Category: Cat

68 Should we vaccinate cats?

The topic of cat vaccination has stirred up quite a controversy in the last few years. Are we over vaccinating? Under vaccinating? Does it cause cancer? How can I get my cat to the vet without stressing him/her out? Why is a yearly exam so important?

Fortunately, this topic has gotten a lot of controlled research, and feline experts came together in 2013 to update the AAFP( American Association of Feline Practitioners) vaccine guidelines.

A quote from Dr Scherk, the editor of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, regarding her conclusions about feline vaccines is “We’re not over-vaccinating; we’re actually under-vaccinating cats.” Her explanation starts with the many cats that NEVER see a vet until they are very sick, so they aren’t candidates for vaccines then. The other hurtle is that many cat owners have heard about vaccines causing cancer, so they just opt out. Plus cost can be another reason.

The Guidelines recommend we break the different vaccines into 2 categories: Core and Noncore.  Examples of Core are Feline panleukopenia (FPV)(also known as distemper which is not to be confused with dog distemper), Feline herpesvirus-1(FHV-1), and Feline calicivirus (FCV). These are usually combined in the FVRCP vaccine, which is given as a series for kittens, boosted at a year, then every 3 years after that per manufacturer’s recommendation.

Rabies isn’t considered core by AAFP, but every other vet organization considers Rabies a core vaccine, and a legal requirement in the State of Texas. I consider it core vaccine. I have seen a cat with rabies, and we definitely have active rabies in Denton County. Plus the rabies vaccine is a killed viral vaccines, is super safe, not a combination injection, and we use the non-adjuvented Merial Purevax rabies.
I have been vaccinated for rabies and needed a booster when I was pregnant with my daughter, so my pediatrician researched it and concluded it was safe to receive even during pregnancy.

Noncore vaccines Feline leukemia virus (FELV), chlamydophiia felis , Bordetella bronchiseptica, Feline infectious peritonitis ( FIP), and Dermatophyte vaccines. At Garden Ridge Animal Hospital, we only carry FELV in this Noncore category, and we only give it to cats with risk factors like outside cats, cats that fight, or cats in households with some outside cats. We also follow the AAFP recommendation for all kittens to get a series of 2 FELV vaccines, so they have some lifetime protection.

The questions about injection site sarcomas and how to transport cat to the vet require long answers and will be future blog topics.

So my challenge to my cat owners is “are all your cats up to date on their vaccines? Even the old ones that never go outside?” And it not, call the staff at Garden Ridge Animal Hospital at 972-436-2199 and set up an appointment.

For more links on recommendations; https://www.wsava.org/guidelines/vaccination-guidelines

http://www.aavmc.org/data/files/other%20documents/ppphfelineguidelines_proof1.pdf

64 Corporate Speak vs Vet Speak

I got an interesting email this week from my business insurance provider, The Hartford. It was about the 60 corporate “buzzwords” to stop using. I found about 20 that we use in veterinary medicine, but with entirely different meanings.

Back end/Front end– “Doc, he has a sore on the front end, and is weak in the back end.”
Bring to the table – “Nurse, can you pick up the cat and bring it to the table.”
Circle back– “Doc, sometime he just chases his tail and circles back endlessly.”
Client facing– This is after I do my exam, type my notes then turn to face the client to talk.
Cutting edge– The edge of the scalpel that I don’t put my finger on.
Drinking the Kool-aid– So you have some injured wildlife that is dehydrated. It is important to get it to drink the Kool-aid, especially punch flavored.
Elephant in the room– This is what we think when we have a hugely overweight dog in the room. But I am going to discuss it.
Getting our ducks in a row– Yes I see birds, and an occasional duck. If someone had multiple ducks, I might say this.
Going viral– What we fear when we have a Parvo outbreak. That is why we vaccinate pets and disinfected cages and table tops.
Hack-“Doc, when he wakes up in the morning, he hacks like he has a hairball.”
Heavy lifting– Something we try to avoid, use a lift table, or do team lifts. Usually it is a 100+ plus dog on the Xray table.
Killing it– Something we do humanely, when the quality of life is gone, and all options have been exhausted.
Low hanging fruit– “Doc, my puppy has been throwing up rotten peaches that have fallen off my neighbor’s tree branch over my backyard”
Move the needle– What we do when we have trouble collecting blood from a wiggly vein.
Ninja, Rockstar, Wizard– What really cute names for kittens or ferrets!
Ramp up– What we do to help large dogs with arthritis get into a car or SUV.
Socialize– a very important skill for all puppies & kittens

