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There are many interesting myths out there about dogs. Here at Mitchell Veterinary Services, we are committed to educating everyone about their pets. Here are the truths to the very common myths that we often hear.

• You should allow your dog to lick its wounds to help it heal. In the wild it may be beneficial for animals to lick their wounds to help keep them clean of dirt and debris. With our pet dogs, licking can do more damage than good. Licking at a wound will keep it moist. This allows bacteria to grow and delays healing. The best way to help wounds heal is to keep them clean and dry by not allowing your dog to lick at them.
• Dogs are colour blind. There is a common myth that dogs only see in black and white. This is not true as dogs are actually able to see some colours. Dogs see similarly to red-green colour blind people.
• Chewing bones is good for your dog’s teeth. We commonly see dogs with fractured teeth from chewing on things such as bones and antlers. So, rather than being good for your dog’s teeth, they can result in dental pain and tooth extractions. Bones can also get lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines, resulting in emergency surgery. View our previous blog on safe chewing options for your dog.

• A dog wagging its tail means it’s happy and friendly. This is untrue. Tail wagging varies, and conveys different messages depending on how it is wagged. While a tail wagged at a medium height may suggest a happy dog, a dog wagging a low held tail, could mean fear. A dog with his tail raised very high can be a dominance signal. In either of these two cases, both dogs are not necessarily happy and may bite. Overall, you should not base your decision on how comfortable or happy a dog is by tail wagging alone.
• Dogs eat grass when they are feeling sick. For the most part, dogs likely occasionally eat grass because they enjoy the taste of it. However, because grass is not digestible for dogs it can cause stomach irritation and cause them to vomit.
• Female dogs should go through a heat/have a litter of puppies in order to be happier/healthier. This myth is unfortunate as the opposite is actually true. Many studies have shown that the longer you wait to spay a female, the greater her risk for mammary cancer and other reproductive diseases. Learn about more myths about spays and neuters on our previous blog.
• A cold/warm nose indicates health. The heat or moistness of your dog’s nose is not an indicator of its health. If you have any reason to suspect it is ill, you should take it to a veterinarian right away, no matter what its nose is like!
• You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Old dogs are capable of learning new things. In fact, we recommend training your dogs and teaching them new things through their whole lives. Like in humans, learning new things can help prevent cognitive dysfunction (i.e. Dementia) in older dogs.

• Feeding garlic prevents fleas. Garlic is completely ineffective at preventing fleas and may even be dangerous to give to your pets at certain doses. Your veterinarian can provide you with many safe and proven effective flea prevention and treatment options. Click here to learn more.
• Dogs that are related to each other or too different in size will not mate. Any intact dog will mate with any other intact dog that it has access to, no matter the relation, breed, or size.

These are just some of the common myths we hear. There are still many others out there. If you have any questions about your pet’s behaviour, health or what pet products are good to use contact our team at Mitchell Veterinary Services.

Indoor cats may not share the same risks as outdoor cats. While they might not require the same types of vaccines and frequency of deworming as outdoor cats, it is still very important to regularly take your indoor cat to your veterinarian. Annual check-ups are important even if your cat does not need vaccines. Here are some reasons why your indoor cat should see your veterinarian regularly:

• Cats are very good at hiding problems. Cats are both a predator and prey species in the wild. This means that cats, in order to survive, have learned to hide illness and injury very well. Veterinarians are trained to look for these subtle signs. By taking your cat regularly to the vet, any problems or illnesses can be addressed earlier and your cat can live a longer, healthier and more comfortable life.
• Dental disease is very common but hard to see. By the age of three, almost 80% of cats have some form of dental disease. Dental issues can cause severe pain; this may not be noticed until the disease has progressed very far. Cats will often still eat, even hard kibbles, in the face of severe dental pain. Addressing dental disease early can help prevent this pain and may allow your cat to keep its teeth as opposed to facing extractions in more severe dental disease. Regular visits with your veterinarian can allow him or her to make recommendations to help prevent dental disease and to address dental disease early when it happens in order to save your cat’s teeth.
• Obesity can significantly shorten your cat’s lifespan. Obesity is also very common, affecting over 60% of cats. Indoor cats especially are often affected. Obesity can lead to issues such as diabetes, arthritis, constipation, urinary tract infections, skin and mobility issues. Recent studies have shown that obesity can remove up to two years off your pet’s life! Sometimes it is difficult for people to evaluate whether or not their cat is overweight. Regular visits to your veterinarian means your vet can recommend proper diets and exercise programs to ensure your cat is at a healthy weight. It is also important to address weight loss through your veterinarian because if a cat loses weight too quickly, the result can be liver disease.

• Vaccines are still important. Even though your cat may not go outdoors, it is not uncommon to have other animals come into your house. Bats often fly into homes and they are one of the top Rabies carriers in Ontario. Keeping your cat up to date on vaccines gives you piece of mind that your cat and family are safe should this ever happen. Also, there is always the risk that your indoor cat may get outside and be exposed to other cats or wild animals.
• Indoor cats can still get worms. A recent study has shown that up to 50% of all cats have intestinal worm infestations that did not show up on fecal analysis. So even though your cat does not go outside, sometimes bugs and small mammals can get inside and expose your cat to intestinal worms. If you have other pets that do spend time outside (e.g. dogs), they can also act as carriers. If you live with children, elderly or other immune compromised people, it is important that even your indoor cat be dewormed regularly to prevent transmission of worms to people.

• Senior cats age quickly. Senior cats can become quite ill very quickly if problems are not caught early. Many senior cats also have arthritis, which can be extremely painful, but they can hide it very well. We recommend senior cats be seen twice annually. As stated earlier, the sooner we address problems, the longer, healthier and more comfortable life your cat will be able to live. If you have any questions about your indoor cat give our team at Mitchell Veterinary Services a call.

If you have any questions about your indoor cat give our team at Mitchell Veterinary Services a call.

1. Feed your cat canned food. It is important that all cats receive some canned food as part of their diets as this is a better source of protein and water than kibble alone. In the cold weather cats tend to drink less, especially outdoor cats. For male cats especially this can be very dangerous and play a factor in causing urethral obstruction; an emergency and life threatening situation where a male cat is unable to urinate. Feeding your cat canned food will help to lower this risk.
2. Bang on the hood of your car before starting it. Outdoor cats and other small animals may seek shelter and warmth in the car engine, and can become injured if the car is started while they are inside. Banging loudly on the hood will help to scare them away.
3. Clean up and safely store antifreeze. Antifreeze is a highly toxic poison for both dogs and cats. Ingesting just a tablespoon is enough to be lethal for an average cat. Antifreeze does not taste bad to them and so they are not discouraged from drinking it. Cleaning any spills and storing antifreeze where your pet cannot access it will help prevent poisoning.
4. Clean your dog’s feet after walks. During outdoor activity, dogs will often pick up ice, salt, antifreeze or other potentially toxic substances on their feet. If you do not clean them off, they could end up licking and ingesting these chemicals. Another option is to have booties for your dog to wear outside. Dogs may also cut their feet on ice or salt, so regularly checking them for injury is prudent as well.
5. Do not leave your pet in the car. While we all may understand how dangerous it is to leave an animal in a car in hot weather, leaving them in a car in cold weather can also be hazardous. A car can act like a refrigerator – dropping your pet’s temperature to dangerously low levels.
6. Get some winter attire. If you own a short haired breed or your dog just seems sensitive to the cold, having some sweaters and coats for it to wear will help keep it comfortable.
7. Feed a bit less. Very often during the cold, dogs and cats will get less exercise than usual. This means that if they continue to eat the same amount of food they will gain weight. Preventing weight gain in your pets is a lot easier than trying to achieve weight loss. On the other hand, if your dog spends most time outdoors it may require more food to maintain a healthy weight.
8. Keep your dog on leash. Snow can cover familiar scents and dogs that are off leash may lose their way. Keeping them on leash is also a good way to prevent them from getting to areas of ice and falling through.
9. Keep your pets inside. Dogs and cats can get hypothermia and frost bite just like people. Keeping them inside, and only going outside while supervised will help keep pets warm and healthy. This will also prevent access to many of the previously mentioned hazards.
10. Be prepared for emergencies. All homes should have emergency kits in case of bad weather and power outages. Make sure your kit includes food, water medications and anything else your pet may need.

