Weight Loss In Your Pets

Lean dogs and cats live longer and healthier lives.  Many pet owners don’t notice their dog or cat gradually putting on extra weight until the animal starts slowing down significantly or until someone else points it out.  Some studies have shown that more than 45 percent of dogs and 58 percent of cats can be classified as overweight or obese.  While it may not seem like much to us, a gain of even a pound or two of additional fat on some dogs and cats can place significant stress on the body. 

Some of the effects of obesity can be reversed through diet changes and increased physical activity.  Unfortunately, there is some damage that is irreversible, and some that can only be mitigated by the change of habits.  The longer the excess weight is on the body, the more severe the long term damage to the body will likely be.

Some of the conditions that can occur as a result of excess weight are:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Heart issues
• Diabetes
• Liver disease or dysfunction
• Osteoarthritis
• Exercise intolerance
• Breathing issues
• Heat intolerance
• Increased risk of developing cancer

There are ways you can check your pet to see if they are overweight.  Feel around their midsection while they are standing. The ribs and spine should be easy to feel, and on most pets there should be a slight hourglass shape to the waist. If you cannot easily feel your dog or cat’s ribs or spine, and the waist has thickened considerably enough to give the animal a more tubular shape than hourglass shape, it is time for you to consult with your veterinarian about a weight loss regimen for your pet.

There are a few underlying metabolic problems that can cause weight gain in your pet.  When diet and exercise just aren’t enough, it may be time to check for some of these health concerns.  A simple blood test can reveal whether a metabolic problem, such as an under-functioning thyroid, Diabetes, or Cushing’sDisease is to blame. In many cases, your dog is probably just eating too many calories and not exercising enough.

Record your pet's weight to establish a baseline and have your vet help determine an ideal weight for your pet.  Sometimes it is as simple as cutting their daily food portions, treats included, by about one-third.  It is important to make sure their food is nutritionally sound and that they won’t be deprived of a healthy and balanced diet by making this cut.  Your vet may also have you switch to a low-calorie pet food or one designed for weight loss. This way, your pet will be able to eat about the same amount they are accustomed to, but will still take in fewer calories. It is ok to still occasionally give your pets treats but it is important to calculate these additional calories into the daily calorie count.  Things such as fresh vegetables, lean cooked meats, and low calorie treats are acceptable treats for most pets.  A lot of times your pet will be just as happy with praise, patting, playful actions, a short walk, or a favorite toy.


Some examples of pet exercise include:

Some free time in a fenced in yard is usually not enough exercise for your pet.  Keep in mind that just like with people, your furry friend may tire quickly, especially if they are not accustomed to much more than lounging around the house. When first starting your pet on an exercise routine it is important to watch for any signs of overexertion including a slowed pace, panting, and sitting or lying down.

With deliberate eating habits and daily exercise, your pet should start losing weight in about two weeks' time. The key, for canines, felines, or humans, is to boost nutrition, lower calories and increase movement. It's as simple -- and difficult -- as that. Call us or schedule an appointment at Kaibab Animal Hospital to discuss a good reduced-calorie food and exercise plan that will specifically benefit your pet’s age, weight, and breed, and you will be on your way to getting your pet on the road to recovery before it is too late. The good news is that by working together, you can both enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

Canine Influenza Update

Over the last few months, canine influenza (canine flu) has been an emerging disease that contributes to Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRD Complex).  Here at Kaibab Animal Hospital we promised you that we would keep you updated and we have been monitoring this disease and the spread of it across the country.  Unfortunately, canine flu has found its way into Arizona and the indication is that the number of cases will only continue to increase in the coming months.  Cases have now been reported in Pima County and over a dozen cases here in Maricopa County too.  Because of this, Kaibab Animal Hospital has decided that it is now time to begin recommending the flu vaccine to all of our at-risk patients.  The two vaccines available, H3N8 and the newer H3N2, are given as an initial dose that needs to be boostered 2-4 weeks afterwards and then boostered annually thereafter.

Canine flu is not a seasonal disease like it is in people, so your dog is constantly at risk for contracting it.  Some breeds are more susceptible to the virus and the seriousness of the disease than others but on average, there is approximately an 8% mortality risk with this disease.  This means that up to 8% of dogs that contract canine flu may die from complications.  This number increases to near 30% in hound-breeds.  Though most dogs will survive the infection, the damage done to the lungs during the course of the disease is severe and permanent.  The two predominant strains of canine flu (H3N8 and H3N2) both have very effective vaccines that can prevent the disease from ever starting in your dog.

