by Rina Van Eeden | May 4, 2021 | Cats, Dogs, Exotics
Dealing with the loss of a pet can be very difficult. Experiencing the death of a pet can come without notice. Things happen that are unexpected and incredibly painful. When we open our hearts and our homes to our furry, or not so furry, family members, pets and animal companions, we have hopes of a full, happy and healthy life for each of us.
Mostly, that is the case, but sometimes we don’t get that opportunity. Experiencing the death of a pet that is unexpected, sudden and tragic can leave a profound impact on us. So many times we can place unfair guilt on ourselves for the experience, blaming ourselves for what has happened.
Grief isn’t easy when it is expected and is even harder when it is not.
A common phrase we hear among the grieving is that one needs to “find closure”, but convoluted feelings arise when faced with ‘incomplete’ grief experiences. The truth is, many times we as pet owners cannot experience “closure” before being faced with the death of a pet.
Within the grieving process, our brain attempts to make sense of this profound experience. We try to believe that things happen for a reason, even if that reason leads us to blame ourselves. When something goes wrong, it is extremely important to remember that we didn’t plan for it to happen.
It Is Not Your Fault
Guilt is a powerful emotion that has a huge impact on our lives, consciously and unconsciously. Guilt makes us punish ourselves. Throughout the grieving process, we place a massive amount of guilt upon ourselves. This pressure, this guilt, leads to an increase in anxiety and even feelings of panic. We need to remember to allow ourselves to process through our emotions in a healthy way.
It can be easy to lose control quickly when we, consciously or subconsciously, place more and more pressure on ourselves. We can easily feel burdened, overwhelmed and feel that we are unable to meet our daily needs throughout the grieving process.
If you feel this happening to you, it can be helpful to ask ourselves, ”What would my pet want for me?”. Would your pet want you to blame yourself, or would they be understanding with you? Would they want for your happiness regardless of what happened? I would say so, without any hesitation. That’s just how amazing our pets are.
Remember, it is completely normal to experience many different emotions in the beginning of, and throughout the grieving process, especially when it comes to facing the sudden death of your pet.
It is important to experience healthy distractions. A healthy distraction could be as simple as a walk through the park. It may be a close, understanding friend taking us out for coffee and laughing about something small. It may be when you’re reminiscing of fond memories of your pet and smile – it is so important to talk about what you are feeling.
These distractions are fundamental and allow us, even if just for a moment, to unburden ourselves. Grieving is hard work, it is extremely taxing on our body, but it is also a crucial thing to experience.
Grief is a Moment-to-Moment Process
If you take no other advice from this, remember that grief is a moment-to-moment process. It can be too hard to ask for even one day at a time, because a day can seem endless when we feel overwhelmed by our grief.
Remember that in this moment and with every emotion our body is processing through our grief. Please know that you are not alone. We are always here for you.
For more resources on how to cope with your pet’s death, please read this petMD article – https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/coping-your-pets-death-important-guide
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by Rina Van Eeden | May 15, 2020 | Animal Behaviour, Cats
Almost all cat owners consider litter boxes to be essential. Very few of us, these days, think it’s safe for our cats to go outdoors to eliminate, in order not to have a litter box in the house. And as soon as something goes wrong, like the cat urinating or defecating outside the box, we tend to blame the cat…but usually, it’s because the poor cat is finding the litter box to be a problem. How can we make the litter box NOT a problem for our cats, so they’ll use it happily?
First of all, the great folks at the Cornell Feline Health Center have studied cats’ litter preferences for years. They’ve found that most cats prefer unscented litter. Cats also prefer clumping litter, and they prefer the finest texture possible (sand-like). If you are using scented, coarse-textured, or other types of litter, try putting unscented, clumping, fine-textured litter in one of your boxes, and see how your cat(s) like it.
Second, we know that cats don’t always want to share boxes. The Cornell researchers recommend that you have at least one more litter box than you have cats (three cats? Four litter boxes!). From a cat’s point of view, boxes that are in the same room might as well be the same box; if you put all four boxes in the basement, the three cats feel like they’re all sharing one box. Spread those boxes around the house! Cats like some privacy, but they also like easy access to the bathroom (just like we do!).
Third, most of us don’t recognize the role that stress plays in our cats. Often, cats that are eliminating outside the box are experiencing stress. Cats can be stressed by living with other cats (our living spaces are smaller than cats prefer for their home ranges), by the presence of dogs or toddlers, by seeing other cats through the window, by their early life experiences before you adopted them, and especially by a genetic predisposition to higher stress levels (brain biochemistry differences). If you are experiencing urine or stools outside the litter box, please talk to your cat’s doctor for help! Most cats can be helped significantly!
Resources: Dr. Nina Beyer
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by Rina Van Eeden | May 15, 2020 | Animal Behaviour, Cats, Dogs
Behaviour in the Vet Waiting Room
Working in veterinary medicine, this is where we see many dog to dog mishaps. This is simply due to a lack of knowledge about dog behaviour and a lack of respect for both their own dog and the other dog’s space.
