmit the bacteria. A great article regarding transmission can be found here.

 

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The culprit of this condition is actually a bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi). This is good news because as a bacteria it can be treated with antibiotics. Many patients that are symptomatic will start to improve after 48 hours of antibiotics. So what symptoms will we see? Unlike humans, we typically do not see a bulls eye rash on our patients. What we may notice is progressing joint pain or long term there can actually be some signs of kidney disease. Sometimes identifying Lyme disease as the inciting cause for these conditions can be difficult. This is because many of the tests we run will show up positive if the pet is exposed to Lyme but is not actually infected or affected by it. There is definitely some controversy in the veterinary field about whether or not to treat Lyme positive patients that are not symptomatic. Decisions really need to be made on a case by case basis with your veterinarian. More information about the presenting signs can be found here.

 

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Another controversial topic surrounding Lyme disease in dogs is whether or not to vaccinate. Many feel that the vaccine is of benefit to animals that have never been exposed but may be traveling to areas where it is endemic (generally the northeast portion of our country). While others feel that since the condition can be treated with antibiotics and the majority of pets will not have long term effects (again unlike humans) the vaccine is not necessary. Creating a specialized plan for your pet should be done with your veterinarian.

 

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One thing most of us can agree on is that prevention is extremely important, and typically easy to do! There are many products out there that offer tick protection. Be sure you work with your veterinarian to find the one with the best defense for you pet. Additional information on Lyme disease can be found at the ASPCA’s website here.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a tick borne disease. This means the main mode of transmission is from a tick being attached to the animal. RMSF is a condition that can cause a variety of symptoms in dogs. For this particular illness the ticks have to be attached anywhere from 5-20 hours (source) in order to transmit the disease. While there are many different types of ticks the main type that transmit RMSF is the American Dog Tick. Although it is called Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, this condition and these ticks can be found anywhere in the United States.

 

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Symptoms for RMSF can range from fever and lethargy all the way to not eating swelling of the limbs and neurological signs. These can show up as early as four to five days after the tick has attached. If your veterinarian is suspicious of this condition they will likely want to run some blood work. This could include a tick titer which can assess detect several of the tick born diseases, since many of them present the same way. Also a complete blood count along with a chemistry profile may be recommend. RMSF can lead to a decrease in albumin which can then lead to fluid or swelling in the limbs. It can also lead to decrease in platelets. This can sometimes manifest as bruising anywhere on the body.

 

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The good news is there is a treatment! If caught soon enough most dogs will make a full recovery. If the disease progresses to full neurological signs it is possible that animals can pass even with aggressive treatment. However the majority of cases are caught early and have a positive outcome. Treatment involves course of antibiotics. Many dogs will start to show improvement within a few days of starting the medication!

The best way to avoid RMSF is to prevent or reduce exposure to ticks. This means avoiding areas known to have heavy tick populations during tick season which is March-September. Also keeping dogs on monthly flea and tick prevention will help prevent the likelihood of a tick being attached long enough to transmit the disease.

 

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RMSF is consider a zoonotic risk, meaning it can be transmitted to people. However a tick attaching to the human or the dog is required for the disease to be transmitted. As always you can always contact your local veterinarian with any questions or concerns!

Breed Focus: Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels gained a lot of popularity after Disney released their animated film Lady and the Tramp. Many people fell in love with their smaller size and adorable ears. They still remain fairly popular today!

 

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Although on the smaller side Cocker Spaniels are actually founding the sporting group of the AKC. This should tell you that they are typically a high energy dog. If considering this breed you will need to commit to exercise both mental and physical on a daily basis. Otherwise they may find ways to entertain themselves that you as the owner may not appreciate! Due to their active nature it is also strongly recommended to pursue training classes to help establish who is in charge in this relationship. It will also provide mental stimulation to keep them interested. Many can go on to advanced training including agility! As puppies they can also be somewhat shy, so it is a VERY good idea to socialize them with people and other animals so that they are less likely to become aggressive as they get older. You will also need to commit to regular grooming appointments even if you prefer their coat a little longer. It will need to be managed with regular brushing or hair cuts.

 

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As with many purebred dogs there are several health concerns to consider. In the veterinary field Cocker spaniels are NOTORIOUS for bad ears. It will greatly benefit you and your pet if you start getting them used to having their ears cleaned and played with on a daily basis at a young age. You could also work with your veterinarian to have an ear flush that could potentially help prevent future infections. Other health considerations include glaucoma and cataracts. These can be genetically passed down so when looking at a breed it is a good idea to check the bloodlines and see if they have had any of these issues. Luxating patellas (when the knee caps slide back and forth) has also been noted in this breed. While not listed as a predominant medical issue, one website stated that many owners and specialist feel that Cocker Spaniels are more prone to immune mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). This is a blood condition where the body actually destroys the red blood cells. It can be deadly even with aggressive treatment. For more information on IMHA please click here 

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Cocker Spaniels are truly and great looking breed and can make excellent companions. If you would like more information on them you can visit the AKC website here  or a general breed website here