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finding nemo (the perfect home) november 21 2013 though they may not be fun to play fetch with in the front yard and cant curl up with you on the couch after a long day a fish can still make a wonderful andunique pet fairly easy to care for and pleasing to the eye there are various species that will make a perfect addition to your home whether you choose your finned companion based on size color or unique attributes the next step in proper fish ownership is familiarizing yourself with nemos specific care requirements before bringing your new aquarium fish home there are some important things to consider primarily you need to keep in mind the size the fish will grow to be their tolerance of other fish and their specific water requirements in order to find the perfect aquarium there are two basic types of small aquariums: freshwater (tropical and temperate) and marine (saltwater) which should both be no smaller than 36 liters said caitlin burrell a zoological medicine intern at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences larger fish or fish with high oxygen requirements are better suited for large aquariums or ponds some common freshwater species suited for smaller aquariums are tetras guppies discus danios and various types of goldfish common saltwater species could include clownfish damselfish gobies and blennies burrell also recommends that before putting different species together in one aquarium you should research their individual needs to ensure they are compatible and wont show aggression marine fish in general are not often kept in large groups in home aquariums and it is important to make sure that fish housed together in one aquarium spend their time at different levels (for example bottom-dwellers and midwater fish) to avoid overcrowding said burrell additionally there are more aggressive fish that typically do not pair well with other fish after youve purchased the perfect aquarium for your fish you must learn how to keep them happy and healthy while living in their new home one of the most important aspects of a home aquarium is the water quality said burrell things like ph temperature dissolved gases (oxygen carbon dioxide and nitrogen) salinity and nitrogenous compounds need to be monitored closely and partial water changes should be performed on a regular basis just make sure that your fish doesnt execute his escape plan during your routine aquarium cleaning! as with any other pet feeding requirements vary greatly between species of fish marine fish can be carnivores omnivores or herbivores so it is important to research the type of fish to know what type of food to feed them said burrell for freshwater fish many commercial foods are available and can be found for any type of fish it is best to supply small amounts frequently to avoid excess food sitting in the tank and decomposing from aquarium specifications to feeding requirements the responsibly of caring for your fish should not be taken lightly however after thoroughly researching how to properly care for your new finned friend nemo will undoubtedly be happy to call his new aquarium home pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
feline calicivirusnot your common cold november 14 2013 feline calicivirus or fcv is a viral infection causing severe upper respiratory problems in cats entering through the cats eyes nose or mouth this virus possesses symptoms similar to that of a common cold as loving cat owners it is important to be well informed of the causes symptoms and prevention of this fast-spreading infection to help keep our feline friends happy and healthy frequently seen in animal shelters or within multi-cat homes the fcv infection is typically spread amongst cats that are being housed together in large numbers or kittens with weak immune systems once the cat is infected with fcv they may carry the virus in their bodies for life approximately 10% of household cats exhibit this ‘carrier state and have the chance of becoming sick again during times of stress or other illness although many will not said dr kathy scott lecturer at the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences they may continue to shed the virus however putting other cats they are near at risk of developing the infection depending on the strain of the virus infected cats can show a great variety of symptoms typical symptoms seen with fcv are similar to an upper respiratory infection involving sneezing nasal congestion and conjunctivitis with more severe cases exhibiting lethargy and poor appetite as well some cats will develop severe gingivitis and oral pain that may be significant enough to cause the cat to not eat while others may demonstrate lameness and fever scott said rarely a severe variant of calicivirus (called fcv-associated virulent systemic disease or fcv-vsd) can develop and cause critical illness multiple organ damage and even death luckily this form is very rare and outbreaks can be controlled through strict isolation and quarantine accurate diagnosis will help your veterinarian provide the best treatment possible and is also important if the infected cat lives in a multi-cat household to diagnose fcv the vet will evaluate the cats clinical symptoms and medical history in addition to laboratory testing a swab can be taken of the cats mouth or conjunctiva (a thin membrane of the eye) and tested for presence of the virus in those tissues scott said unfortunately the treatment of fcv is challenging there are currently no medications to completely eliminate the virus or eliminate the infection at a faster pace so the best thing you can do for your furry friend is to provide them with the support and care they need to help them feel comfortable due to their stuffy noses and possible ulcers in their mouths cats with fcv have a tendency to lose their appetite so it is wise to provide them with soft strong-smelling foods or pain medications that will make eating more comfortable we also recommend keeping their noses clean and sometimes using medications or vaporizers to help loosen the mucus in their noses making it easier to breathe scott said in more severe cases antibiotics may be needed to stop the growth of bacteria that have overgrown as a result of the fcv infection and if cats havent eaten in more than three days they will probably require a short period of hospitalization to receive fluids and some form of nutrition the most important measure you can take to reduce the likelihood of your cat contracting fcv is to ensure that their vaccinations are up to date at all times although there is no vaccination that provides 100% protection there is a vaccination available for fcv and it is part of the ‘core vaccinations recommended by veterinarians to all cats scott said this vaccine is likely to decrease risk of the development of upper respiratory infection but unfortunately cant protect against all strands of fcv so cats still may become infected though vaccinated cats still have a chance of becoming carriers if infected they do have a lower chance of spreading the infection to other cats than those that are unvaccinated if coming down with an upper respiratory infection is miserable for us imagine what it is like for our cats taking precautionary measurements to prevent them from coming down with fcv as well as keeping an eye out for specific symptoms can make a world of difference for both you and your feline friend pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
pets that dont need a halloween costume october 31 2013 puli as you maneuver through the aisles of elaborate costumes at your nearest halloween store you are bound to come across various costumes for your furry friend a pumpkin for your pug a hat for your black cat or a hot dog for your dachshundthere are numerous halloween costumes that include your pets in the spooky fun some pets however dont need a strange-looking costume to get into the halloween spirit; they were simply born with one jordan gentry a veterinary resident instructor in zoology at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences said that he has worked with multiple strange-looking pets during his year of residency we see many unique and exotic pets on the a&m zoological medicine service; even some relatively common animals have some bizarre physical features said gentry one animal we have treated at a&m is a pet tamandua a type of anteater from south america with a long tube-like mouth long sticky tongue prehensile tail and big hooked claws gentry explained that the tamanduas claws are so massive that they must walk on the side of their foot to avoid puncturing their footpads and they have a very unique odor similar to (but not as strong as) that of a skunk another type of strange-looking animal that gentry has worked with the brown pelican is a breed of protected birds in texas with some very unique features of their own they have short legs with huge webbed feet a squat round body and a long face said gentry the skin under the neck is thin and stretches to hold several gallons of water when the birds grab fish to eat gentry has come across many of these exotic birds at the wildlife center of texas and greatly enjoys working with them some of the more common but still unique animals that have become increasingly popular to own as pets are hermit crabs potbellied pigs and petauristini or flying squirrels all of these animals are easily adaptable to different home environments and with the right treatment and care can make a great addition to your family an animal that has been the star in many scary movies and animal planet documentaries the piranha has also intrigued many exotic pet owners though only recommended to experts due to their aggressive attitude and razor sharp teeth these carnivorous fish can certainly make for an interesting pet keep in mind though that piranhas are legal in only very few areas and texas is not one of them tamandua if you would rather stick to owning a dog but are in search of a breed with some unique features a puli could be just the pet youre looking for this breed of dreadlock-like coated dogs is full of life and can be a wonderful addition to your family as long as you dont mind the extra coat attention similar to the puli is the komondor another loving dog with a mop-like coat both of these uniquely coated canines are family friendly and can bring immense joy and laughter to your household the kitchen mop halloween costume would never go out of style for this pooch! whether youre an exotic animal fanatic or simply more comfortable owning a tabby cat these strange-looking pets are always fun to admire from at home or afar; especially on halloween as for pet halloween costumes i might dress up my dog said gentry but my exotic pets dont need a costume! pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
howl-oween safety october 24 2013 cobweb covered doorways porches lined with glowing pumpkins and miniature visitors draped in white sheets can only mean one thing: halloween is right around the corner with the holiday rapidly approaching it is time to start planning your favorite traditions in addition to the pumpkin carving and costume parties keeping your pets safe during halloween is an importation tradition to uphold whether they are your childs faithful trick-or-treating companion or the toto to your dorothy costume from the wizard of oz pets can be an integral part of your halloween celebrations it is more than okay to dress your pet up in a halloween costume as long as the costume fits them appropriately and isnt too tight says dr mark stickney clinical associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences a good rule of thumb is to make sure that you can easily slip two fingers underneath whatever bands are in the costume and to not leave the costume on them when they are unsupervised just keep in mind that while a costume may be cute and funny to you your pet may disagree when your pet is accompanying you on your trick-or-treating route or helping to welcome your sweet-toothed visitors make sure they are constantly under close supervision and on a leash there is definitely some mischief that goes on during halloween and it is highly recommended that you keep your pets inside the house said stickney if they are indoor/outdoor animals this is the night to keep them indoors stickney also recommends that outdoor-only pets be kept in a safe and secure location such as a fenced-in backyard with the lights on so you can routinely monitor their whereabouts people with black cats should be extra certain to keep them safe and indoors as they are unfortunately the target for many pranks on halloween night you should also make sure that your pet has proper identification such as a microchip or a collar with detailed contact information to keep them safe on halloween it isnt unusual for pets to slip through the frequently opened front door and if spooked by noisy groups of small goblins run too far to find their way back if scruffy is helping you greet trick-or-treaters at the door make sure he is comfortable with the intrusion of strangers some animals can become overwhelmed with all of the chaos and growl or even snap at the overzealous guests there is nothing like an emergency trip to the veterinary hospital to spoil your halloween fun so be certain to keep the candy bowl as far away from your pet as possible candy especially dark chocolate is extremely toxic to dogs said stickney if they do get a hold of it call your veterinarian immediately and tell them what exactly they ate and how much of it they consumed there are plenty of safe pet-approved treats to give them other than the leftover kit-kat bars they keep eyeing there are a few tips for decorating your haunted house as well one thing to potentially watch out for are any decorations with streamers or artificial spider webs said stickney if cats try to catch and eat these they could contract a linear foreign body which would require emergency surgery to remove keeping open flames like a candle inside a carved pumpkin out of reach is recommended as well curious puppies or kittens can easily knock them over getting burned or inadvertently setting your house on fire opt for a battery-operated candle instead parents take extra precautions so that their childrens halloween experience is safe and enjoyable but it is important to extend the same care to your beloved pets as long as you follow these general safety guidelines scruffy and fluffy are sure to be in for a howlin good halloween pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
pet vaccinations october 18 2013 vaccinations are a critical component to the preventive care of your companion animal your health as well as your pets depends on it while this may seem like common knowledge to some the topic of pet vaccination can be quite controversial making it a hot topic in veterinary medicine today most veterinary professionals agree that vaccinating your pets is the best way to protect them from various life threatening illnesses controversy about vaccinating your pet is usually centered around misinformation or the false concept in humans that suggest vaccinations cause autism said dr bethany schilling clinical instructor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences choosing vaccinations specific to your animals health and lifestyle should be an informed decision made between you and your veterinarian many pet owners believe that the possible dangers of pet vaccinations outweigh the positive aspects one risk that worries pet owners is the chance that their pet will have a negative reaction from the vaccination while this is a viable concern schilling and many other veterinarians agree that this occurrence is rare vaccine reactions are usually non-life threatening are easily treated and can typically be prevented in the future said schilling reactions in dogs are typically swelling of the face or hives and reactions in cats are typically vomiting or diarrhea vaccines do not guarantee that your pet will not become sick just like a human getting the flu vaccine can still catch the flu but it will likely minimize the seriousness of illness in your pet vaccines help build up your pets immune system so that their chances of becoming ill when exposed to disease are much lower they can prevent many upper respiratory diseases in cats such as herpes calicivirus and panleukemia as well as feline leukemia and rabies there are vaccines to prevent various diseases such as parvovirus leptospirosis lyme disease bordetella and rabies in dogs as well bordetella is found to be one of the causes of kennel cough a highly contagious respiratory disease in dogs the two classifications of pet vaccines are core and non-core vaccines core vaccines are things the entire pet population should be vaccinated against due to universal risk said schilling non-core vaccines are recommended based on region of the country in which the patient lives and individual patient risk factors like lifestyle and travel core vaccines would include vaccines against common diseases like rabies whereas vaccines against lyme disease or kennel cough are among the non-core vaccines non-core vaccines are not usually considered necessary but are available to pets that are at risk for illness due to geographic locations or specific lifestyle needs another debate among many pet owners is whether performing at home vaccinations on your pet is easier and more efficient than taking them to a veterinary clinic when making this decision it is important to keep in mind that vaccines are extremely sensitive to handling various factors such as extreme temperatures can inactivate them and vaccines purchased at a feed store are not guaranteed to be effective vaccines administered at a vet clinic are handled appropriately and care can be made to make sure the pet is vaccinated at appropriate intervals to ensure protection said schilling the pet is examined prior to receiving vaccines each visit to make sure they are healthy companion animals today have the opportunity to live longer healthier lives than ever before this is partly due to the availability of vaccines to prevent them from many infectious diseases there are always risks accompanying any medical procedure but the chances of your pet having an adverse effect to vaccine are minimal just think if we had stopped administering the smallpox vaccine after someone got sick from it where would we be today pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
a friendship that requires no sound october 11 2013 mans best friend is a term with no discrimination whether your dog is large or petite obedient or a little rebellious you love them just the same the unparalleled companionship between a human and their deaf dog is no exception it is a popular yet wildly misguided rumor that deaf dogs are unable to be a loving member of your family impossible to train aggressive and unruly and incapable of living a normal life are all stereotypes falsely attributed to deaf dogs adopting any dog means that you are committing your family to providing a loving forever home said dr david nelson clinical associate professor and director of emergency services at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences the handicap is not the determinant of suitability but rather the training and assimilation that you are going to undertake the biggest difference between a hearing dog and a deaf one is that you cant use your voice to get the dogs attention training a deaf dog is not necessarily harder than a hearing dog; it just requires a different approach one key point in their training is that if they are not looking at you they cant receive feedback and they dont know you have information to provide said nelson they have to learn sign language and body posture which needs to be consistently delivered and just like any other dog you must not let them get away with bad behavior another training technique helpful for communicating with your deaf pooch is to train them to respond to a vibrating collar a push of the radio transmitter causes a vibration in the collar and you can then condition your dog that this is a fantastic opportunity for a reward after multiple positive rewards their attention should turn towards you immediately after signaling so you can then provide further instruction keep in mind that the vibration from the collar should never have a negative connotation or your dog will be afraid to respond in the future having them come to you without hesitation is extremely important so always be sure to provide positive feedback we hike in the national forests with him off leash and he actually is easier to manage than the other dog who can hear just fine said nelson about his own deaf dog we always have the safety net of the vibrating collar but rarely use it and he has learned to check back visually and will come to a hand sign without delay another common misconception of deaf dogs is that they are aggressive this makes many people question whether it is safe to have a deaf dog in their home around children it is not deafness which determines suitability of a dog to be with children but the personality of the dog the child and the home environment said nelson deafness does not mean that the dog is bad for this or that; the dogs personality and the owners training determine those results deaf dogs can be startled when touched unexpectedly so establishing a communication spot that you touch when you need to wake them up is a good idea we have trained him that the top back of his head is the communication spot and when we touch it and he is sleeping he immediately begins wagging his tail because he knows it is one of us said nelson certain breeds of dogs such as dalmatians carry a gene that causes deafness if the deafness isnt genetic it is still common for a dog to lose hearing from an ear injury or simply from old age just like people if you believe spot may be deaf there are various tests you can perform simple at home tests work just fine like clapping your hands together or ringing a bell but the most reliable way to test for deafness is called baer testing (brainstorm auditory evoked response) this test can be costly but it is extremely accurate and will let you know if your dog is partially or wholly deaf if you came and interacted with our two dogs you would not be aware that one is deaf as we talk to him just like the other dog and the hand signs are subtle said nelson he has been totally deaf since birth and is a wonderful boy that loves people animals and children despite the few adaptations you must make for training and living with a deaf dog the love and appreciation you receive far outweighs any perceived adversity from their disabilities the friendship between a human and their dog hearing or not knows no boundaries pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
a perfect companion for the elderly october 3 2013 the power of pet therapy is thought to be stronger than any medication not only for people going through tough times or in poor health but also for the elderly as well proven to increase mental alertness build self-esteem and decrease loneliness pets can provide a warm and fulfilling relationship that older people-or indeed all of us-desire pet ownership for older people can be very beneficial by giving them something to love and care for as well as a companion in the home especially if they live alone said dr sonny presnal director of the stevenson companion animal life-care center at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) i dont believe there are any appreciable risks providing that good decisions are made in the choice of a pet for older people having the responsibility of caring for a pet can be a healthy situation for most elderly people sometimes a pet can be the only reason that he or she feels a need to get up in the morning; it provides them with a sense of purpose it gives older pet owners something to care for which in the case of a dog may mean they are out taking the dog on a walk instead of sitting in the house said presnal in addition there are many studies that attribute pet ownership to relieving stress lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels and bettering mental health not only do pets help the elderly overcome various health ailments but also they can significantly decrease their owners sense of loneliness as you probably already know pets are automatic people magnets and are often a great conversation starter people love talking about their pets and others love interacting with the pets they encounter this can often lead to new friendships and can provide beneficial social interactions that elderly people may not have otherwise had the chance to experience this in addition to simply having something to care for significantly decreases loneliness and accompanying depression when choosing a pet you must take into consideration the limitations of the elderly persons physical and mental health a large active dog may not be suitable for older people due to the risk of injury to the owner from an accidental collision that may cause them to fall said presnal fractures from falls can be very dangerous for older people especially hip fractures a young puppy or kitten may not be a suitable choice either due to their high maintenance requirements an older dog or cat that has matured past their ball of energy phase can be a perfect companion not only does adopting an older pet benefit their owner but may save the pet from euthanasia as often people are (unfortunately) not interested in adopting older animals a concern that many elderly people considering pet ownership face is the possibility that they will no longer be able to care for their pet later on this can happen if their health suddenly decreases or if the animal becomes in need of extensive veterinary care there are many mobile veterinary services available for older persons who may not drive or who otherwise have problems transporting their pets for veterinary care said presnal there are also programs such as the stevenson center that provide for the physical emotional and medical needs of companion animals when their owners can no longer do so the stevenson center which presnal directs is a unique program that has veterinary students who live at the center to provide companionship and care for the resident pets at night and on weekends and holidays as part of the cvm the resident pets receive the ultimate in veterinary care at the veterinary medical teaching hospital said presnal we believe the level of care and companionship is unequaled by any other similar program it is proven that animals can help enrich the lives of their owners both physically and emotionally and this can be especially true for the elderly the right pet can provide them with a sense of purpose nonjudgmental acceptance and companionship that both animals and humans need to stay happy and comfortable pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
dog parks september 25 2013 whether you have fond memories of playing tag with your classmates or sharing secrets with your best friend on the swing set most would agree that parks can be an integral part of their childhoods this can also be true for your pooch but just as our parents took precautions when letting us run wild around our neighborhood park pet owners must also be aware of the risks that accompany dog parks for most dog parks are a great opportunity for exercise and socialization letting your dog run around unleashed helps maintain a healthy lifestyle by increasing longevity reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and extending muscles and joints in addition to getting exercise they gain valuable social experience with dogs and other people if your dog is friendly and loves interacting with others taking them to a dog park can be a wonderful experience however if your dog is indifferent when it comes to interacting with other canines dog parks arent always the best idea any dog that does not get along with other dogs should not be brought to a dog park out of respect for the others there said dr james barr assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences also if your dog is debilitated immunosuppressed or unvaccinated then they should not go either even if you have an extremely well-behaved and healthy dog there are still risks to keep in mind before letting them off leash at a dog park the most common and obvious are dog fights this happens daily at dog parks and owners all need to look for signs that dogs are posturing for a fight before it occurs as most fights or injuries can be prevented said barr the most important thing to remember is that you must always keep a close eye on your dog if your dog does engage in a fight remember that your safety is paramount your dog is only concentrating on fighting and will bite whatever comes close to their mouth said barr do not place your hands near their mouth; the use of verbal commands by both owners should be done first if that does not work attempts to pull the two fighting dogs apart should only be done very very carefully in addition to fights another risk to consider is the exposure to diseases carried and transmitted by other dogs while this is an uncommon occurrence the transmission of respiratory diseases (like kennel cough) and gi viral diseases (like parvo) can occur at dog parks barr said if these risks concern you alternatives such as doggy day care facilities that have vaccination records of all the dogs or supervised doggy play dates with a familiar dog are options to consider if you do decide that your dog is a viable candidate for the dog park choose a park best suited for both you and rover an area with access to running water to fill up your dogs bowl is ideal and a fence is a must said barr it is smart to consider the location of the park as it should be positioned away from any major roads and easily accessible to you and to be aware of the rules and regulations specific to that park just as you would do with your child never let rover out of your sight and always be cautious of your surroundings a dog park can be a great experience for the right dog and it is up to you to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
the importance of a peticure september 19 2013 you and your beloved pet may share a lot in common: enjoying long walks in the park snuggling up on the couch or even taking a relaxing dip in the pool but when it comes to an afternoon of pampering at the nail salon our pets dont typically share our idea of relaxation nevertheless even if they find it unpleasant and stressful clipping your pets nails is a crucial grooming technique for their overall health and well-being leaving your pets nails untrimmed can lead to pain and discomfort from many different sources nails that are too long can get hung on fabric blankets towels etc and get torn off which is not only painful but tends to cause a great deal of bleeding said dr stacy eckman lecturer at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) nails that are too long (especially the dewclaws) can also grow around and into the footpads causing pain and infection popular to contrary belief dogs arent the only pets that require a routine clipping our feline friends need some nail pampering on a regular basis as well outdoor cats who climb trees keep their own nails short but with the majority of our cats living indoors they too need nail trims eckman said they will naturally sharpen their claws if given adequate substrate to do this on (ie a scratching post or wood) but may need additional trimming especially on the back claws keep in mind that it is natural for cats to also use scratching posts to mark their scent and even cats that are declawed will use a scratching post for this purpose clipping your pets nails can be done as often as necessary for dogs trimming their nails whenever you bathe them can be convenient for both of you since we do not typically bathe our cats a thorough trim every 2 to 4 weeks is plenty as for the clipper itself there are several brands types and sizes to choose from including scissors pliers guillotine and nail grinders some work better on cats (ie guillotine) than others and some are better for larger dogs with thicker nails said eckman others claim to ‘find the quick so you dont cause the nail to bleed but i dont think these work very well it is best to research which will work best for your pet as well as test them out to see which style your cat or dog seems most comfortable with letting your pet become acclimated to nail clipping at an early age can also help the process go more smoothly once they become comfortable with you holding their paws as kittens or puppies gradually start clipping one or two nails a day and follow up with lots of positive rewards for their cooperation giving them their favorite treats or even a long tummy scratch should do the trick when trimming the nail be sure to avoid the quick or nerves and blood vessels located near the bottom of the nail just trimming the excess length will ensure a painless clipping process for all involved but even with the most painless technique and gradual of introductions there are pets that seem unable to get over their terror of nail clipping if your cat or dog falls under this category it may be helpful to seek help from an assistant to hold down and calm them while you do the deed if that backfires and your pet is still too stressed then talk to your veterinarian about strategies to help make nail trims less stressful eckman said just like people each pet is unique with various personalities and patience levels it is important to remember that even though they may not find their peticure enjoyable at the time they will undoubtedly thank you in the long run pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
parakeets september 13 2013 if you are a fan of movies you will undoubtedly know that birds play an important role in films that we have grown to love as both children and adults cinderella wouldnt have made it to the ball without the speedy wardrobe assembly from her little winged assistants and harry potter depended on his trusty owl hedwig to deliver crucial messages between hogwarts and the muggle world birds-whether behind a television screen or simply perched on our back porch-have always played significant roles in our lives it is no mystery that the popularity of owning birds as pets especially parakeets has increased tremendously throughout the years parakeets or budgies as some are called have become extremely popular pets due to their friendly gentle nature a well-socialized budgie can be an incredibly interactive and talkative pet said dr sharman hoppes clinical associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences they can learn tricks and learn to fly to you with training and patience and many can learn to talk bred in captivity since the mid-1800s budgies are considered by most to be domesticated birds being playful and active animals they require a fairly large cage to allow room for exercise toys and foraging opportunities for mental stimulation they need a large parrot cage with bar spacing appropriate for a small bird hoppes said covering the cage with a cloth at night is also encouraged to help your budgie settle down for sleep even with a large cage budgies need play and socialization time outside of the cage as well birds that are cage bound tend to get overweight and have associated health issues said hoppes spending time outside of the cage is recommended for your budgie but always make sure that the area is free of any potential danger especially watch out for ceiling fans and open windows or doors when releasing the bird budgies can be very curious and if you cant provide a safe environment for flying keeping their wings trimmed is advised just like any other pet budgies require specific feeding and care requirements it is recommended to add variety to their diet including small amounts of fruits vegetables cooked rice sprouts and other healthy human foods they need a good pelleted diet along with some seed mix and fresh vegetables daily hoppes said they also need regular bathing with either a bowl or misting this can be done by simply placing a dish of water on the floor of the budgies cage or lightly spritzing water on them from a small spray bottle they are very smart birds and flock animals hoppes said they need daily attention and interaction but as you probably could have guessed budgies should be monitored closely around other pets such as cats dogs ferrets reptiles and larger birds a parakeet can be a great pet for an older child who understands how to gently handle a bird says hoppes i would not recommend a bird for a small child having eight budgies herself hoppes and many others would agree that these docile intelligent birds make for delightful pets inexpensive highly adaptable and easy to look after it is simple to see why both cinderella and harry potter took a liking to their little winged companions pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
house call vets: angels on wheels september 5 2013 whether it is your beloved barrel racer seabiscuit or your honorable hunting companion rover a trip to the veterinary clinic is usually not an activity of choice saving anxiety and stress for you and your pet many clinics provide both small and large animal mobile veterinary services that will see your animal in the comfort of your own home packing up their knowledge and expertise in that black veterinarian bag they will be at seabiscuits or rovers side in no time at all over the years most pet owners leisure time has become less leisurely when something unexpected arises at work or you lack the ability to bring your pet to the nearest veterinary clinic a house call vet is an excellent option there are many rewarding aspects about ambulatory practice such as getting to know your clients in their home or farm settings said dr leslie easterwood assistant clinical professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences it is nice to be able to know your clients on a more personal level getting to meet all the pets kids and other family members as opposed to stationary veterinary practitioners house call veterinarians must be able to have the animals caught up in a small pen or barn and have the proper facilities available to work on the animals safely said easterwood farm call veterinarians frequently have to operate in a ‘mcgyver mode to get things done without all the conveniences of a clinic setting but most things can be done mobile vets just like a regular vet clinic must have their facilities and equipment regularly inspected just because the animal doesnt fit in your living room doesnt mean that it doesnt warrant the care of a house call veterinarian there are traveling vets for large farm animals and house pets alike farm (or house) calls are much more commonplace in large animal cases than in small animal said easterwood farm calls are actually a daily part of large animal practice just because it is easier to transport the veterinarian and their supplies than the large animal patient in some cases there are many varieties of mobile veterinarians so it is important to do your research ahead of time and find one that offers the exact services your pet needs most ambulatory large animal veterinarians have trucks or suvs that are equipped with supplies and the necessary equipment to do procedures on the farm said easterwood while the majority of them perform wellness check-ups and vaccinations emergency services might not always be available through mobile vets as expected rates for house call veterinarians tend to be higher than clinic visits due to the expense of travel however it is usually not difficult to find a reasonably priced mobile vet; you just have to do your research some mobile vets charge a flat rate per trip for needed services no matter the number of pets theyre treating on the visit traveling veterinarians mobile vets veterinarians on wheels or house call vets: although there are many different names for these miracle workers their duties remain the same they provide a stress-free solution for getting your pet-of any size-the care it needs these angels on wheels can be a busy pet owners answer to a prayer pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
preventing attacks august 29 2013 everyone gets frightened of something or someone from time to time and animals are no exception fear is an emotional response to danger and causes our survival instincts to kick into high gear even the most loving and docile of pets can lash out when put in a threatening situation and the results can often be dangerous in order to prevent an attack there are a few things you should always look out for when interacting with any animal the most important things to recognize are if the dog is staring at you its lips are pulled back so teeth are showing and it has a stiff tail pointing upward explained dr bonnie beaver professor at the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences they also tend to be rigid and move slowly if youve noticed this body language and behavior from the animal it is best to back away slowly and find something or somewhere to separate yourself if you notice that the animal is becoming aggressive it is best to freeze and avoid direct eye contact said beaver just like if coming across a bear or other dangerous wild animal you should never scream and run away or make any sudden movements wild animals and pets alike may view you as prey when you run and it is their instinct to chase after you always stand your ground and keep your chest facing them and your eyes averted some general guidelines preventing dog and other animal attacks may seem like basic knowledge but it is always best for you and the others around you to double check your facts you should always keep your distance from unfamiliar dogs despite your urge to pet the unbelievably cute ones ask the owner prior to interacting with their pet as they usually know if the animal handles strangers well you should also let the dog sniff you or your hand before petting them its best to let them approach you first avoid dogs that are sleeping or eating as you may startle them and cause them to respond negatively hugging an unfamiliar dog is also ill-advised in dog world hugging is a dominant expression although you relish hugging your own dog it undoubtedly enjoys it less than you do while your own pet may tolerate your innocent hugs in an unfamiliar or shy dog they may warrant an unwanted reaction dogs like people are complex products of genetics upbringing training and experiences while some breeds may demonstrate traits such as shyness or extroversion more frequently generalizations are tricky you can never fully judge an unknown animal by its furry cover and it is always best to be cautious what if the shy aggressive dog in question belongs to you remember that dogs like children have inborn personalities that can be influenced to a certain extent but not changed dogs are masters at interpreting our facial expressions body language and vocal inflections your dog may sense your uncertainty and discomfort and become anxious if your pet is displaying aggression fear or any other troublesome tendencies consult your veterinarian veterinarians can often help these animals beaver said or can refer to or consult with a board certified veterinary behaviorist or an appropriate trainer in the community though you think it may never happen to you animal attacks are more common than many would guess to prevent them it is always important to keep in mind when interacting with any unfamiliar pets that though dogs may be mans best friend the wolf is still their second cousin pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