Here’s a scenario that happens quite regularly in a vet practice.
An owner has their dog in the waiting area on a loose leash. This dog is free to roam at least 3 – 4 metres.
Another dog and its owner attempt to enter the room, or area, only to be blocked and greeted nose to nose by the uncontrolled dog, which is now tense on his leash, pulling, eager to meet a new friend.
It’s owner, who eventually speaks up, simply says, “It’s okay, I’ve got him, he’s friendly!”
This is where any person who works at the vet clinic will step in and ask the owner to keep the dog close to them, only to be met with, “he’s fine, he’s wagging his tail!”
Little do they know that something much more complex is unfolding right before their eyes.
Education and knowledge is power,
especially when you are dealing with an animal that you are supposed to guide and mentor through its entire life.
It is our responsibility to ensure stability, confidence and to reinforce respect.
So, here are some things to remember for your next visit to your vet.
Never allow your dog to greet another dog head on, or nose to nose, on a tense leash.
To a dog, being greeted head on is generally considered very rude, intrusive and unnatural. This can create conflict right from the get-go. Any dog can interpret this posture as threatening and begin defensive, aggressive behaviour. To make matters worse, a tense leash can build energy in the dog due to space constraints.
If you must introduce dogs on a leash, it is better to keep the leash loose and allow them to greet side by side, keeping the situation relaxed.
Never assume that a wagging tail is an indication of a happy dog!
A tail wag indicates a multitude of emotions, that’s why it is extremely important to know you’re your dog is saying by its tail wag. Tail position and speed will indicate how a dog is feeling. A low, fast wag is generally indicative of nervous energy, or insecurity, which has the potential to cause an aggressive response due to fear. A high, stiff wag can indicate over-stimulation, or the intent of being ready to spring into action. A dog will make lousy choices in this state of mind, making them harder to control should they “rev-up” even more. A tail positioned in a natural position accompanied by a soft and loose wag is generally universally considered to indicate a happy dog.
Get to know your wags!
Never assume any other dog is just as friendly as yours.
Not all dogs are dog friendly. This should be common knowledge. Just because your dog is friendly, does not mean the other dog is as well.
They could be under-socialised, have insecurities or just be dog aggressive.
Give other dogs their space, please!
It is never a good idea to allow your dog to interact with other dogs in a vet waiting room.
Dogs and cats very often come to the vet already stressed. For cats we have put certain measures in place to alleviate some of their stress, like pheromone spray. You can also request to sit in a quiet room if we have one available.
The smell of other ill dogs, or even death, is in the air, which makes a dog uneasy. Most owners are often nervous for their dog during a vet visit, so that nervous energy does little to help the situation.
The smell of cat may be hanging in the room, urine markings from other dogs or stress pheromones aiding in the negative experience.
Dogs come in not feeling well, they may be painful due to arthritis or injury. Some may be recovering from surgery or coming in to be put down due to old age or chronic illness. Some may even be there because they started a fight with another dog!
Now, tell us why this sounds like a good place to play.
We all go to the vet with our pets, so let’s be respectful and make our next visit a pleasant experience for everyone!
For more information on etiquette in the veterinary waiting room, please check out this website – https://endlesspaws.net/blog/veterinary-waiting-room-etiquette/
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by Rina Van Eeden | May 15, 2020 | Cats, Dogs
Dental Disease In Pets
Stomatitis
Stomatitis is a severe, painful inflammation of a pet’s mouth and gums. In most cases, the condition causes ulcers to form in the mouth. These ulcers can involve the lips, tongue, gums and back of the throat.
There is no single cause of stomatitis. Dental disease (particularly periodontal disease) is commonly implicated as a cause of stomatitis in pets.
In many cases, the cause is assumed to be immune mediated, this means that the pet’s immune system attacks its own oral tissues as an abnormal response to bacteria in the mouth. Other medical conditions in cats that can be associated with stomatitis include infection with viruses, such as feline leukaemia virus (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), calicivirus and bartonellosis.
Stomatitis is extremely painful. In some cases, an animal suffering from this condition may be in too much pain to open his or her mouth to eat. In other cases, they may try to eat but drop the food as soon as it touches the mouth. Other clinical signs may include drooling (sometimes with blood), unkempt hair coat (because grooming is painful), anorexia, bad breath, weight loss and pawing at the face or mouth.
Because the condition is very painful, initial treatment generally includes giving medication to control pain and inflammation and antibiotics are also commonly administered.
Although stomatitis is difficult to completely cure and treatment tends to be long term, your veterinarian will likely recommend managing dental disease as part of the overall treatment plan. A thorough dental cleaning may be recommended and many pets do well if the molar and premolar teeth are removed.
If the pet has an underlying illness that can be treated, treatment should be pursued.
