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Jana | 11 years ago
Cookie Just Jumped Off A Snow Bank And “fell”? To The Sidewalk; I Could Hear…

Cookie just jumped off a snow bank and “fell”? to the sidewalk; I could hear the clunk but couldn’t really see what she hit in how fast it happened … assuming head … ? She seems fine, do I freak out?

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Jana | 11 years ago
Can Rawhide Chews Contribute To Incontinence?

Can rawhide chews contribute to incontinence?

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Sarah | 11 years ago
Our German Shepherd Is Very Achy-especially Early In The Day And On Damp Days-which Leads…

Our german shepherd is very achy-especially early in the day and on damp days-which leads us to think it is arthritis (he’s 7). Anything we can do to make him feel better?

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  1. AnneMarie Battis

    Hi Sarah!

    I agree with Krista!  Diagnosis from your vet first.  If you should find that it is arthritis/joint-related….
    If you are open to a natural way to help your furbaby, I
    have extensive experience in helping my 16 year old Golden Retriever (and many other pups) with arthritis pain and inflammation.  (I am
    not a vet).  This is not meant to sound self-serving because I now sell through my blog – because I am in love with the products – but I only use doTERRA essential
    oils to help him because they are certified pure therapeutic grade and they work!
    Wild Orange and Peppermint have been effective,
    but in my opinion, Frankincense is the most effective.  You can use 1-3 drops of oil along their spine
    between the base of the ears and the base of the tail (this will help in
    reducing pain communication to the brain).   Make sure you get it on their skin, not on top of the fur.  Then apply the oil to the affected hips/joints/area of pain.  Do this 2 or 3 times as day, as needed.  (Can be applied more often, if necessary, to
    deal with severe pain.  Less product but
    used more often if needed is best so their body can use every last drop).  
    Also found to be effective, especially on
    those really bad weather days, etc.  I
    diffuse Frankincense and Serenity blend oils (you can use lavender too).  This helps with all kinds of things for them
    (loss of interest or activity, stress, etc.) 
    If you do not have a diffuser, you can put 1 or 2 drops on the dog’s chest
    every 3 hours or so as needed.  I supplement
    his food (for reduction of inflammation/pain and help with body repair of
    tissue:  5-8 drops (depending on dog
    size) of IQ Omega AND DDR Prime – 2x/day mixed into wet food.  
    If you are not familiar with doTERRA, here is
    my website to peruse and if you choose, to order.  Please feel free to contact me directly at
    any time.  As I said, I am not a vet but
    I am very experienced using the essential oils on my furbaby, family and in the
    home and I teach free local classes.  http://www.mydoterra.com/WellnessFromKippersKitchen
     (ask me about wholesale pricing)  I also post all day on dogs every Wednesday – it’s “Woof Wednesday”  😉  so take a peek!
    Peace & Paws!
    AnneMarie
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Pawbly | 11 years ago
Our Staff Is Continually Participating In Dog Forums To Understand Peoples Approaches To Pet Ownership…

Our staff is continually participating in dog forums to understand peoples approaches to pet ownership. Along the way we have discovered numerous nuggets of info Im looking for relatively unknown dog food brands far superior to commercial

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  1. Brent Harte

    Hi Krista, 

    Thank you for the thoughtful response, your point is a great area of focus I had not thought of.   Dog food analysis EQUIPMENT manufactures are developing various new lines of food safety devices targeted at smaller manufacturing operations.   I was wondering why there was a large representation of this type of equipment at the the last Supply Side West trade show we attended and I think you have provided the answer.  Our motive for the original question arouse from the discovery of numerous small unknown dog food manufactures during one our normal twitter search campaigns designed to find new companies entering the dog nutrition space.  We are trying to figure out if dog owners value and plan on using these very small organizations,  if so our staff will begin studying what companies are best and why.  A quick evaluation of a companies quality control systems would be the first criteria for determining if a dog food warranted further study.  Again thank you for this valuable input. 