safely medicating spot august 22 2013 when it comes to the health of your pets medications play an important role in preventing disease increasing longevity and making for a healthier happier pet whether its antibiotics pain meds or flea and tick prevention there are various things to keep in mind when choosing the right medication for your pet avoid most human pain medications (such as ibuprofen acetaminophen and naproxen) as well as most combination cold/flu medications and pepto-bismol said dr micah bishop a veterinary resident at the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences if an over-the-counter medication is prescribed ask your vet for the active ingredients you are looking for in a medication you should also be wary when purchasing any drug through a website some of these companies are not monitored by government regulatory agencies and their products may not contain what is claimed said bishop just like during your doctor visits veterinarians need to know the drugs or supplements that your pet is currently taking in order to appropriately recommend another medication some drugs can react differently with a drug or supplement that is already in your pets system so this information is important in order for your vet to choose the safest option for your pet you should ask how often the drug should be given whether it needs to be given with food or an empty stomach and for how long bishop said make sure that you are willing and available to give drugs that need to be administered two or three times a day if not let the vet know and they may be able to find an alternative giving medications as they are prescribed is vital to their effectiveness for the treatment of your pets condition not all pets are the same and various breeds can react differently to medications some breeds like collies are sensitive to de-wormer medications such as ivermectins at high doses due to a specific gene bishop said it is important to ask your vet ahead of time if the medication has any negative side effects specific to certain breeds should your animal have a negative reaction to a medication prescribed you need to let your vet know immediately although most drugs used in veterinary medicine are quite safe or cause only mild side effects some drugs can have severe or life threatening side effects if not recognized bishop said whether youre treating spot for pain fleas or worms his health remains your top priority it is always important to thoroughly research any new medications prescribed to your pet as well as keep a list of all current medications and supplements doing this in addition to closely following any directions or suggestions that your veterinarian provides will ensure that spots spots are tick free and he can return to his noble title as king of the couch pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
pet snakes: slithering their way into or out of your heart august 15 2013 for some animal lovers watching these exotic creatures slither across the animal planet screen isnt enough; you want to bring the thrill of snake ownership into your own home while they seem exciting and manageable through a television screen or from behind a glass wall there are a few things that every aspiring snake owner must be aware of before bringing one home as a pet the most common snakes kept by enthusiasts are cornsnakes kingsnakes and ball pythons many of these snakes like the corn and king are well suited for older children and first time snake owners due to their simple feeding methods and docile temperament however some species reach very large sizes in captivity and their considerable space requirements must be anticipated other popular snakes like boa constrictors and carpet python are better for an owner comfortable with larger snakes as they often get 7 or more feet long explained dr jordan gentry zoological medicine resident at the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences green tree python rainbow boas and tree boas have slightly more specialized care and are less tolerant to handling but can make great pets for an owner that has researched the species large constricting snakes venomous snakes and snakes with difficult care requirements do not make suitable pets and should only be kept by experienced herpetologists doing research on the individual snake species you are interested in will provide you with husbandry recommendations including environmental sanitation and dietary considerations the habitat for the snake depends entirely on the species of snake as some are from an arid environment that does not require as much humidity as a snake from a tropical environment said gentry most captive habitats attempt to mimic the natural environment of the animal with sand rocks and live plants; however less natural paper substrate and plastic hide containers allow much easier cleaning and may actually be more beneficial to the animals health as for feeding requirements almost all pet snakes should be on a whole prey diet of pre-killed rodents such as mice or rats health and sanitation are also considerations that shouldnt be overlooked when choosing your pet hygiene is important said gentry salmonella is a bacteria that can be carried by pet reptiles and can be transmitted to humans; so washing hands is recommended after handling a pet snake though there are many snakes that make suitable pets for adults and children alike the safety of owning a snake as a pet is sometimes called into question by events that are widely reported in the media just recently two young boys were allegedly strangled to death while they were sleeping by an escaped pet python however gentry noted that isolated tragic incidents involving large constrictors or poisonous snakes shouldnt discourage people from choosing an appropriate snake species as a pet print |
children and pets: the benefits and risks august 3 2013 whether they want it to bark purr slither or squawk there comes a time when a pet appears on nearly every childs birthday wish list for most parents this decision can be a bit daunting is your child ready to take on the responsibility of caring for a pet will the new animal negatively affect his or her health though your child may think your wary attitude is unnecessary these are valid questions for every parent to ask themselves and their family before welcoming a new pet into their home the first thing that you need to think of is if your children are old enough and responsible enough to handle a pet around the house said dr mark stickney clinical associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences you also need to be aware of the temperament of the new pet that youre bringing in low maintenance animals such as hamsters and fish prove to be great starter pets for children they require minimal amounts of time and care introducing the child to the responsibilities of pet ownership without giving them more than they can manage of course puppies and kittens are always crowd pleasers as well their high energy level and love for attention makes them the perfect child companion but what about when little bobby begs for that snake at the pet store with animals like lizards and snakes their care and feeding requirements can be a bit tricky as far as humidity temperature etc stickney said these animals also eat other animals for food which may be upsetting to some children depending on their age and maturity that might be something beyond a childs ability to handle when choosing a family pet it is also important to take into consideration your childrens sensitivity to various allergens one of the first things that you need to do is consult with your physician said stickney if your child is allergic to pollen or some sort of grass that an animal could track into the house an indoor animal such as a cat would be a non-issue however if your children still have their heart set on that fluffy puppy there are certainly ways to accommodate their desires some dog breeds such as poodles and yorkies are considered to be less allergenic than others based on the amount of fur that they shed stickney said and there is even evidence to support that infants exposed to animals earlier in life are less likely to develop allergies later on allowing your children to care for a pet is not all risk having a pet in your family has shown to be equally beneficial for both the animal and child dogs especially really enjoy having someone to play with them teach them tricks and do some basic obedience training said stickney its mentally stimulating for both the dog and child which can improve discipline on both ends research has shown numerous health benefits of owning a pet including lower blood pressure and elevated mood there is even evidence to support that interaction between pets and children with disabilities such as downs syndrome or autism is extremely beneficial the key is that you need to have a nice docile pet stickney said one that isnt too active or rough but that just wants to be loved on and to love right back pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
homeward bound: moving with your pet august 1 2013 moving to a new area can be a stressful ordeal for all involved especially your pets the chaos of packing moving furniture and the strangeness of a new area can leave your cat or dog spinning however with a little advance planning patience and affection you can help your pet quickly adjust to their new neighborhood before you move make sure that your pet is current on their immunizations and that you have any health statements or documentation like your pets rabies certificate that may be required in your new area said stacy eckman lecturer at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) also its important to start preparing early since interstate moving requires an interstate health certificate which is issued within ten days of travel and moving abroad means your pet will need an international health certificate which takes around thirty days to facilitate when it comes time to actually start the move making sure your pet is safe and comfortable is essential pets will often get nervous when the packing starts so it is vital to try and alleviate this anxiety by sticking to a normal routine with your pet by having regular play times walks meals etc while youre traveling its crucial that your pet be in a carrier if at all possible to ensure the safety of the pet as well as the cars occupants said eckman you should also make sure to factor in rest stops for the pet that include snack and water breaks for these rest stops make sure to have a reliable collar or harness to keep the pet safe and from running away when traveling by plane it is important to remember that many pets do well once they are actually on the plane and settled the ffa prefers that pets not be heavily sedated during flights especially those that are flying cargo due to safety concerns if you are concerned about your pet your veterinarian can help you develop strategies to aid your pets anxiety of flying often these will need to be tested at home before traveling in case the pet has adverse reactions so you will need to allow time for this when you finally arrive at your new home it is important to make sure that the area is safe and secure for your pet said eckman look for items that may have been left over from previous tenants like traps chemicals or tools and make sure that the homes perimeter is secure you should then let your pet get used to their new home and surroundings and try to get back into a normal routine with them as quickly as possible pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
bringing home babe: what you need to know before bringing home your first pig july 25 2013 when most people think of their ideal pet a certain breed of dog or cat instantly comes to mind however for those that love more exotic pets and are willing to put in a little more time and effort a pot-bellied pig can be an ideal choice pot-bellied pigs including mini and micro pigs can make good indoor and outdoor pets said philippa sprake clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) pigs are social animals and each has their own personality while pigs are unbelievably intelligent and undeniably adorable as seen here there are a few things pet-owners should know before bringing little wilbur home to stay the first thing future owners should do is check with their local homeowners association as well as their homes zoning regulations to ensure that pigs can be kept on the property pigs can be extremely noisy especially when adapting to a new environment and the last thing any new pet owner wants is an angry neighbor or landlord trying to have the pet removed when it comes to deciding on a piglet it is very important to choose one that is at least 8 weeks old weaned and comes from a reputable breeder to ensure that it is healthy said sprake also even though they are called miniature micro pigs can still grow to around 40 pounds and full size or traditional pot belly pigs can reach 100 pounds or more so it is important to see the parents of the pig you are planning on taking home to evaluate your piglets potential adult size when it comes to training your new pot-bellied pig it is important to remember that pigs can be as intensive a pet as dogs and as such they need exercise and social interaction or they may develop health and behavioral problems pigs can be trained very similarly to dogs using positive reinforcement techniques such as clicker training they are also highly food motivated so it is important to make sure that their treats are low in calories such as fresh fruits or vegetables in order to prevent obesity when it comes to feed young pigs should be fed a youth mini-pig feed until they reach around two years of age said sprake after this they can be fed adult or senior foods which are high in fiber and relatively low calorie to help curb obesity pigs should also have access to fresh water at all times and should never be fed human food as the high salt content can cause salt toxicity when it comes to deciding where to place your pigs bedding the first thing a pet-owner must decide is if they want to keep their new pet inside or out regardless all pigs need access to the outside so they can root which is an instinctive behavior where the pig digs in the ground with their snout searching for food and obtaining iron from the soil which is vital to prevent anemia pigs are sensitive to both hot and cold temperature extremes said sprake therefore they need shelter from the sun wind and rain if kept outside in texas for example they will need fans to compensate for the hot summer months as well as a kiddie pool or shallow pond to wallow in and cool off pigs can also be kept inside as they are easily housetrained or litter-box trained pet pigs like their livestock counterparts should be checked regularly by a veterinarian to ensure that they are healthy as possible pet pigs initially need to be vaccinated to avoid several diseases and should be spayed or neutered to prevent behavioral issues unwanted litters and other health problems said sprake pigs should also be wormed several times a year and need their feet trimmed regularly the biggest problems veterinarians see in pet pigs usually comes from owners providing an inappropriate diet pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
second-hand smoke and your pet july 11 2013 we all know that smoking is bad for our health but what might surprise many pet-owners are the dangerous effects that second-hand smoke can have on their four-legged loved ones after some time there are studies that show that dogs exposed to large amounts of second-hand smoke have significant changes to their lung tissue over time said heather wilson-robles assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical science (cvm) these changes range from fibrosis or scarring of the lung tissue to precancerous and even cancerous lesions a case report published in 2012 showed a cat developing a tracheal carcinoma after being exposed to large amounts of second-hand smoke in the home and another study in 2002 published by the group at tufts showed that second-hand smoke may double the risk of lymphoma development in cats many veterinarians also feel that symptoms in their patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma or bronchitis improve if the owners quit smoking for those that do smoke there are a few ways to tell if your habit is affecting your pets health for animals with asthma allergic lung disease or bronchitis you might see a dry hacking and progressive cough said wilson-robles asthma patients may have more frequent asthma attacks and their symptoms may be more difficult to manage medically animals with allergic lung disease will often have more severe symptoms if they live in a smoking household and these symptoms may persist all year round rather than being seasonal disposing of your tobacco may also prove hazardous to the wellbeing of your pet if they tend to be nosy or like to dig in the trash ingestion of tobacco products may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting diarrhea drooling increased salivation and trembling said wilson-robles high doses of nicotine may lead to excitement constricted pupils odd behavior seizures and even death cigarette butts are especially dangerous as they contain 25% of the nicotine found in the cigarette while the most efficient way to treat second-hand smoke problems with your pet is for the owner to quit using the substance there are other ways to keep your pet safe and keep your habit pet owners need to immediately quit smoking around the animal and wash their hands thoroughly after smoking before touching the pet or anything it may come in contact with said wilson-robles if your dog or cat eats a cigarette chewing tobacco cigar etc call an emergency clinic nearby for directions on how to treat this toxicosis in most cases the tobacco will induce vomiting by itself but if not vomiting should be induced to clean the stomach out and prevent systemic and possibly even lethal nicotine toxicosis if you believe your pet is suffering from tobacco-related issues of any kind schedule an appointment with your local veterinarian immediately pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
adopting an older pet july 5 2013 theres no mistaking it baby pets are adorable and many grow up to become magnificent companions unfortunately pet owners often forget the trouble involved with raising a pet from infancy and overlook the countless mature dogs awaiting adoption from shelters and rescue organizations consider adopting an older pet if you want to skip the house-training and want an animal that may already be obedience trained said dr mark stickney clinical associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical science (cvm) another benefit with older pets is that their personality is set when you meet them and any health issues or special care needs may already be evident within the first week of adopting an older pet schedule a visit with your veterinarian to identify any health concerns and to update vaccinations heartworm prevention and parasite prevention when selecting a pet to bring home make sure their behavior and activity level will fit into your lifestyle which is much easier to determine when you meet an older pet said stickney for example a pet that is calm and relaxed for a smaller house versus super-active pets that need room to move around and a large yard you should also have it meet all of the family to make sure the pet will get along with the children males and females living in your home it is also important to ask the shelter or rescue organization about any known health or behavior issues or if the pet has been around other pets before or not preparing your home for an older pet is not that much different than a younger one with a few exceptions that many find easier when bringing home any pet it is important to have things such as the appropriate food bedding bowls and the appropriate toys like chew objects for dogs or a scratching tree for cats said stickney it is also essential to have a carpet cleaner around for a few accidents until the pet understands your houses routine and to make sure your yard is fenced with no breaks where the pet could escape and get lost if your pet has arthritis and has trouble moving and jumping you may need a ramp to help it maneuver steps older pets can also be easier to train because they do not get distracted as easily as puppies however if they have already learned certain commands you will need to stick with the same command words and gestures instead of trying to use new commands for the same trick to view adoption services and to adopt an older pet of your own check out services such as petfindercom or visit the local aggieland humane society pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
pet therapy in nursing homes: assisted living may never be the same june 20 2013 when the time comes for a family member to move into a nursing home or retirement community many worry that their loved ones will begin to feel lonely and unneeded as time goes by fortunately thanks to people such as kit darling and dr karen snowden and their work with organizations like aggieland pets with a purpose many elderly residents are getting the chance to experience the unconditional love of a pet people in nursing homes usually face a lot of physical challenges and having a pet live with them is not an option said kit darling infection control coordinator at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical science (cvm) but many nursing homes now will allow personal pets to visit or may schedule pet visits with an animal-assisted therapy group aggieland pets with a purpose or apwap is a local non-profit animal-assisted therapy organization apwap members and their therapy pets usually dogs or cats visit many assisted-living and nursing home facilities in the bryan college station community it is always very rewarding to see a person smile or talk about their pets when one of my apwap certified dogs like dexter or daschle visits a nursing home facility said darling each animal involved in apwap has passed a temperament test and receives regular veterinary care with parasite control and vaccinations in order to be a part of the program said darling it is also important for the animals that visit to be healthy and clean so all of our animals have a bath within 24 hours prior to a visit including having their nails filed and ears cleaned some retirement communities and assisted living facilities allow their residents to have pets live with them in these communities the residents usually have an apartment and must be physically able to care for their pets daily needs the pet must also be friendly towards other people and animals and should have regular visits with its veterinarian to ensure that it is healthy there may also be restrictions on the type and size of pets allowed depending on the facility having a pet can be greatly beneficial to the health of the older population said dr karen snowden professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical science (cvm) a pet can provide companionship and social opportunities for the elderly population as well as physical psychological and emotional health benefits after children are grown and maybe a spouse has passed a person may feel isolated and inessential said snowden having to care for a pet provides a sense of need and having regular interactions with a pet has shown to lower blood pressure decrease anxiety increase physical activity and enhance social opportunities pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
arthritis and your pet june 17 2013 the aggie family lost a beloved member when reveille vii the retired mascot of texas a&m university died last week ever since her arrival in aggieland reveille vii a female american collie had been receiving the best care available at the small animal hospital at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical science (cvm) stacy eckman a lecturer at the cvm had been treating rev for arthritis since last august when revs caregivers tina and paul gardner noticed that she was having trouble sitting down like she normally would arthritis can attack bones and joints in animals the same way the disease does in humans said zachary goodrich veterinary resident instructor at the cvm however some animals especially dogs can be affected by arthritis at a much younger age than humans generally are some pets will be affected by arthritis before they are even one year old reveille vii was twelve and a half although there is no certain way to prevent arthritis in pets owners can help stave off arthritis by making sure their dog has a good healthy diet and gets plenty of exercise dogs that are overweight tend to be more affected by arthritis eckman said reveille vii did not have that problem tina gardener did a great job keeping reveille slim and fit even with her reduced activity level in retirement eckman said consistent low-impact exercise such as walking and swimming helps maintain good muscle mass as well as keeping your pet at an ideal body weight said goodrich the more extra weight your pet carries around the higher the stress being placed across its joints which may worsen the arthritis or affect your pets quality of life there are several signs for pet-owners to look for if they suspect their animal is suffering from arthritis the most obvious sign is decreased activity level said goodrich the animal may not want to go as far as it used to on a walk or may not want to walk at all other signs can include stiffness when rising especially after sleeping and varying degrees of lameness it is also important to have your animal examined a veterinarian can take x-rays of the affected joints to diagnose arthritis however x-ray images cant determine the diseases severity their signs on x-rays dont necessarily coordinate with their physical findings eckman said in other words a lack of change in the x-rays doesnt mean your pets arthritis isnt getting worse although there is no cure for arthritis there are a number of treatments available to help your arthritic pet feel better these treatments vary depending on the severity of the case early detection-before the disease has progressed too far-is important to help maintain your pets ability to walk run and play there are several surgical and medical treatment options available depending on which joint is affected said goodrich joint replacements are performed on a case-by-case basis arthroscopy is also routinely used to evaluate and treat the joint in a minimally invasive manner a veterinarian may give your dog steroid injections to help relieve inflammation from arthritis drugs such as polysulfated glycosaminoglycan injections help protect cartilage with minimal side effects medical options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of which there are several on the veterinary medical market said eckman most of them are actually formulated for osteoarthritis however never give your pets human medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin as they can cause serious harm to your pets stomach kidneys and liver when you use the drugs together you can actually use less drug overall because they complement each other said eckman physical therapy such as work on a water treadmill is very important for treating arthritis in dogs treatment for arthritis sometimes requires multiple types of therapy said jacqueline davidson clinical professor at the cvm reveille was given several different types of oral medication for pain and inflammation and received injections of a joint lubricant and a steroid into several of the more severely affected joints she also received injections of a medication in the muscle to help with joint pain and inflammation reveilles diet was also controlled throughout her therapy to make sure that she stayed at a lean body weight and she took several different dietary supplements for her joints one of which was an omega-3 fatty acid to help reduce pain associated with inflammation being overweight results in more stress on the joints because they are supporting more weight said davidson in addition excess body fat promotes inflammation in the body and can worsen the signs of arthritis reveille came to the tamu veterinary physical rehabilitation service several times weekly her treatments included electro-acupuncture and laser therapy for pain and she exercised regularly in the underwater treadmill walking in water is helpful for arthritis because the buoyancy of the water reduces stress on the joints allowing for more comfortable movement said davidson in addition the water provides some resistance which helps promote leg strength the tamu small animal hospital also provides nonmedical treatments to help with pain such as dry needling laser high-energy wave therapy therapeutic ultrasound electrical stimulation and electro-acupuncture a veterinarian can give recommendations for various dietary supplements and a home exercise plan as well as provide dietary counseling to choose the most appropriate diet to maintain lean body weight in your pet there is no one right recipe for every dog eckman said you have options and you have to determine what works and what doesnt work pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
what to expect when your pet is expecting june 7 2013 many people see their pet as their own child but what do you do when you find that your little one will soon be having children of their own knowing how to care for your pet during pregnancy and after childbirth is essential for any responsible pet owner so how do you tell if your pet is expecting some telltale signs to watch for in a pregnant pet are lethargy not wanting to eat as much not playing as much as usual and enlarged nipples said jean laird veterinary technician at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) these are attributed to a change in hormones and milk production even if you are sure there is no way a dog has gotten in your yard it is best to take her to the veterinarian to confirm if she is pregnant intact male dogs are surprisingly persistent when a female is in heat while there is a pregnancy test for pets a small litter may result in a false negative if you believe your pet is pregnant the first thing you should do is take her in to see a veterinarian certain conditions exist that may appear to be pregnancy but in reality are alarming and may even be life threatening one condition that can be deadly is called pyometra said laird it is a bacterial infection that occurs during their heat cycle and results in the uterus filling with pus this is a serious condition that requires immediate surgery and hospitalization symptoms include fever lethargy and vaginal discharge that is commonly confused with standard pregnancy discharge when preparing your home for a pregnant pet there are several conditions that must be met to guarantee that your pet is safe and comfortable throughout their pregnancy first your dog will need a whelping bed said laird this can be a kiddie pool or blocked off area with blankets as long as it is a secure area provides easily accessible food and water to the mother and is protected from the elements the mother will need to be fed high quality puppy food until her little ones are weaned though puppies are not born with their eyes open they move around a great deal so it is important to encourage the mother to stay with the puppies be extremely cautious about heating pads and if you decide to use one keep them on low at all times many puppies are injured and even killed because they do not have the ability to get off of a hot heating pad after your pet has given birth it is important that both the mother and newborn puppies be examined by your veterinarian as soon as possible the vet will be able to ensure the physical condition of the mother and her puppies as well as make recommendations to provide the best care your vet can also set up an appropriate schedule for your new puppies to be dewormed and vaccinated after your pet has given birth keep her confined with the puppies as much as possible and carefully observe her to see if she is gentle with the puppies and allows them to nurse said laird if she lays on them tries to injure them or does not allow them to nurse you will have to bottle feed the puppies there is powder milk available through your veterinarian and feed stores that is specifically made for puppies avoid giving them cows milk as this is not adequate nutrition for the growth and development of a puppy pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
when disaster strikes may 24 2013 when a disaster suddenly strikes it can be frightening for everyone including your pet the best thing you can do for you and your pets safety is to be prepared develop a plan for emergencies and have it ready before the disaster strikes planning ahead is the key to keeping yourself and your pet safe before during and after a disaster before a disaster it is important to insure that all your animals are identified within a system that will allow you two to be reunited if separated said wesley bissett assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) identification can come in a variety of ways such as collars or microchips collars may be less expensive but they are much easier to lose whereas microchips may be more expensive but provide the advantage of being permanently within the animal you should also try to keep a photo of you and your pet together to verify ownership when preparing for a disaster it is imperative that all of your pets vaccinations are current if you do not typically have your dog vaccinated for bordetella or kennel cough consider doing so as storm season approaches said bissett this is disease prevention in case your pet is checked into an animal shelter when packing emergency supplies for your pet remember to store at least a one-week supply of pet food to keep the pets gi tract from becoming upset and enough water to meet you and your pets needs for up to three days if you must evacuate the area make sure to grab your pets food & water bowls before leaving if your pet is on a prescription for a chronic illness keep at least a two-week supply of medication as well as a copy of the pets medical records said bissett it may be difficult to have prescriptions re-filled in an emergency situation also make sure you have a kennel or crate to transport your pet in case of an evacuation during a disaster or other emergency it is important to follow a pre-written plan to ensure you and your pets safety this not only saves valuable time during the disaster but can also aid in remembering important details of the event afterwards it is also important to heed all evacuation recommendations and orders said bissett if the number of animals that you will be evacuating will require multiple trips plan ahead and leave early! if your pet is injured during a disaster immediately seek veterinary medical help which in many cases is available as part of the local or state response said bissett if help is not instantly available perform first aid until help arrives pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
controlling your cats hairballs may 10 2013 many pet owners love their feline friends and will do whatever it takes to keep them relaxed and happy this makes it especially alarming for pet-owners to witness their cat suffer from the discomforting symptoms that come with hairballs knowing how to prevent hairballs and how to treat them when they occur is essential to keeping your cat healthy a hairball is an accumulation of hair in the gi tract said james barr associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) it simply accumulates together and is usually contained within the stomach a hairball is formed when cats accidently ingest loose hair while cleaning their fur the fur that is not digested accumulates in the stomach forming a hairball while clinical signs of hairballs may vary common symptoms include decreased appetite constipation and vomiting in the worst case scenario the hair passes through the stomach and lodges in the small intestine said barr the result is an obstruction in the gi tract which can be life threatening if you believe your cat is feeling sick due to a hairball it is important to see your veterinarian right away they may prescribe medication or give treatments that can help cats deal with the discomfort associated with hairballs numerous cats especially those with long hair will occasionally vomit up hairballs and not show any clinical signs which may be completely normal for your cat said barr if there seems to be an abnormal amount of hairballs produced then steps should be taken to prevent the pet from ingesting large amounts of hair or to help the hair move through the gi tract before it accumulates together pet owners can also help prevent or reduce the severity of their cats hairballs by frequently brushing the cat and discouraging it from excessively grooming itself there are over-the-counter medications that are designed for cats with hairballs to aid in digestion said barr as always if there are concerns for your cats health please call your veterinarian for guidance pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
understanding and overcoming your pets fears april 25 2013 while many of us would like to believe our little puppy has no fear the truth is that there are many things a pet willexperience that may frighten it at first as it attempts to understand more pets can be fearful of all types of things says dr mark stickney clinical associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) thunderstorms fireworks cars and even children can all potentially be sources of fear for a pet pets become scared because they like all animals have evolved to recognize threats animals fear physiology is similar to that of humans with the heart rate blood pressure and body temperature rising when frightened dogs bred as pack animals need to be with their owners when afraid cats being more solitary hide when scared and may be less destructive the critical socialization period‐ 8 to 12 weeks of age‐ is an important factor in shaping the behavior of both puppies and kittens during this time the pet should have its first vaccinations and then exposed to all sources of stimuli including people things and sounds if you plan to have the animal accompany you while horseback riding take it to a place where it can see and smellhorses if you plan to take the animal along during hunting take it to the field where it can see and hear gunshots said stickney crate training is also imperative from the first day the pet comes home this gives the pet a place to feel safe when you leave the house the crate should always be a safe and happy place the pet should never be put in these crates to be punished or for any negative experience said stickney one way to overcome fear is to expose the pet to the source of its fear and reward them for when they are brave some dogs experience anxiety and become distressed when they hear keys being picked up one way to desensitize them is to frequently pick up keys and then sit back at home or leave the house for a minute and then come back the pet will slowly recognize to ignore these cues said stickney a current market trend is tight‐fitting pet jackets to aid in behavior while these may help they are shown to mostly aid in modifying mild behavior problems the idea is that animals feel safe and secure when they are compressed just like babies when they are swaddled said stickney to aid in more severe fears specialized veterinary behaviorists prescribe a combination of behavioral medication and pharmacological treatments pharmacologic therapy only serves to help the behavior modification there is no such thing as a single solution to fix the problem said stickney the sooner you address these issues the better it is because these fears do not go away on their own said stickney nothing is easy about rearing a puppy its a big responsibility but there are incredible benefits if you put in the time and effort early on pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
the itch that keeps on itching: fleas and our pets april 12 2013 of all the joys spring offers us one of the most troublesome things about this time of year is the increase of insects on our furry friends of all these creepy pests adult fleas cause the most problems for our pets and the owners intent on controlling them in order to become adults fleas need warm weather between 70 and 80 degrees and around 70 to 80 percent relative humidity those ideal conditions are usually what we are experience during this time of the year which is why we generally see more fleas coming out in the spring said dr alison diesel lecturer in dermatology at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) unlike many geographical areas where seasonal differences occur fleas can be present year-round in texas because of our warmer winters while many people think fleas are relatively harmless except for making our pets itch fleas can cause numerous other health problems in our pets for example some animals may react to an allergen found in fleas saliva causing the animal to have an allergic reaction this causes the animal to itch and ultimately scratch which can lead to a secondary skin infection if there is a massive amount of fleas anemia could even become a potential problem especially with small animals that do not have large amounts of blood fleas also carry diseases like tapeworms and bartonella (which causes cat scratch disease) that can infect both pets and humans while there is no way to completely prevent fleas from reaching our pets a key factor to controlling fleas is breaking their life cycle either by killing the adults and/or at least one of the juvenile stages the flea life cycle has four phases: the adult fleas lay eggs the eggs hatch into larvae the larvae turns into pupae which eventually turn into adults said diesel targeting several phases of the flea lifecycle is best particularly when dealing with an infestation the easiest stage to target is the adult flea since they live on the pet the other stages such as eggs larvae and pupae are present in the environment with regards to specific therapy for fleas and secondary problems your pets veterinarian is a valuable resource for the best options and possible medications your pets veterinarian can help recommend the most appropriate product to help prevent fleas based on other factors (other skin conditions food allergies etc) as well as discuss the appropriate way to administer the product said diesel i suggest using a flea prevention that lasts the entire month and is still effective if the pet gets wet using flea control products once every 30 days provides the best protection for your pet from flea bites and can even prevent a flea infestation from being established in your pets environment it is important to minimize an animals exposure to fleas by avoiding infested areas and pets there are some things which can be done to minimize exposure to fleas: avoid known infested areas do not allow your pet to come into contact with wild animals or burrows and protect areas of the house where wild animals may enter to minimize wild animals from establishing residency in the first place said diesel if fleas become a problem inside the house try vacuuming once a week if the flea presence grows larger there are various in-house treatments and exterminators to aid in flea removal focus on places where the pets spends most of their time inside the house because that will contain the most concentrated area of fleas said diesel also dont forget under beds and furniture behind curtains and along hallways connecting rooms when treating the house for fleas it may be best to contact a professional exterminator when there is a large flea burden present in addition to treating animals and the inside of the home it may also be essential to treat the outside environment around your home this can be done by treating areas of the surrounding property that have an unusually high populace of fleas this includes shaded areas under trees and bushes in dog houses under porches and decks as with indoor control when the burden is high a professional exterminator may be the most help said diesel the best approach to controlling fleas is to practice prevention continuously throughout the year by treating all pets with proper medication as well as treating the inside and outside of the home if there is a suspected infestation it is much easier to prevent fleas than to treat fleas said diesel pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
