Keeping Your Pet Happy and Active

“Furry Friends Need Fun Too”

By Dr. Jennifer

  All of us know our pets need food, water, medical care and lots of love. But our dogs and cats have other needs, too. They need physical exercise and mental stimulation to have full and happy lives.

 Our pets need some type of “job” or environmental enrichment to keep them busy and engaged.  Without these our pets can become excessively bored and lazy.  This can lead to physical diseases like obesity and joint problems and behavioral issues like destructive behaviors and excessive barking or meowing.  At Pellissippi Veterinary Hospital we want to help you keep your pet happy and active.

To help prevent behavior and health issues, we recommend physical and mental workouts for your furry friends.

•Healthy adult dogs need at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. Jogging, swimming and playing at the dog park are all great ways to burn excess energy and help keep your dog calmer and happy.

•Engage in structured games, like fetch, Frisbee games and find-the-treat —they’re great exercise and teaches your pet impulse control and strengthens the bond between you. 

•Keep your dog occupied when he’s home alone with food-stuffed puzzle toy or chew toys.  Cats also enjoy food puzzle toys and treat balls.

•Cats also need plenty of aerobic exercise. Get kitty fit with stimulating play sessions, such as chase and fetch with furry toys, small balls or toy mice. 

•Keep your cat engaged when home alone with activities like bird watching, exploring paper bags and boxes, or watching cat videos. 

•Teach your cat tricks! They are quick studies and can learn practical skills like coming when called, sitting up, rolling over and even fetch! 

You are ultimately responsible for physically and mentally enriching your pet’s life. Activities that exercise your cat or dog’s mind and body will keep them (and your relationship) healthy and happy.

THEY’RE HERE!

By: Dr. Hackett

    Fire Ants arrived in the United States in 1938 at the port of Mobile, Alabama aboard a ship from South America.  Since that day they have steadily moved north toward East Tennessee. They have arrived.  I found four nests in my yard in Solway last year and three more this spring. Oak Ridge National Lab has a report of them on their property as well. I spoke with a client who found two nests on his property in Morgan County.

    What makes Fire Ants different?

  The fire ant is unlike the ants we are used to in East Tennessee because they actually grab their victims with their pinchers like any ant could and then deliver a sting from a stinger in their abdomen. The sting contains a venom similar to a bee.  When their nest is disturbed by an animal or human walking past they boil out of their nest in huge numbers and attack in force.

How do I know if there are Fire Ants in my yard?

 The fire ant’s nest is a 5-6 inch high mound of dirt in a sunny area of your yard. They just seem to suddenly appear. There are no holes in the top of the mound as we are used to seeing and no ants are visible until they are disturbed. The ants themselves are intermediate in size between the small red ants and large black carpenter ants we are used to seeing in our yards. The ants are red in the head area and black in the abdomen.

How dangerous are the Fire Ants? 

The sting of the ants causes a red welt which turns to a blister in 24 hours.  Infection can result if the blister is scratched and opened.  Young or small animals and children are at greatest risk due to their size and proximity to the ground.   The stings can result in allergic reactions in some animals and people.  In the U.S. , the ants result in an estimated 1 billion dollars of agricultural losses per year. This as compared to the estimated 1.5 billion dollars caused by termites.

Controlling Fire Ants

Using chemicals to control fire ants involves treating their nests and watering the surface to allow the insecticide a chance to penetrate the nest which may be five feet deep.  The queens, there may be as many as five or more per nest, only eat food first eaten by the workers.  Thus if the insecticide acts quickly it may never reach the queens.  Each and every nest needs to be treated.  The nests rechecked for live ants and retreated if necessary. Many recommended non-insecticide treatments are to be found ……club soda, baking soda, vinegar, molasses, plaster of Paris, and artificial sweeteners.  Unfortunately none of these do little more than encourage the ants to move their mound at most. Dish washing soap mixed with citrus oil does seem to have some effectiveness. Mowing frequently and at a short level discourages the mound building.   They prefer sun so shady areas are less likely to be invaded. There are flies which attack the ants and they have been imported in some southern states to limit the fire ants.

Photos

This is what a typical Fire Ant mound looks like. If you did not know any better you would think it was just a pile of dirt.

Here is a size comparison photo of the mound and a dime.

If you look closely, you can see the Fire Ants. This picture was taken after they had been disturbed. Unlike other ants, the Fire Ant does not hang out at the top of the mound unless attack.

This is Jasmine, one of Dr. Hackett and Jan’s Italian Grey Hounds, she was and unfortunate victim of an attack by Fire Ants.

As mentioned above, there are chemicals that are made to eradicate the mounds. Spectracide Fire Ant Killer is the brand that Dr. Hackett used to get rid of his Fire Ant infestation.

Here is a video of the Fire Ants when they are disturbed from their mound.

Written by Dr. Hall

      With the coming of Spring in East Tennessee nature is awakening, flowers are blooming and birds are singing. This is also a time when wildlife is reproducing, and babies are on the way. Occasionally these newborns are found by people who want to help them. This is usually not a good idea. Parent rarely abandon babies and are usually taking care of them. If possible a baby bird could be placed back in the nest, but should not be taken in as they are very difficult to raise.

    Baby bunnies are only fed once a day by the mother. They do not sit on a nest to keep the babies warm. They return at night to take care of them. It is not a good idea to rescue them as they are not easy to care for. It is better to leave them where they are found to let nature takes its course.

    If it’s unavoidable then a licensed wildlife rehabilitator should be contacted. They have a much better likelihood of survival in the hands of an experienced person.

    In addition, it is illegal to keep any animal native to the State. Another consideration is the possibility of exposing yourself and family to diseases which wildlife can carry. If bitten by a wild animal and it cannot be found, one must have shots to prevent rabies.

It is only human to want to help when we find an orphan creature but intervening can actually increase the risk that it may not survive.

Due to a new state government regulation, we can not dispense ANY controlled substance without checking the database for permission. For REFILL prescriptions, please phone ahead and give us at least 48 hours. For NEW prescriptions, clients will unfortunately have to wait or return to get the medication. These new regulations are to prevent “doctor shopping” and Veterinarians are included.

8 Common Spring Pet Toxins

By Dr Jennifer at Pellissippi Veterinary Hospital

1.  Lilies (Easter lily and other Lily plants)

Lilies are HIGHLY toxic to cats.  All parts of these pretty flowers are toxic to cats and can lead to kidney failure resulting in death.  There are many other plants and flowers that are toxic to our furry family members so if you are not sure if your plants and flowers are safe, keep them away from your pets. Visit www.aspca.org/Pet-care/poison-control/Plants.aspx for a searchable plant database.

2.  Easter Grass

Cats (and some dogs) love to play with this pretty “grass” but it can be very dangerous if eaten.  It can easily become stuck in the intestines requiring emergency surgery to remove it.  If you have pets, don’t use Easter Grass in your Easter baskets.

3.  Chocolate

Chocolate is very dangerous for our puppy pals.  There are two ingredients (caffeine and theobromine) that are toxic and these ingredients are present in varying amounts in different types of chocolate.  Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous. 

4.  Xylitol

This artificial sweetener is used in many sugar free candies and baked goods.  It is VERY dangerous for dogs and can be fatal if eaten in even small amounts.

5.  Lawn and Garden Herbicides and Pesticides

Spring is a common time to treat our yards to help control weeds and insects but keeping our yards pretty may harm our pets.  Dogs and cats can become ill from exposure to some of these products.  If possible, try to avoid using herbicides and pesticides or use non-toxic alternatives.

6.  Snail and Slug Bait (Metaldehyde)

Many people use this to help remove snails and slugs from their yards but it is very toxic to dogs even in small doses.  The “bait” is made into pellets (which dogs often readily eat) liquids and powders (which dogs often lick off their paws).  Toxic symptoms occur quickly resulting in seizures, high body temperature and even death. 

7.  Flea and Tick Treatments

Fleas and ticks are a major concern in our area but some of the treatments can also be concerning.  It is very important to use APPROPRIATE flea and tick preventatives on your pets to keep them safe.  Be sure you are using a product we recommend at Pellissippi Veterinary Hospital at the correct dose and NEVER use dogs products on cats (they can be deadly).

