EOB-1....
OK, now, pay attention! If you've been reading this blog for long enough, you know that Helpful Buckeye has stressed repeatedly that a pet owner needs to be familiar with the habits and appearance of their dog or cat. That is one of the most reliable ways to be able to tell when something just isn't right with the pet. Awareness of the normal state of events is the first step in the process of catching a disease or illness in its early stages. Catching an illness early in its development not only gives your pet a better chance of an earlier recovery but also has the potential of saving you some money...and both of those are big pluses.
For the love of your pets: Evaluating your pets'
condition
By Dr. John Beck
My own dog was diagnosed with a heart condition about
six months ago. We have some trouble every now and then, but for the most part,
his condition is controlled with the medications my veterinarian prescribed. Is
there any way for us to know if his "spell" is worth taking him into
the vet on emergency or if it is something I can wait on?
Heart conditions are a tricky science. It is usually
a blend of medications given a couple of times a day to help maintain your
pet's quality of life. Regular visits to your veterinarian are necessary to
evaluate how your pet is doing on all the medicines and make sure all of his
needs are being met.
The fastest way to evaluate your pet's current state
is to try and take his vital statistics - just like a human hospital would get
your weight, temperature, blood pressure, etc. upon arrival. You can do the
same for your pet.
Mucous membranes are something we always look at
when first seeing a patient. Mucous membranes usually refer to the color and
wetness of the gum line. A healthy gum line is usually a pretty bright pink and
slick to the touch due to the saliva. If a dog is having trouble breathing or
making oxygen exchange, the gums can appear purple in color. If the dog is
dehydrated, they can feel tacky or sticky to the touch.
Another vital statistic that is regularly checked on
a dog/cat is capillary refill time. This is how long it takes for the
capillaries (small blood vessels) in the gum line to fill back up with blood
after being emptied. To check this, you need to apply mild pressure to the gum
line until it turns white, then let go. Count, in seconds, how long it takes
for the gum to return to a normal color. If the return time is one to two
seconds this is considered normal. Anything over three seconds is considered abnormal.
You can check your pet's pulse by finding the
femoral artery that runs inside the pets back leg. The groin section is usually
the easiest place to find it. Count how many times you can feel the pulse in 15
seconds then multiply by four. This will give you the number of heart beats per
minute. For dogs that are less than 30 pounds, an average heart rate or pulse
is 100-160 beats per minute. For a dog over 30 pounds, an average heart rate or
pulse is 60-100 beats per minute. The smaller the dog, the faster the heart
rate; and the larger the dog, the slower the heart rate. Puppies and cats
typically have a pretty quick heart rate regardless of size. They tend to run
in the 100-130 beat per minute range.
To check your pet's temperature, you will have to
use a rectal thermometer. Adding some lubricating jelly will help with the
discomfort. The average dog or cat temperature is 101.5 Fahrenheit. If the
patient is very excited, the temperature might be a degree higher. If the
patient is very old or calm, the temperature might be a degree lower.
These vital statistics can be taken to help reassure
yourself of your pet's condition. If you need more help or have any other
questions, please feel free to contact me or your local veterinarian.
Adapted from: http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2011/jul/14/yl_john_beck_071711_145242/?news&local-news
Is this Normal? - When to take your pet to the
Veterinarian
Adapted from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JseqepJ0bbA&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=smartbrief&utm_medium=email
10 Signs Your Pet Needs To See The Vet
Most pet guardians recognize the obvious signs of a
pet in distress and would seek veterinary care for all the obvious signs of
illness or injury such as bleeding or an animal who can not stand. But what
about the more subtle signs that your pet needs help? Every species has its one
code, its own tell-tale signs of trouble, and in the animal kingdom,
communication can be cryptic to the human eye. One golden rule is to watch for
any behavioral shifts which may have an alarming underlying cause..
1. Restlessness:
Maggie, the 10-year-old calico cat, was always a quiet girl. She preferred to
spend most of the day sleeping in a wicker basket. So when Maggie began
exploring the house more, particularly at night, her family was thrilled to see
her becoming more active. Maggie would pace through the house, checking every
room and sometimes let out a single meow. Turns out, Maggie was suffering from
a brain tumor that was giving her severe headaches. The pacing was her response
to the pain. What looked like a wonderful new sense of exploration, was
actually the manifestation of severe illness. Restlessness can be a firm
indicator of pain or anxiety.
