National Specially-abled Pets Day

Diane, LVT

The doctors and staff of Kaukauna Veterinary Clinic would like to take a moment to discuss the significance of this day.  

Disabilities in pets (as in people) come in many forms. The definition of disabled according to Webster’s dictionary is: having a physical (or mental) disability; being unable to perform one or more activities (such as walking or running) because of injury or illness (or congenital defect).

Disabilities can present in many forms. Pet animals qualify for the term disabled due to: blindness, deafness, spinal cord injuries (paralysis), missing limb, and/or oral (mouth) issues (fractured jaw, or loss of all or part of a jaw due to surgical removal due to cancer).

As pet parents, we are bound to care for our pets, to the best of our abilities, throughout their lives. When you adopt a pet with a disability, you know going into that relationship that your pet will have ongoing special needs. Should your pet be injured or become a victim of some sort of disease process, the disability will be a new endeavor for you.  In the event of loss of sight or hearing at some point in life, that situation may cause stress until you realize how to work through it. 

We will now briefly address some of the potential disabilities. 

Loss of a limb through amputation or spinal cord disease or injuries often result in partial or complete paralysis of one or more limbs. There are many products and devices available to aid with mobility in pets. These products include specially made splints, braces, or boots to help keep the leg/foot in a normal position. There are harnesses and slings to help support the body weight to help your pet move about the house and/or yard for elimination purposes. In the event of paralysis, there are companies that can make a custom made wheelchair or cart to help your pet move about more independently. Believe it or not, most dogs adapt quite readily to being on wheels! There is a joy that accompanies those pets when they can get around once again and become more mobile. Some paralyzed pets may need diapers or belly wraps to help with incontinence issues that occasionally occur with loss of function. For additional help with dogs with limited motor skills, you can purchase (or make) stairs or ramps to help dogs get in/out of the house, car, or even onto beds and couches! Dogs with missing limbs or some degree of paralysis can live a full life but you are required to provide an additional amount of commitment.

Blind dogs, including dogs who start out in life blind or those who lose their sight at some point later in life, can also live a full life. Dogs especially adapt very well to their dark world, but they do require a strong bond with their families to have the trust they need to live day to day. Obviously, do not change the furniture layout in your house too frequently – they will learn how to cope and get around the house just fine using their other senses.

Dogs born deaf or those who lose their hearing later in life can also do very well. Most dogs can be taught many commands through the use of sign language. They are also good at detecting your presence through vibrations and scent. As always – a good rule of thumb for blind or deaf pets – be sure everyone who encounters your pets knows of the special circumstances and does not approach or touch the pet abruptly; that could trigger a fear – bite response in them, which could set them (and you) up for legal/insurance troubles. 

Dogs who have sustained an oral (mouth) injury or disease can also do quite well with specialized support. Oral fractures may require the mouth to be wired shut for a few weeks of healing. Those dogs must be fed a liquid diet, possibly through a feeding tube.  If cancer dictates the removal of part of a jaw, feeding support can include liquid diets initially, but most of them can switch to a commercially prepared canned or possibly dry food once the healing process is complete. As horrifying as it sounds, loss of part or all of a jaw does not warrant loss of life. These dogs do very well and are so adaptable – they will find a way to eat! 

Keeping disabled pets mentally and physically healthy can be a challenge for you as a pet owner, but there are many resources available to help you along the way. As an owner of any disabled pet, you do have to remember that they will require more love and attention from you (and at times, more financial resources) than pets without disabilities. But with appropriate care, love, and attention, these pets can live out their remaining days relatively healthy and happy. Caring for a disabled pet will make you feel an even greater bond with your pet and you will always remember the special feeling you get from preserving that special life. Please remember it takes a very special person to be able to care for any pet with a disability and to applaud yourself for being able to go that extra mile.

On May 3^rd (and always), celebrate your special needs pet with some special one on one bonding time or a special treat, extra petting, etc.

Handicapped Pets Website

National Kids & Pets Day

Lisa Lambie

Started in 2005, National Kids & Pets Day is celebrated on April 26th. Colleen Paige’s goal of creating this day was simple. It is dedicated to celebrating the bond between children and animals. Furthermore, it helps bring awareness to the homeless animals in shelters all over the USA and educating people about safety between children and pets. 

