Holiday Dangers for Pets

Christmas is almost here and with it comes some unique dangers to your pets.  One of the most notable is tree ornaments and tinsel.  

Cats primarily are known for eating tinsel, which can get caught in the intestine, causing the intestines to bunch up like an accordion.  This requires extensive surgery to remove.   Gift wrapping ribbon can also cause similar symptoms.  

Ornaments seem to equally popular between cats and dogs.  Keeping any glass or breakable ornaments higher on the tree is best to avoid them from being ingested, or causing cuts in the mouth.  Some of the soft ornaments are just the right size to be eaten and get stuck in the intestinal tract.  If  you have a pet known to eat things they shouldn't, it is probably best to keep the accessible part of the tree bare.

Christmas lights also pose a threat to dogs and cats alike.  Chewing on cords can cause electrical shock which can cause injuries ranging from electrical burns in the mouth to death.  Always use a grounded 3 pronged plug and try to keep cords out of reach.

As we are receiving and baking special treats this time of year, it is important to remember that there are several things that our pets should not be eating.  Chocolate is probably the most common toxin people know about.  It does not take very much baking chocolate to cause a toxicity.  If your pet ingests chocolate they should be examined by a veterinarian.  Fat trimmings and other rich foods can also cause severe gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, diarrhea and pancreatitis.  Any baked treats that contain Xylitol can be life threatening for your pet as well.  Macadamia nuts are also toxic and can cause severe tremors. 

Although this is a sharing time of year, the best idea is to not share our Holiday foods with our pets!

By Dr. Jennifer Pearson, Idaho Veterinary Hospital

Thanksgiving Dangers to Avoid

Thanksgiving is a time for gathering with family and friends and enjoying large home cooked meals.  It is important to remember that not everything that we eat is good for our pets to eat and that this can be a stressful time for them as well.  Here are a list of some things you should keep in mind for your pet this Thanksgiving:  

1. Fatty Foods:  These can cause at best a gastroenteritis and at its worse pancreatitis which can be life threatening.  It is best to avoid feeding your pet any table scraps.  If you do want to give  your pet a treat only give a small amount and stick to turkey breast or veggies.
2. Bones:  Do not give your pet bones to chew on or eat.  These can cause trauma to the GI tract or an obstruction
3. Onions and garlic:  Onions, garlic and onion powder, widely found in stuffing and used as a general seasoning, will destroy your dog or cat's red blood cells, which can lead to anemia.

4. Grapes and Raisins:  Grapes and raisins contain a toxin that can cause kidney damage to both dogs and cats.
5. Chocolate:  Chocolate can actually be fatal to your dog or cat; so all those sweets must be kept well out of reach.
6. Bread Dough:  Unrisen bread dough can be dangerous if eaten.  Not only will the dough expand in the stomach causing bloating, but the fermentation can severe electrolyte changes.
7. Anxiety:  Although having our friends and family visiting is fun for us, it can be very stressful for your pet.  If they have nervous tendencies already it is important to give them a quiet area that they can relax.  There are also anxiety medications that can be prescribed if necessary as well.
8. Garbage:  With a lot of cooking and eating also comes a lot of garbage.  Please make sure that it is disposed of properly and securely to avoid your pet getting into it.   Garbage can cause many issues including vomiting and diarrhea to the worst case scenario, death. If you have any questions or concerns please contact our office at 208-466-4614. Our Doctors and Staff wish you a safe and Happy Holiday.

Winter Safety Concerns For Your Pets

 

 

Summer is over and winter is coming.  With the drop in temperature also comes winter safety concerns for your pets.  The cold temperatures will make outdoor cats seek places to get warm and one of their favorite places is under the hood of cars or in the wheel well.  When the vehicle is turned on the fan belt can cause significant harm or death.  It is a good idea to bang on the hood prior to starting your car to try to scare any unsuspecting animals out.

 

If your pet (dog or cat) spends a large amount of time outside, especially at night it is important to provide a warm, dry shelter.  This can be a dog crate or even just a box with blankets in it.  The Treasure Valley can see some very cold temperatures and it is recommended to bring your pets inside if at all possible if the temperature is dropping below 20 degrees. Snow can be disorienting to both cats and dogs and there is a greater risk of them becoming lost.  It is important to keep your pets close and not let them run too far off.  This can especially be a concern when taking your pet to an unfamiliar area, like on a snow shoe trip. Also making sure your pets are microchipped or wearing ID tags can help them be returned home if found.

