Dancing Dogs

Abscesses in your Pets

An abscess is a collection of pus encapsulated within a tissue underneath the skin. It occurs when the body tries to fight an infectious process usually caused by bacteria or parasites within the body tissues, sending white blood cells to fight further infection.

An abscess may first appear as a painful firm swelling under the skin that is hot or cold to the touch. In later stages, the localized swelling often becomes softer and less painful. This usually happens right before the abscess is getting ready to burst and drain.

Abscesses around the neck and tail are far most common in cats who have access to the outdoors and who play territorial games with their fellow cats. Their teeth and claws are extremely contaminated with bacteria, and when they are sunk into the skin of the opposing cat, the bacteria becomes embedded under the skin. Pasteurella multocida is the most common bacteria to cause skin infections.

Causes

The most common causes of abscesses include:

• Animal bites
• Scratches
• Trauma to the skin or underlying tissues
• Foreign object penetration
• Bad oral hygiene

How does it occur?

For an abscess to occur, the pet must have been injured somehow. They are caused by obstruction of oil (sebaceous) glands or sweat glands, inflammation of hair follicles, or minor abrasions and punctures of the skin. Germs get under the skin or into these glands, which causes an inflammatory response as your pet's natural defense mechanisms kick-in to remove the foreign body.

The middle of the abscess liquefies and contains dead cells, bacteria, and other debris. This area begins to grow, creating tension under the skin and further inflammation of the surrounding tissues. Pressure and inflammation cause the pain.

Pus is formed when the white blood cells die and accumulate in the affected area. As a protective mechanism, the immune system also works to wall off this area from the rest of the body, by forming a fibrous capsule. This fibrous capsule keeps the pus confined to one area. If the bacteria or foreign material overwhelms the immune system, the pus continues to accumulate and the abscess becomes larger.

As time goes on, the wall surrounding the ever-growing pus pocket becomes thin, and at some point, it ruptures and pus drains out. Typically, the abscess ruptures to the exterior of the body, and pus drains from the wound. The pus is usually quite thick and creamy, and often has a distinct smell. However, in many cases; the abscess may not drain naturally and must be excised by a vet.

Signs

• Swelling and inflammation
• Heat and redness around the area
• Pain around the area of infection
• High temperature or fever
• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy and a reluctance to move
• Rotting teeth, tooth loss, excessive saliva and bad breath (in mouth abscesses)
• Hair loss (in skin abscesses)
• Stiffness or lameness (abscesses around joints)
• Licking or grooming affected area excessively
• Foul odor
• Purulent discharge (pus) from a wound

Treatment

• Abscess drainage is painful and better to do it under anesthesia
• Painkillers
• Antibiotics to avoid secondary bacterial infections - Topical & intramuscular
• Clindamycin - If it is serious or deep in the skin

Caring and Management

• Clean hands thoroughly before handling abscess.
• Clear the surrounding skin by clipping away hair with a small pair of scissors.
• Gently clean the area with a mild soap and then rub it with clean gauze soaked with antibacterial solution, Ex. saline solution or hydrogen peroxide.
• Gently pat the area dry with a towel.
• Drain the abscess via surgical puncture and then drain with a sterile solution such as normal saline.
• Abscesses are usually left open and allowed to drain to prevent the re-infection. 
• Use a topical skin protecting agents, such as Betadine, to guard the skin against bacterial infection and keep the affected area clean.
• Check it every 12 hours. Gently remove any scabs or crusts skin that have formed and clean the area with soap and water apply Betadine ointment.
• If you come in contact with draining pus, just wash your hands. These bacteria may infectious to humans if it is exposed to an open wound on skin.

Chopsticks Feeding to Kitten

To avoid being bitten and pounced on during kitty training, we have been using chopsticks and toothpicks to feed the kittens their treat. As seen in this video, this technique has worked particularly well with training "Gluteus," where the kittens will sit up straight, balancing on their buttocks muscles. 

