Saturday, May 27, 2006

Ponsonby Tails - July 2006

In this issue:-

• Editorial: Catherine joins PVC, renovations to surgery 

• Feline Myths

• Canine Pancreatitis

• Senior Pets

• Rodent & Rabbit Dentistry

• Special Offers

We have had a busy few months since our last newsletter both inside and outside the clinic. As a result it has taken a while to write this newsletter - but what a newsletter! It seemed to keep on growing as clients asked us to write articles on specific problems, the new format of an abbreviated article in e-mail and the full one on the web will hopefully work well with this extended newsletter. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we have enjoyed putting it together

 Margaret is busy studying for the Certificate of Veterinary Nursing, we have had renovations to our surgery and Catherine Bulling joined our veterinary nursing team. Catherine has had eight years experience as a veterinary nurse in Kaitaia before recently moving to Auckland to join us. Her experience, enthusiasm and caring attitude have been an excellent addition to our clinic. To add to this Catherine is also studying for the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing which is resulting in an increased knowledge for all our nurses. Amongst all of this I have been trying to find time to train and compete on my mountainbike - with limited success! 

The renovations have now been completed for our new darkroom (used for developing x-rays). The new room is purpose built providing better ventilation and easier and quicker access from our x-ray facilities. This is providing a faster turn around for our x-ray processing and as a result shorter anaesthetics for your pets - which is good news all-round.

The renovations to our surgery theatre have provided a new purpose built door, active scavenging sytems for anaesthetic gases and new operating theatre lighting. These changes have provided an increased level of sterility which in turn should result in an even lower risk of infection at surgery. The new lighting will allow us to perform some more technical surgeries but with a flow on effect for all surgical procedures.

We have just purchased a new dental machine for our dental suite. This is one of the first of these machines in New Zealand and it has proven a fantastic addition to our dental services. The machine is a scaler that removes calculus from the teeth, but it does this with a unique cool tip, that can be used not only on the crown but also in the pocket between the tooth and the gum. This results in a quicker clean (with much less manual cleaning) and reduces the risk of overheating the tooth or damaging the enamel as with a standard scaler.   

As you can see we are constantly striving to provide the best possible care for you and your pets and this doesn't just cover our facilities but also our knowledge. Michael recently attended the New Zealand Veterinary Association Conference and a dentistry workshop. Melinda and Kelly have both been to the New Zealand Veterinary Nursing Association in June.  

Dr Oliver Young B.V.M.S., M.A.C.V.Sc (Emergency Medicine and Critical Care)

Feline Myths

We all know about urban myths and Chinese whispers, but what about the ones that apply to cats. There are still a whole bunch of these which have become "fact" despite our knowledge to the contrary. I thought it would be fun to dispel some of these whispers and here are some of the more common ones:

1. Cats Purr Only When They're Happy.

Purring is a unique ability of cats. Because when we stroke our cats they purr it also makes us feel special. In fact studies have shown that it even lowers our blood pressure - what great stress management!
However purring isn't reserved to those cats who are contented, we also hear cats purr when they are in pain or stress. It is thought that purring in this situation is a form of asking for help; the British zoologist Desmond Morris wrote that purring is "a sign of friendship -- either when [the cat] is contented with a friend or when it is in need of friendship -- as with a cat in trouble."

• Cats Smother Babies.

We often have clients who are expecting a new baby and they are understandably very concerned that their new one will be smothered by their cat. Some clients seek a new home for their cat and some even wish for euthanasia; it is therefore important to understand that your cat will not suck the breath from your baby!   
The myth that cats smother babies probably arose from their natural curiosity and desire to seek warmth and comfort, combined with the tragedy of what's commonly known as cot death. It is easy to understand how the loss of a child and the prescence of a cat in the crib (perhaps sniffing at a baby's milk-scented breath) in the past would result in jumping to the conclusion that there is a link. 
This has now been shown not to be the case. However it is still common-sense to ensure that any baby is not left unattended with a pet sleeping in the cot.  

1. Well-Fed Cats Won't Hunt.

The desire to hunt is a natural behaviour instinct, although there is individual variation with how strong this desire is due to genetics and early experiences.
Whether cats have been fed or not seems to have no effect on this behaviour. With the increasing palatability of today's pet foods many cats now prefer the taste of this food over any prey. This results in the prey often being left uneaten or gifted as a present to us.

