Feathers Fins and Fur » veterinarian

Moving with Dogs

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:00:51 +0000

When moving with two dogs, how do you get them used to the new environment?

When moving with your dogs it is very important to make sure that you purchase new tags with current contact information and update microchip information in case the dogs get away from you for any reason. Also, check with your veterinarian to make sure that all vaccinations are up to date and you have all necessary paperwork.

Once you arrive in the new place, immediately set up a small area such as a room or bathroom, depending on the size of the dogs, where they can have all of their personal belongings they are used to. This would include toys, bedding, food, treats, bowls, and crates. You may also want to bring water from your old location and gradually add in new water if it is different.

You will want to try and keep your dogs on their normal schedule as much as possible for eating and walking or going outside. As the dogs appear to feel comfortable, with supervision, you can give them access to one or two more rooms at a time. It is important to not be stressed or anxious yourself and to engage in normal activity such as playing with your dogs so that you do not add to your dogs possible anxiety.

If you are worried about your dogs being excessively anxious about a new environment, talk to your veterinarian prior to moving. Substances such as dog appeasing pheromones may be beneficial or medications may be necessary in extreme cases.

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute veterinary advice. The content is not be used for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal.Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Baker. Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

Effects of Catnip

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:23 +0000

Does catnip have any long-term effects on cats?

Catnip is quite the treat for many cats! Approximately half of all cats will be genetically predisposed to enjoy this herb. Catnip is a member of the mint family — actually there are several different types of catnip, but what makes cats so in love with this herb is a chemical in the leaves known as nepetalactone.

Young kittens, less than 3-6 months, will not be attracted to catnip, but once they pass that age, they will go gaga for it. When you first give your kitty some fresh or dried catnip, you may notice that he sniffs it, then rolls around in it, and then he finally eats some. It is really the smell that seems to give cats the “high” that they get from it.

Different cats react in different ways, again depending on their genetic predisposition. Some cats may become incredibly playful and others may become very mellow. It’s thought that catnip has a hallucinogenic effect.

But two interesting things: the effects are short-lived and don’t last more than 10-15 minutes AND catnip is not addictive to cats. They know when they’ve had enough and will walk away. If you give your feline some catnip and then offer some more a short while later, your kitty will not be enticed. And no, there are no long term effects from catnip on cats. So feel free to let your cat indulge!

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and
is not intended to constitute veterinary advice. The content is not be used for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal. Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Teller. Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

Cats and Milk

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:00:35 +0000

Is it true cats can be lactose-intolerant? What are the signs?

In this regard, cats are very similar to people. Kittens are born with the enzyme, lactase, which digests the lactose (milk sugar)found in their mother’s milk. As cats age, just like people, less and less lactase may be present in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in the inability to digest lactose and an intolerance to dairy products. Some cats will continue to be able to handle milk with no problems, but others will develop the typical signs of lactose intolerance, namely, the GI symptoms of flatulence, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These signs usually appear within 8-12 hours of consuming milk.

Adult cats really have no need for milk or other dairy products, so while it sounds cute in fairy tales, there is no reason to give milk to your cats. However, if you’d like to use it as an OCCASIONAL treat, you can offer your cat a tablespoon or two and monitor for a reaction. If there is no problem, you can feel more comfortable allowing your feline to have a lick every now and then. Just don’t use milk as a substitute for fresh water and a healthy, well-balanced cat food.

Reptiles and Snow

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:00:50 +0000

Is it safe to put a little snow into a reptile tank for the animal to play with?

Reptile enclosures need to be set up so that the animal can regulate their body temperature effectively. Based on the species, you will need to determine what temperature to keep the tank, the ambient air, and the basking areas. Due to the need to keep this temperature fairly consistent, I would not consider adding a frozen substance, like snow, to the environment. Also, there is a possibility that there could be substances in the snow that could be toxic to your reptile.

Losing Puppy Teeth

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:00:52 +0000

Will a puppy show signs if it hasn’t lost its baby teeth, or should we check?