The gluteus maximus is the largest and most superficial of the three gluteal muscles. It makes up a large portion of the shape and appearance of the buttocks.

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency - EPI

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is a syndrome of maldigestion and malabsorption, caused by insufficient synthesis and secretion of digestive enzymes by the exocrine portion of the pancreas. It is much more common in dogs than cats. It is also referred to as Pancreatic Hypoplasia or Pancreatic Acinar Atrophy (PAA).

Pancreas has two primary functions;

• Endocrine cells produce and secrete hormones, insulin, and glucagon.
• Exocrine cells produce and secrete digestive enzymes.

 

Causes of this disease

EPI is the inability of the pancreas to secrete digestive enzymes: amylase to digest starches, lipases to digest fats, and proteases to digest protein. Pancreatic acinar atrophy is the most common cause of EPI in dogs, while chronic pancreatitis is the most common cause in cats. Less common causes of EPI in dogs and cats are pancreatic or extra-pancreatic masses that lead to obstruction of the pancreatic duct.

Lack of pancreatic digestive enzymes may lead to maldigestion & malabsorption, therefore; the nutrients remaining in the intestinal lumen lead to loose, voluminous stools and steatorrhea (excess fat in stool).  It also causes weight loss and may lead to vitamin deficiencies. Due to the lack of absorbed nutrients, the body starves: muscle mass wastes away, and bones may also be affected.

Clinical signs

• Voracious appetite - Polyphagia  
• Rapid Weight loss
• Intermittent watery diarrhea or vomiting
• Eating stools – Coprophagia
• Eating non-food items - Pica
• Dry, dull, or brittle coat
• Feces is pale or grayish, loose, and voluminous and may be malodorous
• Increased rumbling sounds from the abdomen, and passing increased amounts of gas
• High fat content of the feces can lead to a greasy appearance of the hair coat, especially in the perianal and tail region of cats.
• Temperament changes showing fear or aggression

 

Diagnosis

• Clinical signs
• Fecal Protease Test - Determining the levels of digestive enzymes in the stool
• Serum Trypsin-like Immunoreactivity Test- Determining the levels of certain digestive enzymes in the blood

Treatment

• Treatment involves replacing the dog's pancreatic enzymes: Freeze-dried and ground-up extracts of pig and cattle pancreases could be given. Accurate dosing is more difficult with the raw pancreas, but in general, a 45-pound dog would need to receive 3 to 4 ounces of the chopped pancreas. The raw pancreas can be frozen at 4ºF for up to 3 months and still retain its enzyme activity. They can also be formulated either into tablets or powder.  Ex.  Viokase-V,  Pancreatin 6X,  Bio Case V. Powder is more effective than tablets, capsules, and especially enteric-coated products. Initially, 2 tsp/20 kg body wt should be given with each meal for dogs and 1 tsp/cat with each meal for cats.
• Concurrent antacid therapy has little effect on overall digestive ability
• Oral vitamin E supplementation or intra muscular injections of vitamin B-12
• A low fat, low fiber, highly digestible diet

Mastitis in Cows

Mastitis is an inflammatory reaction of mammary glands caused by various infectious or non-infectious etiological agents. It is characterized by a series   of physical, chemical and microbiological changes and some pathological changes in the mammary tissue and udder.  Consequently it causes increase in the number of somatic cells in the milk, changes in milk composition and reductions in milk yield. Adult lactating cows are most at risk for infections.

The infection occurs when the micro organisms gain access to the udder through the teat canal. The infections in the udder affect the quantity and quality of the secreted milk. The disease is known to cause economic losses of up to 40 % of the herd productivity.

However, mastitis is a global problem as it adversely affects animal health, quality of milk and economics of milk production and every country including developed ones suffer huge financial losses.

Mastitis can be described as;

• Clinical mastitis
• Subclinical mastitis

Clinical Mastitis

The inflammatory response to the infections of clinical mastitis is visible and the abnormal milk is readily detected.

