Parasites, Pets, and Kids
Know the facts: Don’t expose your children!
· Hookworms and roundworms can be harbored by your dog or cat and transmitted to children who are living in homes with pets. In some cases these parasites can cause blindness in humans. It is thought that 30% to 50% of dogs and cats carry gastrointestinal (GI) parasites and that 1 to 3 million people in the U.S. have infections from the same parasites carried by pets. Children, the elderly and immunocompromised people are at high risk.
· Dogs get infected with hookworms and roundworms by walking places where other dogs have defecated. The microscopic roundworm eggs and hookworm larvae end up on your dog’s feet. Your dog then licks his feet and infects him or herself with these GI parasites. Three weeks later, your dog is shedding hookworm eggs and larvae from his GI tract. If your dog licks his anus and then licks your child, or if your child pets your dog, he or she can become infected with these parasites.
· Dogs can get ticks that spread Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and tularemia, which can affect people if the ticks detach from the dog and attach themselves to your child. This could be a risk factor for your children if the family dog or cat sleeps in their bed.
· Cats get infected with hookworms and tapeworms by hunting prey. Even if your cat lives indoors, the ingestion of one house mouse can expose your cat to GI parasites. Cats with a flea infestation can spread cat scratch fever to children, elderly people, or immunocompromised (AIDS, cancer patients, organ transplant recipients) people.
How Can You Prevent the Risk of Spreading Parasites to Your Children?
· Keep your dog on monthly heartworm preventative all year. This medication helps to prevent hookworms and roundworms in your dog. Keep your dog on topical flea and tick control all year.
· Scoop the yard where your dog defecates at least weekly, ideally daily, as worm eggs and larvae are found in stool and can contaminate the environment.
· Bring your pet’s stool sample to your veterinarian at least twice per year and ideally four times per year. You do not have to bring your pet into the veterinary hospital for this service. The stool should be fresh. Many veterinarians will provide a special cup that allows specimen collection without touching the stool.
· Keep your cat on heartworm prevention once per month all year. This medication eliminates hookworms that could be potentially spread to humans in the household. It also kills fleas, which can be culprits in spreading cat scratch disease (cat scratch fever).
· Teach your children to wash their hands before eating, especially if they have recently handled their pet.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
FDA warns about purchasing pet drugs online
Prescription PolicyAt Advanced Animal Care Center, it is our policy to take every possible step to ensure that our patients receive the very best pharmaceutical products available. Veterinarians are required to have a valid client/patient/veterinarian relationship in order to prescribe certain medications for patients. We carry a number of prescription products, veterinary ‘prescription diets’ and products labeled by the manufacturer ‘for sale by licensed veterinarians only’. We try to balance the convenience for you of having the product available here with the costs of having such inventory and our profiting from the sale of these products. We try to keep our prices within reason, but as a business, we have costs to cover to provide the products and product use information to you. In order to avoid any misconceptions, we have established the following prescription policy.
If you wish, we will gladly write prescriptions for your pet in lieu of selling them here so that you have a choice in where you have your prescriptions filled. We do, however wish for your decision to be an informed decision, and want you to know several things regarding prescription sales through some other sources:
1. All major manufacturers (Novartis, Pfizer, Bayer, Merial, etc) of veterinary specific products (Interceptor®, Sentinel®, Frontline®, Rimadyl®, Anipryl®, Metacam®, Heartgard® to name a few) maintain a policy of sales exclusively through licensed veterinarians
2. All or most catalogue/online sources cannot obtain specific veterinary products directly from the manufacturer. They have been known to twist their words about where they obtained their product. They may report the product is from X manufacturer. They do not say they purchased from the manufacturer.
3. All or most catalogue/online source sales of these products/medications are through non-approved channels.
4. All or most catalogue/online sources will not divulge from whom they are purchasing their veterinary specific products.
5. Most guarantees that manufacturers make regarding their products are null and void if their products are obtained through non-approved channels. This includes the guarantee
reimbursement programs for flea control, as well as all heartworm and intestinal parasite claims.
6. Pharmaceuticals manufactured and labeled for use in other countries (namely Australia) have been illegally diverted and sold through these discount houses in the United States.
7. Counterfeit products have been produced.
8. Some discount houses have been cited by the FDA and State Boards of Pharmacy for violating prescribing procedures. PetMedExpress (a.k.a. SaveMax), in particular, was recently fined over $100,000.00 by the FDA and Florida Department of Health. This particular discount house has also recently been sued by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the Texas Pharmacy Board.
9. PetMedExpress has deceptive advertising, as many times our prices are LOWER than or comparable to their prices.
10. PetMedExpress in particular at times has been aggressive and rude when they have called us. They have called multiple times after we declined authorizing prescriptions. They have wasted our time and upset our staff. They have called even after we requested they never call us again. They have tried to get us to authorize medications for pets we have no current client/patient/veterinarian relationship with.
11. Our products come with a person to help you utilize them in the most efficient manner. For example, we do not charge for recheck exams/consults for flea control if a prescription flea control product was purchased here. We will help you learn to apply product properly.
12. Shipping charges, delays, mis-shipments, and damaged products are several of the reasons that many clients feel that the hassles of dealing with the catalogue houses are not worth the savings.
13. Although the discount houses have concluded their business with you after you pay, we keep records for your specific pet, medication, dose and dosage instructions as well as refill information and requirements, regardless of where you choose to purchase the product. We keep records for at least 3 years after the last time we see the pet.
If you prefer to purchase your products at catalogue/online houses, we will gladly write prescriptions for these products according to the following guidelines:
1. All state and federal prescribing laws apply the same as if you purchase it here. (Some of the discount houses have not always followed the federal and/or state laws, but trust them at your own risk.)
