And I Thought It Was My Age...

What I am referring to here is a quote from an article that says this: "The parasite may also sway human behaviour, with research suggesting it turns men into aggressive, jealous ‘alley cats’, while transforming women into ‘sex kittens’. "

I'm in my late 30's...sexual peak and all...but hey, I guess it may just be a parasite..LOL.

Well, this article certainly poses a more interesting theory and in some ways very scary to me - from the standpoint that cats do  not need any more reasons to be abused and treated like second class pet citizens. 

Can the cat give you cancer? Parasite in their bellies linked with brain tumours

By FIONA MACRAE

Last updated at 8:45 AM on 27th July 2011

Cats may be spreading brain cancer to their owners, scientists warned last night.

They have linked a parasite that breeds in cats’ stomachs with brain tumours in people.

While they can’t prove that our feline friends are to blame, they say that properly researching the link could spare some people from developing the deadly disease.

Brain cancer, in its various guises, claims more than 3,500 lives a year in the UK alone, and its causes are largely unknown.

The parasite in the frame – Toxoplasma gondii – is carried by around a third of the world’s population deep inside their brains and has been linked to personality changes, in people as well as animals.

The parasite, which infects up to 34 per cent of Britons, has a complicated lifecycle but can only breed inside cats, which then pass their microscopic eggs, spreading the infection.

Pregnant women are already advised not to empty cat litter trays, as the parasite can be fatal to unborn babies, and now it seems the health risks may extend to other people.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2019170/Can-cat-cancer-Parasite-bellies-linked-brain-tumours.html#ixzz1ThYurqfX

We in the veterinary world are VERY aware of this parasite. Veterinarians are the number one resource for zoonotic diseases, or those that humans can get from animals. There are many human physicians who are woefully misinformed in this area and have given wrong advice to their patients in regards to pets/animals. Example: you can't get pinworms from dogs/cats (people have been told they can for years and have gotten rid of pets because of it!). 

With regard to this parasite - Toxoplasma - the big concern has always been in regards to pregnant women as it can cause birth defects or be fatal to a fetus. However, the key thing is that cats only shed this parasite (if at all) for a 2 week window, the eggs need 1 entire day to become infective (so if you scoop the box even just 2x a day you are fine) and the most common source is undercooked meat and gardening without gloves.

In any case this is certainly not enough evidence to indicte our poor feline population. No good scientist I know would take this as proof positive. Is it interesting, yes? Do parasites possibly cause behavior changes? I'm sure if they involve the brain they could. 

I'm going to continue to enjoy my "friskiness" - no matter the cause however! :) 

Breed of The Week: Bernese Mountain Dog

I first came across these beautiful dogs while an undergrad at the University of Delaware. A grad student friend had one. Since I was a fan of large, hairy dogs, I was instantly in love.

I've seen a number of them over the years. They aren't EXTREMELY common but have a loyal following due to their sweet temperament and good looks. However, they are large dogs that do require some coat care and have some health issues as well.  The AKC has some great info on the breed here.


Some issues we commonly see with this breed:


1. Bloat (GDV) - previously discussed here.
2. Hip & elbow dysplasia - this can be screened for by 
    breeders  but as with anything genetic, you cannot 100% 
    guarantee a dog in the line will not have it. 
3. Obesity - this problem is EASILY prevented by owners
4. BIG ONE - Cancer - this breed has an extremely HIGH
    incidence of cancer notably mast cell tumors and 
    histiocytosis or malignant histiocytic disease 
    This article  from the Bernese Mountain Dog Association
    discusses it further. This disease has hit dogs very young
    and is a truly dreaded thing among BMD owners.  Research
    is currently being done into the genetics behind this.


In any case, how can you resist this?

Ooops!

I'm still trying to figure out how one doesn't know that one's female dog got "knocked" up?  


We see this in cats ALL the time. Intact (unspayed) female cats that go out will INVARIABLY be found by an un-neutered male cat. These cats may or may not be close family pets but often we find the pregnancy at the time of spaying. There are some cases where it is obvious and they are basically ready to pop but still, many times, no one has a clue and understandably so.


Dogs, however, are a whole different story. To get pregnant, dogs need to be in what is termed a "tie" which lasts at least 5 minutes if not longer. This is when the male dog actually is turned facing opposite the female dog (not on top of her). It is pretty obvious and because it's not a quick thing, would be difficult to miss. And while many people let their kitties roam, as first class citizens, dogs are given far more attention. 


