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FVH Blog
There are growing reports in California and other states of a canine respiratory disease whose cause remains unidentified. The California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) has been closely monitoring these reports, which have been particularly widespread in Oregon and Colorado. CLICK to download the full handout from the CVMA.
Make sure your next adventure in the car is a safe and successful one by following these pointers. Manage the motion sickness. Most pets become nauseated when riding in a car, so plan ahead and talk to your veterinarian about medication to keep these queasy feelings in check before you hit the road. Get your paperwork in order. If you're traveling out of state, you need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, also known as a health certificate, for your pet. This document confirms that your pet has been examined by a veterinarian, is free from signs of infectious disease and is current on vaccinations. Visit with your veterinarian. Even if you're not traveling out of state, discuss any additional vaccinations or parasite control your pet may need if you're going to an area you've never been before. Update your pet's identification. Make sure your pet's ID tag has your cell phone number on it—or use a temporary travel ID tag with this information during your trip. If your pet has a microchip, make sure it's registered with your current contact information, too. And keep a current picture of your pet on your cell phone so you can share it in the event your pet gets lost. Check your accommodations. Make sure pets are welcome at your destination, whether it's a hotel or a friend's or family member's home. It's also a good idea to bring a kennel for your pet if you need to leave him unattended for any period of time. Think safety first. Make sure you've got an appropriately sized carrier or a safety harness for your pet. If your pet is traveling in a carrier, make sure it's level in the back seat. And consider putting a breathable piece of fabric over the carrier to conceal sights and sounds from surrounding traffic. Prepare for pit stops. Make frequent stops to allow your dog to stretch his legs and relieve himself. But think twice before using the designated pet relief areas at rest stops. With so many dogs visiting those areas, they're a prime target for unwelcome parasites and disease. Instead, take another exit and find a fresh patch of grass near a school or church (please pick up after him). Put together a pet care package. Don't forget food, water, dishes, toys, treats, bedding, leashes and collars, and your pet's medication, if applicable. Make sure your pet feels just as comfortable and safe on the road as he would at home. INFORMATION PROVIDED By DR. MARTY BECKER AND THE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION GETTY IMAGES/MICHAEL PHILLIPS
The veterinarians and toxicology experts at Pet Poison Helpline have released their top 10 list of household items that generated the most poison consultations for dogs and cats in 2013. The items below are presented in order of frequency, with number one being the item that caused the most emergency calls to Pet Poison Helpline. If at any time you think your pet has ingested a toxin, call your veterinarian. Top 10 toxins for dogs Chocolate: Dark equals danger-ous! Baking and dark chocolate are the most toxic, and milk chocolate can be dangerous if ingested in large amounts. Xylitol: This sweetener found in sugarless chewing gum and candy, medications and nasal sprays causes a rapid drop in blood sugar and liver failure only in dogs (not cats). Non-steroidal anti-inflamma-tory drugs (NSAIDs): Ibuprofen, naproxen and so on, found in products such as Advil, Motrin and Aleve, are not easily metabolized by dogs; ingestions can result in stomach ulcers and kidney failure. Over-the-counter cough, cold and allergy medications: Those that contain acetaminophen or decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine, are particularly toxic. Rodenticides (mouse/rat poison): These may cause internal bleeding (brodifacoum, bromadiolone and so on) or brain swelling (bromethalin), even in small amounts. Grapes and raisins: These harmless human foods may be tasty to you, but cause kidney damage in dogs. Insect bait stations: These rarely cause poisoning in dogs - the bigger risk is bowel obstruction when dogs swallow the plastic casing. Prescription ADD/ADHD medications: Amphetamines such as Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine and Vyvanse can cause tremors, seizures, cardiac problems and death in pets. Glucosamine joint supplements: Overdoses of these tasty products typically only cause diarrhea; however, in rare cases, liver failure can develop. Oxygen absorbers and silica gel packets: Iron-containing oxygen absorbers found in food packages or pet treats can cause iron poisoning. Silica gel packs, found in new shoes, purses or backpacks, is rarely a concern. What to do if your pet gets poisoned First, take a deep breath. The more calm, cool, and collected you are, the sooner you can seek the correct medi-cal attention. Then get a handle on the situation by taking the following steps: Remove your pet from the area. Make sure no other pets or children are exposed to the area, and safely remove any poisonous material. Check to make sure your pet is breathing normally and acting fine otherwise. Collect a sample of the material, along with the packaging, vial, or container. You'll need that information to help your veterinarian or a pet poison expert assess the situation. Don't give your dog any milk, food, salt, oil, or any other home remedies. Doing so will likely complicate the poisoning. Never induce vomiting without talking to your veterinarian or a pet poison expert - doing so may be harmful. Get help . Program your veterinarian's phone number into your phone, as well as an emergency veterinarian's number and a pet poison hotline number. Our number at the Folsom Vet Hospital is (916) 985-4700 There are two 24-hour hotlines: Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-668 ($35 per call) American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal's Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 ($65 per call). Remember that a pet's prognosis is always better when a toxicity is reported immediately, so don't wait to see if your pet becomes symptomatic before calling for help. Calling right away is safer for your pet and could help you save on treatment costs in the long run. Remember that there's a narrow window of time to decontaminate in cases of poisoning.
