Pet Quarterly | Fall 2012 | Volume 9, No. 4 by VetBoost

Pet Care News From Your Veterinarian ®

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Fall 2012 | Volum e 9, No. 4

Allergy Relief New drops to the rescue Trusting Dr. Google Risks of diagnosing your pet’s ailments online

Oral Tumors: Benefits of Early Detection How Hypothyroidism Might Affect Your Pet

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Fall 2012 | VOL. 9, No 4

Picture-Perfect Pets Pet Care News From Your Veterinarian

IN THIS ISSUE Levi

Alleviate Allergies A new breakthrough in treating pet allergies.

Livingston Animal and Avian Hospital Lutz, Fla.

Dakota

Midway Animal Hospital Largo, Fla.

Overcoming Oral Tumors 5 Early detection is key to successful treatment. Trusting Dr. Google 8 Risks of diagnosing your

Kingston and Caesar Golden Animal Hospital Montgomery, Ala.

Lola, Molly and Pinky

Elsa

George

Collingswood Animal Hospital Port Charlotte, Fla.

Citrus Animal Clinic Lake Placid, Fla.

Trouble

Lance and Charley

Piedmont Animal Hospital Apopka, Fla.

pet’s ailments online. Diagnosis: Hypothyroidism 11 What to expect if your pet develops this disease. Tales 13 Pet Ten tips to keep your pets safe on Halloween and more.

Pet Quarterly® is an educational resource provided by your veterinary hospital. Comments are welcome at info@petquarterly.com ©Copyright 2012. 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. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Pet Quarterly, 2951 34th Street South St. Petersburg, FL 33711

West Kendall Animal Clinic Miami

Good Hands Veterinary Hospital Athens, Ga.

Share your photos with other PQ readers. Email your best shot and the name and location of your veterinary hospital to PetQuarterly@yahoo.com. To be published, images should be at least 3 inches at 300 dpi. We’ll publish as many as we can.

Pet Quarterly | Fall 2012 1

Parasite Control/Dermatology

Alleviating Allergies If your pet suffers from allergies, a new breakthrough in treatmentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; immunotherapy dropsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; may help.

Key Points Tens of millions of pets suffer from allergy. Because there are many conditions that can cause your pet to be itchy, only about 2 percent of allergic pets are ever properly diagnosed and treated. If your pet has been diagnosed with allergy, immunotherapy is the safest and most effective long-term treatment available. It does not have the harmful side effects associated with drugs that are used to mask the symptoms of allergy. There are two different options for administering immunotherapy: injections and a new pump that dispenses drops under a petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tongue. The ALLERCEPT Testing and Treatment program is designed to provide both veterinarians and pet owners the tools they need to confidently manage pet allergies and provide long-term relief from allergic symptoms.

2 Fall 2012 | Pet Quarterly

Just like people, pets can suffer from allergies—and the itching and scratching that goes along with them. Tens of millions of pets suffer from allergy, a disease in which your pet’s immune system reacts abnormally to everyday substances such as pollens, animal danders, mold spores, mites and certain foods. Because there are many conditions that can cause your pet to be itchy, only about 2 percent of allergic pets are ever properly diagnosed and treated. Before testing for allergies, your veterinarian will likely rule out a large number of conditions that can cause itchiness, including parasites (fleas, lice, mites and intestinal parasites), skin infections (bacterial, yeast and fungal) and even some metabolic diseases. Although this workup may seem extensive, it is absolutely necessary before your pet is tested for allergies.

Warning Signs Allergy should always be considered in pets with unexplained hair loss, recurrent ear infections, or signs of excessive self-grooming. Pets may lick their feet; scratch their face, ears or belly; or bite at the base of their tail. With repeated exposure to allergens, a pet may experience prolonged periods of itchiness and changes in the texture and color of its skin. All of these allergic reactions are unpleasant, some are serious, and a few can be fatal. While steroid drugs are often used for short-term >>

New immunotherapy drops may be dispensed under a pet’s tongue.

Regional Allergy Culprits Plants, trees and other culprits may be responsible for a pet’s allergy. Here are some common culprits in the Southeast. Your veterinarian may also screen for mites and fungi.

Grasses n

Bahia Bermuda June Bluegrass n Meadow Fescue n Orchard n Perennial Rye n Saltgrass n Timothy n

Trees American Elm n Bayberry (Wax Myrtle) n Box Elder n Common Privet n Eastern Cottonwood n Eucalyptus n Melaleuca n Mesquite n Olive n Pecan n Queen Palm n Red Cedar n Virginia Live Oak n White Ash n White Mulberry n Yellow Pine n

Weeds Carelessweed Common Cocklebur n English Plantain n False Ragweed n Kochia n Lamb’s Quarters n Rough Pigweed n Russian Thistle n Shadscale n Short Ragweed n Spearscale n Tall Ragweed n Yellow Dock n

Pet Quarterly | Fall 2012 3

Parasite Control/Dermatology relief from the clinical signs of allergy, prolonged use of steroids can have serious side effects. Antihistamines, fatty acids and shampoos can help, but typically provide only temporary and limited benefit.

Safe Treatment If your pet suffers from allergy, there is some good news. There is a safe, long-term treatment for allergy called immunotherapy. The treatment targets the root cause of allergic reactions and is effective in 60 percent to 80 percent of patients. Immunotherapy utilizes allergens (substances to which your pet is allergic, such as pollens, dust, molds and mites) to change your pet’s immune system’s response. After treatment, the pet becomes tolerant of those allergens, which helps reduce allergic signs as well as reduce or eliminate the need for steroids and other medications. Veterinarians can identify those specific allergens using a blood serum test before deciding on the right treatment approach, which may also include dietary and environmental changes. You can read more about how specific allergens are identified in the sidebar below.

Easier Dosing Until recently, immunotherapy has been delivered only through subcutaneous injections (just under the skin). Pet owners may either rely on their veterinarians to administer the shots, or handle the syringe themselves— not something that everyone feels comfortable doing. In

rare cases, some pets fail to respond to allergy shots or experience an anaphylactic reaction. A new form of immunotherapy has become available that’s much easier to administer: an easy-to-use pump that dispenses drops under a pet’s tongue. Formulated with proprietary technology and developed through years of trials in hundreds of dogs, ALLERCEPT Therapy Drops are available through your veterinarian. They can be a more palatable solution for many owners whose dogs are suffering from hard-to-control allergies and for which injectable immunotherapy is not a viable option. Administering the drops under the tongue is key. That’s because the mucosal tissue beneath the tongue has a high concentration of immune cells that act as receptors to stimulate the immune system. The drops can be stored at room temperature, which is a benefit since many dogs travel with their owners and refrigeration isn’t always practical. The bottle is designed to make administering the allergy drops very easy, and the taste of the solution appeals to pets.

Allergy Control It is important to remember that pets treated with immunotherapy may not be completely “cured” of their allergies; however, it is possible that some patients may be able to eventually stop receiving the drops and still maintain good control over their allergic symptoms. Your veterinarian can help you make this decision— after your pet’s allergy symptoms have subsided for an extended period of time. n

Hitting the Mark A test helps identify the right allergens to target. Accurate identification of the allergens to which your pet is sensitive is a critical first step for effective allergen-specific immunotherapy. Immunotherapy treatment based on erroneous test results may include unnecessary allergens or exclude necessary allergens. Heska’s ALLERCEPT IgE Test is the only test to use a patented technology that measures only allergen-specific IgE (an antibody produced in response to offending allergens). This significantly decreases the chance of false positives. Using the test, your veterinarian can get accurate results with a single blood sample. Skin testing is typically performed by a veterinary dermatologist and requires your pet to be shaved, sometimes sedated, and then have its skin exposed to a battery of allergens. With the ALLERCEPT test, your veterinarian will receive easy-to-read results and immunotherapy recommendations within 48 hours of Heska receiving the test sample. The ALLERCEPT Program provides tools to confidently manage allergic patients, including: 1. Step-by-step workbooks for both veterinarians and pet owners who want to closely manage allergic patients placed on immunotherapy.

4 Fall 2012 | Pet Quarterly

2. Two different options for administering immunotherapy, the newest of which is an easy-to-use pump that dispenses drops under a pet’s tongue. 3. Literature for pet owners that explains the steps involved in testing and treating their allergic pets, as well as ways to manage a pet’s environment.

Dental Health

Overcoming Oral Tumors Early detection is key to successfully treating oral tumors in pets.

By R. Michael Peak, DVM, Diplomate American Veterinary Dental College

Hearing that your pet has an oral tumor can be scary. The word â&#x20AC;&#x153;tumorâ&#x20AC;? may invoke visions of malignant cancers that can spread to other places within the body. However, not all tumors in dogs and cats are malignant, and some malignant tumors can be treated successfully. In dogs, one-half of oral tumors are malignant, while the other half are benign and typically not life threatening. In cats though, most oral tumors end up being malignant, which is why early detection and treatment are so important. Some malignant tumors can be slow growing and slow in spreading to other parts of the body (metastasis). If caught early, these tumors >>

Pet Quarterly | Fall 2012 5

Dental Health can be successfully removed completely with surgery. Other malignant tumors respond very favorably to radiation or chemotherapy, which typically is better tolerated by pets than people.

Finding the Cause If your dog or cat has a swelling in its oral cavity along the gums or jaws, the first step is to rule out possible causes other than tumors. Other conditions can cause swelling, including: n abscessed teeth n foreign-body penetration into the oral tissues n infected or inflamed salivary glands n swollen lymph nodes n cysts surrounding unerupted teeth To help determine if a swelling is a tumor, your veterinarian can perform several tests. These include an oral exam under anesthesia that involves periodontal probing, dental x-rays, biopsy (taking a tissue sample for a pathologist to look at under a microscope) and advanced imaging such as a computed tomography (CT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Rarely would all of these tests be necessaryâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;dental x-rays and biopsies are the most common tests used to find the source and distribution of an unknown swelling.

Treating Tumors Dogs are susceptible to several types of benign oral tumors. These range from overgrown normal gum tissue and benign tumors originating from the tooth structure to tumors caused by a viral infection. Most of these are treated by removing the mass along with a very small amount of normal tissue around

6 Fall 2012 | Pet Quarterly

Key Points In dogs, 50 percent of oral tumors are malignant. In cats, most oral tumors are malignant. Most benign oral tumors can be surgically removed. If caught early, some malignant oral tumors can be successfully removed with surgery, or treated with radiation or chemotherapy. The success rate is higher when treating malignant tumors smaller than two centimeters.

them and any associated teeth. In some cases a benign tumor may invade the bone of the tooth it originated from, making some bone removal necessary. As long as these lesions are detected early, the treatment should not interfere with the petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overall quality of life. Treatment for oral malignant tumors varies depending on the tumor type and size, the tumor invasiveness and the extent of metastasis. To determine the correct treatment, your veterinarian will recommend tests such as oral biopsy, dental x-rays, chest x-rays, abdominal x-rays and/or ultrasound and evaluation of the regional lymph nodes that drain the area where the mass is located. If there is no evidence that the tumor has spread

Be on the Lookout Look carefully in your pet’s mouth once

Telltale Signs of Oral Tumors

a week to check for signs of oral swelling. Your veterinarian should perform an oral exam at least twice a year.

to distant regions, surgery to remove the mass may be the best chance for a cure. Different oral malignancies require different amounts of normal surrounding tissue to be removed (called “margins”) to give the best chance of removing the tumor completely. Parts of both the pet’s upper and lower jaw may need to be removed, but these patients generally adapt and do quite well. In general, the smaller the malignancy and the more forward it is in the mouth, the easier it is to achieve “clean margins” and a higher rate of success.

Even young dogs can get tumors. This oral swelling in a 15-month-old Golden Retriever turned out to be benign. Although the dog lost three teeth in the tumor removal, he has an excellent prognosis.

Early Detection The importance of early detection of an oral mass can not be overemphasized—routine health examinations by your veterinarian are absolutely vital. Veterinarians should examine their patient’s mouths twice a year, at the very least, and pet owners should brush their pets’ teeth daily and look in their pets’ mouths carefully once a week. Biannual physical examinations are very important, and oral masses are only one of the many reasons veterinarians recommend biannual wellness physical examinations. If you should find an oral swelling, be sure to bring your pet to your veterinarian and point out the lesion. Some tumors are rapidly growing and aggressive, and the sooner we recognize them the better the overall potential outcome. If we wait until an oral mass is the size of a golf ball, even if the mass is benign, major surgery (with possible removal of part or all of a jaw) may be required. The World Health Organization has set up guidelines for staging malignant tumors, and one of the criteria is the size of the tumor. If we can treat malignant tumors before they reach two centimeters, there is a higher rate of success. Your veterinarian should be able to recognize an oral tumor, take x-rays, biopsy the lesion and then help direct you toward the best treatment options. In summary, the best way to handle oral tumors is to look often, detect early and treat as soon as possible. n

The right lower jaw of this cat has an inflamed area where a molar used to be. This area was biopsied and found to be a malignant tumor called squamous cell carcinoma. Because it was recognized and diagnosed early, it was possible to remove the mass completely.

The small irregular area behind the canine tooth was biopsied and found to be an early malignancy. Because it was recognized and diagnosed early, it was possible to remove this mass completely.

Dr. R. Michael Peak specializes in pet dentistry. Pet Quarterly | Fall 2012 7

General Wellness

Should You Trust

Dr. Google?

Why the Internet isn’t always the best source for “diagnosing” your pet’s ailments.

By Jed Schaible, VMD, MBA, CVPM

With modern advances in veterinary medicine and surgery, you’d think that pets in America would be healthier now than in 2007—but this is not the case. During the American Veterinary Medical Association’s 2012 convention, a press conference titled “Houston, We Have a Problem” unveiled the

8 Fall 2012 | Pet Quarterly

unfortunate news that there has been a steady decline in our pets’ general health and wellness.

Declining Health A 2012 nationwide Banfield study of the state of pets’ health called State of Pet Health–2012 Report statistically and scientifically

validated what veterinarians have been reporting anecdotally for years. The study showed that general pet health has suffered due to a combination of a poor economy, changes in pet owners’ perceptions of veterinary care and the trend of using Internet information as an alternative to veterinary care.

After comparing current pet health data to data from 2007, the study found that: n D iabetes is up 32 percent in dogs and 16 percent in cats. n E ar infections are up 34 percent in cats and 9 percent in dogs. n D ental disease, the most common condition in dogs and cats, increased 12 percent in dogs and 10 percent in cats. n F lea infestations are on the rise, despite being preventable. n P reventable intestinal parasite infections are up 13 percent in cats and 30 percent in dogs since 2007—potentially a public health issue, since some of these parasites also affect people, especially children and the elderly. n Th e number of overweight pets has increased, up 37 percent in dogs and 90 percent in cats.

Did You Know?

Fewer Visits What is responsible for these increases in disease prevalence? “People simply aren’t seeing their veterinarians as often, particularly for wellness exams,” says Dr. Michael Moyer, president of the American Animal Hospital Association. This trend is attributable not only to the economy, but also to changes in pet owners perceptions of the value of wellness exams and to pet owners attempting to diagnose and treat their pet via Internet research—a trend that the human medical community has coined “Dr. Google.” The State of Pet Health study evaluated pet parents’ perceptions of veterinary medicine by polling more than 1,000 dog owners and more than 1,000 cat owners in the United States. The findings indicated that pet parents are less likely to seek veterinary care for chronic diseases and less likely to recognize symptoms of chronic >>

In a 2011 Bayer Veterinary Usage Study, 39 percent of pet parents surveyed reported that they look online before consulting a veterinarian when their pets are sick or injured, and 15 percent said that with the Internet, they don’t rely on their veterinarian as much. One veterinarian reported that he is “seeing pets three days sicker.”

Key Points Studies have shown that pets are not as healthy as they were five years ago. Changes in pet parents’ perceptions of veterinary medicine, economic constraints and the trend of pet owners trying to diagnose and treat their pets over the Internet (“Dr. Google”) have contributed to increased disease rates in pets. Ask your veterinarian which online resources are accurate and in the best interest of your pet’s health. The key to successful early diagnosis involves a partnership between pet owners and their veterinarians to identify changes in pets’ overall health and behavior, so that disease processes can be detected in time for treatment or management.

Pet Quarterly | Fall 2012 9

General Wellness diagnosis and treatment of diseases. When a problem is discovered early and treated correctly, promptly and under the supervision of a veterinarian, the outcome is more likely to be favorable and h rc a e S r the treatment more u o Y g in Screen affordable. For example, e lin on n isinformatio Want to avoid m early detection of / om .c le ? Go to goog about pet health certain cancers, in u” ed “. h and enter kidney disease and advanced_searc w lo al ill w n field. This heart disease allows the site or domai s ce ur so re r articles and for immediate you to search fo y ar ademic veterin ac on ed ish bl intervention that pu d you will avoid an , es sit eb w ol can lead to either a scho rts ten by non-expe rit w n io at m or nf cure or long-term misi es. oducts or servic pr u yo ll se to g management. When tryin these diseases persist without detection, treatment options are reduced and the chance for a cure can often be lost. illnesses and cancer, leading to As a pet parent, you might misdiagnosis via Dr. Google. think that you are the most sensitive to your pet’s health status, Delayed Detection but this isn’t always the case. There Using Dr. Google instead of a are many diseases that cannot be traditional veterinarian has been detected by pet parents until the shown to delay the detection,

disease has become debilitating— this is particularly a problem in cats, which have evolved to mask illness, yet cats are less likely than dogs to be brought to the vet for wellness exams. There is nothing wrong with educating yourself about your pet’s health on the Internet, and veterinarians enjoy that you are taking an active interest in your pet’s healthcare. Take care, however, to choose credible websites with accurate content written or reviewed by veterinarians. Many veterinarians provide an Educational Resources list with links to approved sources for pet health information, such as MyPetED.com, a resource of articles written by veterinarians and dedicated to educating you about your pet’s illness symptoms, treatments, nutrition, behavior and everyday care. n Jed Schaible, VMD, MBA, CVPM, has practiced small-animal medicine for six years and is Director of Market Communications for Pet Quarterly.

Are You One of Dr. Google’s Clients? The “Dr. Google” issue is a problem in human medicine, too. Online self-diagnosis led to a 25 percent rate of misdiagnosis and a 50 percent rate of self-medicating with an incorrect or unnecessary drug or treatment, according to a recent UK study of 1,000 women. The study also found that attempts at online self-diagnosis led to a delay in attaining a correct diagnosis and treatment by a licensed physician, leading to inferior medical outcomes.

10 Fall 2012 | Pet Quarterly

Senior Wellness

Diagnosis: Hypothyroidism What to expect if your dog develops this incurable but treatable condition.

By Michael Canfield, DVM

If your elderly dog seems a bit sluggish, plump or intolerant of cold lately, it may not simply be from old age—these could be signs of a thyroid problem. Just like people, when dogs get older, their production of thyroid hormone can be reduced. The thyroid glands, located in the front of the neck, regulate the body’s metabolism. A thyroid hormone deficiency, known as hypothyroidism, will affect your canine companion’s entire body with symptoms that could range from weight gain and lethargy to hair loss and a slowed heartbeat. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to myxedema (swelling of the skin and underlying fatty tissues), coma or even death.

Q: What causes the disease? A: Sometimes a dog’s own immune system may attack its thyroid glands. Cancer, surgical removal of the thyroid glands, and certain medications also may result in decreased or deficient thyroid hormone production. Additionally, thyroid supplementation in a dog with normal thyroid hormone production might trigger the dog’s body to decrease production of thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism is the most common hormonal disorder in dogs.

Q: What are the clinical signs? A: If your dog has hypothyroidism, you may notice that it has gained weight or does not want to exercise, both related to a slowed metabolism. Other warning signs

include skin and hair coat changes, including symmetric hair loss on both sides of the body, typically sparing the head and legs. The dog’s hair is often brittle, easily pulled out, and may take on a puppy-like coat appearance. Its hair coat may fade in color and may not grow back after clipping. Skin changes may include dandruff, blackhead formation, ear problems and increased bruising. If you notice any of these signs in your pet, be sure to let your >>

Key Points Hypothyroidism is a condition that develops when the thyroid glands don’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms range from weight gain and lethargy to hair loss, skin changes and a slowed heartbeat. Diagnosis can be tricky because sickness and some medications can cause low thyroid levels even when the thyroid glands are healthy. Treatment requires lifelong medication and monitoring.

Pet Quarterly | Fall 2012 11

Senior Wellness veterinarian know (see sidebar for a more complete list of potential signs of hypothyroidism).

Q: Is age or breed a factor?

Warning Signs of Hypothyroidism Symptoms of hypothyroidism can be quite diverse, making diagnosis tricky. Consult your veterinarian if your dog shows symptoms.

Behavior

Skin

Lethargy Weight gain Cold intolerance

Symmetrical hair loss or thinning Hairless tail Ear infections Skin turning black Skin infection Dandruff Thickening of skin

Reproductive

Gastrointestinal

Abnormal heat cycle Inappropriate milk production Testicular size decrease

Diarrhea Constipation

Eyes

Heart

Corneal fatty deposits Corneal ulceration

Abnormal heart rhythm Slow heartbeat

Blood

Nerve/Muscle

Decreased red blood cell numbers High cholesterol High triglycerides Abnormal bruising/bleeding

Weakness Drunkenness or staggering Loss of blink Increased noise when breathing

Breeds at Risk These breeds may be at increased risk of developing hypothyroidism: n

American Pit Bull Terrier n American Staffordshire Terrier n Beagle n

Borzoi n Boxer n Brittany n Chesapeake Bay Retriever n

n n

Cocker Spaniel n Dalmatian n Doberman Pinscher

English Setter n German Wirehaired Pointer n Giant Schnauzer

Golden Retriever n Great Dane n Husky n Irish Setter n Maltese n n

Miniature Schnauzer n Old English Sheepdog

Rhodesian Ridgeback n Shetland Sheepdog n Siberian Husky

A: Typically hypothyroidism is a disease of middle-aged to older dogs. It can happen to any breed; however, some breeds, such as Golden Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers, Irish Setters, Miniature Schnauzers and Great Danes, are at a higher risk. Also, certain breeds, such as Beagles, Boxers and American Pit Bull Terriers, are more likely to have their bodies attack their own thyroid glands. This response can damage and ultimately destroy the thyroid glands’ functional capacity. Visible changes don’t typically develop until the dog reaches middle age.

Q: How is hypothyroidism diagnosed? A: Since thyroid function is involved with every body system, diagnosis can be tricky. If a dog is ill when screened for thyroid disease, or if it is receiving medications such as steroids, sulfonamide antibiotics, tricyclic antidepressants, phenobarbital, aspirin or furosemide, its thyroid levels could be abnormal. Sometimes a dog’s blood thyroid level is low due to illness even though its thyroid glands are perfectly capable of producing adequate amounts of thyroid hormone. When clinical evidence suggests hypothyroidism, your veterinarian may perform tests such as a complete blood count, serum chemistry, urinalysis and a total T4 level. If laboratory results detect a problem, specific thyroid testing may be postponed in case any concurrent underlying illness is affecting thyroid levels.

Q: How is hypothyroidism treated? A: Regardless of the underlying cause of a dog’s hypothyroidism, the treatment of choice is levothyroxine, which is a synthetic thyroid hormone replacement. Your veterinarian may recommend it by brand name, such as Soloxine. Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach because taking it with food may decrease its effectiveness. The initial dose is usually twice a day (every 12 hours) although your veterinarian may adjust the dose after taking blood tests. Response to therapy varies, so be sure to follow up with your veterinarian so he or she can fine-tune the dosage your pet receives.

Q: What is the prognosis? A: With appropriate treatment the prognosis is generally excellent; however, hypothyroidism requires lifelong replacement therapy and monitoring. Less common causes of hypothyroidism such as congenital (at birth) hypothyroidism and cancer carry a significantly worse prognosis. n Dr. Michael Canfield practices at several locations in Florida.

12 Fall 2012 | Pet Quarterly

Pet Tales

Autumn Is Here ... Pet Tales by Laci Schaible, DVM

Autumn brings beautiful foliage, pumpkin pie and kids back in school. The season also brings a bushel of dangers for our furry companions. Here’s how to keep your pets safe and healthy. n Keep school supplies out of reach. School glues, permanent markers and pencils can all cause mild stomach upset if ingested by pets. Glues that are more powerful can cause serious blockages in the GI tract and even require surgery to remove them. Make sure your children’s projects and supplies stay covered up and out of your pets’ sight. n An apple a day will not keep the veterinarian away! While the flesh of ripe apples doesn’t pose a problem for dogs or cats, apple stems, leaves and seeds are not so gentle. They can cause GI upset, decreased oxygen in the blood, decreased heart rate, difficulty breathing, seizures, coma and even death. n Beware of mushrooms. Fall is a big season for mushrooms, and while most are non-toxic, dogs are highly susceptible to mushroom poisoning. Unfortunately, dogs are unable to sniff out the toxic ones, so the best way to avoid trouble is to keep pets away from areas where any mushrooms are growing. n Don’t slither into trouble. Autumn is the season when snakes prepare for hibernation and may be particularly grumpy, increasing the possibility of bites to unlucky pets. Be aware of what kinds of venomous snakes are in your area. n Avoid a “blocked cats” emergency. Fall is the most common time of year for male cats to “block,” or form

small stones and protein-rich material that literally block the flow of urine from the bladder through the urethra. If your cat is straining to go to the bathroom, vocalizing excessively or seems to be in pain when his abdomen is touched, a veterinarian should check him immediately. Why this time of year? It may have to do with decreased water intake as the heat from the summer eases up. Don’t forget to leave out fresh water for your pets at all times. n Share holiday cheer and love, not food. Thanksgiving foods from the human table can be dangerous. Keep your pet away from fatty meat and trimmings, bones, desserts, gravies, calorie-dense casseroles and seasoned sides. Don’t forget that garlic and onions are toxic for pets. Many pet parents aren’t aware of the many dangerous things that can happen, such as GI obstructions and acute and life-threatening pancreatitis, a condition brought on when a pet ingests highly fatty foods. Dr. Laci Schaible is a smallanimal veterinarian dedicated to educating pet parents.

An apple a day will not keep the veterinarian away.

Pet Quarterly | Fall 2012 13

Pet Tales

Veterinarian-Approved Holiday Sweets and Treats Most pet parents know that dogs and cats shouldn’t have many of the foods from the dinner table, but with the holidays right around the corner, we don’t want our furry companions to miss out on the fun. Try these easy recipes for your pets, but do remember that treats are not meant to replace meals. They are also not recommended for pets struggling with their weight.

Fish and Chicken Cookies for Finicky Felines

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats for Pups

Yield: 25 to 30 cookies

½ cup cooked chopped chicken

2½ cups whole-wheat flour

5 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese

2 eggs

¼ cup warm water

n 2 / 3

1 egg

1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1 Tbsp. cod liver oil

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 cup wheat flour

½ tsp. salt

¼ cup soy flour

1. Preheat oven to 300ºF. 2. Combine chicken, cheese, water, egg and oils. Stir in flours. 3. Roll out dough to ¼-inch thick. Cut out with small holiday cookie cutters. 4. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes. 14 Fall 2012 | Pet Quarterly

cup fresh or canned unsweetened pumpkin

n 2 / 3

cup peanut butter

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. 2. Whisk together flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, cinnamon and salt. Add up to ½ cup water as needed to make dough workable. 3. Roll out dough to ½-inch thick. Cut out with holiday cookie cutters. 4. Bake until hard, 35 to 40 minutes. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

Pet Tales

Tips to Avoid Scaredy Cats and Dogs this Halloween 5.

Secure your pets inside. How many times are you going to open the door and risk your cat’s darting escape? All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during trick-or-treating hours.

6. Keep wires and cords from

lights and decorations out of reach of your pets. If these are chewed, your pet could suffer cuts, burns or a life-threatening electrical shock. If your pet chews through an electric cord, even if your pet seems fine afterward, there may be internal lung damage that can be deadly if you delay a trip to the veterinarian.

1. Keep Fido and Fluffy’s paws out of

the candy bowl. Chocolate in all forms, especially dark or baking chocolate, can be dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol can be deadly. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something dangerous, please call your veterinarian at once; time is crucial with dangerous sweets.

Use caution around candle flames, or switch to battery-operated candles. Carved pumpkins are festive, but please exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. A playful puppy can easily knock over a small pumpkin, burn itself or start a fire.

Halloween is probably more fun for you than your pet. Consider leaving pets at home if you venture out trick-ortreating. Pets are not expecting ghouls, Frankenstein and smoke machines.

If you have put off getting ID tags for your pet, now is the time to get them. Make sure that your pet is properly identified in case it gets lost. The best combination is a collar and tags along with a microchip.

Consider forgoing the pet costume. Playing dress-up can be downright stressful for many pets. Unless your pet is used to wearing clothes, it’s probably more fun for your pet to enjoy the holiday without a costume. If you can’t imagine Halloween without a pet costume, make sure to put it on the day before, to see how your pet reacts and to give your pet some time to adjust.

10.

If you dress up your pet, remember that Halloween costumes should not endanger your pet’s safety. Bells may be ingested and can cause metal toxicities. Bobbing antlers may spring into a pet’s eye. Dangling sequins beg to be eaten. Small, restrictive costumes can constrict your pet’s movement, breathing, barking or meowing.

Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets that nibble on them. It’s best to supervise your pet or keep the decorations located where pets don’t have free range to nibble.

4. If you must bring your pets along

trick-or-treating, please make sure they wear something reflective.

Pet Quarterly | Fall 2012 15

Pet Tales

Ask the Veterinarian Q: Is pumpkin in all forms—including raw jack-o’-lantern innards—good for dogs and cats, or only cooked pumpkin?

A: Both cooked and raw pumpkin flesh and seeds are edible to dogs and cats, provided you are armed with accurate information. If your pet has a medical condition such as diabetes or chronic kidney disease, always ask your veterinarian first. Avoid pumpkin leaves and stems, because they are covered in sharp little hairs that can irritate the mouth and gastrointestinal tract and cause tiny cuts in the intestines. For healthy dogs and cats, eating seeds and flesh of fresh raw or cooked pumpkins is safe, assuming it’s not a rotten pumpkin that’s been sitting on the porch past its prime. Pumpkin flesh spoils very quickly. An easy way to have some handy dog treats around that will last three to four weeks is to roast the pumpkin seeds in the oven. Fresh pumpkin is more nutritious than canned. If you choose to go with canned, make sure it doesn’t have added sugar or sweeteners. Also, please do not offer your pets pie filling, only plain canned pumpkin.

Did You Know? During the holidays, the candy bowl might be your dog’s greatest temptation. Dogs love the taste of chocolate and will go to far lengths, or counter-top heights, to indulge in this vice, so don’t leave the bowl alone or within a paw’s reach for a moment!

C H E WA B L E S 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) Chewables 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 Chewables Ivermectin Weight Per Month Content

Up to 25 26 - 50 51 - 100

1 1 1

68 mcg 136 mcg 272 mcg

Pyrantel Content

Color Coding 0n Foil-Backing and Carton

57 mg 114 mg 227 mg

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 prevention 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 Chewables were 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 hypersensitivitytype 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 at controlled room temperature of 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. 1 Of

dogs showing a preference in three studies conducted by independent investigators, dogs preferred HEARTGARD® (ivermectin) Chewables over INTERCEPTOR® (milbemycin oxime) FlavorTabs® by a margin of 37 to 1; data on file at Merial.

®HEARTGARD and the Dog & Hand logo are registered trademarks of Merial. ®INTERCEPTOR is a registered trademark of the Novartis Corporation. ®FLAVOR TABS is a registered trademark of Novartis AG. ©2010 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. HGD10CNPETQTRAD.

16 Fall 2012 | Pet Quarterly

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