Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Easter Lilly Toxicity
Easter is almost upon us and one of most popular holiday plants is the Easter lily. Easter lilies are extremely toxic when ingested, and cats are most commonly affected because of their habits of nibbling on plants.
Two years ago my wife Carolynn received a belated birthday bouquet of lilies from her brother. It arrived on a Saturday morning. I came home at 1 pm from work and noticed this large bouquet of lilies on the counter. I asked my wife what are those, and she replied,” aren’t they beautiful? George sent them to me as a belated birthday gift!” I told her that we needed to get the lilies out of the house, they are extremely toxic if ingested, and we have 9 indoor cats. Carolynn was shocked and said that she already had to shoo several of the cats away from the flowers.
Thursday morning, she called me at work and said she noticed Midnight, our 1 ½ year old cat had not eaten now for the second day, and was hovering over the water bowl. I told her to bring him right in. His body temperature was 92 degrees Fahrenheit, 10 degrees below normal, and bloodwork revealed he was in profound kidney failure. We immediately began intra venous fluids, and placed him on a heating pad and transferred him to the Animal Emergency and Referral Center for critical care. We approved all measures to save, him including dialysis. He was there for 2 days and unfortunately did not respond. His kidneys completely shut down and I had to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanize my beautiful cat.
Lilies are extremely toxic, and all parts of the lilies are poisonous. A small piece ingested can cause irreversible kidney failure unless treatment is begun within 18 hours. We did not know Midnight had consumed the lily and by the time he showed clinical signs, it was too late. I urge all my clients not to have any lilies around the house. This is especially important during the Easter season as lilies are ubiquitous. Clinical signs are vomiting, dehydration, lethargy, inappetance, and increased thirst and urination as the kidneys fail. If a cat is known to have ingested lilies, it is critical they be taken to a veterinarian immediately. Vomiting is induced and intravenous fluids are begun. Mortality rates approach 100% in cats that are treated 18 hours or more after a lily is consumed.
I called the local news agencies, television stations and asked that my story be told to prevent another cat owner from going through the grief, we suffered. No one took us up on the offer, they didn’t feel it was newsworthy enough. I called FTD and asked that they consider placing warning labels on their Easter lilies so clients with cats can take preventive measures. It also fell on deaf ears. I hope this article informs cat owners, so no one has to go through the pain we suffered with our dear Midnight.
Two years ago my wife Carolynn received a belated birthday bouquet of lilies from her brother. It arrived on a Saturday morning. I came home at 1 pm from work and noticed this large bouquet of lilies on the counter. I asked my wife what are those, and she replied,” aren’t they beautiful? George sent them to me as a belated birthday gift!” I told her that we needed to get the lilies out of the house, they are extremely toxic if ingested, and we have 9 indoor cats. Carolynn was shocked and said that she already had to shoo several of the cats away from the flowers.
Thursday morning, she called me at work and said she noticed Midnight, our 1 ½ year old cat had not eaten now for the second day, and was hovering over the water bowl. I told her to bring him right in. His body temperature was 92 degrees Fahrenheit, 10 degrees below normal, and bloodwork revealed he was in profound kidney failure. We immediately began intra venous fluids, and placed him on a heating pad and transferred him to the Animal Emergency and Referral Center for critical care. We approved all measures to save, him including dialysis. He was there for 2 days and unfortunately did not respond. His kidneys completely shut down and I had to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanize my beautiful cat.
Lilies are extremely toxic, and all parts of the lilies are poisonous. A small piece ingested can cause irreversible kidney failure unless treatment is begun within 18 hours. We did not know Midnight had consumed the lily and by the time he showed clinical signs, it was too late. I urge all my clients not to have any lilies around the house. This is especially important during the Easter season as lilies are ubiquitous. Clinical signs are vomiting, dehydration, lethargy, inappetance, and increased thirst and urination as the kidneys fail. If a cat is known to have ingested lilies, it is critical they be taken to a veterinarian immediately. Vomiting is induced and intravenous fluids are begun. Mortality rates approach 100% in cats that are treated 18 hours or more after a lily is consumed.
I called the local news agencies, television stations and asked that my story be told to prevent another cat owner from going through the grief, we suffered. No one took us up on the offer, they didn’t feel it was newsworthy enough. I called FTD and asked that they consider placing warning labels on their Easter lilies so clients with cats can take preventive measures. It also fell on deaf ears. I hope this article informs cat owners, so no one has to go through the pain we suffered with our dear Midnight.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. It is the most common type of cancer in humans and pets. Lymphoma can affect almost any part of the body. Dogs typically are presented with enlarged lymph nodes or glands. The ones that are usually the first to enlarge are the sub mandibular lymph nodes which are just below the jawline. Dogs that are brought in for “enlarged glands” are usually totally normal, eating, and active, but have generalized lymph node enlargement. Cats rarely present with enlarged lymph nodes. Their disease is usually manifested with gastro intestinal signs, kidney signs, or respiratory signs. Cats usually present thin, with chronic diarrhea, lethargic, and a lack of appetite. Palpable lymph nodes are more likely to be internal, with the lymph nodes that drain the intestines being enlarged. Diarrhea, and weight loss that is not responsive to treatment should alert the clinician and pet owner that lymphoma is a possibility.
