Cruciate Ligament injury in Dogs

The cruciate ligament is a major part of the canine knee. Cruciate injury is one of the most common orthopedic complications seen in dogs. Sometimes called ACL or CCL tear, a ruptured cruciate is often a painful and immobilizing injury. While not a serious or life-threatening injury, it is still one that must be addressed for the sake of your dog. As a dog owner, it is relatively likely you will eventually see this injury occur in one of your dogs. It is important to understand the signs and treatments of this injury, as well as know how to prevent it.
Brief Anatomy of the Canine Knee:
The knee, or stifle, is a complex joint comprised of the patella (kneecap), cartilage called the menisci, and a series of ligaments connecting the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone). Together, these components enable the joint to function properly. The knee has two essential stabilizing ligaments that cross over one another inside the knee joint. They are called the cranial (or anterior) cruciate and the caudal (or posterior) cruciate. Malfunction of even one part of the knee can cause a great degree of discomfort and lameness. Of the many knee injuries that can occur, cruciate injury is the most common.
Causes of Cruciate Ligament Injury:
A cruciate ligament injury can occur in dogs for several reasons. In some cases, it is simply the result of an athletic injury in a healthy dog. This could even mean landing "wrong" when running or jumping. Overweight or obese dogs are definitely more prone to this type if injury, as they carry more weight and often have weakened joints. Additionally, some dog breeds are predisposed to cruciate ligament injuries.

While cruciate rupture cannot always be prevented, keeping your dog at a healthy weight and providing plenty of exercise (not too strenuous) can minimize the risk.
When Cruciates Go Bad:
A cruciate ligament injury is the result of a partial or complete rupture (tear). The cranial (anterior) cruciate ligament is the one more commonly affected, though the caudal (posterior) can rupture as well. When the cruciate ligament tears, the tibia moves freely from under the femur, resulting in pain and abnormal gait. Sudden lameness in a rear leg is often the first sign of injury. If a the injury remains unaddressed, arthritic changes can begin quite quickly, causing long-term lameness and discomfort. If your dog shows signs of pain or lameness, it is best to have your vet do an exam within a couple of days.
Diagnosing Cruciate Ligament Rupture:
Your vet will perform an orthopedic examination, trying to isolate the pain to a specific area and ruling out injury to the foot, hock or hip. If a knee injury is suspected, your vet will check for a cranial drawer sign - this involves manipulating the femur and tibia to feel for instability. A positive drawer sign occurs when the tibia can be moved forward independent of the femur, mimicking the motion of opening a drawer. Stifle radiographs (x-rays) may also be performed to check for arthritis or fractures. In a few cases, a referral for more advanced diagnostics may be recommended, such as arthroscopy or MRI.
Conservative Management of Cruciate Ligament Rupture:
While most dogs with cruciate injuries require surgery, a small number will improve with conservative therapy. This mostly involves several weeks of cage rest, with very brief, calm leash walks for bathroom breaks only. Some vets will place knee braces or prescribe anti-inflammatory medication, but these methods are most often ineffective. A small percentage of dogs will eventually recover with cage rest, but typically these are dogs that weight less than 25 or 30 pounds. Even the dogs that do recover can re-injure the knee in the future, or even tear the cruciate ligament on the other knee.
Surgical Repair of Cruciate Ligament Rupture:
The preferred method of cruciate ligament repair is surgical. In general, prognosis is good. However, there are different surgical approaches, each with its pros and cons.

The traditional surgical procedure is often called the "extracapsular repair." In this method, the damaged ligament is removed and a very strong suture essentially replaces the function of the cruciate ligament. The tissue of the knee heals over several months and the suture eventually breaks, leaving the healed tissue to stabilize the knee. This is a relatively quick and uncomplicated procedure that can be successful in many dogs, especially medium and small dogs. It is less expensive than other methods, but long-term success is not excellent.

An increasingly popular surgical option is called the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). This is a significantly more complex procedure than the traditional extracapsular method, and must be performed by a specially trained veterinarian - specifically a board certified surgeon. The TPLO alters the mechanism of the knee joint, allowing it to function properly without a cruciate ligament. A cut is made into the top of the tibia (tibial plateau). Then, the tibial plateau is rotated to change the angle and a metal plate is affixed keep the bone in place. Over several months, the bone heals into its new position. Partial improvement can be seen within days. However, full recovery will take several months, so cage rest is essential. Generally, long term prognosis is very good, and re-injury is uncommon. The plate does not need to be removed unless problems occur later. As with any surgery, complications are possible. The TPLO is significantly more expensive than the traditional surgery.

