Table manners aside, your dog’s urgent eating style simply won’t do. Gulping down breakfast is not only a choking risk, but, in some cases, can increase the risk of a life-threatening condition called gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). Also known as the dreaded “bloat,” GDV is a true canine emergency, often requiring surgery to correct. It occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with air and compresses the diaphragm and abdominal veins causing a restriction of blood flow to the heart. The air-filled stomach can easily rotate, cutting off the dog’s blood supply to the stomach. Without emergency treatment, it’s only a matter of time before the stomach tissue dies. By learning to recognize the signs of canine bloat and responding immediately, you can help prevent the devastating consequences of this condition.
Who Gets Bloat?
Large breed dogs with narrow chests are much more likely than smaller breeds to get GDV
Male dogs over the age of seven are twice as likely to get GDV than females
Dogs who eat too fast and exercise soon afterwards and/or eat just once a day are also seem to be at an increased risk
What are the Symptoms?
Bloated, distended belly
Can I Prevent Bloat?
It’s not possible to completely sure tprevent bloat. But if your dog is at an increased risk, you can help protect against it by making sure to:
Feed your dog two to three times each day
Limit water and exercise one hour before and after eating
Thanks to excellent veterinary care, Petplan receives countless claims for dogs who recover from GDV every year. To help protect your dog from GDV, take the time to ask your vet for suggestions at your next appointment.
Your dog gets the best of everything. High-quality food, fresh air, exercise, and of course, loves -- what more could she need? Other than comprehensive pet insurance, dogs really benefit from the nutritional boost of vitamin supplements to help keep them healthy. And supplements such as glucosamine or chondroitin can actually prevent and manage joint pain. But with so many supplements to choose from, how can you decide what’s best for your pet?
Petplan veterinarians encourage you to ask your vet before offering any vitamin or minerals supplements to your pet. She’ll likely consider your pet’s age, breed, diet and medical conditions before recommending supplements she trusts. Your vet’s recommendation is also important because pet supplements are not reviewed or approved by the FDA and have absolutely no manufacture restrictions requiring consistent formulations. Ultimately, by heeding your vet’s advice, you can avoid choosing poor-quality pet supplements with improper ingredient levels or even heavy metals and pesticides.
To help your vet select safe, reliable veterinary supplements, they learn to follow the ACCLAIM system below. Check it out. It can really come in handy when reviewing any products for your pet.
A = A name you recognize. Choose an established company that provides educational materials for veterinarians and other consumers. Is it a company that is well established?
C = Clinical experience. Companies that support clinical research and have their products used in clinical trials that are published in peer-reviewed journals to which veterinarians have access are more likely to have a quality product.
C = Contents. All ingredients should be clearly indicated on the product label.
L = Label claims. Label claims that sound too good to be true likely are. Choose products with realistic label claims.
A = Administration recommendations. Dosing instructions should be accurate and easy to follow. It should be easy to calculate the amount of active ingredient administered per dose per day.
I = Identification of lot. A lot identification number indicates that a surveillance system exists to ensure product quality.
M = Manufacturer information. Basic company information should be clearly stated on the label including a website (that is up and running) or some other means of contacting customer support.
Your furriest family members don’t know it yet, but they have other plans for the holiday weekend. But don’t feel too bad for them. While you skip out of town, your dogs and cats will live it up. Thanks to a broad selection of pet care options, your little darlings have their pick of quality care. Perhaps they’d enjoy the comforts of home with a private staff on call. Or maybe, a cushy pet spa with in-room massage and treat service is more their style. The Pet Care Services Association makes it easy to find the perfect pet care in your area. To get started, check out their handy “How to Select a Pet Care Facility” guide for all the facts you need. http://petcareservices.org/files/comm_id_46/How_To_Select_a_Pet_Facility.pdf
Here are some just of the highlights:
Ask Around the Dog Park. Tap pet people for their trusted pet care resources. Your dog’s park pals may have a great pet-sitter, or kennel your dog will love. Get a few contact numbers and start calling around to pet care providers that come well-referred.
Pop in. If you’re considering a pet care kennel or boarding facility, plan to stop by to meet the staff and tour the grounds. Splashy websites and brochures can be deceiving. First, check to see that the facility is licensed by the state. Then take a look around to see that it’s clean, comfortable and well-secured. By actually visiting you’ll get a feel for the place – everything from temperature, to supervision, to layout can make a difference in your decision.
Get the Details. What are the reservation and cancellation policies? How does the staff handle emergencies? Do they require vaccination records for all the pets? Take the time to ask questions about the facility’s policies and specifics concerning your pets’ stay. For example, you may want to know if your dog will get one-on-one playtime, or private time away from the other animals.
Pack Your Pets. Aside from your pets’ favorite blanket and toys, pack along their vaccination records, their veterinarian’s contact information, and a phone number where you can be reached while out of town. The boarding facility or pet-sitter should request all this information from you before taking responsibility for your pets.
At Petplan, your pet’s health and well-being is our top priority. That’s why we recommend taking your time to find the right boarding or pet-sitter match for your pet’s needs. This way, you can rest assured that your pets are safe and happy until you’re together again… at last.