2. Unusual
Ways of Getting Your Attention: What do you make of a bunny who normally
wanders the living room floor but is suddenly ascending onto the couch? Perhaps
he has his ears cocked in different directions instead of the usual symmetrical
arrangement. Bunny may be trying to get your attention. A common cause of pain
in rabbits comes from their mouths as teeth tend to grow spurs causing painful
lacerations and infection, especially in the rear corners of the mouth that can
only be viewed with special veterinary instruments. In dogs and cats, frequent
barking or meowing that is uncharacteristic for your pet, could be a sign of
distress. Any time your pet is persistently turning to you for attention and
you are unable to satisfy this pleading with food, water or a walk outdoors,
you could be looking at a pet who is in need of care. In iguanas, face rubbing is a problem and can
lead to injury from abrasive metal cages. Environmental changes, health issues
or a small cage can provoke the behavior.
3. Changes
in Body Presentation and Posture: A pet bird who sits with his feathers ruffled
out for a long period of time may be suffering respiratory illness See a
complete list of bird health warning signs here In rabbits, a hunched and
hunkered down posture can indicate stasis, a painful and potentially deadly
slow-down of the gastrointestinal tract which is common to rabbits and requires
immediate veterinary intervention. And in dogs and cats, you'll want to pay
attention if your pet is suddenly sleeping in an unusual position, limping or
hesitating to sit down.
4. Hesitation
to Jump or Climb: A dog who begins to hesitate before jumping into the car or
onto the bed may be experiencing arthritis, hip dysplasia or even early signs
of neurological disease.
5. Going
into Hiding/ Becoming Quiet: If your normally social pet begins seeking more
quiet time or begins sleeping a lot more, this can be a red flag indicating
some form of pain or infection. This is a big one and you'll want to begin
paying careful attention to see if you can uncover any other changes so that
you can report these to the vet as well. In fact, one cat who recently
swallowed a long piece of string that was constricting his intestines was
simply noted to be sitting quietly and not bouncing around as he usually does.
This change had only begun that morning, but his eyes seemed to say, something
is wrong, and fortunately his very astute guardian rushed him to the vet where
an x-ray revealed the foreign body and emergency surgery saved his life.
6. Pee
& Poo Indicators: Your animal's bathroom habits are an excellent barometer
of health which is why its critically important for pet guardians to observe
their pets' elimination behaviors. Frequent urination can indicate a variety of
sneaky and serious health issues ranging from diabetes to urinary tract
infection to kidney failure. In fact, in male cats blockage of the urinary
tract can suddenly occur and your cat will be unable to urinate despite
desperate attempts. If your litter box is out of sight, you will not notice
these red flags. You must see how often your cat is visiting the box. Daily
cleaning of the box to look for appropriate quantity of urine is essential, but
in multi-cat households, it's harder to spot illness in a single cat through
cleaning alone. Changes in bowel movements can indicate anything from simple
parasitic infection to intestinal disease to gastrointestinal hemorrhaging.
Black poo, poo with red blood or diarrhea that persists are all reasons to see
the vet.
7. Bad
Breath: Geriatric pets are not the only ones who can suffer from dental
diseases. Even in kittens as young as four months old, severe dental disease
can be present as a result of common viruses and severe pain, even exposed
nerves, can evolve quickly. If your pet has foul breath, don't play games with
over-the-counter breath freshening tools. First, see your vet to find out if
your pet has abscesses, broken teeth, gingival (gum) complications or other oral
health conditions that could be causing pain and opening the window to
additional disease of major organs including the heart.
8. "False"
Hairballs or Coughing: You'd be surprised at how asthma in cats looks and
sounds like a cat trying to cough up a fur ball. Many cat guardians miss the
early signs of asthma because it appears so similar to the old 'hair ball'
routine. Viral infections, heart diseases, asthma and worms are but a few of
the reasons your pet may be coughing, wheezing or sneezing and it's simply
impossible for pet owners to make these determinations on their own.