bringing home your first rodent april 4 2013 while many may not find a rodent as a first choice for a pet with some insight and guidance you may be more receptive to the idea of a small hamster or rat becoming a suitable pet for your family rats are probably the most social and interactive of the small rodents said dr sharman hoppes clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences rats are gentle seldom bite and are active during the day and are fairly easy to take care of rats do not have special dietary needs or sensitive stomachs although they do need a good quality rodent block or pellet ‘the seed mix diets are not a nutritionally adequate diet to determine which pet may be best for you you need to evaluate your expectations when picking out a pet rodent you should select an active social rodent with clean eyes clean nose and normal teeth the skin should be well groomed and clean there should be no lumps or bumps on their skin said hoppes small rodents such as mice and hamsters can bite more and tend to be more active at night guinea pigs and chinchillas are a bit bigger and are gentle pets but they have special dietary needs and their teeth continuously grow gerbils are unlikely to bite if handled gently they have few health problems and are the cleanest of all the commonly kept pet rodents if you are more interested in observing your pet and dont have as much time a gerbil hamster or mouse is an option as they are happy living in their cage if you want a socially active pet that needs lots of attention and activity a rat chinchilla or guinea pig is a great pet said hoppes rats are so social that they should not be housed alone if you are a night owl then hamsters may be best since they tend to sleep all day and run in their wheel all night one important aspect of keeping a pet rodent is that their cage needs to be cleaned one to two times a week to keep ammonia levels down also keeping the cage clean will help decrease the incidence of a respiratory disease rodents are animals and therefore require care said hoppes all pet rodents need a clean large cage chew toys ladders plastic or pvc pipe and daily interaction beddings such as paper aspen or walnut shavings are best while corncob pine and cedar shavings should be avoided rodents need fresh water and food constantly guinea pigs and chinchillas have a special need for timothy hay since they have continuously growing cheek teeth this hay helps keep the teeth from overgrowing additionally guinea pigs need vitamin c daily all rodents can have a small amount of fruits and vegetables for treats chinchillas also need daily dust baths and they and guinea pigs are very sensitive to heat and humidity both are susceptible to heatstroke in temperatures as low as 80-85 degrees especially if the humidity is higher than 40% pet rodents do not need vaccinations said hoppes there are few diseases to be concerned with and while salmonella infection has been documented it is rare rat bite fever caused by a bacterial infection may occur after a rat bite this can be prevented by immediately disinfecting any bite wound from a rat while diseases are uncommon in rodents rats are prone to mammary tumors and hamsters often have diarrhea (wet tail) many rodents are also prone to respiratory disease it is important to keep pet rats away from wild ones and to wash your hands after handling any small mammal guinea pigs and chinchillas are susceptible to ring worm so any hair loss or patchy areas on the skin should be seen by a veterinarian for treatment immediately the life span of pet rodents varies mice and hamsters generally live one to two years rats two to three years gerbils three to five years guinea pigs five to seven years and chinchillas live eight to 12 years or longer small rodents should not be pets for small children said hoppes children less than 10 years old should be supervised closely when handling small rodents the care and monitoring of any pet is ultimately the parents responsibility pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
potty training your new pet april 1 2013 the day your new puppy first sees its new home is a special day for any new pet owner playing with them caring for them and watching them explore every room of their new home is heartwarming and fun regrettably many people forget that cleaning up your little bundle of furs mess in your home is a responsibility that can quickly become irritating that is why it is crucial to have a potty-training plan ready for your new pet as soon as you bring them home its important to start young with potty training because what we dont want to do is establish bad habits in our pets said dr mark stickney clinical associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences once they learn one way to do something its hard for them to unlearn it and any change can confuse them begin training your dog as soon as you bring it home said stickney take it straight outside and give it plenty of time to go potty stay out there with it but ignore it until it is done then as soon as it is done give it a treat and ‘ooh and ahh over it while this progression may be irritating and time-consuming it will be well worthwhile when you no longer have to pick up messes inside your house when your pet is inside the house one of the most effective ways to train it is by crate training when you are not at home you should keep your pet in a crate inside your house said stickney this becomes their safe place or den and thus crate training takes advantage of their natural instinct not to make a mess in their own den as soon as your home instantly take your pet out of its crate and outside to do its business its not realistic to leave a puppy in a carrier for eight hours straight and not have an accident said stickney if at all possible you should try to come home or arrange for someone to come by and give it a potty break in the middle of the day if you work full-time it is important to never use your pets crate as punishment your pet sees the crate as its safe-place and if they are put in one as punishment the pet will develop a negative view of it and will no longer see it as their den this also goes for punishment of accidents never negatively reinforce their behavior said stickney if you swat or scold them when they have an accident they not only dont connect their accident to the punishment but it can cause anxiety and lead to slower potty training if you have followed these training recommendations and are still ineffective there are professional dog trainers who can help with the development you should also check with your veterinarian to make sure the animal does not have an underlying problem potty training is significantly different for cats and dogs while dogs need time attention to train cats are quite a bit easier litter training is instinctive for cats said stickney all you really need to do is put your kitten in the room with the litter pan and keep it in there when you are not playing with it or paying attention to it while there are a number of diverse litter-boxes available for your kitten the most important aspect to look for at least initially is that your kitten is comfortable and can easily get in and out you have to remember that when you bring home a kitten it is just a little baby and if you get a really high box it may have trouble getting into the box and therefore will not use it said stickney its also good to remove anything in the room that may resemble litter such as potted plants or they may become your pets bathroom when choosing a litter for your box it is important to remember that while there are many varieties available they are mostly marketed for human preferences find one that your cat will use and that works for you as well although all cat-litter brands are ok to use it may helpful if you know what kind of litter your kitten was using before it came to live with you and start with that if possible said stickney cats can be texture and odor specific with their litter so if you start with that you can gradually transition them to another litter later if you prefer if your dog or cat is already housebroken and suddenly starts having accidents it may be a sign that it has a health problem said stickney in this case you should definitely take the pet to its veterinarian for a check-up no one wants to deal with pet messes in their home if you have a potty training plan in place and are adamant about it you can have both a healthy happy and potty-trained pet and a clean fresh smelling home pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
mange and your dog march 22 2013 we love for our pets to play outdoors with their friends but owners should be cautious about the dangers that lurk there youve probably heard the term mangy mutt referring to a poor dog with a ratty patchy coat thats actually how dogs with sarcoptic mange really look mange is a condition caused by an infestation of a specific type of mite that is too tiny to be seen with the naked eye in this country primarily dogs get sarcoptic mange or scabies said dr alison diesel lecturer at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences it can be transmitted and carried by other wild canids including coyotes and foxes sarcoptes mites are very contagious and can be spread by your pet coming into contact with an infected source sarcoptes mites are spread by direct contact with an infected animal or from an infected environment (eg coyote den or fox burrow even dog parks or grooming facilities) said diesel it is important that all in-contact animals be treated for mites if one dog in the household is diagnosed with scabies the most common sign associated with sarcoptic mange is severe itchiness dogs may also develop a rash lose their hair and have crusting lesions on various body regions said diesel the most common areas include the ear margins hocks and elbows; however signs may become generalized very quickly veterinarians often use therapy or the pets history and clinical signs to diagnose mange sarcoptes mites can be very difficult to find as they live very superficially on the skin and are typically only present in very small numbers said diesel skin scrapings may help to identify the mites however often we do not find the mites on our patients a positive pinnal-pedal response (where the veterinarian folds the ear flap on itself rubs the two surfaces together and watches for the hind limb to exhibit the classic thumper or scratching response) can be supportive of the suspected diagnosis your dogs veterinarian will recommend the most appropriate therapy given your animals specific needs and preferences typically therapy lasts between 6-8 weeks thankfully sarcoptes mites are pretty wimpy said diesel several topical oral and injectable treatments are available for treating them certain breeds (eg collies shetland sheepdogs border collies) need to be specially considered as some of the therapeutic options can be toxic and cause severe side effects including seizures unfortunately sarcoptic mange can also be spread from dogs to their owners if a pet owner is concerned they may have contracted scabies from their pet particularly if their veterinarian diagnoses scabies they should contact their primary care physician for recommendations and let them know their dog is being treated for scabies said diesel the best prevention from mange is to keep dogs away from known infested environments including coyote dens and fox burrows if the owner knows their dog has scabies they should also keep their pet away from other dogs (including staying away from dog parks doggie day care and groomers) until the infestation is fully resolved said diesel pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
pet dental health march 13 2013 we all know that our dental health is important we even visit our dentist regularly to have teeth cleanings and oral exams keeping our teeth clean is vital to our health and well-being and that is no different for our pets ideally you should brush your pets teeth daily states dr johnathon dodd clinical professor at texas a&ms college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences make sure you are using special toothpaste that is made for pets and is safe for them to swallow they cannot spit or rinse like we do so our pets need specific kinds of toothpaste that is not harmful if ingested having your pets teeth inspected and cleaned is an important responsibility many owners overlook this seemingly slight slip of your pets dental health could be causing serious problems in your pets mouth gum disease is the most common disease occurring in pets today it results from the build-up of soft dental plaque on the surfaces of the teeth around the gums the bacteria in dental plaque irritate the gum tissue if it accumulates which leads to infection in the bone surrounding the teeth after plaque has formed hard dental tartar calcium salts from saliva that has been deposited on plaque begins to grow if the surface of the tooth does not stay clean tartar begins to form within a few days the un-brushed tooth provides a surface that boosts further plaque accumulation if plague is allowed to accumulate tartar is difficult to remove without dental instruments for our pets gum disease means bad breath and painful irritated gums that can lead to bleeding loss of appetite and the loss of teeth if the roots have been affected there is also the possibility that the bacteria surrounding the root of the tooth gains access to the bloodstream which can lead to microscopic damage of the heart liver and kidney as the severity of the gum disease increases so does the damage the best way to ward off potential oral disease in your pet is by keeping your pets teeth clean and checkups regular your veterinarian and local pet retail stores should carry toothbrushes and toothpaste for your pets different flavors of toothpastes are available for dog and cats your pet needs to get their teeth cleaned yearly said dodd most veterinary clinics should offer dental cleaning services but if they do not they can refer you to someone who does to help ward off gum diseases and bad breath there are products you can feed your pet that help improve and promote oral health there are certain dog treats that help promote good dental health said dodd the right kind of treat should crumble be easily crushed and contain chlorhexadine or a hydrogen peroxide-type additive that can help with the bacteria count in the animals mouth balancing this bacteria count can help prevent and get rid of bad breath a helpful guide to go by when considering your pets oral health is the veterinary oral health council website they have a compiled list of products that are intended to help reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth of animals and have created the vohc seal of approval to see the full list of vohc approved products visit wwwvohcorg brushing your pets teeth taking them for a yearly dental health visit to the dentist and giving them vohc approved products are all ways that you can help make sure your pet has a clean and healthy mouth pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
pet heart health and heartworms march 7 2013 the heart is a complex organ and it is important for pet owners to be aware of the diseases it can develop such as heartworms pet owners should be aware of the signs and symptoms of heartworms so that they can provide their pet with the best possible care humid spring and summer days may cause dogs and cats to suffer more from mosquito bites that can lead to heartworm disease said dr sonya gordon associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences dogs have a high risk of heartworm infection but cats are also susceptible to the disease pets become infected when a heartworm-infested mosquito bites the animal transmitting the heartworm larvae into the tissue of the pet as the larvae develop they travel through the tissue and ultimately settle in the blood vessels of the lungs which leads to the development of heartworm disease heartworms should really be called lungworms because the adult worm typically lives in the blood vessels of the lungs not the heart said gordon if left untreated heartworms can lead to difficulty with breathing and even result in a clog of the right heart causing caval syndrome which is when blood is prevented from traveling through the right side of the heart and causes the pets abdomen to fill with fluid among other problems signs of heartworm disease can include coughing difficulty breathing fainting weight loss and an overall decreased activity level a blood test from your local veterinarian can determine if your pets have the disease while treatment for heartworm disease is possible it is frequently much more expensive and hazardous than preventative medication treatment for heartworm disease can cost up to $6 000 contingent on the disease severity and is generally considered a dangerous procedure since a lethal substance must be used to exterminate the worms in the blood vessels and the pets body must clean up the deceased worms itself treatment can last up to four months depending on the severity of the case during this time the pet must have their exercise severely restricted the best overall treatment for heartworms is preventative medicine said gordon pet owners have a variety of treatment options to choose from including once-monthly tablets tasty chewable tablets topical medicines and even injections that can be given by your veterinarian twice per year it is important to use the treatment that works best for you and your pet preventative medicine costs approximately $30-$100 per year and is typically administered once a month to prevent heartworm larvae from developing into adults even pets that receive monthly preventative medicine should have a yearly blood test to ensure that they do not accidentally become infected pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
pesticides and your pet february 21 2013 while spring is a time to plant beautiful flowers in your yard it also brings pesky insects out in numbers because of this a potential hazard this time of year for pets is pesticides before choosing a pesticide read the label to ensure it is safe for your pet said michael golding assistant professor at the texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences avoid products with bone-meal as these can be tasty to your pet and pesticides with organophosphates and carbamates as these can be extremely deadly the most common ways pets come into contact with pesticides is licking the toxic substances from their feet or coat or by directly consuming the product from a container that has been left out if your pet begins showing symptoms such as vomiting diarrhea seizures trouble walking drooling nausea and/or tremors contact your veterinarian immediately as these are signs that your pet is suffering from pesticide related toxicity a common way pesticides cause problems in our pets is through organophosphates and carbamates said golding they act as competitive inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase a key component of the central nervous system that allows the brain to regulate the body while newer more environmentally safe pesticides have a wider safety margin they are still not 100% safe a product that is labeled ‘green is not necessarily safe for dog/cat who decides to eat it said golding it is best to be safe so call your vet and read him/her the label information as soon as your pet has contact with the substance while pesticides are a main source for toxicity in pets there are many other toxins in a home that pets can come into contact with garage toxins such as antifreeze windshield wiper fluid and fertilizers and kitchen toxins like chocolate bread dough grapes and onions are examples of household items that can be problematic if your pet comes into contact with them said golding for any toxic exposure contact your veterinarian immediately another excellent resource is also the pet poison helpline at 800-213-6680 pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
first aid for pets february 15 2013 when a friend or significant other gets hurt we generally have a good idea of how to take care of them but what do you do when your pet is in an emergency unfortunately most pet owners do not prepare themselves for these tragic incidents until it is too late it is absolutely necessary to know if your veterinarian has an after hour emergency service and if not who they recommend calling in case of an emergency said dr mark stickney clinical associate professor at the texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences it is also imperative that you can call your veterinarian for advice on what to do to help your pet until you can get it to a clinic two common pet emergency situations that pet owners should be equipped for are poisoning and trauma if you suspect that your pet has eaten something toxic contact your veterinarian they may tell you to make it vomit by feeding it hydrogen peroxide states stickney while hydrogen peroxide is generally harmless there are some poisons that will actually make things worse if the pet vomits so it is important that you contact your veterinarian first having a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in the medicine cabinet before you need it is a good idea as temperatures begin to rise snake bites become more and more common with pets if you think your pet has been bitten by a snake stay calm and take it to the vet right away do not use a tourniquet on the animal as this will limit the blood flow to the area causing more harm than good the area where the pet was bitten will swell up very quickly said stickney just because there is no visible puncture wound does not mean that your pet did not get bitten if you are able to kill the snake then take it to the veterinarian with you if they can identify it they will have a better idea of how harmful the bite is traumatic events such as getting hit by a car bike or other vehicle are sadly not uncommon for pet dogs and cats while the animal might look okay it is a good idea to have it checked out by a veterinarian anyway trauma can be very deceiving what appears to be a minor injury on the outside may hide a lot of damaged tissue on the inside said stickney the first thing to do if your pet has been injured and is bleeding is to put pressure on the area to slow blood flow wounded pets may bite from pain fear or confusion so it is good to have a muzzle to use in this type of emergency situation your pet might be your best friend but when dogs are hurt they may not remember that said stickney if you have a big dog i would also recommend that you have a dog stretcher they make it much easier to move large injured animals less severe accidents such as minor cuts and scrapes are common and can be handled much like you would treat yourself make sure that the cut is as clean as possible said stickney i would not recommend putting antibiotic cream anywhere your pet can lick it off as this just causes more germs to get in the wound if the cut is on an area they cant lick then something like neosporin will be fine elizabethan collars are useful for preventing a pet from gaining access to an injury pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
vaccinating your pet february 8 2013 even though they may be taken for granted pet vaccinations are vital for your pets health properly vaccinating your pet is an important part of pet care because vaccines can potentially help protect your pet against some serious health conditions and diseases vaccines are a suspension of altered microorganisms which will prevent lessen or treat disease without causing the disease said dr mark stickney clinical associate professor at the texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences vaccines are considered the cornerstone of preventive medicine knowing the different types of vaccinations and how they work can help pet owners provide the best care for their animals there are live killed modified live and recombinant vaccinations said stickney by exposing the immune system to bacteria or viruses that are genetically similar to the ones that will cause disease the immune system will develop antibodies that protect the body when it encounters the actual disease-causing organism some pet vaccines can be purchased over-the-counter and given by non-veterinarians said stickney however there may be quality control issues with vaccines if you are not familiar with the correct way to store and use them by law certain vaccines like the rabies vaccine can only be given by your veterinarian said stickney your veterinarian is also the best person to determine which vaccines your pet needs and how frequently they should be administered all puppies and kittens should receive the rabies vaccine at three months of age and again at one year of age vaccination schedules vary depending on the area of the country you are in and the prevalence of different diseases in that area said stickney puppies should be vaccinated for distemper virus adenovirus parvovirus and parainfluenza while kittens should be vaccinated for viral rhinotracheitis calicivirus and panleukopenia other vaccinations may also be recommended depending on the lifestyle of your pet booster shots are necessary in puppies and kittens to overcome ‘maternal immunity where the antibodies that the puppies and kittens acquired from their mother provide some protection but eventually break down said stickney vaccines are ineffective in the face of maternal immunity; therefore the puppy and kitten vaccine series is necessary to protect the pet during the time when the maternal immunity disappears booster shots remind the immune system of diseases it is supposed to protect against the frequency at which adult animals should receive booster vaccines has been a topic of debate among veterinarians for years increasingly we have evidence that most vaccines do not need to be boosted every year and that the risk of an animal catching certain diseases decreases with age your veterinarian will be able to tailor a protocol for vaccinating your pet based on its specific lifestyle no vaccine is 100% effective said stickney it is possible to overwhelm any vaccine and immune system with exposure to enough disease-causing organisms additionally adverse reactions can occur from vaccinations these reactions are most likely to occur the second time an animal receives a vaccine they usually occur within a few minutes to six hours of vaccination there are two types of reactions commonly seen anaphylactic and delayed hypersensitivity said stickney delayed hypersensitivity reactions are more common and less serious the pet becomes itchy and the face and ears swell these reactions can usually be treated with antihistamines anaphylactic reactions are less common and are serious and life-threatening said stickney the animal collapses and goes into shock epinephrine and intravenous fluids are necessary to treat the animal if your pet ever had an allergic reaction to a vaccine it is important to let your veterinarian know even pets that are allergic to a specific vaccine typically have no problems if they are treated with antihistamines before vaccinations remember vaccines are health products that signal protective immune responses in your pet your veterinarian can best guide you in the use and schedule for vaccinating your pet pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
cold weather and your pet january 31 2013 many pet owners love spending time with their furry friend outside but during the cold winter weather pet owners need to take special precautions to ensure that their pet stays warm and healthy when the temperature drops the good thing is that for most areas of texas even the ‘winter months do not get cold enough to cause serious problems in our pets or even most large animals said alison diesel lecturer at the texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences the thick coats of most domestic animal species are sufficient to provide protection from the cold here in texas but on the rare occasion of a colder day some other things could be considered one precaution pet owners must take is making sure dogs cats and other large animal species have an adequate defense from the cold weather when they are outside making sure blankets are available and dry can be extremely helpful for this purpose said diesel also as with people turning up the heat can help keep our pets warm as well for smaller pets simply keeping them inside during the colder times can be the most beneficial nonetheless short exposure to the outside cold can be fine and is usually not detrimental to the pets health dogs and cats shiver a lot like people this action is used to help generate body heat in cold climates said diesel if your pet shivers while outside shorten the length of your trips together to help reduce this trembling providing extra bedding like blankets and towels will also keep your pets warm and cozy for larger pets that cannot come inside from the cold weather making sure they have an adequate outdoor shelter is important to their comfort and safety shelters such as dog houses and stables can be very helpful during cold winds and should have extra bedding (blankets towels hay etc) added for additional warmth an important thing to remember for outdoor pets is to make sure they always have a fresh supply of water said diesel if it gets cold enough to freeze this should be checked regularly to make sure the water doesnt freeze over moving water sources like fountains are less likely to do this conditions like frostbite and hypothermia while not typical in warmer climates like texas are severe conditions that are common in colder climates dehydration is a possibility as well if your pets water source freezes over said diesel pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
springtime gardening and pet safety january 23 2013 spring is the season for being outdoors for many that mean slipping on their rubber boots and gloves grabbing their shovel and planting seeds in the hope of an ample garden in the near future while preparing your plot its important to take steps to ensure that its safe for your pets to enjoy as well by avoiding any toxic plants when planting your garden it is important to note that there are numerous house and garden plants which can be toxic to pets said james barr assistant professor at the texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences some include brunfelsia oleander and even lilies brunfelsia also known as the yesterday today & tomorrow plant causes convulsive seizures in dogs while cycads low growing palm trees used indoors and outdoors are toxic to the liver of dogs and they trend to chew on the roots when the liver is contaminated the dogs body stops producing the normal clotting factors and the dog starts bleeding excessively this can progress to the point where the dog bleeds to death said barr while brunfelsia and cycads have not been known to cause problems in cats lilies are especially harmful to them once ingested cats develop symptoms such as nausea vomiting depression and will stop eating altogether once ingested the cat must be treated by a veterinarian preferably within 24 hours and not later than 48 hours said barr the toxin(s) present in the lilies are very toxic to the kidneys kolanchoe is a house plant that is known to be toxic to pets it contains a chemical which is similar to the human heart medication digoxin the garden plant oleander also contains digoxin-like compounds both kolanchoe and oleander can be toxic to all animals including dogs and cats if ingested said barr spring is a great time to enjoy the outdoors taking the time to make sure that everything you put in your yard is safe for your pet will ensure this time is special for the entire family pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
should you scrap the table scraps january 17 2013 as winter break comes to a close numerous students find themselves back at home with a fridge full of leftovers for many pet owners this means a few less trips to the store for pet food while sharing food with your pet is possible owners should realize that your pet has particular dietary restrictions it must follow to guarantee that it stays happy and healthy people enjoy sharing food with their pets it is part of the bonding process said deb zoran doctor of veterinary medicine and associate professor at texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) but proper control of the types and amounts of food pets are served is crucial for its safety for example a diet consisting too high of fats can very dangerous for dogs even causing such problems as diarrhea or in severe cases pancreatitis zoran said the additional calories found in average table foods can also lead to obesity problems in your pet if not controlled these problems arise not from the food itself as whole foods such as meat and potatoes are very nutritious and well digested but from the many spices added and the food not being in the proper balance for the pet the food itself is perfectly good for our pets zoran said if owners want to feed ‘human food and are willing to follow prescribed recipes set up by a nutritionist then it is an excellent way to meet their nutritional needs choosing to feed your pet in this fashion also leaves the owner with the responsibility for meeting their pets proper nutritional needs which are different for dogs and cats chicken is an excellent and frequently used meat source to feed pets with the fat removed for dogs and left in place for cats generally high fat things are potentially very problematic for dogs while cats dont need carbs in their diets at all zoran said spices and seasonings especially onions capsaicin and other additives are all potentially problematic in your pet food as well pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
matters of the heart: hypertension january 14 2013 one out of every three adults has high blood pressure or hypertension as with humans hypertension is seen in pet cats and dogs primary hypertension occurs when the blood pressure is higher than normal with no other cause secondary hypertension however occurs when the blood pressure is higher than normal as a result from a different disorder ordinarily both a cats and dogs blood pressure should be about 120/70 which is similar to the normal blood pressure of a human different from humans however animals usually experience secondary hypertension as a result from another disorder instead of primary hypertension said dr ashley saunders assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary & biomedical sciences said people get hypertension so they can relate to it saunders said the thing that is different between people and pets though is high blood pressure in pets is usually caused by something else high blood pressure can be a sign of kidney disease diabetes endocrine disease cancer in the adrenal glands and central nervous system and brain disease high blood pressure can also cause resinous problems such as blindness seizures and depression other signs include fainting anxiety and restlessness at night and loss of balance hypertension can result in blindness fainting episodes and can even contribute to kidney disease saunders said blood pressure on a pet is usually taken by shaving the underside of a paw and placing a cuff halfway down on the leg taking blood pressure on a pet is similar to that of a human an ultrasound machine is used to listen to the pets blood flow while the cuff is inflated and then released the animals blood pressure should be taken by a veterinarian the main treatment for hypertension is medication hypertension in pets is totally different than people because it is normally caused by another disease and it needs to be medicated saunders said people are used to hearing that they need to change their lifestyle diet and activity level when diagnosed with hypertension but that does not work for pets medication is needed since hypertension is also a symptom for underlying problems saunders explained that it is important to get the pets blood pressure checked regularly middle aged pets and older she added are more susceptible to having diseases that would cause hypertension once the pet is middle aged or older blood pressure should be taken regularly at least once a year saunders said this helps monitor their blood pressure and other possible disorders pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
matters of the heart: congenital heart disease january 4 2013 humans and dogs often have similar health problems one example of this is congenital heart disease congenital heart disease refers to a problem the animal is born with there are multiple types of congenital heart disease: valve malformations or dysplasia valve narrowing or stenosis abnormal openings between the heart chambers or septal defects and patent ductus arteriosus patent ductus arteriosus (pda) is the most common among dogs said dr ashley saunders assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) there are a number of diseases that your dog can be born with patent ductus arteriosus is the most common in dogs she said pda is caused when the ductus arteriosus an arterial connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery doesnt close properly after birth saunders said this results in blood being pumped back through the artery instead of through the rest of the body saunders added that different breeds such as german shepherds miniature poodles cocker spaniels pomeranians collies and shetland sheepdogs are more susceptible to the disorder female dogs are also predisposed to the disorder most dogs with pda have a heart murmur that the veterinarian will hear upon routine checkup most veterinarians will hear a heart murmur when the dog is taken in for a routine vaccination or first exam saunders said after hearing the heart murmur an x-ray is done to evaluate the heart size and possibly fluid build-up in the lungs a cardiologist would get an ultrasound or echocardiogram of the dogs heart to examine the blood flow through the ductus arteriosus based on the symptoms and the murmur we will do tests to determine which congenital disease the dog has saunders said a lot of times we will have to do a heart ultrasound to make a definitive diagnosis generally surgery is the treatment for dogs with pda the small animal hospital at the cvm is known for fixing pda with minimally invasive surgery saunders said if the animal has surgery their prognosis is great with a greater than90 percent survival percentage if undiagnosed and untreated pda can lead to heart failure since pda leads to heart failure 60 percent of dogs die when pda is untreated signs of heart failure are difficulty breathing coughing and exercise intolerance pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
dashing through the snow: signs of hypothermia december 13 2012 the weather in texas is extremely unpredictable one day its 60 degrees and raining the next its 80 degrees with sunshine winters can be even worse with unexpected cold fronts with extremely cold temperatures hypothermia is a possibility for pets hypothermia occurring in both humans and pets is a condition characterized by abnormally low body temperatures there are three phases of hypothermia: mild classified as a body temperature of 90-99 degrees fahrenheit; moderate classified as a body temperature of 82-90 degrees fahrenheit; and severe classified as a body temperature of less than 82 degrees fahrenheit with hypothermia the dog is no longer able to control a normal body temperature resulting in an abnormal heartbeat and difficulties breathing generally hypothermia results from spending too much time outside in the cold although there is not a specific time limit for a given temperature a dog should be left outside dr stacy eckman lecturer at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences said time spent outside in the cold should be restricted the amount of time a pet should spend outside varies based on how acclimated the pet is to cooler temperatures eckman said typically we do not recommend indoor pets to spend considerable amounts of time outdoors in cold temperatures without supervision hypothermia should be considered when taking any pet into the cold for long periods of time but some are more susceptible to the illness than others smaller younger dogs for example are likely to lose their body heat faster resulting in hypothermia eckman said geriatric patients may take medications that alter their ability to regulate their temperature and blood flow making them also more susceptible she said she added that arctic breeds such as huskies or malamutes can be less prone to hypothermia than other breeds because of their thicker coats if a dog is left in the cold for an extended period of times signs of hypothermia to look for are shivering lethargy weakness and shallow breathing the more severe the case of hypothermia the worse the signs will appear after a period of time the shivering stops and they become more neurologically affected eckman said their heart rates may drop to dangerous levels and it can be fatal it is important to take the pet to the veterinarian or seek a veterinarians advice if hypothermia is suspected once there the veterinarian can monitor the pets heartbeat breathing and temperature if the temperature falls below 98 degrees fahrenheit eckman said the veterinarian will start active warming on the pet active warming includes placing warm blankets or heating pads on the animal and feeding it warmed oats or rice eckman cautioned that owners should not perform these methods of treatment before consulting a veterinarian items such as heating pads should never be applied directly to pets as this can cause thermal burns she said for severe cases the veterinarian may give warmed iv fluids or warm water enemas to the pet another result from leaving a dog in the cold for long periods of time is frostbite frostbite occurs on areas least covered by fur such as ears and tails signs of frostbite include red swollen areas or pale white areas as with hypothermia it is important to consult a veterinarian if frostbite is suspected to prevent hypothermia and frostbite it is recommended that pets particularly smaller younger or older pets are not in the cold for extended periods of time eckman also recommended putting sweaters or booties on the pet to keep them warm dogs with coats and booties may look cute but this ‘fashion statement may protect from hypothermia she said this winter whether staying in texas or traveling to colorado remember to monitor the temperature if your pet is spending extended periods of time in the cold pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
bringing your 4-legged friend home for the holidays december 6 2012 for many pet lovers holiday traveling without their beloved pet simply wont do taking your pet along can make a holiday event fun for everyone if you plan carefully sarah griffin a lecturer at texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) says the first step in preparing for your pets travel is to keep up-to-date with interstate and international travel regulations which can be found online at wwwaphisusdagov if you are going across state borders a health certificate is required which involves a veterinarian examining your pet updating their vaccinations and ensuring that your pet is travel healthy says griffin you should also make sure that pets are allowed at places you will be staying especially with inns and hotels must have items to pack for your pets travels include a collar and leash for walks during pit-stops a crate and blankets for a cozy place for your pet to sleep toys for your pet to relax and dishes for food water and medications a list of veterinarians and/or pet emergency clinics along the way and at the destination is important in case of any unfortunate accidents says griffin you should also make sure your pet has a form of identification with up-to-date information like a microchip pet owners should remember that traveling is stressful for pets in much of the same way it is for their owners make sure that your pet is habituated to riding in a car before starting an extended road trip while medication can be prescribed for anxiety it is highly recommended to just train your pet for extensive car outings when on outings make sure your pet is restrained in the car by either a harness a pet friendly seat belt or is safe in a crate as this protects the pet and the cars other passengers says griffin a pet bed or blanket should be kept with your pet at all times to help keep their anxiety in check it is also important to make sure the seats containing your pet have their air bags deactivated to prevent any unfortunate accidents while out on the road make sure to stop about every three or so hours to allow your pet to use the bathroom and drink water pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
