How Stressed is Your Cat?

 

There are many different things that can cause our felines stress. New additions to the family (both of the four and two-legged variety), moving, changes in schedules, even a new piece of furniture can cause cats anxiety and stress. Besides the emotional and mental affects of stress, feline stress can cause a variety of health problems and can affect a cat’s behaviour in many different ways.

Common Stress-Related Behavioural Problems:

• urine marking
• vertical scratching
• over-grooming
• redirected aggression
• hiding, decreased activity, no interaction with owners

Common Stress-Related Medical Problems:

• Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder)
• Anorexia
• Obesity

 

Feliway is a synthetic copy of the natural feline facial pheromone proven to help reduce or prevent feline stress and the associated behavioural or medical problems. It is a replica of the natural feline marking pheromone that they use to designate their territory. Pheromones do not smell, and are processed only by the specific species they are produced by. 

Feliway can be used to help comfort and reassure cats while they cope with a challenging situation and help prevent or reduce the stress caused by a change in their environment. It comes in a few different methods of dispersement - a spray and a diffuser.

 

Diffuser:

• Need to place the diffuser in the most common area the animal will be and where the problem is occurring
• 1 diffuser will cover approx. 500-700 sq feet
• Needs to be plugged in all the time and can last 4-5 weeks
• Takes 24 hours to diffuse into a space
• Replace diffuser every 6 months or after 6 refills
• Should be no smell
• Do not place near vents or under a table as this may block the flow of the pheromones. Place in an open area to ensure optimal diffusion and effectiveness

Spray:

• Ideal for boarding animals, veterinary visits, car travel, vertical scratching, new elements in the house, spray 15 minutes before you put your cat into the area
• Needs 5 pumps into environment or carrier or surface
• Do not spray directly onto your cat
• The spray will have an immediate effect and lasts 5 hours in the environment
• Does not stain surfaces

Here at the Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic we have a designated cat room with a Feliway diffuser going all the time to ensure you cat's visit to the veterinary clinic is as stress free as possible.

For more information on Feliway and to learn more about cat behaviour, visit their webpage: http://www.feliway.com/ca_en

Chantelle Oliver, RVT
Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic

Veterinary Medicine at the Zoo!

We are very lucky here at the Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic. Along with being able to provide veterinary care and a cuddle to dogs and cats, we also get to see more exotic styles of creatures. It is not unusual to see small mammals like rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas and rats in our reception area, or even reptiles and birds, along with the occasional fish! And on top of this, we may have a lion cub from Bowmanville Zoo strolling in the door to get weighed for a routine deworming, or we may need to actually go out to visit the zoo if one of their larger animals is showing signs of illness.

Zoo animal medicine is a highly specialized field. As a result, we have a lot of unusual equipment available to help these very special animals under our care. We have things like a pole syringe which can inject medication into a big cat from a safe distance, and a blow gun which can use a small dart to administer anesthetic to a primate. We even have a dart gun that can administer a dart from a great distance, just in case one of the larger animals accidentally escapes.

Most of the veterinary care provided to the zoo is preventative in nature. Just like your dog and cat, regular physical examinations and vaccinations are very important. The animals at Bowmanville Zoo are highly socialized, and many are leash trained and allow physical examinations. But some of the animals require sedation to safely examine them, and so we also take that opportunity to collect a blood sample from them. This provides a nice baseline set of normal values for the animal, and then if they happen to become ill, we can use these normal values to compare to the “sick” ones. Twice yearly we also run stool sample analysis on the zoo animals, and treat them with dewormers if we find parasites. And just like in domestic pets, dental health is extremely important- sometimes we can have one of the wolves or a tiger come in for a dental cleaning. They walk out again with a nice bright smile!

Then of course, there are the emergencies. Just like dogs and cats, sometimes zoo animals can suddenly run into trouble. We need to work fast in these situations, and so our equipment is always ready for a quick trip to the zoo. I remember a number of years ago when a female buffalo was giving birth, and the calf got stuck with only one front hoof out. The male bison were very protective and obviously we could not anesthetize the whole herd. So tractors and backhoes and trucks were driven in to form a fence around the now sedated female, and I could safely go into this little holding to deliver the calf. Not exactly a relaxing moment, with two huge male bison breathing down my neck!

It is a privilege to help keep the Bowmanville Zoo animals healthy and happy. They are fascinating and exciting creatures to work with, and certainly add variety to our day!

Dr. Wendy Korver

Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic

Gone and Still Going Green...

Going Green has been an incremental process at the Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic. 

