Doodle Days #50

Why yes I do need both of these tennis balls. 

Well there wasn't too much going on this week! (nothing like my friend visiting last week!) I spent some times with my toys (You can never have too many tennis balls)

Nothing like a nice afternoon nap!

I lounged a bit...don't make fun of my princess blanket. It is mine and I love it!

Late nights always make me so tired!

One night I was just too tired to make it all the way to my bed. Really when you are exhausted any spot will do!

I do love my summer hair cuts!

I guess I did get a hair cut...and just in time, we've been having a lot of warm weather! Well that's' it for this week! Hopefully I'll have more next time!

Allergies: A General Overview

Allergies can take many shapes! Be on the look out with your pet. (Image Source)

Spring is here! (Finally!!) Along with the change in weather comes a new set of allergens for both people and pets. So while some of us are celebrating others may be experiencing some of the less than wonderful aspects of springs. Today I thought we’d look at a VERY brief overview of the different categories of allergies. We could spend days discussing all the different aspects of allergies and treatments, so for today we will just stick to the basics. Most people are familiar with the common signs of allergies which include itching, licking, red skin and on and off ear infections. Some dogs that have allergies will also have anal glands that need to be expressed more frequently. These are usually what prompt owners to bring pets into the clinic.

 

There are many reasons your dog could be itchy! Working with your veterinarian can help make a plan specific to yoru pet's needs. (Image Source)

There are three main ‘categories’ of allergens. These are food, fleas, and environmental which is also known as atopy. The good news is we can control 2/3 of these. Fleas can be prevented by keeping up on monthly flea prevention (and heartworm prevention for that matter!). Food can also be controlled. There is a LOT of information out there about food allergies. One thing to remember is that to identify a TRUE food allergy your pet must go through a food trial. This means feeding a novel protein (so a protein source they have never seen before such as rabbit, duck or kangaroo) and a novel carbohydrate source. This new diet is fed exclusively (so no treats or supplements!) for 8-12 weeks. If the symptoms clear then we re-challenge with the old food and if symptoms return we know there is a food allergy and we also know what proteins and carbohydrates to avoid. There is a lot of information out there about gluten free, no corn, etc for our pets. While there are certainly dogs that benefit from a more restricted diet, not all dogs need to avoid these products. A food trial is the ONLY way to know your pet has a food allergy.

 

The underside of their feet can tell you a lot of information if your pet is suffering from allergies. (Image Source)

Environmental allergies or atopic dermatitis, are probably the most common allergies and the most frustrating. We have no way to control the environment and short of keeping our pets in a bubble, we cannot prevent them from becoming exposed to these allergens. The most common include grasses, weeds, dust mites and dander. Testing is available to see what your pets top allergens are. In this case many can start therapy to help desensitize the body to the allergens. The testing can be expensive and many people are unable to pursue this option. In that case we are left with managing the symptoms with medications, supplements, shampoos and other topical therapies.

 

Intense itching and hair loss can be seen in many pets with allergies. (Image Source)

Any pet can have one or all three of these categories of allergies. It is important to control what we can. It is important that ANY dog with allergies is on a good flea preventative monthly. They also need to be on a high quality diet, and consider going through a food trial. It is important to work with your veterinarian to determine what will be the most effective course of treatment for your pet’s situation. 

Toxin Tuedays: Bromethalin

Rodenticides should be kept FAR FAR away from our pets! (Image Source) 

Bromethalin is another type of pest control that is maybe not as well-known as some of the other rodenticides. Common brands that will include bromethalin are Assault, No Pest Rat and Mice Killer, Tomcat Mole Killer and Vengeance. With this type of poison, it is the nervous system that is most commonly affected. Other systems that could be affected include the kidney and liver.

 

It doesn't matter the form or where you put it, our pets have a way of finding poisons! (Image Source)

Typically signs can start within 12 hours or up to 5 days after exposure. Typically we will start to see depression, seizures and coma depending on the dose ingested. Additionally, owners may start to note weakness, tremors or a drunken gait. As the symptoms progress the breathing will also begin to decline. If you see your pet ingest this product it is very important to call your veterinarian immediately.

 

Rat poisons can start to make our pets feel sick within 12 hours! (Image Source)

The best chance for a full recovery is early detection and decontamination. This may include inducing vomiting in the patient and administering a product to help bind any residual toxin in the stomach. Make sure you talk to your veterinarian as soon as ingestion is suspected. In some cases if the patient is already showing symptoms they may require hospitalization and intravenous fluids/ supportive care. There is no antidote, but treatment can be instituted for the secondary side effects including seizures and tremors.

 

With the decreased use of anti-coagulants for rodenticides, we are starting to see Bromethalin exposures on the rise (Image Source)

As stated before, the sooner treatment can be started the more likely it is for a positive outcome. One thing to remember is if you have this product down, even if you think your pet can’t get into it they can. Even if they have never EVER bothered it before, they might. Be on the lookout for any signs of it being chewed by your pet or any of the above symptoms. Call your veterinarian right away if you have ANY concerns.

Breed Focus: Brussels Griffon

This is a fun loving breed with a lot of love and a lot of humor! (Image Source)

The Brussels Griffon is one of the most fun loving small dog you will meet! They have a hilarious personality that will definitely keep you on your toes. These antics can often get them into trouble so early training is a must! However their adorable face and sweet personality makes it hard to stay mad at them.

