Tick Carried Diseases

            As if ticks themselves weren’t bad enough, they can also carry some awful parasites which make them doubly dangerous to their dog and human “victims”.  And, this year, I have seen more dogs suffering from tick-carried diseases than ever. 
            In fact in the first few weeks my own Westies, Gussie and Duckie, and at least ten of my patients have become incredibly ill thanks to these tick-carried parasites.  Gussie became lethargic and stopped eating which I must confess isn’t too unusual for my puppymill doggy, but then his symptoms worsened. The little guy really had me worried. I took Tick Titers, and he had both Ehrlichia Canis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever; two of the tick diseases. One day after starting medication he was feeling better, eating well, and even playful which isn’t an every day occurrence for Gus.
            Then, just a few days after Gussie’s illness one of my favorite patients named Buddy collapsed and almost died from the worst case of Lyme’s disease I’ve ever seen.  Buddy spent several days hospitalized in the clinic receiving around-the-clock T.L.C. from me and my great staff.  He’s not out of the woods yet, but he is doing much better, and is now back home with his family.
            If your dog starts acting lethargic, weak, stiff or, even worse, if it suddenly appears to have arthritis, paralysis, or even begins to bleed for no reason, call us right away.  A tick-carried parasite could be the culprit, even if it appears that your pet is tick-free at the time you check. There is treatment available for tick-carried parasites, but the sooner we start it, the better.
            Also, this is the one year that you don’t want to walk your pet in the woods without using a tick preventative.  Ticks are out there in large numbers right now, and I want you and your pets to be safe.

Chewing Gum Is Not Pet Friendly

            The next time you go to the grocery store to buy a pack of gum, think of your pets.
            One of our favorite little patients, a sweet little girl named Allie almost died recently from sneaking into her mom’s purse and eating a partial package of gum containing Xylitol.
            When Allie came to the clinic a few hours after eating the gum, she was in obvious distress.  She had been vomiting, showing signs of weakness and lethargy.  Her blood sugar was dangerously low and her liver was in trouble.  After stabilizing her condition, Allie was rushed to the University Medical Center Veterinary College where she spent several scary days in their Intensive Care Unit and several more weeks on medications to help her liver function.  Fortunately Allie did great!  She and her liver are doing well, but if it hadn’t been for the quick actions of her owner, the outcome may not have been so positive.
            Xylitol is a sugar substitute used in sugar-free gum.  While it is very safe for people, it is poisonous for pets.  Even two pieces of gum, candy or throat lozenges containing Xylitol can cause a severe and life-threatening hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in a pet.  With ingestion of more, the liver is in danger. 
            After eating an item containing Xylitol, the pet’s blood sugar falls quickly, causing weakness, lethargy, incoordination, seizures and collapse.  This can occur within 30 minutes of ingestion.  Liver damage takes longer.  Because of the rapid progression of this poison, it is very important to seek help as soon as possible for your pet.  Do not hesitate.  In fact, if you see your pet ingest a product containing Xylitol, immediately inducing vomiting is the most life-saving treatment of all.
            So, if you have sugar-free gums and candies in the house, keep them out of reach of your pet.  And, if your pet has a sweet tooth like Allie, remember even your purse isn’t a safe enough hiding place.

Healthy Teeth Means a Healthy Pet

            Keeping your pets’ teeth healthy can add years to their lifespan.  The mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria.  The bacteria die, harden and adhere to the teeth as a foul-smelling plaque that must be surgically removed.
            If left to multiply, the bacteria enter the animal’s bloodstream and affect the vital kidneys and heart.  Your pat doesn’t die directly from a toothache, but the effects of a damaged or infected tooth can certainly cause serious illness and death.
            To prevent this tooth decay, pet owners can do for their pets as they would do for themselves and their children: brush their teeth.  Start slowly and gently.  A pet needs preparation, patience and time to adjust to having its teeth brushed.
            First, elevate a small dog or cat by putting it on a table or a counter, if possible.  Then, rub your fingers around the inside of the mouth for several minutes.  Even this movement will be rejected by your pet at the beginning.  –Stop, praise your pet, then give him or her a biscuit or a vitamin tablet as a reward.  Let your pet relax.
            When the first phase of brushing has been accepted, you are ready to proceed gently, touching the teeth lightly with a moist washcloth or cotton ball.  Again, be liberal with praise and patience until your pet adjusts.  Finally, switch to a soft child’s toothbrush and lightly brush using toothpaste made especially for dogs and cats.  Even if your pet does best with a soft cotton ball or cotton-tipped applicator, you can use a liquid antiseptic that we keep at the clinic to improve oral health.
            A few minutes of daily teeth care is all that is necessary for healthy, tartar-free teeth.  I would be happy to give you a demonstration of cleaning and to check your progress every few months.
            A good diet also helps prevent tooth decay.  Dogs and cats are basically carnivorous and their teeth are adapted to fighting and to tearing food.  We must respect this need in order to maintain healthy teeth.
            Feed a quality food.  Be sure to feed at least some hard food, biscuits, and durable chew toys to give the teeth a work-out.  Greenies are made for both dogs and cats to help prevent and remove tartar from their teeth, and there is even special diets such as Hills oral cars and “teeth diet” (T/D) made especially for good teeth health.