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Bite Wounds

Why are we concerned about bite wounds?

Bite wounds can be explained using the “tip of the iceberg effect” where the severity of the injury seen on the surface of the skin rarely reflects what is taking place in the underlying tissue. Teeth can cause a puncture wound on the skin but can crush and tear underlying muscle, fat and sometimes bones. This creates a “dead space” under the skin layer where the skin is pulled away from the underlying tissue, which in turn creates a space for infection and compromises the blood supply to the area, resulting in the tissue dying off. Bite wounds can range from mild, where your pet needs to have the wound flushed and there are minimal internal injuries present, to severe, where hospitalization and long-term wound-management need to take place.

When to get to a vet?

Wounds that are treated within eight hours of the injury taking place have a lower infection rate than if they are treated longer than eight hours after injury taking place. It is recommended that your pet gets seen by a vet as soon as possible in order to assess the extent of the injuries and start appropriate treatment.

What do you need to do as a pet owner?

If there is a lot of blood coming from the wound, use an old blanket or towel to apply pressure while you bring your pet to the vet. Do not apply ointments or cleaning agents to the wound. If there is no active bleeding but you can see there is a penetrating wound in the skin, bring your pet to the vet as soon as possible to properly assess the extent of the injury.

What is the usual treatment plan?

The most important part of treatment is exploring the extent and severity of the wound. This involves clipping the hair away to explore the wound underneath and flushing the wound. According to the severity of the wound, your pet will either need a short course of antibiotics, will need regular flushing and cleaning before surgery can be discussed, or needs to be admitted into hospital for stabilization and possible surgery.

What to do as a pet owner during a fight?

It is important not to try break up a fight between animals by physically trying to separate them with your hands. If all animals involved are on a leash, you can pull them apart by the leash but do not try to grab their bodies with your hands. You can also use something like water or a blanket to break the fight up where you can spray water or throw a bucket of water or a blanket over the animals to distract them and stop fighting.

How important is rabies vaccination?

According to the law, your pets need to be vaccinated against rabies annually. This is important, not only to protect them, but also to protect you as a pet owner. Your pet will normally protect you during a fight, and, if they are vaccinated against rabies, are less likely to contract the virus which, in tur, protects you as the pet owner from contracting rabies. Although there is a low risk of coming into contact with rabies in our area, it is still a risk. This is a virus that cannot be treated once clinical signs start showing; therefore, it is important to rely on prevention rather than treatment. There are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of rabies during contact, so please inform your vet if your pet’s rabies vaccinations are not up to date at the time of a fight.

Pet Dental Care: A Guide for Pet Owners

Why Dental Care Matters

Like humans, pets can suffer from dental issues/disease that can lead to serious health problems. Proper dental care is essential for:

  • Preventing Gum Disease: Tartar/plaque buildup can cause gingivitis and periodontal disease, leading to pain and tooth loss.
  • Avoiding Systemic Health Issues: Bacteria from dental disease can enter the bloodstream, potentially affecting the heart, liver, and kidneys.
  • Maintaining Overall Health: Healthy teeth and gums contribute to your pet’s overall well-being and happiness.

 

Signs of Dental Problems

Watch for these symptoms that may indicate your pet needs veterinary dental care:

  • Bad breath (halitosis)
  • Red or swollen gums
  • Difficulty eating or chewing
  • Loose or missing teeth
  • Excessive drooling
  • Pawing at the mouth
  • Weight loss
  • Changes in behaviour (e.g., increased irritability)

 

Daily Dental Care Routine

To help keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy, establish a daily dental care routine:

  1. Brushing Teeth
  • Frequency: Aim for daily brushing, but even a few times a week can be beneficial.
  • Tools: Use a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for pets.
  • Technique: Gently brush in a circular motion, focusing on the gum line where plaque tends to accumulate.

2. Dental Treats and Chews

  • Look for veterinary-approved dental treats that help reduce plaque and tartar.
  • Offer safe chew toys designed to promote dental health.
  1. Regular Dental Check-ups
  • Schedule veterinary dental check-ups at least once a year. Your vet may recommend more frequent visits based on your pet’s dental health.

 

Professional Dental Cleanings

Your veterinarian may recommend professional dental cleanings, which typically involve:

  • Anaesthesia: To allow for a thorough examination and cleaning without stress for your pet.
  • Scaling: Removal of tartar and plaque above and below the gum line.
  • Polishing: To smooth the teeth and make it harder for plaque to accumulate.
  • Tooth extractions: If teeth are severely damaged or infected, they will be surgically removed and a gingival flap shall be crafted to close the affected area for adequate healing.

 

When to See a Veterinarian

Contact your veterinarian if you notice:

  • Any of the symptoms listed above.
  • Sudden changes in your pet’s eating habits or behaviour.
  • Persistent bad breath despite home care efforts.

 

Conclusion

Investing time in your pet’s dental care can lead to a healthier, happier life. Regular brushing, dental treats, and professional cleanings are all part of maintaining good oral hygiene. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s dental health, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian. Your pet will thank you with plenty of happy tail wags and purrs!

Feline Chronic Kidney Disease

Feline chronic kidney disease is defined as a structural or functional abnormality of the kidney/s that is continuously present for three months or longer. There is a permanent reduction in the number of functioning nephrons. CKD is progressive and irreversible. Older cats greater than 7  years of age are generally affected. Age is variable.

 

Clinical signs:

  • Weight loss
  • Increased drinking
  • Increased urination
  • Inappetence / lethargy/ weakness
  • Vomiting/ diarrhea
  • In severe case : oral ulcers and oral inflammation
  • Halitosis
  • Muscle wasting
  • Altered behaviour

 

How is this disease diagnosed :

Your vet will often run bloods looking specifically at the following parameters should kidney disease be suspected

  • Creatinine
  • Urea
  • SDMA
  • Phosphorus
  • A full blood count is checked for concurrent anemia due to chronic kidney disease and to sometimes asses the  white cell count should a secondary infectious process be suspected as in cases of pyelonephritis ( infection of the kidney).  
  • Electrolytes are important as some of these cats are often not eating and vomiting and can have electrolyte abnormalities contributing to weakness specifically related to low potassium levels.

Should the above  values be significantly elevated it is an indication that the kidneys glomerular filtration rate has decreased by 75 % or more.

 

A urine analysis is performed to asses the kidneys ability to concentrate urine, determine protein lost via the kidney into the urine and to asses for urinary tract infections that often accompany cats with kidney disease. Should the urine be found to be dilute, any loss of protein noted is very significant. In order to quantify the loss of protein, one performs a test called the urine protein: creatinine ratio that provides a value and the amount of protein lost. This becomes important as ongoing protein loss not addressed can worsen kidney disease. Treatment may need to be instituted.

 

Blood pressures should be assessed in all CKD cats. Hypertension not addressed can lead to worsening renal function and protein loss including retinal detachment.

 

An abdominal ultrasound is indicated to assess the appearance of the kidneys. The kidneys are often small and shrunken  as lost nephrons are replaced by scar tissue and chronic inflammation. In other cases one kidney would be very large and the other very small as a result of compensation. Abdominal ultrasound can also asses for kidney stones that may be causing an obstruction within the ureter causing the kidney values to be significantly elevated acutely in a stable CKD cat or if there is any evidence of cancer affecting the kidneys.

Prognosis:

Is dependant on the underlying cause

  • Severity and duration of clinical signs
  • The possibility of improving renal function
  • Patient age
  • Degree of renal functional impairment
  • Stage of renal disease of which there are 4

 

 

Treatment :

Patients need to be rehydrated with fluids, anti nausea medication and treatment of urinary tract infections, hypertension and proteinuria if present. Diet is very important in theses cats. Kidney diets are lower in phosphorus and aid in slowing progression of kidney disease. Early detection is key.

It’s recommend that yearly, older cats should have a geriatric screening to aid in identifying underlying disease processes.

 

Acute Haemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome

Acute haemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS) is a common disease that is characterized by bloody diarrhea, vomiting and a poor appetite. This condition occurs suddenly. It is common in small dog breeds such as the Miniature Schnauzer, Yorkshire Terriers, Pekingese, Maltese Poodle as examples. Any sized dog can develop AHDS.

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Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs

Diabetes mellitus is a disease of the endocrine system. This is the system that is responsible for the regulation of hormones in the body. In diabetes mellitus, there is dysregulation of the glucose metabolism in the body, because of a lack of insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, with its role being to move glucose into the cells and out of the blood stream, tightly regulating the blood glucose levels. A lack of insulin leads to excessive sugar in the blood stream, known as hyperglycaemia.

This disease is most prevalent in middle aged to older patients. The most common symptoms seen include excessive drinking, increased urination, increased appetite, lethargy, and weight loss. The underlying cause of the onset of Diabetes mellitus involves a complex interplay between the genetic make up of your pet, the environment, and multiple other factors. Usually, no specific inciting cause is identified, but it is ultimately because of destruction of the cells present in the pancreas that are responsible for producing insulin.

Consequences of uncontrolled Diabetes mellitus include Diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be life threatening. This occurs when the body begins producing ketones as fuel, leading to electrolyte abnormalities and a build-up of acidity in the body. Other comorbidities include conditions such as cataracts, urinary tract infections and pancreatitis, to name a few. It is important to closely monitor food intake and symptoms in your pet, as early intervention is key in these cases.

This disease requires lifelong management as it is incurable in canines, with the treatment involving subcutaneous (under the skin) injections of insulin twice a day. Each patient is different and will need a dose tailored to their needs. As a result of this, frequent visits to repeat glucose curves are necessary, until good glycaemic control is achieved. This involves achieving as close to normal glucose levels in the blood as possible, without putting your pet in danger of becoming hypoglycaemic, where the blood glucose levels fall to a low level.

Glucose curves involves measuring the level of blood glucose every 2 hours, after receiving the usual morning dose of insulin. Depending on the values seen, a decision regarding the effectiveness of the current insulin dose is made. Ideally, a re-evaluation should be performed a week after discharge. If a dose needs to be adjusted, a repeat check is recommended in 7 to 15 days. The ideal timeline for rechecks should be: one at 1 week post-discharge, at 2-3 weeks post-discharge, 6-8 weeks post discharge and then 10-12 weeks post-discharge. The frequency can then be reduced to every 4 months, unless there are concerns during this period. Other monitoring tools include the FreeStyle Libre, a device inserted into the skin to constantly monitor glucose levels, which lasts about 1-2 weeks once installed, depending on the compliance of your pet.

Insulin is administered using specific insulin syringes. The commonly used syringes are the same as the ones used by people. These syringes are marked in international units, the measurement used when referring to insulin doses. A very small amount of insulin is required, with even small overdoses leading to catastrophic consequences. It is particularly important to understand the amount your pet needs and how to administer it. A demo is the best way for clarifying this, which is ideally performed at a discharge appointment. Ideally, the person who will be administering the insulin should be present for this discussion. The insulin is injected under the skin. This is performed by lifting a portion of the skin, parting the hair, and injecting in this area. Insulin should remain in the fridge and the bottle should be gently inverted a few times before injection, to ensure no separation of the medication occurs. Do not repeat this dose if there are any hiccups when injecting, as this can lead to excessive amounts of insulin, leading to the blood sugar dropping low. Please contact your vet if any issues occur, and never decide to repeat the injection or increase the dose, without instruction from your vet.

Diabetes Mellitus in Canines-1
Diabetes Mellitus in Canines-2

Other important management tools include diet and exercise. It is important, that as insulin is administered twice daily, your pet eats twice daily, to correspond with the insulin injections. There are specific diabetic prescription diets available, which can assist in achieving better glucose control. Ideally, your pet should eat in conjunction with the insulin administration. If this is not the case, and one meal is missed, insulin should still be administered, but if the inappetance persists and there are other concerns, a vet should be contacted to discuss the way forward, as administering insulin in a pet that is persistently not eating, can lead to low blood glucose levels. Exercise is important to maintain a good weight and to promote cardiovascular health. Strenuous exercise should be avoided, with walking being the best option for these patients.

Low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia) is a common complication seen. Signs that this is occurring include weakness, dizziness, increased appetite and disorientation and agitation. In very severe cases, hypoglycaemia can result in collapse and even seizures. If you suspect that your pet has low blood glucose, apply honey onto the gums, as this will increase the blood glucose levels. If symptoms persist despite intervention, a veterinarian should be consulted, and the low blood glucose should be investigated.

References: Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Eight Edition (Ettinger, Feldman, & Cote, 2017)