Long-term outcomes can vary. Many pets with stomatitis require long-term treatment with anti-inflammatory medications and antibiotics intermittently to control the condition. At-home tooth brushing and other dental care, such as oral gels, water additives and even dental chews are recommended to reduce the accumulation of plaque and associated inflammation in the mouth.
Periodontal Disease
Did you know that periodontal disease is the most common disease in adult dogs and cats?
Periodontal disease is the inflammation and infection of the gums around your pet’s teeth. It is caused by bacteria that build up in your pet’s mouth, ultimately, they form soft plaque that can get underneath the gum line and harden into tartar. The key is to catch periodontal disease in dogs and cats early!
The most common signs of dental disease are consistent bad breath, gums that look irritated, a build-up of visible tartar or plaque, teeth that look discoloured or darker compared to the others, heavy salivation, trouble picking up food, reluctance to eat (this tends to be more of an issue with cats), favouring one side of the mouth for chewing, bumps and lumps the mouth and the swallowing of food without chewing it first.
The process is gradual. Initially, your pet will feel some mild discomfort. If periodontal disease isn’t treated, though, it can cause more significant issues. Some of these issues include chronic pain, destruction of your pet’s teeth, gums and bones and even damage to your pet’s major organs.
The symptoms of periodontal disease aren’t always easy to notice.
As you know, dogs and cats have a knack for hiding pain, but that being said, even the toughest dog or cat may show some signs.
The treatment of dental disease depends greatly on the severity at the time of presentation. If your pet is in the first two stages of the disease known as gingivitis and mild periodontitis, dental cleanings can help reverse the progress of the disease. In some cases, teeth may need to be extracted. The sooner you start to clean your pet’s teeth, the less likely it will be necessary to extract teeth.
If the disease progresses, however, your pet can get moderate to severe periodontitis. In these stages, it’s likely your pet is in pain and you can expect multiple extractions. It’s important to have your pet’s teeth cleaned immediately to help your pet avoid losing more gum tissue and teeth.
The key is to prevent the disease or start treating it as soon as possible. That way, your pet will be in as little pain as possible.
Pet periodontal disease can almost always be prevented or minimized. It takes a combination of home dental care and veterinary dental cleaning. We recommend starting with brushing from a young age so that your pet can get used to the sensation. Also, adding water additives and using oral gels will be of great help when fighting plaque and tartar build-up.
Retained deciduous teeth
A dog or cat’s baby teeth are also known as deciduous teeth or primary teeth. Have you ever felt those sharp little needle teeth when playing with puppies and kittens? That’s them.
Much like humans, dogs and cats have two sets of dentition: primary and permanent. Dogs have 28 deciduous teeth, which are replaced by 42 permanent teeth as they age. Cats have 26 deciduous teeth and 30 permanent teeth.
Deciduous teeth begin erupting when your pet is around 3-4 weeks of age. Permanent teeth begin erupting at 4 months of age and finish erupting by 7 months of age.
Normal tooth eruption involves the deciduous tooth falling out or resorbing once the permanent tooth begins to erupt. Retained deciduous teeth are teeth that don’t fall out once the permanent tooth erupts. This condition is seen most commonly in small breed dogs but can occur in medium to large breed dogs and cats. The most common retained deciduous tooth is the upper canine tooth, followed by the lower canine tooth. Incisors are the third most common retained teeth.
Occasionally, premolar deciduous teeth can fail to exfoliate.
Retained deciduous teeth can cause multiple problems for a growing dog or cat. With a retained maxillary (upper jaw) canine tooth, the permanent tooth typically erupts immediately in front of the deciduous tooth. Subsequently, tartar accumulates between the two teeth leading to periodontal disease and eventually the loss of the permanent tooth. These malpositioned teeth will often be in traumatic contact with soft tissues of the mouth and is very painful!
Retained incisor and premolar teeth will lead to crowding, tartar accumulation and subsequently periodontal disease. Additionally, when teeth do not follow the normal eruption pattern, it can lead to jaw malformation. This malformation will keep the maxilla and mandible from growing properly and may inhibit your pet’s ability to eat in a traditional manner. When the maxilla and mandible is not in a normal relationship with each other, it is called a malocclusion.
Once a retained deciduous tooth has been identified, it should most often be extracted. This is particularly true when the permanent tooth has already erupted. This violates the orthodontic “Rule of Succession”, which states that no two teeth should occupy the space that only one should be in.
A complete oral exam needs to be done under anaesthesia to address persistent teeth.
Our pets are oftentimes much more tolerant of oral pain than we would be in a similar situation. If a retained deciduous tooth is removed early, the permanent tooth has a greater chance of erupting in a normal pattern.
Puppies and kittens should have their teeth evaluated closely at every visit to ensure the normal tooth eruption pattern is occurring. When a malocclusion is identified, the sooner it is addressed, the better. This will result in relieving associated pain sooner and usually provide a greater number of treatment options for a veterinarian to offer their pet owners.
