FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Is chocolate bad for my pet?
Is it dangerous to have a pet cat with FIV?
How is lead poisonous to my pet?
Are plants poisonous to my pet?
What happens if my pet is bitten by a snake?
What common household items are dangerous to my pet?
Is it important to spay/neuter my cat/dog?
My pet was diagnosed with cancer. What can I do?
Why do I need to vaccinate my pet?



Q: Is chocolate bad for my pet?

A: Chocolate may be America's favorite flavor. We like chocolate candy, ice cream, chocolate drinks, chocolate cakes, just about anything with chocolate. We may want to share our favorite treat with an eager pet but it is best to think twice and reach for the dog biscuits instead.

Why Is Chocolate Bad?
Sometimes we eat chocolate plain. Sometimes we eat it baked into cakes, mixed into ice cream, etc. The first problem with these sweets is the fat. A sudden high fat meal can create a lethal metabolic disease in pets called pancreatitis. Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are just the beginning of this disaster. Remember, in the case of pancreatitis, it is the fat that causes the problem more than the chocolate itself. The fat and sugar in the chocolate can create an unpleasant but temporary upset stomach. This is what happens in most chocolate ingestion cases.

Chocolate is, however, directly toxic because of the theobromine. The more chocolate liquor there is in a product, the more theobromine is present. This makes baking chocolate the worst for pets, followed by semisweet and dark chocolate, followed by milk chocolate, followed by chocolate flavored cakes or cookies.

Theobromine causes:
• • Vomiting
• • Diarrhea
• • Hyperactivity
• • Tremors
• • Seizures
• • Racing heart rhythm progressing to abnormal rhythms
• • Death in severe cases

Toxic doses of theobromine are 9 mg per pound of dog for mild signs, up to 18 mg per pound of dog for severe signs. Milk chocolate contains 44 mg / ounce of theobromine while semisweet chocolate contains 150 mg per ounce, and baking chocolate contains 390 mg per ounce. It takes nearly 4 days for the effects of chocolate to work its way out of a dog's system. If the chocolate was only just eaten, it is possible to induce vomiting; otherwise, hospitalization and support are needed until the chocolate has worked its way out of the system.

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Q: Is it dangerous to have a pet cat with FIV?

A: What is FIV? FIV stands for feline immunodeficiency virus, just as HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. In fact, these two viruses are closely related and much of the general information that has become common knowledge for HIV also holds true for FIV. FIV is a virus that causes AIDS in cats; however, there is a long period without symptoms before AIDS occurs and our job is to prolong this asymptomatic period. The average life expectancy from the time of diagnosis for FIV is 5 years. Humans cannot be infected with FIV; FIV is a cats-only infection.

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Q: How is lead poisonous to my pet?

A: The most common cause of lead poisoning in pets is ingestion of lead-based paint. Although lead-based paint is no longer available in the United States, it was used in buildings for many years. When these buildings are renovated or become weathered, the lead-based paint can contaminate the soil. Pets digging in the soil can become exposed to the lead paint, and then self-grooming or other methods of ingestion can occur.

Lead can also be obtained via other sources: toys, fishing tackle, drapery weights, solder, gasoline exhaust, car batteries, plumbing materials and supplies, lubricating compounds, putty or tar paper, lead foil, golf balls, food packaging, and improperly glazed ceramic food or water bowls. Water is rarely an important source of lead poisoning.

Puppies and younger dogs are more likely to chew on foreign objects, so they tend to be affected more often than older dogs. Cats rarely chew on such items, so they are more likely to get lead poisoning from self-grooming. Lead affects the stability of the red blood cell (RBC) membrane. Young animals have a greater susceptibility to lead because of an increased blood-brain barrier permeability to lead, as well as greater absorption rates.

Signs of lead poisoning in dogs include behavior changes (lethargy, aggression, constant snapping, seizures, hysteria, hiding in dark areas, and depression), frothing at the mouth, anorexia (lack of appetite), weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea. Signs in cats include anorexia (loss of appetite), vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. The toxic dose of lead in pets is 10 to 15 mg/kg when given as a single dose. However, signs of poisoning can occur from low-level chronic poisoning (5 mg/kg body weight per day).

Diagnostic tests include urine testing, complete blood count (CBC), and blood chemistry. Radiographs may be required to determine if there is a lead object in the gastrointestinal tract. Treatment includes removal of the lead source (endoscopy, surgery), decontamination (gastric lavage, enemas, activated charcoal, cathartics), and chelation therapy. (Lead binds to the chelating agents; this allows the lead to be excreted from the body.)

Prognosis depends on the severity of signs and the length of time the signs were present. Most animals do not have residual neurological signs after recovery.

