Halloween is approaching! While it is a fun time for adults and children alike, Halloween can be very stressful for our furry friends. Here are some simple tips for keeping your pet safe and happy during this Halloween season.

• Keep your pet visible. If you plan on taking your dog trick-or-treating with you, make sure it is easily visible to cars and people when it is dark outside. You can do this by having your dog wear a reflective collar or vest.
• Keep chocolate and candy out of reach. Chocolate can be very toxic to dogs if eaten. Be sure that none of your treats are left in reach of your pet. Even candy can cause a severe upset stomach if enough is eaten by your pet.
• Use comfortable costumes for your pet. If you plan on dressing up your dog or cat, make sure it is comfortable in its costume. If it is really stressed out about wearing a costume, don’t force it to, as it may end up hurting itself trying to escape. Never leave your pet in a costume unsupervised and avoid costumes with loose and dangling parts that your pet may tear off and swallow.
• Have a safe place available. Constant doorbell ringing and visitors (especially visitors in costume) can be very scary and stressful for some pets. It is best to keep your pet in a crate or a quiet room away from where all the excitement is happening. Consider a Thundershirt® or speak with your veterinarian about medications if your pet is extremely stressed by these issues and might hurt itself. Your dog should be kept away from the door at all times to make sure it doesn’t run out or harm any of the trick-or-treaters.
• Keep your cat indoors. Your cat may not be used to the extra people and cars outside and this can present a danger if it gets scared of something. It may also be too fearful to come home if people are constantly coming up to the house. Furthermore, black cats are often subjected to cruel treatments around Halloween, so it is in their best interest to keep them inside.

We at Mitchell Veterinary Services hope that you and your furry friends have a fun and safe Halloween!

It’s summer! You may be thinking that a hot spot is a sunny locale or a place with a strong wireless signal for your cell phone, but did you know that it is also a sore spot on your dog’s skin? These can be a common problem in the hot, humid weather, so Mitchell Veterinary Services wants to make sure you know what to do if your dog has a hot spot!

What is a hot spot?

Canine hot spots are red, inflamed skin lesions also known as pyotraumatic dermatitis or acute moist dermatitis. These inflammatory skin lesions are exacerbated by scratching, can appear quickly and may contain pus. Hot spots can be found anywhere on a dog’s body, but the most common sites are head, legs, and hips. These painful, smelly sores may be very obvious or may be hidden beneath matted fur.

What causes a hot spot?

Hot spots are usually caused by self-trauma when a dog scratches an itchy spot so vigorously that he creates an open wound. Dogs scratch for many reasons, but here are some of the more common underlying causes of hot spots:

1. Allergies, including food allergies or inhalant allergies that cause itching.
2. Reactions to insect bites from fleas, mites or other small insects (bees, wasps, lice, gnats, etc)
3. Ear infections. Bacteria or yeast in the ear canal can be so irritating that the dog scratches at his ear creating hot spots on the ear flap, behind the ear, or on the neck.
4. Pyoderma. Primary skin infections also caused by bacteria or yeast may incite the dog to scratch an area so much that a secondary hot spot forms.
5. Poor grooming. Dogs with unkempt hair coats bite at tangles, creating open wounds. Matted fur prevents air from reaching the skin and retains water after a dog swims or gets caught in the rain so the skin stays wet. This sets up a perfect environment for a hot spot.
6. Orthopedic problems. Dogs with arthritis or back problems tend to lie down much of the time. Lying on one side creates abrasions over pressure points, like hips or hocks, where bony protrusions have little muscular padding, especially in elderly dogs with diminishing muscle mass. When the dog licks the abrasion, a hot spot erupts. Dogs also lick or chew at degenerating joints much like people rub a sore knee to relieve the pain, creating hot spots in the process.
7. Anal gland inflammation. Infected or impacted anal glands are painful and annoying. Dogs lick the area around the rectum and can cause hot spots under or on top of the tail.