2. We will write one prescription per medication per pet per 6 months at no charge. You must pick up this prescription in person. You are responsible for sending the prescription in to your choice of pharmacies. If this prescription is lost or filled improperly by the catalog house, additional copies will be provided to you at a bookkeeping fee of $15.00.
3. If you require having the prescription rewritten, a bookkeeping fee of $15.00 will apply.
4. To avoid any potential doctor-patient confidentiality issues, we will not communicate with the discount house in any form or fashion. We will not fax, or return faxes to them. We will not accept their phone calls.
5. It is your responsibility to ensure that the prescription is sent, filled, labeled, shipped, and used correctly. The discount houses have a reputation for poor customer service, and we cannot be expected to take the time to oversee their operations and shortcomings. We cannot be responsible if they send counterfeit or unauthorized products to you.
6. We will not become involved in any product failure issues for products purchased through these discount houses. This includes any prescription or nonprescription products. If you change your mind after we have written a prescription ‘script’ for you, we will be unable to fill the prescription for you here until you return the actual prescription form to us.
If you wish, we will gladly write prescriptions for your pet in lieu of selling them here so that you have a choice in where you have your prescriptions filled. We do, however wish for your decision to be an informed decision, and want you to know several things regarding prescription sales through some other sources:
1. All major manufacturers (Novartis, Pfizer, Bayer, Merial, etc) of veterinary specific products (Interceptor®, Sentinel®, Frontline®, Rimadyl®, Anipryl®, Metacam®, Heartgard® to name a few) maintain a policy of sales exclusively through licensed veterinarians
2. All or most catalogue/online sources cannot obtain specific veterinary products directly from the manufacturer. They have been known to twist their words about where they obtained their product. They may report the product is from X manufacturer. They do not say they purchased from the manufacturer.
3. All or most catalogue/online source sales of these products/medications are through non-approved channels.
4. All or most catalogue/online sources will not divulge from whom they are purchasing their veterinary specific products.
5. Most guarantees that manufacturers make regarding their products are null and void if their products are obtained through non-approved channels. This includes the guarantee
reimbursement programs for flea control, as well as all heartworm and intestinal parasite claims.
6. Pharmaceuticals manufactured and labeled for use in other countries (namely Australia) have been illegally diverted and sold through these discount houses in the United States.
7. Counterfeit products have been produced.
8. Some discount houses have been cited by the FDA and State Boards of Pharmacy for violating prescribing procedures. PetMedExpress (a.k.a. SaveMax), in particular, was recently fined over $100,000.00 by the FDA and Florida Department of Health. This particular discount house has also recently been sued by the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the Texas Pharmacy Board.
9. PetMedExpress has deceptive advertising, as many times our prices are LOWER than or comparable to their prices.
10. PetMedExpress in particular at times has been aggressive and rude when they have called us. They have called multiple times after we declined authorizing prescriptions. They have wasted our time and upset our staff. They have called even after we requested they never call us again. They have tried to get us to authorize medications for pets we have no current client/patient/veterinarian relationship with.
11. Our products come with a person to help you utilize them in the most efficient manner. For example, we do not charge for recheck exams/consults for flea control if a prescription flea control product was purchased here. We will help you learn to apply product properly.
12. Shipping charges, delays, mis-shipments, and damaged products are several of the reasons that many clients feel that the hassles of dealing with the catalogue houses are not worth the savings.
13. Although the discount houses have concluded their business with you after you pay, we keep records for your specific pet, medication, dose and dosage instructions as well as refill information and requirements, regardless of where you choose to purchase the product. We keep records for at least 3 years after the last time we see the pet.
If you prefer to purchase your products at catalogue/online houses, we will gladly write prescriptions for these products according to the following guidelines:
1. All state and federal prescribing laws apply the same as if you purchase it here. (Some of the discount houses have not always followed the federal and/or state laws, but trust them at your own risk.)
2. We will write one prescription per medication per pet per 6 months at no charge. You must pick up this prescription in person. You are responsible for sending the prescription in to your choice of pharmacies. If this prescription is lost or filled improperly by the catalog house, additional copies will be provided to you at a bookkeeping fee of $15.00.
3. If you require having the prescription rewritten, a bookkeeping fee of $15.00 will apply.
4. To avoid any potential doctor-patient confidentiality issues, we will not communicate with the discount house in any form or fashion. We will not fax, or return faxes to them. We will not accept their phone calls.
5. It is your responsibility to ensure that the prescription is sent, filled, labeled, shipped, and used correctly. The discount houses have a reputation for poor customer service, and we cannot be expected to take the time to oversee their operations and shortcomings. We cannot be responsible if they send counterfeit or unauthorized products to you.
6. We will not become involved in any product failure issues for products purchased through these discount houses. This includes any prescription or nonprescription products. If you change your mind after we have written a prescription ‘script’ for you, we will be unable to fill the prescription for you here until you return the actual prescription form to us.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Is your dog itchy and scratching?
Advanced Animal Care Center
260 Evergreen Avenue
Huntington Station, NY, 11746
Phone: (631) 367-7387 Fax:(631) 367-7414 advancedcareforpets.com
Itching and Allergy in Dogs
Coping with an itchy pet can be an extremely frustrating experience for you, the pet owner, and can truly test the limits of the human-animal bond. Persistent scratching and chewing by the pet can also result in self-excoriation and open wounds. The following information is intended to provide the pet owner with a basic understanding of the most common underlying causes of itching and allergies in small animals.
