Cataracts in Dogs: Restorative Surgery

Dogs can have cataracts? You bet they can! Thank heavens for veterinary ophthalmologists!

Cataracts are a common complication of diabetes, but also are often inherited. They tend to occur in young to middle-aged dogs and appear as an opacity in the lens of the eye, preventing the dog from seeing well. Cataracts can lead to painful glaucoma, and although they cannot be medically treated, they can be surgically removed. As long as the retina is functioning properly, vision can be restored.

Most dogs adjust well to having cataracts. They can, however, become cautious and hesitant due to their lack of vision. They can also experience inflammation of the eye. If you notice an opaque film on your dogs eyes, have them checked by your veterinarian.

The procedure is the same ultrasonic method used in human cataract surgery. General anesthesia is administered and the cataracts are removed by phacoemulsification to break up the cataract and suction out the pieces. An artificial lens is then inserted into the lens capsule. Generally, vision is restored as soon as the dog recovers from the anesthesia.

If you suspect your dog has cataracts, consult with your veterinarian. If the cloudiness is in fact a cataract, ask for a referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist……and don’t be afraid to check their references before having the procedure done.

ENGLISH COCKER SPANIEL RENAL DISEASE

Researchers at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University have identified the gene mutation that causes autosomal recessive hereditary nephropathy in English Cocker Spaniels. The disease causes juvenile end-stage renal failure.

The research began in 1996, with grant money to study Juvenile Renal Disease. George Lees, DVM, Professor of Medicine at Texas A & M University, studied the English Cocker Spaniel using electron microscopy. JRD in Cockers is a form of hereditary nephritis, and the research was geared to finding the mode of inheritance of the disease, then developing a screening for the DNA marker(s). Other universities involved in this study were University of California at Berkeley, the University of Oregon & Cornell University.

A genetic test has been licensed to identify dogs that carry the affected gene, allowing breeders to mate them with dogs that do not carry the gene. Anyone interested in breeding English Cocker Spaniels should have their Veterinarian test for this gene mutation prior to breeding. Anyone purchasing a new Cocker Spaniel puppy from a breeder might want to inquire if this test was done prior to breeding.

Winter Paw Care

Statistics reveal that 47% of pet owners exercise or walk their pets daily. Winter weather requires proper protection of your pets sensitive feet. Two types of protection available include:

• Paw protection
• Protection to maintain core body heat

Salves and ointments for application directly to paws provide protection from dry, hot & abrasive surfaces. For winter protection, a greater degree of protection is provided with boots.

When purchasing boots for your pet, use the following guidelines:

• Measure (or draw an outline of) your pets feet to ensure you buy the correct size
• Ensure the boot has a flexible vinyl or leather pad on the bottom that:
  • Maintains flexibility in sub-zero temperatures
  • Adequately protects the paws from ice & snow
  • Provides sufficient traction even in deep snow
• To ensure the boots stay on, look for:
  • Reinforcement in the toe area
  • A fit higher on the pastern (ankle)
  • Fabric fasteners that are adjustable and perform reliably in wet conditions
• Be sure the materials used to manufacture the boots are quick drying

If you live in an extremely cold area, use your dog for hunting or have a K-9/Search & Rescue dog, we recommend you consider adding boot liners for increased comfort, insulation and moisture-wicking properties. Paw balms after exposure to the elements provide additional protection from irritation and painful cracking.

Pets Refusing To Eat

It’s a common problem to many pet owners, yet a frustrating problem to deal with. Are they sick? Do they hate the food? Just what causes this problem?

There are three major reasons why this may occur:

• Pathological: This would include problems affecting the pet’s body, smell, taste or other senses. If the pet is ill with a fever, diarrhea or vomiting, they may quit eating. Take them to your vet for evaluation. It’s even more critical to get veterinarians involved if they also refuse water, as dogs can dehydrate very quickly. IV’s may be required should the pet become very weak.
• Behavioral problems: Avoid “top dressing” foods. If your pet gets acclimated to having table scraps, gravies or other supplements added to their food and you don’t include it, they may refuse to eat. This can also cause nutritional imbalances, so avoid enticing the animal with these items.
• Dental issues: Is there a broken or decayed tooth causing them pain while chewing? Check their teeth for any problems, and if you find one, it’s time for a call to the vet.

