Doodle Days #38

I had an exciting Monday! I got a bath and a little trim!

I do not care for baths very much, but I tolerate them like the gentleman that I am.

Afterwards I am always very tired and sleep most of the way home!

It does feel good to be clean and fresh!! (just so I can get dirty and do it all over again!)

Focus on Joints: Legg Perthes Disease

Legg Calve Perthes Disease (or Legg Perthes) is a condition affecting the hip joint, specifically the head of the femur bone. It is most commonly seen in small breed dogs. Manchester terriers seem to have a higher genetic predisposition, but there is a hereditary link between many toy breed dogs. In this condition the head and neck of the femur begin to break down, leading to discomfort in the hip joint. The exact cause is unknown, many suspect that the blood supply to the bone becomes compromised leading to degeneration. It is possible if trauma has occurred to the joint that Legg Perthes can occur in that patient as well.

 

Small breeds like the Manchester terrier pictured here seem to be more commonly affected. (Image Source)

Most pets will start to show signs while still growing. Symptoms will include limping, which is typically gradual and can progress to not using the affected limb at all. When the patient is touched over the hip area it will be quite painful and may even feel an intermittent catch in the rotation of the hip. If the symptoms have been occurring for a while, there may be decreased muscle mass on the affected leg.

 

Imaging is needed to make a diagnosis (Image Source)

X-rays will need to be taken to assess the joint and try to rule out other possibilities for limping. These would include luxating patellas, torn cruciate ligament, or even hip dysplasia. Images of Legg Perthes will usually demonstrate lighter areas in the head of the femur as well as thickening of the neck. In advanced stages, there could even be a deformity or fracture of the femoral neck.

Most pets recover great from surgery! (Image Source)

 Treatment includes resting and pain medications. Many times they will require surgery and actually remove the femoral head and neck. This procedure is called femoral head and neck ostectomy. After surgery it will be important to rest and pursue physical therapy to help develop the muscle mass back up to normal amounts. Most dogs respond beautifully to surgical correction. While medical management is possible patients tend to not have as good long term prognosis.

For more information on this condition please visit thefollowing website. 

Toxin Tuesdays: Xylitol

With no antidote available, aggressive treatment is required (image source)

Xylitol is a sweetener found in many human products. While sweet to humans, it can be deadly to our pets. Most exposures come from sugar free gum that our pets have found and ingested, however, xylitol is becoming very popular and can be found in many backing products, candies and even toothpaste. If your dog has had exposure to these products it is important to take action immediately!

 

There are MANY different sources of Xylitol found around the home (Image Source)

Why is Xylitol such a serious problem for our pets? One of the biggest problems is that Xylitol is very easily and rapidly digested. This means once your pet eats it, it will be very difficult to get it back. The first obstacle that we have to deal with is that Xylitol can lead to a VERY low blood sugar. In the animals’ body it acts similar to insulin which will lower the blood glucose. If glucose levels in the body get too low you can begin to see weakness, lethargy and even seizures. Depending on the amount the patient ingested signs can occur within 10 minutes to an hour. This is why immediate action is necessary.

 

A little bit goes a long way in our pets (Image Source)

Once the glucose is assessed and hopefully stabilized there is still another problem that can occur. This is liver failure and it very much depends on the amount of xylitol ingested. Once we know a pet has been exposed to xylitol we will recommend blood work to assess the glucose as well as get a baseline for the liver values. If glucose is low we will begin to supplement and get that stabilized.  Many times we will also begin to treat for possible liver disease. Depending on the dose ingested liver signs can start to show up within 9 hours or up to 72 hours. In some cases this can be severe and life threatening or lead to permanent liver damage.

 

While these products are safe for us they are NOT safe for our pets (Image Source)

Most of the time treatment will consist of glucose supplementation as needed until blood levels return to normal and also fluid therapy. Many times supplements like S-adensylmethionine, silymarin (milk thistle) and vitamin E and C will be added to help support the liver in its roll of filtering blood and scavenging for toxins.

 

Aggressive therapy is needed to help most patients (Image Source)

Treatment needs to be aggressive and early if a positive outcome is to be achieved. It is extremely important if you have pet to check the products you have around the house and if xylitol is in them either get rid of them, or keep them out of reach and temptation. For more information on xylitol toxicity please visit the following website. 

Breed Focus: Chinese Crested

Typical hair pattern for a Chinese Crested! (Image Source)

The Chinese Crested is a dog best known for its mostly hairless body. Although there is a powderpuff version of this dog that has hair all over. They are one of the most well recognized toy breeds across the country. The do not have a distinct history but seemed to gain popularity from China (hence the name Chinese crested). Their small size can lend them to many living environments, but they do have a mighty personality that if let loose can make them very difficult to deal with.

 

Powder Puff version has silky hair throughout (Image Source)

Although the majority are hairless, there are still several grooming requirements to remember. First the little hair they do have needs to be brushed regularly to avoid matting. They also will require sun screen if they are going to be outside as they have no protection. Also due to the constant skin exposure to the elements they tend to get dry skin and even pimples more frequently than other dogs. The powderpuff version will need regularly grooming every 6-8 weeks as with any other fully furred dog!

 

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As far as health concerns go, Chinese Crested tend to be very healthy. A couple of conditions to monitor for include dental disease. As with most toy breeds they seem to have trouble keeping their teeth clean and may require dental scaling at younger ages. If obtaining a Chinese Crested from a breeder making sure that their breeding stock has had their eyes certified free from disease can be important. Some Chinese Crested seem to be affected with retinal atrophy which can lead to issues with their eye sight. Screening the parents can help minimize the chance of your new puppy having issues as it ages.

 

What a tiny little thing! (Image Source)

To emphasize again, although they are small they have a very big personality. They will still require training especially when it comes to potty training. They can be stubborn so you will need to be diligent in your routine. They could also benefit from regular socialization and puppy classes, so their naturally shy demeanor does not turn into a ferociously protective demeanor.

 

They can (and should) be trained! (Image Source)

With their distinct look, many people are drawn to the Chinese Crested for a future pet. They can fit into most home environments with proper training and socialization. For more information please visit the following website here.

Doodle Days #37

Sometimes things at our house get a little crazy! While I love my toys sometimes I get a little too rough with them.

Just some neck wounds...nothing my person can't handle!

I should try to be a little more careful with my toys but I just get so excited!

Luckily I know someone that can fix them right up. When the toys have a 'wound' they go into the surgery ward. They have to wait their turn.

Good news, he's going to make it!

Once they are all sutured up, they can go back into our play rotation!

I think they are glad to be all fixed up!

I usually play until I drop, which is why so many of my toys end up in the surgery ward I bet!

Catching a little shut eye until the next round of playing!

Focus On Joints: Hip Dysplasia

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Hip dysplasia may be one of the most well-known and well discussed joint diseases affecting our pets. This condition occurs when the hip joint is malformed and will not joint normally. The femoral head does not fit properly into the acetabulum of the pelvic bone. Overtime this will lead to discomfort and can sometimes alter the normal gait or stride.  It is typically associated with large breed dogs but can affects animals of any size.  

 

An example of hip dysplasia in the left hip of this dog (Image Source)

There is a genetic link with hip dysplasia that can be passed through many generations. When looking for a new pet, if going through a breeder it will be important to ensure that they have had the hips certified free from the condition.  This will be especially crucial in large breed dogs.  X-rays are required to assess the hips, and most of the time sedation may be necessary. If your pet is already symptomatic x-rays can be done at any time to view the joints. If there are no symptoms and they are being assessed for breading stock, x-rays are typically done around two years of age. This is when all growth should be complete and the joints can be adequately assessed. For hips to be certified, the x-rays are sent to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

 

(Image Source)

In some cases referral may be recommended to an orthopedic surgeon to see if hip replacement is an option. This is a very invasive and expensive procedure so most owners prefer management. Once hip dysplasia is diagnosed there are several options for management. These include joint supplements such as glucosamine/ chondroitin, pain medications and fish oil capsules. All of these work to keep the joints lubricated and more comfortable when our pets are showing symptoms.  There are also several diets that have been shown to help with joint disease. Another big aspect of management to remember is that these dogs need to be kept lean as any extra weight will put more pressure on their joints and can cause even more discomfort.

 

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For more information on hip dysplasia please visit the following website here. 

Toxin Tuesdays: Chocolate

No, just no! chocolate is not good for out pets! (Image Source)

Chocolate can be very tempting for our furry friends! It is one of the most common toxin exposures we see in practice. Many households have chocolate so most pets have easy access to this product and if left alone will find a way to eat it. The good news is the vast majority of owners are aware that chocolate is not good for their pets, but may not know what to do in case of accidental exposure. Today we will look at the different types of chocolate and what chocolate toxicity can look like.

 

These chocolates would tempt anyone! Keep them in a safe place! (Image Source)

To begin, we first need to realize that there are many different types of chocolate products out there. They can range from white chocolate (which is mostly sugar and not any real chocolate) all the way to baking cocoa which is unsweetened and probably the worst chocolate product our pets could eat. Milk chocolate and dark chocolate are somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. Also remember some products that we think have chocolate in them, may have minimal amounts. For example Reese’s pieces, have very small amounts of chocolate with more peanut butter present. Noting the potential amount and type of chocolate ingested is crucial to treatment and outcome.

 

Holidays like Halloween and Easter show a rise in pet chocolate exposure (Image Source)

Why is chocolate so dangerous to our dogs but not to us? The culprits are caffeine and theobromine, both of which are found in varying amounts in all forms of chocolate. Both are metabolized in the liver and can therefore take a toll on this very important organ. Since they are absorbed almost every system without your pets body can be affected by chocolate.

 

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Depending on the amount absorbed the signs may be mild gastro-intestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhea. If it is a large amount of milk chocolate, or a smaller amount of the more potent dark chocolate you can start to see evidence of tremoring, seizures, and a very increased heart rate.

 

He may really want those cupcakes, but it is safer to just say no! (Image Source)

If you suspect (or know) that your pet has eaten some chocolates, it is important to call your veterinarian. If possible they will want to know the suspect amount, type and time of the exposure. This will determine treatment. If it will be mild with gastro-intestinal signs many times those can be managed out of the hospital. If the signs are more severe, they may need hospitalization. It is always a good idea to check liver values right after exposure and then throughout treatment to ensure that the liver is not having any negative effects. If ingestion is known to be recent (within 2-6 hours) depending on the patient your veterinarian may induce vomiting to try to remove as much of the chocolate as possible.

Although most of us love our sweets, it is very important to keep them away from our pets. In the event of an accidental exposure, the quicker treatment can be started, the better chance we have for a positive outcome. For more information you can visit this website here or here