David R. Gross's Blog: Docdavesvoice, page 4
March 28, 2012
How do I know if the dog food I’m feeding is what my dog needs?
The Food and Drug Administration requires that all animal foods, the same as food for human consumption, be safe to eat, produced under sanitary conditions, contain no harmful substances and be labeled truthfully. For any pet food product to have the words “complete” and/or “balanced” printed anyplace on the package the claim must have been validate by meeting the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards based on the product’s recipe or by laboratory analysis. If the product passes this test there will usually be a statement to that effect: “(Name of product) is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles”. This means the product can be fed to a dog as its sole ration, along with free access to water. Another, more rigorous verification uses the previous AAFCO profile but also has been verified by feeding trials. If a product has achieved this standard it will carry a statement to the effect: “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that (name of product) provides complete and balanced nutrition”. A Good resource to check for brands that meet these standards or have been recalled for a problem is: http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com.
Dietary protein contains 10 specific amino acids known as essential amino acids because the dog cannot produce them, they must be supplied in the diet. The essential amino acids provide building blocks for many important biologically active compounds and proteins. They also donate carbon chains needed to make glucose for energy. High-quality proteins have a good balance of all of the essential amino acids, “meat products” not so much. Dogs will usually avoid food that lacks even a single essential amino acid.
Dogs are also unable to synthesize essential fatty acids. Animal fats and the seed oils of various plants, provide the most concentrated source of energy in the diet and supply essential fatty acids. They also serve as carriers for important fat-soluble vitamins. Fatty acids are needed for healthy cell structure and function. As in our own diet, fats enhance the taste and texture of the food. Butter makes most anything taste better. The essential fatty acids also maintain healthy skin and hair coat. Deficiencies in the “omega-3” family of essential fatty acids have been associated with vision problems and impaired learning ability. Maybe that dog that won’t come when he’s called is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, NOT.
All pet food labels must state guarantees for the minimum percentages of crude (refers to the method used to test the product, not the quality) protein and crude fat, as well as the maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture. The label should also provide the percentage of the daily requirements for vitamins and minerals provided.
Dogs get some of their energy from carbohydrates; sugars, starches, and dietary fibers. The major sources of carbohydrates in commercial dog foods are cereals, legumes, and other plant sources. Absorbable carbohydrates like, glucose and fructose are directly absorbed they do not need to be digested by enzymes. Enzymes in the dog’s intestinal tract break down digestible carbohydrates before they can be absorbed. Certain starches and dietary fibers are classified as fermentable carbohydrates. They pass undigested through the small intestine to the colon, where microbes ferment them into short-chain fatty acids and gases. There are studies that suggest that fermentable fibers may aid in the regulation of blood glucose concentrations and enhance immune function. Non-fermentable fibers, such as cellulose and wheat bran, contribute almost nothing for energy or nutrition. Fermentable carbohydrates may be used to decrease the caloric intake of overweight animals.
Puppies need increased protein and calories for growth. Very active working dogs, such as sled dogs, require large amounts of protein and calories to remain fit. Decreased physical activity and slowed metabolism in older dogs mean they need as much as 20% fewer total calories than do middle-aged adult dogs. If the dog gets too fat, disrupted carbohydrate metabolism can lead to diabetes.
Common types of commercial dog foods are dry, semi-moist, or canned. The moisture content of these foods ranges from 6 to 10 % for dry, 15 to 30% for semi-moist, and 75% for canned. Most canned food has relatively more fat and protein and fewer carbohydrates than do dry and semi-moist food, and generally contain higher levels of animal origin protein. When reading labels, it is important to pay close attention to the percentages of the five top ingredients.
As always, if you have questions about your pet’s specific requirements consult your veterinarian.
Dietary protein contains 10 specific amino acids known as essential amino acids because the dog cannot produce them, they must be supplied in the diet. The essential amino acids provide building blocks for many important biologically active compounds and proteins. They also donate carbon chains needed to make glucose for energy. High-quality proteins have a good balance of all of the essential amino acids, “meat products” not so much. Dogs will usually avoid food that lacks even a single essential amino acid.
Dogs are also unable to synthesize essential fatty acids. Animal fats and the seed oils of various plants, provide the most concentrated source of energy in the diet and supply essential fatty acids. They also serve as carriers for important fat-soluble vitamins. Fatty acids are needed for healthy cell structure and function. As in our own diet, fats enhance the taste and texture of the food. Butter makes most anything taste better. The essential fatty acids also maintain healthy skin and hair coat. Deficiencies in the “omega-3” family of essential fatty acids have been associated with vision problems and impaired learning ability. Maybe that dog that won’t come when he’s called is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, NOT.
All pet food labels must state guarantees for the minimum percentages of crude (refers to the method used to test the product, not the quality) protein and crude fat, as well as the maximum percentages of crude fiber and moisture. The label should also provide the percentage of the daily requirements for vitamins and minerals provided.
Dogs get some of their energy from carbohydrates; sugars, starches, and dietary fibers. The major sources of carbohydrates in commercial dog foods are cereals, legumes, and other plant sources. Absorbable carbohydrates like, glucose and fructose are directly absorbed they do not need to be digested by enzymes. Enzymes in the dog’s intestinal tract break down digestible carbohydrates before they can be absorbed. Certain starches and dietary fibers are classified as fermentable carbohydrates. They pass undigested through the small intestine to the colon, where microbes ferment them into short-chain fatty acids and gases. There are studies that suggest that fermentable fibers may aid in the regulation of blood glucose concentrations and enhance immune function. Non-fermentable fibers, such as cellulose and wheat bran, contribute almost nothing for energy or nutrition. Fermentable carbohydrates may be used to decrease the caloric intake of overweight animals.
Puppies need increased protein and calories for growth. Very active working dogs, such as sled dogs, require large amounts of protein and calories to remain fit. Decreased physical activity and slowed metabolism in older dogs mean they need as much as 20% fewer total calories than do middle-aged adult dogs. If the dog gets too fat, disrupted carbohydrate metabolism can lead to diabetes.
Common types of commercial dog foods are dry, semi-moist, or canned. The moisture content of these foods ranges from 6 to 10 % for dry, 15 to 30% for semi-moist, and 75% for canned. Most canned food has relatively more fat and protein and fewer carbohydrates than do dry and semi-moist food, and generally contain higher levels of animal origin protein. When reading labels, it is important to pay close attention to the percentages of the five top ingredients.
