![[Ask Us!]](images/t-askus.jpg)
My 4 year old cat has bad breath. His teeth look okay; what could be causing the problem?
When considering causes of bad breath ( halitosis), tooth disease and other diseases of the oral cavity should still be considered as likely possibilities. Unique to cats is a cavity that forms along the gums edge causing erosion of the enamel and eventual tooth loss. Other causes of bad breath may include; cancer of the mouth, foreign bodies (ie. String, needles), hair entrapment, nasal infections, oral ulcers and feline acne or kitty zits to name a few. There is nothing more eye opening in the morning than having Sylvester rub his face along side your nose with a bad case of jungle mouth that lasts all day. Less apparent causes of bad breath may result from metabolic diseases such as kidney disease or diseases of the stomach leading to chronic vomiting disorders. The type of food that you are feeding fluffy may also play a part ; soft foods and foods with tasty enhancements (ie.garlic and fish) may aggravate the problem. If you are uncertain of the cause then I would encourage you to discuss the problem with your veterinarian. If tooth disease is the reason then a proper tooth scaling, polish and fluoride treatment may be in order. Followed up with a good dental home care program and you and fluffy may both be able to sleep better.
If there is any advantage to bitterly cold winters in Alberta it is knowing that fleas do not like it any better than we do. Compared to provinces like B.C., Alberta pets experience relatively few flea infestations and resultant flea allergy skin problems. Pets that may have contact with stray dogs or coyotes, show animals and animals that are travelling with owners out of province may be more at risk. Fleas should be considered as a possible cause of itchiness in both dogs and cats even if no definite history of exposure is evident. If your furry friend has the misfortune of contracting fleas one must be aware of the necessity to treat both the patient and the enviroment in order to prevent reinfestation. If fido has an itch, don't just scratch it, look for the cause.
At what age can my puppy start learning basic commands?
For those of you that have been married for awhile I would like to assure you that you can teach an old dog new tricks ....... it just takes longer. Most puppies are able to start learning basic obedience command responses such as 'come', 'sit', 'down' and 'stay' by 5 months of age. Some animals have natural aptitudes while others are slower learners. Learn to work within your puppies limitations.
Prior to 5 months of age is a critical period of social development for your puppy. During this period puppies begin to develop a relationship towards animals of their own species, other animals as well as humans. Puppy handling classes which often begin at 12 weeks of age help to facilitate this period of socialization. The classes also help to enhance the companion animal bond, introduce the concept of training and help to identify early behavioral problems as they arise.
There is no safer, more rewarding way to enjoy your puppy than to have a loving, obedient companion.
Should my dog be on heartworm medication?
Heartworm is a parasitic disease of dogs and to a lesser extent cats. The parasite itself is transmitted by mosquitoes. Once the dog is infected the immature heartworm larvae migrates to the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries. If untreated, the larvae develop into adults which cause damage to the lining of the blood vessels eventually leading to pulmonary artery disease and congestive heart failure.
The silver lining in the cloud of mosquitoes this summer is recognizing that heartworm is a preventable disease. The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association currently recommends that all dogs traveling to endemic heartworm areas of Canada and other parts of the World be placed on preventative heartworm medication. It is important to discuss with your veterinarian pretreatment testing to detect those dogs that may have acquired an infection prior to treatment and those dogs that may have a treatment failure. For those dogs that are not traveling outside Alberta the decision for treatment is best made by discussing the risk factors with your veterinarian so that an appropriate heartworm prevention program can be implemented. Testing for heartworm begins in Western Canada in early April. Detection is with a blood test that looks for either the larvae or picks up antigens that the adult worm gives off.
Prevention of heartworm disease is safe and effective. The newer medications are given once a month and many have the added benefit of treating internal parasites and fleas.
