Ramblings of a Flagstaff Vet

Big Dogs and Bloat

2011-09-03T07:57:00.000-07:00

Salivation, retching, big drum like belly: OH MY!

I'm a big dog lover and it seems that this condition is something that all of big dog owners live in fear of. I just attended a conference and participated in a lab practicing the preventative surgical technique known as gastropexy. I am on call this week and have seen one case in which the dog was very close to being a surgical GDV patient. Luckily we were able to decompress the stomach without surgical intervention. The owners of this beautiful German Shepherd were very happy to hear some advise on how to prevent bloat and what symptoms of bloat to be aware of. I had another client come in on emergency because she and her husband had lost a dog to bloat because they weren't aware of the condition and delayed taking their dog in because they thought it was just a fleeting "stomach bug". I thought it would be nice to share these tips with our Facebook fans before it becomes an emergency in their beloved dogs.

So first off, what exactly IS bloat?

The stomach becomes filled with gas and fluid and can, as a complication, twist around. This is called Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV).

It is only affecting canines and breeds at high risk are the deep chested, large - giant dogs. Mortality rate is high and in the range from 10 to 60 % despite of treatment. With surgery, the mortality rate is still reaching 15 to 33 %.

After a meal, the dog’s stomach can reach a volume of 3-4 l in a medium 15 kg dog, and can dilate up to 7 l in a large-breed dog. This aptitude for dilatation, associated with the fact that the stomach is relatively loose in the abdomen, is a predisposing factor for the the syndrome of gastric dilatation and torsion.

The causes of this pathological gastric dilatation are poorly known, but it could be related to an accumulation of:

gas: the eructation mechanism does not work properly and gas are not evacuated from the stomach. By the way it seems that it is mainly air which is breathed in when the dog eats too quickly…

fluids: secreted by the stomach;

food: the emptying of the stomach does not occur normally.

The often fatal issue of this syndrome is due to serious circulation disturbance: the venous circulation is disrupted, the blood pressure drops, and a shock state takes place, aggravated by the release of toxins produced in the necrotic areas of some abdominal viscera.

The large breed dogs are the most threatened: Great Dane, St Bernard, New Foundland, Weimeraner dog, German shepherd, Doberman, Old English sheep dog, Pointer… The most nervous dogs (often underweight) would be the most at risk, probably because they are the first to react to any change in their environment: new places, new people, new feeding rhythm, physical activity, etc… Any kind of stress can be effectively considered as a trigger for the dilatation/torsion syndrome.

What Are Signs of Dog Bloat?

Signs and symptoms of gastric bloat can become quite dramatic, but not always clearly recognizable. If you observe any combination of the below mentioned signs (two or more) you need to seek urgent veterinary help.

Restlessness, panting, whining.
Excessive salivation/ drooling
Enlarged and tense abdomen
Discomfort and distress
Dog is trying to throw up, but is only retching and can not vomit
The condition gets worse in a very short time
Signs of shock

WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR CANINE BLOAT PREVENTION ?

There is a surgery that anchors the stomach to the ribs in order to prevent it from being so mobile and able to twist. The surgery is most effective and safe if done PRIOR to a bloat emergency. Even dogs that have had the surgery can bloat and twist their stomachs, they just have to work A LOT harder to do so. I have one client with Mastiffs that never leaves the house with her gentle giants without arming herself with a large bottle of GAS-X. She lost a mastiff to bloat years ago even though the dog's stomach had been tacked as preventative.

She still has all of her Mastiff's stomachs tacked but she sticks to a strict feeding regimen to further decrease chances of a replay of the events that ended in the loss of one of her giant companions.

No study allows to associate a special diet with the development of a bloat syndrome. This accident occurs in dogs fed vary different types of diets: home-made food or industrial products, dry food or canned food. The statistical studies that point out a relationship between dry food and bloat are distorted by the fact that a majority of large breed dogs are actually fed dry food.

On the contrary, the WAY of feeding may have an influence:

Hydration of the food is in favor of a nearlier emptying of the stomach. Besides, 80% of dogs prefer consume dry food when it is slightly rehydrated.

Large breed dogs often have high energetic requirements, especially if they live outside. These requirements have to be satisfied by large volumes of food, but the ingestion of a single big meal in the day can be in favor of the dilatation. It would be better advised to split the daily diet in two or three meals a day.

In conclusion, the preventive measures aim at avoiding that the dog eats too hastily, and to make easier the stomach emptying.

Practical measures in favor of the prevention of the canine bloat syndrome

Feed the dog alone, in a quiet area.

Split the daily diet in two meals a day, in order to avoid the stomach to be too much dilated.

Choose a high digestible diet that will be distributed in smaller quantities compared to an ordinary food.

Choose a food presented in large croquettes, in order to slow down the ingestion. An object put in the middle of the plate can act the same way, because, it obliges the dog to turn around to be able to eat.

