Leashes to Litterboxes

Frequently we as humans forget that we have to winterize our pets.  While some pets are better suited than others for living outdoors others are not and should be kept indoors.  There is a common misconception that dogs will be “fine” if left outside. This is not true! All animals need shelter and insulation against cold weather.  Frostbite and hypothermia are possible for our furry friends as well.  Geriatric and young animals are high at risk so special care should be given to them. 

Dog Houses:  If you are going to keep your dog outside you must provide it with an adequate house.  The house should have a heat source, dry bedding and be situated in a place that is protected from the wind.  Bedding could be straw or blankets but be careful if your pet is prone to chewing.  There are many heat sources available at pet supply stores like heated mats or lamps to be used with animals.

Food and Water:  Fresh water should be available at all times.  Heated dishes are great for those really cold climates.  During the cold spells animals will need more food for energy and maintaining body heat.

Foot Care:  Dogs with longer hair may develop ice balls between the pads of their feet causing limping.  Be sure to clip the hair to prevent this from happening or use booties like Muttluks.  If you are walking your pet on sidewalks or roads make sure you wash their feet when you get home with a warm wet cloth as people will have “salted” or “de-iced” their walks.

Anitfreeze:  Antifreeze for vehicles is a sweet substance that many pets will enjoy lapping up but just a few licks can be fatal.  Make sure that any containers are locked up and any spills cleaned up immediately.

Seeking Heat:  Many animals will seek the warmth of a car engine.  Before you start your car take the time to honk the horn or knock on the hood to scare off any animal that has possibly crawled up into your engine the night you brought your vehicle home.

The ASPCA has a good list of things to help winterize your pet.  As well a call to your veterinarian may help give you some pointers.

Tags: dog, pet, winter, healthy pet

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Did you know that approximately 45% of pets brought to veterinary clinics are overweight?  It’s true.  These are some guidelines that I follow when determining if a pet needs to go on a diet…

1.  Feel your pets rib cage.  You should be able to feel individual ribs.  If not your pet is overweight.

2.  Stand over your pet.  Does it have and hourglass figure?  If not your pet is overweight.

3.  Look at your pet from the side.  Is there a tuck at the abdomen?  If not your pet is overweight.

These are some quick things that you can do to see if your pet is overweight.  Now as for putting your pet on a diet that is another issue.  First switch your pet (slowly over a week or two) to a reduced calorie diet.  Two of my favorites are R/d by Hill’s or Calorie Control by Royal Canin.  Take your pet to your veterinary clinic, talk to the staff there and weigh your pet.  Both of these companies offer pamphlets that help to determine what your pet should be eating to lose weight. 

Some other tips to help lose the weight are exercise, small frequent meals (so your pet feels full all day instead of being a voracious eater at one meal and hungry the rest of the day), feed carrots or low calorie treats and exercise.  Some people ask how can I get my cat to exercise…..sure its easy for the dog people they just have to walk the dog but what about my cat.  I offer the following suggestions……

Put the food bowl up or downstairs so your cat has to do the “stair” workout.  Use enticing toys like laser pointers, feathers on strings or flicking sticks to get your cat to move around.

Just like with humans it is important to lose the weight at a decent rate.  Most will agree that 10% a month in weight loss is a steady rate.  I also encourage people to take their pet into their veterinary clinic once a month to get weighed and talk with the staff with regards to any questions you may have or to adjust the amount of food that your pet will get daily.

Remember, losing weight is never easy for humans or pets but with perseverance and the assistance of a good diet and the help of your veterinary staff you can do it and so can your pet.

Tags: pet, dog, cat, healthy pet, obesity

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More than half of all pet owners stated they would want their pet instead of another person with them if they were stranded on a desert island.  AAHA

Did you know that owners:

• refer to themselves as their pet’s “mom” or “dad”– 84
• greet their pet first when they return home – 72
• greet their spouse or significant other first – 13
• greet their children first – 7
• include their pet in holiday celebrations – 86
• hang a Christmas stocking for their pet – 64
• say they are willing to go into debt to provide care for their pet – 74
• say they will spend $1,000 or more to save their pet in a life-threatening situation – 73
• have sung to or danced with their pet – 65
• celebrate their pet’s birthday – 63
• have cooked or baked for their pet – 54
• include their pets in family or holiday portraits – 51
• have taken time off work to tend to a sick pet – 51
• have given their pet a wrapped present – 43
• have taken their pet to work – 44
• have more pictures of their pets than of their spouse or significant other – 39
• allow their dog to sleep in their bed – 36
• talk to their pets on a phone or answering machine when they’re away from home – 33
• have held a funeral after their pet’s death – 19
• carry a pet’s picture in their wallet – 17
• say they feel closest to their pet when exchanging kisses – 11

www.fbresearch.org

I can honestly say that I have:  hung a stocking, celebrated birthdays, cooked for my pet, given a wrapped present, taken a pet to work (who in a veterinary clinic doesn’t), allow my cats and past dogs sleep in my bed (try sleeping with a 110lb rotti and a 90lb staffordshire terrier in a queen size bed with a husband too), carry a picture in my wallet and have taken off time from work when a pet has died. 

