Doctor K’s

Just like humans, domesticated animals like dogs and cats are affected by the health hazards of modern living. Pollution, poor nutrition, stress and unhealthy lifestyles can lead to a variety of illnesses and conditions that are very similar to those experienced by humans.

These days, emotional and psychological problems like depression, anxiety, ADHD and behavioral problems are just as prevalent in pets as they are in their owners. Similarly, physical ailments such as diabetes, arthritis, chronic fatigue, digestive disorders, cystitis, kidney and liver disease, skin disorders, obesity, thyroid dysfunction and other problems are becoming more and more common in domesticated animals.

Many, if not most of these conditions can be prevented by helping your pets to live a healthier lifestyle. For pets already suffering from existing conditions, a combination of lifestyle changes and natural medicine can work wonders!

While it has its place, conventional medicine for animals and ‘modern technology’ have failed our pets in many ways.

Domestic cats reach reproductive age between 7 and 12 months. A breeding female (called a queen) can be in heat, or estrus, as many as five times a year. During these periods, which last about five days, the cat “calls,” or caterwauls, intermittently. The gestation period for cats averages 63 to 65 days, and birth usually lasts about two hours. The birth is often called kittening, and the kittens are called a litter. The average litter numbers four; however, the Abyssinian usually has fewer, the Siamese more.

Each kitten is born in a separate amniotic sac that is generally broken open at the moment of birth. If it is not, the mother breaks it. She also severs the umbilical cord and eats the placenta (which in many cases stimulates lactation). The kittens are born blind, deaf, and helpless, as are many other carnivores; their senses begin to function 10 or 12 days after birth.
Soon after birth the mother licks her kittens; this action cleans them and helps stimulate their circulation. Kittens at birth lack distinctive colouring, and many do not acquire their characteristic markings and colour for weeks. For example, Siamese kittens are white at birth, while blue Persians have tabby markings and black Persians are brown.

Unlike wild cats that breed once a year, the domestic cat is capable of bearing up to three litters every year. Traditionally, regulation of the cat population was accomplished by the selective killing of the newborn.
In modern times, however, sterilization-by means of relatively safe and simple operations known as spaying, neutering, or altering-has become common in affluent societies. Neutering is also viewed as an adaptive measure for indoor life.

Castration of the male, ideally around six or seven months of age, helps control the adult male’s tendency to “spray”-to mark objects in and around the house with his own urine. Spaying the female may help reduce the incidence of breast cancer in addition to eliminating uterine diseases and unwanted litters.

Neutered cats live longer than nonneutered ones, partly because they have less desire to roam. The average life expectancy for the domestic cat is 10 to 15 years; the oldest cat on record attained the age of 34 years.

1. Prolonged and strained urination.

Try to observe your cat while it urinates. Does it take longer than usual? Do you see it cry or wince in pain? These are the tell tale signs that your cat is suffering from urinary tract infection. Better take it to the veterinarian right away to give your pet some relief.

2. Strong, horrible odor of your cat’s urine

Infection due to virus or bacteria is apparent if there’s foul odor in your cat’s urine. You really need not go to the spot to find out. The odor will be so strong you will be forced to find it yourself. In some cases, the vet would require a urine sample from your cat to check the extent of the infection.

3. Uncontrolled urination

If you happen to see your cat urinating inside the house when it never does before, there are high chances that your pet can’t control its urine due to bladder infection. Cats usually use the litter box to heed the call of nature. And if they could go out of the house, they would do so. If you observe that your cat is urinating more frequently around the house, it is not developing some bad habits. It is most likely suffering from a disease.

4. Blood in the urine

In severe cases of urinary infection in cats, blood would be seen in the urine. This means that the infection is starting to affect other organs at that point. Your cat should be taken to the veterinarian immediately for proper treatment.

The Causes of Urinary Infection in Cats

The root cause of this problem is yet to be discovered by veterinarians. However, there are at least two suspected reasons why cats develop this disease. First, there might not be enough water for the cat to drink throughout the day.
Lack of water could limit the removal of wastes inside the body. As such, virus and bacteria could form inside your pet’s body. If the water the cat drinks were contaminated, urinary infection could arise as well.

