Conrad Weiser Animal Hospital

Tiger lilies, day lilies, Easter lilies, oriental lilies are very toxic to pets.  These “true” lilies contain a large amount of a toxin that causes kidney failure in cats (and possibility death). The toxic substance is found in the leaves, flowers, bulbs, and even the pollen of these flowers.  It is important to keep all pets (especially cats) away from these types of lilies.  If you suspect your cat has ingested even a small amount of a lily, have him/her checked immediately.  Be sure to take in the plant too.  Calla Lilies, daffodils, tulips, and crocuses contain compounds that can irritate a pet’s mouth and digestive system, but do not contain the kidney toxin that “true” lilies do.  Daffodils also contain a toxin that can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and heart arrhythmias.  It is best to keep pets away from all spring flowers to prevent toxicity.

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is found in some sugarless gums, diabetic candies, and other sugar-free products. Xylitol is safe for humans but, it can cause extremely low blood sugar levels and liver failure in dogs (and possibly ferrets) if it is ingested in a large enough quantity.  The amount of Xylitol varies greatly between sugar-free products that contain it. It is not known if Xylitol is toxic to cats because cats are not usually attracted to foods that taste sweet.  If you suspect your pet has eaten something containing Xylitol, have him/her examined immediately (Be sure to bring the package with the ingredient list with you).

Take this quiz to test your knowledge. (The correct answers can be found at the end of this post.)

1. True or False: Most Ticks that are active this time of year (March) are Deer ticks.

2. True or False: If you can see a tick easily, it is not a deer tick.

3. True or False: Every deer tick carries Lyme disease

4. True or False: It is easy to feel a tick when it bites you.

5. How many legs do adult ticks have? __

6. True or False:  A major symptom of Lyme disease in dogs is muscle/joint pain.

7. True or False: People that are infected with Lyme disease always have a red “bull’s eye” skin lesion.

8. True or False: A tick’s head will continue to burrow into the skin if it is detached from the body

Answers:

1. True: The American Dog ticks show up later in the year.

2. False: Adult deer ticks are large enough to see easily, especially engorged females.  The larval and nymph life stages of the ticks (prevalent in June, July, and August) are very small and difficult to see.

3. False: Up to 50% of deer ticks may be carriers of Lyme disease.

4. False: Ticks secrete several substances in their saliva, one of which “numbs” the area so that their bite is not felt. Another substance prevents the blood from clotting so that they can feed easily.

5. Eight: Ticks are not insects. 

6. True: Muscle/joint pain, fever, and loss of appetite are hallmarks of Lyme disease in dogs.

7. False: Many people who become ill with Lyme disease never find a “bull’s eye” lesion on their skin.

8. False: This is an old wives' tale.

Demodex is a microscopic mite that lives on everyone’s skin (including humans!). This photo was taken thru the microscope. Normally a pet or person never knows that these 8 legged mites are quietly living in our hair follicles. However, when the immune system is weak, these creatures can multiply unchecked and cause an itchy rash and skin infection. This rash can be very severe and is often referred to as demodectic mange. Two types of demodectic mange occur in dogs: juvenile and adult. The juvenile form of the disease is usually self-limiting and resolves without treatment as a puppy’s immune system matures. The adult form of the disease is much more serious and usually occurs in dogs that already have some other disease that affects the immune system. The adult form is very difficult to treat and even harder to cure. Demodectic mange can usually be diagnosed with a skin scrape.

The polar vortex may have moved back up to the North Pole, but there is still plenty of frigid winter weather to come.  Have you considered these 3 cold weather pet health hazards?

Fan belts and cats

Outdoor cats seek warm places to sleep in. Unfortunately, they may try to stay warm under the hood of cars and trucks. This comfy spot becomes a dangerous spot when the ignition is started. The fan belt or other moving parts can strike a slumbering cat and severely injure or kill it. To prevent this, knock loudly on the hood before starting your car or truck to alert any stowaways that it is time to find another hiding spot.

Frozen ponds and dogs

Dogs are very poor judges of the thickness of ice on ponds and lakes. They may unknowingly walk out onto thin ice and fall through. This can quickly result in hypothermia in the dog or a person that tries to save the dog and falls thru the ice too! Be sure to leash your dog when walking near frozen lakes and ponds

Antifreeze and all pets

The ethylene glycol in many types of antifreeze may seem like a sweet treat to dogs, but this colorful substance is extremely toxic. Although cats are not attracted to sweet things, they will lick their paws after walking thru a puddle of antifreeze. Always check for the bright yellow puddles in the driveway and garage. Clean up any spills immediately. Better yet, use only pet-friendly antifreeze that does not contain ethylene glycol.  

Has anyone else noticed that their dog’s feet sometimes smell like Fritos? The distinct aroma again wafted up from my Lab’s (Ben) feet today as he slept on his dog bed. It seems there really is something to this! The smell probably results from bacteria interacting with the sweat from a dog's paws. This causes the formation of molecules that smell like corn chips (or corn nuts). Interestingly, years ago I read somewhere that the smell of Fritos could decrease some people’s appetites. I do believe that the smell of a dog’s paws could cause most people to lose their appetites so who knows...this just might be the next diet craze.

So many pet food commercials claim to have the best food for pets. One company even invites pet parents to compare their food to several other nationally known pet food brands.  If only we could believe what pet food companies claim! Two very common misconceptions about pet foods are:

#1 True or False:  If “chicken” is listed first on the list of ingredients, the food is better than a food that lists “chicken meal” first on the list of ingredients.

Answer: FALSE   “chicken” actually contains less protein than “chicken meal” (“chicken meal” is dehydrated meat whereas “chicken” meat contains a large percentage of water). 

#2 True or False: Foods that are grain-free are better for your dog than food that contain grains.

Answer: FALSE. Grains are a great source of protein, omega 3 fatty acids, and fiber.  A dog’s body uses proteins exactly the same whether they come from meat or grain. 

So how do you know what is best to feed your pet?  We recommend sticking with the foods manufactured by companies that spend a lot of money on pet nutrition research.  These companies are Hills (Science Diet), Iams (Eukanuba), Purina (Pro-plan is their best), and Royal Canin.  Other companies spend lots of money on marketing and advertising their food.

February is both National Pet Dental month and Human Heart Health Awareness month. So what are some connections between teeth, heart health, people, and pets?..

 1. Petting a pet is heart-healthy! Stroking a dog or cat’s fur lowers blood pressure for the human and the pet.

2. Dental disease is not heart-healthy. Inflammation that results from poor dental health has been repeatedly linked to heart (and liver and kidney) disease in humans and pets.

3. Brushing your pet’s teeth is one of the best ways to prevent dental disease and keep his/her heart (and liver and kidneys) healthy and breath fresh.

4. When your pet’s breath is fresh, you’re more likely to pet him/her.

5. When you pet your pet, you lower your blood pressure and your heart is a little healthier. 

Conclusion: YES! Good pet dental health can lead to lower blood pressure for owners and improve heart health a little.

Have you ever wondered how old your dog or cat is in “human years”? The old rule of thumb that 1 year of a pet’s life equals 7 human years is not really accurate. Pets are teenagers by the end of their 1st year and then start to age slower. A pet’s weight also contributes to how quickly a pet will age after their first year. A 10 lb. cat or dog is the equivalent human age of 50 when they are about 8 years old whereas a Great Dane will reach a human age of 50 when they are only 6 years old.

How much is your pet really eating?

Next time you are feeding your pet their food or a snack, consider this: If you feed a 30 lb. dog 1 cup of food, it is roughly the equivalent of feeding an adult person 5 cups of food! 

How is this possible you ask?!  An average person weighs about 150 lbs. A 30 lb dog is 1/5th the weight of a person so we can multiply the amount the dog eats by 5.  

