Dr. Alicia’s Monthly Newsletter

October 2018

By: Dr. Alicia Marquart

Picture credit: http://www.myphillypetcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/halloween-dog.jpg

This month is Halloween month (spooky!), so I hope you all get to celebrate some scare in your life. My monthly newsletters are available for tidbits of information regarding pet healthcare. My intention is to educate clients and enhance their relationship with me. I am hopeful this will aid you in keeping your furry family member healthy! Please feel free to share these with your family and friends.

What to expect from our monthly newsletters:

1. Fact or Fiction? We will provide a “True” or “False” statement for your consideration. The answer will be in the next month’s newsletter.

2. New information regarding any recalls or other matters pertaining to your pet’s health.

3. Updates on new recommendations

4. Seasonal recommendations for your pet.

5. Behavior training recommendations for your pet.

6. Question of the month. One client’s burning question will be answered by a veterinarian.

7. Pet of the month

FACT or FICTION:

October – All poisons are instant (think chocolate)

This is FICTION folks. In reality, most poisons need time before they start effecting systems involved and clinical signs are noted. It can take hours to days to see the effects of a poison pending what it is. Definitely consult your veterinarian if you are concerned about a potential toxin to see what the best course of action is.

Picture credit: https://sociopathworld.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/poison-bottle.jpg

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that grain-free diets have recently been linked to heart disease in our canine (dog) patients?

            A few months ago, it was brought to our attention by the FDA that Grain Free boutique diets have been linked to a disease called Dilated Cardiomyopathy in our dog patients. This is where the muscles of the heart decease in strength and the heart enlarges (dilates). They have seen some dogs improve with diet change and others that have progressed to the point where it is permanent damage. So, if you are feeding a grain free diet that has not been studied for a long period of time on our pets, I recommend a slow transition to a well-studied diet we know is safe. Such food I recommend are Royal Canin, Purina Pro-Plan and Hills Science Diet.

IMPORTANT MONTHLY INFORMATION (RECALLS)

• Performance Dog frozen raw pet food due to potential contamination with Salmonella
• Steve’s Real Food, Quest pet food due to an unspecified reasoning.
• Dr. King’s homeopathic products for human and animal use for microbial contamination
• Rad cat Rad Cat Raw Diet for potential Listeria Monocytogenes contamination
• G & C Raw ground lamb dog food and ground turkey cat food for potential contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes.

BEHAVIOR: HOW DO I PREVENT MY DOG FROM CHEWING?

Picture credit; https://cdn1-www.dogtime.com/assets/uploads/2009/05/file_746_column_how-do-i-stop-my-dog-from-biting-and-chewing.jpg

It is a common occurrence for a dog to start chewing once they are teething (~4-6 months of age) and some dogs continue with this annoying behavior for even longer. Cases of boredom, anxiety, too much energy and curiosity can all be causes of increased chewing. However, chewing is also a normal behavior for dogs and they may just need to be taught what chewing is appropriate. So, what should you do if this is your dog?

1. Try to determine the cause of chewing. Keep a log of when and what your dog is chewing on. Is it only when you are away – maybe it is due from separation anxiety? Do you have a high energy dog and they aren’t getting appropriate energy release? Is it certain times of the day? Consult your veterinarian to see if they can help determine the cause of the destructive behavior and recommendations on how to help.
2. The next step is to “chew-proof” your house. Make sure there is nothing easily accessible to your dog that they could destroy or harm themselves with. Make sure your objects are put away – shoes, children’s toys, socks, underwear, etc. This makes it much easier for your dog to be successful.
3. Try to encourage your dog to chew on appropriate items – such as a Kong, busy buddy, bento ball, oravet chew, etc. Make sure these toys are throughout the house and easily accessible. It is also recommended to rotate between the toys/chews so your dog has something new and exciting every few days. Reward your dog when catching them playing with these toys – play with them, give them treats or just love them when you see this. Ask your veterinarian for a list of verified chews and toys. You can find some at the following link: http://www.vohc.org/VOHCAcceptedProductsTable_Dogs.pdf
4. Correct your dog quickly if you catch them chewing on inappropriate items. You can do this with a noise or a quick touch (no aggressive behavior). Then give them a toy to chew on instead. You can also try to discourage the behavior by spraying a deterrent on the objects you wish him/her to leave alone.

It can take some time to train your dog out of their chewing habit, keep at it and don’t give up!

QUESTION OF THE MONTH: Do I really need to get those skin tags removed off of my pet?  

Picture from: https://www.dogforums.com/attachments/dog-health-questions/11879d1258426261-tick-mole-something-else-honey-005.jpg

Unfortunately, this is not an easy yes or no answer. Most of the time skin tags are benign (not harmful) and will cause no issue at all. However, there are always those rare cases where a skin tag could be more malignant (harmful) and removal would be recommended. The options I generally give my clients are:

1. Needle aspirate and cytology. This test uses a needle to collect cells from the mass. We then examine these cells under a microscope. If there are concerning cells we will recommend sending this off to a specialist or removing the mass for biopsy.
2. Remove the mass and send it out for biopsy. This is a definitive diagnosis and will inform you and the veterinarian what the mass is and if there are any additional recommendations. This is the gold standard treatment for any mass.
3. Continue to monitor the mass. If you note rapid growth, if it waxes/wanes in size, or if it starts bothering your pet then I recommend removal at that time.

PET(S) OF THE MONTH

This is Sassy and is one of the sweetest patients I know. She came from a hard background, but I have seen her flourish and her personality emerge since her new father has taken care of this little one. She is one attached pooch and so lucky to have had the opportunity to know what love is really about. 

Seriously, how cute is she?!

Please send us a picture and small paragraph about your pet to get them featured in out next newsletter. Send the information to drmarquart@brentwoodanimalhospital.com Attention PET OF THE MONTH.

What You Need to Know to Get Your Cat Using the Litter Box Again

INAPPROPRITE ELIMINATION

Picture credit from; http://www.petsworld.in/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/cat-in-litter.gif

               

                This is a question we get monthly from cat owners and is one of the main causes for euthanasia or rehoming of cats. There are simple changes that can be made at home to help eliminate the problem. This blog will help you better understand why a cat would chose to go outside of the box and hopefully some tips you haven’t already tried to get your cat to use the litterbox appropriately.

Why your cat stops using the litter box:

• Medical problems – this should always be considered. If a cat is uncomfortable for any reason (urinary tract infections, stones, constipation, etc.) they may choose to go elsewhere.

• Dirty litter box

• Poor location/not enough locations

• Too few boxes

• Not liking the litter

• Too small of a box

• Hard time getting in and out of box (old age/arthritis)

• Blocked or uncomfortable location (is a dominant cat blocking them from using the box, is the cat able to relax?)

What can you do to help your cat use the box?

• Bring your cat in to be evaluated and rule out a medical issue for change. The veterinarian will likely start with blood work and a urine and may recommend x-rays pending what they find/response to treatment.

• Scoop the litter box at least twice a day

• You also want a minimum of one box on every floor of your house (this includes basement if your cat can go there).

• Make sure you have the appropriate amount of litter boxes. You want one box more than you have cats (1 cat = 2 boxes, 2 cats = 3 boxes, etc.).  They should also be in different areas of the house if possible.

• Use unscented litter and clumping litter (except for kittens younger than 7 weeks). Make sure the litter is deep enough for their liking.  The clumping litter allows for easy removal of both urine and feces.

• Try a larger litter box to see if this helps.

• You can use a large Rubbermaid and cut off the sides for easy access in and out. This can eliminate the stepping into and out of the box in case this is painful for the cat.

• Use pheromones (feliway) in the house. Make sure the litter box is in a quiet area with comfortable mats around the box.

• Try Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract

What should I stop doing to help my cat use the litter box?

• Use non-clumping, pelleted, or crystal/white pearl litter

• Use scented litter

• If you currently use an enclosed box, try it without the lid to decrease the bathroom smell.