9. Itching:
Sometimes food allergies, environmental allergies or external parasites cause
itching. Particularly if you pet is
itching at his ears and wincing, painful ear mites or yeast overgrowth may be
present.
10. Not
Your Average Vomit: Pets do vomit occasionally but sometimes vomit is an
indicator of an emergency ranging from poisoning, an ingested foreign object or
serious illness. And, in fact, retching unproductively can also indicate a
severe condition in dogs in which their stomach is twisted.
21 Symptoms You Should
Never Ignore in
Your Dog
By: Dr. Debra Primovic
There are serious
symptoms that should never be ignored in your dog. A symptom is defined as
"any problem that can indicate an underlying disease" and may be your
first clue to the presence of a life-threatening problem in your dog. Here is a
list of 21 symptoms that should never be ignored if you see them from your dog!
1. Pacing and
Restlessness. In dogs, pacing and restlessness can be indicate pain, discomfort
or distress. Restlessness can be associated with a condition called
"bloat" in which the stomach. Bloat and most commonly occurs in large
breed or deep-chested dogs. Pacing and restless can be an indicator of a
serious problem.
2. Unproductive
Retching. Dogs that attempt to vomit and are unable to bring anything up is a
common sign of "bloat". You should call your veterinarian immediately.
3. Collapse or
Fainting. Acute collapse is a sudden loss of strength causing your dog to fall
and be unable to rise. Some dogs that suddenly collapse will actually lose
consciousness. This is called fainting or syncope. Some dogs recover very
quickly and look essentially normal just seconds to minutes after collapsing,
whereas others stay in the collapsed state until helped. All the reasons for
collapse or fainting are serious and should not be ignored. See your
veterinarian immediately.
4. Not Eating or Loss
of Appetite. Anorexia is a term used to describe the situation where an animal
loses his appetite and does not want to eat or is unable to eat. There are many
causes of a "loss of appetite" and is often the first indication of
illness. Regardless of cause, loss of appetite can have a serious impact on an
animal's health if it lasts 24 hours or more. Young animals less than 6 months
of age are particularly prone to the problems brought on by loss of appetite.
5. Losing Weight.
Weight loss is a physical condition that results from a negative caloric
balance. This usually occurs when the body uses and/or excretes essential
nutrients faster than it can consume them. Essentially more calories are being
burned than are being taken in. Weight loss is considered clinically important
when it exceeds 10 percent of the normal body weight and is not associated with
fluid loss. There are several causes for this, some of which can be very
serious.
6. Breathing Problems. Respiratory distress, often called dyspnea, is labored, difficult breathing or shortness of breath. This can occur at any time during the breathing process, during inspiration (breathing in) or expiration (breathing out). When your dog has trouble breathing, he may not be able to get enough oxygen to his tissues. Additionally, if he has heart failure, he may not be able to pump sufficient blood to his muscles and other tissues. Dyspnea is often associated with accumulation of fluid (edema) in the lungs or the chest cavity (pleural effusion). This fluid can lead to shortness of breath and coughing. This is a very serious symptom and should be evaluated immediately.
6. Breathing Problems. Respiratory distress, often called dyspnea, is labored, difficult breathing or shortness of breath. This can occur at any time during the breathing process, during inspiration (breathing in) or expiration (breathing out). When your dog has trouble breathing, he may not be able to get enough oxygen to his tissues. Additionally, if he has heart failure, he may not be able to pump sufficient blood to his muscles and other tissues. Dyspnea is often associated with accumulation of fluid (edema) in the lungs or the chest cavity (pleural effusion). This fluid can lead to shortness of breath and coughing. This is a very serious symptom and should be evaluated immediately.
7. Red Eye. A "red
eye" is a non-specific sign of inflammation or infection. It may be seen
with several different diseases including those involving different parts of
the eye including the external eyelids, third eyelid, conjunctiva, cornea, and
sclera (white portion of the eye). It may also occur with inflammation of the structures inside the eye,
with glaucoma (high pressure within the eye) or with certain diseases of the
orbit (eye socket). Either one or both eyes can become red, depending upon the
cause of the problem. Some of the possible causes can be serious and ultimately
cause blindness.