The Most Common Causes of Chronic Itching
The common causes fall into two groups: external parasites and allergies. External parasites that most commonly cause chronic itching dermatitis include fleas and sarcoptic mange. We often recommend therapeutic trials for sarcoptic mange in chronically and severely itchy dogs. We always recommend stepped-up flea control and monitoring for fleas, as flea infestation can really make allergy worse!
What are Allergies?
Allergy is a state of hypersensitivity in which exposure to a harmless substance known as an allergen induces the body’s immune system to “overreact.” The incidence of allergies is increasing in both humans and their pets. People with allergies usually have “hay fever” (watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing) or asthma. While dogs can rarely also have respiratory allergies, more commonly they experience the effects of allergic hypersensitivities as skin problems. Though there are a variety of presentations, this can often be seen as redness and itching, recurring skin or ear infections, and hair loss. This is sometimes called eczema or atopic dermatitis.
What are the Major Types of Allergies in Dogs?
Flea AllergyFlea allergic dermatitis is the most common skin disease in dogs and cats. For the flea allergic patient, 100% flea control is essential for the pet to remain symptom-free.
“But doctor, I never see fleas on my pet.”
You may not see them, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. The allergy is caused by the flea’s saliva, and it only takes a few bites to induce the problem. Also, the itchy pet often scratches so much that adult fleas are removed, making them hard to find.
“If fleas are the problem, why is my pet still itchy in the winter?”
In warm climates or in our homes, fleas may survive in low numbers year-round. Because flea allergy is so common, we recommend that complete flea control be instituted before proceeding with diagnostics for other allergies and that year-round flea control be maintained for all allergy patients.
Food Allergy
Some pets develop specific hypersensitivities to components of their diets. The allergen usually is a major protein or carbohydrate ingredient such as beef, chicken, pork, corn, wheat, or soy. Minor ingredients such as preservatives or dyes are also potential allergens. The diagnosis of food allergy requires that we test your pet by feeding special strict diets that contain only ingredients that he has never eaten before. This is often achieved by feeding a prescription diet for a period of 10 to 16 weeks. If the signs resolve, a challenge is performed by feeding the former diet and watching for a return of the itching. If this occurs, a diagnosis of food allergy is confirmed.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inherited predisposition to develop skin problems from exposure to variety of commonplace and otherwise harmless substances including the pollens of weeds, grasses and trees, as well as house dust mites and mold spores. Diagnosis of AD is made based on the results of intradermal skin testing or by in vitro blood testing. Evaluating the results of these tests helps us compile a list of allergens for a “vaccine” to decrease the pet’s sensitivity. Sometimes multiple skin and/or blood tests are necessary to accurately assess the patient’s allergies.
Secondary Infections
Allergies are often the underlying cause of recurring skin and/or ear infections. Bacterial and yeast infections, though secondary to the allergy, can cause an increase in your pet’s level of itching. Long-term treatment with antibiotics and anti-yeast medications is commonly required, along with medicated bathing programs.
Can Allergies be Cured?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergy and it is usually a life-long problem. We seek to control allergies and improve the quality of life for both you and your pet. We will formulate the best program of management that suits all involved with your pet’s care.
Can I have the Itching Treated without the Expense of Diagnostic Testing?
Symptomatic drug therapy can help to reduce itching. Steroids, such as prednisone tablets in particular, are often employed to stop the itch. However, without addressing the underlying cause, the itching will return. Long-term use of steroids can result in many health problems. This is the reason that we encourage diagnosis of the underlying cause of the allergy and more specific or less potentially harmful treatments.
260 Evergreen Avenue
Huntington Station, NY, 11746
Phone: (631) 367-7387 Fax:(631) 367-7414 advancedcareforpets.com
Itching and Allergy in Dogs
Coping with an itchy pet can be an extremely frustrating experience for you, the pet owner, and can truly test the limits of the human-animal bond. Persistent scratching and chewing by the pet can also result in self-excoriation and open wounds. The following information is intended to provide the pet owner with a basic understanding of the most common underlying causes of itching and allergies in small animals.
The Most Common Causes of Chronic Itching
The common causes fall into two groups: external parasites and allergies. External parasites that most commonly cause chronic itching dermatitis include fleas and sarcoptic mange. We often recommend therapeutic trials for sarcoptic mange in chronically and severely itchy dogs. We always recommend stepped-up flea control and monitoring for fleas, as flea infestation can really make allergy worse!
What are Allergies?
Allergy is a state of hypersensitivity in which exposure to a harmless substance known as an allergen induces the body’s immune system to “overreact.” The incidence of allergies is increasing in both humans and their pets. People with allergies usually have “hay fever” (watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing) or asthma. While dogs can rarely also have respiratory allergies, more commonly they experience the effects of allergic hypersensitivities as skin problems. Though there are a variety of presentations, this can often be seen as redness and itching, recurring skin or ear infections, and hair loss. This is sometimes called eczema or atopic dermatitis.
What are the Major Types of Allergies in Dogs?
Flea AllergyFlea allergic dermatitis is the most common skin disease in dogs and cats. For the flea allergic patient, 100% flea control is essential for the pet to remain symptom-free.
“But doctor, I never see fleas on my pet.”
You may not see them, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. The allergy is caused by the flea’s saliva, and it only takes a few bites to induce the problem. Also, the itchy pet often scratches so much that adult fleas are removed, making them hard to find.
“If fleas are the problem, why is my pet still itchy in the winter?”
In warm climates or in our homes, fleas may survive in low numbers year-round. Because flea allergy is so common, we recommend that complete flea control be instituted before proceeding with diagnostics for other allergies and that year-round flea control be maintained for all allergy patients.
