Digital Radiology: Better than Traditional X-rays

We have recently invested in state-of-the-art digital x-ray equipment. This new technology greatly enhances our diagnostic abilities and better assists our team in treating your pet. Digital x-ray equipment has many benefits for you, your pet, our staff and the environment.

The ability to provide a range of imaging techniques is essential for rapidly diagnosing your pet's medical problems. For the most part, your pet is unable to describe his or her symptoms. As a result, we need to rely on additional techniques in order to make an accurate diagnosis. The better the diagnostic technology and equipment, the more accurate the diagnosis.

We have recently purchased a new, state-of-the-art, digital radiology machine. Compared to x-rays produced by a traditional machine, the quality of digital radiographs is much better. However, not all digital x-ray machines are the same, nor do they give the same detail. It is important to have an x-ray machine that produces superior and detailed images. Our machine is one of the best machines manufactured for veterinary hospitals. This machine produces high quality images, allowing a higher probability of making an accurate diagnosis for your pet's condition. Since all the radiographs we take are digital, the time spent taking your pets' radiographs is significantly shortened and fewer x-rays are needed to achieve diagnostic-quality results.

Radiology, the most common form of imaging, allows us to view the shape, size, and location of organs inside your pet's body. Radiographs (x-rays) are extremely helpful for diagnosing and monitoring many medical and surgical conditions. X-rays are useful in examining your pet's bones, lungs, heart, abdomen, oral cavity and other areas of the body. An x-ray can detect a fractured bone, cancerous tumor, heart problem and locate an obstruction or foreign body in your pet's stomach or intestine. X-rays and Ultrasound are often utilized if cancer is suspected. X-rays are also used for evaluation and certification by OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals).

Digital radiology benefits the environment. Since there are no strong chemicals, film and fumes, there is much less impact on our surroundings.

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, also referred to as GDV or bloat, is a life-threatening gastrointestinal disorder that affects many deep-chested dog breeds, such as German shepherds, Great Danes, and Golden Retrievers, among others.

The disorder is defined by dilatation and twisting of the stomach on its axis. Many causes have been presented but there is no definitive one. Dogs who are fed large, single meals, have deep-chested conformation, or live in stressful environments all may be predisposed to the disorder.

GDV often starts with an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid or foam in the stomach – known as gastric dilatation.

Gastric Dilatation

Swallowed air often causes stomach bloating, although food and fluid also can be present. This bloating can occur with or without volvulus (the stomach twisting on its axis). As the stomach progressively increases in size, it can rotate 180 to 360 degrees, twisting on its axis between the fixed attachments at the esophagus and the duodenum. Volvulus can completely block emptying of the stomach and passage of gas out through the mouth or into the small intestine. The end result is inability to vomit or belch the accumulated gas and fluid.

The combination of bloat and torsion seriously reduces the blood supply to the stomach and can lead to necrosis, or death of the stomach wall. Shock and decreased blood supply to abdominal organs reduces the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract lining, allowing toxins and bacteria to enter into the blood stream.

Serious complications can ensue due to abnormal blood clotting (disseminated intravascular coagulation). The spleen can be damaged. And if it twists with the stomach, a great deal of blood is sucked from circulation. Loss of blood means decreased cardiac output, due to lack of venous blood return.

Cardiac arrhythmias (ventricular premature contractions and ventricular tachycardia) can develop, too, due to decreased oxygen perfusion to the coronaries, plus free radical release from damaged tissues. If the condition is untreated, or if treatment is initiated too late, shock and death can result.

Surgical Considerations

Before considering surgery, treatment for shock is imperative to improve the cardiovascular system and lower risks associated with general anesthesia.

The goals of surgery are to decompress the stomach, evaluate the integrity of the stomach and spleen, and perform gastropexy. In cases involving severe damage, a portion of the stomach wall may need to be removed.

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus is an Emergency

Gastropexy is performed on an emergency basis. It also can be performed as a preventive measure for GDV. The procedure involves attaching the stomach to the right side of the body wall to prevent future rotation. Minimally invasive surgery, performed with a laparoscope, is used for prophylactic cases.

Gastric Dilatation Volvulus is always an emergency. Stomach bloating obstructs the return of blood from the abdominal caudal vena cava, leading to decreased blood pressure, poor cardiac output and shock. Some dogs also may have an increased respiratory rate, due to the pain associated with stomach wall distention and physical compression of the diaphragm.