The table below gives more comparisons based on pet weight.  Too many pets are overweight (or worse yet - obese!). Pets that carry excess weight are at risk of the same health problems that humans are: diabetes, joint disease, cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disease. The most common reason by far for pet obesity is overfeeding by owners.  So next time you are filling your pet’s bowl, measure the food, and compare it to how much YOU would be eating. You might be surprised by how much your pet is really eating!

Weight of your pet             Feeding 1 cup of food is approx. equivalent to YOU eating:

     10 lb.                                                           15 cups

     20 lb.                                                        7 ½  cups

     30 lb.                                                            5 cups

     50 lb.                                                            3 cups

     75 lb.                                                            2 cups

It is said that the only other animal that can run faster than a Greyhound is a cheetah. These dogs can reach a speed of 45 mph in as little as three strides. This amazing acceleration made them excellent hunting companions in the ancient Middle East and very fast racing dogs today. Unlike most other dogs, these hounds rely on sight rather than scent to locate prey and are referred to as “sighthounds”. They have a very strong drive to chase anything that is moving - a trait that is great for hunting but can also result in serious trouble if they run out into the street. Because of this, a Greyhound should always be on a leash or safely confined to a fenced-in yard.

This breed is very healthy and can live to be 12-14 years old.  They do have a few unique medical considerations, however. Greyhounds have a higher proportion of lean body mass (muscle) than most other breeds of dogs.  Because of this, they can react differently to anesthesia and must be managed very carefully and monitored very closely when they require surgery. Other “oddities” greyhounds are prone to are: lower than normal thyroid hormone levels, heart murmurs (most of which are not a problem), pattern baldness (especially of the thighs), corns on their feet, toe-nail disease, and pannus (a progressive eye disease that can result in blindness).

Greyhounds are by nature very gentle and loyal dogs. Although they love to run, they are equally content to share the couch with their owners. Every Greyhound I have met has had a very sweet personality. Most Greyhounds are adopted as adults after they are retired from the racetrack. They adapt very well to their new homes and quickly become a treasured member of the family.

Introducing pet wellness plans for our patients.

We now have PAWS (Pet Annual Wellness Sevices) plans available for patients of all ages.  These plans have been designed to address two major concerns most pet owners have: 

1. Paying for pet care all at once

2. The cost of pet care.

Our wellness plans spread out the cost of wellness* visits over an entire year AND give significant discounts on all wellness* services as well as several non-wellness services. The plans are available in different levels of coverage from basic to premium to address the needs of pets at any life stage.

Next time you visit our office, please ask about these plans and see which plan best serves you and your pet’s needs, or look over the plans by clicking on the "Wellness Plans" tab on this website

We look forward to discussing the plans with you.

Beefy (yes, this is his real name) thoroughly enjoyed devouring his “marrowbone”. He enjoyed it so much that he ate the whole bone. Unfortunately, three days later, Beefy was unable to move his bowels and was very uncomfortable. The X-ray shows the extent of fecal impaction that resulted from the bone – Beefy’s large intestine was packed full of fecal material that contained very sharp shards of bone. The material had the consistency of concrete and was just too large, and too hard to pass. A fecal impaction of this magnitude and especially one that is full of bone can easily lead to a tear or a puncture of the bowel with sometimes fatal results! 

Beefy was treated with several enemas to soften and lubricate the fecal material and make it easier to pass. Amazingly he passed all of the material over 24 hours and went home the next day….several pounds lighter! He was on antibiotics for a few days as his colon healed.  Sometimes it is necessary to remove fecal material manually, but only after the material has been softened and lubricated. Because the large bowel contains so many bacteria, surgery on this part of the intestine should only be done as a last resort if enemas and laxatives do not result in resolution of the impaction. 

Fortunately "everything came out OK" and Beefy has made a full recovery.

