dogs&cats&more

Ringworm is a fungal infection that can affect the hair, nails and/or skin of cats, dogs, and humans. In humans, ringworm usually looks like a ring-like lesion, but this is not always the case in pets.

 In most animals, ringworm is fairly self-limiting, meaning it will heal itself in time. However, in animals with compromised immune systems, particularly cats under 1 year of age, outbreaks can become severe. Spores from infected animals can be shed into the environment and live for over a year and a half!

Typical ringworm symptoms to look for would be small roundish lesions with no hair, sometimes itchy and irritated looking, other times not. It may have a small scabby center. Ringworm is most commonly found at the head, ears and tail, but can be spread to anywhere on the body.

The most reliable way for your vet to diagnose ringworm is with a culture. When it is suspected, topical treatment can begin while waiting for culture results, as most vets are fairly certain as to the diagnosis when they see this. Limiting your ringworm-positive pet to a confined area which you clean well with diluted bleach will save you a lot of trouble in the long run in keeping the infection contained. Wearing loves to help prevent infection to yourself and contamination to other areas of the household is also strongly recommended.

Christine, LVT

Making the decision to work with animals may seem like an easy thing, but it really isn’t. First, the pay in most animal related fields is zilch; second, it’s a difficult field to get into when experience is lacking, and it can be difficult to obtain that experience when no one wants a newbie hired!

It was especially difficult for me to get into this field. I already had a well paid business job (which I hated). I knew what animal jobs were out there but I lacked the formal education in it to get something that would pay my bills. So I did something that changed my life forever: I started volunteering at my local animal shelter.

I did this for a few years before it really sunk in that I had a knack for aiding their health and well being, both medically and emotionally. I enrolled part time at the closest veterinary technology program, which was an hour away and offering classes right smack in the middle of the day to inconvenience everyone. Once I had that under my belt, I was able to switch jobs to an entry veterinary assistant, making peanuts and barely keeping my head above water. But I loved it. I stayed with the shelter as well.

My bachelor’s in veterinary technology took me quite some time to finish despite already having had a college degree, since I had to go part time, couldn’t work enough hours or for enough pay to help me pay it, and even being homeless here and there while doing this. It was the biggest undertaking of my life, and I’m not convinced  could go through it again. But I’m so glad I got through, got my professional license, and worked hard enough and made enough connections to be at the level of medicine I am at now; I’m hoping that where I am now is where I finish off my career, and the changes in the respect and pay in the field has finally been on the upward trend. I can pay my bills now

Nothing gives me greater satisfaction than talking about this field with people and explaining the pros and cons, and why it may not be for everyone. There is always something out there you can do with animals, medicine is just one small part of it. If you’re thinking of going off to college for this, want to start out in an animal shelter, wondering what variety exists in this field, or have other questions about doing what I’ve done, don’t hesitate to comment me, I will (eventually) get back to you on it. The field of veterinary medicine can always use more animal lovers!

Christine, LVT

Declawing is never an easy decision, and it is a very heated subject. Only you can make the decision, but I hope I can shed some information on the situation to help you with that decision.

First, if one is to declaw, it is most commonly done at the time of spay/neuter, which is most commonly done at 6 months of age. Once they get to a year old and beyond, healing from declawing becomes more dramatic, as the younger cats have a better healing time and learn to adjust without their claws quicker.

While it is more painful the older they get, it is still a painful procedure. I would speak to the vet or a licensed technician about sufficient pain medications that will be used during and after surgery in order to help combat this.

As for whether to do it or not, that is the main question here. I will post you some links so you can read about exactly what a declaw is, for it does involve not just removing claws but removing an entire joint, like if we were to have the last segment of our fingers removed. There are complications which can occur. They are not common, and tend to occur more in older or overweight cats, but they do exist. 

My suggestion to anyone would be to try “soft paws” before considering declawing. If you place a call to your vet today, you can find out if they carry these, and if not, you can pick some up at any pet supply store and bring them with you for your vet to apply them. At a young age, most cats easily adjust to these ‘caps’ on their nails and cannot destroy furniture nor hurt you with their nails. They can stay on for a few weeks, then as the nail grows, they pop off and new ones get reapplied. Generally the technician or vet staff can help you apply new ones if you have difficulty doing this at home, though it is quite simple to learn. Getting your kitties used to having their feet handled will be important in this step.

