Pet Quarterly - Summer 2014 by VetBoost

Pet Care News From Your Veterinarian ®

SUMMER 2014 | Volum e 11, No. 3

DECODE YOUR DOG Behavior tips from the experts

EYE SPY

What might be causing under-eye swelling

DNA Testing for Your Pet’s Health Acupuncture as a Healing Therapy

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SUMMER 2014 | VOL. 11, NO 3

Picture-Perfect Pets Pet Care News From Your Veterinarian

IN THIS ISSUE 2

Eye Spy A dental problem may cause swelling below your dog’s eye.

Roxanne

Sebring Animal Hospital Sebring, Fla.

Decoding Your Dog 4 Behavior tips from the experts. Alternative Therapies 8 Acupuncture can help with

Chowder

Altamonte Veterinary Hospital Altamonte Springs, Fla.

arthritis and other maladies. DNA 11 Doggie Knowing your dog’s ancestry can help pinpoint health and nutritional needs.

Bouncer

Altamonte Veterinary Hospital Altamonte Springs, Fla.

14 KPeteepTales your pet cool this summer and more. Ladybug Animal Health Center of East Palatka East Palatka, Fla.

Clue

Tavares Animal Hospital Tavares, Fla.

Email your best shot and the name and location of your veterinary hospital to PetQuarterly@yahoo.com. To be published, photos should be at least 3 inches at 300 dpi. We’ll publish as many as we can. Pet Quarterly® is an educational resource provided by your veterinary hospital. Comments are welcome at info@petquarterly.com ©Copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Pet Quarterly® magazine does not make any representations as to opinions or facts as presented. Reproduction of contents in any form is prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher.

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Pet Quarterly | Summer 2014 1

Dental Health

EYE SPY Swelling below the eye may be a clue that your pet has a severe dental problem. By Jan Bellows, DVM Diplomate, American Veterinary Dental College Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners

It looked like a bee had stung Mollie, a 12-year-old Dachshund. An area below the dog’s right eye was swollen, hot to the touch and sensitive. Oddly, though, after three days the swollen area seemed to get bigger, not an expected response from a bee sting, so Mollie’s pet mom brought her in to see her veterinarian. She was astonished to find out that the swelling was actually from a broken tooth caused by an antler that she had

Key Points SWELLING UNDER THE EYE of dogs and cats is usually caused by a fractured tooth that becomes infected. CALLED SUBORBITAL SWELLING, these swellings are painful. THEY ARE TREATABLE WITH SURGERY, with excellent outcomes.

2 Summer 2014 | Pet Quarterly

given Mollie to chew on three months before. This was a case of suborbital swelling.

What is suborbital swelling? Suborbital (below the eye socket) swelling is an enlargement of the tissue below the eye (photo 1). It affects dogs more than cats.

What causes suborbital swelling? There are three main causes: 1. Tooth fracture: The most common cause is a chipped or fractured cheek tooth (photo 2) that allows oral bacteria and debris to travel through the tooth to the bones and soft tissues below the eye. Initially the infection causes a painful swelling. Eventually the swelling enlarges until the abscess ruptures, leading to a discharge below the eye. 2. Root fragments: Another cause of suborbital swelling is infected root fragments—such as one or more roots left from teeth

1 Swelling under the right eye of a 12-year-old dog.

Fractured right upper premolar (from chewing on an antler), causing the swelling in photo 1.

3 Swelling and closure of the left eye due to upper-jaw cancer.

that fractured due to trauma or were left behind after surgical extraction by a veterinarian. The body of the dog or cat recognizes the root fragments as foreign objects without blood supply, creating an abscess. 3. Jaw cancer: Cancer in the back of the upper jaw can also cause swelling under the eye (photo 3), especially in older dogs.

Why are immediate diagnosis and treatment important? By the time you might notice this painful swelling under your dog’s eye, the infection or tumor causing it has often festered for weeks or months. Fortunately, most of these swellings can be treated and cured once the proper diagnosis is made. Your pet will need an X-ray under anesthesia. X-ray imaging of the swollen area usually shows the veterinarian pathology indicating an infection or tumor (photo 4). Your veterinarian may also take a cell sample with a small needle to examine cells for infection or cancer as well as a tissue sample to send to a pathologist if cancer is suspected.

4 X-ray of the fractured tooth shown in photos 1 and 2, showing marked infection around the roots.

What are the treatment options?

Did You Know?

Treatment of The most common cause of swelling below suborbital swelling involves surgery to the eye in pets is a fractured upper cheek remove the cause. tooth. Any hard object that does not bend can Antibiotics— cause a tooth fracture. Common causes of no matter how fractured teeth in dogs are: powerful—will n Cow hoofs n Antlers n Nylon chews usually not n Bones n Ice cubes permanently cure the swelling. n For a fractured tooth with pulp exposure, your veterinarian can either remove the tooth surgically or repair it with root-canal therapy. n For swellings caused by infected root fragments, your veterinarian will surgically remove the root fragments from the area below the gum line or refer you to a veterinary dentist (www.avdc.org) with advanced training and equipment to perform the procedure. n For swellings caused by cancer, Root fragments caused the left side of this cat’s face to swell. surgery and radiation therapy are often helpful. After surgery, the prognosis for resolution of swelling below the eye is generally excellent (photos 5 and 6). In Mollie’s case, the fractured tooth could not be saved and was extracted. Within two weeks after the surgical removal, Mollie’s swelling disappeared (as did all the antler chews). Everyone is happy again. Fortunately, dogs do not need their teeth to eat. They do need a pain-free mouth. n

Dr. Jan Bellows specializes in veterinary dentistry.

