Tails from the Dog House
The Quarterly Newsletter from the
Sardis Animal Hospital
Fall 2012
Vol 10, No 3, pg 1
Departments:
Staff news
p2
Feature article p3
Doggy Doo Doo p5
Animal Trivia
Humor Page
p6
p7
Pets Mirror Human Lifestyles Leading to Obesity
Does your dog stand by his food dish and paw at the bowl then look dolefully at you with big eyes? Do
you feel compelled to give him a treat when he comes begging or reward him when he has done something good. Similarly do you take your kids to McDonalds after the soccer game or movie or when they
come home with a good report card. Does your family have regular junk food nights like pizza and ice
cream. Does your cat get shrimp or some meaty morsel for no real reason other than for you to show
your love.
Well guess what.... Our pets are suffering from the same obesity epidemic as their owners! Banfield
Pet Hospitals (a franchise chain of pet clinics in the USA) just published their 2012 “State of Pet Health”
report. A large integrated organization like Banfield is able to track incidence of diseases through networked computer records and thereby study patterns and trends of diseases in pets.
According to Banfield’s chief medical officer, many chronic conditions have increased over the last five
years, some at an alarming rate. The research reflects a dramatic increase in reports of overweight
and obese pets. According to the report, overweight and obese pets have increased by 37 percent
(dogs) and 90 percent (cats) since 2007!
“Tails from the Dog
House” is published
quarterly by the
Sardis Animal Hospital
7236 Vedder Rd
Chilliwack,
British Columbia,
Canada, V2R 5K7
Phone 604-858-4415
The report also cites similar increases in conditions that directly relate to weight. Heart disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney problems and arthritis are also on the rise. Diabetes is up 32% in dogs,
16% in cats. 40% of diabetic dogs and cats are overweight! 40% of arthritic pets are also overweight.
Does this sound familiar? Looks pretty much like the same reports we hear about human health
problems. One does not have to look very far for an explanation. Feeding patterns for both groups are
often similar with an emphasis on tasty rich foods. Exercise patterns (or lack of them) are also similar.
Getting the dog out for some real exercise is a problem with many busy households. Human and Feline
couch potatoes are growing in numbers.
This report should come as no surprise. It’s not rocket science. The great North American lifestyle is
fast becoming our nemesis for both humans and our four-legged friends. The solution is not rocket
science either. All that’s needed is commitment. Cut back on intake, match intake to exercise. Cut back
on rich foods and treats. And above all, get off that couch and take the pooch for a hike. Do it often and
the rewards will follow.
direct inquiries can be
made to:
[email protected]
website:
www.sardisvet.com
Tails from the
Dog House
Vol 10, No 3, pg 2
Welcome to Dr Katherine Meek
Staff News
New DVM
We are pleased to introduce Dr Katherine Meek
as the newest member of our animal health care
team. Dr Meek comes to us with over twenty
years experience in small animal medicine and
surgery. She is a native of Montreal where
she began her practice career. She has both
general practice and emergency hospital experience. She has spent the last 16 years working in several veterinary hospitals in Greater
Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Katherine’s personal interests include horseback riding and stained glass art. She has two
horses of her own as well as a half a dozen
dogs and several cats.
Her extensive experience, skills and knowledge
are a welcome addition to the Sardis Animal
Hospital team.
Old DVM
Update on Dr Anvik: Dr Jack has needed to take a leave of absence for personal and family reasons. He has also reached the age when he can get into
the movies for half price and qualifies for his pensions. He will still be working
part time and doing relief work for a while. We are not ready to give him a gold
watch just yet and he is not quite ready to sail off into the sunset. His availability
however will be irregular. Check with the staff for times when he is available.
Whelping DVM
Update on Dr Ricka: Dr Ricka is on maternity leave. she is expecting twins
and needs to take it easy until the big day. She will return after she whelps out
the litter she is carrying.
Tails from the
Dog House
Vol 10, No 3, pg 3
Feature Article
mites are 8 legged
related to spiders
not visible to naked eye
Ear Mites - what are they - where do they
come from
Ear mites are a contagious external parasite that lives, feeds and reproduces in the lower ear canal of
dogs and cats. The species name is Otodectes cynotis. Most ear mite infestations diagnosed by vets are
in cats, particularly young cats. Affected cats are often living in close association with another infected cat,
often the kitten’s mother. Barn cats or cats living in multi-cat households, breeding catteries and shelters
where there are cats coming and going are the most common patients. Newly acquired kittens from a
shelter or the farm down the road are often presented to us for examination. Dogs are occasionally found
to have ear mite problems as well. The history and source is usually similar to the feline patient.
Ear mites are white in colour and about 1/4 to 1/2 millimeter across. They are not easily seen with the naked
eye and generally require magnification to be seen.
Here is what an ear mite looks like when viewed
through a microscope.
spread by close
contact
highly contagious
within a household
of pets
Ear mites are acquired by close contact with an infected host. Their feeding activity in the ear canal causes
scratching and head shaking resulting in mites falling out in the immediate vicinity. Another pet inhabiting
the same environment will become infected when the shed mites attach to the fur of the next host. They
migrate to the new hosts ear and start to feed and lay eggs. Eggs hatch in the ear canal and increase
numbers of mites very quickly intensifying the infestation.
Eggs hatch within 2-3 days of being laid. The
hatchlings are able to reproduce and lay more eggs
within three weeks . Mites that fall off a pet die off
in a matter of a few days if they do not find their way
back to another (or the same) pet.