8.  Household Cleaners

Be sure when you are starting your “spring cleaning” your pets are safely put away or you are using cleaners that are labeled as being safely used around pets.  Remember cats and dogs will lick cleaners off their feet and that can be very dangerous.

If you have any questions or concerns please give us a call at (865)691-8387!

Frequently Asked Questions about Cats and Heartworms

By Pellissippi Veterinary Hospital’s Official Cat Advocate Dr. Jennifer

Can my cat get heartworms?

Cats are susceptible to heartworms but they appear to be less susceptible than dogs.  In Tennessee the incidence of heartworms has been reported to be 15-20% for dogs but only 5-10% for cats.  Mosquitos are responsible for disease transmission and are a major problem in our region.

Are indoor cats protected from heartworms?

It is much more likely for cats that go outside to get heartworms, but indoor cats can get heartworms too.  One bite by an infected mosquito is all it takes for transmission.  Anytime the door or window opens, an infected mosquito could come inside putting your cat at risk.

What are the symptoms of heartworm disease in cats?

Many cats do not show symptoms of heartworm disease.  However, there are some signs that may indicate your cat has heartworm disease.  Many infected cats present with respiratory signs such as coughing, asthma-like attacks, wheezing, and even respiratory distress.

Is there a test for heartworm disease in cats?

There are blood tests available to check for heartworms in cats.  If you are concerned your cat may be infected, please contact us for an appointment with one of our doctors.

 Is there a treatment for cats with heartworm disease?

There is no cure for heartworm disease in cats.  The only treatment is targeted at controlling respiratory signs.  This disease may not be curable, but it is 100% preventable.

How can I protect my cat from heartworms?

Keeping your cat indoors will help lessen the risk of heartworm infection, but the only truly effective protection is using heartworm preventatives year-round.  At PVH we have multiple heartworm preventatives available to help keep your kitty happy and healthy.

Overpopulation of stray cats and dogs is becoming an ever increasing problem not only in East Tennessee, but all over the United States. Local shelters and low-cost spay and neuter programs do their best to alter (spay/neuter) as many animals as they can but the massive number of homeless animals make this a daunting task. The staff here at Pellissippi Veterinary Hospital would like to help in this fight against overpopulation. We would like to introduce a new program that we will be instituting called “Fix By Six”! This program is designed to encourage the spaying and neutering of animals before 6 months of age which is around the time puberty sets in.

Top 5 Reasons to “Fix by Six”

1.  Female cats and dogs that are not spayed have a much higher risk of uterine infections and mammary cancer.  These are potentially fatal diseases.  You can drastically decrease the likelihood of these life-threatening diseases by spaying BEFORE the first heat cycle.

2.  Male pets are much less likely to develop testicular cancer if neutered early.

3.  Spaying and neutering early can help control behavioral issues like urine marking, escaping (to roam for a mate), and some types of aggression.

4.  Spaying helps prevent unwelcome male guests from coming to your home.  Female pets urine mark when in heat drawing any available male to your home.  Cats also excessively cry and meow calling a mate.  This can go on for days!  

5.  Helps combat pet overpopulation by keeping your pet from “accidentally” becoming pregnant or getting another animal pregnant.

To set up an appointment or for more information please call (865)-691-8387.

In mid January, the SOS Beagle Rescue was forwarded a request for help on an injured beagle puppy.  Of course we stepped up to help but once we met Lark we realized she was neither a puppy nor injured.

She was taken directly to Pellissippi  Veterinary Hospital for X-ray and evaluation by our SOS vet with 25 years of orthopedic surgery experience, Dr Pat Hackett. You may remember? Dr. Hackett and his capable staff put Humpty Dumpty Hal back together again after a hit by car accident in 2011.   Pellissippi Veterinary Hospital has also helped hundreds of beagles like Cookie, Gertie, Ambrosia, Chance, Gidget, Midge and more.  Visit www.sosbeagles.org for more information on this 20 year old Beagle rescue.

Sadly Lark was born with two bad knees, allowing her kneecaps to ride on the outside of the joint and her leg bones to rub together painfully.  This created a splayed, hunched, duck like walk.  Even the intense pain could not diminish her zest for and love of life.

Just like Hal, we hope to see Lark placed into her loving forever home soon. 