Congratulations, that’s one seriously fluffy kitty you’ve got there. But how about lending a paw to help keep her groomed and gorgeous? After all, the last thing any cat wants is a hairball backing up in her belly. Even the most well-groomed kitties expel an occasional hairball, but some cats, especially the serious shedders, have bigger hairball problems. It might seem unpleasant but having your cat leave you the little present of a hacked-up furball on the rug (a high traffic area, of course!) is the best thing that can happen to this excess hair that is swallowed while grooming. Once a hairball gets trapped in the intestinal tract, this little wad of fur can become dangerous by potentially causing an obstruction. In fact, many feline digestive track impactions are the result of the menacing hairball.
If your kitty suffers from chronic hairball drama, make sure to watch her for signs of trouble and take her to veterinarian. Kitties with problematic hairballs often vomit undigested food, dry retch and have swollen abdomens. Litter box signs include diarrhea or no bowel movements at all. Fortunately, even the fluffiest kitties can prevent hairball with regular brushings and preventative products. Here are just a few suggestions to discuss with your vet:
Brush the Fluff. Help reduce hair ingestion by regularly brushing your cat. Petplan vets recommend using a specialized cat grooming tool, such as a dual-sided brush, or the Furminator de-shedding tool to gently and safely remove excess undercoat fur. http://www.furminator.com/shedless.cfm
Bulk Up. Fiber sources, such as natural cat grass, add substance and moisture to your cat’s stool making it easier for her to pass a hairball. A variety of cat foods also include special fiber formulas for hairball control. Ask your vet to recommend one for your cat.
Go H20. Help ease your cat’s digestion by keeping her bowl filled with fresh, clean drinking water at all times. Using a water fountain that supplies a constant source of cool, well-oxygenated water can help encourage your pet to drink more. http://www.vetventures.com/
ReLax. Talk with your vet about the many hairball laxative options on the market. These petroleum based products, are added to your cat’s food to help coat the stool for easier elimination. http://www.tomlyn.com/pages/pr_cat_01.html
Where’s your bagel? Look no further than the furry breakfast bandit hiding under the table. Dogs will stop at nothing to savor the delicacies of people food. But many “table scraps” are not safe for pets. In fact, in 2007 alone, 130,000 calls to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center involved poisoning from common human foods and household items. Most dog people know about the dangers of chocolate poisoning, but what about other foods? Petplan vets line up the top toxic table foods to keep out of paw’s reach.
Raisin’ Hell. So sweet and delicious, it’s a shame we can’t share grapes and raisins with our furry friends. But even a small amount can cause kidney failure and even death for some dogs. In fact, just recently a Brittany Spaniel covered under Petplan racked up a $1,600 vet bill after devouring an entire canister of raisins. Thanks to excellent vet care, she’s back in action. Read her story here. http://www.petinsurancereview.com/petplanUS.asp
Not Nuts about Nuts. Many varieties of nuts can have a devastating effect on a dog’s nervous system. Walnuts and macadamia nuts especially are highly toxic to dogs, causing a range of symptoms from vomiting to paralysis to death.
Hold the Onions. Dogs generally aren’t big fans of onions, but if they just so happen to be on top of a delicious hamburger, they’ll likely make an exception. Unfortunately, repeated ingestion of onions can wreck havoc on a dog’s red blood cells causing anemia, and difficulty breathing.
Skip the Gauc. Avocados contain persin, a component that’s safe for people but often very dangerous to dogs. Ingestion of avocados in any form can cause heart, lung and/or tissue damage in dogs.
Candy Culprits. Many candy and gum products contain Xylitol, a common sweetener (often found in diet products) that can cause a major drop in a dog’s blood sugar. Dogs can experience seizures, loss of coordination and even long-term liver damage after eating certain candies and chewing gum products.
The Buzz on Caffeine. Caffeine is a definite no no for dogs. Not only will it them make restless and anxious, but can cause heart palpitations and damage to their central nervous systems.
Fortunately, most people foods won’t hurt your dog. But since certain ingredients are problematic (not to mention high in calories), it’s best not to sneak treats to your dog directly from the table. In the meantime, remember not to leave your meals unattended and to keep telephone numbers for your regular veterinarian, the nearest 24-hour vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center number (888) 426-4435 close at hand. This way, if your dog does manage to nab a whole box of brownies from your kitchen table, help is as close as your phone.
Being cute and furry is a big job, but somebody’s got to do it. Fortunately, your pet’s a pro. And the perks aren’t bad either: fresh daily meal service, flexible napping hours, and of course, the love and doting attention of the boss (that’s you). It’s hard to imagine too many pets cracking under the pressure of this gig. And with no mortgage to pay, or schedule to keep, what could possibly stress out your cat or dog? It all comes down to people. Somehow, without even meaning to, humans can manage to press our pets’ panic buttons. In fact, a recent study from the University of Florida showed that pets pick up on more human behavior than we previously understood. Of course, just because your pet is stressed, it doesn’t mean that they’re picking up vibes from you; anxiety can exhibit in our pets for a number of reasons including separation anxiety, noise aversion (thunderstorms, loud traffic), even things like new pets in the neighborhood!