As always, if you have questions about your pet’s specific requirements consult your veterinarian.
March 19, 2012
My dog has some lumps on her skin. Do dogs get skin cancer?
Tumors of the skin are probably the most common tumors seen in dogs and can be of many different types. Those that originate in the epithelium, the outermost layer of the skin, include papillomas (warts), cornifying epitheliomas found within the layers of skin, various forms of follicle cell tumors, tumors of the sebaceous glands, tumors of the sweat glands, hepatoid gland tumors also known as perianal tumors, anal sac tumors, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell tumors. We also encounter soft-tissue sarcomas, and various round cell tumors including plasmacytomas, mast cell tumors, lymphoma, histiocytoma and transmissible venereal tumors.Dogs can also develop melanomas, either malignant or benign.
Papillomas (warts) are benign, found on the surface of the skin or mucous membranes and caused by viruses that seem to target specific areas of the skin, the eyelids, in the genital region, on lips, gums, tongue, palate and throat. They may appear singly or in large numbers. They are most common in young dogs or older dogs with decreased immunity.
Dogs can get several different types of tumors associated with sebaceous glands (glands that secrete a lubricating substance). These are usually benign masses, solitary or multiple, raised and firm, and can be pink, yellowish or darkly pigmented. They can be oily, ulcerated and frequently the hair is gone around them. They are most commonly found on the belly, but can be anywhere on the animal. Sebaceous gland adenocarcinomas are malignant tumors and much less common in dogs. They usually are found in older dogs and appear similar to the benign form. A trained pathologist must make the determination of benign or malignant.
Lipomas are benign fatty tumors, usually found in the tissues just under the skin (subcutaneous). They are very common in middle-aged and older dogs, especially if the dog is a little overweight. They are usually well circumscribed, soft to firm to the feel and move easily within the tissue. Surgical removal should be considered if the lesion is cosmetically troubling or if it is growing rapidly or interfering with the dogs ability to move about. Sometimes lipomas infiltrate into underlying tissues, get these removed as soon as possible.
Mast cell tumors are malignant, invade surrounding tissues and difficult to treat successfully. They account for a little more than twenty percent of all canine skin tumors diagnosed. They are on the skin or in the subcutaneous tissues. They can be bumpy or smooth, easy or difficult to palpate the limits or edges, soft or firm, ulcerated or free of hair, red or dark and either singly or in multiple locations. They are found more commonly in older dogs who may show signs of metastasis and excessive histamine release resulting in gastrointestinal distress, bleeding, delayed wound healing and, in final stages, shock. Most common sites of metastasis are lymph nodes, spleen, liver and bone marrow.
If your pet has any suspicious lumps or bumps get it to your veterinarian as soon as you can. If the lesion is malignant, early detection is the key to successful treatment.
Papillomas (warts) are benign, found on the surface of the skin or mucous membranes and caused by viruses that seem to target specific areas of the skin, the eyelids, in the genital region, on lips, gums, tongue, palate and throat. They may appear singly or in large numbers. They are most common in young dogs or older dogs with decreased immunity.
Dogs can get several different types of tumors associated with sebaceous glands (glands that secrete a lubricating substance). These are usually benign masses, solitary or multiple, raised and firm, and can be pink, yellowish or darkly pigmented. They can be oily, ulcerated and frequently the hair is gone around them. They are most commonly found on the belly, but can be anywhere on the animal. Sebaceous gland adenocarcinomas are malignant tumors and much less common in dogs. They usually are found in older dogs and appear similar to the benign form. A trained pathologist must make the determination of benign or malignant.
Lipomas are benign fatty tumors, usually found in the tissues just under the skin (subcutaneous). They are very common in middle-aged and older dogs, especially if the dog is a little overweight. They are usually well circumscribed, soft to firm to the feel and move easily within the tissue. Surgical removal should be considered if the lesion is cosmetically troubling or if it is growing rapidly or interfering with the dogs ability to move about. Sometimes lipomas infiltrate into underlying tissues, get these removed as soon as possible.
Mast cell tumors are malignant, invade surrounding tissues and difficult to treat successfully. They account for a little more than twenty percent of all canine skin tumors diagnosed. They are on the skin or in the subcutaneous tissues. They can be bumpy or smooth, easy or difficult to palpate the limits or edges, soft or firm, ulcerated or free of hair, red or dark and either singly or in multiple locations. They are found more commonly in older dogs who may show signs of metastasis and excessive histamine release resulting in gastrointestinal distress, bleeding, delayed wound healing and, in final stages, shock. Most common sites of metastasis are lymph nodes, spleen, liver and bone marrow.
If your pet has any suspicious lumps or bumps get it to your veterinarian as soon as you can. If the lesion is malignant, early detection is the key to successful treatment.
March 14, 2012
I overheard some people at the dog park talking about Wobbler Disease, what is that?
This is a condition seen most commonly in tall, long necked horses and large breeds of dogs, particularly Great Danes and Dobermans. The disease is characterized by an abnormal gait in the front and/or the hind legs. The animal seems to “wobble” when walking or exercising. Some animals seem to have a stiff neck, may appear to be weak or lazy, that is reluctant to move, stumble more than normal or seem to misstep. There may be a generalized unsteadiness, hindquarter weakness or knuckling over in the lower leg joints, particularly in the hind limbs.
The term is frequently applied to several different abnormalities resulting in ataxia, defined as a proprioceptive deficit (loss of sense of where the animal places his or her feet). In advanced cases, the animal may fall as it struggles to ambulate. In horses, it includes a specific condition known as Equine wobbles anemia. There is considerable controversy about the potential genetic nature of Equine wobbles anemia. Other specific conditions that can result in the same set of signs include at least three different malformations of the cervical (neck) vertebrae; protrusion of an intervertebral disc, disease of the interspinal ligaments or of the articular facets (the joints) of the vertebrae in the neck. Other names for this condition are; cervical vertebral instability, cervical spondylomyelopathy and cervical vertebral malformation. The condition can also be the result of a brain lesion.
