What is diabetes?

Diabetes in dogs is caused by a deficiency of insulin, which is a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin allows the cells in the body to take up glucose from the blood where it then converts to energy. Without enough insulin (Type 1 or insulin dependent diabetes) or with insulin resistance (Type 2 and 3 or non-insulin dependent diabetes) the glucose remains in the blood stream resulting in high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia). Dogs most commonly have insulin-dependent diabetes. 

What causes diabetes in dogs?

The most common cause of diabetes in dogs is damage to the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This can be immune mediated, where the body attacks its own cells or as a result of pancreatitis. There is likely a genetic predisposition as some breeds have a higher incidence of diabetes. Contributing factors include obesity, concurrent disease including Cushing’s Disease in dogs, (Hyperadrenocorticism), growth hormone excess in entire female dogs, and drug administration – particularly corticosteroid drugs such as prednisolone.

How can I tell if my dog has diabetes?

Diabetes typically affects middle aged to older dogs. Dogs with diabetes have increased hunger and may lose weight despite an increased appetite. They will also drink and urinate more. If Owners don’t notice the warning signs of diabetes, the disease will progress. In this instance, the dog can develop diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication. This is the result of the breakdown of fat to ketones because the cells can’t channel glucose into energy. Signs of ketoacidosis may include not wanting to eat, lethargy, vomiting, and collapse.

How do we diagnose diabetes in dogs?

Your veterinarian will ask about your pet’s behaviour and eating, drinking, and urination habits. From this info, there may be symptoms that suggest diabetes. A blood test can determine the level of glucose in the blood, as well as checking for concurrent diseases. Vets will also usually also request a urine sample to test for glucose and ketones. We also recommend that you test urine for bacteria, because diabetic dogs are prone to urinary tract infections.

How do we treat diabetes in dogs?

Diabetes in dogs usually requires life-long management with twice daily insulin injections. Pet Owners will learn how to give these injections so that they are able to manage their pet’s diabetes at home. Owners need to carefully determine the dose of insulin by consulting with their veterinarian. It can sometimes take several weeks to establish the correct dose of insulin to stabilise the diabetic patient. Vets achieve this through blood testing, which monitors blood sugar levels over time. Hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) is a potential complication of giving insulin, and can be life-threatening. Dog Owners must take care to give the correct dose of insulin.

Diet, feeding, and exercise routines for dogs need to be consistent. Diabetic dogs benefit from a high-fibre diet to minimise fluctuations in glucose levels. Prescription diets for diabetic dogs are also commercially available. It is important to monitor appetite, energy levels, water intake and body weight. It is also possible to check for glucose and ketones in the urine using test strips at home. This information is useful, as it will allow your vet to assess the best way to control your dog’s diabetes. 

Don’t panic if this all sounds really complicated! If your pet is diagnosed with diabetes, your vet will be able to guide you every step of the way with managing their condition. Regular check-ups will ensure you can manage your pet’s diabetes optimally.  Many people think that they would not be able to give their pet injections but there are insulin pens available that make giving the injection very simple and straightforward and most pets will tolerate it well. It is important to remember if you notice any changes in your pet’s behaviour, appetite, thirst, urinary habits or weight to get them checked out by your veterinarian as soon as possible.

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What is Canine Separation Anxiety?

As the name suggests, canine separation anxiety is a form of distress that occurs when a dog is separated from their Owners. Dogs with separation anxiety will start showing signs when the Owner prepares to leave the house. These will continue when left alone, and may lead to an overexcited response when the Owner returns.

Problem behaviours may involve excessive vocalisation, destruction of property, frantic or manic traits, escaping from home, salivation, and inappropriate urination or defecation. There are several likely reasons that separation anxiety occurs. In some cases, the problem emerges as the dog matures and becomes increasingly attached to their Owners.
In other instances, there have been changes in the household that are distressing to the dog. Other times still, the dog may have experienced something that caused anxiety when it was home alone.

What medications can be used to treat separation anxiety in dogs?

Later in this article, we will cover the best training tips for treating separation anxiety in dogs. However, as with many behavioural disorders in pets, medications can assist when training techniques have been ineffective. Vets advise them as an additional form of treatment to training, and should never be used as the sole approach to management. You can apply these medications for short-term or long-term periods, depending on the severity of the problem.

Short-term medications

For dogs with more mild separation anxiety, several types of medication are available.