The second cause of urinary infection in cats would be improper diet. There are some foods that cat should not eat because of their high salt content. If you must, restrict your cat to healthy organic foods. You can prepare your pet’s food yourself if you think that the ones you are buying from the store is causing the problem.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Urinary Infection in Cats

To determine if your cat is indeed suffering from urinary infection or from some other disease, an x-ray is usually performed by the veterinarian. The x-ray would reveal if there were visible bladder stones in the area of if there are noticeable changes in the excretory organs of your pet.

Blood samples may also be obtained so that the vet would know for sure if the disease had already affected the kidneys. If certain blockage is observed, a catheter can be used for about two days. It could go for a week or more for severe cases of urinary infection. The catheter will be used to wash out all the toxins present in the bladder and the kidneys. It can also be used to administer fluids into the cat’s body. It can also flush out all the possible harmful substances in the blood. However, if these procedures still can’t solve the problem, surgery may be required.

Dogs seem to know the storm is coming before the first flash of lightning and first clap of thunder. Some begin to look for a place to hide. Some start to shake uncontrollably and drool. Some even commit acts of serious destruction in an attempt to escape. They are in the fierce grip of thunderstorm phobia.

 What is thunderstorm phobia?

Thunderstorm phobia in dogs is an irrational fear of thunder and lightning that is disproportionately intense to the real danger facing the animal. Many dogs show nervous behavior before or during storms. However for others the fear is so intense, they may seriously harm themselves. Some dogs can be taught to moderate the level of fear they experience or eliminate it altogether and others may need medications to relieve their anxiety.

If your dog is experiencing thunderstorm phobia, a visit to the veterinarian is always recommended. Your veterinarian can make sure that there are no underlying medical conditions and make recommendations for the best course of treatment.

Ways to calm the storm

The first recommendation may be to use behavior modification techniques like desensitization or counter conditioning to lessen the fear. Your veterinarian or behavior consultant can help you design the right plan for your dog’s needs.

Desensitization gradually introduces the storm “triggers” at safe levels. Counter conditioning pairs the triggers (the thunder and/or lightning) with a reaction opposite to the fear the dog usually experiences. For example, a CD of thunderstorm sounds is played at a very low volume while the Pet Parent provides pleasant and familiar distractions (perhaps a ball game). If there is no reaction from the dog, the volume is slowly increased as long as the threshold of fear is not crossed. The dog’s perception of the storm is changed to include some positiveexperiences to help balance and decrease the negative ones.

These approaches require a considerable commitment of energy and time from the pet parent, but they can be a good investment.

Holistic approaches

There are several holistic methods to approach thunderstorm phobia, including calming pheromones and anxiety wraps. Ask your veterinarian or behavior consultant for details about these treatments and to determine if they could be right for your dog.

As a last resort, your veterinarian may prescribe medications for when thunderstorm phobia is so severe that the dog may be causing injury to himself. Both holistic and prescription treatments are most effective when used in combination with behavior modification.

Regardless of the treatment approach, it is important that the owner remains calm and upbeat throughout the storm. The best action is to console the dog, focus on safety, create a distraction, and be the confident companion that projects “everything’s fine.”

It’s normal for dogs and cats to eat grass. In fact, dogs in the wild eat grass to supplement their diet with vegetation. You don’t have to discourage your Pet from nibbling on grass unless the ground has been treated with herbicides, insecticides, or fertilizers, or unless eating grass causes vomiting.

You know it’s important to feed your cat a healthy diet, but what exactly does that mean?

A healthy diet is one that offers your cat balanced levels of all essential nutrients including:

Water — makes up approximately 70% of your cat’s body. Make sure your cat has access to plenty of clean, fresh water at all times.

Carbohydrates — supply energy to your cat’s brain and muscles. They come from sugars, starches and fiber from plant sources.

Fats — supply energy, help build strong cells and promote nutrient absorption. Too much fat can lead to health issues, so be sure you’re feeding the right amount.
Proteins — encourage healthy coat, skin and nails, and support the immune system. They come from both plant and meat sources.

Vitamins & Minerals — regulate many different body functions. Some of the most important for cats are taurine, calcium, phophorous, and antioxidants like vitamins E and C.

Smart Tips:
Feed Advanced Nutrition food to ensure your cat is eating a balanced diet formulated for her life stage.

Feed the right amount; read the food label for recommended feeding guidelines and confirm the amount with your vet.
Check food for freshness; store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Don’t feed table scraps or people food — it can upset your cat’s stomach.

Feed only cat food as dog food is not a sufficient substitute for cats — dog food can cause heart disease and blindness in cats.

Kitten

The kitten life stage is marked by an abundance of energy and growth. To support your cat during this stage and ensure she grows up healthy, strong and happy, she requires foods with higher levels of protein, fats, vitamins and minerals to meet her growth and high energy requirements. Feeding food specifically created for kittens is vital since kittens have 2-3 times the energy needs and require more protein and minerals than an adult cat of the same weight.

Smart Note: Up to 6 months of age, a kitten will go through a rapid growth spurt that will slow down between 6-12 months of age, when your kitten begins to look more like an adult cat. A kitten reaches adulthood at approximately one year of age.

Smart Eating: With their tiny mouths and stomachs, kittens benefit from many small meals throughout the day. Adult Cats reach adulthood by approximately one year of age. The transition from kitten to adult marks another significant life stage and changing nutritional needs. The surge of energy and growth seen during the kitten life stage slows down during the adult life stage, typically from 1-7 years of age — where maintaining your cat’s good health becomes the focus. Adult cat foods contain lower amounts of protein and fat and have vitamins, minerals and supplements added to maintain healthy bones, joints, tissue, organs and coat.

Smart Note: Excessive weight stresses bones, joints, tissue and organs. Maintain your cat’s optimal weight to promote a long, healthy life. Consult with a veterinarian to determine if your cat is at her optimal weight. Smart Eating: Dry cat food can be left out all day as long as your cat does not overeat and gain excessive weight. Most cats prefer to eat many small meals throughout the day. Maturity While there’s no set age to begin feeding your cat a “senior” diet, seven years is a good rule of thumb. The maturity life stage is marked with cats being less active and there are food formulations to address age-related health issues.

Smart Note: As cats age, their body functions change and so will their nutritional needs. Health issues seen more frequently in mature cats include:

Decreased mobility
Intestine/digestion problems
Weakened immune system
Urinary ailments
Dental problems

Smart Eating: Regularly monitor how much food your mature cat is consuming each day (this is especially important if other cats or dogs are in the house and have access to your mature cat’s food). If your cat is not eating or is progressively losing weight, it may be a sign of a health problem that should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

 

Dogs of all ages need routine vaccinations to help them stay healthy. Your dog’s vaccination schedule will vary based on his age, overall health, state regulations, vaccination type, and risk of exposure.

In general, puppies usually need several sets of vaccination boosters to provide them with as much protection as possible. Adult dogs that are properly vaccinated should receive yearly boosters for most vaccines.

The following vaccines are the most important to your canine companion’s health:

Distemper/Parvo Combination - protects against several potentially fatal diseases

Rabies - protects against the very serious disease that can be fatal to all mammals (including humans)

Bordetella (also known as Kennel Cough) - helps prevent or reduce the severity of this serious respiratory infection that can lead to pneumonia

Corona Virus - protects against the intestinal virus that can cause serious disease

It is also very important to have your dog wormed regularly.  Strongid is a very effective

wormer and should be given several times a year.  Keeping your dog on a regular vaccination

and worming program will help prevent many related risks.

Small Dogs Aren’t Just “Smaller”

As you might expect, small dogs differ from larger dog breeds in more ways than reduced size.

Consider that per pound of body weight, small dogs require higher levels of energy in their diet, while having a much smaller stomach size. In addition, on average small dogs live longer (up to twice as long) as some larger dog breeds. This longer lifespan means small dogs have a higher risk for experiencing some health conditions that may be associated with advanced age, including: teeth and gum disease, heart conditions, skin conditions, and ear and eye disorders. Lastly, small breed dogs have a smaller mouth and tend to be picky eaters.

