My Dog Is Sick and I Am Going Out of Town

Yes, even veterinarians occasionally need to leave town and go to meetings. Our title should protect us from any problems with our own pets being sick, right? WRONG! Through previous blogs, most of my followers have seen my dog Taco Belle's picture in a variety of cute positions. Like your own pets, I truly treasure and adore her. She gives me a reason to get up every day and showers the mornings with “HELLO WORLD, TACO BELLE HERE!" 

But this past Wednesday was different. I was not greeted at the back door by her and saw instead piles of explosions from both ends so bad that I will withhold visual details.  Unlike many of you, I know the veterinarian personally, and took Taco Belle in to the clinic for a workup. 

She was dehydrated and quite depressed. Following radiographs, bloodwork, intestinal exams, fluids, injections, medications, and a diet change, I still needed to leave town in 24 hours. Fortunately, within 24 hours of aggressive management, she was improving and I left her in my husband’s capable hands for medications, feeding, and frequent daily updates and iPhone pictures of poop

Why was this on my mind for blogging? I feel many of you are ,at some point, faced with this dilemma: Do I go or do I stay? I cannot help in every circumstance, however, in many situations please let the Creature Comforts Team know the symptoms, and we can help direct an informed choice. 

IN TACO BELLE'S CASE, WHAT WERE SOME OF THE TESTS SUBMITTED FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEA?

I sent out an intestinal parasite exam, chemistries, white / red cell count and testing to the Texas A &M GI lab. 

TEXAS A&M GI LAB HAS SOME SPECIALIZED INTESTINAL TESTING. COULD YOU BE MORE SPECIFIC?

She was tested for pancreatitis (PLI) (the organ that provides enzymes for digesting food), cobalamin (B12) levels (important in normal gut function for absorption of food), and folate levels to determine overgrowth of bacteria.

WHAT DID HER TESTS REVEAL?

Taco Belle has an overgrowth of bacteria revealed in excessive Folate levels commonly seen in early stages of irritable bowel, gut imbalance (dysbiosis), or inflammatory bowel disease. A copy of her lab report is below.

HOW IS TACO BELLE DOING 5 DAYS LATER?

After a rough couple of days, she is improving on her antibiotics, probiotic (Proviable), and Royal Canin GI low fat diet. Time will tell if ultrasound, long term antibiotics, new diet change, or intestinal biopsy will be indicated. 

Biltmore Gardens in Spring, Asheville, NC

Betsy Sigmon DVM, Diplomate ABVP canine & feline

Creature Comforts Animal Hospital

Cary, NC

Heartworms and Fast Facts

I have to admit I am a shoe collector – but not a hoarder! When there is a spare moment, I enjoy walking through shoe departments to see the latest footie fashions. The self-serve discount footwear spaces at Belk’s and DSW are the best as they offer limitless opportunities to “cat walk” an assortment of fashionable treasures. The fact my feet resemble the length of U-boats helps to improve the selection of end of season goodies. Unfortunately, I do not wear a large percentage of the shoes in my closet. For a variety of reasons they are too tall, too painful, or something awkward once I leave the carpeted areas of the stores. Sometimes I've purchased foolishly!

So what is the relation to today’s topic on heartworm preventative? Perhaps it is the foolishness that only 1/3 of pets are administered their preventative on a regular schedule (even when appropriately purchased)! This is dangerous in that in some areas of the Southeastern United States, 76% of the mosquitoes carry heartworms. As a consequence, 250,000 dogs are estimated to be treated every year in the United States for heartworms (a completely preventable disease). At any one time, the American Heartworm Society estimates over 1million dogs in the USA are infected with heartworms. 

WHAT ARE SOME NEW CARRIERS OF HEARTWORMS BESIDES DOGS? 

Coyotes, as these are in every county of North Carolina. In addition, wolves, foxes, and ferrets are carriers. Cats cannot give heartworms to other animals. 

FOR THE HEARTWORM TO DEVELOP IN A MOSQUITO, HOW MANY WARM DAYS ARE NEEDED?

