Hallowe'en Pet Safety

A Daschund dressed up as a hotdog?  Who can resist?!  For many people Halloween is a time to dress up not only themselves, but their dogs and even cats as well.  However, before you get Fido all dressed up for a night of trick or treating, keep in mind that the most important thing for Hallowe'en night is to have a safe and fun evening and to accomplish this your four legged friends might be better off at home. 

While wearing coats, dresses, sweaters and boots may be regular attire for some dogs, the vast majority of pets are not used to sporting duds of any kind.  If you are considering putting your pet in costume for Hallowe'en take the time to consider what your pet is used to when picking a costume out.  Those dogs that usually wear a coat, would likely be quite comfortable in a coat or onesie type costume.  An animal that never wears any clothing other than their collar is probably better off with a dressed up collar than a full body suit.  Once you have picked out a costume provide ample time to “test drive” the outfit before the big day.  Assess how your pet is acting when in costume.  Do they appear their normal selves?  Are they shying away from people?  Do they seem “embarrassed”?  Unless your pet is displaying their normal attitudes and behaviours, you should think twice about whether they should be in costume.  Even if your pet is super confident in their costume, be sure to provide lots of positive reinforcement – treats, pats and fun games.  Cats can be more difficult than dogs, but the same concepts apply; pick an appropriate costume, test drive it first and make sure to have lots of positive reinforcement. 

It's also important to always supervise your pet while they are wearing their costume. Cats and dogs are curious and may try to chew at their costume, or become tangled in it themselves or in their environment. 

Now that the costume is all sorted out, where to go?  While it may be enticing to think of trick or treating with your dog, it is usually a safer bet to keep them at home.  Even very well socialized dogs can become frightened or startled by children running around in costume in the dark.  Additionally, costumes often make it difficult for us to read our pets’ body language so we may miss vital clues that they are becoming anxious in the situation.  If you must bring your pet with you try to stay away from large crowds, have lots of treats available to reward good behavior and act as a distraction, use an appropriately sized leash and collar so that you have good control.  Remember, the safest place for your pet this Halloween is usually at home in their familiar environment.  

Keep in mind, also, that chocolate and artificial sweeteners can be harmful to your pets. If they decide to taste-test the candy stash and you are concerned, please don't hesitate to give us a call. We can help determine whether they have ingested enough to be toxic. The type and quantity of chocolate as well as the size of your pet will let us know if there's a reason to be worried. Artificial sweeteners like xylitol can cause reactions in your pet as well, and they should be monitored if they've eaten sugar-free candies.

Whether you end up leaving the furry family members at home or taking them along for the evening, we wish you and your pets a safe and happy Halloween!

P.S. Did you know that we now have a Facebook page? Find us at Guelph Lake Vet Hosp!

Thunderstorms: Strategies to calm an anxious pet

It's that time of year in southern Ontario when warm humid days often mean evening thunderstorms. If you have a dog who shivers and quakes with anxiety each time thunder rumbles in the distance or someone in the neighbourhood sets off some holiday fireworks, spring and summer can be a stressful time.

There are a few things you can do to help your pet feel a little calmer.

Staying with your pet can help them feel more secure, but if that isn't enough there are prescription medications that can help. Reactions to thunder or loud noises are often very strong for animals, and being able to treat them in advance with a prescription medication can help reduce their stress levels once the storm sets in.

There is also a product on the market called the Thundershirt - a tight vest that goes around your pet's chest and uses constant pressure to help calm them. Swaddling babies to soothe them and using weighted blankets to calm people with anxiety is common practice and the same premise applies for dogs and cats. There are different sizes and styles to suit a range of pets.

If you have an anxious pet, be sure to mention it at your next appointment. Your veterinarian would be happy to discuss the options available and help determine which strategy would be best for your pet.  Maybe you and your pet can get a little more sleep the next time a thunderstorm rolls in!

Dogs vs. Chocolate

Many pet owners are aware that chocolate is considered toxic to our pets; however, how much chocolate and how toxic it is are common questions that we in the veterinary profession answer.  Often we hear stories of the family Labrador getting into a whole box of chocolates and suffering no ill effects, so how bad can it be?  The answer lies in understanding the toxic component of chocolate, how the concentration differs depending on the type of chocolate and how the size of animal impacts the risk of toxicity. 

The ingredients of concern in chocolate are theobromine and caffeine.  Theobromine and caffeine belong to a family of compounds called methylxanines.  Methylxanines act as a central nervous system stimulant and cardiovascular stimulant.  Toxic levels of methylxanines cause nausea, vomiting, an increase in blood pressure, increased heart rate, restlessness, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures and possibly even death.  Theobromine is present in much higher amounts than caffeine in chocolate, therefore, it is the theobromine concentration that we consider when determining if chocolate toxicity has occurred.  The concentration of theobromine in chocolate is related to the percentage of cocoa, meaning that unsweetened baker’s chocolate has much more theobromine than a Kinder Surprise milk chocolate egg.  The chart below shows the average amount of theobromine in one gram of various common types of chocolate.

Let’s look at what all of this would mean to a 5kg Miniature Poodle that has just ate a 43g milk chocolate bar versus 43g of unsweetened baker’s chocolate.  In the first scenario signs of toxicity would be very mild and likely consist of nausea and vomiting.  However, the same volume of unsweetened baker’s chocolate would cause severe signs of toxicity including tremors, restlessness, vomiting and possibly seizures.  Conversely a 30kg Labrador Retriever that consumed the same 43g of baker’s chocolate would show little to no signs of intoxication.  How does this apply to your pet?  If your pet has ingested any chocolate it is important to contact your veterinarian.  Provide the veterinarian with the type of chocolate and volume of chocolate consumed, this will help them determine whether or not your pet requires medical attention as well as what level of treatment is required. 

Treatment for chocolate ingestion varies depending on the severity of intoxication.  Most cases of chocolate ingestion involve small quantities of milk chocolate with mild signs of vomiting and nausea.  In cases with mild signs and a small quantity of ingested theobromine, close monitoring is recommended, but no further treatment.   With larger volumes of cocoa ingestion the veterinarian will likely induce vomiting and administer a charcoal compound to decrease the amount of theobromine that enters the blood stream.  A complete blood test may be ran to assess kidney and liver function.  Dogs and cats suffering from toxicity may then be placed on intravenous fluid therapy to help flush their system of theobromine. 

The effects of chocolate vary significantly depending on the size of your pet and the type of chocolate ingested so please be sure to contact your veterinarian during any case of chocolate ingestion.  Remember, even dogs and cats have a sweet tooth, protect your pet by keeping all chocolate in closed cupboard. 

What happens when your cat stops eating? Part 1

Thanks to Dr. Melissa Cirinna for sharing this story of her own cat, Galileo, and his recent health challenge. Our veterinarians approach each case individually, and even when it is their own pet, they often face many of the same challenges to care and diagnosis as with a client's pet. Read on to find out how Dr. Cirinna handled this rather tricky case from her own household.

Galileo

A few weeks ago I received a rather disturbing call from my husband - our cat Galileo would not eat his breakfast.  As a matter of fact he would not even enter the room in which the cats are normally fed.  Knowing Galileo’s love of food, this behavior was very concerning so I had Galileo brought to the clinic for a full examination and bloodwork.  Galileo’s exam showed lethargy and mild dehydration and the results of his bloodwork showed an increase in his calcium levels (hypercalcemia).  The two main causes of hypercalcemia are Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Intestinal Lymphoma.  A definitive diagnosis is made by intestinal biopsy and histopathology.  Treatment for IBD and lymphoma both involve the use of a steroid and an immunosuppressant, and for this reason Galileo was started on treatment immediately rather than pursuing a definitive diagnosis at this point.  Now I could work on encouraging him to eat again.

When cats are ill they will often develop an aversion to their regular food and become anorexic.  The causes for the original aversion can be anything from gastroenteritis (upset stomach), inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), stress, liver disease, kidney disease, bladder infection and a multitude of other diseases.  The sheer number of possible differentials makes the anorexic cat a very difficult patient.  To add another level of complexity, the anorexic cat is an urgent case.  Unlike dogs, cats cannot go very long without food.  If a cat is truly anorexic for more than a few days they may begin to develop hepatic lipidosis or fatty liver syndrome.  During anorexia the cat begins to mobilize fat stores which can accumulate in the liver cells.  The accumulation of fat hinders proper function of the liver leading to liver failure and death if the cat does not start eating.  Thankfully, with proper supportive care most cats recover fully from hepatic lipidosis.  Knowing the risk of hepatic lipidosis, I was anxious to get Galileo eating again.  With some anorexic cats, simply changing their food to something more palatable will work and with this in mind we offered Galileo a high energy canned recovery food.  Success!  He readily ate half a can of food while at the clinic, however, we knew we weren’t out of the woods yet.  The real test would be whether he would continue to eat at home.  After 24 hours of intravenous fluids, I was able to take Galileo home to see if his appetite would hold up with the new food.

Stay tuned for Part II as we find out whether Galileo continued to recover at home or needed more veterinary intervention.

Anna arrives at GLVH

Our newest Guelph Humane Society (GHS) adoption cat has arrived this morning! Anna is busy exploring the clinic and making herself at home. All of our GHS cats seem to like sleeping in the corner under the reception desk and she's discovered that little hideaway already.

Anna is a lovely little 8 month old black and white kitten with a bright pink nose, a luxurious long, fluffy tail and a great purr. She is mostly black, but her back legs and her front paws are white as well as her face and chest.

For more information about Anna you can contact the Guelph Humane Society or contact us at (519) 824-9898 if you think she might be the right cat for you. She'll be spayed this week by Dr. Gardiner and ready for adoption very soon!

UPDATE May 26th 2014: Anna is fully healed from her spay and is enjoying having the run of the clinic! She is a big hit with clients - she's very social and loves to roll on the floor for belly rubs! She has a great purr that doesn't take much coaxing and would love to find a family with lots of people and activity! 

UPDATE 2 June 4th 2014: Anna will be featured this Friday on the Guelph Humane Society's segment on Rogers (her television debut!), as well as on CJOY and Magic 106.1 during the Furry Fridays segments in the morning. We love Anna, but we really hope that this helps her to find a loving forever home. She is a frisky young girl who loves to play and cuddle and would be a great companion!

Guelph Lake Vet Hospital at Community Night

Staff from Guelph Lake Veterinary Hospital are excited to be attending the Grange Hill East Neighbourhood Group's Community Night tonight (March 26th).

We'll be there to answer questions about our services and say hello to community members. Drop by tonight for a chance to learn more about the Grange Hill East Neighbourhood Group's programs, meet our City Councillors, mingle with neighbours and win some door prizes!

More information at gheng.ca!

Opt to Adopt - Sandra Dee

Guelph Lake Vet Hospital is happy to welcome little Sandra Dee to our clinic! This adorable 9 month old calico kitten is available for adoption through the Guelph Humane Society.

Sandra Dee - making herself at home on the reception desk!

She is friendly and chatty, with an adventurous spirit and a strong desire to snuggle. She also has a top-level purr that isn't hard to coax out. On just her second day here at the clinic she has already made herself comfortable lounging on our reception desk with a great view of the outside world.

Staff at the Guelph Humane Society shared that in her time at their facility she seemed to be very interested in other cats and would be a suitable pet for all ages.

If you're interested in meeting Sandra Dee, drop by GLVH during our regular office hours for a visit, or you can call the Guelph Humane Society directly for more information.

