Cats outnumber dogs in their overall numbers as pets, but studies have shown that they see the veterinarian less often than their canine counterparts.  One of the reasons is that their illnesses are typically much more subtle.  Ten very common signs of illnesses in cats are:

1.  Inappropriate elimination

2. Changes in interaction

3. Changes in activity

4. Changes in sleeping habits

5. Changes in food and/or water consumption

6. Unexplained weight loss or gain

7. Changes in grooming

8. Signs of stress

9. Changes in vocalization

10. Bad breath

The following document has more information about these signs of illness in our feline friends.  If your cat is showing any of these signs, an exam may be in order.  Keebler (cat in the above picture) isn’t physically sick, just sick of being a cow!

Illnesses in Cats

The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) is an organization designed to “recognize products that meet pre-set standards of plaque and calculus (tartar) retardation in dogs and cats.”  The VOHC recognizes these products by giving them their “seal of acceptance.”  In order to achieve the seal, products must have gone through at least two separate clinical trials that demonstrate their ability to control plaque or tartar (some products help with both).

Periodontal disease (plaque, tartar, gingivitis, bone loss, infected teeth, etc.) is a progressive problem, and not one product will completely prevent it from progressing.  The most effective way of preventing periodontal disease is brushing your pet’s teeth.  Daily brushing is best as plaque can start to harden on the teeth in 24 to 48 hours.  VOHC approved products help as well.  If a dental product bears the seal of acceptance, then you can be sure that the product does what it claims to do, i.e. it works.

More information about the VOHC along with a list of approved products can be found at www.VOHC.org.  At Olathe Animal Hospital, we are happy to offer the following VOHC approved products:

Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d

Greenies

Healthy Mouth Anti-Plaque Water Additive

Stop by the office or give us a call for more information regarding these products for your pet!

In July, I spent a week working on an Indian reservation in North Dakota.  The trip was sponsored by the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS for short) and is one of many that they provide throughout the year.  The group who worked on the trip was made up almost exclusively of volunteers.  On this trip, there were 8 veterinarians, 35 veterinary students, 4 veterinary technicians, 2 administrative volunteers, and 2 volunteer cooks (the food was very good!).

We met in Bismarck on a Sunday morning.  After a brief orientation period, we set off in a caravan (14 vehicles) to the reservation, a 3 hour drive.  The clinic was run out of the local rec. center.  The equipment for the clinic is contained entirely in a gooseneck trailer.  Everything is labeled and packed very specifically to ensure nothing is lost and all necessary equipment is available.  The level of medicine that was provided was as good as I have seen at most private practices.  This was one of the most impressive aspects, especially given the less than ideal working conditions.

Monday morning brought the first patients.  These were animals owned by local tribe members, as well as local non-Native Americans.  Monday through Thursday we spayed and neutered dogs and cats of all sizes, ages, and health status.  We did 40 to 60 surgeries per day.  Additional surgeries were done as needed.  For example, a dog was hit by a car and received an amputation of his front leg.  Another dog had a ruptured eye so we removed that as well.  A great dane on the trip had a condition called entropion, so we corrected that at the same time as her spay.

Friday was then spent as a wellness clinic.  Animals were brought in by owners, in some cases by the truckload, for vaccines and exams.  Some animals had minor health problems, others had major health problems.  Parasites were rampant on these animals, both internal and external.  Every animal was treated for fleas and ticks, dewormed for intestinal parasites, and vaccinated.  Animals with other health concerns had them addressed as well.

At the end of the day Friday, we packed up the clinic and left.  In all we saw nearly 600 animals.  The best part of the trip was getting to work with some amazing people.  The veterinarians were great people with a wide range of experience and expertise.  The students were all eager to learn, which made teaching a lot of fun.  Experience levels ranged from not knowing how to restrain a dog or a cat, to having done several spays and neuters on their own.  Most were somewhere in the middle.  The majority of clients loved their pets just as much as our clients here in Olathe.  Some were taken care of as well as our patients we see here, but these were the exception rather than the rule.  Overall it was a memorable trip and was a great experience.

Check out numerous photos from the trip on our Flickr page.

You can see the setup of the clinic, our sleeping area (on the gym floor), and several photos of students and locals.  Some photos that you won’t see were of the case of mange I contracted while on the trip.  Not one of the better memories I made, but quite the experience nonetheless!

Fleas continue to be a major health risk for many pets, not just cats and dogs.  Fleas cause many damaging diseases including flea bite dermatitis, tapeworms, anemia, bubonic plague, cat-scratch disease and bartonellosis.

Flea populations start with a bang when the weather turns warm and humid but can survive indoors over the winter.  The population grows exponentially as the summer months continue until the early fall when the population peaks.

We are often asked if the various products that have been applied to prevent fleas are working when pet owners see fleas on their pet.  The answer varies from case to case as well as with the product that was applied.

Currently, flea control products can be categorized into three main groups; topical liquids applied to the skin, oral medication that is swallowed, and collars placed around the neck.

Topical products usually include protection against ticks as well.  This gives them a decided advantage.  Oral products generally protect against fleas only and work very quickly.  Collars, in general, do not work well although we are experimenting with a new product that has promise and may kill ticks and fleas for up to 6 months.

The answer to the question is that most of these products work well enough to control fleas well when used properly and early.  Really nothing prevents fleas from hopping on the pet.  They must be on the pet for a period of time before they die, depending on the product that can be minutes or several hours.

The life cycle of fleas tells that tale.  Adult fleas stay on the pet and generally don’t leave the pet.  One female flea can lay 50 eggs or more each day.  That can amount to many eggs in a given area over a few days.  The eggs hatch into a larva, the larva spins a cocoon which later pupates into a new adult flea.  This cycle takes time.  At any point in time only a small percent of the flea population consists of adults.  Ninety plus percent is in the process of becoming adults.  So, knowing the life cycle, let’s see how that affects the pet.  A product is applied early in the cycle and the few fleas that the pet may have are killed and for a period of time usually 3 to 4 weeks no new fleas are seen.  Then all of a sudden the life cycle matures and a bunch of new adult fleas are available to the pet.  They hop on the pet and the pet owner sees these new fleas before the product can kill them.  It is also at the end of the treatment period for some products and some of the strength is diminished so it takes a little longer to kill the fleas.  The trick is to start early and use the product consistently.  If you feel there is a population of fleas that the pet is continuing to pick up, you should treat the pet’s environment and that will hasten the elimination of the problem.

Be very careful you understand what you are applying to your pet.  Never apply products to cats that are not approved for cats.  They cannot handle all of the same chemicals that dogs can handle.  Much of the over-the-counter products are actually more potentially harmful than products sold by veterinarians.  Take the time to understand the product and please consult with us.  We are here to help solve problems and keep your pet healthy.

Support Wildlife and Help Us Celebrate!

We were thrilled to receive 2^nd Place in the AAHA Accredited Practice of the Year Awards.  AAHA is the American Animal Hospital Association, and only about 15% of vet clinics in the US become accredited. Our award recognizes us as one of the top animal hospitals in North America!  We are so thankful to our loyal clients and patients who have helped us become what we are!  We couldn’t have done it without you!

Please join us in celebrating, and while doing so:

• Meet a few of OWL’s education animals
• Kitty City Kansas – meet some friendly felines
• Prairie Paws – meet some adoptable pooches
• KC Ferret Rescue – find a ferret who needs a home
• “Try it out” dog agility – K9s in Motion
• Dog Training Demos by Gloria Logan of Perfect Puppy at 11:30am & 12:30pm

Photos and Autographs with Lisa Teachman, KMBC Meteorologist!

“Wild” Pet Costume Contest
Prizes for the “wildest” pet costumes!

Silent Auction
Raffle
Register for a chance to win an iPad!!

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT OPERATION WILDLIFE
Microchipping
Nail Trimming
Dental Check-ups

Family friendly!
Pets Welcome!

Raffle Items

• iPad!! With Wi-Fi and 64GB!!
  
• Dog food (various)
• Cat food (various)
• Pocket knives
• Set of small-sized ceramic dog bowls
• XS Dog life jacket
• Hunting calendars
• Synovial joint chews
• Omega 3 Crumbles
• Jose Pepper’s Giftcard
• Scooters coffee gift card
• Spin! Pizza gift card
• Sheer Madness – Children’s hair cut
• Sugar Rush cupcakes
• Scentsy warmer
• Dry Clean Supercenter gift certificate
• Tasso’s Greek Restaurant gift card

Silent Auction Items

• Hand-painted Boxer plate by Gloria Logan
• Timbermist Farm Horseback Riding Lessons
• Hilltop Stables Horseback Riding Lessons
• Hodgdon Powder Company custom shooter’s field bag
• Sportsman’s “Ducks Unlimited” duffle or decoy bag
• Canine Annual Wellness Exam ($198 value)
• Feline Annual Wellness Exam ($143 value)
• Gift basket containing Comfortis flea control (need current exam on file)
• Vectra 3D 6-months’ worth of flea control
• Divine K-9 $50 Gift Certificate (grooming services and/or retail products)

Please take a look at our Spring 2011 Newsletter, which includes information about our upcoming Open House Celebration on May 7, and our exciting 2nd place award for AAHA-Accredited Practice of the Year!

• Spring 2011 Newsletter (PDF)

One of the hardest parts about our job and about being a pet owner is the end of a pet’s life.  Sometimes pets pass away suddenly, but more often than not, their illnesses are due to chronic diseases, such as kidney failure or cancer.  We certainly don’t want our loved ones to have to suffer, but at the same time it is one of the hardest decisions that we have to make about our pets.  How can we ever know when the time is right?

In 2004, Dr. Alice Villalobos created what is called the HHHHHMM scale.  The purpose of this scale is to give pet owners an objective way to determine their pet’s overall quality of life.  In doing so, this scale helps relieve the feelings of guilt associated with making that final decision.  The scale is broken down into 7 categories, and each category is scored from 1 to 10.  A score of 35 or greater is considered reasonably acceptable quality of life.

• The HHHHHMM scale can be downloaded here.

If you are being faced with this unfortunate situation, we are here to help you.  If you have any questions or concerns about the euthanasia process, or what happens to your pet afterwards, please call us and we will discuss these things with you.  Hopefully the HHHHHMM scale will help guide your decision process during this difficult time.

For many medical conditions, increasing the amount of water that cats drink is an important part of treatment.  However, many cats don’t drink regularly and it can be very difficult to get them to change this behavior.  The following list is a compilation of ideas and tricks to get cats to increase their fluid intake.

• Feed canned food or add water to dry food

• Feed more frequent meals: feeding three times per day increases water intake vs. feeding twice daily

• Drinking from the faucet, licking water off of the shower floor, or drinking from cups or glasses of water

• Flavor the water by adding any of the following: tuna juice, low sodium chicken or beef broth, or clam juice.  All of these can be frozen into ice cubes and added to the water

• Regular ice in the water bowl may increase interest in water as well

• Water bowl characteristics: broad and shallow, round vs. square, circulating water fountains, multiple bowls in multiple locations

• Change water frequently – once or twice daily

Individual cats will have different preferences and different things may stimulate them to drink more water.  Try each of these things one at a time or numerous things at once to see what your cat prefers.  Good luck!

You’ve been told you’re supposed to brush your dog’s teeth. Maybe you’ve even made some strides in that department, but at the end of the day (or week, or month), it’s not getting done. Here are some suggestions to help you be more successful:

1. Put a picture of your dog (or your dog’s teeth, if you’re really brave!) by your tooth brush. Let this be a reminder to you that you’re not the only one who needs some teeth brushing!
2. Set up an automatic reminder. If you have an email address or smart phone, setting up a reminder can be an easy way to remember lots of things. While you’re at it, set up a reminder for your dog’s monthly heartworm and flea prevention too!
3. Make it easy. Keep the tooth brushing supplies in an easy-to-access location so you won’t come up with too many excuses.
4. Make it fun! If you and your dog both dread the teeth brushing, you’ll never do it, except maybe the day after your vet gives you a guilt trip for not brushing them daily. Work up to it gradually, with lots of handling of the muzzle and gums, and let your dog lick the toothpaste off your finger before you move up to an actual toothbrush and actual brushing.
5. Think of it as an investment. Brushing your dog’s teeth every day may not eliminate the need to have his/her teeth cleaned under anesthesia periodically, but rest assured you’re demonstrating perhaps the highest commitment to your best friend by making a faithful effort to ensure his/her oral health.

The video below is one we made with our friends at DVM360.com to help show people how to brush their dog’s teeth.

Tail wagging fun!

On Saturday, February 5, 2011, Olathe Animal Hospital hosted a Puppy Bowl tailgating party in anticipation of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl VII on Sunday. You can find pictures from the event on our Facebook page, but needless to say, a good time was had by all! We want to extend a sincere thank-you to everyone who came with their adorable four-leggeds and helped make it such a fun and successful event. Enjoy this video showing some of the highlights!