What to do?

• If your vet can’t find a health issue and rules out a dental problem, perhaps it’s time for a change in your pet’s food choice. There are so many choices that it can be a choice challenge. If you suspect a food allergy, choose one without grains and soy. Many holistic foods are made without these ingredients and are preservative-free. Many times, this is the answer.
• Feed your pet two to three times a day. Toy breeds are better with more frequent, smaller meals to avoid hypoglycemia. It’s best to feed at the same time of the day. Leave the food down for 10-15 minutes. If they don’t eat it, take it up and try again later. Some pets may go longer in-between meals, so let them help you set their schedule.
• Don’t feed in-between meals. Unless you are doing training, keep the treats for rewards, not supplements to feeding time.Table scraps may also make a pet “people food” dependent. Avoid this unless you are making their food for every meal, and then be sure you are getting the mix right for vitamins and minerals.

Periodic refusal to eat isn’t dangerous. Be sure to follow the manufacturers feeding directions. Although some servings look small, foods today are packed with nutrition, so don’t be fooled thinking the serving can’t be adequate. Consult your veterinarian if your pet refuses food for two days, as there may be an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed. Consult the vet sooner if they refuse water.

NEW PUPPY ORIENTATION 101

If you’re reading this you are obviously considering bringing in a new bundle of fur to the pack. Perhaps you’ve already chosen the lucky guy or gal and are thinking about what you’ll name it. Perhaps you’re wondering “Where do I start to make a list of what I need before I bring him or her home?”

Getting a new puppy is like a newborn baby. They require a lot of “stuff” for the training you are about to provide them, along with a lot of love and guidance. There is the potty training challenge, the food transitioning, and the discipline lessons that start the instant you welcome your new furry friend into your home.

Getting the gear for the job can be overwhelming, given all the wonderful pet products that have hit the scene in recent years. I am amazed every trade show I attend to see how the evolution of pet ownership has transformed the pet manufacturing business sector.

Here’s a short list of what we think new Pet Parents need to have on hand to begin the adventure:

• High quality puppy-formulated food (learn to be a label reader and know the ingredients your puppy will be ingesting; we are believers in organic, holistic foods) for a healthy start to life
• Ceramic or steel small/medium bowls for food and water
• Weaning formula for those puppies who have not yet been transitioned to puppy food, with a bottle if not weaned
• Comfortable bed with warm bedding for snuggling
• Chew treats and chew toys to provide an outlet for chewing and teething (look for the newer dental versions to jump-start them to good oral hygiene)
• Training treats for reinforcing good behavior (successful toileting and walking on a leash); get quality, healthy selections because you’ll use a lot of them
• Plush, squeaky toys sized for puppy-sized mouths
• Training pads:
  • We prefer eco-friendly, washable ones that don’t add to landfill overload; they are much cheaper in the long run, as well.
  • Alternatively, look at the new portable dog potty units on the market that use either regular sod or K9 synthetic grass for another eco-friendly alternative.
  • Crate with soft bedding for housetraining, safety in your absence and quiet time
  • Odor & stain removers for sure-to-happen accidents
  • High quality soft brush and comb for grooming needs (a pin brush, steel comb & natural bristle brush come in handy for longer haired breeds)
  • Nail trimmer
  • Blunt tipped scissors for trimming hair from between paw pads
  • Flea control medicines
  • Heartworm preventive medicine
  • Shampoo & conditioner that promote healthy skin & coat
  • Toothbrush or fingerbrush and toothpaste formulated for pets for an early introduction to oral hygiene regimines
  • Harness (they don’t pull on or damage your pets airway like a collar) with ID tags and a leash for safe outdoor adventures
  • Synthetic pheromone spray to ease the trauma of transitioning from the mother dog to your home; some “surrogate mom” toys on the market have battery operated heart beats and heat packets that assist with the separation anxiety, also
  • Coat or sweater for winter adoptions where climate dictates some winter cold protection

New pet ownership is a big responsibility as well as a lot of fun. Being properly prepared with an arsenal of necessary supplies (and maybe even an unnecessary fun T-shirt) ensures an easy, safe and enjoyable transition. Congratulations!

