Small Animal

This article is inspired by a recent 4-H Vet club talk.

It’s the dose that makes the poison and anything can become toxic.  Something seemingly safe like water has a very wide safety margin, but it can be overdosed.  Other drugs have very narrow ranges of safety, such as Digoxin, a heart medication.  Drugs at the appropriate dose have benefits, but if you exceed the appropriate dose, you create toxicity.

You may have noticed “LD50” on household products.  This is the lethal dose, the amount of a toxic agent (as a poison, virus, or radiation) that is sufficient to kill 50 percent of a population of animals.

Different species metabolize drugs differently, mainly because they are divided into different groups based on the way their bodies process food:

• horses are hindgut fermenters
• cows, goats and sheep are foregut fermenters
• cats, dogs and pigs are carnivores and omnivores respectively

Just because the animal kingdom likes to keep vets on their toes, there are also individual differences in toxicity between goats and sheep, as well as between cats and dogs, to name a few.

We have listed some of these toxins in previous articles, but here are some examples on farm and in the home:

• Human medications
  • Tylenol is fatal to cats
• Table food
  • Raisins – dogs only
  • Chocolate 
• Certain plant species
  • Lilies – cats only
• Heavy metals
  • lead, copper, zinc and mercury
  • These can be mixed accidentally into livestock feed or be present in contaminated water
• Household chemicals
  • Anti-freeze
  • Rat poison
• Fungus
  • For example, moldy corn has additive toxins when mixed in a pig’s feed

The list above contains items that can lead to toxicity by ingestion, but there is also a potential for toxicity from topical exposure, as well as inhalation.  Insecticides applied to lawns can be absorbed through the skin or respiratory tract.  Household cleaners can be hazardous to pets if they are exposed through direct contact on their paws or through inhalation of the fumes.

As mentioned above, even veterinary medications can be toxic if they are applied incorrectly or at the wrong dose.  A common incident involves applying topical flea and tick products, which are insecticides, on a cat instead of a dog as prescribed.  Coccidiostats are a medication intended for cows and small ruminants, but if a dog eats it, it could be fatal.

The take-home message is that it is very important to read drug labels carefully and follow the instructions to the letter.  If an animal is exposed to a possible toxin, it is best to call a vet ASAP and reference Pet Poison Helpline .

Talk to one of our team members at Coventry Animal Hospital if you have any questions or concerns.

Here are some suggestions that Dr. Justine has explored with her own pets:

Play a game of “find it” – hide a favourite toy or treat somewhere in the house and ask your pet to find it

– If this sounds too hard, let you pet watch you hide a large toy somewhere very easy, like under a blanket or in a low cardboard box.

– If this sounds too easy, you can start hiding it on vertical surfaces (like scratching posts or book shelves) for cats or on different floors in the home or the yard.

– Make sure to lavish your pet with praise when he is successful; if you’re using a toy, play with your pet once he find it, or reward him with something delicious.

Play a foraging game – this allows your pet to fulfill its instinct to find its own food by using its nose.  This game can be very satisfying for your pet mentally and helps to tire her out.

a) Use a “snuffle mat”, which is basically a rug with lots of hiding spots to place kibble or treats

– You can buy one or make one using DIY videos on YouTube.

b) Throw kibble (or place pieces strategically) on the floor or on the lawn.

c) There are also commercial puzzle games on the market, with compartments to hide food.

– Kong brand offers lots of food toy options, as does Nina Ottosson  .

Clicker Training

This is an animal training method that involves marking desirable behaviours and rewarding them (with a click sound, followed by a treat).
Over time, you can use this technique to teach your pet to do a variety of tricks, from asking your cat to sit to asking your dog to dance. It seems that the sky’s the limit!

Canine Conditioning

– Stretching and improving flexibility is important for all ages of dogs to limit risk of injury.

– Check out these 5 basic exercises essential to building core strength

– If you are going to explore using fitness equipment, such as FitPaws, please seek the guidance of a Canine Rehab professional.

Online Courses and Videos

In this age of the internet, courses that teach pet owners are available online, whether you are looking for obedience or dog sports: https://fenzidogsportsacademy.com/
Here are some tricks that you can teach your dog:
https://mccanndogs.com/videos
https://dogmantics.com/dog-tricks/
If all else fails and it’s a really hot day, maybe just consider freezing a large ice cube for your pet to lick and play with.

So, from Coventry Animal Hospital, have fun staying cool with your furry pals!

Cats in the wild are both predator and prey species. They rest a lot in hiding spots or elevated places between hunting for multiple mouse-sized meals throughout the day and night.  Domestic cats still have these traits; indoor cats need to hunt and have an enriched environment.  The good news is you don’t have to let your cat outside to meet these needs.