Slightly rehydrate the food before feeding.

Respect a 2 hour resting period after each meal. Physical activity when the stomach is full can make it move. Moreover, stress inhibits the emptying of the stomach.

I have to go now and feed my big dogs a their first of two rehydrated meals of the day.

Spring has sprung: beware of the sneaky foxtail

2011-06-11T13:29:00.001-07:00

Spring has sprung and so have the FOXTAILS (aka grass awns, spear grass): Flowers are blooming and birds are chirping. It is a wonderful time of year but beware if the sneaky and tenacious foxtail. These little botanical seeds look very innocent but they can cause serious illness in your pets. Nature has designed these seedlings to excel at burrowing. Most commonly they set up shop in dog's ears leading to ear infections. They are not species specific. I once pulled 10 of then out of a 3 pound kitten's eye! While less common but magnitudes more dangerous, these little grass awns can migrate into the spinal cord resulting in seizures, the lungs resulting in pneumonia or lung puncture, or stomach wall and intestines skewering their delicate walls. The consequences can the life threatening.

How to prevent FOXTAIL INJURY

• If possible, avoid foxtail infested areas – especially during the dry season.
• Thoroughly brush and inspect your dog's coat if it has been romping through tall, mature grass.
Run your hands over their coat and look for foxtails. Dogs with long hair are particularly
susceptible to foxtail seeds.
• Look into your dog's ears. If your dog has floppy ears, lift each ear and inspect.
• Immediately examine your dogs paws (in-between toes and paw pads), neck (under the collar), tail/anus, and underarm areas after walks in areas with foxtails. Remove any foxtails that are sitting on the fur.

"Bring out your Dead" Plague in Flagstaff, Arizona

2011-05-19T06:32:00.000-07:00

The phones at Kaibab Veterinary Clinic have been ringing off the hook due to increased concern about plague.

If you've ever watched "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," chances are you have a clear mental image of what a plague-stricken village looks like. It's dirty and its inhabitants are similarly filthy. There's also one resident with a very particular occupation. He wheels a cart through town, calling, "Bring out your dead!" The other villagers are all too willing to comply, and some even want to add their still-living relatives to the cart.

While this scene is quite funny, plague is serious business.

Plague is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis. It spreads throughout animal populations, including humans, through the bites of infected FLEAS. These fleas generally feed on rats, which is why large numbers of dead rats are a sign of an impending epidemic. The most well known form of plague, bubonic plague, is named for the painfully swollen lymph nodes, or buboes, that the disease causes.

The main hosts for Yersinia pestis are rodents and the disease is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected fleas. Y. pestis multiplies in the stomach of the flea, and the flea may remain infected for up to one year.¹ In the United States, prairie dogs, ground squirrels, chipmunks, mice, wood rats, and rock squirrels are often infected and readily facilitate flea contact between animals.^1,4 Rabbits may become infected during enzootic outbreaks. In the United States the prairie dog flea and the ground squirrel flea are the primary vectors.⁴ Although these fleas are not easy to distinguish from other fleas, dog and cat fleas are rare in plague-endemic areas. Therefore, finding any flea on a domestic animal in these areas is suspicious.

Most dogs are resistant to infection, but both domestic and wild cats are susceptible. Cats can also be a source of infection for people.

The disease is transmitted to domestic animals by ingestion of infected rodents or rabbits, or from the bite of infected fleas.

Symptoms of plague in cats are faver, swollen lymph nodes, abscesses, and severe respiratory disease.

MORAL OF THE STORY:

Keep cats indoors and to prevent all hunting and exposure to rabbit and rodent carcasses.

Strict flea control in both cats and dogs is very important.

Plague can be successfully treated given prompt diagnosis and appropriate medication (generally certain antibiotics). A physician’s immediate attention is essential if plague is suspected!

Don't let curiosity kill your cat!

2011-04-14T16:49:00.000-07:00

Cats are simply unable to resist string. They love to taste, chase, chew, and SWALLOW string. Once they swallow the string the backward facing barbs on their tongues make it impossible to spit out. They just keep going and going and going until they have what we call a "linear foreign body". That's vet speak for string stuck in gut. What seems like a harmless piece of sewing material can be fatal when it bunches up your kitties intestines like an elastic hair scrunchy.

Why the string fetish? Is there a medical explanation for string ingestion? Perhaps. Some behaviorists believe that cats chew on string and broom bristles because they’re craving fiber. If you feed your cat only canned food, consider adding dry food to the mix so he or she can have something crunchy to chew on.

Make sure to pick up anything that looks the slightest bit enticing to a cat....dental floss, thread on a spool, unraveled sundries, tinsel, wrapping materials, rubber bands, turkey twine, hair, window-blind pulls, fishing line, EASTER BASKET GRASS...the list goes on and on.

