Everybody Wins Pet Show--2011!

Everybody Wins Children's Pet Show gives out 27 awards this year. Shown is Peekaboo the Pekinese with owner and Dr. John Baillie: Peekaboo's ribbon was for Kindest Eyes in the pet show! See all photos below:

The Cats of Kilkenny

Sometimes, it just improves the day to hear a nice poem about our animal friends...

Cats of Kilkenny

Photo Credit:  Two Young Cats by Petr Kratochvil

There once were two cats of Kilkenny,

Each thought there was one cat too many,

So they fought and they fit, 

And they scratched and they bit,

Till, excepting their nails,

And the tips of their tails,

Instead of two cats, there weren't any.

(anonymous) 

Cat Food Recall from Purina

Photo credit:  Cat by Anna Langova

FROM OUR VETS:   Purina is recalling some cat foods due to salmonella contamination.   Click on this link for the latest from the American Animal Hospital Association, one of our most important affiliate organizations.  

Puppy Power at Cedar Pet

Puppy Power at Cedar Pet Clinic Lake Elmo

These two beauties -- Dr. Baillie calls them Big Puppies -- visited Cedar Pet Clinic Lake Elmo together one day recently, and prompted a rash of staff photography. The bulldog, Spike, is in our animal care staff Zoe's family, and was there for a special purpose -- a puppy play date. Clumber spaniel Forest is an only puppy, and owner Jayde, one of our vet techs, wanted the six-week-old to have some socializing and puppy play time; Spike was a willing participant. They played together under the admiring gaze of the staff. Forest, whom practice manager Mila says always looks sleepy, did wake up enough to chew on Spike's ear; the two wore themselves out with fun and spent part of the afternoon spooning and sleeping close together.

What a life!

FROM OUR VETS: Dr. Noemi Plantz talks ticks!

We’re in tick season in Minnesota and Wisconsin now, and it’s a long season… this year, clients started to tell us about ticks on their dogs in February, and we expect to be hearing the same stories up until December. Wood ticks and deer ticks differ in size, and a bit in appearance (who’s looking that closely?!), but both species can transmit disease to your dog, even if your dog spends minimal time outside. Because of their grooming habits, it is unusual for cats to have problems with ticks.

Adult Deer Tick

Prevention is best with tick-borne diseases. Your dog should be vaccinated for Lyme’s disease yearly, and Frontline Plus should be used to prevent ticks from attaching long enough to transmit bacteria. Most tick diseases require the tick to be attached and feeding for at least 24-48 hours. If your dog is protected with Frontline Plus, ticks will die within a few hours of attaching to the skin. Frontline should be continued into November, as ticks will be active during these months.

All of the diseases we list here have been diagnosed in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and all have been seen by our practice.

Lyme’s disease: caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, and transmitted through deer ticks. Symptoms include recurrent lameness, decreased appetite and energy, and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, the kidney can be involved and symptoms will progress very fast.

Ehrlichiosis: caused by the bacteria Ehrlichia canis. Symptoms include decreased appetite, decreased energy, and fever. Severe cases of the disease can decrease platelet function in the blood and could lead to bleeding disorders.

Anaplasmosis: caused by the bacteria Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Symptoms include decreased appetite, decreased energy, fever, and painful swollen joints. Some animals develop vomiting and diarrhea.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: caused by the organism Rickettsia rickettsii. Symptoms include decreased appetite, decreased energy, fever, painful muscles and joints, swollen lymph nodes, vomiting and diarrhea. Some dogs develop severe signs such as heart arrhythmias, bleeding disorders and neurological signs (dizziness, seizures).

Many of the symptoms of tick borne diseases are similar, and can be vague and difficult to distinguish. If your pet is showing any of the symptoms listed, give us a call. We can test for exposure, and for infection.

What A Difference; A Year of Growth in a Boxer Puppy

On the left, exactly one year ago, technicians Kirstin and Kris happily support a set of newborn boxer pups. It is always a fine moment when our staff helps bring these wonderful babies into the world. And it's even more fun when we get to watch them grow up.

And on the right, on this date, mother Ruby on the left, and former puppy Thor on the right, posing with our staff on a recent visit to the clinic. Thor has gone from one pound at birth to 56 pounds at this weighing; Dr. Baillie calls him "a big, good-natured boxer, typical of the breed". And beautiful, too. Thor's sister Jada is also in the practice.