Does your dog:

• Visit doggie Daycare?
  
• Board at a boarding facility?
• Attend training classes?
• Play at dog parks?
• Participate in dog-friendly events?
• Attend dog shows or sporting events?
• Visit a groomer or the local pet store?
• Often greet other dogs during walks?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, your dog is at a higher risk for contracting canine influenza and vaccination is recommended.  Now that we are into the holiday season and boarding of dogs increases dramatically, your dog needs to be protected if they will be staying at a boarding facility.  Please call us to schedule an appointment and get your canine family member started with the initial vaccination in the series.

Why Take The Risk? Get Your Pet Microchipped

The thought of losing a pet is every owner’s worst nightmare. According to Maricopa Animal Care and Control’s 2014 Annual Report, only 11% of the 38,235 animals that entered the shelter were able to be returned to their owners. Luckily, there are steps we can take to increase the probability that a lost furry friend will be celebrating a joyful reunion.

Although a collar and tags are important, they can easily fall off or be removed. By electing to microchip your pet, you will have the most permanent form of identification working to protect your beloved dog or cat. Microchips insure a higher probability that your pet will be returned to you. 

Microchip compared to grain of rice.

Although a collar and tags are important, they can easily fall off or be removed. By electing to microchip your pet, you will have the most permanent form of identification working to protect your beloved dog or cat. Microchips insure a higher probability that your pet will be returned to you.

What is a microchip?

A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. Each microchip is encased in bio-compatible glass and contains an actual chip that holds information and components that emit a radio frequency. A microchip is not a GPS device, nor does it actively transmit signals. A microchip is considered passive and only transmits a radio frequency when a scanner is waved within close proximity of the chip. 

How is the microchip inserted?

Microchipping may sound like an invasive procedure; however, it is very easy and routine. Microchipping a pet works just like a vaccination and does not require surgery or anesthesia.  A microchip is contained within a sterile needle on the end of a syringe device. Typically for a dog or cat, a chip is inserted just under the skin in between the shoulder blades.  The procedure is completed quickly and your pet will experience little to no pain very similar to vaccinations.

What do I do after my pet is microchipped? 

You have taken an important, proactive step to protect your pet but your job is not done just yet! A microchip is nearly useless if you do not complete the registration process. Each microchip comes with a unique ID code that is entered into the microchip manufacturer’s database. In order for a microchip to be effective, you must register the chip so that the ID code corresponds with your contact information.  It is also important that if you move or change your phone number that you update your records with the microchip registration company as well.

Many microchip companies charge a registration fee, so plan for the possibility of this cost which averages around $20.  Depending on where your pet is micro chipped, the registration fee may be covered in the implantation cost. Ask if there is an additional registration or annual fee you need to pay in order to ensure the chip will be a beneficial tool. It is important to research the various microchip companies, the fees involved, and the services they provide in order to find which brand is best for you and your pet.

It is a good idea to register with the manufacturer, but you can also register the chip with a universal database or elect this option instead. Two examples of universal databases are HomeAgain and PetLink.  Universal databases may offer additional services, including but not limited to, a 24/7 emergency hotline, lost pet guidance, lost pet alerts,  travel assistance for pets found far from home,  microchip tags for the collar, online search, and direct connection to the finder of your pet.

If you cannot afford the fees that often come with some of these databases, consider utilizing Free Pet Chip Registry.  This company is working to become a universal and free database for microchip registration.  

How is a microchip read?

Microchip scanner.

A microchip is read using a scanner. Vets, shelters, clinics, and many police and fire stations have scanners which they wave over the pet’s body. If a chip is present, the scanner will initiate and read the radio frequency of the chip and the assigned ID code will appear on the screen. Codes are categorized by microchip companies. The corresponding company is then contacted to look up owner information within their database. General databases can also be used to search for owner information and  may cover multiple brands.

If your chip is registered and up to date, the company will be able to contact you and inform you where your pet is and who to contact to retrieve your pet. Micro chipping greatly increases the chances of pet recovery, especially when a collar and tags can fall off or be removed. 

How can I be a proactive owner?

·         

        If registration is offered through your veterinarian, clinic, or shelter: call the database company to verify your information is entered correctly and verify their terms of service.

·         Keep a record of your pet’s microchip number, the contact information for the manufacturer and the database the chip is registered in. Provide a record for your regular veterinarian if the pet was not chipped at their office. Always leave this information with a family member, boarding facility, or pet sitter if you are traveling away from your pet.