• Use plastic mats

• Use negative reinforcement for not using the box

• Use gimmicks such as a venting system

Hopefully this information can help you determine if there is anything you can do to help your cat eliminate appropriately. There are causes of inappropriate elimination that cannot be treated, but most can be sorted out and can end with a great outcome.

BREED OF THE MONTH - ORIENTAL SHORTHAIR

Picture from: https://www.thehappycatsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/oriental-shorthair-kitten.jpg

The Oriental Shorthair's ancestors are from Thailand. These cats are very closely related to the Siamese, but have different colorings rather than the classic Siamese colorpoints. These cats can be short or long haired with green eyes. The most common words to describe these cats are vocal, intelligent, affectionate and curious. These cats easily become attached to their family members, so make sure you are willing to make a long-time commitment before adding one of these to your clan.

Star Ratings:

Adaptability *****

Affection Level *****

     These cats become attached very easily to their family members. Make sure you are willing to accept a cat into your life for a long time before committing yourself to this breed of cat.

Child Friendly ****

Dog Friendly *****

Energy Level *****

     Due to a high energy level, you may find this cat jumping on top of the counters, getting into drawers or finding other ways to entertain themselves. Make sure you find ways to keep this cat entertained. 

Grooming *

     Due to the smooth and generally short coat, these cats require little to no grooming other than the periodic hair brushing and nail trims.

Health Issues ***

     This breed is overall healthy, but all cats can have genetic problems. Some genetic diseases we see in this breed are hereditary liver amyloidosis, dilated cardiomyopathy and neurologic deficits causing crossed eyes.  You can also see bladder stones an mast cell cancer in this breed of cat.

Intelligence *****

     These cats are highly intelligent. Therefore, it is important to keep them entertained or they can start causing destruction trying to find something to do. 

Shedding level ***

Social needs *****

     These cats become very attached to their owners and love being around them. Do not get one of these if you are away more than normal. 

Stranger Friendly ***

Dr. Alicia's Monthly Newsletter

September 2018

By: Dr. Alicia Marquart

Next month is Halloween (spooky!), so I hope you all get to celebrate some scare in your life. I continue to hope to provide information regarding pet healthcare to my readers through these monthly (or every couple of month) newsletters. My intention is to educate pet owners and enhance their relationship with me. Please inform me of changes you would like to see as I am always striving to improve. 

FACT or FICTION:

• There is at least one dog breed and one cat breed that is hairless. 
• This is true kiddos!! There are several breeds to choose from that have little to no hair. Our most common breeds we see are the Chinese Crested dog and the Sphynx cat. 

Chinese Crested (left). Picture from: http://www.dogwallpapers.net/wallpapers/chinese-crested-dog-onthegrass-photo.jpg

Sphynx (left). Picture from: https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/11/08/article-1083983-025A12E4000005DC-701_468x311_popup.jpg

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that grain-free diets have recently been linked to heart disease in our canine (dog) patients?

        A few months ago, it was brought to our attention by the FDA that Grain Free boutique diets have been linked to a disease called Dilated Cardiomyopathy in our dog patients. This disease is where the muscles of the heart decrease in strength and the heart enlarges due to dilation of the chambers. They have seen dogs improve with diet change and others have progressed to the point where it is permanent damage. So, if you are feeding a grain free diet that has not been studied for a long period of time in our pets I recommend a slow transition to a well-studied diet we know is safe. Such food I recommend are Royal Canin, Purina Pro-Plan, and Hills Science Diet.

Here is a link to a news article going over the new finding:
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/dog-heart-disease-linked-food-fda-says-n891011

IMPORTANT MONTHLY INFORMATION (RECALLS)

     Next month is Halloween! Make sure to keep you pet away from all that chocolate, as this can be extremely toxic. If your pet gets into some chocolate, call your veterinarian right away to know next steps.

Picture from; https://arkvets.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Pets-dog-cat-halloween-pumpkin.jpg

Recalls:

1. Performance Dog frozen raw pet food due to potential contamination with Salmonella

2. Steve’s Real Food, Quest pet food due to an unspecified reasoning.

3. Dr. King’s homeopathic products for human and animal use for microbial contamination

4. Rad cat Rad Cat Raw Diet for potential Listeria Monocytogenes contamination

5. G & C Raw ground lamb dog food and ground turkey cat food for potential  contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes.

