Lacey pet FAQ, Lacey Vet FAQ, Frequently Asked Questions about Pets

There are many different toxins that can affect our pets. Most of these toxins are also toxic to humans so we know to be careful with pet exposure. However, some agents are toxic to pets while being non-toxic to humans, and it is these agents that are dangerous as most people do not know they are pet toxins.

Lesser known toxins for pets are raisins and grapes. The ASPCA Poison Control Center indicates that raisins and grapes may be toxic to some dogs. The Poison Control Center managed 140 cases of raisin or grape toxicity in the last year. Over 50 of these dogs developed symptoms ranging from vomiting to kidney failure, and seven of these dogs died. The toxic prinicpal causing these symptoms has yet to be identified.

Even if your pet has been receiving grapes and raisins for years with no known signs of illness, please play it safe and substitute these potentially toxic items for some other fruit or vegetable, such as carrots, green beans or apples (cut into small enough pieces to avoid choking).

How Should I Brush My Dog's Teeth?

Brushing your dog's teeth is the single most effective means to curtail dental disease. This makes sense because the bacterial film known as 'plaque' is the root of many dental problems. This film is easily displaced by simple mechanical disruption as the teeth are brushed. Daily brushing is required to improve dental health, while brushing every other day will help maintain the dental health in its current state. Almost all dogs will eventually accept brushing. The key to success is to be patient and gradual in your approach, brushing mainly the outsides of the 'cheek teeth'. A pet that resists brushing frequently does so because they have painful areas in their mouth that need to be addressed. We recommend CET toothpaste for pets, which is pet safe and come in several flavors such as poultry, malt and mint. Avoid human toothpastes as they usually contain abrasives and detergents that can be irritating if swallowed. Specific veterinary toothbrushes are very soft and angled to assist in brushing the back teeth.

What are the most common dental problems in pets?

Over 70% of all dogs and cats over five years of age suffer from periodontal disease, which means that they have loss of the supporting structures of the teeth. In most cases this process is uncomfortable, and it will eventually lead to problems such as loose teeth, bacteria in the blood stream, and damage to the kidneys, heart and liver. The majority of dogs and cats seen at this practice over the age of 5 have one or more painful teeth in their mouth.

Why is my pet's breath so bad?

Bad breath is usually associated with bacteria in the mouth that produce sulphur containing compounds such as hydrogen sulfides and methyl mercapatans. These compounds not only smell bad, but they also are damaging to the oral tissues. Professional cleaning along with home plaque control (see home care) gives the best results. Bad breath that returns very shortly after a cleaning indicates that there may be some deep-seated problems that may have been overlooked.
Bad breath is occasionally seen with medical conditions such as kidney failure and diabetes.

How can I take weight off my pet?

First, visit your veterinarian to be sure the weight gain is not caused by a medical condition. Then, switch to a reduced calorie formula diet (the veterinarian can suggest one) and curb the amount of treats. Adding vegetables to your pet's food will add bulk to a meal without adding calories. Visiting the veterinary hospital for frequent weigh-ins will help keep you and your pet on the right track.

What are heartworms? How do pets get heartworm disease?

Heartworm are parasites that attack the heart and cause congenital heart problems if not detected and treated. Heartworm is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.

The boarding kennel wants my dog to have the "kennel cough" vaccine. What is that?

'Kennel cough' is a bacterial infection involved in infectious tracheobronchitis and is spread by airborne bacteria. A dog may come in contact with this virus through contact with other dogs in places such as kennels, dog shows and field trials. It is recommended that dogs who will be in these situations be vaccinated one week prior to exposure.

When can I get my pet spayed or neutered?

Generally, puppies and kittens can be spayed or neutered at six months of age. Click here for a document explaining the benefits of spaying or neutering your pet.

How long does a female dog stay in heat?

A female dog usually remains in heat for 2 1/2 to 3 weeks.

Why do you recommend performing bloodwork on a yearly basis on my pets?

This is a question my receptionists get all the time. In addition to performing a yearly physical exam we recommend performing yearly bloodwork. This yearly blood exam checks your pet' kidneys, liver, blood sugar and blood protein. It is very easy to perform these blood tests at the same time we perform the yearly heart worm test. In our senior or geriatric pets we may recommend some additional blood test.

How long is a Rabies Vaccine good for?

The first vaccine that a dog receives is only good for 1 year, each one after that as long as they are not overdue are good for 3 years. We use Purevax Rabies for cats that are only good for one year, but it is much safer for your cat.

When should heartworm prevention be started, and should it be used year round.

Heartworm preventative should be started at 8 weeks of age. If 6 months or older, a heartworm test should be performed before starting preventative. Heartworm preventative should be given once a month, year round, for the life of your pet.

When should flea prevention be started, and should it be used year round?

Flea prevention is recommended according to an animal's environment. If fleas are a concern, prevention can be initiated as early as 8-10 weeks depending upon the product used. In endemic areas where fleas are prevalent, year round prevention is recommended. For good control and prevention, every dog and cat in the household should be included in the eradication or prevention. The house and yard should also be considered a part of the treatment protocol.