In the past week, I know of two cases where a dog came in for a spay and the owner had NO clue that the dog was pregnant. It was early on in both situations, so did NOT happen too terribly long prior to presentation.

This dog had 8 babies total

So we are often surprised when we find the above after the owner said "there is NO possible way my dog is pregnant." Why does this matter? Well, it is a little more involved and definitely costs more. We would prefer to let you know this upfront. AND in case someone questions MY veracity on it, I take pictures! (that situation happened to a VERY trustworthy veterinarian I know - the client actually didn't believe her and wanted to see the uterus..insulting I know). 

Help! I Need YOUR Input!

Ok, I gave in and adopted this adorable sweet little kitty from my current place of employment:

She was hit by a car (commonly referred to as HBC in our profession) months ago and brought in by someone that found her. She had a fractured pelvis. With cage rest and time, she healed beautifully. However, she had a fracture of her left femoral head off of her femur. Left in place, this causes chronic pain of bone on bone rubbing. I discussed this procedure briefly here. I will try to get pictures of this cat's xrays because they show it best.


A few weeks ago, I spayed her and did her FHO procedure. She has been a very sweet cat. Everyone wanted me to take her. I still had Arizona at THAT time so I wasn't sure I wanted to add another cat to the mix. Still, I felt bad she was in a cage for months on end. Post-op she was not really getting the exercise she needed to build muscles and form that "false" joint in that surgery leg. So I gave in and took her. 


She is VERY sweet. Her name at the clinic was "Moto" for motor vehicle, etc. I don't like it. I want a girly, sweet name. I was tending toward food/drink and possibly something Italian but nothing is JUMPING out at me..so please, suggest away...I had things like "Dolce" and "Cannoli" but we couldn't agree on it.  


She's got really cool ticked fur on most of her body with patches of orange and white in other areas. 


I've had her nearly a week and still don't have a name yet. Since cat's live nearly 15 years on average, we need one that suits her and that we like too!


Thanks!

Just For Fun

..and because I'm a sci fi nerd...and because after a LONG day of work today, I'm going to an Iron Pigs game (seeing no time for a "real blog")

Discipline is Undervalued

Would most sane people with children wait until the kid was 15 yrs old to START teaching them what to do, right from wrong, etc? No. I realize (and often see) many exceptions to this rule in my exam room however (of the human and canine variety)!


Well, this applies to our pets too. They are also NOT born knowing how to behave and what to do. I strongly recommend obedience training to people with dogs of all sizes and breeds.


Dogs will not KNOW what to do and when to do it. 
As a great trainer once told me, the most important word they will learn is "no." It can literally save their life. 


Obedience training is more for us, as pet owners, than the dogs. I can personally attest to this fact. Yes, I have a small dog. Yes, I am trained veterinary medical professional. My dog would not be the wonderful well behaved pet he is, however, without training. I got trained by a wonderful man who is no longer with us, however, I urge all pet owners to seek out a trainer that fits with their philosophy and with whom they feel comfortable. 


There are different methods of training. There is not ONE right fit for anybody. Training your dog to listen to and focus on you makes them a better companion. You can take them ANYWHERE and they will behave. I love when people say "oh but he's so good at home." Meanwhile, he's trying to bite your face off or jump all over you so you can't examine him at all.


Training is best done when pet and owner are together. Sending your dog off to be trained is great - IF you are going to live with the trainer. YOU need to know how to handle the dog too. AND training is something that needs to be reinforced time and again over the days and years of the pet's life. Like human children, they will get distracted or push that envelope.


Wouldn't it be nicer if you didn't have to scream at your dog all the time? If you could walk off leash with them and KNOW they would heel by your side? If you could be across the room or the street and simply say "no" in a firm voice and they would avoid danger?

Sago Palm Toxicosis

Cycads, or sago palms, are usually found in warmer climates (Florida, Georgia, etc) but they are also used as houseplants.


These plants are highly toxic to dogs, sheep, cattle and people.


They produce several toxins that affect the liver and gastrointestinal tract, as well as possess the potential to cause cancer. There are also some toxins that cause neurologic signs.  


In dogs, what is seen following ingestion is often vomiting, diarrhea and anorexia. Signs often start within 24 hours of ingestion but may last over a week! 


Unfortunately, unless a dog is observed eating this plant, it can be hard to diagnose this as the specific toxicologic cause. As with so many of the toxins our pets ingest, treatment is supportive and symptomatic. We would get baseline and follow-up blood work. In some cases, animals would get their stomachs flushed or made to vomit and then given activated charcoal.  The other treatments are based on what the animal is doing at the time of presentation to our hospital.  


