Ponsonby Tails - June 2005

In this issue:-

• New Arthritis Diet for Dogs
• Avoiding Common Accidents With Your Cat
• Cat Behaviour- The House-Soiling Cat
• Common Household Poisons - Part 4
• In loving memory

Welcome to June's Ponsonby Tails. Whilst Oliver is busy studying for his exams, I have been given the opportunity to write this months' newsletter. Since arriving here I have been bowled over by the welcome I've received from the team here at PVC. In particular I would really like to thank Melinda, Kelly & Courtney for their help and patience during my 'settling in' period. I feel very lucky to be working with such a fantastic team of nurses. 

 We recently attended a seminar on the importance of pheromones in dogs and cats. Pheromones are released from the scent glands and communicate a great deal of information to other animals of the same species. Some of the 'calming' pheromones are now able to be synthetically manufactured in two products called Feliway (for cats) and DAP (for dogs) and can have major benefits in helping to treat certain behaviour problems and can be used to help dogs and cats during stressful periods such as moving house, introducing new pets into the household, visits to the vets (!), pet to pet aggression etc.

For those of you who use our cattery, you may like to know that we are now using Feliway in the cattery to promote a feeling of 'well-being' amongst our guests, to make your cats' stay an enjoyable experience rather than a potentially stressful one.

There is more information on Feliway in our article concerning feline house-soiling. If you require further information about either Feliway or DAP, please give us a call.

Oliver has been asked to contribute a couple of articles to "Pet New Zealand" magazine the first of which will appear in the upcoming issue (a rewriting of a previous newsletter article). Oliver has also written a new article for the following edition and this has also been reproduced for the benefit of our clients in this newsletter. It follows on nicely from the previous articles on common household poisons and we hope you find it helpful and informative. At this time of year the rodents are often being driven indoors by the weather and this means we are putting more bait down this poisoning is covered in detail.

I hope you enjoy this newsletter and find it useful. If you do have any comments, questions you would like answered or topics you would like to see an article on please don't hesitate to e-mail us on barking.cat@petvet.co.nz . 

Jane Craker VN

Repeat Prescriptions

Please allow 24 hours notice for all repeat prescriptions. This gives us time to check the prescription with the vet and ensure the relevant drugs are in stock. All animals under our care who are on repeat medications need by law to be seen by a vet at least every six months At PVC we prefer to see your pet every 3 months. We feel this is in your pet's best interests so that his/her health can be monitored and therapy adjusted if necessary.

New Arthritis Diet Launched

Hills Pet Nutrition have introduced new j/d to their range of prescription diets. J/d contains high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, which have a natural anti-inflammatory effect inside and around the joint. During arthritis, the'shock absorber' of the joint, the cartilage, is destroyed by enzymes. J/d diet helps to prevent this damage, thus slowing the progression of the disease. Weight gain is also undesirable in dogs with arthritis as the excess weight puts further strain on the damaged joints, so the calorie content in j/d is controlled. J/d can significantly reduce the amount of anti-inflammatory drugs usually needed to control arthritis and is more cost effective than adding 'joint-health' supplements.

Studies have shown a reduction in pain and better mobility after just 21 days. If you have a dog who is currently receiving arthritis medication, or if your dog is showing signs of early arthritis such as:

• Stiffness & difficulty rising.
• Reduced playfulness
• Difficulty climbing stairs or jumping into the car
• Slowing up on walks
• Limping or stiff gait

Give us a call to find out if j/d can help make a difference to your dog's quality of life.

Avoiding Common Accidents With Your Cat

Two of the most common injuries seen in cats are the road traffic accident and cat fight abscesses,both of which you see at the vet clinic unavoidably. Since I have worked in the vet clinic the majority of these cases have happened at night.

The only preventative action we can take to keep our cats safe (including my own) is to keep our cats inside at night.

Our misgivings come about because cats are nocturnal creatures and we feel they should be able to go out at night. However, most cats will adapt to a new regime given time. If you do wish to keep your cat in at night make sure you provide a litter tray and then allow your cat out in the morning. This is the best way to reduce the possibility of your cat coming home badly injured.