Declawing, while it’s nice to get it done young and while under anesthesia for their spay/neuters, can be done at a later stage, though as stated earlier, the younger, the better in healing. Going through the severity of the declaw would be much more of a behavioral problem to deal with once older for most cats, and if not necessary, would be great to avoid this amputation.

Here is some information (objective) on declawing:

http://www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/HealthConditions/SmallAnimalTopics/DeclawinginCats/

http://www.thepetcenter.com/sur/catdc.html

http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm/cat_declaw_procedure

Christine, LVT

Few things seem as frustrating to owners of sick pets than trying to give them an oral medication. Same goes for us technicians in the hospital. Pill pockets have often been a ‘life saver’- both theirs and ours!

Pill pockes, for those unfamiliar, are treats that come in various flavors for either dogs or cats, that have a carved out area in which to place a pill and then squeeze the treat so that the medication becomes enclosed within that treat. Indeed, some dogs and cats will either not like the treat or will pick up on the fact that a pill is inside. However, in my experience in the hospital, many many more animals, cats and dogs alike, will eat the pill pocket with the pill enclosed much easier than trying to hide it in canned foods or even table scraps (where the pill often falls out). Nothing makes me happier during treatment time than an angry cat who likes her pill pocket… that is much more preferable to me than pissing her off further to force a pill down her throat!

Pill pockets are sold to the public as well as hospitals. Less messy, easier, and an overall A+ from me… I’ve included a link on this page for anyone interested in checking them out.

Christine, LVT

Orange stool is not a normal finding, but not necessarily something to be extremely worried about at first. Feces turns shades of brown when it interacts with bile salts in the digestive tract. This could mean an absorption problem. If orange stools continued along with weight loss, that would be something to look into. Other symptoms of illness would definitely show up, as reasons for this to occur include things like diarrhea (moving too fast through the system to absorb enough), irritable bowel syndrome, or gallbladder blockages (which are also painful).

Stools can also be orange due to changes in diet. Certain table scraps or treats can cause this temporary problem, as can some supplements or medications. Certain foods that are orange may also cause this issue.

If any other symptoms coincide, I would have the dog looked at; if these orange stools only persist due to diarrhea but the dog is feeling well otherwise, then you can try to treat the diarrhea at home.

This is generally done by fasting from food for 12 hours, but allowing water if the pet will drink. (If not, they can always be offered some unflavored pedialyte or ensure to keep electrolytes in balance). Then when you do feed, give a bland diet like boiled chicken or boiled hamburger meat with white rice (1:1 ratio) for dogs, or baby food (chicken flavor) for cats and very small dogs. No treats, and don’t let them eat grass either. Continue this diet for a couple of days as the stool firms up. Once firmed up, gradually go back to the regular diet over the course of a few meals.

Christine, LVT

I wish there were some OTC cold remedies for cats, but unfortunately the cat’s liver, which metabolizes the majority of medications, cannot metabolize any cold/flu medications that we can buy from our pharmacy. Instead, they are toxic and can even kill them in small doses.

It’s common for kittens to get upper respiratory infections and “cold” viruses that are not the same as the cold we get (so you cannot catch this from your kitten); your vet will have to prescribe your kitten some prescription antibiotics to help your kitty get through this without further damage and illness. Adults cats, too, can get URIs. It’s more common amongst multi-cat households, and is often contagious between them.

At home, you could make it easier for her breathing if you have a nebulizer to use on her, or having her in the bathroom when you shower for the hot steam in the air to help clear up some congestion. But without antibiotics, she’s likely to get sicker. It can lead to pneumonia.

Christine, LVT

Who the Heck Are All These People?

Working in a large hospital that boasts emergency, specialty and general practices, it may seem easy to get overwhelmed upon entering for your first visit. Even the most organized large facility is going to be fairly packed with a large number of staff members. These organized hospitals, however, will do there best to try to point out to you who’s who, and I’d like to try and explain the differences in the basic positions so you may know where to go if and when you enter one of these places. I can only speak for the practices I’ve worked in, of course.

