Small Animal

Grapes, raisins and currants can cause acute kidney failure in dogs.  Unfortunately, the toxic compound within these fruits has not yet been identified.  For this reason, it is important to avoid feeding the juice, the skin and the flesh of these fruits to your dog.  Mitchell Veterinary Services advises keeping grape juice, baked goods, granola mixes and cereals with raisins/currants out of your dog’s reach.  If your dog lives on a property with grape vines, it should not eat dried grapes off the plant!

More bad news – the amount of these fruits that need to be ingested to make a dog sick is currently unknown.  Dogs are more likely to become poisoned if they ingest a bowlful of grapes, raisins or currants, but some dogs are highly sensitive and develop symptoms of poisoning after eating only a few bites.

What are the signs of grape, raisin and currant toxicity? 

The following symptoms typically occur as early as 24 hours after exposure:

–          Decreased appetite
–          Decreased energy
–          Vomiting
–          Diarrhea
–          Dehydration
–          Increased or abnormal drinking and urination

Treatment if your dog eats grapes/raisins/currants:

Kidneys do not have much regenerative capacity, so aggressive therapy may be warranted.

1)      Call your veterinarian as soon as possible if you suspect that your pet has eaten these fruits
2)      At the vet clinic, your dog will undergo decontamination – it will be made to vomit and then be given activated charcoal to prevent toxin absorption
3)      Hospitalization and intravenous fluid therapy
4)      Supportive care – medication to control symptoms
5)      Bloodwork and urinalysis to assess and monitor kidney function

Interesting fact: Unlike in the human world, kidney dialysis is currently available only at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph and is extremely expensive.

There have been some reports of cats getting sick from grape/raisin/currant ingestion.  To be on the safe side, do not allow your cats to eat these fruits either.

You can save your pet’s life by keeping grapes, raisins and currants out of its reach.  Call your veterinarian as soon as possible if you suspect that your pet ingested these fruits.

Picture that you have just adopted your first puppy and are already very attached to it and then it develops severe bloody diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration.

Like measles in the human population, parvovirus is contagious and cases are found in unvaccinated dogs.  The virus is shed in infected dog’s feces and then ends up in the environment.  Puppies may have some degree of protection through their maternal immunity when they are young, but they will need to receive a series of parvovirus vaccinations to ensure their own body will have lasting antibodies.

Parvovirus incubates in a puppy for 3 to 7 days before any symptoms are seen.  The virus seeks rapidly replicating cells.  It invades the lymph nodes, then the bone marrow and intestinal cells.  White blood cells develop in the marrow, so many of them are killed.  White blood cells provide the body with protection against invading organisms; a decreased white blood cell count puts an animal at increased risk for infection.  The intestinal cells are destroyed, severely restricting the gut’s ability to absorb nutrients and fluids.  Diarrhea and vomiting lead to extreme fluid loss, electrolyte imbalances and dehydration until the puppy’s body goes into shock.  The intestinal cells normally provide a gut barrier, preventing digestive bacteria from entering the bloodstream.  Loss of the intestinal barrier allows bacterial invasion of the whole body, leading to sepsis.  Shock and sepsis can cause death.

Treatment of parvovirus is expensive – generally requiring multiple days of around the clock hospitalization in isolation from other dogs.  Intravenous fluids are crucial to prevent extreme dehydration, as are intravenous antibiotics.  In some situations, the blood protein level drops so low that a plasma transfusion is recommended.  Oral antibiotics are not effective because they are not properly absorbed by the damaged gut.  Affected puppies are very nauseated and anti-nausea medication is administered to them.  Some medications that protect the gut can be given by mouth.  The risk of mortality is much greater in patients that are not receiving intensive care in clinic.

Parvovirus can be diagnosed at our clinic by sampling a small amount of diarrhea.  Intestinal parasites can also be screened for at the same time.

Parvovirus is present in every environment unless routine disinfection is used.  We recommend not allowing your puppy to interact with dogs with an unknown vaccine status and waiting until your puppy has had its complete series of vaccines before visiting public outdoor areas.  If you have had a parvo-positive puppy, please contact your veterinarian to determine how decontamination of a household is best performed.  Parvovirus is not killed by freezing outside.

This is a preventable disease and proper vaccination can avoid the heartbreak of an extremely sick puppy.  Mitchell Veterinary Services recommends that ALL puppies be vaccinated for parvovirus, regardless of their lifestyle or exposure to other dogs.

Did you know during the months of March through May, there is an International Dog Bite Prevention Challenge? Here at Mitchell Veterinary Services, we believe that dogs can greatly enhance the life of children and therefore, we are staunch promoters of safe interactions between dogs and children. The following is information to prevent dog bites from happening.

Why do dogs bite?