Major clinical signs of GDV, or bloat, include:

• Pacing,
• Salivation,
• Nonproductive retching,
• Abdominal pain,
• Collapse.

Following GDV surgery, pets recover in one of our modern ICU wards. These wards are temperature-controlled, ventilated and fully equipped with cutting-edge monitoring and drug delivery devices. Along with constant veterinary supervision, the ICU wards are staffed with certified and licensed veterinary technicians, specially trained in veterinary emergency medicine. Our years of GDV surgical experience have shown that this level of care is necessary to ensure that the best possible outcome is achieved.

At Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists, our emergency clinicians, board certified internists and surgeons have the necessary training and experience to manage even complex GDV cases. As a 24 hour emergency facility, specially trained emergency clinicians and nurses are in the hospital at all times. Our surgeons are on call around-the-clock and available for emergency surgery at a moment’s notice.

Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture
in Dogs

The cruciate ligaments are tough fibrous bands that connect the distal femur (thigh bone) to the proximal tibia (shin bone). Two cruciate ligaments, the cranial (anterior) and the posterior cruciate ligaments, are found in the knee joint of dogs and cats (and most other domestic animals). These ligaments work like a hinge joint in the knee and are responsible for providing anterior-posterior stability to the knee joint.

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament is rare in cats. It occurs frequently in overweight, middle-and older-aged dogs. Certain dog breeds appear to be predisposed to cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Most commonly, the cocker spaniel and rottweiler are affected. The miniature and toy poodle, Lhasa apso, bichon frise, golden retriever, Labrador retriever, German shepherd and mastiff seem to be predisposed as well.

The normal knee joint works as a hinge, keeping the knee stable as it bends. Tearing of the cranial cruciate ligament causes instability of the knee joint and it ceases to function properly. Most cranial cruciate ligament tears in dogs occur gradually, resulting in a low-level lameness that may or nay not improve over time. After the ligament tears, inflammation occurs within the joint. Continued use and weight bearing by the dog often causes the ligament to rupture completely. Dogs that rupture one cruciate ligament have about a fifty percent chance of rupturing the other.

Rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament in dogs can also occur acutely. Similar to cranial cruciate ligament rupture in humans, resulting from athletic injuries to the knee, dogs can tear this ligament by jumping up to catch a ball or Frisbee or by jumping out of a truck or off a porch.

Symptoms of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Symptoms usually include a history of acute rear leg lameness. The lameness can be mild, resolve, and then appear again. Some dogs are completely non-weight bearing on the affected leg.

Knee joint pain is usually a common symptom of cranial cruciate ligament rupture. The pain may be unapparent until someone accidentally manipulates the dog’s leg. A nip or bite from a normally friendly dog is a good indication that he or she is in pain. The knee may appear and feel swollen and may sound crunchy when put through a series of flexion-extension manipulations.

Diagnosis of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Diagnosis of cranial cruciate ligament rupture is usually made by a positive cranial drawer sign. In this test, the dog’s knee is slightly bent and anterior pressure is applied to the distal femur while posterior pressure is applied to the proximal tibia. Sliding of the distal femur over the proximal tibia (positive drawer sign) indicates cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Often, with a chronic injury, the cranial drawer sign is less effective due some joint stabilization resulting from a build-up of scar tissue in the joint capsule.

A ruptured anterior cruciate ligament is not always an obvious condition. Careful manipulation and palpation of the knee is required for obtaining an accurate diagnosis. Often, heavy sedation or general anesthesia is required to conduct this examination.

Veterinarian Testing for Signs of Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture

If left untreated, a torn anterior cruciate ligament can lead to degenerative joint disease (degenerative arthritis) of the knee. Approximately forty to fifty percent of ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments lead to injuries of the meniscus. A torn meniscus is often felt as a “click” when the knee joint is flexed and extended.

Surgery is the treatment of choice for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. Providing that arthritis has not significantly developed, most dogs have a good chance of recovering normal or almost normal function of the knee joint after surgery. Some small dogs; however, show signs of improvement with just rest and limited exercise.

Prognosis after surgery depends on several factors. Obese dogs tend to recover more slowly than dogs in good athletic condition. The longer the interval between injury to the knee and surgery, the more guarded the prognosis. This is due to scar tissue formation and arthritis.

Treatment Methods

Two treatments exist for CCR, surgical and non-surgical. Dogs weighing less than thirty pounds often do well without surgery. A period of six to eight weeks of strict rest is required. If the animal does not improve during this period, surgery is usually recommended.

Dogs weighing over 30 pounds are candidates for surgery. The principal of the surgery is to stabilize the femur on the tibia. There are two categories of surgery for repairing torn cranial cruciate ligaments - Intracapsular Stabilization and Extracapsular Stabilization.

Intracapsular stabilization method requires replacing the torn ligament with a natural or synthetic graft. Extracapsular stabilization does not involve replacing the torn ligament. Extracapsular stabilization is performed outside the joint and restores the function of the cruciate ligament rather than replacing the damaged ligament. Over the years, extracapsular stabilization has become the preferred method for repairing cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs.

Currently there are 3 extracapsular stabilization techniques that are commonly performed - Lateral Suture Technique, Fibular Head Transposition and Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO). Below are brief descriptions of each.

Lateral Suture Technique

Used on dogs weighing up to 70 pounds, this technique involves passing a suture around the knee joint in a configuration that restores the normal position of the femur on the tibia. The drawback with this technique is that the implant may rupture, leading to a thickening of tissue around the knee and development of arthritis.

Fibular Head Transposition

Fibular head transposition is an extracapsular repair technique that uses the lateral collateral ligament to stabilize the knee joint. After cranial transposition of the fibular head, the orientation of the lateral collateral ligament is redirected to resemble that of the cranial cruciate ligament. The surgical procedure involves cutting the attachments of the fibular head to the tibia and moving it forward to a point that the drawer sign has been eliminated.

Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)

Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) is based on the premise that any kind of replacement for the cruciate can never be as good as the original. Instead of trying to replace the damaged ligament, this technique changes the anatomy of the knee joint by eliminating the slope in the tibial plateau. The procedure requires the surgeon to cut the tibia and rotate it so it is level to the tibia plateau. The cut section of bone is then secured to the rest of the tibia by a custom plate and screws. Healing of the bone takes about two months and the result is a stable joint. This procedure is recommended for large dogs and can also be performed on small dogs. The outcome of this surgery generally yields excellent results.

Prevention

It is often very difficult to prevent tearing of the cranial cruciate ligament; however, there are some factors that can decrease its likelihood. Obesity is a predisposing factor and overweight dogs are more likely to be affected than lean and fit dogs. A good, regular exercise regime is just as important for dogs as it is for people and reduces the likelihood of joint, muscle and bone injuries.

Ruptured anterior cruciate ligament is a common injury of the dog’s knee joint. Once diagnosed, the surgeons at Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists can recommend and proceed with the most effective surgical treatment for your pet.

Caring for Older Cats

In general, cats live longer than dogs. The average life span of a housecat is about 12-15 years. Some cats are extremely healthy, living well into their 20s.

Cats grow old gracefully. As they grow older, they have a tendency to sleep more. An elderly cat generally spends most of his or her time sleeping on a couch, a comfortable chair, or on a blanket close to a heat source.

Older cats are less active and less playful than kittens and young cats. They are also more irritable. As cats get older, their organs function less efficiently. Degeneration of the kidneys, thyroid glands, pancreas and adrenal glands occurs, resulting in kidney failure, hyperthyroidism and diabetes. Their senses (sight, smell and hearing) have a tendency to deteriorate as well.

Older cats need help with grooming. As cats get older, they groom themselves less, as well as less effectively. Long-haired cats are particularly bothered by coat problems. Their coats are often matted and can cause severe skin irritations. If an elderly cat is unable to keep up with his or her grooming, human intervention may be necessary. Long-haired cats and short-haired cats that do not groom themselves effectively should be brushed or combed twice a week.

Constipation is a common problem of older cats. It is often the result of a decrease in gastrointestinal tract motility. Hairballs can also cause constipation and very often they lead to intestinal impaction. Surgery is occasionally necessary in order to remove obstructive hairballs. Since hairballs are not easily regurgitated, preventative medication such as oral laxatives should be administered once or twice a week. The use of a laxative is recommended for the prevention of intestinal obstruction, however if the laxative is given too frequently, it can interfere with intestinal absorption of vitamins and minerals and can cause diarrhea.

