Holidays and Pets

This holiday season, we’ll skip the usual weekly posting of morbid information regarding diseases and briefly discuss pets and the holidays…

Firstly, of course, it’s important to talk about health concerns for pets around this time of year: pets shouldn’t be fed table scraps, since some foods (e.g. onions, garlic) can be toxic, and others (e.g. poultry bones) can present choking hazards; dangling tree ornaments and other decorations shouldn’t double as toys (no matter how tempting for an animal), since they can cause bowel obstructions if eaten; cats and dogs should not be allowed to play with decorative lights, as they pose a risk for electric shock (we’ve all seen Christmas Vacation, right?); and, as always, animals should have regular attention and care…if you’re leaving town, be sure to board your pet or find a friend or neighbor who can care for it while you’re gone.

But that stuff is all a bit depressing, and it’s much nicer to focus on the positive around the Holidays. We see a lot of greeting cards with family portraits, and our favorites are always the ones that include their pets in the photo. It’s refreshing to be reminded that so many people consider their dogs and cats to be important parts of their families. As our clients, neighbors, and friends gather their loved ones for celebration, each family following its own customs and traditions, it’s nice to think about the dog sitting hopefully by the table as dinner is served, or about the cat who rolls around in used wrapping paper on Christmas morning.

We hope your pets are healthy and happy this season. Have a happy holiday.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is an infection caused by the Leptospira bacteria (pictured to the right), a microbe found in livestock and wildlife. In a city setting, it is most commonly carried by rats and raccoons, but can also infect a wide range of mammals common to the Portland area. In a temperate climate like ours, it is most prevalent in late summer and early fall months, but can be found year-round. It is present in the urine of infected animals and thus also in any areas of stagnant water (such as ponds, puddles, or even moist soil) into which they have urinated. The bacteria can then infect a new host through contact with open wounds or mucous membranes (e.g. eyes, nose, and mouth). It can also be transmitted directly from one pet to another, especially in urban settings where dogs encounter one another often.

Leptospirosis was widely publicized in the Fall of 2008, when there was a sharp increase in the number of California sea lions found dead along the Oregon coast. Later analysis showed that they had died as the result of a widespread outbreak of leptospirosis among their species, and beach-goers were cautioned against allowing their dogs to go near the animals, or even to walk on damp oceanside sand, without first being vaccinated. Since then, Oregon veterinarians have begun encouraging lepto vaccines as part of all dogs' regular yearly vaccination regimens.

Since cats seem to be resistant to Leptospira infection, we usually talk about it as exclusively a canine disease. But it's worth noting that leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease--that is, it can infect humans as well. Though very rare as a human infection in America, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes leptospirosis as a serious and potentially life-threatening disease for people. For this reason, it's important to limit the risk of human exposure to the bacteria, and one of the best ways to do this is through diligent vaccination protocols for dogs.

Common symptoms of dogs infected with leptospirosis are very similar to flu-like symptoms (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and dehydration among them), and are thus difficult for veterinarians to diagnose. Sometimes, by the time a lepto diagnosis has been reached, it's only after extensive testing has ruled out other diseases, costing significant amounts of time for an ailing pet and money for its owner. For this reason, Linwood Animal Clinic recommends that all of its canine patients receive leptospirosis vaccines, so we can avoid the frustration and stress caused by a potentially arduous diagnosis and treatment process.

The vaccination is initially given in a two-shot series: the patient receives a thorough examination to make sure it's in good health and is injected with a vaccine containing several strains of leptospirosis bacteria. Then, three to five weeks later, another brief exam (to ensure continued health) is followed by a second injection, which solidifies the patient's resistance to the disease.

If you have any questions about lepto or are interested in getting your dog vaccinated, please call us at Linwood Animal Clinic at 503-774-3363.

Spaying/Neutering Your Pet

Why spay your female dog, cat, or rabbit?

Spaying is beneficial to your pet in many ways. You will eliminate the risk of unwanted pregnancies and the mess associated with the heat cycle. Spaying, especially if done early, will dramatically reduce the risk of mammary cancers and will eliminate the risk of cancers associated with the reproductive system. Cancers of the reproductive system are especially common in older rabbits. Spaying will eliminate the risk of pyometra, a life-threatening infection of the uterus. Spaying your pet will decrease hormone-related behaviors like fighting and urine marking.

Why neuter your male dog, cat, or rabbit?

Neutering will help to prevent unwanted litters of puppies, kittens, and bunnies that add to the pet overpopulation problem in our shelters. It will reduce hormone-related problems like aggression, urine marking, and roaming. In male cats it will decrease the smell of the urine. Neutering will eliminate the risk of testicular cancer and will decrease the risk of the pet developing an enlarged prostate as he ages.

What age can I spay or neuter my pet?