Food Allergy
Some pets develop specific hypersensitivities to components of their diets. The allergen usually is a major protein or carbohydrate ingredient such as beef, chicken, pork, corn, wheat, or soy. Minor ingredients such as preservatives or dyes are also potential allergens. The diagnosis of food allergy requires that we test your pet by feeding special strict diets that contain only ingredients that he has never eaten before. This is often achieved by feeding a prescription diet for a period of 10 to 16 weeks. If the signs resolve, a challenge is performed by feeding the former diet and watching for a return of the itching. If this occurs, a diagnosis of food allergy is confirmed.
Atopic Dermatitis
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inherited predisposition to develop skin problems from exposure to variety of commonplace and otherwise harmless substances including the pollens of weeds, grasses and trees, as well as house dust mites and mold spores. Diagnosis of AD is made based on the results of intradermal skin testing or by in vitro blood testing. Evaluating the results of these tests helps us compile a list of allergens for a “vaccine” to decrease the pet’s sensitivity. Sometimes multiple skin and/or blood tests are necessary to accurately assess the patient’s allergies.
Secondary Infections
Allergies are often the underlying cause of recurring skin and/or ear infections. Bacterial and yeast infections, though secondary to the allergy, can cause an increase in your pet’s level of itching. Long-term treatment with antibiotics and anti-yeast medications is commonly required, along with medicated bathing programs.
Can Allergies be Cured?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergy and it is usually a life-long problem. We seek to control allergies and improve the quality of life for both you and your pet. We will formulate the best program of management that suits all involved with your pet’s care.
Can I have the Itching Treated without the Expense of Diagnostic Testing?
Symptomatic drug therapy can help to reduce itching. Steroids, such as prednisone tablets in particular, are often employed to stop the itch. However, without addressing the underlying cause, the itching will return. Long-term use of steroids can result in many health problems. This is the reason that we encourage diagnosis of the underlying cause of the allergy and more specific or less potentially harmful treatments.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Is your dog eating grass?
There’s a lot of debate about why dogs eat grass. Some dogs seem to act like mini lawnmowers, eating grass at every opportunity. Others dogs eat grass only occasionally, subsequently throwing it up.
So do dogs eat grass to throw up? This is a debatable issue. This wisegeek author has observed her dog fling himself at the door to get out to grass and eat a few mouthfuls, usually when his stomach is upset. He also appears to do it when he has something stuck in his throat. The end goal of the dog seems to be to throw up.
There actually appears to be two types of grass eating behavior in dogs. Some dogs take a few nibbles, while others eat quickly, barely chewing the grass. Unchewed grass often translates to near instant vomiting. Dogs that are careful grazers, on the other hand, may not get sick from grass.
The latter case suggests that some dogs eat grass because they enjoy it. Most dogs don’t need it to supplement their diets, but because dog diets are primarily made up of herbivores, that grassy taste may be reminiscent of the cattle or lamb product they had for dinner. Some dogs also enjoy green vegetables like broccoli.
If your dogs eat grass on a regular basis, this could suggest dietary imbalance, though many vets might dismiss it. You may want to consider giving the dogs some green vegetables if they appear to want “something green.” Cooking the vegetables first may make them more digestible, resulting in less vomiting.
It’s also important to be careful when your dogs eat grass regularly. Grass from manicured lawns can contain fertilizers and pesticides, which can be toxic to dogs. Instead of allowing “grazing” behavior on lawns, consider providing some doggy grass at home that is not treated with chemicals. Also, if your dogs eat grass all the time, don’t walk them on lawns that have been recently treated with chemicals. Most of these chemicals will break down in a few days, but during the first day or two after treatment, grass-eating behavior could translate to more than tummy upset.
If your dogs eat grass as a new behavior, and are exhibiting frequent vomiting, it’s also important to check with a vet. A dog that suddenly begins to have a taste for grass may be trying to compensate for gastrointestinal problems. This could signify viral or bacterial infections and might require veterinary treatment. On the other hand, when dogs eat grass only occasionally, you can chalk this up to normal canine behavior. A mouthful of grass or two may mean cleaning up some nasty dog messes, but it is unlikely to signify poor dietary health or illness.
So do dogs eat grass to throw up? This is a debatable issue. This wisegeek author has observed her dog fling himself at the door to get out to grass and eat a few mouthfuls, usually when his stomach is upset. He also appears to do it when he has something stuck in his throat. The end goal of the dog seems to be to throw up.
There actually appears to be two types of grass eating behavior in dogs. Some dogs take a few nibbles, while others eat quickly, barely chewing the grass. Unchewed grass often translates to near instant vomiting. Dogs that are careful grazers, on the other hand, may not get sick from grass.
The latter case suggests that some dogs eat grass because they enjoy it. Most dogs don’t need it to supplement their diets, but because dog diets are primarily made up of herbivores, that grassy taste may be reminiscent of the cattle or lamb product they had for dinner. Some dogs also enjoy green vegetables like broccoli.
If your dogs eat grass on a regular basis, this could suggest dietary imbalance, though many vets might dismiss it. You may want to consider giving the dogs some green vegetables if they appear to want “something green.” Cooking the vegetables first may make them more digestible, resulting in less vomiting.
It’s also important to be careful when your dogs eat grass regularly. Grass from manicured lawns can contain fertilizers and pesticides, which can be toxic to dogs. Instead of allowing “grazing” behavior on lawns, consider providing some doggy grass at home that is not treated with chemicals. Also, if your dogs eat grass all the time, don’t walk them on lawns that have been recently treated with chemicals. Most of these chemicals will break down in a few days, but during the first day or two after treatment, grass-eating behavior could translate to more than tummy upset.
