Month: May 2018

61 Early Heat Wave

With the unseasonably hot temperatures we are experiencing at the end of May (“hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk”), I thought I would remind every one of the dangers of the heat for our pet species.
Dog can’t sweat, except their foot pads. They can only cool themselves by panting, direct contact with a cool surface, or getting wet. They can get heat stroke on walks or playing at dog parks, so only play outside early in the morning or late at night. Burned footpads can really happen on a sidewalk. Would you walk on it barefoot? And use extreme caution with smushy face breeds, like Pekinese, Pugs, and Bull dogs.
Some heat prevention tips: Extra water, water with ice cubes, fans, baby pools, sprinklers, don’t leave in cars, and brush out undercoats.
Cats can heat stroke too, but they seem to smarter. I have only treated cats with heat stroke from being locked in a garage (by accident), or dryer kitties. A panting cat is really overheated or has heart and lung problems.
Tip for heat prevention in cats are similar to dogs: Lots of ways to drink ( ice cubes, drippy faucets), fans, brush out undercoat, and extreme caution with smushy face breeds like Persians
Pet birds are only going to get heat stressed if the AC fails. But a fan blowing on them helps if you see them holding their wings out from their bodies.
Outside bunnies can get heat stressed easily. Keep them in the shade, with a fan, and place frozen plastic water bottles in their hutch.
Even pet cold blooded reptiles have trouble > 100. Don’t put your snake or turtle outside in the sun.
Be smart & stay inside with the AC on.

https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-care/heat-wave-safety-dog/

60 Update on Canine Heart Disease

I had the pleasure of going to a recent Continuing Education meeting in Dallas on the ABCDs of Chronic Mitral Valve Disease in dogs. We know that dogs get heart disease, but mostly old dogs get mitral valve heart disease that progresses to Congestive Heart Disease, not coronary artery disease like people that causes heart attacks (but some people do get congestive heart disease too). The valves leak blood backward, which is inefficient for the heart as a pump. This makes the heart work harder, get larger, stretch, and ultimately fail. We can monitor the heart size with radiographs or echocardiography (like an ultrasound of the heart). The back pressure causes fluid buildup in the lungs, which makes the dogs cough and have lower stamina.
As a vet in general practice, I see a lot of old dogs that develop heart murmurs (the turbulence of the leaky valves). Most start out not causing the dog any symptoms, but can progress to congestive heart disease, which shortens dogs’ life and decreased their stamina and quality of life. The average from time of congestive heart disease diagnosis to point of euthanasia is 12 months. We have been looking for years for treatments to slow or stop this progression. Humans have the option of valve replacement surgery, which was pioneered on dogs, but seldom done in pet dogs.
The most common treatment for dogs with CHD is diuretics (water pills), blood pressures medicines, and (in the old days) digitalis to strengthen a weak heart. For the last several years, we have had a new drug called pimobendan ( Vetmedin), and it has replaced digitalis. Worldwide, a large double blinded placebo study called the EPIC study was done which studied the effects of pimbobendan on early congestive heart disease. These dogs had to have a slightly enlarged heart on echocardiography but not symptomatic or on other heart medicines. The study convincingly showed that the dogs on pimobendan hearts got smaller, the onset of any symptoms was delayed, and they lived longer overall. The median life expectancy on the dogs on the placebo was 25 months, but the dogs on pimbobedan life expectancy increased to 41 months, or 16 months of good quality life longer! And the time to first heart symptoms went from 13 months to 21 months. Sign me up for that!
For more information: https://www.epictrial.com/ but when it prompts you if you are a US citizen, click NO so you can see the international findings. If you click yes, it directs you to the website for Vetmedin brand of pimobendan, and doesn’t include these new findings yet.