• Benzodiazepenes (diazepam/valium, alprazolam).
• Clonidine
• Trazodone

Longer term medications

For dogs with more chronic separation anxiety, medications to slightly alter brain signals are available. In these cases, vets will prescribe such treatments over long periods of time. They are similar in action to anti-depressants, and help to produce relaxing chemicals in the brain. These medications can sometimes take weeks or even months to be effective. However, they will usually be quite helpful in managing anxiety-related disorders.
1) Lovan (Fluoxetine)
2) Endep (Amitriptyline)
3) Clomicalm (Clomipramine)

Canine pheromones

Canine pheromone products such as Adaptil (available as a collar of diffuser) may also help to treat anxiety-related disorders.

Training tips and techniques to help manage separation anxiety in dogs

1) Create a den

Creating a den or “safe space” for your dog can provide a cosy and secure environment for your pet. It also gives them a space to which they can retreat to and feel relaxed. To this end, Owners should create a den in an area where the pet usually lives. The corner of a living room or under a set of stairs are two great options.

Ideally place a comfortable bed, toys, and an article of clothing from the Owner in the den. When at home, continually reward the pet with verbal praise and food rewards for moving to and staying in their den. Over a period of time, your dog will feel relaxed and comfortable in their den. This, in turn, may provide an area of safety when alone.

2) Counterconditioning 

Counterconditioning is a treatment process that changes an animal’s fearful, anxious or aggressive reaction to a pleasant, relaxed one instead. You can achieve this by associating the sight or presence person, animal, place, object, or situation your pup doesn’t like with something they love.

Over time, the dog learns that whatever they fear actually precedes good things for them. For dogs with separation anxiety, counterconditioning focuses on developing an association between being alone and good things, like delicious food. To develop this kind of association, every time you leave the house, you can offer your dog a puzzle toy stuffed with food that will take them at least 20 to 30 minutes to finish.

For example, try giving your dog a KONG stuffed with something very tasty. 

3) Desensitisation techniques

In separation anxiety, dogs will often have ‘triggers’ that will initiate the period of distress. These triggers are usually the things that signal people leaving the house, such as picking up car keys or opening the front door.
Pet Owners can aim to cure this by engaging in these activities several times a day, but not actually leaving home. They can also give their dog treats and positive reinforcement during this time to reinforce the positive feelings. 

4) Safety cues

There are certain activities that usually occur only when people are home. These may include listening to the radio or watching TV. Dogs may cope better with separation anxiety if they can engage with these safety cues when their Owners are out. 

What should Owners not do in cases of separation anxiety?

First and foremost, do not scold or punish your dog.

Anxious behaviours are not the result of disobedience or spite. They are distress responses! Your dog displays anxious behaviours when left alone because they are upset and trying to cope with a great deal of stress. If you punish your dog, they may become even more upset and the problem could worsen.

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Canine Hip Dysplasia in a nutshell

Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a disorder that is more common than we presume. When we hear of hip dysplasia, breeds like Rottweilers; Golden or Labrador Retrievers; and German Shepherds typically come to mind first. Certainly large breed dogs are overrepresented as an affected population. However, smaller dogs and cats could also suffer from hip dysplasia!

The hip joint is a “ball and socket” joint. As such, the femoral head of the thigh bone acts like the “ball” that rotates within the “socket” or acetabulum. This is all held together by the joint capsule and ligaments. Hip dysplasia refers to an altered or abnormal development of the hip joint and surrounding tissues during the growing process.

What causes hip dysplasia in dogs?

Many factors can cause hip dysplasia. These include genetic and hereditary links, diet, exercise, and other influences on growth. The imperfections of the hip joint create laxity and is not fluid with movement, causing microfractures and localised inflammation. Over time this results in permanent changes to the affected joint with scarring, bone deposition, and ‘wear and tear’. This process is better known as osteoarthritis.

In the instance of sudden lameness, dogs show signs of musculoskeletal injury, which can cause varying degrees of discomfort or pain. Symptoms can include:

• lameness
• pain after exercise
• bunny hopping
• swaying or swaggering gait
• difficulties rising or lying down

What can a Dog Owner do about it?

Your vet will take a history, perform a physical, and manipulate the affected regions if pain levels permits. If your vet confirms hip dysplasia, they will immediately aim to quell pain, and to minimise further injury with rest. In some cases, they may also suggest joint protectants.

For this reason, your vet may prescribe your pet a set of radiographs with pain relief and sedation. This will let them assess the lower back and hip area, if not the knees too. Due to the chronic nature of the condition, there may be permanent structural changes of the hip joint and tissues.