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Diedra | 11 years ago
Hello. I Have A 5 Month Old Dog – Mix Of Chocolate Lab And…

Hello. I have a 5 month old dog – mix of Chocolate Lab and German Short Hair Pointer. What kinds of tests do you recommend before I spay my dog? What age is she ready for these? Thank you!

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  1. Jana

    Hi Diedra

    I believe what you’re referring to is a standard pre-anesthesia blood test …? Those are certainly a good thing to do. There is no age restriction for blood tests. In fact, it is good to do a blood panel regularly, for screening purposes as well as establishing baseline values.

    http://www.petmd.com/blogs/fullyvetted/2012/july/do_not_opt_out_of_pre-anesthetic_lab_work-26535

    As for the ideal age for spay itself, that is a somewhat controversial issue, as there are pros and cons to both doing it early and waiting. I suggest you do your research on the subject as well as discuss ideal timing with your veterinarian.

    http://dawgbusiness.blogspot.com

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Jana | 11 years ago
Question For Dr. Krista; Sorry, Complicated Question(?)

First, To Review For Benefit Of Others Reading This…

Question for Dr. Krista; sorry, complicated question(?)

First, to review for benefit of others reading this question:

Patient: Cookie
Rottweiler, spayed female, 2 years old

Presented with lethargy, anorexia, vomiting and diarrhea (threw up only twice and one time diarrhea, then taken to vet, given antiemetics and antibiotics; diagnosed with pancreatitis; getting better since – this was Monday)

During exam foreign material found in stool (grain and corn; we think she got into the horse feed) painful cranial abdomen, low and large bowel diarrhea, enlarged submandibular nodes – this part worries me because these were temporarily enlarged not long ago; resolved quickly, though)

As I’m reviewing the blood results, there are things I could understand as being consistent with digestive distress/pancreatitis but some which are concerning me, namely the globulin and lymphocyte levels, even though they are not extremely low but low nonetheless.

Beside the cPL which is clear in its meaning, the free T4 is low – I assume this is what is meant by not testing for hypothyroidism in ill animals, because the thyroid hormones would be low with any disease process? Is that correct?

I would figure that the ALT/unhappy liver enzymes would also be consistent with such insult to the body, is that correct? And I imagine same would apply to bilirubin in a situation of digestive upset?

The values that concern me are the globulin and the lymphocytes, particularly together with the "easily aggravated" sub mandibular lymph nodes in the mix, particularly as it seems that lymphopenia would be present with both CPV and lymphoma … ? I’d assume that a) Cookie was recently vaccinated for CPV and is improving too rapidly to think CPV? Lymphoma has been on my afraid mind since the first time they were found enlarged.

It also says, though, that lymphopenia could be a result of underactive glands (the source doesn’t say which ones) so would that perhaps have to do with the lowered thyroid function during the digestive distress?

Didn’t find much on low globulins, other than immunodeficiency types of situations, which doesn’t seem to apply. What is the "life-span" of a globulin, and if short, would the low globulins have to do with the unhappy liver?

Can you, please confirm about the free T4 and talk to me about the globulin and more importantly the lymphocytes?

Blood results attached.

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  1. Christina Chambreau

    I will let Dr. Krista address your specific blood questions. Were you interested in the holistic approaches to evaluating blood work?  Also, not being able to tolerate an occasional eating splurge is considered an early warning sign that a dog is not completely healthy, so there would be many things to do at this point. 

    I wonder if Cookie has had prior digestive issues?

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Pawbly | 11 years ago
I Have A 15 Year Old Pug. In May He Started Losing Patches Of…

I have a 15 year old Pug. In May he started losing patches of hair, no bigger than the size of a quarter. There were a couple on his legs, one or two on his stomach and the last one has been on the under part of his neck. My vet has done all the blood work as well as skin scrapings and everything is normal. He gets better with meds, but as soon as we stop them, he gets another patch. These spots are not itchy. He is not bothered by them at all. I have an appointment with a dermatologist next week. However, I follow the life of an elderly pug on Facebook and I have noticed that he has several places on his underside with no hair. I was wondering if this could all be due to my pug’s age.