Pets and children can learn a lot from each other. Children learn kindness and compassion toward all living creatures and this will hopefully make them tender and nurturing parents someday. They learn daily responsibility of taking care of, feeding, and giving quality time to a pet. This idea has expanded into reading programs across America. An otherwise shy and non-confident kid can go and read to an animal in a shelter and feel great in a non-judgmental environment. It boosts their ego a little and the dog learns something in return! Pets gain knowledge of how to interact with children and be in the presence of humans. 

 That being said, we as parents need to teach our children respect toward the pets in the home. Never leave a child unattended with any pet. Our children can be unintentionally harmed and most accidents including scratches during rough play or being knocked down can be avoided with proper supervision.

One more thing to remember is to research whether or not your family is ready and in a position to get and care for a pet properly. They can be a huge blessing and I hope that this year’s National Kids and Pets Day is fabulous!!

Children Help Get Shelter Dogs' Tails Wagging By Reading

Dog Bite Prevention Coloring Book 

Poison Prevention Week

Dr. Ronald Biese

Duke was rushed into our clinic because he was having severe difficulty walking.  The owners were very upset and crying, thinking the worst for their “baby” of only 3 years old.  Our team jumped into action to gather necessary history on Duke and a thorough exam.  The exam led us to certain diagnostic tests that revealed an answer that blew us away!  

He was suffering from rat poisoning which caused him to bleed into his spinal cord.  This presentation was extremely unusual and rare, but very real.  We started Vitamin K as the antidote to the chemical in rat poison and he made a full recovery. 

Dogs and even cats will eat almost anything! There are literally thousands of toxins in this world that are not an issue unless consumed.  Every year many pets die or become seriously ill from consuming something they shouldn’t have eaten.  So, as their care giver, the owner has to remain vigilant on the access they have to toxins.  

To keep our pets safe we must be mindful of what may harm our beloved furry friends:  

1.      Know what products can be used on your pet.  There are certain flea products, for instance, that can only be used on dogs and if put on a cat have serious consequences.

2.     Do NOT give a medication to your pet that hasn’t been prescribed by your veterinarian until you know it is safe and have the correct dosage.  Contact your veterinary clinic before giving any medication.  In that same vein, make sure all human medications are out of reach of your pets.  Make sure your pet doesn’t eat a human drug that may be dropped on the floor.  If you drop pills often, you may want to keep your pet out of the room until you are done taking your medication. 

3.     My advice on rat poison is DON’T USE IT, period!  There are so many times a pet owner will place rat poison in a “hidden” place.  The owner is so confident that their pet can’t get at it and they end up finding it and eating it.  What isn’t commonly known is mice will move the rat poison to their nesting place for food later in the winter.  The place they move it to is often very accessible to their pet.  Rat poison kills!!  Don’t use it!

4.     Plants tend to beautify a home.  It is wonderful to display plants in a house; however, many are toxic to pets.  Please contact your veterinarian or visit a reputable website to find which plants are toxic to your cat or dog.  Then simply don’t have those plants in your home. 

5.     There are plenty of every day foods that are toxic to a dog and/or cat.  Chocolate is the most known toxic food, but there are plenty of others that can do great harm to your pet.   The short list of most toxic foods includes chocolate, grapes/raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, garlic, any candy with xylitol (gums, breath fresheners, peanut butter, etc.), rhubarb leaves, mushrooms and others.  Avoid giving these foods to your pet, and don’t leave them accessible in any way.

6.     Chemicals such as household cleaners and antifreeze can be very toxic to your pet.  Keep all of them in a cabinet that can’t be “broken into”.  If your car leaks antifreeze, clean it up immediately.  It doesn’t take much antifreeze to kill a dog within 24 hours. 

7.     Non-food household items can pose a problem if your pet eats them.  For instance, yarn or string can get stuck in your cat’s intestines and cause serious problems.  Coins and jewelry are often eaten by dogs, because they have alluring oils from human hands.  Moth balls smell terrible, but dogs have been known to eat them and they are very toxic to animals.  It is amazing what a dog will eat that would seem impossible for them to even get into their mouths and swallow!

