Pets and people have a lot in common, including the winter blues. The change of season affects pets and people. It can be tough on a pet, especially one that normally spends much of its time outdoors.

Prescription-Free Solutions

Pet owners who ignore their pets’ need for winter stimulation will find their companions gaining weight, becoming irritable and sleeping too much.

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take that will make you and your pet happier during the long cold months:

Brighten the lights.

Dogs and cats respond to illumination like we do: they get peppier when the light is brighter. So even if it’s too cold to go out, open drapes and let in any sunlight there is, turn up indoor lights, and even replace bulbs to create a more day like environment. For reptiles, keep heat and light cycles balanced throughout the entire year. Know the general husbandry standards for your specific reptile so that you are aware of possible hibernation needs during the winter, as well.

Encourage play time.

Cats love to play, and the best place to play is in the house. Make toys, drag enticing objects around, get your cat chasing clumped paper — anything to keep him busy and burning energy. Install a window perch because cats love to sit by the window and watch the birds. It’s free entertainment and can keep them busy for a while.

For dogs, games like tug-of-war and wrestling can mean a great workout while building their appetite. The best time to play with rabbits is in the early morning or as it begins to get dark.

Make toys, drag enticing objects around, get your cat rolling in old sheets or other expendable cloth—anything to keep him busy and burning energy.

Recalculate food quantities.

If your dog or cat is not outdoors very much, he or she doesn’t need to eat as much. Less food means less weight gain and more energy. If your dog is outdoors with an appropriate dog house, he may need extra calories to stay warm.

Pets and people have a lot in common, including the winter blues. Even if you live in one of the warmer states, the change of season affects pets and people. It can be tough on a pet, especially one that normally spends much of its time outdoors.

Go outside.

Even if your cat roams freely, you might not want him to do this in the winter. So to get a cat outdoors and under control, spend a few weeks training him to walk on a leash. It takes patience, but it’s possible. Dogs would welcome romping in the snow and can do this using a long retractable leash. If coyotes live in your area, however, it is not recommended that you walk your dog on a retractable leash. Coyotes have been known to target and attack dogs on longer leashes.

Keep an eye on the Rugby Canada web site for team updates and how to watch the games live.  Canada will face Tonga on Sept. 14, France on Sept 18, Japan on Sept. 27, and New Zealand on October 1.  Carrie will be on the side lines with her first aid kit and magic water bottle to aid any fallen players during the games!

We think that Carrie’s experience treating animals will help her deal with all of those rugby players!

How does this happen you may ask? When pets are outside flies are attracked to these moist warm areas where they can lay their eggs. In the hot humid weather these eggs hatch in a days time. The eggs become larva, also known as maggots, and they begin to feed on the moist warm areas where your pet has urinated or defecated. In one day, the larva can eat holes into your pet. This is quite painful, your pet is being eaten alive.

This condition is preventable by keeping pets inside and washing and drying the moist areas of your pet. Monitor your pet for maggots and fowl odours. See your veterinarian right away if you suspect there is a maggot problem.

Why?

Heartworm is spread by mosquitoes. One bite from an infected mosquito is enough to
transmit the disease to your dog. Coyotes, foxes, raccoons and other wild animals can become
infected. Once infected, these animals can become heartworm reservoirs for mosquitoes to feed
on, leading to a constant risk of infection for your dog.

And, since heaftworms are not readily visible the way ticks and fleas are, you may not even know
your dog is infected. Symptoms don’t appear for six months when the parasites arrive in the dog’s
heart and lungs. Your dog may look fine but still be infected. Left untreated, heartworms can
cause severe damage to the heart, lungs, and may eventually cause death.

So what can you do? Be sure your dog is healthy by asking your veterinarian to perform a simple
blood test each year.

Think Prevention

Highly effective preventative treatments are available from your veterinarian. They are generally given monthly once mosquitoes are present. The wet, rainy spring of 2011 meant mosquitoes were not top-of-mind. However, with warmer summer weather across the country they have returned with a vengeance. Start your heartworm prevention now and continue through the mosquito season. As an additional feature, some heartworm preventatives will also protecl your pet and protect your home from other parasites such as fleas, ticks, and roundworms.

Talk to us to learn more about preventative heartworm medications that are easy to administer and will help protect your dog from heartworm disease.

See the healing we achieved within two weeks. The skin was also thickened and has become nearly normal thickness as our treatments continue.

22.06.2010 Beginning of the laser therapy (head), the wound was infected.

10.07.2010 Regenerated skin without infection, fur started to grow again.

I am a proud owner of 2 very active and loveable Rotweiller’s.  Jade is 5 years old and Bear, her son, is almost 2!  We have raised our 2 dogs with love and care and they’re considered an equal part of our family.  Our favorite moments are in the winter months when we get to run through the trails as our “big pups” tow our children on their toboggan’s, or in the summer when they all jump in the lake and swim; Jade will even catch the fish for us!   They have created long lasting memories for our entire family, we love them very much!

