Category Archives: Dogs

Cats, Dogs

Seizures (fits) in pets

Dogs-42---Seizures-(fits)-in-pets´
Seizures in pets can range from mild to severe or violent and watching a beloved pet have a seizure can be very hard for a pet owner. Pets having fits can display muscle spasms or tremors, involuntary repetitive movements (shaking for example), vocalisation, excessive salivation, hallucinations, loss of bowel or urinary control and even loss of consciousness. These signs are the result of uncontrolled electrical activity in their brain.

Seizures are the most common neurological disease in dogs and cats and they can either have an identifiable cause or if one cannot be identified, pets are presumed to have primary or idiopathic epilepsy.

There is no cure for epileptic seizures but the condition can be managed and the number of seizures can be greatly reduced through medication. In general pets suffering from epileptic seizures have a good prognosis and can lead a normal life.

It’s very important for owners to be aware that when a pet is having a seizure he or she is mostly unware of what is happening and is not in any pain. Owners should also keep in mind that pets are not in control of their movement during a seizure which means they can bite. They are also very disoriented and un-coordinated afterwards.

We know it can be very difficult not to feel stressed on such occasion but if you do find your pet having a seizure do your best to remain calm so you can take the necessary steps that will help your pet.

Our pets’ bodies produce a lot of heat when they are having fits so please do not cover them with a towel or a blanket. Turn off the lights, close the curtains, turn off the radio or anything that might be noisy.

Register when it started, how severe it is and time the length of the seizure. If you realise there was any sort of trigger before the seizure or any unusual behaviour afterwards make note of that as well so you can share that information with your vet. If possible try to film what is happening with your phone.

Give your pet some space and some time to recover. We can understand that you will be eager to comfort your pet but do your best to wait until your pet has stopped actively seizing. The ideal time to cuddle is when he or she is less disoriented and comes to you for attention.

If your pet has a seizure for the first time please take your pet to the vet. Please remember that early treatment can provide a better long-term outcome. If it is not the first time follow your vet’s instructions. Contact your vet if your pet’s seizure lasts for more than two minutes, if your pet is showing recurrent twitching or if your pet has more than two seizures in a day.
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Labour Complications in Dogs

Dogs 40 - Labour Complications in Dogs

If your female dog is expecting puppies then this post is for you. It is important for you to be informed on how this process develops so you can intervene and help your pet if necessary.

Dystocia is a medical term referring to difficulty of giving birth and this can occur during any stage of labour. There are three stages of birth that owners should consider. The first stage is when the uterine contractions start and the water breaks. At this stage the female dog may be restless, nervous and occupied with nesting activity. The second one is when the puppies are pushed out by uterine contractions. The third and final one is the delivery of the foetal membranes.

Please pay attention to the following symptoms when taking care of your pregnant female dog:

  • More than 30 minutes of persistent strong abdominal contractions without expulsion of offspring
  • More than 4 hours from the onset of stage 2 to delivery of first offspring
  • More than 2 hours between delivery of offspring
  • Crying female, displaying signs of pain and constantly licking the vulvar area when contracting
  • Prolonged gestation – more than 72 days from the day of first mating; a dog’s gestation period usually lasts around 62 days
  • Presence of greenish black discharge preceding the birth of the first offspring by more than 2 hours
  • Presence of bloody discharge prior to delivery of first pup or between puppies.

There are many reasons why female dogs can have trouble giving birth. They could be related to the mother, related to the puppies or even related to both of them. The mother can have poor uterine contraction, ineffective abdominal pressure, a small pelvis, insufficient cervical dilation and lack of adequate lubrication. The puppies can have an abnormal presentation, position or posture and they can also be too big for the mother’s birth canal.

Brachycephalic and toy breeds, obesity, age and previous history of this condition are predisposing factors for dystocia.

Prompt identification and intervention when a dog is having trouble giving birth is key for the survival of the mother and her litter. It is very important to do a good follow-up of your dog’s pregnancy. In case of any doubt or if you notice any of the above mentioned symptoms please contact your vet.

Don’t forget to spoil and enjoy your furry new bundles of joy!

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Alabama Rot Disease

Dogs 41 - Alabama Rot Disease

Alabama Rot Disease, scientifically known as cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy, was first identified in the USA in the 1980s, affecting almost exclusively greyhounds. In the UK, the first reported cases were from the New Forest Area but more recently new cases of this disease have been described throughout the UK. The cause of Alabama Rot Disease is still unknown and it’s currently under investigation.