59 Emotional Support Animals and Flying

This week, American Airlines, based in Dallas, has changed their rules for flying Emotional Support Animals. This won’t apply to true Service dogs, which have been credentialed. And it won’t take place until July 1, 2018. The flying public had been really pushing the limits of the previous rules by claiming nontraditional animals like peacocks and goats were Emotional Support Animals. Here are the new rules:

They must be able to fit by your feet, under the seat, or on your lap (smaller than a 2 year old child)
They can’t protrude or block the aisle
They can’t occupy a seat
They can’t eat from tray tables
They must be trained to behavior properly in public.
They must be on leash or harness and under your control at all times
They can’t display disruptive behavior (that can’t be corrected) including: growling, biting, or jumping
It now excludes nontraditional pet species like reptile, insects, livestock, and water fowl

If you want to fly with your Emotional Support Animal on American after July 1, you have to do some paperwork. There are 3 forms that must be submitted 48 hours before the flight. One has to be completed by a Mental Health Professional stating that you have a need, you will need it at your destination, and documenting their credentials. There are quite a few international destinations with many more restrictions.

These seem like common sense rules for animals inside the cabin.  I would certainly love to take my little Sheltie with me at my seat, but I don’t “need” him there with me.  And if I did need him for emotional support, I am sure my health provider would provide the documentation necessary.  I am not sure I want 25 pounds on my lap, and he won’t fit under the seat. I traveled once with my 18 month old son on my lap and he was squirmy.  I wish I had paid for the extra seat.

You can still fly your pet in cargo, and most airlines require a health certificate from a veterinarian 10 days before the flight.  Only American Airlines has published their new Emotional Support rules, but I imagine other airlines will follow suit and be similar. Stay tuned.

For more information:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/service-animals.jsp

58 This is National Pet Week. Thursday’s (May 10) focus is spaying and neutering.

This is National Pet Week.  Each day has a theme. Today in spaying and neutering.

We all know that spaying and neutering are important for reducing pet overpopulation. Every year, millions of unwanted dogs and cats, including puppies and kittens, are euthanized. By having your dog or cat spayed or neutered, you’ll do your part to prevent the birth of unwanted puppies and kittens.
It used to be very simple: Dogs and cats, male and female, all had surgery at 6 months at age. This has changed in the last decade to a wider range of ages. Many dogs and cats are spayed (ovarian-hysterectomy) and neutered (castration) through shelters, often at 8-12 weeks of age. This solves the problem of adopting a pet that hasn’t had surgery, the owner NOT getting around to spay/neuter, and accidental pregnancy happening. This early surgery has been shown to decrease behavior problems associated with sexual hormones and improves adoption retention rates. It also helps prevent some cancers, especially breast cancer.
We have also learned from the large Golden Retriever study  that early neutering was associated with an increase in the occurrence of hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament tear and lymphosarcoma in males and of cranial cruciate ligament tear in females. The new recommendation on giant and large breed dogs is to wait to 12-18 month before neutering. And some of these dogs also get an elective gastropexy (stomach tacking surgery) to prevent bloat!
Cats seem to do well getting spayed or neutered at a young age OR at the standard 6 months. Just get it done!
If you have a puppy or kitten that isn’t “pre-neutered”, I recommend discussing your options with your veterinarian to make the right decision for your pet. http://bit.ly/1qpuVXG #LifetimeofLove #PetWeek

57 May the Fourth Be With You

I am having so much fun looking at pictures of dogs dressed up in Star Wars costumes that I just had to share some. Here are some links. “Do or do not. There is no try.”
https://barkpost.com/dog-star-wars-may-the-fourth/
http://www.pawsforreaction.com/photos-may-the-4th.html#sthash.zfobdfgv.dpbs. ( I especially love the Whippet At-At)
And a short video with Dachshunds- https://www.thesmoothestore.com/blogs/dachshund-blog/123176259-may-the-4th-be-with-you-wiener-dog-style
There is a lot of Star War hype every May 4, but this year we also have the new Disney Han Solo origin movie coming out later this month. With so many classic and new series running, it is a great time to be a fan. My own granddaughter had her infant pictures made with Leia “buns” on a stocking cap, sleeping next to a Wookie & R2Dw, and is too cute for words.
Also, the annual Star Wars movies marathon with be on TBS Friday, May 4, starting at 2:30 am, till 11 pm. All 8 movies, not the spin offs. Some will repeat on Sat, May 5. “It’s a trap”, but “let the Wookie win”. And “the Force will be with you always.”