The hunting behavior of cats is obviously very concerning when it involves birds, skinks and wetas. Fitting your cat's collar with a small bell has only a minor effect on his/her ability to hunt, although collars with 2 bells seem to work better. The only definitive way to stop him/her hunting is to prevent him/her going outside.

Recent work has shown that the eradication of feral cats has a negative impact on New Zealand native fauna. This is because the cat's normal prey is small rodents and young weasels and it is these animals which have a much bigger impact on our bird numbers. Obviously it is even better if all these predators are prevented from attacking our native species. 

1. All Tortoishell Cats Are Female.

Almost all tortoishell (and calico) cats are female, but not quite all. About one in every 3,000 calico cats is male these have an extra X chromosome - XXY instead of the XY of a normal male.

The gene that governs how a cat's orange colour is displayed is on the X, or female, chromosome. As both males and females contain an X chromosome both can have the orange coat colour. With only one X chromosome containing the gene a tabby pattern will usually be expressed. It takes two X chromosomes to make a tortoishell coat colouring, this is why a male cat must have an extra X chromosome to be a tortoishell/calico colour. 

• Black cats are bad luck.

Black cats have certainly been unlucky in the past as they have been associated with witchcraft and satanic forces for hundreds of years. Humane societies warn that even today these fables cost some cats their lives as the result of satanic rituals, especially around Halloween.

Black may be an unfortunate color for another reason: visibility. Countless cats are killed on our roads every year, and the difference between being hit or a near miss may be the ability to see the cat darting across the road. At night, patches of light-colored fur are a distinct advantage in this respect. If you have a dark coloured cat think about placing a reflective collar on him/her, these are great for all cats but especially ones with a dark coat. 

• Hypoallergenic cats don't exist.

For those people that are allergic to cats, the thought of a cat that will not trigger their allergy is obviously a great relief. A few breeds are often actively promoted for this purpose and these are usually the Sphynx (which has very little hair), the Devon and Cornish Rex (these have less hair). However it is not the fur which triggers the allergy in people but the proteins that are found in the cat's saliva and this is liberally applied to the coat or skin with the act of grooming. From here when the cat rubs against a surface these allergies can be spread throughout the house. 

• Cats have nine lives

Well we all know this isn't true, but we are constantly reminded how resilient cats are at our hospital. Many, many times we have had cats brought to us with very severe injuries, and despite the odds against their survival with lots of TLC and care they pull through to live complete and happy lives. It appears that cats have excellent mental fortitude with a huge drive to live, this is where I think they have their nine lives.

Canine Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a term that means an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a gland that aids digestion: it makes hormones that control blood sugar levels (insulin) after eating, and it makes digestive enzymes, which are injected into the intestines when food leaves the stomach. These enzymes are very effective at breaking down food proteins, carbohydrates and fats into useful little pieces, which can then by absorbed by the intestinal tract.

Unfortunately, when the pancreas becomes inflamed it's cells leak these digestive enzymes into it's own tissues. The enzymes then turn traitor, attacking the pancreas itself and greatly worsening the inflammation.

The result is an extremely painful tummy! Usually dogs with pancreatitis are vomiting, off their food, very depressed and have an obviously painful abdomen. Sometimes to relieve the pain they adopt what we call the "praying" position - standing on their back legs but going down on their front legs.

Pancreatitis is a very serious condition. The inflammation can cause sepsis (generalised inflammation in the body) and ultimately death if untreated. Because it is such a serious problem, our standard "sick dog" tests always include a blood test for the problem. Quite often we will recommend xrays or an ultrasound examination to clarify whether the pancreas is an issue in a particular patient. If they have an abscess in their pancreas, then immediate surgery is necessary.

If surgery is not required, a pancreatitis patient will be treated medically with fluids, anti-emetics, plasma transfusions and other supportive care. Some vets use anti-inflammatory steroids or antibiotics, though the merits of these are a subject of intense debate. It used to be strongly recommended that dogs with pancreatitis be fasted for 2-3 days; however current thinking by medical specialists is that the intestinal tract needs a constant flow of food to recover quickly. Therefore we use catheters placed through the nose to deliver a constant tiny flow of food to the stomach, without overloading it.

With proper treatment many cases of pancreatitis will do very well, though some can relapse or recur in the future.

