Pet FAQs
Where’s the cat?
Hey, didn’t the cat used to sit on
top of the refridgerator? Oh, yeah, but he was
young then … Hmmm, maybe he has arthritis and hurts. Many older cats have
osteoarthritis and deal with their aches and pains by not running and jumping
as much as they did when they were “young”. Granted, we may be thankful that
the old guy doesn’t jump up on the counter like he used to, but we don’t want
him hanging out in the closet because his joints hurt. Cats are notorious for
“suffering in silence” and hiding their maladies. There are many pain
medications, glucosamine products and treatments
available for these quiet creatures.
Moving?
When moving and changing
veterinarians, just like changing pediatricians and physicians, try to have a
copy of your pet’s records FAX’ed or drop them off
before your first appointment. This helps your new veterinarian establish a
record for your pets and can shorten the time you will need to check in for
your first appointment (while your pet is waiting anxiously with you). In
addition to any medical concerns, be sure to inform your new veterinarian of
any idiosyncrasies that your pet may have. These are important to have in your
pet’s record and can help the staff to know how best to deal with your pet, to
ensure as comfortable and relaxed a visit as possible. (Does your pet have a
fear of white coats? Are they more comfortable on the floor? Are they more
relaxed and cooperative with a firm hold or very little restraint? Do they
bite or claw when scared? Is your pet more calm with or without you in the
room? Are you anxious about anything – would you rather not watch
injections?) We record these details in your record to make you and your pet’s
visit as stress-free and pleasant as possible.
Poison Control
Important number 1-888-426-4435
Poisonous Plants
1.
Lilies (Easter lily,
Peace lily) – Cause SEVERE kidney failure. DO NOT HAVE THEM ANYWHERE AN
ANIMAL CAN ACCESS THEM!
2.
Yew – Causes trembling,
incoordination, difficulty breathing, GI
irritation, AND CARDIAC FAILURE.
3.
Azelea/rhododendron
– Causes vomiting and diarrhea, can be very severe,
but rarely does an animal eat enough to do serious harm. Be careful in yards.
4.
Tulip/narcissus bulbs – Cause
intense GI irritation, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions
and cardiac abnormalities.
5.
Cyclamen – Causes GI
irritation, intense vomiting and even death.
6.
Kalanchoe – Causes GI
irritation and arrythmias.
Toxic Drugs/Substances
1.
Ibuprofen and
acetaminophen – toxicity is generally GI, liver and kidney.
2.
Chocolate – toxicity depends
on the type of chocolate (baking chocolate is the most dangerous and milk
chocolate the least) and the amount of sugar and fat as well.
3.
Rodenticides –
toxicity is generally internal bleeding and can be caused by ingesting the
product OR animals that have ingested the product. (JUST DON’T USE THEM!
Traps really are the most humane for all involved.)
4.
Pseudophedrine –
toxicity is generally manifested as hyperactivity and agitation.
Vagabonds and Interlopers
What do you do when you spot a
bedraggled waif at the side of the road or your neighbor’s pet is harassing
your kids? Do you try to call it to you or yell and flap your arms? Each
situation and each animal is different. Proceed carefully and with lots of
common sense. Remember, animals that are lost are frequently scared and
therefore more liable to bite, especially if grabbed quickly. Also, not every
animal you see is tame or enjoys human contact. A cat that looks friendly may
become a tiger when cornered. If a situation is beyond your ability, don’t
hesitate to call for help (Animal Control 703-792-6465). AND, there is rabies
in this county … if an animal bites and runs away, seek medical attention
regardless of how minor the injury may seem (rabies post-exposure treatment
will likely be recommended)!
Is He Going to Bite Me?
What does a wagging tail mean? …
Don’t always rely on a wagging tail, there are MANY
dogs that wag their tail when agitated. What is the face doing when the tail
is wagging? If the dog is staring at you and snarling, believe the face!!
The dog is confused, and sometimes a confused dog is MUCH more likely to
bite. (Just like people and our “nervous laugh”, we may be laughing but we
are surely not happy and relaxed!) And, what about all of those “grinning”
dogs. Sorry, but those dogs are confused too, however cute they are. Respond
to them happily, but give them their space … they aren’t sure whether they
should be defensive or friendly. Dogs really don’t “smile” unless they have
been taught to and in “dog-speak” lifted lips and a glimpse of teeth means,
“I’m uncomfortable with how close you are to me. I need space.”,
regardless of how much the tail may be wagging and how much the dog is
bounding around you. Be careful, you could do something that convinces the
dog that you really are a threat and not just an equally happy/excited
playmate. If your dog exhibits these or other “confused” behaviors discuss
them with us. We’ll help everyone to send and receive clear messages.
… Oh, and if the wagging tail is
on a cat, especially if it is staring intently at you or your hand, DO NOT
reach for it!! Cats wag their tails only when angry or agitated!
Vacation Plans?
