How to tell if your cat is secretly sick

Can you tell which kitty is sick?

 Almost impossible to tell from a photograph but many loving, concerned owner’s miss early or subtle hints that their cat has an illness – especially ongoing conditions like thyroid, kidney and dental disease.

  Domestic cats have been referred to as having "one foot in the wild." Wild animals, as a survival method, have to hide signs of weakness, pain or disease. Cats commonly suffer from a number of very treatable conditions as they age. Early detection is key to maintaining quality of life in older cats This means that you have to be that much more observant of your feline friend’s behavior at all times.

 

Let’s go over 10 signs of illness in cats – although many of them also apply to dogs.

 

1. Change in Appetite or Thirst
Eating or drinking more or less than normal can potentially signify disease. If you notice a change either way, you should notify your veterinarian. There are countless diseases that can cause an increased thirst, overeating or losing one’s appetite. You vet’s job will be to investigate why.

2. Stinky Breath
A foul odor coming from your kitty’s mouth can mean gum disease or tooth decay.  Brushing your cat’s teeth is a good way to decrease those risks.  Imagine if you went 5 or 10 or 15 years without brushing your teeth! In addition, breath that smells like ammonia can be a sign of kidney disease.

3. Eliminating Outside of the Litter Box
Causes of this annoying habit can be behavioral or indicate a disease. Discuss your pet’s symptoms with your vet to rule out a bladder infection or urinary blockage before treating this as a behavior issue.

4. Weight Change
Weight loss can be an indication of many diseases and is sometimes the only symptom your kitty will give of not feeling well. Weight gain if it results in obesity is detrimental to your pet’s health. It can lead to diabetes and arthritis.

5. Behavior Change
If your normally social kitty suddenly becomes antisocial, there may be a medical reason. A classic sign of illness is hiding: kitty feels bad, tries to hide from “predators” and hides in a closet or under a bed.

6. Grooming Change
Lack of grooming can cause dull or greasy hair coat, which can indicate skin disease or other problems. Some cats over-groom and end up with bald patches. Skin parasites, like fleas or mange, or even stress can cause this behavior.

7. Activity Change
A sudden increase in activity level in a middle-aged to older kitty can indicate an overactive thyroid. If your kitty seems less than enthusiastic about moving around or playing, it may indicate arthritis or other issues.

8. Sleep Pattern Change
If your cat seems to sleep all day when he used to be active, he may be trying to tell you he doesn't feel well. The opposite is also true. If your kitty is up all night roaming the house, vocalizing, or seems overactive during the day, there might be an underlying cause.

9. Stress-Induced Behavior
A change in your cat’s routine may be a sign of stress. Changes in the environment your pet lives in, like the addition of another pet, remodeling or loud noises can all cause hiding, depression, or a lack of appetite. Be objective and thorough when describing any potential changes to your veterinarian.

10. Vocalization Change

 Normally quiet cats with an increase in vocalizations, or a usually chatty kitty which suddenly becomes quiet, might mean trouble.

 

Any of the above changes, whether slow or quick, is a reason to see your veterinarian to investigate the cause and find a treatment as soon as possible.

A great winter tip for your best friend

Winter Wipe Off! Be sure to wipe off your dog’s legs and belly when he comes in from the sleet, snow and ice. Dogs can easily ingest salt, antifreeze and other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking their paws, so dry Fido off even after a quick walk around the block!

February is National Pet Dental Health Month

We need dental care just like you!

Periodontal disease is the most common clinical condition in cats and dogs even though it's completely preventable. Good oral health is an important part of good general health for your pet.

 

 View this video from the American Veterinary Medical Association with information on what periodontal disease is and how we can prevent our pets from getting it. 

 

Periodontal Disease  

Signs of oral and dental diseases in dogs and cats:

·         Bad breath

·         Tartar build up

·         Red gums

·         Loose teeth or teeth that are discolored

·         Your pet shies away from you when you touch the mouth area

·         Drooling or dropping food from the mouth

·         Bleeding from the mouth

·         Loss of appetite or loss of weight (this combination can result from diseases of many organs, and early veterinary examination is important).

 

 

World Rabies Day

World Rabies Day is September 28^th

 Rabies is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can pass between species. Transmission is usually via a bite wound inflicted by an infected animal although scratches may also be a risk. It is famed for its violent symptoms, including hydrophobia and foaming at the mouth, and for being a particularly unpleasant and distressing death. Prognosis once symptoms are evident rabies is all but 100% fatal with only a handful of recorded survivals in its 4000 year history.