Back in November we noticed our youngest, Bear, was limping around and just not himself.  We had taken him to a local clinic in Ottawa and was told he would need a TPLO: a very expensive procedure to fix the torn ligament in his knee.  I searched high and low for a well qualified and caring facility to perform this surgery.

After finding Lanark Veterinary Clinic, Chris, at the front desk was so helpful, friendly and welcoming.  She gained our trust with the clinic and made us feel like we were at home!  Chris recommended that we see Dr. Kevin Bacon, one of the best!  He took a look a Bear and new right away that he was going to need surgery.  Our first consultation was close to an hour in length; Dr. Bacon took the time to explain how and why my dog was injured and even used common “day to day” examples that the average person could understand. He used pictures, diagrams, and physical demonstrations. He even referred to his own personal experiences, which helped me understand exactly what was going on inside my dogs knee. He understands the importance of informing the patients/clients of what is going on with their pets.  Dr. Bacon truly cares about his patients and the service he offered to us, not only his pocket book!  He did this surgery at a very reasonable price that was much more affordable than the fancy clinics in the City.

Lanark Veterinary Clinic went above and beyond my expectations; we were able to book his surgery for the very following week, (only 4 days later).  On the day of surgery, I was welcomed into the clinic and was able to bring belongings from home to make sure my “Bear” was comfortable during his stay. They reviewed the procedure with me before I left and was ensured a phone call immediately after surgery.   I received a phone call to follow up on Bear progress that afternoon.  I was told everything has gone well and Bear would be released in 2 to 3 days.  I appreciated the extended stay which would allow the clinic to provide proper supervision, and physiotherapy; a major component of the recovery. The clinic called me daily during Bear’s stay to inform me of any updates and overall recovery.  I was highly impressed with the care they put towards their animals.

When I went to Lanark to pick up Bear the assistant reviewed all the necessary care instructions in detail and even pre-booked my physiotherapy and post-op appointments with Dr. Bacon. , all of which were covered in the surgery cost.  Chris ensured me that I could call day or night if I was worried about anything!  This put my mind at ease, knowing I could turn to them if I was worried or needed help with anything.  They were there to help and support me through the entire process; I knew I could count on them!

Would you believe that only 4 weeks later, Jade, our female, needed the same surgery!  She was running through the trees with the kids and torn her knee too; very common in this breed of dog.  I went straight back to Lanark Veterinary Clinic and she was in surgery that week.  Dr. Bacon, once again reviewed all the details, since not all dogs are exactly the same.  Everything went well; as planned and I was still treated with the same courteous and knowledgeable service as I had received on my first visit.

Jade and Bear are recovering very well and are back to their normal activities!  I have recommended Lanark Veterinary Clinic to many of my friends and neighbors who own pets.  They truly go above and beyond to help their patients.  They care and provide excellent quality, and knowledgeable service.

Thank you Lanark Veterinary Clinic!

Key Points

• Castration is an excellent method to prevent a number of diseases of the prostate
• Cancer of the prostate is typically malignant and not successfully treated with surgery
• Surgical removal of the prostate in dogs results in urinary incontinence in clinical cases

Anatomy

• The prostate is a sexual gland
• It is located around the first part of the urethra
• The urethra is the tube that drains urine from the bladder to the outside

Diseases of the prostate gland

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Enlargement of normal prostatic tissue
• Found only in intact males due to testosterone released from the testicles
• Prostate cancer
• Usually malignant
• Cysts of the prostate
• Benign pockets of fluid in the prostate
• Abscesses of the prostate
• Pockets of pus within the prostate tissue
• Prostatitis
• Generalized infection of the prostate gland

Clinical signs of prostate disease

• Straining to urinate
• Voiding small amounts of urine frequently
• Blood tinged urine
• Dripping blood from the penis
• Constipation and straining to defecate
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Holding tail slightly away from back end
• Weight loss
• Your pet may have none of the clinical signs and have a significant disease of the prostate
• Some pets only have a single or a few signs

Tests done to evaluate disease of the prostate

• Complete blood cell count
• Chemistry profile to check internal organ function
• Urinalysis and urine culture to check for infection
• Abdominal and chest radiographs (x-rays) to check for spread of cancer
• Abdominal ultrasound
• The radiograph below of the abdomen demonstrates displacement of the bladder to the bottom of the abdomen and displacement of the colon to the top of the abdomen; the white tube is a urinary catheter that is placed in the bladder; this dog had difficulty urinating and defecating

Key Points
The word pyometra can be divided into two root words

• Pyo means pus
• Metra refers to the uterus

Pyometra starts after a dog goes through a heat cycle, usually within about 3 to 5 weeks
Spaying is the treatment of choice
Prognosis is usually favorable, providing that the patient is not profoundly ill

Anatomy

The uterus is a Y-shaped organ that has two horns
An ovary is located at the end of each horn of the uterus