If lead intoxication is diagnosed in a pet, the owner should be warned of the possibility of human exposure to environmental lead.

Authored by: Becky Lundgren, DVM

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Q: Are plants poisonous to my pet?

A: Poisonous plants can mean disaster for the family pet. The garden shops and catalogs are full of gorgeous garden shrubs and flowers. They tell us how to water and how much sunshine is needed, but rarely do they tell us if the plant is pet safe. Your dog or cat is probably having visions of digging through or chewing up the plants. We'll leave the fencing and reprimanding up to you, but just to be on the safe side, how about planting only non-toxic plants? If unplanned periodic demolition of the garden by the family dog is a fact of life, it is good to know the plants he or she is chewing up are non-toxic. It may not help the garden any, but knowing your pet isn't going to get sick because of it is one less thing to worry about. It's good to know what is considered safe should the family pet get frisky and start chewing and digging in the flower beds.

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Q: What happens if my pet is bitten by a snake?

A: If your pet is bitten by a snake, it is best to assume it is a poisonous bite.

What to Do
• • Muzzle your pet to avoid being bitten – snakebites can be painful, and your pet may try to protect herself.
• • Immobilize the part of the animal that has been bitten by the snake, if this can be done safely. Try to keep it at or below the level of the heart.
• • Keep the pet calm and immobile; carry if necessary.
• • Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.
• • Try to identify the snake if it can be done without risk: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE OR KILL THE SNAKE. It is helpful to identify the type of snake to aid your veterinarian with treatment. Do not bring the snake into the veterinarian's office – a photograph will do.

What NOT to Do
• • Do not cut over the fang marks.
• • Do not attempt to capture or kill the snake
• • Do not manipulate the bitten area any more than needed.
• • Do not allow the pet to move about freely.
• • Do not ice pack or tourniquet the area.
• • Do not administer any medications except on a veterinarian's advice.

Snakebite is a complex problem. The severity and type of damage done by venom depends on the type of snake involved, the age of the snake, and the size of the pet who was bitten. The vast majority of pets who are bitten by a snake will survive, but medical attention is vital to ensure the best outcome.

Some snakes have venom that causes severe shock and rapid death. Others have most of their effect on the muscles or have effects that can be delayed by days or weeks. Some venom is concentrated and some isn't, thus requiring a large quantity before damage is done.

The first goal in snakebite treatment is to keep the venom from circulating in large quantity throughout the body. However, keeping all the venom in the area of a bite (as happens with ice packs or tourniquets) may cause severe muscle damage. Antivenin administered at the hospital is the most direct and helpful treatment for your pet. Antivenin can cause severe allergic reactions in some pets, and must be administered under controlled conditions and monitored closely. Most pets that have been bitten will need to be admitted to the hospital for treatment, and some pets can have large areas of dead tissue that need to be surgically cleaned over several days or weeks.

If your pet is bitten by a snake, assume the bite is poisonous and seek veterinary attention quickly.

Authored by: The VIN emergency medicine folder staff

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Q: What common household items are dangerous to my pet?

A: "Most pet owners simply do not know that small amounts of chocolate, onions, macadamia nuts and bread dough can be dangerous," comments Dr. Steve Hansen, Senior Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. "Many cats are poisoned in the spring from plants including daffodils and lilies. A cat that eats an Easter lily will die unless it receives prompt medical attention," says Hansen. The ASPCA advises cat owners to pay special attention to the plants in their homes, since cats have the ability to jump onto tabletops and windowsills. Other common houseplants such as philodendron, dieffenbachia, cyclamen, corn stalk plants, sago palms and bird of paradise all contain toxins and are dangerous if ingested by animals.

The ASPCA offers the following guidelines to protect pets from poisonings:
• • Keep all drugs out of your pets' reach in closed cabinets. Painkillers, cold medicines, antidepressants, vitamins and diet pills can be lethal to animals, even in small doses.
• • Never give your pets medication unless you are directed to do so by a veterinarian. Human medicine is not for pets.
• • Always read the label before dispensing medication. Some flea products for dogs can be deadly if given to cats.

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Q: Is it important to spay/neuter my cat/dog?

A: Spaying your cat is an important part of basic cat health care. Spaying at a young age prevents mammary cancer and spaying at any age prevents unwanted kittens, noisy heat cycles and possibly even urine marking in the house.

Surgical sterilization of the female dog, commonly referred to as spaying, is one of the most significant aspects of female dog care an owner can provide. The benefits to the dog FAR outweigh simply not having puppies, though as pet over-populations looms as a societal problem it is important to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Spaying involves removal of the uterus and ovaries. It is a major surgery but a commonly performed one, ideally performed while a female dog is still in puppyhood, prior to her first heat cycle.