Geographically Rabies is found on every continent on Earth, except Antarctica. In the middle of the 20th Century, USA and UK took successful measures to control the disease and it is now well controlled in most developed countries – although it is still present in wildlife. Despite being a disease that we have the capacity to prevent, rabies continues to cause immense human and animal suffering, claiming circa 55,000 human lives and countless animal lives every year.

During 2012 the United States reported 6,162 rabid animals and 1 human rabies case to the CDC. 92% of reported rabid animals were wildlife. Rabies control in wildlife is a large-scale annual effort led by USDA  APHIS Wildlife Services. On the east coast the primary focus is oral rabies vaccine-laden baits targeted at raccoons.

The reduction of rabies cases involving humans in the US is due to the elimination of canine rabies virus variants, vaccination of wildlife, and administration of post exposure prophylaxis in a timely manner, and education of health-care professionals and the public. Although the number of human rabies cases has been dramatically reduce, cases continue to occur, primarily as a result of exposure to bats.

Halloween Alert: Gum can be poisonous

Xylitol Toxicosis

Contributors:
Linda G. Shell, DVM, ACVIM (Neurology)

Synonyms:
Chewing gum toxicosis
Chewing gum poisoning
Xylitol poisoning

Disease description:
Pure xylitol is a white crystalline substance that looks and tastes like sugar. On food labels, xylitol is classified broadly as a carbohydrate and more narrowly as a polyol. It has been used as a sugar substitute and can be found in sugar-free candy, gums and other products. In humans, xylitol has little to no effect on plasma insulin or glucose levels, but in dogs xylitol is a strong promoter of insulin release and can cause severe hypoglycemia with ataxia, collapse and seizures. Hypokalemia can be present and is likely due to potassium shift (insulin drives potassium into the cells). Xylitol can also cause hepatic necrosis and death. ^1,3-5

HOW MUCH XYLITOL CAUSES TOXICITY?  Chewing gums that are largely or only sweetened with xylitol contain about 1-2 grams/piece. Thus one or two pieces of gum could cause hypoglycemia in a 10 kg dog. ⁴

HEPATIC INJURY Some dogs develop elevated liver enzymes 8-12 hours post-xylitol ingestion and recover fully. Others develop acute liver failure, hemorrhage, and disseminated intravascular coagulation and often die. The lowest dose to cause hepatic necrosis is thought to be 1.6-2 g/kg. Most of the dogs who developed acute hepatic failure and DIC actually did not apparently show signs of hypoglycemia after ingestion of xylitol. ³ Further observations suggested that these cases became acutely ill about 48 hours post xylitol ingestion and had extremely elevated ALTs (often not measurable), elevated bilirubin, and prolonged PT/PTTs. In some cases of hepatic necrosis, hypophosphatemia was found initially but was followed by hyperphosphatemia in the terminal stages. Symptoms include:
Loss of appetite
Fluid in the abdomen
Stagering, incoordination/unable to stand
weight loss
diarrhea/vomiting
Nose bleed
Low body temp (normal is 102 rectally)
drinking/urinating a lot
Yellow skin or whites of the eye
bruising

BEHAVIOR CHANGE
 aggression

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) SIGNS
Coma, unconsciousness
Convulsions, seizures


 https://www.facebook.com/pages/House-Call-Vet-Madison-WI/150563168320592?v=wall

Halloween Safety Tips

Chocolate – Of all candies, chocolate poses the biggest Halloween “threat” to dogs. Many dogs are attracted to the smell of chocolate, making it a significant threat for massive ingestion. The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the more poisonous it is. Methylxanthines are the chemicals in chocolate that are dangerous to pets, and they are more concentrated in darker chocolates. A single ounce of Baker’s chocolate can make a 50-pound dog very sick. Milk chocolate and white chocolate are less dangerous, but should still be kept out of the reach of pets. If you think your dog may have ingested chocolate, signs to watch for include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, agitation, increased thirst, an elevated heart rate, and in severe cases, seizures. 

First Aid Kit for dogs

It's a really good idea to keep a first aid kit on hand for your 4 legged friends. Here is a list of some items to include:

v  Bandage Material

Ø  Gauze

Ø  Telfa nonstick gauze

Ø  Vet wrap/elastic wrap

Ø  Roller gauze

v  Small container of antibacterial soap

v  Saline eye flush – can also be used to flush out wounds

v  Triple antibiotic ointment 

v  Benadryl –  an over the counter med but ask your vet for the proper dose for your dog

v  Skunk off

v  Scissors

v  Tweezers or other tick removing device

v  Gloves

v  Cold pack

v  Tampon (works well as a packing for severe nose bleeds)

v  Muzzle

v  Blanket

v  List of emergency room phone numbers