Pathophysiology

The word pyometra can be divided into two root words

• Pyo means pus
• Metra refers to the uterus

Pyometra starts after a dog goes through a heat cycle, usually within about 3 to 5 weeks
Stimulation of the uterus with abnormal levels of hormones (estrogen and progesterone) cause the lining of the uterus to become thickened and fluid accumulates inside the uterus
Infection develops in the uterus
As the infection progresses, the uterus fills with pus
If the pet has closed pyometra the cervix is not open and pus cannot drain to the outside
If open pyometra is present, the pus can drain through the cervix
The infection is life-threatening; closed pyometra may cause a pet to become more ill than open pyometra

Clinical signs

Pus may or may not drain from the vagina/vulva (see photo below)
Increased thirst/increased urination
Enlargement of the abdomen as the uterus fills with pus
Lethargy
Poor appetite
Weight loss
Enlargement of the abdomen
Fever
Dehydration
Clinical signs are variable from pet to pet

Diagnostic tests

Complete blood cell count usually shows an elevated white count
Chemistry profile to evaluate function of internal organs
Radiographs of the abdomen
Ultrasound of the uterus (photo below shows a uterus filled with pus – black structure)
Culture of the pus from the uterus
Biopsy of the uterus if cancer is suspected

Treatment

Fluid therapy via an IV to correct dehydration
Antibiotics
Transfusions of plasma, Hetastarch, whole blood
Surgical removal of the uterus; photo below shows a very enlarged uterus that is filled with pus

Nonsurgical Treatment

Fluid therapy
Antibiotics
Prostaglandins help the uterus to expel pus and alters the hormone levels of the ovaries
This treatment should not be used if the pet is quite ill
This treatment should not be used if your pet has closed pyometra
This treatment may not work and surgery will need to be done
If this treatment is successful, the next time the dog goes through heat, pyometra will usually recur unless the dog is bred and becomes pregnant

Aftercare

Antibiotic therapy
Restrict activity for 3 weeks
Encourage eating and drinking
Check incision for signs of infection

Potential complications

Anesthetic death
Bladder infection
Peritonitis, which is infection of the abdomen
Abdominal abscess formation
Disseminated intravascular coagulation, which is a clotting disorder from the infection and causes death in many patients.
Sepsis – poisoning of the body by toxins from bacteria

Prevention of pyometra

Simply having your pet spayed at a young age will prevent pyometra and will decrease the risk of mammary cancer

Q: Can my pet eat before surgery?
A: Please DO NOT feed or water your pet (including treats) after 12 a.m. the night before surgery. You may give your pet water until you drop him/her off at the clinic.

Q: What to do after surgery?
A: Pets should stay inside for next 14 days, and do not allow running, jumping or climbing.
Dogs must be walked on a leash.
Do not bathe your pet for 14 days after surgery.
Pets may be weak from anesthesia during the first 24 hours after surgery.

Obesity is not just a problem in people; pets are packing on the pounds too! A recent report from the National Academy of Science shows that one in four pets is overweight or obese. This problem can no longer be ignored!

How much does a fat pet weigh? “Putting your pet on the scale is not the best way to evaluate if the pet is overweight,” explains Dr. Christine Merle, a small animal Extension veterinarian formerly with the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana. “There is a tremendous amount of individual variation in an animal’s ideal weight. It is better to look at the appearance of each animal rather than at a weight that this breed or type of animal ‘should’ be. Looking at the animal’s body condition is the best way to judge where your pet falls on the obesity spectrum.”

You should be able to feel your pet’s ribs easily without pressing, but you should not be able to see the ribs through the coat. There should be a “tuck in” in the abdominal area. Your pet’s torso, viewed from above, should resemble an hourglass. You can conduct these quick checks, but since it’s hard for owners to be objective, it’s best to seek your veterinarian’s advice.

“Since more pets are overweight, we have become accustomed to seeing pets who weigh more than is ideal. The norm now seems to be several pounds overweight. Often if a pet is lean, owners think the pet is starving. However, studies show that lean pets have fewer health problems and an increased life span of up to 2 years!” states Dr. Merle. An overweight pet is not a healthy pet. Owners need to recognize that they are putting their pet’s health at risk by allowing that extra weight. Obesity commonly leads to diabetes, heart problems, and arthritis.

An overweight pet does not age well, either. Overweight pets are more prone to hip dysplasia, back and joint pain, and endocrine diseases. Extra weight also decreases a veterinarian’s ability to manage these conditions both medically and surgically. Keeping Fluffy at a healthy weight can literally add years to her life.

Why are more pets overweight? The answer is the same for pets as well as people: too many calories and not enough exercise. “The most common reason for overfeeding is that owners want to show their pet they care and one way is to give a treat. One extra treat can turn into 5 and then 10. Be aware exactly how much you are feeding your pets,” advises Dr. Merle.

It can be a challenge deciding how much is the right amount to feed your pet. What’s listed on the bag is for the average pet, but lifestyle, activity level, and age also affect how much food a pet needs. If your pet is overweight, feed less than what the bag says and adjust from there. Remember that treats reduce the amount of food required at each meal.

Talk to your veterinarian to figure out the ideal weight for your pet, then monitor your pet’s weight with weekly or monthly “rib checks” or weigh ins. Never start your pet on a diet without consulting your veterinarian.