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Where Should I Keep My Pet?

You should keep your pet in a clean, warm, dry environment. It is best to keep him/her indoors and allow them outside only to “go to the bathroom.” Dirt or filth can infect the incision very quickly, so the surgery site should be closely monitored—it should remain dry. Slight swelling is part of the healing process, but if the incision swells a lot, is angry red, or has pus or other drainage, you should call us. Clean towels make good bedding because they can be laundered easily if they become soiled. Place food and water close-by.

What About Food and Water?

After surgery in the abdomen, some pets will be eager to be home and eat their usual meals. You should not allow this. Some animals will not feel like eating much of anything for several days too. It will vary from patient to patient. Initially, go slow with both food and water until you are sure there is no vomiting. Give small amounts at frequent intervals (5-6 times daily). A small dog or cat should have a tablespoon or two of water every 30-60 minutes. Food likewise should be limited. Larger pets can have a quarter of a cup or more. Small frequent meals are especially important if your pet had stomach or intestinal surgery; a large meal could cause leakage at the intestinal incision.

     Some types of surgery may require special foods. Your doctor will advise you if this is needed. It is often a good idea to feed a bland food for the first few days. This can be the prescription diet I/d or you may make a home diet (1/4 hamburger or chicken and 3/4 rice). Any moist food has to be stored in the refrigerator, but may be lightly warmed before feeding. After 3-7 days, you may gradually add the regular food until your pet is back on it completely, and after a week your pet should be able to eat its usual amounts.

My Pet Hasn’t Passed Urine or Stool!

Some pets may be reluctant to urinate or defecate due to discomfort. If this is the case, the medicine for pain will be helpful and the discomfort will pass with time. Many of the effective pain medications we use in the hospital have the side-effect of slowing the movement of the intestines causing what is called a paralytic ileus. Like pain, this also passes with time. First the pet will pass gas as the intestines begin moving, and finally a firm stool is passed. Then your pet will be-come more normal in its bowel movements. This may take three or four days. Occasionally a pet will need an enema to help at first. If your pet seems uncomfort-able and is trying to pass stool but nothing is coming, please call us, and we can advise you on the best course to take. If  trying to urinate but can’t, you should call us. We’ll likely need to examine your pet.

My Pet Seems Uncomfortable!

Naturally there is some discomfort associated with surgery.  Rest, time, and healing will alleviate this. In the meantime we will often send medicine home with the pet to help in the first few days. Please give this according to the directions. Do not give more than on the label. If it does not seem adequate, call us. You may not need to use all that is dispensed—some pets heal faster than others. Leftover pain medicine should be discarded once your pet is feeling good. Even major surgery rarely requires more than a week or two of pain medicine.

My Pet is Inactive and Just Lies Still. Is This OK?

If we could wish your pet to be an ideal patient, we

would have it go home and rest. And then rest some more. And finally rest a little more. Resting is an important part of healing. Some movement, like to relieve itself is great, but generally, a pet that rests well, heals well.

How Can I Tell if My Pet is Comfortable?

A comfortable animal will tend to lie still. An uncomfortable one will act like it can’t get into a comfortable position, and will shift frequently and even get up and move to new positions often.

Other signs of discomfort include vocalization (whining or crying), a tight, furrowed forehead, inability to sleep, growling or snapping if touched, attempting to hold the abdomen rigid, and avoiding lying with any pressure on the incision or on the abdomen. As long as it is showing any of these signs, it still needs pain relief medicine. If you are giving the medicine, and it is showing these signs in spite of the medicine, it may need additional medicine or a different dose of the current medicine. So, call us if it seems to be in pain. Studies have shown that surgery heals quickest when the pet is not unduly stressed because of pain.

Is Tylenol Poisonous?

Yes, the administration of acetaminophen (tylenol) to dogs and cats may cause acute, serious illness and even death. Even very small amounts of acetaminophen can cause severe problems in cats. Dogs usually have problems with higher doses, over long periods of time.

But I Didn’t Give My Pet Any Tylenol!

Many over-the-counter medications contain acetaminophen. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND

CHECK WITH A VETERINARIAN before administering human medications to a dog or cat. Dogs and cats are not “small people.” Their bodies react to medications differently than ours. Be careful where you store your medications, as dogs will occasionally chew up a pill bottle and the entire contents. They have been known to take bottles out of suitcases and purses, and off of high kitchen counters.  

     As cats are more selective eaters than dogs, cats are usually poisoned by an owner with good intentions. The most common cases of acetaminophen poisoning we see are in cats with an abscess or an upper respiratory tract infection whose owners forced the cat to swallow the acetaminophen tablet. Do not medicate a pet at home without consulting a veterinarian.