Senior Pets

Everyone adores puppies and kittens - their big eyes and playful antics fill us with joy (even if their behaviour doesn't always). But it's the older pet whose dignity, loyalty and unwavering trust that stands out for me. This is certainly the case where my pets are concerned. As with everyone else I want my pets to live for ever and never get sick, I understand that this is not realistic but nevertheless it is what I want. Unfortunately I have little control over whether my pets get sick - I feed them a good balanced food and treat them for parasites regularly. I also ensure they have a complete physical exam every 6 months as I want to identify any problems as early as possible.

Thankfully pets are living to older ages, in the last decade there has been a 15% increase in cats over 10 years in the U.S.A. and this is a trend that I believe has also been occurring in New Zealand. This has occurred as a result of improved nutrition and veterinary care. Cats are considered "geriatric" when they reach the age of 10, however we may need to reconsider this as we now regularly see cats into their early and occasionally late twenties. It is much harder to determine when dogs reach senior or geriatric status as there is a lot of variability with different breeds. As a genuine rule the smaller the dog the longer the life expectancy. We consider small dogs to be senior around 7-10 years and the giant breeds around 6 years.

Early diagnosis of diseases is always critical to the outcome of the disease and therefore your pet so take advantage of the skills and knowledge of your veterinarian to perform regular (6 monthly) complete health checks. Another simple and relatively inexpensive precaution is to have a blood sample take. Normal results are great news, not only do they rule out a number of problems they also make available a wide range of medications and treatments for your pet.

X-rays, urine checks, blood pressure and other tests can also provide valuable information. When we know what is going on with our pets, we can make adjustments that make a world of difference to their quality of life.

Effects of Ageing

As with people, age brings changes to how the body works.

• Old pets are less active, this results in weakening of muscles which in turn reduces the ability of pets to run, jump and climb. This lack of exercise also contributes to stiffening of joints.
• With age the sense of smell and taste decreases resulting in a decrease in appetite. In addition dental disease is common and this results in discomfort and a further loss of appetite.
• The intestinal function may deteriorate with age resulting in a reduced absorption of nutrients, diarrhoea or constipation. Weight loss will result.
• Senior cats have a reduction in their thirst which puts them at risk of becoming dehydrated. Senior cats will also often suffer from kidney disease which makes this particularly dangerous.
• Older pets tend to sleep more frequently but not as deeply.
• Old pets often have poor coats these are not as good at insulating them from cold or wet weather.

It is important to understand that old age is not a disease. We regularly see pets that are stiff in their joints or have lost weight and yet their owners have assumed that this is as a result of old age. Without doubt these are common symptoms of older pets but the disease which is causing them is not "old age" and nearly always treatments can be used that will provide an increase in quality of life.

Tips for helping them cope

• Beds should be soft, cushioned, low to the ground and possibly heated. This is especially important in cold weather. Cats like to stretch out and bean bags are often very popular. Cats will also often like a quiet place away from children and other pets. Consider a step to help reach a favourite sleeping place.
• Old cats drink less so feeding them a tinned/sachet diet will increase their water intake (not usually an issue with dogs). Wet diets can encourage dental disease so you may want to consider brushing their teeth to keep them healthy.
• Consider the use of clothes for dogs. The decrease in coat condition and loss of weight in some dogs will make them prone (especially small or thin breeds) to getting cold. Bear in mind your dog doesn't get embarrassed by a bad fashion statement!
• It may be helpful to provide your elderly cat with a litter tray as some control of the bladder and bowel movements may be lost. In addition on cold and wet days your cat maybe more reluctant to go outside. Some cats have problems using their catflap so you may need to consider taping it up.
• Feeding tall dogs from a raised bowl will be easier on their back at any age but especially when they get older.
• For dogs give shorter walks more frequently. With chase and fetch games throw the ball lower and teach to wait until stopped before fetching - this is safer, provides happy anticipation and uses the brain more. If he is starting to find playing "chase the ball" too tiring leave the ball at home and have a longer walk instead. Consider swimming especially in warm water, (special dog swimming pools are now available in N.Z.).
• Ensure you pet has a collar and up to date name tag on. Adding your vets' details is an excellent idea as if they get lost or hurt it allows anyone to take them for care. As the vet will have their medical records this ensures that any care provided is appropriate. It is not uncommon for elderly pets to get lost and disorientated.
• Clip nails regularly as they easily overgrow. This can cause discomfort when they walk.
• Cats and dogs groom themselves less with age and so you need to consider playing a more active role in keeping their coat clean and healthy. Use soft brushes and combs especially around the base of the spine and other areas not easily reached.
• Teach your dog signals as well as voice commands. This way if his/her hearing goes they can still obey you.
• If you are concerned about any abnormal behaviour then make sure you get your vet to evaluate them.

