Winter Weather Tips

Winter may have taken a while to arrive, but we couldn't avoid it forever. Now that it's here, there are a few things we should do to keep our pets safe during the colder months. Here are some tips that may help:

1. Flea and Tick Medication. A lot of people do not apply flea and tick medication in the winter in order to control costs. Unfortunately, it takes a deep freeze for three to four days in a row in order to kill off all the fleas and ticks. Since we live in an area with relatively mild winters, it's rare for us to have these conditions; therefore it is rare that fleas and ticks are ever fully killed off.

2. Thin Ice! Cape Cod has a lot of temperature fluctuations in the winter, lakes, ponds, and cranberry bogs may appear more frozen than they are.

3. Rock Salt. Most stores sell pet friendly ice melt now, but you can't guarantee that everywhere your pet goes it will be used. Not only can rock salt be irritating to your dog or cat's paws, but they may lick the rock salt off their paws, causing them to ingest it and become sick.

4. Keep your Cat Indoors. At VACC, we recommend keeping your cat indoors year round, but especially during the winter months. It is easier for them to become lost in the snow, and they may be left outside overnight.

5. Check Under the Hood. Before you start your car, tap on the hood to make sure no animals have crawled up there overnight. Cats will often climb inside the hood of a car seeking to get warm.

6. Keep your Dog on a Leash. More dogs are lost during the winter than any other time of year. Dogs can easily get lost and lose their scent in a snowstorm. Also, your dog or cat may not be visible to snow plows or other vehicles in the snow.

7. Frostbite. Despite their warm furry coats, dogs and cats are still susceptible to frostbite. Frostbite usually affects the tail, toes, tips of ears, and the scrotum. Frostbitten tissue may initially appear pale or gray, as well as hard and cold; as the area thaws it may turn red. Thawing is extremely painful, and if the tissue is too damaged it may slough off.

8. Antifreeze. Most people are aware of the dangers of antifreeze, but sometimes it can be difficult to prevent our pets from ingesting it by accident. You may be able to make sure your garage or driveway is free of antifreeze, but you can't guarantee that anyone else's will. Also, any car driving up and down your road may have a leak as well. It is important to be vigilant in the areas you can not control.

9. Dress Warmly. It may seem silly, but short haired dogs, older dogs, and immune compromised dogs often get cold in the wintertime. Dressing them in a coat or sweater will help keep them warm.

10. Wear Reflective Gear. Winter also means shorter hours of daylight along with snowstorms and lower visibility.

We hope these tips are helpful, and we hope you have a safe, comfortable, and easy winter season. Hang in there, only six weeks until spring!!

Chuck Norris Doesn't Feel Pain, Neither Should Your Pet

All joking aside, pain management is something all veterinarians should take seriously. In recent years, veterinary medicine has made great strides in understanding how dogs and cats feel pain as well as the best ways to manage that pain.

Dogs, and especially cats, have a tendency to hide their pain. This is a natural instinct to protect them from predators so they don't appear vulnerable. Because they won't always "show" their pain, and they obviously can't tell us they feel pain, we have to look for other signs that our pet may be painful. A good rule of thumb is that if it would hurt you, it most likely hurts them.
Some signs of pain in dogs include:

• They may be violent or vocalize, or be quiet, withdrawn, and inactive.


• They may be aggressive when approached as they try to protect themselves.


• They may lick the affected area.


• They may have decreased activity, such as reluctance to walk, climb stairs, jump or play.


• They may appear stiff and have difficulty rising from a resting position.


• They may limp or lag behind on walks.


• They may yelp or whimper in pain, or exhibit other personality changes.

Cats will have similar signs when they are painful, but they may exhibit these signs as well:

• Hiding.


• Sitting immobilized or hunched.


• Poor or absent self grooming.


• Excessive self grooming of the painful area.


• Reduced social interactions with people or other pets.


• House soiling.


• Aggression.


• Vocalizing.


• Agitation or restlessness.

Pain is very subjective and difficult to measure, that's why it is important to know what to look for. We have learned that, when possible, preventing pain is much more affective than trying to treat pain once it has gotten rolling. For example, when your pet is undergoing a surgical procedure, he or she will be given what we call a "pre-med." This is a drug or combination of drugs that will help to stabilize and prevent pain as well as maintain your pet on a good plane of anesthesia once they undergo the surgery. Pets will receive post operative pain management as well, and are continually assessed by the nursing staff throughout the day.

There are three main types of pain medication used in veterinary medicine: Non-Steroidal-Anti-Inflammatory-Drugs (NSAIDs), Opioid, and Corticosteroids. NSAIDs are most commonly used for moderate pain and discomfort related to inflammation. Opioids are used for surgical procedures, or in advanced cases of cancer or severe arthritic pain where quality of life must be maintained. Corticosteroids are potent anti-inflammatories that may be used to treat a number of conditions, including pain control. Corticosteroids tend to have a lot of negative side-effects so they are often used as a last resort.

It is important to keep in mind that all of these drugs should be used with the appropriate dose and moderation. Cats are especially sensitive to NSAIDs and Opioids. You must follow the guidelines provided by your veterinarian for your pet's pain or you may inadvertently cause a bigger problem. For example, NSAIDs may cause stomach and intestinal problems as well as prolonged blood clotting time. Rimadyl, a popular NSAID used in dogs, may cause liver issues with long term use or overdosing. You veterinarian may want to do regular bloodwork to monitor your pet's health while on pain medication. All medications have side-effects, it's just a matter of finding that right balance where the pros outweigh the cons.

We all want our pets to be happy and pain free, but it's not always easy to know what they're feeling. Knowing the subtle signs can potentially make a big difference in your pet's quality of life. If you have further questions about pain control and your pet, talk to your veterinarian, or come see us here at Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod!

There's an App for That!

Last year Merial launched the Heartguard dose reminder app. Due to the success of the application, Merial is introducing the same app for Android users and an updated app for the iPhone. The updated features allow pet owners to set individual reminders for each dog, share accounts between phones, use the phone's camera to assign pictures to reminders, and add custom dog barks. In addition, the app will tell you how much you have remaining on your current prescription (or heartworm medication) and prompt you to contact your vet when you need more. When it's time for your dog's medication, his or her picture will pop up and bark to remind you. And the best part? The app is free! It's a fun and easy way to remember your pets medications and doses. The Android version can be downloaded via the Android Market online or on the phone, the iPhone version can be downloaded through iTunes for the App store on your smartphone. Happy Shopping!

Holiday Plant Hazards

December has come upon us fast, and with it comes all those wonderful holiday decorations. While they make our home pretty and festive, they may also be a temptation to our four legged family members! Cats will climb the Christmas tree and chew the branches, dogs will eat the tinsel and garland. Gastro-Intestinal obstruction is a fairly common occurrence here at VACC, but so is toxicity. There are three very popular holiday plants that, when ingested, are quite toxic to dogs and cats.

Peace Lillies are a lovely plant and a favorite around the holiday season. Unfortunately, they can cause a lot of problems if eaten by your pet. The most common symptoms are GI related symptoms. Peace lillies cause significant swelling of the oral tissues and intestines. Most often we will see excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. In rare cases tongue swelling, trouble swallowing, and difficulty breathing may also occur. Sometimes they may also cause acute kidney failure in cats. Treatment will depend on the severity of the reaction and ingestion, but your pet may need to be hospitalized on intravenous fluids and monitored for any signs of respiratory distress.


English holly, also known as Christmas holly, is another festive holiday plant that is toxic when ingested. Like the peace lily, clinical signs include excessive drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. However in rare cases with holly if the berries are ingested seizures or tremors may be seen.

Mistletoe may be a fun Christmas tradition with your sweetheart, but it should be kept high and out of pets reach. Also causing gastro-intestinal upset, mistletoe when ingested can lead to a drop in blood pressure and low heart rate. Depending on the amount ingested and the severity of the reaction, pets will need to be treated for dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea. In very severe cases seizure, coma, and death can occur.

If you know or even suspect that your pet has ingested a potentially toxic plant call poison control immediately, followed by your veterinarian. The pet poison helpline number is 1-800-213-6680. If you have any further questions about toxic plants, the ASPCA website, http://www.aspca.org/, is a valuable resource of information!

Happy Holidays to you, your family, and of course your pets from all of us here Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod!

Flu Fever

The holiday season has brought with it an influx of patients getting the Canine Influenza vaccine. Now that most boarding kennels are requiring it, dog owners are rushing to get their pets up to date, but many don't know much about the disease.

Canine influenza is a newly emerging infectious disease caused by a flu virus. The strain is known as H3N8 and it is highly contagious between dogs. It is spread the same way as the human flu; direct contact, sneezing or coughing, or through contaminated surfaces. Symptoms of canine influenza include persist ant cough, low-grade fever, nasal discharge, lack of energy, and loss of appetite. In about 20% of dogs more serious signs may occur like high-grade fever and pneumonia, however most dogs will only get a mild form of the disease.

