A turkey dinner with all the trimmings might make people feel bloated and sleepy. But most pets aren't used to eating rich foods, so a traditional Thanksgiving "human" feast can cause them to have gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and diarrhea) or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). These conditions can be mild or severe. In some cases, they can even cause death.
Signs to watch for include vomiting or retching, diarrhea or straining to have a bowel movement, pacing, painful abdomen, or bloating. Pets exhibiting any of these symptoms should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately.
Anticipating the problem can help prevent a trip to the animal ER. Ask visitors not to feed pets. Keep pets confined while meals are being prepared and eaten. And don't forget to cover, store, or take out the trash!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Giving Thanks
This is the time of year to give thanks, and all of us at Animal Emergency Care have much to be thankful for. Here is a partial list:
Our Patients: Large or small, young or old, dog or cat. They are brought in because they need our help. We wouldn't exist if it wasn't for them.
Our Clients: Thank you for caring enough to provide care and comfort for your pets, even on holidays, during the big game, and in the middle of the night. Your pets appreciate you.
Our Team: Our veterinarians and technicians must love what they do, because they give up their nights, weekends, and holidays to be here. Our patients couldn't survive without you.
What are you thankful for?
Our Patients: Large or small, young or old, dog or cat. They are brought in because they need our help. We wouldn't exist if it wasn't for them.
Our Clients: Thank you for caring enough to provide care and comfort for your pets, even on holidays, during the big game, and in the middle of the night. Your pets appreciate you.
Our Team: Our veterinarians and technicians must love what they do, because they give up their nights, weekends, and holidays to be here. Our patients couldn't survive without you.
What are you thankful for?
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Puppy Weekend!
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| Our receptionists and technicians enjoy some Puppy Love (From left to right, DeDe, Robin, Disa with new mom, Grace.) |
Two litters from Golden Touch Kennels sought shelter from the extreme October weather when their power went out. Needless to say, the pups and their dams were enjoyed by all!
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| Curtis and Eric enjoy the Golden touch. Photos courtesy of Dr. Jonathan Nathanson 2011 |
Sunday, October 30, 2011
My Favorite Spooks
Animal Emergency Care has been fortunate enough to have two "spooks" associated with our hospital.
Spooky, a white domestic short hair cat, lived at the hospital throughout the 1990s.
Spook, a black domestic short hair cat, is a beloved member of our bookkeeper's household.
What color "Spooks" do you know?
Spooky, a white domestic short hair cat, lived at the hospital throughout the 1990s.
What color "Spooks" do you know?
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Parvovirus: A Deadly Dog Disease
Canine parvovirus is a deadly disease discovered in the late 1960s. A decade later, a worldwide outbreak brought this disease into the news. Even though an effective vaccine is available, veterinarians continue to diagnose parvovirus in their patients.
Parvovirus is spread by contact with infected dogs or through direct contact with the virus in the environment. The virus is very hardy. It can survive freezing temperatures and is resistant to many household disinfectants.
Puppies are more susceptible than adult dogs as their immune systems are not fully developed. Because of this, it's important to have your puppy vaccinated for parvovirus at the intervals recommended by your veterinarian. Ideally, puppies should not be taken to public places until their vaccinations are complete and they are at least 16 weeks of age.
Dogs infected with parvovirus are listless and have decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea (often bloody and very smelly). Not all of these symptoms occur immediately. If your puppy becomes ill, it's best to contact your veterinarian rather than waiting for all of the symptoms to appear.
Parvovirus is best treated in the hospital, under a veterinarian's care. Most patients are severely dehydrated and cannot keep food or water down. Intravenous fluids and antibiotics can make the difference between life and death in infected dogs. Patients may need to be hospitalized for 3 to 7 days. With intensive care, many infected dogs recovery completely.
Parvovirus is spread by contact with infected dogs or through direct contact with the virus in the environment. The virus is very hardy. It can survive freezing temperatures and is resistant to many household disinfectants.
Puppies are more susceptible than adult dogs as their immune systems are not fully developed. Because of this, it's important to have your puppy vaccinated for parvovirus at the intervals recommended by your veterinarian. Ideally, puppies should not be taken to public places until their vaccinations are complete and they are at least 16 weeks of age.
Dogs infected with parvovirus are listless and have decreased appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea (often bloody and very smelly). Not all of these symptoms occur immediately. If your puppy becomes ill, it's best to contact your veterinarian rather than waiting for all of the symptoms to appear.
Parvovirus is best treated in the hospital, under a veterinarian's care. Most patients are severely dehydrated and cannot keep food or water down. Intravenous fluids and antibiotics can make the difference between life and death in infected dogs. Patients may need to be hospitalized for 3 to 7 days. With intensive care, many infected dogs recovery completely.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
My Friend Boo
Boo came to Animal Emergency Care as a very sick puppy infected with parvovirus (more about this deadly dog disease in my next post). He spent a week in our ICU, and he almost died. Once his body cleared the infection, he went home with one of our technicians to recuperate. Being the dog that he is, Boo recognized a good home and set about making himself irresistible. Thirteen years and a few gray hairs later, he still lives with the same technician. We salute you, Boo, for being a survivor. Our hospital wouldn't be the same without you.Friday, September 23, 2011
New Treatment for Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid gland, is a common problem in older cats. Initially, the extra thyroid hormone may cause cats to seem younger--they eat more and are more active. But as the disease progresses, symptoms change to include increased thirst and urination, weight loss, and vomiting. Hyperthyroidism can also cause heart disease.
Traditional therapies for hyperthyroidism have involved daily medication, surgery, or irradiation of the thyroid gland. Recently, however, Hill's Pet Nutrition has released a food especially formulated to combat hyperthyroidism: Feline Prescription Diet y/d.
Feeding Prescription Diet y/d will not prevent a non-hyperthyroid cat from developing the disease. This food is only for cats that have already been diagnosed with an overactive thyroid gland. Cats with hyperthyroidism should have lower levels of thyroid hormone within three weeks of starting Prescription Diet y/d.
At this time, Prescription Diet y/d only comes as a dry food. Because it works by limiting the amount of iodine in the diet, owners are discouraged from giving their cats other types of food or treats while feeding Prescription Diet y/d.
What do you think? Will Prescription Diet y/d make it easier to manage cats with hyperthyroidism or will cat owners need to continue traditional therapies in order to keep this disease under control?
Traditional therapies for hyperthyroidism have involved daily medication, surgery, or irradiation of the thyroid gland. Recently, however, Hill's Pet Nutrition has released a food especially formulated to combat hyperthyroidism: Feline Prescription Diet y/d.
Feeding Prescription Diet y/d will not prevent a non-hyperthyroid cat from developing the disease. This food is only for cats that have already been diagnosed with an overactive thyroid gland. Cats with hyperthyroidism should have lower levels of thyroid hormone within three weeks of starting Prescription Diet y/d.
At this time, Prescription Diet y/d only comes as a dry food. Because it works by limiting the amount of iodine in the diet, owners are discouraged from giving their cats other types of food or treats while feeding Prescription Diet y/d.
What do you think? Will Prescription Diet y/d make it easier to manage cats with hyperthyroidism or will cat owners need to continue traditional therapies in order to keep this disease under control?
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