We recommend spaying and neutering between 4-6 months of age. Don’t worry if your pet is already full-grown since healthy dogs, cats, and rabbits can be spayed or neutered at any age. Your doctor will recommend testing to detect problems that may affect your pet’s condition under anesthesia, especially in older pets.

Will spaying or neutering change my pet’s personality?

Spaying and neutering may decrease aggressive tendencies but does not otherwise change your pet’s personality. Your pet will not become “lazy” after the surgery. Pets that have been spayed or neutered may have lower calorie requirements, however, so your veterinarian may recommend reducing the amount of food fed if your pet is getting overweight.

Obesity in Pets

Obesity has become an epidemic in the US, not only for people but for animals as well. A recent study suggests that over half of dogs and cats in America are overweight or obese. Those extra pounds may seem cute, but they can increase the risk for many health problems such as arthritis, breathing problems, diabetes, cancer, and more. Ultimately, being overweight can shorten your pet’s life. In a recent study, slim labrador retrievers lived an average of 2 ½ years longer than their chubbier counterparts.

How can you tell if your pet is overweight? Run your hands over the animal’s ribs: you should be able to feel them easily. If you cannot feel them, or if you need to sink your fingers through a layer of fat in order to feel them, your pet is overweight. Also, look at your pet from above and from the side: there should be a definite waist, or “abdominal tuck.” If your pet has lost his waist, he is overweight.

Many people express their affection for their pets by giving them treats and table scraps. Unfortunately this extra food can contribute significant calories, especially in cats or smaller dogs. For an overweight pet, your vet recommends cutting out treats altogether or giving your dog or cat pieces of kibble as treats. Vegetables such as green beans or carrots are low in calories when given in moderation, and many dogs like them. For cats, you can give them the juice from water-packed tuna. This is low in calories and also can help increase your cat’s water consumption, which can improve bladder health.

Getting your pet to lose weight may be harder than it sounds. If your pet is slightly overweight you may be able to get him to slim down by simply increasing exercise (daily walks) and cutting out treats. If you pet is very overweight, or if increasing exercise and cutting out treats is not enough, you will need to decrease the amount of food your pet is getting. In order for a pet to lose weight, you must measure each of its meal to make sure the calorie intake is appropriate for healthy weight loss. (Treats should be taken into account too.) Make sure that you use an accurate measuring cup rather than an unmarked cup from your kitchen cupboard, since some mugs or cups may hold 2-3 cups or more. Talk with your veterinarian at Linwood to figure out how many calories your pet needs for healthy weight loss. Your veterinary team may recommend a special weight loss diet to help your pet lose weight without feeling deprived. If you are having trouble getting weight off your pet, blood tests may be needed. Some pets have medical problems such as a thyroid disorder that need to be treated before they can lose weight.

It may seem like a lot of work, but in the end keeping your pet trim will help him live a longer and healthier life. If you need help getting your pet to lose weight, contact your veterinarian for advice.

Bloodwork: Behind the Curtain

Linwood Animal Clinic features on-site laboratory analysis for most routine bloodwork and urine analysis, which means that our doctors get results faster, and therefore that our patients get treated without the frustrating delays caused by outsourcing lab work.

Does this mean that there are flasks and beakers filled with fluorescent, bubbling chemicals? Are Linwood employees required by their job descriptions to wear white lab coats and cackle maniacally while mixing these chemicals together? Sadly no. Our laboratory hardly represents a supervillain’s lair in any way. What we have in place of this array of typical mad scientists’ fare are several high-tech and efficient machines with very complex functions governed by easy-to-use interfaces. Take, for example, the process of analyzing bloodwork for a typical elderly animal.

PCV and Total Protein

The first and most basic blood analysis we perform is a test for the packed cell volume (PCV) and total protein of a patient’s blood. The sample is placed into tiny tubes and spun in a centrifuge, where the centrifugal force causes the heavier, solid blood cells to separate from the lighter, liquid plasma. The packed cell volume is determined by measuring the resulting separated blood by percentage of volume. So, if the spun tube is 45% plasma and 55% blood cells, then the PCV is 55%. The separated plasma can then be dropped onto a device known as a refractometer and measured for a total plasma protein value, which might indicate infection if it’s too low, or cancer if too high.

Blood Chemistries

To further analyze blood by testing levels of various proteins and enzymes produced by the different organs within the body (which indicate the health of those specific organs), Linwood uses its IDEXX CatalystDx Chemistry Analyzer. Testing for each chemical individually would be a time-consuming, complicated mess, but the CatalystDx simplifies the process hugely by making it a matter of selecting the proper test kit and inserting it, along with the blood sample, into an extended arm from within the machine, then prompting the laboratory software to instruct the machine on how to run the tests. Ten minutes later, the doctor has a long list of chemistry values from which she can design a treatment plan.