·         Update your information anytime you move or change your phone number. If you register an emergency contact, ensure this information is up to date as well.

·         Have your vet or clinic scan your pet’s chip once a year to ensure effectiveness.

Where can I get my pet micro chipped and how much will it cost?

If you have a veterinarian, call and ask about their microchips to find out the manufacturer and cost. Always ask if registration is included and if the company they use charges annual fees as prices can vary.

Call Kaibab Animal Hospital at (480) 947-8113 today for an appointment to get your pet microchipped. We use HomeAgain microchips and include a tag for your pet’s collar as well as registration.  If you have additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to give us a call and one of our staff members will be happy to assist you. 

We are open Monday through Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM and Sundays 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Kaibab Animal Hospital is located at 3010 North 68th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85251. 

Monsoon and Your Pets: Surviving the Storm

The monsoon season in Arizona has begun.  Supposedly, it started in June, but I just don’t believe that.  However, we finally have gotten some big storms here in the Valley of the Sun and another large one is blowing in now here at Kaibab Animal Hospital.  Though many of us enjoy the Arizona monsoon season, our pets can be very scared of the lightning and thunder that comes along with the rain.  It is not uncommon for a client to call us to say their dog or cat is cowering underneath the bed, fearful that the world is ending when the storms approach.  To us a little bit of thunder and lightning can be an exciting and fun thing.  To our pets, that same experience is interpreted in a whole different way.  We can’t explain to them that the sounds are just in the distance.  They hear much better than we do.  They sense the changes in the temperature or air pressure different that we do.  And sometimes they become very afraid when these things happen.  When the fear becomes too much, we just want to help but what can we do?

Thankfully, there are many options to help our little friends through the scary storm.  Initially, we tend to try the non-medical therapies.  One of the most effective non-medical calming therapies for our pets is called a ThunderShirt.  The ThunderShirt is a vest-like piece of clothing that fits snugly around the body of your dog or cat.  This tight, ‘hugging’ action helps to calm our pets down and make them feel more secure.  For many pets, this is enough to get through the thunderstorm that is raging outside.  A bonus of this product is that it can help calm them in a number of stressful situations such as fireworks or if your pet is afraid of visitors coming to the house.

Another non-medical therapy that we have is pheromone support.  In dogs, a product called Adaptil is used as a calming agent for a variety of stressful and behavioral issues.  The pheromone in Adaptil is the same one released from glands on a mother dog’s abdomen while she is nursing her puppies.  The puppies react to this pheromone by calming down and relaxing, which allows them to put more energy towards growth rather than movement.  The same response happens in adult dogs that are exposed to this pheromone; they calm down and relax.  Because it is a pheromone, it is species-specific.  This means that the pheromone will not be detectable by you or any other non-dog animal in the house but to dogs it can be a wonder therapy.  Cats have a similar therapy available called Feliway.  Most of us have experienced a cat coming up to rub their face all over us and ‘love on us.’  What they are actually doing though is marking their territory; claiming you (or whatever object) as their own by spreading pheromones.  Though they are marking territory with pheromones that are mostly specific to themselves, there is one called the F3 Fraction that is common to all cats.  This pheromone helps to calm cats and make them feel more comfortable in their environment, as if they have already ‘marked’ it as their own.  Both of these therapies are available in a spray form or for use in a diffuser, allowing the pheromone to be constantly released into the environment, similar to an air freshener.

A newer way that we have been approaching stress-control is through diet.  Both Hill’s and Royal Canin brand pet foods have a diet formulated to help calm our anxious pets.  The ingredients in these diets work to calm pets and make them feel similar to how you would after eating a Thanksgiving dinner (well, minus the uncomfortable bloating).  Since our pets need to eat a well-balanced meal daily, these diets are a great way to help our chronically stressed friends and keep them healthy at the same time.

Whether using these therapies alone or in combination with each other, we can help calm our pets without prescription medication.  However, sometimes we need to intervene with stronger options.  In some dogs and cats, prescription sedatives are needed to help calm them down.  There are many different types of sedatives that can be used in our pets and though rare, they all have the potential for side effects.  If your pet needs additional help with calming down during thunderstorms, we can determine which medications will be best to use.  These sedatives can also be compounded into a tasty liquid so that you don’t have to fight to give them a pill.  If you think your pet would benefit from a prescription sedative during these stressful situations, be sure to schedule a consultation with one of our vets to discuss your concerns.