The species of ear mite that we find in dogs and
cats does not normally afflict humans. Rabbits have
another species of ear mite that causes a greyish
brown crust to develop in the ear. The rabbit ear
mite is called Psoroptes cuniculi .
Tails from the
Dog House
Vol 10, No 3, pg 4
Ear Mites continued
Symptoms
Ear mites produce an intense itch in the lower ear canal. They
feed by extracting tissue fluids from the skin that lines the canal. Bleeding ensues, resulting in a dark reddish brown crusty
material forming in the canal and working it’s way up to where
it can be seen. Secondary yeast and bacterial infections will
also form and aggravate the problem.
It’s important to note that the presence of dark brown material does not necessarily prove the presence of mites. This is
especially true in dogs!
Bacterial and yeast infections as well as allergy induced
inflammation can also result in brown discharge. Some dogs
will also produce excessive brown waxy secretions.
Most dogs that have brown discharge in their ears do not have ear mites! They have
another problem. Owners commonly misdiagnose ear mites in their pets by assuming that discharge
means mites. Then they buy over the counter ear mite meds that either dont’t solve the problem or actually aggrevate the symptoms. If your dog or cat has ear discharge and is scratching at his ears,
have it checked by the vet.
Cats will assume a characteristic posture when
scratching at ear mite infected ears. They will
often dig at the inside of the ears with a hind
foot. Scratching behind the ear will often result
in a hairless patch that can have self induced
bleeding and crusts behind the ear. Some cats
will flick their ears, rock their head back and
forth and hold their ears pointing ourtward and
lower than usual.
Treatment
Old time remedies for ear mites include oils and rinses. Mineral oil can be tried but is generally ineffective.
Over the counter ear mite remedies are generally pyrethrin containing (same agent that is in RAID). These
agents are partially effective but can cause topical skin sensitivity and irritation, actually making the itch worse
in some pets.
The safest and most effective treatments for ear mites are
prescription products. This means that the pet must be
seen by the vet in order for the medication to be dispensed.
It is against pharmacy regulations and unethical for vets to
sell these over the counter without a doctor-patient relationship.
Our favorites are “Milbemite” liquid drops in the lower
ear canal. A one time treatment and you are done. The
topically applied parasite medication “Revolution” is also
effective.
Tails from the
Dog House
Vol 10, No 3, pg 5
“Red-Eye” in Dogs
Doggy Doo-Doo
Inflammed eyes
need veterinary
attention.
some conditions
can lead to blindness or loss of eye
“Red-Eye” is a generic term that is applied to a number
of conditions that are characterized by red, swollen,
angry looking eyes. These eyes are often itchy or
even painful. They often have a discharge seeping
from the eye to the surrounding skin. The discharge
can vary from a clear watery discharge to a thick yellow or green material that cakes up around the eye.
If your pet develops an eye that looks like this,
it is critical that you bring him to the vet for evaluation. There are many conditions that cause
eyes to look like this, most of them are potentially serious. Loss of vision or even loss of the
eye are possible. Do no try to treat eyes like this yourself with home remedies.
Here are some of the causes of “Red - Eye”
do not try home
treatments or use
eye meds that
have not been
prescribed for the
current problem
1. Simple bacterial conjunctivitis (like human pink-eye) - usually quite treatable
2. Injuries - some can have accompanying ulcers on the cornea and may need surgery
3. Glaucoma - very serious! many can be treated but blindness or loss of eye can occur.
certain breeds like Bassets, Beagles, Cockers, Lhasa’s are genetically prone.
4. Foreign bodies in the eye: penetration by sticks, slivers and thorns. In our area we commonly see grass seeds that drop off tall grasses in the eyes of dogs running through fields in
the late summer and fall. Seeds are often barbed and will bury themselves in the recesses
of eye and behind the third eyelid. They can lead to ulceration and abscesses and need to
be found and removed
5. “Dry Eye” or Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) a serious condition in which the tear glands
lose function and the eye dries up leading to a scarred, dry often pigmented cornea and
blindness. seen frequently in older toy breeds but can be seen in any dog.
6. Uveitis - an immune driven disorder of the iris and supportive structures. Often sudden in
onset. Inflammatory damage deep in the eye can lead to blindness. Needs prompt attention
and aggressive treatment.
7. Dust, pollen, smoke and irritant or allergy related problems are often seen in summer
particularly in dogs that are in dry dusty surroundings, like hay barns, or dogs that ride with
head out the car window or back of an open pickup.
Tails from the
Dog House
Vol 10, No 3, pg 6
Animal Trivia and Other Interesting Stuff
Conservation Biologists are using dogs (primarily Border Collies) trained to the scent of threatened species
to locate them in the wild for study and conservation.
The University of Washington has 15 dogs trained to
find the rare Oregon Spotted Frog here in BC and the
endangered Jemez Mountains Salamander in New
Mexico
A flock of geese on the ground is called a “gaggle”,
however, a flock of geese in flight is more properly
called a “skein”
A dolphin’s hearing is so acute it can
hear underwater sounds 15 miles away.
The Nine Banded Armadillo is the only mammal that
reproduces by a process called “polyembryony” Just
after fertilization, the egg splits into 4 identical embryos, eventually giving birth to 4 genetically identical
babies of the same sex.
Tails from the
Dog House
Vol 10, No 3, pg 7
Modern Mutts Department
Banjo says:
If I turn a little to the right, my
reception improves
Things Aren’t Always As They Appear Department
Dr Jack’s Wisdom
“Just because a mouse is in the cookie
jar doesn’t mean its a cookie”