How are hot spots treated?

The goal in treating a hot spot is to stop the trauma and prevent the development of a deep skin infection, so the first step in treating hot spots is to stop the self mutilation.  Some options include:

• An Elizabethan collar (also known as a “cone”) that stops the dog from chewing at the hot spot.
• Medication to reduce the itching which may or may not include steroids, antihistamines, and/or antibiotics.

Often, it takes a combination of all options to stop the trauma.

The underlying cause of the hot spot must also be addressed:

• If the hot spot formed as a result of impacted anal glands, they will need to be expressed.
• If the cause is flea allergy, a flea control protocol must begin and the flea problem in the household must be addressed also. The veterinarians at Mitchell Veterinary Services have multiple parasite prevention options and can discuss the best one for your individual situation.
• If arthritis is the culprit, our veterinarian may prescribe pain medications.
• For inhalant or food allergies, we can help you to begin avoidance or de-sensitization therapy and recommend a hypoallergenic food.
• For ear infections, the underlying yeast or bacteria will be treated.
• If poor grooming is the cause, Mitchell Veterinary Services has a groomer on staff that can help.

Clipping the hair away from the hot spot and the surrounding area is crucial to a successful treatment plan. The hot spot will heal much quicker if the hair is removed so that the lesion can dry properly. Grooming may be painful so the dog may need to be sedated.

How can hot spots be prevented?

Mitchell Veterinary Services recommends continued monitoring and treatment of the underlying cause to prevent future hot spots. Call us if you think your dog may have a hot spot. We’re here to help you and your dog make the most of this summer!

The nice weather is here and it’s a great time to take your dog to the dog park! Dogs (like people) need mental and physical exercise, and the dog park is a great place to get this. Dogs crave playful interaction with their peers. Going to the dog park will allow them to see, hear and smell new things as they exercise with other dogs. Active dogs (like active people) are healthier. Mitchell Veterinary Services wants to make sure you and your pup have a good time and stay safe at the dog park. So let’s take a trip to the park!

Here are a few simple tips for you and your dog to maximize the fun and to stay safe:

1. Before going to the park, make sure your dog’s vaccines are up to date. The dog park is an easy place for your dog to contract disease from another dog. No one can be sure if other dogs are vaccinated or sick when coming to the park, so it is best to make sure your dog is protected. Mitchell Veterinary Services recommends vaccination with the kennel cough vaccine in addition to the core vaccines if you plan to visit the dog park on a regular basis.
2. Avoid rush hour. Many dogs may fare better when the park isn’t crowded. Take your time to acquaint yourselves with the surroundings during a less busy time. It’s easier for both of you to focus without the distraction of lots of dogs and owners.
3. Obey the rules. Your dog may be smart, but he or she can’t read. It’s your responsibility to read and obey all posted rules. Especially obey the “clean up after your dog” rule. This helps decrease the risk of parasite transmission.
4. Watch your children or leave them at home. It’s great to have your children play with your dog, but sometimes it can be a safety concern with the interference of other dogs, especially if your dog is very protective. And even though your child and dog may get along wonderfully, not all dogs are well-socialized with kids. Just because a dog loves children it doesn’t mean that he won’t barrel right over a toddler while in the throes of a game of chase.
5. Limit toys and treats but not water. Don’t pack the entire toy box or pantry for a park excursion. It’s OK to give your dog a treat, but brandishing lots of toys and treats may create conflict with other park patrons. Bring bottled water and a collapsible water bowl if your dog park does not have a dog-friendly water fountain.
6. Wait before taking your puppy to the park. Pups under 4 months of age aren’t fully immunized and exposure to other dogs puts them at risk of infection. Small pups are more vulnerable to injury, even by well-intentioned larger dogs. And young pups aren’t adequately socialized and may not do well when bombarded by multiple new faces, human or canine. Socialize your pup gradually, vaccinate and de-worm him regularly, and let him grow a bit before venturing out to the park.
7. Control your dog. Bring a leash along to restrain your dog as needed. Make sure your dog knows basic verbal commands. He may get so excited to be around his friends that he temporarily forgets his manners.
8. Be aware of your dog’s physical condition. Don’t bring your dog to the park if he is sick. This isn’t good for your dog or his playmates.  No one wants to share sniffles, coughs or diarrhea. Also, it’s best to leave female dogs at home when they are in heat.
9. Supervise your dog (and everyone else’s). Spending time with your dog in the company of others is a joy. Avoid reading a magazine or playing games on your smart phone. You may get so distracted that you miss something really fun or really dangerous.
10. Protect your dog from getting parasites. With many dogs frequenting the park, it becomes a great place to pick up parasites like fleas or worms that other dogs may be carrying. Placing your dog on a regular parasite protection program helps minimize the risk of contracting these parasites. Some parasites may even be harmful to humans. Contact Mitchell Veterinary Services to put your dog on a parasite protection program to protect your dog and your family.