There are many reasons why dogs can bite children including (but not limited to) the following:

• Fear/anxiety.
• Pain (injury, arthritis, illness, etc). This can also apply to a child pulling a dog’s hair/tail/ears.
• Protecting a resource (food, toys, resting spot, puppies, etc).
• Protecting his owner or property.
• The child invaded the dog’s space and made him uncomfortable (hugging, laying on him, stepping over him, staring directly into his eyes, etc).
• The dog has a high prey drive or is a herding breed who has an instinct to chase running animals and nip to herd them.
• The dog has reached the end of his tolerance with the situation.

When and why do dogs bite without warning?

Dogs ALWAYS show warning signs that they may bite. Dogs never bite “out of the blue”. Biting is always a result of too much stress placed on the dog in that situation. Unfortunately, most people cannot recognize these subtle signs and place children and dogs into positions where biting occurs.

What are the warning signs?

• The dog is actively avoiding/walking/leaning away from the child.
• Yawning.
• Holding its tail low or up very high, even if wagging.
• Licking its lips.
• The dog is giving a pleading look or you can see the whites of his eyes in a half moon shape.

Note the warning signs this dog is showing: leaning away, half-moon eyes, pleading look to owners to stop the situation. Without intervention, this dog may bite the baby since the dog is clearly uncomfortable.

How do we prevent dog bites from happening?

• Always supervise children’s interactions with dogs. With infants, a hand should be kept on the dog at all times. Toddlers should always be kept within arm’s reach when interacting with dogs. With children, an adult should be in the same room as them when there is a dog around.
• Watch your dog’s body language. If your dog is showing any of the signs listed above, stop the interaction immediately.
• Have a safe spot for your dog where it can go if it wants to get away from the children, such as a crate or separate room.
• Ask your veterinarian or other animal professionals what breed of dog may be most appropriate for your family and lifestyle.
• Teach your children the following important rules for being around dogs:

–  Be gentle with dogs and do not pull their tail, ears or fur.
–  Do not run or scream when around dogs. Never run when a dog approaches but stay calm and quiet.
–  Never hug or step over a dog. Respect a dog’s personal space. Never stare into its eyes.
–  Never sneak up on or surprise a dog.
–  Never approach or pet an unknown dog. If a dog walks away from you, leave it alone.
–  Do not approach a dog that is eating, chewing on a bone or toy, sleeping, or has puppies.
–  Pet a dog under his chin or on his back. Do not reach over his head.
–  Always ask the owner before petting a dog.

Any and all dogs, no matter the age, sex, breed or experience with children, have the potential to bite. The majority of children who are bitten are bitten by a dog they know. Unfortunately, in these cases, most of the bites occur around the face and neck since those are often the closest parts of the body to the dog. This can cause lifelong scarring and emotional trauma to the child.

The best ways to prevent dog bites from happening are to teach children how to act around dogs and to always watch for signs your dog is stressed. Even the most tolerant of dogs can reach the end of its rope and bite as a way to stop a child from performing the unwanted behaviour. In the cases we hear of most, the bite was “out of nowhere”; when in fact, there were likely many signs the dog was showing before it bit. Adults should also know the signs and intervene. Dogs should not be expected to “tolerate” behaviours that are very stressful for them.

For more information on how to keep children safe around all dogs, visit the Doggone Safe Website: http://www.doggonesafe.com/

Also read our blog on: Considering Your Pet When Welcoming a New Baby

A regular sneeze is when dogs and cats forcefully expel air from their noses to blow out mucus or other irritants. A reverse sneeze, on the other hand, is a forceful inhalation when a pet sucks air into its pharynx and windpipe. The pharynx is the part of the anatomy that houses the tonsils, soft palate and tongue. The soft palate spasms during a reverse sneeze, which makes a loud noise that can sound like choking. Often, owners will panic because they don’t think their pet can breathe.

Image from www.merckmanuals.com

Reverse sneezing can be set off by allergies, excitement, irritants such as dust, drinking, eating quickly or anything else that has caused the back of the throat to swell. Certain breeds with flat faces, such as pugs or bulldogs, have extra tissue in their pharynx region and seem very susceptible to reverse sneezing as they can irritate their soft palate while inhaling. Small breed dogs, such as Yorkies, also seem to be more susceptible.

The good news is that reverse sneezing is rarely a condition that requires treatment. If you suspect that an irritant in the house has caused your pet to have reverse sneezing, getting it outside may clear its airway. Most times, it is temporary and the episode will stop on its own. However, if your pet experiences more than the occasional episode of reverse sneezing, it should be examined by a veterinarian.

Reverse sneezing can sound horrendous, like something is stuck in the dog or cat’s mouth or nose. If you think that your pet is having trouble breathing, call a veterinarian immediately. Mitchell Veterinary Services routinely gets emergency calls that are simply reverse sneezing, but if in doubt, have your pet assessed.

