Online vet reviews tips for traveling with your pet
June 1, 2011
Online vet reviews tips for traveling with your pet
As Memorial Day approaches, many Americans are planning mini-getaways and more and more families are including their family dog in these trips. Traveling with your pet can make for a wonderful trip, but it does require a bit of prep work to ensure your pet can participate in the family fun safely.
6. Air travel varies by the airline carrier so check in advance. Most all require a health certificate from a veterinarian as well as proof of current vaccines. There are also weight restrictions and fees associate with carrying your pet in the cabin with you, as well as breed restrictions for checking them with luggage. Generally speaking, checking them is more dangerous as temperatures are not regulated so check with your vet if your pet is a candidate for this.
5. The classic American tradition of road trips can easily be shared with your four-legged children, however they can be dangerous if you don’t prepare appropriately. While it is tempting to let your dog sit in your lap and look out the window, it is dangerous. Ever seen a cat laying on the back shelf of the back of the car? A suddent stop or turn can send your pet flying. If there was an accident, your pet could even escape and be missing. There are special doggy seatbelts and cat carriers should be used as well and secured to the back seat with the seatbelt.
4. Make sure you have a pet first aid kit. There are some great ones available for purchase, or you can assemble one yourself. Things to not forget: gauze, milk of magnesia (in case of toxin ingestion), hydrogen peroxide, nonstick bandages, adhesive tape for bandages, digital thermometer, eye dropper (or large syringe without needle), a muzzle, ear cleaner (which should always be applied after swimming to prevent ear infections), cornstarch (stems blood flow from minor cuts), antibacterial ointment, antiseptic cleansing wipes, kaopectate or Pepto-Bismol, mineral oil (a lubricant and laxative when given by mouth), leather work gloves (to protect you from being bitten), latex gloves, a leash, and a thin rope.
3. Consider where you are going and ask a vet about the diseases that are specific to that area that your pet could potentially contract. For instance, the NE part of the US is notorious for lyme disease, and if your dog isn’t on flea/tick prevention, they would be susceptible to this terrible disease. The south is ridden with mosquitoes transmitting heartworm disease. Although all pets should be protected against fleas, ticks, and heartworms, if you are skimping because you think your area is low risk, traveling to new areas requires you to reconsider. A simple talk with a vet can let you know if you need to do anything extra to prepare your pet for travel.
2. If your vet recommends a medicine to help calm your pet, make sure you try it out in advance when you can keep a close eye on them. The dose may need to be adjusted, as any sedative can have adverse effects. For instance, benedryl is commonly recommended initially. While it is effective for some pets, others it doesn’t even touch. Doses or even drugs many need to be raised or lowered. I would also stay away from the drug called acepromazine, especially for air travel. Fewer than five years ago it was routinely prescribed as a pet sedative for travel but there have been many deaths caused from it. Why risk it?
1. Make sure you have a way to get in touch with a veterinarian in case you do have a pet medical scare. Unsure if it’s an emergency? Before you drop hundreds to walk into the local e-clinic, consider professional online vet services, such as VetLIVE. VetLIVE vets are online 24/7 waiting to help you immediately and can give you tips on how to save hundreds at the vet.
Dr. Laci Schaible is a veterinarian turned pet health advocate. She practices with her husband, also a veterinarian, in Pennsylvania. In their spare time, they write for numerous pet publications.
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Ask a vet about tips for abscesses in cats
May 19, 2011
Ask a vet about tips for abscesses in cats
I have seen and treated countless abscesses in my career. Most did require at least a minor surgery or heavy sedation to do a thorough flushing of the abscess with antiseptic. I can recall three pets, all Golden Retrievers, where the abscess healed on it’s own. The dogs were all very tolerant and I was able to teach his parents how to really clean it at home.
While I do think that surgery is very often needed for cat abscesses if they have truly become walled off abscesses and not just really infected wounds, there are a couple things you can do to increase the chances that it will heal.
Home supplies: curved tip- syringes (you can buy them direct from your vet or have your vet write a prescription to a pharmacy- a call ahead by you to make sure they have them is a wise time-saver), a strong antiseptic to squirt into the lesion regularly (chlorhexidine is my favorite; a nice-sized bottle of it costs $4 from Walmart or Target, or you can get a giant bottle for $10 to ensure you won’t run out, again this is a prescription your vet has to write for you, which they should have no problem doing), a good ointment to infuse the abscess with regularly, usually around 2x/day (my favorite is silver sulfadiazine, and you can guess where you get it and how much it costs-yes, again the human pharmacy and it’s $4).