Going to the dog park can be an exciting outing for your dog and time for the two of you to bond. By following some simple, common sense rules you can ensure you, your dog and everyone else at the dog park has great fun in a safe and courteous way.

Nowadays with excellent nutrition and advances in preventative medicine, our cats and dogs are living longer than previous generations were. It is possible for cats to live into their twenties.

The adage that one human year is equivalent to 7 “dog” or “cat years” is only partially true. During the first 6 months of life, there are dramatic changes in a puppy and kitten.  They experience huge growth spurts and transform from cute cuddly little fluff balls into lanky teenagers.  Their eyes and ears open at approximately 10-14 days.  Puppies and kittens start to eat solid (softened) food at 4 weeks and they stop nursing from their mother around 6 weeks (although time for weaning varies a lot with the circumstances!).  A lab puppy will double in weight between 8 and 12 weeks of age.  Our pet goes through the baby, toddler and teen stages in literally weeks.  Get your camera out because you will forget they were ever that small!

Dogs and cats become sexually mature at approximately 6 months of age, at which time they can reproduce and are roughly 60% of their adult size. They will continue to grow and the bones in their limbs lengthen until their growth plates close at around 12 months of age.  Cats and small and medium-breed dogs are adults and done growing at approximately one year of age.  Large breed dogs and giant-breed dogs (such as Bernese Mountain dogs) continue to grow until 1.5-2 years of age, as their growth plates close later.  Knowing there are such dramatic differences in growth between breeds and life stages, it is not surprising that individual animals have very different nutrition needs.

Up until 8 years of age, cats and dogs are in their prime or considered “mature”, then become classified as seniors. At 12 years of age and up, cats and dogs are considered geriatric.  As a general rule, smaller-breed dogs are longer lived than their larger-breed counterparts.  Below is a list of average life expectancies for several dog breeds, which highlights their wide range of ages.  Mixed-breed cats and dogs often are longer-lived than their purebred counterparts because they have a broader gene pool with less risk of inherited disease.  The average lifespan for a spayed or neutered housecat is 15 years; this can also vary by breed.

Reference: Dog Longevity, Dr. Kelly M. Cassidy

The lifespan of the average cat and dog can be extended through proper breeding, routine health exams, spaying/neutering, preventative medicine and good nutrition. Many animals will have lifespans that are shorter or longer than the “average”.  However, information about an animal’s expected lifespan can be used to help plan how to best care for a pet during the time that it is with us.

Ask one of our team members at Mitchell Veterinary Services about the routine preventative care for your pet.

Usually during the spring and the fall, we see an increase in the number of dogs that come into Mitchell Veterinary Services for itchiness. Just like people, many dogs have seasonal allergies.  If your dog’s itchiness seems to be worse at certain times of the year instead of others, then you may have a dog that has environmental allergies.  This is a diagnosis that can be difficult to obtain as the other possible causes of itchiness need to be ruled out first.

