keepingyourpetalive101-blog

[keepingyourpetalive101-blog]

Take aways from the "feline dream homes" lecture -

Improper indoor household can cause physical and behavioral illnesses. But these are not comparable or equivalent to the dangers faced by indoor - outdoor cats.

Cats are highly routine oriented and disruptions to routine will cause stress.

Pillar 1- provide safe spaces.

Cats typically prefer avoidance when faced with conflict.

Cats prefer to be up high to observe their environment. Young, obese, or geriatric cats should be given additional "steps" to get up high so they don't have to jump large distances.

Minimum space is 360 square feet per cat and one to three meters of vertical and horizontal space able to be between them.

For better looking cat perches or ideas for them, she pointed to catastrophicreations.

Also offer options low to the ground, especially for young, obese, geriatric or impaired cats. Cardboard boxes are great. Leaving out the cat carrier also makes very time easier.

Offer safe places outside. THIS DOES NOT MEAN FREE ROAMING. Catios, screened or netted porches and balconies, window boxes, leash and harness training.

Pillar 2- multiple and SEPARATED key resources PER CAT.

-food

-water

-litterboxes

-perches

Room dividers or short screens can create separations in small spaces.

Even a single cat should have multiple water bowls and litterboxes (at least 2). Automated litterboxes sometimes a source of stress and can cause inappropriate elimination.

Pillar 3- opportunities to play and perform predatory behavior.

THIS DOES NOT MEAN LET YOU CAT FREE ROAM.

Free roaming cats, even ones fed at home spend 15% to 45% of the day engaged in hunting. (so if you think your free roaming cat only kills two mice a year YOU ARE WRONG)

Inactivity leads to boredom and obesity.

Offer this that let them have an appropriate outlet for predatory play. No using your hands or feet with kittens! It won't be cute when they're 12 pounds and biting you!

Limit use of the laser pointer and have the dot sometimes stop on a toy so the cat can actually "catch" something. Otherwise neurotic behaviors can sometimes result.

Food puzzle toys are great for every single cat.

There is also a website called "Food Puzzles For Cats" which is an incredible resource. Go there.

Pillar 4- positive, consistent, predictable human interaction.

How you interact is as important as how often.

Clicker train your cats!

Pillar 5- provide an environment that recognizes their sense of smell.

Cats are very much olfactory communicators.

Scratching is a normal visual and accent marking behavior. Provide plenty of places that have things you want them to scratch and offer a variety. Cardboard, sissel rope, vertical, horizontal, angled, etc.

There are products that can attract cats to certain objects to help train them to scratch in desired areas.

When making changes, don't do everything at once (remember, changes in their routine can be stressful). Start with easy changes. Spread out and increase the number of food and water bowls. Add more litterboxes. Add more perching and hiding places. Let them adjust.

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What Do You Know About the Poodle?

Arguably one of the most iconic breeds, the poodle often has several misconceptions surrounding its origins. In recent years the breed has become a popular mix for designer dogs leading the general public to look upon the poodle itself as something to be improved upon. This is far from true. Poodles are athletic, intelligent, and versatile. The following are some highlights and fun facts about the breed. It is my hope that you dear reader will come to better understand and love these curly haired beasts as much as I do.

So what was the poodle actually bred for? While most people believe the poodle to be a French breed it is in fact German. While it is unclear as to whom the individual is that created the breed, it is generally understood that the poodle has ties to Germany as far back as 400 years. Even the word “Poodle” is a German word. It derives from the word, “pudeln” meaning “to splash”. This then became “Pudel” which, as you can imagine, lead to the /name we know today. And speaking of splashing, this leads me to my next misconception. These dogs were originally bred as hunting dogs. Not as lap dogs, or fun grooming experiments. These creatures were made to dive into icy cold water, find waterfowl, and bring them back to the hunter. They have always been meant to be an athletic and loyal hunting companion for the pursuit of ducks, geese, and other popular waterfowl. So while this may be the national dog of France, it has ties to the game lands and waterways of Germany.

The iconic hairstyle of the poodle also dates back to its days as a popular hunting breed. While the thick, curly fur helped the dogs keep warm retrieving birds, it also tended to weigh the poor beasts down. So haircuts became a necessity. Each “puff” or more accurately named, according to the AKC, “pompons” on the body served a genuine purpose. Fur left on the head kept the brain and eyes warm. The chest and rear area had pompons which kept vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys insulated from the cold. The pompons on the legs were to keep the joints warm. Even the pompon at the end of the tail has the purpose of acting as a flag so that a hunter will be able to keep a visual of their dog in the water.

Their efficiency as a hunting/retrieving companion led them to gain attention in countries other than Germany. Once they gained popularity as companion animals, people began breeding them down in size. This made them more compatible with the close quarter’s city life. The AKC recognizes three sizes of this versatile breed: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. While there is a fourth (and smallest) size on the market known as the Teacup Poodle, the AKC does not recognize it as meeting up to the breed standards.

Despite their hunting background, today the poodle is categorized as part of the “non-sporting” group by the AKC. This does not mean that they are not used as working dogs however. A breed that is considered one of the top five most intelligent breeds is most definitely utilized.  Some are still used for waterfowl retrieval. While others work as therapy dogs, seeing-eye dog, search and rescue, truffle hunting, and entertainment. The high trainability, low shed coat, athleticism, and loving temperament all add to the desirability of this breed. Poodles come in a variety of coat colors from the traditional white or black to apricot, chocolate, phantom, and party(meaning multi colored).

There is plenty of variety to be found in this charming breed. So while the breed is perhaps misunderstood, it still holds a special place among dog enthusiasts. The iconic look and versatility of the poodle has earned it a special place in the history of man’s best friend.

 Sources:

“Poodle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poodle. Accessed 31 Jan. 2020.

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/poodle-standard/

[keepingyourpetalive101-blog]

Very nice article regarding cataracts. Have assisted in the care of several patients with this condition at my own workplace. 

CATARACTS 

What is a Cataract?

A Cataract is when there is opacity in either the whole or part of the Lens within the eye.

Why do they develop?

Often Cataracts develop in geriatric animals or after trauma has occurred to they eye. However they can also be inherited and thus present from birth, in addition Diabetes Mellitus can lead to the development of Cataracts. 

How does Diabetes cause Cataract formation?

The Lens of the eye is encased in a capsule which relies on Aqueous Humour (the fluid within the eye) for its nutrients, as it doesn’t receive a direct blood supply. In a healthy patient the Lens would absorb the Glucose in this fluid and use it as an source of energy and any excess would be converted to Sorbitol which draws water into the Lens keeping it healthy. 

In Diabetic patients there is a large excess of glucose, which means a large quantity is converted into Sorbitol and fructose. In turn this means that excessive amounts of water are drawn into the Lens which affects its clarity and eventually forms a Cataract.

It is important to note that the development of cataracts does not mean that a patients diabetes is poorly controlled. 

How do vets decides if a Cataract is causing loss of vision?

Drops will be placed in the eye that dilate the pupil making it easier for the vet to check the back of the eye, specifically, the Tapetum Lucidum.  Then a specialised microscope called a slit lamp will be used to examine the eye in small detailed sections. 

Cataracts are classified by the amount of Tapetum Lucidum they obstruct.

<10% obstruction – Young cataract, little to no impairment of vision

11-50% obstruction – Early immature

51-99% obstruction – Late immature

100% obstruction – Mature, complete vision impairment

Hypermature – When the cataract is starting to liquefy and dissolve, while this can restore vision the dissolution process results in a inflammation response which can cause Uveitis; the inflammation of the Uveal tract (the eyes vascular tissues).This condition can be very painful and will cause the eye to become reddened, enlarged and cause the pupil to constrict.

What are the treatment options available? 

Surgery is the treatment of choice. However an veterinary ophthalmologist must first check the eye to ensure that vision will be present after surgery. This is done by undertaking a Electroretinogram (ERG) which is able to pick up electrical activity in the retina. If present this indicates that sight should be present after the cataract has been removed. 

They will also check for Uveitis and if present, this will be treated first to minimise the inflammation that will be inevitable after surgery.

There are two types of surgery available:

1)   Lens Extraction – The removal of the entire lens and surrounding capsule.

Disadvantages: The incision is larger and post-op inflammation is greater. There is also a higher probability of leaving pieces of lens behind.

2)   Phacoemulsification – This is where an ultrasonic instrument is used to    liquefy the lens which is then sucked out with a vacuum. Following this a balanced salt solution is placed into the eye to maintain the anterior chamber. An artificial lens is then placed for optimal post-operative vision.

Disadvantages: This is more difficult to do in older patients as the lens has a harder consistency.

It is important to note that Diabetes must be well regulated and the patient must be well enough for an anaesthetic and extensive surgery.

What is the prognosis?

The prognosis is very good and usually 95% of patients recover from the surgery with vision restored. However some suffer from complications after the surgery including:

Long term Uveitis

Opacification of the Lens capsule 

Corneal Clouding 

Bleeding into the eye

Glaucoma

Retinal Detachment 

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ASSISTED FEEDING - FEEDING TUBES

There are four types of feeding tubes used in veterinary practice, these are:

Nasogastric Tubes

Oesophageal Tubes

Gastrostomy Tubes

Jejunostomy Tubes 

NASOGASTRIC TUBES

These tubes runs from the nasal passage down through the larynx, oesophagus and final enter the stomach.They are often used in young anorexic patients who need nutritional support for a short period of time, are well tolerated and simple to place, with only local anaesthetic drops needed to ensure the process is comfortable for the patient. Prior to placing the tube the length needed should be measured, working from the opening of the nares to the last rib; where the stomach is situated. A 5FG tube is the recommended size to use in adult dogs and cats weighing under 8kg. To ensure the tube is in the correct position and not sitting in the trachea, a small amount of sterile saline can be placed down the tube, if the patient coughs repositioning is recommend.Radiographs can also be taken of the neck and thorax to confirm a tube position. The main disadvantages of using the tubes is that the lumen of the tube is small meaning only liquid diets can be administered and large quantities are time consuming to  administered. They can also be easily removed by the patient. 

OESOPHAGEAL TUBES 

A Oesophageal tube delivers food direct to the stomach bypassing the mouth and pharynx; making it an excellent choice for patients suffering from severe ulceration of the mouth. The tube used is wider than a nasogastric tube allowing thicker, more calorific food to be administered in large quantities over a shorter space of time. Patients must be anaesthetised prior to tube placement, placed in right lateral recumbency and the site between the lateral cervical area from the mandible to thoracic inlet surgically prepared. Tube size used depends on the size of patient however anything from 12Fr to 16Fr is usually sufficient. Once the tube is in place a Stoma is formed and will develop a gunky discharge which needs to be cleaned daily to prevent infection and cellulitis. These tubes are contraindicated in patients suffering from recurring emesis as they may vomit up the tube however are advantageous in most cases as medication can be given down them easily and cats can be discharged with the tube still in place.

GASTROSTOMY TUBES

These tubes are best used in patients thats require weeks to months of assisted feeding and deliver food directly to the stomach, bypassing the mouth, pharynx and oesophagus. In most cases they require an anaesthetic and invasive surgery to place however skilled veterinary surgeons with knowledge on endoscopy can place the tubes this way if specialised equipment is available. Again these tubes are often well tolerated and easily managed at home meaning cats can be discharged with them in place. In addition they are also have a wider lumen so vicious food can be administered. Unlike the other tubes these come with more serious disadvantages, such as peritonitis if the tube become dislodged and organ damage during placement. 

JEJUNOSTOMY TUBE

These tubes are more specialised and are not commonly used in general practice. When using these food is delivered as a constant rate infusion straight into the jejunum (the middle section of the small intestine) avoiding the stomach, duodenum and pancreas. This makes it indicated for use in cases of Gastric, Pancreas and Biliary tract disease. Anaesthesia is needed and surgical placement is required, disadvantages include risk of peritonitis and that it can only be used in a hospital setting. 

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One reason that peregrine falcons are such amazing fliers is that their prey, pigeons, are no slouches in flight, either. Able to take off vertically and accelerate to 100 kph in two seconds, pigeons are pint-sized powerhouses. With this high-speed video, BBC Earth highlights the mechanics of this vertical take-off. Pigeons begin by bending their legs and jumping high enough that their first downstroke can extend fully and still clear the ground. That gives them a headstart on generating the force they need to propel themselves upward. 

Note the way the pigeon’s wings move, sweeping from directly behind the bird’s back to a full extension in front of it. With the bird moving vertically, this motion tells us that it’s thrust – not aerodynamic lift – from the wingstroke that’s powering this take-off. In that sense, the pigeon is something like a Harrier jet, using the thrust of air downward to take off vertically. (Image and video credit: BBC Earth)

[keepingyourpetalive101-blog]

Reminder: you can also get signs to put on your front door to alert first responders of what species/how many animals are in the house. Signs can be purchased at most pet stores and of course the good old internet

Great idea and so important.

[keepingyourpetalive101-blog]

Based on the UK vaccination recommendations. 

[keepingyourpetalive101-blog]

An Australian company has invented the first rubber shoes for horses. They’re non-permanent, lightweight, comfortable, they provide traction and shock absorption, and they can clip on and off whenever you need them. Source

[keepingyourpetalive101-blog]

Is Cosmetic Surgery in Animals Necessary?

In the veterinary field there are always moral questions that must be faced. Often this involves what an animal’s owner feels is necessary and what a veterinarian believes is in the best interest of the animal. A controversial topic in the animal care field is cosmetic (also known as elective) surgery in animals. While some deem it unnecessary or even animal cruelty, others feel such procedures are justified. There are various types of cosmetic surgeries and they are done for a multitude of reasons. Many are well known to the general public, such as declawing, while others, such as cow tail docking, are less familiar. Certain procedures have historical significance in regards to show animals.  Others surgeries arose with the increase in pet ownership and care. According to research done by Dana Atwood-Harvey, people have come to think of companion animals more as members of their family rather than just an animal. There is less social distancing between human beings and pets than there was several decades ago. Cats, for example, were once strictly outdoor animals kept on rural properties to deter rodent infestations. Once cats started to be considered companion animals and were brought into the home, certain natural behaviors became unwanted. Clawing and plucking being one of the main natural (yet destructive) behaviors which lead to the popularity in declawing.

Problem

The mindset of those who oppose cosmetic surgery for animals is that animals are living sentient beings that feel pain. Animals cannot give consent to surgery and are totally at the mercy of the owner. Therefore it is often or always a moral issue and the animal should not be changed for aesthetic reasons of any kind. According to Sandra Neumann, The World Small Animal Veterinary Association does not condone elective surgery and they themselves state that: “Surgical operations for the purpose of modifying the appearance of a companion animal for non‐therapeutic purposes should be actively discouraged. Where possible, legislation should be enacted to prohibit the performance of non‐therapeutic surgical procedures for purely cosmetic purposes.” (Neumann 2008). On the other hand, people who are for cosmetic surgery feel that animals should be used to enhance the lives of human beings. There is also the view that some cosmetic surgery is necessary for the animal’s well-being or holds historical significance.

Here I will outline the pros and cons of cosmetic and provide three examples of : declawing in cats, tail docking in cattle, and general cosmetic surgeries in dogs. The declawing of cats is an example of an elective surgery that is felt by most to be unnecessary and painful to the animal. Tail docking in cattle is also explored to show some positive health effects that can arise from elective surgery. Historical purposes of cosmetic surgery (particularly ear cropping and tail docking) in dogs will be discussed as well to help the reader understand some non-health related benefits of these practices.

Declawing in Cats

Most of the general public is familiar with the declawing of cats. Usually a cat owner will resort to this procedure because their pet is destructive to objects in the home environment. Sometimes the cat is aggressive and causes injury to people or other animals in the household. Many people however are not familiar with how this particular cosmetic surgery is performed and tend to think of it as simply trimming a cat’s claws. The surgery itself is actually more complex than that and can be very painful to the feline if not done properly.

The term used in veterinary medicine is called onychectomy and refers to the breaking or remove of the distal phalanx from its normal position (Atwood-Harvey 2005). If the reader were to look down at their own hand, the area from the tip of the finger to the third knuckle is the bone known as the distal phalanx. This is the bone that is removed during onychectomy. Either the entire bone is removed or, in some cases, the bone is broken in half and the portion containing the nail bed is removed. Figure 1 provides a visual of what this bone looks like in a cat and the specific portion that is removed.