All Cornish Rex cats today can trace their ancestry back to a single kitten, named “Kallibunker”, which was born in Cornwall, England in 1950.  Kallibunker’s unique appearance was the result of a spontaneous natural genetic mutation. This mutation resulted in a line of cats like no other. 

The most defining characteristic of a Cornish Rex cat is the fur coat. Because their fur consists of only the downy undercoat, a Cornish Rex cat is amazingly soft to the touch. Their velvety coat is also so curly that it looks like it has been crimped. Even their whiskers are curly! Their large “bat ears” and expressive eyes are beautifully set on their egg-shaped heads. The Cornish Rex’s body is slender and very muscular with a distinctive arch in its spine. You can see all of these characteristics in the photo of Sophie. 

Cornish Rexes are very intelligent, social, and active. They can be quite vocal and usually insist on being in the center of all activities that occur in their homes. Their amusing antics only make them more lovable. 

This breed of cat tends to be very healthy but should be kept indoors because of their short coats.  They may require more frequent bathing than other breeds of cats as their coats tend to be oily. Contrary to popular belief, Cornish Rex cats are NOT hypoallergenic. They produce allergens in their saliva, oil glands, and urine like all other cats.  

Cornish Rex cats are truly a joy to touch, to watch, and to share a home with.

The weight loss became noticeable about 2 months ago.  Solar’s* weight dropped 33% (from 15 to 10 pounds).  Her owner wasn’t too concerned when Solar started to lose the weight, after all she had been over-weight for most of her 13 years!  Despite a few episodes of vomiting and an occasional bout of diarrhea, her appetite had remained very good.  Solar also seemed more active until earlier this week when she stated to act sick and didn’t want to eat.  She continued to drink and was urinating a larger amount.

Hyperthyroid disease (excessively high thyroid hormone level) affects many older cats.  Thyroid hormone is secreted by 2 small glands located in the neck of all mammals. When this gland secretes excessive amounts of thyroid hormone, the metabolic rate (the rate at which the body burns energy) increases dramatically. This in turn puts extra stress on the heart resulting in a heart murmur and sometimes an abnormal heartbeat rhythm (a gallop rhythm). The hallmarks of this disease are usually “easy” weight loss despite an increased appetite, intermittent episodes of vomiting and/or diarrhea, and normal to increased activity. Kidney disease often occurs concurrently with hyperthyroid disease but can be masked in untreated cats until late in the disease. Solar’s thyroid hormone level was 4 times the normal level for a cat and she had evidence of early kidney disease on her blood work panel.

Fortunately, hyperthyroid is a treatable disease and can even be cured. Treatment can consist of (1) daily medication to reduce the level of thyroid hormone, (2) surgery to remove the thyroid gland(s), or (3) radioactive iodine treatment. The key to successful treatment is early detection and early treatment before irreversible heart disease or kidney disease can occur.

* Solar is a fictitious patient that represents 3 cats that we have recently cared for that have presented with nearly identical symptoms.

Just in time for Flea season!

There is a brand new way to kill fleas and ticks on dogs this year. Bravecto, a chewable tablet, is given once every 3 months! This novel medication kills fleas and ticks quickly AND is very safe for dogs.  Because Bravecto is given by mouth, there is no dreaded greasy residue left behind so there is no interruption in your dog’s petting and cuddling.  

Hahn is a 5-month-old Caine Corso puppy. Like Mastiffs (which Cain Corso are closely related to) they are very large dogs. Hahn’s adult weight will probably exceed 100 lbs. These dogs were first bred as Roman war dogs. Later in Roman history, they were used as gladiator dogs to fight lions. Cain Corso’s will protect their families with the same ferocity today. They love their families but are very wary of strangers. Cains are not usually aggressive by nature but do react aggressively to any threat they perceive. This powerful guard dog is not for everyone, but families that have raised them wouldn’t trade their fearless protector for anything.    

Heat Stroke (also known as heat exhaustion) can occur in dogs as well as people when the temperature and the humidity become elevated - especially if we are not accustomed to the heat and humidity.