Fleas or other insects could be making your dog itchy. It is important to have your pet on a reliable product for flea control.  Many dogs and cats are actually allergic to flea bites.  Even if you don’t see fleas on your pet, it doesn’t mean they aren’t there.  Dogs with allergies benefit from year-round flea prevention.  To learn more about fleas, check out our article: Summer is Almost Here in Perth County! Mitchell Veterinary Services Gives a Flea Update.  Your vet will also check for other parasitic insects, such as sarcoptic mange mites and demodex mites.

Food allergies are another common cause of itchiness in dogs. The only effective way to test for a food allergy is to put a dog on a strict hypoallergenic diet and see if the symptoms go away.  During a food allergy trial, your pet cannot have any food or flavourings for several months other than what is prescribed by the veterinarian.  We will discuss food allergies further in a future article.

Dogs that are itchy from allergies may scratch or chew excessively and weaken their skin’s natural defenses. This leads to secondary skin infections from yeast or bacteria that are in themselves itchy.  Depending on the severity, skin infections can be treated with oral or topical anti-fungals and antibiotics.

Environmental allergies are known as atopy (or atopic dermatitis). An animal with seasonal allergies reacts excessively to allergens on the skin or inhaled from its environment – such as pollen, grasses, dust and mold.  A dog that reacts to allergens becomes itchy; especially at the feet, groin, armpits and belly.  Less commonly, dogs may have sneezing and watery eyes, similar to people with “hay fever” symptoms.

Environmental allergies cannot be cured, so symptoms need to be controlled lifelong when they flare up with the seasons. Treatment of individual dogs usually includes multiple therapies to maximize their effect.  Therapies include anti-itch medications – such as antihistamines, steroids and immune-modifying drugs.  Usually a combination of topical products and oral medications are implemented.  Topical therapies, such as shampoos, are usually aimed at improving the skin’s natural barrier and reducing the amount of allergens that come in contact with the pet.

Allergy testing can also be performed. This involves testing the skin or a blood sample to determine exactly which allergens trigger an allergic response.  A “vaccine” can then be made of very small doses of those allergens to diminish the pet’s reaction over time (this process is called desensitization).

Having an itchy dog can compromise your relationship with it if it is keeping you up at night with scratching and licking noises. There are many anti-allergy medications to help manage its symptoms.  Pinpointing the underlying cause that a patient is itching with your veterinarian can allow therapies to be tailored to your pet’s needs.

If you have any questions or concerns about your pet, talk to one of our veterinary team members.

You may also want to read: Allergies in Dogs & Cats

What a beauty of a weekend we have lined up weather-wise! Just as we aren’t quite used to the hotter temperatures and need to grab our sunblock and shades, our pets also need to be protected from the elements.  If you were wearing a thick fur coat outside in the sun, you would be sweating in a few minutes.  Unlike us, our cats and dogs lack the ability to perspire to cool themselves with the exception of sweat glands on their paw pads.

Panting is the main mechanism that a dog uses to keep cool – its open mouth allows moisture on the tongue to evaporate. The heavy breathing can also help to evaporate moisture from the larger surface area of the lungs.  Cats have this ability as well.

Pets also cool themselves by dilating their blood vessels to dissipate heat away. This mechanism works to dispel heat after exercise and does not work well in hot temperatures.

Fur acts as insulation – it protects the body from the outside environment, both to keep the cold out in the winter and keep the heat out in the summer. However, in hot environments, once the heat does get in to the body, fur acts as a barrier that slows the ability of the heat to radiate away.  Ask a veterinarian whether having your pet’s fur clipped is right for it.  Certain breeds, such as Siberian Huskies, Pomeranians and Shetland Sheepdogs are double-coated and shaving their coats may actually make them more susceptible to sunburn.  Pets that are sunburned are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer, especially if they have light-coloured skin and fur.  Exposed skin areas, such as the tips of the ears and nose, are at increased risk of sunburn.  Ask your vet for sunblock suggestions for your pet.