It is ideal to take action early to minimise or slow down osteoarthritis and provide pain relief. Largely what is known of CHD suggests hereditary traits as the most important factor.

With this in mind, if you’re able to, ask questions about the parents. It will be helpful to learn whether their Owners screened them hip dysplasia with OFA or PennHip X-rays. If your vet can learn this, they may attempt orthopaedic manoeuvres during a puppy exam to check for laxity or pain.  However, they may use an anaesthetic to carry out the Ortolani Test, as it can be distressing and painful.

Are there any more means by which to treat it?

Based on clinical signs, response to treatment, and X-rays, your veterinary team will discuss with you if your pet is a good surgical candidate. Luckily, a few surgical options exist (some akin to humans) to either correct the deformity or provide relief. The most common procedures are:

• Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis for puppies around 16 weeks old. Ideally, this process fuses the pubis and alters pelvic growth to minimise laxity and joint degeneration later in life.
• Double or Triple Pelvic Osteotomy for older puppies up to 10-12 months of age. This can improve the “socket” of the hip joint through well-placed cuts and rotation of the pelvic bone.
• Total Hip Replacement is a similar procedure as in humans and of greater surgical complexity. Vets view this as the most effective surgical option to eliminate pain and restore hip function.
• Femoral Head Ostectomy is a procedure to reduce pain by surgical excision of the femoral head, a constant source of inflammation and pain. As the hip joint is eliminated and replaced by scar tissue, this is more a salvage procedure to treat pain for smaller pets.

If you are concerned about CHD in your furry friend, contact your vet to explore different assessment or treatment options. With each pet’s lifestyle being different, your furbaby will benefit from a tailored plan to keep them happier and comfortable.

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The term osteoarthritis refers to inflammation and stiffness in the joints. Many factors can contribute to the onset and progression of arthritis in dogs. Essentially, though, the process involves the wearing of cartilage over time, which leads to pain, inflammation, and bony changes.

Warning signs of osteoarthritis

• Dogs less willing to go for walks, or slowing down on walks
• Difficulty climbing stairs or getting in and out of the car
• Slowness in rising from laying/sitting position
• General ‘stiff’ appearance when walking
• Limping on a specific leg
• Swollen joints
• Licking joints
• Personality change (your pet may shy away from attention)

Diagnosing osteoarthritis

Many vets tentatively diagnose dogs with osteoarthritis after a physical examination. However, the gold standard for confirming arthritis involves radiographs, and sometimes may require more advanced forms of imaging such as CT scans. Your vet will often suggest these to help reach a conclusive diagnosis.

There are also some medical conditions that may mimic the symptoms of arthritis. For these, radiographs can help distinguish between arthritis and these other medical conditions.

Management of Osteoarthritis

1) Veterinary treatments

– Anti-inflammatories are highly effective at managing the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, and will help prevent further progression. Your vet will usually prescribe them in an oral form, but they can also provide short acting injections

– Cartrophen (pentosan) injections are a chondroprotective (cartilage protecting) injection, given as a course of four injections over four weeks. This course is generally repeated every 6-12 months. These are highly effective at slowing the onslaught of the disease. In fact, Owners can often see a noticeable increase in the comfort of their pets after the course of injections.

– Nutraceuticals: The addition of supplements such as fish oil, green lipped mussel extract, glucosamine, and chondroitin may also help relieve symptoms and slow the progression of osteoarthritis in dogs.

2) Weight management

Many dogs with arthritis are overweight, and this excess weight can exacerbate the condition.

It is imperative that dogs showing symptoms of arthritis maintain a lean, healthy bodyweight. Reduction in food intake is the best way to achieve this, and your veterinarian can assist you in a dietary management plan.

3) Exercise modification and physical therapy

Dogs with arthritis should maintain frequent (up to daily) exercise. However, the duration and intensity of exercise should be moderated. For this reason, we advise short, gentle lead walks of up to 20-30 minutes. Beyond that, we urge you to strictly avoid intense exercise, such as ball-chasing or exuberant play sessions with other dogs.

Arthritic dogs can also benefit from hydrotherapy (swimming). This provides a low impact form of exercise that minimises joint stress, whilst maintaining muscle tone and size.

Physiotherapy (gentle manipulation of affected joints/limbs) may also help with the long term functionality of affected limbs.

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Grain-free, Paleo, natural… these are the trending words in our quest for improved health. Slowly but surely, these same trends have also made an appearance in our pet’s food and diet. However, what does this mean for our beloved dogs? Are grain-free options necessarily better for your pooch?