Two weeks and over 76 degrees is essential. If the temperature is less than 57 degrees the development stops. This means Wake County crawl spaces, porches, garages, and home interiors have the potential to harbor mosquito carrying heartworms year round.   

DO HEARTWORM PREVENTATIVE PRODUCTS HELP CONTROL OTHER INFECTIONS SUCH AS ROUNDWORMS THAT ARE AT RISK FOR HUMAN EXPOSURE?

Yes. Many products contain protection against intestinal parasites, and some topical products include flea control. Note in the USA, people testing positive for roundworm exposure is approximately 13.9%. 

WHAT DO HEARTWORM BLOOD TESTS IN DOGS DETECT? 

They detect the protein (antigen) of the female heartworm uterus. It is possible if only male heartworms are presented (rare), there could be a false negative test.

CAN A DOG THAT HAS ADULT HEARTWORMS SELF INFECT itself with the microfilariae babies produced by the adult heartworms located in the heart?

No. Baby heartworms have to pass through a mosquito to mature INTO the infective stage called microfilariae. Heartworms do NOT lay eggs. The baby heartworms may live up to two years in their host. 

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE BETWEEN A HEARTWORM CARRYING MOSQUITO BITING A DOG AND A POSTIVE HEARTWORM INFECTION?

Six to seven months.

WHAT ARE SOME MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CAT AND DOG HEARTWORM DISEASE?

Infected cats have few adult heartworms and often present for acute allergic reactions or death with little warning. There is no effective adult heartworm treatment in cats like there is in dogs. Dogs tend to have a more protracted course of infection and there is a treatment for adult infections. 

Other interesting facts:

1.     Male dogs are four times more likely than female dogs to be infected.

2.     Infections are five times more common in outdoor dogs.

3.     Female heartworms  are 10 to 12 inches, and males are 5- 7 inches

Betsy Sigmon DVM, Diplomate ABVP canine & feline

Comforts Animal Hospital

Cary, NC

Dear Clients:

Be sure to check your supplies of heartworm and flea/tick control and contact the front desk team at Creature Comforts for refills. Heartworms is a completely preventative disease in dogs and cats!

ANNOYING BEHAVIORS IN PETS, Part 2

Recently, it was mulching day for all the perimeter beds in our yard. The sounds, smells, and views were stunningly amazing after the long winter. The warming sun, red tail hawks soaring through the pine trees, and robins harmonizing were priceless sensations to experience.

 Unfortunately, the one thing dampening the moment was the incessant barking of several dogs in the neighborhood. I kept wondering, are they hurt, bored, hungry, or upset?  Below are some general guidelines for addressing a few pet behavioral peeves.

BARKING IS A NORMAL FORM OF COMMUNICATION FOR DOGS? WHEN IS IT ABNOXIOUS AND NEED TO BE ADDRESSED? 

Puppies start to bark at two to four weeks of age. Their bark means one of many things: alarm, distress, herding, defense, solicitation for attention, play, and greetings. Different tones of the bark are in response to the situation. Happy barks tend to be a higher pitch than the lower toned ones voice concern.

Social Barking: In response to other stimuli (ex. dogs, playtime,). The suggestion is to increase the walking/running of the dogs and remove them from the stimuli. These are often bored dogs.

Attention Seeking:  Do not reward such behavior and remove reinforcement for such behavior. 

Anxiety:  Triggered by owner separation or noise. Identify the cause and work with behaviorist/ veterinarian/ trainer to counter condition. This may include medication, increased exercise, a lower calorie diet, and new training methods.

Territorial Defense: Protecting the property (real or perceived). Once again, remove from the stimulus (block view out window) and similar measure as noted for anxiety.  Some clients have tried Citronella  and others find anti-bark collars helpful.

DIGGING CAN BE A PROBLEM FOR CHERISHED YARDS BY DOGS? HELP!!

Digging is a natural instinct to bury food, escape, hunt, explore, change body temperature, and play. To control digging, the cause needs to be determined and controlled. Try offering plenty of shade, water, exercise, and even a designated doggie sand box with buried dog treasures. Dogs do not always naturally exercise when in the back yard as many are bored. Added walking or interactive play is encouraged. Booby-trap unacceptable dig areas utilizing water-activated sprinklers and limit exposure.