The most common cause in both dogs and horses is spinal cord compression from one of the various cervical vertebral malformations, which, again, may or may not, be inherited. Spinal cord compression can be either dynamic, occurring only when the animal bends or extends its neck, or static, present all the time.
To make a definitive diagnosis your veterinarian will have to do a complete neurological exam and then radiographs (X-rays) of the spinal canal including a contrast study (myelogram). The radiographic studies will have to be conducted with the animal under general anesthetic. While conducting these tests your veterinarian will also rule out the possibility of an infectious agent or a traumatic injury by examining the cerebrospinal fluid.
Some wobblers treated with nutritional and medical management have shown improvement, but the results are not impressive. If the cause is compression of the spinal cord a veterinary surgeon, with the proper training and experience, can decompress the spinal cord and fuse the problem vertebrae, usually by using Titanium baskets and bone marrow transplants. This is similar to the recent surgery done to the professional football quarterback Peyton Manning. It ain’t cheap folks!
The term is frequently applied to several different abnormalities resulting in ataxia, defined as a proprioceptive deficit (loss of sense of where the animal places his or her feet). In advanced cases, the animal may fall as it struggles to ambulate. In horses, it includes a specific condition known as Equine wobbles anemia. There is considerable controversy about the potential genetic nature of Equine wobbles anemia. Other specific conditions that can result in the same set of signs include at least three different malformations of the cervical (neck) vertebrae; protrusion of an intervertebral disc, disease of the interspinal ligaments or of the articular facets (the joints) of the vertebrae in the neck. Other names for this condition are; cervical vertebral instability, cervical spondylomyelopathy and cervical vertebral malformation. The condition can also be the result of a brain lesion.
The most common cause in both dogs and horses is spinal cord compression from one of the various cervical vertebral malformations, which, again, may or may not, be inherited. Spinal cord compression can be either dynamic, occurring only when the animal bends or extends its neck, or static, present all the time.
To make a definitive diagnosis your veterinarian will have to do a complete neurological exam and then radiographs (X-rays) of the spinal canal including a contrast study (myelogram). The radiographic studies will have to be conducted with the animal under general anesthetic. While conducting these tests your veterinarian will also rule out the possibility of an infectious agent or a traumatic injury by examining the cerebrospinal fluid.
Some wobblers treated with nutritional and medical management have shown improvement, but the results are not impressive. If the cause is compression of the spinal cord a veterinary surgeon, with the proper training and experience, can decompress the spinal cord and fuse the problem vertebrae, usually by using Titanium baskets and bone marrow transplants. This is similar to the recent surgery done to the professional football quarterback Peyton Manning. It ain’t cheap folks!
February 29, 2012
Is it true that dogs can suffer from a ruptured intervertebral disc?
The intervertebral discs are structures located between the bodies of the vertebrae and act as shock absorbers. They are composed of a rim of tough, fibrous connective tissue covering surrounding a gel-like center. A Hansen Type I rupture occurs when the fibrous capsule breaks, allowing the inner nucleus to push out through the opening and impinge on the spinal cord or a nerve root. A Hansen Type II occurs when the entire disc, surrounded by an unbroken capsule, impinges on nerve tissue.
Hansen Type I ruptures usually occur in small breeds such as Dachshunds, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Pekingese, and small mixed breeds. Ruptured discs are more common in Dachshunds than in all other breeds combined. The capsule can start to degenerate when the dog is only 2 to 9 months of age. Nearly eighty percent of Type 1 ruptured discs occur in the lower back between the last thoracic and the first two lumbar vertebrae. The history often includes jumping off a sofa or stairs, but any abrupt movement can be sufficient to cause a Type 1 rupture. It is also possible for more than one disc to rupture.
The symptoms of a Type I rupture usually progress gradually but can appear suddenly. The dog holds her/his back stiffly and may vocalize with pain or snap at the hand palpating in or around the injured area. The dog will usually refuse to walk up stairs or jump into a car. Neurological signs include weakness, lameness, and a wobbly gait. A dog experiencing severe back pain resulting from an acute rupture usually assumes a hunched-up position with a tight abdomen and may pant and tremble. Sudden ruptures can result in complete hindlimb paralysis.
Dogs with a Hansen Type I rupture in the neck usually carry their head low and stiff and are in extreme pain. The dog will often cry out when patted on the head and refuse to lower her head to eat or drink. There may be weakness and/or lameness of the front legs. Complete paralysis of all four limbs can occur but is rare.
Hansen Type II disc ruptures occur most in German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and other larger breeds. With this condition the entire disc, surrounded by its capsule, gradually impinges on the spinal canal. Symptoms usually appear gradually and progress slowly in dogs 5 to 12 years of age.
Your veterinarian can presumptively diagnose a ruptured disc by doing a neurological examination and prove it with imaging studies including spine X-rays, a myelogram, and possibly a CT scan or MRI.
Dogs still able to walk but with pain and mild weakness can be treated by confining them to a cage for a minimum of two weeks with appropriate anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs for pain control. If there is no improvement, or the dog’s condition worsens during this time, surgery is necessary. Surgery for disc disease involves surgical decompression of the spine by removal of bone over the spinal cord a laminectomy or partial bone removal (hemilaminectomy) and removal of the extruded disk material impinging on the spinal cord thus relieving the compression of the cord. Obviously, a very well trained and experienced veterinary surgeon is necessary for these procedures.
The prognosis for these cases depends upon the degree of injury and the location. Most patients that retain motor function have a good chance for recovery. If motor function is compromised the prognosis is more guarded and if deep pain perception is absent, a return to normal is less likely. We have all seen those photos of paralyzed dogs suspended in a two-wheeled cart who suffered this condition and still function as loved pets.
Hansen Type I ruptures usually occur in small breeds such as Dachshunds, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Pekingese, and small mixed breeds. Ruptured discs are more common in Dachshunds than in all other breeds combined. The capsule can start to degenerate when the dog is only 2 to 9 months of age. Nearly eighty percent of Type 1 ruptured discs occur in the lower back between the last thoracic and the first two lumbar vertebrae. The history often includes jumping off a sofa or stairs, but any abrupt movement can be sufficient to cause a Type 1 rupture. It is also possible for more than one disc to rupture.