Structure of the coat on a double coated dog (Image created by Brook Wilkins)

Heat stroke happens to a pet when its body cannot get rid of heat fast enough. Check out our blog article that discusses tips to prevent it from happening to your pet.

It is super important that your pet has access to fresh water to drink. This will hopefully limit it’s consumption of water from stagnant puddles and other contaminated sources.  You could also try misting your dog’s coat with water in a spray bottle.  The moisture will evaporate and help to cool it.

Find some nice shade for your pets to enjoy our beautiful Ontario summer. Mitchell Veterinary Services wishes you a fun cool summer.

Recommended read: Keeping your pet safe in hot weather

What are ticks?

Ticks are external parasites from the same family as spiders. Ticks feed on blood from hosts including small wildlife, dogs, cats and humans.  Female ticks require a blood meal to complete their life cycle. One female tick lays 4000-8000 eggs! Ticks start as eggs laid in the summer, emerge as larvae in the fall, molt into nymphs in the winter and end up as adults in the spring.  The infant stage of a tick can be quite small and missed even with keen observation.  An adult tick is the size of a sesame seed and once it is engorged with blood can become the size of a pencil eraser.  The engorged part of the tick can have variable colours.

When are ticks a problem?

Ticks are active in temperatures over 4C. There are two “blooms” in the tick population each year, occurring in the early spring and late fall. Tick bites will be most common during these times.  Tick bites are usually not painful, but cause irritation (reddening) of the skin and minor swelling.  Even after the tick has been removed (or falls off), swelling and/or redness in the area of the bite can last for a few weeks.

Where are ticks?

The brown dog tick is unique as it can live inside homes or dog kennels. Kennels in Toronto have reported infestations.

Deer ticks infected with Lyme bacteria are well documented throughout southern Ontario. Deer ticks are found in wooded areas, along the side of trails, playgrounds and grassy areas in urban areas.

Risky Lyme areas:

• around Kingston/Belleville
• along the Saint Lawrence valley to the border of Quebec that extend north east towards Ottawa
• in western Ontario in the region of Lake of the Woods
• Pinery Provincial Park on the shore of Lake Huron (Grand Bend)
• Rouge Valley region of eastern Toronto

High risk Lyme areas:

• Pointe-Pelee National Park
• Rondeau Provincial Park
• Turkey Point Provincial Park
• Long Point peninsula including Long Point Provincial Park and the National Wildlife area
• Wainfleet Bog near Welland on the Niagara peninsula
• Prince Edward Point
• parts of the Thousand Islands National Park

Deer tick populations are expanding and it is possible that Lyme disease can be acquired outside the currently identified areas.

A deer tick bites a human or dog and transmits Lyme bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) through its saliva.  Lyme positive dogs may be asymptomatic, but a subset can become ill and require treatment. In early stages (4-6 weeks after a bite) symptoms can include fever, decreased energy, swollen lymph nodes, decrease of appetite and limping.  The treatment for dogs that get sick is a course of antibiotics.  In certain dogs (if left untreated) the immune system is constantly active, creating antibodies, which can lead to irreversible kidney damage.  Symptoms of Lyme disease in a person are different from those in dogs.

It is best to prevent tick bites through avoidance or removing ticks right away before they have time to transmit disease. You can keep your pet on a trimmed lawn and on-leash when in the woods.  It is recommended to look for ticks by combing through your pet’s fur when it comes back from playing in wooded areas or areas with long grass.  A tick can be removed at home with tweezers or by a technician at our clinic.  There are several topical veterinary products that kill and repel ticks.  For dogs traveling to a high risk region for Lyme, vaccinating dogs is also an option.  Mitchell Veterinary Services recommends yearly heartworm and Lyme testing to screen for exposure to infected mosquitoes and infected deer ticks respectively. Tick prevention is safe to use even in the event that a dog is Lyme positive.