Scratching the Surface of Your Itchy Pet: Part 1

We all itch and scratch from time to time.  On average, a person has about 20 square feet of skin.  That is a large area to come into contact with many different things that can cause itching.  Occasionally through the day we’ll have a mild itch that we will need to scratch and think nothing of it.  Like us, dogs and cats have these same kinds of itches which are very normal.  The question is when is too much scratching a problem?  There are many different causes of itching in your pet.  This multi-part series of blogs will discuss the most common ones more in depth.

During the summer months, we see many of cases of itching pets coming into Kaibab Animal Hospital that are related to various environmental allergies.  Commonly called ‘hay fever’ in people, seasonal allergies affect many of us and our pets.  Most affected pets show only mild signs and don’t require any kind of medical therapy to control their allergies.  Periodically they will have a flare up and something as simple as an antihistamine or a quick bath will help get them back to normal.  These mild allergies don’t typically require a trip to the vet but if you are having to give an antihistamine daily to control the itching, then an examination with the doctor is your best bet to see if there is something more going on.

Occasionally, mild allergies can lead to serious skin conditions that will require a more aggressive course of action.  When a dog or cat continually scratches or bites at their skin, they will start to breakdown the normal barrier that protects them from bacterial and fungal infections.  When the skin is ‘broken’ by scratching, it begins to bleed.  Of course the blood carries very important nutrients through our body so that we can grow and remain alive.  However, bacteria and yeast will feed on these nutrients just like our own cells will.  When that bacteria and yeast begin to overgrow, a very severe and painful rash will begin to form on the skin.  These lesions are called ‘hot spots’ or ‘moist dermatitis’ and will typically require treatment in the hospital with cleaning of the wound and antibiotics.  Along with hot spots, chronic allergies usually lead to ear infections and infections on the pads of the feet.  All of these conditions are very uncomfortable for your pet.  The goal is to control these allergies before we get to this point.

Thankfully, there are great new ways to control allergies that work better and safer than the options we have had in the past.  Steroids have been the mainstay for control of allergies and work great short-term to quickly get the itching under control and your pet feeling better.  However, with chronic use steroids can lead to side effects such as extreme hunger, weight gain, thinning skin, diabetes, and chronic infections.  An alternative to steroids that we have been using at Kaibab Animal Hospital is Apoquel.  It has been very promising in treating and getting allergies under control in most dogs.  This new medication has had a lot of people wondering if it will work well for your pet.  Due to production problems, this medication has been difficult to find, but we are hoping that it will soon become much more available to our clients and their dogs.

Another therapy we have been using at Kaibab is sublingual allergy serum, by The Spectrum Group.  This liquid medication is administered under your pet’s tongue and will help control the signs of allergies.  Traditionally, allergy shots have been used for allergy control in both people and animals but they can be confusing and can require daily injections, which are not fun for the pet or the owner to administer.  Instead of giving shots, a quick spray under the tongue is much easier and significantly more comfortable for your pet.  This therapy requires a simple blood draw to determine what your pet is allergic to and then the serum can be quickly developed.

Itching and discomfort are very common signs of allergies in our pets and we have many options to get them under control.  If you think your pet is scratching just a little too much, make sure you schedule an appointment with us today so that we can get your beloved furry family member back to an itch-free life!

Be sure to look for Part 2 of our series on itching next week.

Canine Flu: Is Your Dog At Risk?

Most of us have experienced the flu at one or more times in our lives.  The nausea, fever, aching, lethargy, and overall ickyness of how it makes us feel is enough to make you run out and get your flu shot the next year in hopes of not getting it again.  In people, there are many types of influenza and the vaccine that we can get is a ‘best guess’ vaccine for the type of flu that the CDC predicts will be most common for the coming year.  In dogs though, we have only typically had one type of influenza, H3N8 (all influenzas are classified into one of 18 ‘H’ groups and one of 11 ‘N’ groups).  Thankfully, this canine influenza has not been very common and outbreaks tend to come from very concentrated populations of dogs, such as in kennels or at the pound.  There is a vaccine for this ‘old’ influenza, though it is not used commonly because of the rarity of this disease.  However, a new type of influenza appeared in the Chicago area in March of 2015.  It has been circulating in China and South Korea since 2006 and has had a lot of people talking, speculating, and worrying about what to do.  This ‘new’ influenza has been classified H3N2.

Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine for this new type of influenza and the vaccine that we have for the other strain appears to have no activity against H3N2.  At Kaibab Animal Hospital, we have received many calls from clients who are worried about this disease affecting very valuable members of their family so let’s look at this disease a little more.