For starters, you have your receptionist/ front office staff. They are almost always the first people you see, especially if you have an appointment, or walk in on a not-as-critical emergency. These people do not only schedule your appointments, welcome you,, attend to your bill and pull your chart- they are also a critical player in keeping the flow of the hospital going. They are trained to be able to answer your questions- or at least know who to get so that you can have your answers. They often deal with the most abuse or stress from clients- not necessarily on purpose- but the biggest problems encountered on a daily basis are people upset with their bills, people upset their pet isn’t doing well and unsure why when they walk in, and people who feel they can talk down to the front office staff even when they won’t to the licensed personnel. Contrary to most people’s conceptions, these staff members are one of our most important, deserving the most respect: they give you your first impression of our hospital, and their ‘attitude’ is what can make or break us. A good front office staff member deals with the daily stress and is still able to put a smile on and help you and the next client. There is always a manager or head of the office you can speak to when needed.

The assistants are the ones you may see running by to quickly clean up a puppy pee in the front, or carry up your large bag of food despite weighing only 110 lbs themselves, or putting all they have into calming and holding onto your aggressive 140 lb Dane or aggressive feral cat who needs his head still for an eye pressure check by the doctor. The get the most ‘beat up‘- they often get paid the least- and they are there to set up all our procedures, hold our patients, help you to your car with your supplies, and in the process, still doing their best to learn medicine. A good assistant is irreplaceable- and they do it for their love of animals. Many of ours are in tech or vet school- and deal with daily bruises and minimum recognition because they love what they do- I couldn’t speak enough about how appreciated they truly are to the doctors and techs.

Technicians in the best facilities and in states requiring such are licensed. I myself have my bachelor’s in Veterinary technology and pre-vet medicine with countless continuing education hours. We are not usually trying to be vets- some start this way- but most know they’d rather do the hands-on work than the theory behind it. With the education, we understand disease processes, surgeries and injuries, and utilize that knowledge to be responsible for all diagnostic testing, monitoring of patient care and status, and education to the client. We are the ones who admit your animals and then bring them back to you when picked up, who explain your medications to you, who are put on the phone when you aren’t sure you’re dealing with an emergency, who run out to get your pet when a life threatening problem is occurring, and who do cpr, anesthesia, intubation, medicating, injecting and so forth to save your pet. We go by your permission to save and the doctor’s orders to use certain things, and we go… sometimes it’s like being in a bubble with the amount going on at once- but a large hospital that has techs who work well together and with the doctor is an unbelievable feeling. It’s quite a rush at times. And we still then care for the lesser emergent cases with the same care and love for the patient. A day filled with just about anything: from making sure they live through their anesthesia during their liver shunt surgery, to helping them take their first steps after an amputation, to watching their progress and medicating every hour to give them a chance at life through their heart failure or bleeding disorder, to teaching them its ok for us to touch your paws for your first puppy or kitten nail trim! We go to work never knowing what we’ll see for the day- but its always a wide mixture.

The vets, of course, speak to you in the appointments, physically examine the animal and decide what treatment or diagnostics are needed, utilize their education and expertise to determine what needs to be ruled out and what is most likely going on, and take a chance with each and every patient that they are correct in what they choose. It’s a lot of pressure, but with the support of the entire staff working together, things can be made easier for the doctor to concentrate on their job only so that you get your pet back as healthy and happy as possible.

Christine, LVT

Cats are pregnant for approximately 65 days.

Signs that your cat is pregnant: Her mammary glands get bigger, her abdomen gradually starts getting bigger, and she may act hungrier, needier, or even slightly lethargic by about day 30 post-conception.

At this point, you could always find out for sure by having an ultrasound done to see the heartbeats. Or at about 45 days post-conception (sometimes sooner), you should be able to define how many kittens there are by seeing their skeletons on x-ray.

If she’s pregnant, you want to get her on a higher protein food (like kitten food) and increase the amount she eats, as this higher protein will help nourish the kittens as well as her. Continue this even while she’s nursing.

Birth happens normally around day 65, but a cat can give birth anywhere from day 59-70.

Make sure the cat has a safe, warm area to deliver her kittens.

Christine, LVT

“Pepto Bismol”, aka Bismulth subsalicylate, is a human over the counter medicine used most frequently for diarrhea. Back in the day, it was an at-home treatment of choice for some dog owners as well.