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by Rina Van Eeden | May 15, 2020 | Cats, Dogs, Sterilisations
Sterilising your pet.
Spay
Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life.
Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumours, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats.
Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
Your spayed female pet won’t go into heat.
While cycles can vary, female felines usually go into heat four to five days every three weeks during breeding season. In an effort to advertise for mates, they’ll yowl and urinate more frequently—sometimes all over the house.
Spaying your pets is also highly cost-effective. The cost of your pet’s spay surgery is far less than the cost of having and caring for a litter!
Spaying your pet may result in weight gain, but, your pet will remain fit and trim as long as you continue to provide exercise and monitor her food intake.
We generally spay dogs and cats before their first heat cycle, so more or less at 6 months.
We will provide pre-surgical advice that you should follow. In general, avoid giving your dog or cat any food after 22:00 the night before surgery.
We will also provide post-operative instructions for you to follow.
Although your pet may experience some discomfort after surgery, we take various measures to control pain , medication for pain may be sent home with your pet.
- Provide your pet with a quiet place to recover indoors and away from other animals.
- Prevent your pet from running and jumping for up to a week following surgery.
- PREVENT YOUR PET FROM LICKING THE INCISION SITE, which may cause infection, by using an Elizabethan collar.
- Avoid bathing your pet for at least ten days after surgery.
- Check the incision site daily to confirm proper healing.
If you notice any redness, swelling or discharge at the surgery site, or if the incision is open, please contact your veterinarian. Also call your veterinarian if your pet is lethargic, has a decreased appetite, is vomiting or has diarrhoea or any other concerns following surgery.
Spaying helps prevent uterine infections and breast tumours, which are malignant or cancerous in about 50 percent of dogs and 90 percent of cats.
Spaying your pet before her first heat offers the best protection from these diseases.
Pyometra is defined as an infection in the uterus. It is considered a serious and life threatening condition that must be treated quickly and aggressively.
Dogs with closed pyometra become severely ill very rapidly. They present with loss of appetite, severe listlessness and severe depression.
Pyometra is a SERIOUS medical condition that requires prompt treatment.
Mammary tumours are common in female dogs that are either not spayed or were spayed after 2 years of age.
More than a quarter of un-spayed female dogs will develop a mammary tumour during their lifetime.
The type of surgery depends on the size, location and number of mammary tumours and species of your pet, therefore, EARLY SURGICAL TREATMENT IS IMPORTANT.
Mammary tumours can be largely prevented by spaying before 6 months of age or before your pet’s first heat cycle
Canine transmissible venereal tumours (TVTs) are cauliflower-like, nodular, papillary, or multi-lobulated in appearance.
Initially, TVTs grow rapidly and more rapidly in neonatal and immunosuppressed dogs.
The prognosis for total remission with chemotherapy or radiation therapy is good, unless it has spread to organs other than the skin.
Recurrence is likely in such cases unless adjunct radiation or chemotherapy is used.
Neutering you pet
Early neutering helps curb many undesirable behavioural problems.
Your neutered male may be better behaved. Unneutered dogs and cats are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house.
Castration may curb aggression.
Male aggression is influenced by the levels o f the male hormone testosterone. As its name implies, this hormone is manufactured in the testes.
High levels of testosterone have been shown to cause aggression in dogs and cats. A lower level of aggression makes it easier for a person to bring their dog to public places without fear of a dog becoming unduly snappy and territorial. In addition, un-neutered male cats have the tendency to be more aggressive to their owners.
Fighting male cats are also more likely to acquire diseases like FIV and FeLV due to roaming.
It may lower hyper-sexual behaviour – intact male dogs have a strong drive to mark their territory.
Your dog might be less likely to mount other dogs, people and inanimate objects after he’s neutered.
Your male dog and cat will be less likely to roam away from home. An intact male will do just about anything to find a mate, including finding creative ways to escape from the house.
In their desperation to mate, they will bolt from houses, jump or dig under fences, or escape during walks.
Free to roam, they risk being hit by cars, fighting with other males and contracting communicable diseases.
Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems.
Neutering is NOT as a quick fix for all behaviour problems.
Although neutering your pet often reduces undesirable behaviours caused by a higher level of testosterone, there’s no guarantee that your dog’s behaviour will change after he’s neutered.
Although the surgery will reduce the amount of testosterone in your dog’s system, it won’t eliminate the hormone completely. Neutering will also not reduce behaviours that your pet has learned or that have become a habit.
The effects of neutering are largely dependent on your dog’s individual personality.
Most importantly, neutering your pet has an astronomical effect on population control and also prevents the development of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and other prostate related ailments like prostatitis and prostate cancer.
We will provide pre-surgical advice that you should follow. In general, avoid giving your dog or cat any food after 22:00 the night before surgery.
We will also provide post-operative instructions for you to follow.
Although your pet may experience some discomfort after surgery, we take various measures to control pain, medication for pain may be sent home with your pet.