Affected dogs start by showing skin lesions, sores, wounds, and blisters, especially on their face or limbs. Over the next 2 to 7 days, they can develop acute kidney failure which can lead to death. At this stage the dog may be vomiting and lethargic.

Considering the cases that have been reported so far, it doesn’t seem to exist any breed, body weight, sex or age predisposition for this disease.

Through clinical signs, history and blood test results, vets can suspect a dog is suffering from Alabama Rot Disease, but unfortunately a definitive diagnosis can only be made through pathology results obtained from an animal that has passed.

Although scary and serious, this disease is not common and chances of a full recovery increase if a dog is treated early. The number of dogs affected with skin lesions and kidney failure remains low (56 confirmed cases across the UK between November 2012 and May 2015). Most of the times a skin problem will not be caused by Alabama Rot Disease and even if the skin changes are caused by it, many dogs will not develop kidney problems and will have a full recovery.

Since the cause is still unknown there aren’t any preventive measures we can recommend. If your dog has blisters or ulcers anywhere in his or her body bring him or her to the vet. Please remember that dogs treated in the early stages of this disease are more likely to have a better prognosis!

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Cats, Dogs

Has your pet ever eaten something he or she wasn’t supposed to?

Dogs 39 - Has your pet ever ate something he or she wasn’t supposed to
If there is one thing pet owners should keep in mind is to be careful with what their pets have access to.

Our pets can eat the most unbelievable things and in relatively large amounts. Vets know this very well as they are the ones who frequently treat these cases. That is why we wanted to share with you some of the stories from the “They ate what?!” contest.

This competition has been running since 2006 in the United States and showcases the unusual and often funny situations lived by veterinary surgeons and pet owners, when their pets decide to eat things they really shouldn’t.

The X-ray that won first place in 2015 belonged to Zeus. Zeus is a one year old Doberman who loves to chase golf balls. Apparently Zeus also loves to eat them. When his owner noticed Zeus wasn’t eating and not feeling quite like himself he took him to the vet. An X-ray showed this mischievous dog had swallowed 26 golf balls!

The X-ray that won second place belonged to a 10-week old Labrador, who had eaten the end of a fishing pole and the X-ray that won third place found a door hinge in 6-month-old lab.

Among the extraordinary entries you can also find the X-ray of a cat who swallowed several small coins or Yogi the cat’s X-ray that showed he had eaten more than 30 hair ties and other string-type objects. Danner, a 4-month-old male English cocker spaniel, was found by its owner “looking full and feeling crunchy”. The poor dog’s abdomen felt and sounded like a bag of rocks. It turns out the Danner had ingested 2.6 pounds of rocks!

Last year’s entries of this competition are equally impressive. A 3-year-old Grate Dane ingested 43 and half socks and Cody, a 10-month-old golden retriever swallowed a light bulb. You can have a look at their stories and incredible X-ray’s at:

http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/2015Xraycontestwinners/

http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/2014-X-Ray-Contest-Winners/

Please be careful with what you leave lying around your pet. Although it doesn’t seem to make sense to us, unfortunately many pets will eat unusual items!
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Cats, Dogs

Holiday hazards for pets

 

Dogs 38 - Holiday hazards for pets
There are only a few more days left until Christmas and although this is a wonderful time of the year it has many potential dangers for our pets, especially if owners are not aware of them.

Christmas food is definitely on top of our list! The festive season is usually filled with sweets, chocolates, mince pies, Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings. All these foods should be kept away from our furry companions since they contain many substances that are toxic for them.

Chocolate contains theobromine, which is poisonous for dogs and cats. Chocolate poisoning in dogs is very common during this time of the year and affected dogs will often present diarrhoea, vomiting, hyperactivity, incoordination, and even fits (seizures). The higher the cocoa content, the more toxic the chocolate will be for our pets.

Xylitol is a very common sweetening agent used as a sugar substitute in sugar-free chewing gum, sweets, cakes, biscuits and it is also commonly used in coffee or tea. Xylitol is dangerous because it causes a sudden drop in our pet’s blood sugar levels, eventually leading to liver damage.

Although neither the toxic agent nor the process involved are entirely known, there have been many cases of dogs that developed kidney failure after ingesting grapes, raisins and sultanas. Please keep all the mince pies, Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings away from them.