The reported mortality rate in dogs with clinical signs is 30%! So it's important to know what plants are toxic to your pets before having them in your home or garden.  


I can't say I have ever seen a dog that ingested this particular plant but who knows? They cannot tell us and we all see animals that get better with generic supportive care.

Bad Kitties!

Unfortunately, feline elimination disorders (or cats NOT using the litterbox) are one of THE top causes cats are brought to shelters or into a vet office to be euthanized.


I have lived in a multiple pet household for over 10 years and I can assure you, from personal experience, it is NOT a simple problem to solve.  In fact, it may NOT even be fixable. Yes, you may have to either live with it, alter the way the pet is housed or where they are staying OR choose euthanasia. I personally feel that when you get a pet, it is a LIFETIME commitment. However, I do also like nice things and understand the money and hard work that goes into these household items (carpets, wood floors, furniture, etc). 


This article is written by a top veterinary behaviorist and discusses some ways to help correct these problems.




Understanding and Treating Cats with Elimination Disorders

There are a few key things I think you should know though:

1. You SHOULD have one more litter box than cats. I was never able to do this because I don't want to put litter boxes in a kitchen, etc. 

2. The longer this problem goes on, the harder it will be to solve. So if it goes on for 6 mos to 1 yr - you are most likely going to have to live with it

3. The more cats - the greater the chance of this happening by 10%. So at 10 cats, you are guaranteed (pretty much).

Breed of the Week: Komondor

This is not going to be a long one as this breed is not common and I have only seen ONE. AND That experience was unforgettable - NOT in a good way!

This is a Hungarian guard dog. They are, therefore, often aggressive dogs when protecting property but are supposedly great with their own families.


MY experience involved a dog that was a threat to anyone - even after this family took the time to do training, etc. They did it all, but the dog was a major liability.


The dog was brought in to be euthanized. I was working at a mixed animal practice at the time, so I had access to large animal drugs also. I used HORSE strength sedatives to knock this dog down to the point we could get IV drugs into him. What I gave him would've brought an average 1000lb horse down. Not him. I had to give him MORE. Even with THAT, he fought back getting a vein for the final drug. Wow. Not a pleasant experience even getting through the coat.


I'd probably say other than behavior, coat care is probably the other BIG issue with this breed. 


Just MY opinion: don't get one.

This Turtle May Beat The Hare

Watch out Mr. Hare, this tortoise has a wheel.

A 12-year-old African tortoise that recently had its front left leg amputated due to injury is now moving just fine, thanks to a swiveling wheel attached to his shell by doctors at Washington State University's veterinary hospital.

The 23-pound tortoise, named Gamera after the giant flying turtle of the old Japanese monster movies, is gaining weight and generally thriving with his new appendage.

"I don't know whether he'd pass the hare, but he moves around very well," said Charlie Powell, spokesman for WSU's veterinary hospital in Pullman, Wash.

Tortoise gets artificial wheel at vet hospital

Maggot Season

There are many things that vets find cool that the average person would think was gross. I admit THIS topic, even *I* do not like.  (remember, I love cat abscesses!).

This is the time of year when we see animals (mostly dogs and some rabbits) with maggot infestation. A normal, healthy dog will NOT get maggots - even if kept outside. Maggots like to feed on dead or decaying tissue. So generally we find maggots on dogs that are old/decrepit and have something else going on. This is usually a wound of some kind or feces stuck to the hind end, etc. 

Maggots can and do burrow into the skin and any openings or orifices on the pet - mouth, anus, vulva, etc. Dogs can become septic from it and die. However, it is very treatable. Generally, we clip up and clean the area. Then we administer an oral product that helps kill the larvae. This drug usually needs to be given a few times in a short span (once a day or every other day for a while). We also treat the typical infections that occur and any pain associated with this process.

This entire process occurs because of general neglect: either the pet needs to be kept indoors or at least checked more regularly. In my opinion and experience, there is NO good reason a pet would even have maggots.  

Random but Interesting Animal Fact

Cats and rabbits are what we called "induced ovulators." This means that unlike dogs and humans who have cycles and specific times when they ovulate, these other two critters only do so when they are stimulated. They still need hormones to regulate all these things but this is why cats go in and out and in and out of heat until either bred or spayed.  AND why they can have a litter fathered by multiple dads (for a short window of time). 


