Pampered Pet Home Vet

04/10/2024

Learn more about dog bite prevention this week!

Any dog can bite—big or small, male or female, young or old. It’s not a dog's breed that determines whether it will bite, but rather the dog's individual history and behavior.

02/08/2024

Smiles All Around: February is Pet Dental Health Awareness Month!!
It's often easy to overlook the significance of dental health in our pets, yet it plays a pivotal role in ensuring their overall well-being. This month serves as a gentle reminder for pet parents to dive deep into the world of pet dental care, particularly emphasizing the superiority of anesthetic dentals over non-anesthetic alternatives.
Dental health in pets is often an underexplored avenue until telltale signs of dental issues surface. Just like in humans, poor dental health in pets can lead to a host of problems, including but not limited to: halitosis or bad breath, periodontal disease, tooth loss, infections that can spread to major organs, and severe pain and discomfort.
Understanding these risks underscores the importance of regular dental check-ups and cleanings, which lead us into a discussion about the types of dental procedures available for our pets.
**Anesthetic Vs. Non-Anesthetic Dentals**
When it comes to dental care, pet owners are presented with two main options: anesthetic and non-anesthetic dentals. Here, we delve into why the former is the superior choice.
Anesthetic dentals involve sedating the pet to thoroughly clean each tooth and under the gumline—areas where bacteria thrive and are impossible to reach with the pet awake. This process ensures a deep and thorough cleaning, less stress and pain for the pet, and an opportunity for vets to perform necessary extractions or repairs.
Contrary to anesthetic dentals, non-anesthetic procedures are limited in scope and effectiveness due to an inability to clean below the gumline properly, increased stress for pets being restrained while awake, and a higher risk of incomplete removal of plaque and tartar leading to continued dental issues.
One of the largest hurdles pet owners face when considering anesthetic dentals is the fear of anesthesia. It's important to understand that modern veterinary practices employ safe, carefully monitored anesthesia protocols. In addition, preanesthetic testing can mitigate risks by ruling out high risk pets.
Lastly ,what can you do at home to keep your pet's mouth healthy? I recommend brushing or even wiping (using a gauze pad) the teeth and gums as often as you can remember to. Some pet owners will do this twice a day and some will only do it once weekly. Pet toothpastes and gels are available in flavors dogs and cats enjoy. Virbac and Vetoquinol are brands I prefer. Treats such as Virbac's Veggiedents, Virbac's Enzymatic chews, and also Oravet hygiene chews are some of my patient's favorites.
It's never to early or late to start caring for your pet's teeth.

01/25/2024

Although relatively new to the Western world, Chinese medicine has been used to treat animals for thousands of years. Traditional Chinese medicine combines five different disciplines, but only four are used to treat animals — acupuncture, chinese herbs, Tui Na and food therapy.
Acupuncture is defined as the placement of needles in acu-points and along meridians. It can be used to both diagnose and treat disease. Normally, living beings have a healthy and constant flow of energy moving along channels or meridians. The practice of “needling” serves to both reverse and prevent stagnant energy. It is believed that where there is pain or disease, there is an obstruction of energy. Acupuncture can reduce blood pressure, provide pain relief and regulate the immune system. In fact, most acupuncture points treat at least several conditions.
The “bowling ball points” Bl 54 and GB 29 and 30 are used in combination to treat hip and hind leg pain and weakness. Bai Hui or “Heaven’s Gate” is the most significant point. It is located on the midline of the sacral area and is used to treat a myriad of conditions including anxiety, hind end weakness, and poor immunity. TH 14 is used to treat shoulder pain and also dispel heat. LI 10 is indicated for abdominal distress.
Like the Western pharmaceuticals we are familiar with, Chinese medicine uses natural herbs to treat and prevent disease. Tremendous numbers of clinical studies have indicated the use of herbs as highly effective. Each herb has a unique “energy” or “temperature,” thus making it useful for a specific condition. It is very important that herbs not be taken indiscriminately. Herbs are available in several forms and can be administered both orally and topically.
Yunnan Baiyao is used to stop bleeding, Shen Calmer is used to calm anxiety, Stasis Breaker is used to break up masses on and in the body, and Cervical formula is used to treat neck pain.
“Tui” means to push and “Na” means to pull and lift. Tui-Na can be compared to a combination of chiropractic and massage techniques. Manual stimulation of acu-points and meridians (channels), results in the movement of blocked or stagnant energy. Tui-Na can restore and correct bones and soft tissues. Because our energy channels are continuous throughout our bodies, by treating the body’s surface, internal conditions will improve as well. Tui-Na is especially beneficial since this is something a pet owner can learn to do safely at home.
Food therapy is using food as medicine. The theory behind it is similar to treatment with herbs. It is important to select foods according to the pet’s individual needs and physical conditions. For instance, deficient conditions can be treated by feeding flavors that “tonify” or add energy. Foods that “sedate” or remove energy, can be used to treat excessive conditions. Cooling ingredients like fish, rabbit and duck are useful in treating hot conditions like inflammation. Warming ingredients like oats, chicken, and lamb are good for treating cold conditions like kidney failure in an aging cat. Food can be the most influential factor for the maintenance of health.
This is a very brief synopsis of the Chinese healthcare system for our pets. Schedule an appointment to learn more!