How can I tell if my pet is in pain?

Animals do not necessarily show pain the way humans do. Any behavioral abnormality can be a sign of pain. Some signs would be depression, limping, lethargy, no appetite, aggressive behavior and inappropriate vocalization. Pain can actually further debilitate an already injured or sick pet. Arthritis is a common cause of pain, especially in the older pet. Once discomfort and pain are controlled, pets generally become much more active and are able to play and enjoy their environment again.

How does my pet get tapeworms?

The most common source of tapeworm infestation is the flea. Fleas can harbor tapeworm larvae, and when they are ingested during grooming, the larvae will develop into adult tapeworms which live in the pets intestinal tract. As the parasite grows, egg packets develop in segments of the worm and are passed with the feces. These segments are white and will move about. Dried segments may appear as pieces of brown rice or sesame seeds around the rear of the pet. We have medication that will eliminate tapeworms from your pet but the best treatment is prevention. To prevent tapeworms, you must prevent fleas. We recommend Frontline, Advantage or Revolution.

I got a kitten two days ago, and she hasn't used the litterbox yet. What's wrong?

When cats are thrown into an environment where they're nervous or uncomfortable, they can hold their urine and bowel movements for up to three or four days. Your kitten may be fine physically, but still adjusting to her new environment. To make sure that a physical problem isn't keeping your kitten from using the litterbox, however, you should have her examined by a veterinarian. This is a good idea with any new kitten, because many conditions are much easier to treat if caught early.

Is it okay to feed my cat milk?

Veterinarians generally do not recommend feeding milk to our feline friends. A cat's digestive system does not digest milk well. Feeding milk to your cat can cause diarrhea, which can lead to further nutritional problems (your cat won't be able to absorb nutrients from his food).

Kidney (Renal) disease

Has your pet recently been diagnosed with kidney disease? If so click here for a document about managing your pet's chronic renal disease.

Xylitol Toxicity

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is used as a sweetener in many “sugar-free” foods. These foods include chewing gum, baked goods, candy, toothpaste, and mouth wash. Xylitol is safe for humans to ingest, but in dogs, it causes a massive release of insulin. The high level of insulin in turn causes a dangerous drop in blood sugar. This drop can be significant enough to cause coma or death.

In dogs, xylitol is rapidly and almost completely absorbed. It reaches peak levels in the blood approximately 30 minutes after ingestion. Symptoms may be present as early as 1 hour after ingestion but may take as long as 12 hours to develop in some cases. Typical symptoms include lethargy, incoordination, collapse, and seizure and are a direct result of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). More recently discovered is the potential for liver damage. In some cases, dogs that developed liver damage or liver necrosis did not experience a drop in blood sugar. This means that an owner may not know there is any problem at all until liver failure occurs.

Dogs that ingest any item which contains xylitol should be seen by a veterinarian immediately. Initial treatment may include emesis (induction of vomiting) if symptoms have not yet occurred. Dog are typically hospitalized for at least 24 hours so that blood glucose and liver values can be monitored closely. Some dogs require IV fluids containing dextrose to keep the blood sugar level from dropping too low. Drugs that protect the liver may also be administered at this time. Most dogs that are treated in a timely manner will have a good prognosis. Unfortunately dogs that develop serious liver complications often do not survive.

H1N1 Virus Update in Your Pets

Updated November 10, 2009

We at Hawks Prairie Veterinary Hospital understand that you may have some questions and concerns about H1NI influenza virus and your pets. There has been one confirmed case of H1N1 influenza virus in a domestic housecat in Iowa. The cat lives with owners who had symptoms of the respiratory infection themselves. The cat received supportive care, and recovered. As of November 10, there have been four positive cases in ferrets in Oregon diagnosed with H1N1 influenza, and one ferret in Nebraska was confirmed as well. There are no confirmed reports of dogs with H1N1 at this time.

It appears that these cases were both in households where the owners either were positively diagnosed themselves or exhibited symptoms, of H1N1. It appears at this time that the transmission is from humans to their domestic animals, and as of yet there is no evidence that the pets passed the virus to any people. To prevent the transmission, we recommend frequent hand washing, using alcohol based cleaners, and covering you mouth when sneezing and then washing hands. Avoid contact with those who are ill, and if you yourself feel ill, stay home from work or school and visit a doctor.

If you are concerned that your pet is at risk for H1N1 because you, your family, or friends have had H1N1 and your pet is exhibiting symptoms of a respiratory infection, please call us. Hawks Prairie Veterinary Hospital does not offer a vaccine for H1N1 in pets at this time, however, we are more than happy to see your pet if you are concerned it may have symptoms. Symptoms include lethargy, sneezing, coughing, and nasal discharge.

The Washington State Veterinary Medical Association is able to test samples for H1N1 should the veterinarian feel that there is a possibility of an infection, and in such a case the veterinarian will contact WSVMA.

For more information, you may visit the Washington State Veterinary Medical Association Website, at http://www.wsvma.affiniscape.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=301,

Or call us, Hawks Prairie Veterinary Hospital, at 360-459-6556.

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Lacey vet, veterinarian in Lacey, WA