Posted by Debbie Breitstein on Mon, Apr 30, 2012 @ 07:37 AM
Heartworm disease has now been reported in virtually all parts of the US and in many parts of Canada. This disease is spread by mosquitoes and thus New Jersey, who's state bird we jokingly say is the mosquito, tends to be paticularly hard hit especially in the upcoming months.
Heartworm strikes both cats and dogs, although much it is more commonly found in dogs. As the name suggests, this parasite lives in the heart and blood vessels often times filling the heart chamber preventing blood from ciculating and if blood doesn't flow our pets don't go:(
There are highly specific diagnostic testing and preventive medications which are used daily in your veterinary office. We can, with a small sample of blood, perform a preliminary heartworm (and in many cases such as at Animal Health Care we screen for 3 common tick diseases, too) screening test that is very accurate in detecting heartworm disease.
Signs of heartworm disease in dogs include:
- difficulty breathing
- coughing
- tires easily
- listlessness
- weight loss
- rough hair coat
Many dogs will not have signs in the early stages of disease. If this disease is not detected early heartwom can lead to heart failure and death. This disease is so easy to prevent with an annual blood test and year-round preventative medications. And, currently the treatment for established heartworm disease is limited and may not be easily available if your pet needs it.
Although heartworm is seen less frequently in cats, the disease poses a greater danger. The outcome is often fatal as there is no approved treatment for cats. There are no consistent sings in cats. Common signs and clues include rapid breathing, coughing and vomiting (and what cat doesn't vomit?) and these signs are common in other diseases as well. Prevention is the best medicine and the veterinarians at Animal Health Care of Marlboro recommend Revolution as our preferred preventative of choice (also control fleas and intestinal parasites).
So protect your pets: see your vets. Petcha be glad you did...
Posted by Debbie Breitstein on Mon, Apr 30, 2012 @ 07:10 AM
Prescription medications for human use top the lsit of pet toxins for the fourth year in a row according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control in Urbana, Ill fielded more than 165,000 calls in 2011 regarding exposures of pets to potentially poisonous substances as reported In JAVMA April 1. 2012. The top five toxins that prompted calls were as follows:
- Prescription human medications: close to 25,000 calls were logged regarding pets ingesting human prescription medications. A large percentage were related to heart medications and meds for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorders.
- Insecticides: 11% of calls concerned insecticides such as lawn products, home products, and flea and tick products.
- Over-the-counter human medications: almost 18,000 calls were about OTC such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
- People foods: more then 7,600 calls concerned chocolate. Xylitol which is found is sugar free gum and other products was the second most common food toxin exposure prompting calls.
- Household items: the center received nearly 12,000 calls about general household items such as paint, fire logs, and drain openers.
So put these phone numbers in your cell phone NOW: The ASPCA poison control center 24 hour hot line is (888)426-4435. You can also get help from your local veterinarian at Animal Health Care (732)972-3201 and/or the emergency services of Garden State Veterinary Specialists (732)-922-0011.
Keeping your pets and mine safer...
Posted by Debbie Breitstein on Mon, Apr 16, 2012 @ 06:05 AM
As I was enticed to get my hands dirty in the warm soil with my dog, Mia enjoying the sun on her gleaming coat (she had just been groomed and gotten her "stuff" on: our groomer's special coat conditioning treatment) it prudent to discuss some pet friendly points to ponder. When we start our gardening and landscape projects stay away from toxic plants that could be dangerous to your pets.
When planning garden projects review a comprehensive list of plants that are toxic for cats and dogs at the ASPCA website www.aspca.org. Some of the most widely used spring and plants that are potentially dangerous for pets include:
- English Ivy: a common ground cover and often found as a house plant which causes digestive tract upset:vomiting and diarrhea,abdominal pain, drooling.
- Azaleas: popular flowering shrubs which when the leaves are ingested result in digestive tract upset and in severe cases coma and death.
- Yew: a common evergreen with red berries with all parts toxic and can cause trembling, lack of coordination,difficulty breathing, gastroinestinal upset and cardiac failure.
- Castor bean: the seed is very toxic not just for pets but also for their people causing severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures,coma and death.