Grain-free diets: what people think, and what the research says

An opinion survey showed that 46% of Pet Owners think that low or no-grain diets are healthier for their dogs. However, a disparity exists between how Pet Owners and vets perceive this issue. In fact, 63% of veterinary professionals disagree that low or no-grain dog diets are the healthier option.

These concerns extend beyond a simple case of “eh, grain-free diets aren’t great”. In July 2018, the US Food and Drug Association (FDA) sent out an alert to veterinarians and Pet Owners. 

The alert featured an alarming reveal: dogs with heart disease, namely dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), whose breed are not typically prone to this disease have one thing in common – they’ve eaten a grain-free diet. 

DCM: what is it, and why should you worry?

With DCM, the dog’s heart muscle weakens and the chambers of the heart start to enlarge. This, in turn, affects the heart’s ability to contract and pump effectively. When this happens, congestive heart failure results and fluid starts to pool in the dog’s lungs and abdomen. Outwardly, the dog starts to slow down and lose exercise tolerance. Fluid in the lungs then causes coughing and can interfere with oxygen uptake. The result for affected dogs is an increased breathing rate and, in some cases, difficulty breathing. Some dogs even start to develop fainting spells due to lack of oxygen to the brain.

When your dog’s food is grain-free, in place of ingredients like wheat, corn, rice, the following have been used:

• legumes/ pulses (ie chick peas, lentils, beans, peas)
• root vegetables (ie white potato, sweet potato, and tapioca) and their related protein
• starch and fibre derivatives

Experts noted that the dogs with DCM had consumed diets that listed these alternative ingredients early in the ingredient list. In other words, these were the main ingredients. The same dogs were also consistently fed these foods over a period of months to years. Some of the dogs with DCM also featured low levels of taurine (a type of amino acid) in their blood. 

So what’s the exact relationship between grain-free diets and DCM in dogs?

At this stage, investigations into diet-associated DCM are ongoing. It still isn’t clear what is at play and what the direct causative factor(s) are. As a Pet Owner, be aware that marketing is a powerful tool. Instead of always providing correct information, it is often used in the pet food industry to push and differentiate products. Veterinary Nutritionist Dr Lisa Freeman has warned that some pet foods on the market have leveraged on nutritional fads but may not have been similarly supported by nutritional science. Contrary to advertising, there is no research to demonstrate that grain-free diets offer any health benefits over diets containing grains. 

What can you do to protect your pet?

If you are a Pet Owner, here are some things recommended by the veterinary cardiologist and nutrition group at UC Davis:

• Evaluate the diet that you are feeding your pet. If the diet is grain-free, or contains exotic protein sources, you may want to consider a diet change. To start, talk to your veterinarian about this and discuss what diet may be best for your dog. Take into account your dog’s stage of growth, requirements, and other underlying medical conditions. It also pays to consider other factors, like the effect on your dog’s gut health.
• If you are concerned about your dog based on what they’re eating, watch closely for signs of heart disease as listed above. Your vet may also recognise early heart disease by detecting a heart murmur or abnormal heart rhythms. If your vet is concerned, you can pursue additional testing. These include x-rays, blood tests, or heart ultrasound (echocardiogram).
• If your dog is diagnosed with DCM, particularly if eating a diet that meets the criteria listed above, you will need to assess your dog’s taurine levels and change their diet according to your vet’s recommendations. They may also prescribe medication to help your dog cope with DCM. It can take multiple months to see improvement in many cases of diet-related DCM. Regular re-visits with your veterinarian or veterinary cardiologist will be needed to ensure your dog has the best chance of recovery.

The post Vet Guest Spot: Risk of Heart Disease in Dogs on Grain-Free Diets appeared first on Mad Paws.

Bobby is a 12 year old Maltese cross whose Owner takes him to a vet clinic for his annual vaccination. He has now reached an elderly age, but his Owner Mrs Norris was always very diligent about bringing him in for his yearly checkup. Over the years he was always given a clean bill off health by the vet. As per routine Bobby presented again for his yearly check, however this time the consult was not as straightforward…

Reading the signs

As with any consultation, the vet began by asking some questions about Bobby, which included asking about his eating and drinking habits. Mrs Norris answered that he seemed to be eating and drinking a bit more, but she had thought this may have been due to the recent warmer weather. Because he was eating more, she had thought that Bobby was starting to get a little fat. Perhaps he may have been sneaking some treats from other family members? The vet examined Bobby and found that his abdomen certainly was becoming a little enlarged, and he was also showing some hair loss on his back. Based on these signs and his history, the vet suspected that Bobby may have a condition called Cushing’s disease.

