Dr. Nancy Kay « speakingforspot.com

Posts Tagged ‘Dr. Nancy Kay’

Celebrating May

Sunday, May 13th, 2012

May receives double billing when it comes to pets and the people who love them. Not only is this Pet Cancer Awareness Month, May also happens to host National Pet Week. In honor of this special month, I have two special offers for you.

Consultations

Over the years, I’ve received many inquiries from readers requesting advice pertaining to their own pet’s health issues. If you are interested in such a consultation, please contact me at Dr.Kay@SpeakingforSpot.com and I will fill you in on the details.

While I am always happy to comply with such requests, it is important for you to know that, without direct hands-on contact with your dog or cat, my consultation must be limited to providing guidance for you. I can help you:

Understand what you have been told by your veterinarian or have learned online
Prioritize your concerns
Figure out what information is needed (help you prepare a list of questions for your veterinarian)
Clarify logical next steps
Work your way through difficult medical decisions while prioritizing what is best for your pet as well as your own peace of mind

I recently received the following feedback from Kim (and Ollie) and am sharing it with you to clarify how a consultation might be helpful:

Dear Dr. Nancy,

It was really nice talking to you. I needed it more than you can imagine. I really felt that you would understand both the anesthesia and knee issues and the shock and emotional reaction I have been feeling. And you did exactly what I needed – validated my concerns, honed right in on important facts even though our history (and no doubt my explanation) has been a long and confusing one, offered clear, direct opinions, and gave me a strategy for my next steps (with extra emphasis on key points so I really understood them). That means so much to me. I really appreciate your guidance in our challenging situation. Ollie is the happiest creature that I have ever known. He is much-loved by family, friends, neighbors… he is really a special boy (and so cute it is ridiculous). I will definitely be in touch and let you know how we are doing and what we learn. Thank you so much again.

Best,

Kim & Ollie

Two-For-One Book Sales

In honor of this special month, between now and the end of May, I invite you to buy two of my books for the price of one. Purchase Speaking for Spot or Your Dog’s Best Health and get a second book (either title) at no extra charge. (If applicable, the price will be based on the more expensive book.) To take advantage of this May special, please use this link for the Two-for-One purchase page. The May special is not available on the regular purchase page.

Will you be doing anything with your pets to honor this special month? If so, I would love to hear about it.

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life
Author of Your Dog’s Best Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect From Your Vet
Recipient, Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award
Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award
Recipient, Dog Writers Association of America Award for Best Blog
Recipient, Eukanuba Canine Health Award
Recipient, AKC Club Publication Excellence Award
Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook

Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot and Your Dog’s Best Health. There you will also find “Advocacy Aids”- helpful health forms you can download and use for your own dog, and a collection of published articles on advocating for your pet’s health. Speaking for Spot and Your Dog’s Best Health are available at www.speakingforspot.com, Amazon.com, local bookstores, and your favorite online book seller.

Tags: Dr. Nancy Kay, Nancy Kay DVM, National Pet Week, Pet Cancer Awareness Month, Speaking for Spot, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Cancer Diagnosis in Dogs, Canine Cancer, Dog health, Second opinions, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Office Visits, Your Dog's Best Health | 3 Comments »

Were You Smarter Than A Vet Student?

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012

curiousanimals.net Thank you for playing along with this blogger’s shenanigans! I hope you had fun with it. The first place winner was Cheryl Bryant from Mount Vernon, Iowa, the only respondent (out of more almost 100) who had a perfect score. Many of you would have achieved the same had it not been for that doggone tricky tapeworm question! I chose the other two winners by drawing names out of a hat, and they are (drum roll, please), Shirley Struble from Ann Arbor, Michigan and Shelli Pawlu from Pierz, Minnesota. Cheryl, Shirley, and Shelli will all receive a signed copy of Speaking for Spot or Your Dog’s Best Health.

Now for the answers and explanations you’ve been waiting for. If you happened to miss the questions, check out last week’s blog post before reading the answers below.

The best way to diagnose bladder stones is an ultrasound examination of the abdomen.