The symptoms of a Type I rupture usually progress gradually but can appear suddenly. The dog holds her/his back stiffly and may vocalize with pain or snap at the hand palpating in or around the injured area. The dog will usually refuse to walk up stairs or jump into a car. Neurological signs include weakness, lameness, and a wobbly gait. A dog experiencing severe back pain resulting from an acute rupture usually assumes a hunched-up position with a tight abdomen and may pant and tremble. Sudden ruptures can result in complete hindlimb paralysis.
Dogs with a Hansen Type I rupture in the neck usually carry their head low and stiff and are in extreme pain. The dog will often cry out when patted on the head and refuse to lower her head to eat or drink. There may be weakness and/or lameness of the front legs. Complete paralysis of all four limbs can occur but is rare.
Hansen Type II disc ruptures occur most in German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and other larger breeds. With this condition the entire disc, surrounded by its capsule, gradually impinges on the spinal canal. Symptoms usually appear gradually and progress slowly in dogs 5 to 12 years of age.
Your veterinarian can presumptively diagnose a ruptured disc by doing a neurological examination and prove it with imaging studies including spine X-rays, a myelogram, and possibly a CT scan or MRI.
Dogs still able to walk but with pain and mild weakness can be treated by confining them to a cage for a minimum of two weeks with appropriate anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs for pain control. If there is no improvement, or the dog’s condition worsens during this time, surgery is necessary. Surgery for disc disease involves surgical decompression of the spine by removal of bone over the spinal cord a laminectomy or partial bone removal (hemilaminectomy) and removal of the extruded disk material impinging on the spinal cord thus relieving the compression of the cord. Obviously, a very well trained and experienced veterinary surgeon is necessary for these procedures.
The prognosis for these cases depends upon the degree of injury and the location. Most patients that retain motor function have a good chance for recovery. If motor function is compromised the prognosis is more guarded and if deep pain perception is absent, a return to normal is less likely. We have all seen those photos of paralyzed dogs suspended in a two-wheeled cart who suffered this condition and still function as loved pets.
February 22, 2012
My mother’s Maine Coon cat has cardiomyopathy, what is that?
“Cardio” obviously pertains to the heart, “myo” pertains to muscle and “pathy” signifies pathology or abnormality. Therefore, cardiomyopathy is pathology or abnormality of the heart muscle. We describe two kinds of cardiomyopathy; hypertrophic and dilated. Both types occur because of genetic mutations in one or more of the various proteins that comprise the heart muscle.
A study published in 1993 in the American Journal of Cardiology compared lesions found in 38 humans, 51 cats and 10 dogs that died of spontaneous hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The authors of the paper discovered almost identical changes in all of the subjects.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy results in an increase in the volume of the heart muscle. As the muscle, usually that of the left ventricle, the chamber of the heart responsible for pumping blood out into the body, is forced to work harder it becomes thicker. As this happens the muscle also becomes stiffer, less compliant, and the result is that the ventricle is less able to relax and fill with blood during the resting phase between beats, called diastole. Eventually the left ventricle cannot fill enough to pump enough blood to meet the metabolic demands of the body and the resulting condition is “heart failure”. These same changes can also occur in the right ventricle, the heart chamber responsible for pumping blood to the lungs. Sometimes both chambers are afflicted. The results are left heart failure, right heart failure or total heart failure. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy seems to be particularly prevalent in Maine Coon, Maine Coon crossbreds and Ragdoll cats.
The other type of cardiomyopathy, dilated, is the yang of hypertrophic’s yin. The myocardium dilates and becomes thinner rather than thicker. This condition is also most often a genetic defect and thought to be an autoimmune disease as are Lou Gehrig’s disease, Cohn’s disease, lupus, and many others. The myocardium stretches and becomes weaker over time. Eventually the affected heart chamber(s) stretch to the point where the beating muscle looses strength. When it contracts it can no longer expel enough blood and heart failure occurs. Again, either the left, right or both ventricles can be affected. Large breeds of dogs, especially Irish Wolfhounds and Doberman Pinschers, seem to be the most afflicted by this condition but it has been found in German Shepherds, Boxers, and English Cocker Spaniels, mixed breeds and occasionally other breeds. For unknown reasons dilated cardiomyopathy kills males 2-3 times more commonly than it does females.
Genetic lesions resulting in myocardial changes closely resembling cardiomyopathy have been reported in Polled Hereford cattle, mustached tamarinds (monkeys) and pygmy sperm whales. Cardiomyopathies can also develop as the result of persistent rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, either systemic or pulmonary, diseases of the outflow valves of either the right or left ventricles (aortic or pulmonary valves), following treatment with certain chemotherapeutic agents, following obstruction of the coronary arteries, and after exposure to a host of toxic substances.
If your pet shows signs of lethargy, labored breathing, decreased levels of activity and tiring easily take it to your veterinarian for a checkup. The earlier a heart condition is caught the more successful the treatment and/or management is.
A study published in 1993 in the American Journal of Cardiology compared lesions found in 38 humans, 51 cats and 10 dogs that died of spontaneous hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The authors of the paper discovered almost identical changes in all of the subjects.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy results in an increase in the volume of the heart muscle. As the muscle, usually that of the left ventricle, the chamber of the heart responsible for pumping blood out into the body, is forced to work harder it becomes thicker. As this happens the muscle also becomes stiffer, less compliant, and the result is that the ventricle is less able to relax and fill with blood during the resting phase between beats, called diastole. Eventually the left ventricle cannot fill enough to pump enough blood to meet the metabolic demands of the body and the resulting condition is “heart failure”. These same changes can also occur in the right ventricle, the heart chamber responsible for pumping blood to the lungs. Sometimes both chambers are afflicted. The results are left heart failure, right heart failure or total heart failure. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy seems to be particularly prevalent in Maine Coon, Maine Coon crossbreds and Ragdoll cats.