Watch videos below of a reverse sneeze for a cat and dog

For many years, cat owners and veterinarians alike have accepted chronic vomiting in cats as a normal behaviour. Recent research has shown us that chronic vomiting is actually not normal and can be a sign that there is an underlying issue. Almost all chronic vomiting cats in a recent study were diagnosed with either inflammatory bowel disease or lymphoma through biopsy, both of which can be treated. If any of the following statements apply to your cat, you should speak with your veterinarian.

My cat occasionally vomits hairballs.

If your cat vomits hairballs more than twice monthly, it is not normal. Since cats are avid groomers, their digestive tract should be able to handle their own hair. If it is regularly vomiting up hairballs, this could be a sign something is wrong with its digestive tract.

My cat only vomits when she eats too fast and will vomit up entire kibbles to show this.

Cats, as obligate carnivores, normally do not chew their food. Therefore, it is normal for them to swallow kibble whole and is not a sign that they have eaten too quickly. If your cat is vomiting up food, it is also a sign that something may be wrong with its digestive tract.

My cat has always been a “vomiter”.

While this may be true, it is more of a sign that your cat has been dealing with a long term issue such as inflammatory bowel disease, rather than being normal for your cat.

My cat is a chronic vomiter, what should I do?

The first most important step would be to take your cat to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam to see if there is anything abnormal that could be causing the vomiting. Next your vet may want to perform bloodwork or x-rays to rule out issues that can cause chronic vomiting such as liver, kidney or thyroid disease. Further diagnostic tests may be required such as ultrasound and biopsy.

How is chronic vomiting in cats treated?

Chronic vomiting is treated based on the cause. For example, with inflammatory bowel disease, treatment may include a change to a special hypoallergenic diet, probiotics and sometimes medications such as steroids.

Is treatment successful?

With treatment, most cats can do really well and significantly decrease the frequency of vomiting episodes. The sooner it is addressed, the better off your cat will be as any inflammation in the gut can increase the chance that cancer may develop in those areas.

Contact our team at Mitchell Veterinary Services if you have any questions or concerns about your cat.

Many pet owners don’t realize how important a healthy mouth is to their pet’s overall health. An unhealthy mouth can affect the way major organs function, including the liver, kidneys and even the heart. Simply put, cats and dogs with clean teeth tend to live longer. Mitchell Veterinary Services offers insight on the basics of dental disease in pets and what you can do to prevent it.

How common is dental disease in pets?

Unfortunately, dental disease is a very common problem for pets. By the time they celebrate their third birthday, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have some form of dental disease. The good news is, your pet doesn’t have to be one of these statistics — with a little extra effort you can prevent many common pet dental problems.

Bad breath may be the first sign of a dental problem. So what causes bad breath?

When it comes to bad breath, (ours or our pets) you can blame bacteria. Bacteria are normal inhabitants of the mouth and they cling to the teeth forming an invisible film called plaque. Even though you can’t see the plaque, you can definitely smell it. While doggie breath may not be particularly sweet, it should not be noxious or foul smelling. If your pet’s breath has a really bad odor, something is wrong. Bad breath is often the first indication of dental problems and one that pet owners notice right away.

All pets and people develop plaque on their teeth, but some of the plaque is removed by daily activity. When the dog eats crunchy foods, some of the plaque is removed from the flat chewing surface of the teeth. As the dog moves his tongue around inside his mouth, more plaque is removed from the inner surfaces of the teeth. Your pet can take reasonable care of the chewing surfaces and inner surfaces of the teeth, but they usually can’t keep the outer surface of their teeth clean. Have you ever seen a dog or cat lick the outer surface of his teeth?  To remove this plaque buildup, pet owners need to get involved in their pet’s dental care.

What can pet owners do for their pet’s dental health?

First of all, pet owners can brush their pet’s teeth with specially formulated toothpaste. People who brush their pet’s teeth need to remember this: Only use pet approved toothpaste that contains enzymes to break down the plaque. This toothpaste is made to be swallowed and won’t upset the stomach like human toothpaste can. Plus, it’s flavored so pets don’t mind brushing so much. Brushing your dog’s teeth 2 or 3 times a week will reduce the accumulation of plaque and the associated odor.

In addition to tooth brushing, you can add an anti-bacterial supplement to the water bowl. These additives reduce bad breath by decreasing the number of oral bacteria the same way human mouthwashes do. Like pet toothpaste, this product is meant to be swallowed. Start by adding just a few drops to the water bowl and gradually increase to the prescribed amount to help your pet adjust to it. Plaque-fighting water additives are really useful when pets object to tooth brushing.

There are also many varieties of dental chews available that help reduce plaque. Some work by an abrasive mechanical action and rub the plaque off as the pet chews the treat. Others include a chemical called chlorhexiderm that acts as a disinfectant much like the water additive.

What happens if plaque builds up?

