Archive for July, 2010

Congestive Heart Failure in Pets

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump appropriately, causing fluid to back up into the lungs. In this condition, your pet may exhibit exercise intolerance, an increased breathing rate, difficulty breathing, and pale or blue gums. Dogs may also experience coughing. Cats may breathe open-mouthed.

Pets suffering from congestive heart failure may have a history of heart murmur, which is turbulent blood flow in the heart, or gallop rhythm, which is an extra heart sound your vet may hear that may indicate heart disease. Congestive heart failure is often diagnosed with a physical examination, in conjunction with chest X-rays. The specific type of heart disease is diagnosed with an echocardiogram, which is like a sonogram for the heart.

If your pet is diagnosed with congestive heart failure, it is not necessarily a death sentence! The specific prognosis will depend on the severity of the situation, and on the type of heart disease from which the pet suffers. Treatment is aimed at clearing the fluid from the lungs and maintaining oxygen levels, blood pressure and electrolyte levels. The first line of medical therapy often involves diuretics (or “water pills,” as they are often called), which help remove fluid from the lungs. Other medications may be used as well, depending on the type of heart disease. Electrolytes should be monitored with blood tests, as some of these medications can change the electrolyte balance in the body. Some patients need to be hospitalized and kept on oxygen for a period of time while undergoing treatment. Hospital stays can be extended, depending on the severity of the case. While there is no cure for congestive heart failure, many pets do quite well with medical management and can live for several more years.

© 2010 Greenbrier Emergency Animal Hospital. All rights reserved.

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Help! My Dog is Having a Seizure!

Monday, July 12th, 2010

What is a seizure, and what causes a seizure?
A seizure is any sudden and uncontrolled movement of an animal’s body caused by abnormal brain activity. If you’ve ever seen your pet have a seizure, it can be very frightening. Seizures may be very severe, affecting the entire body, or more mild, affecting only a portion of your pet. During a seizure, your pet may or may not seem conscious or responsive, and could possibly urinate or have a bowel movement.

Seizures have a number of causes, including epilepsy, toxins, low blood sugar and brain tumors. If your pet has recently had or is currently having a seizure, we recommend that you bring your pet into Greenbrier Emergency Animal Hospital immediately. Our veterinarians can use diagnostic tools to help determine the cause of the seizure and treat the problem.

Diagnosis and treatment at the clinic
When you arrive at the clinic, your pet will be examined immediately, and a thorough neurological exam will be performed. If your pet is actively seizuring, an injection of valium or a muscle relaxer will likely be administered. Once your pet is stable, bloodwork will be recommended to help rule out metabolic disease and any possible toxins.

Some pets that have had a seizure get to go home that same day or night, but we may recommend that your pet stay with us for a longer period of time to monitor for additional seizures. We may also recommend inserting an IV catheter, so that we have access to a vein, should your pet start experiencing another seizure.

Depending on the results of the physical exam, neurological exam and bloodwork, your pet will be treated accordingly. If more advanced imaging diagnostic tools (e.g., CT scan or MRI) are needed, we may refer you to a specialty veterinary practice for further diagnosis.

What to do if your pet has a seizure
If you’re at home and your pet is having a seizure, and you are unsure whether or not to bring your pet in, please call Greenbrier Emergency Animal Hospital as soon as possible. If your animal is having a seizure, also be aware of the following recommendations:

  • Protect your pet during and after the seizure. Remove your pet from heights, and keep it away from water.
  • Remove other pets from the area. Sometimes, pets may act aggressively soon after the seizure has ended.
  • Keep your hands away from your pet’s mouth, as your pet may unintentionally bite you during a seizure. Pets do not swallow their tongues during a seizure.
  • Try to determine the length of the seizure, if possible.
  • If the seizure lasts longer than 3 minutes, call Greenbrier or your family veterinarian immediately.
  • If your pet has more than two seizures in a 24-hour period, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Above all, don’t panic! Call us here at Greenbrier, and our doctors and staff will be here to help you and your pet!

© 2010 Greenbrier Emergency Animal Hospital. All rights reserved.

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Canine Distemper: Make Sure Your Dog Is Vaccinated!

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Canine distemper is a very serious, contagious virus found in dogs that attacks the immune system, making them more susceptible to other infections, including bacterial and parasitic infections. Sneezing, coughing, pneumonia, anorexia, fever, vomiting and diarrhea are all potential signs of this disease. These signs can be difficult to distinguish from “kennel cough,” a common upper respiratory infection that normally heals quickly without treatment, and parvovirus, a debilitating disease that causes profuse vomiting and diarrhea. Canine distemper, however, can also have neurologic signs, including forceful muscle twitching, seizures, blindness, “chewing gum” fits, incoordination, hypersensitivity, circling and abnormal vocalization. These neurologic signs may be seen in conjunction with other symptoms, and may even be seen weeks or months after apparent recovery! Often these neurologic signs are irreversible, but some may be managed with medication, if they aren’t too severe. The mortality rate of this disease is approximately 50 percent.

How do dogs get canine distemper?
The virus is spread directly from dog to dog, mostly in respiratory fluids (oral and nasal discharge exuded during sneezing and coughing), but it can also be found in other body secretions, including urine. The virus can be shed for 60-90 days after infection; however, shorter shedding periods (1-2 weeks) are more common. Fortunately, this is not a hardy virus and is killed by normal disinfecting methods. It doesn’t last long in warm environments and only lasts for a couple of weeks in near-freezing temperatures (although it can last for years in below-freezing temperatures). The most susceptible dogs to canine distemper are unvaccinated young dogs, although unvaccinated older dogs can also develop neurologic signs. A presumptive diagnosis of canine distemper is often made on clinical signs, but specific diagnosis often requires an outside lab.

Prevention is key
There is no cure for canine distemper. Intensive supportive treatment might be necessary for dogs who contract the disease, but the neurologic signs may be too severe to treat. Dogs that recover from this disease may have lasting neurologic deficits, but recovered dogs do not continue to shed the disease to other dogs.

Vaccination and isolation of symptomatic dogs are key to preventing this disease. Immunity can be long-term, but it is not necessarily lifelong, so periodic vaccinations — even in older dogs — are required. Please contact your primary care veterinarian for their recommended vaccination protocol, and keep your pet healthy!

© 2010 Greenbrier Emergency Animal Hospital. All rights reserved.

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