Cushing’s disease: what it is, and how it affects your dog 

Cushing’s disease, or Hyperadrenocorticism, is a disease typically seen in older small breed dogs. The condition arises from an excessive amount of the hormone cortisol, which is the body’s stress hormone. The main typical signs of Cushing’s disease include drinking more, urinating more, eating more, abdominal enlargement, and hair loss amongst other less common signs. While these signs are suggestive, they do not always mean Cushing’s disease. For example, there are many other causes of hair loss and drinking more than can be commonly seen in dogs. Thus, Bobby’s vet recommended a series of tests in order to achieve a diagnosis.

Typically these investigations begin with blood and urine testing. Beyond helping to diagnose Cushing’s disease, both of these are always useful as part of a senior health check. If these preliminary results are suggestive of Cushing’s, vets often then perform another more complex blood test.  This will generally be followed by an abdominal ultrasound to confirm the condition. Bobby underwent all these procedures and his results suggested that he had developed the Cushing’s disease.

What to do about it 

Now that we have a diagnosis, we need to treat Bobby. Thankfully, in close to 90% of Cushing’s cases, the condition is treatable. This is thanks to medication that aims to suppress the production of the bodies naturally occurring cortisol. Once your pet starts the medication, the clinical signs should slowly start to resolve. However it can take some time to often achieve the right dose of medication. Moving forward, the treatment is often monitored through ongoing blood tests that measure cortisol levels as well as regular checks at the vet to monitor drinking and dog eating habits.

In Bobbys case, his vet put him on a drug called Vetoryl. Fortunately Bobby responded very well to treatment and his signs gradually begin to resolve, much to the delight of Mrs Norris!

So what’s the take home message?

When our pets grow older, it is important that they have a yearly check up. If Bobby hadn’t come in for his vaccination, his condition may have been missed until he became very sick. It is always a good idea to do yearly blood and urine testing in older pets just to be sure that there are any underlying disease processes that you at home may not be noticing!

If your dog is showing any of the above signs it is important to have them checked by a vet. However, do not panic! While these signs are suggestive of Cushing’s disease, they can be caused by many other things. So while Dr Google might help us in recognising issues with our pets (and may add to a fairly high stress level), ultimately it is only your veterinarian who is able to work out what is wrong with your animal and come up with a plan. 

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Avoid “heat stroke” – keep them cool!

Unfortunately, a great number of animals seen at emergency centres across Australia suffer from a deadly condition called “Heat Stroke”. This is caused by a dramatic increase of body temperature to levels that are detrimental to a normal metabolism. The symptoms observed in this situation are excessive panting; thick drool; dry tongue; dry and red gums; wobbly legs; vomiting and diarrhoea; and, in extreme cases, a coma. If these signs are detected, wet their paws and cover them with a wet towel and seek vet care immediately. Never use cold water or ice in these circumstances as they may go into shock.

Animals have different ways to maintain their body temperature. Among all domestic animals barring horses, sweating is not the main function used for cooling in warmer weather. Dogs and cats pant to cool themselves down. Their paws also play an important role in maintaining their body temperature stable – so keep their paws wet! Drinking lots of water and even having a small bath of water available can help animals keep cool in summer.

NEVER leave animals in the car in warmer days! Their body temperature can increase quickly to critical levels within few minutes.

Mind your walking time with your furry ones. Choose to take them out only early in the mornings or late evenings. Take a bottle of water for them, as you would for yourself.

Small mammals such as rabbits and guinea pigs should ideally stay indoors when temperatures reaches 34°C or above. If this is not an option, then place a wet towels in their cage or hutch and a couple of ice blocks or frozen water bottles for them to lean against and cool their body down.

Protect against sunburn

Again, summer means outdoor lifestyle, beach, camping, fishing trips, and swimming. For most, it’s a fun time of year. We as humans are well aware of the damage that the sun can cause to our skin, which is why we apply sunscreen.

The question is: do dogs need to be protected from sunburn? The answer is YES, they certainly do!

If you have a dog with pink skin and a white coat, applying sunscreen on these areas is very important to avoid sunburn. The most common areas that dogs suffer burning lesions from long exposure to sunlight is on their ears; nose and muzzle; tummy; chest; and legs. Like in humans, constant sunburn throughout life can lead to skin cancer.