Technician Kirstin, by the way, is now a first-year veterinary student at Ross University on St. Kitt's Island. She writes regularly to the clinic, and recently reported that she and her husband have adopted a local dog down there. We know it will be in good health!

FROM OUR VETS: Human medications that poison pets

Photo Credit:  Medical Tablets by Vera Kratochvil

(Extracted and summarized from an article by Ahna Brutlag, DVM, for the Pet Poison Helpline)

Pet poisonings from human medications can happen. Dogs can chew into pill bottles, packages can be mixed up; both over-the-counter and prescription human meds can make your dog very very sick. If you think your pet has ingested human medications – or any poisonous substance -- call us at once. (Our website carries contact information for the Animal Emergency Clinic for after-hours help.)

Here are the top ten human medications that pets ingest:

1. NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen)—Topping our list are the common household medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), which include common names such as ibuprofen (e.g., Advil and some types of Motrin) and naproxen (e.g., Aleve). While these medications are safe for people, even one or two pills can cause serious harm to a pet. Dogs, cats, birds and other small mammals including ferrets, gerbils, and hamsters may develop serious stomach and intestinal ulcers as well as kidney failure.

2. Acetaminophen—When it comes to pain medications, acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) is popular. Even though this drug is safe for children, it is not safe for pets—especially cats. One regular strength tablet of acetaminophen may cause damage to a cat’s red blood cells, limiting their ability to carry oxygen. In dogs, acetaminophen leads to liver failure and, in large doses, red blood cell damage.

3. Antidepressants (e.g., Effexor, Cymbalta, Prozac, Lexapro)—While these and other antidepressant drugs are occasionally used in pets, overdoses can lead to serious neurological problems such as sedation, incoordination, tremors and seizures. Some antidepressants also have a stimulant effect leading to a dangerously elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Pets, especially cats, seem to enjoy the taste of Effexor and often eat the entire pill. Unfortunately, just one pill can cause serious poisoning.

4. ADD and ADHD medications (e.g., Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin)—Medications used to treat Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder contain potent stimulants such as amphetamines and methylphenidate. Even minimal ingestions of these medications by pets can cause life-threatening tremors, seizures, elevated body temperatures, and heart problems.

5. Benzodiazepines and sleep aids (e.g., Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, Lunesta)—These medications are designed to reduce anxiety and help people sleep better. However, in pets, they may have the opposite effect. About half of dogs that ingest sleep aids become agitated instead of sedate. In addition, these drugs may cause severe lethargy, incoordination (including walking “drunk”), and slowed breathing in pets. In cats, some forms of benzodiazepines can cause liver failure when ingested.

6. Birth control (e.g., estrogen, estradiol, progesterone)—Birth control pills often come in packages that dogs find irresistible. Thankfully, small ingestions of these medications typically do not cause trouble. However, large ingestions of estrogen and estradiol can cause bone marrow suppression, particularly in birds. Additionally, intact female pets are at an increased risk of side effects from estrogen poisoning.

7. ACE Inhibitors (e.g., Zestril, Altace)—Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are commonly used to treat high blood pressure in people and, occasionally, pets. Though overdoses can cause low blood pressure, dizziness, and weakness, this category of medication is typically safe. Pets ingesting small amounts of this medication can potentially be monitored at home, unless they have kidney failure or heart disease.

8. Beta-blockers (e.g., Tenormin, Toprol, Coreg)—Beta-blockers are also used to treat high blood pressure but, unlike with ACE inhibitors, small ingestions of these drugs may cause serious poisoning in pets. Overdoses can cause life-threatening decreases in blood pressure and a very slow heart rate.

9. Thyroid hormones (e.g., Armour desiccated thyroid, Synthroid)—Pets—especially dogs—get underactive thyroids too. Interestingly, the dose of thyroid hormone needed to treat dogs is much higher than a person’s dose. Therefore, if dogs accidentally get into thyroid hormones at home, it rarely results in problems. However, large acute overdoses in cats and dogs can cause muscle tremors, nervousness, panting, a rapid heart rate, and aggression.

10. Cholesterol lowering agents (e.g., Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor)—These popular medications, often called statins, are commonly used in the United States. While pets do not typically get high cholesterol, they may still get into the pill bottle. Thankfully, most statin ingestions only cause mild vomiting or diarrhea. Serious side effects from these drugs come with long-term use, not one-time ingestions.

Additional information can be found online at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.