The Mobile Pet Vet Blog

OK, I’m pretty certain nobody reads my blog - after all, who really cares what my random thoughts are today? In any case, here’s today’s blog. I have spent the entire morning working on updating my website to include information on the local Divide Mayoral Campaign in which one of 25 pets will be elected Mayor of Divide the first week of April. My dog, Spright, is running. I am reluctant to admit that my obsessive/compulsive nature is coming out in force. Not only my OCD issues, but my somewhat competitive personality as well. That being said, I must admit that by the time this election is over I will likely have no friends (and possibly no clients) remaining, and my email address will be blocked by most of my email address book members. So, if you are reading my blog, just vote for Sprighty so I can quit obssessing.

Oh, vet tip of the day - and this is my FAVORITE tip - “a tired dog is a good dog”. Live by that and you and your dog will be great friends.

admin My Daily (maybe) Blog Daily Blog

Eliminating Ear Cropping and Tail Docking In Dogs.

Ear cropping and tail docking in dogs has been an area of controversy in the pet owner, pet breeder, pet welfare and veterinary communities for many years. After many years and much discussion, the American Veterinary Medical Association (“AVMA”), a large governing body of veterinarians and an organization in which most veterinarians maintain membership, has finally taken a stance on this controversial topic. Below is a copy of the exact statement that can be found on the AVMA website:

“Ear Cropping and Tail Docking of Dogs
(Oversight: AWC; HOD 07/1999, EB revised 11/2008)

The AVMA opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes. The AVMA encourages the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards.”

This is a huge and significant change in policy. For years the AVMA, ever diplomatic, has refused to take a stance on several animal welfare issues, leaving it up to individual veterinarians to choose their own ethical medical practices. There was concern that making statements opposing certain long standing practices such as tail docking and ear cropping could alienate the AVMA from a small, but vocal and active, subset of pet owners, particularly those involved with the American Kennel Club (“AKC”) and the breeding of purebred dogs.

Why are these practices controversial? One reason is that most consider these practices to be purely cosmetic and of no benefit to the pet, while others disagree. Opponents of stopping these procedures may argue that pets are more likely to develop certain medical conditions if pets’ tails and ears aren’t altered. For example, some dogs with thinly haired hard tails may develop a condition commonly referred to as “happy tail,” a situation in which the pet injures its tail from wagging it excessively and hitting it on inanimate hard objects. As a veterinarian I have seen this condition, and I have had to amputate the occasional tail due to chronic insult and infection. However, the vast majority of dogs happily enjoy their tails throughout their life without trauma. Incidentally, only a small majority of breeds have their tails docked, and almost all mixed breed dogs have tails, so it is a bit hard to buy into this theory that tail docking is done for the pet’s benefit, or all pets would be having this procedure.

Another concern is that if ears aren’t cropped, more recurrent ear infections may occur. As of right now, there is no scientific evidence to support this. Ear infections are very commonly seen in all breeds of dogs, those with upright as well as floppy ears. Most ear infections are secondary to allergies in dogs, a very common condition. Some dogs develop recurrent ear infections due to their lifestyles, such as a love of swimming that is typically seen in goldens and labs. Having constantly moist ear canals can predispose to ear infections. If ear infections were truly thought to be due to floppy ears versus upright ears, why aren’t we ear cropping all floppy eared dogs, including Goldens, labs, Beagles, and bloodhounds? If this is a viable solution to a medical condition, why is it only a select group of breeds, such as Great Danes, Schnauzers, and Doberman pinchers that reap the benefit of this surgery?

The bottom line is that ear cropping and tail docking are done almost exclusively for cosmetic purposes. Owners of Rottweilers, Dobermans and Australian shepherds don’t want to see them with tails – they think they look “wrong”. While Irish and English setters have tails, it does not look “right” on a Brittany or Pointer. A Dobie or Dane doesn’t look as regal and majestic with floppy ears as it does with upright ears. So, how do we change perception of beauty? The same way the fashion industry does. If everyone “important” wears it, it becomes the “norm”. If the dog show set starts to show their dogs in their naturally born bodies, and especially if they then win at shows, then this new breed style will trickle down to the general public. It takes time to change the public’s perception of what a specific breed is supposed to look like.