- Lillies: typically found around the holidays these are highly toxic to cats and can lead to kidney damage and failure.
- Tulip and daffodil bulbs: keep these perennial bulbs out of pets' reach because they cause GI upset, drooling, central nervous system depression, convulsions, and cardiac irregularities. The plants themselves are safe so once the bulbs are planted it should be fine unless your dog (or the neighborhood squirrels) dig them up!
Another danger is cocoa bean shell mulch which is popular with gardeners who want to conserve moisture and suppress weeds without that funky smell of traditional mulch (I'm always challenged to find the not too stinky smelling stuff!). Since it is made from the husk of cocoa beans and chocolate is toxic to animals causing muscle tremors and vomiting you're best advised to choose other more safe options.
And, with fleas and tick, those pesky parasites starting to cause problems remember to keep stored pesticides away from pets. Also, use the correct product for the pet you are treating: dog products can be toxic when used on cats causing death and make sure you are using the proper weight category product for your dogs. Just because you can buy a product without a prescription doesn't NOT ensure safety. Best to ask your pet's veterinarian for guidance and product selection.
Avoid slug baits which are among the most toxic things on the market! Alternatives which can include placing beer in a saucer can be effective unless the dog or cat decides to eat the slugs and drink the beer-which can happen with dangerous effects:alcohol poisoning does happen in this type of secondary exposure.
So, with some infomed choices we can all enjoy our yards and garden with our pets safely. Time to wash off my hands and Mia's paws...
Posted by Debbie Breitstein on Sun, Apr 15, 2012 @ 06:48 PM
I was reading one of the recent (March 2012: guess I'm not too far behind in keeping up:) in my veterinary journals, VETERINARY MEDICINE dvm360.com when I came across this interesting essay a veterinarian submitted as the following commentary (thanks to Dr. Ed Wolff from Stevensville, Montana):
Two different doctor's offices
Two patients limp into two different medical clinics with the same complaint. Both have trouble walking and appear to require a hip replacement.
The first patient is examined within the hour, is x-rayed the same day, and has time booked for surgery the following week.
The second patient sees his family doctor after waiting three weeks for an appointment, then waits eight weeks to see a specialist, then get an x-ray, which isn't reviewed for another week, and finally has surgery scheduled six months from then.
Why the different treatment for the two patients?
The first is a Golden retriever. The second is a senior citizen!
Puzzling essay provides perspective: what do you think? Feel free to comment... we may bark but we don't bite!
Posted by Debbie Breitstein on Thu, Mar 15, 2012 @ 05:09 PM
Diet, exercise,and medical advances not only benefit humans but are working to add years and enhance the quality of their pet's lives, too! Medical well care advice that veterinarians offer owners of aging pets is similar to preventive programs for people--weight control, exercise, regular examinations and testing for early disease detection, prevention, and control. Most veterinary experts agree that just like their people, pets are living longer and stronger but few agree on the actual length of time that the animals' lives have increased. It does seem that in our patient population at Animal Health Care of Marlboro our "kids" are living longer. The oldest cat in our practice was Patty, a 26 1/2 year old cat who had surgery to remove a tumor at age 26 and did great! Who says age is a reason not to use anesthesia for those in need of care?? We can formulate individualized protocols for each of our patients with appropriate safety steps and drugs, and monitoring for the patient and the procedure. And, our oldest dog, Boomer, was 19 and change when he left us.
So it's not the pet's actual age that is so important, it's the "mileage" that the animal shows. As our pets age, owners may notice physical signs including weight gain or loss, thinning and greying of coats and muzzles, bad breath, behavioral changes, arthritis, hearing and vision loss, and inappropriate elimination.
Problems that aren't so noticeable can be potentially fatal if left untreated. Cancer is the number one, non accidental cause of death in dogs and cats. Other common ailments in our aging pets include kidney failure, dental problems, and heart disease. The key to controlling these problems is to detect the diseases early through annual visits to the veterinarian.