What are the Symptoms of Tylenol Poisoning?

The signs of acetaminophen poisoning in a cat may include swelling of the face and legs, brownish or bluish gums, depression, weakness, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, salivation, vomiting, and death.

     The signs of poisoning in a dog may include depression, vomiting, abdominal pain, yellow discoloration to the skin and gums, and loss of appetite.

     Administration of acetaminophen damages the red blood cells in cats. This decreases the blood's ability to transport oxygen to the tissues and causes the cat to have difficulty breathing. Administration of acetaminophen damages the liver in dogs. In both animals kidney damage can occur.

Can It Be Treated?

Yes,  it can be treated, but treatment for acetamin-ophen poisoning should be started immediately. The treatment includes the administration of an antidote, oxygen, fluid therapy, possible blood transfusions, and other treatments. Depending on the stage of the disease, the treatment may or may not be successful.

Prevention is Better than Treatment

Be aware that many types of medication including cough medicines may contain acetaminophen.

READ THE LABEL!

Acetaminophen (tylenol) poisoning can be very serious and even fatal.

PLEASE CONSULT A VETERINARIAN BEFORE GIVING ANY MEDICATION TO YOUR PET.

What is Addison’s Disease?

It is an endocrine (glandular) disorder caused by deficient production by the adrenal glands of glucocorticoids (cortisol) or mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) or both. Primary hypoadrenocorticism is caused by disease or injury to the adrenal glands that leads to deficiencies in cortisol and aldosterone.  Secondary hypoadrenocorticism is caused by administration of cortisones or by pituitary gland disease that causes reduced production of adrenal gland stimulating hormone. Secondary hypo-adrenocorticism causes glucocorticoid deficiency with preservation of mineralocorticoid function.

      Aldosterone deficiency causes inability for the kidneys to excrete potassium and to retain sodium. Sodium deficiency then leads to diminished blood volume, which in turn contributes to kidney malfunction, hypotension, dehydration, weakness, and depression. Elevated potassium levels (along with other metabolic derangements) may cause heart muscle toxicity. Glucocorticoid (cortisol) deficiency contributes to loss of appetite, vomiting, black stool, lethargy, and weight loss, predisposes to low blood sugar, and results in impaired excretion of water that is free of sodium.

      The disease is uncommon to rare in dogs and extremely rare in cats. Breed predilections include the Great Dane, Rottweiler, Portuguese Water Dog, Standard Poodle, West Highland White Terrier, and Wheaten Terrier. No predilection in cats. Female dogs are at higher risk than males. It usually occurs in middle-aged animals.

What Are the Symptoms of Addison’s Disease?

Signs vary from mild in some patients with chronic hypoadrenocorticism to severe and life-threatening in patients with acute Addisonian crisis. Signs may include: Lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, waxing-waning course, diarrhea, previous response to treatment, shaking, and increased water consumption and urine production.

      Physical examination findings may include: Dogs—depression, weakness, dehydration, collapse, hypothermia, slow blood capillary refill time, black stool, weak pulse, slow heart rate, painful abdomen, and hair loss; Cats—dehydration, weakness, slow blood capillary refill time, weak pulse, and slow heart rate.

How is It Diagnosed?

Blood tests are required to diagnose Addison’s disease. The definitive diagnosis is by demonstration of an undetectable to low serum cortisol concentration that fails to increase after administration of adrenal stimulant. Primary and secondary Addison’s disease are differentiated on the amount of adrenal stimulating hormone naturally present.

How is It Treated?

A pet in acute Addisonian crisis is a medical emergency requiring intensive hospital treatment. Treatments for patients with chronic hypoadreno-corticism depend on the severity of clinical signs, although initial stabilization is conducted in the hospital in most cases.

      Lifelong glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid replacement or both will be required. Increased dosage of replacement glucocorticoid may be required during periods of stress such as travel, hospitalization, and surgery. Chronic Primary Hypoadrenocorticism is treated with glucocorticoid replacement (prednisone) daily and mineralocorticoid replacement with fludrocortisone acetate daily or DOCP every 21-30 days (adjusted if needed on the basis of serum electrolyte tests).

What is the Prognosis?

Once stabilized, most Addisonian pets can lead normal lives providing they are treated regularly and have periodic blood electrolyte tests (once or twice yearly).

Call Us If…

• You have trouble giving your pet its medicine.

• Its general health seems to diminish.

• It loses it appetite.

• It is very lethargic and inactive.

• It develops diarrhea, vomiting or black stool.

What is an Allergic Reaction?