FDA: First Cancer Drug for Dogs Now Approved

FDA: First Cancer Drug for Dogs Now Approved

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Pet Eye Health: Glaucoma in Pets

Glaucoma is a disease in which pressure within the eyeball increases to dangerous levels. It is one of the most common causes of blindness in cats and dogs.

Normal pressure within the eye depends on a delicate balance between production and escape of internal eye fluid (aqueous humor). If fluid is blocked, internal eye pressure may rise to dangerous levels and result in glaucoma. It can permanently destroy the retina and injure other vital structures of the eye.

Signs of Glaucoma Include:

• Excessive squinting
• Tearing
• Redness to the eye
• Decreased appetite
• An enlarged eyeball
• Dilated pupils

Causes of Glaucoma Include:

• Blockage of the drainage passage due to birth defects
• Inflammatory conditions
• Infections
• Injuries
• Tumors
• Cataracts
• Lens disorders

Treatment Information:

• The goal is to reduce the pressure & relieve pain. Treatment should be started immediately upon diagnosis to avoid permanent vision loss, which can happen within hours as internal eye pressure increases.
• Medication alone will not control glaucoma for long periods of time. Other procedures may be required to save vision or reduce pain.
• Depending on the cause of the glaucoma, an animal that has it in one eye may be at high risk for having it progress to the other eye.

Contact your veterinarian should you notice any signs that indicate your pet might be at risk for glaucoma. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your pets eyesight.

Holistic Pet Food Guide

We hear a lot of people claiming to have holistic pet food, but do you really understand what you should look for in a holistic diet for your pets? Canine Caviar defines a holistic diet that features:

• Quality animal based protein sources that are steroid, antibiotic & hormone free. Keep in mind that ingredients are listed by weight:
  • Fresh chicken would include the moisture (approximately 70% of its weight)
  • Chicken means it does not contain moisture and is cooked prior to being added into the kibble mix
  • Dehydrated chicken is fresh chicken with the moisture removed and has not been exposed to heat
• Whole grains and not grain fragments. Beware of ingredient panels that list three grain parts together as their total weight could add up to more than the animal protein (i.e. rice, rice bran, rice flour). Look instead for quality whole grains such as millet, oatmeal, brown rice, barley and quinoa.
• Quality fat sources and a good Omega Fatty Acid Ratio. Chicken fat, fish oil and coconut oil are all good sources of fat.
• Natural preservatives, such as Vitamin E. Avoid foods that contain chemical preservatives such as BHT, BHA or Ethoxyquin.
• The diet should be free of added colors or flavors
• Beware of diets that heavily market inclusion of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables should be fed fresh in order to receive the full value of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants available. Fruits and vegetables cooked at high temperatures (such as those used in kibble) provide nothing in the end result except for fiber and sugar.
• Keep in mind that pro-biotics and enzymes added to kibble diets must be genetically modified to remain active. Once digested, these Genetically Modified Oranisms (GMO’s) replace what the body has already made on their own. Look for diets that include pre-biotics (such as inulin sometimes derived from chicory). Pre-biotics encourage the body’s production of beneficial bacteria in the gut, rather than replacing them.

Additionally, “Grain Free” doesn’t mean carbohydrate free. Watch the ingredients on grain free diets that use large amounts of simple carbohydrates such as potatoes. In a basic nutritional comparison, grains such as oatmeal or brown rice offer more nutrition and less insulin production than a white potato.

Determining the best diet for your pets can be a difficult road to maneuver, particularly for pets with food allergies. Read the labels and acquaint yourself with “the holistic vocabulary.” These foods are generally much more expensive, but nutritionally there is no comparison. As Mom said, “You get what you pay for.”

