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.