Swelling resolved after surgical removal of the root fragments.

Safer Chews and Treats Pet dental products can earn a seal of acceptance, which is awarded based on studies that show the chew, food or treat is safe and effectively decreases the accumulation of plaque and/or tartar. The organization that grants the seal is called the Veterinary Oral Health Council (www.VOHC.org) and is an arm of the American Veterinary Dental College.

Pet Quarterly | Summer 2014 3

Behavior

Decode Your Dog Learn to “speak dog” with these tips from a veterinary behaviorist. By Jacqueline C. Neilson, DVM, DACVB

Key Points DOGS COMMUNICATE USING body postures, facial expressions and vocalizations. BUILD COMMUNICATION SKILLS WITH YOUR DOG by listening with your eyes. WATCH FOR CUES from the dog’s whole body— from its eyes to its tail.

4 Summer 2014 | Pet Quarterly

Lady looked so sweet curled up in her bed that her new owner, Kate, couldn’t help herself; she just had to kiss her dog. As Kate approached the dog bed, Lady’s body stiffened ever so slightly and her head dropped about half an inch. Her neck extended forward and her tongue flicked up to lick her nose. Lady’s dreamy gaze intensified to a hard stare, focused on Kate. But Kate was sure Lady would enjoy a little attention and continued to approach. As Kate got closer, she heard a low rumble; Lady’s upper lip trembled and lifted slightly. When Kate bent over to kiss Lady, Lady made a horrible guttural sound, lifted off the dog bed, and threw herself, mouth open and teeth snapping, toward Kate. Kate pulled back, shocked. It was all over within seconds. While Kate wasn’t physically hurt, emotionally she was devastated. What type of monster had she adopted? Could she live with a dog who showed such unpredictable aggression?

Some variation of this scene plays out in living rooms across the country every day. It may be between the dog and a person or between two people. Yes, people snap at each other too—except we usually use angry words rather than our teeth to communicate. But we are expressing the same idea. The reason for all this discord is usually a lack of communication, a misunderstanding, or expectations that haven’t been met. Despite the way things seemed to Kate, Lady was not being unpredictable. In fact, she’d said everything she could possibly say in dog language to tell Kate not to kiss her: the stiffening of her body, the hard stare, the snarl, the growl—this is dog language for “Stop! I’m not comfortable with this.” The problem was that Kate didn’t get the message in time to change her behavior, and Kate thought Lady would like attention when Lady really didn’t want it. Learning to be a better listener is something that can help us all build better relationships with our pets.

The Dominance Myth The dominance myth proposes that undesirable behavior occurs because a dog wants to be dominant or the pack leader. There are many problems with this theory, but perhaps the biggest is that many dogs show body language that is clearly fearful, anxious or submissive during

their supposed attempts to take over. A “leader dog” is confident, calm, cool and collected. In fact, the leader of a pack is usually the dog who shows the least amount of aggression, not the most. Veterinary behaviorists have learned that most ownerdirected aggression actually stems from anxiety, not a desire to dominate. This becomes clear by watching the dog’s body language leading up to an aggressive encounter. Many dogs show signs that are consistent with fear, anxiety and conflict right before the aggressive act. Lady became tense and was licking her lips—both signs of anxiety—just before she snapped at Kate. The dangerous consequence of the dominance myth is that owners try to physically dominate their dog in an attempt to change the dog’s behavior. This “solution” is likely to cause the exact opposite of the result they want.

The Guilt Myth The guilt myth says that the dog “looks guilty” in situations in which the owner is upset with him. This is often accompanied by the assertion, “He knows he’s done something wrong.” Of course it’s true a dog might look as if he knows he has committed a crime. Dogs do offer changes in their postures and eyes that look a lot like a kid caught with a hand in the cookie jar. In some dogs, these body postures are consistent with submissive signals or attempts to convey the message “I’m backing down, I’m no challenge; I’m no threat.” But this isn’t guilt; it’s a response to Dogs don't show guilt. This body posture is more likely submission.

you approaching angrily and demanding, “What have you done?” The dog sees you behaving aggressively and offers an appropriate submissive response. Other dogs would interpret this signal as a white flag of surrender and would stop any threatening behavior. But because we offer some of the same signals when we’re feeling guilty, and because we’ve all been guilty of something, we assume the dog is feeling exactly what we would feel. So we keep scolding the dog: “Why did you do this when you knew it was wrong?” This puts the dog in a terrible situation: He’s doing his very best to convey to the human that he is surrendering, but the human is getting a different message. The dog is showing canine body language that means “I surrender.” But that same body language, among humans, means “I’m guilty.” We’re seeing it and jumping to the human conclusion. This breakdown in communication can ruin a relationship.