8. Jaundice. Jaundice,
also referred to as icterus, describes the yellow color taken on by the tissues
throughout the body due to elevated levels of bilirubin, a substance that comes
from the breakdown of red blood cells. There are several causes for jaundice
and regardless of the cause, jaundice is considered abnormal and serious in the
dog.
9. Trouble Urinating.
"Trouble urinating" can include straining to urinate, frequent
attempts at urination, and evidence of discomfort when urinating. Discomfort
may be demonstrated by crying out during urination, excessive licking at the
urogenital region or turning and looking at the area. There are several
underlying causes. Some of the causes if left untreated can result in death in
as little as 36 hours.
10. Urinating and
Drinking Excessively. These signs are often early signs of disease including
kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, thyroid gland problems, uterine infection
(called pyometra), as well as other causes. Dogs normally take in about 20 to
40 milliliters per pound of body weight per day, or one to two cups per day for
a normal sized dog. If you determine that your pet is drinking excessively,
make an appointment with your veterinarian.
11. Fever. A fever is
defined as an abnormally high body temperature resulting from internal
controls. It is believed that fever is a method of fighting infection. The body
resets the temperature control area of the brain to increase the body
temperature – probably in response to invasion of foreign matter such as
bacteria or viruses. The normal temperature in dogs is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees
Fahrenheit. If your pet temperature is high, call your veterinarian.
12. Seizure. A seizure
or convulsion is a sudden excessive firing of nerves in the brain. The severity
of the seizure can vary between a far-away look or twitching in one part of the
face to your dog falling on his side, barking, gnashing his teeth, urinating,
defecating and paddling his limbs. A seizure can last from seconds to minutes.
Seizures are symptoms of some neurological disorder – they are not in
themselves a disease. They can be caused by several disorders including
epilepsy, toxins or tumors.
13. Bruising and
Bleeding. Abnormal bruising and bleeding arises with disorders of hemostasis
(clotting). Clotting abnormalities are also called coagulopathies, because they
reflect the inability of the blood to coagulate or clot. Bleeding from clotting
disturbances may occur into the skin, the mucous membranes, and various
internal organs, tissues, and body cavities. The impact of such bleeding on the
affected individual may be mild or severe depending on the degree of blood
loss.
14. Coughing. Coughing
is a common protective reflex that clears secretions or foreign matter from the
throat, voice box, and/or airways, and protects the lungs against aspiration.
It affects the respiratory system by hindering the ability to breathe properly.
Common causes include obstruction in the windpipe, bronchitis, pneumonia,
heartworm disease, lung tumors, kennel cough and heart failure. Some of the
causes are life threatening and all pets with a cough should be evaluated by a
veterinarian.
15. Bloated or
Distended Abdomen. Abdominal distension is an abnormal enlargement of the
abdominal cavity. This term is usually reserved for abdominal enlargement due
to causes other than simple obesity. One cause of abdominal distension is
abnormal fluid accumulation. Another cause of abdominal distension is
enlargement of any abdominal organ including the liver, kidneys, or spleen.
Distension of the stomach with air ("bloating") or fluid or
distension of the uterus (womb) during pregnancy, can result in abdominal
distension. Pressure from the abdomen pushing into the chest may make breathing
more difficult and pressure within the abdomen may decrease the appetite. NOTE:
It is important to recognize abdominal distension because it can be a symptom
of potentially life-threatening diseases and should be investigated thoroughly.
16. Bloody Diarrhea.
Blood in the feces can either appear as "melena" which makes the
stools appear black and tarry is the presence suggests digested blood in the
feces. Melena is different from fresh blood in the stool (hematochezia).
Bleeding into the colon or rectum appears as fresh blood in the stool. Bloody
diarrhea should be evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible.
17. Bloody Urine.
Hematuria is the presence of red blood cells in the urine. It may be gross
(visible to the naked eye) or microscopic. There are several possible causes
including bacterial infections, cancer, stones in the urinary tract.
18. Bite Wounds. Bite
wounds are often the result when two animals engage in a fight or aggressive
play. Bite wounds, which may only appear as a small puncture wound in the skin,
can actually be quite extensive. Once the tooth penetrates the skin, severe
damage can occur to the underlying tissues without major skin damage. Some
wounds may appear deceptively minor but may have the potential to be life
threatening, depending on the area of the body bitten. All bite wounds should
receive veterinary attention.