Being observant and having a good knowledge of your pets normal daily behavior including such things as urination, bowel movements and appetite goes a long way in helping to understand if your pet companion requires medical attention. Whenever your pet demonstrates evidence of physical illness which you are unaccustomed to , you should at the very least make contact with your veterinary clinic. Although telecommunications is continualling improving, nothing replaces a thorough physical examination in trying to sort out fiffy, fluffy or iggy's illness. In other words, it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis over the phone. Having said that, there are symptoms that do require immediate medical attention. For example: episodes of collapse or convulsions, sudden and persistence evidence of pain, major trauma of any kind, inability to urinate or defecate, pale gums , bleeding, severe vomiting and diarrhea, significant depression and weakness should all prompt you to have your pet examined. If your pets problem is significant enough to warrrant your concern then it is significant enough to investigate
Are there basic first aid procedures I can learn that can help my pet in an emergency situation?
Having a good basic knowledge of first aid may be a valuable tool in helping a furry or not so furry friend in need!. It is important to remember when faced with a true emergency that immediate medical attention is probably more critical than bandaid solutions. Veterinary clinics are often willing to put on basic pet first aid seminars for their clients. Possessing a good working knowledge of the proper application of pressure bandages, splints, proper animal restraint to prevent injury to you and the patient, eye and ear care, basic wound management and CPR may help you to help a friend. Putting together a first aid kit for home can be a simple and inexpensive procedure.
Is it dangerous for a dog or cat to be put under general anesthetic?
As I recall my last general anesthetic, I remember the anxiety that I felt before hand and my desire to call my life insurance agent to purchase more insurance. That distress and uncertainty is shared by many pet owners when contemplating general anesthesia for their furry friends. Although, there is no such thing as anesthetic without risk, studies indicate that the incidence of death from general anesthesia in veterinary patients is less than one in one thousand. Understanding the health of the patient is important in determining the appropriate anesthetic protocol for that particular patient in order to minimize the risk. An appropriate pre- anesthetic work up may involve a thorough physical examination or may require a more indepth work-up such as: blood work, ECG, radiographs, etc. Anesthetic risk can be minimized by looking for any pre-existing health problems and tailoring the anesthetic to the patients needs.
At last glance there were approximately ninety -four ornamental and garden plants that were potentially toxic to pets. As a rule of thumb any plant that has a known toxicity to humans should be considered to be potentially toxic to pets. There are a few common plants that come to mind; Ivy, Azalea, Dieffenbachia, Holly, Hydrangea, Easter Lily, Pointsettia and Mistletoe. Most accidental ingestions result in gastrointestinal irritation such as vomiting and diarrhea. With other plants, such as the Easter Lily, kidney damage may ensue leading to increased thirst , urination, vomiting or inappetence. In general puppies and kittens because of their inquisitive nature are more at risk. If in doubt about the particular plant culinary tastes of your pet, be safe and remove any toxic plant from harms way. If you are uncertain as to whether a particular plant is toxic in your house contact your veterinarian for some helpful advise.
For many of us long in the tooth, we will be happy to know that geriatrics is in itself not a disease. The aging changes in animals are not a lot different than aging changes in humans , they just occur more rapidly. Heart disease, bad teeth, poor vision, loss of hearing, arthritis, kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, excessive weight gain or weight loss, as well as an assortment of hormone imbalances may affect the geriatric patient. Veterinary patients may also suffer from the affects of aging on the brain. Animals suffering from senility or cognitive disorder may lose housetraining, circle, bark excessively without reason and appear dissociated from their enviroment. The key to a longer healthier life for fido and fluffy is proper diet, regular exercise, quality play time and regular check- ups ........ sound familiar! Early recognition of symptoms is important. The onset of exercise intolerance, breathing problems, loss of vision or hearing, weakness, increased thirst or urination, excessive weight loss or gain, lack of appetite, vomiting and abnormalities in the stool should alert the owner to have the signs investigated by their veterinarian. Animals are living longer and enjoying life more fully because you recognize the importance of proper care.
My dog has a thick undercoat. He seems to shed all spring and summer. Is it normal?