Learn Their Language Dogs communicate using body postures, facial expressions, and vocalizations. When you first start to build your observational skills, it can be helpful to look at each body part individually. But ultimately, you’ll have to look at the entire dog and the situation to be able to accurately understand what is being communicated. For example, consider the growl. The growl can be a threatening warning behavior or it can be a vocalization between playing dogs. You have to know the context and >> Pet Quarterly | Summer 2014 5

Behavior

look at the other parts of the body to interpret what that growl is truly saying. If the dog is stiff and tense, standing tall with shoulders high, hackles (the hair along the back) raised, staring intently at the approaching person, that growl is probably a warning threat. If the dog is at the park romping around, his body relaxed and his tail wagging, and if he growls as he starts wrestling with another dog, that growl is probably playful.

Listen with Our Eyes When we are communicating with primarily nonverbal animals like dogs, we can miss a lot of important information if we don’t learn to listen with our eyes. Make an effort to observe your dog; if you see signs of anxiety, distress, or threatening behavior, as described in the chart on pg. 7, step back and consider how you can avoid further escalating the situation.

Use Cues that Work for Dogs How can we best get our messages across to dogs? Since dogs are primarily nonverbal

communicators, it makes sense that dogs respond better to visual cues than to verbal cues. In other words, dogs respond more readily to what we do and how we act rather than to what we say. In one study, researchers taught dogs two new signals for two specific actions. Each action was taught with both a word and a hand signal, given simultaneously. When the dogs had learned the signals, the researchers tested them on their response rates when given just the word or just the hand signal. The dogs were more successful at responding to the hand signal than to the word. Then the researchers really tested the dogs: they gave the hand signal for one of the actions along with the verbal prompt for the other action. As you might have guessed, they responded to the hand signal. Dogs can pick up the tone of our voices and they can certainly learn specific words. (Do you have to spell out t-r-e-a-t or w-a-l-k so your dog doesn’t run to the treat jar or to the door?) But visual cues are easier to teach and can trump verbal cues. So when you are teaching

On Cue Dogs are primarily nonverbal communicators, so they respond better to visual cues than to verbal cues.

your dog a new skill, remember that your body language may be your best tool for a successful lesson—or the reason for failure!

Miscommunication Traps A normal human-to-human greeting involves direct eye contact, reaching physically toward each other for a handshake or a hug, and no sniffing. Not only are those human actions impolite in a dog greeting, they are downright threatening—especially when you add in the leaning and reaching over the head that most of us do to dogs because we’re taller than they are. The respectful way to greet a dog is no direct eye contact and no reaching out or over the dog. Instead, give the dog a chance to sniff you before engaging in direct physical or visual contact. It’s also important to remember that a wagging tail does not always equal a friendly dog. A wagging tail indicates a willingness to interact; sometimes that may be in a friendly or happy way, but other times it can be in a defensive or aggressive way. The speed of the wag, how high the dog holds the tail, and how stiff the tail is all convey subtle differences in meaning. In the end, always believe the message being sent by the whole dog. While the information being projected from the front end of the dog can carry the most weight in deciphering his intention, remember that a dog’s attitude at any given time is best understood by considering the sum of the body parts.

Teach a Common Language Because of our physical limitations, people will never be able to “speak dog” and dogs will never be able to speak our verbal language. Therefore, we need to develop a language to help us communicate effectively with our dogs. That language is called training.

6 Summer 2014 | Pet Quarterly

Various methods are used to train dogs, but evidence shows that the most effective way is to reward the behaviors we consider desirable. This concept is called “positive reinforcement.” It’s not only more humane than using punishment, it’s also more effective. Once this training language is established, you will be able to communicate and guide your dog and navigate the world together successfully. n

Excerpted from Decoding Your Dog, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, Edited by Debra F. Horwitz, DVM, DACVM, and John Ciribassi, DVM, DACB, with Steve Dale; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2014.

Canine Body Language BODY PART Eyes

Ears

Mouth

Tail

Body carriage

POSITION

WHAT IT CAN MEAN

Unwavering, fixed stare

Challenge, threat, confident

Casual gaze

Calm

Averted gaze

Deference

Pupils dilated (big, wide)

Fear

Wide-eyed (whites of the eyes are visible)

Fear

Quick, darting eyes

Fear

Relaxed, neutral position

Calm

Forward, pricked

Alert, attentive, or aggressive

Ears pinned back

Fear, defensive

Panting

Hot, anxious, or excited

Lip licking, tongue flicking

Anxious

Yawn

Tired or anxious

Snarl (lip curled, showing teeth)

Aggressive

Growl

Aggressive or playful

Bark

Reactive, excited, playful, aggressive, or anxious

Up, still

Alert

Up with fast wag

Excited

Neutral, relaxed position

Calm

Down, tucked

Fear, anxious, or submissive

Stiff-wagging or still and high

Agitated, excited, and perhaps unfriendly

Soft, relaxed

Calm

Tense, stiff

Alert or aggressive

Hackles up

Alert or aggressive

Rolling over

Submissive Pet Quarterly | Summer 2014 7

General Wellness

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES Acupunture draws on Eastern medicine to help with arthritis and other maladies. By Lauren R. Frank, DVM, CVA

DID YOU KNOW? Acupuncture can be used to treat pain and even stimulate appetite.