Lark, aka Larkspur, is our newest special needs case, and the first 2013 recipient of a Dorothy Schuda Fund grant.

 Lark’s Story:

 Lark was a hungry, dirty, flea-ridden beagle who was found by the side of the road in Tennessee by a kind couple. She had a bad limp, and they thought she had been hit by a car, but she had no sign of recent injuries. They took the young beagle home and cleaned her up. The husband fell in love with her and wanted to keep her, but they had no income and knew she needed veterinary help. They posted on Craig’s List looking for a Good Samaritan. They agreed to meet any rescuer at the vet’s. At that point, SOS Beagle Rescue, Tennesse, stepped up to the plate! Lark was evaluated by our vet to see just what, if anything, could be done to help correct what turned out to be a serious double knee issue she has probably had since birth. Unlike the normal case of luxating patella, her knee caps are outside the knee, forcing both knees to fold in. She had low muscle tone and very poor mobility. As Dr. Hackett said, we sure brought him a challenging case!

Video: Lark Before Surgery

 Note that Lark is straightening her right rear leg! That bodes well for a surgical fix. Paws crossed she gets a good X-ray report tomorrow and begins her road to recovery.

 Lark’s Progress:

 Update Feb 11, 2013:

 Lark had her second surgery today on her right rear leg. A deep groove was cut into the smooth area and the kneecap was anchored in place. Pretty amazing to see. Can’t wait to see how Lark recovers over time. This tiny 9 lb girl deserves a long and pain free life! Thank you Pellissippi Veterinary Hospital, SOS, Jan and Dr Hackett for taking on this challenge… A special thank you to Tiffany and Jeremy for allowing this cutie to convalesce and blossom in your home.

Update Jan 20, 2013:

 Lark, our tiny double knee surgery girl, update from her awesome fosters Tiffany Bartlett and Jeremy. Lark and her snuggle buddy copper. Her foster mom says,

 ”Lark is still pretty timid, but hit a milestone this morning. She gave me kisses when I got her this morning and she braved going out the door to pee outside and run right back in. She loves the company of the other dogs, chews and plays with all toys! She still barks when Jeremy walks into the room, but as soon as he pets her she relaxes and melts in his arms. Doesn’t really seem to like men yet? She met the baby and thought he was the greatest.”

 Video: Lark Playing

 Update Jan 17, 2013:

 Lark is safely tucked away in her roomy puppy playpen, to think Tiffany was worried it might be too small?

 Lark needs to stay low activity to allow her knee to heal. A great big THANK YOU goes out to our great vets at Pellissippi Veterinary Hospital for seeing an option for this wee one and going for it.

 Update Jan 14, 2013:

 Lark update: All the veterinarians at Pellissippi Veterinary Hospital are amazed. She prefers walking using the surgery leg just 3 days post op. That just tells us how painful her congenital condition has become in her short life. Though not real steady and not a pretty gait, you can see how much more stable the leg with the fixed knee is versus the other. Once this one heals satisfactorily we will work on her other knee. Keep good thoughts. She should be heading to TN foster soon. Thanks all.

 Video: Lark Walking After Surgery

 Update Jan 12, 2013:

Lark had surgery on her left knee this afternoon. The femur had some scarring but there was absolutely no groove for the knee cap to follow/hold. Dr. Hackett created a groove and did the necessary attachments. We aren’t expecting a perfect gait but hope to stop the rubbing, pain and further injury.

Ambrosia’s foster dogs, Tiffany and Jeremy, have stepped up to help Lark in the first phase of her re-hab. Their home is ideally set up to accommodate her. Michelle Bauer, Button’s foster also stopped by to see the wee one and expressed an interest to help during subsequent rehab.

(20% Discount on Dental Services)

Dental hygiene is important for all members of the family, even dogs and cats! After all they don’t have opposable thumbs and can’t floss or brush their own teeth! After awhile this takes its toll. Studies have shown that 85% of pets have periodontal disease by 3 years of age. (Periodontal means “around the tooth”)

Lift the Lip

You should feel comfortable regularly looking at your pet’s teeth and mouth. Are the teeth white and the gums a healthy pink like yours? Do you see staining or mineralized tan or brown tartar? Is the gumline red and inflamed where it touches the tooth?

