Sunday, January 24, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Gadgets for pets
As humans, we love our gadgets. From solar- powered laptop bags to Bluetooth dongles, there's always something fun and new to futurise our lives.
Don't let your pets miss out; the internet world offers a huge range of gadgets for animals - some useful and some bizarre.
Gadgets for pets
Don't let your pets miss out; the internet world offers a huge range of gadgets for animals - some useful and some bizarre.
Gadgets for pets
Monday, January 11, 2010
Ain't Too Proud to Beg
In the AVMA's latest podcast, animal behaviorist Dr. Sophia Yin talks about how we may inadvertently train our pets to beg for food ... and how we can get them to stop
253-pets begging for food.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)
253-pets begging for food.mp3 (audio/mpeg Object)
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Kennel Cough - What You Should Know
WHAT IS IT?
Kennel cough is bronchitis characterized by a harsh, hacking cough which most people describe as sounding like "something stuck in my dog's throat." It is analogous to a chest cold for humans and is only a serious condition in special circumstances; in general, it resolves on its own.
HOW INFECTION OCCURS?
The normal respiratory tract has substantial safeguards against invading infectious agents. These defense mechanisms are damaged by the following:
o shipping stress
o crowding stress
o heavy dust exposure
o cigarette smoke exposure
o infectious agents (various viruses, bacteria, etc)
o Cold temperature
o Poor ventilation
Without these protective mechanisms, invading bacteria, especially Bordetella bronchiseptica may simply march down the airways unimpeded.
Because it is common for Bordetella to be accompanied by at least one other infections agent. "Kennel Cough" is actually a complex of infections, rather than infection by one agent.
Classically, dogs get infected when they are kept in a crowded situation with poor air circulation but lots of warm air (i.e. a boarding kennel, vaccination clinic, obedience class, local park, animal shelter, animal hospital waiting room, or grooming parlor). In reality, most causes of coughing that begin acutely in the dog are due to infectious causes and usually represent some form of Kennel Cough.
*THE INCUBATION PERIOD IS 2 - 14 DAYS*
X-rays of the chest can gather much information about the heart and lungs as well as the entire respiratory system. We will be looking for infiltration of the lungs with fluid typical for pneumonia or congestion. We will look at the trachea and bronchi for thickness and inflammation.
There are many intestinal parasites that migrate through the lungs and respiratory parasites that pass eggs in the stools. Therefore, to evaluate your pet for respiratory disease, we recommend a fecal test for parasite eggs.
TREATMENT
We generally prescribed 2 medications:
1. an antibiotic to help your pet clear any bacterial agents that may be responsible for the coughing and inflammation in the airways, and
2. a cough suppressant and expectorant to help reduce the irritation brought about by continued coughing and to help bring up any mucous or debris in the airways.
We may also give your pet an injection of a short-acting cortisone medication. This steroid will reduce inflammation within the airway and help reduce symptoms for a short period of time, while body fights any infection that is present
FEEDING
You can feed your pet's normal diet - there is no need to change the diet at this time
Encourage as much fluid consumption as possible.
Water is the best drug available to help thin the mucus so that it can be coughed up.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
It is often helpful to use a cool water or cool mist humidifier in the room where your pet spends the majority of his/her time, particularly during the night or when sleeping.
Minimize exercise during recovery to help prevent coughing.
Remove collars and other objects from the neck which may cause pressure on the trachea, stimulating coughing.
It probably is best to keep your pet inside as much as possible. Maintain a constant air temperature and prevent chilling.
Be sure to thoroughly dry your pet if a bath is necessary.
HOW CONTAGIOUS IS IT?
Bordetella infection can be picked up by rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, cats (if they are very young and housed in groups), and other dogs. It is not contagious to humans though it is closely related to Bordetella pertussis, the agent of Whooping Cough.
Among dogs it is fairly contagious depending on stress level, vaccination status, and exposure to minor viruses.
Our hospital recommends keeping all dogs current on their Bordetella vaccinations as you never know when they might be in an unexpected situation.
WHEN IS IT A SERIOUS CONDITION?
In very young puppies, especially those with a recent shipping history (i.e. pet store puppies) are especially prone to severe cases of infectious tracheobronchitis (frequently progressing to pneumonia). In dogs where the distemper virus is involved (usually shelter or pet store puppies), there is tremendous potential for serious consequences.
If the coughing has not improved greatly within the next 2-3 days, or if the symptoms are not resolved completely within 7-10 days we recommend rechecking your pet and possibly considering other tests or medications
Kennel cough is bronchitis characterized by a harsh, hacking cough which most people describe as sounding like "something stuck in my dog's throat." It is analogous to a chest cold for humans and is only a serious condition in special circumstances; in general, it resolves on its own.
HOW INFECTION OCCURS?
The normal respiratory tract has substantial safeguards against invading infectious agents. These defense mechanisms are damaged by the following:
o shipping stress
o crowding stress
o heavy dust exposure
o cigarette smoke exposure
o infectious agents (various viruses, bacteria, etc)
o Cold temperature
o Poor ventilation
Without these protective mechanisms, invading bacteria, especially Bordetella bronchiseptica may simply march down the airways unimpeded.
Because it is common for Bordetella to be accompanied by at least one other infections agent. "Kennel Cough" is actually a complex of infections, rather than infection by one agent.