While medical advances help pets live longer, care at home and lifestyle are still the keys to increasing the quality and length of our pets' lives. Veterinarians agree that life stage diet recommendations and weight control are important factors for the aging pet. Read those labels on pet foods: does it really make sense that one food can be appropriate for "all life stages"? I don'think so. And, some foods are meant for intermittent or supplemental feeding only:(
Excessive quantities of pet food, over-supplementation with "table food" (because who would feed their pets "scraps"?) and other treats cause obesity in cats and dogs. Adding oils and fats to food to enhance the pet's coats, for example can increase the total calorie intake sometimes up to 40% and can also lead to serious health problems such as pancreatitis which often requires intensive in- hospital care and can be life threatening.
Recent studies have shown pets, like their people, need less calories as they age. One study showed that Labrador retrievers at the age of 7 years required 30% fewer calories than their younger counterparts. And, because cats are not small dogs, some cats will need higher calories and increased fat content if they have kidney or thyroid disease: both very common problems in our aging cat population. Veterinarians can help sort all the diet choices and formulations and we will counsel our pet parents on the correct amount and type of foods.
Exercise and environmental stimulation needs to be paramount in our discussions for both proper weight control and also to help with doggie dementia and kitty brain functions. Regular, consistent workouts walking your dog or playing with your cat will help those creaking joints, too. No weekend warriors please: avoid strenuous and sporadic exercise! Think of yourself as your pet's personal trainer.
Bathing and grooming patterns also change as pets age. Our groomers can help with more frequent bathing and clipping of those sanitary areas to prevent infections and discomfort. Sometimes special conditioners and shampoos can help and the frequency of bathing will depend on the climate in which the pets lives as well as their health status.
Sleeping arrangements may need to be altered for the older pet. Dogs and cats who develop arthritis need soft surfaces upon which to sleep and access to stairs may be limited for safety reasons. Pets who spend most of their time outdoors may need to begin sleeping indoors or in a warmer part of the house. Cat owners should make litter boxes more accessible and may need to add litter boxes on each floor to prevent "out of box" experiences! Some cats have problems jumping so their feeding stations may need adjustment especially if their food bowls have been kept off the floor to prevent the dog from eating the cat food.
Regular dental cleaning and care becomes even more important as our pets age. Infection, pain and even tumors can be significant problems. Proper dental care throughout the lives of our pets is crucial in preventing and treating problems. Early diagnosis can lead to better outcomes and prevention of pain and problems.
While many problems in older pets cannot be avoided as they are part of the normal aging process, pet owers who practice preventative care along with a sensible diet and routine exercise are providing their beloved pets the best chance to llive a longer, healthier life.
Posted by Debbie Breitstein on Wed, Mar 07, 2012 @ 05:48 PM
As the Easter holiday approaches, you may be tempted to buy a cuddly Easter bunny, duckling or chick for a loved one. And, although these baby animals are adorable, they do grow up into rabbits, ducks, and chickens with very specific needs. So consider the responsibilites involved before you give these animals as Easter presents.
Baby ducks and chicks require at least 2-3 hours of basic, daily care to become domesticated. They need to be handled and petted when they are young to adjust to their new home. When they become adults, their owners need to be aware of behavioral changes that may indicate sickness. Also, leaving your new pet unsupervised in the presence of the family dog or cat could result in injury or death to the animal.
Cleaning the animal's quarters is a crucial part of keeping them healthy. A sanitary shelter, indoor or outdoor, must be provided to protect them from predators, other pets, and weather. The structure should be large enough to allow freedom and space enough to roam while providing protection. Most diseases can be traced to poor facilities and neglect.
Health care for a rabbit, duck, or chicken is very different from that of a dog or a cat. These pets aren't vaccinated for many diseases because it's not economical. Ducks and chickens are potential carriers of salmonella and other diseases that can be transmitted to children and adults through their fecal material. Health care relies on strong commitment, daily observation, and periodic visits to your veterinarian. And, not every veterinarian is equipped for and is familiar with the routine health care of these pets. The veterinarians at Animal Health Care of Marlboro are well versed in rabbit care as we treat all pets with fur (that fit in your house) but scales and feathers are best left to others!
So think before you give. What may seem like a good idea at the time, could turn into a liability in the future. Make sure that the recipient wants this type of pet and is able to care for it both as a baby and as they mature into adult animals before purchasing an Easter bunny, duckling, or chick as a gift!