strangles: understanding equine distemper and purpura haemorrhagica november 29 2012 one of the most alarming of infectious diseases in the equine industry is strangles which is noted for the characteristic large swelling of lymph nodes under the jaw or in the throat area sometimes the node enlargement progresses to the point of interfering with airway or swallowing functions creating a concern that the patient might strangle strangles also known as equine distemper is caused by a bacterial infection of the highly infectious streptococcus equi (strep equi) it most commonly affects young horses generally two years of age or less although the disease is potentially fatal the mortality rate is generally less than 10 percent the morbidity rate however is quite high due to the infectious nature of the germ and its ability to survive once infected horses contaminate the environment the disease has an incubation period ranging from a few days to two weeks therefore minimum isolation time of two weeks is recommended with horses that have been exposed or horses having an unknown history for biosecurity purposes we see it so commonly in young horses when the germ is found in endemic areas; the younger animals often lack adequate immune protection said dr glennon mays clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical science (cvm) that means that once a location is contaminated with strangles we often see it reappear in the horse population because the bacterium is located in that environment when horses are born or brought to that location if they dont have protective immunity they become infected the strep equi germ can survive in contaminated soil water troughs feed buckets and tack the germ can even be transferred by people from one location to another direct transmission between horses occurs through contaminated mucus excretions of the infected horse to the naïve horse contaminated horses may shed the germ for two to three weeks infected horses can exhibit several signs such as general depression and dull behavior runny nose or eyes and fever the classic symptom of the infection is swollen lymph nodes beneath the jaw or throat areas or in other external and/or internal body locations lymph nodes will usually swell two to three days after infection and horses will be able to spread disease for approximately two to three weeks after clinical signs appear these lymph nodes swell in reaction to the infection and often develop into large pus formations mays said after swelling when the nodes soften it is often therapeutic to drain the nodes by surgical incision but this requires great caution since large blood vessels are often in close proximity care to contain the recovered pus is necessary because it can be very contaminating wherever it collects the lymph nodes really serve as an area of collection of the bacteria and a concentration point of the infection you dont want that fluid getting into the soil or on objects that will come in contact with uninfected horses mays said remember that the person handling the infected horse or the infected material coming from the horse can become a vehicle for spreading the disease in addition to relieving the swelling of glands veterinarians will typically administer supportive care such as anti-inflammatory medications to horses that retain an adequate appetite hydration status and dont display difficulty breathing some patients may experience high fever spikes (103 f or more) and require more aggressive therapy in these instances administration of antibiotics electrolyte fluids and anti-inflammatories become necessary additional products believed to stimulate the immune system are sometimes incorporated into the therapeutic plan however many equine practitioners choose against initiating antimicrobial therapy unless the patient is fevered depressed and listless to the point of not eating and drinking adequately mays explained that in some cases equine strangles can develop into a clinical presentation called purpura haemorrhagica purpura causes vasculitis in the extremities resulting in painful swelling of the legs due to acute inflammation of peripheral blood vessels the legs become tender and sore because circulation is impaired horses that develop this condition are either infected with strangles and progress to the purpura stage or were previously exposed to the germ without developing an infection the reason behind this development is poorly understood mays said but horses that develop purpura are extremely depressed and actually show more clinical signs of illness – essentially sicker than with strangles alone the vasculitis in the legs can significantly prolong recovery and can be severe enough that the swelling permanently damages musculoskeletal structures laminitis is not an unusual resulting chronic condition complications from purpura can produce career-ending results for performance horses purpura can also become fatal if not treated in a timely or effective manner my biggest concern is purpura creating a systemic effect resulting in a generalized body-wide infection producing toxins that becomes a life-threatening condition mays said the best defense against equine strangles is to create a barrier through biosecurity avoid transporting young horses into contaminated or endemic areas isolate horses of unknown exposure history for a minimum of two weeks to prevent possible exposure of disease to other animals do not bring horses displaying signs of illness into contact with healthy horses remember the infection can be transferred on clothing tack vehicle tires or hands due to strangles extremely contagious character seek veterinary care immediately if suspected often the veterinarians prefer to examine the animal away from their clinic to avoid contamination vaccines have been available for decades but remain a contested topic for recommendation mays explained that many veterinarians approach vaccination recommendation with caution strep vaccines historically have more potential for reactive properties than other equine biological products many practitioners express concern for an increased frequency of post-vaccination complications with strangles vaccine mays said pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
training tips for dogs november 21 2012 taking care of a dog may seem like an easy fun task but many struggle with teaching their dog basic commands these commands such as sit and stay are important for your dogs safety and will also make your life with your new friend much more enjoyable training should start right when the dog is brought to their new home dr stacy eckman lecturer at texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences said whether teaching a young puppy or an old dog commands should begin right when the owner gets the animal as puppies they are quite eager to learn it may take a little patience but start with the little commands she said even if you acquire your pet when it is a little older many are still quite capable of learning basic commands the training should begin with basic commands such as sit and stay which are easy for most dogs to master teaching these basic commands allow the animal to learn your training system after successfully teaching them basic commands eckman recommends teaching the dog heal come and not to jump on people i think the most important commands deal with listening to your instructions and are for their own safety such as sit stay heal and come she said teaching them not to jump on people is also good manners! to train a dog eckman said it is best to use simple one or two word phrases combined with hand gestures reinforcing good behavior and mastering of a skill with a reward is a great way to train a dog she added saying ‘sit coupled with a simple hand gesture works well and reward them when they get it eckman said another tip eckman suggested is training the dog in a place the pet will not be easily distracted instead of teaching the dog a skill at the dog park for example teach the task at home where there are not as many distractions have them master the skill at home or in a quiet environment initially before adding the additional challenge she said if the dog is struggling to grasp the command consult your veterinarian about the next step i think all dogs learn differently and need different rewards and that is where discussing with your veterinarian what your goals are is very important and they can help you in this area she said they can discuss with you the methods you are using and the goals you are trying to achieve then point you to a resource such as training classes or books that fit your methodology there are multiple methodologies used to train dogs ranging from positive reinforcement when the command is followed to punishment and negative rewards eckman said it all depends on the owners beliefs and goals for their pet training classes are another option many pet owners consider these courses are often offered at local pet stores and by obedience training facilities for recommendations on training courses eckman said to ask friends who have been to the classes and veterinarians for their recommendations it is not always necessary to send a dog to a trainer because many basic commands can be taught with patience and time dogs learn at all different levels-some just take longer than others to learn it eckman said be patient and reinforce the good pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
benefits of exercising with your dog november 15 2012 as the semester rolls on and tests pile up many students begin changing their daily routine to one that is more study friendly and unfortunately usually more desk-bound what most students do not realize is that while your dog lies next to you on the couch day after day it is being robbed of exercise that is vital to its health and provides many benefits multiple studies have shown that dogs benefit from exercise and have improved bone health and have improved organ and lung function it makes them look better feel better and they are less nervous when left alone exercise is good for maintaining general health and it helps keep your heart muscles and joints strong it also helps with maintaining weight and their coordination said jacqueline davidson clinical track professor at texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences studies also show that dogs lacking exercise usually have poor muscle tone and are more prone to injury brain ailments and bone disorders they are also more susceptible to developing emotional problems and behavior quirks dogs that dont exercise are usually overweight have less dexterity and their heart & joints arent as vigorous davidson said a lack of exercise can affect you and your pet in similar ways like becoming chubby said davidson obesity is a big concern for most animals getting you and dog off the couch does not mean having to do a tedious and dreary daily exercise there are a lot of fun ways to keep your pet and you active for dogs the choices are easy they enjoy almost anything you enjoy doing said davidson this can include walking running playing with a ball or frisbee agility training and even such sports as canicross and bikejoring (ie running or biking with your dog attached by an elastic line) sports like skijoring and bikejoring while fun can potentially be a safety issue warns davidson if youre doing anything like attaching yourself to your dog make sure the dog has decent obedience training and responds well to voice commands the best way to exercise with your dog is to set a date with them while generally playing in any way with your pet is good dogs benefit most from a prearranged occasion running around the yard is okay but its better to have a structured activity where your pet is constantly moving davidson said this structure can also help with your dogs behavioral problems like chewing barking etc because you are giving them an outlet to expend surplus energy and spend time with you it is also important to be patient with your pet when starting a new activity or sport gradually build the time spent doing these activities if the dog is sedentary and you expect it to run for several miles or play vigorously for 30 minutes injury may result if the dog is not physically conditioned for the sport or activity davidson said pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
veterans and their dogs november 8 2012 decorated navy seal marcus luttrell was the only survivor of a 2005 mission in afghanistan he is considered the lone survivor because the mission was the largest loss of life in seal history upon returning from combat luttrell received a labrador retriever named dasy to help him cope with the loss of his teammates dasy who died in 2009 was an acronym named after the first letter in the names of luttrells fallen teammates dogs can help those veterans who have psychological and emotional problems physical disabilities and those who need help transitioning back into civilian life luttrell is just one example of veterans receiving help and support from dogs to help them transition into civilian life and if they have disabilities upon returning from the military transitioning back into civilian life can be an extremely stressful situation for many veterans dr jean rubanick veterinary resident instructor at texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences said these dogs can help make the switch back to civilian life easier for veterans when a veteran returns from combat they have to transition back to the civilian world rubanick an army veterinarian said this can be very stressful for many of them when a veteran is given a dog they have a partner that they can depend on and something that depends on them dogs often offer emotional support for the veterans with problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder which is common among veterans after witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event they offer emotional support for servicemen and women dealing with combat stress home front issues and sleep disorders rubanick said while people can be judgmental dogs provide a nonjudgmental presence for the veteran allowing them to open up more with the presence of the dog veterans and active duty service members are reported to speak longer and have more meaningful discussions with mental health professionals when the dogs are present she added these dogs can also be trained to assist wounded warriors by helping them do tasks such as retrieve items open and close doors and turn off and on lights many veterans have nightmares and can have a dog that is trained to wake them from the dream some dogs are even trained to recognize when a veteran is going to have a panic attack or seizure rubanick said although some veterans may buy or adopt a dog there are numerous nonprofit organizations with missions dedicated to training and donating dogs to veterans one nonprofit organization patriot paws described its mission to train and provide service dogs of their highest quality at no cost to disabled american veterans and others with mobile disabilities in order to help restore their physical and emotional independence these nonprofit organizations are always looking for donations and volunteers veterans are our nations heroes and these dogs are important in making their lives a little better and easier they help our veterans transition to civilian life cope with anxieties and assist with tasks made difficult by a physical disability with veterans day approaching sunday remember to thank a veteran for their service pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
tips for buying dog toys november 1 2012 tennis balls frisbees rawhides and kongs dog toys line the shelves of multiple aisles at pet stores with all of the choices which toys should or shouldnt you buy for mans best friend dr mark stickney clinical associate professor and director of general surgery services at texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences said that when first giving your dog toys buy a variety of toys to see what the animal prefers they are going to have a toy preference the same way that children have toy preferences he said once you determine their favorites you can adjust your selection and your budget accordingly for the toys that entertain your pet to help guide your purchases stickney said its important to make sure the toy is made of nontoxic material and the appropriate size toy for the animal a five-pound yorkie for example will not be able to use an extra-large kong toy made for a rotweiller kong toys he added are one of his favorite brands because it keeps the pets busy by challenging them to get a treat out of the small hole of the toy kong toys are fantastic because the animal has to work but they are also rewarded for their hard effort stickney said he explained that they are virtually indestructible because they are made of a durable rubber for most kongs an edible treat is placed inside the toy for treats stickney said it is important to consider the amount of calories in the snack he advised that treats should encompass no more than five percent of the animals total diet it is important to limit the number of treats given so the animal does not put on extra weight another edible toy for dogs is rawhides stickney said rawhides are great for the animal to chew on because it will not damage their teeth he advises buying rawhides the animal can chew on for a few hours instead of a few days when rawhides sit around for too long they grow bacteria and can potentially make your pet sick stickney said ropes are a common toy that pet owners should avoid string can get caught in the animals intestinal track and cause a linear foreign body stickney explained that when the animal continues to pass it the string can end up sawing a hole through their intestines this is similar to them getting a rope burn on the inside of their intestines he said it can kill them nothing with string of any sort is good for them after giving the toys to the animal stickney said it is important to monitor the pet for a few hours you need to watch them to make sure they are not going to end up hurting themselves on it by tearing it into pieces swallowing it or cutting themselves on it stickney said once you know your pets cant get into trouble with their new toys it is fine to leave them alone with the toys that is the beauty of having things that enrich their lives stickney said this way they have something to do when the fun people are out of the house for a while it keeps them busy pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
dangers of pet halloween costumes october 25 2012 with halloween less than a week away many pet owners have already purchased their animals costume while these outfits can be fun and festive the wrong outfit can pose dangers to your animal although costumes are a fun way to interact with your pet dr mark stickney clinical associate professor and director of general surgery services at texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences stressed the importance of monitoring your pet in the clothing cute little costumes are fun to put on your animals while trick-or-treating but when you are not watching your animals make sure to take them off stickney said he also explained that this also goes for sweaters jackets or any other pet clothing while it may seem like pets need clothes to stay warm they can do more harm than good if the animal is not monitored more than likely your animal does not need to keep clothing on to stay warm even in the winter stickney said if you have a house pet that only goes outside for 15-20 minutes to go to the bathroom they will be more than fine without the clothing another thing stickney recommended avoiding in pet costumes are dangly pieces of fabric bells or other small objects that the animal can chew off and swallow these things can cause the pet to choke and possibly cause blockages in their intestinal track ribbons and bows are especially dangerous for cats stickney added these are things cats love to play with and chew on but if they swallow them it causes what is called a ‘linear foreign body this requires emergency surgery to remove or it can ‘saw a hole in the intestines stickney also warned of a pet being allergic to the clothing material or the laundry detergent used to wash the costume if an animal is allergic to a costume or clothing stickney said it may develop an itchy red rash the best thing to do is to take the outfit off of the pet and retire it stickney said there is no reason to cause your pet pain and discomfort finally stickney stressed that it is important to make sure the outfits fit correctly anything that can wrap around the pets neck paws or legs can cause them to panic or injure themselves this is especially common in small or young dogs as many costumes may not fit them correctly because of their size stickney said the best way to select pet costumes or clothing is to buy them at a pet store where you can take your pet with you and try the outfit on them that way you will know for sure that it not only fits correctly but that it also looks as adorable as you hoped pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
exotic pets: what to know before you buy october 22 2012 we all have that friend the one that sees a picture or video of a cute exotic animal and instantly thinks that it would be a perfect companion for them although owning an exotic pet can be a rewarding experience most people are not prepared for the responsibilities or expenses that are tied with these animals exotic pets typically need special caging specialized diets and forms of enrichment that can all become quite expensive especially in larger exotics pets said sharman hoppes associate clinical professor at texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) despite these warnings there are those that see videos like this hungry chinchilla or this playful wallaby and decide that their next pet should be an exotic one if your heart is set on an animal like these make sure to follow a few precautionary rules to ensure that you and your new pet stay healthy and happy before purchasing or adopting an exotic pet make sure to know everything you can about the certain pet youre interested in never buy an exotic animal impulsively websites such as http://exoticpetsaboutcom provide a great resource for finding special requirements for certain animals as well as proper feeding and handling techniques legal research is also extremely important to see if your state and local laws even allow the animal to be kept as a pet before buying an exotic pet research everything about them hoppes said questions such as where they come from their diet if they climb their social ability how big will they get as adults diseases they are susceptible to and how long they live are essential before purchasing an exotic pet find a veterinarian close by that is knowledgeable and that will see the pet for routine things and hopefully if there is an emergency hoppes said another important step before purchasing your exotic pet is to estimate the total cost of the animal while the pet itself may be inexpensive the cost of things such as housing food supplies and veterinary care can quickly add up this research is crucial beforehand to ensure that you can provide everything your pet will need to keep it healthy costs are dependent on species hoppes said a rabbit cage enrichment and diet are not that much more or less than a dog but a large parrot will need a large cage which can be $500-$1000 veterinary care for exotic pets is also high a healthy bird exam can be several hundred dollars and a sick bird exam can be a $1000 most exotic pets have to be sedated or anesthetized for any handling so even a physical exam with anesthesia and monitoring can be expensive making sure you prepare your home for exotic animal life is also a significant step before bringing home your new pet setting up the animals housing beforehand and making sure that their habitats temperature is right is essential to ensure that your pet is immediately placed into an appropriate environment upon arrival preparing your home means an appropriate cage with bar strength and bar spacing appropriate for the animal hoppes said make sure that the cage is large enough escape-proof and that the animal has protection from cold heat and rain if housed outdoors if the animal will be indoors and out of the cage animal proofing a room can be similar to making a room safe for a child such as covering electrical cords and outlets etc when buying a cage you must prepare for the adult size of the animal a baby iguana is only 6 inches long but an adult can be 6 feet long! finally the most important step before bringing home any exotic pet is to think of how owning one will affect your life in the long run knowing what you will do with your pet in case of moves marriages and other life events is crucial before making any purchases to make sure that your pet can accompany you throughout its entire life several exotic pets are great with their owners but not with other people hoppes saidmany exotic pets are not good with children and your new girlfriend or boyfriend may not like your large macaw who wants to bite them or may be afraid of your pet kangaroo that can kick and box with the power of muhammad ali various exotic pets are also not welcome in apartments or rental properties so it affects where you can move if you want to keep your exotic pet and it is not easy to find a good home for an exotic pet when you decide you cant keep it anymore about pet talk pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
feline hyperthyroidism: symptoms and treatments october 4 2012 is your middle-aged cat experiencing increased thirst appetite and urination is your furry friend losing weight or has a change in behavior if so your family cat may have hyperthyroidism this common disease is caused by an overproduction of thyroid hormones called t3 and t4 due to dysfunction of the thyroid glands in the cats neck there are two of these glands on either side of the windpipe both glands are usually affected but this is not always the case the symptoms mentioned previously are not the only signs of hyperthyroidism; other symptoms include vomiting diarrhea and a matted or greasy coat these signs start slowly and many owners may not initially realize that something is wrong said dr audrey cook associate professor at texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) a drop in body weight is often the first clue that a cat is suffering from hyperthyroidism which is one of the reasons why regular vet visits are so important in older cats cook said if a cat starts exhibiting the symptoms of hyperthyroidism a trip to the veterinarian will confirm the diagnosis the veterinarian will perform a physical examination which will include careful examination of the neck an enlarged thyroid gland may be palpated but a normal exam does not rule out the possibility of hyperthyroidism to confirm the disease the animals thyroid hormone level will be checked through blood work since thyroid hormones affect most organs in the body it is important to test a cat for the disease if it is suspected if left untreated secondary problems can arise such as the heart enlargement with an elevated heart rate another problem resulting from untreated hyperthyroidism is hypertension or high blood pressure both hypertension and heart disease caused by hyperthyroidism will resolve with proper treatment of the thyroid disease left untreated the cardiac complications related to hyperthyroidism can be life-threatening cook said hyperthyroidism can be treated three ways: medication radioactive-iodine or surgery traditionally medication is the main way to treat the disease for this option an anti-thyroid medication is given to decrease the amount of the hormones released from the thyroid glands this is relatively inexpensive but the drug must be given once or twice daily for the rest of the cats life also side effects can include vomiting anemia lethargy and bone marrow suppression some owners have a hard time getting the medication in to their cat cook said we can get it reformulated in to a liquid if this is easier and sometimes we use a product that is rubbed into the ear and absorbed that way radioactive-iodine therapy is becoming increasingly popular when dealing with hyperthyroidism in cats for this long-term treatment the cat is injected with the radioactive iodine which destroys the tissue of the overactive thyroid gland although this procedure is usually very effective it is more expensive and requires the cat being confined to the hospital while the radioactivity decreases this is one of the best ways to treat this disease and the choice i made for my own cat when she was hyperthyroid cook said surgical removal of the thyroid gland(s) is another option available for this disease although the long-term success rate is good there is a risk of damage to the parathyroid glands located close to the thyroid gland the parathyroid gland is responsible for maintaining proper calcium blood levels we usually only recommend surgery if the gland is cancerous which is very rare or if medication or radiation are not a suitable choice cook said a veterinarian can help determine which treatment option is best for your animal in general the prognosis for a cat with hyperthyroidism is good after treatment long-term monitoring of the thyroid levels will help ensure the cat continues to live a happy life pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
eliminating rabies across the world september 20 2012 world rabies day is september 28 2012 it is a day to raise awareness about the impact of human and animal rabies more than 55 000 people die from rabies worldwide every year a rate of one person every 10 minutes this is an astonishing number especially because rabies in humans in 100 per cent preventable most of these cases are transmitted to humans by dogs world rabies day events have been held in 150 countries and have vaccinated 77 million dogs to date world rabies day was created in 2006 by the global alliance for rabies control the alliance consisted of researchers and professionals involved with human and animal healthcare including dr leon russell professor in the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) russell explained that the goal of world rabies day is to reduce the amount of rabies cases throughout the world by ensuring adequate animal vaccination and control educating people who may be at risk and increasing access to appropriate medical care for those bitten by rabies infected animals for more information about getting animals vaccinated on world rabies day in your area please contact your local veterinarian while there are various strains of rabies dogs are the primary source for transmission to humans across the globe however canine rabies virus strain has been eradicated in the united states because of proper and complete vaccination procedures our hope is to eliminate canine rabies across the globe russell said rabies is completely preventable we want people to understand the importance of vaccinating against the disease but while canine rabies has been eliminated there are still treats to humans and pets in the united states so people particularly pet owners need to take precautions dogs and cats contract rabies primarily from skunks raccoons and bats in the united states these canine and feline pets serve as bridge animals or carriers of rabies between wildlife hosts and people russell explained that if you suspect your dog or cat has been exposed to a rabid animal you should take your pet to a veterinarian immediately while russell says that it is good to be aware of potentially rabid bats skunks and raccoons nothing is as effective in preventing rabies as vaccination of your canine and feline pets there are two types of vaccines one protects pets for one year the other for three years russell said they are both great vaccines and sometimes local ordinances or price dictates which one pet owners choose – but regardless pets should always be routinely vaccinated against rabies in addition to dogs and cats russell recommends vaccinating cattle and equines as well while dogs and cats predominantly contract rabies from various wildlife species (skunks raccoons bats) horses and cattle most often contract rabies from skunks horses that are stalled particularly at night should be vaccinated russell said weve seen cases of horses that contract rabies from a skunk that gets into the stall; it isnt common but it does happen its better to be safe than sorry when it comes to rabies vaccinating your animals is the best prevention pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
assisting service dogs september 13 2012 although most people have pets strictly for companionship those with disabilities often use animals to help perform every day functions these service animals are trained to provide specific assistance tailored to their owners disability just like any animal however service animals can develop disabilities and need rehabilitation as well there are multiple types of service animals for example miniature horses are trained as guides for those who are visually impaired or in need of mobility assistance even capuchin monkeys can be trained to help with daily tasks that require grasping and manual dexterity dogs however remain the most common service animal service dogs are generally either rescued from shelters or bred in specific breeding programs although there is not a specific breed requirement for service dogs most tend to be golden retrievers or labrador retrievers one of the main determining factors for service dogs is size because they are expected to perform physical activities thus most assistance dogs are of medium to large size while these special dogs are trained to provide a variety of tasks the two most common jobs performed by service dogs are guiding the visually impaired or offering mobile support for the owner some service dogs can also be trained to pick up objects open doors or operate light switches in recent years service dogs have even been trained to help those with autism low blood sugar and psychiatric disability amazingly service dogs have been able to alert an epileptic person minutes or even hours before seizures dr jacqueline davidson clinical professor at texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) small animal hospital said prior to dogs joining a service training program they are screened for potential problems to ensure they are healthy enough to complete their duties generally they are evaluated for congenital conditions particularly relating to their vision or hearing davidson said in addition dogs that are of medium or large breeds are evaluated for dysplasia of the hips and elbows joints may also be checked for other developmental diseases that could cause problems later in life davidson explained that this screening process means that dogs trained as service animals are probably less likely to develop certain orthopedic problems as compared to those of the general population that are not always tested for these things she said that there have been no reported health risks directly related to service animals but as with companion animals they can still develop health problems over time if a service dog does develop a disability through proper treatment the dog will be able to continue to serve we occasionally treat a service dog that has developed a disability davidson said but they often return to work after physical rehabilitation rehabilitation is important with any animal but davidson said it can be a crucial factor in the recovery of working dogs she explained that since service animals require a certain level of physical ability to perform their jobs they are expected to return to a higher level of function after surgery and rehabilitation than the average companion dog since service dogs have so many responsibilities its important they make a full recovery before returning back to work davidson a diplomate of the american college of veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation said the american college of veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation (acvsmr) is a specialty recognized by the american veterinary medical association created to encourage veterinary expertise in the structural physiological medical and surgical needs of service working and athletic animals the dedication of the new college by the avma shows the importance placed on having experts in the field of rehabilitation for service animals when service dogs are hurt they cannot fulfill their jobs through proper rehabilitation however the dogs can continue to serve their owners pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
staph infections and methicillin resistance in companion animals august 30 2012 staphylococcus (staph) bacteria are all around us in an intimate way since it normally lives on the skin and mucous membranes of both people and animals alike it usually is not of a concern to the individual if the skin is functioning normally and there is not a risk for infection (eg systemic illness and immune compromise) when infection is present usually of the skin most staph bacteria are susceptible to commonly prescribed antibiotics although many individuals walk around every day with staph bacteria not all staph are alike indeed staphylococcus aureus prefers people (as well as pigs and some horses) over dogs and cats staphylococcus pseudintermedius likes the skin of companion animals over man methicillin-resistant staph refers to staphylococcus bacteria that have developed a resistance to commonly prescribed penicillin and penicillin-like antibiotics making infections difficult to treat again most staph bacteria are susceptible to a wide array of antibiotics but these particular staph have developed resistance to typical antibiotics hence they are more challenging to eliminate dr adam patterson clinical assistant professor and chief of dermatology at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences small animal hospital explained staph skin infections (pyoderma) in animals present as skin sores recognized as redness pimples scabs dander and hair loss many times these infections itch and result from uncontrolled allergic skin disease when this type of infection occurs it usually responds to correctly prescribed and administered topical and/or systemic antibacterial treatments if the infection is not easily treated by an appropriate course of antibiotics then the chance for a resistant infection is heightened although subject to debate as this is an area of ongoing research patterson said risk factors for methicillin-resistant staph infections in both people and animals seem to include repeated courses of antibiotics chronic skin disease immune compromise recurring hospital visits and indwelling medical implants such as those used for orthopedic surgery when these risk factors are present in animals with pyoderma veterinarians perform a culture of the skin sore to determine if the bacteria are indeed methicillin-resistant a resistant infection doesnt look different than susceptible infections the only way to know is to culture the skin patterson said once it is confirmed the pet has a methicillin-resistant staph infection the veterinarian can determine the best course of action patterson said the most common treatments are topical such as antiseptic shampoos and culture-based systemic antibiotics when we can we try to treat them topically patterson said methicillin resistance doesnt mean that the bacteria are more pathogenic they just are not killed by common antibiotics anymore people with methicillin-resistant staph are said to have mrsa (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) since dogs and cats tend to have a different species of staph on their skin resistant bacteria are most often called methicillin-resistant staphylococcus pseudintermedius (mrspi or mrsp) people are normally not infected with mrspi; likewise dogs and cats are normally not infected with mrsa common transfer of mrspi from pets to people has been fairly rare and isolated to date while transfer of mrsa from people to pets is somewhat more likely again mrspi is predominantly found in companion pets while mrsa is primarily found in people we dont know much about dog-to-dog spread but it is a large component of research on the epidemiology of methicillin resistance as we move forward patterson said a few simple recommendations to help reduce the chance of transfer of staph bacteria between household people and pets once an animal has confirmed mrspi infection include: administering the veterinary-prescribed treatment as directed wearing gloves when treating the affected pet with topical therapy keeping young children and immuno-compromised people (cancer hiv/aids etc) away from the affected pet keeping personal skin wounds covered and protected discouraging the pet from licking the face of people and not letting the affected pet share the bed or linens with household persons above all patterson emphasized the need to wash all surfaces of the hands after handling the affected pet additionally a search into why the pet has a resistant infection should be undertaken and corrected once identified if you develop skin sores or have concerns about your personal health once a methicillin-resistant staph infection has been confirmed in your pet then consult your physician about pet talk pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
how to protect horses with the recent increase in west nile virus cases august 18 2012 the west nile virus cases in humans and horses have been on the rise in 2012 and according to the cdc human cases are at their highest levels since west nile virus was first detected in the united states in 1999 dr tracy norman clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) large animal clinic suggests protecting horses by vaccinating against the disease and taking measures to prevent mosquito bites the virus is transmitted by mosquitoes from avian hosts to humans and horses both humans and horses are considered dead-end hosts of west nile virus which means it is not contagious from horse to horse or horse to human if bitten by an infectious mosquito the virus can multiply in the blood system cross the blood brain barrier and infect the brain there it can cause inflammation of the brain interfering with central nervous system functions most horses infected with the virus do not exhibit signs of the disease for those that do however symptoms are similar to other neurologic diseases and can include impairment of basic motor skills (including loss of coordination or asymmetrical weakness a change in behavior or drowsiness some horses with west nile may have a fever early in the disease and show symptoms such as sensitivity to touch and sound and muscle twitching in the face muzzle and neck these typical neurologic signs are not always present in infected horses sometimes infected horses just appear colicky norman said you should always consult with a veterinarian if you suspect a horse of having west nile virus confirmation of infection is easily diagnosed through a blood test then owners and the veterinarian can plan a course of treatment norman explained that the main treatment for west nile is supportive care often anti-inflammatory drugs (such as banamine steroids and dmso) and intravenous fluids are used if the horse is having difficulty balancing a sling can be used to support the horse as it recovers the idea is to keep the horse healthy so it can fight the virus norman said if the horse is down and cannot get back up on its own the outlook is pretty bad norman said the mortality rate for west nile is about 30 to 40 percent many infected horses will survive but many of those will have residual neurological impairment not all horses will regain their previous performance levels norman stressed that vaccines against west nile are the best way to prevent infection in horses while the vaccine is not 100 percent effective at preventing clinical disease the vaccine can help reduce the severity of the symptoms (because of some pre-existing immunity from the vaccine) vaccinated horses that do become sick with west nile virus are in general less sick requiring less intensive treatment are sick for shorter periods of time and have a better chance at making a full recovery than unvaccinated horses vaccination against west nile virus is recommended by the american association of equine practitioners as one of the core vaccines that all horses should receive additionally horse owners can take steps to reduce the amount of mosquitos around their facilities by eliminating standing water; keeping stalls and pens clean; using equine mosquito repellents fly sheets and fly masks; and placing fans inside stalls (mosquitos have difficulty flying in wind) the vaccines provide year-long coverage but in some areas like texas with long summers and short mild winters some veterinarians will give the vaccine twice a year norman recommends vaccinating horses that have not yet been vaccinated this year to help protect horses through the fall mosquito months about pet talk pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to cvmtoday@cvmtamuedu print |