During puppyhood you will probably not see clinical signs from retained deciduous (baby) teeth. However, problems are beginning and can lead to symptomatic dental disease as your dog gets older.

If baby teeth do not fall out as the adult teeth grow in, then they can cause a misalignment of the teeth and potentially lead to an abnormal bite as the puppy develops. This may or may not cause some oral pain when the dog is older, depending on the severity of the misalignment. The bigger problem is that because the mouth is overcrowded with teeth, there is a greater incidence of tartar and plaque build-up, which accelerates the progression of gingivitis and periodontal disease.

These can lead to abscesses,infection, tooth mobility, and eventually loss of some teeth. These can also be painful and cause the dog to have a harder time eating, which can lead to irritability, weight loss, foul breath, and withdrawal from normal activity.

If a dog’s dental disease is allowed to progress, it can also exacerbate other conditions that older dogs may have, such as diabetes, liver problems, kidney, and heart disease.

Your veterinarian will check your puppy’s mouth at each wellness visit and can show you which deciduous teeth are still present. Generally, if your puppy has not lost his baby teeth by the time he is 6-7 months old, they are not going to come out on their own. At this time, your veterinarian can do a brief oral surgery procedure to extract the retained teeth and prevent those from playing a role in future dental problems. This can be done in conjunction with your dog’s spay or neuter surgery, if that has not already occurred.

Cats can also have problems with retained deciduous teeth, though it is not nearly as common as it is in dogs.

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute veterinary advice. The content is not be used for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal. Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Teller. Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

UV for Turtles

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:00:21 +0000

Does a turtle need a UV light in its tank?

Ultraviolet (UV) light is critical for turtles to be able to produce Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is essential for proper absorption and metabolism of calcium, which is needed for growth and overall health. Deficiencies in Vitamin D3 and calcium can cause problems with shell growth, bone density, and can even lead to death.

UV light is divided into two main types, UVA and UVB, which are both required for healthy turtles. UVB light is especially crucial for vitamin D3 productions, but UVA is needed for normal activity and behaviors. Sunlight is the best source for UV light and should be provided if possible. Unfortunately, UVB cannot penetrate glass, plastic, or fine mesh, so animals that are housed indoors need additional lighting. Special bulbs are available that can provide broad spectrum light and there are UVB bulbs manufactured that are able to pass through glass. The distance away from the enclosure that the light is placed is also important. Refer to the manufacturers recommendations for exact distances to use. Based on the species of your turtle, you can determine the which bulb to use that emits the correct amount of UVB light and decide how many hours a day to keep the light on. It is important to remember that these bulbs have a decreased output over time and need to be replaced on a regular basis.

The exact amount of vitamin D that is required varies by species, so you will want to research the exact requirements for the type of turtle you have. The variations in vitamin D can stem from differences in the characteristics or the turtle and their normal environment. Is it a land or water species? Is it an herbivore or
carnivore? What is the normal geographic range (temperature, climate, etc.)? The age of your turtle and the diet you feed can also affect the requirements. Supplementation of vitamin D and calcium may still be required even with proper lighting and diet.

Are Raw Eggs Dangerous for Pets?

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 15:00:32 +0000

I’ve read that eating raw eggs can make animals’ fur shiny — but can they get salmonella from them?

Animals can definitely get Salmonella from raw eggs. There risk is less than that of humans, but it is still a problem. They can develop severe diarrhea and GI upset when infected and may require IV fluids and antibiotics to recover.

Further risk occurs to humans also. Not only can humans get Salmonella from raw eggs when handling the eggs themselves, but the Salmonella will also be present in the pet’s food bowls. There have been cases of young children coming into contact with the used bowls and getting Salmonella from those.

Animals who are elderly, have another illness, or who are on immunosuppressive medications such as prednisone, cyclosporin, or chemotherapeutic agents are at higher risk and should never be given raw eggs. There are other things that can be done to improve the texture and shine of your pet’s fur, so please contact your veterinarian about your options.