The other type of cardiomyopathy, dilated, is the yang of hypertrophic’s yin. The myocardium dilates and becomes thinner rather than thicker. This condition is also most often a genetic defect and thought to be an autoimmune disease as are Lou Gehrig’s disease, Cohn’s disease, lupus, and many others. The myocardium stretches and becomes weaker over time. Eventually the affected heart chamber(s) stretch to the point where the beating muscle looses strength. When it contracts it can no longer expel enough blood and heart failure occurs. Again, either the left, right or both ventricles can be affected. Large breeds of dogs, especially Irish Wolfhounds and Doberman Pinschers, seem to be the most afflicted by this condition but it has been found in German Shepherds, Boxers, and English Cocker Spaniels, mixed breeds and occasionally other breeds. For unknown reasons dilated cardiomyopathy kills males 2-3 times more commonly than it does females.
Genetic lesions resulting in myocardial changes closely resembling cardiomyopathy have been reported in Polled Hereford cattle, mustached tamarinds (monkeys) and pygmy sperm whales. Cardiomyopathies can also develop as the result of persistent rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, either systemic or pulmonary, diseases of the outflow valves of either the right or left ventricles (aortic or pulmonary valves), following treatment with certain chemotherapeutic agents, following obstruction of the coronary arteries, and after exposure to a host of toxic substances.
If your pet shows signs of lethargy, labored breathing, decreased levels of activity and tiring easily take it to your veterinarian for a checkup. The earlier a heart condition is caught the more successful the treatment and/or management is.
February 14, 2012
My horse grabs his stall door with his front teeth, arches his neck then pulls back and seems to suck in air. Why is he doing this and is it a problem?
This behavior is known as “cribbing”. There is evidence that cribbing releases chemicals in the brain known as endorphins. Some horses learn to arch their neck and swallow air without needing to grasp an object with their teeth, but this is rare. Some horses will also get into a habit of chewing wood.
Cribbing can result in several unhealthy outcomes. Grasping and pulling on hard objects can wear down the teeth or damage them. The pulling motion, if frequent and intense, can result in abnormal neck muscle development. Some claim that pain (from colic or ulcers) causes cribbing. Horses that crib do seem to have a higher frequency of colic and ulcers than the normal horse population. However, research suggests that horses fed grain rather than pasture and/or those fed 1 or 2 times per day rather than multiple times, are more likely to get ulcers or colic. I believe colic does not cause cribbing and cribbing does not cause colic, but both can be the result of unnatural feeding.
Cribbing is a compulsive habit, probably the result of boredom and/or anxiety. Not all bored or anxious horses will develop this habit but is most common in horses kept in their stalls, or small enclosures, for long periods without adequate mental stimulation. If a horse cribs, other horses may copy the behavior. Once the habit becomes ingrained, it can be difficult to correct. Because cribbing releases endorphins in the brain, it is, effectively, a drug addiction. As with any drug addiction, kicking the habit is hard. Here are some recommended treatments:
1) Provide mental stimulation, additional exercise, training, etc. Occupy more of the horse's time.
2) Remove the horse to a more enjoyable environment such as a pasture with other horses. Providing pasture time will usually reduce the frequency and intensity of cribbing, but may not stop it.
3) Paint the objects that the horse grabs with something that tastes unpleasant. This is most effective when combined with providing lots of pasture time. There are a number of products designed for this purpose as well as many home made recipes. Make sure that what you use is not poisonous.
4) If your horse cribs on fences, putting an electric wire along the top of the rails might work.
5) Fit the horse with a cribbing strap. This collar will prevent, or make it uncomfortable for the horse to swell its neck to suck in air.
6) Calming medication, usually anti-depressants, but I don't support behavior modification with drugs.
7) Fit the horse with a special muzzle that allows it to eat but not to grasp with his front teeth. I have seen something like this but have no idea where to find one.
8) A last resort is surgery to cut the muscles used to arch the neck.
Cribbing can result in several unhealthy outcomes. Grasping and pulling on hard objects can wear down the teeth or damage them. The pulling motion, if frequent and intense, can result in abnormal neck muscle development. Some claim that pain (from colic or ulcers) causes cribbing. Horses that crib do seem to have a higher frequency of colic and ulcers than the normal horse population. However, research suggests that horses fed grain rather than pasture and/or those fed 1 or 2 times per day rather than multiple times, are more likely to get ulcers or colic. I believe colic does not cause cribbing and cribbing does not cause colic, but both can be the result of unnatural feeding.
Cribbing is a compulsive habit, probably the result of boredom and/or anxiety. Not all bored or anxious horses will develop this habit but is most common in horses kept in their stalls, or small enclosures, for long periods without adequate mental stimulation. If a horse cribs, other horses may copy the behavior. Once the habit becomes ingrained, it can be difficult to correct. Because cribbing releases endorphins in the brain, it is, effectively, a drug addiction. As with any drug addiction, kicking the habit is hard. Here are some recommended treatments:
1) Provide mental stimulation, additional exercise, training, etc. Occupy more of the horse's time.
2) Remove the horse to a more enjoyable environment such as a pasture with other horses. Providing pasture time will usually reduce the frequency and intensity of cribbing, but may not stop it.
3) Paint the objects that the horse grabs with something that tastes unpleasant. This is most effective when combined with providing lots of pasture time. There are a number of products designed for this purpose as well as many home made recipes. Make sure that what you use is not poisonous.
4) If your horse cribs on fences, putting an electric wire along the top of the rails might work.
5) Fit the horse with a cribbing strap. This collar will prevent, or make it uncomfortable for the horse to swell its neck to suck in air.
6) Calming medication, usually anti-depressants, but I don't support behavior modification with drugs.
7) Fit the horse with a special muzzle that allows it to eat but not to grasp with his front teeth. I have seen something like this but have no idea where to find one.
8) A last resort is surgery to cut the muscles used to arch the neck.
January 31, 2012
Why do dogs and cats drink antifreeze and how does it kill them?
This is one of the most common forms of poisoning seen in dogs and cats. It usually happens when the antifreeze drips from your vehicle’s radiator forming a puddle on the garage floor or driveway. The active ingredient in antifreeze is ethylene glycol a syrupy liquid that seems almost addictive to some pets. You must take special care if you change your antifreeze yourself, since pets can get into containers left open or spilled. It is possible for a cat to poison itself by walking through a puddle then licking its paws. As little as five tablespoons of commercial antifreeze is enough to kill a medium sized dog. If you see or suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze you should make it vomit, by giving it a teaspoonful of hydrogen peroxide per five pounds of body weight, but not more than three teaspoonfuls at a time. If it vomits or not, take it to your veterinarian as quickly as possible and explain what you think has happened. If your pet has already vomited, do not try to make it vomit more. Do not try to induce vomiting if the pet is showing signs of distress, shock, difficult breathing or is unconscious.