There are few domestic dogs that still in any way resemble what evolution and nature created. Most dog breeds have been heavily influenced by mankind’s selective breeding. Therefore, it is meaningless to recommend keeping dogs “as nature intended”. It is not, however, meaningless to try to allow them to exist as born, without surgical intervention to change their appearance.

This of course raises even more controversial issues. If we begin to discourage cropping ears and docking tails, then what should we do about the practice of removing puppy dewclaws? What about declawing cats?

That will just have to wait until another blog…

admin Animal Welfare & Other Controversial Items, In The News - Pet Related Current Events animal rights, breed standards, dog cosmetic surgery, dog welfare, ear cropping, pet welfare, tail docking

The Human-Animal Bond – What and Why?

The “human-animal bond” is a term that was developed to categorize and describe the attachment some people have for their pets. It was established for several reasons. One, of course, is that the psychologists and psychiatrists of the world have to have a name for every possible human emotional condition. More importantly, however, it was established to validate and explain the complex and often indescribable love that humans can have for their pets.

Love, of course, is a subjective term that means many things to many people, and is often dependent on the situation. For example, I love my new Keen brand shoes. Would I risk my life for them? Absolutely not. I also love the actor Gerard Butler. I’ve never actually met him, and I’ve heard he smokes – a habit I dislike – but I do enjoy his work (especially Phantom of the Opera!). How do those feelings of “love” that I have compare to the “love” I have for my animals. That’s simple – there is no comparison.

The realm of attachment that people form to their pets is highly variable. As a veterinarian, I have seen too often that a pet can be loved until it becomes inconvenient – the pet becomes too old, too sick, too destructive, or too expensive. It may have been well taken care of for many years, but then the bond is so weak that the pet can be relinquished to a shelter when it becomes more trouble than the owner wishes to deal with. On the other hand, I have many clients that wouldn’t part with their pets under any but the direst circumstances. There are some individuals that could even be considered “pathologically” attached to their pet. The designation of “pathologically attached” implies that the relationship is or has become unhealthy in some way. The so-called pathologically attached are the ones who love their pets like children, to the extent that were it possible, they would donate one of their own organs to their ailing pet if it would save its life.

Despite putting a name to the condition, the human-animal bond encompasses as many questions as answers. Who is it that determines if an emotional bond between a human and an animal is so extreme as to be “unhealthy”? Is it wrong or abnormal to love pets as much as humans? If so, who determines that?

The question that baffles me most is what exactly it is that allows some people to develop an intense loving relationship with their pet while others don’t. Is it nature or nurture? Is there some innate genetic component in some of us that allows us to unconditionally love our pets while our siblings, family members or friends may not share or even understand this attachment? Is it a result of our experiences throughout life that allow this bond to develop?

I often think of pet lovers as being sensitive and empathetic people. I also know a very sweet couple who have devoted their lives to family, children, and charitable work, and yet have relinquished a family pet they had had for years because it just “didn’t bring them any real joy”. No one could call them cold or insensitive, but for a pet lover it is incomprehensible that you could live with a pet in your house and as part of your family for years and yet not form any real attachment.

As medical technology continues to advance, perhaps one day there will be an explanation as to why some of us form deep, permanent and loving relationships with animals, while others don’t. Regardless of whether I know how or why, I am happy to enjoy the life-enriching joy, love and fulfillment I get from having pets.

admin The Human-Animal Bond dog, human-animal bond, pet, veterinary

The FDA recently confirmed that the source of the recent outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium in humans is due to contamination of peanuts processed by the Peanut Corporation of America. While the risk of disease due to Salmonella in animals is low, it is possible for humans to be exposed and become ill while handling contaminated pet foods. Consequently, companies that may have used the contaminated peanut butter in their pet foods and pet treats have recalled their products. Below is the most current list of recalled products from the U.S. FDA website.