If your dogs eat grass as a new behavior, and are exhibiting frequent vomiting, it’s also important to check with a vet. A dog that suddenly begins to have a taste for grass may be trying to compensate for gastrointestinal problems. This could signify viral or bacterial infections and might require veterinary treatment. On the other hand, when dogs eat grass only occasionally, you can chalk this up to normal canine behavior. A mouthful of grass or two may mean cleaning up some nasty dog messes, but it is unlikely to signify poor dietary health or illness.
Paw Power
Contact : Michel Selmer, DVM
Telephone: (631) 367-7387
E-mail: drselmer@optonline.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LONG ISLAND’S MOBILE ANIMAL CARE UNIT
Did you know? Scientific research says that including a pet as a part of your family brings huge health benefits, especially for those of us over 65 years of age. Here are a few of the results from these studies:
The simple act of holding an animal can relieve symptoms of depression, lower blood pressure, and even decrease surgical patients’ healing times.
The long-term survival rates of heart attack victims who had a pet are significantly longer than for those who did not.
Widows who have cats are better off medically during their first year, which is a critical stress time, than widows who do not.
Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than non-owners.
One year after having a myocardial infarction, dog owners were more likely to still be living.
Dog walking, pet grooming, and even petting provide increased physical activity that strengthens the heart, improves blood circulation, and slows the loss of bone tissue.
The most serious disease for older persons is not cancer or heart disease — it’s loneliness. Love is the most important health tonic we have, and pets are one of nature’s best sources of love.
Seniors – and the majority of pet owners – typically are unable to provide lifetime care for their pets. Advanced Animal Care Center concentrates our efforts towards providing seniors with an opportunity to ensure the appropriate care for their animal companions.
Telephone: (631) 367-7387
E-mail: drselmer@optonline.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LONG ISLAND’S MOBILE ANIMAL CARE UNIT
Did you know? Scientific research says that including a pet as a part of your family brings huge health benefits, especially for those of us over 65 years of age. Here are a few of the results from these studies:
The simple act of holding an animal can relieve symptoms of depression, lower blood pressure, and even decrease surgical patients’ healing times.
The long-term survival rates of heart attack victims who had a pet are significantly longer than for those who did not.
Widows who have cats are better off medically during their first year, which is a critical stress time, than widows who do not.
Pet owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than non-owners.
One year after having a myocardial infarction, dog owners were more likely to still be living.
Dog walking, pet grooming, and even petting provide increased physical activity that strengthens the heart, improves blood circulation, and slows the loss of bone tissue.
The most serious disease for older persons is not cancer or heart disease — it’s loneliness. Love is the most important health tonic we have, and pets are one of nature’s best sources of love.
Seniors – and the majority of pet owners – typically are unable to provide lifetime care for their pets. Advanced Animal Care Center concentrates our efforts towards providing seniors with an opportunity to ensure the appropriate care for their animal companions.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Memorial Day Weekend and Your Pets
The weekend that kicks off summer, vacations, and fun in the sun can be stressful and irritating not only to you, but also to your pets.
It is one of the busiest weekends for travel, BBQ’s and other celebrations.
Please take these safety tips into consideration when planning your fun.
If traveling with your pet, take identification for them and their health records.
If you are having guests and your dog roams freely throughout the house and the backyard, make sure they will be relaxed with lots of other people at your house. If your dog is stressed by the noise and amount of people, they may try and dig out of the backyard which could lead to horrible consequences like getting hit by a car or running away forever.
Remember that dogs can suffer heat stroke just like humans. Make sure your pet has a comfortable place to get out of the sun, rain, or other types of weather.
Please remember your pet’s sensitive stomach and even though it’s a holiday, keep them on their regular diet. Many foods can upset them and are just plain poisonous.
If you need too travel without your pet, there are many quality pet sitting services available, pre-screened, background checked sitters and dog walkers also offers affordable pet sitting and house sitting.
Take your vet's phone number with you. If you're going someplace involving hiking or the great outdoors, call your vet ahead of time to make sure you are adequately prepared for all conditions (heartworm medication, flea treatment, etc).
Make sure your pet's ID tags are current! I cannot stress this enough - if you and your pet become separated for any reason, your current phone number on the pet's tag is vital. Trust me on this one. You'll thank me.
Have appropriately strong leashes and harnesses available to you. If one leash breaks, you'll have a backup. Or, if you're a diva like my dog, you'll want options depending upon mood and color choice for the day.
Pack plenty of water, and have an easy way to dispense it to your pet. I have a hiking water bottle made for dogs which comes with its own little plastic trough, creating an easy drinking solution.
Plan rest stop visits into your trip - remember, pets have smaller bladders than we do. Hard to believe in my case, but true.
Seal your pet food tightly. Critters will find pet food a unique delight - an airtight container will be your best bet.
Never, ever leave your pet in the car for extended periods of time. It's hot! Warm weather is upon us, and your pet will suffer needlessly if left in the car for an extended length of time.
Summer is officially here so let’s kick it off right and have a safe and joyful holiday weekend for your pets!
It is one of the busiest weekends for travel, BBQ’s and other celebrations.
Please take these safety tips into consideration when planning your fun.
If traveling with your pet, take identification for them and their health records.
If you are having guests and your dog roams freely throughout the house and the backyard, make sure they will be relaxed with lots of other people at your house. If your dog is stressed by the noise and amount of people, they may try and dig out of the backyard which could lead to horrible consequences like getting hit by a car or running away forever.
Remember that dogs can suffer heat stroke just like humans. Make sure your pet has a comfortable place to get out of the sun, rain, or other types of weather.
Please remember your pet’s sensitive stomach and even though it’s a holiday, keep them on their regular diet. Many foods can upset them and are just plain poisonous.
If you need too travel without your pet, there are many quality pet sitting services available, pre-screened, background checked sitters and dog walkers also offers affordable pet sitting and house sitting.
