Excess Summer Heat and Related Problems
Overheated PetsTo prevent problems in summer heat, provide shade, plenty of fresh water and select an area where there is chance for breezes to cool. In extreme heat it is recommended to bring your pet inside to an air conditioned building or one with good air flow from fans.Over heated pets can be cooled with a cool water bath or rinse. If the body temperature has been elevated near105 or higher for any length of time, it may be permanently damaging and can cause death.If you cool the pet rapidly, you need to watch for the body temperature going too low and also causing death. When cooling your pet, monitor the body temperature all the time. Cool with a cool water bath/rinse until the body temp starts down, then stop the cool water application at that time. Once the temp starts down, it will reach normal body temp shortly. Parenteral fluids may be needed to help stabilize the pet so call your veterinarian as soon as you have reduced the temp and ask for directions. |
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Bloat or Gastric Dilatation Volvulus
Usually occurs in large deep chested dogs. Signs include enlargement of the abdomen with a drum like consistency when tapped. There is usually vomiting present and the pet will become very weak quickly. Death will occur in a very short time.Treatment consits of reducing the gas/air present in the stomach, either with a stomach tube or at times a trocar inserted through the wall of the abdomen over the bloated stomach. Surgery is indicated after the pet has been stabilized with parenteral fluids. Surgery consists of open abdominal surgery to deflate the stomach and return it to the proper position. A procedure called gastro pexy is then performed to cause adhesions between the stomach wall and the abdominal wall to help prevent this from happening again.There are a few gastric dilatations that do not twist or cause a volvulus. Those can at times be reduced by inserting a stomach tube down the esophagus and into the stomach to relieve the gas build up. It is rare that the stomach doesn't twist so usually surgery is needed.The outcome or prognosis is very poor as well over 50% do not survive. |
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Prevention of GVD
Most cases have similar histories which include the following: * Recent Meal * Large amount of water intake * Turned loose outside too soon after eating a heavy meal with excess water intake * Dog usually goes out and eats some grass and then runs or plays excessivley with a full stomach of food, water and grass. * Comes back indoors and drinks more water to add more to the mix * The stomach then starts to enlarge rapidly and the dog is near death rapidly |
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Prevention measures
* Don't let the dog run loose outside after a recent meal and water intake * Take your pet out on a leash to elminate shortly after a meal/water intake * Only allow heavy exercise with a resting period of at least an hour after a meal * Be especially careful on very hot days. |
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Another consideration for GVD
Patients that have been sedated or under anesthesia also are candidates for bloating and torsion so after an anesthetic is given, follow your veterinarian's instructions which should include the following: * No food or water for at least 4-6 hours after sedation * Keep patient in ambient temperatures for 4-6 hours * Supervision of patient is needed for 4-6 hours to prevent injury or mishaps * Usually your veterinarian will keep the patient long enough for this period to pass. If you insist on taking the animal home early, however, keep a close watch on the above recommendations. |
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COLD WEATHER PROTECTION
Pets such as dogs and cats can withstand cold weather if certain conditions are met. Animals that are left outside at all times have changes in the hair coat that will accommodate cold weather. They develop heavier coats for cold climates. There are however, some breeds that are not equipped to handle drastic changes in temperatures. Pet owners need to use common sense to protect their pets during these times. Listed below is information to help you in protecting your pet. * Provide insulated housing that is small enough for the body heat to keep the pet warm. To put your pet in an unheated garage is not adequate. There must also be a small house present, even in a garage; the pet's body heat cannot heat an entire garage. * If the insulated dog house is outside, the entry to it must not be facing where direct cold wind can enter. Face it away from the wind direction. * Cats often get frost bite on the tips of the ears, resulting in the tips of the ears falling off. Dogs with thin ear tips may also become frost bitten. * Pets generate body heat from calories produced by food. Fat is the the ingredient that produces the most heat. * Dogs only have sweat glands in their foot pads. Keeping them dry will help prevent frost bite in the foot pads. Boots are available to help keep them dry and warm. * If you do house your pet in an insulated house outside, there should also be adequate bedding present. Bedding can be in the form of straw, wood chips or cloth. The bedding needs to be changed often to keep it dry and clean. * There must also be adequate water supply available or dehydration will occur. * Feed a high calorie diet such as the premium diets provide, or add some fat in the form of animal fat or vegetable oil. Feeding low-priced generic food does not provide enough calories for adequate body heat production. * Of course, bringing you pet in the house is the best way to assure there will not be a problem. * Animals under the age of 4 months cannot regulate body temperature well and will need to be protected. Young animals especiall need dry, warm quarters. |
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Antifreeze Poisoning
In the fall one of the major preventable problems seen is antifreeze poisoning. It comes about by careless disposal or draining of automobile radiators. Even a small amount of antifreeze solution will cause death. Cats only need to lick up a few drops.The changes can be reversed depending on the amount ingested and the time interval after ingestion. It is imperative that if there is known ingestion, you seek immediate veterinary treatment. If you wait until signs of toxicity show, there will be very grave consequences. It is important to get the detoxification started within minutes, if possible.Consult your Emergency Veterinary Facility or your own veterinarian as soon as possible.. |
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Immunization
Immunization of diseases is in the process of change at the present time. Some concerns are: * The use of too many different antigens (disease immunization entities) given to patients at one time. * Interaction between antigens that may reduce the immunization properties of others. * Immunization for diseases that are minor, short-lived disease entities with the added risk of interfering with response to antigens of more devastating diseases. * There is some work being done to validate dividing up the vaccination process by giving less antigens with each visit. Therefore, more visits for vaccinations may be needed to protect your pet properly. * Vaccination with an interval of less than two weeks with a live virus of any disease. There should be at least a 2 week interval between live virus vaccines. * Concern for vaccination induced tumors (fibroSarcomas) in cats. * The implementation of Annual Health Exams with Immunization status updates. * Immunization updates defined as: Immunity protocol tailored for your pet's lifestyle and exposure risks. * Some of the changes being looked at are not relevant to good medicine. The newer investigators are not familiar with the consequences of poor vaccination protocol. They have not experienced high numbers of sick animals that were seen routinely prior to about 1975. It was not unusual to be treating several animals for distemper at a time. Other diseases in the same category include, hepatitis, leptospirosis, Parvo and Feline distemper. |
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Canine Immunization:
Diseases that need to be considered in all regions include:Canine DistemperCanine HepatitisParainfluenzaParvovirusRabiesDiseases that may be relevant to your region or lifestyle include:Lyme VaccinationBordetellaLeptospirosisCorona |
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Feline Immunization:
Diseases that need to be considered in all regions include:Feline DistemperFeline RhinotracheitisCalici VirusRabies (New Vaccine available reduces Tumor formation)Diseases that may be relevant to your region or lifestyle include:Feline LeukemiaFeline BordetellaFeline Infectious PeritonitisChlamydia |
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