BEHAVIOR: HOW DO I PREVENT MY DOG FROM CHEWING

Picture from: http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2.20.15-Dogs-Who-Are-Proud-They-Trashed-Your-House2.jpg

       It is a common occurrence for a dog to start chewing once they are teething (~4-6 months of age) and some dogs continue with this annoying behavior even longer. Cases of boredom, anxiety, too much energy, and curiosity can all be causes of increased chewing. So, what should you do if this is your dog?

1. Try to encourage your dog to chew on appropriate items - such as a Kong, Bust Buddy, Bento Ball, etc. Make sure these toys are throughout the house and are easily accessible. Reward your dog when you catch them playing with these toys - play with them, give them treats or just love them. 
2. Correct your dog quickly if you catch them chewing on inappropriate items. You can do this with a noise or quick touch (no aggressive behavior). Then give them a toy to chew on instead. 

It can take some time to treat you dog out of their chewing habit, keep at it and don't give up!

QUESTION OF THE MONHT: WHAT ARE SOME ALTERNATIVE DOG/CAT TREATS?

• Carrots
• Sweet Potatoes (cooked and peeled)
• Cucumbers
• Broccoli
• Green Beans
• Peas
• Blueberries
• Bananas
• Strawberries
• Watermelon
• Pineapple
• Salmon/Salmon flakes
• Tuna
• Eggs
• Fish Oil
• Cantaloupe
• Chicken
• Pumpkin
• Cheese
• Lunch meat

All good things must come in moderation. You want to make sure that your dog and/or cat's main diet consists of their well balanced kibble or canned food. Also make sure you are watching your pet's weight closely to make sure you are not over indulging them in our tasty treats. 

PET(S) OF THE MONTH

There were no submissions for pet of the month. Please send me a picture or two with a small description of why your pet is so special. We would LOVE to show them off. 

Please send the picture and paragraph with the subject PET OF THE MONTH to drmarquart@brentwoodanimalhospital.com

TURKISH ANGORA

Picture from: http://cattime.com/cat-breeds/turkish-angora-cats#/slide/1

The breed of this month is the TURKISH ANGORA. These cats originated in Turkey and average weight is 6-10 pounds. This is a playful and energetic type of cat. Its star rating is as follows:
Affectionate with Family *****
Amount of shedding **
Health ***
      White cats with 1-2 blue highs are more likely to be deaf
       Ataxia - generally noticed in kittens 2-4 weeks of age.
      Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy - heart muscle enlargement.
Playful *****
Kid Friendly ***
Stranger Friendly ****
Ease of grooming ****
      Even though they are long haired, they only require combing/brushing weekly
      Does not shed much
Intelligent ****
Pet-friendly ***

Why I decided to become a vet

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=Wpyj9Kf-mU0

I've decided to start vlogs along with my blogs. I wanted to start with why I decided to do what I do. I hope these will be just as informative for you as my blogs and please comment below with suggestions!

Dr. Alicia’s Monthly Newsletter

February 2018

By: Dr. Alicia Marquart

This month is Valentine’s Day month, so I hope you all get to celebrate some love in your life. My monthly newsletters are available for tidbits of information regarding pet healthcare. My intention is to educate clients and enhance their relationship with me. I am hopeful this will aid you in keeping your furry family member healthy! Please feel free to share these with your family and friends.

What to expect from our monthly newsletters:

1. Fact or Fiction? We will provide a “True” or “False” statement for your consideration. The answer will be in the next month’s newsletter.