poisonous to pets: common household toxins august 9 2012 for the past two weeks pet talks have addressed poisonous foods and medications common in most homes this week the focus is on miscellaneous poisonous items around the house including plants pennies and insecticides plants there are several plants that can be poisonous to pets lilies for example are toxic to cats the ingestion of any part of any type of lily can lead to kidney failure the clinical signs can include vomiting depression or loss of appetite if you suspect your cat of ingesting lilies you should contact your veterinarian immediately there is no antidote and intense supportive care is needed for cats to recover also sago palms are a common decorative house plant that is toxic to pets the seeds leaves and cones of the plant can cause acute liver failure the most common symptoms are vomiting diarrhea loss of appetite and yellowing of the skin and eyes if your pet ingests sago and they show the clinical signs of poisoning the prognosis is guarded to poor dr dorothy black clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences (cvm) explained there is no antidote and supportive care is extensive and includes blood transfusions while lilies and sago palms are very toxic black explained that poinsettias are usually non to mildly toxic pets ingesting this plant either have no clinical signs or gastrointestinal discomfort poinsettias are usually referred to as highly toxic but they really arent black said so feel free to display the poinsettias at christmas! pennies it may be surprising to some people but pennies minted after 1981 contain significant quantities of the metal zinc and are poisonous to pets when ingested excess zinc is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and causes red blood cells to break apart pets then become anemic showing signs of lethargy vomiting diarrhea port/wine colored urine and yellowing of the skin and gums removal of the penny and aggressive supportive care with blood transfusions usually allows for a successful recovery black said chemicals and insecticides a dangerous chemical common in many garages is ethylene glycol it is found in radiator coolants brake fluids and many other household products when ingested it causes the pet to appear intoxicated and as the toxin is metabolized it leads to kidney failure although there are medications that can inhibit the toxin and prevent kidney failure it must be administered within the first three to six hours post-ingestion if kidney injury is already present prognosis is guarded but with immediate treatment prognosis is good ant bait is used extensively in texas especially pyrethrin and pyrethroid containing products when ingested in significant quantities these chemicals can cause total body tremors and seizures in cats and dogs and their body temperatures can become markedly elevated supportive care including muscle relaxants and anti-seizure medications are required until the pet can metabolize the drug not all ant baits contain pyrethrins some are safe for pets black said read the labels carefully before you make a purchase other insecticides that contain organophosphates are highly toxic substances when ingested these insecticides can cause severe clinical reactions including salivation tearing urination defecation vomiting respiratory distress tremors seizures and paralysis drugs exist to counteract the toxin and are used in addition to extensive supportive care black said but successful recoveries require prompt treatment rat bait is another household danger it is offered in three main varieties: anticoagulant bromethalin and vitamin d analog (cholecalciferol) all three types can lead to death of dogs and cats that ingest them anticoagulant rodentecides (brodifacoum bromadiolone warfarin) lead to uncontrollable bleeding although there is no antidote if the pet is brought immediately to the veterinarian treatment and decontamination can prevent bleeding from accidental ingestion bromethalin toxicity leads to progressive neurologic signs such as difficulty walking and can progress to seizures and death there is no antidote only supportive care also cholecalciferol bait causes renal failure and is highly toxic as with bromethalin there is no antidote only supportive care dialysis can be attempted if clinical signs are present if you think your pet has ingested any of these toxic substances contact your veterinarian immediately treating your pet quickly after ingestion is key to a successful recovery black said for additional information on substances that are toxic to pets please consult the resources below aspca animal poison control center: 1-888-426-4435 $65 consultation fee http://wwwaspcaorg/pet-care/poison-control/ pet poison hotline: 1-800-213-6680 $39 consultation fee per incident http://wwwpetpoisonhelplinecom/ pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
human medicines can be poison to pets august 2 2012 last week dr dorothy black clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) shared suggestions for keeping cats and dogs safe from potentially toxic human foods this week she discusses some common over-the-counter and prescription human medicines that are poisonous to pets many homes have these medications and it can be surprisingly easy for pets to get a hold of them black said whether pets open bottles chew on tubes lick topical medication or just pick up dropped pills off the floor these medications pose particularly dangerous threats even the most common over-the-counter medications can be dangerous non-steroidal anti-inflammatories nsaids such as naproxen ibuprofen acetaminophen and aspirin can be highly toxic to dogs and cats these human medications can have profound effects on the gastrointestinal tract kidneys liver and hemoglobin in red blood cells unfortunately there is no specific antidote and an overdose often requires hospitalization and supportive care most cases of nsaid toxicity have a prognosis of good to guarded depending on clinical signs it is best not to give any nsaids to pets unless under the direct supervision of your veterinarian black said and keep medications out of the reach of pets pets are naturally drawn to objects that we touch often and pill bottles are regularly handled so they carry our scent we typically use terms of ‘excellent good fair guarded and grave to give odds of survival in these types of cases excellent indicates we have little doubt that with appropriate care (typically very minimal care) their pet will return to normal function black said guarded prognoses usually have a fifty-fifty chance for survival with aggressive treatment and the pet may not recover to one hundred percent of what they were before poisoning without treatment the pet is likely to die vitamin d analogs which are used topically to treat psoriasis also top blacks list of toxic medicines if pets lick the product off the skin kidney failure could occur signs of poisoning are vomiting diarrhea and increased urination and drinking as with nsaids there is no antidote if the pet is decontaminated before clinical signs emerge the prognosis is good however if clinical signs occur the prognosis is guarded the topical medications are particularly alarming because if your pet licks the application site on your body they can unintentionally ingest the medication black said many people dont realize the danger that poses to pets medicines containing progesterone such as birth control pills and some topical cancer medications for humans are also dangerous or poisonous to pets if ingested in large quantities these medications can lead to bone marrow toxicity and seizures since there is no antidote for progesterone poisoning supportive care is the only treatment option if clinical signs are presented and at that point the prognosis is guarded amphetamines which are commonly used to treat attention deficit disorder (add) can also have alarming effects on pets if ingested by cats or dogs amphetamines can cause hyperactivity aggressive behavior vocalization elevated body temperature heart arrhythmias tremors and seizures although supportive care is usually successful high-dose intoxications carry a guarded prognosis it should be noted that supportive care can lead to successful recovery but it is rather expensive and can force some pet owners to make tough decisions black said this is one of those times that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure its best to protect your pets from the outset keep medications contained and beware of topical applications pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
human treats poison to pets july 26 2012 there are a number of things around your house that can be deadly to your cats and dogs some you may know and some may be surprising some are even in your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator dr dorothy black clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences (cvm) shares some enlightening information about common food items that may be toxic to your pet according to dr black the following foods can be particularly dangerous to cats and dogs these foods may not necessarily cause toxic reactions in every case of ingestion but its just a good ‘rule of thumb to keep these items off your kitchen counters and under no circumstances feed these foods to your pet black said grapes and raisins possess an unknown toxic substance that can lead to renal failure by an unknown mechanism toxic doses have been reported after ingesting just one to two grapes or raisins not all animals suffer kidney failure after grape/raisin ingestion and it appears to be an idiosyncratic reaction nevertheless it is best to avoid this food for your dogs and cats there is no known antidote only supportive care and renal dialysis to support kidney recovery grapes can be particularly tricky for dogs because many actually like to eat grapes so you have to be especially aware black said our pets are amazing creatures but they can really get into dangerous situations with human food very quickly chocolate is commonly known to be bad for dogs and cats the food contains two ingredients known to be toxic to pets caffeine and theobromine dark chocolate is particularly harmful because it has a higher concentration of toxic metabolites than milk or white chocolate clinical signs of distress seen after chocolate ingestion include: anxiety/anxiousness hyperactivity urination elevated body temperature seizures and irregular heart rhythms there is no antidote but supportive care is usually successful for recovery xylitol is a common sugar substitute now used in many home kitchens it is associated with a severe decline in blood sugar levels and liver failure if ingested by pets the exact mechanism of the toxicity is unknown and there is no antidote supportive care is typically successful for treatment of hypoglycemia however liver failure may still occur and prognosis is guarded it is important to remember that if you cook or use xylitol in your foods that those foods should not be fed to pets black said it is still toxic if used in cooking or baking onions garlic and chives are also foods toxic to pets they contain the toxin allicin which is released upon crushing or chewing the plant allicin damages the hemoglobin in red blood cells leading to anemia (such as heinz body anemia and methemoglobinemia) cats are especially susceptible to this toxin there is no antidote however supportive care is typically successful while cats are particularly affected by onions and garlic dogs are especially susceptible to macadamia nut toxicity an unknown toxin in the nut leads to difficulty walking high body temperatures depression and vomiting within one to two hours after ingestion while no deaths have been reported to date supportive care in the hospital is often required supportive care which is the usual treatment for food toxicity often works to recover pets who ingest these foods black said but these supportive treatments to get pets back on their feet are often very costly for the owner and difficult for the patient in cases that require dialysis pets have a difficult road to recovery the toxic foods mentioned here should be kept off countertops and out of reach of pets and under no circumstances fed to dogs and cats preventing your pet from ingesting these items is the best way to keep them safe but if they do ingest these foods dr black recommends contacting your veterinarian or the animal poison control center immediately pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
texas a&m parasitologist offers suggestions for horse deworming treatments in texas july 20 2012 deworming treatments are often a regular component of horse health maintenance but many horse owners may not understand the best schedule for their horse while deworming regimens vary by region there are some ground rules for owners to follow as they work with their veterinarians on a proper deworming schedule dr thomas craig professor at texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) who specializes in epidemiology and the control of internal parasites in equines and grazing animals offered some insight into deworming craig explained that in a given population of horses about 20 percent will have 80 percent of the total internal parasites of the herd another basic guideline is that deworming should be based on the age of the horse there is a drastic difference in the deworming needs of a foal (less than a year) and an adult horse whats effective in adults may not be effective in foals craig said craig suggested deworming foals for the first time at two months of age parascaris equorum are of particular concern at this age i recommend using fenbendazole a broad spectrumbenzimidazole anthelmintic such as safe-guard or a pyrantel dewormer such as strongid for foals two months old craig said as the foal matures it is recommended that the same treatment be used at four and six months of age when the foal reaches a year old craig suggested using an ivermectin or moxidectin treatment for deworming when worming adult horses (older than one year) the approach changes considerably the most dangerous parasitic threat to horses are small strongyles which are present in most horses craig recommended testing mature horses through fecal samples to determine the number and types of parasitic eggs in the horses digestive system after strongyles the rest of parasitic control is really just a numbers game craig said in older horses you really only need to deworm horses with high numbers of parasites adult horses with less than a few hundred eggs per gram can be relatively left alone craig suggested treating all horses during the winter with ivermectin to combat bot fly larvae a good reminder is to treat your horse with ivermectin around christmas time craig said they often acquire bot larvae during the fall months so winter is really the best time to deworm with ivermectin aside from bot fly larvae other less common parasites are pinworms and tapeworms horses with pinworms are typically kept in stalls one of the most common signs of pinworm infected horses is an itchy tail craig suggested treating an infected horse with a fenbendazole dewormer once a month for three months along with a good shampoo of the horses rear end the pinworm eggs can only survive about 30 days so i recommend vacating the stall for a month until the eggs die on their own craig added there is no product to kill the eggs but allowing them to die on their own can be helpful in preventing re-infection tapeworms can cause mild colic in horses because they often attach to the valve between the small and large intestine craig recommended deworming horses in the fall (september october or november) with a dewormer containing praziquantel or a double dose of pyrantel these recommendations are all suggested guidelines for parasite management in horses craig recommended following these guidelines particularly in the texas region altering deworming according to your horses age and parasite testing results are the two most important guidelines and can help horse owners develop an effective and sustainable parasite program craig said about pet talk pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
diagnosing and treating hypothyroidism in dogs july 13 2012 hypothyroidism is not limited to people; it is common in dogs as well this problem occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroxine a hormone with numerous functions such as regulating the bodys metabolic rate this disease is often seen in dogs that are 4 to 6 years old any breed may develop this disorder but some breeds such as labrador retrievers doberman pinschers golden retrievers dachshunds cocker spaniels and greyhounds appear to be predisposed since the bodys metabolic rate determines the way energy is handled hypothryroidism often leads to progressive weight gain without an increase in food intake explained dr audrey cook clinical associate professor at texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences although many dogs tend to gain pounds as they age an unexplained increase in body weight can be a sign of low functioning thyroid cook said thyroxine is also important for maintenance of the skin and hair coat often the hair of a dog with hypothyroidism will grow slowly and may change to a lighter color the hair may appear thin all over particularly on the tail another result of the disease is flaky skin and pigmentation in the non-haired areas one of the classic signs of canine hypothyroidism is the so-called rat tail in which the hair is lost from the last few inches of the tail cook said in addition to the dogs overall appearance hypothyroidism can affect the pets mental state resulting in depression and apathy other signs of the disease include sensitivity to the cold muscle weakness problems with nerve function and persistent fatigue problems such as chronic skin or ear infections may also be a sign of hypothyroidism owners often mistake the signs of hypothyroidism with the aging process cook said however these changes can be reversed with effective management many dogs get a new lease on life when their hypothyroidism is treated veterinarians can diagnose the disease with simple blood tests these usually include measurement of total thyroxine levels (often called total t4) unbound hormone levels (‘free t4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (tsh) concentrations as with people dogs with hypothyroidism can take daily oral medication to replace the missing hormone once medication for this problem begins it is continued throughout the pets life sometimes the dosage has to be adjusted to get the hormone levels correct if the thyroxine levels are too high dogs can lose excessive amounts of weight and appear agitated we do recommend periodic checks on thyroid levels to make sure the dose is on-target but these tests are simple and inexpensive your veterinarian will tell you when to bring your dog in for a recheck cook said fortunately once hypothyroidism is diagnosed and the dog is given the proper medication the pet should feel better within a few weeks it can take a little while for the hair coat to improve but cook said energy levels and body condition tend to improve quickly about pet talk pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
pigeon fever in texas july 6 2012 there has been a surge in reported cases of pigeon fever in texas during the past year with summer and fly season in full swing now is the perfect time for horse owners to become aware and educated about pigeon fever there is no vaccine for the disease so prevention and recognition of its symptoms are of the upmost importance the disease is named after the symptomatic intramuscular abscesses and swelling of the chest and pectoral regions of infected horses causing a pigeon like appearance the infection is confirmed with a bacterial culture in reported cases pigeon fever also known as dryland distemper is common in drier regions like the western united states the bacterium that causes pigeon fever corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis lives and multiplies in dry soil and manure while pigeon fever is not new to texas the past year has seen a rapid increase in reported cases most likely as a result of the severe drought dr keith chaffin professor at the cvm commented on the disease and the increase in incidence we now we see about three or four cases a day in the clinic chaffin said and many more veterinarians are reporting cases across the state horses contract the disease through an open wound or fly bite with bacteria entering through these abrasions or wounds chaffin recommends a good fly control program for your horses (sprays sheets and repellents) basic sanitation and recognizing the symptoms quickly for prompt treatment while most of the cases present with external swelling some cases can result in internal abscesses that could develop pneumonia colic weight loss fever lethargy blood in the urine and other systemic symptoms most cases of pigeon fever involve external abscesses in the pectoral region and under the belly back to the mammary or sheath area chaffin said about less than ten per cent of cases reported involve internal abscesses which are most common in the abdomen or thorax the internal cases are the most dangerous some can be fatal treating external pigeon fever typically consists of surgically opening the abscesses to allow drainage timing and ultrasound are so critical to managing this disease chaffin said ultrasound allows the veterinarian to determine if the swelling has reached mature abscess stage also ultrasound allows the veterinarian to see what critical structures are nearby which helps prevent complications i dont know how you would ever treat this disease without ultrasonographic imaging because a recently drained abscess is potentially contagious it is important to lavage the abscess cavity with antiseptic solutions and i often prefer to place antimicrobials locally into the abscess cavity also it is important to completely disinfect any of the pus that drains from the abscesses this will help minimize spread of the disease via flies to other horses once the abscesses have been drained treated and healed the horses are generally no longer contagious if you recognize any of the symptoms of pigeon fever you should contact your veterinarian immediately to begin treatment about pet talk pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
celebrating independence day with your pet june 28 2012 this wednesday most people will spend the day outside celebrating independence day watching fireworks with their family and friends often people bring their dogs to enjoy the days festivities there are a few things to know about ensuring your pets safety if you plan to spend july 4 outside with your furry friends dr melanie bolling veterinarian for the small animal hospital at texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences said the most common problem associated with july 4 is dogs sensitivity to the noise from the fireworks a lot of dogs are noise phobic whether its fireworks or other loud noises such as guns cars backfiring and thunderstorms these noises are scary and if you didnt know what it was you might be concerned about your safety too bolling said bolling said the best idea is to keep dogs particularly those with noise phobias away from the commotion if that is not an option bolling suggested using anxiety wraps or thunder shirts a compression garment for dogs to wear that makes them feel secure bolling also recommended discussing appropriate anxiety-relieving medications with your veterinarian another factor that can cause anxiety and stress in dogs is large crowds of unusual people if you know ahead of time that your dog does not do well with large groups of people bolling suggested leaving the pet at home or boarding them if you are going to bring them she suggested having a calm area for the dog its a good idea to give your dog a quiet place where they can get away from all the crowds of people if they are just not that into it bolling said bringing pets to these crowded areas usually means contact with other pets some of which could be unvaccinated bolling said it is important to make sure your pets vaccinations are up-to-date if bringing them with you if you are going to be in a place where unvaccinated dogs might have walked such as soccer fields baseball fields or parks you want to make sure your dogs are up-to-date on vaccinations i wouldnt take an unvaccinated puppy or a puppy that hasnt completed the whole vaccine series to any of those places because they could pick up nasty little diseases along the way she said in addition to vaccinations parasites can pose a threat to your dogs health heartworms are spread by mosquitoes which tend to be out around july 4 while other parasites like fleas and ticks are spread through contact with contaminated soil or other infected animals so make sure pets are on heartworm flea and tick preventatives before heading out the heat is another issue to consider if your dog is going to spend the day outside with you bolling stressed the importance of bringing enough water you need to bring enough water to last the whole day and then extra especially if the dog is going to be active and running around they are going to be panting and losing water just through evaporative loss so they are going to need to replenish that she said in addition to water you should bring dog food because it is best to avoid giving your dog people food everybody wants to give their dogs a little snack so if it is something your dog is used to getting all things in moderation but try to avoid the temptation to feed them people food in excess she said it is a good idea to avoid giving your pet a lot of people food because then your dog may become sick bolling explained that on july 5 and 6 the hospital cares for a lot of dogs sick to their stomachs from eating too much people food you want to stay away from any meat that might have bones in it from raw meat and bad actors such as raisins grapes chocolate chewing gums things of that nature bolling said pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
planning for equine evacuations during hurricanes june 21 2012 evacuating when a hurricane hits the coast is a stressful and scary experience especially when evacuating with horses while tornadoes give little warning for evacuation hurricanes can give enough lead time to actually move people and horses out of the storms expected path but even with that time preparing for equine evacuations can be crucial to the survival of horses dr william moyer professor and special assistant to the dean at texas a&m college of veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences offered a series of suggestions for evacuating with horsestake the threat seriously you need to make the decision to leave as soon as you can if you wait until the last minute youre placing yourself and your horse in harms way over 100 000 animals were lost during hurricane ike moyer said he suggested that owners make sure their trailers are road-worthy before hurricane season begins or identify someone with reliable trucks and trailers who can transport horses for them another important aspect of evacuating horses is ensuring that your horses are comfortable with loading working with your horses ahead of time is particularly important if a neighbor or friend will be transporting your horse because ill-behaved horses can waste valuable evacuation time or refusal of transport evacuation traffic is often slow and crowded creating a dangerous situation for trailered horses you are often forced to move quite slowly filling up on gas or diesel before entering traffic is imperative and can keep you out of situations where your animal might overheat or become dehydrated should you run out of fuel moyer said moyer advised identifying evacuation destinations while moving inland during a hurricane is important finding a specific place to go is best during hurricane ike we sheltered 166 horses through a cooperative agreement with a local livestock arena operation the degree of planning for resources personnel and scheduling regular care can be daunting the state of texas recognizes that prior planning and implementation is live saving for both animals and people he suggested creating an equine evacuation kit with a brief and well documented health history a list of behavior peculiarities (if applicable) a first aid kit cash appropriate health documentation enough food and adequate safe water supplies for about four days and any necessary medicine for chronic or preexisting illnesses owners also need to ensure the appropriate health documentation accompanies the horse an up-to-date coggins test is necessary particularly if crossing state lines moyer suggested making sure you have these papers organized before hurricane season in addition to required documentation vaccinations are also suggested because evacuating can be a stressful time vaccinations can help decrease the likelihood of several diseases said moyer mosquitos can be a huge problem during hurricane season and moving them around coastal areas can expose them to new areas of infestation and diseases also prepare current paper and electronic copies of pictures of your horse for reclaiming purposes particularly if the horse isnt tattooed or branded ideally these would include a picture of the owner and the horse together to insure ownership moyer said if you cannot evacuate your horse or are forced to leave part of your herd behind there are also some precautions that can help you reunite with your horse keeping photographs can help but also attaching identification information to the horses body can be useful braiding information wrapped in plastic to horses manes and tails can help livestock paint works well to put identification information on the body and its waterproof or even taking a pair of clippers and shaving your contact information into the animals hair can help you reunite with your horse when you return in addition to preparing your horse for evacuation moyer also suggested preparing yourself have a personal evacuation plan too you have to take care of yourself first to be able to take care of your horse about pet talk pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at /pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to cvmtoday@cvmtamuedu print |
plan for emergencies with preparedness proposal june 14 2012 its 5:30 pm and you just got home from work when there is a knock at the door it is a police officer explaining that you have 15 minutes to evacuate your family and pets from your home as a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed close to your property what could you grab in your house in 15 minutes that is necessary for your family and pets livelihood dr deb zoran associate professor and member of the veterinary emergency response team at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) presented the previous example and asked could you gather up your personal documents your pets rabies documents you pets food enough clothing and personal belongings for yourself in 15 minutes and not forget anything to ensure nothing is forgotten zoran recommends a preparedness plan for family and pets in case emergencies or natural disasters occur she said this plan should include discussing locations for evacuation meeting sites incase family members are separated or cell phones do not work and who is taking care of the pets zoran strongly encouraged not leaving a pet in an emergency situation rule of thumb that pet owners should always use is that if you are evacuating take your pet with you dont assume that you will be able to come home to take care of them because you probably wont she said zoran suggested people prepare a go bag a little bag that is packed with enough clothing medicine food water and other necessities this bag should also include important documents such as ids and cash incase power is out at atms and banks the other thing that needs to be in your ‘go bag is a little stash of cash because otherwise you may not be able to pay for gas food or anything if something truly monstrous occurs where the power shuts off she said there should also be a go bag for pets as well zoran said this should include their carrier leashes food and water for cats this would also include a litter box and litter as with people the go bag should include the pets vaccination and medical records in addition to identification documents in case of separation zoran said this would include information about micro chipping or photographs of the animals for both humans and pets zoran said the go bag should contain supplies for three to five days remember the emergency situation is not always a train derailment other disasters known to texas are hurricanes tornadoes wildfires and earthquakes a preparedness plan can help in all emergencies and natural disasters the truth of the matter is preparing helps you think more logically and clearly because you know what to take and where things are zoran said zoran explained that all disasters are different so it is important to be able to adapt to the situation the [preparedness] plan works until disaster hits and then what do you do you adapt to the situation … if you have a plan and an idea it is much easier to adapt she said if you are interested in learning more about go bags and preparedness plans dr zoran suggests the following web sites:avma: http://wwwavmaorg/disaster/petsamerica: http://wwwpetsamericaorg/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/disaster_checklistpdf pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
important to protect horses from increasing fly problem may 31 2012 if you are around horses or a stable lately you may notice an increase in flies such as stable flies house flies horn flies and horse flies dr leslie easterwood clinical assistant professor for the large animal clinical sciences department at texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences said flies are worse in the summertime and this year they are particularly bad last year it was dry and hot so it didnt seem quite as bad but this year weve had rain and the temperatures havent been as high so there seems to be an increase easterwood said flies can be a nuisance to a horse because the horse tries to swat and get away from them other than annoying the horse the biting flies can cause physical irritations often the flies congregate around the horses face trying drink the fluid at the corner of the horses eyes since flies carry bacteria on their feet when they are looking for moisture they deposit bacteria larvae and parasites on the horses face and around the eyes the biggest thing is the transfer [of bacteria] and all flies can be bothersome easterwood said flies often deposit habronema larvae on open wounds and the horses eyes as the larvae migrate through the tissue they cause open sores and that is very common in horses this time of year easterwood said horse flies are even worse than normal house and stable flies easterwood said these flies are at least 10 times the size of a house fly have big mouths and transfer more diseases than a house or stable fly they can transfer diseases such equine infectious anemia a very fatal disease that we dont have a cure for she said easterwood said these irritations sores diseases and transfer of bacteria are the main reason it is important to have proper fly control good fly control extends to the face not just spraying the body but using stuff safe to use by their eyes she said easterwood recommended using sprays and ointments to protect horses and repel flies ointment can be applied to a cloth and used to wipe the horses eyes the repellent can be bought over the counter or through a veterinarian different environmental factors determine which product should be used for individual needs if there is a bad fly problem you would be better off to use a product every day that you can reapply frequently to keep the population down as opposed to if you have a very good environmental program you can apply the longer lasting product easterwood said she added that most people reapply fly products daily she warned however that many products claim the repellent lasts longer than others we have found that very few [products] last as long as they say they will easterwood said she explained that all fly repellent works on the various types of flies it repels all of [the flies] and mosquitoes easterwood said she also suggested covering the horse with fly sheets for their bodies and fly masks for their faces other options for protecting horses from flies include an automatic fly spray system in barns moving manure and trash piles away from the horses drying out the manure pile or the use of fly predators pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
summer heat could pose threat to pets may 30 2012 as we welcome the joys of summer such as swimming barbequing and baseball we have to greet the texas heat as temperatures are increasing-highs this week were in the low- to mid-90s-it is vital to take the necessary precautions to protect pets from heat exhaustion this summer although there is not a set temperature that is considered too hot for animals temperatures in the high-80s and above can pose problems for pets dr stacy eckman lecturer at texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) said she added that generally if it is too hot for the pet owner to be outside it is too hot for the pet every pet is different however on the temperature they can endure cats for example are usually more tolerant of the heat than dogs and can often find a shady place to lounge it is very dependent on the pet itself for example overweight dogs and brachycephalic (short nosed dogs such as bulldogs) are at a greater risk for heat stroke/exhaustion for even short period of times in warm weather eckman said eckman said other dogs that have a higher chance of heat exhaustion are those genetically sensitive to the heat and those not acclimated to the heat such as indoor dogs both dogs with long thick coats and those with short thin coats can become overheated so she recommended taking precautions for all types of dogs she explained that even dogs who exercise vigorously can become overheated the perfect example of this is a dog who goes to the dog park on a nice warm spring day when they have not [been] all winter and they play [with a] frisbee [disk] and run more than normal eckman said she added that this was a common case of heat exhaustion eckman said generally the first symptoms of heat exhaustion in pets are lethargy and listlessness they pant to try to cool themselves and can be anxious as they try to find a cool place she said she added that if pets are outside for too long and become overheated they can develop diarrhea and vomiting which could lead to shock if a pet has these symptoms eckman recommended taking him/her to a veterinarian immediately for a diagnosis and treatment she stressed not to put cold water or ice packs on the animal because it makes it harder for them to cool off to prevent heat exhaustion eckman suggested providing shade and fans for pets she also emphasized the importance of having enough water for pets dogs cool themselves by panting and this can dehydrate them so they will need more water than you may think eckman said it is also crucial to not overwork pets in the summer heat so start slowly when exercising take breaks during exercise or play to make sure they cool down and off eckman said pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to cvmtoday@cvmtamuedu print |
prevention of fleas is important year-round may 25 2012 one of the worst things about this time of year is the increase of fleas on pets outside and possibly in homes flea prevention is crucial since adult fleas cause the most problems for pets in order to become adult fleas the blood-sucking creatures need warm weather between 70 and 80 degrees fahrenheit and about 70 to 80 percent humidity said dr alison diesel lecturer in dermatology at texas a&m university college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) those ideal conditions are exactly what we are experiencing during this time of the year which is why we generally see more fleas coming out in the spring diesel said she added that fleas can be present year-round in texas because there is not usually a true winter fleas can cause various problems for pets some animals for example are allergic to an allergen in the flea saliva causing the animal to have an allergic reaction this causes the animal to scratch which could lead to a secondary bacterial skin infection if there is a large flea problem anemia could be a potential problem especially among small animals that do not have large amounts of blood fleas can also carry diseases such as tapeworms or bartonella and infect both pets and humans amanda friedeck a veterinary technician at the cvm said there is no way to completely prevent fleas but a key factor to controlling fleas is breaking the life cycle the best way to control fleas is to break the cycle more fleas lay more eggs … the best treatment either kills the adults or kills one of the juvenile stages friedeck said diesel said the flea life cycle has four phases: the adult fleas lay eggs the eggs hatch into larvae the larvae turns into pupae which eventually turn into adults ideally targeting several phases of the flea lifecycle is best particularly when dealing with an infestation the easiest stage to target is the adult flea since these lives on the pet the other stages (eggs larvae pupae) are present in the environment diesel said both diesel and friedeck said the best way to determine treatment of an animals flea problem is to take them to a veterinarian to discuss the best options and medications your pets veterinarian can help recommend the most appropriate product to help prevent fleas based on other factors (eg other skin conditions food allergies etc) as well as discuss the appropriate way to administer the product (eg orally or topically) diesel said diesel suggested using a flea prevention that lasts the entire month and is still effective if the pet gets wet using flea prevention every 30 days or more frequently in some situations can provide the best protection from fleas biting your pet can kill adult fleas rapidly and can prevent a flea infestation from being established in your pets environment diesel said diesel and friedeck agreed that it is important to minimize an animals exposure to fleas by avoiding infested areas and pets coming in contact with animals that have fleas such as wild animals there are some things which can be done to minimize exposure to fleas: avoid known infested areas do not allow your pet to come into contact with wild animals or burrows and protect areas of the house where wild animals may enter to minimize wild animals from establishing residency in the first place diesel said if fleas become a problem inside the house diesel and friedeck suggested vacuuming once a week vacuuming is a very good way to rid of fleas in the house but the bag must be thrown away and removed from the house friedeck said she added that if there is a large flea presence there are in-house treatments and exterminators there are some in-house treatments and bombs but they should only be used in heavily burdened environments friedeck said diesel suggested focusing on places where the pets spends most of their time inside the house when bombing because that will contain the most concentrated area of fleas dont forget under beds and furniture behind curtains and along hallways connecting rooms when treating the house for fleas again it may be best to contact a professional exterminator when there is a large flea burden present she said in addition to treating animals and inside of homes it may be necessary to treat the outside environment this can be done by spraying areas of the yard that are high in flea population this includes shaded areas under trees and bushes in dog houses under porches and decks as with indoor control when the burden is high a professional exterminator may be the most help diesel said diesel said the best strategy against fleas is to practice year-round prevention by treating all pets with flea medicine as well as treating inside and outside the home if an infestation is suspected it is much easier to prevent fleas than to treat fleas she said pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at /pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to cvmtoday@cvmtamuedu print |