Anti freeze use is more prevalent in the colder temperatures and it is important to take extra care to make sure your pet does not have access to it. Any spills need to be cleaned up immediately and the bottle or any fluid should be disposed or stored in an area that is not accessible to any animals. If you think your pet may have ingested antifreeze you should have them seen by a veterinarian right away. Ice melt products can also be toxic to animals if ingested. Make sure to wipe your pet's feet and abdomen thoroughly after walks to make sure any chemicals are removed that may have been placed on the ground. If you use ice melt products at home it should be in an area that the pets are not walking through.

Common Pet Toxins

There are many different foods and plants that are toxic to animals  that everyone should be aware of.  Some of the most common include:  Chocolate, grapes/raisins, lilies (cats), xylitol, OTC pain medications like Tylenol and Aleve, onions/garlic.

Chocolate ingestion is probably the most common toxin ingestion we see.  Chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tachycardia (fast heart rate), and at higher doses can cause heart arrhythmias and seizures.  If you have discovered your  pet has ingested chocolate you should call your veterinarian to find out if it is a toxic dose.  The toxicity level rises with the amount of cocoa present so it does not take very much baker’s chocolate to cause serious issues.

Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure.  There is not a lot known about this toxicity as some pets do not have to ingest very many before they develop symptoms and others can ingest large amounts with no issues.  In general it does not take as many raisins to cause a toxicity.  The protocol for treatment includes inducing vomiting, activated charcoal and IV fluids for 48 hours.

Lilies also cause kidney failure in cats.  Most types of lilies are toxic including:  Tiger, Easter, Day, and Stargazer. All parts of the plant are toxic, including the water in the vase of the lily.  If you own cats it is best to not have any lilies in the house.  If your cat may have ingested or chewed on any part of a lily it should be seen by a veterinarian right away.  Bloodwork monitoring will need to be done and your kitty will need to be hospitalized on IV fluids.  If this toxicity is not treated right away it is often deadly.  The most common symptoms are drinking a lot, urinating a lot, and vomiting.

Xylitol is an interesting toxicity that can cause hypoglycemia and at higher doses can cause liver failure.  Xylitol is most commonly found in sugarless chewing gum, but has become more common in baked goods lately.  Every type of gum has a different amount of xylitol present so the best plan is to call Animal Poison Control and they can determine what level of xylitol they have ingested.  Hypoglycemia can last 18-24 hours and will need to be monitored in the hospital and treated as necessary.  If they have ingested enough to cause liver damage they will need to be hospitalized for 2-3 days for IV fluids and other medications to help with liver function.

Over the counter medications like Tylenol, Aleve, and Ibuprofen are not tolerated well in animals and can cause life threatening toxicities like kidney failure, GI ulceration and perforation, and liver failure.  You should not give your pets human medications unless directed to do so by a veterinarian and if your pet ingests a medication it is best to call animal poison control or your veterinarian at Idaho Veterinary Hospital (208) 466-4614 

September is Dental Month

 

This year during the month of September we are offering a $50.00 credit to your account for simply having your pets teeth cleaned. You, the pet owner are an integral part of our dental team. Dental disease is a much bigger issue than unclean teeth. 



  

Top 5 Reasons to have your pets teeth cleaned

1. Bad Breath.

2. I have pain in my mouth and gums.

3. I want to play tug a war without my teeth falling out.

4. Those brown teeth are not attractive.

5. I want to be disease free and live with you as long as possible.

Please call our office to schedule your appointment @ (208) 466-4614
 

Protect Your Pets Against Cheatgrass

Cheat grass is a ubiquitous problem in the treasure valley.  They are also known as fox tails and grass awns. Cheat grass is a nuisance in our yards and gardens, but can become huge problems in our pets.  These nasty little things can get stuck in ears, eyes, feet, nostrils, tonsils and even travel into the lungs.  If you see cheat grass present on the fur of your pet you should remove it right away to avoid it traveling to other places.

When cheat grass gets stuck in between the toes it will poke through the skin and travel up the leg and forms abscesses between the toes.  Sedation is often needed to explore these abscesses to find the cheat grass.  Sometimes it hides really well and can take multiple attempts to find it.

If your pet is outside and suddenly starts shaking it head or pawing at one of its ears it very likely could have a cheat grass.  Also if it starts sneezing suddenly and continuously it may have a cheat grass in its nostril.  Usually the cheat grass is deep in the ear canal or nostril and cannot be seen at home.  A trip to the veterinarian will be needed and again sedation may be needed to remove it.