Provide your pet with a quiet place to recover indoors and away from other animals.
Prevent your pet from running and jumping for up to a week following surgery.
PREVENT YOUR PET FROM LICKING THE INCISION SITE, which may cause infection, by using an Elizabethan collar.
Avoid bathing your pet for at least ten days after surgery.
Check the incision site daily to confirm proper healing.
If you notice any redness, swelling or discharge at the surgery site, or if the incision is open, please contact your veterinarian. Also call your veterinarian if your pet is lethargic, has a decreased appetite, is vomiting or has diarrhoea or any other concerns following surgery.
Your neutered male may be better behaved.
Unneutered dogs and cats are more likely to mark their territory by spraying strong-smelling urine all over the house.
Castration may curb aggression.
Your male dog and cat will be less likely to roam away from home.
Most importantly, neutering your pet has an astronomical effect on population control!
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common prostatic disorder and is found in most intact male dogs older than 6 years.
Castration is the treatment of choice; a decrease in the size of the prostate is usually evident within a few weeks and is often complete in several months.
Castration also prevents other prostate-related ailments such as prostatitis and prostate cancer.
Nutrition is of the utmost importance after your pet has been spayed and neutered.
Along with the hormonal changes, one can expect changes in metabolism as well.
A slower metabolism means that your dog can gain excess weight easily after sterilization, making it important to pay special attention to their nutritional needs to ensure that they don’t become overweight.
There are great commercial diets readily available to help you along your journey.
For more information on spaying and neutering your pet, please check out this website – https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/spaying-and-neutering
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by Rina Van Eeden | May 15, 2020 | Cats, Dogs
Arthritis in dogs and cats
Arthritis is one of the most common ailments seen in middle-aged and senior cats and dogs, but it can often affect younger animals too. It can be painful and debilitating and if left untreated it can significantly affect your pet’s quality of life.
Spotting the signs of arthritis in your pet can often be challenging. As a pet owner you will often be best placed to notice subtle changes in your pet, here are 7 of the most common signs to look out for.
Difficulty getting up
You may find that your senior pet seems stiffer when getting up after being recumbent and that any difficulty when moving around seems to ease once they have warmed up.
Limping or lameness
Your pet might develop a limp or start favouring one leg over the other.
Muscle atrophy
Pets suffering with arthritis may also develop muscle atrophy due to lower levels of activity and decreased muscle use. Look out for thinner muscles and signs of weight loss.
Fatigue
Your usually active cat or dog might seem to be more tired, preferring to rest or taking shorter walks than usual.
Licking or chewing of joints
You may notice your pet licking the affected joints to try and relieve the pain. Sometimes this can result in inflamed skin, hair loss and in severe cases open wounds in those areas.
Reluctance to move
Perhaps your dog isn’t so keen on jumping into the car anymore, or your cat no longer jumps up onto high surfaces or starts having accidents in the house because they can no longer jump out of the window. These changes in behaviour could be a sign of pain and discomfort due to arthritis.
Irritability
A cat or dog with arthritis may become “snappier” when handled, particularly if it affects the affected areas.
Arthritis tends to affect older cats and dogs but it can also develop from an early age. It can be caused by a number of factors, including trauma, poor nutrition, age, obesity, diabetes, Cushing’s disease, infection in the joint or congenital joint disorders like elbow or hip dysplasia.
If you suspect arthritis, you should always consult your vet who will carry out a physical examination of your pet and will look for the following symptoms:
- “Grinding” or “creaking” in the joints
- Pain or swelling around the joint
- Muscle wastage
- Limited movement
- Malformation of the bones
Unfortunately arthritis is rarely completely cured. It can be managed medically, nutritionally and even surgically, in severe cases, to help make your animal pain free and comfortable.
Physiotherapy, hydrotherapy or massage therapy may be advised to work on scar tissue and improve your pet’s mobility.
Your vet will also be looking for any underlying conditions that may have caused the arthritis as part of the overall treatment plan.
Whilst arthritis is a painful condition, the right care can help to make life more comfortable for your pet. This may involve some lifestyle changes to minimise any ongoing stress to the joints and to keep your senior pet’s muscles strong and healthy. In this area, diet and exercise is very important.
Keeping your pet at a healthy weight is essential, as any excess weight will put extra strain on the joints.
Fat also secretes hormones that increase inflammation!
Moderate exercise will help to strengthen the muscles around the joints so they give better support. Swimming is a great non-weight bearing exercise for dogs as it uses the whole body! Make sure your pet is getting enough rest too. Make sure they have a warm soft bed that is easy to climb into, and consider using a ramp to get your dog in and out of the car if they are too heavy to lift.
Your vet may advise appointments every six months or so to make sure that any medication is treating the arthritis effectively and monitor progress.