The best way to diagnose bladder stones is with ultrasound, a super-safe noninvasive way to view all of the structures within the abdominal cavity. Only really large stones can be found via palpation, and, because of their mineral composition, certain types of stones go undetected by X-rays. Ultrasound is far more reliable. Yes, exploratory surgery is a sure-fire way to diagnose bladder stones, but why perform such an invasive procedure when ultrasound is available?

Once a dog or cat is an adult, core vaccinations (the vaccines recommended for every dog or cat) should be given once every three years.

If you’ve read my books or my blog, this was probably an easy one for you to answer. Disease protection provided by core vaccines (distemper, parvovirus) in adult animals lasts a minimum of three years. It simply does not make sense to administer them more frequently. All vaccines have the potential for adverse reactions. Why on earth expose your dog or cat to such risk when there is no benefit to be gained? The exception here is rabies- your local government gets to dictate the frequency of administration of this vaccine.

An alternative to revaccinating adult dogs for canine distemper and parvovirus is vaccine serology, aka “titer testing.” For more information about this I encourage you to read the chapter called, “The Vaccination Conundrum” in Speaking for Spot.

Unfortunately, not all veterinarians are on the bandwagon when it comes to current vaccination protocols. What should you do if your vet insists on annual vaccinations? Time to find yourself a more progressive veterinarian!

Tapeworms can cause itchiness around the anus.

As a child I remember hearing that tapeworms could rob the body of nutrition. In veterinary school I learned that this is simply old wives’ tales. The two major issues caused by tapeworms are an itchy anus for the animal (worm segments exit the animal’s body by migrating through the anus) and a major “gross out” experience for the unlucky individual who happens to observe this trans-anal migration. Worst-case scenario, a super large volume of tapeworms within an animal’s gut can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

Food allergies can cause itchy skin, diarrhea, and ear infections.

Yup, food allergies can cause all kinds of symptoms for dogs and cats- from itchy skin to ear infections to vomiting and diarrhea. The best way to know if this is the cause of your pet’s problems is to talk with your veterinarian about a hypoallergenic food trial. Your dog or cat will be restricted to a limited-ingredient diet for 6-8 weeks while you and your vet observe whether or not the symptoms improve.

Hip dysplasia is something a dog is born with.

The normal hip joint consists of a ball (the head of the femur) that is deeply seated within a round socket (the acetabulum). Hip dysplasia refers to a defectively developed hip joint- something that the pup is born with- in which the head of the femur is not deeply seated within the acetabulum. The result is instability of the hip joint. Over time, the body reacts to this instability by remodeling the joint, the end result of which is arthritis. Hip dysplasia is the underlying abnormality, and arthritis is the secondary consequence.

Kennel cough is caused by bacterial organisms and viruses, and is the common name for infectious tracheobronchitis.

Kennel cough is an umbrella term used to describe inflammation of the respiratory tract caused by a variety of airborne, contagious, infectious microorganisms. Keep in mind that the Bordetella vaccination protects against only one microorganism capable of causing kennel cough.

A veterinary specialist is an individual who has completed advanced training and has become certified in a particular area of veterinary medicine.

From a legal point of view, the term “specialist” is reserved only for those docs who have completed advanced residency training (beyond veterinary school) in a particular field of veterinary medicine. In addition, the specialist must have authored publications and passed some insanely rigorous exams, the culmination of which is referred to as “board certification.” Many specialists do indeed have “special” personalities, but this is not a requirement.

Did you learn something new? Would you welcome more “Are You Smarter Than a Vet Student” in the future?

Lastly, I would like to send out greetings to all of you mamas out there. I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: Are you smarter than a vet student?, Bladder stones, board certification, Bordetella, diarrhea, Distemper, Dr. Nancy Kay, ear infection, food allergies, food trial, hip dysplasia, hypoallergenic food, Kennel cough, Nancy Kay DVM, Parvovirus, Speaking for Spot, tapeworms, ultrasound, Vaccinations, veterinary IQ, veterinary specialist, vomiting, X-ray, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Canine Diseases, Dog health, dog health care, Dr. Nancy Kay, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Office Visits | 1 Comment »

Are You Smarter Than a Vet Student?