Complete Blood Count

To analyze the blood itself, the components within it, and the overall health or presence of disease in a patient, a test known as a complete blood count, or CBC, is run. A CBC tests the ratio of white blood cells to red blood cells to platelets, as well as the presence of subcomponents such as the protein hemoglobin. Like testing chemistries, the process of running a CBC is tremendously simplified through the use of an IDEXX LaserCyte Hematology Analyzer: the blood, collected in a special non-clotting tube, is placed in the machine along with three tubes full of various analytical chemicals, some data is entered into the computer controlling the LaserCyte, and the inner workings hum a mechanical arpeggio (seriously, it’s a very melodic machine) as they test the blood.

When all is said and done, it probably takes longer to read this description of what goes into a blood test than it takes to actually run one. This means, quite simply, fast and accurate results to help our doctors treat our patients in a timely and well-informed manner.

Arthritis In Pets

Could your pet have arthritis? Many animals - both dogs and cats - will develop arthritis as they age. Early signs can be subtle and may easily be missed, especially in cats. Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative disease of the joints. Any joint can be affected but it is commonly found in the hips, knees, shoulders, elbows and the spine. Arthritis develops following trauma to a joint, or over a longer term, after years of wear and tear to the cartilage in the joint.

Signs of arthritis can include: reluctance to exercise; lameness; stiffness; difficulty rising from the ground or climbing stairs; difficulty jumping short heights, such as into a car or onto furniture; pain when touched; or, rarely, aggression when touched.

The good news is that there are many options we can use to help slow the progression of arthritis and control the patient's pain. Diet and exercise play an important role in treatment: overweight pets likely need to lose weight; and low-impact, controlled exercise is a vital activity for maintaining strength in muscles so they can support arthritic joints.

Supplements such as glucosamine/chondroitin, Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants are beneficial to many animals because they support cartilage and reduce inflammation. Several pet food companies have developed joint health formulas with these supplements incorporated into the food (e.g., Hill’s "J/D" and Royal Canin "Mobility Support"). These foods have been shown to be quite effective in many pets. Chondroprotective injectable agents such as Adequan help many animals by preserving the cartilage within the joints.

There are prescription drugs available to help with both inflammation and pain, and although side effects can be seen with these medications, regular blood work monitoring can minimize them. It is crucial that you never give human medications to your pet. Hardly any human medications are safe for animals; no medical treatment should be pursued without first talking to a veterinarian.

There are also many alternative therapies that can be used for arthritic pets to minimize pain and also help decrease the amount of prescription medicated needed. These therapies include cold laser therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture, and massage.

If you have any questions regarding arthritis and your pet, please call us at 503-774-3363.

10 Signs of Illness In Cats

Sometimes it’s difficult to identify when your cat’s not feeling well.  Watch for these signs of illness, and consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible if your pet begins to show any of them.

1. Inappropriate Elimination
• A cat that urinates inappropriately could have any number of conditions associated with the behavior, including lower urinary tract disease, kidney disease, urinary tract infection, and diabetes mellitus.  It can also be a sign of arthritis, which makes it difficult for cats to get into the litter box.
2. Changes in Interaction
• Cats are social animals, so changes in interactions with humans or pets can signal disease, fear, anxiety, or pain.
3. Changes in Activity
• A decrease in activity is often a sign of arthritis or systemic illness, while an increase in activity can be caused by hyperthyroidism.
4. Changes in Sleeping Habits
• If your cat is sleeping more than normal (keep in mind that average adult cats may sleep 16 to 18 hours a day--though much of that is "catnapping"), it could be a sign of an underlying disease.
5. Changes in Food and Water Consumption
• Most cats are not finicky eaters.  Decreased food intake can be a sign of several disorders, ranging from poor dental health to cancer.  Increased food consumption can be caused by diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, or other health problems.
6. Unexplained Weight Loss or Gain
• Sudden weight loss can be a sign of hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, or a host of other diseases.  Obesity, on the other hand, can cause an increased risk of diabetes mellitus, joint disease, and other problems.
7. Change in Grooming
• Patches of hair loss or a greasy or matted appearance can signal an underlying disease.  Cats who have difficulty grooming often suffer from fear, anxiety, obesity, or other illnesses.  An increase in grooming may signal a skin problem.
8. Signs of Stress
• Stressed cats may exhibit signs of depression, hide more, or spend more time awake and scanning their environment.  These signs may indicate a medical condition, so it's important to rule out physical ailments before addressing the stress behaviorally.
9. Changes in Vocalization
• An increase in vocalization or howling is often seen with an underlying condition like hyperthyroidism or high blood pressure.  Many cats also vocalize more if they're in pain or anxious.
10. Bad Breath
• Hallitosis is an early indicator of an oral problem--studies have shown that 70% of cats have gum disease as early as age 3.