pet cancer awareness month helps teach owners about leading cause of pet deaths may 18 2012 as the month of may gets underway so does pet cancer awareness month this month is designed to bring awareness to pet owners about the leading cause of death in pets cancer dr heather wilson-robles assistant professor for small animal clinical sciences at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) said cancer accounts for nearly 50 percent of all disease-related pet deaths each year 50 percent of all dogs over the age of 10 will die from cancer and 25 percent of all dogs get cancer wilson-robles said certain breeds such as golden retrievers rottweilers and german shepherds are considered at-risk breeds and have a higher risk of getting cancer wilson-robles said these breeds can have up to a 70-80 percent chance of getting cancer in their lifetime wilson-robles added that the number one type of cancer in dogs is lymphoma accounting for 24 percent one goal of pet cancer awareness month is to inform pet owners of symptoms to look for in their pet wilson-robles said to pay attention to bigger lymph nodes or for oral cancer bad breath and blood on a toy sometimes the owner may notice the dogs activity to be lower or a decrease in food consumption wilson-robles said a lot of times she said the dogs feel fine so the owners do not notice a change in the pet once [the dogs] start treatment and start feeling better [the owners] did not realize how much [the cancer] was affecting [the dogs] wilson-robles said wilson-robles stressed that wellness checks every year or six months are key to cancer prevention sometimes in many cases by the time [the animals] are already effected and sick it may be too late [for treatment] wilson-robles said to ensure the cancer is detected in time she urged pet owners to take a dog to the veterinarian if cancer is suspected and let them do blood work and biopsies if cancer is spotted wilson-robles said there are various treatment options for most types of cancer once you know what it is youre fighting then we can talk about various treatment options there is usually something we can do she said cancer treatment in dogs is similar to that of humans wilson-robles said different treatment options for different cancers include chemotherapy radiation surgery and therapy there is also different experimental research such as clinical trials the cvm for example has eight different clinical trials currently ongoing and various options using the new diagnostic and imaging cancer treatment center or oncology services wilson-robles said although frequent wellness checks allow for a better chance to detect the cancer there are not many ways to actually prevent the disease wilson-robles recommended a few tips that may help reduce the risk of cancer she said that as with humans cancer in dogs has been tied with obesity for this she suggested keeping dogs fit she added to avoid chemicals such as yard sprays and limit the uv exposure of dogs and cats with light-colored skin by using sunscreen uv shields on windows or t-shirts pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
security dogs may 3 2012 since their domestication thousands of years ago dogs have been used to protect the home and the workplace giving owners a sense of security against intruders the most common dogs used for protection are larger breeds like dobermans german shepherds rottweilers chows and pit bulls but pet owners should be careful when using a dog solely for protection says dr alice blue-mclendon clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences when dogs are trained to protect the home they are using their natural territorial instinct and can attack anyone unfamiliar to them which may include a friendly visitor says blue-mclendon dogs used for protection can also be unreliable depending on their own unique personality some dogs are naturally aggressive and may attack any animals or humans that violate their territory guard dogs are often trained to be aggressive toward people and may view anyone outside the family as a potential threat this may present a constant danger since owners can never be completely sure that their pet will not someday view a family member or friend as a threat aggressive behavior in a pet dog may become an added liability for its owner especially if the animal has bitten before many cities have laws regulating aggressive dogs and some require a special type of permit for those that have bitten other animals or people in most cases owners of protection dogs should look into increasing their liability insurance said blue-mclendon however if you do need a specially trained guard dog try to maintain control of the animal dogs in the wild remain submissive to the dog they view as the leader referred to as the alpha dog and will protect it and the surrounding territory owners and family members should all assume the role of ‘alpha dog by taking control of their pet while they are still young says blue-mclendon puppies often view humans as dominant because of their greater size and age owners can further reinforce this image by controlling access to toys and food rewarding animals for good behavior helps them to see the owner as the leader or alpha figure which provides them with greater control of their pet and may prevent attacks most guard dog owners do not realize that the presence of a dog is usually security enough and that specialized training may be excessive said blue-mclendon dogs are sensitive to their surroundings and will usually alert their owners to a disturbance by barking which may be enough to scare away potential intruders other security animals include some surprising ones – peacocks geese and parrots which can also offer some protection by using vocalized alarm calls to announce someones approach pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
heartworm awareness april 26 2012 april has been designated as national heartworm awareness month dont let april pass you by without educating yourself on this possible pet killer sultry spring and summer days may cause dogs and cats to suffer from mosquito bites that can lead to heartworm disease says dr sonya gordon associate professor in the department of small animal clinical sciences at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences dogs are usually the preferred host for heartworms but cats are also susceptible to the disease even indoor cats gordon notes to protect your pet preventative medicine should be used year round to avoid heartworm infection pets are often infected when mosquitoes carrying heartworms bite the animal and pass on heartworm larvae into the tissue the larvae mature as they travel through the tissue and eventually end up in blood vessels within the lungs causing heartworm disease heartworms should really be called lungworms because they live in the blood vessels of the lungs not the heart gordon says however if left untreated heartworms can clog up the heart causing caval syndrome which prevents blood from traveling through the right side of the heart and causes the belly to fill with fluid gordon says symptoms of heartworm disease are usually heavy breathing coughing and exercise intolerance pets with these symptoms should be taken to their local veterinarian for a blood test that can determine if the pet has heartworm disease treating heartworm disease is generally a risky procedure since a toxic substance must be used to kill the worms that live in the blood vessels within the lungs the body must then clean up the dead worms treatment usually lasts two to three months depending on the severity of the case gordon explains during treatment the pet must be completely rested costs associated with heartworms can be high treatment for heartworm disease can cost anywhere from $600 to $6 000 depending on the severity of the disease while the preventative medicine costs only about $30-100 per year depending on the size of the pet gordon notes preventative heartworm medicine is given once per month to prevent adult heartworms from forming if your pet has missed consecutive months it would be a good idea to visit your local veterinarian for a routine blood test even pets who receive preventative medicine should have a blood test once per year to be sure they do not get accidentally infected the best treatment for heartworms is preventative medicine adds gordon pet owners have a variety of treatment options to choose from including tablets tasty chewable tablets topical medicines and even injections that can be given by your veterinarian twice per year it is important to use the treatment that works best for you and your pet gordon says in this case an ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure by preventing heartworms from forming you are saving your pets life and a lot of money pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
ligament tears april 19 2012 while ligament tears can cause serious setbacks in an athletes career a similar injury can mean surgery and rehabilitation for your pet according to dr sharon kerwin professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences anterior cruciate ligament (acl) tears or cranial cruciate ligament (ccl) injuries as they are referred to in animals occur almost as often as they do in humans cats and dogs have the same ligaments that we have in our knees says kerwin the cruciate ligament stabilizes your femur and your tibia so you dont get too much motion between those two bones ccl tears in cats often occur the same way acl tears occur in humans often there is some traumatic injury that occurs as a result of jumping from high places playing or getting the animals leg caught in something it takes a fair bit of force to rupture a cruciate ligament and it tends to occur more often in overweight cats says kerwin however in dogs this injury is often the result of a chronic degeneration of the ligament and occurs much more frequently than it does in cats in dogs we think the injury may be related to weight and body structure meaning that some large breeds such as rottweilers labradors and chow chows may be predisposed to ccl injuries said kerwin in some cases we think its either the shape of their tibia or the shape of their femur that predisposes them to this injury a ruptured ligament is usually characterized by limping or inactivity in cats they will not want to play the way they used to and dogs will often appear lame and sit awkwardly with their leg sticking out signaling a possible knee problem kerwin says if your pet shows signs of a ligament tear schedule an appointment with your veterinarian who will conduct a lameness exam in order to diagnose the problem the injury is often treated in cats with medical management by placing overweight cats on a strict diet with exercise restriction for three to six weeks followed by a check-up measuring progress if the injury fails to heal surgery is often recommended to explore and stabilize the joint but when dogs are afflicted with ccl injuries many times the best option is surgery as quickly as possible dogs often dont do well with medical management the injury will often worsen over time as the arthritis in the knee builds explains kerwin part of the problem is they tend to suffer cartilage tears that we dont often see in cats so we recommend exploring the knee and cleaning it through an arthroscopy just like they would do in a human and then stabilizing it says kerwin dogs often require 8-12 weeks of recovery including strict rest and rehabilitation once your pet has undergone the recommended period of exercise restriction it is important to encourage it to exercise its leg with slow leash walks or through playtime activities the biggest way to prevent ccl tears is to keep your pet at a proper weight kerwin says it is very easy for animals to gain weight especially if they spend most of their time indoors because they do not get the same level of exercise your veterinarian can advise you on the proper weight for your dog or cat about pet talk pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
a case of the snuffles april 12 2012 if your peter rabbit has a runny nose he may have more than a case of the sniffles he could have snuffles a common upper respiratory infection in rabbits snuffles is a disease which affects the eyes and nose and sometimes the lungs skin or even the middle ear of rabbits says dr jill heatley associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) also referred to as paranasal sinusitis snuffles is most often caused by a certain bacteria known as pasteurella multocids but sometimes other bacteria can also be involved heatley adds snuffles is a very common disease of rabbits and can be found in up to 10 percent of rabbits which appear normal it is found in almost all rabbits that show clinical signs such as a runny nose skin infections or a head tilt symptoms for snuffles vary among rabbits according to heatley the most common signs to look for relating to snuffles are nasal discharge head tilting and skin sores many times a veterinarian will make a presumptive diagnosis of snuffles based solely on a physical examination explains heatley however radiographs (x-rays) and blood work are also often used to determine a diagnosis this disease can progress to a serious infection like septicemia and pneumonia which rabbits are very good at hiding the treatment plan for snuffles varies based on the clinical signs but antibiotics are often prescribed because it is a bacterial disease heatley says however one must be very careful with antibiotic use in rabbits as improper types or routes of antibiotic administration can cause problems within the rabbits stomach and intestines that could lead to death please make sure the veterinarian you visit is familiar with antibiotics that are safe for use in rabbits heatley also recommends using probiotics in rabbits because they help replace the good normal bacteria in the rabbits gut which it needs to live if you are looking into purchasing a new rabbit for your household it is best to talk with your breeder or pet store representative about a particular animals health history and breeding conditions very few facilities can guarantee a completely disease free environment if any rabbit in the facility shows even the slightest symptom of snuffles such as wet facial fur or paws due to a runny nose it would be better to look elsewhere for your new pet sub-clinical snuffles (infected rabbits that show no symptoms) can be diagnosed through a physical examination administered by your veterinarian physical examinations should be a routine part of your pre-purchase or initial ‘well pet health exam to try to avoid snuffles in your current pet keep its environment stress free most if not all rabbits have this bacteria and can have a bout with snuffles if they become stressed heatley says so for your rabbit we recommend a healthy diet stress free environment and plenty of enrichment and exercise their diet should consist primarily of grass hay such as oat or timothy but not alfalfa which has too much protein and fat a grass hay diet will ensure normal tooth wear and good gut health also remember to regulate their temperature because if they get too hot or too cold they will become stressed snuffles is extremely contagious among rabbits and infected rabbits should never be allowed to come into contact with healthy rabbits any cage or bedding that has been in contact with infected rabbits should be thoroughly disinfected with a mild bleach solution before using for healthy rabbits humans that handle infected rabbits should wash their hands and clothes before handling healthy rabbits pasteurella multocida as with most bacteria is contagious to man but usually requires a skin break such as a bite or a wound to enter the system says heatley this bacterium can cause diseases to other animals such as chickens and pigs so if your bunny has snuffles it should not play with other animals until it is well or at least until it starts an antibiotic treatment program with adequate care and treatment most cases of snuffles can be resolved and have a good prognosis heatley adds however some cases of snuffles can have multiple bacteria or may involve a tooth problem or bone infection in the rabbits nose these bunny patients may require months of treatment and require much patience on the part of the owner to ensure a healthy pet rabbit at home begin with a healthy rabbit and then maintain that good health by avoiding any contact that could infect your rabbit when in doubt hop down to your veterinarian for a complete checkup pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
animals and allergies april 5 2012 with the emergence of springtime comes the arrival of allergies although the landscape is lush many people experience the beauty that comes with the warmer weather as well as the bothersome allergy symptoms pets can also be affected by allergies and it is important to be mindful of any symptoms that your pet might be displaying people sneeze and wheeze with allergies while dogs tend to itch and scratch says dr adam patterson clinical assistant professor and a board certified dermatologist at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences the hallmark sign of allergic skin disease is itch that can be manifested as licking chewing rubbing biting scooting head shaking and/or scratching typically the face ears paws armpits groin and rump are the most affected sites patterson explains that animals with allergic skin disease are highly prone to recurring skin and/or ear infections involving bacteria and yeast infections can cause increased itch redness pimples blackheads scabs dander hair loss skin thickening and odor horses many times will break out in hives animals tend to be allergic to many of the same things people are hypersensitive to such as pollen mold dust house dust mite and foodstuffs patterson explains an exception would be fleas – the most common thing dogs and cats are allergic to despite this many people are in ‘fleanial and refuse to believe just a few flea bites can be triggering the itch response in their pet likewise horse owners may not be aware how just a few insect bites could be responsible for or contributing to itchy skin disease allergic skin disease can be mistaken for many other forms of skin disease a veterinary dermatologist is trained to work with primary care veterinarians to get down to the bottom of how to best diagnose and manage skin and ear disease including allergies in animals see wwwacvdorg for more information it is important to understand that allergies can be managed but not cured just as with humans the goal is to reduce the extent and severity of signs not completely eliminate them management regimens might include increased frequency of bathing (washing pollens of the skin surface) antimicrobials or antibiotics flea prevention fatty acids antihistamines change in diet steroids and immunotherapy also known as desensitization or hyposensitization the use of the latter can be determined through a good step-wise diagnostic approach along with allergy skin testing and administered by way of allergy shots or oral allergy drops says patterson when it is time to take your pet in for allergy skin testing typically dogs should have allergy symptoms for at least 5-6 months out of the year before considering skin testing for environmental allergies which include reactivity to pollen molds house dust mite and house dust in order for the diagnostic tests and treatment to be cost effective over the long haul patterson recommends patterson explains that rainfall cuts down on airborne pollen and may provide itch relief to pets but at the same time rain may cause plants to produce more pollen over the next few weeks indeed rain fall might worsen flea and mold allergies because moisture and humidity are favorable to fleas and mold of course rain has no effect on food-related allergic skin diseases given the mild winter and lack of national weather fronts during the 2011-2012 seasons pollen is likely to be at an all-time high this year consequently there likely will be many itchy pets this year says patterson allergies are certainly not an uncommon thing to see in pets it is important to be aware of the symptoms and to notify a veterinarian when they persist for more information please visit https://vethospitaltamuedu/large-animal/dermatology/allergies/ pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu *photo- the cat was scratching because of allergies print |
feather plucking march 29 2012 nail-biting gum smacking knuckle popping – they can be irritating habits people have even birds display their share of odd behaviors feather plucking is a common habit among parrot-type birds says dr alice blue-mclendon a veterinarian with the winnie carter wildlife center at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences while most adult birds lose their feathers naturally once or twice a year in a process called molting it is not natural for a bird to pluck out its own feathers says blue-mclendon one of the clues that a bird is plucking its feathers is to look at the birds head since a parrot cannot pluck feathers from its own scalp a feather-plucking bird will have a full head of feathers but be missing a lot of feathers on other parts of its body as simple as it may sound the most common reason for a bird to pluck out its own feathers is boredom says blue-mclendon when a bird isnt stimulated by its environment it may begin plucking its feathers for entertainment or out of frustration she says because of birds high intelligence level environmental enrichment is extremely important for them blue-mclendon notes they need plenty of toys to play with especially ones they can chew the more time they spend chewing on toys and food the less time they have to chew on their feathers she adds some birds enjoy playing with their own feathers after they have fallen out naturally through molting although feathers are cheap and simple toys they arent appropriate ones playing with loose feathers may spawn a nasty plucking habit you dont want to encourage your bird to pluck its feathers out to have something to play with blue-mclendon says remove the feathers from the cage as soon as they fall out excessive grooming or preening as it is known in the avian arena is also not an appropriate pastime for birds you should curb this behavior early says blue-mclendon if you allow it to continue some birds especially cockatoos can become overzealous in their preening preening can be another common precursor to feather plucking again occupying its time with other activities can help rid your bird of its obsession with grooming blue-mclendon explains she says its important to try to break any bad habits as soon as you notice them temporarily changing your birds environment is a good start blue-mclendon explains try adding new toys to its cage or simply rearranging its existing toys also consider moving its cage to another area of the house possibly one with heavier traffic if your birds meals consist of only seeds try to incorporate new foods and flavors into its diet says blue-mclendon add colorful fruits and vegetables especially those that can double as chew toys like celery carrots and green beans however know that change is not always the best remedy sometimes variation especially sudden and dramatic variation in a birds environment can also lead to feather plucking says blue-mclendon stressful events such as moving a death in the family or a reduction in time spent with its owner can more than ruffle your birds feathers they can cause anxiety-based behaviors like screaming and of course feather plucking be sure to make changes gradually and monitor your birds progress also before you make any changes be sure your bird doesnt have a medical reason for plucking its feathers such as mite infestation a hormone imbalance or skin infection these problems would warrant a visit to your veterinarian breaking a bad habit can be quite a feat blue-mclendon adds but if your mother could convince you to stop biting your nails theres a good chance you can help your bird eliminate its feather fixation about pet talk pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
horses and thunderstorms march 22 2012 severe weather can be a troubling event especially when there are animals whose welfare and comfort is of concern as well small pets can usually take cover with their owners during thunderstorms but what precautions can an owner take for larger animals such as horses the first step in protecting your horses and other livestock from severe weather is to realize what the severe weather risks are in your area says dr brandon dominguez clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine (cvm) & biomedical sciences and member of the cvm veterinary emergency team for many areas springtime brings threats of severe thunderstorms lightning flash floods and tornadoes often owners like to keep horses stalled in a barn to protect them from lightning during a storm but giving them the ability to travel could keep them safer generally if horses are in a pasture with trees or near a lightning rod the risk of the horse being struck is greatly diminished a three-sided shelter can help to keep them warm and dry during a storm in addition to shielding them from lightning strikes says dominguez dominguez believes that when storms become more severe to possibly include tornadoes or high gusts of winds horses are even safer outside of their stalls it is wise to keep barnyards and pastures clear of debris before storms are due to strike if a tornado were to hit a barn with horses secured in stalls the likelihood and severity of being hit by debris would be considerably increased says dominguez true horses in pasture may not escape completely unscathed but the cuts and contusions are usually less significant with torrential rainfall flooding and particularly flash flooding if horses are given the opportunity to move to higher ground away from danger they will follow their natural instinct for survival flash flooding if injury or obstacles prevent horses from escaping can lead to a horse being swept downstream and potentially drowning less harsh but just as serious are the consequences of standing in perpetually flooded pastures the chronic exposure to moisture could lead to softening of the hoof and sole leaving a horse susceptible to stone bruises sole abscesses white line disease and infection such as thrush says dominguez dominguez explains that rapid drying may cause hooves to crack and become brittle but keeping feet cleaned and picked out and applying hoof conditioners will help minimize the harm from flood waters additionally flooding may cause toxins to spread from storage areas to pastures where horses are gathered exposing them to contaminants that they would not ordinarily contact the most ideal confinement during severe weather would be a large pasture with a three-sided shelter to protect animals from the elements but that also allows them to escape from danger not being in the lowest portion of the field but in the vicinity of trees or a lightning rod is also advantageous says dominguez with the variety of horse-owners horse-properties and horses planning before thunderstorms occur should take into consideration the ability to keep everybody safe pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
pet toys march 14 2012 it is never desirable to leave a pet at home alone but when it is necessary it is nice to know the pet will be entertained but the price of entertainment can be high when the pet is left with inappropriate toys; some toys may cause choking or even require surgery to eliminate the problem buying safe toys for your pet is a must in order to keep them safe from harm the problem is that most people are not aware of the potential hazards that pet toys may cause their animal dr mark stickney clinical associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences recommends when looking for a toy for a dog dont buy anything too soft where the dog could bite off pieces and swallow them stickney warns that the dog could choke on these pieces or even swallow them if the dog was to swallow the pieces surgery may be needed in order to remove them toys that may be too soft are toys made of soft plastic or rubber; these materials are easy for dogs to bite through stickney also recommends that toys not be too hard he strongly suggests that dogs not be given animal bones bones are too hard leading the dog to chip or even break its teeth stickney advocates the use of raw hide chews he believes that dogs enjoy playing with them and that they are the safest material for the dog stickney also urges pet owners to buy toys that are appropriate for the size of their dog if the dog is smaller naturally the toy should be smaller; and the same holds true for larger dogs a safe toy is one that the dog can easily hold in its mouth without its teeth puncturing the toy yet the toy should not be small enough to fit down the dogs throat the best toys in stickneys opinion are called ‘kongs they are tubes that are filled with treats in the center they come in a variety of different sizes for different dogs and are hard enough that the dog cannot chew through them the tubes even have weight recommendations on their boxes signifying the most appropriate tube for the weight of the dog cats are a bit different with their toy preferences than dogs they tend to like toys that move and are stimulating to the eye stickney says that cats tend to like toys that are free such as playing with small aluminum and paper balls any toy that a cat can place under its paws and the toy springs out cats will often love stickney cautions that cat owners should not give their cats toys that have long strings the cat may swallow the string causing choking cats preferences on toys tend to be more varied than dogs but most prefer round toys that move the best places to purchase safe toys are places with a wide selection of pet toys such as petco and petsmart these places usually have a large variety and if a toy has proven to be harmful they are good about taking it off the shelves pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
its showtime! march 8 2012 for many ffa and 4-h youth and their animals its showtime now is the time of year when many young adults are showing off such livestock as cattle sheep swine and goats at fairs and competitions all over the country dr floron faries professor and extension veterinarian texas agrilife extension service texas a&m system has some advice for youth to help ensure their livestock show season is a big hit plans begin about a year before the livestock show in fact the health program begins before you even get the animal states faries faries recommends purchasing healthy animals from places that have good management practices as you travel and look for show livestock ask the seller to immunize prior to purchase allowing enough time for the immunity to become established faries adds if vaccinations cannot be administered at the sellers place begin vaccinations on day of arrival do not wait the day the show animal arrives home perform a visual exam and repeat the exam several times throughout the season watch the animal every day and observe its behavior and attitude faries stresses watch for healthy and unhealthy signs faries adds the most common medical problems seen in show livestock are respiratory diseases or lung diseases they can be viral bacterial or both respiratory diseases are common because during the show season animals are mingling with other animals at fairs or other central locations for weighing therefore every time your animal leaves home there is a risk of exposure and often an animal may return with a cough or fever follow a preventive program of administering vaccinations to avoid respiratory diseases become educated as to what viruses and bacteria may cause respiratory problems and talk with your veterinarian says faries the types of vaccines administered for each species vary so become familiar with what is needed for your animal be sure to read the label and know what vaccines must be repeated i find a common mistake is that the owner does not realize the shots need to be repeated because he or she didnt look at the label says faries unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian always follow labeling instructions to help ensure that the vaccination is most effective the noninfectious vaccines which are unable to multiply in the body usually require two injections faries says the second injection is given 3-6 weeks after the first the key to a healthy animal is starting early with disease prevention and not waiting until you arrive at the show to begin treatment says faries practicing good health management such as close observations and proper vaccinations will help your chances in any competition pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
canine cognitive dysfunction march 1 2012 like people dogs are susceptible to the negative effects of aging on the mind and body canine cognitive dysfunction or doggie dementia is a disorder similar to dementia in people signs for canine cognitive dysfunction include problems with learning housetraining awareness of surroundings and problems with the wake/sleep cycle said dr joseph mankin clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences dogs may also appear confused have increased episodes of restlessness and may have less interest in playing or appear irritable mankin says that cognitive dysfunction cases increase with age about a third of dogs show one or more signs at the age of 11 and most dogs show signs of the dysfunction at the age of 16 at this time there is no breed predisposition the only common indicating factor for dogs is the age if you feel your dog is showing signs of mind degeneration visit with your veterinarian to learn more about possible diagnosis and treatment plans the syndrome is diagnosed based on the patients clinical signs and activity/behavioral changes at home said mankin there is not a specific test to diagnose the problem although changes on advanced imaging of the brain can give some indication treatment of cognitive dysfunction includes certain medications environmental changes and changes in diet explained mankin with this syndrome there may be an association with the lack of dopamine and there are medications that can increase dopamine activity that can help with a patients clinical signs diets high in antioxidants can also be beneficial for your pets treatment plan hills has a line of diet options mankin recommends implementing increased activity among your dog to help slow the degenerative process environmental enrichment in the form of playing with toys interacting with other dogs and learning new tricks can be effective in lessening the signs of cognitive dysfunction added mankin there are also no proven preventative measures that an owner can take the best recommendations are to keep your dog healthy by giving it a balanced diet and continuing its exercise canine cognitive dysfunction is a function of the brain aging and unfortunately most of the time it is inevitable it is important to remember that not all dogs will display all the signs of this dysfunction that is why it is important to take your dog to your veterinarian if it displays any behavioral changes your veterinarian can look for common disorders that might explain what is going on with your pet if your pet is starting to become confused having accidents in the house or displaying any behavioral changes an appointment with your regular veterinarian would be indicated said mankin there are several other disease processes that can start with similar clinical signs so an exam and performing routine blood work is the first step in diagnosing the condition and ruling out other common causes if initial test results do not explain the cause for your pets abnormal behavior or if the results suggest additional information is required the next step may be to see a specialist like mankin your veterinarian can refer you to a veterinary neurologist whom can help determine what the problem is the natural aging process can be as painless as possible for your dog if you continue routine checkups with your veterinarian and continue to be aware of your dogs habits about pet talk pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
tummy ache february 23 2012 a tummy ache is never fun for people but it can be life threatening for your pet its not uncommon for most animals to have upset stomachs and vomit from time to time but theres usually a simple reason says dr deb zoran associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences a pets vomiting may be caused by a hairball in the stomach or small intestine or by other foreign material such as plants rocks or bones diet could also be a cause if a dog or cat has had a change of diet or if it has eaten spoiled food it can result in nausea or vomiting adds zoran just like when humans get food poisoning the symptoms usually go away within 24 hours the digestive tract is cleared and whatever was causing the problem is gone however if the animal has repeated vomiting wont eat or the symptoms continue for more than 24 hours the animal needs to see a veterinarian immediately zoran says frequent pet vomiting can be a difficult problem to pinpoint the causes are numerous – food allergies infection or inflammation in the intestinal tract foreign objects that obstruct the bowel ulcers liver or kidney failure diabetes cancer – the list can go on and on says zoran if the animal has been vomiting for more than 24 hours the most serious problems are dehydration and electrolyte imbalances the animal has lost body fluids and they need to be replaced right away then the source of the problem can be examined x-rays can often detect the source of the vomiting and as with humans barium liquid can be administered to the pet to outline the digestive tract other tests that may be necessary include ultrasound blood work and an endoscopic examination to determine the problem one key question is does the cause of the vomiting come from inside the gi (gastrointestinal) tract or is it hidden elsewhere in the animal zoran adds if the problem is not in the gi tract it can be harder to detect if the pet owner detects blood in any food the animal has vomited that should be a warning sign that something is not right if blood is present its a serious problem and possibly a life-threatening problem says zoran unfortunately it may not look like blood because the stomach acids will digest any blood present and the blood may look something like coffee grounds the best answer is if you dont think it looks like food the animal needs medical attention as soon as possible says zoran other signs that should alarm pet owners: if the animal vomits every time it eats vomits multiple times per day or if the animal wont eat at all and appears to be weak and depressed all of these are warning signs that something serious is wrong and the pet needs medical help immediately says zoran frequent or persistent vomiting in any pet is not normal if the animal has been vomiting excessively its essential that it sees a veterinarian pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
canine car collisions february 16 2012 in seconds your life can be changed forever as distractions increase for drivers so does the number of car accidents unfortunately pets are often affected by distracted drivers and can incur serious injury if they are hit by a car on average here at the texas a&m small animal er we tend to see at least three to five animals that have been hit by a car each week said dr brooke smith veterinary resident instructor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences most of the victims are medium to large dog breeds that were playing somewhere off leash and ran into the road or dogs that escaped from the back yard smith added we do see smaller dogs and cats but unfortunately due to their size and the amount of trauma a vehicle can cause they sometimes pass away before they make it to the hospital if you do see an animal hit by a car please call your local animal control officer on duty immediately animals that have sustained serious trauma will be in a lot of pain smith says and there is a high risk that a good samaritan will be bitten while trying to help the hurt animal animal control officers are trained to handle these situations if you witness an animal getting hit by a car ask someone to assist you to place the animal in your car and bring it to the nearest emergency care facility however if your pet is in a lot of pain there is a possibility that it may bite you smith recommends placing a blanket or towel over its head to ensure your safety when helping your pet it is always good to know where the nearest 24-hour veterinary care facility is in case of emergency situations like this one important point to take away from this topic is to have your pet microchipped and to keep your contact information current with the company that supplied the microchip it is a misconception that pet owners think once their pet is microchipped that we can track the chip itself said smith we simply scan the chip with a special reader and it gives us a number of the chip we then call the company pass along the number and they contact you directly if you as the pet owner have not contacted the company to give them your current information we will not be able to find you if we cannot get your permission to treat your pet it may not receive the care it needs to survive smith also advises pet owners to provide their pets with collars that clearly state a current phone number to call in an emergency she mentions that a rabies tag is not always useful as most emergency cases occur after hours when veterinary clinics are closed owners can take precautionary measures to avoid serious car accident injuries other recommendations are to never place your pet in the back of a moving vehicle unless it is placed in a pet-safe kennel said smith even the best trained dogs can jump or fall out of truck beds and can sustain serious and/or life-threatening trauma the most common injuries involving vehicular accidents are bone fractures skin lacerations and abrasions and life-threatening internal bleeding smith added treating these kinds of conditions is very expensive and many times pets have to be euthanized because their owners cannot afford the care required to save their lives the best treatment is prevention – placing your dog in a pet-safe kennel in the truck bed can save his/her life owners should also keep their dog on a leash when in public it is also important to keep an eye on the dog while it is outside or to secure a barrier for the dog to avoid sporadic running toward a nearby road prevention is always the best treatment plan to ensure your canine companion is happy and healthy pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