Ethylene glycol is also an ingredient in some liquid rust-inhibitors, incorporated in solar collectors, used in many chemical manufacturing processes and can be found in a variety of household products. Check the labels! To be most effective, your veterinarian must administer treatment within three to eight hours. Ethylene glycol is actually an alcohol converted, by enzymes in the liver, particularly alcohol dehydrogenase, into oxalic acid. The oxalic acid combines with calcium in the blood to form calcium oxalate crystals that block the nephrons in the kidneys and result in kidney failure.
Since ethylene glycol is an alcohol, the early signs of poisoning resemble drunkenness; euphoria and/or delirium, wobbly gait, uncoordinated movements, nausea as evidenced by excessive salivation, lip smacking, dry heaving, and vomiting. This phase can persist for about six hours and the animal may appear to be better, not so! If untreated the signs progress to excessive urination, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, depression, weakness and eventually into fainting, tremors, convulsive seizures, and coma, all signs of kidney failure.
If you arrive at the animal hospital in time and give a history of your pet ingesting antifreeze, or your veterinarian runs appropriate tests and makes the diagnosis, before signs of kidney failure occur, there is a good chance your pet will be saved. Treatment involves the induction of vomiting. Using activated charcoal to bind any ethylene glycol still in the digestive tract is not effective, but may be indicated when other toxins are suspected. Since 1996, your veterinarian has had access to fomepizole (Antizol-Vet). This drug is an effective antidote, if administered intravenously before kidney damage occurs. Back in the olden days, we used grain alcohol as an antidote, significantly less expensive than fomepizole. Alcohol dehydrogenase has about 100 times the affinity for grain alcohol than it does for ethylene glycol. When used as an antidote the liver metabolizes less ethylene glycol and fewer oxalate crystals form. Depending upon the severity of kidney damage it still might be possible to save your pet with aggressive fluid therapy to flush the kidneys, and other supportive treatment. Some specialty practices may be equipped to provide kidney (renal) dialysis. You do not want to know how much a kidney transplant will cost, but it is possible, in both dogs and cats, in specialized centers with the necessary equipment and experience.
Ethylene glycol is also an ingredient in some liquid rust-inhibitors, incorporated in solar collectors, used in many chemical manufacturing processes and can be found in a variety of household products. Check the labels! To be most effective, your veterinarian must administer treatment within three to eight hours. Ethylene glycol is actually an alcohol converted, by enzymes in the liver, particularly alcohol dehydrogenase, into oxalic acid. The oxalic acid combines with calcium in the blood to form calcium oxalate crystals that block the nephrons in the kidneys and result in kidney failure.
Since ethylene glycol is an alcohol, the early signs of poisoning resemble drunkenness; euphoria and/or delirium, wobbly gait, uncoordinated movements, nausea as evidenced by excessive salivation, lip smacking, dry heaving, and vomiting. This phase can persist for about six hours and the animal may appear to be better, not so! If untreated the signs progress to excessive urination, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, depression, weakness and eventually into fainting, tremors, convulsive seizures, and coma, all signs of kidney failure.
If you arrive at the animal hospital in time and give a history of your pet ingesting antifreeze, or your veterinarian runs appropriate tests and makes the diagnosis, before signs of kidney failure occur, there is a good chance your pet will be saved. Treatment involves the induction of vomiting. Using activated charcoal to bind any ethylene glycol still in the digestive tract is not effective, but may be indicated when other toxins are suspected. Since 1996, your veterinarian has had access to fomepizole (Antizol-Vet). This drug is an effective antidote, if administered intravenously before kidney damage occurs. Back in the olden days, we used grain alcohol as an antidote, significantly less expensive than fomepizole. Alcohol dehydrogenase has about 100 times the affinity for grain alcohol than it does for ethylene glycol. When used as an antidote the liver metabolizes less ethylene glycol and fewer oxalate crystals form. Depending upon the severity of kidney damage it still might be possible to save your pet with aggressive fluid therapy to flush the kidneys, and other supportive treatment. Some specialty practices may be equipped to provide kidney (renal) dialysis. You do not want to know how much a kidney transplant will cost, but it is possible, in both dogs and cats, in specialized centers with the necessary equipment and experience.
January 12, 2012
My dog goes ballistic from loud noises. What can I do?
Not all dogs panic when they hear loud noises and there does not seem to be any particular breed predilection for this behavior. Two separate and distinct areas of the brain are responsible for sensing then responding to loud noises. Cells that sense loud noises respond by increasing their electrical activity sending strong signals to cells in the response area of the brain. Those cells respond by conveying the information; LOUD, SCARY, DO SOMETHING! When your pet detects a loud noise, remember their hearing is significantly more acute than that of humans she/he/it cannot tune out the sound like hearing a ceiling fan, the TV or other common background noises.
The response cells process the received increase in electrical activity and send out signals that require the dog to do something. What the dog does in response to the loud noise input varies with the animal and can range from shear panic and panic behavior to a yawn and going back to sleep. What is confusing is that many dogs seem to develop the panic response in mid-life, perhaps having experienced something painful or uncomfortable associated with a loud noise. Most puppies and young dogs do not exhibit much of a response to loud noises, but there are always exceptions.
The pressing question, if you have a dog that panics at loud sounds, is what can I do about it?
When you go away put your dog inside in a safe place you have created for him/her. Many dogs will choose a room or area where they are most comfortable and where they go when unsupervised. Make certain they have free access to this area when you are gone. Encourage them to use a room with few outside windows and use blackout curtains on any windows in the room. This will dampen the noise level. Turn on an appliance that creates background noise, an air purifier, a fan, a TV, a radio tuned to classical or soothing music. This is not the time for hard rock.
Make certain the dog has a comfortable bed, hardwood floors and hard walls transmit loud sounds. I hesitate to tell you this, but it is a sign of the times. You can purchase “Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP)”. I saw it in a pet store as a plug-in that claims to be a species-specific calming scent. Can you see my eyes rolling back into my head?
