Wag Reflex

Is Organic Pet Food Better?

Most owners want to feed the “best” food to their pets so many people are turning to organic foods. Organic food sales for pets have grown three times the rate of human organic foods according to the Organic Trade Association. But just because it’s organic does that mean it's better for your pet?

There are many advantages to organic pet foods. They do not contain any preservatives, artificial flavorings or artificial colors. They do not contain any growth hormones or antibiotics. There are no fillers and they are often higher in antioxidants than commercial diets. All of these things make the foods more nutritious, more palatable and easier to digest. Many owners report that these diets seem to help boost the pet’s immunity and can even improve some allergies.

With all that being said however, there are no scientific studies or evidence that organic foods are more beneficial. A big disadvantage to organic pet foods is that they are considerably more expensive than regular commercial diets. They can also be hard to find on a regular basis.

Basically, what it all comes down to is that each individual pet owner needs to weigh the pros and cons of organic pet food and decide what is best for his pet and his wallet.

--Dr. Hinson
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Dr. Hinson is a mixed animal veterinarian in Tampa, FL and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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Slow Down Your Dog's Eating

A dog eating their food too fast is a common behavior, especially in multi-dog households. Eating too quickly can lead to vomiting, regurgitation, chocking, and bloat (dilation and twisting of the stomach in large breed dogs). In order to slow the dogs down we used to recommend putting one or two large rocks in the food bowl. The thought being that the dog would have to move the rocks around to get to the food, therefore forcing them to eat at a slower pace. The problem with the rock idea is that some dogs can figure out how to use their nose to push the rock out of the bowl. It is also hard to clean and sanitize because of its porous structure.

Luckily we now have better options. There are special dog bowls that are made with different size knobs at the bottom of the bowl. This is that same idea as the rock, but a dog cannot push the knobs out of the bowl because they are attached. The bowls come in different sizes based upon the size of dog that you are feeding. This is the type of bowl that I use for my beagle mix at home. It works to slow her down because she has to fish around the knobs to get at the kibble instead of just shoveling the food into her mouth. It is also really easy to clean.

The other product that is helpful is the Portion Pacer ball that is placed in the food dish. Same as the rock idea again, this just allows for easy cleaning (it is dishwasher safe) and they come in different sizes. The dog has to move the ball around to get to the food. If you get the appropriate sized ball for the size dog that you have they don’t seem to be able to push the ball out of the dish. This ball can also be used in the water bowl if you have a dog that drinks too fast. Both products are easy to use, keep clean, and seem to do their job at slowing those fast eaters down.

--Dr. Wohlwend
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Dr. Wohlwend is a small animal veterinarian in Renton, WA and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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Biotene Water Additive

Ever wish there was a product you could use on your pets that would help keep their teeth clean and their breath fresh without brushing? Well, guess what....now there is!

Biotene Drinking Water Additive is one of may favorite things. It's a colorless, flavorless liquid that you mix with your pet’s water. This product contains a patented enzyme system that inhibits and reduces plaque formation. It also stops the growth of odor causing microorganisms and will leave your pet with fresh breath and a healthy mouth.

It is recommended to start this product with a clean mouth. So you should begin it’s use when the pet is young or after the teeth have been cleaned thoroughly under anesthesia.

Biotene Drinking Water Additive can be purchased here.

--Dr. Hinson
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Dr. Hinson is a mixed animal veterinarian in Tampa, FL and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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New Anti-Cancer Drug Approved

Last month Pfizer announced the release of a new drug, called Palladia, which is specifically indicated for grade 2 and 3 mast cell tumors in dogs. The announcement created quite a stir as pet owners became aware of this new drug, as a potential treatment for their dogs with mast cell tumors.  The veterinary oncology world was also pleased to see that a new drug/tool would soon be available for use in treating this common skin tumor in dogs. In general, there are multiple treatment options for mast cell tumors and Palladia helps give veterinarians an additional option. While the drug is not widely available yet, it will be released to a limited number of veterinary specialty facilities later this month.

As the first FDA-approved drug for treating cancer in pets, Palladia is not the only drug used in treating canine cancer, although it is the first one specifically for dogs. Traditionally, veterinary oncologists have used almost all of the same chemotherapy drugs used in humans, just at much smaller doses and with reduced side effects. The release of Palladia shows that pharmaceutical companies realize how important our pets are to us and that pet owners demand advanced treatment options for there pets.

For more information on treating your pet with cancer contact your local veterinary oncologist.

--Dr. Hamilton
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Dr. Hamilton is an oncology resident at Michigan State's Animal Cancer Care Clinic and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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All About Ear Infections

Ear infections are a common condition in dogs and to a lesser extent cats. The two most common types of ear infections are otitis externa (infection of the external ear canal) and otitis media (infection of the middle ear). Certain breeds are dogs are more prone to ear infections due to their lifestyle or the structure of their ear canals. Those dogs with very long floppy ears or very hairy ears seem to get infections more frequently. Most ear infections are easily treated, but if left untreated, they can result in serious damage and pain.

Ear infections are often secondary to other factors. Wax accumulation, matted hair, foreign bodies, allergies, mites, or tumors can all predispose an animal to ear infections. Signs of an infection include shaking the head, scratching the ears, or displaying a head tilt. There is often excess discharge from the ears, they may be red and inflamed, as well as may have an offensive odor.

A good ear exam will involve the veterinarian using an otoscope – an instrument that provides light and magnification-to view the ear canal. A video otoscope can be used for further visibility as well as to allow you to actually see inside the ear as well. Using the otoscope, the veterinarian can determine if the ear drum is intact and if any foreign material is in the canal. The next step is to take a sample or smear of material from the ear canal to be viewed under a microscope. This is called a cytology and allows the veterinarian to determine the organism causing the infection and thus determine proper treatment.

On some occasions, sedation may be required to either remove foreign material or to cleanse the ear canal. Middle ear infections may require further diagnostics as well. Treatment may be required for two weeks up to two months depending on the type of infection, the portion of the ear infected, and the severity of the infection. The key is to be sure to treat until the infection is fully resolved or it will simply “return”. Once the infection has resolved, your veterinarian can advise you on simple preventative measures to help reduce the chances of further infections. Pets with chronic ear problems will require life-long preventative measures to ensure their comfort and good health.

If you believe your pet may be suffering from an ear infection, please call your veterinarian today to schedule an exam.

Photo courtesy of Northern Merigold's photostream.

--Dr. Hinson
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Dr. Hinson is a mixed animal veterinarian in Tampa, FL and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Disclaimer Regarding Veterinary Information   

Is Your Pet Fat?

We have talked about pet diet and weight problems on this blog before, however, I wanted to take a minute to revisit the topic and show you what we are talking about when evaluating your pet’s weight. In general, when your veterinarian assesses your pet’s weight, they are taking into consideration age, breed and what we call “body condition”. Body condition takes into consideration the padding/thickness of fat on your dog and our ability to palpate boney prominences, muscle mass, body contours and sometimes abdominal organs. Based on these parameters your pet will be given a body condition score based on a scale of 1-5 or 1-9, depending on which scale your veterinarian prefers.

These pictures are used by most veterinarians to help show owners what each “score” looks like and why. On the 1-5 scale a score of 3 is ‘ideal’ while on the 1-9 scale 4-5 is ideal. I prefer the 1-9 scale as is allows for some more subtle differences and does not jump form ideal to obese as fast. Have a look at each scoring system and see where you think your pet is. Most pet owners are very surprised find that their pet is actually obese.  If your pet is far from ideal, consider contacting your veterinarian regarding weight loss options. A diet can be specifically calculated for your pet using your current food or you can change to one specific for weight loss.

You can see the 9-point scale at Purina.com.

--Dr. Hamilton
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Dr. Hamilton is an oncology resident at Michigan State's Animal Cancer Care Clinic and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

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Skip the Knife--Try Shock Wave Therapy

In recent years a new treatment method called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) has been available to veterinary patients after showing promising results in humans. Although it sounds a bit scary, the shock waves are actually high-energy, focused sound waves that speed healing of a range of problems including bone fractures, ligament injuries, and even arthritis. Because doctors can skip the scalpel with this treatment method, patients do not develop additional scar tissue which is often a painful side effect to surgery.

ESWT was first used for human patients in the early 1990s. By the latter part of this decade veterinarians began utilizing these sound waves for treating musculoskeletal disorders in horses with excellent results. Riding on the wave of this success, experimental treatment then began in dogs suffering from orthopedic conditions. In 2003 a survey of veterinarians that were using ESWT in dogs found that about 70 percent of their clients reported a “remarkable” response.

While formal studies on the canine population are currently limited, ESWT may likely benefit your dog if they suffer from osteoarthritis, hip dysplasia, or tendonitis. Results appear strongest for injuries to the shoulders, back, and hips. ESWT is also used to treat another highly common injury in dogs: cruciate ligament tears. For this affliction, ESWT may be used to speed healing from surgical treatment or, in some cases, as a substitute for surgery altogether. Also, ESWT can be used either alone or in conjunction with other types of therapies like hydrotherapy and acupuncture.

The procedure itself can be painful so dogs are usually placed under anesthesia or heavy sedation before the shock waves are administered. Most dog owners notice marked improvement within a week of treatment. A second round of shock waves is typically needed a few weeks later then annual or biannual treatments may be performed to maintain good results.

If you think ESWT could help your dog, consult your veterinarian. Before shock wave therapy can be used on your pet a thorough physical examination must be performed. Each patient also must be healthy enough to receive anesthesia. Although ESWT is generally considered safe, it is important to remember it is still an experimental procedure.