Healthy mouth = healthy pet!

At GLVH, we believe that veterinary medicine is as much about preventative care as it is about treatment of pet illnesses. One of the best ways to help maintain your pet's basic health is to ensure that their mouths and teeth are healthy. Thank you to Dr. Melissa Cirinna for this post explaining what to watch for, treatments options and preventative options!

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Does your pet show any of these signs?

Stinky Breath                         
Excessive Drooling
Dropping Kibble                    
Avoiding Hard Foods
Pawing at the Mouth            
Loss of Teeth
Changes in Behaviour 

...If so, they may be part of the 75% of cats and dogs that suffer from dental disease.
     Dental disease begins with the accumulation of plaque on the teeth. Over time the plaque hardens into tartar which aggravates the gums causing gingivitis.  Gingivitis is painful inflammation of the gums, we see it as red, inflamed gums that may bleed when touched.  With time, gingivitis will progress to periodontal disease.  Signs of periodontal disease include tooth loss, infection and pain.  Periodontal disease can also lead to bacteremia.  Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the blood.  Bacteremia can lead to heart, kidney and liver disease.  
     Thankfully periodontal disease is preventable through good oral hygiene routines.  Good oral health starts with puppies and kittens who should be introduced to daily brushing as part of their early training.  In addition to brushing, pets should be fed a diet specifically formulated to keep plaque accumulation to a minimum and mechanically remove tartar build-up.  Chewing on toys and treats can also help, but exercise caution, toys can be too hard.  Take the knee cap test, if you would not be comfortable hitting the toy against your knee cap, then your pet shouldn't be chewing on it.  Avoid bones and hard nyla bones.  Visit the Veterinary Oral Health Council site for a list of treats, food and products that have met their standards maintaining oral health.  
     What if your pet already shows signs of dental disease, is it too late? Of course not!  The first step for cats and dogs with signs of oral disease is a thorough veterinary exam. After examination the veterinarian may recommend a dental prophylaxis and examination under general anesthesia.  During the dental prophylaxis and examination the veterinarian will thoroughly examine your pet's mouth and document any signs of disease including gingivitis, loose teeth, abscesses, gingival recession, root exposure and fractures. All teeth will be scaled to remove tartar build-up and polished.  Diseased teeth, loose teeth or fractured teeth will be extracted to remove any source of pain or infection.  After a dental prophylaxis the veterinary team will help you to begin an at home plan that includes brushing and an appropriate diet to maintain the health of your pet's mouth.

Speak with your veterinary team today to book your pets' free oral health assessment!

Bell is ready for adoption!

The staff at Guelph Lake Vet are enjoying having little Bell in the clinic for the last week - she is the friendliest, cuddliest little kitten!

A sister to the two kittens we had in a couple of weeks ago, Bell is a sweetheart who loves to be around people. She is spayed and has had her first shots and is ready to go to a loving home.

If you or someone you know would like to meet her, drop by anytime during our office hours for a visit!

Call (519) 824-9898 for more information, or come by 322 Eastview Road to meet Belle.

As always, there are lots of dogs and cats available for adoption at the Guelph Humane Society - you can find out more about them on the GHS adoption gallery page.

Our first kittens have arrived!

Guelph Lake Vet is happy to start our partnership with the Guelph Humane Society as a satellite adoption location. We've got a brand-new multi level cat condo in our hospital which will be home to kittens and cats looking for their forever families. The current residents are these adorable little two month old black kittens. They even have black whiskers and black paw pads!

These sweeties have already been claimed by a family who visited them on Sunday, and we don't blame them one bit for falling in love with both of them! Snow and Charm are tightly bonded and follow each other around, so we're happy that they will be going to the same home once all of the Humane Society interview and approvals process is completed.

Until then, we'll be cuddling them and making sure they are spayed, neutered and have their first round of shots.