Tartar, or calculus, starts out as plaque (a mix of bacteria saliva) and can harden over time into a mineralized material. This tartar causes inflammation of the gums called gingivitis. As it progresses it affects the attachments of the dental ligaments below the gumline eventually loosening the tooth as bone loss progressess. About 70% of the normal tooth should be below the gumline. The bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream from the inflamed gums and cause problems in other organs including the heart, liver and kidneys.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Good dental health requires routine professional cleaning even with regulat brushing. A cosmetic cleaning is not the same as a professional cleaning which involves six steps.

1) Visible tartar is removed either by hand-scaling with special dental instruments or an ultrasonic scaler or a combination of the two.

2) The tiny bits of tartar/stains are removed with smaller instruments.

3) The gumline around the tooth is probed to determine if deep pockets are evident, indicating periodontal disease.

4) The tartar below the gumline is removed.

5) The enamel surface of the tooth is polished to smooth the surface.

6) The mouth is rinsed with a disinfectant and a fluoride sealer applied.

Of course to enable these procedures to be accomplished, anesthetics are needed. As with any anesthetic event there is always a slight risk involved. But anesthetic agents used in veterinary medicine today are much safer than years past. We always recommend pre-anesthetic bloodwork to look for possible abnormalities which could affect anesthetic choices.

Home Care

Brushing the teeth is the best routine home care. There are veterinary toothpastes available which contain enzymes that can help remove the plaque. While plaque can start reforming in as little as 48 hours after a cleaning,

it’s usually recommended to wait for a week before brushing. DO NOT use human toothpaste for you pets. It’s been shown that brushing three times weekly is adequate to maintain healthy teeth, but daily brushing is needed to help control gingivitis.

Pet enzymatic toothpastes are usually poultry or beef flavored and are expected the be swallowed. Take 30-60 seconds to apply the toothpaste to the outside surface of the teeth. There are special brushes for pets, or you can use a cloth or gauze for application.

Rinses and Chews

For those pets who are difficult the brush, there are dental rinses designed to help cut down on the bacteria in the mouth. Specially designed dental chews are readily available which can aid in dental health. Use common sense as to size as some smaller or softer chews may be swallowed in too large of a piece, causing stomach upset. DO NOT offer bones or cow hooves as these are too hard and can break teeth.

Regular home care and periodic professional cleaning will help keep your pet healthy and happy!

Thanks Dr. Hall for this blog on Dental Health!

Dr. Jennifer has compiled a short information brief about Canine Influenza.

 Hopefully this will answer any questions you may have.

What is Canine Influenza?

Canine influenza is a contagious viral infection.  It is caused by Influenza Virus A subtype H3N8 which is (most likely) a mutated form of a horse influenza.

What are the symptoms of Canine Influenza?

1)  Mild Symptoms

           i) Mild moist cough

          ii) Possible low fever

         iii) Possible nasal discharge (from secondary bacteria)

2)  Serious Symptoms

          i) Severe deep cough

         ii) Persistent fever

        iii) Difficulty breathing

        iv) Possible pneumonia

Most healthy adult dogs will only show mild symptoms.  Older or immune compromised dogs may develop serious symptoms.  The symptoms of dog flu can last from 10 to 30 days even with aggressive supportive treatment.

How is Canine Influenza spread? Am I (or my cat) at risk?

Canine Influenza is highly contagious to other dogs and appears to be spread through the air from infected respiratory secretions. Any dog that is housed near an infected dog is at risk.

Canine Influenza is contagious to other dogs but humans do not appear to be affected by the virus.  It does not appear cats are at risk either.

Can Canine Influenza be treated?

Since it is a virus, there is no treatment.  We treat the symptoms and secondary bacterial infections caused by the virus.  This may be as minor as cough medications and oral antibiotics or require aggressive I.V. fluids and medications.

What can I do to prevent Canine Influenza?

The only way to truly prevent the virus is to prevent any exposure.  However, there is a vaccine available that can greatly reduce the severity of the symptoms.  If your dog spends time around other unknown dogs (boarding kennels, day care, grooming facilities, etc.), you should consider the vaccine.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us!