1. Crowds can be stressful for your pet – If you are hosting Easter festivities in your home, consider crating your dog and keeping your cat in a bedroom to minimize their stress level.  Feed your pet and play with them before company comes.  If your pet isn’t accustomed to children, a busy dinner gathering is not the suitable time to introduce it.
2. Don’t forget where you’ve hidden the Easter eggs! – Plastic (or real) eggs could be ingested by your dog and lead to intestinal upset.  Stuffed toys, balloons and small plastic objects (including artificial grass in Easter baskets) are potential hazards to a pet that views them as its personal chew toys.
3. Keep candy and chocolate out of your pet’s reach – Chocolate is poisonous to dogs and cats.  Candies with sugar-free sweetener (known as xylitol) is also toxic.  Excessive amounts of sugar or caffeine in any candy can be dangerous to your pet.
4. Do not bring Easter lilies into a house with cats – Even in very small quantities, this plant is extremely toxic to kitties.  Consider the safety of your pets before bringing potted plants or cut flowers into your home.
5. Human food is for humans only – Many cats and dogs develop serious tummy trouble, such as vomiting and diarrhea, from eating fatty table scraps.  Uncooked dough and salted ham can both be toxic to your pet.  Bones should be carefully wrapped up and disposed of to prevent your pet from getting into them.  Alcohol can make animals quite sick as well.  Your guests may not know that Fluffy shouldn’t be offered table food.
6. Baby bunnies, chicks and ducklings may seem like the perfect Easter pet, but these babies will grow into large adult animals that require full-time care for a number of years.  Before adopting a pet, it is important to research that animal’s needs and its average lifespan.  Having a rabbit can be a 10 year commitment.

Your pets depend on you to keep their environment safe. Taking a few extra steps can keep your pets safe and happy during the Easter holidays.

Aging pets experience changes in the brain that can manifest as signs of senility (also known as cognitive dysfunction).  Canine and feline cognitive dysfunction is likened to Alzheimer’s or dementia in people.  Cognitive dysfunction is associated with decreased levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine.  Age is also associated with smaller brain size, the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques on the brain and decreased blood flow to the brain.

Pets with cognitive dysfunction may have behavior changes that progress so gradually that you may not realize that they are occurring.

Signs of cognitive dysfunction include:

• Disorientation/confusion (getting lost in their home)
• Wandering, staring or pacing
• Getting stuck in a corner
• Dogs barking or cats crying at nothing
• Anxiety and restlessness or irritability
• Loss of house-training (having accidents in the house)
• Forgetting commands
• Dogs drooling or licking obsessively
• Changes in sleeping cycles (waking up in the middle of the night or sleeping unusually deeply during  the day)
• Changes in social interactions (increased attention-seeking, becoming more aloof or aggressive)

These behaviours can be compounded by the fact that some senior pets also have a decrease in hearing and vision. They may also seem grumpy or reluctant to interact with their family if they have other medical conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes or kidney disease.  Other diseases should be ruled out or treated if they are present.

The surprising thing about cognitive dysfunction is that we have some capacity to improve its symptoms and slow down its progression. Therapies include:

1)      Senior supplements or diets that contain anti-oxidants and vitamin complexes

•   S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe)

2)      Nutraceuticals for anxiety

3)      Environmental enrichment

• Grooming and touch
• New toys, interaction and games for mental stimulation
• All the while providing routine to your pet

4)      Behaviour modification medication

•  Selegiline

Teaching an old dog new tricks is actually a good idea to maintain your pet’s cognitive function. Wellness exams are recommended every 6 months to catch health problems early.  Ask your veterinarian whether there are some tools that you could be using to improve your senior’s mental wellbeing.

Suggested Reading

Top Ten Reasons why Senior Pets Need Extra TLC