If you are with your dog during Fourth of July firecracker season or a thunderstorm, try to establish a connection between them hearing a loud sound and something nice. Try to calm him with praise, feed him a special treat. Scared dogs will not eat and a dog eating something especially desired will not be scared.
If none of this works, ask your veterinarian to recommend a professional trainer or animal behaviorist who specializes in behavior modification. As a very last resort, your vet can prescribe a tranquilizer, but these work best if given before the loud stimulus so in anticipation of fireworks. Your vet may or may not approve of this use of drugs. I am hesitant in all but very severe cases where the dog is liable to hurt itself or others.
The response cells process the received increase in electrical activity and send out signals that require the dog to do something. What the dog does in response to the loud noise input varies with the animal and can range from shear panic and panic behavior to a yawn and going back to sleep. What is confusing is that many dogs seem to develop the panic response in mid-life, perhaps having experienced something painful or uncomfortable associated with a loud noise. Most puppies and young dogs do not exhibit much of a response to loud noises, but there are always exceptions.
The pressing question, if you have a dog that panics at loud sounds, is what can I do about it?
When you go away put your dog inside in a safe place you have created for him/her. Many dogs will choose a room or area where they are most comfortable and where they go when unsupervised. Make certain they have free access to this area when you are gone. Encourage them to use a room with few outside windows and use blackout curtains on any windows in the room. This will dampen the noise level. Turn on an appliance that creates background noise, an air purifier, a fan, a TV, a radio tuned to classical or soothing music. This is not the time for hard rock.
Make certain the dog has a comfortable bed, hardwood floors and hard walls transmit loud sounds. I hesitate to tell you this, but it is a sign of the times. You can purchase “Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP)”. I saw it in a pet store as a plug-in that claims to be a species-specific calming scent. Can you see my eyes rolling back into my head?
If you are with your dog during Fourth of July firecracker season or a thunderstorm, try to establish a connection between them hearing a loud sound and something nice. Try to calm him with praise, feed him a special treat. Scared dogs will not eat and a dog eating something especially desired will not be scared.
If none of this works, ask your veterinarian to recommend a professional trainer or animal behaviorist who specializes in behavior modification. As a very last resort, your vet can prescribe a tranquilizer, but these work best if given before the loud stimulus so in anticipation of fireworks. Your vet may or may not approve of this use of drugs. I am hesitant in all but very severe cases where the dog is liable to hurt itself or others.
December 14, 2011
Sharon asks; “Why are raisins bad for dogs?”
Sharon, I am so pleased you asked this question. You gave me the opportunity to brag about the department I was honored to lead from 1995 to 2006.
Faculty in the department Veterinary Biosciences at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign formed the original Animal Poison Control Center, long before I arrived. We were fortunate in convincing the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to take over and grow that Center. Veterinarians in the Poison Control Center started to notice an increase in reports of dogs showing signs of toxicity after the ingestion of both grapes and raisins in 1999. From April, 2003 to April, 2004 the Center logged 140 cases of dogs consuming either grapes or raisins, 50 of these dogs developed signs of toxicity and 7 of the dogs died.
Drs. Carla M. K. Morrow, a toxicology graduate student in the department, Victor E. Valli, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Petra A. Volmer, a faculty member of in the department, and Paul A. Eubig, another toxicology graduate student published a definitive report on grape and raisin toxicity in the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation in 2005. They studied ten dogs that suffered acute renal (kidney) failure after ingesting 6.72 grams or more of raisins per pound of dog. That calculates to about 9.5 ounces of raisins for a forty-pound dog. Other studies reported toxic doses of 6.8-18.9 ounces for raisins and 19.6 ounces of grapes for a forty-pound dog (sixteen ounces to a pound).
Usually within twelve hours after ingesting either grapes or raisins, dogs will start vomiting, become lethargic and develop diarrhea. If not treated, they become increasingly lethargic, dehydrated and refuse to eat. The dog may urinate more frequently than normal early but progresses to a decrease in urine production and eventually to anuria (no urine formation). The primary lesions of this toxicity are in the kidneys with significant degeneration or necrosis (death) of the proximal renal tubules (very bad). Morrow, et al. also reported pathological changes in arteries supplying the large colon in the dogs they studied. Unfortunately nobody has yet been able to determine the toxic substance in grapes, raisins, or grape pressings from wineries (yep, at least one dog ate grape pressings). It is difficult to obtain funding when the scientists must feed animals potentially toxic substances isolated from the grapes to be able to determine what it is that is toxic.
If your dog has eaten grapes or raisins and is showing signs of illness, or if s/he vomits and you see pieces of grape or raisin in the vomitus, get the poor guy to your veterinarian within two hours. The treatment involves inducing vomiting, possibly treating with activated charcoal and administering large doses of intravenous fluids in an effort to flush the kidneys. If the kidneys are badly damaged it may be necessary to use either peritoneal or hemo-dialysis. With fast, effective treatment, about half of the dogs showing severe signs of grape or raisin toxicity can be saved.
Faculty in the department Veterinary Biosciences at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign formed the original Animal Poison Control Center, long before I arrived. We were fortunate in convincing the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to take over and grow that Center. Veterinarians in the Poison Control Center started to notice an increase in reports of dogs showing signs of toxicity after the ingestion of both grapes and raisins in 1999. From April, 2003 to April, 2004 the Center logged 140 cases of dogs consuming either grapes or raisins, 50 of these dogs developed signs of toxicity and 7 of the dogs died.
Drs. Carla M. K. Morrow, a toxicology graduate student in the department, Victor E. Valli, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Petra A. Volmer, a faculty member of in the department, and Paul A. Eubig, another toxicology graduate student published a definitive report on grape and raisin toxicity in the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation in 2005. They studied ten dogs that suffered acute renal (kidney) failure after ingesting 6.72 grams or more of raisins per pound of dog. That calculates to about 9.5 ounces of raisins for a forty-pound dog. Other studies reported toxic doses of 6.8-18.9 ounces for raisins and 19.6 ounces of grapes for a forty-pound dog (sixteen ounces to a pound).