The skin and nails of an older cat should be checked regularly. The skin should be checked for lumps and bumps. If lumps are found, the cat should be examined by a veterinarian. Nails should be checked and trimmed on a weekly basis. Untrimmed nails have a tendency to curl around, causing self-inflicted injury.

Many elderly cats are prone to dental tartar build-up. Tartar causes bad breath and can lead to dental problems — gum disease and tooth loss. Cats may tolerate a bit of home dentistry like brushing; however, they must be taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment. Treatment generally consists of cleaning and polishing the teeth.

Kidney failure is a very common disease of older cats. This occurs when 70 percent of the kidney's functions are lost. Early symptoms of kidney failure include weight loss, increased thirst, increased urination (frequency and amount), decreased appetite, and occasional vomiting. Symptoms of kidney failure result from the buildup of toxins in the body, which are normally removed by healthy kidneys. Specially formulated foods are available for cats that are diagnosed with kidney failure. These foods may be purchased through your veterinarian.

Cancer, usually resulting from feline leukemia virus infection, is commonly diagnosed in elderly cats. The virus is transmitted from an infected cat to a healthy cat through intimate "nose-to-nose" contact with infected saliva. There are no specific symptoms for feline leukemia virus infection; however, tumors of the lymph nodes, kidneys and intestines are quite common. Other symptoms include weight loss, anemia (decrease in red blood cells), poor appetite, vomiting and diarrhea.

Hyperthyroidism is a very common endocrine problem in older cats. Hyperthyroidism is due to an overproduction of thyroid hormone by the thyroid glands (two glands, one gland on each side of the throat). Symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism include drastic weight loss, hyperactivity, and increased appetite. This disease can be treated medically, surgically, or with radiation therapy.

Heart problems are often diagnosed in elderly cats. The most common heart disease is cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is a primary heart disease, though it can develop secondary to kidney disease and hyperthyroidism.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that commonly affects older animals. Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst and increased urination. Animals with diabetes mellitus often have ravenous appetites. Insulin is usually necessary for controlling diabetes mellitus in older cats.

Older cats do not appreciate change. They feel comfortable with the status quo. Environmental changes are not well-tolerated. If a vacation or a trip is planned, have someone come to your home to feed your cat. An elderly cat does not do well in a kennel situation.

Since older cats spend most of the day resting, the location of their bed is important. This area should be draft-free, warm, and not damp.

Elderly cats lose some of their ability to digest specific foods. The ability to digest and assimilate fat declines with age. Olfactory (smell) and gustatory (taste) senses are diminished. Food may need to be warmed (not hot) in order to entice an older cat to eat. It is not recommended to give food directly from the refrigerator.

Fresh clean water should be available at all times. The water bowl should be checked and filled at least once a day.

Routine veterinary check-ups, along with blood and urine tests, are important for detecting medical problems before they become emergency situations. Discuss an examination schedule specific to your cat with your veterinarian.

Dogs Make Excellent Exercise Partners

An exercise partner makes hitting the gym and staying active fun, and a new study by the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine found that your dog may be the best exercise partner of all!

The study found that people who walk dogs exercise more consistently and show more improvement than people who walk with a human exercise partner. The study, conducted by the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction (ReCHAI) at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, focused on 54 older adults at an assisted living home. Of the participants, 35 were asked to walk five days a week for 12 weeks (the remaining 19 functioned as a control group). Among the walkers, 23 elected to walk with a friend or spouse; the other 12 partnered with a dog from a local animal shelter for the daily walks.

According to the researchers, those walking with dogs exercised more consistently than walkers with human partners. Rebecca A. Johnson, the director of the research institute, said that human partners often discouraged each other from exercise. However, the prospect of walking with a dog encouraged the other participants in the study to walk each day, she said.

Dog walkers also showed improvement in their physical mobility: the study found that walking speed among dog walkers increased by 28 percent, while walking speed among human walkers increased only by 4 percent. According to Johnson, by the end of the study, dog-walkers also were able to rely less on canes and walkers to help them get around.

A previous study conducted by ReCHAI found that when people are responsible for walking a dog, they exercise more and lose more weight - one ReCHAI study group lost an average of 14 pounds in one year, according to Johnson.

With obesity rates on the rise for both people and pets, regular exercise benefits both you and your canine companion. If you need to shed a few extra pounds, or simply need a nudge to get outside and be active, look to your dog for help. After all, he or she will never say no to a walk!