Here’s the problem: most formulations of this drug (including many Kaopectate products) contain salicylates, which is the ingredient in aspirin. While aspirin itself has been used in veterinary medicine, it is NOT a smart choice for dogs suffering stomach or intestinal upset. Also, it can be quite toxic to cats.

Dogs who have diarrhea are having a problem with their intestinal transit time: meaning things are going through very quickly. They often have a build up of stomach and intestinal enzymes. The acidity they are experiencing leaves them vulnerable to ulceration, which happens to be a side effect of aspirin. This can further potentiate an ulcer, cause hemorraghing, or even cause vomiting to an already hurting GI. And for vomiting itself- the choice of pepto is fairly rediculous.

Instead, if all else is going well and your vet agrees with it, the OTC diarrhea drug of choice would be loperamide (Immodium, or the newer “Pepto Diarrhea Control”).  Dosing is nowhere near what you’d give a human of any age and must be decreased to tiny amounts throughout the day, so always check with your vet before giving your dog. And for safety, because a cat’s metabolism is so different, avoid all of these in cats unless specifically prescribed.

Christine, LVT

In cats, there are a small handful of possibilities. Coughing is seen most often in cats with asthma, anywhere from mild to severe. In cases like this, gradually it gets worse, and is seen more so in different seasons depending on allergens about.

Coughing can also be a sign of a heart problem. Sometimes the heart issue can cause some fluid build up around the lungs in the chest cavity and in times like this can cause more severe symptoms like lethargy, inappetance, vomiting, etc.

In rarer instances, things like lungworms or heartworms, pneumonia, tracheal irritations, and masses can cause coughing. All of these conditions can already be serious even with mild coughing or may not yet be serious, but all have the possibility of becoming so, and rather quickly at times. It is in your cat’s best interest to have his heart and lungs listened to by your vet with the stethoscope and possibly have an x-ray done of the chest and some blood work to best diagnose. If needing financial assistance, I would apply for care credit at the office, which can help deter interest on unexpected vet bills and be used as a credit card with no interest sometimes for 6 months to a year.

http://www.carecredit.com

In many cases, it may be diagnosed as some mild asthma not needing medication until or if symptoms become worse. Any coughing which has gone undiagnosed should not be put off for too long.

Christine, LVT

Tapeworms are an intestinal parasite that look like rice once they exit out the rectum. These are actually segments of the tapeworm, that is still growing inside the intestinal tract. While some pets (usually cats)  get them from ingesting mice, most commonly they are contracted by ingesting a flea. For starters, if not already, you will want to start using frontline plus or advantage on your cats and/or dogs at least 2 months in a row to get rid of any fleas at each stage of their life cycle. It only takes the ingestion of one to cause tapeworm, so you may not see fleas- best to treat regardless.

For the tapeworms themselves, you’ll need a one time pill of either drontal or droncit, which even at the most expensive vet is fairly cheap. Only one pet needs to be diagnosed and most vets will give you a pill for each, knowing it is probably shared amongst all of them. If one of them has been seen recently, an office exam shouldn’t be necessary but you can just drop off a stool sample with some of these segments in it (wipe from back end if not seeing directly in stool).

Otherwise, one will need a physical exam as well as legally the vet cannot prescribe anything without having seen the cat within a year’s time. In severe infestations, the pill can be repeated again in 3 weeks. It’s not a big deal at the start, but not something to put off too long, as tapeworms are intestinal parasites which feed off the intestinal lining, causing anemia over time and a lack of nutrition.

Christine, LVT

Saddle thrombus, which is more accurately termed aortic thromboembolism, is a serious emergency which sneaks up on cats most often due to underlying heart disease.

Most owners don’t know what happened. Their cat’s back end suddenly doesn’t want to work. They are often dragging their back legs to move, may be open mouth breathing, and crying in pain. Some people confuse it with injury to the back.

What exactly happens is that a clot that has formed at some point dislodges from the place it formed and then lodges itself within a thinner portion of the vessel. Most times, this clot lodges in the far end of the aorta, which is located between the rear legs. Thus, blood supply is cut off to the back legs. They would feel cold on the feet and the paw pads may appear bluish from the lack of oxygen.