The treatment protocol I recommended for my clients and patients included twice daily flushing using the curved tip syringes into the abscess, taking care not to be rough or painful with the tip of the syringe. The temperature may be a little shocking to the cat. I would draw up the chlorhexidine in the syringes and hold them in your hands to warm them for several minutes first. Cats usually don’t appreciate cold water being squirted in or on them. I always recommended to continue this “flushing” step until you were no longer getting abscess debris out. FYI, it is not uncommon to get small strings of blood that had clotted inside the abscess content, but if bleeding is severe, you probably need help from your vet.
After a thorough flushing, I taught my clients how to infuse the abscess with the silver sulfadiazine. Once the wound was full, I instructed them to leave it open. This can be quite messy, as they tend to seep a little ointment and abscess debris throughout the day. You may want to consider confining him away from certain areas if this is a concern. In the evening, both the flushing and the infusing were repeated. Warm water is good, but you can do much better for him.
Of course, strong antibiotics and probably a mild pain med are in store.
Antibiotics:
Cats are often very difficult to give oral antibiotics and often they also vomit and get an upset stomach. They also can hold grudges and magically “disappear” when it is time to get their medication, especially if you are “torturing” him with the abscess treatment. In my opinion, if the infection is susceptible to it, the best antibiotic in cats with this problem is Convenia (Cefovecin sodium). This is a newer antimicrobial drug that is great because it lasts about 14 days and it is a single injection once. Your vet has to give it to him. I can’t sing it’s praises enough. This is a bit more than the $4 drugs, but is still affordable at around $30. Your vet may still prescribe another antibiotic for broader antimicrobial coverage. If oral pills work, great. If not, your vet can write a prescription to a compounding pharmacy to have an antibiotic made up that you can just rub inside his ears. This is called a transdermal antibiotic. It should also be relatively inexpensive but depends on the pharmacy.
Pain:
Cat abscesses are painful. Be sure to inquire about pain medication if your vet does not discuss this. With cat abscesses, depending on the amount of pain, I recommend either Butorphanol orally or Buprenorphine transmucosally. Both of these agents have the added affect of relaxing them and preventing them from self-mutilation.
Self-mutilation:
Do be sure to use an ecollar (the lamp shade) to prevent self-mutilation. Some of the greatest side effects I have seen from any post-surgery is self mutilation from lack of use of the e-collar. If you decide to have the surgery done, keep it on at all times. If they can’t eat or drink with it on, assist them and monitor them when you take it off briefly. It is bad when they pull out their drains because not only is that painful, but they have to undergo anesthesia again to repair the damage and replace the drains, which means more money and more time with the e-collar. Another bonus with the e-collar is many cats will be angry about this, and it displaces or seems to displace some of their anger and pain about their injury.
Now, the trouble with cats is most won’t tolerate this type of treatment. I have unfortunately had (all I believe) my cat owners that wanted to try home treatment at first come back after weeks of trying and many new scratches and scars to have the surgery. Tolerant cats may have a shot, and if you have a second person to help you, this will likely also help. If you have a question about your pet’s health, you can ask a vet 24/7.
Dr. Laci Schaible is a veterinarian who practices with her husband, also a veterinarian, in Pennsylvania. In her spare time, she writes for numerous pet publications.
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Online vets vs. Brick and Mortar Vets
April 29, 2011
Online vets vs. Brick and Mortar Vets
Recently a number of veterinarians are speaking out against the internet being a source of information for pet owners. They are claiming the obvious reason that pet owners are getting inaccurate information and substituting it for their veterinary expertise.
While this is a valid concern, I believe there are countless ways that the internet helps pet owners. There aren’t many checks and balances in veterinary medicine, at least until pet owners started using the internet to educate themselves. Pet owners would sit held captive in their vet’s exam room, clueless as to what is going on. Shockingly, a surprising number of vets don’t present clients with estimates or review costs before performing treatments. Now if this a emergency where seconds count, I certainly side with the vet that that is an inappropriate time to focus on client education and communication. Certainly a staff member from the nursing team or even reception can give the client a basic idea, as the vet needs to focus fully on the pet in a crisis.
Most of the time however, the client deserves to be educated before they are forced to buy something. And when a client comes in that had researched why her dog was scratching it’s ears and shaking it’s head, I was relieved that they suspected and ear infection because the research they had done had prepped them that medications and a test were in order. It makes things easier, the majority of the time.
Of course, there are those pet owners that don’t use the vet at all. We usually just see them when their pet is on it’s death bed. They’ve probably used some “home remedies” that failed to help, and they are likely to have found some of that info on the web. I don’t think those people were going to the vet before the internet found it’s way into their homes. They are simply some of those people that don’t think of their pets as family, at least when it comes to not being financially responsible to properly take care of a living animal.