--Dr. Hinson
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Dr. Hinson is a mixed animal veterinarian in Tampa, FL and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Disclaimer Regarding Veterinary Information   

Don't Ingnore Insect Bites

Recently, readers received a reminder from Dr.Hinson about the dangers of summer heat. When dealing with the summer, there is another common seasonal problem for pets--insect bites. While usually not fatal, insect bites can have serious consequences. Most often, dogs, and to a lesser extent cats, are bitten or stung on the face by insects (such as bees) that they were trying to bite. When this happens, your pet may initially yelp. Most of the time, a very small sting or bite is barely noticed on their face or neck due to its small size and most owners think nothing of it. However, within an hour the pets face may become greatly swollen, to the point where they can hardly open their eyes. In some cases they may even have difficulty breathing.

A common challenge in evaluating pets with a “suddenly swollen face” is determining if the problem is truly caused by an insect bite or a snake bite. Locating two puncture sites would be more consistent with a snake bite; however, this is not always an easy task. Most dogs have a lot of fur and the swelling at the site of the bite complicates the evaluation a bit. In some cases, the cause of swelling cannot be determined and a diagnosis has to be made on response to symptomatic treatment and blood work abnormalities.

If you ever find that your pet suddenly has a swollen face contact your veterinarian immediately. In most cases they will see you right away because of the urgent nature of the problem. Some pets may need to spend the day for observation, while others will need longer care at your veterinarians.

Photo from Mad Mag's photostream.

--Dr. Hamilton
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Dr. Hamilton is an oncology resident at Michigan State's Animal Cancer Care Clinic and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Disclaimer Regarding Veterinary Information   

Cat Urination Blues

There are many reasons why cats will urinate outside of the litter box. This post is not going to talk about the reasons so much as trying to address the importance of seeking help early in the process.

The likelihood of a cat inappropriately urinating is about 10% for each cat that you own. So that means if you have three cats there is a 30% chance, five cats 50% chance and 10 cats 100% chance that someone will not be using the litter box. The duration of the problem also has a lot to do with the chance of being able to fix the problem. If the problem has been going on one month or less there is a good chance that we can fix the inappropriate elimination. If the problem has been taking place for 3 months, it is possible to help. If the problem has been persisting for 6 months or more, it is almost impossible to resolve the problem 100%.

When you go see the veterinarian, your visit will include a complete history--so plan on answering a lot of questions--and a physical exam. This is so that the veterinarian has a better chance of determining the triggering event. To help decide if the problem is medical or behavioral your veterinarian may recommend a complete diagnostic work-up that can include blood work, urinalysis with a urine culture (to look for infection), x-rays, and possibly an ultrasound of the bladder. Once the work up is complete the veterinarian will be able to make a treatment plan for your cat. This is not something that will get better overnight. Our goal is always to stop the inappropriate behavior as soon as possible. In order to do that you may go home with a long list of things to do to start the process.

To help your cat your veterinarian may prescribe/recommend several different things for you to do at once. He/she will address any medical problems as well as give you tips on how to change the litter box, household issues, and behavior problems. One litter box tip to try and prevent inappropriate urination in a multi-cat household is to make sure that you have one litter box for every cat that you own plus an extra one and keep all of them very clean. Most importantly, if you are having a problem with your cat’s urination behavior see your vet right away! The longer you wait the less likely that the problem will be able to be resolved.

Photo of a litterbox loving cat from Laruen Paulsen's photostream.

--Dr. Wohlwend
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Dr. Wohlwend is a small animal veterinarian in Renton, WA and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Disclaimer Regarding Veterinary Information

Watch Out for Ticks

Lyme disease is a bacterial disease spread by ticks. While it is most prevalent in the Northeastern U.S., it has been found in almost every state. The name comes from the place where the disease was first reported, Lyme, Connecticut. Lyme disease affects people and dogs. It is rare in other domestic animals.

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted by the bite of ticks, most commonly the black-legged deer tick (Ixodes species). Wooded, brushy areas outdoors are likely locations for these ticks. The tick attaches to a host and feeds on it’s blood. While attached, it can spread Lyme disease through it’s saliva. Research has shown that in most cases, the disease is not transmitted until the tick has been attached to the host for 48 to 72 hours. Lyme disease is not spread directly from one person to another or from a dog to a person.

Symptoms of Lyme disease are rash, fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, swollen joints and limping. Some infected dogs do not show any outward symptoms however, the disease can also cause inflammation of the kidneys, and can damage the heart and nervous system in later stages. Some cases of Lyme disease in dogs can be detected on a physical exam, but tests of blood or joint fluid are often needed.

Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics like doxycycline. Additional medications may be prescribed to help with pain and inflammation. The course of treatment is usually a minimum of 6 weeks but may be as long as 12 weeks. It is possible for the organism to remain in the body long-term leading to periodic flare-ups.

Whenever possible avoid areas likely to be infested with ticks.  If you do frequent tick-infested areas, check yourself and your dog carefully for ticks once you leave. Your veterinarian can recommend some excellent tick control products that are safe for dogs.

A vaccination against Lyme disease is available for dogs. It is recommended for dogs living in areas where the disease is prevalent. Check with your veterinarian to see if your dog should be vaccinated.

Photo courtesy of Pediatric Associates of Connecticut.

--Dr. Hinson
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Dr. Hinson is a mixed animal veterinarian in Tampa, FL and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.

Disclaimer Regarding Veterinary Information