If you suspect your pet has arthritis or you are worried that your pet is in any pain or discomfort, it is always recommended that you make an appointment with your vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
These two words terrify large and giant breed dog owners, but the truth is this can happen to any size dog. This condition can drastically reduce a dog’s quality of life. The good news is that embracing the responsibilities of being a pet owner and educating yourself about potential health conditions, such as hip dysplasia, can go a long way toward keeping your dog comfortable.
The hip joint functions as a ball and socket. In dogs with hip dysplasia, the ball and socket do not fit or develop properly, rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. This results in deterioration over time and an eventual loss of function of the joint itself and much the same goes for the elbow.
Several factors lead to the development of hip dysplasia in dogs, beginning with genetics. Hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in large and giant breed dogs, like the Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Labrador Retrievers, Boerboels and German Shepherd Dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.
Large and giant breed puppies have special nutrition requirements and need food specially formulated them.
These foods help prevent excessive growth, which can lead to skeletal disorders such as hip dysplasia, along with elbow dysplasia and other joint conditions. Slowing down these breeds’ growth allows their joints to develop without putting too much strain on them, helping to prevent problems down the line.
Improper nutrition can also influence a dog’s likelihood of developing hip dysplasia, as can too much exercise – or too little. Obesity puts a lot of stress on your dog’s joints, which can exacerbate pre-existing conditions such as hip dysplasia or even cause hip dysplasia.
Owners of small dogs are not off the hook either. Small and medium breed dogs can also develop hip and elbow dysplasia, although it is less common.
Some dogs begin to show signs of dysplasia when they are as young as four months of age, while other dogs develop it in conjunction with osteoarthritis as they age. In both cases, there are quite a few symptoms associated with hip and elbow dysplasia that larger breed dog owners should be familiar with. These symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the disease, the level of inflammation, the degree of looseness in the joint, and how long the dog has suffered from dysplasia.
Decreased activity, decreased range of motion, difficulty or reluctance rising, jumping, running, or climbing stairs, lameness in the hind end, looseness in the joint, narrow stance, swaying, “bunny hopping” gait, “grating” in the joint during movement, loss of muscle mass/atrophy, pain and general stiffness of affected joints are all common signs to look out for.
At your dog’s regular check-up, your veterinarian will perform a physical exam. Sometimes this exam is enough for your veterinarian to suspect dysplasia. In other cases, it is up to you, as the owner, to let your veterinarian know that your dog is experiencing discomfort.
The definitive diagnosis usually comes with a radiograph (x-ray). Your veterinarian will take radiographs of your dog’s hips and elbows to determine the degree and severity of the hip/elbow dysplasia, which will help determine the best course of treatment for your dog.
There are quite a few treatment options for dogs, ranging from lifestyle modifications to surgery.
Depending on your dog’s case, the vet may suggest certain changes to be made, such as, weight reduction and diet changes to take stress off the hips, exercise restriction, especially on hard surfaces, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications or joint supplements and, in severe cases, surgery.
Not all cases of dysplasia can be prevented, but there are some steps you can take to reduce your dog’s risk of developing this disease.
Keeping your dog’s skeletal system healthy should start when your dog is young, feeding your puppy an appropriate diet, especially if you have a large breed puppy, will give them a head start on healthy bone and joint development and help prevent the excessive growth that leads to the disease.
As your dog grows, providing appropriate levels of exercise and a healthy diet will prevent obesity, which is a major contributing factor to hip dysplasia. Obesity also causes many other health problems in dogs, so hold off on the table scraps and other fatty foods!
As a prospective purchaser of a new dog, do your research on the breed of your choice so that you are prepared for breed-specific difficulties that may arise in the future.
Kidney Disease in Pets
The body has two kidneys, a left and a right one that are positioned near the back just above the pelvis. The kidneys are connected to a large blood supply, and these organs are vital to the health of the remainder of the body; humans and animals need at least one functional kidney in order to survive.
When the kidneys are not functioning normally, there is some degree of renal insufficiency. Multiple factors may cause damage or injury to the kidneys, resulting in various degrees of renal insufficiency. If the problem arises within hours to days, this is termed acute kidney injury (AKI). AKI may result from many different reasons: infection, toxins, poor blood perfusion to the kidneys due to a drastic and sudden dip in blood pressure, blood loss due to trauma or certain anaesthetic events.
AKI is typically characterized by a reduction in urination, or not urinating at all, high potassium levels in the blood and enlarged and painful kidneys.
Certain causes of acute kidney injury can be treated, resulting in a complete cure. Others result in such severe and sudden renal damage that death from acute renal failure may occur. Some of these cases go on to progress to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Both kidneys are typically affected. Such disorders include congenital anomalies (i.e. those present since birth), hereditary renal problems, chronic infection or inflammation, prolonged exposure to certain chemicals toxic to the kidneys and cancer.
CKD may arise from a variety of different causes, ranging from incurable acute kidney disease/injury (AKD), to complications due to infection and inflammation, to genetic disorders. Both dogs and cats may be affected, of any breed and age. The majority of CKD cases occur in older pets and age is certainly a contributing risk factor of CKD development. Geriatric felines are especially notorious for developing kidney disease, with a large proportion being affected to various degrees with advancing years.