Laboratory Tests: What They Mean

Looking at the results of laboratory tests done on your pet can be very confusing, overwhelming and at times, even frightening. As your pet's care giver, you should have a general understanding of laboratory tests and what their results mean. This information can be valuable when it comes to deciding medical treatment options that are important as well as available for your pet.

Generally, in order to conduct a test, a sample of your pet's blood and/or urine is collected. Once collected, it can be stored in various kinds of tubes to help preserve the sample and provide the laboratory technicians with a clean specimen.

So what does it mean when your veterinarian says she needs to run some blood tests (blood work) on your pet? Blood work (pre-surgical or otherwise) is usually a combination of a complete blood count (CBC) and a blood chemistry analysis. Blood work is a basic evaluation tool. It also helps your veterinarian diagnose a pet's disease or monitor the progression of a disease.

The cellular elements of the blood are examined in the CBC. The CBC determines the number of erythrocytes (red blood cells), the number and type of leukocytes (white blood cells), the number of thrombocytes (platelets), the hemoglobin level and the hematocrit (packed cell volume or PCV). Erythrocytes carry oxygen throughout the body. Leukocytes fight infection and are part of the immune system. There are actually five different types of white blood cells: neutrophils, lymphocytes, basophils, eosinophils, and monocytes. Platelets are clotting proteins and can indicate how fast your pet's blood clots; slow clotting can be a serious problem. A CBC can tell your your veterinarian and you if your pet has an unusual number of red blood cells, white cells or platelets. The numerical values for these cells can indicate if your pet is sick, or if his or her health is improving or deteriorating.

The results of a chemistry panel can indicate how well your pet's kidney and liver are functioning and the level of electrolytes in the blood. Blood chemistries are run on the fluid portion of the blood sample, not the cells in the blood. The chemistry panel usually includes the following tests, though there can be more: alkaline phosphatase (SAP, ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), blirubin total (T Bili), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and creatinine kinase (CK, CPK), sodium, potassium, glucose, total protein, and albumin. Alkaline phospatase, alanine transaminase, bilirubin, and albumin give your veterinarian information about your pet's liver function. Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and creatinine kinase give your veterinarian some insight as to how well your pet's kidneys are functioning.

Below are descriptions of each indicator and what an abnormal result could possibly mean. Please note that an isolated abnormal value may not indicate a problem.

Alkaline phosphatase: Used extensively as a tumor marker, it is also present with liver injury, bone injury, pregnancy, or skeletal growth (elevated values). Growing animals have normally high levels of this enzyme. Low levels are sometimes found in protein deficiency, malnutrition and a number of vitamin deficiencies.

Alanine transaminase: Increased levels are seen in liver damage, kidney infection, chemical pollutants, or myocardial infarction.

Bilirubin (total): Elevated in liver disease, hemolytic anemia, low levels of exposure to the sun and toxic effects to some drugs. Decreased levels are seen in people with an inefficient liver, excessive fat digestion, and possibly a diet low in nitrogen bearing foods.

Blood urea nitrogen: Increases can be caused by excessive protein intake, kidney damage, certain drugs, low fluid intake, intestinal bleeding, exercise, or heart failure. Decreased levels may be due to a poor diet, malabsorption, liver damage, or low nitrogen intake.

Creatinine: Low levels are sometimes seen in kidney damage, protein starvation, liver disease, or pregnancy. Elevated levels are sometimes seen in kidney disease due to the kidneys job of excreting creatinine, muscle degeneration, and some drugs involved in impairment of kidney function.

Glucose: Elevated in diabetes, liver disease, obesity, and pancreatitis due to steroid medications, or during stress. Low levels may be indicative of liver disease, overproduction of insulin, or hypothyroidism.

Total protein: Decreased levels may be due to poor nutrition, liver disease, malabsorption, diarrhea, or severe burns. Increased levels are seen in lupus, liver disease, chronic infections, leukemia, etc.

Albumin: High levels are rarely seen and are primarily due to dehydration. Low levels are seen in poor diets, diarrhea, fever, infection, liver disease, inadequate iron intake, third-degree burns and edemas, and hypocalcemia.