As in people, dogs who get infected with H3N2 influenza can show signs of fever and lethargy but can also develop severe complications such as pneumonia.  In the initial outbreak in Chicago, approximately 1,000 dogs were infected.  With treatment, most survived but approximately 0.5% died as a result of the infection.  Although there is no vaccine available, there is a very reliable test that can be done if we suspect your pet is infected with this influenza.  At present, this strain has not yet been seen in Arizona but cases have been reported in North Carolina, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, and Georgia.  There is no way to predict if and when this disease will make its way to Arizona but as of now, the closest cases appear to be at least a few states away.  If you have recently traveled or are planning to travel to one these area soon, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss any concerns you may have.

Rest assured, Kaibab Animal Hospital is tracking these cases and will keep you informed of any new developments.  At this time there is no need for you to worry too much about this disease.  Most of the infected dogs will recover with proper supportive care but do be vigilant and make sure to schedule an appointment if you are worried that anything may be wrong with your beloved pet.  The key to beating this flu is quick and proper intervention for your furry friend.

Toxic Foods and Your Pets

Happy National Junk Food Day!

As we begin our new Kaibab Animal Hospital Blog, it seems fitting that today is National Junk Food Day, especially in light of the delicious snacks and goodies that many clients tend to drop by as a 'thank you' (and we really appreciate all of these!).  Though there are many snacks that we should not be eating (and that hasn't seemed to stop us here yet), there are a lot of common foods that we eat that can be harmful to your pets!

So, let's look at some of these common foods that we need to make sure our dogs and cats don't share with us:
Candy/Chocolate -

Though many of us have a sweet tooth and enjoy a piece of candy or a chunk of a chocolate bar here and there, this is something that our pets just can not have.  Chocolate, as many of us heard, is very bad for your pets and the darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is.  Make sure that when you enjoy this snack, your furry family member doesn't!
Similar to chocolate, certain candies and chewing gums are toxic for dogs; specifically 'sugar free' items that use sugar substitutes.  A very common sugar substitute, xylitol, is good for people to help keep cavities away and strengthen the enamel of your teeth, but if your pet eats it, it can cause a significant and fatal decrease in blood sugar and throw them into liver failure!

Coffee -
Similar to chocolate, coffee contains caffeine which animals just don't tolerate well.  The same thing that can give us a little 'pick me up' during a long day can cause major problems in your pets including anxiety and severe changes in the way the heart is beating, otherwise known as an arrhythmia.  If your pet ends up enjoying your latte before you can or gets into the trash and eats those used coffee grounds, make sure you call us or your closest emergency facility immediately!

Grapes/Raisins -

These are a healthy and nutritious snack for us to have, but just eating a couple of them could throw your beloved pet into kidney failure.  It isn't known what the toxic compound is in grapes and raisins that does this and not every dog is going to develop kidney failure, but since we can't predict who will and who will not have an issue, it is best to avoid these altogether.

Macadamia Nuts -
The nuts are a great snack and many people enjoy eating a handful.  However, your dog will not enjoy the after effects of eating them.  Though it is unlikely to be fatal, ingestion of macadamia nuts can cause muscle weakness, pain, and tremors in dogs.  Signs tend to last no more than 48 hours, but support during that time can include hospitalization with IV fluids and pain medications.

Onions/Garlic -

Most people don't eat onions and garlic as a snack alone, but these are used in many different recipes that we enjoy.  When an animal eats onions and garlic, they can get changes in the shape to their red blood cells that can lead to weakness and other signs.  In severe cases, hospitalization and blood transfusions can even be needed!  Usually your pet won't show immediate signs, but a few days after ingestion is when the problems can occur.

Alcoholic Beverages -
Though this is not typically a 'junk food,' alcohol is something that many people enjoy.  Though alcohol should always be consumed safely and in moderation in people (as it can cause enough health problems for us), it is something that you definitely do not want your pet to ingest.  Pets are much more sensitive to the effects of alcohol and can show the same signs that a drunk person does, up to and including alcohol poisoning!  Not only can this happen from drinking alcoholic beverages, but this can also happen from a pet eating raw bread dough!  The yeast in bread produce alcoholic byproducts just like the yeast in beer or other fermented beverages can.  So, keep your pets away from the liquor and, if  you like to make your own bread, make sure they can't get at that rising dough either!

This is just a short list of the various toxic things your pets can get into.  If you have any other questions, be sure to call us at 480-947-8113 or visit our webpage at www.KaibabAnimalHospital.com.