• Cats like new toys – they are attracted to novelty

• Plan on rotating your kitty’s toys

• 3 toys per cat per day
• They normally play for 1-5 minutes at a time (they are sprinters, not endurance athletes)
• Hide kibble around the house or in containers for the cat to work out like a puzzle
  • Egg carton containers and food-dispensing balls are great for this purpose
• Put a string under a piece of tissue paper or towel and pull string out or cut holes in a box and put a ball inside
• Clicker training
  • This is a training tool that involves pairing an action that you teach your pet to do (like sitting on command) with the sound of a click, which is followed by a treat
  • Your pet learns that the click means that a reward is coming J
  • YouTube has lots of excellent examples of clicker training for cats
• Most cats really like elevated heights
  • This allows them to feel safe when there is commotion in their home
  • You can have options that are as simple as a ledge with window access or a DYI “catio” (outdoor cat enclosure)
• It is also really important for your cats to have a room or area that they can retreat to if they are overwhelmed or need some undisturbed alone time

We all have busy schedules, but just a few minutes of daily play routine can mean a world of difference to have a well-adjusted cat that tolerates change in the home (such as a new pet or newborn). Behavioural problems can sometimes be avoided or managed by providing your cat with outlets to act on its instincts.

Here is a website with a checklist of tools that you can easily incorporate into your cat’s home: https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats.

Happy (toy) hunting!

Here is a recent heart-warming story of a cat being reunited with its owner 4 years after they became separated. The unlikely reunion was possible thanks to the microchip implant that the cat had: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/california-family-s-missing-cat-booboo-found-in-guelph-ont-1.3346157

Microchip implants are a safe, permanent way to identify your pet in case he or she becomes lost. A microchip is a tiny device about the size of a grain of rice that is placed just under the loose skin at the back of the pet’s neck.  The placement of the microchip can be done without anesthesia.  When a lost dog or cat without an ID tag is found, a handheld microchip scanner can be used to check for a chip.  If the pet has one, it will transmit its ID number to the scanner via a low-frequency radio wave.  The veterinary hospital or shelter then calls the microchip company that has a registry, retrieves the pet owner’s contact information and calls the owner.

Here is some additional information on how microchipping works: http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/everyday-innovations/pet-microchip1.htm

We recommend that you use a microchip, along with a collar and ID tag, to identify your pet. However, collars and ID tags are not permanent and can be removed (overnight or for grooming); pets can also lose them.  Even the most responsible pet owners can’t always guarantee their pet won’t get lost.  A leash could break or slip out of your hand, a pet could push through a screen door or window, or a neighbour might accidentally leave a gate open.  With a microchip, your pet will have a much better chance of being identified and returned to you.  Pets without microchips are more likely to end up in shelters and then adopted by another family or even euthanized.

Important tip: if you move to a new address, make sure to contact your microchip company provider to update your phone number on file. This will decrease confusion when trying to reunite the pet with its owner quickly.

Please contact Coventry Animal Hospital to schedule an appointment to microchip your pet.  Although we hope your pet never becomes lost, we want you to be prepared.

Heartworm prevention is far safer and cost-effective than treating a dog that is ill from a high burden of heartworm. Treatment of heartworm is potentially dangerous and painful for a dog.

Heartworm disease can be prevented by giving your dog a monthly heartworm preventive medication. When used as directed, these medications kill the heartworm larvae and clear infections from the dog’s bloodstream.  Heartworm medications can have other benefits, such as deworming, and preventing or treating fleas.

Monthly heartworm products are available in both topical and oral form. The product that would best suit your individual dog is based on their lifestyle, as well as other factors can be discussed with your veterinarian. If you have any questions or concerns about your pets heartworm medication talk to one of our team members at Coventry Animal Hospital.

If you missed Part 1 of this blog here is the link:

Coventry Animal Hospital Discusses Heartworm – Part 1

Easter is on its way and along with it comes lots of Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies and family dinners.  Unfortunately with this celebration, Coventry Animal Hospital sees many pets exposed to some unforeseen potential hazards.

Chocolate ingestion is poisonous for both dogs and cats.  Products that contain darker, less sweet chocolate such as Baker’s chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate are the most likely to cause symptoms, as they contain higher doses of theobromine and caffeine.  Signs of chocolate toxicity include hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, an increased heart rate, heart arrhythmias, tremors, seizures, coma and death.  Even with lighter chocolates such as milk chocolate or chocolate-covered candies, the fat and sugar content are a risk of causing upset stomachs or inflammation of the pancreas.  The effects of chocolate take several days to leave a dog’s system – for this reason, we recommend speaking with your veterinarian as soon as you find out that your pet has eaten chocolate.  At that time we can formulate a medical plan, based on the dog’s body weight and type and volume of chocolate consumed.