Shaving your dog or cat can expose their skin to more sunlight exposure. It is advisable to avoid clipping their fur too short. Leave some length of fur to protect it.

Watch out for snakes

With warmer temperatures, reptiles such as snakes become very active. It is a normal instinct for dogs and cats to chase and try to kill snakes. This is when they are put in a great risk of getting bitten. Brown and tiger snakes are the most common cause of accidents with pets.

To protect your pets, the best option is keep snakes away. This might sound obvious, but it’s easier said than done. Keep your backyard clean of rubbish and piles of wood/timber – snakes love hiding under them. Mow the lawn frequently to keep it low. Cover compost and rubbish bins well as they attract rats which are a favoured meal for snakes. 

Keep cats indoors and, if possible, maintain a snake-proof outdoor enclosure. Walk dogs on a leash as this will give you the opportunity to stop your dog from exploring high grass and bush areas where snakes could be hiding.

If you suspect or have witnessed your pet getting bitten by a snake, seek veterinary care straight away. The survival rate in this situation increases if treatment is provided soon.

The symptoms of snake bites are sudden weakness followed by panting; collapse; shaking or twitching of the muscles; difficulty blinking, vomiting, loss of bladder and bowel control; dilated pupils; paralysis; and blood in the urine. Any of these signs either alone or combined are enough to have your pet assessed by a veterinarian.

Know which plants are safe, and which are toxic

As the warmer weather arises after winter, all plants start to grow and flower. This is when they become very attractive to pets.

Unfortunately some of them are poisonous to animals. Here are a list of the main toxic plants:

• Lilies
• Succulents
• Gladiolas
• Hydrangea
• Ivy

The main poisoning symptoms shown by cats and dogs after ingesting a toxic plant are vomiting, lethargy, drooling, and seizures.

Nip summer parasites in the bud

In summer, fleas, ticks, and mosquitos are proliferating everywhere. Other than biting your furry friends, they carry and transmit tapeworm and heartworm. Prevention is the key to protect your pet from the discomfort of itching as well as the life-threatening heartworm disease.

The best thing to do is to consult your veterinarian for the best way to prevent your pet from getting bitten by these parasites.

Enjoy a safe summer with your furry family members!

The post Vet Guest Spot: Protect Your Furry Family Members Over the Summer appeared first on Mad Paws.

For more insights, follow Dr Hynes on Facebook and Instagram, and read her new book: First Call for Dogs. 

As an emergency vet, I see a lot.

I spend nights and weekends treating much loved animals in scenarios their Owners thought would never happen. In most cases, they are not prepared for what to do next. For example, we all know that chocolate is bad for dogs — but how much is toxic? Moreover, what should you do if your dog raids the dessert bar? I wrote my new guide First Call for Dogs for all the Pet Owners out there who have said to me: “I wish I knew.” There are some very simple things you can do when your dog is in trouble and often it is the first minutes after an incident, before you get to medical attention. that are the most critical.

Here, I share some of the essentials for common doggy emergencies so you’ll never have to say “I wish I knew.”

Common Dog Emergencies

Bites and Stings 

Snake bites and ticks are the most life threatening nasties in this part of the world. However, there are also many other critters that can get their teeth and claws into your pup: bees, wasps, spiders and ants. At best a bite or sting may cause pain and swelling which can be relieved with ice and pain relief medication and at worse it can cause a severe allergic (anaphylactic) reaction.

Look for: Difficulty breathing, drooling, shaking, vomiting, collapse.

First Steps: If your dog is visibly distressed, then applying an ice pack while you transport them can relieve their discomfort. Never use human medications to try to treat the pain as it may not be safe for your pet.

If you find a tick on your dog then remove it by grasping it between your thumb and forefinger right down on the skin. From there, simply give it a slight twist and pull. Don’t be concerned about leaving ‘the head’ in, as removing the tick itself means it can no longer inject the toxin contained in the saliva. However, your dog will likely need treatment for tick paralysis if they are showing any signs of being affected.

If you think your dog has been bitten by a snake you’ll need to get them to veterinary attention straight away as lifesaving antivenom may be required (depending on the type of snake). If the snake is dead and you feel comfortable to do so, bring the body with you in a bag. This will help the vet to identify the type of snake quickly and administer the appropriate antivenom.