“Carolina Prime” Brand:
Product Description Recalling Firm Packaging Size Lot Numbers Stock Numbers Product Code Label
2 Pack Hooves Peanut Butter Hooves
Petsmart 063725542000
4″ Rawhide Bone Peanut Rawhide
Petsmart 063725542003
6″ Beef Shank Peanut Butter Dog Bone
Petsmart 063725542007
6″ Rawhide Bone Peanut Butter Rawhide
Petsmart 063725542005

“Grreat Choice” Brand:
Product Description Recalling Firm Packaging Size Lot Numbers Stock Numbers Product Code Label
Extra Large Assorted
Petsmart 8 lb. All 73725700779
Large Assorted
Petsmart 8 lb. All 73725700638
Peanut Butter
Petsmart 4 lb. All 73725700766
Small Assorted
Petsmart 32 oz. All 73725702900
Small/Medium Assorted
Petsmart 10 lb. All 73725702755
Small/Medium Assorted
Petsmart 4 lb. All 73725700601
Small/Medium Assorted
Petsmart 8 lb. All 73725700605

“Happy Tails” Brand:
Product Description Recalling Firm Packaging Size Lot Numbers Stock Numbers Product Code Label
Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits
SUPERVALU 4 lb 41163-42403
Multi-flavored Dog Biscuits
SUPERVALU 26 oz 41163-42406

“Salix” Brand:
Product Description Recalling Firm Packaging Size Lot Numbers Stock Numbers Product Code Label
Healthy-Hide-Deli Wrap 5″ Peanut Butter Filled Rawhide
Wegmans 3 count package All Codes 0-91093-33354
Healthy-Hide-Deli Wrap 5″ Peanut Butter Filled Rawhide
Petsmart 3 count package 0-91093-33354

“Shoppers Valu” Brand:
Product Description Recalling Firm Packaging Size Lot Numbers Stock Numbers Product Code Label
Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits
SUPERVALU 4 lb 41130-30507

admin In The News - Pet Related Current Events, Pet Foods/Pet Products Recall 2009 dog, dog food recall, dog treats recall, peanut butter recall, pet food, pet food recall

Weekly Topic: “Baby Talk”

By Dudley Dufus. (Dudley Dufus has spent his 11 years of life amongst the two leggeds, and brings his insightful and quirky interpretations of their odd ways to the common canid.)

Baby talk - we’ve all experienced it. The normally upright two-legged suddenly seems to regress to a pre-evolutionary form of its species. The human, most often a female, tries to make herself smaller by awkwardly curling her body down to us, her envy for our ability to ambulate on four limbs evident as she tries to mimic our superior conformational stance, and her voice takes on an abnormally high octave. Her normal concise vocalizations change to a slurry of incomprehensible babble which is almost always accompanied by the curling of lips and baring of teeth. Humans call it “baby talk”, and not only do they bestow us with this odd form of communication, but also subject their own offspring to it!

While it can be scary to have a human suddenly drop to the ground and start up with this high pitched vocalization, you should be aware that the human is not in pain or infected with rabies, despite the noise and occasional salivary spraying. Rest assured that during baby talk the human is very unlikely to show aggressive tendencies. Do not expect them to roll over and urinate, as would be appropriate, but in their own way they are showing submission to us. While annoying, baby talk is a harmless human behavior.

There are several responses to this that can be of benefit to canids. One response is to gracefully accept this subservient behavior and roll over onto your back to allow the human to give you a belly massage. Most humans will, oddly enough, enjoy giving this freely although I’m told they actually have to pay each other for this service.

Another response is to simply ignore this bad behavior and walk away. This method does not stop the human from repeated attempts to appease you and may actually escalate the behavior in some individual humans.

If you do not want this groveling auditory assault to continue, a gentle way to stop it is to jump up on the human to throw her off balance, then while she’s struggling to regain her feet (humans are hopelessly uncoordinated), lick the face with encompassing wet swipes, paying particular attention to getting your tongue in her mouth. That will almost always result in the human returning to her normal upright position and ceasing the high pitched vocalizations, although it may require a few repeated efforts on your part to get her to desist. This method does not permanently eliminate baby talk, however, and you will almost certainly be subjected to it again.

Another less subtle response to stop this behavior would be to stand your ground and bare your teeth back at them. Sometimes you also need to emit a sharp warning bark. While humans’ intellectual limitations do not allow them to speak “dog”, they seem to instinctively respond to this reprimand by backing off and stopping the baby talk. This method does tend to permanently stop baby talk although there is the occasional human that is too obtuse to understand and will continue to cajole and try to entice you to respond to the baby talk.