Diagnosing canine influenza can be difficult because it has similar symptoms of other diseases such as kennel cough. Owners don't usually suspect the disease until the symptoms become severe or last an unusually long time. Like most viruses, canine influenza should eventually run it's course. Some dogs may need the help of intravenous fluids to keep them hydrated or may develop secondary infections and need antibiotics. Whatever you do, do not use human medications in your dog unless directed by your veterinarian.

The best way to avoid canine influenza is to get your dog vaccinated. The first vaccine should be boostered within three to four weeks, followed by an annual revaccination. If you have any further questions, your veterinarian is the best person to answer them, however you can also check out this website, http://www.doginfluenza.com/. Thanks for reading!

Giving Thanks

In the spirit of Thanksgiving (although a day late), this blog will be dedicated to a few of the many reasons to be thankful for our pets. Pet ownership is a challenge in the beginning, often unexpected. Puppies and kittens will tear through the house leaving a path of destruction in their wake, but when the dust settles, the love that they give you in the years to come is worth more than any carpet, any favorite shoe, any glass vase, or anything and everything else you may have lost to their innocent, playful ways.

10 Reasons I'm Thankful for My Pet

1. Drop your dinner on the floor? At least you don't need to clean it up. Rest assured that every last drop or crumb will be taken care of.



2. Just in case you didn't hear it, a dog will always let you know when someone is at the door.



3. Even when you're by yourself, you are never alone. No matter how you look, or what you're mood, all they care about is being with you.



4. Any piece of paper, string, or sock can be a toy. If it's small and it's within reach, it's likely to be batted around or pounced on.



5. Pets will never waste an opportunity to enjoy life. If there's even a chance for a walk, to eat, to play, or to sleep, they will go after it with gusto.



6. Pets will forever inspire forgiveness. Despite all the trips to the vet, the baths, the nail trims, the punishments, they will still treat you with love and devotion.



7. Pet's lower your blood pressure! It's true! Just ask the CDC...



8. Pets will greet you like they haven't seen you in twenty years, even if it's only been twenty minutes.
   


9. Pets can sense our emotions. If you are excited, they are excited, if you are sad, they try to comfort you.


10. Pets just make us better people. Like the saying goes, "I aspire to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am." So True.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your furry family members.

Pancreatitis And Your Pet

The Pancreas is a small but very important organ responsible for producing enzymes that help with food digestion as well as hormones such as insulin. Normally, digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas are activated when they reach the small intestine. Sometimes those enzymes are activated pre-maturely in the pancreas, resulting in inflammation and a disorder called pancreatitis.

The exact cause of pancreatitis is not known. In dogs, it is often associated with eating a rich, fatty meal or administration of corticosteroids, however these associations have not been found with cats.

Clinical signs of pancreatitis include nausea and vomiting, fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea. However, these clinical manifestations can also be associated with other diseases. This is why it's important to do blood work and x-rays or ultrasound to ensure a proper diagnosis of pancreatitis.

To successfully treat pancreatitis depends most on early diagnosis and medical treatment. It's important to "rest" the pancreas from it's role in digestion by withholding oral fluids and food. Your pet will need to be hospitalized on intravenous fluids to maintain a normal fluid level and electrolyte balance; they will also need to receive pain medication by injection because it is a very painful condition. Most pets with pancreatitis are hospitalized for two to four days and food is gradually re-introduced.

Generally patients suffering from acute pancreatitis will make a full recovery with no long term effects. However, it is important to note what can happen if your dog or cat goes too long without receiving medical treatment.

Sometimes if a significant number of cells that produce digestive enzymes are destroyed, a lack of proper food digestion may follow. This is known as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) and can be treated with daily administration of enzyme replacement. If a significant number of cells that produce insulin are destroyed, diabetes mellitus can result. A few dogs that recover from acute pancreatitis may continue to have recurrent bouts of the disease called chronic relapsing pancreatitis. The result of this chronic inflammation allows digestive enzymes to spill into the abdominal cavity causing secondary damage to the liver, gall bladder, bile ducts, and intestines. In severe cases, untreated pancreatitis will result in shock, depression, and even death. However these cases are rare because most people seek treatment before their pet gets to this point.

Prevention of pancreatitis is not entirely possible given we don't know it's exact cause. In dogs you can at least reduce their odds of getting pancreatitis by not feeding them human food or really fatty rich foods. It is important to keep this in mind especially with Thanksgiving just around the corner. Our four legged friends will be sure to hide under the table for as many scraps as they can get. Feeding them in that moment may be satisfying, but the long term risk may not be worth it.