Sunday, April 29th, 2012

Quinn and Nellie - Photo Credit: Susannah Kay

This week, I’m asking you to put your veterinary knowledge to the test. I hope you have fun participating and will learn something in the process. As always, my goal is to help you become a savvy medical advocate for those animals you love so dearly.

So, here’s how it works. Take a look at the following questions and choose the response you believe makes the most sense. I invite you to post your responses publicly from which I will choose two “winners” who will receive a signed copy of Speaking for Spot or Your Dog’s Best Health. I will provide the answers to all of the questions within my next blog post. Enjoy!

A. The best way to diagnose bladder stones is:

An x-ray (radiograph) of the abdomen
An ultrasound examination of the abdomen
Palpation of the abdomen in order to feel the stones within the bladder
Via surgery

B. Once a dog or cat is an adult, core vaccinations (the vaccines every dog or cat should receive) should be given:

Once a year
Once every two years
Once every three years
Never again once the adult has been vaccinated

C. Tapeworms can cause:

Increased appetite
Weight loss
Itchiness around the anus
All of the above

D. Food allergies can cause:

Itchy skin
Diarrhea
Ear infections
All of the above

E. Hip dysplasia is:

Something a dog is born with
Something a dog develops over time
The same thing as arthritis in the hips
Always a preventable disease

F. Kennel cough is:

Caused by bacteria
Caused by viruses
Is the common name for infectious tracheobronchitis
All of the above

G. A veterinary specialist is:

An individual who has a special interest in a particular area of veterinary medicine
An individual who has completed advanced training in a particular area of veterinary medicine
An individual who has completed advanced training and has become certified in a particular area of veterinary medicine
An individual with a special personality

Now, don’t forget to post your responses.

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: Bladder stones, Core vaccinations, Dr. Nancy Kay, ear infection, food allergy, hip dysplasia, Kennel cough, Nancy Kay DVM, radiograph, snap test, Speaking for Spot, tapeworms, ultrasound, Vaccinations, veterinary specialist, X-ray, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Canine Diseases, Dog health, dog health care, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Office Visits | 92 Comments »

Caring for a Rescued Puppy Mill Breeding Dog

Sunday, April 22nd, 2012

As discussed in last week’s blog, rescued puppy mill breeding dogs come with a whole lot of emotional baggage. Fear is the number one issue- fear of people, other animals, and new sights and sounds. Should you decide to foster or adopt a rescued puppy mill breeding dog, how can you help her adjust to her new life? Here are some pointers for creating an emotional environment to help your new dog feel safer.

-Enter the process with realistic expectations. Understand that your rescued dog may not ever be a “normal” pet in terms of her trainability and responses to new people, other animals, places, and things.

-Patience is a virtue as progress may feel exceedingly slow at times. Do your best to avoid pushing your new dog past her comfort level.

-It can help to have another, well-adjusted dog in the household to role model healthy emotional responses.

-Be sensitive to your dog’s reactions. It’s not a given that your puppy mill rescue will react positively to being held or cuddled. Some dogs prefer more physical distance.

-In order to acclimate your dog to strangers, recruit your dog loving friends and relatives to come over, one at a time. They should enter your home in a quiet and gentle fashion, allowing your dog to approach them on her own terms.

-Find a reputable trainer who enjoys working with fearful dogs. Such an individual will be an invaluable coach for both you and your dog.

-There have been plenty of books written about working with fearful dogs. Ask your trainer for his or her recommendations.

Rescued puppy mill breeding dogs are certainly not for everyone. Boy, oh boy, caring for them properly is a lot of work and requires so much patience. The reward for all that hard work and patience is the opportunity to observe a battered little soul slowly emerge from its shell and experience what life can be for a dog who is loved.

Have you ever fostered or adopted a puppy mill breeding dog? Any words of advice?