Classically, dogs get infected when they are kept in a crowded situation with poor air circulation but lots of warm air (i.e. a boarding kennel, vaccination clinic, obedience class, local park, animal shelter, animal hospital waiting room, or grooming parlor). In reality, most causes of coughing that begin acutely in the dog are due to infectious causes and usually represent some form of Kennel Cough.
*THE INCUBATION PERIOD IS 2 - 14 DAYS*
X-rays of the chest can gather much information about the heart and lungs as well as the entire respiratory system. We will be looking for infiltration of the lungs with fluid typical for pneumonia or congestion. We will look at the trachea and bronchi for thickness and inflammation.
There are many intestinal parasites that migrate through the lungs and respiratory parasites that pass eggs in the stools. Therefore, to evaluate your pet for respiratory disease, we recommend a fecal test for parasite eggs.
TREATMENT
We generally prescribed 2 medications:
1. an antibiotic to help your pet clear any bacterial agents that may be responsible for the coughing and inflammation in the airways, and
2. a cough suppressant and expectorant to help reduce the irritation brought about by continued coughing and to help bring up any mucous or debris in the airways.
We may also give your pet an injection of a short-acting cortisone medication. This steroid will reduce inflammation within the airway and help reduce symptoms for a short period of time, while body fights any infection that is present
FEEDING
You can feed your pet's normal diet - there is no need to change the diet at this time
Encourage as much fluid consumption as possible.
Water is the best drug available to help thin the mucus so that it can be coughed up.
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
It is often helpful to use a cool water or cool mist humidifier in the room where your pet spends the majority of his/her time, particularly during the night or when sleeping.
Minimize exercise during recovery to help prevent coughing.
Remove collars and other objects from the neck which may cause pressure on the trachea, stimulating coughing.
It probably is best to keep your pet inside as much as possible. Maintain a constant air temperature and prevent chilling.
Be sure to thoroughly dry your pet if a bath is necessary.
HOW CONTAGIOUS IS IT?
Bordetella infection can be picked up by rabbits, guinea pigs, pigs, cats (if they are very young and housed in groups), and other dogs. It is not contagious to humans though it is closely related to Bordetella pertussis, the agent of Whooping Cough.
Among dogs it is fairly contagious depending on stress level, vaccination status, and exposure to minor viruses.
Our hospital recommends keeping all dogs current on their Bordetella vaccinations as you never know when they might be in an unexpected situation.
WHEN IS IT A SERIOUS CONDITION?
In very young puppies, especially those with a recent shipping history (i.e. pet store puppies) are especially prone to severe cases of infectious tracheobronchitis (frequently progressing to pneumonia). In dogs where the distemper virus is involved (usually shelter or pet store puppies), there is tremendous potential for serious consequences.
If the coughing has not improved greatly within the next 2-3 days, or if the symptoms are not resolved completely within 7-10 days we recommend rechecking your pet and possibly considering other tests or medications
Friday, January 8, 2010
Cat contraception study shows promise
Vaccine Shows Significant Promise for Controlling Feline Contraception
The uncontrolled reproduction of feral cats is a substantial cause of cat overpopulation and euthanasia. Although surgical sterilization is an increasingly popular and humane method of controlling feral cat populations, it is expensive, labor-intensive, highly technical and limited in scale. In a previous MAF-funded study, researchers tested a single-dose vaccine that successfully prevented pregnancy in 73 percent of female cats during the two-year observation period. A second three-year study continued this work, for a total of five years of observation, at which point 27 percent of the cats remained infertile. The duration of the vaccine's effectiveness ranged from four months to more than five years (median = three years). It is highly likely that a second immunization would increase the percentage of cats with long-lasting and perhaps permanent contraception, but multiple treatments of free-roaming cats would be difficult. Researchers believe future work should focus on refining the single-dose approach to increase the percentage of cats that remain infertile for at least three years. Results from this study have been widely presented, and the lead researcher was appointed to the initial scientific advisory committee of the Michelson Prize and Grants program of the Found Animals Foundation in Los Angeles, which has earmarked $75 million for the development of nonsurgical sterilization options for cats and dogs.
The uncontrolled reproduction of feral cats is a substantial cause of cat overpopulation and euthanasia. Although surgical sterilization is an increasingly popular and humane method of controlling feral cat populations, it is expensive, labor-intensive, highly technical and limited in scale. In a previous MAF-funded study, researchers tested a single-dose vaccine that successfully prevented pregnancy in 73 percent of female cats during the two-year observation period. A second three-year study continued this work, for a total of five years of observation, at which point 27 percent of the cats remained infertile. The duration of the vaccine's effectiveness ranged from four months to more than five years (median = three years). It is highly likely that a second immunization would increase the percentage of cats with long-lasting and perhaps permanent contraception, but multiple treatments of free-roaming cats would be difficult. Researchers believe future work should focus on refining the single-dose approach to increase the percentage of cats that remain infertile for at least three years. Results from this study have been widely presented, and the lead researcher was appointed to the initial scientific advisory committee of the Michelson Prize and Grants program of the Found Animals Foundation in Los Angeles, which has earmarked $75 million for the development of nonsurgical sterilization options for cats and dogs.
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