In the event that your cat swallows something that could turn into a LFB (linear foreign body), get them to the vet right away.

Plants that brighten up your house may not be so good for your pets

2011-03-28T06:33:00.000-07:00

Lilies Members of the Lilium spp. are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestions of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result.

Marijuana (I guess the ASPCA considers this a house plant)
Ingestion of Cannabis sativa by companion animals can result in depression of the central nervous system and incoordination, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, and even seizures and coma.

Sago Palm
All parts of Cycas Revoluta are poisonous, but the seeds or “nuts” contain the largest amount of toxin. The ingestion of just one or two seeds can result in very serious effects, which include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.

Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
The bulb portions of Tulipa/Narcissus spp. contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.

Azalea/Rhododendron
Members of the Rhododenron spp. contain substances known as grayantoxins, which can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and depression of the central nervous system in animals. Severe azalea poisoning could ultimately lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.

Oleander
All parts of Nerium oleander are considered to be toxic, as they contain cardiac glycosides that have the potential to cause serious effects—including gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.

Castor Bean
The poisonous principle in Ricinus communis is ricin, a highly toxic protein that can produce severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death.

Cyclamen
Cylamen species contain cyclamine, but the highest concentration of this toxic component is typically located in the root portion of the plant. If consumed, Cylamen can produce significant gastrointestinal irritation, including intense vomiting. Fatalities have also been reported in some cases.

Kalanchoe
This plant contains components that can produce gastrointestinal irritation, as well as those that are toxic to the heart, and can seriously affect cardiac rhythm and rate.

Yew
Taxus spp. contains a toxic component known as taxine, which causes central nervous system effects such as trembling, incoordination, and difficulty breathing. It can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac failure, which can result in death.

Amaryllis
Common garden plants popular around Easter, Amaryllis species contain toxins that can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia and tremors.

Autumn Crocus
Ingestion of Colchicum autumnale by pets can result in oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, multi-organ damage and bone marrow suppression.

Chrysanthemum
These popular blooms are part of the Compositae family, which contain pyrethrins that may produce gastrointestinal upset, including drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, if eaten. In certain cases depression and loss of coordination may also develop if enough of any part of the plant is consumed.

English Ivy
Also called branching ivy, glacier ivy, needlepoint ivy, sweetheart ivy and California ivy, Hedera helix contains triterpenoid saponins that, should pets ingest, can result in vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea.

Peace Lily (AKA Mauna Loa Peace Lily)
Spathiphyllum contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue in pets who ingest.

Pothos
Pothos (both Scindapsus and Epipremnum) belongs to the Araceae family. If chewed or ingested, this popular household plant can cause significant mechanical irritation and swelling of the oral tissues and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract.

Schefflera
Schefflera and Brassaia actinophylla contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips and tongue in pets who ingest.

Fearing overseas radiation, Americans seek potassium iodide for pets

2011-03-21T15:45:00.000-07:00

Potassium iodide is a medication that may protect the thyroid gland from cancer caused by exposure to some types of radiation.

There is widespread fear, kindled by radiation leaks from nuclear reactors in Japan damaged by a massive earthquake and tsunami last Friday. People are worried not only for themselves but for their four legged companions.

Here is some information that my indispensable Veterinary Information Network provided to me:

In Hawaii, some 1,500 miles closer to Japan than the mainland West, which is about 5,000 miles distant, the frenzy for potassium iodide is even greater.

“Because of our geographic location, we’re sold out. There is none. Anywhere. So that’s causing more panic,” said Dr. Eric Ako, executive vice president of the Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association.

Based on news reports he’s heard that suggest the medication may offer some safeguard against radiation exposure, Ako said he would be willing to dispense it to clients’ pets if it were available. “If I could find documented appropriate dose ranges ... yeah, I’d do it,” Ako said.

Other veterinarians have expressed a similar willingness to accommodate pet owners’ requests. But in the view of veterinary experts in pharmacology, toxicology and oncology interviewed by the VIN News Service, it’s unwarranted.

Besides the fact that significant radioactive fallout is unlikely to occur here from nuclear-reactor leaks in a faraway country, they say, the use of potassium iodide to protect against radiation exposure in dogs and cats is unproven and poses an ethical issue as well.

“People are certainly overreacting,” said Donald Plumb, Pharm.D, author of Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook, the reference book everyone is reaching for to determine what levels of the drug, if any, are appropriate for pets.

“If potassium iodide is needed, it’s needed first for people and not animals, and there’s limited quantities of it,” Plumb said. “At this time, there doesn’t seem to be any reasonable way that pets should be getting this in the United States.”

Nor people, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “There is no public health event requiring anyone in the U.S. to take KI because of the ongoing situation in Japan,” the agency states on its website, referring to potassium iodide by its chemical abbreviation KI.