dental hygiene for dogs february 9 2012 an ounce of prevention may be worth a pound of cure but when it comes to your dogs health; practicing good dental hygiene may make a ton of difference in fact an animals teeth may be more important to its overall health than most pet owners realize says dr jr bert dodd clinical associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences human dentists have done a really good job of educating people on practicing good preventive dental health but often we do not think about preventive dental health for our pets says dodd overall dental hygiene can be an indicator of current or future health challenges for humans and dogs as goes the mouth so goes the health taking care of your pets mouth and keeping it nice and healthy should help the animal live longer dodd said preventive dental care includes regularly brushing your pets teeth and getting an oral evaluation and dental cleaning at least annually by your veterinarian some pet owners may question the importance of dental hygiene maintenance for dogs based on their own experience with childhood pets but veterinary medicine has come a long way over the past 20 years it used to be that most of our pets died at younger ages so periodontal disease did not have a chance to impact their health and cause damage to their kidneys livers or other vital organs veterinary medicine has advanced such that we are now better able to treat these diseases and our animals are living longer healthier lives explains dodd dental therapy for pets includes many of the same procedures that help humans maintain healthy teeth gums and mouths available treatments include oral surgery periodontics endodontics restorations and even orthodontics on furry patients as needed some of these procedures may be offered by your family veterinarian or you may be referred to a board certified veterinary dentist dodd says it is important that pet owners become aware of the serious consequences of ignoring a pets dental health periodontal disease is a disease of neglect if preventative dental health is not practiced and periodontal therapy is ignored other health complications may follow says dodd teeth gum or mouth problems can cause infections and disease or they can be symptoms of serious illness in veterinary patients the teeth are 42 little patients in a dogs mouth so they need to be well taken care of and treated with respect says dodd it is best to begin home care when your puppy or kitten is between 8 and 12 weeks old; however it is never too late to start notes dodd the first step is to train your pet to accept brushing of the teeth and the best way to approach that is to establish a routine of brushing your pets teeth with gauze around your finger it may be helpful to use beef or chicken broth with dogs or tuna water with cats to get them accustomed to the routine instead of using cleaning agents once a pet is familiar with the daily routine you can switch out the gauze for a finger brush or a very soft toothbrush then you can incorporate using pet toothpaste do not use toothpaste intended for people because the ingredients can cause stomach issues in your pet if ingested between the age of 4 months and 7 months all of the baby teeth should fall out and be replaced with adult teeth it is important to monitor this process and make sure that the baby teeth do in fact fall out and not stay in the mouth when the adult teeth erupt these persistent teeth can lead to malocclusion and severe periodontal disease due to crowding and rotating of the erupting teeth prompt veterinary attention (extractions) can help prevent these problems contrary to some beliefs it is important not to give pets bones from leftover food to chew on in addition to gastrointestinal issues bones can cause teeth to break which leads to additional visits to the veterinarian and further medical problems more and more pet owners are recognizing the connection between dental hygiene and their dogs overall wellbeing dodd believes when you make a dental appointment for yourself it might be a good idea to make a veterinary appointment to have spots teeth cleaned and checked also an ounce of dental prevention could lead to a longer healthier life for you and your pet about pet talk pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu *top photo: dr dodd works on a patients teeth as a veterinary student looks on bottom photo: dog receiving treatment for its teeth at the cvm veterinary medical teaching hospital print |
staying in pace with pacemakers february 2 2012 dr saunders checking a pacemaker what would you do if your pets heart suddenly stopped working properly february is the month of national heart awareness and valentines day february should also be a reminder for pet owners to educate themselves on their pets heart health the best place to start is your veterinarian if your pet has an irregular heartbeat or low heart rate it should be evaluated by your veterinarian and may indicate the need for a pacemaker pet owners are often amazed that their pets can live for years and feel much better than they have in a long time after receiving a pacemaker says dr ashley saunders assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) even younger working dogs that assist in border patrol and drug sniffing are able to perform their duties the same way a normal dog would after receiving a pacemaker dogs with low heart rates tend to move slower and are likely to tire more quickly because blood is not being efficiently pumped to the rest of the body they may experience symptoms such as fatigue fainting weakness coughing and a swollen abdomen canine heart rates usually range from 80 to 150 beats per minute but when rates drop below 80 pacemakers may be suggested to provide the users with ‘artificial cardiac pacing thereby raising and stabilizing their heart rates saunders explains pacemaker next to a quarter veterinary cardiologists performing pacemaker surgery generally set the pace of the heart at a rate specific to each pet patient allowing continuous stimulation for every heartbeat the two-hour surgical procedure is often done in one of two ways: transvenous (through the neck) or epicardial (through the abdomen) the most common method used in veterinary medicine is transvenous saunders said this procedure allows us to create about a three-inch incision in the neck exposing the vessel and allowing the pulse generator or battery enough room to comfortably reside before the pulse generator is introduced a pacing lead is inserted into the vessel and passed through the tricuspid valve and into the right ventricle where it successfully transmits an electrical charge from the pulse generator to the heart saunders says surgical patients are usually kept overnight for observation and brought in for a one-month check-up following the procedure and then evaluated every six months pet owners are advised to keep their animals calm for two to four weeks after pacemaker surgery so they can properly heal pet owners are also advised to use a harness instead of a collar if the pulse generator is placed inside the neck x-ray photo of a pacemaker a lead can be pulled out of place if the animal is too rambunctious during the two-to-four-week healing period saunders said if this happens the heart rate may return to its originally slow rate once you pace a dogs heart it often becomes dependent on the pacemaker this pacemaker dependency is less of a problem for pets after recovery because the body forms a type of cast around the pacemaker keeping it in place after recovery pacemakers have a long life and function like a wristwatch battery if the pacemaker begins to show signs of wear it will not stop automatically saunders adds it will first slow down dropping the heart rate thats why the check-ups are so important canine matters of the heart are best solved by those who love it most – its owners and its veterinarian pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
animals ringworm january 26 2012 it may be surprising for some to learn that the skin infection known as ringworm or dermatophytosis is not actually a worm or parasite at all but a fungus the lesion will not always be in the shape of a ring but it will appear scaly in the center with a red irritated color on the periphery household pets generally pick up the disease from other animals where the infection occurs on the skin there will be a bald patch but sometimes they may just have a few broken hairs says dr leon russell professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences ringworm is highly contagious and can pass from person to person either through direct contact through contact with an infected object contact with an infected pet or infected soil humans can contract ringworm from animals very easily by touching the infected area directly or through contact with objects which have been exposed contaminated with the fungus or its spores animal ringworm types usually from a dog cat or rodent are more likely to be transmitted to young children with children it is often found in the scalp region fungi that mostly live in human skin are called ‘anthropophilic those that live on animals are called ‘zoophilic and those that prefer to live in soil are called ‘geophilic fungi explains russell the anthropophilic ringworm is mostly seen in developing countries such as africa or parts of asia by human to human transmission many times this occurs from sharing hairbrushes or combs and unless someones immune system is highly compromised then the disease is not life threatening tinea pedis or athletes foot is the most common form of ringworm found in humans and the most difficult to treat the rash most often appears in the moist areas between the toes though the rest of the foot can be infected as well itching and burning are typical symptoms says russell community swimming pools used towels health clubs steam rooms and showers are common areas where athletes foot can be contracted rarely humans can transmit the disease to animals an example of this might be if a person with athletes foot comes home takes their shoes off and scratches or rubs ol fido with their bare foot says russell livestock such as cattle or horses are more likely to have ringworm when they are kept inside their stalls in the winter because of the rubbing up against wood and other stall materials these cases are seen more in the northern parts of the united states where the weather is colder generally when the weather becomes warmer again and the animals are turned outside into the sunshine of pastures the disease begins to clear up says russell in horses ringworm is seen usually in places where rubbing may occur such as where a saddle or bridle might touch adults are more likely to contract ringworm from a horse rather than children due to occupational exposure and handling the effects of ringworm tend to be superficial ones of appearance though if not treated in animals it can easily spread and cause scar tissue some people mostly children who contract ringworm from a pet can sometimes have a reaction with their skin tissue resulting in bulgy lesion-looking patches on the skin called kerions these are more severe in appearance compared to the normal reaction and can be very upsetting for the person the treatment for ringworm in humans or animals is usually going to involve a topical medication oral medication may be needed if the ringworm is chronic and therefore can sometimes take up to three or four months to clear it is certainly not a reason to get rid of a dog or cat because it can be treated says russell the most common fungal species that may cause ringworm in dogs and cats are microsporum canis if you suspect that your pet has ringworm a veterinarian will be able to determine if that is the case or not by examining the animal under special lighting wherein the fungus glows explains russell if a pet is diagnosed with ringworm it is best to take steps to disinfect objects that the animal has been in contact with using chemicals like chlorine diluted in water it is important to bring your pet especially young pets in for their vaccinations and checkups to ensure that diseases such as ringworm are not causing any problems about pet talk pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu *top photo: veterinarian checking a cats ear for ringworms under uv light bottom photo: cat with a ringworm lesion on top of its left eye print |
managing pain in pets january 19 2012 imagine feeling ill and not being able to properly express it the language barrier causes many pets to feel this way toward their owners it is important to know the signs indicative of pain in your pet so that you can help them manage it even if they cant tell you about it according to dr mark stickney clinical associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences knowing if pets are in pain can be tricky all pets show pain differently says stickney cats are prone to hide when they are uncomfortable while dogs tend to show pain more outwardly than their feline friends there is a lot of variation when it comes to pets and showing pain and the signs of pain are not always obvious some common signs of pain are less energetic greetings and refusing to eat or drink stickney says some animals may pace or pant if they are in pain or they may growl or snap if the sore spot is touched your pets may show you all of these signs while some may show you almost none stickney adds cats are the classic example they can be in large amounts of discomfort and still hide their pain what it boils down to is owners know their pets best stickney says if you think your animal is uncomfortable and not behaving normally you should call your veterinarian for an evaluation stickney notes that the causes of pain can come from various sources we see several types of injuries like those caused by cars or other animals says stickney pain can also occur as pets get older from diseases such as arthritis the most common treatment for pain in dogs is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs says stickney these products will reduce inflammation and make the animals feel better they usually come in flavored preparations disguised as treats if you suspect your pet is in pain and a veterinarian cannot be reached human pain medication should never be an option animals metabolize drugs differently than we do stickney says human medication will usually cause more harm than good and could damage organs like the kidneys or liver but there are things you can do at home to help manage your pets pain and make them more comfortable try to make arrangements so your pet does not have to move as much says stickney keep him or her confined in a small room or crate stickney also suggests moving food and water bowls closer to the animal it is up to you as the owner to recognize behavioral changes that might indicate pain the veterinary profession has come a long way in recognizing pain in animals says stickney if you think your pet is in pain contact your veterinarian because there are numerous options to make your pet feel more comfortable pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
you received a pet as a gift… what now january 12 2012 its the week after the holidays you received everything you wanted this year… and then some a well-meaning relative decided that you needed a new pet in your life and gave you one as a gift what are you going to do now mark stickney clinical associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences says that whether or not you decide to keep the pet you have a few options it is never a good idea to give a pet as a surprise gift notes stickney there is no such thing as a ‘free animal proper care of a pet requires a lot of time and resources which the receiver of the pet may not be able to spare if you find yourself the surprise recipient of an unwanted pet do not panic or do anything drastic such as turning the animal loose this can cause problems for not only the animal but also for any people who find the animal never turn the pet loose states stickney the weather can be very unfriendly to abandoned animals especially during the winter in addition to freezing or becoming ill they may be hit by a car starve or be attacked by other animals pets are not accustomed to finding their own food or shelter so turning them loose is usually a death sentence rather than turning your predicament into somebody elses problem try giving the pet back to the giver if he or she can return the pet then the situation is out of your hands if that fails however another option is to take the pet to an animal shelter adoptions tend to be higher during the holidays especially for puppies if however you are too worried about the fate of the animal to leave it at a shelter you can still find it a suitable home if you have the time and patience fostering is a big responsibility but it can be very rewarding once you place your pet in the perfect home if you decide to foster the gift pet until a home is found there are several different avenues you can go through to locate that home you can post an ad online says stickney petfindercom is one site that allows the public to post animals that need homes if the animal is a purebred you can also ask breed-specific groups if they will post the animal for you on their site as a courtesy listing additionally there is the craigslist pet section but be careful when meeting people or when giving your pet over to them you never know who is on craigslist keep in mind if fostering a young pet that it will need vaccinations and socialization you may potentially keep the animal for a month or more while a home is located and you will need to make sure that you stay up to date on its puppy or kitten shots it will need at least three series of vaccines and deworming; these usually take place at six weeks nine weeks and twelve weeks if it is to be spayed or neutered this should be done before six months the first three months are very important for socialization explains stickney puppies need to be safely exposed to new stimuli such as people and other friendly animals so that they will be better adjusted and less fearful adults a well-trained dog is a happier and more relaxed individual if you decide that you would like to keep the gift pet there are several things that you will need to do keep in mind when deciding to keep the free puppy or kitten that the first five months can cost up to $500 in expenses flea and heartworm preventative the latter of which is especially necessary in the south are additional costs before you bring a puppy home says dr stickney there are a few things you will need to purchase these include food and water bowls puppy food appropriate chew items such as a small rawhide or squeak toy and a crate for house breaking and for providing the dog its own area a kitten will also need food and water bowls kitten food and a litter box particularly one with low sides for a smaller kitten if you have existing pets you will need to slowly introduce the new pet to them you will also need to take the new pet to a veterinarian within a week for a physical examination and to get it dewormed and vaccinated puppies and kittens come with their own unique warnings adds stickney especially around the holidays be prepared for some destruction and messiness if you have guests visiting be sure to alert them to the presence of the puppy or kitten so that they do not accidently step on or sit on your new friend also watch that your pet does not climb underneath furniture like recliners where it can be squished additionally kittens may try to climb christmas trees or swat ornaments they and puppies may chew on tinsel if tinsel is accidently swallowed it could require an emergency surgery puppies may gnaw on electrical cords causing a severe shock they may also try to get into treats such as dark chocolate which will make them very sick providing a new home for a pet can be a big commitment so pet ownership should never be an unexpected gift an unwelcome pet needs to be cared for until a suitable solution is reached and should never be dumped to fend for itself do your research and if you decide that you have the resources to take in a lucky kitten or puppy this holiday season make sure to provide for all of its needs so that it can grow into a healthy adult companion pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
relocating with pets january 5 2012 the new job is wonderful – the salary is great and you love the office however there happens to be a catch – it requires that you move to another country the place is lovely and it is perfect for your family but can you take little fluffy with you will she be happy with the new place moving is a difficult time for us but what about our pets moving with your pet can be a challenge therefore it is important to plan ahead says dr m a crist clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences what are the things that one should know before relocating with pets it is important to focus on making their transition to their new home smooth because an agitated pet can be scared and run away get confused and get lost or be stressed and be destructive crist says her suggestion is to keep the pet confined before and during the move and then settling quickly into an everyday routine after the move when talking about moving what are the options for transporting pets it is important to make travel arrangements in advance to avoid the unexpected dr crist says she suggests enquiring with travel agencies and pet transportation services these agencies take care of all the shipping details – pickup boarding and delivery – for an associated cost for pet insurance and transportation charges transportation of pets requires a lot of planning on the part of the owner for example if you are planning on air travel you need to know the specific regulations of the air carrier puppies and kittens less than eight weeks of age are prohibited from traveling by air transportation crist says pets are usually placed on the plane last so that they can be unloaded first weather can be a concern and it is better to ship pets during moderate weather and not in extreme heat or cold large pets travel as air freight small pets may be allowed to travel in the passenger cabin with the owner and those pets travelling without their owners need to be shipped by air express (usually rodents birds and tropical fish) these shipping containers are available at pet stores and pet supply companies crist recommends a strong container to withstand the pressure of other freight accidentally toppling on it she also suggests choosing containers with good ventilation and a leak-proof bottom other transportation modes require other precautions if traveling by automobile be sure to get your dog or cat accustomed to riding in the vehicle crist advises a travel kit with the pets regular food and fresh water is important changing the drinking water suddenly may cause stomach upset in some of our four-legged friends crist says a favorite toy treats scooper and plastic bags to clean up after your pet are recommended as well the recommendations for transportation vary for different pets crist recommends that fish should not be overcrowded in their transportation containers and the water temperature should not change suddenly horses can be transported by air freight or a horse trailer (ground transportation) horse transportation agencies are available and even have pick-up and delivery crist says birds are highly sensitive to changes in wind drafts and temperature not to mention being easily frightened it is recommended to travel with the bird cage covered but with plenty of ventilation during transportation remember to have travel identification tags with the new phone number attached to the pets collar dogs and cats can have this information on their collars while horses can have brands tattoos and registration papers and birds can have it on their leg bands she says most importantly one needs to be aware of the health regulations of the place you are moving to when transporting pets pets need a health certificate after a veterinary examination and an international health certificate for international travel these certificates have expiration dates and it is important to check that the valid period has not expired before you travel discuss with your regular veterinarian about recommendations for a veterinarian in the new location and travel with a copy of your pets records crist recommends the new state or country may have different laws for entry with a pet and it is important to know these beforehand there may be standard border inspection at some places and random inspections at other places this is especially important for unusual pets like snakes lizards monkeys or wild animals communicate well in advance with the regulatory agency of the final destination of the pet prior to moving to understand all of the requirements needed for that pet to be admitted to its final destination crist advises at the new home crist recommends to confine the pets till they are familiar with the new environment try to use the pets same food and water dishes blanket bed and toys and try to place them in a similar location as they were in their previous home she says relocating with pets requires extensive planning sometimes extra vaccinations and health documents are required six months in advance of the actual move so it is important to be aware of the rules and regulations of the place you are moving to it is best to make arrangements ahead of time crist advises so that both you and fluffy can have a stress-free relocation pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
pancreatitis december 22 2011 if your cat or dog is suffering from vomiting and diarrhea it may be that fido or fluffy are spending too much time at the all-you-can-eat buffet but vomiting and abdominal pain may also indicate pancreatitis a fairly common condition among cats and dogs that can lead to severe complications and even death pancreatitis is an inflammation of the exocrine portion of the pancreas which produces the bodys digestive enzymes says dr jörg steiner professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences this inflammation actually causes the pancreas to digest itself adds steiner the most common signs are vomiting and abdominal pain but symptoms may also include diarrhea fever loss of appetite and behavioral changes pancreatitis is more difficult to detect in cats because the symptoms are milder steiner says there are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic acute cases of pancreatitis are more commonly severe and chronic cases are more commonly mild supportive care including aggressive fluid therapy to treat imbalances is given to try to stabilize the patient he adds and pain medications are used to make the patient as comfortable as possible steiner estimates that about 50 percent of acute cases result in death in cases of chronic pancreatitis your veterinarian will begin to treat the underlying disease process while administering symptomatic treatment including fluid therapy and pain relief while these patients tend to have a better outcome than those with acute pancreatitis chronic pancreatitis may eventually cause diabetes and/or other diseases that can greatly affect the animals quality of life in some cases this condition may go undiagnosed and untreated there are some conditions that may be found concurrent with pancreatitis including hepatic inflammation and intestinal inflammation said steiner to give the most accurate diagnosis possible your veterinarian will also test for diseases that mimic pancreatitis such as kidney disease and liver disease steiner recommends giving pets with pancreatitis a low fat diet this includes restricting animals from treats pancreatitis is a fairly common disease among cats and dogs says steiner there is no way to cure or prevent pancreatitis and there is no evidence to suggest that pancreatitis is more common among any particular age or breed of pet since vomiting and abdominal pain are symptoms common to many illnesses in pets it is crucial that an ailing pet be thoroughly examined by your veterinarian steiner adds it may just be an upset tummy but seeking your veterinarians advice early could actually preserve and improve your pets life and health steiner says new diagnostic tests are now available that can help your veterinarian diagnose pancreatitis early making successful therapy more likely pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
south american camelid basics december 15 2011 imagine a plateau high in the andes mountains covered by nothing but south american camelids and shrubbery over the past twenty years this picture has changed as some south american camelids have found new homes in the united states living very different lives than their predecessors the domesticated south american camelids – alpacas and llamas – are sprouting up on farms across the united states their intelligence and docile nature make them easy pets for agricultural settings dr juan romano associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) says that south american camelid interest has increased over the years prompting new south american camelid curriculum for veterinary students alpacas and llamas are the two most common types of south american camelids in texas romano said llamas are larger than alpacas with thicker wool alpacas wool is fine making it more suitable for sweaters and special suits alpacas also have ears that stick straight up while llamas have ears that fold over like bananas romano says the low-maintenance nature of alpacas and llamas make them viable animals for those with limited agriculture and animal raising experience romano adds that they also make great companion animals because of their protective nature and their cat-like personality in 2007 the texas government allowed camelids to be used for livestock purposes so we saw an influx of south american camelids farm growth then romano said today texas is one of the most populated states with south american camelids especially alpacas prior to starting a south american camelid farm it is advisable to speak with a veterinarian and do your research initial investment varies but basic requirements are a simple shelter fencing forage clean water and fiber even though the initial investment may seem feasible right now it is hard to fund a ranch in the united states because our prices are not competitive with south american ranches cost of production romano expressed it is important to do your research and understand the market before you invest in a farm it is also important to remember south american camelids natural habitat before starting a new environment for them alpacas and llamas originated from the high altitudes of the andes of chile peru and bolivia they were limited to grasslands of shrubbery and weather that is very dry and cold it is important to try to keep them in an environment their bodies are accustomed to if not you can supply their environment with fans shelter etc the texas heat is an issue for alpacas and llamas romano explained some regions of texas are at sea level and it is also very humid farmers should supply sprinklers fans and shade to avoid heat distress in their animals shearing once a year in the spring also helps alleviate heat distress south american camelids are familiar with a shrubbery landscape for food romano suggests supplying them with adequate quality fiber found from forage owners in the united states tend to overfeed these camelids because they are used to such limited low quality food sources avoid overfeeding to reduce additional health problems with expected lifespans of up to 25 years south american camelids can be a trusted farm companion their intellect and obedient nature make them enjoyable pets however it is best to do your research prior to investing in one of these camelids as they are not natural inhabitants in the united states landscape if you have any additional questions contact large animal clinical sciences at the cvm at 979-845-9127 pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
the price of spaying and neutering december 8 2011 consider this: one pair of un-sterilized cats together with their offspring can result in 420 000 kittens in 7 years one pair of un-sterilized dogs with their offspring can result in 4 372 puppies in 7 years statistics also show that only one out of nine of these animals find a good home leaving the rest to suffer abandonment and/or euthanasia for years pet owners have questioned whether or not spay or neuter their pets however history and research show that there are many pros to having your pets spayed or neutered whether your pets are kept indoors or out there are many health and behavioral benefits associated with spaying and neutering says dr lynn ruoff clinical associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) spaying and neutering pets results in fewer reproductive health problems and makes the treatment of epilepsy diabetes and other diseases much easier notes ruoff ruoff adds spayed pets will not develop pyometra or pus in the uterus and they have a greatly decreased risk of developing mammary gland tumors neutered pets are less likely to develop testicular tumors or an enlarged prostate another big pro can be peace of mind – a spayed or neutered pet is far less likely to leave the yard in search of other animals in both male and female pets sterilization makes them far less likely to roam which tends to safeguard against injuries due to fights and accidents adds ruoff neutered males are less likely to mark their territory by urinating in the house and will not be inclined to wander off in search of a mate spayed females are also less likely to wander and will not attract males who will fight over a female in heat in addition hunting guarding and other skills are actually improved in spayed and neutered dogs because they are not distracted by hormonal urges ruoff believes pet owners concerned with the pain and cost of the actual procedure can be put at ease by talking with their veterinarian ruoff explains that spaying and neutering while considered major surgery and performed under general anesthesia involve little risk in young healthy pets in the past it was believed that puppies and kittens should not be spayed or neutered until they were at least six months of age however recent studies conclude that sterilization of pets as young as three months of age does not increase the risks associated with surgery or the number of long-term complications animals also recover from these procedures much faster than one might expect stitches are usually removed 10 days after the surgery until which time pet owners are advised to keep the surgical area clean and to keep the animal calm most pets recover within a week or less often not requiring additional pain medication if cost has been keeping you from having a pet spayed or neutered it is wise to consider the expenses associated with the alternative without sterilization you may find yourself paying to treat pyometra mammary gland tumors prostatic enlargement or injuries caused by automobiles you cant put a price tag on a family pet that becomes lost or killed adds ruoff pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
pot-bellied pigs december 1 2011 unlike their barnyard brethren pot-bellied pigs are commonly found as pampered pets living indoors with their owners these days native to the country of vietnam a full grown potbellied pig averages roughly around 120 to 150 pounds a good candidate for owning a pot-bellied pig as with any pet is someone who has time to devote to caring for the animal and who is prepared financially to provide veterinary care should it become ill or have other problems says dr kevin washburn associate professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences pot-bellied pigs are popular pets because they are very intelligent and can be housebroken pigs are also able to openly express their fondness for their owners much like other domesticated house pets these pets need a fenced area to protect them from dog attacks pigs no matter what their age have no defense against these attacks despite what some people thinkit is important for owners to research the animals diet even though it might be tempting to feed a pot-bellied pig table scraps or other human foods they have their own specific nutritional needs that must be met the only food pot-bellied pigs should eat is a commercially available pot-bellied pig feed says washburn people should not feed them human food as this usually results in obesity which therefore leads to health problems later in life washburn recommends feeding twice a day at amounts according to the instructions on the feed bags when looking to purchase a new pet the common health problems of the animal should be considered washburn explains that overfeeding leads to obesity which is the most common cause for discomfort in these animals obesity then leads to arthritis as the pig ages also in unspayed females uterine cancer is very common when they get older says washburn pigs should receive vaccinations hoof trimmings and physicals annually many people keep pot-bellied pigs as house pets washburn explains that this is okay but one must realize the potential pitfalls of this such as the pig rooting up carpet or floors eating walls or overturning household items such as plants or dining chairs it is best if the pig is kept only as a part time house pet for these reasons which are normally due to a pig becoming bored also if an owner is looking to keep an exceptional garden outside or a perfect lawn it would be wise to fence that area off pigs naturally root through the ground for the purpose of obtaining necessary vitamins and minerals from the ground as well as food such as grubs or acorns potential owners should make sure to check the local zoning laws before buying to ensure that keeping a pot-bellied pig is allowed pigs that have been neutered or spayed are generally sweet natured animals and they do not have sweat glands rendering them an almost odorless pet if a potential buyer is willing to put in the tender care and work that these adorable animals need a pot-bellied pig can make for a great pet! about pet talk pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
feline diabetes november 23 2011 more than half of all cats owned in the united states are obese and one in every 50 cats is diabetic every november americans give thanks on thanksgiving and they also observe national diabetes month according to dr katherine scott lecturer at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) feline obesity is one of the most common reasons cats become diabetic during this season of entertaining remember to have healthy options for your cat too diabetes may occur in any age breed or gender of a cat but we see this disorder most commonly in middle-aged to older cats scott says feline diabetes is very similar to type 2 diabetes in humans feline diabetes is a deficiency in the bodys ability to change glucose (sugar) into energy insulin is needed for glucose to be transferred from the blood to the cells type 2 diabetes develops when the body does not properly respond to insulin or is resistant to the effects of insulin and cannot move glucose into cells scott explains that like type 2 diabetes in humans there is almost always a predisposing factor enabling feline diabetes to occur feline obesity is one of the most common reasons cats become diabetic scott says they can also become diabetic after receiving some types of medications like steroids or progesterone other diseases like pancreatitis cancer or an overactive thyroid might also be to blame scott indicates that there are signs owners can watch out for that are indicative of diabetes the most common signs are an increase in water intake urinating more often and in larger quantities excessive appetite and weight loss if owners note a change in the size or amount of clumps in their cats litter boxes or the water bowl is always empty it is definitely a good reason to have them checked out by a veterinarian scott explains if owners are dedicated and well-informed feline diabetes is manageable for affected cats and their owners sometimes diabetes can be temporarily or permanently cured dependent upon how long diabetes was present in the cat your veterinarian will help you with the best treatment plan for your cat for standard therapy scott recommends giving your cat injections of glargine (insulin also given to people with type 2 diabetes) twice a day along with the insulin injections we also almost always switch cats to a low-carbohydrate diet known as the ‘catkins diet scott says this diet sometimes alleviates the need for insulin injections for more information on low-carbohydrate diets for cats see a recent pet talk titled low carb for cats at /news/pet-talk/low-carb-for-cats scott adds diabetes is a very manageable disease in cats that responds very well to therapy however it is a real commitment for owners of these cats owners have to learn to give insulin injections make time to give these injections twice daily and bring their cats in at least every 3-6 months for veterinary visits some owners even learn how to monitor their cats blood glucose levels at home using a glucometer just like people do the most important preventative measure owners can take to avoid the pitfalls of feline diabetes is to keep their cats healthy and slim we cant control some of the diseases our cats will get that will result in the development of diabetes but owners have complete control over how many calories their cats can eat scott states so during this time of thanksgiving show some gratitude toward your beloved cats by providing them with a healthy diet to ensure a healthy happy life in the meantime it is important to stay informed and be cautious of your cats habits if you suspect or have any questions about your cat and/or diabetes contact small animal clinical sciences at the cvm at 979-845-2351 or at about pet talk pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
dealing with pet fears november 17 2011 your cute puppy is usually a wonderful little bundle of joy however when lightning flashes and thunder strikes she transforms into a terrified bundle of fear and bolts straight to your lap knocking down your grandmothers favorite china along the way before wondering if your pet is unusual wait a minute; you are not alone pets can be fearful of all types of things says dr mark stickney clinical associate professor texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) he gives a variety of examples: thunderstorms fireworks cars hats and even children separation anxiety when you leave home can be destructive and potentially cost thousands of dollars he remarks so why do pets get scared all animals have evolved to recognize threats stickney says the fear physiology in animals is similar to that in humans with the heart rate blood pressure and body temperature rising when frightened he explains dogs which are bred as pack animals want to be with their owners when afraid cats being more solitary hide when scared and may be less destructive because they are smaller thus each animal responds differently but the greatest available body of information on pet fears is on dogs an important factor in such animal behavior is the critical socialization period – a time between 8 to 12 weeks (2 to 3 months) of age for both kittens and puppies during this period a young animal should get its first series of vaccinations… and then be taken everywhere and be exposed to all kinds of people things and sounds stickney advises if you plan to have the animal accompany you while horseback riding take it to a place where it can see and smell horses if you plan to take the animal along during hunting take it to the field where it can see and hear gunshots another important practice is crate training – a place for the pet to feel safe when you leave the house – right from the first day the puppy comes home its sort of like your favorite chair in the house stickney says the crate should always be a safe place always a happy place the pet should never be put in these crates to be punished or for any negative experience stickney also recommends puppy daycare – a place where puppies spend an hour playing together it includes obedience training helps them socialize and makes them more observant to social cues in this way they learn to notice things they may not otherwise pay attention to one way to overcome fear is to expose pets to the feared objects and reward them when they are brave for example you can expose your puppy to a small scary noise but keep it close by pet it and give it a treat as a positive reinforcement slowly you can keep increasing the threshold of the noise thus even if we do not change the fear we can at least desensitize the pet to such cues some pets experience separation anxiety and get scared when they hear keys being picked up one way to desensitize them is to frequently pick up keys and then sit back at home or leave the house for a minute and then come back animals will slowly recognize to ignore these cues stickney advises a recent market trend is tight-fitting pet jackets these help with modifying behavior in mild problems the idea is that animals feel safe and secure when they are compressed just like babies when they are swaddled stickney says for more severe fears specialized veterinary behaviorists prescribe a combination of behavioral modification and pharmacological treatments for example veterinarians sometimes prescribe sedatives for animals that tend to be terrified during long travel periods stickney emphasizes that the pharmacologic therapy only serves to help the behavior modification there is no such thing as a single solution to fix the problem he remarks so while leaving the pet alone first for a long time you can leave the puppy in its crate (maybe with a jacket) with its favorite toys and some old t-shirts stickney advises the puppy will feel a whole lot better and will probably sleep through most of it he says the take-home message: if you have a brand new puppy make sure that it is exposed to different types of people and places during the critical socialization period if you already have a dog with fears consult a veterinarian this is important because these fears are learned and do not disappear after a phase the sooner you address these issues the better it is because these fears do not go away on their own stickney says nothing is easy about rearing a puppy its a responsibility there are incredible benefits if you put in the time and efforts early on pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