Posted by Debbie Breitstein on Thu, Mar 01, 2012 @ 07:48 PM
Somewhere around 11-20 MILLION unwanted dogs and cats are put to death each year in animal shelters through the US. Although that number may seem staggering consider the following equation: 2 cats producing eight kittens per year could actually build a "family tree" consisting of over 174,760 cats within 7 years. In order to reduce these tragic figures, we encourage you to speak with your animal health care team about neutering your pet.
Surgical neutering of female dogs and cats eliminates heat cycles, bleeding cycles in dogs, nervousness and behavior changes blamed on hormonal fluctuations, and the desire to mate. Neutering your female dogs and cats will protect them from uterine infections and other diseases as well as difficult and/or dangerous and unwanted pregnancies. Studies show that neutering or "spaying" female dog before her first heat cycle (or period) can greatly reduce her chances of developing mammary (breast) cancer later in lefe.
Male dogs and cats are prone to wander in search of a female to mate: crossing highways which can lead to terrible trauma, and fighting with other animals which can leads to disease and injury. Surgical neutering or castration of male dogs and cats eliminates reporductive behavior and reduces urine odor and the desire to spray (urine) which is commonly seen in intact male cats. Your male dog or cat will continue to ahve thier own unique personality and will only gain weight if we let them as we fail to realize that they have done most of thier growing by 10 months of age. He will also be less likely to roam and will be happier to stay at home.
Most veterinarians recommend that a female be spayed before her first "heat period", which is around six months of age. Males are neutered at the same age. Your veterinarian will be able to recommend the most appropriate time to schedule your pets "once in a lifetime surgery". Just ask and we can tell you, in our surgical care plan, the step by step process and the costs involved to perform this surgery safely.
Surgical neutering your pets has significant preventative health benefits in addition to the more immediate birth control and prevention of over population effects. Either of these alone would be reason enough to have the procedures performed, but when considered together the benefits make the decison obvious! In doubt, just pay a visit to your local overcrowded shelter filled with animals looking for their forever home or speak with rescue groups: they'll tell you...
Feel free to bark back... we don't bite....drdeb
Posted by Debbie Breitstein on Sat, Feb 04, 2012 @ 07:12 PM
Regular brushing and professional pet dental cleanings are just as important for dogs and cats as they are for their humans. Too often we overlook the need for home and professional dental care for our pets. Untreated teeth and dental infections can cause serious health risks for our pets.
Periodontal disease is the number one problem in dogs, and in cats the problem is doubly overlooked because the disease often occurs under the gum line. As in people dental disease, abscessed teeth and infection can affect other parts of the body. In dogs and cats, periodontal disease can cause heart and kidney disease.
A regular veterinary dental check up and cleaning under a short-lasting anesthetic is important to your pet's good health. Equally important is home dental care, such as daily tooth brushing and using a dental diet such as Hill's Science Diet T/D or HA both formulations are made slightly larger in kibble size either for dogs or cats and act to "scrub" the teeth as the pet chews it's food. There are also water additives and chew treats such as Greenies and C.E.T VeggieDents which are all available to help keep those choppers clean and healthy!
To introduce your pet to tooth brushing, wrap a small gauze or washcloth around your finger and use it like a toothbrush on your pet's teeth; you can even start by rubbing pet specfic toothpaste directly onto the teeth and let your pet get use to the taste and texture. You must use pet specific pastes that are not for human use: after all our pets are not expected to spit or rinse out the paste as we do!
Gradually you can work up to a soft toothbrush or a specially made finger toothbrush which is sized for your pet's mouth. The most important teeth to start brushing are the back chewing teeth and the fangs: these are the largest surface area teeth in the mouth with large surface area: this is where most of the dental problems seem to start!
Adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth and adult cats have 30 teeth. Puppies have 28 "baby" or deciduous teeth and kittens have 26 that fall out usually between 5-7 months of age (time for the tooth fairy anyone?)
We encourage our pet parents to regularly flip those lips and smell that breath to detect early signs of periodontal disease. At Animal Health Care of Marlboro, our veterinary health care team uses a blue wavelength light source to identify problem areas in the mouth as they highlight as hot pink! For more informatrion and advice on dental disease call your pet's vet to schedule your pet's dental evaluation: we'll be glad to help you and your pets to have a healthy start.
