A Different Type of Rodent Poison Toxicity

Usually when a client calls with the "I think my pet got into rat/mouse" poison, I am thinking "this is a solvable problem because I know EXACTLY how to deal with and treat it BEFORE it even becomes clinical!" That is, if they didn't wait 2-3 days to let US know this.   That's because most rodent poisons are anti-coagulants and essentially cause their targeted species to bleed out. Now mind you, this will happen to any mammal that eats this stuff or eats a mouse that ate it (ie those hunting cats can be at risk). It takes a few days for the liver to be depleted of clotting factors (that depend on Vit K to help the liver make them).


In most cases, depending on when they "think" or saw the animal consume it, we can make them vomit up most/some of it, administer activated charcoal to absorb any left in there, and safely put them on VitK1 to protect their clotting ability for about 2-4 weeks. This is wonderful for 99% of the dogs (and cats) out there.  


Today I saw 2 puppies that got into ANOTHER type of rodent poison - bromethalin. This one, is not so good, because there is no antidote.


A report by veterinary toxicologists says: Signs of a sub-lethal dose include hind limb ataxia, depression, extensor rigidity, opisthotonus, lateral recumbency and vomiting. High doses may bring about severe muscle fasiculations, hind limb hyper-reflexia, seizures, hyperthennia, depression and death.


From the Toxicology Dept at Purdue University

 All we can do is put them on fluids, administer multiple doses of activated charcoal and if you see any neurologic signs, administer medications to help with the increased intracranial pressure. 

The thing is that you may not see signs for 24 hours AND if they consume a "sub-lethal" dose, it may take 1-5 days!!

Let's hope these pups are ok.  We don't yet know.

Human Virus Affecting Endangered Gorillas

This is one of those no-win situations because to learn and help these animals, humans need to be somewhat close to them.
But we can harm them too, even unintentionally.

Human virus linked to mountain gorilla deaths

Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:32pm GMT

Print | Single Page

[-] Text [+]

By Kezio-Musoke David

KIGALI (Reuters) - A virus that causes respiratory disease in humans has been linked to the deaths of critically endangered mountain gorillas in east Africa, a U.S. veterinary research group said on Wednesday.

Tissue samples from two gorillas that died in the forests of northern Rwanda in 2009 were infected with the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) virus, according to The Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.

The research also found that the frequency and severity of respiratory disease outbreaks among mountain gorillas straddling Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo was increasing.

"We report conclusive evidence for association of a human virus with death in mountain gorillas. Viral RNA in multiple tissue samples from the adult female indicates that she was infected by an HMPV strain at the time of her death," it said.

With a total known world population of 786, the gorillas are one of the region's biggest tourist attractions. Visitors pay hundreds of dollars to trek through dense forest and get within metres of the great apes.

Their numbers have risen by more than a quarter in the last seven years, a sign conservation efforts are paying off although perhaps at a cost.

"Although human proximity to mountain gorillas is essential for their conservation, also crucial is minimizing the risk for human-to-great ape transmission of respiratory pathogens," the report said.

"Because there are fewer than 800 living mountain gorillas, each individual is critically important to the survival of their species," the project's executive director Mike Cranfield said.

Source

Rabies Vaccines: Just Do It!

Once again, I'm reading about rabid skunks in the news.  And not just in my local area but in other parts of the country.


I know I've said it before in my blog but I'll say it again: there is NO reason that your pet should be unvaccinated against rabies. There are numerous vaccine clinics and even free rabies clinics. Worse case, you spend $20 to get a vaccine that will protect your pet and your family!  Yes even "indoor" only pets.  There are things called screens that can result in nose to nose contact with a critter AND there are also small creatures called bats that can and have come into homes with the homeowners completely unaware.  




Arkansas City Under Quarantine After 6 Confirmed Cases of Rabid Skunks

Rabid Skunks in Allentown, PA

It's Bunny Season

So with Easter a week away, I wanted to express to the public that while bunnies are cute, they are living creatures that require care. They are often an impulse buy this time of year when Mom and Dad go shopping with the kids.


I get to see them when they have an issue and then the parents are shocked to find out they too, require medical care. And just because you purchase a rabbit for $20, doesn't mean the medical care is "cheap." In fact, exotics take more time and more expertise and often special equipment to deal with. We also often have to order medications compounded specifically for them and their small size. 