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: Dog trainer, Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, fearful behavior, Nancy Kay, Puppy mills. Puppy mill breeding dogs, Speaking for Spot, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Adoptions, Puppies, Puppy Mills, Reputable breeder, rescue organizations, Speaking for Spot, Your Dog's Best Health | 21 Comments »

Puppy Mill Breeding Dogs: Proof of the Psychological Price They Pay

Sunday, April 15th, 2012

Fearful dog by Noiseburst on Flickr I recently spoke at the annual conference of the American Animal Hospital Association where I reconnected with an old friend, Dr. Frank McMillan. We were small animal medicine residents at UC Davis together back in the day. Dr. McMillan’s professional journey has been an interesting one. Most notably, he has become a passionate, world renowned expert on the emotional well being of animals.

Dr. McMillan’s research on puppy mill breeding dogs was recently published in Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science. In his study called, “Mental health of dogs formerly used as ‘breeding stock’ in commercial breeding establishments” he compared the psychological and behavioral characteristics of 1,169 rescued former puppy mill dogs with those of 332 pet dogs without a mill history. The most striking difference between the two groups was in their fear level. Dogs originating from puppy mills exhibited far more fear in response to people, other dogs, stairs, and touch. For many of these dogs, an increased fear response continued even after years spent in their adoptive households. Dr. McMillan’s research also documented that the puppy mill dogs demonstrated more house-soiling and compulsive behavior as well as reduced trainability, energy, and aggression towards other animals.

Dr. McMillan and his coauthors discussed two likely causes for the behaviors demonstrated by the puppy mill dogs. The first cause, known as “stress-induced psychopathology” refers to behavioral responses to stressors such as spatial restriction (confinement to a small space), extreme temperatures, aversive interactions with humans, lack of ability to avoid or regulate exposure to aversive stimuli, and limited access to positive social interactions with humans and other dogs. Most if not all of these stressors certainly come into play in most large scale breeding operations.

Also discussed as a cause for behavioral abnormalities in puppy mill dogs was inadequate socialization during the first few months of life (the critical period for normal socialization to develop). For puppy mill breeding dogs, most of this sensitive developmental time period is spent behind bars with little to no exposure to psychologically “nutritious” environmental surroundings.

For those who work with rescued puppy mill breeding dogs, none of Dr. McMillan’s conclusions come as a surprise. It’s common knowledge that such dogs are damaged by years of emotional negligence. The true importance of this study is that it provides the very first scientifically documented proof that conditions prevailing in puppy mills are profoundly detrimental to the emotional well being of dogs imprisoned there. This research is one more arrow in our quiver as we do whatever we can to exterminate puppy mills. Kudos to you Dr. McMillan for the important work you are doing!

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: American Animal Hospital Association, canine behavior, commercial breeding establishment, dog behavior, Dr. Frank McMillan, Dr. Franklin McMillan, Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, emotional well being, fearful behavior, Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science, mental health of dogs, Nancy Kay, puppy mill breeding dogs, puppy mills, puppy socialization, Speaking for Spot, stress-induced psychopathology, UC Davis, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Adoptions, puppy mills, rescue organizations, Speaking for Spot, Your Dog's Best Health | 15 Comments »

Caring for Your Senior Pet

Sunday, April 8th, 2012

Caring for an aged pet can be a mixed blessing. What a glorious achievement that your cat or dog has become a senior citizen. However, now it is incumbent upon you to recognize and care for special medical needs created by the aging process. Age-related problems can progress so slowly that they may go unnoticed. Here are some tips for recognizing common age-related problems.

Stiffness: Pay particular attention to your elderly dog or cat first thing in the morning. If she appears stiff upon waking, but gradually warms out of the stiffness with activity, chances are she is experiencing some arthritis pain. Talk with your veterinarian about your observations. These days there are a plethora of ways to take the edge off of arthritis pain including supplements, anti-inflammatory medications (made specifically for dogs and cats), acupuncture, and rehabilitation therapy (the equivalent of physical therapy for people).

Ocular changes: Have a close look at your pet’s eyes. Most dogs and cats over the age of ten experience a change in the normally crystal-clear lenses of their eyes that cause the pupils to become gray or cloudy. Your veterinarian can determine whether this change is caused by lenticular sclerosis (an age related condition within the lens that does not impair vision and requires no treatment) versus cataracts (opacifications within the lenses that impair vision). If cataracts are diagnosed, referral to a veterinarian who specializes in ophthalmology is warranted to determine if cataract-induced inflammation within the eyes is present. Depending on your pet’s overall health (and your budget), surgical removal of the cataracts to restore vision may be a viable option.

Decreased appetite: There are a number of reasons why senior dogs and cats can become less interested in the food they used to eat with gusto. The explanation may be a simple one, such as an infected, painful tooth or reluctance to bend down to the food bowl because of neck stiffness. Other more serious causes include age-related organ failure or an underlying infectious or cancerous process. If you find yourself hand feeding your elderly pet or having to “doctor up” her food, time to schedule an appointment to see your veterinarian.

Increased thirst: Have you been filling the water bowl more than usual? Is the litter box soaked after just a day or two? Are you finding puddles of urine around the house? If so, your pet may be drinking more water than normal. Many different medical issues can cause increased thirst in older dogs and cats including urinary tract infections, hormonal imbalances, and kidney or liver failure. Even if your elderly pet appears otherwise happy and healthy, her increased thirst is a “heads up” that a trip to the vet is warranted. Her urine will need to be tested, so arrival with a full bladder (hers, not yours) will be appreciated!

Urinary incontinence: Finding a puddle of urine where your dog or cat normally sleeps is evidence that she has urinary incontinence (involuntary urine leakage). There are a myriad of causes for this messy problem in senior pets including urinary tract infections, loss of sphincter tone where the bladder joins the urethra, hormonal imbalances, organ failure, and urinary tract cancer. Medications that can be administered at home have the potential to result in significant improvement. So, if your little snookums is soaking the bed, be sure to schedule a visit with your veterinarian to discuss diagnostic and treatment options.

Elderly pets should receive a thorough veterinary health exam at least twice a year. The sooner medical issues are detected and diagnosed, the greater the likelihood for a positive outcome.

Are you caring for an older dog or cat? If so, what medical issues have become apparent?

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: arthritis, cataracts, Decreased appetite, Dog care, dog health, dog health care, Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, increased thirst, kidney failure, lenticular sclerosis, Liver disease, Nancy Kay, Older cat, Older dog, Senior pet, Speaking for Spot, stiffness, urinary incontinence, Urinary leakage, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Canine family members, Important Questions to Ask You Vet, Senior Dogs, Veterinary Care, Veterinary Office Visits | 13 Comments »

Three Essential Steps for Maintaining Your Dog’s Health

Sunday, March 25th, 2012

As mentioned in my last blog post, the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association recently teamed up to create Guidelines for Canine and Feline Preventive Healthcare. These guidelines have been distributed to veterinarians throughout the United States with hopes of enhancing their efforts to counsel their clients about disease prevention.

Last week, I provided you with a tour of the preventive guidelines for feline health care. Rather than review the entirety of the guidelines for you dog lovers (I encourage you to do this on your own), from them I’ve selected three that I consider to be most important.

An Annual Physical Examination

In the past, veterinarians have done a remarkably good job using vaccine postcards and emails to remind their clients to schedule visits. The downside is, clients have been inadvertently programmed to believe that vaccinations are the most, if not the only, important part of their dog’s regular visits. Now that adult core vaccinations are required only once every three years (rather than once a year), it’s no surprise that veterinarians have observed a marked decline in annual office visits.

An annual physical examination is a key ingredient for maintaining your pet’s good health. It provides the opportunity for discussion about nutrition, behavioral issues, parasite control, and anything else that warrants veterinary advice. Additionally, an annual physical allows for early disease detection and treatment. It’s a no-brainer that the earlier cancer is detected, the better the outcome. The same holds true for heart disease, kidney disease, periodontal disease, and a myriad of other medical issues that might be detected during a routine physical exam. Here’s the bottom line, get your pet to the vet once a year, no matter what!

Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm disease has now been documented in all 50 of the United States. This parasitic infection is spread from one dog to another by way of mosquitoes. Heartworms set up housekeeping primarily within the heart and the blood vessels within the lungs where they are capable of wreaking havoc. Treatment for this disease isn’t always successful and carries significant potential for negative side effects. To make matters worse, there is a worldwide shortage of Immiticide®, currently the only approved drug to treat heartworm disease. And, while it’s tempting to believe that your dog’s thick haircoat or primarily indoor lifestyle will be protective againt heartworm disease, statistics prove otherwise. There, have I adequately made my case for use of heartworm prevention?

There are a number of safe and effective medications on the market that effectively prevent canine heartworm disease. Talk with your veterinarian about the incidence of heartworm disease in your community to determine if prevention is warranted. If recommended, please use the product exactly as prescribed. Lack of compliance is the number one reason dogs receiving heartworm prevention develop the disease. To learn more about heartworm disease, visit the website of The American Heartworm Society.

Counseling on Behavioral Issues

The number one reason dogs are euthanized or relinquished to shelters is problematic behavior. Separation anxiety, aggression, failed housetraining- these are just a few of the reasons people give up on their pets. I recently worked with a client for the first time whose adorable six-year-old Schnauzer Molly has kidney failure. In an, “Oh, by the way” comment, she told me that she and Molly never, ever spend time apart because of separation anxiety. Left alone, sweet little Molly assumes the role of demolition artist. When I asked Molly’s mom if she’d ever mentioned this problem to her family vet, she sheepishly shook her head. She was unaware that discussion with her veterinarian would result in referral to a “vetted” trainer and a prescription for medication designed specifically for the treatment of canine separation anxiety.

Be sure to talk with your vet about any of your pet’s behavioral issues just as soon as they become apparent. The sooner such problems can be nipped in the bud, the better the outcome will be.

Does your dog receive an annual physical examination? Are you administering heartworm preventive medication? Have you discussed your dog’s behavior issues with your veterinarian? Do tell!

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Annual physical examination, Behavior issues, Canine aggression, disease prevention, Dog trainer, Dr. Nancy Kay, Guidelines for Canine and Feline Preventive Healthcare, Heartworm disease, Hearworm prevention, House training, Immiticide, Nancy Kay DVM, Separation anxiety, Speaking for Spot, The American Heartworm Society, Vaccine reminder postcards, vaccines, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Canine family members, Canine Symptoms, Dog health, Dr. Nancy Kay, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Office Visits, Your Dog's Best Health | 9 Comments »

Pet Poisons

Sunday, March 11th, 2012

The telephone call I hope you never have to make is to a pet poison control center. If the situation does arise, however, I hope you will have the appropriate contact information close at hand.

Two poison control organizations that I strongly recommend, and which are available to you 24/7 are the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435) and the Pet Poison Helpline (1-800-213-6680). If uncertain if your pet has ingested or been exposed to something that is toxic, call one of these organizations right away. You will either be fully reassured or instructed on what course of action to take.

The Pet Poison Helpline recently released their “top ten list” of toxicities based on calls received during 2011. They are ranked below in order of frequency:

Top Ten Toxins Reported in 2011 Helpline Calls

Foods- specifically chocolate, xylitol, grapes, and raisins.
Insecticides- sprays, bait stations, and spot on flea and tick treatments.
Rodenticides (mouse and rat poisons). By the way, rodenticides pose the potential for relay toxicity- pets can be poisoned by eating rodents that have died from the toxin.
Human nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
Household cleaning products (all the more reason I don’t like to clean- could be harmful for my pets!).
Antidepressant drugs prescribed for people (Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, and Effexor).
Fertilizers including bone meal, blood meal, and iron based products.
Acetaminophen which is the active ingredient in Tylenol and many over the counter cough and cold remedies.
Amphetamine based human drugs including Adderall and Concerta.
Veterinary nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications (particularly those that are in tasty chewable tablet form) including Rimadyl, Deramaxx, and Previcox.