In addition to a blood test, your veterinarian may ask for a urine sample to run a urinalysis. A urinalysis can provide information about several organ systems. The concentration, color, clarity, and microscopic examination of the urine sample can help your veterinarian diagnose certain health problems in your pet. Urine may be obtained by catching a sample during normal urination, by passing a catheter into the bladder or by placing a small needle through the body wall into the bladder, a procedure called cystocentesis. Depending upon why the urine sample is being collected, one collection method may be preferred over another.

Color - Urine color will vary between species, but it is normally some shade of yellow depending on the concentration. Abnormal color changes in the urine could be due to drugs, increased urinary pigments or red blood cells. Occasionally, unusual colors may be caused by dyes associated with food or drugs.

Clarity - Urine is normally transparent. In small animals, turbidity or the lack of clarity, suggests the presence of cells, casts, or crystals. Often refrigeration will cause the sedimentation of crystals in the urine, producing a cloudy appearance. This is usually of no significance.

Odor - Urine has a characteristic smell that varies slightly by species and concentration of the sample. A particularly foul odor may occur in the presence of bacteria. Thus, strong smelling urine is common in cases of infection. Sweet smelling urine can also indicate abnormal renal function so it is always important to note any strong odor associated with your pet's urine.

pH - Urine pH will be affected by many things including the diet, handling of the sample, and acid-base balance of your pet. An alkaline pH is most indicative of an infection. Normal pH is between 6 and 8 for most animals depending on their diet.

Glucose - In the normal animal there should not be glucose in the urine. If glucose is present, it is a classic response to hyperglycemia and should instigate an investigation into the possibility of diabetes in the patient.

Ketones - In the normal animal there will be no ketones in the urine. An animal that is undergoing fat metabolism or is deficient in carbohydrates will have ketones in the urine. Ketones may also be found in the urine of malnourished animals or those with diabetes.

Sedimentation - Urine sedimentation may contain cells, casts and crystals and is examined microscopically after centrifugation of the urine sample. A very small amount of all of the above mentioned sediments is normal. Concern begins when any of these components is significantly elevated.

Protein - Finding protein in the urine can be a difficult assessment. Concentrated urine can contain small amounts of proteins. Protein in your pet's urine is generally caused by inflammation, hemorrhage or protein losing kidney disease.

Blood - There should never be blood in the urine of a normal animal. Collection methods could cause blood to appear in the urine but other causes include infection, neoplasia, or trauma.

Winter Pet Care Guidelines

Please follow these guidelines to protect your pet during the winter months.

Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, cats can freeze, become lost or stolen, or be injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to fatal infectious diseases, including rabies.

During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes choose to sleep under the hoods of cars, where it is warm. Then, when the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed in the fan belt. To prevent this, bang loudly on the hood of your car and wait a few seconds before starting the engine. This gives a cat the chance to escape.

When walking your dog on snow or ice, never let him or her off the leash. This is particularly important during a snowstorm. Dogs frequently lose their scent in snow and ice and easily become lost. They may panic in a snowstorm and run away. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season.

Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when he or she comes in out of the rain, snow or ice. Check his or her sensitive paw pads. Paw pads may bleed from snow or ice encrusted in them. Also, salt, antifreeze or other chemicals could hurt your dog if he or she ingests them while licking his or her paws.

If you own a short-haired dog, consider getting him or her a warm coat or sweater. Look for one with a high collar or turtleneck. While this may seem like a luxury, it is a necessity for many dogs.

Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold. Your pet could freeze to death.

If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed, take him outdoors only long enough to relieve him or her self.

Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs. They may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. Patience is necessary.

If your dog spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities, increase his supply of food. Increasing the amount of protein is particularly important in order to keep his or her fur thick and healthy.

Antifreeze, even in very tiny doses, is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Because of its sweet taste, animals are attracted to it. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle. To prevent accidental poisonings, more and more people are using animal-friendly products that contain propylene glycol rather than the traditional products containing ethylene glycol. Do not hesitate to call your veterinarian if you suspect that your pet has been poisoned.

During the winter months, never shave your dog down to the skin. A long coat provides more warmth. Remember that such a style requires more frequent brushing due to dry winter air and static electricity. When you bathe your dog, make sure he or she is completely dry before you take her out for a walk.

Make sure your pet has a warm place to sleep. This should be far away from all drafts and off the floor. A dog or cat bed, with a warm pillow and blanket, is ideal.

We hope you enjoyed reading our newsletter!

Sincerely yours,

Dr. George Kramer and the Staff at Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists
www.atlanticcoastvet.com