It's little barbs on the end of the male cats penis that do this. Also interestingly, after neutering these barbs go away. AND why you hear female cats (even in the wild large cats) scream/yowl/howl when the male pulls out.

Ouch!!!

This is exactly why people say cats have 9 lives. But the truth is cats are AWESOME healers and often overcome things we don't think they can and that other animals do not! Having said that - this is no reason to avoid bringing your cat to the vet. Prevention or early intervention is ALWAYS better!

20cm stick removed from cat

By Petrice Tarrant, AUT Journalism Student, news@dailypost.co.nz | 4th July 2011  

Two kittens, including one with a 20cm stick wedged in its stomach, still have nine lives after being stitched up by talented staff at Rotorua Vet Club.

The centre's skill and generosity are the reasons Kitten and Storm are alive today.

When Rotorua's Wai McClutchie-Bennett took her cat Kitten to the vet, she didn't expect it to have a 20cm stick wedged in its stomach.

But this is exactly what small animals veterinarian Dr Chris McKenzie saw on the x-ray.

Mrs McClutchie-Bennett thought the 6-month-old kitten may have had a broken back as there was a hard lump protruding from its spine.

"But when I touched it she didn't cry or complain," she said.

This lump was a 20cm stick.

The Rest of This Story!

Hoping this "Patriot" Gets A Second Act

Injured Bald Eagle Gets Mouth-to-Beak CPR

Raptor, Newly Named 'Patriot,' Doing Better; Fate Uncertain

By Barney Lerten, KTVZ.COM

BEND, Ore. -- He’s still not out of the woods, so to speak, but a badly injured bald eagle is still recovering well, a Bend veterinarian said Friday – despite a scare two days ago in which he had to perform mouth-to-beak CPR on the raptor, newly named “Patriot.”

Two La Pine women found the bald eagle, apparently hit by a car, near Crane Prairie Reservoir last month. Three weeks later, about halfway through a hoped-for recovery period, the bird’s fractured wing is healing, as is his dislocated elbow and wrist, said Dr. Jeff Cooney of Bend Veterinary Clinic.

After a contest in which NewsChannel 21 assisted, the eagle has been named Patriot – quite fitting for America’s national symbol. More than 20 names were submitted, from “Spirit” to “Bend Franklin,” and while it was close, “Patriot” received the highest number of votes, Cooney said.

“He has gained 10 percent of his body weight and is eating fish like crazy,” Cooney said Friday. “His attitude is greatly improved, and he’s starting to act like a normal, rambunctious bald eagle.”

But there are still worrisome signs.


More Here

Breed of the Week: Pug

Pugs are a breed I'm pretty familiar with since I worked for someone who was a HUGE fan (and owner) and had many pug owning clients because of that.  


Pugs are a breed that is often considered cute or ugly or both and often by the same people. They definitely have their share of problems - behaviorally and health wise.

They come in a either fawn or black. They originated in China and became AKC recognized in 1885.  


They are very lively dogs with a LOT of personality.  Most of them are extremely sweet and friendly. I've only encountered a few that were simply aggressive.


Health issues:
1. Obesity - beyond common to the point that I go OUT OF MY WAY to praise every Pug that's in excellent body weight. AND make sure I tell they owners to KEEP doing what they are doing!


2. Respiratory issues - as with any of these brachycephalic (short nose/squishy face) breeds, they are born with an already compromised airway. They do NOT tolerate heat or stress very well at all. They can be born with stenotic nares  which may require surgical correction. They can also have an extra long soft palate which will cause abnormal respiratory noises and issues - again these dogs need surgery.


3. Facial fold issues - any of these breeds with crinkly faces can have these problems and people tend to want the dogs that are MORE wrinkled. They can get infections and also have issues with tear draining, tear staining and also entropion (where the lids roll in). The latter is a problem that requires surgery.


4. They can have luxating patellas too (like some of our OTHER toy breeds - they are considered a toy breed)


5. A specific seizure disorder called NME (necrotizing meningioencephalitis). This is serious and hereditary. NOW there is a DNA screening test for breeders. It's a test for a "risk factor" NOT a definite "this dog will get the disease." They say that a dog with this is 13x more likely to develop NME. AND there are some dogs without this factor that can develop it. It is simply a TOOL to help breeders hopefully minimize this in future generations. NME can be fatal - I saw it kill a technicians dog - dog did not respond to any treatments.

6. Nail trims - they hate them. Plain and simple. I may have met 3 Pugs that tolerate this well. The rest (which are GREAT no matter what else you do to them - vaccines, etc) will nearly turn blue sometimes fighting you on this. I think there is some genetic thing here (*kinda joking but not 100%*)


7. Because they have the same number of teeth as other dogs crammed into a small and abnormally shaped mouth, they tend to have dental disease and need regular dental cleanings under anesthesia (where trust me, they will breath the best they have in their life with that endotracheal tube in place!). 


8. Skin/ear issues. I have seen a lot of them have chronic infections/allergies.


9. Behaviorally - apparently difficult to housebreak. 


10. Often need C-sections if you are going to breed (which again, I do not recommend).


Purchasing a pug puppy is not inexpensive but if you do, be prepared that costs do not end there (this really should be said of EVERY animal - sadly so many don't seem to get that or think about it until they can't provide needed care). But this breed does have a higher maintenance cost than other breeds and certainly than a nice shelter mutt.

Not What You Want At The End of The Day

Generally we don't like to see sick patients at the END of the day for various reasons: a work up is just going to extend the day that much longer, if they need monitoring/observation or testing that goes on over time they will need to be referred or deferred to the following work day and then there's tonight's example:


A 14yr old cat that hasn't seen a veterinarian much in his fortunately healthy life comes in for weight loss and not eating much despite seeming to be interested in food. He's lost about 1/2 his body weight in ??? amount of time (no good answer to this one). During his exam I discover three things: 
1. he has an oral mass (most likely cancer)
2. he has a very short kitty window to work with - in other words, he became fractious
3. he's a bit "yellow" - gum, skin and sclera color - indicating liver issues


So the owner quickly understands we need blood work and may need to follow up with setting up a biopsy on this oral mass.  We take him to get blood and he is NOT going to let us. We don't want to stress him out OR have a staff member get bitten or hurt so we recommend using some gas anesthesia to lightly sedate him to get the blood. This stuff is VERY safe - and is handled by the lungs alone - no liver/kidney involvement at all. Once they are off the gas, they are quickly awake. Well, our little old kitty decided that after he was fighting for a bit...to suddenly go into cardiac and respiratory arrest (in other words - die!). I had this feeling he wasn't "right" all of a sudden and it happened THAT quickly. So we intubated him and did CPR on him and got him back!! Yeah!! New clients, end of day, sick cat..not where I wanted to go with this case..but fortunately he is doing fine..for now. I explained what happened because frankly, he is NOT a surgical candidate at all now. His blood work will tell us more and I won't be surprised if his liver values are way off but there is every chance this poor kitty's day are numbered.  

Bread Dough Is Toxic?

Before I get into today's topic I wanted to update my regular readers on a few cases:
1. The bloat dog that we did surgery on last Wednesday did NOT make it, likely due to the large portion of his stomach that was vascularly comprised. He did great until 3 days post op when he passed away suddenly at home. 
2. The dog that needed surgery yesterday that I spoke of, did get that today and is doing well! Yeah!! Somehow I guess he came up with the financial means to take care of the dog. 


One of my favorite things in veterinary medicine has always been toxicology. In another life I would've stayed in school and gotten a PhD and board certification and become a veterinary toxicologist. I have a few of those "in another life" wishes but they are all veterinary or medical related. Unlike cats, I can't get 9 lives to lead.

Bread dough containing yeast is toxic to dogs. I don't mention cats because it is HIGHLY unlikely a cat would eat this. The yeast undergoes an enzymatic process where sugars become CO2 and alcohol. This happens in a warm, oxygen deprived environment. In the stomach, this fermentation continues and not only does the large "mass" of dough become a problem (it can basically cause a physical obstruction) but the ethanol produced is toxic. The ethanol is quickly absorbed from the GI tract.


Signs include a distended abdomen, vomiting or unproductive retching, and  eventually, weakness/ataxia (think of it like being drunk and stumbling around). 


Treatment involves either inducing vomiting or flushing out the stomach. Also important is supportive care (some of these depend on the signs of course) including IV fluids, antiseizure medications, pain medications, and close monitoring of heart and respiratory parameters. 


It can take up to 24 hours for a dog to recover from this. However, they can also DIE from it if is not treated quickly or as I'd imagine, it's not even known about. How often do dogs eat things owners have no idea about? Pretty darn often let me tell you. This is evidenced by the things we find when we do exploratory surgeries for foreign bodes. Sometimes we KNOW what the dog ate, go in and find it OR find it and some other things!