Have you done any of the above?  Anything different?

Tags: cat, dog, pets

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Leptospirosis is a disease of worldwide significance that infects both animals and humans. The scientific name of the infecting organism is Leptospira interrogans sensu lato. While cats can be infected, they rarely show signs of disease. The disease is much more of a problem in dogs, people, and livestock.

Transmission

Leptospirosis is transmitted between animals through contact with infected urine; veneral and placental transfer; bite wounds; or the ingestion of infected tissue.  Indirect transmission occurs through exposure of susceptible animals to contaminated water sources, food, or even bedding. Stagnant  water provides a suitable habitat for Leptospira. As a result, disease outbreaks often increase during periods of flooding. In dry areas infections are more common around water sources.

Freezing greatly reduces the survival of the organism in the environment. This explains why infections are more common in summer and fall and why the infection is more prevalent in temperate areas.

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I found this really cool tool on how to score your pet’s body condition.  Obesity is not just a dilemma in humans it is also affecting our furry friends as well (over 50% of pets in the UK are overweight, while the number is around 45% in North America).  The Hill’s site has a lot of information on obesity, how to be a personal trainer for your pet, and has some fun stuff on it as well.

Tags: pet, obesity, nutrition

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Just as with human medicine there has been a discussion over the last decade as to whether pets need yearly vaccinations.  According to the Amercian Association of Veterinary Medicine a vaccination protocol should be discussed between an owner and their veterinarian based on the lifestyle of that pet.  A pet’s lifestyle, geographic location and age are all determining factors in deciding which vaccines are core vaccines and how often those vaccines should be given. 

Vaccines have protected millions of animals and humans from illness and death caused by infectious diseases. All medical procedures do however, carry with them some risk. Fortunately, in the case of vaccination, serious adverse responses like anaphylaxis, are very infrequent. Risk can be minimized by reducing the number of vaccines given as well as placing the vaccines at proper injection sites.

Even the drug companies are getting onboard with vaccinosis:

For many years the issue of over-vaccination has been a concern amongst dog owners and breeders and duration of immunity has been under constant scrutiny.  The overall consensus of canine disease experts and associated governing bodies is that vaccination is, and always will be, a necessary control for disease prevention. 

We all recognise the importance of vaccination, but doubt has been cast on the need for routine annual vaccination.   Times are changing and there has, indeed, been a breakthrough regarding its frequency.  Increasingly we are now seeing an entirely new approach to administration of vaccines in dogs.    We are no longer talking about every component, every year for every dog.  Even closer scrutiny is now being given to the duration of immunity, efficacy in the face of maternally derived antibodies and disease prevalence.   Intervet Drug Co.

Traditionally vaccines have been given on a yearly basis to pets, but some research shows that some vaccines induce immunity for less than a year and some last much longer.  For example some rabies vaccine products are available that have a label for 3 years protection while some bordetella vaccines are recommended every 6 months.

The best advice is to talk with your veterinarian about your pet’s lifestyle and for the both of you to make an informed vaccination program for your pet.

Tags: pets, cat, dog, vaccines

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Frequently pets need blood transfusions too.  Some of the common reasons for transfusions that I have run into are parvovirus, acute blood loss from accidents, preventative measures when a dog with a bleeding disorder like auto immune hemolytic anemia needs surgery, bleeding disorders (AIHA) and others.  Now you may think it is strange but yes there are animal blood donor banks.  Veterinary clinics often do not have a clinic cat or dog that they can draw enough donor blood from so they often call upon one of the larger emergency clinics in the area or blood donor banks.

Dogs and Cats do have blood types:

Dogs have 7 major blood groups.  They are labeled as DEA (Dog Erythrocyte Antigen) 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8. The DEA 1 system consists of types 1.1 and 1.2. DEA 1.1 is the most significant type and all donor dogs are tested to determine if they are positive or negative for DEA 1.1

Cats  have blood types too. They are different than dogs. Cats have a blood group system called the AB system consisting of 3 blood types which are: A, B and AB.

Donors:

Large breed dogs are the ones used for donation purposes.  Once typed a dog can donate once every 3 months to a clinic and approximately 450ml of blood is taken at a time.  Cats must weigh over 12 lbs and a smaller amount of blood is taken from them usually at the most 50ml.  Most donor clinics do not take blood from cats because they can be quite fractious without sedation so usually a clinic cat or a cat of one of the staff members at a clinic is a donor.

Dog donors cannot be unspayed females or dogs who have had a previous litter of puppies.  The reason for this is that  a unspayed female dog who has had a litter may create antibodies circulating in her blood. These antibodies may pose a harmful risk to the recipient dog by triggering a severe transfusion reaction.

All donors should have had all their vaccinations up to date as well.

Tags: pets, cat, dog, veterinary

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