Figure 1. Removal of Cat Distal Phalanx   

This procedure is deemed by many as unnecessary and is believed to cause much pain to the animal. Some alternatives have recently come on the market to replace this procedure without any surgery. Usually training and re-enforcing the cat to go to scratching posts or proper surfaces is advised. Many deterrent sprays are available to repel the cat from certain areas. Sometimes these are not helpful to frustrated owners and they simply want to impede the cat from being able to scratch at all. Soft, colored, plastic caps called nail caps have become a popular alternative to declawing. The nail caps are glued to the end of each of the cat’s claws, making them blunt. When the nails grow out, the nails are trimmed and new nail caps are put on. Declawing is a particular cosmetic surgery that could be eliminated considering that alternatives such as these are now available to pet owners.

Tail Docking

The term ��tail docking” usually brings to mind images of dogs. However, tail docking is and was often used in agricultural animals such as sheep, horses and cattle. The animal that will be explored for this subject will be cattle.

In the dairy industry, tail docking is implemented for various reasons such as improved cleanliness of cows and dairy personnel, better udder cleanliness, reduced leptospirosis for personnel, reduced mastitis, and better milk quality (AVMA 2014). While in beef cattle it is mostly used to reduce injury, especially in slatted floor feedlot operations. In these feedlots the cattle can trap their tails in between the slated floors and cause the animal to injure itself (AVMA 2014). An open wound or injury from such an incident can easily become infected. Also if a beef cow becomes stuck due to a trapped tail, personnel can become injured while attempting to help the animal. Some of the concerns when it comes to theis procedure are similar to thoughs in any cosmetic surgery. There is always the worry that the animal will suffer pain during or after the procedure. Also there is a risk of infection if the docking is not accomplished properly.

Figure 2.

Source: Schreiner, D. (2002). Responses to Tail    Docking in Calves and Heifers. Journal    of Dairy Science, 85, 3287–3296

The procedure itself is performed in various ways; however the use of an elastic band (referred to as an elastrator band) is the usual method and is used in 92% of dairies (AVMA 2014). Surgically cutting, cauterizing irons, and emasculators are also used. The elastrator band method involves placing a thick rubber band around the cow’s tail. The position and length at which you leave the band varies depending on the particular facility and indented use of the animal. Some facilities may want to leave longer tail lengths than others. This cuts off the blood supply to the end of the animal’s tail and that tissue dies off. Research done to determine if any of the previously listed benefits of tail docking in cattle holds true does not appear to be conclusive. In other words, no one piece of evidence shows that there are more benefits than negative problems or vice versa when it comes to tail docking cattle (AVMA 2014).

Cosmetic Surgery in Dogs

Dogs have long been referred to as “man’s best friend” and were among the first of the domesticated animals to first appear living with ancient human settlements. They have been subject to a multitude of elective surgery since becoming companion animals. Tail docking, ear cropping, devocalization, implants, and even face lifts have all been performed on dogs. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) stated in a 2009 DVM News article that it: “opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes.” and disagrees with the American Kennel Club (DVM 2009). The AKC encourages the cosmetic surgeries in order to uphold breed standards. In fact, the AKC does not view ear cropping or tail docking as a purely cosmetic procedure. "Mislabeling these procedures as 'cosmetic' is a severe mischaracterization that connotes a lack of respect and knowledge of history and the function of purebred dogs," was a statement given by the AKC when their policies were put to question (DVM 2009). It is difficult to argue the AKC as wrong. Many breeds with traditionally docked tails were done so because they pulled carts and the docking prevented a tail injury. Eliminating the tradition and the historical value of a breed should not be taken lightly. Such breed standards help remind society of their long standing relationship with animals.

Facelifts for dogs may sound ridiculous at first. When the medical problems of certain breeds are considered it may not seem as rash. Breeds such as Blood Hounds and Shar-Peis  have many folds in their skin, especially around their face and eyes. If the skin folds are too loose then fur and dirt can enter and irritate the eyes (Castillo 2015). This causes infection and possible vision damage. A face lift, where some of the skin in tightened or removed would benefit the well-being of the animal.

On the other hand some cosmetic surgeries for dogs borderline on the ridiculous. According to a CBS news article, people can have testicular implants put into their do after neutering to make it appear that the dog is still intact. When removing the testicles, the scrotum is left intact and silicone implants are placed inside to make it appear that the testicles are still present (Castillo 2015). Devocalization is another very controversial surgery for dogs. For this procedure some or all of the dog’s vocal cords are surgically cut. This prevents the dog from making loud noises or barking excessively. Instead there is usually a rasping sound or all noise is eliminated. Such procedures are done solely based off of the desires of the owner. The question again arises: is this in the best welfare of the animal?

 My position on elective surgery for animals is this: Some procedures are clearly beneficial while others seem border-line immoral. I do not feel all cosmetic procedures should be eliminated however a select few are not necessary. Cosmetic surgery on animals that have a significant health need due to injury, birth defects, disease, or to prevent the endangerment of their own health or human well-being should continue to be practiced.  Cosmetic surgery in show animals in order to preserve historical information in regards to animal uses in human society should be preserved.

The devocalization and prosthetic testicles for dogs, along with similar aesthetic based procedures in other species does not have a clear moral standing and should not be practiced. The declawing of cats is clearly replaceable with training, nail caps, or other less drastic methods. Cosmetic surgery akin to the ones previously stated does not have a place in animal welfare. On the reverse side of the argument it cannot be overlooked that some elective surgery does have merit. Tail docking in cattle can improve health not only in the animals themselves but human handlers and consumers of cattle products. Facelifts and other similar procedures can correct or prevent health problems for certain breeds. And while tail cropping and ear cropping may not seem necessary there is a historical value to be learned when it is exhibited in certain breeds. Cosmetic surgery for animals is a double edged sword. The good and bad aspects of it should be carefully weighed and any legislation handling elective surgery should be specific to the species and its possible medical needs.

    Recommendations

If or when considering cosmetic surgery for you own pet, trust the advice of your veterinarian. They have performed elective surgeries before and will make you aware of the possible risks and benefits for each type of surgery. Remember to do your own research beforehand about the particular surgery in question. This way you will have an idea of whether or not it is appropriate for your pet and if any alternatives exist. Do not perform cosmetic surgery on a companion animal simply to improve their aesthetic appeal. When considering legislative actions on cosmetic surgery for animals, research both sides of the argument and stay informed. As show cased in the previous sections, a procedure might be unneeded for one species while helpful to another. For example tail cropping provided health benefits for cattle but no direct health benefits for dogs.

   References Cited

American Veterinary Medical Association. (2014). Literature Review on the Welfare         Implications of Tail Docking of Cattle. Retrieved from             https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/LiteratureReviews/Documents/tail_docking_cattle   _bgnd.pdf                                                                                                      

Atwood-Harvey, D. (2005). Death or Declaw: Dealing with Moral Ambiguity in a Veterinary       Hospital. Society & Animals, 13(4), 315-342. Retrieved from   http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=18&sid=ecfffdf4-a2ec-43b0-      aca5-670bbdd23d72%40sessionmgr4003&hid=4001

Castillo, M. (2015, January 27) Implants and facelifts for your pet? Inside the pet plastic surgery              industry, CBS News. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/implants-and-   facelifts-for-your-pet-inside-the-pet-plastic-surgery-industry/                    

Cosmetic surgery policy: a timeline. (2009). DVM: The Newsmagazine of Veterinary Medicine,   40(1), 30. Retrieved from            http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=5&sid=ecfffdf4-a2ec-43b0-            aca5-670bbdd23d72%40sessionmgr4003&hid=4001                                                            

Neumann, S. (2008). Cosmetic surgery: Customer service or professional misconduct. The            Canadian Veterinary Journal, 49(5), 501–504. Retrieved from  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2359499/    

Schreiner, D. (2002). Responses to tail docking in calves and heifers. Journal of Dairy Science,     85, 3287–3296. Retrieved from http://milkquality.wisc.edu/wp-         content/uploads/2011/09/responses-to-tail-docking-JDS.pdf