Our first major step on the green journey began in 2006 when we transitioned to a “paperless clinic”; this means that we no longer use paper files to record and keep all of your pet’s medical information. Now they are stored safely on our veterinary management software system. All of our exam rooms, treatment rooms, doctor’s office and our reception area are on a network so all the information is available to us literally at the touch of a button. It has certainly cut down on our paper consumption and hopefully saved a few trees as well.  Of course we recycle bottles, cans and paper, uniquely the paper gets shredded and then brought to the Bowmanville Zoo for baboon enrichment and bedding; they play with it for hours.

We also recycle our used printer cartridges and work with a company that refills them and brings them back to us. This effort saves an enormous amount of trash from entering landfill. That is something we feel great about!

More recently we invested in our own composter which we will use on our garden beds when the compost is ready. It is hard to say how far along the Green path our clinic will travel, but we think our focused efforts will have a meaningful impact on our planet, even if only just a little!! 

Sandra McBride

Practice Manager

Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic

Dutch Dogs Have it Made!

I recently returned from an amazing vacation in the Netherlands. It did not take me long after my arrival in Holland to realize that I would not miss having dogs around. There were dogs every where. 

Dutch people are very active and I would estimate that 75% of the people I saw out walking, hiking and biking had dogs with them. They came in all shapes and sizes and seemed to vary in breeds depending on what part of the country we were in.  I spent the most time in the central region of Holland near Nijkerk. Here the Belgian Tervuren is apparently very popular. I saw at least 20 of them during my stay. In Canada I have not seen that many in all my years at the vet clinic. They are very athletic dogs and I assume that the biking enthusiasts choose the breed for their ability to run alongside the bikes for kilometre after kilometre. If the cyclists did not have a dog running alongside them, it was not unusual to see smaller breeds with them on the bikes. I saw one Mom with a basket for her dog and a child at the front with two older children on the back. Amazing how they get around.

In the northern province of Friesland the hunting breeds are very popular, especially bird dogs. I saw Gordon, Irish and English setters as well as many Labradors. We also got to see a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (right), a breed developed in Holland. Not only are there thousands of sea birds here but also a large population of wild pheasants.

We also saw a beautiful Keeshond (top left) which is also a breed native to the Netherlands.

In one of the fishing towns I also saw a very cute Schipperke (left). I always thought this breed was also developed in Holland but apparently they are from Holland's neighbour, Belgium

The other thing that I really loved was that all of the dogs were on leash, except the field dogs in Friesland.

 In Holland you are also permitted to have your dog on the bus or train. They have to pay 3 Euro, but many people do this. You are also allowed to have your canine friend go to dinner with you. I know there are some places in Canada that this can happen but I think it is uncommon. It certainly does not happen in Durham region. I think I read somewhere that the only place dogs are not allowed are in the museums.

I did miss Kenzie while I was away but certainly saw a lot of dogs for my daily dog fix.

Diane McGill

Technician

Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic

Roundworms!!

Canine and feline Roundworm!!

What is it and how does your pet get it?

Roundworms are a type of intestinal parasite commonly found in the digestive tracts of cats and dogs. This parasite can be passed from Dam to babies during nursing, across the placenta when puppies are in utero or through the ingestion of contaminated hosts or soil. Soil that has embryonated (infective) eggs or hosts that have ingested embryonated eggs pass roundworm infections on to dogs and cats when consumed. Eggs become embryonated after they have been exposed to the elements. Once the embyonated eggs are ingested they hatch out and migrate thoughout the body. The adult roundworms can be found in the small intestines.

Why have fecal examinations on your pet?

Fecal examinations are a great way to detect many intestinal parasites in your pet. Roundworms are only one of hundreds of intestinal parasites found in cats and dogs. Fecal examinations look for the microscopic eggs that are shed by mature adults. You will not always see stool changes if there is an active infection. It depends on the type of parasite, stage in the lifecycle of the parasite and number of parasites present and your pets’ sensitivity to the infection.

Why deworm puppies and kittens?

It is known that puppies and kittens can become infected in utero and puppies can become infected while nursing. If infection is present, it can affect growth and development of the puppies and kittens. Poor hair coat, pot-bellied appearance, and in severe cases death may occur. Puppies and kittens can shed eggs in the environment and then can infect other animals. When puppies and kittens are dewormed then the lifecycle can be broken.

Not only can roundworm infections affect your pet, but it is also a zoonotic disease. A zoonotic disease is something that can be transmitted between humans and animals. Dog and cat Roundworms can cause health concerns in people, particularly in children. Children tend to play in dirt that can harbour roundworm eggs and they tend to be less hygienic than adults. Health concerns in people from dog or cat roundworm can be caused by larva migrating through tissues in the body.  The parasite can travel through tissues causing inflammation. Many people may be asymptomatic for infection.

How do we prevent infection?