Take your vet's phone number with you. If you're going someplace involving hiking or the great outdoors, call your vet ahead of time to make sure you are adequately prepared for all conditions (heartworm medication, flea treatment, etc).
Make sure your pet's ID tags are current! I cannot stress this enough - if you and your pet become separated for any reason, your current phone number on the pet's tag is vital. Trust me on this one. You'll thank me.
Have appropriately strong leashes and harnesses available to you. If one leash breaks, you'll have a backup. Or, if you're a diva like my dog, you'll want options depending upon mood and color choice for the day.
Pack plenty of water, and have an easy way to dispense it to your pet. I have a hiking water bottle made for dogs which comes with its own little plastic trough, creating an easy drinking solution.
Plan rest stop visits into your trip - remember, pets have smaller bladders than we do. Hard to believe in my case, but true.
Seal your pet food tightly. Critters will find pet food a unique delight - an airtight container will be your best bet.
Never, ever leave your pet in the car for extended periods of time. It's hot! Warm weather is upon us, and your pet will suffer needlessly if left in the car for an extended length of time.
Summer is officially here so let’s kick it off right and have a safe and joyful holiday weekend for your pets!
Behavior Problems?
Advanced Animal Care Center
260 Evergreen Avenue
Huntington Station, NY, 11746
Phone: (631) 367-7387 Fax:(631) 367-7414 advancedcareforpets.com
CAUSES AND DIAGNOSIS OF BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS
What makes a pet misbehave?
Behavior problems can be due to medical or behavioral causes, or both. A clinical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing will help determine if there are underlying medical conditions contributing to the problem. Although there may be a single cause for a behavior problem, it is often the combined effect of the environment and learning on the pet’s mental and physical health that determines behavior.
For example, the pet that is fearful of children may become more reactive, irritable, and aggressive as conditions such as dental problems, arthritis or anal sacculitis make the pet more uncomfortable, painful or less mobile.
Another example is the cat that has been exposed to other cats roaming across its territory, but only begins to mark when it developed an overactive thyroid at 10 years of age. Correcting the thyroid problem as well as behavior modification techniques can resolve this problem.
What are some behavioral causes?
Any change in the environment or daily routine may contribute to the emergence of behavior problems. For example, schedule changes, a new member of the household (baby, spouse), moving, illness or injury of a family member, loss of a family member or another pet, or the addition of a new pet can have a dramatic impact on behavior. Medical or degenerative changes associated with aging may cause the pet to be even more sensitive to these environmental changes.
Learning (e.g. reinforcement, punishment) also plays a role in virtually every behavior problem. When a pet’s actions result in unpleasant consequences (e.g. punishment), the chances of repeating the behavior will decrease. Punishment might be the application of something unpleasant or the removal of something good (i.e. petting stops if you do that behavior). If a behavior is followed by pleasant consequences such as obtaining food, attention, or affection (rewards), the behavior is likely to be repeated (positive reinforcement). These consequences could be administered unintentionally by the owners, as when the owner gives a reward following a behavior, or obtained by the pet itself through its actions (as when the pet gets a favored treat when rolling around its feeding toy. Although in practice the goal would be to use rewards to encourage desirable behavior, many undesirable behaviors are encouraged because of rewards such as the owner who allows the dog into the house to stop the dog from barking, or when the dog finds leftovers in the garbage. Another very powerful form of learning is that of negative reinforcement where the pet’s behavior is reinforced because something pleasant or undesirable has been removed. This might be the case when a dog exhibits aggression and the stimulus (person, other animal) retreats. It can be difficult to determine what might be reinforcing a behavior, but if a behavior is ongoing, then (from the pet’s perspective) reinforcement is operating to maintain the problem behavior.
What role does genetics and early experience have in the development of behavior problems?
Some of the most important causes of behavioral problems, and the ones that might be most difficult to improve, are genetic factors that influence or even dictate the pet’s response to stimuli, and the environment that the pet experienced during its most sensitive periods of development including a) the socialization period from 3 to 12 weeks b) prenatal and neonatal experiences and c) secondary socialization and development through to maturity. Lack of stimulation, lack of handling, lack of exposure, insufficient socialization, and particularly stressful or traumatic events can have a major impact on the pet’s behavior.
What tests can be done to determine a behavioral cause?
A good history is one of the most important means of determining the cause of a behavioral problem. This involves an in depth analysis of the pet’s medical and behavioral history including any training, as well as the circumstances surrounding the problem itself. Daily interactions with the pet and any changes in schedule need to be explored. Often the event that precipitated the behavioral change may be different from that which maintains it. If you can catch the problem on videotape, this can be a valuable diagnostic aid for the veterinarian Perhaps the most important element in determining the cause of the problem and what diagnostic workup might be needed will be the clinical signs that you report. Since we cannot ask the pet how it is feeling or if anything hurts, we will need to find out from you, the pet owner, all of the signs that your pet is exhibiting, behavioral and medical. Then based on the history you provide, previous health problems, any medications that your pet might be taking and the findings of a physical examination, additional diagnostic tests might be warranted. A final diagnosis of a behavioral cause can only be made after all medical factors have been ruled out.
What medical conditions can cause or contribute to behavior problems?