Usually within twelve hours after ingesting either grapes or raisins, dogs will start vomiting, become lethargic and develop diarrhea. If not treated, they become increasingly lethargic, dehydrated and refuse to eat. The dog may urinate more frequently than normal early but progresses to a decrease in urine production and eventually to anuria (no urine formation). The primary lesions of this toxicity are in the kidneys with significant degeneration or necrosis (death) of the proximal renal tubules (very bad). Morrow, et al. also reported pathological changes in arteries supplying the large colon in the dogs they studied. Unfortunately nobody has yet been able to determine the toxic substance in grapes, raisins, or grape pressings from wineries (yep, at least one dog ate grape pressings). It is difficult to obtain funding when the scientists must feed animals potentially toxic substances isolated from the grapes to be able to determine what it is that is toxic.
If your dog has eaten grapes or raisins and is showing signs of illness, or if s/he vomits and you see pieces of grape or raisin in the vomitus, get the poor guy to your veterinarian within two hours. The treatment involves inducing vomiting, possibly treating with activated charcoal and administering large doses of intravenous fluids in an effort to flush the kidneys. If the kidneys are badly damaged it may be necessary to use either peritoneal or hemo-dialysis. With fast, effective treatment, about half of the dogs showing severe signs of grape or raisin toxicity can be saved.
November 30, 2011
We just rescued a Great Dane from our local shelter and they told us large breeds of dogs get something called gastric dilatation and die. What is it and what causes it?
This condition can afflict any breed of dog but it seems to be most prevalent in Great Danes, St. Bernards, Weimaraners, Irish setters and Gordon setters. Dogs with a deep chest, dogs fed a large meal once daily, older dogs and dogs related to other dogs that have suffered from this condition are at higher risk. A study published in 2006 incriminates dry dog foods that list oil or animal fat as one of the first four label ingredients high concentrations) as predisposing dogs to a higher risk. Any dog that eats rapidly and is overfed, or gains access to food on its own (gets into the bag of food while nobody is around), can end up with an over distended stomach and lots of gas. When this happens, the gas can accumulate rapidly and this gas itself can prevent both the gas and the food from leaving the stomach. Predictably, gas continues to accumulate and a severe stomachache ensues.
Dogs with a stomachache may look anxiously at their abdomen, stand and stretch, drool, and retch without vomiting. Most of the time, the dog will vomit up the excess food and gas thus relieving the problem but if unable to do so gastric dilatation can occur. When this happens, the abdomen distends as the stomach distends with gas and, as the problem progresses, the dog may start to pant and get progressively weak and even collapse. If not relieved, the distended stomach can put enough pressure on the diaphragm and lungs to result in hypoxia (lack of enough oxygen), prevent the return of blood from the abdomen, stop blood flow to the stomach and this can result in rupture of the stomach wall. Another possible complication is a twisting of the stomach called volvulus. This results in an acute emergency that requires surgical intervention. Mortality from gastric dilatation and volvulus is about 15%.
If your pet is suffering from gastric dilatation, you need to get her/him/it to your veterinarian post haste. If caught early the condition may be relieved by passing a stomach tube and releasing the gas. If this does not do the trick, your veterinarian will have to take radiographs (X-rays), and probably do some laboratory blood tests to establish a definitive diagnosis. It may be necessary to stabilize the patient with intravenous fluids and oxygen therapy prior to doing surgery. Even if there is no gastric volvulus it is usually necessary to do exploratory abdominal surgery to determine if the stomach is twisted or not and untwist it if necessary. If the volvulus persists, it interrupts the blood supply to the stomach and the tissues deprived of blood die. Gangrene of the stomach is not habit forming. While doing the surgery the surgeon will fully explore the abdomen and will ascertain the viability (normality) of the stomach wall, the spleen and other abdominal organs. Before closing the abdomen, the surgeon will fix (suture) the stomach to the body wall to prevent it from twisting in the future. There are at least four different techniques described to fix the stomach to the body wall (gastropexy). Your veterinary surgeon will use the technique that has proven to be most successful in her or his experience.
Your veterinarian might recommend prophylactic (preventive) gastropexy for dogs with relatives that have had the problem, breeds with greater risk, or dogs that have suffered gastric dilation and recovered without surgery. Laparoscopic (use of a fiberoptic device for visualization) and other minimally invasive techniques have been described to accomplish this.
Dogs with a stomachache may look anxiously at their abdomen, stand and stretch, drool, and retch without vomiting. Most of the time, the dog will vomit up the excess food and gas thus relieving the problem but if unable to do so gastric dilatation can occur. When this happens, the abdomen distends as the stomach distends with gas and, as the problem progresses, the dog may start to pant and get progressively weak and even collapse. If not relieved, the distended stomach can put enough pressure on the diaphragm and lungs to result in hypoxia (lack of enough oxygen), prevent the return of blood from the abdomen, stop blood flow to the stomach and this can result in rupture of the stomach wall. Another possible complication is a twisting of the stomach called volvulus. This results in an acute emergency that requires surgical intervention. Mortality from gastric dilatation and volvulus is about 15%.
If your pet is suffering from gastric dilatation, you need to get her/him/it to your veterinarian post haste. If caught early the condition may be relieved by passing a stomach tube and releasing the gas. If this does not do the trick, your veterinarian will have to take radiographs (X-rays), and probably do some laboratory blood tests to establish a definitive diagnosis. It may be necessary to stabilize the patient with intravenous fluids and oxygen therapy prior to doing surgery. Even if there is no gastric volvulus it is usually necessary to do exploratory abdominal surgery to determine if the stomach is twisted or not and untwist it if necessary. If the volvulus persists, it interrupts the blood supply to the stomach and the tissues deprived of blood die. Gangrene of the stomach is not habit forming. While doing the surgery the surgeon will fully explore the abdomen and will ascertain the viability (normality) of the stomach wall, the spleen and other abdominal organs. Before closing the abdomen, the surgeon will fix (suture) the stomach to the body wall to prevent it from twisting in the future. There are at least four different techniques described to fix the stomach to the body wall (gastropexy). Your veterinary surgeon will use the technique that has proven to be most successful in her or his experience.
Your veterinarian might recommend prophylactic (preventive) gastropexy for dogs with relatives that have had the problem, breeds with greater risk, or dogs that have suffered gastric dilation and recovered without surgery. Laparoscopic (use of a fiberoptic device for visualization) and other minimally invasive techniques have been described to accomplish this.