An allergic reaction is the body’s response to a foreign substance. Often this foreign substance is a protein material. It may be inhaled (like pollens), or ingested (like a particular food), or injected (like a bee sting or a particular medicine). Allergic reactions are usually local and minor in scope, although in some instances, a body-wide reaction can occur leading to lung congestion, difficulty breathing, and anaphylactic shock.

      Allergic reactions almost never occur on the first exposure to a substance. The cause is usually some-thing the animal has encountered before. The reaction can become worse with each additional exposure.

What are the Common Causes?

Dogs and cats may develop a local allergy to leather,

metal, or flea collars. These are not proteins, but they can combine with one of the animal’s proteins to create what becomes recognized as “foreign.” Weeds, grass, and tree pollens may contribute to an allergic reaction. Insect bites or stings may lead to local swelling, redness, and pain (ants, bees, wasps, mosquitoes, fleas, or ticks).

     Often we will see large flat plaques (urticarial wheals) on the skin resulting from an allergic reaction. Wheals may result from insect bites or stings and from an ingested food that a pet is allergic to. Occasionally an insect bite or sting can cause a life-threatening whole body reaction (anaphylaxis). The animal may collapse in shock and even die.

              The earwig (“pincher bug”) may cause a slower allergic reaction. The pet may develop soft, raised swellings around the eyes, ears, and other areas of the face. The lips too may swell. Hives may develop over the entire body. The hives often itch, causing the pet to paw or rub the affected areas. This same type of reaction can result from an allergic response to a blood transfusion, a vaccination, or a chemical contact.

      Spider bites and scorpion stings will usually produce a painful local reaction. The area may become an open sore that is slow to heal. The bite of the black widow or the brown recluse spider can cause generalized pain, chills, fever, nausea, muscle cramps, and difficult breathing.

Treatment

The treatment of severe allergic reactions is a medical problem requiring the aid of a veterinarian. Treatments can range from a single injection to complex intensive care.

      Anaphylactic reactions are life-threatening and may require immediate intravenous medications and oxygen.

What Are Anal Glands?

The anal sacs are a pair of glands which lie under the skin on each side of the rectum at the anus. They produce a strong odor-d, brown fluid that is used by the dog and cat as a territorial marker. In the dog a female in heat has an attractant in her anal gland secretion too. Normally the glands discharge a small amount of secretion with each bowel movement.

      Sometimes they do not empty regularly and thesecretion becomes dried out and very thick. With continued production of the secretion the gland may become swollen and painful and even rupture beneath the skin. A ruptured anal gland will create an abscess or pocket of pus beside the anus. It is very painful and will drain and bleed periodically through the skin.

      Any cat or dog can have this problem though poodles, chihuahuas, and terriers seem to have it more often than other breeds.

The Signs of Anal Gland Problems

Sometimes the signs of impending anal gland impaction are very subtle: the pet licking or biting under the tail or along the hips; scooting its rear end on the ground; straining or even whimpering when having a bowel movement.

      If an abscess forms the area will be very tender and swollen. After it ruptures a bloody discharge will be apparent.

Treatment

Early in the course of the problem, treatment may be as simple as having the glands expressed (emptied). The secretion can then be examined for signs of infection or pus.

      If one of the glands becomes abscessed, the pet will require minor surgery under a general anesthetic. The area will be flushed out and cleaned and medication placed into the inflamed pocket. Usually antibiotics are prescribed to eliminate any possible infection. Some pets may require an Elizabethan collar to prevent licking the site. Repeated bouts of impaction are a sign that the anal glands should be surgically removed.

Home Care Medicine

Use as directed and on the label. Unless otherwise directed, give it until it is used up.

ANIMAL EMERGENCY

When is it an emergency?

If you are concerned about your pet, you should never feel embarrassed about calling your veterinarian.  You know your pet better than anyone else, and if you notice your pet behaving in a manner that’s unusual for him/her, you may have picked up on a subtle sign of a real problem.  Most veterinarians provide referrals to emergency pet hospitals if your pet has a problem outside normal office hours, or if your regular vet is in surgery and cannot see your pet right then. 

Define an Emergency

There are some situations in which your pet may need to be seen immediately for emergency care.  In these circumstances you should not wait for your regular vet.   If:

Your first step is to call your veterinarian, they will either have someone answering the phone to help you, or a recorded message will come on to give you the number of an emergency hospital

Be prepared

The best way to deal with pet emergencies is to prepare for them, just in case.  The next time you bring your pet in for a check-up find out what they recommend in case of an emergency, and get the name and number of the emergency hospital that they refer to.

Most importantly, remember to trust your instincts.  You know and love your pet, and you have the right to be worried if something seems wrong.

What is Ethylene Glycol?