At the very earliest start of kidney disease, clinical signs may not have develop yet, so there may be no outward indication that your pet has an emerging kidney problem. However, once the number of damaged nephrons increases, the following clinical signs will appear. Signs may also have an insidious onset, meaning they first occur subtly and gradually. At first, only a few signs may occur, but as the kidney disease progresses, subsequent signs will develop over time. These clinical signs of CKD include, excessive urination and increased water consumption, decreased energy (lethargy, depression), weight loss, poor appetite (inappetance, anorexia), vomiting and nausea, diarrhoea or constipation, oral ulcerations, uremic odour, weakness and pale gums, fluid accumulation in the abdomen (ascites) and limbs, Blood clots, multi-organ injury, seizures.
Unfortunately, CKD is non-curative and will continue to progress and worsen over time until the kidneys ultimately fail completely.
This end stage occurs due to irreversible scarring (or fibrosis) of the kidneys, in which chronic injury has eventually caused the functional aspects of the kidneys to be replaced with non-functional scar tissue.
Keep in mind, if CKD is diagnosed at an early enough stage, certain measures, sometimes as simple as a diet change, can be taken to ensure that your pet can have a chance at a longer life. In certain, more advanced cases, symptoms can be treated by medication to keep your pet as comfortable as possible.
Liver Disease
The liver is the second largest organ in a dog’s body (after the skin) and is the workhorse of their body. It’s a specialized manufacturing and pollution control centre and is what makes the body function properly. The liver processes food eaten, manufactures the necessary building blocks, detoxifies and recycles the blood, and gets rid of the waste created. Since the liver is connected so intricately to the biochemistry of an organism, it can make diagnosing canine liver disease difficult. Liver disease can affect many body functions and in turn the liver can be affected by many other organs and systems of the body.
If not too far advanced, the symptoms and disease may sometimes be reversed due to the liver’s ability to completely regenerate. However, the disease must be managed properly to allow this to happen. A dog’s liver can be damaged up to 80% and still function normally due to its reserve capacity; because of this capability, the disease may be too far advanced and untreatable by the time it’s diagnosed.
The largest challenge facing veterinarians diagnosing canine liver disease is that the symptoms are not predictable and may not be specific.
Any number of traumas to a dog may result in liver disease: a hernia to the diaphragm, being hit by a car, a bruise or heatstroke. A diet that’s too high in fats can affect the liver; females are more prone to this than males. A dog with chronic infections (i.e. tooth problems) can contract liver disease. Fungal and bacterial infections can cause liver disease, as can parasites like heartworms and roundworms.
Contact with toxins from pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, bleach, household cleaners and paint chips that may contain lead can all cause liver disease. Your dog could contract hepatitis, which is an inflammation of the liver.
Cancer can overwhelm a dog’s system or metastasize directly to the liver itself.
There are numerous symptoms for canine liver disease. Jaundice is the most recognizable; a tint from yellow to orange will appear. It is most easily seen in the sclera (white) of the eye, but is also visible in the gums and skin of an affected dog. You may see more frequent urination which may also be tinged between lemon yellow and bright orange. Your dog may be thirstier than usual or have an unquenchable thirst. Their abdomen may look distended and be uncomfortable to the touch. They may have a lack of appetite, chronic weight loss, recurring gastrointestinal issues or bloody vomiting. The faeces may be yellow or orange, a paler colour than normal, or they may have bloody diarrhoea with the above characteristics. You may observe strange behaviour, circling, lethargy, no interest in playing or walks, or accelerating depression.
If your dog is diagnosed with canine liver disease, your vet will put your dog on a special diet or prescribe a diuretic to control water retention. Your vet may suggest rest and confinement, which will allow the body to focus needed resources on the healing process. If caught early and the liver isn’t too compromised the condition is reversible. Being alert to symptoms of canine liver disease, a responsible pet owner can save their dog’s life.
Treatment of any hepatic disease is aimed at resting the liver and minimizing those functions that have to do with metabolism of fats, proteins, carbohydrates and drugs. When your pet has liver disease, it’s even more important to feed the right food. Feed your pet easily digested carbohydrates, high-quality fats and limited amounts of sodium to control on-going liver damage and improve liver function.
IMPORTANT:
The signs of liver disease are not very specific, making it difficult to recognize. If obese cats stop eating, there could be fatal complications. Cats that lose their appetite for two to three days may experience Feline Hepatic Lipidosis, a condition associated with a dangerous build-up of fat in the liver that impairs proper function. If your cat is not eating, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Dental Disease
Did you know that dental care can extend your pet’s life? Caring for our pet’s teeth should be a no-brainer. After all, we brush and floss our own teeth on a regular basis, visit a dentist whenever possible and spend considerable amounts when something goes wrong – so why aren’t we as diligent with our pets?