Diagnosis is made with fine needle aspirates, or biopsies. Sometimes special stains have to be used to confirm the diagnosis. Lymphoma usually is very responsive to chemotherapeutic drugs. Lymphoma has been studied extensively in humans and effective chemotherapy protocols are readily available. Remission can usually be achieved in 93% of dogs using a combination drug protocol. Length of remission varies, but the usual first remission length is 12-13 months. Smaller dogs tend to stay in remission longer than their larger counterparts. Once dogs come out of remission, they have a reduced chance of going into a second remission, and the length of remission is usually half of the first remission.
The usual protocol is weekly chemo treatments for 4 treatments, then every other week for 20 weeks with a week off between cycles. Weekly CBC’s (complete blood counts) have to be done before chemotherapy treatments. The white count should be above 5000. If the levels are lower, the treatment is postponed. These drugs tend to suppress the bone marrow/immune system and make the patient susceptible to infection. Treatment is usually tolerated very well and the quality of life is excellent. I can attest to this. My dog Candi has had lymphoma for 17 months and is undergoing her second cycle of treatment and is in her second remission. My cat Charlie has nasal lymphoma and just started his first round of treatment last week. The tumor has shrunk almost completely and is barely detectable.
Radiation therapy has shown promise in lymphoma patients especially those affecting the head and sinuses and is now available in several institutions in the state.
Diagnosis is made with fine needle aspirates, or biopsies. Sometimes special stains have to be used to confirm the diagnosis. Lymphoma usually is very responsive to chemotherapeutic drugs. Lymphoma has been studied extensively in humans and effective chemotherapy protocols are readily available. Remission can usually be achieved in 93% of dogs using a combination drug protocol. Length of remission varies, but the usual first remission length is 12-13 months. Smaller dogs tend to stay in remission longer than their larger counterparts. Once dogs come out of remission, they have a reduced chance of going into a second remission, and the length of remission is usually half of the first remission.
The usual protocol is weekly chemo treatments for 4 treatments, then every other week for 20 weeks with a week off between cycles. Weekly CBC’s (complete blood counts) have to be done before chemotherapy treatments. The white count should be above 5000. If the levels are lower, the treatment is postponed. These drugs tend to suppress the bone marrow/immune system and make the patient susceptible to infection. Treatment is usually tolerated very well and the quality of life is excellent. I can attest to this. My dog Candi has had lymphoma for 17 months and is undergoing her second cycle of treatment and is in her second remission. My cat Charlie has nasal lymphoma and just started his first round of treatment last week. The tumor has shrunk almost completely and is barely detectable.
Radiation therapy has shown promise in lymphoma patients especially those affecting the head and sinuses and is now available in several institutions in the state.
Monday, March 31, 2014
Heartworm Disease
April is National Heartworm Disease Awareness Month!
The hot summer months and humidity bring with it mosquitoes which can transmit many diseases to pets and humans. Heartworm disease is prevalent in dogs and to a lesser extent cats and ferrets. Mosquitoes feed on the blood of warm blooded animals. Mammals infected with heartworms have circulating larvae in the bloodstream. When a mosquito ingests blood from a heartworm infected animal, the larvae mature and develop in the host. The larvae eventually migrate into the heart and pulmonary vessels where they mature and cause clinical signs of heartworm disease.
The clinical signs of heartworm disease in dogs often to do not become evident until late in the course of the disease. These signs include coughing, exercise intolerance, lethargy, collapse, and even sudden death.
Heartworm disease diagnosis in cats can be challenging. The disease in cats tends to cause signs that mimic asthma. Coughing is the predominant sign, but vomiting and acute sudden unexplained death has been reported. There is no treatment for heartworm disease in cats because cats go into anaphylactic shock when the worms die. The object of heartworm treatment is to kill the heartworms which could induce anaphylaxis. The drugs that are used to treat heartworm disease are also toxic in cats.
Heartworm disease is preventable in all the affected species. The heartworm prevention comes in many forms including : chewable monthly tablets, monthly topical applications that have flea prevention included, and now a 6 month shot for dogs.
Heartworm treatment is expensive. Heartworm prevention is inexpensive and safe. Heartworm disease can cause permanent damage to the pet’s heart. Pets that are not on heartworm prevention, especially in Florida where the mosquito is the state bird, are likely to result in the pet becoming infected with heartworms. I tell clients it’s the proverbial, “ You can pay me now or you can pay me later!”
There is no reason for an animal to develop heartworm disease. Yearly heartworm blood tests and monthly heartworm prevention will ensure our pets will not contract this potentially deadly disease.