If you have any questions about our cold weather tips give our team at Mitchell Veterinary Services a call.

Have you thought of any New Year’s resolutions for your pet?

We at Mitchell Veterinary Services would like to offer a few suggestions for a happy and healthy 2015:

1. Brush your cat or dog’s teeth daily. This will pay off by avoiding expensive dental bills and maintain a beautiful smile with no bad “doggy” breath .
2. Play with your furry friend more often – we all get busy schedules, but even 15 minutes a day of interaction with a ball will keep your pet mentally stimulated and allow them to sleep better.
3. Take your dog for more walks – this is great for doggy weight loss.
4. Make a habit of petting everywhere on your pet – this can allow for early lump detection, as well as any lack of symmetry or pain.
5. Feed your pet the best food you can afford – the saying “you are what you eat” holds true. Feeding a diet with research to support it will allow for many benefits, including a shiny coat, good digestive health and dental health.

On behalf of the staff at Mitchell Veterinary Services, we wish you and your families a wonderful New Year.

Check out these cute pictures from our Christmas Open House!

Click on the links below to find out how to keep your pet safe over the holidays.

Holiday Hazards for Dogs

Holiday Hazards for Cats

What are seizures?

Seizures are episodes of abnormal brain activity that may result in loss of consciousness and involuntary movements.

What causes seizures?

There are many different causes of seizures. Seizures can be caused by low blood glucose, certain dietary deficiencies, toxins, congenital conditions, infectious agents, organ dysfunction, trauma, and cancer. Causes of seizures may ultimately be unknown and this is what we call “epilepsy”.

How can I tell if my pet is having a seizure?

Seizures can present themselves in many different ways. The most obvious seizures are the generalized tonic-clonic seizures that result in stiffness, repetitive muscle contractions, paddling, vocalizations, and loss of consciousness. Seizures can also be partial or focal, resulting in abnormal behaviours such as tail chasing, aggression, attacking invisible objects or abnormal movements in one part of the body.

What should I do if my pet is having a seizure?

• Make sure your pet is in a safe area and move any objects away that could cause injury.
• Keep away from your pet’s mouth, as your pet may unknowingly bite you.
• Call your veterinarian.

What will my veterinarian do?

Your veterinarian will first perform a thorough physical exam. It is helpful to record the seizure activity and show it to your veterinarian to help with diagnosis. Your vet will then likely take a blood sample to see if there is any organ dysfunction that could be causing the seizures. Depending on your pet’s condition, further testing may be recommended and could include taking spinal fluid samples or referring for an MRI.

How are seizures treated?

There are a variety of medications that can be used to treat seizures. The medication your vet chooses will be based on your individual pet’s needs. Sometimes a combination of medications is needed to get good control over the seizures.

What is the long term outlook for my pet?

The long term prognosis is really based on what the inciting cause of the seizure is. Ultimately, many pets with seizures can be managed well with regular veterinary care and live long and happy lives.

If you have any questions give our team at Mitchell Veterinary Services a call.

Chewing behavior is normal in dogs and this is especially true of puppies.  However, the idea that all dogs should chew bones is controversial.