As for me, I am biased. I am a veterinarian and definitely a “current one.” I blog, I write for magazines, and participate in pet-related podcasts. My husband is a vet too, and we founded the world’s first online veterinary clinic. Yes, we are virtual vets. But we are real vets indeed. At VetLIVE we provide pet owners 24/7 access to real and unbiased vets. We don’t care if your vet bill is $400 or if you don’t even need to go and spend money at all. So for $15.95, yes there is a small fee-nothing of high quality if free and we have business costs just like every business, but for a small fee you can wake us up in the middle of the night, ask a vet, and get a reliable and honest answer.
We certainly aren’t trying to replace the brick and mortar vets, but we feel this is an addition to the pet health care arena. Like I mentioned, before the internet, there really was no checks and balances or a way for pet owners to easily educate themselves and see if their vet was on key. This is another service that we provide pet owners.
I recently read in a veterinarian only forum about how upset vets were that more and more people were learning that $4 generic drugs were available for pets. The vets were largely upset by this as medications are a revenue stream for veterinarians (I don’t know why, your pediatrician isn’t getting rich off your prescriptions.) There were some vets in this discussion thread that were okay with it, but the general tone was this was a looming threat in the air. Not noble at all in my opinion.
Yes, veterinary medicine is a business. But the truth is that some vets are more ethical than others. And no, I am not anti-vet by any means. I am a vet. But if your dog eats some chocolate and you don’t know if it was enough to warrant a vet visit, your vet will always tell you to come right in. We’ll calculate it out for you and let you know the exact amount that becomes dangerous based upon your dog’s weight and the type and amount of chocolate. If your cat has a funny walk, we’ll watch the video and give you our opinion. If you don’t know if your vet is doing everything possible, we’ll let you know. There are countless things that the internet allows us to access. I love the ability to ask an online vet. And so do our customers.
Dr. Laci Schaible, DVM is a veterinarian and writer. She practices with her husband, also a vet, in Pennsylvania.
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Ask a Vet about Feeding Trials for Possible Food Allergy
April 12, 2011
Ask a Vet about Feeding Trials for Possible Food Allergy
When a dog suffers from a food allergy it is a reaction to the food by the dog’s immune system. Food allergies are not food intolerances (such as lactose intolerance) despite popular misunderstanding. Food allergies are among the top three most common cause of allergies in dogs, at least allergic itching that is. The others are flea allergy dermatitis and canine atopy, both which are far more prevalent than food allergies, which compromise approximately 10% of all dog allergies. Unlike canine atopy, food allergies are not seasonal, when they present with GI symptoms they may wax and wane.
Most often, a protein in the food causes the immune system to react. Often the protein source is animal based, such as meats eggs, or dairy, but sometimes a carbohydrate source can be involved too. The most common ingredients that dogs have allergies to include beef, chicken, eggs, milk, fish, horse meat, potatoes, soy, corn, wheat gluten, or additives.
The most common clinical sign is severe itching, scratching, and chewing. Sometimes it may be accompanied by the small red bumps, pustules, and infection. In dogs, the paws, flank, groin, neck, and ears are commonly affected. Dogs with food allergies often have recurrent ear infections. Cats more often scratch their faces and ears. These signs are usually year round unlike canine atopy.
Other times, food allergies present with gastrointestinal components instead of the skin component. GI signs include chronic vomiting, diarrhea or loose stools, belching, and frequent bowel movements and/or flatulence. GI signs do fluctuate a bit more than skin problems, but a long history of “troubled GI system” is not uncommon. Pets may suffer from both skin and GI symptoms.
Unfortunately, since food allergy is less common than canine atopy and flea allergy dermatitis, the vet often starts by treating the easiest of those, flea allergy dermatitis, by recommending topical flea meds-this is reasonable and a wise idea in my expert opinion. No single specific test can diagnose a food allergy. Allergen blood testing is available, but it is more appropriate for canine atopy and isn’t a reliable way to identify what food allergen your dog or cat may be allergic to. It is important to provide your vet with an accurate and comprehensive list of all foods, table scraps, flavored meds, chews, and treats that your pet eats.
The diagnosis is made by placing your pet on a “elimination diet” in which you are introducing a new, highly digestible protein source, and/or carbohydrate source, and no food additives. You can make this diet at home yourself if you prefer, if you consult with a veterinarian with expertise in nutrition. Usually it is advised to select a single novel protein (such as duck, rabbit, kangaroo, or other protein your pet has never eaten before, even once), a novel carbohydrate source (such as snow peas or potato), and a source of fat. During the first initial trial it is not as important that the diet be balanced. If your pet responds and the itching decreases, it will of crucial long-term (more than 2 months) to ensure the diet is adequately balanced.
Commercial diets with novel food sources are available, but in my opinion, if you want a commercially prepared diet, it is wiser to choose a hydryolyzed diet. Hydrolyzed protein diets contain proteins that are broken down into pieces to small to to fit into the receptors that stimulate the pet’s immune system. These diets are already complete and balanced for adult dogs. It is very rare for a kitten or puppy to develop true food allergies, as the pet has to be exposed to the allergen repeatedly.
A reduction in itching may be seen with a couple weeks, but in most cases it does take longer (usually around 6 weeks). The test diet should be fed for two to four months. For dogs and cats that respond positively, the diet should be continued provided it is balanced and complete. The pet parent must remember that table scraps, treats, chews, and flavored medications (such as heartworm meds) must not be given not only while the pet is on the trial diet, but no offending allergens can be given the rest of the pet’s life after the offending allergen is identified.
The prognosis for pets with food allergies is great as long as the pet is not re-exposed to the food ingredient(s) that triggered the immune response. Though it is indeed a very frustrating diagnosis to arrive upon, once it is made the pet parent can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that if the offensive allergens are avoided there pet will no suffer the skin or GI side effects associated with food allergies again.
If you have a question about your pet, you can ask a vet online and get an answer immediately.
Dr. Laci Schaible, DVM is a veterinarian in Pennsylvania. She works with her husband, also a veterinarian, and writes avidly in her spare time.
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Exercise equipment for your dog? Clinical evidence indicates the TrimDog exercise weight belt can help your pooch shed some pounds
April 7, 2011
Exercise equipment for your dog? Clinical evidence indicates the TrimDog exercise weight belt can help your pooch shed some pounds.
Jack Lalanne first popularized the use of exercise equipment to help humans get in shape in the 1950s. Now, almost 60 years later, the invention of the TrimDog Exercise Belt is leading the way in canine wellness to make it easier for dogs to get fit and healthy. At first I was skeptical, but after interviewing TrimDog co-founder, Ike Kinlaw, the exercise system seems to have its place in canine weight management.
The TrimDog exercise weight belt was created by Ike and Anna Kinlaw in order to help their overweight Shih Tzu, Lily, shed some pounds. When their veterinarian, Michele Rohrer, DVM of Atlantic Animal Hospital in Wilmington, N.C., made them aware that Lily needed to lose weight, Ike used his knowledge of exercise physiology and Anna’s knowledge of nutrition, to develop an exercise program for dogs. The goal, Ike says, “is to allow dogs to burn more calories per walk by moderately increase the intensity of exercise.”
Ike Kinlaw used his expertise as a human exercise physiologist to invent the weight belt. Ike had been successfully training athletes by having them walk with weighted vests on treadmills, but it wasn’t until 2010 that he read a clinical study from the American College of Sports Medicine that proved the concept behind the invention. The Kinlaw’s began designing the belt for Lily and 50 prototypes later, the TrimDog exercise system is available to all pet parents.
Although Lily could act as a testimonial for the product, Michele Rohrer, DVM encouraged the Kinlaws to carry out a clinical study of the TrimDog’s effectiveness. 12 canines, aged 2-10 years, participated in a randomized clinical trial with the Atlantic Animal Hospital that concluded that dogs that walked with the TrimDog Weight Belt lost more weight than dogs that walked without the weight belt.
When speaking with my veterinary colleagues, concerns arose over whether a pet parent could unintentionally do harm using the TrimDog. For example, if a dog had severe arthritis, the additional weight could be harmful to their joints. In order to protect unhealthy pets from unintentional harm, the Kinlaws decided to distribute the product under the direction of veterinarians. Kinlaw states, “what we recommend you do is go to TrimDog.com, print out the brochure, and take it to your veterinarian and talk to your veterinarian about the program to make sure it is appropriate and so that other causes of weight gain can be ruled out.” The goal, Kinlaw says, “is to sell TrimDog under the supervision of veterinarians.”
The TrimDog system comes in four different sizes and retails for $37.99. More information can be found on TrimDog[dot]com. The package comes with the exercise weight belt, a walking regimen, a nutritional guide, and the opportunity for pet parents to send in their current feeding schedule for a nutritionist to review and make feeding recommendations that have been approved by Dr. Rohrer, TrimDog’s Senior Medical Advisor.
Dr. Jed Schaible is a veterinarian and a pet blogger. Together with his wife Laci, also a veterinarian, they founded VetLIVE, a website that provides pet parents the ability to ask a vet pet health questions 24/7, chat live with a vet, upload photos or medical documents, and more.
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Ask a Vet About Overheating in Dogs
March 31, 2011
Ask a Vet About Overheating in Dogs
As the weather warms up and the southern states are already reaching temperatures in the 90s, it is important to brush up on your knowledge of heat stroke in pets.
Ask a vet what are some signs that your dog is overheated?