A decline in the pet’s hearing, sight or other senses, organ dysfunction (e.g. liver or kidney disease), hormonal diseases, diseases affecting the nervous system, diseases of the urinary tract (infections, tumors or stones), any disease or condition that might lead to pain or discomfort, and problems that affect the pets mobility can all cause or contribute to behavior problems.
a) Any condition that leads to an increase in pain or discomfort can lead to increased irritability, increased anxiety or fear of being handled or approached, and ultimately to increased aggressiveness. If these aggressive displays are successful at removing the “threat” (and they usually are) the behavior is reinforced. Medical conditions that affect the ears, anal sacs, teeth and gums, bones, joints, or back (disks) are some of the more common causes of pain and discomfort. If the pet’s mobility is affected, it may become increasingly aggressive, choosing to threaten and bite, rather than retreat. A decrease in mobility could also affect urination and defecation by reducing the pet’s ability to utilize its elimination area.
b) Sensory dysfunction: Pets with diminished sight or hearing may have a decreased ability to detect or identify the stimuli, and might begin to respond differently to commands, sounds or sights. Sensory decline is more likely to be seen as pets age.
c) Diseases of the internal organs, such as the kidneys or liver, can cause a number of behavior changes, primarily due to the toxic metabolites that accumulate in the bloodstream. Organ decline and dysfunction is more common in the older pet. Any medical condition that causes an increased frequency of urination or decreased urine control, such as kidney disease, a bladder infection, bladder stones, or neurological damage, might lead to an increase in house soiling. Similarly, those problems that affect the frequency of bowel movements or bowel control, such as colitis or constipation, might lead to house soiling with stools.
d) Diseases of the nervous system (brain and spinal cord) can lead to a number of behavior and personality changes. Conditions such as epilepsy, brain tumors, infections, immune and degenerative diseases can all directly affect a dog or cat’s nervous system and therefore its behavior. In the older pet aging changes can have a direct effect on the brain, leading to cognitive dysfunction and senility
e) The endocrine (hormone) system also plays a critical role in behavior. Over-activity or under-activity of any of the endocrine organs can lead to a number of behavior problems. The thyroid and parathyroid glands (in the neck), the pituitary gland (in the brain), the adrenal gland (by the kidneys), the pancreas, and the reproductive organs can all be affected by conditions or tumors that lead to an increase or decrease in hormone production. Endocrine disorders are more likely to arise as the pet ages.
f) The aging process is associated with progressive and irreversible changes of the body systems. Although these changes are often considered individually, the elderly pet is seldom afflicted with a single disease, but rather with varying degrees of organ disease and dysfunction. Cognitive decline and senility have also been recognized in older dogs and cats. See our handout on geriatric behavior problems for more details.
What tests need to be done to determine if my pet’s behavior problem is due to a medical condition?
a) Clinical history and physical examination.
The assessment begins with a clinical history and physical examination. Remember that the history you provide may be the only way to determine if there are behavioral or medical changes. Be certain to mention any changes or problems that you may have noticed in your pet’s behavior, no matter how minor. Based on the signs that you report and the findings of the examination, laboratory tests and a more comprehensive examination such as a neurological examination or sensory testing may be required. For some of these tests your pet may need to be referred to a specialist.
b) Medical, surgical, dietary or pharmacologic treatment.
Before beginning behavior therapy, any medical problems that have been diagnosed should be treated. A change in diet or a drug trial may be an important aspect of differentiating a medical from a behavioral cause (such as a food trial or steroid trial that might be used to rule out an underlying allergic cause). Surgery may be indicated when a tumor is diagnosed or when castration is indicated to reduce male sexually influenced behaviors. Your veterinarian may commence medical and behavioral treatment for long-standing behavior problems. There are also a variety of behavioral drugs and supplements that might be useful or necessary depending on the type, intensity and severity of the behavioral disorder (see our handouts on behavioral drugs and complementary medicines).
260 Evergreen Avenue
Huntington Station, NY, 11746
Phone: (631) 367-7387 Fax:(631) 367-7414 advancedcareforpets.com
CAUSES AND DIAGNOSIS OF BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS
What makes a pet misbehave?
Behavior problems can be due to medical or behavioral causes, or both. A clinical history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing will help determine if there are underlying medical conditions contributing to the problem. Although there may be a single cause for a behavior problem, it is often the combined effect of the environment and learning on the pet’s mental and physical health that determines behavior.
For example, the pet that is fearful of children may become more reactive, irritable, and aggressive as conditions such as dental problems, arthritis or anal sacculitis make the pet more uncomfortable, painful or less mobile.
Another example is the cat that has been exposed to other cats roaming across its territory, but only begins to mark when it developed an overactive thyroid at 10 years of age. Correcting the thyroid problem as well as behavior modification techniques can resolve this problem.
What are some behavioral causes?
Any change in the environment or daily routine may contribute to the emergence of behavior problems. For example, schedule changes, a new member of the household (baby, spouse), moving, illness or injury of a family member, loss of a family member or another pet, or the addition of a new pet can have a dramatic impact on behavior. Medical or degenerative changes associated with aging may cause the pet to be even more sensitive to these environmental changes.
Learning (e.g. reinforcement, punishment) also plays a role in virtually every behavior problem. When a pet’s actions result in unpleasant consequences (e.g. punishment), the chances of repeating the behavior will decrease. Punishment might be the application of something unpleasant or the removal of something good (i.e. petting stops if you do that behavior). If a behavior is followed by pleasant consequences such as obtaining food, attention, or affection (rewards), the behavior is likely to be repeated (positive reinforcement). These consequences could be administered unintentionally by the owners, as when the owner gives a reward following a behavior, or obtained by the pet itself through its actions (as when the pet gets a favored treat when rolling around its feeding toy. Although in practice the goal would be to use rewards to encourage desirable behavior, many undesirable behaviors are encouraged because of rewards such as the owner who allows the dog into the house to stop the dog from barking, or when the dog finds leftovers in the garbage. Another very powerful form of learning is that of negative reinforcement where the pet’s behavior is reinforced because something pleasant or undesirable has been removed. This might be the case when a dog exhibits aggression and the stimulus (person, other animal) retreats. It can be difficult to determine what might be reinforcing a behavior, but if a behavior is ongoing, then (from the pet’s perspective) reinforcement is operating to maintain the problem behavior.