If your cat just wont accept being locked in at night and wont let you get a wink of sleep because of it, fit your cat with a reflective collar and tag. These will alert car drivers to your cats presence.

Courtney Simons DVN

Cat Behaviour - The House-Soiling Cat

Since arriving at PVC I've noticed a fairly high incidence of house-soiling cats. This may be due to the fact that there is a higher percentage of pedigree cats per household here than in the UK and house-soiling tends to be more common amongst certain breeds.

Firstly, there are medical reasons why your cat may suddenly start to urinate or defaecate in the house, for example cystitis, spinal or joint pain & bowel disease, so it is important your cat has a thorough health-check to rule out these possibilities.

There is also a difference between inappropriate toileting (a breakdown in house-training) and  the house-soiling involved in marking behaviour. During inappropriate toileting, the cat will often not use the litter tray at all, preferring to toilet on other surfaces such as carpet or in plant pots. In these cases it is worth looking at the positioning of the litter tray itself and the type of litter you are providing. In general, most cats will prefer the litter tray to be away from doorways where they feel vulnerable (to other cats & general household traffic). Try changing the type of litter. If you are using perfumed litter, try an unperfumed one (many cats don't appreciate artificial scents), if you are using wood or paper based litter, try gravel and vice versa. Cats are fastidious creatures and may go off to find a cleaner toilet area if the litter tray is left dirty, so clean the litter tray as soon as it is used. It may also be worth confining your cat to a smaller area of the house with the litter tray in position for a few weeks until your cat becomes accustomed to using it again.

Marking behaviour is where urine or faeces are left in particular areas of the house, often on beds, near doorways, stairs, on higher surfaces and even electrical equipment. Scent marking behaviours also include face-rubbing & scratching, as the corner of the mouth and base of the paws contain scent glands. This is why your cat will rub against your legs when you come home from work, because you return smelling unfamiliar and your cat wants you to smell 'like home' again. Marking is usually a stress response to something the cat feels threatened by in his environment. This may be something as subtle as new wallpaper or an item of furniture, or what your cat perceives to be a major upheaval such as a new cat or new baby in the household. Another common stress factor is a neighbourhood cat who may be paying your cat unwanted attention and/or gaining access to your house. In this instance the cat marks his territory with urine or faeces to help himself feel secure in his environment again.

The solution to house-soiling in these cases really depends on finding the cause of the stress. If it a neighbourhood cat, make sure the 'rogue' cat does not get into the house. Often they will come in through the cat-flap so make sure it is locked once your cat is inside or consider getting a magnetised cat-flap that will only open to your cat wearing the magnet on his collar.

Cleaning the soiled area properly is also very important. Chemical cleaners are thought to actually attract the cat back to the same spot. Instead use biological washing powder (this contains enzymes to break down the chemical component of urine) in a 10% solution with warm water. (Check fabrics for colour fastness first).Once the area is completely dry, wipe over with a cloth dampened with surgical spirit.

A treatment which has had excellent results is a product called Feliway. It comes as either a spray or a plug-in diffuser and releases a synthetic cat pheromone (the same as that produced by the cat's facial glands) and basically helps your cat to feel calm and secure, thus eliminating the need for your cat to continue scent marking. It is also an excellent product to use when moving house and during periods of stress for your cat (eg introducing a new cat etc) and the spray is great to use on cat carry-boxes which I'm sure usually fill cats with dread!

Please get in touch if you have a problem with a house-soiling cat. Finding the cause isn't always easy so we are here to offer you help and support and offer you solutions to the problem.

Jane Craker VN

Common Household Poisons - Part 4 (the last in the series).

How often do you think about common products around your house and garden and the consequences if your pet got hold of them? Chances are rarely. This article is aimed at increasing your awareness of some of the more common poisons around your home and what you can and should do if the worst case scenario happens.

If you do suspect your pet has been poisoned, remain calm and phone your veterinarian for advice. They will want to know the substance, how long ago your pet was exposed and whether it was swallowed or is on your pet's skin or eyes.

The first aid general rules are set out below, remaining calm and initiating these can make a major difference to your pet.

