Katie's Korner

With the hot weather that we have been having, an important topic to discuss here is heat stroke in dogs and cats.  Animals can get heat stroke in a variety of different ways, with the most common being from exercise in the hottest part of the day, being outside without adequate shade and water, and being left in a car in hot temperatures (even with the windows down).  As with people, animals start with heat stress, then progress to heat exhaustion and finally to heat stroke.  The basic cause of these disorders is an increase in body temperature from a heat load that exceeds the animal’s ability to dissipate it.  These conditions can occur due to overexertion, hot environmental conditions, medical conditions, and impairment of heat dissipating mechanisms.  Initial signs of heat stress include increased thirst and discomfort associated with physical activity.  As it progresses to heat exhaustion, signs can also include weakness, anxiety, and fainting episodes (syncope).  Finally, signs of heat stroke can also include non-responsiveness, collapse, and neurologic signs.

If you notice that your pet is starting to show any of the above signs, contact a veterinarian immediately, and prepare to take your pet to their office.  They may ask you to take your pet’s temperature, and to begin cooling measures such as wetting your pet down with cool water and placing a fan on them.  It is important to take your pet’s temperature first, as starting cooling measures on an animal that does not have hyperthermia (an increased temperature) may have detrimental effects.

Therapy started at your veterinarian’s office may include IV fluids, cooling, and other supportive measures.  Many animals will recover from heat stroke, but it can be a fatal condition.  If your pet has had heat stroke once, it may predispose them to getting it again and having more severe signs.  If there is any question about whether your pet has a heat-related problem, always contact your veterinarian.

As always, feel free to comment with questions or concerns!

Heartworm and tick season is upon us again, and runs from May 15- October 15 in Colorado.  Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal parasitic infection caused by nematodes, or roundworms, that live in the arteries of the lungs and sometimes the right side of the heart in dogs and cats.  Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes that bite an infected dog and then bites a naive dog or cat, depositing the larvae onto the skin, where they migrate into the new host.  In dogs, the primary response to heartworm occurs in both the heart and the lungs, whereas in cats the response is primarily in the lungs.  The heartworm life cycle is depicted below (picture credit to the American Heartworm Society).

Signs of heartworm disease in dogs can range from none at all to coughing, exercise intolerance, decreased appetite, and weight loss.  In cats, the signs are very non-specific and can mimic other diseases.  These signs include vomiting, difficulty breathing, weight loss, and lethargy.

Heartworm disease has been reported in all 50 states.  Because heartworm disease is preventable, there are steps you can take to help ensure that your pet does not become infected.  The first step is to ask your veterinarian about performing a heartworm test, which tests for the presence of microfilaria (antigen) in the blood.  It is important that your pet be tested prior to starting heartworm prevention, as giving heartworm prevention to a pet that is infected can have serious consequences.  It is important to know that it will take up to 6-7 months for a newly infected animal to show up positive on a test.

Once your pet has been confirmed heartworm negative by a test, heartworm prevention is available and recommended from May 15- October 15 in Colorado.  There are many forms of prevention, from chewable tablets to “spot-on” topical treatments to injections.  Almost all of these preventatives are given once a month, and it is important to strictly follow a schedule to ensure adequate coverage.

Treatment for animals that are heartworm positive is available, and involves a series of injections into the muscles.  After the injection, it is important for your pet to remain calm and quiet, usually in a crate except for leash walks to go outside to urinate and defecate for 1-2 months.  While the treatment is usually effective, it is much easier to prevent the disease than treat it.  Pictures of a heart and pulmonary artery infected with heartworms are shown below (courtesy of the American Heartworm Society):

Additionally, ticks are a concern for pets in Colorado, especially those that participate in outdoor activities in the mountains or wooded areas, as well as outdoor cats.  Ticks can transmit many diseases.  There are many products that are available to repel ticks and fleas, and one product that helps to repel mosquitoes as well.  Ask your veterinarian about these products for your pet.

As always, write in with any questions!

With everyone being in the thick of winter, here are some hazards that the season poses for your pets:

1.  Salt can be very abrasive and irritating to your pet’s feet.  Help them by either putting booties on or by washing their feet and underside after coming home from a walk.

2.  Antifreeze poses a huge hazard to your pets.  It is sweet tasting and hence very attractive, but causes kidney damage and can be fatal.  Make sure that all bottle are put safely away and that any leaks are quickly fixed.

3.  Car engines can be a warm respite for outdoor cats, but are extremely dangerous as they get caught in the fan belt when the car starts.  Make sure to keep the car in the garage or to bang on the hood before starting your car to get the cat out.  With the temperatures dropping, cats are better off indoors.

4.  If you have outdoor dogs, ensure that the temperature and wind chill is not too cold for them.  Allow them access to the garage for shelter or a heated outdoor dog house.  Better yet, keep them inside.

5.  Along those same lines, water dishes can freeze, leaving your pets without access to water.  Fill up the dish often or purchase a heated dish to keep the water thawed.