The hot summer months and humidity bring with it mosquitoes which can transmit many diseases to pets and humans. Heartworm disease is prevalent in dogs and to a lesser extent cats and ferrets. Mosquitoes feed on the blood of warm blooded animals. Mammals infected with heartworms have circulating larvae in the bloodstream. When a mosquito ingests blood from a heartworm infected animal, the larvae mature and develop in the host. The larvae eventually migrate into the heart and pulmonary vessels where they mature and cause clinical signs of heartworm disease.
The clinical signs of heartworm disease in dogs often to do not become evident until late in the course of the disease. These signs include coughing, exercise intolerance, lethargy, collapse, and even sudden death.
Heartworm disease diagnosis in cats can be challenging. The disease in cats tends to cause signs that mimic asthma. Coughing is the predominant sign, but vomiting and acute sudden unexplained death has been reported. There is no treatment for heartworm disease in cats because cats go into anaphylactic shock when the worms die. The object of heartworm treatment is to kill the heartworms which could induce anaphylaxis. The drugs that are used to treat heartworm disease are also toxic in cats.
Heartworm disease is preventable in all the affected species. The heartworm prevention comes in many forms including : chewable monthly tablets, monthly topical applications that have flea prevention included, and now a 6 month shot for dogs.
Heartworm treatment is expensive. Heartworm prevention is inexpensive and safe. Heartworm disease can cause permanent damage to the pet’s heart. Pets that are not on heartworm prevention, especially in Florida where the mosquito is the state bird, are likely to result in the pet becoming infected with heartworms. I tell clients it’s the proverbial, “ You can pay me now or you can pay me later!”
There is no reason for an animal to develop heartworm disease. Yearly heartworm blood tests and monthly heartworm prevention will ensure our pets will not contract this potentially deadly disease.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Canine Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted by the spirochete bacterium Leptospira spp. The bacteria is shed in the urine of an infected host which can include mice, raccoons, skunks, deer, sheep, dogs and even humans. The bacteria remains viable in the environment as long as it is moist, so it is most prevalent in Florida during the wet summer months.
Dogs most commonly come in contact with the bacteria by licking urine off the grass, or drinking from puddles in the yard that have been contaminated with infected urine. Clinical signs are jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes), bloody urine, fever, lethargy, vomiting, inappetance, and kidney failure, and death. The incubation period in dogs is 2-20 days. In humans the signs include lethargy, fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice, and death. The incubation period in humans is 4-14 days. People who are exposed to contaminated water such as surfers, and professionals who are exposed to contaminated urine such as veterinarians, and slaughterhouse workers are most at risk.
Diagnosis is made from blood samples and fresh urine in early infections.
Treatment if caught early, is with antibiotics such as penicillin, and doxycycline. Penicillin is given initially to control shedding of the bacteria in the urine, then doxycycline is used to get rid of the carrier state. The key is prevention. There are no vaccines available for humans, but there are effective vaccines for dogs. The canine leptospirosis vaccine contains the 4 most common serovars, and is included in most distemper/parvo vaccine combination protocols. There are some veterinary practices that do not include leptospirosis vaccine in their annual vaccination protocol and 3 years ago we had 4 cases of leptospirosis. Two of the dogs were not current on any vaccines, and the other two came from veterinary hospitals that did not include leptospirosis in their vaccine protocol. We were able to save two of the dogs. This also posed a significant risk to the owners’ health. We advised them to avoid contact with their dogs’ urine and confine the area where their dogs urinate to limit the area that could become contaminated.
We strongly recommend that all dogs be vaccinated against leptospirosis annually to prevent this potentially fatal disease.
Dogs most commonly come in contact with the bacteria by licking urine off the grass, or drinking from puddles in the yard that have been contaminated with infected urine. Clinical signs are jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes), bloody urine, fever, lethargy, vomiting, inappetance, and kidney failure, and death. The incubation period in dogs is 2-20 days. In humans the signs include lethargy, fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice, and death. The incubation period in humans is 4-14 days. People who are exposed to contaminated water such as surfers, and professionals who are exposed to contaminated urine such as veterinarians, and slaughterhouse workers are most at risk.
Diagnosis is made from blood samples and fresh urine in early infections.
Treatment if caught early, is with antibiotics such as penicillin, and doxycycline. Penicillin is given initially to control shedding of the bacteria in the urine, then doxycycline is used to get rid of the carrier state. The key is prevention. There are no vaccines available for humans, but there are effective vaccines for dogs. The canine leptospirosis vaccine contains the 4 most common serovars, and is included in most distemper/parvo vaccine combination protocols. There are some veterinary practices that do not include leptospirosis vaccine in their annual vaccination protocol and 3 years ago we had 4 cases of leptospirosis. Two of the dogs were not current on any vaccines, and the other two came from veterinary hospitals that did not include leptospirosis in their vaccine protocol. We were able to save two of the dogs. This also posed a significant risk to the owners’ health. We advised them to avoid contact with their dogs’ urine and confine the area where their dogs urinate to limit the area that could become contaminated.
We strongly recommend that all dogs be vaccinated against leptospirosis annually to prevent this potentially fatal disease.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)