The thing about rabbits (and most small "pocket pets" as we call them), is that they are good at hiding illness but once they show it, tend to go down fast. Many of the issues with them are husbandry related. This means housing, temperature, and diet related issues. Please read up on these animals BEFORE buying them and make sure you are willing to pay your vet a examination fee if should they become ill. 


Also important is making sure you know a vet that is willing to see them and HAS experience or an interest in them. They are NOT like dogs or cats. There are medications we give to cats that can be FATAL to rabbits. Not all vets want to or should see these guys.

Breed of the Week: English Mastiff

I know...awwwwww...right? They ARE adorable puppies..that grow into this ---->

My friend Terri's handsome young male, Molson

I don't see a lot of this breed, probably because most people prefer smaller breed dogs for ease of care and space in their home.

However, these dogs are so sweet. In general, despite their large size, they do not require a ton of activity, like a Labrador would. They can, in fact, be quite lazy. 

I'd defer to Terri on all things Mastiff (she's a vet and a show dog veteran too so she knows her stuff) but I can tell you a few things that are common to this breed:

1. Hip and elbow dysplasia. This can be diagnosed through properly executed xrays which MAY require sedation. This is absolutely necessary before even considering breeding.

2. OCD - a cartilage disease that produces lameness in a young dog. Also diagnosed through xrays and sometimes other imaging modalities.

3. GDV or "bloat" where the stomach fills up with fluids/air/food and sometimes twists. A true life threatening emergency that requires immediate decompression and surgery. It can be prevented by having the stomach "tacked" to the body wall.  Also animals should not be fed or watered with large amounts and then allowed to run/exercise.

4. Osteosarcoma -bone cancer. Unfortunately, this is a common theme with a lot of large breeds.

They are a pleasure to be around and not at all aggressive. Their size and appearance can be intimidating to some but this can be a "good" thing depending on the situation.

And they live peacefully with other critters.  I LOVE when I get the chance to pet sit them for my friend. They are excellent company!

For More Information on this Breed Visit:


Dog Breed Info: Mastiffs
AKC

Commonly Asked Questions

Ok, so this is not one I get asked TOO often but enough that I thought it was worth mentioning.


I found a lump/growth on my dog, what is it? 

Now this is a female but I get asked this on a male dog. So imagine the above picture IS a male dog. The "lumps" they ask about are mammary glands. 


Then I get the "but it's a male?!"


To which I always reply, "well, do human males have nipples?"


And the usual response is: "oh yeah"


A not so commonly asked question is: where can my dog get some sex? I have NEVER (until today!!!), in 13 yrs, been asked that. Wow. Every vet could probably write a book and each one would be totally unique. 

Why We Want Our Staff to Restrain Animals

Pet owners sometimes do not understand the myriad of reasons why us veterinarians want to have our staff hold your dog or cat. 


This is one reason: Cat Bites

Cat bites are potentially VERY serious. The bacteria in the mouth of the cat can cause a bad, even systemic, infection in a human. Severe cellulitis and sepsis can require IV antibiotics and hospitalization.


When you bring your pet in to see us, they are often scared. It's true, some are too scared to move or are happy to get the social outing (notably some dogs!). In general, though, at the time they are in the exam room, they don't care who YOU are.


It is far better for our staff to get bit than you. I've read numerous case reports from my liability carrier where a client SWORE they had to hold the animal and they got bit and guess what? They sued the vet. Yes. And you know what, it's OUR fault if we let you do it. We are trained in all ways to restrain and in some cases, we may need to use sedatives. Please understand for your safety and OURS, we will have our staff restrain.  

How Pets are Good Medicine

This is a neat little slideshow from WebMD highlighting all the ways that pets are good for us.


Click Here

Plea for Help

I had a topic planned but after getting notice from No Kill Lehigh Valley that a cute beagle, named Shea, needed help, I thought I'd also use this blog to get the word out.


Please visit their page  here to see a picture and read the sad story behind this need for a home.  

Easter Lily Toxicity

Since Easter is coming up in a few weeks and people are getting their houses decorated for the holiday, I thought it would be a good time to educate my readers on the dangers lilies pose to our feline friends. In fact, in an article the NAVC Clinician's Brief (March 2005), lilies are listed as one of the top 10 toxic plants in our pets. In another article, (Veterinary Medicine, June 2006), they are listed as one of the 10 most common kitty toxicities. 


This includes Easter lilies but also tiger, Japanese show, rubrum, day lilies and other hybrids.

All parts of the plant are toxic to cats. We still don't know the actual toxin that causes this. As little as one leaf can be fatal to a cat. Cats initially vomit after ingesting some of the plant. Over the next 1-2 days, they go into kidney failure. If the cat recently ate this (known or suspect), we need to induce vomiting AND give activated charcoal. Then we need to administer IV fluids for several days. This is NOT an outpatient case. Prognosis in these cases is guarded and in many cases, cats may end up in chronic renal failure. Obviously the sooner we intervene, the better the chance the cat can make a full recovery.


So please keep your Easter lilies away from inquisitive kitties. If there is any question on whether they would chew on them or eat them, decorate with safer plants (Easter orchids, Easter lily cactus, Easter daisy or violets). Remember that cats are very good at getting almost anywhere if curiosity strikes. I know in my house, there are only 3 surfaces I can put flowers/plants because anywhere else has some accessible point for them.  


FYI - these are NOT toxic to dogs. 

Talented Artists

I wanted to give a little plug to the latest Tabby's Place newsletter found here.  There are all sorts of cool stories and cute pictures in this easy to read format.


I have always preferred what I call "real" art to abstract art. That's just me. Mostly what I love are actual pictures or renderings that look like animals.  I also enjoy photos of the beautiful variety of nature all over the world.  


Over the years, in my travels, I've made a point of checking out art galleries and festivals to seek out these things. I very rarely buy them due to the cost but I can certainly appreciate them and store the name in the back of my mind should a few extra bucks become available.


One of my favorites is a sculptor named Eric Thorsen. I first discovered him while visiting family in Montana. He has a studio in Bigfork. Much of his work is of animals - horses, bears, mountain lions. He does it in bronze so it is quite heavy. Even a small mountain lion was more than I could spend but it is gorgeous work. He has cool tables that have running water with bears catching salmon under the glass top. Maybe one of these days, I'll get one of his pieces.


The other really awesome artist I love is Thomas Mangelsen. I first discovered him while at veterinary conference in Las Vegas. I walked into this gallery and was in love instantly. He had so many beautiful photographs of big cats, birds, nature, etc. It was like you were there. He makes you feel as if you could reach out and touch these creatures or that you are standing in a gorgeous field of flowers in the Rockies. My FAVORITE photo is called "Shades of Sapphire".
This photo is absolutely stunning when viewed in person where it's generally a large (40x60) framed image. Tom goes on nature trips and spends weeks working to get these photos. I truly hope I can own this one someday.

Breed of the Week: The Graceful Greyhound

Greyhounds are an elegant and easy to own breed.

They are truly sweet, wonderful dogs. There are some caveats to owning them. Some of them are NOT good with cats or other small pets as they see them as "prey." However, since most greyhounds come from rescue groups that take them off the track, this will be determined before you bring your new pet home.

The neat thing about these dogs is that they are great apartment dogs. This cannot be said of many dogs the same size. They are not high energy dogs that need to be run hours each day.  

Greyhounds make great blood donors for other dogs too as they tend to have a higher red blood cell count than many breeds. At Purdue we had them as blood donors that some of the students got to adopt after a period of time.  

Here's a great link that answers questions regarding this breed's history and characteristics.

The primary things I see medically with these guys are:

1. Dental disease - while most large breed dogs have pretty good teeth and gums throughout their life, greyhounds WILL need regular teeth cleaning and often, extractions.

2. Osteosarcoma - bone cancer. 

3. Foot pad corns - these can be taken out but often recur, sometimes causing discomfort. A cause or cure has not been found. We can remove them using a dental root elevator. 

4. Anesthesia concerns by their owners. These dogs are sensitive to some anesthesias. However, the drugs we use these days are extremely safe for ALL dogs. Veterinarians are trained in how to handle dogs, no matter the breed. And it's more than the breed that plays into what is best used, including age and other medical conditions as well as the procedure to be performed. If you don't trust your vet, seek another one. 

Bats are Dying: Why Should You Care? (and a hidden caveat!)

In my daily emails, I get one about animal health and business issues worldwide.  This is about a topic that's come up in many of my daily updates from the AVMA.  I've read it and admittedly didn't really "think" about what it meant. I kept seeing it pop up and thought "oh yeah, that..they'll figure something out to fix that." That's me and my faith in science.  But today something else in this article caught my eye and that's the caveat that's hidden in this story.


So first, the story: Bats have been dying of a fungal disease called white-nose syndrome. Bats have a bad rap. *I* have known for quite a while that bats are very beneficial to us. They are not "out to get you" anymore than any other animal. They are not going to turn into vampires. They can transmit rabies (but so can a whole lot of other animals, notably those unvaccinated "stray" cats) BUT they do far more good than harm. The sheer numbers of insects they consume is astounding! 

Bats worth billions

Posted by Beth Daley April 7, 2011 09:16 AM

Ever since bats literally began falling out of the Northeast winter sky four years ago, scientists have raced to understand a mysterious illness that has caused bat populations to regionally decline more than 70 percent.

The crash is unprecedented – the little brown bat is expected to become extinct in 20 years from the illness - yet public reaction has, at best, been muted. Researchers blame the “ewww” effect: Panda and polar bears have a lot more going for them in the cute department.


But now, researchers at Boston University and elsewhere have documented just how much these bats are worth to the U.S. agriculture industry: At least $3 billion.


Here for FULL Story



So what? Well, if it costs the agriculture industry money, how do you think they'll make up the money lost? Higher costs for you, the consumer of agricultural products (of which they are countless ones in all aspects of our lives).


What's also mentioned in this story is something else that is negatively impacting bats and helping speed along extinction: wind energy development.


This is ANOTHER great example of how "green" can seem so great (to some) but when you examine it further, there is always a cost. Nothing is free. There is always a trade off. Something that seems so wonderful can often have enough negative points that it's not worth doing. 

Don't Wait

As with many things in veterinary and human medicine, the longer you wait, the worse the outcome. Early intervention (or even PREvention) is the key to the best overall health.


This is something I hear a lot in practice. It's frustrating because I know that if I had been able to intervene earlier, I may have been able to give my client (actually the pet in this case) and the owner, the best outcome. In some cases, this means avoiding being given up to another home/shelter or even euthanized.


What is it I am referring to here? It's a cat with inappropriate urination (sometimes defecation too). This is a cat who is NOT going in the litterbox. They could be going anywhere - one place, carpets only, newly laundered clothes, etc.


Yes, this is one of the..no, I'd venture to say THE..top reason a cat ends up being given up to the shelter. And I can tell you folks, cat's don't DO "spite." So stop assigning them YOUR behaviors and mentality. 


Cats do get anxious, fearful and sometimes exhibit dominance or submissive behaviors. They don't knowingly think "oh I'm gonna piss my owner off today and pee on her bed because she got a new boyfriend." Let's face it, a cat is smarter than to do something that will likely get her killed.  It's more likely STRESS (if it's not a medical issue). 


But here's the deal: The longer you wait to bring her in to the veterinarian for a full exam and some diagnostics, the more likely you will have a problem that will not be fixable. 


I've been to many seminars on this topic because I'd love to have an answer for every case. I hate to see someone either dump a cat or throw them outside because of misconceptions AND lack of even trying to find out what's wrong.


There ARE medical reasons for this and they can be anything from a simple urinary tract infection to something like thyroid disease or other metabolic or systemic issues. AND get this: If kitty starts out doing this because of a medical problem and you DON'T address it, you are very likely going to end up with a behavioral issue that remains even AFTER we resolve the medical problem.


Here's the bottom line:
1. Always have more litterboxes than cats by one. It's N+1.
If you have 20 cats, you best have 21 boxes.


2. Do not wait if they are going out of the box. The longer you wait, the chance of your success drops precipitously. I've been told by the experts that at 1 yr out, you will NOT fix this.  6 mos is truly pushing it. We need to intervene in the first days to weeks of this!


3. The more cats you have, the more likely by 10% you will have a problem (this is not a scientific study but something us vets have seen anectodotally) - ie, 10 cats = 100% chance of a peeing problem.