Saying Good-Bye

It is one of the hardest decisions to make to end the life of a much loved pet and there is no good day. When making this decision try and put yourself into your pets position, knowing what you know, what would you want? That usually leads to the best decision.

The top priority is always to ensure that your senior pet has a high quality of life to the end. Think carefully about the timing of the addition of a new puppy or kitten. Some older animals will enjoy the company while others will hate it. In general those senior pets that are still fit and active are most likely to enjoy the new company.

Most of all cherish your pet's senior years. They pass too quickly and they are wonderful times. Their companionship, love and trust are at their greatest. Make every day count.

Rabbit and Rodent Dentistry

You may be surprised to learn that dental problems are the number one health complaint in our smaller furry friends. Many small mammals are herbivores, and have been designed by nature to eat very hard and tough food, i.e. Grass, seeds etc. Their teeth grow continuously, to keep up with wear and tear. Their gastrointestinal tract expects, and demands a constant intake of vegetable matter. Consequently when we take them into our homes and start feeding them soft fruit, leafy greens, oats and other delectable treats, we actually do their health no favours at all.

Just like us your rabbit will develop a sweet tooth, and bypass that tough old hay and grass in favour of the pear or lettuce leaf. Soon his teeth will start to grow too long, since they are not being worn down properly. This can lead to spurs and sharp edges on the crowns, which lacerate the gums or tongue. Lengthening back teeth jam the mouth slightly open, which then stops the front teeth from meeting, and they become overlong and useless. Sometimes there is no room left in the mouth for growth, and the roots start growing into the jawbones. This leads to pain, can block the flow of tears out of the eyes, and worst of all can cause dental abscesses, which can be extremely hard to treat.

Any mouth problem tends to put rodents off their food, which has disastrous effects on the health of their bowel and can lead to a fatal bacterial overgrowth. In addition, bad teeth prevent proper grooming behaviour; this increases the chance of skin problems, most seriously flystrike around the hindquarters due to dagging of the coat. A high-calorie, low-fibre diet is more likely to make your rodent obese, which aggravates grooming problems and can cause other issues eg. Pressure sores on the feet.

So you can see how important dental problems are in small pets! Prevention is simple: feed the diet that nature intended. For a rabbit, this means at least 75% of their diet should be hay and grass, with greens and pellets the other 25% (i.e. more of a treat.)

If your pet does develop dental problems, there are measures that we can take to control the problem. Recently at Ponsonby Vet Centre we have invested in specialised rodent dental equipment to enhance our service. Because rodents have very small mouths and delicate, brittle teeth they are harder to work on surgically than cats or dogs. The photos below illustrate our new rodent gags, rodent molar rasps and molar cutters. These tools allow us to treat overgrown or infected teeth in even the tiniest creatures.

We already have a dedicated dental x-ray machine, which allows us to assess the problem and make the best surgical plan before we start.

Our anaesthetic protocols are designed to make any surgery as safe and pain-free as possible, and our nurses are trained to monitor small pets closely to ensure any problems are picked up in time to be handled appropriately.

After rodents have surgery, particularly of the mouth, they can lose their appetite. To address this we supply a special Critical Care Support diet, which is essentially a liquidised version of their diet. We are proud to be the New Zealand distributors for Oxbow Critical Care, the recognised U.S. standard of care in this area.

Special Offers

• With every bag of Hills Canine 18kg food we have some reflective dog leashes to give away.
• With every bag of Advance cat food we are giving away a free feeding mat.
• Revolution Rewards. Receive a free 3 month supply of Revolution with every 12 pipettes purchased - See Reception to start a Rewards card today. 
• With any Hills Senior/senior hairball cat 3.6kg+ or 9kg dog+ and receive a free fleece blankie (very big and very cuddly!)
• With every purchase of Frontline Plus flea control you can enter our client draw to win a vertical ceramic heater to help keep your home toasty. Entries close on the 28th of July so you will need to get in quick.

All of the above offers are only available while stocks last or during dates of promotion.