Swallowed objects

Believe it or not, toys, socks, sticks, rocks, and corn cobs, are very commonly ingested by dogs. Dogs love corn cobs, which is a problem. They can be easily swallowed whole but are not digestible, and will likely become lodged in the intestines. Sticks can not only cause serious impalement injuries to the mouth and throat, but when swallowed, can perforate the gut.

Look for: signs of pain, drooling, vomiting, or refusing to eat.

First Steps: If you see your dog swallow something (like a paddle pop stick or a skewer for example) get them to a vet as soon as possible. The object may be able to be retrieved from the stomach using a camera endoscope. Don’t wait and see, because if it gets stuck further down, it may require more risky and expensive surgery.

Toxicities

Dogs are renowned for eating things they shouldn’t. Knowing which things may just cause an upset stomach and which are potentially toxic is very important.

Some foods like grapes and onions are safe for people but can potentially cause organ damage in dogs. Other common situations arise when a curious pup ingests medications that were sitting on the bedside table or raids chocolate, or gum (containing xylitol) from a handbag.

Look for: evidence that your pup has accessed food or other substances they shouldn’t. Signs will vary depending on the type of toxin involved. However, if your dog is behaving abnormally or there are signs of ingestion (like a chewed up packet) then seek veterinary attention.

First Steps: Take any chewed up packets with you to help the vet identify the substance and how much may have been eaten. Vomiting may be induced to empty the stomach. Other supportive measures include intravenous fluids or activated charcoal. These will help bind up the toxin in the gut to allow it to be passed safely. 

Heat Stroke

As the summer is upon us, we should remember that dogs can overheat very quickly. This is especially true if they’re out having fun at the beach or running around with other pups. If you have a elderly or overweight dog or one with a short nose (like a pug or bulldog) then they will be particularly prone to heat stroke as they cant effectively cool down via panting.

Look for: Signs of distress, heavy breathing, unsteadiness on legs, collapse.  

First Steps: Get your pup into the shade and run cool water over them using a hose or similar. This will help to lower the body temperature. Offer a small amount of water but no food. Keep a wet towel over them while you transport them to the vet.

Top Five Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe 

Keep Preventative Medication Current

None of us want to give our pets chemicals for no reason, but part of keeping them safe is using preventative medications. Tick paralysis is often fatal and hundreds of dogs die every year from this condition. As such, it’s my belief that prevention is essential.

Learn CPR for Dogs

First Call for Dogs contains a guide to performing CPR which every Dog Owner should know and may save a life. There are also organisations who run CPR training for pet owners so do an online search for what’s available in your area.

Identify the signs that tell you your dog is in pain

Most importantly – you know your dog better than anyone. If they aren’t behaving like their normal selves then get them checked out by your vet for peace of mind.

Know How to Safely Transport Your Dog to the Vet in an Emergency 

Have a First Aid Kit on Hand

Just as for your family, a first aid kit provides you with materials to help you help your pet in those first minutes. First Call has a list of the essentials for your pet’s first aid kit. 

The post Vet Guest Spot: Emergency Essentials for Your Dog appeared first on Mad Paws.

Food, nutrients, and microflora. A few words that might come to mind with the “gut” or “digestive system.” However, the gastrointestinal system is so much more, with recent studies linked to general health and immunity.

Let’s explore a few key ways to improve your furry friends’ gut health.

#1 Complete and well balanced diet

Our furbabies have a similar digestive system to ours, but not quite the same. In a nutshell, theirs is a smaller digestive tract and food transit is quicker. Even between dogs and cats it is different ,and individual gut microbiomes will vary.

To begin, choose a well formulated and quality diet. Labels and AAFCO criteria are a good guide. It’s a bonus if the diet is reviewed by a veterinary nutritionist to ensure appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals as well! Imbalances can result in health concerns like bladder stone formation, rickettsia and cardiomyopathies.

Just as no diet suits everyone, the same applies to our little companions. Frequent gastric signs like vomiting, diarrhoea, temporary inappetance, or constipation may suggest food intolerances and other gastrointestinal disorders.

#2 Pro and Prebiotics

Gut diversity is a common term to refer to the gut microbiome made up of trillions of bacteria – the good, the bad, and the opportunistic. Localised immunity and nutrient uptake benefit from this diversity if the predominant population are made up of “good bacteria.” Building blocks to strengthen these beneficiary bacteria are prebiotics naturally found in the diet or as a daily supplement.

What if “good bacteria” are not in the majority, especially after a bout of gastrointestinal illness and/or a long course of systemic antibiotics? Our furbabies may benefit from probiotic treatments and attempt to reestablish the majority status of the “good bacteria”.