2. New information regarding any recalls or other matters pertaining to your pet’s health.

3. Updates on new recommendations

4. Seasonal recommendations for your pet.

5. Behavior training recommendations for your pet.

6. Question of the month. One client’s burning questions will be answered by a veterinarian.

7. Pet of the month

FACT or FICTION:

• January – Cat’s should drink milk to get more nutrition
• False
• Milk should be considered a high calorie dense treat for a cat, not another source of nutrition. Compare it to us eating ice cream J. There are some cats that are even Lactose intolerant, so if your pet vomits or seems to be in discomfort after dairy I would recommend not giving it to them anymore. For more information regarding this please visit: http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/whats-the-deal-with-cats-and-milk

Picture from: http://pawesomecats.com/2016/08/19/ok-cats-drink-milk/

• February – There is at least one dog breed and one cat breed that is hairless.

Tune in next month to find out the answer for January. Let us know what you think in the comments!!

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know I recommend a daily routine for your cat?

• Just like kids, cats also like to expect what is going to happen during the day. I recommend feeding them at similar times every day, a daily brushing/loving routine and a daily playtime for your cat. This can help eliminate stress for your fur baby and help alleviate some behavior problems.

Did you know that February is Dental Month?

• I recommend checking in with your veterinarian to see if your fur friend is in need of a professional dental cleaning. There is no time like now to get their dental health back in order. See below for more details. 

Picture from: http://binglevet.com/pet-care-celebrating-national-pet-dental-health-month/

IMPORTANT MONTHLY INFORMATION (RECALLS)

• JustFoodForDogs Dog Food for a Listeria outbreak. If your dog is eating this and is exhibiting any unusual signs, please let your veterinarian know. 

Picture from: http://company.justfoodfordogs.com/packaged-frozen/

BEHAVIOR: HOW CAN I GET MY PET USED TO NAIL TRIMS AT HOME?

Picture from: https://www.vetbabble.com/dogs/grooming-dogs/trimming-dogs-nails/

This can be tricky for a lot of pet parents and sometimes on some animals it is best to leave this to the professionals. However, there are some tricks at home that can help your pet get used to you giving them nail trims. My tips are below:

1. Remember Rome was not built in one day. It will take time to train your pet to tolerate a pedicure.
2. I recommend going to your veterinarian and requesting a nail trimming session. This way you can see them trim the nails and have a better understanding of how much to take at a time. Most clinics are happy to assist you.
3. Make sure to start off slow. I recommend first buying a nail trimmer like the one I pictured here as I find these the easiest. Take the nail trimmer out daily and give your pet a high reward treat – string cheese, turkey hot dog, peanut butter, salmon flakes, tuna, cream cheese, etc. every time you take it out. Do this for 2-3 weeks before trying to trim their nails with the trimmer.
4. Once step 3 is finished, it’s time to start trying to trim the nails back. I recommend doing 1 nail and giving your pet the high reward treat. If they are still tolerating this well, you can do the entire paw. I would stop there and give them the high reward treat. Do 1 nail/paw a day until they tolerate this well.
5. Start slowly increasing the amount you trim day by day until you can get all 4 paws done at a time. Always give a high reward treat after every paw.

A good video demonstrating how to trim your pet’s nails can be found at: https://www.petmd.com/dog/grooming/evr_dg_how_to_trim_a_dogs_toenails

QUESTION OF THE MONTH: How Often Should I Have My Dog’s/Cat’s Teeth Cleaned

This answer is different for every patient. I recommend getting a general scaling of your pet’s teeth when your veterinarian says he/she has Grade 1 out of 4 dental disease. I recommend this so that periodontal disease does not progress to a stage where there will be multiple extractions. This increases risk of organ damage with your pet and also will increase anesthesia time, which we like to avoid.

The time frame of this is different for every dog. There are certain breeds/dogs/cats (typically the smaller breeds or longer nosed breeds) that require yearly dental cleanings. There are other breeds/dogs/cats that go their whole life without needing a dental cleaning. I always recommend checking with your Veterinarian at your pet’s annual exam to see if they need a dental cleaning that year. 

PET(S) OF THE MONTH

There were no submissions for pet of the month for January. Please send us  a picture or two with a small description of why your pet is so special! We would love to show them off!

Please send us a picture and small paragraph about your pet to get them featured in out next newsletter. Send the information to drmarquart@brentwoodanimalhospital.com Attention PET OF THE MONTH.