A third and newer surgical method is called the tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA). Like the TPLO, the TTA allows the knee to function without a cruciate ligament. The details of this method are slightly different, but the TTA still involves cutting of the tibia and placement of hardware. Some surgeons describe the TTA as a less invasive procedure than the TPLO - and with a faster recovery. However, other surgeons see little difference. The dog's anatomy is also a deciding factor. Cost of the TTA is comparable to the TPLO.

Regardless of the surgery type, a post operative resting period of eight weeks or more is crucial to the healing process. In addition, physical therapy is often recommended and can be extremely successful for long term recovery.

Source: Dogs.com

Cold weather tips for keeping your pets safe

Brrrr…it’s cold outside! The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.

1.Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.


2.During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.


3.Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.


4.Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.


5.Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.


6.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 and causing the animal to freeze to death.


7.Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.


8.Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.


9.Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.

Aspca website

Swine flu implications discussed involving cats

We're not the only ones getting swine flu.

The H1N1 flu, a pandemic in humans, was diagnosed in an Iowa cat this week, and he's not the only domestic animal to come down with swine flu. A pet ferret in Oregon was found to have H1N1 last month after being exposed to ill humans, tests by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found. The virus has also been found in pigs and birds, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

But don't quarantine your pets just yet.

Dr. Ann Garvey, public health veterinarian for the Iowa Department of Public Health, cautioned that it is difficult to draw conclusions from the Iowa case because it is the first time a cat has been diagnosed with H1N1. But so far, she said, the virus appears to have spread from sick people to animals or between people, with no documented cases of the virus spreading from pets to humans. The Iowa cat, for example, was an indoor cat that became ill after two of the three people he lived with had flu-like illnesses.

Health experts do not yet know whether a cat that contracts the H1N1 virus can spread it to another cat.

"Far and away, this virus is absolutely spreading person to person," Garvey said.

Garvey urged pet owners to take a "common-sense approach" to keeping their animals safe from illness.

"If you're sick, keep in mind the same things that you would do to protect your family members, and consider them when you're dealing with your animals as well," she said.

Dr. Diana Lafer, a veterinarian at Cats Limited Veterinary Hospital in West Hartford, said the significance of the first feline H1N1 case is not yet clear.

"Just because they find a virus in an animal doesn't necessarily mean that that virus is then going to be passed to someone else," she said.

Lafer was anticipating a slew of phone calls from cat owners. Her advice?

"You do what you do with anything else, which is you wash your hands really well and you don't pet the cat and put your finger in your eye. The same way you prevent disease spread from person to person," she said.


Jumping Species
Many species can get flu, and most flu strains tend to exist within a particular species. But the virus can also jump between species.

The canine influenza virus that has been found in dogs since 2004, for example, appears to stem from a form of flu long found in horses. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the equine virus has now adapted to spread from dog to dog.

An animal with a flu virus can transmit the illness to other animals — in the same species or otherwise — if they are in close proximity, said Dr. Michael Cappello, an infectious diseases specialist and professor of pediatrics and public health at the Yale School of Medicine.

"You need to have some clear direct contact for that initial transmission to occur," he said.

Cappello said the Iowa cat's case underscores a global concern about the potential for viruses that circulate in animals to jump to humans, particularly in parts of the world where humans have close contact with animals and the public health infrastructure may not be adequate to handle an outbreak.

"Those viruses that are circulating, say, in animal populations may be viruses against which humans have relatively little prior exposure and hence little prior immunity, and so that can be a very dangerous phenomenon," he said.

Many of the avian flu cases in humans that prompted worldwide concern in recent years occurred in people who lived in close contact with birds, such as those raising chickens, Cappello said.

In the U.S., people don't live in such close contact with animals, and the risk that an individual house pet or person would get a flu virus from another species is probably very low, he said.

"The likelihood that the next great epidemic is going to occur in your living room or backyard is unlikely," Cappello said. "It's more on the global scale that you think about these things developing in parts of the world where people are living very closely in touch with animals, and that's a broader public health question."

Michael San Filippo, a spokesman for the American Veterinary Medical Association, said the fact that one cat has gotten the H1N1 virus should not cause alarm.

"Cat owners shouldn't be overly worried about this," he said.


The Cat's Tale
The 13-year-old cat was showing signs of malaise. He wasn't eating or drinking, and he wasn't very active.

So his owner took the cat to Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine in Ames on Oct. 27. Dr. Albert Jergens, a professor at the veterinary school, determined that the cat had a respiratory disease. A sample he took from the cat showed that the disease was a virus, said Brett Sponseller, a professor at the veterinary college who was involved in diagnosing the cat.