What role does genetics and early experience have in the development of behavior problems?
Some of the most important causes of behavioral problems, and the ones that might be most difficult to improve, are genetic factors that influence or even dictate the pet’s response to stimuli, and the environment that the pet experienced during its most sensitive periods of development including a) the socialization period from 3 to 12 weeks b) prenatal and neonatal experiences and c) secondary socialization and development through to maturity. Lack of stimulation, lack of handling, lack of exposure, insufficient socialization, and particularly stressful or traumatic events can have a major impact on the pet’s behavior.
What tests can be done to determine a behavioral cause?
A good history is one of the most important means of determining the cause of a behavioral problem. This involves an in depth analysis of the pet’s medical and behavioral history including any training, as well as the circumstances surrounding the problem itself. Daily interactions with the pet and any changes in schedule need to be explored. Often the event that precipitated the behavioral change may be different from that which maintains it. If you can catch the problem on videotape, this can be a valuable diagnostic aid for the veterinarian Perhaps the most important element in determining the cause of the problem and what diagnostic workup might be needed will be the clinical signs that you report. Since we cannot ask the pet how it is feeling or if anything hurts, we will need to find out from you, the pet owner, all of the signs that your pet is exhibiting, behavioral and medical. Then based on the history you provide, previous health problems, any medications that your pet might be taking and the findings of a physical examination, additional diagnostic tests might be warranted. A final diagnosis of a behavioral cause can only be made after all medical factors have been ruled out.
What medical conditions can cause or contribute to behavior problems?
A decline in the pet’s hearing, sight or other senses, organ dysfunction (e.g. liver or kidney disease), hormonal diseases, diseases affecting the nervous system, diseases of the urinary tract (infections, tumors or stones), any disease or condition that might lead to pain or discomfort, and problems that affect the pets mobility can all cause or contribute to behavior problems.
a) Any condition that leads to an increase in pain or discomfort can lead to increased irritability, increased anxiety or fear of being handled or approached, and ultimately to increased aggressiveness. If these aggressive displays are successful at removing the “threat” (and they usually are) the behavior is reinforced. Medical conditions that affect the ears, anal sacs, teeth and gums, bones, joints, or back (disks) are some of the more common causes of pain and discomfort. If the pet’s mobility is affected, it may become increasingly aggressive, choosing to threaten and bite, rather than retreat. A decrease in mobility could also affect urination and defecation by reducing the pet’s ability to utilize its elimination area.
b) Sensory dysfunction: Pets with diminished sight or hearing may have a decreased ability to detect or identify the stimuli, and might begin to respond differently to commands, sounds or sights. Sensory decline is more likely to be seen as pets age.
c) Diseases of the internal organs, such as the kidneys or liver, can cause a number of behavior changes, primarily due to the toxic metabolites that accumulate in the bloodstream. Organ decline and dysfunction is more common in the older pet. Any medical condition that causes an increased frequency of urination or decreased urine control, such as kidney disease, a bladder infection, bladder stones, or neurological damage, might lead to an increase in house soiling. Similarly, those problems that affect the frequency of bowel movements or bowel control, such as colitis or constipation, might lead to house soiling with stools.
d) Diseases of the nervous system (brain and spinal cord) can lead to a number of behavior and personality changes. Conditions such as epilepsy, brain tumors, infections, immune and degenerative diseases can all directly affect a dog or cat’s nervous system and therefore its behavior. In the older pet aging changes can have a direct effect on the brain, leading to cognitive dysfunction and senility
e) The endocrine (hormone) system also plays a critical role in behavior. Over-activity or under-activity of any of the endocrine organs can lead to a number of behavior problems. The thyroid and parathyroid glands (in the neck), the pituitary gland (in the brain), the adrenal gland (by the kidneys), the pancreas, and the reproductive organs can all be affected by conditions or tumors that lead to an increase or decrease in hormone production. Endocrine disorders are more likely to arise as the pet ages.
f) The aging process is associated with progressive and irreversible changes of the body systems. Although these changes are often considered individually, the elderly pet is seldom afflicted with a single disease, but rather with varying degrees of organ disease and dysfunction. Cognitive decline and senility have also been recognized in older dogs and cats. See our handout on geriatric behavior problems for more details.
What tests need to be done to determine if my pet’s behavior problem is due to a medical condition?
a) Clinical history and physical examination.
The assessment begins with a clinical history and physical examination. Remember that the history you provide may be the only way to determine if there are behavioral or medical changes. Be certain to mention any changes or problems that you may have noticed in your pet’s behavior, no matter how minor. Based on the signs that you report and the findings of the examination, laboratory tests and a more comprehensive examination such as a neurological examination or sensory testing may be required. For some of these tests your pet may need to be referred to a specialist.
b) Medical, surgical, dietary or pharmacologic treatment.
Before beginning behavior therapy, any medical problems that have been diagnosed should be treated. A change in diet or a drug trial may be an important aspect of differentiating a medical from a behavioral cause (such as a food trial or steroid trial that might be used to rule out an underlying allergic cause). Surgery may be indicated when a tumor is diagnosed or when castration is indicated to reduce male sexually influenced behaviors. Your veterinarian may commence medical and behavioral treatment for long-standing behavior problems. There are also a variety of behavioral drugs and supplements that might be useful or necessary depending on the type, intensity and severity of the behavioral disorder (see our handouts on behavioral drugs and complementary medicines).
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