".......Because we care!"

Please feel free to send us a message suggesting for a particular question and answer to be added to the list.

 

What is Euthanasia?

What is a Heart Murmur?

What is Hip Dysplasia?

What is Spaying and Neutering?

Why is chocolate bad for dogs?

Why can't i give Panadol to my pet dog / cat?

Euthanasia

It is a very unfortunate fact that at some point in our lives we will have to say good-bye to a beloved pet that has meant so much to us. This is not an easy time for anyone. Therefore we as veterinarians try to make this experience as comfortable
and compassionate as possible for both you and your pet.

The medicine that we use for euthanasia allows the pet to fall asleep peacefully.  In most cases the pet feels no pain or suffering whatsoever.  This is why we allow owners to be present at the time of euthanasia if they desire. After euthanasia owners are encouraged to take as much time as they feel necessary to say good-bye to their pet.

If you have any questions regarding this difficult decision please feel free to contact us. If you decide it is time for you to take this step, please call and let us know so that we can arrange an appointment time for you that will not require a long time in the waiting room or any other disturbances. We will try to make this as peaceful a visit as possible.

                                                                                                                                           
Heart Murmur

When a veterinarian listens to your pet’s heart, there are two specific abnormalities that they are listening for, (1) Heart Murmurs and (2) Arrhythmias. A heart murmur is an abnormal heart sound that usually is the result of a heart valve not closing like it normally should. An arrhythmia is an abnormal heartbeat.

Both of these conditions can be congenital (the pet is born with the condition) or acquired (the pet develops the condition with age). One of the surprising facts about heart murmurs is that they are often related to poor dental health. A lot of clients find this strange and hard to believe. But what happens so often, is that the bacteria that grow on the teeth of dogs and cats after years of not brushing actually get into the blood stream from the gums and lodge on the heart valves.
Eventually this results in a bad heart that may ultimately fail.

This is one very important reason for regular dental care of your pet. If you have any questions regarding heart disease please don’t hesitate to ask your pet’s veterinarian.

Hip Dysplasia
 

Hip dysplasia literally means an abnormality in the development of the hip joint. It is characterized by a shallow acetabulum (the "cup" of the hip joint) and changes in the shape of the femoral head (the "ball" of the hip joint). Hip dysplasia can exist with or without clinical signs. When dogs exhibit clinical signs of this problem they usually are lame on one or both rear limbs. Severe arthritis can develop as a result of the malformation of the hip joint and this results in pain as the disease progresses.

Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition, but not all dogs with the genetic tendency will develop clinical signs and the degree of hip dysplasia which develops does not always seem to correlate well with expectations based on the parent's condition. Multiple genetic factors are involved and environmental factors also play a role in determining the degree of hip dysplasia. Dogs with no genetic predisposition do not develop hip dysplasia.  Labrador Retrievers, Mastiffs, German Shepherds and Rottweillers seem to be the predominate breeds that are more susceptible to hip dysplasia, though other breeds, from toy to large breed, may also be affected by it.

At present, the strongest link to contributing factors other than genetic predisposition appears to be to rapid growth and weight gain.  Your pet’s veterinarian would be the best professional to advice you on the best method to reduce the risk of HD via controlling these contributing factors.

There are two techniques currently used to detect hip dysplasia, the standard view used in Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) testing and X-rays (radiographs) utilizing a device to exaggerate joint laxity developed by the University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHIP). The Penn Hip radiographs appear to be a better method for judging hip dysplasia early in puppies, with one study showing good predictability for hip dysplasia in puppies exhibiting joint laxity at 4 months of age, based on PennHIP radiographs.

Once a determination is made that hip dysplasia is present, a treatment plan is necessary.  Depending on the severity of HD, your pet’s veterinarian would be able to suggest a variety of treatments, from surgical intervention at the muscles of the hip joint (e.g. pectineal myotomy), palliative therapy via administration of anti-inflammatory drugs and glycosaminoglycans to surgical reconstruction of the hip joint (e.g. triple pelvic osteotomy).

Working with your vet to come to the best solution for your dog and your situation will enable you and your dog to enjoy life to its fullest, despite the presence of hip dysplasia.

Spay and Neuter Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is spaying and neutering?

Spaying refers to the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus in a female dog or cat.

Neutering refers to the surgical removal of the testicles in a male dog or cat.

2. Why should I have my pet spayed or neutered?

Spaying or neutering your pet is one of the most important things you can do to improve your and your pet's quality of life.