This is a face that is hard to resist and hard to stay mad at! (Image Source)

They will require grooming, the frequency of which will be determined by the hair coat type. With the smooth coat regular brushing may be enough, but if it is more of wiry consistency hand stripping by a groomer may be required. This breed tends to be very healthy and aside from the grooming and training will be pretty low maintenance. As with many of the smaller breeds, luxating patellas (where the knee cap moves in and out of place) can be a concern. Keeping them at a healthy weight and ensuring that the parents did not have this condition can help minimize the risk in your puppy.

They may look grumpy but they are usually quite happy and entertaining! (Image Source)

I cannot stress enough how much fun this breed can be. With the right training their true personality really shines through. They can brighten up any room and be a truly joyful addition to your family. If you are interested in this smaller breed that really packs a big personality, you can find more information here and here. 

Doodle Days #49

I had a visitor this weekend!!!

I think we were playing king (or queen) of the mountain!

Maggie came to see me and I am pleased to say she played with me! Sometimes I come on a little strong and scare her but she warmed up and we had a great time!

She was going after a toy (and maybe hiding from me a little). 

So great we both had to take a little break!

I can rest my head just about anywhere!

Maggie preferred to lounge on someone's lap!

I just love when I have friends come over!

Megaesophagus

The barium shows how LARGE this esophagus is (Image Source)

The esophagus is a part of the gastro-intestinal tract that is extremely important for eating. It is the tube that gets the food down into the stomach. There are many reflexes, muscles and nerves that coordinate to ensure food goes down the esophagus and does not end up in the trachea and then into the respiratory system. If there are any disease processes that alter the structure of the esophagus it could lead to issues with digestion.

The dotted line shows where a normal esophagus would lay vs a megaesophagus (Image Source)

Megaesophagus is typically a condition that is secondary to something else. Once the esophagus becomes flaccid or loses its tone, we will begin to see symptoms of megaesophagus. These symptoms can include regurgitation and coughing, chocking whenever the patient is eating. There may also be symptoms associated with whatever the underlying cause of the megaesophagus is. It is important to not the regurgitation is different from vomiting. Regurgitation is passive, the food can sit in the esophagus and then just come back out of the mouth. Vomiting is active where the body is forcefully expelling the food or item. It can include gagging, muscle contraction and is typically very noisy. To confirm a diagnosis of megaesophagus, x-rays are required. This can show an enlargement of the esophagus in the chest cavity.

Elevated feedings are a must in these pets! (Image Source)

Treatment will include determining the underlying cause and deciding if this can be fixed or managed. After that, the megaesophagus can then be managed as well. This will include using gravity to help move food from esophagus to the stomach. In addition to the elevated feeding, many times making the food into a meat ball consistency, works for the majority of cases. However sometimes it requires trial and error may be required to find what works for your pet. There are some medications that can be added that may help control the regurgitation as well. It is important to see if the underlying condition can be managed, to reduce the risk of worsening the megaesophagus.

There are many different methods of elevated feedings. You will have to find the one that works best for you and your pet! (Image Source)

For more information on this condition please visit the following website here.

Toxin Tuesdays: Pyretherins

Pyretherins can be found in over the counter flea products. Always check with your veterinarian prior to applying a product to your pet (Image Source)

Pyretherins are a class of medications that were widely used as insecticides. They are found in some of the early versions of topical flea medication. This is before many people started to realize they pose a toxic threat to many of our pets. While they have mostly fallen out of favor there are still over the counter flea products that contain these drugs. It is important to know what you are purchasing prior to administering to your pet! Just because it is over the counter does NOT always mean it is safe.

When applied to skin the toxicity is lower than if the patient ingests it. This would include grooming it off of themselves. The onset of clinical signs can be rapid and severe. Sometimes we will see patients start to have symptoms as soon as 30 minutes after application or ingestion. These can include seizures in cats, skin irritation, increased salivation and vomiting. If you applied this product to your pet and they become symptomatic you need to call your veterinarian right away. Depending on the symptoms they may have you give your pet a bath prior to coming to the clinic to help remove further exposure to the product.

Local reactions can occur where the product is applied. Call your veterinarian if this happens! (Image Source)

Cats seem to be particularly sensitive to this product. It is imperative that you NEVER use a dog product on a cat. Also some cats are so sensitive that if they come into contact with the dog after the medication has been applied, they can start to demonstrate side effects. In some cases the exposure can become fatal despite our best efforts to treat the symptoms.

Once the patient is presented to the veterinary clinic they may recommend blood work to rule out other causes for the symptoms. From here treatment will depend on the clinical signs. If patients are seizing they will need medication to help calm their nervous system. If they are vomiting it will be important to ensure they do not become dehydrated. If the symptoms are confined the skin, repeated bathing and treating the lesion locally is usually required.

NEVER put a dog product on a cat!!!! (Image Source)

While these products are not widely used today they are still available over the counter. If you are looking for flea and heartworm preventatives for your pet ask your veterinarians prior to purchasing and applying any medications! This can save a lot of heart ache in the future.