With the above list, it may sound daunting to keep all of the toxic things in this world away from your beloved four-legged friend, but with some common sense and being familiar with what may harm them, you can keep your pet safe.   As always, contact your veterinarian if you have any questions about anything you think may be toxic to your pet.   

For more information click on the links below

Pet Poison Help iPhone App         Fox Valley Animal Referral Center

Toxic Plant Guide 

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

Dr. David Gagnon

Another winter, another trip up north for sled dog races.  This year’s John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in northern Minnesota was an interesting one.  The veterinary team was comprised of ten veterinarians, six veterinary technicians, and one vet student.

The race started on a warm Sunday morning, with temperatures in the mid-upper 30s, which was warm and comfortable for all the people involved, but unfortunately warm for the dogs.  Their preferred racing temperatures are typically in the single digits above or below zero.  I expected several dogs to need fluids shortly into the race, but their mushers are so much better than I gave them credit for.  The dogs ran well, and they did get warm, but the mushers kept their pace in check to protect them from overheating and becoming dehydrated.

Naturally, there are always dogs that are dropped from teams due to minor soreness or muscle breakdown.  But this year, there was nothing major.  I was bored.  Boredom for the vet team, while unfortunate for those of us who experience it, is great for the dogs and testament to their health and conditioning.  The healthier the dogs, the less I have to intervene and provide specialized care.  In fact, the more significant injuries in this year’s Beargrease happened to humans.  One was an EMT who tags along with the veterinary team, who wiped out on some ice and injured her hip.  The other was a musher who fell on the trail onto her shoulder.  This musher, Beckie Hacker, is a good friend of mine who used to be on the vet team (she’s a certified veterinary technician).  She ended up finishing in last place, earning the coveted Red Lantern Award.

It wouldn’t be a sled dog race without a lack of sleep.  By the end of the race, we (the vet team, other volunteers, mushers, and dog handlers) were all pretty sleep-deprived.  We all gathered at the finish line in Duluth to celebrate, share stories, and eagerly go back to our respective beds to catch up on some much-needed sleep. 

Every year, the veterinary team rewards one musher a prize recognizing extraordinary dog care.  This year’s “best kept team” award went to Carl Rauthier and his handlers, a team from Quebec.  His dogs were the only ones to come into and go out of the final checkpoint of the race (at approximately mile 350) with tails wagging and a pep in their step.  He rested his dogs longer than required, whenever necessary.  They were well-fed and well-hydrated.  And they were wonderfully friendly dogs and people, besides.  Carl’s acceptance of this award brought the vet team to tears, though perhaps it’s partially due to our lack of sleep.

Many of us come from many different backgrounds: veterinarians from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Arizona, and Ontario; mushers from Minnesota, Michigan, Ontario, and Quebec.  Regardless of our differing ages, locations, and professional backgrounds, we do share one common thing: we love these dogs.  Sled dogs are incredible in their energy, enthusiasm, drive, and perseverance.  It’s truly inspiring.  You should check it out sometime.

John Beargrease Website

Check out Beargrease on Facebook

Corn & Grains In Pet Foods

Dr. David Gagnon

Kaukauna Veterinary Clinic is AAHA accredited, which means we adhere to the guidelines set forth by the American Animal Hospital Association.  For accreditation, we are measured against approximately 900 rigorous standards in the veterinary industry and we provide outstanding medical care and client service.  AAHA publishes a monthly magazine for veterinary professionals called AAHA Trends.

The January, 2016 issue of AAHA Trends contains an article titled “Myth Busters: Corn Edition!” by Kelly Smith.  This article goes into some of the myths regarding corn and grains in pet foods.  Here are some myths and other excerpts, as listed in the article; these are quotes from board-certified veterinary nutritionists and studies they cited.

