Question: What are the signs of heatstroke in pets?

Imagine not being able to shed your winter clothes on a hot summer day, and your only means of cooling off was by panting. Dogs and cats have little choice when it comes to keeping cool in summer heat. Recognizing the signs of heatstroke will allow for prompt treatment; and time is of the essence when treating this condition.

Answer: Signs of heat stroke include

(but are not limited to): body temperatures of 104-110F degrees, excessive panting, dark or bright red tongue and gums, staggering, stupor, seizures, bloody diarrhea or vomiting, coma, death. It is wise to learn how to take your pet’s temperature in the event of an emergency.

Brachycephalic breeds (the short-nosed breeds, such as Bulldogs and Pugs), large heavy-coated breeds, and those dogs with heart or respiratory problems are more at risk for heat stroke.

If you suspect heat stroke in your pet, seek veterinary attention immediately! Use cool water, not ice water, to cool your pet. (Very cold water will cause constriction of the blood vessels and impede cooling.) Do not aid cooling below 103 F degrees – some animals can actually get HYPOthermic, too cold. Offer ice cubes for the animal to lick on until you can reach your veterinarian.

Just because your animal is cooled and “appears” OK, do NOT assume everything is fine. Internal organs such as liver, kidneys, brain, etc., are definitely affected by the body temperature elevation, and blood tests and veterinary examination are needed to assess this. There is also a complex blood problem, called DIC (Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation) that can be a secondary complication to heat stroke that can be fatal.

If you have any questions about heatstroke in your pet or a pet you find locked in a parked car, please contact your veterinarian or local animal authorities immediately. This is a very time critical condition.

Hot weather creates additional hazards for your pet. Unlike humans, animals can’t change their wardrobe or turn on the air conditioning like humans do to keep comfortable. Follow these common sense tips to prevent a heat-related pet emergency.

* Don’t  leave your dog alone in the car on a warm day, regardless of whether the windows are open. Even if the weather outside is not extremely hot, the temperatures inside of the car can rise to dangerously high levels in a matter of minutes.

* Avoid vigorous exercise on warm days. When outside, opt for shady areas.

* Keep fresh cool water available at all times.

To Shave or not to Shave…

First, let’s explore a semi-controversial subject, to shave or not to shave. Many believe that a dog is much better off with their natural coat and that it provides a kind of insulation from the heat, actually keeping them cooler. Personally, with our particular double-coated Aussies, this never appeared to be the case, their thick hair just seemed to make them hotter, dirtier and more difficult to maintain.

Last year, we decided to shave our dogs (not completely- but down to about an inch of fur) and this is our personal preference. However, there are a few disadvantages to this technique that must be considered before you make your decision to shave or not to shave.

Most important, after a dog is shaved there is a very high risk of acquiring a painful sunburn based upon the dogs skin color. To address this concern, have the groomer leave about ¼ inch (minimum) of hair and then leave the dog inside, completely out of the sun, during the sunlight hours, for about a week. The second concern, is that the hair stops growing in as thick, natural and pretty as it otherwise would.

Shaving your dog for the summer is actually an important decision for both you and your dog and it should not be taken lightly. What works best for one person’s dog may not be what’s best for your particular canine and you should always visit thoroughly with both your veterinarian and groomer before deciding what will be best for your particular pet and it’s specific needs.

Bone Safety

Don’t Break a Leg

Broken bones are more common than you may think, and accidents can happen in ways you might never expect.  Veterinary Pet Insurance recently analyzed its data on fracture claims to discover the top ten most common ways that animals break bones.

1. Hit by car

2. Jumping

3. Falling

4. Fight with other animal

5. Running and slipping

6. Hit or struck with object

7. Caught in or between object(s)

8. Running into object

9. Stepped on

10. Injured in car accident

Get In Shape For the New Year!

Get In Shape With Your Dog in 2010

Looking for a new workout partner to kick start your exercise program for the New Year?  Why not enlist the help of your favorite wet nose companion?

According to a new study, Dr. Susan Nelson, Kansas State University veterinarian and assistant professor of clinical sciences, said dogs, like people, reap many benefits from exercise.  She states there are physical and mental health advantages for the dog owner and the dog when they exercise together.

Click here to read the entire article (pdf)

Nutrition

A Quick Look at Diet Options and Nutrition for Your Dog

Natural, homemade, organic, raw… all of these terms tend to be attracting headlines when it comes to your dog’s nutrition and food choices.

There are many quality dog food products out there, and as a dog-owner it’s up to you and your veterinarian to determine what the best option is for your canine.

Dog diets should be balanced and nutritious. Whether you feed dry, can, raw, or an assortment of methods, make sure that your dog is getting a blend of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, calcium and phosphorus that he requires.

Here’s a quick look at a variety of feeding options that often stir up confusion. We have also included links for more in-depth information.

From Scratch

A homemade diet means that you know where the ingredients in your dog food came from. The dog owner knows exactly what the pet is getting. The owner selects the protein, carbs and fats. Most veterinary nutritionists agree it is important to add supplements so that the home-prepared meals are complete for optimal dog health.

A proper homemade dog diet should include protein (animal or tofu), vegetable oil to provide essential linoleic acid, a specialized multi-vitamin, calcium and phosphorus in addition to the multi-vitamin, and iodized salt. Other foods like fresh fruits and vegetables are also highly recommended.

Natural and Organic

A proper blend of protein, carbs, fats and vitamins and minerals provides nutrition to sustain life. Then those same nutrients are derived from unprocessed and natural sources, a living being thrives.

According to the Organic Trade Association in Greenfield, MA, sales of organic pet food in 2008 was up 48 percent from 2007, totaling out at $76 million. Many dog owners have swapped corn for sweet potato and rice; and feed rabbit, bison, venison or trout as a key protein.

Natural diets are loaded with antioxidants, when fruits and vegetables are main ingredients. The companies who make all-natural dog foods may label their blends as ‘natural’ or ‘organic’.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials, regulates how pet food is made, and the United States Department of Agriculture regulates which items can be termed organic.

“Natural” dog food contains no chemically derived flavors, colors or preservatives. The AAFCO defines natural as coming from natural sources.

According to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, dog foods claiming to be ‘organic’ must contain 100% USDA-certified organic ingredients. Those products ‘made with organic ingredients’ must contain 70%. They must be grown with no pesticides or chemicals in certified organic operations recognized by the USDA.

Raw

For dog owners looking to incorporate holistic practices into their dog’s diet, a raw diet might be considered.

Feeding a raw diet typically consists of feeding raw meat, organ meat, and meaty bones. The diets are easy to feed since there is no cooking involved. Simply thaw that morning and feed that night. Handling is of utmost importance,  (keep all surfaces clean) and using the thawed food within a day or two is crucial.

It’s recommended that raw diets should also include fruits and vegetables, along with supplemental vitamins or additives. Many dogs show positive health benefits to being fed a balanced raw diet.

Vegetarian

Being omnivores, dogs can do fine on an all veggie diet, as long as it is rich in plant-based proteins like legumes and soy, which also contain essential amino acids. It is difficult to create a well-balanced homemade veggie diet for dogs, however, so consult a veterinary nutritionist if this is your desire.

Precautions

A brief listing of ingredients and food to never feed your dog include: Onions, garlic in large amounts, chocolate, macadamia nuts, grapes, raisins and artificial sweeteners.

It is recommended that before you make any major dietary changes for your dog to consult a professional.

For more info visit www.balanceit.com or www.petdiets.com.

Health Care

Q: Is the ‘flea and tick preventative’ from the grocery or pet store the same quality as what I would buy at the veterinary office?

A: The EPA regulates flea and tick products.  There have been numerous studies published in veterinary journals that have compared the ability of these veterinary products to be fast acting and long-lasting flea control.  I have not seen any comparisons of the products purchased over the counter to products purchase at the veterinary office.

I do, however, have anecdotal evidence.  A number of clients come to the office and complain about their pet being covered with fleas and they just applied a product that was purchased from a non-veterinary facility.  Researchers have also down played the resistance of the products.   They have placed a certain number of fleas on a dog and applied the product.  They placed the animals in a setting where they could not acquire any more fleas and the products worked every time.

With the invention of the newer flea products, clients have begun to not remember the life cycle of fleas.  It is egg, larvae, pupae, and adult.  We can kill all stages of the flea life cycle, except pupae.

Re:Markable

Are neutered male dogs really less aggressive than intact male dogs?

Neutering a male dog is the surgical removal of both testicles, which is referred to as castration. Neutered dogs have a lower incidence of developing perineal hernias.  These are hernias caused by the weakened muscles adjacent to the anal region.

Neutered dogs have a decreased incidence of peri-anal cancers and testicular cancers; and tend to be better behaved than intact male dogs.                 Neutered dogs tend to be less distracted by sexually oriented activities.

Dogs that are not neutered tend to wander away from home as they are often lured away by the scent of a female in heat. Other experiences suggest that neutered dogs may be calmer and less hyperactive. Most importantly, neutered dogs do not contribute to unwanted puppies euthanized because of the inability to find good homes.

I think that neutered male dogs are generally better-behaved individuals, but there are always exceptions.

Recipes

Salmon & Veggie Dinner for Dogs

High in Omega-3 – good for skin & coat.

INGREDIENTS

• 1- 16oz can of salmon (bones & skin removed)
• 1 egg beaten
• ¼ cup  of cornmeal, bread crumbs or matzo meal
• 1 potato
• 1 carrot
• 1 stick celery
• 10-12 green beans

INSTRUCTIONS

For the salmon: Combine salmon, egg, and cornmeal in medium bowl, mix well, and form into patties.  Fry in a tiny amount of olive oil until brown on both sides.

For vegetables: Chop and boil or steam the vegetables until tender.  (Except for the potato, which should be boiled, steaming the vegetables will let them retain more of their nutritional value.)

To serve: Chop salmon patties into small bites and mix with cooked vegetables.  Add a spoonful of unsweetened applesauce for additional moisture if desired.