This is an extremely serious emergency and there is no home remedy. Even with quick attention, treatment is severe and the outcome not always a good one. Although many cases of saddle thrombus cannot be foreseen, it is always in a cat’s best interest to have a thorough physical exam every year to help early detection of heart disease that could lead to such an extreme situation. However, heart disease often lurks with no outward symptoms until something more severe occurs. Luckily, we do have the medications available today that can help some of these cats when they get medical attention a.s.a.p.

Christine, LVT

Constipation may certainly be the start of a larger problem. However, sometimes, in otherwise healthy cats, it’s just a small issue that can be easily solved at home if caught quick enough and while the cat is still eating.

I personally would start treating by adding a small amount of vegetable or mineral oil to the feedings. Just a few drops at first, as you don’t want to overdo it and cause diarrhea. You can always increase the amount a bit. The oil will lubricate the intestinal lining and push the contents along the tract more quickly than normal.

Once regulated, stop the oil, but you may want to add a higher fiber to the diet, like regular canned pumpkin or cottage cheese when starting to see firmer stools, or you can even compare what you are feeding now with higher fiber diets sold in the store (fiber content listed on packages).

If the problem becomes chronic regardless, there could be an underlying medical reason on why the intestines are not absorbing appropriate amounts of water, and then a vet visit with some blood work may be in order. If you ever see increased urinating along with constipation, that would be a key sign that your cat is getting dehydrated and needs vet assistance. Vomiting/ regurgitating with constipation is an emergency symptom.

Christine, LVT

Cats do not have very regular heat cycles like a dog. Instead, they remain in heat for anywhere from 14-21 days, and this repeats again every 2-3 weeks. Often, it seems like a cat in just continually in and out of heat throughout the year, usually taking a “break” in winter months when the amount of daylight is less.

Cats are induced ovulaters which means they don’t ovulate until they are stimulated. Therefore, don’t think you can possibly judge when it’s “ok” to let your cat out and not get pregnant. Just expect that if your cat isn’t spayed and you let her outside, she’s likely to get pregnant.

Cats whom are not spayed are at higher risk for infections, cancers, and running off, getting lost. Unneutered male cats in the neighborhood are also then more likely to ‘hang out’ at your house, spraying nearby with an extremely strong foul urine odor, and more likely to fight if you also have a male cat around.

Christine, LVT

Euthanasia is obviously a touchy, emotional topic. Some people don’t believe in it. Others just can’t bring themselves to make that decision. And yet others just need that helping hand to get them through it.

As a vet tech, obviously I am exposed to it much more often than the average pet owner. I not only deal with it in my own pets when it is time, but working in an extremely large hospital, am faced with it in others’ pets quite often. Because it is seen often, and because I truly believe euthanasia is a humane, loving way to end our pets’ suffering, I indeed do not suffer the same shock as some owners do. Yet, that doesn’t ever make it ‘easy’ for me or any other staff member.

Each one hurts us, too. In fact, veterinarians and technicians alike tend to suffer more burn out in this field than in most jobs. It’s an emotional field to work in. It is not exactly professional for us to break down crying for each pet, and we try to keep in our minds that this is the right thing, but we see the owner’s suffering, we see the bond- whether it’s your first and last visit in one, whether this was something unexpected when you pulled in, or whether you made this appointment last week. We can see it in your face, hear it in your voice- we know how it feels because we love our pets so dearly and know how strong your bond is with your loved pet- each and every single euthanasia is a heartbreak for us, and we feel your pains.

I rarely have the right words. “I’m sorry” is all I can usually come out with, but I always hope that animal’s owner knows that they are not alone and that we understand. When you tell us it is the right thing to do, it IS the right thing to do. You know your pet better than anyone. And for that, we respect your decisions and feel for you and your pet.

When we send out sympathy cards, I again often say the same thing. I will remark on one aspect of that animal that touched me and made an impact in my life, as every single patient has, and will say that “I hope your sadness soon turns to happy memories spent with your loved one”. And even though I write it to each one,  truly mean it. To me, that is when suffering ends, we can enjoy the fact we loved that pet and made their life special, and we can smile thinking of something loving, funny, or enjoyable we did with them. I deeply hope that time comes from each pet loss as soon as possible.

Euthanasia isn’t easy on anyone involved. Don’t ever think we aren’t there for you…. we are.

Christine, LVT