Spaying female dogs and cats eliminates estrus periods (going into heat), eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant, eliminates pyometras (life threatening uterine infections), reduces fighting and aggression, and if done early, drastically reduces the later incidence of mammary cancer.

Neutering male dogs eliminates the possibility of testicular cancer, reduces roaming and territorial behaviour which in turn reduces fighting and aggression, and reduces the incidence of prostatic disease in older dogs.

Most importantly, having your pet spayed or neutered early reduces the number of unwanted dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens that are destroyed every day in shelters all over the country. This is something that you can do to prevent needless suffering.

3. How old should my pet be when he/she is neutered / spayed?

This is one of those questions where there is no one correct answer. Each animal clinic or humane society has its own rules about when a pet should be spayed or neutered. The preferred criteria are for dogs and cats to be at least 6 months old and younger than 18 months. At this age dogs and cats are almost fully grown, but still recover from surgery quickly.

Some facilities do spays and neuters on much younger animals, in an effort to head off unwanted pregnancy.  

On the other hand, older pets sometimes need to be spayed or neutered as part of an overall effort to treat disease such as pyometra or testicular cancer. We do this surgery when indicated, but dogs and cats older than 18 months typically have a slower recovery rate and sometimes their surgery is more difficult.

Why is chocolate bad for dogs?

Chocolate contains methylxanthine alkaloids in the form of theobromine and caffeine, which cause constriction of arteries, increased heart rate, and central nervous system stimulation. These effects can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, and increased urinations. More advanced symptoms of toxicity include excitability, increased respirations and heartbeat, stiffness, seizures and exaggerated reflexes.

Certain types of chocolate contain higher amounts of methylxanthines, baking chocolate containing the highest and white chocolate containing the least. Dogs freely ingest toxic amounts of chocolate if it is left accessible. A potentially lethal dose in a 35 kilogram dog is only 2 kilograms of milk chocolate. People stop eating chocolate before ingesting toxic levels.

Cardiac failure, seizures, coma, and death can result if the chocolate ingestion is not found within four to six hours and treated appropriately. The length of action of the methylxanthines is usually 12 to 36 hours. In dogs that chocolate ingestion is detected early, the prognosis is good.

If your dog has gotten into chocolate, call your veterinarian for recommendations. You will probably need to take your dog in for examination and evaluation of heart rate. If your veterinarian is not available, you should seek emergency care. It would be best that you keep your chocolate in an unreachable location; an ounce of prevention is better than an ounce of ingestion.

Why can’t I give Panadol to my pet dog / cat?

Owners sometimes treat their pets as children. They watch and hover, anticipate every need, and jump to the medicine cabinet when they perceive fevers or aches and pains. Because the normal body temperature of dogs and cats (37.5° - 39° C) approximates that of a "fever" in humans, many well intentioned owners will administer fever-relievers to their pets and because of its safety for small children, acetaminophen drugs (i.e. paracematol or otherwise known as Panadol) are usually the medication they select. Acetaminophen is sold in over 100 products in pharmacies, over the counter, without a prescription. While paracematol enjoys a reputation of safety and effectiveness for humans, it is probably one of the worst medications that can be administered to a dog or a cat. Paracetamol toxicity represents the most common fatal drug poisoning in cats and has also been responsible for many deaths in dogs. Paracetamol toxicity in cats is almost exclusively due to intentional administration by humans, and doses as small as 163 mg (1/2 of a regular strength acetaminophen tablet) have resulted in death.

If a pet ingests paracematol, a veterinarian should be called immediately. Your veterinarian will advise as to what would be the best course of action for your pet.

Signs of acetaminophen poisoning in dogs and cats are very difficult for owners to detect. The organs primarily affected by acetaminophen poisoning are the liver and the blood. Initially, dogs and cats may vomit but show no other signs. In advanced stages poisoning from acetaminophen ingestion, cats can exhibit swollen paws and face, difficulty breathing and darkened bluish tinged mucous membranes in their mouth. Dogs exhibit lethargy, loss of appetite, and their skin may appear yellowish due to jaundice from as a result of liver failure. Animals that show these signs do not have a very good chance of survival. Antidotes for this poisoning are available and your veterinarian should be the only professional consulted in providing these valuable medications. The best treatment for acetaminophen poisoning is prevention. While it may be one of the safest medications for administration to humans, its safety for pets cannot be assumed. Dogs and cats are not small humans.

For the best outcome in pet health, administration of any medication should only occur under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian.