Vet Blog
10/27/09
I’m sorry I haven’t posted in several days. I was ill with symptoms of the flu. Of course, I was hoping to avoid this situation when I got my flu shot in the Chicago Airport. However flu shots, like Bordetella vaccines, are not 100% protective. And it’s also possible that I didn’t actually have the flu.
Either way I’m feeling better now, so a real post will follow this one.
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10/24/09
 My seven-year-old rescue cat has really gross lumps on the back of his tongue. My vet tested for FIV and feline leukemia – both came back negative. He gave the cat a cortisol shot (I think – some kind of steroid) and the cat is going back after 2 weeks to see if that helped.
He also had some ulcers around his mouth. The vet also told me a couple of other things that it could be, which I will need to ask him about again, because I don’t remember. We are to watch him carefully to make sure he can still eat – no problems there and I hadn’t noticed any problems before he was diagnosed. We found the issue when he was in having a wound attended to.
Have you seen this before? Thanks in advance. Will he need periodic shots to keep this under control? I really feel bad for him.
Lynne
Houston, TX
Based upon your description several things could be going on.
Your cat may be suffering from stomatitis. Stomatitis is a painful condition in which the immune system attacks the teeth. This causes inflammation of the gums and in some cases the tongue. Cortisone shots sometimes reduce the inflammation associated with stomatitis. However, the benefit usually is temporary. Extraction of multiple teeth generally offers the best hope of a permanent cure for stomatitis.
Severe dental disease also can cause symptoms similar to stomatitis. Unlike stomatitis, dental disease does not involve an improperly functioning immune system. Professional dental work at your veterinarian’s office should eliminate oral lesions caused by dental disease.
Eosinophilic granulomas, also known as rodent ulcers, are common causes of ulcers and sores in the mouth. Rodent ulcers occur when an overactive immune system attacks the lips, gums, or tongue. Cortisone is the most commonly used treatment for rodent ulcers. I also recommend that cats with rodent ulcers receive consistent flea preventatives. Flea bites can stimulate the immune system and may exacerbate rodent ulcers.
Certain viral or bacterial infections may cause sores or masses to develop on the tongue or mouth. Calicivirus, feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are the most common.
Unfortunately, tumors can develop on the tongue. Squamous cell carcinoma is an aggressive cancer that sometimes develops in the area.
If your cat’s condition does not improve significantly after the cortisone injection or if the lesions return when the cortisone wears off I recommend that your cat’s mouth be evaluated under anesthesia. At that time dental work can be performed if it is indicated. A biopsy of the affected area also is very likely to yield insight into the problem.
Meanwhile, watch your cat’s appetite and feed him soft food if necessary.
Photo: Alistair Growley’s tongue looks fine.
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10/09/09
 I have said repeatedly on this blog, and I firmly believe, that children derive emotional and physical health benefits from pets. I believe that pets help children to learn patience and empathy. Studies have shown that children living with cats or dogs may be less likely to develop asthma, and that pet visits motivate hospitalized children to get well. Pets make wonderful friends and confidantes for people of all ages.
However, the intermingling of children and pets poses risks for both. Here are some guidelines for protecting your offspring and your furry pals.
Unhealthy pets can spread disease to people. Children are most at risk. The diseases range from ringworm to roundworm to rabies.
However, the key phrase in the above paragraph is unhealthy pets. The risk to children from healthy pets is very low. The first guideline for safe interactions between pets and children is therefore to confirm that your pet is free of parasites and disease. Your vet can check your pet for disease by performing a physical exam and running basic tests. Broad spectrum anti-parasite medications can be used regularly to protect your children–and your pet.
Pets occasionally bite or scratch children. I have noted that many child injuries occur when an unsupervised, poorly socialized pet interacts with an unsupervised, poorly behaved child. I therefore recommend that you properly supervise and socialize your pet, and that you properly supervise and socialize your child. It’s also a good idea to keep your cat’s nails trimmed.
Injury can be a two way street when pets and children mix. Last weekend at the emergency hospital I treated several pets who wound up hurt (accidentally, of course) when left with a child. One, a Yorkshire Terrier puppy, wiggled out of a five-year-old’s arms and broke her leg. I expect her to make a full recovery. Another, a Terrier cross, was not so lucky. A child was holding her leash and she broke loose near a busy street. I don’t need to tell you what happened next. The child was inconsolable. For the sake of your pet and your child, do not allow your child to handle your pet unsupervised until he or she is able to do it safely.
Countless other pitfalls exist. Large dogs can knock children over accidentally. Pets can steal potentially toxic (to them) foods from the hands of careless children. For the sake of both children and pets, exercise common sense and practice due diligence.
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09/29/09
 I know you ‘ve been asked this question before, but here goes: I have a year and a half old Shih Tzu boy and I’m feeding him HALO. His hair is mostly black and white with a bit of grey, but his black parts are turning tan. Started on his rear end and now working up his back. Any suggestions?
Andrea
Chapel Hill, NC
My suggestion is to embrace the change. I don’t think there is anything you can do to stop it.
The ravages of time affect everyone who is lucky enough to age. Skin and hair are especially susceptible to changes relating to maturing.
No person’s skin is the same at 49 as it is at 19. The same holds true for cats and dogs. And, as most middle aged and older men can attest, hair is a luxury. As an individual goes through life, hair changes. It may grow thinner. It may become coarser. It may change color.
It is especially common for darkly pigmented hair to become lighter. Pigment takes a great deal of energy for the body to make. Bodies are prone to directing resources towards other needs. A trip down the drug store hair care aisle will show how prevalent this issue is in people. It occurs in dogs and cats as well.
If your dog’s skin is itchy, red, irritated, malodorous or sensitive then you should take him to the vet. But if his hair is simply changing color, you should treat it as a mark of distinction.
Photo: Mhuffin’s hair is perfect. For now.
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09/24/09
I’d like to thank Jeanne, of Boise, Idaho for forwarding an excellent article to me.
I believe the article speaks for itself. Tomorrow, more Q and A.
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09/22/09
 Let’s answer two more of Mrs. Kitty’s questions.
Is it true that you should keep a freshly-neutered male indoors for a week because he can still impregnate a female?
As I have mentioned twice in the last week, I would prefer that all cats were kept inside at all times. However, the answer to your question is yes. After the testicles are removed, it takes several days for all of the residual sperm to clear out of the pipes. During this time, a freshly-neutered male cat can still impregnate females.
It can take more than a week for the male’s testosterone levels to drop. During this time he will remain at increased risk of fighting, spraying, and engaging in other undesirable (from our point of view) behaviors.
What is the most common cause of sudden death in visually healthy young (2-5 years old) cats?
In outdoor cats, vehicular trauma is by far the most common cause of sudden death regardless of age.
But I’m guessing that you aren’t talking about the obvious.
In my experience the most common cause of sudden (and unavoidable) death in young cats is heart disease. Cats are prone to a syndrome called cardiomyopathy. This syndrome develops slowly but initially may not cause clinical symptoms. The first symptom of the syndrome may be sudden death.
Go to my website for more information about cardiomyopathy:
http://drbarchas.com/feline_heart_disease
Tomorrow: it’s time to talk about a dog.
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09/14/09
For those who are waiting, I promise that a ton of cat Q and A is forthcoming.
But first, let’s talk a bit about Iams.
Procter and Gamble, the Parent Company of Iams and Eukanuba, recently flew me (and seven other pet bloggers) to Dayton, Ohio to tour the Iams facilities. They treated us very well, and I would like to thank my hosts for their kind hospitality.
I also would like to reassure my readers that I think for myself. A trip to Rio or Hawaii or Vegas would not be enough to turn me into a shill for any company. Dayton is a nice enough place, but I am not now an Iams spokesperson.
During the trip I met several Iams executives. I sincerely appreciate the many questions my readers submitted prior to my meeting with the head of the Procter and Gamble pet food division, Dan Rajczak. During the course of the meeting in Dayton, most of them were answered by Mr. Rajczak or by other representatives.
I intend to pass along the answers to most of your questions, interspersed (of course!) with feline Q and A over my next several posts. But today let’s start with the most prevalent topic submitted by readers of this blog: animal testing at Iams. I didn’t actually ask Mr. Rajczak about this matter, because I toured the Iams animal testing facilities myself.
Iams maintains a large animal testing facility in Louisville, Ohio. Like all animal lovers, I am ambivalent about animal testing. Animal tests generally can benefit pets and humans, but those benefits may not be apparent to the individuals involved in the tests. The ethics are complex, to say the very least.
What I saw in Louisville may have been smoke and mirrors (although it would have been one very complex system of smoke and mirrors). But the facilities I saw truly surprised me. In a good way.
The animals were kept, essentially, in cage-free systems. They had large play spaces, and their social, mental, and physical needs appeared to be well tended to. Veterinarians, behaviorists, groomers, socializers, and play companions were on staff to tend to the dogs and cats. Proper biosecurity measures were in place. It was clear that a great deal of thought had been put into creating a system that attempted to be kind to the animals.
The animals seemed happy. Does that mean they truly are happy? I don’t know. Hopefully they are, but only the animals know for sure.
The Iams representatives claim that animals deemed unsuitable for research are adopted out rather than culled. All animals are eventually adopted into homes. Except in instances of grave medical conditions, the facilities are kill-free.
I specifically asked whether any other research facilities existed where standards were lower. The answer I received was no.
I always will remain ambivalent about animal research. However, for what it’s worth the facilities I saw in Ohio were nicer than the many other animal research facilities I have witnessed in universities and at some other companies.
Next on the Iams thread: the answer to one of my personal questions. Where did the names Iams and especially Eukanuba come from? (Don’t worry, we’ll also talk about some serious questions too.)
But the cat question and answer thread is next in line for discussion.
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09/12/09
I know that you are awaiting your promised cat Q & A and the answers to your questions from the president of Iams, Dan Rajczak. I am happy to advise you that most of the Iams questions were answered! And I am excited to answer some feline questions.
But folks, I am exhausted. I spent almost all of yesterday on airplanes and in airports. O’Hare International does, in theory, have internet access, but my netbook crawled along at a snail’s pace. Tonight I simply don’t have the energy to give your Iams and feline questions the time they deserve. I am running on fumes.
So let me instead tell you a brief story from my flight yesterday. In O’Hare airport, at the top of the escalators from Concourse C to Concourse B, the University of Illinois Medical Center was offering seasonal flu shots.
I was torn. The influenza vaccine can cause immune system over-stimulation. A friend of mine once went bald after receiving a vaccine. That is a horrifying prospect for a man my age.
But then I thought of the last time (in 2000) that I suffered from the flu. My immune system was in overdrive for months. I was in agony. The damage to my body was immense.
The decision wasn’t simple, but I got the shot. Today my arm is sore. Thankfully, I still appear to have my hair.
Within the next few days I will dive into your Iams and feline questions. But tonight I need sleep.
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09/04/09
 Four day ago the groomer found a rash on my Shi-poo’s tummy and thought it may be ringworm. We went directly to the vet to see what it could be. He said that it was a summer time rash and gave her a prednisone shot.
The rash did clear, but then she started having to pee a lot. She sleeps with us, and that night she peed in the bed. She has never done that before (she is 2 1/2 years old). Then she did it again last night. She is having to pee approx. every several hours. I can not let her sleep in the bed any more till this resolves itself, so I slept on the couch with her.
Could the shot have made her have the urination problem, or do you thing there is more that just a rash going on? After all the food and treat scare I am worried that it could be another food comtamination or just disease.
Donna
Hoover, AL
The prednisone injection almost certainly is the cause of your dog’s excessive urination.
The “summer time rash” that your dog developed likely was an allergic reaction to one or more allergens.
Prednisone is simultaneously the best and worst medicine ever invented. Prednisone is a very effective allergy treatment. It also treats a host of autoimmune diseases and skin diseases. But it has many side effects.
The first side effects that animals show after receiving prednisone are increased thirst and urination, panting, and behavior changes (sleeplessness, aggression, or lethargy). After a while, increased appetite may develop. Animals that receive prednisone are prone to infections. Long-term prednisone use may lead to diabetes (cats, dogs), kidney failure, or liver failure.
Your dog’s excessive urination should go away as the drug is eliminated from her system. She is unlikely to suffer any long term consequences from the prednisone injection.
I often tell clients that prednisone is a double-edged sword, and your situation is a perfect example. The medicine cured the skin rash as intended. But the medicine also created a new problem.
Prednisone always should be used with caution.
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07/30/09
 Banfield, The Pet Hospital is an international chain of veterinary practices. The practices are often associated with PetSmart stores.
Banfield is the largest chain of veterinary hospitals in the world. The corporation owns more than 700 pet health care centers.
I didn’t realize that, until recently, tail docking and ear cropping were available at Banfield outlets. They aren’t any more.
Here is an excerpt from an article found at DVM Newsmagazine’s website.
Banfield discontinues cosmetic ear cropping, tail docking
Jul 27, 2009
DVM NEWSMAGAZINE
Portland, Ore. — Banfield, The Pet Hospital will discontinue ear cropping and tail docking surgeries, the company reports today.
Banfield’s decision follows an extensive review and subsequent approval by its Medical Standards Board, which is described as an internal panel of experienced veterinarians responsible for evaluating all medical standards and procedures.
In July, heated discussion about cosmetic surgeries erupted at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) meeting in Seattle where its governing body reaffirmed its position against ear cropping and tail docking.
“After thoughtful consideration and reviewing medical research, we have determined it is in the best interest of the pets we treat, as well as the overall practice, to discontinue performing these unnecessary cosmetic procedures,” explains Karen Faunt, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, vice president for medical quality advancement for Banfield. “It is our hope that this new medical protocol will help reduce, and eventually eliminate, these cosmetic procedures altogether,” Faunt adds in a prepared statement released today.
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