• We no longer recommend inducing vomiting at home unless you really cannot get to a veterinarian. There are a number of potentially serious complications from vomiting after poisoning which have the potential of making your pet much sicker.
• If your pet has skin or eye exposure wash the area with copious quantities of warm water, and if possible continue this on the way to the veterinarian.
• If your pet drank a corrosive substance then try and get them to drink milk.
• If your pet is seizuring then ensure your pet cannot hurt himself or anyone else by moving away any potential hazards. Your pet may lash out and bite so take precautions not to get bitten. You don't have to worry about your pet swallowing his tongue this almost never happens in pets.
• When going to the vet take the container of the suspected poison and a sample of vomit if possible.

The list of potential toxins is vast; here are a few of the more common toxicities that we see in New Zealand.

• Rodenticides (rat/mouse bait) are a common poison in dogs and to a lesser extent cats although they can be poisoned by eating poisoned rodents. Most rat baits cause a reduction in Vitamin K and this results in failure of the blood to clot. This can take days after ingestion before signs of poisoning are seen. These include difficulty breathing, coughing, pale gums, weakness, limping, bruises and nose bleeds. These pets need to be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible and make sure you handle the pet as gently as possible to prevent bruising.
• Slug and Snail Bait (Metaldehyde) is another common garden poison that we usually see in dogs but can occur in cats. The signs of toxicity usually occur within 3 hours of ingestion and include salivation, tremors, vomiting, seizures and depression. Your pet should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. If your pet is seen by a veterinarian within 30 minutes of ingestion then they will induce vomiting to remove toxin, however after this vomiting can cause a pneumonia or trigger seizures.
• Caffeine and Theobromine are found in coffee, tea, chocolate, stimulants and medications. The most common cause of this poisoning is after eating chocolate. There is only a low dose in milk chocolate and almost none in white chocolate but toxic doses are easily reached with dark or cooking chocolate. Signs of toxicity include vomiting, restlessness, muscle tremors, seizures, excessive drinking, blue gums and coma.
• Ibuprofen and Paracetamol may help relieve your headache, but painkillers and other common medications can be deadly to your pets. We often consider these drugs as very safe but they are very species specific. Ibuprofen is often toxic to the kidneys and bone marrow. Paracetamol is reasonably safe in dogs at the correct dose but cats are very sensitive to it. It results in depression, breathing difficulties, vomiting and sometimes swollen face and paws. Potentially only 1/8^th of a 250mg tablet is fatal in cats.
• Pyrethrins (natural) and Pyrethroids (synthetic) are found in many insecticides including some flea products. If your pet is not 100% fit (e.g. lots of fleas) the toxicity is increased. Fish are particularly sensitive to these toxins so do not use them around fish tanks (e.g. Foggers). We most commonly see cats presented with this condition after a dog spot-on preparation has been applied. The pets will usually rub or scratch the area, salivate, vomit and develop seizures. The area should be thoroughly washed with a mild dish washing liquid - make sure it doesn't include any insecticide or essential oils. Dry your pet after washing and keep warm. If the signs are mild e.g. scratching at the area then do this at home before taking your pet to the vet. If more severe then it would be better that the washing is done by your veterinarian as they will need to control seizures etc.
• Marijuana toxicity is most commonly as a result of cookies and cakes although I have seen an occasional toxicity as a result of second hand smoke. The toxicity ranges from mild such as behaviour changes, incoordination, vomiting and hallucination to more severe signs of collapse, seizures and coma. These pets need to be taken to your vet to induce vomiting, provide fluids and monitor.
• Ethylene Glycol is found in car antifreeze and brake fluid and is a sweet tasting and appealing liquid. If you are working on your car make sure after draining the radiator that the liquid is disposed of. Animals that drink the poison within 1-4 hours show signs of being drunk with incoordination and an increased thirst. These signs will then improve. Around 4-6 hours later the animal will become depressed and start vomiting, if this is not treated the animal may go into a coma and die and if not kidney failure is common. Treatment must be started as early as possible and preferably within the first few hours.

Dr Oliver Young B.V.M.S.

"Ponsonby Tails" is dedicated to the pets who have touched the lives of all who knew them.

In Loving Memory of: