What do Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years mean for your pet?

We all look forward to the holiday season, and when fall hits the air we know that a long period of celebration is just around the corner. During this time, it is important that we take precautions to protect our pets from the stress and dangers that they may face. We see many preventable illnesses during the holidays. Here are some tips to keep your pet happy and safe:

Be mindful of the many plants, treats, and food items that can be toxic (poinsettias, lilies, holly, onions, chocolate, dough, and items sweetened with xylitol). For a more complete list of toxic substances, see the poison control information at ASPCA.org. 

Vomiting and diarrhea are common reasons for a trip to the vet during the holiday season. Food from the table or the trashcan, even if not on the "toxic list", seems to be ingested more frequently during celebratory gatherings, and may cause gastrointestinal upset.

When toys, tinsel, and other decorations are around, the chance for foreign body ingestion rises sharply. Open flames are also a danger for swishing tails and curious noses. Traffic often increases during the holidays, so the chance of being hit by a car rises. Keep a sharp eye out for potential hazards, and as always, SUPERVISE!

Family gatherings involving people--especially children--unfamiliar to your pet can be stressful. Consider your pet's need for a safe and quiet place away from the chaos.

Don't forget the fireworks on New Year's Eve and their potential effect on your pet. Be sure to plan ahead if your pet will require medication to ease his or her fear of loud noises.

With a little forethought and planning, the holiday season can be as joyous as it should be and need not be a time for an unexpected trip to the vet!

Lumps, Bumps, Growths, and Masses

Lumps, bumps, growths, and masses: these are all vague and non-specific words for the same thing. And as far as pets are concerned, they are a common occurrence. How do we know which ones are harmless and which ones are threats to our pets' health?

As with humans, "lumps and bumps" in dogs and cats can arise from many different types of tissue. Although there are certain growths that may affect pets of any age, many don't appear until later in life when cells tend to misbehave and the immune system's defenses are not up to par. When we discover any new or abnormal growth, we must start by asking ourselves the following:

- How long has the growth been there? Did it suddenly appear? Or, looking back, did it start awhile ago as a perceived pimple, insect bite, or infected area that persisted to reveal itself as a mass?

- Has it stayed the same size for a long time, or is it steadily growing? Some lumps will appear to have grown because they have become secondarily infected or inflamed. Others, whether benign or malignant, can grow rapidly and change quickly.


There are some common misconceptions that have little value in determining the potential dangers of a growth, such as:

- The observance that the mass "doesn't bother him or her".

- The idea that a lump doesn't "look" cancerous.

- The thought that only large growths are cancerous.

Even needle aspirations of a growth can be misleading or inaccurate when trying to classify it as benign or malignant. The only reliable way to evaluate a growth is by submitting it for analysis by histopathology. 

WE SEE MANY LUMPS, BUMPS, GROWTHS, AND MASSES!

The following recommendations can help you avoid high vet costs and the unnecessary suffering of your pet when that dreaded "lump" appears:

- Take the important preventative care steps that can decrease the occurrence and progression of cancer in your pet. These include spaying/neutering, maintaining an ideal body weight, and yearly examinations by your veterinarian.

- DON'T WAIT! Have growths checked early. Once a mass has progressed in size or spread it becomes more expensive--and sometimes impossible--to remove using standard surgical methods. Even if you and your veterinarian agree to watch the mass for change, it is important to follow up quickly if change occurs.

- If possible, consent to having histopathology done on a removed growth to answer the question "what is it?", determine a prognosis, and develop a future course of action.

- If you are planning on having another procedure done to your pet, i.e., routine spay, neuter, dental, etc., consider having that worrisome "lump" removed at that time before it changes. Remember that even if a mass is truly benign, it can still cause problems if it fills with fluid (i.e., cysts) or becomes infected, inflamed, or necrotic.

Lumps, Bumps, Growths, and Masses can be scary, but can usually be treated successfully, resulting in a good outcome, when you and your veterinarian work together for your pet.

Signs That Your Pet May Have Dental Disease

                                                       

 
 The benefits of a healthy mouth (and the pain, infection, and inflammation of a diseased one) extend to the whole body. Therefore, dental cleanings can have an enormous beneficial effect on your pet's overall health. Ideally you should brush your dog's teeth daily with a pet toothpaste. Make sure you use a toothpaste made especially for dogs. Human toothpaste and mouthwashes can often upset a dog's stomach. A healthy mouth should have pink gums and show no signs of swelling. Additionally, toxic free rawhide, nylon and rubber chew toys can help keep the teeth clean.  You can also give your pet special formulated food that will help keep the tartar off in between brushing and cleanings. (ASPCA) 
Here are five signs to watch out for:

- Difficulty Eating  can result from the pain associated with the inflammation and infection caused by dental disease. 

- Pawing at the Mouth may also be a sign of pain, inflammation and loose teeth. 

- Excessive Salivation often occurs with any disease of the mouth, including dental disease. 

- Odor from the Mouth and/or Bad Breath are common symptoms of infection caused by dental disease. 

- Facial Swelling Below the Eye or on the Bottom Jaw can mean that your pet has an abscess of a tooth root causing a draining hole to appear.

If your pet shows any of the above signs, he or she should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.  Prompt assessment and treatment are vital when it comes to dental disease in pets. 

7 Foods you Should Never Feed Your Cat

Although cats are not usually table beggars, giving them human food can still pose a hazard to their health. Here are the top foods that should never be fed to cats.

1. Raw fish can cause vomiting and diarrhea in cats. It also contains thiaminase that can break down an essential B vitamin, thiamine. A deficiency of thiamine can cause neurological problems and convulsions. 

2. Onions and Chives are more toxic to cats than dogs. The toxic allium components they contain can damage red blood cells and cause anemia, even in trace amounts. It doesn't matter if the onion is raw, cooked, or powdered. Therefore some human baby foods should also not be fed to cats because they may contain onion powder.

3. Uncooked eggs may contain salmonella and other parasites that could lead to pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). On occasion, and in small amounts, it is safe to offer cooked eggs.

4. Bones can splinter and cause choking and intestinal blockage or perforation. Never give your cat a bone.

5. Fat Trimmings can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and pancreatitis if fed to cats. 

6. Caffeinated drinks/foods can cause an increased heart rate and agitation that could be dangerous.

7. Milk can cause diarrhea and other stomach upsets, especially in the adult cat whose digestive tract has normally become somewhat lactose intolerant.

* Although not a food, Tylenol and Aspirin can be deadly if given to your cat.

* For more information on foods hazardous to felines, visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website. Their call center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and their phone number is 888-426-4435.

Animal Emergencies that Should Receive Immediate Veterinary Consultation/Care

Pet emergencies can occur anytime and without warning. Yet often the pet owner is unsure as to whether or not immediate veterinary care is needed. Although it is always better to err on the side of caution, there are specific situations where prompt veterinary care is essential. Emergency clinics are equipped to handle just about any situation, but some general veterinary practices, like Herschel, are likely to refer emergency cases to full service hospitals for more extensive diagnostics and hospitalization services that emergencies require. The following situations warrant immediate veterinary care (AVMA):

-Severe bleeding and bleeding that does not stop within 5 minutes.
-Severe dog fight wounds.
-Choking, difficultly breathing or non-stop coughing or gagging.
-Bleeding from the nose, mouth, or rectum. Bloody urine or coughing up blood.
-Inability to urinate or defecate and/or obvious pain associated with urination or defecation.
-Injury to the eye.
-Snakebite.
-Difficult or unproductive labor.
-Suspicion or knowledge of ingestion or exposure to poisons.
-Seizures and/or staggering.
-Fractured bones, severe lameness or inability to move.
-Being hit by a motor vehicle.
-Obvious signs of pain or anxiety. 
-Heat stress and heatstroke.
-Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more.
-Loss of consciousness.
-Severe vomiting and/or diarrhea (more than 2 episodes in a 24-hour period). Vomiting and/or diarrhea combined with other illness or any other problems listed above.

Note: Any concern about your pet's health warrants, at a minimum, a call to your veterinarian. 

Thinking of Getting a New Puppy?

Owning a new puppy is a joyful experience, but it also requires responsibility and a big commitment! Consider the following tips before you choose:

-Carefully research the breeds/types that you are considering and make sure that the puppy you choose will fit in well with your environment and lifestyle. 

-Choose a reputable breeder, facility, or family source. Are the premises clean? Are the puppy's parents available to see? Do the people selling the puppy seem to be knowledgeable? If the breed that you are looking for has traits that should be genetically tested, have these tests been done? 

-Look for a puppy of at least 8 weeks of age that has bright eyes, pink gums, clean ears, and a clean nose. He/she should be lively and friendly. 

-Insist on a complete and detailed account of all treatments and vaccines that the puppy has received. GET IT IN WRITING! Beware of vaccines/treatments that have been given by someone other than a veterinarian. 

-If you plan to purchase a puppy in Florida, be sure to look up Florida State Statute 828.29, which requires the puppy be at least 8 weeks of age and be accompanied by a certificate of Veterinary Inspection signed before the sale. This law is designed to protect you, the buyer, and helps ensure that your puppy has received proper preventative care. Make sure that the seller provides you with this valid Florida Health Certificate on your puppy and that it has been signed by a veterinarian within the past 30 days. 

-Finally, congratulations! Be sure to have your puppy checked by your veterinarian as soon as possible after your purchase in order to continue his/her wellness needs. 

Summer Heat Safety Tips

Summer is here and for all of us in Florida, we know that means very warm weather! While this may be a welcome change after a cold winter, it's important to keep pet safety in mind with the rising temperatures. Here are a few tips to keep your pets cool this summer. 

--Be very careful when exercising your dog outdoors during hot weather.

--NEVER leave you pet alone in a car even with the windows down. 

--Provide plenty of fresh water and a shady spot to help cool down your pet.

--Take special care of dogs and cats with flattened faces (Persians, Pugs, Bulldogs, etc.), as they are more susceptible to heat stroke.

--Don't let your dog's paws linger on hot asphalt. Avoid walking/exercising your pet during the hottest part of the day. 

Additionally, if you suspect that your pet is suffering from heat stroke, get help immediately from a vet.
Some symptoms may include: excessive panting, respiratory problems, increased heart/respiratory rates, drooling, weakness, collapse. A temperature that exceeds 104 degrees Fahrenheit is also a concern.