Turkey bones are dangerous!  If your dog or cat swallows chicken or turkey bones, the bones may fragment into sharp pieces that could potentially injure its gut.  It is not recommended to make your pet vomit if it has ingested bones, because the shards could potentially create further damage to its esophagus on the way back up.  Large bones, such as a ham bone, risk becoming obstructed in the gut.  A pet should be seen by a veterinarian if they stop eating for 24 hours, or have vomiting or diarrhea.

Easter lilies are fatal to cats.  Even drinking the water from a vase containing this flower can quickly cause severe kidney failure.  All true lilies, including the day lily, are highly toxic to our feline friends.  If you see that your cat has ingested any part of a lily, it will require emergency therapy, including hospitalization and IV fluids, as soon as possible.

With spring approaching, another plant to watch for is lily of the valley. This plant can cause life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms when eaten by dogs or cats.  Tulip and hyacinth bulbs are also toxic when chewed.  Bulb ingestion can cause excessive drooling, vomiting or diarrhea.  If a large number of bulbs are consumed, signs become more severe – a dog may experience an increased heart rate and difficulty breathing.

Our team at Coventry Animal Hospital wishes you and your family a happy and safe Easter!

Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne disease in dogs according to surveillance in Ontario.

Deer ticks may be carriers of Lyme bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi in our geographic area.  A carrier tick bites a human or dog and transmits Lyme bacteria through its saliva.  Symptoms of Lyme disease in a person are different from those in dogs.  Dogs do not get a bull’s eye rash the way that people do.

A dog’s exposure to Lyme can be tested with a blood test. A cat’s exposure for Lyme is not screened, since cats do not get a clinical form of the disease.

The majority of dogs that are exposed to Lyme bacteria do not develop symptoms, but a small number of dogs become ill and require treatment. In early stages (4-6 weeks after a bite) symptoms can include fever, decreased energy, swollen lymph nodes, decrease of appetite and limping.  Dogs that get sick generally respond to a course of antibiotics – after treatment, they continue to harbor the infection without feeling ill.  One possible long-term consequence of being infected with Lyme is glomerular kidney disease.  In certain dogs, the production of antibodies to Lyme infection causes immune complexes to be deposited in the kidneys, leading to kidney damage over time.  It has been recommended that Lyme positive dogs be regularly screened for significant protein loss in their urine.

For dogs traveling to a high risk region for Lyme disease, there is a Lyme vaccine available. The purpose of the vaccine is to prevent infection in dogs vaccinated before any exposure to Lyme bacteria.  At Coventry Animal Hospital, we strongly recommend using tick prevention, even for dogs that are vaccinated.

Human Over the Counter Medications

Over the counter medications consistently rank at the top of the ASPCA’s list of most commonly ingested toxins by pets. While these medications may be safe for humans to take without a prescription, they can be deadly in animals. For example, cats cannot tolerate any amount of acetaminophen (Tylenol), as it is highly toxic for them because their liver is not able to process it. Other medications, like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) have very narrow safety margins and cause stomach ulcers or kidney damage.

Make sure to keep these medications in an area that your pet cannot access. Always contact your veterinarian before giving any over the counter medication to your pet to make sure it is safe. If you pet ingests any medication, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Food

Food is also a very common toxin ingestion, and depending on the breed you have, may be a constant battle! The foods of most concern include chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, dough and bones. More recently, xylitol has also become a concern. Xylitol is found in many products including gum, toothpaste and some nut butters. Xylitol can cause life threatening low blood sugar values.

Keep food off counters and out of reach for your pet. Make sure to never offer them any xylitol or chocolate containing products. If your pet ingests anything that you aren’t sure about, contact your veterinarian immediately to discuss whether the food is toxic and what the next steps should be.

Plants

There are many plants that are toxic and can even be lethal to your pets. For example, lilies are extremely deadly for cats. Even ingesting just small amounts of it, or just drinking the water from where the lily is placed, can cause acute kidney disease and death. Lilies should not be kept in a house with a cat. Other plants that are toxic for pets include azalea, daffodils, and tulip bulbs.
Before bringing any plant home, it would be best to make sure it is safe to have around your pet by contacting your veterinarian.

Human Prescription Medications

Human prescription medications have now made it on the list of common pet toxins. The common medications ingested by pets are the common medications taken by owners. These include heart medications and anti-depressants. Because all of these medications are very different, they have many different ways in which they are dangerous if ingested by your dog or cat.

All medications should be kept in areas that are not accessible by your pet. If your pet ingests a medication, contact your veterinarian immediately and have the medication with you so that your veterinarian can know exactly what your pet has swallowed.

If you ever have any questions about anything your pet has eaten or come into contact with, always contact your veterinarian. They are happy to answer any questions to help keep your pet safe and healthy!

Related articles:

Pets and Houseplants

Xylitol Toxicity in Dogs