Sponseller said the recent flu-like illness in the cat's household suggested the possibility that it was flu. A test determined that the cat had influenza.

Two more tests at the veterinary college indicated that it was H1N1, a strain that had so far not been seen in felines.

Final confirmation came Monday from a national lab in Ames: It was H1N1.

The cat, whose name was not released, received care for his symptoms, Sponseller said. He was dehydrated, so he got fluids, and he was put on antibiotics for potential bacterial infections that could develop. He is now doing well, said Sponseller, who described the cat as having a "very nice disposition."

"He means the world to his owner and family," Sponseller said.

Like other experts, Sponseller recommended using the same practices to avoid spreading flu around cats as around people, methods like covering coughs and washing hands. If there are multiple cats in a household and one appears to have flu, he said, it would be ideal to isolate the sick cat in a single room.

Source: The Hartford Curant Nov 5 2009

Most Common Dog Toxicities

• Chocolate
• Insect bait stations
• Rodenticides (mouse and rat poison)
• Fertilizers
• Sugar free gums and candies
• Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin or generic form)
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol or generic form)
• Silica gel packs
• Amphetamines such as ADD/ADHD drugs
• Household cleaners

Source: Pet Poison Helpline

The Most Common Cat Toxicities

• Lilies
• Topical flea and tick Medication for dogs
• Household cleaners
• Rodenticides (mouse and rat poison)
• Paints and varnishes
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory veterinary prescribed medication (Deramaxx, Rimadyl)
• Glow stick/ Glow jewelry
• Amphetamines, such as ADD/ ADHD drugs
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol or generic medication)
• Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin or generic medication.

Source: Pet Poison Helpline

Canine Devocalization Ban in Massachusetts

Boston, Mass. -- A proposed bill that threatens to ban canine devocalization in Massachusetts has veterinarians barking mad.
The bill, prompted by a teenage boy who found a dog that had been debarked, would make it a felony to perform the procedure unless a state-licensed veterinarian files a written certification with the town clerk or (in Boston) the police commissioner, stating that the surgical debarking or silencing "is medically necessary to treat or relieve an illness, disease or injury, or correct a congenital abnormality that is causing or will cause the dog or cat medical harm or pain."
The American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) stance is that "canine devocalization should be performed only by qualified, licensed veterinarians as a final alternative after behavioral modification efforts to correct excessive vocalization have failed." The policy was approved in 2002 and reaffirmed in 2008.
While the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) is not in favor of devocalization either, it cannot get behind the proposal.
The MVMA "deplores devocalizing an animal to facilitate the animal's sale or for reasons of convenience, and encourages responsible pet ownership from the start, including selecting a breed and particular dog appropriate for the owner's living situation and foreseeable family circumstances," the association wrote in a statement to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
But when behavior training fails and all other avenues have been exhausted, "we believe that surgical cordectomy needs to be available as a last resort," the group says.
But those aren't the only reasons the MVMA opposes the bill. It objects for these reasons as well: The bill requires that otherwise confidential information, such as the animal's identification and medical diagnosis and identification and location of the animal's owner, be made public. It provides too narrow an exception for performing devocalization, in that "medically necessary" is not the only legitimate reason for the procedure. And the bill "infringes upon a veterinarian's exercise of her or his professional judgment." If the bill passes, anyone in violation faces a fine of up to $2,500 and/or up to five years in prison. Several states, including New Jersey and Ohio, have laws pertaining to devocalization surgery.
Breaking News

Startling Pet Toxins

Startling Pet Toxins
Did you know that some of your favorite foods are dangerous to pets?

Treats such as raisins, grapes and avocados can be deadly. When educating the public about potentially toxic substances, most of the focus has been on unintentional and preventable poisonings of children. However, the Animal Poison Control Center estimates that they respond to accidental pet poisoning cases every year. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) encourages pet owners to learn what foods, plants and other substances are harmful to pets.

"It is especially important to realize that what humans eat and enjoy may be toxic to pets," said Dr. Jack Walther, president of the AVMA. "Grapes, chocolate, raisins, avocados and other seemingly harmless foods can be harmful or even fatal. Pet owners should also talk to their veterinarian about environmental hazards in their area and how to properly use flea control products."

Clinical signs of poisoning in animals may vary greatly from extreme excitement to severe depression. If you suspect that a pet has been accidently poisoned, phone your veterinarian and ask for emergency treatment advice. Try to determine what the poison is and how much the pet ingested.