In general most double coated breeds of dogs go through two main seasonal sheds annually, spring and fall. The largest amount of hairloss will occur in the spring, triggered by the increasing day length and to a lesser extent a minor shed may occur in the fall initiated by the decreasing day length. Shedding patterns may be disrupted by such things as; improper nutrition, parasites( both internal and external), artificial day length, amount of care given to the dogs coat , the overall health of the patient, climatic conditions and hormone imbalances such as hypothyroidism. The coat is normally in a constant state of transition. There is a continuum of a growth phase, resting phase and shedding phase...... unfortunately for some of us males the shedding phase has exceeded the growth phase. My recommendation is to have your pet examined to identify and treat any underlying cause so that the coat may be restored to health.
Can pets catch contagious illnesses from humans? or vise versa?
Zoonosis refers to the transmission of disease from animals to man. In todays society household pets often share a strong emotional bond with their owners. Under such close social contact the chance of interspecies infection is possible. However, infections are more likely to be transmitted to or from family members in the household than to or from family pets. Examples of some zoonotic diseases which may be transmitted from animals to humans include; Toxoplasmosis, Roundworms, Parrot Fever(Psittacosis), Hantavirus, Rabies, Cat Scratch Fever( Bartonellosis), Salmonella, Canine Cough(Bordatella) and Ringworm. There are a number of factors that are important in reducing the risk of contracting a disease from animals in Alberta: i) The geographic diversity of the population and the moderate, dry climatic make it more difficult for diseases to spread. ii) Proper pet health care and iii) Your own immune system and health. People with reduced immunity are more susceptible to zoonosis( ie. People undergoing cancer treatments and those who have HIV). An excellent brochure sponsored jointly by the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, the Alberta Medical Association, and Alberta Health helps to explain how to avoid the diseases that pets can spread to people. The brochure is entitled " HEALTHY PETS, HEALTHY PEOPLE" and is available from your veterinarian or family physician.
As I discussed in a previous article it is usually never to late to teach an old dog new tricks (your spouse may be the exception!). Consistency , repetition, positive reinforcement and rewards, and a caring enviroment will go a long way to overcoming bad habits. A training aid that has had a lot of benefit in not only retraining older dogs but also in the initial training of young dogs involves the use of the " GENTLE LEADER - PROMISE HALTER". The halter uses the natural instincts of the dog by applying gentle presure to the strong muscles at the back of the neck and to the nose and jaw. This pressure simulates the control and dominance a lead dog would exhibit in controlling other dogs in the pack.
Seizures are always a sign of abnormal brain function. The dysfunction may be a primary lesion in the brain or may be secondary to a metabolic abnormality (e.g. low blood sugar, toxins). For any animal having a history of more than one seizure they should have an appropriate diagnostic work-up to ensure that any underlying causes may be identified. In general, dogs that have experienced only one seizure would not be treated with anti-convulsant medication. We do recommend treating seizures if they are recurrent or intense, especially if they tend to cluster (several in one day). Every time a seizure spreads, it increases the probability that it will spread again. Ultimately the final decision for treatment rests with you the pet owner. As a rule of thumb, if the seizures are more of a problem than giving the medication, then treatment is in order.
Trimming your cat's toenails is simply part of the normal care of your furry feline, as with regular grooming and teeth brushing (no this is not a misprint). It is important to be shown the proper way to trim the nails so as to avoid the quick or blood supply and minimize any unnecessary trauma to yourself or fluffy. The frequency of trimming depends on the activity level of your cat. If your cats exercise consists of waddling from the food dish to the couch then they may need to be trimmed every couple of weeks. If he/she is in perpetual motion and has lots of rough substrates to scratch on then they may require trimming every few months.
The gradual loss of vision and hearing is not uncommon in the geriatric dog as part of aging. The loss of sight is often associated with the being unsettled at night, difficulty with getting around in dime light, uncertainty when going up and down stairs or jumping on or off furniture. As the loss of sight progresses your dog may start to bump into objects, this may be most evident in enviroments that your dog is unfamiliar with. In cases where loss of sight is related to cataracts, Fido vision may be restored with cataract surgery.