“All at once he became very angry,” Edith* told me, a loving pet parent to a 10-year-old cat named Nikolai*, who stared up at me innocently with his emerald eyes and subtle twitch of his tail. Edith explained that he started viciously attacking his sister, a littermate. X-rays done at her veterinarian’s office showed Nikolai had severe hip arthritis, and he was referred to me for veterinary acupuncture treatments. Many older pets suffer from arthritis, and stoic animals generally mask the signs of discomfort. Cats are especially adept at hiding pain. Unfortunately, medical options to treat pain in cats are limited; even commonly used pain medications for dogs carry the risk of side effects. Acupuncture, however, is a safe, relatively non-invasive and potentially highly effective option for pain management in veterinary medicine.

The Theory Behind Acupuncture Acupuncture works under the theory of “Chi” or “Qi,” the energy system of the body. Health represents a good flow of Chi for proper circulation and a balanced body system—imperative just as the energy of the current that pulls rivers across lands enables the water to nourish the ecosystem. Obstructions to the flow of water, blood or energy/Chi all manifest as disease. Acupuncture aims to promote the steady flow of Chi and maintain balance.

What It Treats Acupuncture is used to treat a variety of conditions, and it can benefit the entire body. It can alleviate pain, as well as promote energy, appetite and overall

*Names have been changed for privacy reasons.

Common Methods of Veterinary Acupuncture Dry-needle acupuncture: Needles are inserted into certain anatomic points to treat the underlying causes of imbalance(s). This is the most common method of acupuncture. This method is safe in every patient, although some acupuncture points should be avoided in certain patients (a reason why it is important to use a veterinarian certified in veterinary acupuncture). The needles are manually stimulated, and electrical or liquid stimulation is not used in “dry-only” acupuncture. Electro-acupuncture: An enhancement of “dry” acupuncture in which leads with low electrical current (20 to 200 Hertz) are attached to the needles for electrical stimulation. This method is often used in more severe cases or cases of marked pain or neurologic injury. Aqua-acupuncture: Injecting a substance, such a saline or Vitamin B12 solution, into an acupuncture point for a prolonged stimulation of that acupoint. Ideally, Vitamin B12 should be used in any patient suffering from gastrointestinal signs, and also in patients that are difficult to treat with “dry” needle. Vitamin B12 is generally safe in every patient (check with oncologists in patients undergoing chemotherapy) and may cause the urine to become benignly pigmented when it is saturated.

Acupressure: Using manual digital palpation (no needle insertion) on an anatomic acupuncture point to stimulate it. A technique that can be utilized by caregivers. Laser acupuncture: Using a device that emits lowenergy laser beams to stimulate an acupuncture point. Often used by novice acupuncturists or in highly anxious or fractious animals. Pet Quarterly | Summer 2014 9

Veterinarians fully qualified to practice acupuncture will have the title of CVA (Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist).

Rajah, a German Shepherd, is being treated using a dry needle technique called ”circle the dragon” for a hotspot related to a tick bite.

well-being. This made Nikolai a good candidate for acupuncture, as his apparent pain was leading to issues with stress, aggression and vomiting.

Acupuncture Candidates

FAQs About Veterinary Acupuncture How do I know if my pet would benefit from acupuncture? Talk to your veterinarian. Chances are if your animal is in pain or has a chronic disease (kidney failure, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, constipation), he or she might benefit. The best way to know is to try acupuncture and see how your pet responds.

How do I know if my veterinarian is certified in acupuncture? If your veterinarian is fully qualified to do acupuncture on your pet, he or she will have the title of CVA (Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist). Finding a certified veterinarian will ensure the most effective and safest treatment.

How do you keep the pet from moving during acupuncture? Many animals will learn to relax with acupuncture. Others have to be lured with treats or attention, comforted in their carrier or in a lap, or any other technique needed to promote stillness and relaxation.

What is the typical session length and cost? Most sessions last 30 to 60 minutes depending on the method or the problem being treated. The cost varies greatly depending on region and method(s) used, but typically is $75 to $150 per session. Generally, I recommend that caregivers commit to three sessions of acupuncture every one to two weeks. After that, intervals will be evaluated depending on the pet’s response and condition.

10 Summer 2014 | Pet Quarterly

There are individual and species differences in sensitivity to acupuncture. Cats and horses tend to be the most sensitive, with dogs somewhere in the middle with individual variations. It can be difficult to predict good candidates in veterinary medicine. Some pets that are frightened or aggressive in veterinary settings learn to enjoy the euphoric feelings enhanced by acupuncture. Some do not. The best way to know is take your pet for an initial evaluation with a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA).

A Younger Version of Himself There are several methods of acupuncture (see sidebar on pg. 9). I used a combination of these types in Nikolai, starting with dry needle and then moving to a combination of electro- and aqua-acupuncture. After some trial and error we found that he relaxed most quickly while being stroked in his cat bed during electro-acupuncture therapy. Nikolai responded beautifully. The day after his first treatment he brought his favorite toy to greet his owner, which he had not done in years. After the third treatment, he started jumping up on his cat tree again. Words could not describe Edith’s pleasure in seeing Nikolai return to a “younger version” of himself. Like many others who have tried acupuncture for their pets, Edith notes that acupuncture has benefits for the entire family. “It has not only improved the quality of Nikolai’s life, but also of our entire household,” she says. “When he isn’t happy, neither are the rest of us.” Acupuncture can help bring balance to a situation that is out of harmony, within an individual and within a household. n Dr. Lauren R. Frank specializes in veterinary acupuncture and physical rehabilitation.