Ethylene glycol is a liquid that tastes sweet and is odorless, colorless, and water soluble. It is commonly found in automobile antifreeze, but is also in some detergents, fixatives use by taxidermists, and some paints, lacquers, pharmaceuticals, polishes and cosmetics. It is a very common compound, and because it tastes sweet, it is frequently ingested by dogs and cats.

       Ethylene glycol is also deadly poisonous. A surprisingly small amount can be fatal to a dog or cat. A cat can ingest a fatal dose just by licking antifreeze off its paws after walking through a puddle of it where a car’s cooling system leaked. Four ounces of automobile antifreeze can cause complete kidney failure in a 60 pound dog, while less than two teaspoons is enough to be fatal to a ten pound cat.

What are the Symptoms of Ethylene Glycol Poisoning?   Within 30 minutes (up to 12 hours) of ingestion of ethylene glycol, the pet will act as if it is drunk. It may wobble, become depressed, vomit, develop muscle twitching, seizure or go into a coma. Dogs sometimes appear to recover, only to die 24 to 72 hours later from the poisonous effects.

      Cats will often mask the illness signs until treatment is too late. Because of their rapid metabolism rate, cats must be treated within minutes of ingesting the product to even have a slight chance of recovery. Cats tend to go off by themselves when they are sick, so owners are often unaware there is a problem.

      Ethylene glycol is metabolized in the liver and the byproducts are harmful to brain cells and destroy the kidney cells.

How is Ethylene Glycol Poisoning Diagnosed?

Sometimes it is difficult to tell what has happened to a sick pet. The history and symptoms can be suggestive. There are special tests that can help if it is suspected, including a blood test and certain crystals found in the urine.

How is It Treated?

THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!  Early on the treatment consists of elimination of the ingested product by inducing vomiting and administering absorbents to prevent further uptake from the stomach.

A specific antidote (4-methylpyrazole) can be given in the dog, while intravenous ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is used in either the cat or dog. Intravenous fluid therapy is also important to support kidney function. The pet may even require a form of dialysis if it is going to survive.

Is My Pet Going to Live?

Unless caught very early, most cats will die. In the dog, the prognosis depends on the quantity of antifreeze ingested and the time elapsed from ingestion to the beginning of treatment.

Prevention is Better than Treatment

Be aware that any source of ethylene glycol including antifreeze may be attractive to your pets. Watch for leaks from automobile radiators and improper storage of flushed materials or new antifreeze. Making your neighbors aware of the potential problem, may save your pet’s life! The best prevention is to keep your pets in an enclosed, safe environment. Malicious poisonings unfortunately occasionally do happen.

What is Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia?

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a disease caused by the abnormal function of a pet’s immune system. In the normal healthy animal, the white blood cells (WBCs) are part of the defense against infection. The WBCs continually survey the body through the bloodstream searching for foreign proteins, such as bacteria or viruses. When they find an abnormal substance they initiate a series of events which allow the body to destroy the invader and rid itself of infection.

     In AIHA, the WBCs behave abnormally and attack the red blood cells (RBCs) as though they were a foreign substance. Perhaps the cell membranes on the RBCs have changed slightly or perhaps an antibody protein has attached to it, making it appear to be different to the WBCs — this is open to speculation.   When the pet’s own immune system attacks the red blood cells, it rapidly destroys them releasing their hemoglobin, which oddly enough, is toxic to the liver and kidneys. This stage is recognized by a yellow tinge to the skin (jaundice or icterus) and very dark or even bloody looking urine. This rapidly progresses to a severe anemia (low red blood cell count).

      Often the blood platelets are attacked too. They are responsible for normal blood clotting. Without the ability to clot properly, these animals may also bleed from their nose, into their intestines, and into their urinary tract. Bruises may become apparent under the skin. The Cocker Spaniel seems especially prone to develop AIHA.

               WBCs  }

                RBCs  }

 Treatment

The treatment for AIHA is aimed at suppressing the immune system’s destruction of the red blood cells. High doses of corticosteroids (cortisones) are given in addition to intravenous fluids and hospitalization. Some pets will require a blood transfusion if the anemia becomes too severe.

      Tick Fever or Ehrlichia can cause hemolytic anemia; it is treated the same with the addition of antibiotics to kill the causative organism. Response may take several days to weeks and the treatment is usually continued for several months after the initial hospitalization period.

      Because of the life-threatening nature of this disease, the prognosis is always guarded. Recurrent episodes are occasionally seen.

Desert Hills Animal Clinic

1039 East Carefree Hwy, Suite A, Phoenix, AZ 85085

Phone: 623-581-1558    Email: DesertHillsAnimalClinic@hotmail.com