The body needs iodine to produce thyroid hormone, which regulates metabolism. The idea behind taking potassium iodide in a nuclear emergency is to prevent the body from taking up radioactive iodine in the environment.

In veterinary medicine, potassium iodide is used to treat actinobacillosis (woody tongue) and actinomycosis (lumpy jaw) in ruminants; and the chronic skin infection sporotrichosis in horses, dogs and cats, according to Plumb's Handbook.

The reference book provides no information about dosage levels to counter radiation exposure.

“I don’t know that anybody knows what is a reasonable dose of iodine for dogs and cats to prevent damage from ionizing radiation,” said Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, a toxicology consultant at VIN formerly with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control Center. “The only studies ... have been done in humans.”

In the case of a true nuclear emergency and assuming supplies of potassium iodide were adequate to justify distribution to animals as well as people, Plumb said, veterinarians would be left to extrapolate from dosages for children the levels for veterinary patients.

(Dosages for children range from 16.25 mg every 24 hours for newborns; to 65 mg every 24 hours for youngsters ages 3 to 12.)

However, determining medication levels for pets based on human dosages can be tricky business, Gwaltney-Brant cautioned.

“We know that many times, the doses that work in humans aren’t the same as doses in dogs and cats,” she said. “There may be a difference in how they absorb it (and) how they eliminate it.”

Although potassium iodide is a form of the naturally occurring element iodine, the substance is not benign. In animals, Plumb’s Handbook lists the following adverse effects: excessive tearing, vomiting, anorexia, nasal discharge, muscle twitching, cardiomyopathy, scaly haircoats and dandruff, hyperthermia, decreased milk production and weight gain, coughing, inappetence and diarrhea. It notes that cats are more prone to developing toxicity.

Citing the potential side effects of taking potassium iodide, the University of California, Davis, which has a School of Veterinary Medicine, posted an advisory Thursday discouraging pet owners from giving their animals the tablets.

Other points to keep in mind:

• Potassium iodide does not protect against other types of cancers and health problems caused by radiation exposure, such as bone cancer, leukemia and cataracts.

• It is infants, children and immature animals who appear most vulnerable to thyroid cancer from radiation exposure because the cells in their bodies are dividing rapidly. Therefore, potassium iodide is most useful in protecting the thyroids of juveniles. “If you’re giving it to adults, you’re giving it as a placebo effect to calm them down,” Gwaltney-Brant said.

At Veterinary Specialty Center of Indiana, veterinary oncologist Dr. Michael Lucroy was prompted by news of the radiation scare to review what happened at Chernobyl, a nuclear power plant in Ukraine that partially melted down in 1986, spewing radiation through the countryside. The accident Chernobyl is, to date, still considered the worst commercial nuclear disaster in the world.

From reading a summary by the World Health Organization of Chernobyl's health effects, Lucroy determined that the only increase in cancers in the region clearly attributable to the power-plant contamination was thyroid cancer in people who were adolescents at the time of exposure.

“There wasn’t anything really I could find out about animal cancers in the area of Chernobyl,” Lucroy said.

He noted that giving pets iodine supplements in the absence of a clear need would put them at risk of overdose. “If you’re giving commercial pet food, plenty of iodine is in those diets, anyway,” Lucroy said.

The Associated Press reported Friday that radioactive fallout from Japan has been detected in California but so far, the levels are far below what is considered hazardous to human health.

My husband falls into the mildly paranoid department and googled his brains out last week only to find that one of the largest nuclear energy facilities in the US is located in the not so distant Phoenix area.

I am staying blissfully positive "knowing" that my two legged as well as my four legged companions are safe in our utopic Flagstaff.

What I always wanted to know but was afraid to ask

2011-03-15T23:29:00.000-07:00

MEAT BY-PRODUCTS (page 369, AAFCO 2011): "meat by-products is the non-rendered, clean parts, other than meat (which is basically muscle), derived from slaughtered mammals. it includes, but is not limited to lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially defatted low temperature fatty tissue, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. it does not include hair, horns, teeth, and hoofs. It shall be suitable for use in animal food. If it bears a name descriptive of its kind, it must correspond therein."

POULTRY BY-PRODUCTS (page 370 AAFCO 2011): "poultry by-products must consist of non-rendered clean parts of carcasses of slaughtered poultry such as heads, feet, viscera, free from fecal content and foreign matter except in suc trace amounts as might occur unavoidably in good factory practice. if the product bears a name descriptive of its kind, the name must correspond therein" - don't you love governmental documents?!?