Other toxic foods include macadamia nuts, onions and garlic which means that owners shouldn’t feed anything to their pet that might contain any of these ingredients. Feeding our pets with our Christmas meal leftovers is also not recommended not only because those meals tend to have very high amounts of fat but also because it often contains bones. Bones are a choking hazard and can cause constipation or even damage on their intestines.

Christmas decorations can be dangerous as well as holly and mistletoe are also poisonous for pets if ingested. Curious and playful pets may try to chew and swallow ornaments, tree light cables tinsel and ribbons.

Merry Christmas everybody!
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Are you thinking of getting a new pet for Christmas?

 

Dogs 37 - Are you thinking of getting a new pet for Christmas
Christmas is a fun and happy time of the year. It’s all about celebrating, eating delicious food, spending time with your loved ones and getting lovely gifts for family and friends. During this time of the year it is very common for people to either get a new pet or to give a pet as a gift.

This seems to be the perfect present for pet lovers and for children. The days off work during the festive season are also very handy to spend some time enjoying the recently acquired puppy or kitten. Since Christmas is right on our doorstep, this seems to be a very good time to remind all future pet owners that a pet brings a lot of joy but it is also a huge responsibility.

We could not be more supportive of families getting new pets but many of these are brought home on an impulse, which often does not end well for them. Every year, hundreds of pets are left at pounds, charities or even abandoned during the months following Christmas. Once people realise all it takes to have a pet in their household, that pet is often no longer welcome.

Being a pet owner means you are responsible for every aspect of that pet’s life and that means that getting a pet is a decision that requires careful consideration.

Please remember that:

  • All pets need to be cared for on a daily basis
  • All pets grow up
  • All pets grow old
  • All pets will become ill at some point
  • Different pets have different needs

    • If you are considering getting a new pet please think very carefully if you have the time and if you are willing to dedicate your time to this pet. Ask yourself if you have the space to provide an adequate environment and if you can afford the costs of feeding, keeping and providing health care for your pet.

    There are far too many pets without a home living their lives in kennels and we, as a society, struggle to manage that situation every day. This Christmas please keep in mind that a pet is for life and not just for Christmas!
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    Canine ear infections

    Dogs 36 - Canine ear infections
    Unfortunately ear infections are common in dogs and although dogs with long or hairy ears such as Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Poodles or Old English Sheepdogs seem to be more susceptible, ear infections can affect any breed. Other predisposing factors include anatomical issues such as stenotic ear canals and increased moisture inside the ears of dogs that spend a lot of time in the water.

    This condition is easy to spot since dogs suffering from this type of infection will look very uncomfortable, and will frequently scratch their ears and shake their heads. As time goes by the dog’s ear becomes inflamed and painful. It is also common to observe an occasional black or yellowish discharge and an unpleasant smell coming from their ears. Many dogs will try to avoid having anyone touching their ears and they can even become aggressive.

    Ear infections can be caused by several different causes such as parasites (e.g. ear mites), foreign bodies (e.g. grass seeds), polyps, bacterial infections, yeast infections, allergies, food hypersensitivity and even tumours.

    It is recommended to keep an eye on your pet’s ears to detect any abnormalities early and if you realise your dog is showing any of these signs take him or her to the vet as soon as possible. Your vet will need to check your dog’s ears and the treatment will depend on what is causing the infection.

    Quite often the treatment will include ear drops and tablets that owners must administrate to their pets at home. The ear drops must be carefully administered or else your dog will easily get rid of it just by shaking its head.

    The dog’s external ear canal is “L” shaped and ends in the dog’s eardrum. To successfully apply the medication pull your dog’s ear flap straight up and hold it with one hand. Apply the drops into the vertical part of the ear canal and hold it up until the medication runs down the dog’s ear canal.

    Place one finger and you thumb at the base of the ear flap and gently massage the ear canal until you hear a squishing sound, which will indicate that the medication has gone further into the ear canal. After this stage you can let your dog shake its head.

    Keep an eye on your pet’s ears. Early detection and adequate treatment will save your beloved pet from a lot of discomfort and pain.

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    Keep your pets safe from rat poison!

    Dogs 35 - Keep your pets safe from rat poison!

    Nowadays there are several types of rodenticides available for sale and sadly, our pets are often poisoned by these chemicals. These pellets often have strong blue or green colours. Many rodenticides are made with anticoagulant substances which will affect an animal’s ability to clot its own blood. As a result, poisoned rats die due to internal bleeding.

    Although these substances are not meant for our pets, they often end up consuming the poisoned pellets by mistake or when they hunt and consume rats that have already been poisoned.

    Affected pets will show many different clinical signs such as weakness, lethargy, blood in their urine, vomit or stool, pale gums, excessive bruising, bleeding from any minor wounds or abrasions, nosebleeds, severe external bleeding and internal bleeding (often not visible to the owner). Clinical signs of this type of poisoning often appear days after the chemicals are ingested.

    A cat that may have eaten one poisoned mouse may not show any clinical signs since these circumstances involve a very small amount of poison but the risk of toxicity increases if they eat the poisonous substance more than once.

    If you suspect your pet may have ingested rat poison it is very important toseek veterinary assistance as soon as possible! There is an antidote for this type of poisoning but starting your pet’s treatment early is essential for a good outcome.

    The prognosis always depends on how severe is the animal’s coagulopathy. It might also be a good idea to bring the package of the chemical involved (if possible) to determine what type of rodenticide was ingested, since not all rodenticides contain anticoagulants.

    Keep your pets safe!

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    Lungworm in dogs – How much do you know about it?

    Dogs 34 - Lungworm disease in dogs

    The number of reported cases of lungworm disease are rising in the UK and it is very important for owners to know more about the illness, in order to protect their dog from it.

    Lungworm disease is caused by small roundworms, parasites called Angiostrongylus Vasorum and young dogs are more commonly affected. The adult parasites can measure up to 2.5 cm (1 inch) and they live in the dog’s pulmonary blood vessels and sometimes in its heart.

    These parasites have a complex life cycle. The adults will lay eggs and larvae will hatch from them. These immature worms will then enter the dog’s lungs eventually being coughed up and swallowed. They will follow the dog’s digestive tract and be passed out in their faeces. Once outside the dog’s body they will enter a suitable slug or snail and will only develop into adult worms if the slug or snail is ingested by a dog.

    Dogs that become infected with lungworm spread the parasite into the environment through their faeces, which increases the chances of other dogs becoming infected.

    Although curious dogs might eat slugs and snails on purpose, dogs usually swallow them by accident when they play with toys that have been left outside, when they drink from puddles or outdoor water bowls or even when they eat grass. If your dog eats these molluscs then your pet is at a higher risk of suffering from this disease.

    You can reduce the risk of your pet getting infected by being extra careful and regularly cleaning its water bowls, keeping your garden free of dog poo and by making sure your pet’s toys are not left around in the garden overnight.

    Lungworm infections can result in several nonspecific and sometimes intermittent clinical signs, which can be easily confused with other illnesses. Affected dogs may present signs such as reduced tolerance to exercise, depression, coughing, weight loss, lethargy, vomiting, bleeding excessively from minor wounds, present breathing difficulties and fits. If left untreated it can be fatal.

    Once diagnosed and treated, dogs will usually make a full recovery but it is very important to start treatment early.
    If you dog is showing any of the previously mentioned signs or if he or she is at a higher risks of becoming infected, talk to your vet!

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    Slug pellet poisoning

    Dogs 33 - Slug pellet poisoning

    During wet weather the number of slugs and snails increases dramatically as this type of weather provides an ideal environment for these animals. Slug pellets are commonly used to control their numbers in order to protect our gardens, orchards and vegetable farms.

    Although they are meant for slugs and snails, unfortunately these bright blue or green-coloured pellets are the cause of several cases of poisoning in dogs and cats. The problem is that slug bait often contains metaldehyde, a substance that is toxic for our pets and for our wildlife.

    This type of poisoning can affect dogs and cats but it is more commonly seen in dogs. The pellets are toxic even if ingested in small amounts. Severe clinical signs can occur about an hour after ingesting the pellets and it is very important for owners to be aware of this type of toxicity, since poisoned pets will need urgent veterinary treatment.

    Affected animals will show incoordination, muscle spasms, muscle rigidity, twitching, tremors and seizures (fits) and possibly respiratory failure. As with all types of poisoning the sooner your pet receives treatment the better are its chances of making a full recovery.

    The safest way to protect your pets from this type of poisoning is to avoid using these dangerous chemicals in your garden. If you need to use slug and snail bait you can choose a pet friendly product (pellets that do not contain metaldehyde) or you can make sure you keep your pets away from the areas where these pellets are used.

    It is also very important to always use the slug and snail bait following the instructions on the package to the letter. Avoid spreading excessive and unnecessary piles of pellets to minimise the risks.  Many cases of poisoning resulted from inquisitive dogs that swallowed entire boxes of pellets found in their homes so please make sure you keep the package stored safely!

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