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  1. Jana

    Hi Beth,

    there is a number of conditions that can cause hair loss. Little patches would make me think infection but you say your vet ruled that out? (both bacterial and fungal?) Gland/hormonal disorders can also cause hair loss but typically not in this type of pattern.

    http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2111&aid=421

    Age by itself is not a disease, but with age things might not be working as well as they used to. There still should be a discernible cause, though, IMO.

    Is this issue in any way seasonal?

    Makes me think of Jasmine, though. Twice she developed a bald patch in different areas, which didn’t seem to have any reason for it. For lack of any better explanation, her vet put her on Melatonin and the fur grew right back.

    http://dawgbusiness.blogspot.com

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Pawbly | 11 years ago
I Have A New Kitten That Isn’t Eating Much. He Is Drinking. He…

I have a new Kitten that isn’t eating much. He is drinking. He was at the vet (Dr. Magnifico) on Sunday because he was sneezing. Just adopted him and his brother on Friday. Brother seems to be fine. He is taking an antibiotic twice a day. He has been opening his mouth a lot, kind of like his nose is clogged and he is breathing through his mouth. He comes to the food (wet) when I put it out but he hovers over it and licks it, but I don’t think he is eating it. What can I do? It is snowing here and I will probably not be able to get him to the vet today. Thanks,

Brady

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello

    I will call you as soon as I get to work.

    In general if cats can’t smell then they don’t eat well. I would guess his nose is stuffed up. He really needs to be seen ASAP. Can you bring him in now?

    He should have his temperature checked, listen to his lungs and probably be put on a stringer antibiotic. Also we will give him subq fluids to keep him hydrated.

    The over the counter product called Little Noses helps to unclog the nose. one drop in each nostril twice a day.

    But I cannot over express how important a recheck is. Those young kittens can get very sick quickly and need hospitalization. I am at the clinic in 30 minutes

    Krista

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Pawbly | 11 years ago
What Is The Best Remedy For Hairballs In Cats? Every Spring My Cats Get…

What is the best remedy for hairballs in cats? Every spring my cats get horrible hairballs, throwing up almost daily. Once shedding season is over it subsides a little bit but they still throw up from time to time.

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    Hello Amy

    There are a few good options for you.

    First be sure that the problem is hair all related. You may need your vet to help you understand hoe to correctly and accurately identify vomiting in cats ( for example we need to identify vomiting versus regurgitation and be sure that it is a foreign body (hair) versus other problems…. The list is long and wide). If it is determined to be hairballs then I would recommend brushing daily to reduce the amount of hair your cat ingests, or even shaving the coat once or twice a year. Any reduction in the amount of hair ingested will help. I have many clients who shave their cat down. I have to admit that both the cat and the owner are happy afterward.

    You can also try a hair ball food. I like science diet. I put my cats on it and I think it worked very well.

    There are also oral hair ball medications. These are available over the counter. They help lubricate the hair so that it passes.

    I hope that this helps.

    The most important thing to do is to be sure that your cat doesn’t have a gastrointestinal problem causing excessive grooming, or a skin problem causing an excessive shedding problem. All of these should be discussed with your vet.

    Best of luck.

    Thanks for visiting. And for posting a picture. She’s a cutie.

    Sincerely
    Krista

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Diedra | 11 years ago
Hello, What Are Your Thoughts On Rawhide Treats? My Dogs Enjoy Eating Them But…

Hello, What are your thoughts on rawhide treats? My dogs enjoy eating them but I wonder how good or bad they are and how often it is ok to give them one. Thanks! Diedra

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  1. Jana

    Hi Diedra.

    Many veterinarians recommend them as one of the safe chews.

    Some important points I feel are important about it
    – make sure the chew had been made in US/by a reputable manufacturer, because there is a possibility of contamination
    – always supervise your dog when they chew on one of these
    – be very careful if your dog has a tendency to swallow large chunks of things
    – remove the chew when a small piece is left that could be swallowed whole

    I don’t consider it an ideal chew but following the above rules. I give one to our guys from time to time too. The hide is not digestible and large chunks pose a risk of choking or obstruction.

    http://dawgbusiness.blogspot.com