Breed Health

Doggie DNA Unlocking your dog’s history, traits, and nutritional and health needs. By Angela M. Hughes, DVM, PhD

Have you ever wondered about your dog’s family tree? Why does he look and act the way he does? What breed-specific health issues do you need to pay attention to and try to avoid? Dogs can’t talk to tell us about their families or their history for particular health risks, but with new advances in science, we can now let their DNA speak for them. This can be especially useful if you rescued your dog from a shelter or found her wandering the streets and don’t have information on her ancestry or health history. Veterinarians can now offer your beloved canine the latest in genetic science to answer many of your questions and help you design a wellness plan specific to your dog’s unique needs, using the Royal Canin® Genetic Health Analysis™. This easy test requires just a small blood sample to unlock your dog’s DNA sequence to help you better understand the purebreds that came together to create your one-ofa-kind furry friend. The analysis provides information on expected weight range and nutritional needs, and gives your veterinarian insights into many of the health concerns that could arise, so together you can take steps to design a care plan specifically tailored to your dog’s needs.

Curiosity Helped the Dog Why do Fido’s ears stand up? Why does Sophie dig through the flower beds? Often times, we scratch our heads in wonder at our dog’s physical and behavioral traits. “What breed do you >>

Pet Quarterly | Summer 2014 11

How Genetic Health Analysis Works The process starts when your veterinarian draws a small blood sample and sends it to a laboratory, where your dog’s DNA is extracted from the blood cells. The lab examines 321 genetic markers used for breed analysis and 13 disease mutations. A proprietary computer algorithm evaluates your dog’s DNA data and performs more than 7 million calculations as it considers all of the pedigree trees that are possible in the last three generations. The trees considered include a simple pedigree with a single breed (a likely purebred dog), two different breeds at the parental level (a first-generation cross), continuing all the way up to a complex tree with eight different great-grandparent breeds allowed. The algorithm works with breed signatures for over 250 breeds, types and varieties to fill these potential pedigrees and gives each ancestry tree a score representing how well that selected combination of breeds matches to your dog’s DNA data. The pedigree with the overall best score is the one selected. Only breeds that reach the confidence threshold for reporting are included. The health prescreening considers which breeds are identified on each chromosome tested to determine if a breed at risk for a specific genetic condition likely contributed that chromosome. This helps determine whether your dog may be genetically predisposed to the condition and require further testing. The results are reported directly to your veterinarian.

think my dog is?” is one of the first questions new clients ask me. Unfortunately, attempts to identify a dog’s ancestry based on physical or behavioral clues are not usually very accurate, even when done by animal professionals. In fact, studies have shown that we can accurately identify a single breed in a mixedbreed dog’s ancestry only about 25 percent of the time and, when we do guess breeds, we generally don’t agree with each other! By leveraging science to answer these questions, we can all come to a common and proven ground to help us trace the origins of our pets’ weird and wonderful traits. Your mixed-breed dog is a combination of the genes and traits donated by its purebred ancestors. While we wish it was as easy as putting the Doberman head on the Weimaraner body with the Basset Hound tail, in reality, it is much more complicated. Many of the traits we can see in our dogs are due to only one or a few genes, and depending on which ancestor passed those specific genes down, you may or may not see particular traits. Also, keep in mind that as we recombine different genes in mixedbreed dogs, we can achieve a wide variety of results—everything from a dog so unusual that you’ve never seen

Tammi found that Frankie is a mix of three breeds.

Sample Report To view a Genetic Health Analysis™ sample report, visit www.RoyalCaninGHA.com.

another one like it, to one that can mimic another breed entirely without having any of that actual breed in its ancestry. Labrador Retrievers, for example, are often all black with a short coat and drop ears; however, the gene variants that dictate those traits are dominant (the dog only needs to inherit one copy of the gene variant to show the trait), so that look can show up across many different breeds, even though we often

Finding Frankie’s Ancestry Tammi was looking for a Papillon-type dog on Petfinder, and she found Frankie. Tammi drove several hours to adopt her and was impressed by Frankie’s limitless energy and intensity. This peaked her curiosity about Frankie’s true ancestry and led Tammi to test her with Genetic Health Analysis™. The test revealed that Frankie is actually a mix of Shetland Sheepdog, Parson Russell Terrier and Italian Greyhound, all breeds with strong agility skills. The results helped Tammi understand how to best train and finetune Frankie’s athleticism. The results also helped Frankie’s veterinarian understand the dog’s unique medical needs, including paying particular attention to her teeth to avoid dental disease, her joints and bones as patella luxation and fractures are a concern, and her eyes as these breeds can be predisposed to cataracts and lens luxation. Tammi says that the Genetic Health Analysis™ results have helped her gain a better understanding of Frankie’s needs and how to take the best possible care of her.

Breed Health about the genetic causes of these diseases. To make the most of this information, it’s important that you and your veterinarian have the most accurate breed ancestry information possible for your dog. Royal Canin® Genetic Health Analysis™ can provide this information for over 250 breeds, varieties and types and going back three generations to the greatgrandparent level. It also analyzes your dog’s DNA for specific genetic diseases to determine the likelihood of developing these particular conditions.