Dogs are especially susceptible to overheating because they do not sweat(*) like humans do and must lose excess body heat by evaporation from their tongues while panting. Heatstroke can occur in less than 20 minutes. Risk factors for this life-threatening disease include old age, unusual physical exertion, obesity, short nose (like bulldogs), dark coat color, and any preexisting breathing problems (again like bulldogs). 

Symptoms of Heatstroke can include: increased panting, dry gums, sprawling on the ground, unwillingness to get up, vomiting, altered mental state, seizures, coma, and even death.

To prevent heatstroke:

• Do not exercise your dog outdoors between the hours of 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM on hot and humid days (especially if he/she has any type of breathing problems).

• Provide your dog with plenty of fresh cool water

• Never leave your dog in a car unattended…not even for just a few minutes. 

If you suspect your dog is developing heatstroke, immediately take measures to cool him/her by spraying with cool water, taking him/her indoors, and placing him/her in front of a fan.   Call for medical advice immediately as further medical treatment will likely be needed to ensure your pet recovers with no lasting effects of heatstroke. 

(*) There are two places on a dog’s body that do secrete sweat - their footpads and the bridge of their noses

What do you get when you cross a wild Asian Leopard cat with a Domestic cat?  You get the friendly, gracefully athletic cat with unmatched curiosity known as the Bengal cat.  The breed was perfected in 1980s after Jean Sugden Mill began to breed domesticated cats with a Wild Asian Leopard cat. 

Bengals are born with a spotted (or marbled) coat that is very soft to the touch. Their coat color can range from dark and spotted (like Rocco) to beige and striped.  Some kittens possess a “glitter gene” that results in a coat that sparkles and glistens in sunlight.

Although Bengal cats are not at all wild, they have retained some of the forest-dwelling Leopard Cat’s personality traits.  They are definitely not couch potatoes and need to be active and entertained. If they are not kept entertained, they will inevitably find some mischief to get into. They are accomplished “base jumpers” and absolutely love to climb and jump on to and off every horizontal surface in the house. Unlike most domestic cats, Bengals also enjoy playing with water and may join their owners in a bath or “help” with the dishes. Rocco’s owner shared that he, like many other Bengals, will play fetch like a dog. Some Bengals can be trained to tolerate a harness and will walk on a leash outside.

Bengals have a greater vocabulary than domestic cats and will converse with their owners but do not talk constantly.  These domesticated leopard cats make wonderful companions will entertain with their playful antics. 

How to turn your cat into a Tasmanian devil in three easy steps:  

1. Bring the cat carrier out of storage

2. Scoop up the kitty from a nap

3. Try to stuff kitty into the carrier.  

Fortunately, the following tips may help ease the Kitty’s carrier phobia:

1. Leave the carrier out, with the door open, where kitty can see it all the time to help him get used to it.  Place a comfortable blanket and a few delicious treats in it so that the kitty begins to associate it with treats.

2. Feed kitty near the front of the carrier to help her associate it with food.

3. Spray Feliway (a calming feline pheromone) on the blanket in the carrier to help with carrier anxiety and help relax the kitty.  

Given time and patience, many cats will tolerate a trip to the office in the carrier.

1. Dogs and cats eye glow green (or yellow) at night when light strikes the back of their eye.  A special reflective layer in the back of the eye (the tapetum lucidum) reflects back any light that enters the eye. When this happens at night, it enhances your dog or cats' ability to see in the dark.

2. The back of the eye (the retina) is the only place in the body that blood vessels can be directly observed. 

3. Pets have a third eyelid (the nictitans) that helps protect their eyes from injury.  This third eyelid is the pink membrane that you may notice in the inner corner of your pet’s eyes when they are tired or if their eye is irritated. The third eyelid is more noticeable in St. Bernards and coon hounds

4. Dogs have poor near vision but are excellent when it comes to detecting movement in the distance.