Small Dog Nutrition

Given the small dog characteristics described above, nutrition for small sized dogs should go far beyond a smaller kibble. Their physical health differences are best nutritionally supported by food fully designed for small breed dogs. Key attributes of small breed food are:

Energy Levels

Specifically, small breed food should be more concentrated with higher protein and fat levels, sourced from ingredients such as chicken, fish, and egg. These high-quality protein sources provide key amino acids that work to help keep your dog’s vital organs healthy.

Dental Benefits

It’s also important to look for dental benefits since small dogs are likely to experience oral health problems. Specially formulated premium nutrition can help reduce tartar buildup, thereby improving overall oral health. This will also help maintain your dog’s fresh breath.

Immune Support
As they age, additional stress is put on the dog’s immune system. Since small dog breeds typically have a longer lifespan, strong immune support is particularly critical for these dogs. Antioxidants including vitamin E are key nutrients to help keep a small breed’s immune system healthy. Also look for beta-carotene, an antioxidant that can help rejuvenate an older dog’s immune system-particularly appropriate given a small dog’s longer lifespan.

Taste
In terms of palatability, first look for a diet with concentrated nutrition from high levels of animal-based fat and protein, which tends to improve flavor. Also look for a reduced-size kibble, which can help to promote the overall eating experience.

A complete and balanced food specifically designed for a small dogs will help ensure your small dog is always at his or her best.

Can coffin bone (also called the third phalanx, or P3) rotation be improved or corrected in horses that have foundered (suffered laminitis severe enough to displace the coffin bone)?   

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The cornerstones of founder management are shoeing and diet. Once the disease has occurred, treatment is aimed at decreasing stresses on the foot and reducing risk factors for recurrence.

Horses can founder for many reasons, including mechanical overloading of the hoof (road founder), endocrine diseases such as Cushing’s, insulin resistance, obesity, systemic infection, toxic plant ingestion, illness, and grain overload. Once the laminae are inflamed, painful, and unstable, support of P3 is affected. Any mechanical forces to P3 will now cause it to shift. The deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) puts more tension on P3 than any other force and commonly causes rotation when laminae are weakened. The tip of P3 rotates down toward, and sometimes through, the sole.

Treatment in the acute phase focuses on protecting the now very fragile laminae. Stall rest is critical, as is decreasing the mechanical pull of the DDFT. Supporting the sole with padding, sand bedding, or using hoof wedges to decrease the tension of the DDFT can help reduce rotation. Pain control with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication is essential.

Long-term care is aimed at stabilizing P3 so new sole can be produced. An unstable and malaligned P3 is the source of chronic hoof abscesses, deterioration, and bone infection. These conditions must be addressed before the foot can heal. In severe cases, the DDFT is cut to provide relief from the rotational forces. These horses can be pasture sound and even used for some light riding.

Hoof trimming and shoeing are key treatments to stabilize the coffin bone. It is helpful to work with an experienced veterinarian and farrier together. Shoeing techniques can decrease the tension that causes rotation and displacement of P3. With special shoeing, many feet can be rehabilitated and normal P3 alignment can be restored. However, once a horse has foundered, the laminar attachments never heal 100% and are always, to some degree, compromised. Long-term foot maintenance and special foot care considerations are imperative for long-term success. No matter what the degree of rotation is, the goal of treatment is to have new sole grow under the tip of P3. This indicates stabilization has been achieved.

Managing the underlying causes of founder can reduce or prevent recurrence. Many foundered “easy keepers” respond well to reducing carbohydrates in the diet. Replacing grain with a vitamin and mineral supplement, soaking hay to remove the soluble carbohydrates, and managing pasture grasses and grazing time have been very helpful in managing most of these horses.

Founder is a complicated disease, and the foundation of treatment is in specialized hoof care. Working closely with a veterinarian and farrier can produce satisfying results.

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