01/18/2024

An intro to Herbs and your Pet
Many pet owners are surprised to learn that our pets, like us, can benefit
from the use of herbal or botanical medicines. They can be used to treat a
vast variety of veterinary and medical conditions including infections,
allergies and cancer.
The use of medicinal herbs in the treatment of non-human conditions has
existed for thousands of years. In fact, herbalists learn by observing
animals in the wild as they instinctively seek out certain plants to treat their
various ailments. Animals have been observed chewing or eating plant
parts or, in some cases, rubbing up against them.
Herbal medicine is very complex. Plants can have many parts and each
part can have a different clinical application. (Some herbs are taken dried,
others are boiled first.) They may come in pill or capsule form. Still others
may be applied only topically. Not all herbs are safe and many can have
adverse effects when they are combined incorrectly, dosed inappropriately
or when the wrong herb is taken for a specific condition. For this reason, it
is essential not to administer herbs indiscriminately to your pet. It is
imperative to consult a veterinarian who is familiar with herbal medicines.
Following are some common herbs that are used in veterinary medicine:
The ginger root can be used as an anti-oxidant and to treat
anxiety, nausea, tumors and inflammation. It is also useful in controlling
blood sugar and preventing parasites. We can also use ginger to treat
arthritis in our pets. Ginger can also be helpful in treating heartworm
infections.
Parsley can be used to treat constipation. It also acts as a diuretic and
expectorant. Parsley might be used, for instance, in a dog with congestive
heart failure or a cat with pneumonia. A topical ointment can be made from
this plant that prevents parasites.
Neem comes from a tree whose parts are popular in managing fleas and
ticks in pets. Neem also has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and astringent
properties. Neem comes in a powder or spray form that is easy to apply
directly to the pet.
Milk thistle is a plant that can protect the liver. It also acts as an anti-
oxidant and may decrease tumor activity. Veterinarians also use milk
thistle to treat liver disease and liver cancer.
Noni is a plant famous for its many human uses. It supports the immune
system and controls pain. It is an anti-inflammatory agent and anti-oxidant,
as well. Cancer and arthritis are just two of many conditions that can
benefit from treatment with noni.
Passion flower is commonly used as a calming agent. It can also help to
decrease coughing.
Green tea leaves can be very beneficial for our pets as well as us.

Veterinary applications include treating diarrhea, arthritis, and atopic
dermatitis, and hot spots. It is also used to prevent cancer.
A bulb of garlic has anti-septic properties and can be used as an anti-
inflammatory and anti-viral agent. Garlic helps prevent cardiovascular
disease and cancer. Garlic may also be beneficial in the treatment of
intestinal parasites. Although garlic has a myriad of beneficial indications, it
also has the potential for toxicity in the dog and cat. Garlic can damage red
blood cells causing anemia, especially in cats.

01/14/2024

Title: Understanding Food Allergies in Dogs and Cats

Introduction:
Similar to humans, dogs and cats can also suffer from food allergies. It is not uncommon to notice clinical signs of itchiness in pets affected by this condition. In dogs, areas such as the abdomen, groin, armpits, muzzle, face, ears, and feet are commonly affected, whereas in cats, discomfort is usually observed along their faces and necks. Hair loss and recurrent skin and ear infections caused by yeast and bacteria are common complaints associated with food allergies in pets.