If plaque is not removed, it not only causes bad breath but as it thickens and turns into tartar. Plaque may be invisible, but tartar is not. You can see tartar as the brownish-yellow substance that accumulates on the surface of teeth. Tartar tends to appear on molars (the teeth in the back of the mouth that are used for chewing). Since few pet owners raise their dog’s lips to view these teeth, tartar often goes unnoticed until it affects more visible teeth like the canine teeth or the incisors. Even though you can see tartar on tooth surfaces, what you can’t see is the accumulation beneath the gum line which causes an inflammation of the gums called gingivitis.

What is gingivitis?

The presence of tartar usually indicates the onset of gingivitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by the bacteria that surround the gum line. Gingivitis results in red, swollen, painful gums.

When left untreated, gingivitis can result in a more serious form of dental disease called periodontal disease. This advanced stage of dental disease occurs as bacteria erode the connective tissues that hold teeth in place. Both soft tissue and bone can become so deteriorated that teeth become loose in their sockets. Dogs with periodontal disease lose their teeth earlier than normal and are often in pain.

How does oral disease affect other parts of the body?

Sometimes periodontal disease becomes so severe that the bacteria in the mouth erode the barrier between the nose and respiratory passages resulting in an oro-nasal fistula (hole in the hard palate connecting the nose and mouth). Bacteria are then free to invade the nasal passages and/or sinuses causing respiratory infections which require medical intervention. Inhalation pneumonia can also result from food literally being breathed into the lungs.

In addition to respiratory problems, the bacteria in the mouth can cause trouble in other organs as they travel beyond the respiratory passages. Bacteria can enter the blood stream through the small blood vessels in the mouth and circulate throughout the entire body. Blood-borne bacteria can affect major organs, such as the kidneys and liver, and bacterial accumulation on heart valves can cause a heart condition known as endocarditis.

What is dental prophylaxis?

During a dental cleaning at a full service clinic such as Mitchell Veterinary Services, your pet is anesthetized to prevent it from wiggling around, control its pain and protect its lungs respiratory system from inhaling bacteria.  A registered veterinary technician or veterinarian will probe the gum pocket to check for deep pockets that indicate disease around the tooth.  If the pockets are small, scaling the teeth clean may be adequate therapy; but in more advanced cases surgical extraction is warranted.  Root canals and complicated orthodontic cases are performed by a veterinary dental specialist on a referral basis.  Teeth are polished and fluoride is applied.  When the pet wakes up, it may have to eat softened food for several days, as the gums are tender.  If teeth were extracted, the pet is sent home with pain medication.  Home dental care and strategies to prevent dental disease are discussed during a post-operative visit.

It’s never too late to make the decision to control dental disease in your pets.  Mitchell Veterinary Services encourages you to ask us about dental cleanings for your cat or dog in order to maximize a healthy, pain-free life for your pet.

Myth 1: You can tell if a cat is sick based on whether its nose is dry.

False: There is no correlation between the moisture of your pet’s nose and whether it is ill. That being said, a cat that is sick may not groom itself and keep its nose clean. Nasal discharge can be a sign of sickness.

Myth 2: Cats need to drink milk.

False: Although cats may enjoy drinking cow’s milk, it is not a balanced source of nutrients for them. Nursing kittens will not thrive on other species’ milk and they require cat milk replacer if they need to be bottle-fed. Adult cats may enjoy a bit of milk as a treat but it might cause an upset stomach for some, in which case it is best avoided.

Myth 3: Cats that are well-fed don’t hunt.

False: All kitten and cats (even those that have never lived outside) have a strong drive to stalk, chase and pounce and bite small fast moving objects. Unfortunately, even when a bell is placed on the collar of a cat that goes outside, birds do not recognize the sound of the bell as a threat. Consider keeping your cat indoors to prevent it from killing small mammals, amphibians and birds. Indoor cats love being able to watch birds and squirrels through a window for entertainment.

Myth 4: Cats are like small dogs (and can have the same food and medication as dogs).

False: Unlike humans and dogs, cats must have animal protein and cannot survive on a vegetarian diet. Cats are strict carnivores and require amino acids such as arginine and taurine, which are best supplied from meat. In addition, cats have a different ability to metabolize drugs from other species. Tylenol is fatal to cats at very low doses because they lack the enzyme needed to metabolize it. Likewise, a topical flea product for dogs can be poisonous if applied to a cat.

Myth 5: Cats purr when they are content.

False: Cats purr for a variety of reasons. It is a communication tool often used to convey friendship – for example, kittens will purr while they are nursing, as will the mother cat. However, cats may also purr while giving birth or when injured – times when they are stressed and looking for friendship.

Cats have evolved as both a prey and predator species and are unique in many ways. It is precisely this uniqueness that makes them delightful companions. Mitchell Veterinary Services celebrates feline friends and is dedicated to accommodating their specific needs.

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.