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute veterinary advice. The content is not be used for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal. Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Teller. Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

Calicivirus

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:16:24 +0000

There’s been an outbreak of feline calicivirus in our community – would it be a good idea to wash our cats’ things with a bleach solution?

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a virus that is one of the possible causes of upper respiratory infections and oral disease in cats. This disease cannot be transmitted from cats to humans. Cats that are infected by feline calicivirus can have an acute infection, chronic infection, or may not show any signs at all. Cats can become carriers of the infection after they contracted the virus, become sick, and recovered. The virus can be transmitted in several different ways. Direct contact from secretions from the eyes, nose, or mouth and in the urine from a sick or carrier cat is one mode of transmission. It can also be transmitted via indirect contact with things such as food and water bowls, bedding, litter boxes, and carriers. Calicivirus is resistant to many disinfectants and can live in the environment for long periods of time. A 1:32 bleach and water solution can be effective against the virus.

To prevent infection it is important to keep your cat up to date on all vaccines. The vaccine may not always be 100% effective, but it has been shown to reduce the severity of infection if a vaccinated cat does become infected. If there are no new cats that have been brought into your household, there is no reason to disinfect your cat’s things with a bleach solution.

Do Pets Need Coats?

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:00:46 +0000

Do dogs and cats ever really need sweaters or coats in cold weather? What about boots?

Dogs and cats don’t need sweaters and boots nearly as often as their owners think they do, except just to look even cuter, but there are times when they may be warranted.

Animals who are elderly or have very thin hair coats or very minimal body fat and musculature may be more comfortable with a sweater or jacket when the temperature drops to an extreme low. Animals who look miserable when it’s cold and shiver uncontrollably will probably be more comfortable with an added layer. This is especially true with the toy breeds who have more relative body surface area and less body mass than the larger breeds. It is not very often that an active Lab or Siberian Husky or Maine Coon cat will be in need of a jacket though.
Booties can be helpful for dogs whose feet don’t spend much time touching the ground in the first place, especially when there is a lot of ice on the ground or when walking in areas where de-icing agents have been applied. If a dog or cat were to lick his paws after walking through that, he may become ill. Some arthritic animals may find booties helpful to maintain traction on slick surfaces also. Cats tend to be much less tolerant of things on their feet though. Also beware that outdoor cats seeking warmth will frequently crawl onto the engine block of a recently driven car.
Unfortunately, when the driver comes back out and starts the car, the cat can be
severely injured or killed by the fan belt. It’s a good idea to bang on the hood of
your car before starting it to startle the cat away.

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not
intended to constitute veterinary advice. The content is not be used for medical
diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal. Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Teller. Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

Stomach Problems in Birds

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:00:57 +0000

My friend’s bird has been regurgitating, though not showing any other symptoms of sickness. She thinks it’s grieving for a bird that recently stayed with them for a few days (usually there are no other birds in the house). Is this likely?

First of all, it is important to differentiate between regurgitation and vomiting. Regurgitation in a bird is the act of bringing up partially digested food from the crop, mouth, or esophagus. A bird will often bob its head and stretch its neck out when regurgitating. The food will appear undigested or very minimally digested. Vomiting, in contrast, occurs when food is brought up from lower portions of the digestive tract, and is much rarer in birds than regurgitation. When vomiting a bird will often shake its head from side to side and may involve a spitting action.

Regurgitation can be a normal behavior done by a bird for their mates and/or their young. Medical problems can also cause regurgitation. The causes can be infectious, toxic, or obstructive. Regurgitation can also be a sign of other medical problems such as organ failure or nutritional deficiencies. Vomiting in a bird is a sign of illness and requires veterinary attention. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to differentiate regurgitating and vomiting in birds.

Regurgitation caused by normal courting behavior could be a possibility in this case. It could be directed at the owner or even towards a toy or a mirror. However, if there is any question whether or not the regurgitation is caused by a medical problem, the bird should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.