Looking forward to great "pugs" and kisses from your pets...drdeb
Posted by Debbie Breitstein on Mon, Jan 30, 2012 @ 06:41 PM
Give chocolate to your loved ones's on Valentine's day and you could end up poisoning them; that is the loved ones are your pets! Even small amounts of theobromine, the active ingredient in chocolate, can cause vomiting, hyperactivity, and accelerated fatal heart rhythms in pets. Larger doses can be fatal.
While most pet parents would expect an upset stomach after any dietary indiscretion, few realize the toxic potential of chocolate. The lethal dose of theobromine depends on the size of the dog and the type of chocolate. Ounce for ounce, baking chocolate has 6-9 times the amount of the substance as milk chocolate.
Estimates of the smallest amounts that can be fatal are:
~4-10 ounces of milk chocolate or 1/2-1 ounce of baking chocolate for small dogs such as Chihuahuas and toy breeds.
~1-1/2 pounds of milk chocolate or 2-3 ounces of baking chocolate for medium sized dogs, like cocker spaniels and dachshunds.
~2-4 1/2 pounds of milk chocolate or 4-8 ounces of baking chocolate for large dogs, including collies and Labrador retrievers.
Cats and smaller mammals have different eating habits and therefore are much less likely to be poisoned by chocolate ingestion.
While a very small amount of chocolate may not harm some pets, it's best and safest to avoid giving it to them at all! If an accidental ingestion does occur consult your veterinarian immediately. Treatment is time sensitive and may include induction of vomiting, stabilizing the animal's heartbeat and respiration, controlling seizures, and slowing the absorption of theobromine. If the animal is already comatose otehr emergency intervention may be necessary to save your pet's life.
What should you do if you think your pet has ingested chocolate or any other potential poison and if you cannot reach your pet's vet or a local veterinary emergency hospital keep the following number handy 888-426-4435 for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and the website www.aspca.org.
Posted by Debbie Breitstein on Wed, Jan 25, 2012 @ 02:31 PM
With temperatures dropping during winter, the veterinary health care team of Animal Health Care of Marlboro advises pet owners to be aware of precautions and animal care tips to keep pets happy,healthy, warm, and safe!
There are a variety of dangers associated with cold weather for our pets, according to Dr. Steven Tepper. And, he suggests pet owners take a few simple steps to ensure that their pet braves and successfully survives the cold winter months.
- Keep pets inside whenever possible or provide appropriate shelter, water, bedding if the pet must be left outdoors for any length of time during inclement weather. Those pets with specific illnesses and health conditions like diabetes, heart and kidney disease, respiratory conditions, and hormonal imbalances which stress the immune system should receive even more consideration. Younger and older animals also have compromised abillities to regulate body heat and should have limited outdoor time as well.
- Cats are attracted to the wamth of car engines. Check beneath and around cars before starting the engine. A cat curled up under the hood could be seriously, if not fatally injured if the car is started and we are unaware that they were sleeping there!
- Pet foot pads often collect rock salt and ice. Prevent irritation by checking and wiping pads with warm wash cloth after every trip outdoors.
- If clean, unfrozen water isn't readily available, pets may drink out of puddles or gutters. This activity can predispose toward risk of poisoning from antifreeze, household chemicals, and other pollutants that end up on the street.
- Pet owners may dress thier pets in sweaters and outerwear in an attempt to keep them warm, but remember pets lose most of their body heat through their pad on the feet, through their ears, and respiratory tract.
In addition to dropping temperatures, cold weather dangers for pets include precipitation of all kinds and wind. Just as their pet parents can, pets can suffer from frostbite and hypothermia during the winter months. We all know not to leave pets in cars during the hot summer months but it is just as dangerous to leave them in cars during old weather, too! When is doubt about the weather conditions, it's best to leave pets protected indoors.
Protect and prepare for the winter months for the health and well being of your pets. Ask your pet's veterinarian for suggestions and special situations. And, as always comments and suggestions are welcome: we won't bark or bite!