WHAT IS THE BEST LEASH FOR A PET?

A good-quality fabric (preferably cotton) or leather lead should be long enough that the owner and the dog can go for a walk without constant lead tightening. Contrary to what many believe, a short lead actually encourages pulling, as it does not give the dog the opportunity to learn to walk on a loose lead. For running a long distance, a rope/long lead up to 30 feet may be used for security.

Bungee-type leads and retractable leads are not recommended. An owner has less control in a difficult situation due to their length and elasticity. They actually encourage pulling as the lead is always taut. Retractable leashes can be dangerous flying missiles towards the dog when pulled out of an owner’s hand. A moment's inattention can result in burns to the owner's hand. Dogs running fast to the end of the lead and jerking suddenly back could result in neck damage.

WHAT IS ONE NEW SOURCE FOR PRODUCTS TO MODIFY  PET  BEHAVIOR?

www.eyeanimal.com 

Products include cameras, controlling barking/meowing (indoor or outdoor version), security, electronic feeders, pet water fountains, and new toys.

Dr. Betsy Sigmon

Creature Comforts Animal Hospital

Cary, NC

Annoying Behaviors in Pets, Part 1

I just recently returned from a quick trip to Philadelphia to see the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Garden Show. 

 My friend and I started our adventure with a visit to the Barnes museum. Dr. Albert Barnes is a physician that invented a silver-containing eye solution to prevent gonorrheal-induced blindness in newborn babies.  Barnes built a collection that was virtually unrivaled, with massive holdings by Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, and Pablo Picasso. But it was Renoir that Barnes admired above all other artists; he thought of him as a gold standard of painters and collected his work tenaciously, amassing 181 works by the painter between 1912 and 1942. My day ended with bags of peonies and lilies to bring home on the plane to plant.

I felt pulled in so many directions to take in all the plant displays, plant dogs house themes, Japanese display gardens, butterfly experience, and all the vendors.  

Many of my clients experience feeling that way in dealing with their pets and uncertain of correction techniques for annoying behaviors versus seriously unacceptable behaviors. 

Behavior problems are not quick fixes to correct. They are all different, and the summations below are meant as guidelines. Typical behavioral consultations with a veterinary behaviorist (DVM + additional 2 to 3 yrs of training) take hours upon hours. 

HOW DOES AN OWNER DEAL WITH A DOG THAT JUMPS UP ON PEOPLE?

Jumping up is believed to have originated as a way of greeting by wolves as they lick each other’s faces. Annoying to owners, often they push the dog down saying “NO” or pet them upon jumping up. In any event, this becomes an attention seeking behavior. To counteract the behavior, encourage a dog to sit upon such greetings and reward the behavior by utilizing a leash and collar to assist the sit. To further encourage the sit behavior, an owner should turn his/her back from the dog and avoid interaction when jumping up is attempted.

IS PLAY BITING ACCEPTABLE?

Play biting is normal social behavior between dogs. When a human hand is involved, one should say “ouch” and remove further interaction.  Offer at that time a reasonable chew toy substitute. After a short time out, going for a walk, fetch, or playtime with appropriate awards is recommended.  

EXCESSIVE PULLING ON A LEASH IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. ARE THERE ANY SUGGESTIONS?

Head collars such as Gentle Leader, Halti, Snoot Loop, etc. with proper fitting is important along with obedience training to teach a dog to heel with positive reinforcement. Lack of walking a pet leads to obesity and a variety of other fears and phobias. Dogs that walk well on command are “social magnets” for interaction in the community and a pleasurable experience for their owner. Pet with such issues should be enrolled in socialization class and each trainer has their own recommendations for suitable collars. Harnesses are more appropriate for dogs with short snouts and breathing issues( example Pugs). Picking a dog trainer can be a challenge, and a method of training, references, and personal preference can play a big role in selection. https://apdt.com/pet-owners/choosing-a-trainer/

Thanks to Ms. Vonder Haar for sharing the pictures of Twix and Maxwell 

Betsy Sigmon DVM, Diplomate American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Canine & Feline

Creature Comforts Animal Hospital

Cary, NC