This is NOT Sunburn

However, it is due to the chronic effects of sun on this patient. This is MOST likely squamous cell carcinoma. 
The cat is an outdoor/barn kitty so has a much higher exposure to the sun. This can happen to an indoor-only cat that spends a lot of time in sunlit windows though too. While it's more common in white cats, it can happen to other cats, especially if their ears are white.  


The cat would need to have that ear amputated but there is a good chance it would return. This is a very aggressive and locally invasive cancer. This cat also had some suspicious changes on the other ear too.  

Plastic Surgery for Dogs (and Cats)

This isn't a story about Hollywood stars and their pooches. 


This is medically indicated surgery that I sometimes call "plastic surgery" because people can relate to it that way.


A few procedures that would be in this category:


1. Rhinoplasty aka "nose job." In this case, it's for dogs with stenotic nares or very narrow nostrils. These dogs have a lot of trouble breathing and are often quite noisy. Primarily a problem in breeds like pugs, Bulldogs, shih tzus, Boston terriers, puggles (not a breed..a MIX of a pug and beagle), and a few others, this is best corrected at the time of spaying or neutering. This can be done several ways but the essence involves removing a wedge of the nostril to create a larger opening.  This is also seen in some cat breeds such as Persians. 

2. Entropion surgery. The condition entropion, is when the eyelids roll inward. This causes the little hairs to be in constant contact with the cornea, causing pain and in many cases, corneal ulcers. In this surgery, we removed a small piece of skin from above or below the affected lid that would allow the eyelid to lay as it's supposed to against the eye. Breeds with a lot of extra facial skin/folds are more prone to it (Bulldogs, Shar Peis, Newfoundlands, etc). I have also seen it in a few cats. 

3.  Vulvoplasty. This is a procedure used for dogs that have what we call a recessed vulva. The vulva is covered by the tissue and skin around it, creating a great environment for skin infections but also predisposing these dogs to urinary tract infections. The surgery is similar to what we do with entropion, in that, we are removing enough skin to allow the vulva to be in a more normal position.  

Hehehehe

From one of my favorite websites: LOLCATS

Breed of the Week: Chihuahua

Chihuahua

I see this breed quite frequently. In fact, many of the new puppies from pet stores are chihuahuas. They are small, so no matter where you live you can fit one into your home.


There are long-haired and short-haired varieties. They come in various colors too.


They have been known to be "nippy" and they often become very attached to one person. They don't HAVE to be this way though. As with all animals, genetics AND environment dictate personality. Socializing your dog and not allowing (or reinforcing!) inappropriate behaviors, no matter the breed, will help make your pet a wonderful companion.


My best friend (an excellent veterinary technician) has a few and she tells me that "you can't treat a chihuahua like a real dog." She's referring to how we handle them when they come into the veterinary hospital. I call her the chihuahua whisperer. Her point is if you go slow with them and be calm and quiet, you'll get a lot farther. I can say that I've done this and found it does help. 


As with all small/toy breed dogs, housebreaking can be challenging. 


Now medically speaking, what do I see with these guys most often:


1.  Luxating patellas - basically the kneecap will slide toward the inside of the leg. This is a congenital defect and these dogs should NOT be bred. If it's not causing a problem and depending on the grade we determine it to be, they can live fine with it. In some cases, surgical correction is recommended.  This happens because the groove the patella sits in is not deep enough or the ligaments holding the patella in place are lax.


2. Open fontanelle/molera - this is very common and I would venture to say it's how you know it's a "real chihuahua" :) It's a small opening on the top of the head where the skull bones haven't fused yet.  Most of the time, this does close over the course of weeks to months. DURING that time, it's important to avoid head trauma as the brain is not protected in that area. There are cases where it never closes. 


3. Obesity - unfortunately, many people start giving these dogs  their own food or over feeding treats because they are "so cute." Well 1 lb of  body weight on a 10lb chihuahua is like 30 lbs on US. 


4. Hypoglycemia - as is the case with any small puppy, they need to eat small meals throughout the day. If they go off food for a meal or two, they are at risk of having their blood sugar drop to the point of causing seizures.  It's always good for a new puppy owner to keep some Karo syrup on hand.

5. C-sections - for those who think it would be a good idea to breed..be prepared for the cost and stress involved! Just spay or neuter your dog please!