6.  Keep in mind that the amount of exercise your pet gets in the winter is usually less than in the summer, and adjust the amount of food you feed accordingly to avoid weight gain.  On the other hand, outdoor animals will burn more calories in the winter than in the summer trying to keep warm, and may need more food.

7.  With short haired, small, and older dogs, a coat may help to keep them warm when going outside, even for short periods.

Enjoy the winter, and write in with any questions!

A reader writes in:

Dear Dr. Katie,
 
My vet advised me to add fresh steamed vegetables to my dog’s diet.  I don’t really cook, so what I have been doing is buying organic veggies and using an appliance to chop them up very fine, cook them in a crock pot with a bit of water and adding a small amount of low fat meat (no hormones or antibiotics) to make a sort of thick “soup”.  She loves it (both my dogs do), but I’m so afraid of accidently buying something on the “toxic to dogs” list.  I recently read that some veggies (and fruits) are okay, but not their seeds (like apple and pumpkins are okay, but the seeds are not).  I have thus far avoided adding cucumber, for instance, because I’m not going to pick out the seeds of something like that (although I have not seen it on any list), and I’m also wondering if fresh beets are okay to add to the mix.
 
I generally select about four different veggies and I know that mixing  by color (white, green, yellow, orange) is a good way to get a nice nutritional balance.  But I can’t seem to find a really comprehensive list of “toxic to dogs” foods. The best I’ve found thus far are this list of 25 Human Foods Toxic To Dogs (http://www.articlebiz.com/article/55239-1-25-human-foods-toxic-to-dogs/) and  this list of Poisonous Plants, Trees, & Flowers (http://www.thepuppynetwork.com/health/poisonous_to_dogs.html).
 
So I guess I really have three questions:
1.        Are cucumbers with their seeds okay to chop up into the mix?
2.       Would adding 1 large fresh beet to the mix be okay?
3.       Is there a comprehensive list of “toxic to dogs” foods anywhere on the Internet or could you provide one for us? (I’m not all that interested in plants, trees, and flowers, just what you find in the produce department at the grocery store.)
 
Thank you,
B.C.

The two websites that you have are a good place to start.  I would also recommend viewing the ASPCA’s website (http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/people-foods.html) as well as the Pet Poison Helpline (http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/IsThatPoisonous/KitchenToxins/).  

As far as the cucumbers and beets go, I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to add them to your pet’s food.

Happy cooking!

With winter fast approaching, and also the current state of the nation, emergency preparedness is fast becoming an essential part of life.  Your emergency plan should include the whole family, including your pets.  Would you be prepared if you needed to evacuate?  Or if a blizzard forced you to stay in your home for a week?  Making a kit for your pets will help you to have peace of mind in case of an emergency.

1. Make sure that you have extra medications for your pet stored in an easy to reach, easy to remember location.  To avoid medication expiry, rotate the stored medication with your pet’s regular supply.  It may also be helpful to keep prescriptions for your pet’s medication in this location.
2. Ensure that you have enough pet food to last at least a week in case you are stuck in your house and unable to make it to a pet store.  If your pet eats canned food, you should have a manual can opener as well in case you were to lose power.
3. Keep a pet sanitation kit ready, including cat litter, litter boxes, disinfectant, gloves, paper towels, and trash bags.
4. Keep bottled water on hand to give to your pets, in addition to water for humans.
5. If you have a short haired, young, or geriatric pet, it may be worth investing in a coat or sweater to have on hand in case your furnace or heater goes out.
6. In case of a fire, add decals to your windows notifying the fire department that there are pets inside.  These are usually available at your nearest fire station.
7. Create a first aid kit for your pets.  This should include bandage material, antiseptic, rubbing alcohol, scissors, thermometer, antibiotic ointment, and gloves.  Many of these supplies may be available for purchase at your veterinarian.
8. Keep a collar or harness and leash available, with ID tags in case you need to get your pet out quickly.
9. Keep important documents, such as license information, adoption papers, proof of vaccination, microchip papers, and health certificates available in a waterproof container or bag.
10. Make sure that you know where your pet’s crate or carriers are, in case you need to leave quickly.  It is much easier to keep small animals safe in a carrier than just holding them.

In addition to the above steps, speak with your family about a meeting place in case of emergency evacuation.  Also consult with family, friends, or neighbors to ensure that someone will be able to help evacuate or look after your pets if you are unable to do so.

For further information, visit Pet Emergency Information or Pet Toolkit List, or write in with questions!

Welcome to the Plum Creek Veterinary Services blog.  My name is Katie, and I’ll be writing articles and answering your questions.

Just a little bit about myself…I am a native Coloradoan, and grew up in Aurora.  I attended college at Worcester Polytechnic Insitute in Massachusetts, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in biochemistry in 2005.  I attended veterinary school at Colorado State University, graduating as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2009.  In my free time, I enjoy hiking, skiing, and camping with my boyfriend, John, and dogs, Bailey and Carson.  I also have two cats, Dublin and Shannon.