Children’s Garden at the Pulaski County Library

Well, we’re well underway. After a slow start and a few setbacks, we are about ready to start planting and installing our hardscape features. As well as working with the design elements and installation of plants (I am a Master Gardener for Pulaski County), The Paws Mahal is actively sourcing the product that is being installed in the garden.

Being in the heart of the Bluegrass State, the garden just would not have been complete without the addition of horses! Gracing the entry will be two life-size topiary horses: a mare and her colt. Complete with fencing and Knock-Out Roses, it’s fit for champions!

We have a train station potting shed/utility shed on which will sit our cupola and train weathervane, bringing Somerset’s history with the railroad industry into our design. Paths throughout the garden have been stamped to look like a railroad track, further developing the garden’s theme.

Our waterfall area is anchored with “Nessie,” our topiary version of the Loch Ness Monster. Other topiary features will be located throughout the gardens, along with benches for seating, windchimes, and bird, bat, butterfly, bee & lady bug houses. Bird feeders, rain gauges, weather stations, vermicoomposters, rain barrels, arbors and miscellaneous “Eye Candy” will be installed. Educational programs will take place in the “theatre,” including those sponsored by the library and other organizations in the community.

Hundreds of native and non-native species of plants, trees & shrubs will be installed by Master Gardeners and community members. We have Eagle Scouts, City of Somerset employees, church members, library patrons, garden club members and many other interested parties involved in this project, and we are thankful for each of them! We’ve been blessed to have dedicated committee members who have each given so much of themselves and their time for this tremendous space for our children.

It is our hope that every resident of our community will find this not only a beautifully manicured garden where they can come to rest and enjoy nature, but a place where they can learn about plant life & being environmentally responsible. We hope they can learn to express their own creativity in their gardens when they see what can be done with such a small space………………that was previously a tennis court.

The Paws Mahal is proud to have been involved with the evolution of this project. I’ll be adding photos in the near future so you can see the progress from start to finish. The garden should be complete by May 16th, which is the date of the Pulaski County Master Gardeners Annual Garden Tour. The Children’s Garden is a stop on the tour map, and one we think will get a lot of attention.

If you visit Somerset, KY, be sure to stop by for a look. Plan your visit for the 3rd weekend of the month from May to October and catch the Science Hill Motorcycle “Bike Night” festivities. On the 4th Weekend of the month from April to October you’ll find one of the largest car shows in the United States in town: Somernites Cruise. We’ve been featured nationally for this vintage car show, and the weekends are full of various activities to enjoy.

If these two things don’t get you here, how about our 1600+ miles of fabulous boating pleasure? We’re the houseboat capital of the world and located on Beautiful Lake Cumberland. Ya’ll come on down (or up….or over) and enjoy our southern hospitality!

Oh, one more thing! The Children’s Garden was just a warm-up for the Pulaski County Master Gardener Group. Next up is an arboretum for Pulaski County!

Poisonous Palms

Everyone loves the look of the Sago Palm. It adds a touch of the tropics to even the coldest of climates, whether in the house or as a potted specimen in the yards of northern gardeners. Be aware: this plant is poison to your pets!

The Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) is a spike leaved member of the cycad family. It’s sold as a house plant in many non-tropical garden centers, and it is a plant of choice in Southern/Tropical residential and commercial landscapes. Regardless of where it is located, it is highly toxic to pets.

Sago and other cycad palms contain toxic compounds that can produce vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, seizures and even liver failure and death in cats and dogs. All parts of the male and female plants, including the seed, the nut from the female, and the leaves are toxic.

Pet owners should take all precautions to prevent their pets from coming into contact with sago palms, both in and around their homes. If you vacation in Florida or other southern states where this plant is a common landscape specimen, be sure to monitor your pet when outdoors. If you have one in your home, consider a non-toxic alternative that’s pet friendly.

Visit these informational links on toxic & non-toxic plants before greening up your home or landscape. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

• Non-Toxic Plants: www.aspca.org/nontoxic
• Toxic & Non-Toxic Plants: www.animalwellnessmagazine.com