sharing sickness november 10 2011 the little puppy you brought home is adorable she saves the best of her sweet looks and affectionate gestures for you in turn you want her to have the best of everything you can give in this mutual exchange of love you also need to ensure that the pet doesnt give you something you may not want to take – a zoonotic disease (a disease that can spread from animals to humans) we usually do not think that we get diseases from animals but these instances happen more than we think in many cases people do not realize that they may have got the infection from their pets says dr stacy eckman lecturer at texas a&m universitys college of veterinary medicine (cvm) in some cases the animals themselves suffer from the disease while in other cases they are not affected by it she says infestation with intestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms are common zoonotic diseases affecting household pets like dogs and cats a large percentage of the new puppies i see have hookworms and roundworms eckman says so what are symptoms of intestinal parasitic infection in pets that one should watch out for poor skin and hair and a potbellied appearance she states these zoonotic diseases are however more common in third world countries because of poor sanitary conditions proper hygiene is essential to help prevent the spread of these diseases to humans she says cat owners need to be aware of toxoplasmosis – a disease transmitted through the feces of cats that can affect the unborn child in pregnant women eckman recommends that households with pregnant women and cats contact their veterinarian and physician about precautions cleaning the kittys litter box twice a day preferably by other members of the household is a good option she says one could also get diseases from larger animals as well leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can cause serious liver and kidney problems the infection can occur through skin contact with infected water contaminated with urine large animals like cattle goats pigs sheep and horses are reservoirs for this disease and may pass this to our companion animals eckman says humans can then acquire this disease from infected urine from their pets awareness and education helps prevent zoonotic diseases she says what can pet owners do to prevent these infections when you first get a new pet contact your veterinarian and have an exam performed most veterinarians talk to you about these things to protect yourself and your pets eckman says zoonotic diseases need not always be transmitted by pets other animals which we encounter can also pass on diseases for example bats are potential carriers of rabies a fatal disease eckman warns that people should never touch bats anybody who comes into contact with a bat must contact the local rabies authorities as soon as possible this is especially important in the case of young children since they may not be aware that they may have been bitten often times prophylaxis may be recommended especially if the sample is too decomposed to test she says the good news is that all these zoonotic diseases can be avoided with a little bit of preparedness veterinarians do routine exams for dogs to check for different diseases such as intestinal parasites and external parasites that may transmit blood borne disorders routine vaccinations for both cats and dogs are available with different protocols in different states monthly heartworm preventative medications also help prevent against parasites like hookworms and roundworms many zoonotic diseases depend on the local conditions prevalent in the area so what about texas we are hot and wet and so we literally get everything she says her take-home message: to consult your veterinarian regarding your pet each patient is different she stresses with awareness and care zoonotic diseases can often be prevented to ensure a healthy pet and a healthy owner pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
preventative care for horses in the fall november 3 2011 horses have a legendary history of helping mankind in all types of weather proving that they can withstand more than most seasons dish out however it is important to take preventative care measures before each season to ensure the health and happiness of your horse fall is no different as certain weather conditions and pesky visitors at this time of year can possibly cause harm to your horses health dr leslie easterwood clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) says the first thing to remember after the first freeze is to vaccinate your horse vaccinations for the following viruses and diseases are essential for the health of your horse: venezuelan eastern and western encephalitis; tetanus toxoid; west nile virus; strep; equine influenza; rhinopnuemonitis; and rabies (should only be given once a year) the most commonly encountered fall virus is west nile virus easterwood said the other viruses and bacterial organisms are year-round so it is important to have a year-round vaccination protocol deworming should also be year-round it is good to have a deworming schedule similar with your vaccination schedule to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken care of the most commonly encountered internal parasite that we deworm for specifically in the fall is bots easterwood said the fly vector responsible for bots is usually less prominent in the winter so we try to clear the adult bots out of the gastrointestinal tract after the first freeze all other internal parasites are encountered year-round so it is important to have a year-round deworming protocol another important aspect of preventative care for horses to keep in mind as the colder weather approaches is supplying appealing drinking water the colder weather makes the cold drinking water less attractive to horses less water intake leads to dehydration and secondarily to colic to avoid these side effects owners can add electrolyte powder to the horses daily grain ration increased water intake can also be accomplished by heating the water that is offered but this option is rarely practical for most horse owners easterwood added electric water bucket warming devices are commercially available the weather does not start to take a drastic drop in temperature until the winter months however starting protection plans in the fall is a good idea in case a freeze happens early easterwood recommends a wind break for the horses and a place to keep them dry when the weather is wet and cold blankets are another popular option for horse owners however easterwood notes that blankets are not necessary for every horse for the vast majority of horses it will never be too cold for them to live outside with no blanket easterwood said horses survive in very harsh winter environments with their natural hair coat those horses that would benefit from blanketing are those that are thin debilitated ill or have no natural hair coat we artificially keep our show horses thin haired in the winter so that we can show them with no hair easterwood added show horses definitely benefit from blanketing in the winter but most horses who are allowed to grow a natural hair coat do not need to be blanketed at all easterwood points out horses can actually sweat and overheat under blankets that are left on during the day when the temperature warms up especially in texas where the temperature varies significantly throughout the day it would be best to refrain from blanketing healthy non-show horses one last recommendation in the fall is to have a trained veterinarian check your horses teeth to ensure they are healthy horses are going to need more energy to function in the rigors of winter weather easterwood said they will need more energy and fiber in order to keep their body temperatures warm for this reason having the teeth in good shape is essential fall preventative care is necessary for a healthy and happy horse in the winter if you follow these simple guidelines and listen to the advice of your veterinarian your horse should be in tip top shape for the winter months pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
purchasing a new horse october 27 2011 it may be just one horsepower but before riding off into the sunset on a newly purchased pony it is important to investigate the quality and health of that animal dr michael martin associate professor specializing in equine primary care at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences has some tips on selecting a horse and how veterinarians can help there are many aspects involved when buying a horse in addition to answering health questions states martin the concern for a first-time buyer should and most importantly be the safety of the horse says martin buy a horse that is experienced and dependable one with a good attitude martin recommends that the attitude judgment be made by a friend or trainer who is qualified and knowledgeable about horses veterinarians only spend a very limited amount of time with the horse evaluating its medical condition so many veterinarians may be reluctant to make a judgment about the disposition of the horse says martin in addition veterinarians may be reluctant to make judgments about the horses conformation unless it relates to a lameness issue martin explains that three basic medical examinations are performed by a veterinarian on any individual horse a health certificate insurance exam and a pre-purchase exam provide different levels of information about the health status of a horse the health certificate is used to determine if a horse is free of any infectious or contagious diseases and is usually done when a horse is crossing state lines an insurance exam is more in-depth and focuses on satisfying the specific questions of an insurance company the company may be more concerned with what kind of mortality risk is present with the particular horse the pre-purchase exam is performed to inform the prospective buyer of the medical status of the horse at the time of examination so that a more knowledgeable decision can be made find a veterinarian to perform the pre-purchase exam who is knowledgeable and familiar with the discipline in which you desire to use the horse even if it is just trail riding adds martin then the veterinarian can examine the horse and provide a more accurate assessment of possible medical problems another important aspect of buying a horse is to become aware of the management techniques used to care for the horse when buying a horse be sure to have a plan and be knowledgeable about how the horse will be managed to include feeding and exercise programs martin stresses ask several questions about the horses history and specific needs for instance horses usually require routine hoof care ask if the horse requires special shoes or if leg or hoof problems exist in addition ask questions about the amount of time the horse is kept in a stall versus outside horses are managed differently as far as turnout time turnout time (meaning outside the stall) can make a huge difference in attitude says martin a particular problem may not have been evident prior to purchase but because of a change in management a horse may develop an issue as a result of excess energy from confinement or a change in diet horses are different concerning the amount of time they will tolerate being in a stall martin suggests that horses be turned out for at least three to five hours a day on days they are not ridden the ideal situation is if a horse could be out 8-12 hours per day says martin prospective buyers are often not aware of the daily requirements of caring for a horse and are more focused on getting the most enjoyment out of the experience asking questions about the horse that you are thinking about purchasing taking someone knowledgeable with you and including a veterinarians evaluation in the process can go a long way towards making the right decision for you and your new horse pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
safe treats for pets october 13 2011 halloween is around the corner and while we are enjoying the season with treats we would like our pets to share the joy too pet treats can make a great safe option when you want to treat your well-behaved little kitty or doggy with a sweet surprise however with a plethora of options for pet treats the decision-making can be scary for pet owners there are several questions to be answered: do all vegetables and fruits make good pet treats should children be allowed to share their candies and chocolates with their pets what would be safe and healthy pet treats and the fundamental question: are pet treats a good idea dont worry giving your pet treats is a great way of training them and it can also strengthen the human-animal bond between you and your pet says dr m a crist clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) her first recommendation is to opt for commercially available pet treats rather than human treats but are pet treats manufactured for all kinds of pets in the pet food industry one can find a commercial pet treat for just about any companion pet that they may own crist says the advantage of commercially manufactured pet foods is that they are designed to complement the pets regular diet (they) may even contain nutritional benefits such as improved digestive health or dental health crist says if you prefer homemade pet treats crist recommends trying the now popular pet food bakeries which make safe and pet-friendly food the treats come in a variety of fun flavors shapes and sizes and are usually associated with the holiday seasons or special occasions such as a birthday! she says more than what to give as treats for pets a big worry is what not to give crist lists food that should never be given to pets onions are a big no since they can harm the red blood cells and may cause serious illnesses even death raisins and grapes can also cause severe health issues in pets and should be avoided some pets experience gastrointestinal upsets with milk and milk-based products bread dough is another food that most dog owners do not realize is harmful to dogs crist says the yeast inside bread dough will expand in the dogs stomach leading to a very serious veterinary emergency macadamia nuts can be harmful to dogs hypothermia vomiting tremors loss of coordination dizziness and hyperthermia are some of the symptoms seen in the affected dogs luckily these symptoms usually disappear and most dogs return to normal within a couple of days crist reassures avocados – not just the fruit but also the leaves fruit seeds and bark – can be harmful to dogs by inducing diarrhea and vomiting some birds and rodents can be sensitive to avocados too crist says… (they) can develop congestion difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart which can be fatal she states salt in large quantities can be harmful to pets by causing excess thirst and urination some pets can even experience sodium poisoning some clinical signs of excessive salt intake can be vomiting diarrhea tremors and seizures so keep those salty chips away from your pets crist recommends what about the flavors of the season candy and chocolate one main substance to avoid giving pets is xylitol – a common sweetener in many everyday products such as toothpaste candy gum and baked goods toxic ingestion (of xylitol) can cause insulin release which can lead to liver failure crist states the initial signs of xylitol poisoning are lethargy loss of coordination and vomiting later seizures can occur followed by an elevation in liver enzymes and subsequent liver failure in a few days chocolate is a universal favorite for humans and animals alike but it comes with warnings too caffeine and theobromine are two ingredients in chocolate that may be harmful to animals a combination of these ingredients can cause a variety of problems the potentially fatal side effects include heart arrhythmias cardiac and respiratory arrests minor ones include vomiting and diarrhea how do we know how much of these chemicals are in chocolates it is difficult to quantify how much theobromine and caffeine is in different kinds of chocolate crist says a good rule of thumb is that the darker the chocolate the more harmful it is to the pet bakers chocolate and cocoa powder are considered the most dangerous with dark chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate somewhere in the middle and milk chocolate and white chocolate have the least amount of theobromine so what are the general rules for feeding treats to pets crists first rule when trying a new treat: introduce the new treat slowly and in small amounts she says just like in humans treats should not make up for the regular meals which contain all the nutritional requirements of the pet high calorie treats for pets may lead to obesity it is advisable to always reduce the pets main meal by an equivalent caloric amount according to the feeding guides says crist an ideal treat would be great-tasting nutritious and with low fats another tip: feed according to age requirements recommended on the label consult your veterinarian for any doubts about the size and the timing of pet treats crist advises her take-home message: feeding too many treats or the wrong type of treats to your pet can cause an imbalance in the pets diet and lead to weight problems do not over do it! pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
all about veterinary technicians october 6 2011 jean laird veterinary technician at the cvm helps with an endoscopy of a lion this year a week dedicated to recognizing the commitment veterinary technicians give to the veterinary profession – national veterinary technician week – will take place from october 9 to october 15 2011 in celebration of this week it is important to highlight the profession that does so much for the veterinary world according to jean laird canine internal medicine and endoscopy technician at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) the decision to be a veterinary technician is an exceptional career choice that requires skill dedication and ongoing desire for education and most importantly a serious respect and admiration for animals and the clients that consider them family veterinary technicians are trained to assist veterinarians in a variety of professional settings therefore diverse skill sets are essential for a technician to perform all of the necessary tasks some of the daily duties performed by a veterinary technician are assisting in surgery managing anesthesia and sedation performing a thorough patient assessment administering fluids and medications patient management critical care urinary arterial and venous catheterizations and medical record keeping laird said one of the most important aspects of veterinary medicine is client communication laird added it is of vital importance that a technician can communicate accurately and effectively with clients demonstrating empathy and patience is a key part of client communication as is the necessity of appreciating the human/animal bond by law veterinary technicians cannot diagnose perform surgery or prescribe medicine to a patient a veterinary technician has the opportunity to advance in his or her field by becoming a registered veterinary technician (rvt) laird explains that rvts are technicians that have completed state required experience state and national testing and two years of classroom and practical instruction from an accredited university to earn an associate degree in applied sciences a rvt is similar to a registered nurse in human medicine to maintain their certification status rvts are required to have a certain number of continuing education units (ceu) each year to retain a certification in texas rvts are required to complete five ceu hours per year after certification a rvt can continue his or her professional growth and strengthen his or her focus by obtaining an additional professional certification known as veterinary technician specialty (vts) a vts allows a rvt to gain a higher level of education skill and experience by specializing in a specific area of veterinary medicine laird said currently specialties available through vts are dentistry anesthesia internal medicine emergency and critical care behavior zoo equine surgery and clinical practice david sessum rvt and rehabilitation specialist at the cvm and abby rafferty rvt at the cvm help a patient during rehabilitation exercises job opportunities widely vary within venues of veterinary medicine for technicians according to laird some examples include but are not limited to: neighborhood clinics emergency clinics search and rescue entertainment shelters research specialty referral hospitals public health academia specialty parks and zoos after more than fifteen years of service as a veterinary technician laird has had some time to access the pros and cons of the profession veterinary medicine is an exciting and rewarding profession that awards the opportunity to make a difference in a person and an animals life laird said a veterinary technician is a tremendous asset to the ongoing changes and future of veterinary medicine the most difficult part of veterinary medicine is euthanasia laird said to lose a patient or pet is life-altering and devastating it is however a small price to pay for what a tremendous gift and enrichment any pets are to our lives the cvm holds special events every year for national veterinary technician week this year is no different each year we celebrate national veterinary technician week by providing sponsored breakfast lunch and continuing education dinners to our 77 small animal and 30 large animal technicians laird explains it is an exciting time and the entire hospital staff senior clinicians residents interns and students join together with the hospital administration to show appreciation to the hardworking dedicated technicians that are the foundation of the most exceptional veterinary care offered in the world as pets continue to become an integral part of the family the demand for skilled veterinary technicians continues to rise for more information please visit http://wwwveterinarytechniciancom/ the cvm has partnered up with blinn college in bryan texas to offer a vet-tech program for more information on this unique program contact (979) 209-7203 to learn more about the events surrounding national veterinary technician week please visit https://wwwnavtanet/events pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
do you have a cool pet september 29 2011 dont let em see you sweat … good advice if youre in the business world trying to close a deal but if you are dealing with a pet knowing how that animal keeps itself cool could be vital to its well being especially when temperatures are high fur-bearing animals may use different body mechanisms to cool themselves and maintain a safe body temperature notes dr adam patterson clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences after exercise your dogs temperature will rise to cool itself it will pant by taking shallow breaths as opposed to sweating through the skin like people the panting helps to dissipate excess heat quickly and is a natural cooling mechanism for your dog says patterson a panting cat is a different story cautions patterson overall panting in a cat is not typical usually a panting cat signifies a medical problem especially if the cat is in an air conditioned space heat pulmonary metabolic and kidney disease all can cause a cat to pant often cats with these conditions also display other signs such as altered behavior lethargy weight gain or loss changes in appetite inappropriate elimination in the litter box and/or poor grooming habits to name a few regardless if a household cat is panting it should be closely monitored for a few minutes to see if the panting stops if not or if panting resumes while indoors seek veterinary medical attention remember that dogs and cats do not perspire all over their body; they only really sweat on their paw pads explains patterson providing a shallow pool of water for your dog to stand in may be helpful keep your pet cool during the summer heat cats lick the bottoms of their paws and their chest and this moisture helps them to cool down your pet may also adapt to the heat by shedding some of its winter hair coat notes patterson losing body hair as the weather heats up is a natural occurrence and another way that mammals prepare themselves for the hot summer it is extremely important to provide plenty of clean drinking water for your pet urges patterson because warm-blooded animals lose water when they cool themselves it is important to give pets lots of drinking water especially in the hot and humid summer different animals have come up with interesting means of surviving summer heat notes patterson rabbits radiate heat from their long ears blood flowing into the ears dissipates heat from the body and this cooler blood then returns to the bloodstream and decreases the rabbits body temperature horses do have sweat glands in the skin along the majority of their body notes patterson during exercise and extreme hot temperatures horses will sweat like people as a means of removing excess body heat after exercising a cool water bath helps dissipate the excess heat from the horses body in the hot summer help keep your pet cool by knowing how your pet does or doesnt sweat and what measures can be provided to make your pet more comfortable when the temperature rises pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
pet burns september 22 2011 accidents happen and pets can get burned for one reason or another just like their owners can when this happens it is best to have a hands-off policy and leave your pets burn treatments to the professionals the best thing an owner can do in the case of a burn is get the animal to a veterinarian as soon as possible; burns are considered to be emergencies in just about all situations and the sooner they are brought in the better says dr alison diesel lecturer specializing in dermatology at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences sometimes pet owners will not notice the burned area for days or even weeks after the burn has occurred one thing to keep in mind with burns is that sometimes what is seen initially is only the tip of the iceberg what may look like only a red spot of skin on a pets side following a burn incident can quickly become devitalized dead tissue which is not only painful but also more at risk for infections over the next couple of days explains diesel infection in the animal is a big concern when dealing with burns especially if the burn goes deeper into the lower layers of the skin if the skin barrier is not intact and normal bacteria can quickly enter the wound causing not only local infection but also potentially it can get into the blood stream this puts the animal at risk for serious illness and potentially death says diesel diesel explains that very serious burns require hospitalization and care for several days to weeks at a time to monitor and provide treatment for any side effects of the pets burn cars are often one of the causes for accidents resulting in pet burns on a hot day the shade underneath a car or truck might seem very appealing to an animal outside even on a cold day the heat of a car engine can be comforting for a kitty out in the cold if the animal comes in contact with a hot muffler or catalytic converter even for a split second a serious burn can occur there are many other scenarios as well that could be the cause of pet burns such as: barbeque grills space heaters spilling hot liquids or food when cooking objects laying in the yard that conduct heat such as hoses or tools or puppies or cats chewing on plugged in electrical cords different types of burns require a bit different treatments explains diesel chemical burns for example might become much worse when water is applied to them so the nature of the burn helps the veterinarian know how best to treat it sometimes owners do not witness the animal getting burned so it is important to be able to try and distinguish if a mark that is found on a pet is actually a burn burns have a variable appearance based on the extent and severity on an animal says diesel initially it may start as the skin itself just looks a little red or inflamed while more severe burns can cause burning or singeing of the coat diesel explains that the pets hair may become dry brittle curled or even lost completely severe burns may show up as large areas of exposed deeper skin; this would look like a scraped knee for example which could be moist oozing and often very painful says diesel even what looks like only a mild burn can become much worse over time this is particularly true for thermal burns which may be caused by heat lamps water blankets or even hot water from a garden hose that was used for bathing the skin may look red initially but then may turn black crusty and become quite painful with these burns says diesel it is natural for an owner who witnesses a pet getting burned to want to try to help the animal and ease their pain but again the best thing to do is to get the animal to a veterinarian for treatment as soon as possible if it is not a chemical burn removing some of the burning material can be helpful explains diesel for example if the owner trips over a dog or cat and ends up spilling a hot casserole on the pet or spills candle wax on the pet then removing the hot material would be good in that case this is the extent to which an owner should try to help a pet with a burn a veterinarian will be best able to provide and recommend pain control given the pets other medical conditions and extent of injuries owners can sometimes unintentionally burn a pet when drying them off with a hair dryer after a bath hair dryers can be helpful for drying off a pet however owners need to be careful so as the hair dryer does not get too hot if the owner wants to use a hair dryer it should be done on a cool setting only says diesel less harmful ways of drying off a pet would include thorough towel drying or allowing the animal to dry outside in the sun when the weather is not too warm diesel recommends this as a good option to consider especially during the milder seasons such as fall long hours in the sun however can be too much for some animals particularly when it is still rather hot outside sometimes more serious situations can occur such as house or barn fires in this case the owner should closely monitor the pet not only for burns but also for signs of smoke inhalation smoke inhalation can be a big problem for dogs and cats especially if that animal already has any sort of respiratory condition such as asthma says diesel signs of smoke inhalation can include coughing sneezing or even turning blue gasping for air or losing consciousness smoke inhalation is often treated with oxygen and possibly fluid supportive care says diesel radiographs (x-rays) of the chest may also be helpful to evaluate the lungs when it comes to pet burns time becomes crucial the best thing an owner can do for their pet is to get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible to be monitored and evaluated for burn treatment this is the best way to ensure getting fluffy friends back to their playful and loving selves! pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
pet care for students september 15 2011 its that time of the year again students have entered another phase of their academic lives and there is so much to take care of at once- excelling in academics and sports eating healthy and staying stress-free many students live away from their homes during college and caring for a pet can be a great comfort when students miss having their family around but a big question remains: is maintaining a pet while at college a good idea having a pet in college has its challenges but it is not impossible says dr m a crist clinical assistant professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) students need to think about a number of factors before deciding to own a pet a very important consideration is the amount of time the owner is prepared to spend pets need to be walked fed and socialized and this can take up quite a bit of a students free time explains crist hence aquarium pets like fish which only need regular maintenance are a good choice – especially when sharing apartments with room-mates similarly cats make great indoor pets for students who do not have time for walks dogs are a popular choice even though they require more time for walks and socialization more and more college towns are developing dog parks to have areas where students can enjoy their canine friends crist notes apartment complexes may sometimes require special deposits for keeping pets and students need to plan for that extra expense some students love horses but they need to make arrangements for a stall at an equine facility and a pasture for riding pet nutrition is another concern for many students veterinarians recommend specific diets for pets based on individual requirements according to crist the most important thing in pet nutrition is to maintain continuity a constantly changing diet can cause gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and vomiting in some cases this may even lead to illness or death she warns however healthy pets can be maintained on a student budget many manufacturers of the commercial pet foods will provide coupons for your pet if you contact the company directly by email reassures crist such student discount coupons are also available on the internet keeping our furry feathered or scaly pet friends on a good quality diet will save money in the future to avoid unnecessary veterinary visits and expense a new pet needs to have an initial visit to the vet and must finish the series of puppy/kitten vaccinations it is recommended to spay or neuter and microchip their pet as well as keep them on heartworm and flea prevention says crist students can take advantage of the discounted services offered by veterinary offices at different times of the year for instance students staff and faculty at texas a&m university receive special discounts on pet food medicines and services at the cvm aside from nutrition and regular check ups with the veterinarian a students budget for pet care needs to include the costs of unexpected emergencies students also need to plan ahead for events such as road trips and parties situations have occurred where students have had parties and their pet got into a fight with another pet brought to the household by another partygoer says crist she also cites instances where pets have been lost or injured during parties when students have been too distracted to notice however with care and attention students can certainly make good owners of happy pets crist suggests that adopting a pet earlier in the summer would help one to know more about the pet and train it before school starts having a roommate who also likes pets helps avoid any potential conflict in the future if the roommate has another pet she advises that both the pets are introduced to each other early and have time to socialize and become friends before they are left alone doing such little things to make the pet feel at home would go a long way in making pet ownership by busy college students more manageable pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
modern day orthopedics for animals september 8 2011 strong bones joints ligaments and muscles are vital to healthy movement and a healthy lifestyle in animals now when these functions go awry in a pet due to unhealthy habits or unfortunate circumstances a pets quality of life can still be sustained due to the modern day procedures of orthopedics for animals dr sharon kerwin professor at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) and a specialist in orthopedics and neurosurgery says that orthopedics is the treatment or prevention of conditions affecting the bones joints ligaments and muscles kerwin notes that orthopedic procedures in animals are much more advanced than most people are aware of we perform many of the same types of procedures that are available for treatment of similar problems in humans with the goal of getting the injured animal back to normal activities as quickly and comfortably as possible kerwin explains advances in anesthesia implant technology pain control and physical rehabilitation have made this a great time to access top quality care for animals with injury or disease of the bones and joints kerwin says that two of the most common problems she sees in dogs and cats are cranial cruciate ligament disease (similar to an acl tear in humans) and hip dysplasia twenty years ago affected patients of these problems would have resulted in cases of crippling osteoarthritis fortunately with todays modern conveniences and knowledgeable specialists these patients may enjoy full recoveries the veterinary medical teaching hospital (vmth) at the cvm is trained and equipped to cover orthopedic problems in many different species on the large animal side there is an active sports medicine lameness and trauma service that provides arthroscopy [minimally invasive surgery using an arthroscope to treat damage in the interior of the joint] and fracture repair for horses and other large animal species kerwin explains our exotic and zoo animal service often sees birds pocket pets and exotic animals with bone and joint problems many of which can be treated successfully while dogs traditionally have been more common patients than cats we are beginning to discover that orthopedic disease particularly osteoarthritis is emerging as a major health problem for cats over 10 years of age orthopedic diseases in animals have not yet been confirmed to be related to just hereditary or environmental conditions a lot of research has been targeted toward the inherited basis of the more common orthopedic diseases kerwin suggests that orthopedic problems can spur from both aspects there is definitely a hereditary basis for hip dysplasia with multiple genes involved kerwin says environment plays a big role as well with diet and exercise as key factors involved in the development of signs of problems in affected animals certain types of problems are more likely to occur in certain breeds of dogs and cats for example the scottish fold breed of cat is predisposed to the development of osteoarthritis preventative measures are always important for owners to keep in mind and there are many preventative measures that may help alleviate future orthopedic diseases in animals kerwin suggests that the best thing you can do to prevent many diseases is to keep your pet healthy and in-shape this will not only help to ease orthopedic diseases but it will help in all aspects of your pets livelihood kerwin explains that research in dogs indicates that dogs kept in an appropriate body condition will live two years longer than their overweight counterparts which is a very long time in dog years in addition their risk for osteoarthritis is much lower kerwin also points out the necessary environmental precautions that an owner can take on a day-to-day basis such as allowing your trained dog to ride in the back of the truck may result in a tragic accident or even death always keep your pet on a leash in an unfamiliar environment to keep them out of harms way if you have a house cat ensure that all of the furniture is secured to the wall and will not fall in case your cat likes to explore kerwin is enthusiastic about where veterinary orthopedics has come but she also understands what is possible in the future and that there are a couple of challenges to face although this is a great time for veterinary orthopedics we have a lot of work left to do kerwin says educating pet owners regarding prevention of orthopedic disease is very important and an ongoing challenge in addition orthopedic treatments can be very expensive and we would like to explore ways to provide the best care possible in the most cost-effective way to reach the largest number of pets further work is needed particularly in cats regarding causes of orthopedic diseases and preventive strategies for dogs better outcome assessments are needed to help decide which treatments are best just as in people the vmth at the cvm is always eager to help educate pet owners and work with pets affected by orthopedic diseases for more information on veterinary orthopedics please visit /services/orthopedics pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
obedience training september 1 2011 it is a question many pet owners face: does my dog need some obedience training yes i recommend obedience training for all dogs because not only does it help provide basic obedience and command recognition it also helps bolster basic interactions between people and their pets dr stacy eckman lecturer at the texas a&m college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences (cvm) explains eckman suggests that all dogs are good candidates for training school those who are generally more timid may become less fearful or shy around other animals and people after training eckman says those pets that are very boisterous may learn some obedience training now encompasses classes for dogs of all types whether your dog is a puppy or needs training in a certain discipline classes today are not just for dogs that need correctional discipline due to an unruly attitude most of the classes focus on basic commands and communication between pets and humans certainly not just for dogs that act out eckman explains these classes are good socialization exercises also eckman adds there are ‘puppy classes that are offered that can be started when pets have a minimum number of vaccinations these are great classes for learning interactions potty training etc there are classes for all ages and stages so they can start at any time it is best to start at an early age because it is much easier to establish consistent rules from the beginning than to go back and try to retrain an undesirable habit the dog has been allowed to develop once a behavior has developed training takes longer animal owners have recognized the importance of obedience training and have expressed a need to have opportunities to help train their animals therefore there are a plethora of opportunities around the nation available for your dog to attend a class before you choose your trainer you should follow a checklist for instance you should find out how long the person has been training and how many animals has that trainer instructed you should also ask them how they keep up with the current knowledge in the field one last item is to check their training method do they use toys and rewards or do they verbally explain their disappointment to the effect that it can cause lasting damage to your dog then research trainers in your area who follow the same philosophy that you prefer after this word of mouth is the best resource when finalizing your pet trainer once the basics of training are learned these techniques can be applied at home and expounded on eckman says books can also offer great advice online information is also available but i am skeptical of these due to the large amount of mis-information that can be given over the internet owners should remember that dogs are all very different it is important to understand the needs of your dog so you can match them with the best trainer it is also important to be patient with your dog as they all learn at different rates if understanding patience and knowledge are in play obedience training can be very rewarding for all dogs and owners pet talk is a service of the college of veterinary medicine & biomedical sciences texas a&m university stories can be viewed on the web at vetmedtamuedu/news/pet-talk suggestions for future topics may be directed to editor@cvmtamuedu print |
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