Myth #1: Dogs and cats did not evolve eating grains and therefore cannot digest grains

·        “…three genes responsible for the digestion of dietary starch were expressed 7-12 fold higher levels in the dog compared with the wolf.” (Rebecca Remillard, PhD, DVM, DACVN)

·        “…both dogs and cats digest better than 95 percent of the starch in a properly cooked diet containing 50 percent corn or rice.” (Remillard)

Myth #2: Grains are allergenic

·        “At this time, there is no evidence to support that animals on grain-free diets have less incidence of food allergies than animals on conventional diets.  Food allergies in general are uncommon [in pets].” (Martha G. Cline, DVM, DACVN)

Myth #3: One can evaluate the “quality” of a pet food by reading the ingredient list

·        “…the ingredient list according to AAFCO [the Association of American Feed Control Officials] should not impart any information regarding the quality, nutritional balance, or digestibility of the pet food product.” (Remillard)

AAFCO evaluates whether a food has the components necessary for a complete diet.  You should not strictly feed a diet that is not AAFCO approved (e.g. feeding treats or table scraps as the main diet).  The ingredients in pet food are listed in order of weight.

Myth #4: Corns/grains are non-nutritive “fillers”

·        “I’ve heard concerns about them [grains] being ‘filler,’ which is nonsense…. They are added because they contribute energy and other essential nutrients, as well as very useful dietary components, such as fiber” (Jennifer Larson, DVM, PhD, DACVN)

It is difficult for consumers to know which pet foods are high quality and which are not.  A food’s claim to be grain-free or not doesn’t reveal anything about its quality.  A food that is known to be high quality may work well with some pets, while it may disagree with others.  The pet food world is a confusing place.  Even employees at pet stores are often misinformed when it comes to certain things, such as corn/grains.

If you have any questions or concerns about pet foods, don’t rely on television commercials or online articles.  Sometimes these are reliable, but oftentimes these are based on marketing or they play off the experiences of a select few individuals.  Please look to your veterinarian as the first source for reliable information regarding your pet’s nutrition.

November is National Pet Diabetes Month

Dr. David Gagnon

 

 

November is National Pet Diabetes Month.  People are becoming increasingly familiar with diabetes, as it is a growing health problem in our society, and there are countless medical advertisements on TV.

Our pets get diabetes too.  So what do uncontrolled diabetics look like?  We (yes, we... I am diabetic too) drink a lot of water, and then out it comes as urine.  Since the body isn’t able to utilize the glucose it receives from food, the body believes it’s in starvation mode, so appetite initially goes up too.  For the same reason, diabetics lose weight.  This last fact is sometimes confusing to people, because we often associate diabetes as happening in overweight people or animals.  This is true, as being overweight or obese is a risk factor, but once diabetes sets in, those animals then lose weight.

In some dogs, diabetes happens along with another hormonal condition, such as Cushing’s disease.  Cushing’s disease causes the body to produce too much steroid hormone, and steroids can cause insulin resistance, thus leading to diabetes.  Cushing’s disease, diabetes, and other metabolic or hormonal disorders, can look very similar, so we initially recommend full bloodwork to make sure that there’s nothing more going on.

Now that we have a diagnosis of diabetes, how do we treat?  Almost always, it requires insulin injections.  Dietary changes can help avoid drastic swings in blood sugar levels too.  Pets do require routine blood sugar checks to be sure that the insulin dose is appropriate.  With adequate treatment, most animals have a very good prognosis!

What happens if your diabetic pet goes untreated, or if it’s not well-controlled?  He will continue to lose weight and become increasingly lethargic.  He is also at a greater risk for urinary tract infections, pancreatitis, and peripheral neuropathies.  The most common long-term complication in dogs is irreversible cataract formation in the eyes, but this is not true for cats.  There’s a risk for developing diabetic ketoacidosis, in which animals’ electrolytes and acidity level of the blood can become altered and potentially life threatening.

If you notice your pet’s energy level is decreasing, or if he spends more time at his water dish or having to go outside more than usual (or if he’s having urinary accidents inside), call your veterinarian right away.  This may be due to diabetes, and treatment could give him – and you – a much happier life!  If we catch it and treat it early enough in cats, there’s a chance for remission, thus eliminating the need for insulin treatment.  I love it when that happens!

                                                         Pet Diabetes Risk Assessment

                                                                 Pet Owner Resources