Subclinical Mastitis

• No changes in the milk is apparent.
• No obvious clinical signs such as abnormal milk, udder swelling or tenderness, or systemic signs.
• It can only be detected by the laboratory examination of milk drawn from the udder of affected cow.

Pathogens involved

• Streptococcus agalactiae
• Streptococcus dysgalactiae
• Streptococcus uberis
• Staphylococcus epidermidis
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Enterococci
• Corynebacterium sp
• Klebsiella sp.
• Pseudomonas aeriginosa
• Brucella meletensis
• Mycoplasma sp
• Pasturella sp
• Proteus

Common causes and transmission

• Mastitis is usually caused by poor sanitation in the sheds like unclean floorings, bedding, animals and the milking surroundings. Unhygienic conditions favor multiplication of bacteria and infect the animals.
• Poor milking practice, not washing the animal’s udders before milking, not practicing the dipping of teats in antiseptic solution and incomplete milking of animals are also responsible for mastitis.
• Infection also spreads through milking machines if they are not cleaned well before use.
• Infection also spreads through milking persons if their hands are contaminated and not cleaned well with a disinfectant before milking.
• Improper milking methods like milking using thumb and pressing or pulling the teat causes a mechanical injury to the teat.
• Injuries to the udder or teats also cause mastitis.

Symptoms

• Redness and pain of udder
• Swelling of udder and teats
• Milk gets curdled becomes watery with blood streaks in some cases
• Fever, listlessness and anorexia
• Reduced milk production
• In chronic and sub clinical cases the teat canal gets thickened, when the teat is palpated it appears like a thread inserted in the teat canal.
• In subclinical cases, the milk is not affected and appears normal but the somatic cell count increases and the milk yield are decreased. If the subclinical cases are more in the farm it becomes a problem to control the disease.

Diagnosis

Based on clinical signs;

• Strip cup test to detect the curdled milk pieces
• California Mastitis Test
• Milk culture to identify the causative organism

Treatment

Intramammary infusions of antibiotic: Prior to intramammary infusion, the teat is cleaned well and the tip of the teat is swabbed with an alcohol swab and allowed to dry for a number of seconds. The antibiotic comes in a plastic tube with a plastic infusion cannula on the end.

• Penicillin at a dose rate of 50 - 200,000 units
• Tetracycline at a dose rate of 100 - 400 mg
• Streptomycin at a dose rate of 0.25 - 1 g
• Neomycin at a dose rate of 0.5 - 1 g
• Polymixin at a dose rate of 50 mg
• Erythromycin at a dose rate of 300 - 600 mg

How to apply antibiotic directly into the teat:

Step 1: Milk the udder until it's empty                

Step 2: Clean the end of the teat

Step 3: Put the tip of the tube into the

              teat and squeeze the antibiotic

              up into the udder  

Step 4: Massage the teat and the udder

Oxytocin treatment: 

A key contributing factor to effective milk let down. Clearly removal of the primary growth medium of the bacteria, the milk, more often should enhance rate of recovery from infection.

Parvo Virus Infection in Dogs

The canine parvovirus (CPV) infection is an acute, highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs. CPV has a tendency to attack rapidly reproducing cells, such as those lining the gastrointestinal tract. CPV affects dogs of all ages, but the majority of cases are seen in puppies that are between six weeks and six months old. Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers appear to acquire the infection more readily and experience more severe symptoms. The reason for lower resistance in these breeds is unknown.

This virus manifests in two different forms.

•        Intestinal form - more common
•        Cardiac form     - less common

Transmission

CPV is transmitted either by direct contact with an infected dog, or indirectly, by the fecal-oral route.

The virus sheds in large amounts in the stools of acutely infected dogs for up to several weeks following infection. This virus can be carried on the dog’s hair and feet, as well as on contaminated crates, shoes, and other objects. When the dog licks the fecal material off hair, feet, or anything that came in contact with infected feces, he acquires the disease.

