Oakland Veterinary Referral Services Blog

We have all been there.  It is midnight on a Saturday and something is not quite right with yourself/your child/your pet.  But is it urgent enough to warrant emergency services or can it wait until Monday morning?  Pet emergency centers have staff on hand that can help you decide whether you need to bring your pet in and are happy to talk through the symptoms with you. If you are debating whether to phone your regular veterinarian or wait, here are handy guidelines:

• Vomiting/diarrhea:  If these things occur more than once or are accompanied by blood or any signs of illness such as fever, lethargy, or anorexia, it is better to have your pet checked out.  Dehydration can occur quickly, especially in small or young animals.
• Wounds:  Anything that is bleeding, has a discharge, or is deeper than a superficial scrape should be checked out immediately.  This includes punctures and burns.
• Urine troubles:  Blood in the urine or difficulty/straining to urinate is an emergency that should be addressed as soon as possible.
• Fever:  A rectal temperature that is greater than 103^oF warrants investigation.
• Not eating:  Anorexia that persists for greater than 24 hours should not be ignored.
• Breathing problems:  A pet that is panting, coughing, or otherwise seems short of breath should be looked at immediately.
• Eye troubles:  Any sign of an eye problem such as squinting, tearing, or redness should not wait, as eye issues can turn serious at the drop of a hat.
• Sudden lameness:  Not putting weight on a limb or a new lameness can indicate a serious problem.
• Trauma:  Don’t wait after a pet is hit by a car or falls.  Even if it seems fine, there may be internal injuries that don’t show up until it is too late.
• Ingestion of a foreign body or toxin:  If you are not sure if it might be a problem, don’t hesitate to call and ask.
• Seizures:  If it is your pet’s first seizure, it is having back-to-back seizures or seizures are lasting longer than 3 minutes, your pet should be seen.
• Trouble delivering puppies/kittens:  If your pet has been in active labor for longer than an hour without progress or if it has been greater than 3 hours since the last baby was delivered, your pet may need help.
• “Just not right”:  When in doubt, call.  Signs of a problem can include (but are not limited to) a bloated abdomen, collapsing, weakness or lethargy, pale gums, pain, or a change in behavior.

Long story short, if your pet is experiencing a symptom on this list or you’re very concerned, don’t hesitate to call us!  We are here to help you when you need it most, and are happy to answer your questions and take care of your pet whenever needed.  If there is no need for immediate treatment and you can monitor the problem at home or you can wait to see your regular veterinarian, we’ll let you know that. Sometimes, though, seemingly minor problems can become serious quickly, so please contact us if you are concerned about your pet’s health. We’re here for you 24 hours a day.

Winter has arrived, and with its entrance comes a whole new set of concerns for taking care of your pets.  While it’s true that they wear fur coats all of the time, animals can still suffer from weather-related injury and illness.

It’s best to keep your pet indoors during the coldest part of the year, if possible.  Cats especially can freeze to death, or they are killed while trying to find warmth, such as under the hood of a car.  If you do keep an animal outdoors, be sure that it has adequate shelter out of the wind and moisture.  Also make sure that it has access to fresh, non-frozen water at all times.  Animals that are trying to keep warm outdoors will also need extra calories to do so.

Never shave a pet that will be spending any time outdoors.  Short-haired animals may even benefit from wearing a sweater or coat when outside.  Very young and very old animals will have a lesser ability to keep themselves warm and should spend limited time in the cold.

Inside or out, be sure that your pet has a warm, comfy place to snuggle up.  Tiled or uncarpeted areas are often chilly!  Also, take care around space heaters and fireplaces, which can be a hazard for cold or curious pets.

Wipe your pet down after it comes in from the outdoors to remove any moisture or harmful chemicals, such as antifreeze, or rock salt from its coat and paws.  You should pay close attention to your pet’s paws as they may become chapped or even cut on icy, uneven ground.  Animals that have long hair in between their paw pads may need to have the area trimmed to prevent ice and snow from accumulating.

Overall, it is probably best to keep your pet indoors as much as possible during cold snaps.  Pets can suffer frostbite and hypothermia just as people can.  Long, unsupervised time outdoors increases the likelihood of these things occurring.  Play it safe and keep your pet warm this winter!

Oakland Veterinary Referral Service wishes you and your furry family a very happy, and above all safe, holiday season this year!  Don’t forget the following during your festivities this year:

• Dangerous objects

Christmas trees, holiday decorations, and wrapped gifts can all be dangerous items that your pet is not used to having around.  Keep decorations and candles out of the reach of playful paws and wagging tails.  Decorative ribbons, string, and tinsel should also be kept away from pets.  Electrical cords can pose a danger as pets may chew on them or become tangled in them.  Before bringing any plants into your home, be sure to check the ASPCA’s list of toxic plants to avoid problems.

• Hazardous treats

Food and goodies of all kinds abound this time of year!  Beware of treats containing chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, and the artificial sweetener xylitol.  Table scraps, particularly those that are fatty or rich, can cause stomach upset ranging from mild vomiting or diarrhea to severe pancreatitis.  Don’t forget about alcohol, either.  That punch or eggnog might be irresistible to your pet, but can cause serious problems upon ingestion.

• Scary situations

Pets don’t always take to the holidays like humans do.  A houseful of noisy strangers can be a disturbing event for shyer animals.  Make sure that they have a quiet, safe place to “hide” away from the hub-bub.  It is also a good idea to make sure that all pets are wearing identification and/or are micro-chipped with your current contact information in case they slip out the door with Uncle Bob.

What’s better than a snuggly, happy puppy?  A snuggly, happy puppy with a job description that includes helping others!  Oakland Veterinary Referral Service’s very own Dr. Theresa DePorter has had the honor to help train a puppy named Ceva to become a Leader Dog for the blind.  Ceva earned her name from Ceva Animal Health, who has sponsored her care and training.

Dr. DePorter with Ceva at Leader Dog School

Dr. DePorter, along with an experienced Leader Dog trainer, took on the important task of
training Ceva to be the best guide dog possible.  Tremendous dedication was required as Dr. DePorter spent the first year of Ceva’s life exposing her to all sorts of situations and locations similar to what she will face on duty.  This has helped Ceva to build a foundation that will allow her to be comfortable and confident for her future owner.   Because a guide dog is expected to keep her owner safe in any range of situations, Dr. DePorter took Ceva many places throughout her training including restaurants, veterinary conferences, and even New York City!  This taught Ceva to be very good at ignoring distractions, even tasty ones!

In October, Ceva “graduated” to Leader Dog, where she will continue her training before being placed.  This is the equivalent of her heading off to college!  Dr. DePorter misses Ceva, but is very proud of her.  We are all excited for Ceva to continue on to help someone in need.  Feel free to follow Ceva along with us on her very own Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/cevaleaderdog

Our pet’s vision is very important to them.  It is a large part of what allows them to chase a tennis ball or bird-watch out the living room window.  While many blind animals live happy lives, we certainly want to do everything in our power to keep our pets seeing well.

Eye problems can come on very quickly and cause serious, irreversible damage within a matter of hours.  Many eye problems appear similarly in the early stages, making it difficult to know without an examination how pressing the problem is.

If you notice any of the following problems, be sure to notify your veterinarian right away.  Waiting even a day or self-medicating can have serious consequences in certain situations.

• Squinting
• Pawing at or rubbing the eye
• Increased watery discharge
• Yellow or green discharge
• Uneven pupils or pupils that do not change with changes in lighting
• Change in the appearance of the eye’s surface (cornea)
• Redness around or in the eye
• Change in vision

Holidays and family gatherings tend to make you want to share the bounty with your pet but leftover turkey bones and other scrap bones can pose a risk for pets. Here are a few reasons that may not be the best idea:

Physical injury

Sharp fragments can cause injury to the mouth and/or tongue that require a visit to the veterinarian. It is also not uncommon for pets to get a bone looped around the lower jaw, which is frightening and can require sedation to remove.

Broken teeth

Bones are hard! Broken teeth are a serious problem and can require expensive dental procedures to correct or remove.

Obstruction

There are oh-so-many places bones or bone fragments can become lodged on the way down including the esophagus, windpipe, stomach, or intestines. Even pieces of bone that are not stuck can lead to constipation due to their hard, sharp nature.

Perforation

Pieces of bone can perforate through the digestive tract, leading to leakage of the contents into the body cavities. This can lead to a serious condition called peritonitis. Peritonitis can lead to severe illness and even death.

Food poisoning

Dogs and cats are just as susceptible to threats like E.coli and Salmonella as people. Particularly if your pet helps itself to a treat out of the trash, these organisms can cause problems.

Be safe and happy

Before offering a bone to your pet this holiday season, think about the potential consequences. Also be sure to dispose of your table scraps in a manner not accessible to your animals. Enjoy a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

If you are a cat lover, chances are at some point you have admired the Sphynx cat.  These bald, wrinkly kitties are full of personality and spunk! 

The breed is relatively new, having developed as the breed we know today starting in 1966.  Hairless cats, however, have been around throughout history.  Like all cats, the Sphynx can suffer from a devastating cardiac disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).  The breed, however, is over-represented in cats that are affected with about 15% of those tested being positive.  Early detection of HCM is vital as often there are no obvious symptoms prior to death or devastating complications.

Our own Dr. Riepe has taken a personal interest in helping to decrease the effects of HCM on the Sphynx breed and the people that love them by becoming involved in Hairless Hearts.  Hairless Hearts is an organization which coordinates with veterinary cardiologists to provide affordable early-detection screening for HCM as well as to provide support to HCM-affected Sphynx owners.  Dr. Riepe became a recognized partner for the Pawpeds pedigree database a few years ago, which allows the OVRS cardiology department to work with these special cats and their breeders to lessen the impact of HCM.  Oakland Veterinary Referral Service is thrilled to be able to play a part in this important initiative.

For more information about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or the Sphynx breed, please visit www.hairlesshearts.org.

Pretty much everybody has heard of Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  But did you know that there was another type of tick-borne disease that affects dogs called Anaplasmosis?  Here is what you need to know:

• Anaplasmosis is becoming increasingly more common.
• The disease is sometimes called Ehrlichiosis.
• The deer tick is responsible for most the Anaplasmosis in the northeast and upper Midwest, which the black-legged tick is the culprit in the western United States.
• The bacteria transmitted by the tick attacks the white blood cells and spreads throughout the body, often affecting platelets witch interferes with blood clotting.
• Symptoms of infection can include fever, lethargy, and painful, swollen joints.  Other less consistent signs are swollen lymph nodes, eye problems, or bleeding.
• Blood testing can confirm the disease.
• Most dogs can be successfully treated with a specific antibiotic, although they can relapse or become re-infected.

As if you needed another reason to use tick prevention!  Be sure to protect your dog from exposure to Anaplasmosis.

Remember that many holiday traditions and practices can be hazardous for our furry friends.  Beware of the following kitty dangers this Halloween:

• Trick-or-treaters

Frequently opening doors can lead to an indoor cat getting outside fairly quickly.  Try to ensure that your cat is in a secure location during trick-or-treating hours.  It is also wise to make sure your pet is wearing identification and is micro-chipped.

• Holiday decorations

Cats are curious by nature, and unfamiliar objects such as candles, glow sticks, and fake spider webs can look like fun toys and tasty treats.  Also, electrical cords from decorations can be tempting chew toys.  Use caution when allowing your cat near such items.

• Costumes

If you choose to dress you cat for the occasion, make sure that the costume does not restrict movement or breathing and does not have any easily chewed-off parts.  Never leave your cat unattended while dressed, either.

• Candy and treats

Don’t forget that many people goodies are no-no’s for our feline friends.  Chocolate in all its forms (especially baking and dark chocolate) is a kitty danger.  Also fun, crinkly candy wrappers can be tempting for curious cats and may lead to ingestion and digestive upset or blockage.

Make sure to pay attention to these tips to prevent your spooky day from being downright scary!

Is your pet trick-or-treating this year?  If Fido does come along, be sure that you are keeping him or her safe.

• Halloween can be a stressful!  Crowds of excited children wearing unfamiliar clothing and masks can be downright terrifying for some pets.  If your pet seems overwhelmed by the activity, it may be best to leave it at home.
• Pet costumes are cute, but they can add to the stress of the evening for some.  If your pet tolerates wearing a costume, be sure that it fits comfortably and allows your pet to see and move freely.  Pets wearing costumes should always be supervised.
• If you are trick-or-treating after dusk, be sure your pet is visible! You may want to incorporate lights or reflective tape into into any costume.  Also be sure s/he is wearing identification should you become separated.
• Be careful when you share Halloween treats with your pet.  Chocolate, raisins, and candies containing xylitol are all potentially toxic.