ANIMAL BY-PRODUCT MEAL (page 371, AAFCO 2011): "animal by-product meal is the rendered product from animal tissues, exclusive an any added hair, hoof, horn, hid trimmings, manure, stomach and rumen contents, except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing practices. It shall not contain added extraneous materials not provided for by this definition. This ingredient definition is intended to cover those individual rendered animal tissue products that cannot meet the criteria as set forth elsewhere in this section. This ingredient is not intended to be used to label a mixture of animal tissue products"

POULTRY BY-PRODUCT MEAL (page 369, AAFCO 2011): "poultry by-product meal consists of the ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered poultry, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers, except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices. The label shall include guarantees for minimum crude protein, minimum crude fat, maximum crude fiber, minimum phosphorous, and minimum and maximum calcium. The calcium level shall not exceed the actual level of phosphorus by more than 2.2 times. If the product bears a name descriptive ot its kind, the name must correspond thereto."

What is regenerative medicine?

2011-02-13T06:47:00.000-08:00

I see animals in pain everyday. Our active friends suffer from the same injuries and sources of pain that we do. Whether it is the result of an athletic injury or simply from growing old, arthritis is not pleasant for anyone. Traditionally, veterinarians have been limited with what they can provide to patients suffering from hip dysplasia, elbow arthritis, and stifle injuries. Sometimes surgery isn't an option simply because the procedure can be invasive and leave permanent scarring that is as uncomfortable as the original problem or the pet is not a good surgical candidate (too old, no surgical options). Oftentimes, the site of pain is not limited to one joint but to several which limits surgical and traditional medical options. Stem cells derived from the animal's own adipose tissue (who thought that fat could be a good thing?) provide a very exciting option for patients that aren't responding to medications or are suffering NSAID side effects. Regenerative medicine using stem-cells is also a great alternative for owners who want to seek a more natural approach to helping keep their dog comfortable or even helping younger dogs return to the high level athlete they once were. After taking the course, I have hopes that I might be able to qualify for the Boston Marathon again if the same therapy options are available to me.

Acupuncture, chiropractic therapy, cold laser, and soon stem-cell regenerative medicine will be part of what we can offer our patients to keep them active, happy, and pain free.

I can't wait to sign up for more learning opportunities to get practice performing the intraarticular injections that offer the longest visible benefit to pets suffering from arthritis and/or tendon/ligament injuries.

Does your pet have stinky breath?

2011-01-30T08:04:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered why there is a bad smell that lingers with every kiss or nuzzle from your pet? Just like people, our dogs & cats occasionally need professional dental cleanings and at home care to protect their teeth, gums, and overall health. By the age of three, most of our patients are suffering from some form of dental disease.

One of the earliest symptoms of dental disease is bad breath, which is commonly due to periodontal disease. Gingivitis and periodontal disease (inflammation and infection of the gums) form secondary to plaque accumulation which is the source of bacteria in the mouth. Dental disease can be very painful and ultimately lead to a noticeable decline in quality of life. Fortunately, with routine dental exams, preventive and maintenance care, these problems may be caught early, addressed quickly, or perhaps avoided all together.

You can help prevent dental disease with routine brushing, dental chews, or by using a variety of other available dental products. However, it is inevitable that every pet will at some point begin to accumulate tartar and bacteria in the mouth. When needed, we can provide your pet with a Dental Cleaning and Polishing. This is an outpatient procedure which includes a thorough oral exam, ultrasonic scaling, polishing, and the application of a concentrated sealant to provide a barrier for new plaque accumulation. Daily brushing and/or weekly sealant application will help to extend the life of the cleaning.

Dental Health is very important to your pet's overall health, and we encourage you to make yourself more aware of these health risks by asking questions, and being proactive. You may call and talk to our staff if you have any questions about our dental month specials and how to initiate a good plan for your pet's dental health.

Don't get Spooked by Chocolate!

2010-10-19T00:05:00.000-07:00

Watch out where you put the Halloween Candy Stash!

(from the Veterinary Information Network)

Chocolate may be America’s favorite flavor. We like chocolate candy, ice cream, chocolate drinks, chocolate cakes, just about anything with chocolate. [Chocolate milkshakes from Diablo Burger are a personal favorite]. We may want to share our favorite treat with an eager pet but it is best to think twice and reach for the dog biscuits instead.

Everyone who has ever eaten candy knows there are many types of chocolate. Let’s go back to how chocolate is made. Cacao trees are farmed as any other crop, though they grow in tropical regions. The fruit of the cacao tree (called a cacao pod) is sweet and attracts monkeys or other wildlife who eat the fruit but not the bitter seeds. The seeds are discarded in the natural setting, thus allowing new trees to grow.
The seeds cannot be released from the fruit unless some type of animal actually breaks the fruit open. Ironically, it is the bitter seeds, packed with theobromine and caffeine, which are used to make chocolate. The pods grow directly off the trunk of the cacao tree and must be harvested by hand so as not to damage the tree. The pods are split, and the seeds are scooped out and left to ferment under banana leaves for about a week. This turns the cacao seeds a rich brown and creates the chocolate flavor we crave. The seeds are then dried out for another week, packed in sacks, and shipped to chocolate manufacturers.
The seeds must be roasted, ground, pressed (which removes the oil of the seed, the “cocoa butter” that is used in sunscreens, white chocolate, and cosmetics, among other things), and tempered to create the exact consistency.