Clinical signs

Intestinal form:

• Anorexia- Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Fever - 106°F
• Vomiting
• Severe bloody diarrhea
• Heavy weight loss
• Dehydration
• Mucous membranes become red
• Abdominal pain or discomfort on palpation
• Increased heart beat

Cardiac form:

• Attacks the heart muscles of very young puppies
• Sudden death
• Crying, difficulty in breathing, gasping for breath
• Extreme depression
• Weakness
• Unwillingness to nurse
• Irregular heartbeat

  Diagnosis

  It is based on;

•     Physical examination of clinical signs
•     Biochemical tests
•     Urine and fecal analysis
•     Abdominal radiographs
•     Abdominal ultrasounds

Treatment

No treatment found as the disease is a viral infection. Supportive treatment is focused on curing the symptoms and preventing secondary bacterial infections.

• Intravenous fluid and nutrition therapy is crucial in maintaining normal body fluid after severe diarrhea and dehydration
• Antiemetics – to stop vomiting
• H2 Blockers to reduce nausea
• Antibiotics – to counteract secondary bacterial infections
• Anthelmintics – to kill intestinal worms

Management after recovering

Even after your dog has recovered from a CPV infection, it will still have a weakened immune system, and will be susceptible to other illnesses. Therefore; you should boost your dog's immune system.  A diet that is easily digested will be best for your dog while it is recovering.

Your dog will also continue to be a contagion risk to other dogs for at least two months after the initial recovery. You will need to isolate your dog from other dogs for a period of time. Wash all of the equipments that your dog uses (e.g., dishes, kennel, toys) with non-toxic cleaners. Recovery comes with long-term immunity against the parvovirus, but it is no guarantee that your pet will not be infected with the virus again.

Prevention

Thoroughly clean and disinfect the cages of infected animals. Parvo is an extremely hardy virus that resists most household cleaners and survives on the premises for months. The most effective disinfectant is household bleach in a 1:32 dilution. The bleach must be left on the contaminated surface for 20 minutes before being rinsed.

Vaccinations:

·      Start by 6 weeks of age,

During the first weeks of life, puppies are protected by high levels of maternal antibodies. As these levels decline gradually, from 2-4 weeks puppies are more susceptible to infection.

·  Booster vaccination is given at 12 weeks of age and thereafter, annual re-vaccination should be given.

Haemobartonellosis in Dos & Cats - Hemotrophic Mycoplasmosis

Haemobartonellosis is a tick and flea transmitted disease that affects both dogs and cats. Haemobartonellosis in dogs is caused by Mycoplasma haemocanis, previously it was known as Haemobartonella canis, which have an affinity to red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen. That is why, they are also known as hemotrophic Mycoplasmosis. Mycoplasma haemocanis is not a typical bacteria, but it belongs to a group of microorganism called Mycoplasma.

How does Haemobartonella transmit?

The way of transmission of this disease to other animals is mainly due to ticks & fleas that have fed off of other infected animals and in blood transfusions where infected blood from one animal is transfused to an uninfected animal. When tick or flea suck blood from your pet Haemobartonella are passed on.  It can also be spread through fighting between animals (body fluid exchange). In cats, the organism can also be spread from the queen -mother cat- to her kittens.

What are the clinical signs of Haemobartonellosis?

• Lack of appetite 
• Lethargy or depression
• Whitish or pale mucous membranes - Hemolytic anemia
• Weight loss
• Fever
• Death may occur in severe cases

How does Haemobartonellosis diagnose?

A drop of blood is spread over a microscope slide, stained and viewed microscopically; Haemobartonella may appear in chains or as individual organisms across the surface of the red blood cells. The number of organisms in the bloodstream can fluctuate dramatically. There can be many observed in one sample, and a sample taken two hours later may reveal none. Therefore; the blood smears should be made immediately               after a sample is collected.                                                                   Haemobartonella felis

How does Haemobartonellosis treat?

• Tetracycline - 20-22 mg/kg, 3 daily for 21 days
• Chloramphenicol - 20 to 22 mg/kg, 3 daily for 21 days
• Glucocorticoids – 1mg/kg
• Fluid and nutritional support may be necessary, depending on the severity

How does Haemobartonellosis prevent?