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Allergies in pets often present as itchiness; the constant trauma of scratching and biting at themselves can cause secondary problems such as “hot spots”. They can also develop yeast and/or bacterial infections on the feet, then skin and in the ears. Additionally, pets can develop secondary anal gland impactions, sacculitis or anal gland abscesses because of the association with anal glands and the skin. The three main areas of focus in diagnosing and treating allergies are fleas, diet, and environmental allergens (pollens, grasses, molds, etc.) Fleas: Fleas are fairly easy to treat with topical or systemic flea prevention, most often administered monthly. Monthly application of topical flea products such as Frontline, Advantage or Vectra are helpful. Be aware of imitators on the market which often contain the same generic ingredient such s “fipronil” but are not effective and in may cases, can be toxic. Products to avoid are Hartz Top Spot, Aet Armor, Biospot, etc. When using a topical flea preventative always make sure there are at least 2 days between bathing and application time. Oral flea preventatives like Nexgard and Bravecto are out performing topical products in clinical trials. One of the hallmark signs of flea allergies is itching around the tail and hind end. Fleas are everywhere due to cat “flea taxis” both feral and domestic, rodents and wild life. In some cases where flea allergies are especially bad, clients can rotate between applying a topical product and administering an oral product every 2 weeks for increased flea control. Diet: Food allergies will often manifest as itchiness around the face, eyes, ears and anus, but can be whole body itching as well. It is more difficult to rule out food allergies, especially if there are children in the home dropping food, as well as the entire food trial for TWO MONTHS! When trying a food trial, pick a food that has a novel (never been fed before) protein and carbohydrate such as salmon & sweet potato or rabbit & pea. Avoid chicken, beef, corn, wheat and soy. Feed ONLY this novel diet for at least 2 months, DO NOT FEED TREATS that are not of the same protein & carbohydrate source! It will take 2 months before you see any result from a foot trial. If the novel protein is not effective, we may have a try a prescription hydrolyzed protein diet and treats. Environmental allergens: Finally, the third type of allergy is environmental, anything airborne or what the pet may come in contact with. Grass allergies will show up as itchiness on the feet, toes, between the toes and paw pads or the bottom the feet and can lead to severe infections of the skin, both bacterial and yeast. It is difficult to control airborne allergens so you can try to treat the physical sings. Always check in with your veterinarian to make sure there are not secondary infections. If there are, your pet will need to be treated first with topical cleansers and anti-yeast or ant-bacterial medications. Severe itching may require treatment with a steroid initially to reduce inflammation. One the inflammation is under control you may try giving Benedryl (diphenhydramine) dosed at 1mg/pound of boy weight ever 6-12 hours, or you may also try Claratin or Zyrtec every 12-24 hours if stronger anti-itch protection is needed. Consider prescription medications such as Cytopoint injections or Apoquel Tablets. A last resort effort of immune modulators such as Atopica (cyclosporine) or referral to a dermatologist for dermal allergy testing and desensitizing injections. We live in the highest allergen zone in the entire United States, even if you pet did not initially have allergies or you moved here from another location, allergies will get worse over time and increased exposure to antigens. The key is to try to catch the itching early and control it before it becomes a hot spot, bacterial infection, yeast infection, ear infection, or anal gland problem. Always feel free to contact you pet healthcare team at Folsom Veterinary Hospital at 916-985-4700 if you have any questions.
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