In fact, dental disease can potentially impact your pet’s major organs – heart, kidney, liver, lungs and even bladder. One of the biggest problems associated with poor dental health is infection. Plaque is soft and mostly bacteria, it forms just under the gum line (sub-gingival). It calcifies to form tartar and initially the body reacts to this as inflamed gums, but the supportive bone under the gums starts to resorb, loss of bone leads to gum recession, this is periodontal disease.
The reason this infection creates such health risks is that being at the gum line means that it can very easily enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body causing problems.
While dental disease can even start in their youth, dental problems most often come to the forefront when our pets reach their senior pet years. This is partly due to years of build up, but it is also because older animals have diminished immune systems and may be less capable of fighting off the effects of bacteria.
Common signs to look out for include:
Bad Breath
The most obvious sign that your pet’s teeth need attention is odour. It is often an indication that bacteria is accumulating in the mouth.
Tartar
When plaque hardens it becomes tartar. While plaque can be brushed away, tartar cannot and may require dental cleaning to remove. Red gum lines or discolouration of the teeth can also indicate problems.
Behavioural changes
Additional signs that dental disease may be present can be seen in changes in the way your pet eats; do they favour one side, are they actually chewing or just gulping down their food? Are they drooling or dropping food? Or are they showing a lessened appetite? All could be signs of a painful mouth. Another sign that dental care may be required is a reduced amount of energy. Most times owners assume that since their pet is older, there is a natural slow down. Many times this lack of energy is caused by dental disease and the flow of bacteria throughout the body wearing them down.
One only has to think of how we feel when our teeth are affected to understand what our pets must be going through. The difference is, our pets are much better at hiding it. As the dental problems slowly worsen, they manage to cope with the increasing pain and go on. Most times, we won’t even know there is a problem until it becomes severe.
While regular brushing and other at-home care is recommended to help reduce the risk of dental disease, once present, the primary treatment method is dental surgery. When a pet is older, the challenge of treating dental disease escalates and many fear the risks associated with anaesthesia. We have to remember that the bacteria and infection in the bone is doing more damage to the organs than anaesthesia would do to your pet.
Basic at-home dental management:
Brushing Teeth
The value of brushing your pet’s teeth cannot be underestimated, just committing to brushing 1-2 minutes once a week may dramatically help decrease the amount of plaque and tartar from building up. While finger brushes can be purchased from most pet stores, a gauze swab wrapped around your finger to gently scrub all the vertical surfaces of your dog’s teeth would do just fine.
Dental Chews
Some off-the-shelf dental chews, oral gels and in-water additives have proven to be effective at reducing plaque and tartar build-up.
It is still recommended to take your dog to your vet for a complete physical and lab work on a regular basis.
Heart disease
Heart disease is commonly diagnosed in both dogs and cats. The diagnosis can be disturbing and confusing for pet owners. The differences between heart disease and heart failure are important to recognize.
Heart failure, also often referred to as congestive heart failure or CHF, is the end result of any type of heart disease. Dogs and cats that suffer from heart disease may eventually suffer from congestive heart failure if the disease within the heart results in an inability of the heart to function normally. When the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to other areas of the body, congestive heart failure results.
Dogs and cats can have heart disease without experiencing heart failure. However, when heart failure occurs, heart disease is present in one form or another.
Heart disease in dogs and cats can take many different forms.
It can originate in the muscle of the heart. Heart disease can be the result of ageing changes within the heart which cause the structures of the heart (such as the heart valves) to become malformed. It can be the result of a developmental abnormality which causes the structure of the heart or blood vessels to be abnormal at birth and remain abnormal.
Heart disease, depending on the type and the severity of the disease, may be asymptomatic, with the pet showing no symptoms of disease at all. However, it can also cause severe symptoms, which may be fatal for your pet. Symptoms of heart disease can also fall in the middle range, where the dog or cat has symptoms of heart disease but is able to live with the symptoms.
Symptoms of congestive heart failure in dogs and cats vary depending on whether left and/or right-sided heart failure is present. The most common clinical signs are decreased endurance and exercise intolerance, lethargy, coughing and difficulty breathing. In severe cases and/or those with right-sided heart failure, symptoms may include abdominal pressure with fluid accumulation (known as ascites), jugular vein distension and/or pulsation of the vessels of the neck and the gums. The lips and tongue may turn from a normal pink colour to a pale or bluish colour.
Your pet’s treatment will depend on what specific heart problem they have and what may be causing it.
Your vet may recommend medications to help the heart work and correct irregular heartbeats, medications to slow fluid build-up in the lungs. Surgery can be performed to correct a torn valve or to insert a pacemaker to correct the heartbeat. A commercial or prescription low-salt diet to help decrease fluid build-up in the body. Limiting activity and exercise while effectively managing weight without putting too much strain on your pet’s heart.
For more information on your senior pet and the ageing process, check out our blog – https://kimvet.co.za/pets-and-ageing/
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