#3 Parasitic control

It goes without saying that regular anti-parasitics are important to ensure nourishment is for our furbabies and not the uninvited guests! Nasty roundworms and hookworms can cause damage as they rasp away at the intestinal wall. Protozoa like coccidia can strip away intestinal lining and reduce the gut’s ability to absorb nutrients. So we should also look to our environment and address any areas of concern!

#4 Hydration

Providing clean drinking water is a rule of thumb to keep our pets well hydrated. How much they need to drink will depend on their diet, size, weather, and activities. Dehydration has harmful effects on gut mobility and nutrient absorption, which results in constipation and an impaired metabolism. Chronic or severe dehydration will have a serious, sometimes life-threatening, impact on the body and different organ systems.

#5 Exercise and reduced anxiety

Gut mobility is also influenced by exercise as it promotes circulation. In other words, give them a bit of play time, walking, or even swimming! I’m sure our pets will appreciate any of these activities (or if they don’t, encourage them to)! Bonding time is just as important as good nutrition in a holistic approach to health. It reduces anxiety and, in turn, stress components and inflammation.

We are learning more in keeping our pets healthier for longer each year with advances made in research and veterinary medicine. Some principles remain the same. Ensure protection by immunising your furbabies against infectious diseases like (feline) parvovirus and coronavirus, which can wreak havoc on the gastrointestinal system.

If you’re in doubt, speak to your vet more about your pets’ gut health and general wellness.

The post Vet Guest Spot: Five Tips to Improve Your Pet’s Gut Health appeared first on Mad Paws.

Ah, Traditional Chinese Medicine… But wait a minute, I hear you ask. Why is this Veterinarian talking about Chinese Medicine? Didn’t he spend six years in university learning to think that all that alternative stuff is hocus-pocus? Well yes, I did think that once upon a time. And then one thing changed my mind. Make that two things: skin allergy and osteoarthritis.

You see, these are probably the biggest money earners for Veterinary clinics everywhere – skin allergy in summer and osteoarthritis in winter. We treat a lot of it. In fact, ‘manage’ is probably a bit of a better term for it. You see, most of what Veterinarians do is dispense medications to control and relieve the symptoms. When I dispense anti-inflammatories for osteoarthritis or cortisone for skin allergy, I know two things for sure. One, is that it will make the dog better. The second is that it will predictably, inevitably, recur. 

Let me give you another example. Let’s say you have an ageing dog. You go to the Vet and he tells you three things:

1. Do a blood test
2. Come back for regular check ups
3. Do a dental procedure

That’s great. These things will probably help your dog. BUT, and here comes the punch line:

None of the treatment options the Vet will offer can address what caused the problem in the first place.

You can put the dog on a chemically modified diet or scrape the plaque off his teeth but that’s not reversing the disease – it’s modifying the disease.

I had been having these thoughts for some time before deciding one day in 2007 to study Veterinary Chinese Medicine.

Chinese Medicine doesn’t see the body in terms of ‘disease’. There isn’t really a concept of disease, only of ‘imbalance’. Everyone has imbalance. Whether you feel an occasional itch or a raging skin allergy, the nature of the imbalance is the same, only the severity is different. What Chinese Medicine aims at is correcting the imbalance so it doesn’t become the disease in the first place. This is achieved through the use of diet, exercise, acupuncture, acupressure etc. These address what the Chinese practitioners perceive as the cause of the imbalance, not just the symptoms.

That’s not to say that the Western approach is wrong. A course of antibiotics will do more to treat bacterial infection than a cart-full of herbs. And a broken leg is repaired best with orthopedic surgery. But when it comes to keeping the body healthy, the Western practitioner doesn’t have much to offer.

Where Chinese Medicine really shines is in the treatment of chronic conditions – arthritis, allergies, food sensitivity, and other similar problems.

A traditionally trained practitioner often will employ a combination of acupuncture and herbs. The aim of the treatment is to normalise the body’s balance long term. Some animals require a simple course of the treatment, while others may need ongoing help. 

The best practitioner is the one trained in both Veterinary and Traditional Chinese disciplines. This treatment lends itself readily to home use, and is inexpensive and safe.

This is why I now strongly believe that Chinese Therapy should be not a last-ditch hope but a component of every dog’s healthy life routine, no different from heartworm treatment or microchipping.

The post Vet Guest Spot: How Your Dog Can Benefit from Chinese Medicine appeared first on Mad Paws.