Chocolate liquor is the liquid that results from grinding the hulled cacao beans.Cocoa butter is the fat that is extracted from the chocolate liquor.Cocoa powder is the solid that remains after the cocoa butter is removed from the chocolate liquor. The powder can be treated with alkali in a process called “Dutching” or it can be left alone. Note the low-fat nature of cocoa powder, hence its use in low-fat baking.Unsweetened chocolate is chocolate liquor that is 50% to 60% cocoa butterSemisweet chocolate is chocolate that is 35% chocolate liquor (the rest being sugar, vanilla, or lecithin).Milk chocolate is chocolate that is at least 10% chocolate liquor, the rest being milk solids, vanilla or lecithin.

Why Is Chocolate Bad?
Sometimes we eat chocolate plain. Sometimes we eat it baked into cakes, mixed into ice cream, etc. The first problem with these sweets is the fat. A sudden high fat meal (such as demolishing a bag of chocolate bars left accessible at Halloween time) can create a lethal metabolic disease in pets called pancreatitis. Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are just the beginning of this disaster. Remember, in the case of pancreatitis, it is the fat that causes the problem more than the chocolate itself.
The fat and sugar in the chocolate can create an unpleasant but temporary upset stomach. This is what happens in most chocolate ingestion cases.

Chocolate is, however, directly toxic because of the theobromine. The more chocolate liquor there is in a product, the more theobromine is present. This makes baking chocolate the worst for pets, followed by semisweet and dark chocolate, followed by milk chocolate, followed by chocolate flavored cakes or cookies.

Theobromine causes:
Vomiting Diarrhea Hyperactivity Tremors Seizures Racing heart rhythm progressing to abnormal rhythms. It can cause death in severe cases.

Toxic doses of theobromine are 9 mg per pound of dog for mild signs, up to 18 mg per pound of dog for severe signs. Milk chocolate contains 44 mg / ounce of theobromine while semisweet chocolate contains 150 mg per ounce, and baking chocolate contains 390 mg per ounce.
It takes nearly 4 days for the effects of chocolate to work its way out of a dog’s system.

If the chocolate was only just eaten, it is possible to induce vomiting; otherwise, hospitalization and support are needed until the chocolate has worked its way out of the system.

[If you are having a hard time finding a place to store your chocolate treats, we can find a safe place at Kaibab that your pet can't possibly get into.]

Porcupine-Gentle vegetarian?

2010-09-18T06:29:00.000-07:00

Yes, but they won't appear so gentle when your dog's face/ neck/ thorax/ bum gets harpooned with ten to a thousand of them. We have had five dogs come in this week with their muzzles and mouths full of these black and cream spikes. All I can say is ouch.

Porcupines have 15,000 to 30,000 quills. These quills are modified hairs with hollow centers that are loosely secured within the skin. Like other hairs, these quills can be shed and regrown throughout life. Muscles attached to the quill base will pull the quills upright when the animal is frightened. The quills must be touched to be released; they cannot be "thrown" by the animal. When threatened, porcupines may use their tails to slap the attacker, releasing the quills into the assailant's muzzle, legs, and other regions of the body. The quills' needle-sharp tips easily penetrate animal skin, and microscopic barb-like projections on their tips prevent easy removal and encourage migration deeper into the tissues.

Attempting to remove the spikes with sedation usually fails. Victims are usually very painful and don't stand still while the barbs are tearing through their skin a second time. Not to mention that they often end up in dog's mouths which instintively SNAP shut when pain is inflicted on their delicate mucus membranes.

If your dogs encounters a porcupine, get them to a vet who can sedate tham, remove the quills, put them on antibiotics, and give them something for the discomfort.

Allergies Take Two!

2010-08-25T05:57:00.000-07:00

There have been numerous dogs and cats that have come in to the clinic in the past week with skin and ears as red a tomatoes. When I ask myself, what could possibly be blooming outside to cause this sudden boom in atopy induced itching and skin infection, all I have to do is glance out the window to find the answer. The recent monsoons have caused a sunflower frenzy. The air is at max allergen capacity right now.

Here are some helpful tips to help your furry companions that are being penalized for stopping to smell the flowers.

Itch Relief

The Itching Pet: Alternatives to Steroids

Excessive licking, chewing, and scratching can make a pet’s life miserable for month after month, even year after year. For rapid relief of itch and inflammation, nothing matches the corticosteroid hormones such as cortisone, hydrocortisone, and others. There are some animals that seem unable to live with any degree of comfort without these medications. Unfortunately, these hormones have widespread and potentially dangerous actions throughout the body when they are used for inappropriately long periods and it is generally desirable to minimize the use of these hormones when possible to do so. Ideally, corticosteroids are used for a few really tough itch weeks and other forms of itch management are used for general itch maintenance.