Regular veterinary care for your dog and cat, including fecal examinations, strategic deworming and monthly preventatives can help protect your pet. Stooping and scooping is a good practice to minimize transmission of many parasites. Eggs can be long lived in the environment. Hand washing is very important. After handling pets, playing outside and before preparing or eating food washing hands can decrease transmission to people. Do not allow your child to eat dirt or play in areas soiled by animals. Covering children’s sandboxes when not in use can also help prevent infection. Pets are a great pleasure for people and the risk of transmitting parasites to humans can be very small if the recommendations are followed.

Lisa, RVT

Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic  

Spring Time Toxins

Tips from Pet Poison Helpline to Help Keep Your Pet Safe!

By Erica Carghill, CVT and Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC

Spring is just around the corner!  Plant bulbs are just as excited to break through the ground to add some color to our yards, as we are to see some greenery!  That said, we need to be aware of the potential dangers spring plants can be for our pets.  Here is a list of some of the most common spring plants and their toxicities… so you know how to pet-proof your garden and keep your pet safe!

Tulips and Hyacinth

Tulips contain allergenic lactones while hyacinths contain similar alkaloids.  The toxic principle of these plants is very concentrated in the bulbs (versus the leaf or flower), so make sure your dog is not digging up the bulbs in the garden.  When the plant parts or bulbs are chewed or ingested, it can result in tissue irritation to the mouth and esophagus.  Typical signs include profuse drooling, vomiting, or even diarrhea, depending on the amount consumed.  There is no specific antidote, but with supportive care from the veterinarian (including rinsing the mouth, anti-vomiting medication, and possibly subcutaneous fluids), animals do quite well.  With large ingestion of the bulb, more severe symptoms such as an increase in heart rate and changes in respiration can be seen, and should be treated by a veterinarian.  These more sever signs are seen in cattle or our overzealous, chowhound Labradors.

Daffodils

These flowers contain lycorine, an alkaloid with strong emetic properties (something that triggers vomiting).  Ingestion of the bulb, plant or flower can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even possible cardiac arrhythmias or respiratory depression.  Crystals are found in the outer layer of the bulbs, similar to hyacinths, which cause severe tissue irritation and secondary drooling.  Daffodil ingestion can result in more severe symptoms so if an exposure is witnessed or symptoms are seen, we recommend seeking veterinary care for further supportive care.

Lilies

There are dangerous and benign lilies out there, and it is important to know the difference.  Peace, Peruvian, and Calla lilies contain oxalate crystals that cause minor signs, such as tissue irritation to the mouth, tongue, pharynx, and esophagus – these result in minor drooling.  The more dangerous, potentially fatal lilies are true lilies, and these include Tiger, Day, Asiatic, Easter and Japanese Show lilies – all of which are highly toxic to cats!  Even small ingestion (such as the pollen or 2-3 petals or leaves) can result in severe kidney failure.  If your cat is seen consuming any part of the lily, bring your cat (and the plant) immediately to a veterinarian for medical care.  The sooner you bring in your cat, the better and more effectively we can treat the poisoning.  Decontamination (like inducing vomiting and giving binders like activated charcoal) are imperative in the early toxic stage, while aggressive intravenous fluid therapy, kidney monitoring tests, and supportive care can greatly improve the prognosis.

Crocus

There are two Crocus plants:  one that blooms in the spring (Crocus species) and the other in the autumn (Colchicum autumnale).  The spring plants are more common and are part of the Iridaceae family.  These ingestion can cause general gastrointestinal upset including vomiting and diarrhea.  These should not be mistaken for Autumn Crocus, part of the Liliacease family, which contain colchicine.  The Autumn Crocus, also known as Meadow Saffron, is highly toxic and can cause severe vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, and respiratory failure.  If you are not sure what plant it is, bring your pet to their veterinarian immediately for care.  Signs may be seen immediately but can be delayed for days.

Lily of the Valley

The Convallaria majalis plant contains cardiac glycosides, which will cause symptoms similar to digitalis (foxglove) ingestion.  These symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, a drop in heart rate, severe cardiac arrhythmias, and possibly seizures.  Pets with any known exposure to this plant should be examined and evaluated by a veterinarian and treated symptomatically.

In addition…. Fertilizers

As we gardeners work on our rose garden, be aware of those fertilizers.  While most are not very toxic (resulting in minor gastrointestinal irritation when consumed), some fertilizers can be fatal without treatment.  Here are a few ingredients to be aware of so you know what toxins and symptoms to watch out for:

·         Blood meal – This is a dried, ground, and flash-frozen blood and contains 12% nitrogen.  While it’s a great organic fertilizer, if ingested, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea.  More importantly, it can result in sever pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas.  Some types of blood meal are also fortified with iron, resulting in iron toxicity, so make sure to know what is in your bag of blood!