Keep meds out of reach
Ensure that your pets don't have access to any medications. Some human medications are poisonous to pets. This includes common, over-the-counter and prescription medicine, including aspirin, vitamins and sleeping pills.

According to the ASPCA, just one regular-strength 200 mg ibuprofen (Motrin®) pill can trigger stomach ulcers in a 10-pound dog.

Other commonly used human medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and other pain relievers, antidepressants and diet pills can be lethal. Ensure that your home is 'pet proof,' with all medicines stored safely out of a pet's reach and sight.

Common seasonal pet poisons include plants such as lilies, Rhododendrons, nightshade and Japanese yews; chemicals such as fertilizer, rat poisons, swimming pool treatment supplies, pest control products and antifreeze; and animals such as toads or spiders. An extensive list of poisons can be found at www.avma.org.

When it comes to accidental pet poisonings, prevention is paramount. In addition to the obvious toxic materials, pet owners need to know which outwardly innocent substances may be dangerous to their pets as well.


Source: Pet Sitters International

911 hotline for pets

Would you know what to do if your dog or cat had a medical emergency? Many pet owners say they do not. If the right call is made, thousands of little lives a year can be saved. They sound like 911 calls, but they're not for people; they're for pets. Frantic owners calling an emergency pet hotline. Caller: "She ran, hit her head on the wall and then started seizuring..." Animal Poison Control Dispatcher: "... Again, he should be absolutely fine." One of the scariest things for a dog owner is to open the door of the apartment, walk in and there is a pill bottle on the floor. From swallowing pills to chomping on chocolate and snacking on poisonous plants, the list of bad things that can suddenly strike your pet is long. But what many pet parents don't know is just a phone call away. Animal Poison Control Dispatcher: "When did the cat start showing signs then?" These are the people who answer your calls. They're all vets working round the clock at the ASPCA Poison Control Center in Urbana, Ill. In the last year alone they handled more than 140,000 calls. Karen O'Neil was one of them. Her 3-year-old dog, Kodos, helped herself to an entire bowl of raisins and chocolate -- a toxic mix for dogs. "It was about six in the morning, it was on a Saturday, so there were no vets, nobody was open," O'Neil said. Making matters worse, O'Neil has two dogs and didn't know which one was the culprit. So she called the Poison Control Center. "They were able to tell us the right amount of raisins that would be problematic for the size dogs, the amount of chocolate that would be problematic," O'Neil said. Not only that, the vet on call that morning talked O'Neil through the unpleasant task of inducing vomiting in her dogs. "And help them through it and it was great because it gave us a lot of piece of mind," O'Neil said. "If a pet gets into something that may have been toxic, time is of the essence," said a Poison Control dispatcher. The center may be located in Illinois, but it's open 24 hours seven days a week to everyone across the country. And it's not just for poisoning emergencies. The center's veterinarians can explain how to handle everything from a bug bite to swallowing foreign objects and heatstroke, a big problem this time of year. This time of year when you're getting ready to put your winter clothes away moth balls are highly toxic. Poison Control has already managed 113 cases of mothball poisoning.If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call (888) 426-4435. The initial call costs $60, but follow-up calls are free.For more information, including emergency numbers, please click here and here.

Credit Source: CBS 2 New York

Antifreeze poisoning in cats

As summer quickly approaches we will see temperatures rise higher than most parts of the country can only imagine. The temperature takes its toll on many facets of our life - including our vehicles. Between the extremely high air temperatures and the additional load put on our engines because the air conditioner is on, it is easy to understand that our cars can overheat. When cars overheat added pressure is produced in the cooling system and any weakened part is likely to fail or at least release fluid (antifreeze) to reduce the stress. The antifreeze leaving your sealed cooling system becomes a major health hazard for your pets. Ethylene glycol, the main ingredient in almost all major antifreeze brands, has an inviting aroma, and a sweet flavor. Its appealing smell and taste often tempt animals and children to drink the highly poisonous substance. "A large number of animals that ingest antifreeze do not recover," said Stephanie Shain, director of outreach for the Companion Animals section of The Humane Society of the United States. To lower the risk to animals and children, consumers can switch to a brand of antifreeze containing propylene glycol, a chemical ingredient that is less toxic than ethylene glycol. In addition to being safer, propylene glycol has a bitter taste that makes it less attractive to our pets. Although it's safer than ethylene glycol antifreeze, propylene glycol antifreeze is still toxic. To reduce the risk of poisoning, all brands should be handled as a highly poisonous substance. Even if you take all suggested actions to protect your loving companion, there's still a potentially lingering threat - your friends and neighbors. Most cars on the street contain this poisonous, but tasty, substance. Be overly conscious not to allow your pet to wander unattended near driveways, roads, garages or other places where they could come in contact with someone elses spillage.How To Detect Antifreeze Poisoning For pets exposed to antifreeze, the first few hours are critical. Animals who receive immediate veterinary care can recover successfully - but the longer they remain untreated the less likely they will survive. Antifreeze poisoning occurs in two phases. In the first phase, the animal typically appears lethargic, disoriented, uncoordinated and groggy. Symptoms usually appear 30 minutes to one hour after ingestion and can last for several hours. The second phase, which can last up to three days, is characterized by symptoms such as vomiting, oral and gastric ulcers, kidney failure, coma and death. Thousands of pets have suffered this deadly fate, prompting several states, and the federal government, to consider legislation that could drastically lower the incidents of antifreeze poisoning in both humans and animals. Normally, I would suggest calling the HSUS Poison Control Center for advise, but after I consulted with their doctor on staff it was advised to immediately bring your pet to a veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic because every minute could mean the difference between life and death.