19. Bloody
Vomit. Vomiting blood can fresh blood, which is bright red or partially digested
blood, which has the appearance of brown coffee grounds. There are a variety of
causes of vomiting blood and the effects on the animal are also variable. Some
are subtle and minor ailments, while others are severe or life threatening.
20. Lethargy or
Weakness. Lethargy is a state of drowsiness, inactivity, or indifference in
which there are delayed responses to external stimuli such as auditory (sound),
visual (sight), or tactile (touch) stimuli. Lethargy is a nonspecific sign
associated with many possible underlying systemic disorders. It may have little
to no impact on the affected individual; however its presence may represent
severe or life-threatening illness. Lethargy of more than a day's duration
should not be ignored, and should be addressed, especially if it persists.
21. Pale Gums. Pale
gums or mucous membranes can indicate blood loss or "shock". The
possible causes for either blood loss or shock are life-threatening and thus
should be evaluated immediately.
Adapted from: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/21-symptoms-you-should-never-ignore-in-your-dog/page1.aspx
Give pet a pat, and an
exam while at it
There’s something
therapeutic about petting your cat or dog.
No, really: Your
petting them could save their life. Depending on the animal, it’s not uncommon
for cats and dogs to develop lumps or bumps on or under their skin. During
annual veterinary exams, your vet should be checking for these.
In between vet visits —
some even suggest once a week — it’s good to give your pet a check-over to make
sure no new bumps have emerged or that no existing bumps have grown.
The vets at PetMD.com
and Southwest Veterinary Oncology suggest starting at the nose and working back
to the tail. Check the nostrils for discharge or bumps, and feel your way over
their face, ears and neck, not ignoring the skin in their wrinkles.
Open a dog’s mouth (a
cat’s, too, if you can) and check for any abnormalities in the gums or tongue.
Work your way down the
torso and legs, and check the anal area for bumps or discharge. Go all the way
to the end of the tail, getting in between toes and at the points where joints
connect.
Most pets will allow
and even welcome the stroking: They’ll think you’re petting them, said Dr.
Jennifer Arthur of Southwest Veterinary Oncology.
There are at least a
half-dozen possibilities of what the lump is and what caused it, so if you do
find one, don’t panic.
The first step is to
check the same area on the other side. If it’s symmetrical, odds are it’s
nothing to be worried about.
If it isn’t, call and
describe it to your vet. They may suggest that you come in, or they may just
ask that you monitor it during the next few weeks.
It could turn out to be
an abscess, a sebaceous cyst, a skin papilloma (wart) or a variety of other non-fatal
things.
If you detect swelling
around the lymph nodes (under jaw, in front of shoulders, junction of back legs
and front of knees on both animals), see the vet soon. This could be an
indicator of cancer, which your vet can detect.
If a vet is unsure, he
or she may take a needle biopsy or excise the lump and send it to a pathologist
for a report.
Whatever the issue is,
if you catch the lump early, treatment options are many.
SouthwestVeterinaryOncology.com
has very helpful how-to videos on examining pets, and they offer a visual
tracker so you can monitor a bump’s appearance, growth and vet opinions. Their web site is at: http://southwestveterinaryoncology.com/how-to-check-and-monitor-lumps-or-bumps-in-pets/
The next time you have
a rough day and need a snuggle, pet like you mean it and give your animal a
quick exam.
It’s a simple, free
tool for keeping your pet healthy, and they’ll relish attention from their
favorite person in the whole world.
Adapted from: http://www.sctimes.com/article/20130401/LIFE/304010005/Pet-column-Give-pet-pat-an-exam-while-it?gcheck=1&nclick_check=1
Any questions or comments should be sent to Helpful Buckeye at: dogcatvethelp@gmail.com or submitted at the "Comment" section at the end of this issue.
~~The goal of this blog is to
provide general information and advice to help you be a better pet owner and to
have a more rewarding relationship with your pet. This blog does not intend to
replace the professional one-on-one care your pet receives from a practicing
veterinarian. When in doubt about your pet's health, always visit a
veterinarian.~~
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