Traveling with your pets can be
fun, but stressful. Keep a firm hold on leashes and be very careful when
opening car doors with unrestrained animals in them. Even the most obedient
and calm pet can become excited and disoriented. Cats are notorious for
"heading for the hills". Have identification and contact numbers on your pets
at ALL times. Also be sure to carry vaccination information (i.e., proof of
rabies vaccination). If your pet is anxious and injures someone, having your
rabies information with you can save you a lot of hassle by local health
department officials (and hopefully prevent the local animal warden from
confiscating your pet for quarantine or until you can provide proof of
vaccination). Additionally, if you find you must board your pet while out of
town you will be able to provide the kennel with needed information (i.e., you
won’t have to wait until the kennel can call your regular veterinarian for the
information).
www.petsbest.com/vetlocator may be helpful if you need to find veterinary
care away from home.
Got worms? Got kids?
Wash those hands! Kids and
animals are a great combination. But, there is no substitute for hygiene!
Puppies and kittens are VERY likely to have intestinal parasites (i.e.,
worms!) While kids can’t "get worms" from their pets, they can ingest worm
eggs which will hatch and try to complete their lifecycle. In the process,
the juvenile worms will get lost – because the pathway from intestines through
the blood to liver and lungs, getting coughed up and swallowed, is different
in kids than in puppies and kittens. Therefore, the worms end up trying to
develop in aberrant organs. A couple of worms in your biceps
isn’t a problem. A worm in your child’s eye is.
The risk is slim, but real, so discourage your kids
from "kissing" with the puppy and kitten and let us develop a
deworming regimen for your pet.
Heartworms
in cats?
Guess what? Cats can be infected
with heartworms. Granted heartworms have to work harder to live in a cat than
a dog, but they do MUCH more damage in a cat. When juvenile worms arrive in
cats’ lungs they often don’t survive, but the inflammation they cause looks
like “asthma” and can be severe. It is theorized that some “asthmatic” cats
may actually be cats that are dealing with heartworm infections … even
multiple or sequential exposures. If the worms survive and become adults in
the heart and main blood vessels in the lungs, they continue to cause
inflammation while they are alive, but can kill the cat when the worms die.
(It looks like a massive asthmatic attack.) It is recommended that all
outdoor cats be tested annually and be put on preventative (that kill juvenile
worms BEFORE they land in the lungs).
Diarrhea!
Again, wash those hands!! We see
a large number of dogs with recurring diarrhea. A fair number of them prove
to have Giardia, a one-celled intestinal
parasite. Giardia is carried in the environment
by wild animals and other dogs and cats. Dogs are exposed when “sniffing down
the sidewalk” or poking around in the yard or woods.
Giardia IS zoonotic (i.e., you and/or your
children CAN get it). So, if your pet has diarrhea for more than a day or
two, have a stool sample checked.
If
Disaster Strikes …
“Disasters” come in many shapes
and sizes. Most have nothing to do with terrorists … fire, power outage,
tonado, train derailment/toxic spill. Be
prepared.
1.
Have a safe place to
go (friends/relatives, boarding facility, hotel/motel,
local animal shelter). Socialize your pets now so they will handle the
transition as well as possible.
2.
Keep identification on the
pet … collar and tag, microchip or tattoo. Address and phone number of the
evacuation site should be on the pet’s collar. Photos will help if separated.
3.
Vaccination records,
long-term medication and a first-aid kit should be kept together in a
convenient place.
4.
Keep food and water on hand.
Experts recommend a two-week supply (rotate your supply). Water requirements
are roughly one quart per day per ten pounds.
5.
Make sure you have a means to
restrain your pet (leash, harness, carrier, crate, etc.).
6.
Be aware of waste. Take the
bags and kitty litter.
7.
Bring as many “creature
comforts” as is reasonable … pet beds, blankets, toys, treats.
(You might want to prepare
similarly for the rest of your family … and keep your “evacuation supplies”
with your pets’!)
Golden Oldies
Pets are living longer, just as
people are. One of the reasons for this is better health care and
preventative medicine. Regular screening of older pets is recommended to
diagnose developing conditions (i.e., heart or kidney failure, osteoarthritis)
before your pet becomes seriously ill. When detected early, many conditions
can be successfully managed, adding many happy/healthy years to a beloved
pet’s life. Screening typically includes a good
physical exam, baseline bloodwork (CBC, chemistry,
thyroid level, urinalysis) and may include x-rays, glaucoma testing, blood
pressure measurement or other diagnostics, depending on your pet’s breed and
history. We have many “Golden Oldies” ourselves and are always available to
discuss your pets “golden years”!
Ever heard of “Alzheimer’s” in
dogs? Just like people, some dogs develop cognitive dysfunction as they age.
Typical signs are disorientation, altered interaction with family members,
disrupted sleep patterns, loss of house-breaking,
and altered activity. Free-radical damage is implicated as a cause and
antioxidants (i.e., a diet high in antioxidants appears to be an answer.
Interestingly, only Science Diet currently makes a diet high enough in
antioxidants (L-carnitine,
lipoic acid, vitamins C and E, carotenoids
and flavonoid and fatty acids) to support our
“golden oldies”.