Loss of hearing may be less evident to the owner in the early stages. A dog that was once aroused by the sound of the door bell or another dog may simply remain sleeping. Initially, they may become less responsive to low pitched noises and often have difficulty determing the direction that a noise came from. As the deafness progresses they develop very sound sleep patterns. Many require petting to awaken them from their deep sleep. If your pet companion shows loss of vision or sight it should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian so that any underlying treatable causes may be identified. You may still enjoy some quality time together if you are willing to serve as Fido's ears and eyes. It is important to keep Fido in a controlled enviroment, since he is more at risk to injury away from surrondings that he is not familiar with.
How long should it take to housetrain a female puppy?
In general, most pups would have a good grasp of house training by the time they are 16 weeks of age, regardless of sex. The most common problem that I see in practice is owners giving their pup to large an area to play in before they are consistently going to the bathroom outside. The most critical period for going to the bathroom is before and after meals and immediately after waking up from a sleep. If you are consistent about taking your puppy outside every couple of hours and restricting their area in the house you will have less messes to pick up. Never physically punish your pup for accidents since they will not associate the punishment with the goal you are trying to achieve.
I have a Poodle/Terrier dog that is very frightened of thunder. Other than trying to comfort her , is there anything else I can do to try and ease her fear?
Noise phobias are not uncommon in animals. The phobias often arise when pets are not exposed to enough different stimuli at a young age. During the early developmental period (as young as 1 week of age) pupppies and kittens should be exposed to a variety of stimuli such as movement , light, handling and noises. For adult dogs behavioral modification is often the first step in managing noise phobias. With behavioral modification repeated exposure to a gradient of stimulus is used ( ie. audiotape of thunderstorm) to desensitize them to the stimulus. The desensitization is usually combined with concurrent positive reinforcement. In some dogs medications such as antianxiety drugs and tranquilizers may be necessary to help manage the fear associated with the thunderstorm. It is important to discuss the problem with your veterinarian so that an appropriate treatment program can be implemented.
We have decided to not get our female cat spayed. How will this affect her general health?
Call it a pet peeve or just getting old and groutchy but being a responsible pet owner to me means taking a proactive role in assuring that your cat or dog does not produce unwanted kittens or puppies. Every year the SPCA euthanises thousands of homeless cats many of them from homes who had no intention of letting their cat get pregnant. There are also many valid health reasons to perform an ovariohysterectomy ( spay) at a young age. Intact female cats have a seven fold higher risk of mammary cancer than spayed females. Ovariohysterectomy will also prevent the development of ovarian or uterine cancer, twisted uterus, uterine infections, complications associated with pregnancy and labour.As well as eliminating the behavioral changes attributed to cats going into heat.
We hear so much about the danger of dogs suffering heat stroke in the summer. How long can a dog be out in the sun or in a vehicle before this can happen?
Dogs have very inefficient heat loss mechanisms compared to humans. While humans rely on the evaporation of sweat as a means of heat loss, dogs depend on panting and the subsequent evaporation of water from the tongue to cool themselves. A dog should not be left unattended in a vehicle in the summer due to the increased risk of heat stroke and the green house effect created inside a car by the sun shinning through a car window. For dogs outside it is important to ensure that they have plenty of access to shade and an unlimited supply of fresh water. If your dog has a heart condition, respiratory condition ,heavy coat or is overweight he/she may be at increased risk to heat stress. It is important to recognize the symptoms of heat stress such as excessive panting and salivation, frenzied behavior, weakness, collapse and convulsions so that your dog may be treated appropriately. Severe heat stress requires immediate veterinary attention. Heat stress is potentially a life threatening condition the oweness is on you to ensure that your dog is not put at risk.
Should dogs and cats be de-wormed on a regular basis?