Credit source: Animal Foundation April 2009 Newsletter

Diabetes in dogs

Recently I've had a number of clients animals dignosed with Diabetes
Here is some general information regarding Symptons, Diagnosis and Treatment

Diabetes is a common ailment in dogs, it seems to be more common in obese dogs and there are some breeds that seem to be predisposed to diabetes mellitus, those breeds are: Poodles, Schnauzers, Keeshounds, Cairn Terriers, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, and Beagles. A diagnosis of diabetes sounds scary, it is scary, but it is not a death sentence. Diabetic dogs can live for years once their blood sugars are regulated. Don't feel that diabetes equals euthanasia, because it doesn't have to.
What is diabetes? Cells in the pancreas make the hormone insulin, if the cells stop producing enough insulin or if the cells in certain body tissues become resistant to the action of insulin, Diabetes mellitus will be the result. Diabetic animals are unable to control their blood sugar, they have hyperglycemia (blood sugar is to high). The cause of the disease is a mystery but chronic pancreatitis and heredity have been suggested as possible causes.
Symptoms: Symptoms include but are not limited to: Drinking more, urinating more, weight loss, increased appetite, dehydration, and sudden cataract formation. If diabetes remains uncontrolled the animal may become ketotic - cells begin to use fat as fuel for energy production, ketone bodies then begin to accumulate in the blood. If your dog is ketotic it may have these additional symptoms: depression, weakness, vomiting, rapid breathing, and the breath may have an odor of acetone to it. If your dog has any of these symptoms see your veterinarian immediately.
Diagnosis: Diagnosing diabetes is done through a series of blood tests and urine tests. Your veterinarian will want to check your pets blood sugar, normal levels for a dog will be 70 - 150 mg/dl, a diabetic dogs blood sugar will be greater then 200 mg/dl. Your veterinarian will check your dogs urine for glucose, a diabetic dog will be spilling glucose into its urine. These tests are necessary to rule out other diseases that have similar symptoms to diabetes.
Treatment for Diabetes: The treatment for diabetes in dogs is similar to the treatment for diabetes in humans, through diet and insulin therapy. Your dog will need to be kept on a strict regimen of feedings and insulin injections. Your dog will probably be switched to a diet that is high in fiber and complex carbohydrates, like Science Diet w/d or r/d, your veterinarian will probably recommend a diet to use.
This kind of a diet will help avoid elevations of glucose after eating and help with regulation of blood glucose. Insulin therapy is done through injections that are given under the skin. Insulin needs to be stored in the refrigerator, if exposed to direct sunlight or warm temperatures it can become damaged and ineffective.
The insulin should be rolled gently in your hands (never shaken) before each use. Insulin is drawn up in syringes that are made specifically for that type of insulin, generally you draw up more then what is needed and tap the syringe (just like on ER) and expel any air that is in the syringe. Make sure what is left in the syringe is the exact amount of insulin prescribed with no air. The injection is made under the skin, first tent the skin with one hand then insert the needle horizontally with the other hand making sure the needle does not go through your tent. Push the plunger in and remove the needle. The syringe used for insulin has a small needle, most dogs are not bothered by the needle at all.
Change your injection site with each injection. If you give the injection in the same spot your dog may start to build up scar tissue and the insulin will not be properly absorbed by the body. Do not reuse your syringes, you could cause an infection, also do not use syringes that have been washed with cleansers. Your veterinarian will teach you how to give the injections and how to properly handle and store the insulin.
Additional Information: Your dog will need regular blood test confirm the correct insulin dosage.