Before giving your dog a bone or an antler, here are some possible risks to consider:

• Teeth can fracture if they are hitting hard surfaces such as bones, rocks or solid plastics.
• Injuries to the mouth can occur from chewing on bones.
• Gastrointestinal obstruction can occur if a bone or antler is swallowed, but is too is large to pass through the gut.
  • Symptoms include choking, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, pain and lack of appetite.
  • To find and remove the obstruction, x-rays, intravenous fluids, pain medication, a scope or surgery may be required.
• Bones that splinter (such as chicken bones) should be inaccessible to dogs and cats, since shards can puncture the gut and lead to life-threatening infections.
• A raw bone may be contaminated with dangerous bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli or Campylobacter. Exposure to these bacteria may make your dog sick. Although uncommon, there is a risk that owners can become sick when handling their dog’s raw bones.

Dogs need chew toys of good quality that are safe for their individual chewing habits.  If your puppy/dog is being destructive by chewing items like the coffee table leg, make sure to re-direct it toward appropriate toys with a variety of textures.  Never allow it to chew an old shoe, it will not be able to differentiate it from your new pair!  You can apply a bitter apple spray on the items that you don’t want it to chew.  A crate or baby-gate can be used to confine a dog when it cannot be supervised around those items as well.

Soft rubber toys, dental chews or rawhides that have enzymes to help them be digested in the stomach may be good choices for your dog.

Mitchell Veterinary Services acknowledges that dogs like to chew and hopes to keep our canine friends healthy and happy.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a complex endocrine disorder where the body either does not secrete enough insulin or the body’s tissues become resistant to insulin. Insulin is required for cells to uptake glucose, which is required for energy. With diabetes, the body essentially goes into a starvation state since it is not able to use the energy (in the form of glucose) available to it.

What causes diabetes?

Diabetes comes in two forms. Type I diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin for the body to function. This can be caused by inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), immune disorders and inherited disorders. This is the type we commonly see in dogs.

Type II diabetes occurs when the pancreas is able to produce insulin, but the body becomes resistant to it. This occurs as a result of obesity/inappropriate diet and is the type we commonly see in cats.

What are the signs my pet may have diabetes?

There are many signs that can occur depending on the severity of the disease. These signs include but are not limited to:

• Increased drinking and urination
• Increased hunger
• Weight loss
• Urinary tract infections
• Cataracts (in dogs)
• Vomiting

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough history taking and physical exam which may make your pet highly suspicious for diabetes. However, diabetes can look like other issues such as thyroid and kidney disorders. So, your vet will likely need to perform bloodwork and a urinalysis. The key indicator of diabetes is very high glucose in the blood and glucose present in the urine.  The urinalysis will check for urinary tract infections as well (which are very common in diabetic animals).

How is diabetes treated?

Diabetes is treated with insulin. Insulin comes in many different types. The insulin type your veterinarian chooses will be specific to your pet. Insulin treatment requires regular glucose monitoring as well, which will also be discussed with you. This monitoring may be able to be performed at home. If your pet is a Type II diabetic, a diet change may also be required. While the idea of giving insulin injections may seem intimidating, most animals tolerate them surprisingly well.

What is the prognosis of diabetes?

With treatment, diabetic animals can live long, healthy and happy lives. Regular monitoring will decrease the risk of secondary complications such as hypoglycemia or urinary tract infections. Cats (when placed on a proper diet) can even go into remission and may be able to discontinue their insulin.

Without treatment, the prognosis is poor as the body is essentially starved of energy. This eventually causes an emergency medical condition called Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA requires hospitalization and intensive care, and some animals do not recover.

If you notice that your pet seems to be urinating or drinking more than usual, see your veterinarian right away. The sooner your pet is treated, the better your vet can control the diabetes.

Give our team at Mitchell Veterinary Services a call if you have any questions or concerns about your pet.

View these other articles for more information:

Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs – Testing and Monitoring

Diabetes Mellitus in Cats – Testing and Monitoring