Puppies and kittens are probably at greatest risk to acquiring intestinal parasites. Transmission may occur prior to birth, through the milk or contact with the mothers stool at an early age. Adult dogs and cats may acquire worm infestations from ingesting intermediate hosts (ie. birds,mice fleas), ingestion of eggs shed in stool or on the hair coat, and contact with fecal contaminated soil or water. Because of the potential for transmission of certain internal parasites ,such as roundworms ,to humans and the health benefits to your pet it is important to ensure that your pets are free of intestinal parasites. For all young puppies and kittens it is important to take a stool sample into your veterinarian for testing so that an appropriate deworming medication can be dispensed. For adult dogs and cats at risk having your veterinarian perform an annual fecal examination or establish an effective deworming program will help to ensure that your pet remains healthy.
I'm travelling to Ontario with my two dogs in September. I'm concerned about the risk of Lyme Disease, which I've heard can be spread through ticks (we'll be camping). Is there a vaccine to guard against the disease?
Canine Lyme disease is caused by a spirochetal agent known as Borrelia burgdorferi (for those with an interest in trivial pursuit questions, siphilis is also caused by a spirochete). The organism is transmitted to dogs by deer ticks, typically the hard-shelled ticks of the genus Ixodes. Once the tick attaches and starts to feed on the dog, spirochetes residing in the midgut of the tick begin to migrate to the salivary glands and from there into the host. The longer the tick feeds on the host the greater the risk of infection. There is little danger of infection during the first 12 to 24 hr of tick feeding. The clinical signs of infection in dogs are primarily associated with arthritis, one or more joints may be involved. Fever, anorexia and lethargy are also commonly observed in dogs. Treatment consists of removal of any ticks residing/feeding on the dog. Once a diagnosis of Lyme disease is made antibiotics are the treatment of choice for dogs. In recent years there has been the development of commercial Lyme vaccine, presently two manufactures products are available. The efficacy of the vaccine and the necessity to vaccinate should be discussed with your veterinarian based on your specific circumstances. Examination of your dog at least twice daily for ticks, as well as, the removal and preventative treatment with the commercially available products designed to kill external parasites is an important preventative measure.
My 12 year old cat is having a problem with anal glands. It is very traumatic when they have to be cleaned every three weeks. What causes this problem, and what can be done to cure it?
Anal gland sacculitis ( inflammation of the anal glands) is seen in both cats and dogs, males and females. In feral animals the glands serve as a scent gland to mark their territory or in defence as with the skunk. Although the exact cause of the chronic inflammation may not be known there are some contributing factors. Physical activity, highly digestible diets, lack of dietary fiber, small stool volume, allergies, anal sphincter muscle tone, bacterial infections and pre-existing colonic disease may all contribute to chronic anal gland problems. In the long term management of the disease identification of any underlying cause is important. For those animals with seemly endless problems surgical removal of the glands is a reasonable option and one that should be discussed with your veterinarian..... the good lord giveith and the veterinary surgeon takeith away!. In this instance surgery may be the least trraumatic option.
Over the past 13 years, I have had a number of clients pets transported by various airlines from as far away as Australia and Korea. I have to yet to hear of people encountering any major problems ( I wish my luggage was as lucky!). I have a few suggestions that may make your pets flight more enjoyable.
Kennel cough, canine cough or infectious tracheobronchitis is the most common infectious respiratory infection in dogs. The disease results from a bacterial infection and/ or viral infection of the larynx, trachea, bronchi and occasionally the lungs. The disease is chacterized by the sudden onset of a high- pitched honking cough lasting from one to two weeks. Dogs will often gag or retch at the end of the cough in an attempt to clear their airway. Therapy generally involves antibiotics, in severe cases cough suppressants and anti-inflammatories may be necessary to reduce tracheal swelling. A comprehensive vaccination program is still regarded the most important factor in reducing the prevalence and severity of kennel cough.
Home
| You're in Good
Hands! | Help! My Dog Ate My Couch | Critter's Corner
Ask Us! | Breeders
Registry | I Love My Pet Club | Pet
Tales | Pet Talk | Special Connections