Guess the Breed What breeds contributed to Tula’s fuzzy face, intelligence and love of the water and outdoors? Genetic Health Analysis™ revealed that one of Tula’s parents was a purebred Golden Retriever, while the other was half Labrador Retriever and half Standard Poodle, also known as a Labradoodle.

attribute it to the Labrador Retriever. A dog’s behaviors can be even more complex and interesting. Many of the behaviors that we associate with our dogs come from the preydrive of a “natural” (wild) dog. If a dog were in the wild, it would need to search, stalk, chase, grab, kill and retrieve prey in order to survive. With specific purebred dogs, humans have selected particular steps in that sequence and increased the frequency and intensity of particular behaviors to serve our own purposes. For example, hounds often use the search component in detection, while the herding breeds are particularly good at stalking. Terriers were often used to remove rodents and other vermin using their strong grabbing and killing instincts, and retrievers and spaniels are particularly good at retrieving prey. Once two or more breeds are mixed together in the ancestry of a mixed-breed dog, the dog may lose some of the innate strength of particular breed behaviors, while other non-breed behaviors may strengthen. This reflects a bit more of the “natural” state of a dog—a jack of many trades! A better understanding of the breeds in your dog’s background can shed some light on your dog’s natural tendencies. Also keep in mind that behaviors are strongly influenced by your dog’s environment and what it has been taught.

How Big Will My Dog Be?

More than Meets the Eye

Another common question is “How much will my dog weigh when it grows up?” This is certainly important for decisions such as which size dog crate to buy, or whether your car is big enough to fit your dog. But it also influences which puppy foods you should be feeding during the very important growth and development period and when you can switch your dog to an adult food. Different sizes of dogs have different nutritional needs and reach maturity at different ages.

What we see in our furry family members may not be the whole picture. By using the science of DNA analysis and working closely with your veterinarian, you can properly identify your dog’s ancestry and develop a unique care and wellness plan specifically for your dog’s nutritional, physical and medical needs, so your pet can have a long and happy life. n

What About Breedspecific Health? Research has shown that each breed is at risk for a number of different health concerns, and we are learning more each day

Angela M. Hughes, DVM, PhD, is a veterinary geneticist with Mars Veterinary.

See the cover reminder for an important message from your veterinarian.

Key Points ROYAL CANIN® GENETIC HEALTH ANALYSIS™ COMPARES YOUR PET’S DNA to 250 breeds, varieties and types of dogs. THE TEST USES A SMALL BLOOD SAMPLE drawn by your veterinarian. DNA TESTING CAN DETERMINE your dog’s mix of breeds and help pinpoint breed-specific health issues.

Pet Quarterly | Summer 2014 13

Pet Tales

Keep It Cool

Pet Tales by Laci Schaible, DVM

Protect your pets from summer heat.

As the heat index rises in summer, pets can become uncomfortable—and easily overheated. Follow our simple tips to keep your pets safe from summer heat. Remember, heat stroke can be deadly and is 100 percent preventable. 1. Never leave a dog in a hot car, even for a few minutes or if the windows are cracked. The temperature inside a car rapidly surpasses the outdoor temperature. Leave your pets at home unless they absolutely have to go with you.

2. Always give your pet access to a cool, shaded area and plenty of fresh water. Don’t forget that hot sand or dark asphalt can easily burn paw pads. 3. Know if your pet is at higher risk of heat stroke. Pets that are overweight, recovering from surgery or sickness, or have short snouts like Pugs, Bulldogs or Persian cats are at most risk. Senior and overweight pets and those with lung or cardiac conditions are also susceptible to overheating. 4. Don’t encourage exercise when it’s too hot. Many dogs will continue past the point of safety in an attempt to please their owners. Get park time and walks in during the cooler parts of the day when the sun isn’t at its peak—early morning or

Some Medications Can Cause Overheating Did you know? A long list of medications can increase the risk of overheating in pets. This includes certain cardiac and blood pressure drugs, medications for urinary incontinence, tranquilizers such as acepromazine (often used to ease pet anxiety during travel), drugs that control hypothyroidism, and even certain antihistamines such as Benadryl. If your pet is on medication, check with your veterinarian to find out if the medication increases your pet’s susceptibility to heat.

14 Summer 2014 | Pet Quarterly

after the sun goes down. 5. Don’t leave pets unsupervised while swimming. Most dogs are not natural swimmers, so don’t assume they will be fine doing laps in the pool. While swimming can be great exercise for dogs, always supervise. Also, try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chemicals that could cause stomach upset. 6. Rethink a summer shave down. Fur actually is an insulator against the summer heat as well as the winter chill, similar to insulation in our homes. Your pet’s fur also is a natural protector against sunburn. Regular brushing, however, does help pets stay cool, since it prevents matting and allows for good air circulation through the hair.

Pet Tales

The Buzz Behind Insect Bites

Cocker Spaniel

Breed Profile:

The Cocker Spaniel Cheery and affectionate, Cocker Spaniels make superb family companions due to their even disposition and trainability. Whether working in the field as a bird dog or at home lounging on a pet parent’s bed, a Cocker Spaniel’s tail rarely stops wagging, and it is happiest pleasing you. Cocker Spaniels have a “soft” personality, and harsh training methods may make them fearful. Their medium-long coat does require intensive care, including regular brushing and the added expense of frequent professional grooming. Cocker Spaniels have a lifespan of 11 to 15 years. Some of their health concerns include: n Otitis externa, media and interna (all ear infections). The Cocker Spaniels' long floppy ears predispose them to ear infections of the external, middle and inner ear. n Eye problems, including progressive retinal atrophy (a degenerative disease of the retinal cells that progresses to blindness), cataracts (a clouding of the lens of the eye) and glaucoma (a condition in which pressure builds up inside of the eye itself). n Hypothyroidism, a disorder resulting from a deficiency of the thyroid hormone. It frequently causes hair loss, obesity, lethargy, skin problems and frequent infections. n Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, a serious and life-threatening condition in which a dog’s immune system attacks its own red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all the tissues of the body. Symptoms are non-specific and include weakness, loss of appetite, rapid breathing, and pale gums. n Primary seborrhea, a skin problem caused by overproduction of skin cells, including the sebaceous (oil) cells. The skin becomes greasy and scaly, with a foul odor.

Summer insects can be more than nuisances to pets who take pleasure in chasing a buzzing insect or carelessly trampling through an ant bed. Mosquitoes: These pesky bloodsuckers can transmit deadly diseases such as heartworm disease and West Nile virus to pets. Make sure your dogs and cats are current on heartworm prevention. Bees: A single sting, while painful, may not be harmful. If a stinger is still present, try to remove it by scraping it with a credit card. Avoid using tweezers to remove the stinger unless absolutely necessary, as this may force more venom out of the stinger. If a pet receives numerous stings, see your veterinarian—this can be deadly. Fire ants: If your pet is bitten, don gloves and carefully brush off any fire ants that you see on your pet. Trying to get them off hastily by swatting at them or spraying your pet with water may aggravate them more and increase their biting. Multiple bites may require veterinary treatment. If your pet experiences a severe reaction, whether or not you are certain it was from a bite, seek emergency veterinary care right away. Signs of a severe anaphylactic reaction include: n Difficulty breathing nA large amount of swelling extending away from the sting site n General weakness These symptoms indicate a lifethreatening emergency, and your pet needs immediate medical attention. Additionally, insect repellents containing DEET are very toxic to pets. If insects are in full force, it is best to leave your pets indoors.

Pet Quarterly | Summer 2014 15

Pet Tales

Ask the Veterinarian Why does my cat eat plastic, and how do I stop her from doing this? Odd as it seems to you and me, some quirky felines have an affinity for plastic. Some cats seem to be strongly driven to explore and chew its taste and texture. For other cats, this can develop into a compulsive behavior. The first step is to determine if this is something the cat “needs” to do or just something it “wants” to do. Your veterinarian may be able to help you with this, or you may need to seek a veterinary behaviorist. Some plastic-seeking cats improve with other things to keep them busy, such an assortment of chew items, including rawhide chews and Nylabones, fooddispensing toys, reward-based training, and cat grass. For the feline who eats plastic compulsively, your veterinarian might have to get involved. Behavior-modifying drugs, such as fluoxetine (Prozac) may be a consideration if the problem proves to be a compulsive disorder. Unfortunately, not even drugs are always effective. Ultimately, these cats will likely need to be confined or housed in a cat-proofed room when supervision is not possible. The main concern is that many of these cats ended up eating the plastic, which can block their GI tract and require surgery. If your cat does eat any plastic, take this behavior seriously and address it quickly. Cat grass might provide a diversion.

Cats may be drawn to the taste and texture of plastic.

chewables CAUTION: Federal (U.S.A.) law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. INDICATIONS: For use in dogs to prevent canine heartworm disease by eliminating the tissue stage of heartworm larvae (Diroﬁlaria immitis) for a month (30 days) after infection and for the treatment and control of ascarids (Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina) and hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Ancylostoma braziliense). DOSAGE: HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) should be administered orally at monthly intervals at the recommended minimum dose level of 6 mcg of ivermectin per kilogram (2.72 mcg/lb) and 5 mg of pyrantel (as pamoate salt) per kg (2.27 mg/lb) of body weight. The recommended dosing schedule for prevention of canine heartworm disease and for the treatment and control of ascarids and hookworms is as follows: Dog Weight