The one key point to remember about baby talk is that it is an attention seeking behavior of humans and that it is a non-threatening and harmless practice. Feel free to enjoy the ear and belly rubs should the mood strike, and if not use one of the above techniques to stop this vocal torment.

admin A Dog's Perspective on Human Behavior baby-talk, canine, dog, human-animal bond

admin Veterinary Articles canine, Colorado, dogs, heartworm disease, veterinary

Do any of the following scenarios seem familiar? You’re walking your dog, and every few steps he has to stop to get that hind leg up to scratch his belly, sides or behind his elbows. Maybe you are awakened in the middle of the night to the sounds of incessant slurping as your dog licks or chews on his feet. Your pet chronically develops red, itchy infected ears. You find scabs, crusts and hotspots over the hindquarters of your dog when you pet him, despite knowing that you keep your pet well groomed. Chances are, if you’ve shared your life with dogs, you’ve probably experienced itchiness in at least one of them!

 Why is itching bad?

Itchiness, also called pruritis in medical terms, is more than just an inconvenience to you and your dog. In some cases it can affect your dog’s health as well as his quality of life. Pets that scratch themselves are more prone to skin infections. Scratching can abrade the normal surface of the skin, which usually acts as a barrier to the millions of microbes that inhabit our world. When that normally protective barrier is compromised, bacterial and fungal organisms, opportunistic creatures that they are, may take up housekeeping in those red irritated areas. In addition, being constantly itchy is a miserable way to live. If you’ve ever experienced intense itchiness, imagine that feeling never going away! Would you want to live your life that way?

Why do dogs scratch?

 Actually, there are a number of reasons. One of the common causes of itchiness in some areas of the nation is ectoparasites. Ectoparasites are “bugs” that live outside the animal (“ecto”) and use your pet for food and shelter without benefit to the pet (“parasite”). Some of these are visible to the human eye, and others can only be seen under magnification with a microscope. The most common ectoparasites include fleas, mites, ticks, and lice. Fleas, ticks and lice are generally visible to the naked eye, while most mites must be visualized with a microscope. While the parasites themselves may cause itchiness, they also have the additional annoying ability to cause your pet to develop a hypersensitivity, or allergic, reaction to the bites themselves! These ectoparasites can also transmit other serious diseases to your dog.

Another common cause of itchiness in pets is allergies. Yes, allergies in pets are probably just as common as allergies in people. Unlike people, though, pets’ allergies manifest more as itchy skin, feet and ears rather than the symptoms of sneezing and red watery eyes that humans experience. Like people, pets can have either food (ingested) or inhalant (inhaled) allergies.

Food allergies are much less common than inhalant allergies. In fact, only about 20% of pets that are itchy from allergies have food allergies. Most food allergies are to proteins, such as soy, chicken or beef. In addition, pets may have allergies to cereal grains such as corn, oat, wheat and barley. Dogs with itching due to inhalant allergies (this condition is also known as “atopy”) are much more common than food allergies, comprising about 80% of itchy pets. Inhalant allergies are due to an individual’s increased sensitivity to normal environmental factors, such as grasses, trees, weeds, pollens, molds, dander, and dust mites.

How do you determine why YOUR dog is scratching?

Determining the cause of a dog’s itchiness is a multi-step process. The first step is to take a good hard visual look at your pet’s skin and coat. If you rub the hair the wrong way (opposite the way it grows) you can see the skin layer. If present, you may see lice or fleas near the skin, or you may see “flea dirt”, which is the tiny brown flecks of flea waste that are deposited on the skin in cases of flea infestation. If you see ectoparasites, then you know that this is at least part of the itching problem.  

The next step is to work with your veterinarian to dig deeper (literally) into the cause of your dog’s itchiness. In most cases of itchy skin without obvious evidence of ectoparasites, the veterinarian will do a “skin scraping”. This involves using a sharp blade to scrape the skin to look for mites that are not visible to the human eye and that may live deep in the skin or hair follicles. There are several types of mites such as demodex (demodectic mange), sarcoptes (sacroptic mange) and chyletiella. Some of these can be passed to humans so it is important to find out which type of mite your dog may have. Your vet may also “pluck” some hairs to culture for fungal infections, such as ringworm (which is really a fungus, not a worm). By looking at the skin cells under a microscope, your vet can determine if a secondary bacterial infection is also present.

If no specific cause of itchiness is determined by visual and microscopic examination of the skin and hair, then it is possible the pet is itching due to food or inhalant allergies. Your veterinarian can assist you with implementing a strict food trial to differentiate itchy skin from food versus inhalant allergies. These food trials may range from 8-10 weeks in duration and involve feeding strictly a novel (meaning your dog has no previous exposure to these ingredients) or hypoallergenic diet. Yes, that means no other treats, bones, dental chews or table scraps during this trial period! If the itchiness resolves during this trial period, then the itchiness is probably due to some type of food allergy. If your dog continues to be itchy, then chances are your dog is in the majority of dogs with itchy skin due to inhalant allergies.

How do you stop or control your dog’s itching?

 Once you have some idea why your pet is scratching, you can determine the best way to stop it.

 If parasites have been detected, you need to find a way to eliminate or control them. While there are many over-the-counter flea, tick and lice control products, your veterinarian is also a great resource. Many of the products available through your veterinarian are safer and more effective at controlling ectoparasites than what is available at your local department or grocery store. Most of these products control parasites for approximately 30 days, so once monthly treatment is required. Some of the products available, such as Frontline, are supplied as a liquid to be applied once monthly directly to the dog’s skin. Other products, such as Sentinal, come in a tablet or chewable form that is fed to the pet once monthly. There is a wide variety of products that can control or prevent different parasites such as fleas, ticks, lice, mites and heartworms. It is best to consult with your veterinarian to determine which product is needed for your individual dog.

 If your pet has a fungal or bacterial infection, your veterinarian can provide medication in the form of antibiotics or antifungals to eliminate the infection. Your veterinarian may also prescribe a special medicated shampoo for you to use to bathe your pet. Unfortunately, most bacterial and fungal infections are secondary to some other skin condition so it is important to try to determine the underlying cause for your pet’s skin problems.

 If the food trial determines that food allergies are the cause of your pet’s itchiness, then you can work with your veterinarian to find an appropriate diet that limits or does not contain the ingredients your pet is allergic to.

 Itchiness due to inhalant allergies (atopy) is the most difficult and frustrating to treat. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most common reasons dogs scratch. In most cases it is impossible to remove the offending environmental allergens from your pet’s life. However, there are several things that can be done to minimize the itchiness and provide comfort to your dog.

1) Bathe your dog weekly with an oatmeal based gentle shampoo. Oatmeal based shampoos have been shown to sooth and calm itchy skin. In addition, it is thought that some of the environmental allergens on the dog’s coat may be absorbed through the skin, contributing to the allergic itching. Weekly bathing may help remove these allergens from the coat.

2) Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. We’ve all heard of the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids. There is evidence that supplemental Omega-3 fatty acids improve the quality and condition of dogs’ skin and coats. They also may improve the efficacy of antihistamines when used concurrently.

3) Over the counter antihistamines. Some dogs, especially those with seasonal allergies, may benefit from antihistamines. Discuss with your vet which brand and dose of antihistamine would benefit your pet.

4) Allergy testing and desensitization. Your veterinarian can provide either skin or blood testing to determine which allergens your pet is sensitive to. Once you know what these allergens are, a customized desensitization program involving tiny injections at lengthening intervals can be implemented to try to minimize or eliminate the allergies.

5) Steroid and steroid/antihistamine combo drugs. Since allergies are due to an over-reactive immune system, steroids are very effective in controlling itchiness. Steroids suppress the immune system so the dog’s body cannot over-react to these common allergens. Unfortunately, steroids have many side effects and need to be used carefully and under direct supervision of your veterinarian. Despite the side effects, some dogs need to be on steroids to control their itchiness.

6) Immune modulators. Your veterinarian can discuss with you other options of manipulating the immune system without the use of steroids, such as using a drug called cyclosporine. Like any medication, it may also have adverse reactions associated with its use and should be used only under a veterinarian’s supervision.

Itchiness in dogs can be a frustrating problem. Fortunately, there are options available to determine why you dog itches and there are treatments that can prevent or minimize the itchiness. It is important to realize that most itchy dogs, regardless of cause, will require lifelong, diligent care to control the condition. This may mean keeping your pet on year round flea control products or investigating allergy testing and desensitization for your dog.

Itchiness is not something we expect our precious dogs to just “live with”. Through a logical and systematic approach we can determine the cause of our dogs’ itchiness and find ways to manage it. It is possible to ditch that itch!

admin Veterinary Articles allergies, atopy, dogs, itchy, pruritis, veterinary