https://sba.thehartford.com/business-management/60-business-buzzwords-to-delete-from-your-vocabulary/?cmp=EMC-SC-SBA-36776353&eml=1

63 Father’s Day

So Father’s day is coming up, and what gift shall Fido or Fluffy give Dad? This website has some cute ideas:
https://www.hgtv.com/design-blog/entertaining/fathers-day-gifts-for-pet-lovers
There are mugs, socks, hats, cufflinks, journals, tee shirts, and artwork.
Or why not do a picnic at the dog park? Or try some of the local restaurants that allow dogs outside on the patio like Twisted Root in downtown Lewisville?
Or if it is Dad’s chore to walk the dog, pick up the backyard (you know what I mean), or clean the litterbox, why not do those chores for him for Father’s day?
One of my favorite hobbies is photography with my fancy digital camera, but anyone can take some good portraits of pets & people. Why not take some pictures of your man with Max and Missy? Your boyfriend with Buddy and Bella? My secret trick- get in really close! Take lots and shots- you only need 1 good one. And use natural lighting- like through a window, or just go outside. For more pet photography tips- https://digital-photography-school.com/top-10-pet-photography-tips-techniques/;
https://digital-photography-school.com/9-pet-photography-tips/
I would love to see some of your pet photos. Please email them to me (drpam@gardenridgevet.com), and I will put them on the website (with your permission).

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/

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

56 Medication disposal event on April 28, 2018

Our local cities are teaming up with Lewisville school district and the Drug Enforcement Agency to hold a free medication disposal event. The goal of this operation is two-fold: to reduce the risk of prescription drug abuse and increased awareness of this critical public health issue. Plus it is a safe way to disposed of expired prescription and Over The Counter Drugs, for humans and pets. ). This a great way to keep medications OUT of the landfills and water supply. For more information-https://www.lisd.net/Page/1587

The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As with past events, the Lewisville disposal location will be the parking lot of Lewisville High School at 1098 West Main Street. Many other cities are participating in this event, and all the high schools in the LISD are involved ( Marcus, Flower Mound, Hebron and The Colony)

This is a great opportunity for those who have missed previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications. So check out those medicine cabinets and dog medicine stashes and get rid of expired medicines!

54 Just Add Water

Last week I attended a veterinary seminar on IV fluid therapy. We reviewed when to start intravenous fluids, how much, and which kinds to give depending on the pet’s illness and blood test results.
I was reminded about how important water intake and basic hydration status can affect the health of our pets and us. If Fido or Fluffy become just 5% dehydrated, it is significant. And that can happen easily on a hot day without fresh water to drink, or with diarrhea and vomiting. When they get to 8% dehydrated, they are seriously dehydrated, and we need to intervene quickly.
Most of the time, my patients can drink water and stay hydrated. I was taught “if the gut works, use it.” Sometimes we give fluids subcutaneously instead of oral or intravenous. But I don’t hesitate to go IV if I have to. Staying hydrated all the time is critical to life.
Drinking plenty of water is also very important for my older patients with kidney disease, diabetes, bladder infection, or bladder stones. I talk to owners every day about this.
http://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/common-conditions/warning-signs-dehydration-dogs/
I was pondering this as I was flattened by kidney stone pain a few days later. I have passed numerous kidney stones in the last 10 years, and I know I need to stay hydrated and drink lots of water, but I fail sometimes. I like tea and coffee which are diuretic, and they can leave me a little dehydrated.
We are fortunate in Lewisville to have outstanding local water, rated “Superior Public Water Supply,” so I can’t blame the tap water or justify buying bottled water. Good old tap H20 should be just what the doctor ordered to prevent more stones. But I struggle following my own advice.
https://www.cityoflewisville.com/about-us/departments-services/public-services/water-production
The bottom line is pets and humans need to stay hydrated. So watch your pet’s water consumption and urination. Make sure they have access to fresh water at all times. And if they aren’t drinking normally, or having losses like vomit and diarrhea, bring them in immediately. Dehydration is serious, but sometimes we just have to add water.

Top 10 Animal Toxins of 2017

Every year the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) releases the top 10 categories of toxins that affect pets. The 2017 list was based on 199,000 cases of potential poisonings. This is not the same ratio I see at Garden Ridge, but it is interesting to see the trends.
1.Human prescription medications: 17.5%
At the top of their list is prescription pain medicine, antidepressants and heart medicines. They are usually accidental exposures
2. Over-the-counter medications: 17.4%
Just like last year, OTC came in 2nd place, and this includes vitamins, NSAIDS( like Tylenol, ibuprofen, and Aleve), antihistamines, cold medicines and probiotics.
3. Food: 10.9%
Some food may not be safe for pets, including, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, avocados, macadamia nuts, alcohol, raw yeast bread dough and xylitol ( an artificial sweetener).
4. Veterinary products: 8.9%
This is usually over ingestion of flavored or chewable veterinary products. I once had a dog eat an entire bottle (30 doses) of a chewable Rimadyl, an arthritis medicine. We had to induce vomiting on that one.
5. Chocolate: 8.8%
In 2017 the Animal Poison Control Center fielded more than 48 calls a day about chocolate! It is a common problem around Valentine day, Easter and Christmas.
6. Household items: 8.6%
The Tide Challenge for dogs. These laundry pods are a problem for pets too.
7. Insecticides: 6.7%
The most common sources of insecticides are ant baits, bug strays, and yard products. I don’t see nearly as many of these as I used to.
8. Rodenticides: 6.3%
I would put this much higher on my list. While anticoagulant rodenticides are still available, bromethalin, a neurotoxin, is also seen and also very serious..
9. Plants: 5.4%
Plants like lilies (Lilium sp and Hemerocallis sp.) pose a serious danger for cats while Sago palm and oleander plants continue to be a serious danger for both dogs and cats. I have treated several dogs of the years for Sago palm liver toxicity. I wish plant nurseries would stop selling them.
10. Garden products: 2.6%
Garden products are another category that many pets find very tasty. Fertilizer, bone meal and compost are all garden products dogs find irresistible. APCC also gets a fair number of calls about herbicides. While not as tasty, use of herbicides in areas that pets frequent is usually the cause of those calls.
https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/top-10-animal-toxins-2017

#50 National Poison Control Prevention Week- March 18-24, 2018

Every year, the 3rd week in March is the National Poison Control Prevention Week. It is more geared for humans, but pets can be poisoned too.
As a vet, I get to see lots of accidental exposures to poisons in dogs and cats. The most common ones are chocolate (saw one today), rat poison, insecticides, sorbitol (an artificial sweetener), and human pharmaceutics (heart meds, ADHD, birth control pills). Fortunately, I seldom see the nasty ones like Tylenol toxicity in cats, antifreeze, and marijuana toxicity in dogs,
Just like we have to be careful with medications around children, we have to do the same around pets, especially the “my dog will eat anything” kind. So lock them up, use baby latches for cupboards, and store them up high. Don’t assume a childproof bottle will keep a determined Labrador out. It won’t, because they just eat the plastic! And just because your mom’s medicines are on her nightstand, don’t assume the cat won’t explore, knock them on the floor for the Chihuahua to eat. I’ve seen that.
But accidents sometimes happen, and they we go into Poison Control mode. The first step is always:
WHAT did he eat? Not as easy as it sounds when the bottle is missing, or the chocolate bag is shredded. But it is imperative that you bring in the box/wrapper/whatever with you for a possible toxicity. We can look up the exact ingredients. I have even had clients use their cell phones to look up the product on Amazon where they bought it. That helps.
HOW MUCH did he eat? Again not always easy, but we make our best guesses.
WHEN did he eat it? I used to think this was easy, but what if you just came home at 5 pm, and found chewed up pill vials. We never know if they ate it at 8 am or 5 minutes ago.
WHO ate it? I have had numerous cases of multiple dog households where we weren’t sure WHO at the rat poison. So we had to make them ALL vomit. They we could tell. Sometimes the answer is ALL of them.
WHY did he eat it? I never ask that. But I did have one dog that got into bags of Easter Candy not once, but twice before Easter. I did wonder why the owner bought more candy and assumed the dog wouldn’t get into the pantry again.
You can’t just call 911 and get a pet poison control. The best one for pets is Animal Poison Control Center, 855-764-7661, and it costs $59. It’s the one vets use.

Remember Pets during Poison Prevention Week March 18-24

#48 What comes after the rain? March 1, 2018

Goodness knows the lakes needed the heavy rains of the last two weeks, but I am ready for some sunshine, and so are our dogs and outdoor cats. I am seeing a lot of puddles, standing water, & soggy grass instead of rainbows. What I can’t see are some hidden dangers.
Leptospirosis- This is a common bacterial disease in our area. It harbors in the urine of wildlife, and can easily get into our parks and yards. Dog can get exposed by drinking the contaminated water or just even splashing in mucous membranes like eyes. This little spirochete then gets into the bloodstream and can cause liver or kidney failure. Symptoms include fever, nausea, diarrhea, yellow tinge to membranes, and death. And it can then be spread to humans if we get exposed to the urine of infected dogs. Cats rarely get this disease, but cattle can too. The local vet emergency clinic in Flower Mound routinely sees cases of canine Lepto. Fortunately there is a vaccine that we recommend for all dogs in our area, but it only lasts for year.
https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Leptospirosis.aspx
Giardia– All the wetness is a perfect place of lots of intestinal parasites, but especially giardia, which is a protozoa, not a “worm”. It causes mild to moderate diarrhea, soft or mucoid stools, gassiness, and is highly contagious. We see it mostly in puppies or kittens, or families that just got a puppy or kitten. It is highly contagious, and difficult to clear a household. It isn’t controlled with heartworm prevention unlike hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. Humans can get giardia too.
https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_giardiasis
Mushrooms– We have all seen mushroom pop up in our lawns after rains. These are just the fruiting bodies of many types of normal fungus that live in our soils, not just one kind. Some can be poisonous (hallucination, excessive salivation, or liver failure), others just cause GI upset. It is best to prevent ingestion. I rarely see mushroom toxicity here in Lewisville. If you suspect toxicity, try to collect a sample of the mushroom when you bring the dog to the vet.
http://americanmushrooms.com/lawnandgarden.htm
Mosquitos (think heartworms)– Hopefully, we all know that mosquitos are the carrier of heartworms, and nasty little blood suckers too. This is another reason to keep your dog and outside cat on year-round heartworm prevention.
https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/heartworm-basics
Antifreeze– Good ole ethylene glycol that keeps our car engines from overheating in the summer, and freezing in the winter. Unfortunately, it has a very sweet taste that many dogs and outside cats like. Even a small amount of antifreeze is very toxic to the kidneys and usually causes death. Most of us are very careful if we change our own antifreeze, but it could be a problem in parking lots with standing water where someone else has dripped antifreeze on the pavement. Best not to drink from puddles.
http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/antifreeze/
see our Facebook page about cats hating to get wet
https://www.facebook.com/Garden-Ridge-Animal-Hospital-371475996712/