Chewables Ivermectin Pyrantel Per Month Content Content

Up to 25 lb 26 to 50 lb 51 to 100 lb

1 1 1

68 mcg 136 mcg 272 mcg

57 mg 114 mg 227 mg

Color Coding 0n Foil Backing and Carton Blue Green Brown

HEARTGARD Plus is recommended for dogs 6 weeks of age and older. For dogs over 100 lb use the appropriate combination of these chewables. ADMINISTRATION: Remove only one chewable at a time from the foil-backed blister card. Return the card with the remaining chewables to its box to protect the product from light. Because most dogs find HEARTGARD Plus palatable, the product can be offered to the dog by hand. Alternatively, it may be added intact to a small amount of dog food. The chewable should be administered in a manner that encourages the dog to chew, rather than to swallow without chewing. Chewables may be broken into pieces and fed to dogs that normally swallow treats whole. Care should be taken that the dog consumes the complete dose, and treated animals should be observed for a few minutes after administration to ensure that part of the dose is not lost or rejected. If it is suspected that any of the dose has been lost, redosing is recommended. HEARTGARD Plus should be given at monthly intervals during the period of the year when mosquitoes (vectors), potentially carrying infective heartworm larvae, are active. The initial dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog’s first exposure to mosquitoes. The final dose must be given within a month (30 days) after the dog’s last exposure to mosquitoes. When replacing another heartworm preventive product in a heartworm disease preventive program, the first dose of HEARTGARD Plus must be given within a month (30 days) of the last dose of the former medication. If the interval between doses exceeds a month (30 days), the efficacy of ivermectin can be reduced. Therefore, for optimal performance, the chewable must be given once a month on or about the same day of the month. If treatment is delayed, whether by a few days or many, immediate treatment with HEARTGARD Plus and resumption of the recommended dosing regimen will minimize the opportunity for the development of adult heartworms. Monthly treatment with HEARTGARD Plus also provides effective treatment and control of ascarids (T. canis, T. leonina) and hookworms (A. caninum, U. stenocephala, A. braziliense). Clients should be advised of measures to be taken to prevent reinfection with intestinal parasites. EFFICACY: HEARTGARD Plus Chewables, given orally using the recommended dose and regimen, are effective against the tissue larval stage of D. immitis for a month (30 days) after infection and, as a result, prevent the development of the adult stage. HEARTGARD Plus Chewables are also effective against canine ascarids (T. canis, T. leonina) and hookworms (A. caninum, U. stenocephala, A. braziliense).

ACCEPTABILITY: In acceptability and field trials, HEARTGARD Plus was shown to be an acceptable oral dosage form that was consumed at first offering by the majority of dogs. PRECAUTIONS: All dogs should be tested for existing heartworm infection before starting treatment with HEARTGARD Plus which is not effective against adult D. immitis. Infected dogs must be treated to remove adult heartworms and microfilariae before initiating a program with HEARTGARD Plus. While some microfilariae may be killed by the ivermectin in HEARTGARD Plus at the recommended dose level, HEARTGARD Plus is not effective for microfilariae clearance. A mild hypersensitivity-type reaction, presumably due to dead or dying microfilariae and particularly involving a transient diarrhea, has been observed in clinical trials with ivermectin alone after treatment of some dogs that have circulating microfilariae. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. In case of ingestion by humans, clients should be advised to contact a physician immediately. Physicians may contact a Poison Control Center for advice concerning cases of ingestion by humans. Store between 68°F - 77°F (20°C - 25°C). Excursions between 59°F - 86°F (15°C - 30°C) are permitted. Protect product from light. ADVERSE REACTIONS: In clinical field trials with HEARTGARD Plus, vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours of dosing was rarely observed (1.1% of administered doses). The following adverse reactions have been reported following the use of HEARTGARD: Depression/lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, mydriasis, ataxia, staggering, convulsions and hypersalivation. SAFETY: HEARTGARD Plus has been shown to be bioequivalent to HEARTGARD, with respect to the bioavailability of ivermectin. The dose regimens of HEARTGARD Plus and HEARTGARD are the same with regard to ivermectin (6 mcg/kg). Studies with ivermectin indicate that certain dogs of the Collie breed are more sensitive to the effects of ivermectin administered at elevated dose levels (more than 16 times the target use level) than dogs of other breeds. At elevated doses, sensitive dogs showed adverse reactions which included mydriasis, depression, ataxia, tremors, drooling, paresis, recumbency, excitability, stupor, coma and death. HEARTGARD demonstrated no signs of toxicity at 10 times the recommended dose (60 mcg/kg) in sensitive Collies. Results of these trials and bioequivalency studies, support the safety of HEARTGARD products in dogs, including Collies, when used as recommended. HEARTGARD Plus has shown a wide margin of safety at the recommended dose level in dogs, including pregnant or breeding bitches, stud dogs and puppies aged 6 or more weeks. In clinical trials, many commonly used flea collars, dips, shampoos, anthelmintics, antibiotics, vaccines and steroid preparations have been administered with HEARTGARD Plus in a heartworm disease prevention program. In one trial, where some pups had parvovirus, there was a marginal reduction in efficacy against intestinal nematodes, possibly due to a change in intestinal transit time. HOW SUPPLIED: HEARTGARD Plus is available in three dosage strengths (See DOSAGE section) for dogs of different weights. Each strength comes in convenient cartons of 6 and 12 chewables. For customer service, please contact Merial at 1-888-637-4251.

16 Summer 2014 | Pet Quarterly MERHRT130002 Rv2 Brief Summary 1

11/27/13 12:03 PM

ONE BITE C A N TRA NSM I T HE AR TWO R M DIS E AS E

ONE DOSE E VE RY MON TH WILL HELP PROTECT HIM

MOSQUITOES CAN TRANSMIT POTENTIALLY DEADLY HEARTWORM DISEASE TO YOUR DOG. Just one dose of HEARTGARD® Plus (ivermectin/pyrantel) a month helps prevent heartworm disease, and treats and controls the most common intestinal parasites. All in a real beef chew dogs love.

Ask your vet about HEARTGARD Plus.

heartgard.com

Important Safety Information All dogs should be tested for heartworm infection before starting a preventative program. HEARTGARD Plus is well tolerated. In rare cases digestive and neurological side effects have been reported. For more information, contact your veterinarian or visit www.heartgard.com. ® HEARTGARD and the Dog & Hand logo are registered trademarks of Merial. ©2013 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. HGD13PRAD (05/2013)

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