If a piece of cheat grass gets in the eye of your pet it can hide under the third eyelid.  Usually your pet will not open the eye and the eye is swollen with a yellowish discharge.  This is very painful and should be examined to remove it and assess the cornea for scratches. When pets chew on grass they are at risk for having cheat grass get stuck in their  tonsils.  They will usually hypersalivate and swallow a lot.  They may also have a gagging type cough.  Sometimes they will cough out the cheat grass, but most of the time they have to be sedated to remove it.

Cheat grass has an amazing ability to travel through the body and can be found anywhere including around the rectum, vulva, or penis.  It can also travel into the lungs and cause severe and life threatening infections require thoracic surgery.  At any time you think your pet is having difficulty breathing it should be examined right away.

Avoiding cheat grass is nearly impossible as it can be blown around, but if you see a large amount of cheat grass present in an area it is best to avoid it and not let your pets play there.  Cheat grass is the largest problem in the summer when it has dried and turned brown, but don’t be fooled the green pieces can still cause an issue.

Heat Stroke

 
 

 

Heat stroke is a very serious concern this summer.  With the temperatures rising so quickly most dogs have not had a chance to acclimate.  Heat stroke can be fatal and require intensive treatment.  Signs include heavy open mouth panting, muddy or very red colored gums, weakness, and collapse.  Once a dog has an episode of heat stroke, even mild, they will become more likely to have further episodes.

The best way to treat heat stroke is by avoiding it altogether.  Try not to exercise your pet during the heat of the day.  Early morning or late evening when the sun is down is the best time.  Even if it does not seem overly hot heat stroke can still occur, especially in dogs that have not been exercising much during the winter.  During exercise in the warmer weather your pet should have access to water and plenty of shade.

If you are concerned that your pet may have over heated it is important to have them seen by a veterinarian right away.  DO NOT PUT ICE ON YOUR DOG.  Spraying them down with tepid water is best and then letting the evaporation cool them.  When dogs become overheated they are unable to regulate their body temperature and can become too cold too quickly.  When their rectal temperature reaches 103 then active cooling should be stopped.

It is important to remember that dogs, just like people, will heat up after they stop running.  They should not be put directly into a kennel or confined after exercise.  They should be walked around for several minutes to cool down.

Every year, hundreds of pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles. Your vehicle can quickly reach a temperature that puts your pet at risk of serious illness and even death, even on a day that doesn't seem hot to you. And cracking the windows makes no difference.

Please pay close attention to the outdoor temperature, your pets physical conditioning, and choose exercise appropriately.  Labrador retrievers are very susceptible to heat stroke and playing fetch in the backyard can be enough to cause heat stroke.  Heat stroke can be prevented by using appropriate caution.

CANINE INFLUENZA

Canine Influenza is a highly contagious infection that can be caused from 2 different strains, H3N8 and H3N2.  H3N8 is the strain that was responsible for the outbreak 10 years ago.  The most recent outbreak in Chicago has been caused by H3N2.  There currently is a vaccine for the H3N8 strain, but no vaccine is available for the H3N2.  It takes 2-4 days before dogs start showing symptoms and this is when they are most highly contagious.

Symptoms of Canine Influenza come in two forms, the mild form and the severe form.  Most dogs develop the mild form and although Canine Influenza is highly infectious it has a fairly low fatality rate (less than 10%).

 

Symptoms

·         Mild form infections have a soft moist cough that can last for up to 30 days. 

·         They can become lethargic, have a low grade fever, decreased appetite, sneezing, and discharge from the eyes. 

·         They can get secondary bacterial infections and develop thick nasal discharge. 

·         Sometimes the cough is very similar to the dry cough of “Kennel Cough.”

The severe form infections are associated with high fevers (104-106 degrees) and develop pneumonia and difficulty breathing.  The pneumonia may be due to a secondary bacterial infection.

Treatment

Influenza is mostly supportive and can range from just monitoring at home to hospitalization for IV therapy depending on the severity of the illness.  The canine influenza virus is not transmissible to humans and there have been no reports in cats.  The dogs that are most at risk are ones that are in close proximity to other dogs such as boarding facilities.

There have been no reported cases in Idaho and the outbreak right now is localized to the Midwest.  If your dog is coughing it is most likely not Canine Influenza, but your pet should be seen to be evaluated for other respiratory diseases.

 

Please call our office for more information. (208) 466-4614

1420 N. Midland Blvd, Nampa, Idaho 83651