Control of ticks & fleas: ticks and flea repellant or tick collars for dogs  can be used for this purpose.

Can people get Haemobartonellosis?

No evidence reported.

Basic feeding guides for puppies and adult dogs

These feeding directions are based on using an 8 oz. measuring cup. It is recommended to divide the daily ration into two or more separate feedings rather than just one big meal at a time. Puppies should be fed more often than adult dogs. When adding in canned food cut the dry by up to half the amount and substitute the same volume that you cut with canned food, so the dog is getting the same amount of food, some dry and some wet. Note, if you are feeding a good quality dog food you will be able to feed less as the dog's body will utilize more and poop out less. It is best to consult your vet about the specific needs of your pet. 

The first 8 weeks

Puppies should not be separated from their mother before they are 8 weeks old. Puppies that leave their mothers sooner have a rougher time adjusting and a higher incidence of illnesses. It may be  due to weakened immunity or mourning the early loss of their family. Their mother's milk provides them with the nutrition and immunity which needed  to become healthy dogs. At three to four weeks of age, puppies should begin eating some solid food. You can try mixing three parts food with one part water or puppy replacement milk. This will make the food easier to digest. If your puppy begins eating a little solid food before it leave its mother it will have an easier time adjusting when you bring it home. 

6 - 8 weeks

Feed your puppy 3-4 times a day. Puppies have different nutritional needs than adult dogs. Choose a puppy food that provides the appropriate balance of nutrients your puppy needs. Be sure it is getting the right amount of protein and calcium, and the proper amount of calories. Check the label to determine if you are feeding your puppy a balanced diet. 

8 - 12 weeks   

      

Feed your puppy twice a day.

3 - 6 months  

       

Your puppy will be teething. He may become a finicky eater or lose his appetite. Keep feeding him nutritious food twice a day. If he has an upset stomach for more than one or two days, take him to the veterinarian.

6 months to 1 year   

     

Your puppy may look all grown up but he is still a puppy. He should still be fed a high quality food for the added nutrition. If you are feeding a puppy food ask your veterinarian when you should switch to adult food. Make sure the adult food you switch to is still a balanced high quality diet with the first ingredient being a specified meat that is not a by-product.

8 to 9 months

Feeding should be twice a day.

1 year          

In most breeds feeding should be twice a day.

Breed	Weight as an Adult Dog	Dry Food
Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Poodle	Up to 10 pounds	1/4 to ¾ cups
Miniature Poodle, Scottish Terrier	10-25 pounds	3/4 to 1 cups
Cocker Spaniel, Beagle, Springer Spaniel	25-50 pounds	1-2 cups
Collie, Boxer,  Labrador, Golden Retriever	25-50 pounds	2-2 ½ cups
Great Dane, Malamute, St. Bernard, Mastiff	Over 75 pounds	2-4 cups

             

Good Basic Dogs Feeding Tips

• Feed at the same time every day, it would keep your dog on a bathroom schedule.
• Ask your vet how many times a day, you should feed your dog.
• Feed your dog the same type and brand of food every day. Unlike humans, a dog's digestive system cannot handle changes in food. It can cause upset stomach and diarrhea.
• When switching to a new food gradually transition him to the new food by mixing portions of both foods until you slowly phase out the old food. Your dog may experience diarrhea if his food is suddenly changed.
• If you are mixing water into dry food you should mix 4 parts dry food to 1 part water.
• Keep fresh drinking water available at all times. Change the water at least once a day.
• Keep food and water bowls clean.
• Don’t over feed your dog.
• Follow the guidelines on the dog food package for recommended    feeding amounts.
• Monitor your dog's weight and activity level, and make feeding adjustments as necessary.
• If your dog has loose stool feeding sweet potatoes is a natural stool hardener. Unlike some medicines, giving too many will not make them constipated. You can buy  sweet potato chips for dogs in a pet supply stores.