Environmental Factors:
In some cases, the discomfort experienced by pets could be seasonal, indicating the influence of environmental allergens like molds, plants, and pollens. Fleas, being potential parasites, should also be ruled out as a possible cause. Interestingly, cats and dogs can be allergic to environmental allergens, specific foods, and even fleas.

Diagnosing Food Allergies:
When it comes to diagnosing food allergies, both blood tests and skin injection tests are available options; however, they tend to be unreliable. Currently, the most accurate method for determining the presence of food allergies is through a hypoallergenic food trial, which typically spans 6-12 weeks. The most reliable foods for a food trial are Prescription Hill's, Purina, and Royal Canin. Even though there are other over the counter diets advertised as hypoallergenic, they are commonly processed on food lines contaminated with allergenic ingredients. A hypoallergenic diet consists of minimal ingredients, including a novel protein source that the pet has had limited or no prior exposure to. Common examples of novel protein sources include rabbit, duck, venison, and whitefish. Even the treats given to the pet must be hypoallergenic. It's important to note that ingredients like corn, soy, beef (especially in dogs), and wheat are known to be allergenic. Some pet owners prefer home-cooked diets for their pets. In these cases it's advisable to consult a nutritionist ie. www.balanceit.com. Any ingredient can potentially trigger an allergic reaction in a pet, including chewable heart worm preventatives, flavored medications (NSAIDs and antibiotics), and toothpastes.

Management and Reintroduction:
Throughout the food trial, any existing skin or ear infections must be appropriately treated. Today we have medications such as Cytopoint (not safe for cats) and Apoquel (used off label in cats) that can make even the most uncomfortable pet happy again. Eventually, if the pet was allergic to a particular food, the elimination of that food from their diet should lead to a resolution of clinical signs. The itchiness should subside, and the infections should not recur. At this point, one ingredient from the previous diet can be reintroduced at a time. If the pet shows signs of a relapse upon exposure to the allergenic ingredient, it confirms the sensitivity to that particular ingredient. However, the duration of the relapse can vary, ranging from 24 hours to 2 weeks. Identifying the specific ingredient that triggers the allergy may require patience and

In conclusion, understanding and managing food allergies in dogs and cats is crucial for maintaining their overall health and well-being. By taking the necessary steps to identify and eliminate allergenic ingredients from their diet, pet owners can greatly alleviate their pets' discomfort and improve their quality of life.

01/08/2024

“Why is Your Canine Companion Experiencing Hair Loss? Investigating Potential Causes...

Observing changes in your dog’s coat, such as hair loss, prompts a thoughtful examination of potential underlying factors.
1-The Flea Factor: Fleas, beyond their parasitic nature, often emerge as a leading cause of allergic reactions in dogs. Even a solitary flea can induce pronounced discomfort and subsequent hair loss, particularly evident around the lower back, hindquarters, and tail.
2-Mites and Fungal Infections: Sarcoptic mange, attributed to microscopic mites, manifests as a pruritic condition leading to hair loss. Simultaneously, ringworm, a dermatophytic fungal infection, may present with characteristic circular patterns of alopecia.
3-Bacterial Complications: Manifesting as localized moist dermatitis or “hot spots,” bacterial overgrowth on the skin becomes a contributing factor to hair loss. Dogs, in response, may exhibit compulsive licking and exacerbate the condition.
4-Endocrine Influences: Hormonal imbalances, such as hypothyroidism or hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s Disease), may manifest in hair loss without accompanying pruritus. Female dogs may additionally experience alopecia related to estrogen imbalances.
5-Allergic Considerations: The skin of canines often serves as a canvas reflecting allergic sensitivities. Allergens, ranging from dietary components and medications to environmental factors like fabrics and fragrances, contribute to dermatological challenges. Seasonal variations in allergen exposure can accentuate skin irritation and hair loss.

What happens next? In the presence of these symptoms, seeking professional veterinary help is imperative. Diagnostic assessments, including but not limited to skin tests and blood work, are essential to pinpoint the precise etiology. Antibiotics, antifungals, parasiticides, and steroids used to be the cornerstone of available medications. Today we have a myriad of additional treatments available. Even Chinese herbs and cold LASER can be beneficial.

01/07/2024