·         Bone meal – This is made up of defatted, dried, and flash-frozen animal bones that are ground to a powder.  This “bone” is also what makes it so palatable to your dog so make sure to keep your pet from digging in it and ingesting the soil.  While this also makes a great organic fertilizer, it can become a problem when consumed in large amounts as the bone meal forms a large cement-like bowling ball foreign body in the stomach – which can cause an obstruction in the gastrointestinal tract – resulting in possible surgery to remove it!

·         Rose and plant fertilizers – Some of these fertilizers contain disulfoton or other types of organophospates (OP).  As little as one teaspoon of 1% disulfoton can kill a 55 lb dog, so be careful!  Organophosphates, while less commonly used, can result in severe symptoms [including SLUD signs (which abbreviate for salivation, lacrimation, urination and defecation), seizures, difficulty breathing, hyperthermia, etc.  In some cases, it can be fatal!

·         Pesticides / Insecticides  - Most pesticides or insecticides (typically those that come in a spray can) are basic irritants to the pet and are usually not a huge concern unless a pet’s symptoms become persistent.  Some may contain an organophosphate which can be life threatening when consumed in large quantities.  It is always best to speak to a trained medical professional if there are any questions.

·         Iron – This is commonly added to fertilizers, and can result in iron toxicity (from ingestion of elemental iron).  This is different from “total” iron ingestion, and can be confusing to differentiate.  When in doubt, have a medical professional at Pet Poison Helpline assist you with finding out if the amount ingested was toxic or not.  Large ingestion can result in vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and potential cardiac and liver effects.

The best thing any pet owner can do is to be educated on the household toxins (both inside the house and out in the garden!), that way you make sure how to pet-proof your house appropriately.  Make sure to keep all gardening and lawn products in labeled, tightly sealed containers out of your pet’s reach.  If you think your pet has been poisoned, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 with any questions or concerns.

 Resources:  Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) is an Animal Poison Control that provides treatment advice and recommendations relating to exposures to potential dangerous plants, products, medications, and substances, to veterinarians, veterinary staff and pet owners 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Please be aware there is a $35.00/per case consultation fee.  Pet Poison Helpline is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The Helpline number is 800-213-6680.

For further information regarding services, visit the PPH website at www.petpoisonhelpline.com

Weighty Issues: Body Condition Scoring

So, now that we have discussed that obesity is a disease that is preventable and manageable, it’s time to figure out where each of our pets fall in the spectrum of obesity. To do that, we need a few different pieces of information: a weight, and a body condition score.

The first thing most people do when bringing their dog to the clinic is to pop them on the clinic scale. When cats come out of the carrier, the first place they land is on the cat scale. This is a vital piece of information for the veterinary clinic, as it allows us to accurately dose your pet should he or she need any medication, and we can also track the weight over progressive visits to monitor weight gain or weight loss.

But veterinarians and technicians are also assessing a body condition score. When we give your pet a good rub down in the room, we aren’t just being friendly. We are feeling fat padding, muscle tone and the prominence of bones like ribs and hips. Based on this tactile assessment and also a visual look at the waist and belly, we assign your pet a body condition score. Body condition scores can be out of 9 or 5, and this allows us to translate whether that 10kg dog is healthy, overweight or underweight.

You can do body condition scoring at home. It takes a bit of practice, and keep in mind that body condition scores are subjective analysis of your pet. Don’t be surprised if you and your vet disagree slightly in the scoring – we all tend to be a bit more optimistic regarding the health and weight of our own pets, where as your vet likely has a more critical eye. Personal experience can also affect how we view weight issues – what we perceive as normal will be very different depending if we spend all day at the dog park watching pudgy labs play,  versus spending time at a sport-dog competition where pets are typically more trim.  

To perform a body condition assessment, start with feeling your pet over its chest area, using light palpation. You are gauging how prominent the ribs are. Ideally, you should not have to dig too deeply to be able to feel your pet’s ribs.

Next, move your palpation down to your pet’s abdomen. You are feeling for the presence of a waistline and also a “tummy-tuck”. Now run your hands down your pet’s spine, hips and tail, feeling for excess fat accumulation. Cats in particular are prone to developing a fat pad in front of their hind legs. If your previously-overweight cat has been on a weight-loss program and is doing well, don’t be surprised if this fat pad remains longer than you’d like. It’s often the last evidence of obesity to disappear.

Compare what you feel and see to the scoring charts – there are different ones for toy, small, medium, large and giant breed dogs and also cats: http://www.pet-slimmers.com/pet-obesity/how-to-tell-if-your-pet-is-overweight.aspx

If you’ve done this scoring and feel your pet is anything other than ideal (4-5/9), call your veterinarian today to discuss what you can do to get your pet in its optimal body condition.

Vanessa Tonn, DVM
Bowmanville Veterinary Clinic