So how do you know if your pets are stressed? The good news is, your cats and dogs aren’t reading the evening stock reports or worrying about layoffs at the office. They watch you, and respond to your tone, body language and general disposition. If you’re stressed, your pet may be too. Here’s what to watch for:
Destructive Tendencies. Your cat sharpens her claws on your bedspread. Your dog dines on your leather handbag. This is how they relax?
I Am Dog, Hear Me Bark. Stressed-out pooches can become what we might term whiney! The “stress” vocalizations are most often monotonous and persistent whining, barking or even howling.
Saliva Shoelaces. Anxiety can cause an increase in drooling and salivation so extra ropes of goopy saliva around the muzzle or puddles of thick saliva around the house can be an indication.
All Shook Up. Just like us, your pets may shake and tremble when they’re stressed or nervous.
New Bathroom Habits. Your pet usually makes it to the yard or litter box, but suddenly he’s leaving presents in new, unusual and generally undesirable places.
Keep Your Hands To Yourself. Your generally docile dog or cat may snap, growl or otherwise lose his temper when he’s under pressure. Approach with caution.
Hide and Go Seek. Your pet passes up his favorite spot on the sofa to cower under the bed or behind the drapes.
A Touch Of OCD. Your dog licks the same spot on his leg or your cat obsessively grooms her belly until the fur falls out. Frightening? Positively hair-raising.
What’s a pet parent to do? Your first stop is your veterinarian’s office to rule out medical conditions that may contribute to your pet’s new behaviors. For example, cats with urinary tract infections might pee on the floor. Or, dogs with unmanaged pain might growl or snap. It’s incredibly important to rule out underlying medical reasons, usually accomplished with a full physical exam and usually blood, urine and/or stool tests.
If your vet determines that your pet is stressed, they may recommend behavioral training alone or in combination with anti-anxiety medication. Some Petplan vets also suggest “pheromonatherapy” pet products that release pheromones to calm and soothe a worried pet. Try Feliway for cats and DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) for dogs.
Life’s stressful sometimes, even for pets. By working with your vet, you can help keep yours happy on the job for years to come.
While it may look like there are coffee grounds in your cat’s ears, there isn’t (after all, what would coffee grounds be doing in your cat’s ears!?). Those little black crumbs are the work of the mighty mite. Ear mites! These parasites are an extremely common problem in our feline population and, left untreated, the itching and irritation caused by ear mites can severely damage your cat’s eardrums and hearing. Fortunately, a trip to your vet can stop mites in their tracks. But first you need to know the signs of the offending organism when you see them.
Ear mites are microscopic parasites that look like tiny ticks and take up residence in your cat’s ear canals. And, though mites don’t pierce the skin or suck on blood like fleas or ticks, they do cause serious itching. So infected cats often paw at their ears and shake their heads a lot to try to get some relief. Eventually, the ear canals will start to bleed producing small crumbs of dried blood that look like coffee grounds. Check your cat’s ears from time to time. If you notice these little black crumbs, a strange odor or even an extra build-up of ear wax, make sure to bring your cat to her veterinarian.
Here’s the good news. Treatment for these critters is available and very effective. The bad news? Ear mites are highly contagious and, though they don’t transfer to humans, any other cats and dogs in the household will likely need treatment for ear mites too.
Fortunately, your vet will know just what to do. But you can help too by not cleaning or treating your cat’s ears prior to her exam; looking at the discharge is one of the most useful diagnostic steps for your vet. Even though ear mites are common, it is possible to confuse them with other feline ear infections. Your vet will conduct a thorough exam of your cat’s ears and may take a swab of discharge to confirm the diagnosis before treating your kitty with a topical insecticide. Most modern medication requires only one treatment but with severe infections, or in cases of re-infection, more than one application may be necessary.
Once you get your kitty back home, it’s only a matter of time before all the itching is gone. And those sensitive little ears can get back to their top job -- listening for the sound of your voice (while you open the treat jar, of course).
Lucky for your pets, you’re ready for anything. As their personal “Pet First-Aider you make it your responsibility to keep a handy pet first aid kit well-stocked and ready to go.
At Petplan pet insurance we recommend a simple, easy-to-carry kit, complete with the most useful items for most pet emergencies.
Your Basic Pet First Kit Includes:
· Gauze
· Nonstick bandages
· Towels, or strips of clean cloth
· Adhesive tape
· Milk of magnesia
· Activated charcoal
· Hydrogen peroxide
· Digital thermometer
· Medicine dropper
You can even find ready-made kits at pet stores. Just make sure to personalize yours with your pets’ vaccination and medical history, and contact numbers for her vet and emergency after-hours vet clinic.
When you take the time to prepare in advance, you’ll be ready for the pet accidents and injuries you never saw coming. The American Red Cross can help. Many local Red Cross chapters offer pet first aid classes. Just type in your zip code on www.redcross.org to find class listings for your local chapter. Or, stop by the Red Cross store to pick up their comprehensive dog and care first aid guides complete with DVD demonstrations.
http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=95
http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=160
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