This is, of course, easier to write about than to actually do. When one's pet is scratching and chewing raw spots on his or her skin, practical advice is called for. The following list includes assorted non-steroidal methods for relieving itch and reducing the amount of corticosteroid hormones needed.

Oral Medications

Antihistamine Trials
Histamine, a biological chemical, is the chief mediator of inflammation in humans hence the proliferation of antihistamines available for people both by prescription and over the counter. Histamine is not the major mediator of inflammation in the dog, thus these medications are not as reliable for dogs as they are for us.

Antihistamines provide relief to approximately 40% of dogs who try it. While the chance that an individual antihistamine will be helpful is small (about 15%), trying several antihistamines greatly increases the chance of finding one that works.

Antihistamines are not free of side effects; they are notorious for drowsiness in some individuals. Still, this is vastly preferable to the systemic disruption caused by the corticosteroid group.

In cats, antihistamines are substantially more reliable than in dogs so that the chances of a given antihistamine working are usually pretty good. For both cats and dogs, using antihistamines together with a corticosteroid hormone will decrease the amount of corticosteroid hormone needed to control the itching (i.e., less hormone is needed to get the job done if it is given with an antihistamine).

Fatty Acid Supplementation
The discovery of anti-inflammatory properties of evening primrose oils and fish oils in humans has led to similar products on the market for our pets. These products are not analogous to the oil supplements that are recommended as food supplements to make a pet's coat shiny; instead; these are true anti-inflammatory drugs capable of relieving joint pain, cramps, and itchy skin.

The supplement alone is helpful in 10% to 25% of itchy dogs; we often recommend its use in combination with antihistamines to boost the efficacy of the protocol described above.

Cyclosporine (Atopica)

Cyclosporine is an immune system modulating drug originally developed for use in organ transplant patients, but which is also useful in other immune-mediated diseases. Since allergy is an immune-mediated condition, cyclosporine was investigated as an alternative to corticosteroids and found effective for most patients. Currently this medication is being marketed only for dogs and one dog in three will develop an upset stomach when starting the drug (though this resolves or is manageable with dose modification).

Topicals to Try

When using any dip on inflamed skin one should be aware that the use of cool water is considered much more soothing than warm water.

Colloidal Oatmeal Shampoos and Creme Rinse - At first, these products were only available for human use, as powdered soaks to pour into bath water.

Once their value in itch management was determined, their use quickly spread to the veterinary field. Colloidal oatmeal actually pulls inflammatory toxins out of the skin, generally yielding 1 to 3 days of relief. The creme rinses are meant to yield longer acting relief. They are available plain or combined with local anesthetic formulas to soothe itch.

Lime Sulfur Dip - This product kills parasites, ringworm fungi, and bacteria.

It also dries moist, weeping skin lesions and helps dissolve surface skin proteins that are involved in itchiness. Many veterinary dermatologists recommend it regularly to control itch; however, it has several disadvantages. It smells terrible. The sulfur ingredient smells like rotten eggs and this is how your bathroom or bathing area will smell during the pet's bath. This dip can stain jewelry and clothing and will temporarily turn white fur yellow.

Other Shampoos
Itchy skin can be the result of skin infection, excess oil accumulation, yeast infection, even parasitic infection. The list goes on. The shampoo products listed above can be used against any itchy skin disease but it should be noted that there are many other shampoo and creme rinse products that can be used against the specific skin diseases listed. If some other type of shampoo product has been prescribed to you for an itchy skin disease, it is important that you use it allowing at least a good 10 minutes of skin contact time before rinsing.

TEN MINUTES OF SKIN CONTACT IS THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENT FOR ANY MEDICATED SHAMPOO. PREMATURE RINSING WILL NOT ALLOW FOR THE THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT TO BE REALIZED.

Other Topical Products

Colloidal Oatmeal Sprays and Lotions - Same principle as above. These products pull inflammatory toxins out of the skin. Oatmeal products have become very popular and are available as shampoos, creme rinses, soaks, sprays, and lotions.

Humilac Spray - This moisturizer may be applied as a spray or mixed in water as a dip. It is helpful for dry skin but can also be used in combination with lime sulfur as lime sulfur is naturally drying to the skin.

Witch Hazel - This product has a cooling effect on the skin that is soothing for both animals and for people with sun burn. It is available as a spray or lotion.

Aloe Vera Gel - If possible, obtain 100% aloe vera gel from a health food store. Products containing aloe are much more available but are generally not as effective and not meant to be licked away by a pet. Aloe vera gel comes from the aloe vera succulent and contains enzymes which break down inflammatory proteins and enhance healing. Pure aloe vera gel is not harmful for pets who want to lick it off.