Panting is one of the most early and common signs, followed by the dog appearing dull or disoriented. Breathing is usually fast and noisy. They may even collapse or convulse. Their gums may either be bright red or blue. Vomiting, diarrhea, and internal bleeding (manifesting as red/purple spots on the gums, skin, urine, or feces) may occur. Sudden death from cardiac arrhythmias is even a possibility.
If your dog is just panting and you aren’t sure if they are in danger for overheating, you can attempt to take their temperature. Heat stroke usually occurs at a temperature of 104 F and over . Keep in mind, rectal temperatures are the most accurate way to take your dog’s temperature, however, if they have stool in their rectum, it will be artificially lowered.
What should you do if you suspect your dog is overheated?
Grab your dog - wet him or her with cool tap water, and head to the veterinarian ASAP! Wrap your dog in a wet towel on the way to the hospital, as lowering the temperature (slowly, not rapidly) is of crucial and timely importance. Cool tap water, not ice, should be used. If you dog shows interest in drinking water, allow them by all means. If you dog is unconscious, make sure no water can get up their nose or mouth. Call your vet en route, so they can have a team prepared to act quickly!
What causes heat stroke?
Heat stroke is usually caused by high environmental temperatures, but can be precipitated by several factors, both external and internal within the pet themselves. Causes are usually divided into two categories: those that decrease the pet’s ability to disperse excess body heat, and those that increase body temperature.
A poorly ventilated space, sudden exposure to high temperatures, high humidity, and limited water access are all factors that may increase your pet’s chance for heat stroke. Other factors that increase your dog’s chance for overheating include obesity, respiratory disease, thick hair coats or jackets, and extensive periods of exercise, such as racing or sporting dogs. Breeds with shortened upper respiratory passageways, such as pugs, and English bulldogs, are also at increased risk. Certain hormonal problems or even a pet that is already suffering from a fever are also at increased risk.
What is the treatment for heat stroke?
As stated above, getting your pet to the vet is crucial and of timely importance. The goals of therapy are to safely lower the body temperature, treat shock or other negative consequences if they have occurred, and correct the contributing factors. While at the vet, applying alcohol to the ears, footpads, and groin are common tricks to safely lowering the temperature, as well as administering cool IV fluids. If your pet is suffering more serious side effects, a breathing tube may need to be placed and artificial ventilation began. Correcting electrolyte imbalances and controlling seizures are also of top importance. Depending on the severity of the heat stroke, hospitalization of multiple days may be required, especially if organ damage is suspected.
How likely or unlikely is my dog to survive heat stroke?
The prognosis again depends on how high the pet’s temperature was, and how long it was elevated. Survival is poor for comatose animals, animals with kidney or liver failure, internal and unresponsive bleeding. Also, please remember animals that survive heat stroke are more susceptible to repeat occurrences so proper care must be taken to avoid situations where your pet is at risk for hyperthermia.
If you have any questions about overheating or want to ask a vet about your pet’s health, VetLIVE.com provides 24/7 access to licensed veterinarians.
Dr. Laci Schaible, DVM is a veterinarian and writer. She works with her husband, also a veterinarian, in Pennsylvania.
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Online Vet Reviews Cats with Red round lesions on their chin
March 23, 2011
Online Vet Reviews Cats with Red round lesions on their chin
One of the more common cat skin problems I see in practice is eosinophilic granuloma complex (we’ll call it EGC for short). EGC derives it’s name from the classic finding of the white blood cells, eosinophils, in these skin lesions. Though other species can suffer from eosinophilic lesions and granulomas, this specific disease we will be discussing is unique to cats.
Lesions may either be flat (called plaques) or ulcerated (also called indolent or rodent ulcers) or granulomas. Granulomas are firm nodules of inflammation The underlying cause of all types is considering to be an allergic reaction.
Granulomas can be round and raised or oblong. They are typically red/pink, hairless, and raw or ulcerated. They are usually not itchy. An online vet will tell you that the most common place to see them is at the chin. The lesion may resemble a swollen pouty chin. Back of the legs and footpads may also be affected.
Plaques are hairless, raised, raw sores within the skin. Lesions are commonly on the belly, thighs, armpits, neck and back. Itchiness is common with plaques.
Indolent ulcers are actually raw ulcerated and depressed lesions. They are typical around the mouth-usually the upper lip, roof of mouth or even throat. They are not usually itchy or painful, despite their rather dramatic appearance.
Diagnosis is often suspicious just based on clinical signs alone, but cytology is needed to confirm the diagnosis. A smear examined under the microscope is usually conclusive, but occasionally a biopsy is needed, though I have never encountered a situation where it was necessary.
Treatment:
Unfortunately, an online vet cannot recommend a magic pill or easy fix for EGC in cats. Treatment involves several different steps, and eliminating the underlying allergens is the key. The underlying cause of EGC is believed to be a form of an allergic reaction. The immune system overreacts to something to which the cat is exposed in the form of a granuloma or plaque. Possible inciting agents include the following:
-External skin parasites, such as fleas, mites, or lice
-Environmental allergens
-Foods
-Bacterial or fungal skin infections
-Viral infections, such as feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus
Goals of treatment include flea control, a hydrolyzed prescription diet or a homemade diet with novel protein source, and allergy testing. Allergy testing is more invasive and involved, and most owners don’t proceed to it until the first two goals are met.
Antibiotics may be necessary if the lesion is infected, and in some cases, they may be needed for up to one month. Steroid medications, available by oral meds, transdermal meds, or shots, may be used to shrink the lesions themselves. I have had success with injectables, and recommend starting with the mildest ones to see if they are effective before moving on to “the big guns.” This is because using steroids, especially long-term, does include the risk of diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s disease, and other problems such as increased susceptibility to disease and delayed healing. Essential fatty acids added to the food may also help. An online vet can help you come up with the right questions to ask your vet about essential fatty acids.
Prognosis:
With proper control of the allergy, the prognosis is quite good. Some allergies are difficult to identify and eliminate, which can make this a frustrating and recurring problem for cats and their owners. If the lesions are the result of food allergy and/or fleas, avoiding the allergen is much easier and more easily controlled than environmental allergies. Overall, this disease has a good prognosis compared to other skin lesions that can affect cats, such as skin neoplasms or overwhelming fungal infections.
Should you have questions about your cat’s health, you can ask an online vet from the comfort of your own home and even upload pictures of your cat’s lesion.
Dr. Laci Schaible, DVM is a veterinarian in PA. She practices with her husband, also a veterinarian. In their spare time, they are avid writers for numerous pet publications.
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Ask a Vet: Online Vet Reviews skin lumps and bumps
March 14, 2011
Ask a Vet: Online Vet Reviews skin lumps and bumps
Throughout the course of your dog’s life, it is likely you will at one point or another find a lump or swelling either on their skin or underneath it. Skin masses, whether they are benign swellings or more serious in nature, are one of the most common problems we see in practice. Let’s review some of the more common:
Lipomas: Lipomas are rare in cats but common in middle-aged to older dogs where the mass is usually soft, smooth, and somewhat squishy, lesion underneath the skin. You can almost move the mass around a little bit unless they are really large. They are often found on the trunk and neck areas, but they can be on the limbs as well. Lipomas require no treatment unless the size or location of them causes a problem.
Liposarcomas are much less common, but are the malignant form of lipomas. This is a good example of a biopsy or aspirate needing to be performed even when your vet feels the mass and suggests a lipoma. Remember, our hands can tell what type of cells make up a mass, and if your vet thinks he or she can diagnose upon palpation, they are either delusional or have become complacent.
Papillomas are benign tumors that develop from squamous epithelial cells. In puppies, they are caused by a virus, but the cause is unknown in adult dogs. The lesions are usually small in size (pea size or smaller) and not a problem unless they become infected or bleeding or cause pain to the pet. Cats get them much less commonly than dogs. They often have a wrinkled wart-like appearance.
Epidermal inclusion cysts (commonly just called cysts) usually occur secondary to obstruction of a hair follicle. They usually contain thick white to brown material. You can think of these as a plugged pore, giant zit, or ingrown hair.
Sebaceous gland adenomas or adenonocarinomas arise from the epithelium of the sebaceous glands. They are common in older dogs, but less so in cats. They can have the presence of a firm pink or skin-colored lobulated growth. The adenomas are generally not a problem and require no treatment unless they have become infected or bleed recurrently. Sebaceous gland adenocarcinomas are rare, but another reminder that aspiration or biopsies are crucial.
Mast cell tumors are much more serious. While some mast cell tumors are benign, many aren’t. They are the most common type of skin tumor in dogs are fairly common in cats as well. Like many forms of cancer, they are more common in older animals, but I have diagnosed them in juveniles more times than I can remember. They can either be cutaneous or subcutaneous lesions in dogs. They can be single or multiple, and have a variety of appearances. In addition, they can grow inside the pet. They are many different stages and types of mast cell tumors, and treating them is necessary. They are often fatal, as they can spread to organs.
Melanomas in dogs are most commonly seen as a black-bluish tumor on the face, trunk, feet, genitals, nail beds or the junction between mucosa and skin. Just like in humans, they develop from melanocytes or melanoblasts. They are likely to be malignant and are not to be taken lightly.
Squamous cell carcinomas are malignant tumors. Repeated exposure to UV rays on less pigmented skin is believed to be involved. The lesion usually appears as a red raw or ulcerated mass that doesn’t heal. In cats, areas on the face are commonly involved: nose, lips, ears, and eyelids. In dogs, these areas, in addition to the abdomen, limbs, toes, and scrotum.
This list is by no means comprehensive, but it does touch on some of the more common skin tumors. The key to when you find a lump on your pet, make an appointment with your vet ASAP. Ask a vet what they think, and be prepared to have a fine-needle aspiration performed.
With skin lumps that could potentially be a mast cell tumor, you want to be sure that the vet pre-medicates with Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to prevent the procedure from causing a reaction from histamine release (histamine can be released from MCTs if they are messed with). Potentially your vet might look at it and feel it and say it is not necessary because they have ruled out the probability of mast cell tumor,, but if mast cell tumor is on the list of diagnostic differentials, that should be done 10-20 minutes before the aspiration procedure (before the needle goes in). It is really safe, so I do it in all cases of aspiration where mast cell tumor might be be on the list- even remotely. Mast cell tumor aspiration without premedication can cause anaphylactic shock in the most extreme cases.
Dr. Laci Schaible, DVM is a veterinarian that practices in Pennsylvania with her husband, also a veterinarian. In their spare time, they write for numerous pet publications.
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Online Vet Reviews Dog Arthritis
March 4, 2011
Do you have a dog affected by achy joints? Dog arthritis, otherwise known as degenerative joint disease or canine osteoarthritis, is one of the more common ailments that affects dogs, especially as our dogs are living longer lives and weighing more.
Inactive and overweight dogs are the most likely candidates to develop this health condition. Arthritis in dogs is very similar to arthritis in humans. It is a degenerative disease that causes stiffness and pain in the joints. The disease is very common in older dogs because the joints sustain wear and tear with continued use throughout their life. The pain associated with this condition can be very intense for some dogs.
Dog arthritis is not limited to older dogs. Younger dogs can acquire this disease as well. If your pet breaks a leg or injures it in any way, your dog may develop arthritis at the injured location years later despite the best treatment and medicine possible. Certain infections or diseases may give rise to dog arthritis as well. A condition called hip dysplasia is one disease that may leave your dog crippled with arthritis and pain.
Ten years ago, dogs with arthritis received little treatment, but today our knowledge and treatment options have grown impressively. Here are some tips to consider. For an unbiased and personalized veterinary opinion, you can always ask an online vet.
1. Keep you dog the appropriate weight. Extra pounds are not only harmful to many crucial organs, like kidney, liver, and the heart, but extra pounds have to be carried and put extra pressure on the legs holding them up. Keeping your pet a healthy weight will reduce the long-term wear and tear on their legs, as well as make mobility less painful as they age.
2. NSAIDs. No, I won’t stop with the overpriced Rimadyl or even mention giving your dog aspirin (please don’t). There are generic human medications available, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, that are the same thing your vet pulls off the shelf. The goods news is purchasing generics will keep your wallet nice and cushioned, as they cost less than $4/mo in the US. Repeat after me: you don’t have to buy your pet’s medications from your vet. Most always you can purchase them cheaper elsewhere, and yes, many designer pet drugs are just human generics that have been branded pet.
3. Stem cell therapy. Stem cells are primitive cells which are present in virtually every tissue. They are capable of differentiating many different tissue types. They are self renewing and act as trophic factories. This allows these adult stem cells to treat traumatic and degenerative diseases, including bowed tendons, ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, and osteochondral defects in dogs. It is very new and not inexpensive, but I do know a few satisfied pet owners who have gone the stem cell route, although I have not been involved in this procedure yet as a veterinarian.
4. Hydrotherapy. This doesn’t require expensive sessions at a doggie spa with an underwater treadmill (though if you’ve got the resources for this, great). Hydrotherapy is basically exercising in the water. Water provides a zero impact and pain free physical activity for arthritic dogs. It is effective in strengthening the muscles and is a great aid in managing your dog’s weight. The buoyancy of the water provides gentle resistance and alleviates the weight baring strain on the dog’s limbs. In addition, it is great cardiovascular exercise, and you can join in the water fun for a great work-out and bonding time with your dog.
5. Joint supplements. Joint supplements have popped up recently from the homeopathic side of medicine and made it to mainstream. Glucosamine supplements will help joint lubrication if used consistently and over time. It typically takes several weeks before they achieve the level in the body that they need to before the pet will start benefiting. With endless brands on the market, make sure you purchase one that is the right strength for your pet. If the level is too low, there will likely be no benefit.
6. X-rays. Taking x-rays of the painful bones is a wonderful idea that shouldn’t be overlooked just because you assume your pet has arthritis. Something more serious could be going on, such as a fracture or even a bony tumor. Besides, with all the money you are saving with the generic drugs, you should splurge on a couple x-rays and make sure something more serious is not going on.
7. It’s the small things. Keeping your dog more comfortable is also in the daily things. If you don’t have one yet, provide your pooch with a nice cushion place to rest. If you keep him or her in a crate while you are away, make sure you have enough soft blankets down. Also, if you go for car rides and getting in the car is a leap for Fido, consider a doggie car ramp for assistance.
Laci Schaible, DVM is a veterinarian. She practices with her husband, also a veterinarian, in Pennsylvania. They both write for numerous pet publications.
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Top 10 Misconceptions About Pet Health Insurance
February 14, 2011
Top 10 Misconceptions About Pet Health Insurance:
10. Pet health insurance is like human health insurance:
When I ask my clients if they are interested in learning about pet insurance, they often decline. The most cited reason? They don’t like their own health insurance policies and they assume that pet health insurance will be similar.
Unlike human health insurance, a pet policy is not true medical insurance and instead provides a fee-for-service indemnity coverage, similar to car insurance or homeowners insurance. To “indemnify” means “to make whole again, or to be reinstated to the position that one was in prior to the happening of a specified event or peril. “ In fact, many health insurance policies are underwritten by Marine Insurance Companies because pet insurance seems to classify similarly. It odd to find out that insuring a pet is more like insuring a boat or car than a person’s health.
9. Pet Health Insurance is managed care or will lead to managed care:
Pet insurance was developed over 30 years ago in Europe. Insurance, in general, is said to have appeared simultaneously with the appearance of human society and boats and homes have been insured since insurance appeared. “Managed care” has not evolved for boats or homes, so I suspect that pet owners and veterinarians can sleep well at night knowing that pet insurance will not follow human health insurance down the road of managed care and poor customer service. The report, “A Veterinarian’s Guide to Pet Health Insurance, states, “there are several specific reasons why pet health insurance has neither the power nor the incentive to foist managed care onto the profession.”
8. Pet health insurance is more expensive than human health insurance:
Pet health insurance usually carries a smaller deductible than human health insurance and the monthly premiums can be as low as $15 per month.
7. Puppies and kittens don’t need pet insurance. It is better to get them insurance when they are older, when they start having more medical problems:
The opposite is true. If you wait for a pet to get older, they may have already developed conditions that are excluded from the policy. It is best to insure your pet starting when they are a puppy or kitten.
6. If pet insurance is so great, why don’t I know anyone with pet insurance?
It is true that pet insurance policies cover a small percent of pets in the US. However, the industry is growing fast. 1-2% of pets in the U.S. have pet insurance policies, but in England, 20% of pets have policies and in Sweden, 49% of pets are insured. This may be related to the fact that pet owners assume that pet insurance is similar to U.S. human health insurance.
5. Why should I have pet insurance if I have to shell out money and wait to be reimbursed?
From my experience with various plans, the time it takes to get paid back from the insurance company is very quick. Your reimbursement will occur before you have to pay interest on any credit card expense. Also, if you are super worried, there is a company called Care Credit that provides zero percent interest for pet health expenditures in plenty of time to be reimbursed by the insurance company.
4. Isn’t pet insurance the same as just putting aside money for future vet bills?
Consider you put away $400 a year for veterinary bills and that year your pet has to go to the emergency room for a broken leg. It is broken so badly that it requires an orthopedic surgeon to place pins and a plate. This could set you back $7,000, leaving you with $6,600 of medical bills. If you had spent that money on a pet insurance policy, you would have only had to pay 80-90 percent of that bill, giving you a grand total debt of your deductible plus $1,000 to $1,800 and if your pet had complications, the additional bills would be covered with pet insurance.
3. My vet doesn’t take health insurance – I think.
Pet insurance policies do not mandate that you go to a particular veterinarian. Any vet you go to can treat your pet and then you can submit the bills to your pet insurance company.
2. I am really bad with paperwork and the system seems too complex to get paid back.
The very best veterinarians will submit the forms for you. Ask your vet if this is something they do. Furthermore, if you have access to the Internet, the best pet insurance providers have a policy user login where you can submit the forms online or fax them in.
1. It is so difficult to evaluate the pet insurance companies and compare their policies that I am overwhelmed.
Much of the research on policies, customer reviews, and insurer comparisons has already been done for you. Check out Pet Insurance Review online for unbiased evaluations and customer reviews of the different pet insurance providers.
Although pet insurance is often confusing because it is so different than human health insurance, once a pet owner purchases pet insurance, those discrepancies are beneficial to pet owners. If you need additional assistance with pet insurance and would like to ask a vet, consider asking an online veterinarian at VetLIVE.
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