Just for fun, I will provide you with two other top ten lists created by the Pet Poison Helpline.

Top Ten Breeds Involved in 2011 Helpline Calls

Mixed breeds
Labrador Retrievers (Why am I not surprised!)
Golden Retrievers
Chihuahuas
Yorkshire Terriers
Dachshunds
ShihTzus
Boxers
Beagles
German Shepherds

Top Ten Dog Names Involved in 2011 Helpline Calls

Bella
Lucy
Max
Molly
Daisy
Bailey
Charlie
Lily
Maggie
Sadie and Buddy were tied for tenth place!

Have you ever had to call a poison control center for your pet? If so, please tell us about your experience.

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: acetaminophen, Adderall, amphetamines, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, blood meal, bone meal, chocolate, Concerta, Deramaxx, dog health, Dr. Nancy Kay, fertilizers, grapes, household cleaning products, ibuprofen, insecticides, iron based products, Nancy Kay DVM, naproxen, pet care, pet health care, pet poison control center, Pet Poison Helpline, Previcox, raisins, Rimadyl, rodenticides, Speaking for Spot, Tylenol, xylitol, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Animal Poison Control Center, Canine Symptoms, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Emergency, Your Dog's Best Health | 12 Comments »

A Primer on Diabetes Insipidus

Sunday, March 4th, 2012

Photo Credit: Susannah Kay

Mention the word diabetes, and one thinks of insulin injections and blood sugar levels. This is because diabetes mellitus (aka, sugar diabetes) is so darned prevalent in people, dogs, and cats. But did you know that there is another version of diabetes, one that has absolutely no impact on blood sugar levels? It is called diabetes insipidus (DI). This form of diabetes is far less common, but as it happens, I diagnosed two patients (one dog and one cat) with DI within the last week. Go figure! As things tend to happen in “threes” I expect my third patient with DI will walk through the door next week!

Diabetes insipudus occurs when the kidneys are unable to conserve water. Under normal circumstances, the kidneys retain some of the water within the bloodstream for use within the body while eliminating the rest within the urine. This nifty little water conservation system is controlled by a hormone called vasopressin (aka, ADH or antidiuretic hormone). Vasopressin is produced within the brain’s hypothalamus. It is then stored and released from the pituitary gland, also within the brain. Now here’s the really cool part. There are sensors in the body that control exactly how much vasopressin is released into the blood stream after detecting exactly how much water the body needs. For example, if you are hiking in Death Valley and it is 110 degrees, your pituitary gland will release lots of vasopressin so that you produce minimal urine. Likewise, if you’ve just chugged a gallon of water, vasopressin release will be turned off thereby allowing your kidneys to “turn on the faucets.”

Diabetes insipidus occurs when vasopression is no longer released from the pituitary gland. Affected dogs and cats produce copious volumes of urine, and all that water loss results in profound thirst. Their dilute urine looks more like water than urine. In addition, affected animals are prone to urinary accidents, saturation of their litter boxes on a daily basis, and the inability to make it through the night without urinating. Under such circumstances, people are sometimes tempted to restrict their pet’s water intake. This can be disastrous- even with water withheld, massive amounts of urine will continue to be produced and the animal will quickly become dehydrated. Fortunately, most animals with DI who are deprived of water will drive their humans crazy until they relent and fill the water bowl.

The diagnosis or DI is made by first ruling out other diseases that can cause increased thirst and urine output including: kidney disease, liver disease, urinary tract infections, diabetes mellitus and other hormonal imbalances. The diagnosis is then confirmed based on a positive response to vasopressin therapy.

Trauma, infection, and cancer affecting the region of the hypothalamus/pituitary gland are all potential causes of DI. However, most cases of DI turn out to be idiopathic (an underlying cause cannot be determined). If your dog or cat has DI, your veterinarian will want to perform a thorough neurological examination. If neurological abnormalities are detected, a brain scan (MRI or CT) and collection of spinal fluid for analysis may be recommended.

The treatment for DI is vasopressin replacement therapy. This hormone is available in tablet and nasal spray formulations. The nasal spray must be fitted with an adaptive nozzle that allows application of the liquid as eye drops. Typically, marked reduction in water intake and urine output are observed within a few days to a week after beginning therapy. Other than the need to give daily, lifelong medication, the major drawback of treatment is that vasopressin is pretty darned pricey. It definitely pays to shop around at a number of pharmacies to obtain the best price. Barring no significant underlying brain disease, the prognosis for a patient with DI is excellent, and that’s definitely something that we internists don’t get to say frequently enough!

Have you any experience with diabetes insipidus? If so, please share what you know.

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: antidiuretic hormone, blood sugar levels, diabetes, diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, Dog care, dog health, dog health care, Dr. Nancy Kay, insulin, insulin injections, kidneys, Nancy Kay DVM, pituitary gland, Speaking for Spot, vasopressin, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Canine Symptoms, Important Questions to Ask You Vet, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Diagnostic Procedures, Veterinary Specialists, Your Dog's Best Health | 1 Comment »

A Response From Gorham, New York

Monday, February 27th, 2012

Many of you have been following the recent approval allowing a husband and wife puppy mill team to open a new 500-dog breeding kennel within the town of Gorham, New York. Mr. Doug Negley, a councilman for the Town of Gorham read my blog post and reached out to me for some candid conversation. During our talk it became clear to me that Mr. Negley is a true dog lover and that he was surprised by the rapid action taken by his town’s planning commission. Mr. Negley told me that he remains unclear whether or not the decision to approve the puppy mill can be reversed.

Prior to this Gorham chaos (town leaders have been inundated with phone calls and emails), Mr. Negley admits that he was unfamiliar with the horrors of puppy mills. You can trust that I provided him with a solid education during the course of our telephone call. I asked Mr. Negley to provide me with his point of view in writing, something I could share with you, my readers. Here are his thoughts:

Dr. Nancy Kay,

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on your blog of February 9, 2012 “Shame on you Gorham NY.”

Your perception of “commercial kennels/puppy mills” is right on — this is a national if not international problem. In the last paragraph you mentioned learn what’s going on where you live. Educate others on “commercial kennels/puppy mills.” I would like to add instead of buying a new pup consider rescuing a dog.

On your comment “I suspect that the Gorham town board members have their eyes focused on the prize. Can you imagine the tax revenue stream from the sale of thousands and thousands of purebred puppies?” New York State law currently exempts USDA Class A “commercial kennels/puppy mills” from local dog licensing. Yes, that’s right Gorham receives nothing for this type of operation. And these breeders do not contribute to the state spay and neuter program to help low income people spay and neuter their pets, even though, each year they are contributing to the numbers of unwanted dogs.

As for this town board member’s eyes, they are focused on:

1)   The best for residents of the town of Gorham.

2)   Using education because it is the best weapon against puppy mills.

3)   Build a case supported by facts against puppy mills.

4)   Then take action at both state & federal level.

There is no reason why, over time as a society, we can’t get rid of such operations. I would like to help in their eradication. Like many topics the public is ignorant of this practice, me included.

I have thought about and continue to research the concept of “commercial kennels / puppy mills.”  I do not like the idea of having a facility in our town. However, if Gorham is going to be saddled with this business I want a golden pig with lipstick, not just another pig.

Thanks again, to be continued.

Respectively submitted,

Doug Negley, Councilman for the Town of Gorham

Mr. Negley told me that he would be happy to respond to your comments. Let’s keep it civilized!

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: Canandaigua Messenger Post, Curtis Martin, Doug Negley, Dr. Nancy Kay, Gorham, Jolene Martin, Nancy Kay DVM, New York, puppy millers, puppy mills, Speaking for Spot, Town of Gorham Councilman, USDA, veterinary school, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Animal Abuse, Animal Welfare, puppy mills, Puppy Mills, Speaking for Spot, Your Dog's Best Health | 26 Comments »

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