Topical Steroids? - It seems clear that taking steroids orally may be harmful to the body with chronic use but are topical cremes safe for long term use? We now know that topical steroids (cortisone cremes and related products) are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream but the hormonal side effects with topical use do seem blunted. For small irritated areas (hot spots), topicals can provide excellent relief without the systemic effects of hormones.

Respect the Steroid

Severe itching amounts to a reduction in life quality. It is important not to develop the mindset that corticosteroids should be avoided at all costs. This would not be fair to the itching pet. Steroids are valuable tools in the relief of pain and suffering and have an important place the therapy of the itchy pet. The goal is not to avoid steroid use if possible but to avoid long term dependence on steroids if possible. Despite all of the above management tricks, some pets will still require long term steroid use to achieve any reasonable comfort. There are monitoring protocols in place for such cases. It should also not be forgotten that underlying allergies and recurring skin infections can be addressed specifically and that as these conditions are managed, the itch is also managed.

Steroid hormones have many side effects and, as helpful as they are for allergic skin diseases, it is best to reserve them for only the most itchy episodes.

It is our policy not to give dosing information over the Internet.

So I hope you guys are enjoying the beautiful green scenery that this season's monsoons have afforded us. Allergies are difficult but manageable.

Good news for puppies and wolves!

2010-08-08T06:26:00.000-07:00

Missouri legislation aims to banish backyard breeding operations.

www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2010petitions/2010-085.asp

We may just let the wolves stick around because why not?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-10900217

Scorpions-friend or foe?

2010-08-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

Scorpion Envomenation

Disease description:
Scorpion venom toxicosis in the U.S. is due to the sting of Centruroides spp. which usually does not cause a medically significant problem ¹ except for an allergic type of reaction. In other parts of the world, especially tropical and subtropical countries, some scorpion species (example: Tityus) can result in death especially in sensitive individuals. ^2-4

Scorpions are arachnids with a long, slender body and a five-segmented tail that can be arched over the back. The tail ends in a bulb-like poison gland or stinger. Scorpions are found in many types of habitats in the U.S: desert flats, sand dunes, desert and mesic mountains, grasslands, pine forests, deciduous forests, and chaparral. They prefer moist cool hiding places and tend to hide during the day and become active at night. Centruroides sculpturatus is about 4 cm long with yellowish coloration, slender pincers, and a tubercle at the base of its stinger.

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Worldwide, scorpions range in size from 0.5 inch to 7.25 inches long (including the tail) depending on the species. Of 1,500 species of scorpions worldwide, only about 20 to 25 are regarded as dangerous. Scorpion venom contains protein neurotoxins that activate sodium channels depolarizing the presynaptic terminals causing excitatory neurotoxicity. Stings from dangerous species may cause disorientation, hypertension, paralysis, severe convulsions. Tachyarrhythmias and respiratory and cardiac failure can result in death. Parasympathetic signs could include hyperlacrimation, urination, defecation, and hypersalivation. Sympathetic signs could include skeletal muscle fasciculations, restlessness, hypermotility, and contortions.

CLINICAL SIGNS AND DIAGNOSIS OF CENTRUROIDES STINGS

Although Centruroides spp. can cause serious systemic signs (hypertension and CNS signs), most stings only cause local signs similar to that of a wasp sting: pain at sting site, hyperesthesia, itching, and local swelling. However, reaction to the bite may vary based on sensitivity of the individual.

Diagnosis is based on seeing a scorpion sting the patient and identifying the scorpion.

Winterize safely!

2010-08-02T22:54:00.000-07:00

As I sit here monitoring an antifreeze toxicity case overnight, I can't help wondering why they keep making something so dangerous so delicious?

It appears that Propylene glycol is equally effective but far less deadly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propylene_glycol

Iams Feline Renal Diet Recall

2010-07-29T05:13:00.000-07:00

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm220204.html

Both cats and owners can become infected with Salmonella just by handling this food. Consumer beware!

Intelligent Life Forms

2010-07-28T05:20:00.000-07:00

http://wimp.com/dolphinbubbles

Beware of Skunks

2010-07-26T07:13:00.000-07:00

If your furry friend happens upon a skunk, fear not, all you need is a little peroxide, baking soda, and dishsoap. Here is the recipe.

ONE SIXTEEN OUNCE BOTTLE OF H2O2
ONE REGULAR SIZE BOX OF BAKING SODA
THREE TBSPs OF DAWN DISH DETERGENT
DO NOT USE WATER!!!
MIX AND POUR OVER THE ANIMAL
LATHER AND LET SIT FOR TEN MINUTES
RINSE WITH WARM WATER
REPEAT.

There is no cure for the smell of burning tires BUT this will help (so I'm told). Memories of the the stinky evening may flood your mind every time you give Fido a bath for the next year or so.