A female dog spayed before her first heat will have a near zero chance of developing mammary cancer. After the first heat, this incidence climbs to 7% and after the second heat the risk is 25% (one in four!). It is easy to see that an early spay can completely prevent what is frequently a very difficult and potentially fatal form of cancer.

But is it too late if a dog is already past her second heat? No, in fact spaying is important even in female dogs who already have obvious tumors. This is because many mammary tumors are stimulated by estrogens; removing the ovaries, the source of estrogens, will help retard tumor spread.

Neutering a male cat is an excellent step to help your young man grow into a loving, well-adapted household citizen. The main reason to neuter a male cat is to reduce the incidence of objectionable behaviors that are normal in the feline world but unacceptable in the human world.

ROAMING: More than 90% will reduce this behavior with neutering. Approximately 60% reduce this behavior right away

FIGHTING: More than 90% will reduce this behavior with neutering Approximately 60% reduce this behavior right away

URINE MARKING: More than 90% will reduce this behavior with neutering. Approximately 80% reduce this behavior right away

Another reason to neuter a male cat has to do with the physical appearance. Cats who are neutered prior to puberty (most cats are neutered at approximately age 6 months) do not develop secondary sex characteristics. These include a more muscular body, thickenings around the face called shields, and spines on the penis.

There are several health benefits to neutering. One of the most important concerns the prostate gland, which under the influence of testosterone will gradually enlarge over the course of the dog's life. In age, it is likely to become uncomfortable, possibly being large enough to interfere with defecation. The prostate under the influence of testosterone is also predisposed to infection, which is almost impossible to clear up without neutering. Neutering causes the prostate to shrink into insignificance, thus preventing both prostatitis as well as the uncomfortable benign hyperplasia (enlargement) that occurs with aging. It is often erroneously held that neutering prevents prostate cancer but this is not true.

Other health benefits of neutering include the prevention of certain types of hernias and tumors of the testicles and anus. Excessive preputial discharge is also reduced by neutering.

In some areas, neutering may be required as municipalities attempt to prevent pet overpopulation. Check with your local city or county officials.

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Q: My pet was diagnosed with cancer. What can I do?

A: Cancer is the most common natural cause of death in dogs. And while the diagnosis is one that every pet lover dreads, the fact is that canine cancer is more treatable than ever before.

Cure rates and an improved quality of life are increasing because families are working with veterinarians to identify the disease in its initial stages and to employ new technologies that are highly effective in the early stages of cancer care.

Even for those dogs who cannot be cured, most dogs who are treated are still able to enjoy an improved, robust life. In most situations, animals undergoing cancer treatment experience limited to no decrease in their quality of life.

Almost all dogs with cancer can be helped. You can defeat the darkness of cancer with knowledge. Work with your veterinary team to learn as much about the disease and its treatment as possible. Be proactive. Ask questions and obtain resources to tear away the many misconceptions about cancer and cancer therapies. Tackling the emotional aspects of cancer can enhance your ability to think clearly, make decisions, and begin to find the hope and opportunities that lie before you as you deal with your dog's cancer.

If you notice any of the following symptoms, don't waste any time getting your pet to your veterinarian to have the problem checked out:
• 1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow.
• 2. Sores that do not heal.
• 3. Weight loss.
• 4. Loss of appetite.
• 5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening.
• 6. Offensive odor.
• 7. Difficulty eating or swallowing.
• 8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina.
• 9. Persistent lameness or stiffness.
• 10. Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating.

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association


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Q: Why do I need to vaccinate my pet?

A: When a baby kitten or puppy is born, its immune system is not yet mature; the baby is wide open for infection. Fortunately, nature has a system of protection. The mother produces specific milk in the first few days after giving birth. This milk is called colostrum and is rich in all the antibodies that the mother has to offer. As the babies drink this milk, they will be taking in their mother's immunity. After the first couple of days, regular milk is produced and the baby's intestines undergo what is called closure, which means they are no longer able to take antibodies into their systems. These first two days are critical to determining what kind of immunity the baby will receive until its own system can take over.

How long this maternal antibody lasts in a given puppy is totally individual. It can depend on the birth order of the babies, how well they nursed, and a number of other factors. Maternal antibodies against different diseases wear off after different times. We do know that by 16 to 20 weeks of age, maternal antibodies are gone and the baby must be able continue on its own immune system.

While maternal immunity is in the puppy's system, any vaccines given will be inactivated. Vaccines will not be able to "take" until maternal antibody has sufficiently dropped. Puppies and kittens receive a series of vaccines ending at a time when we know the baby's own immune system should be able to respond. We could simply wait until the baby is old enough to definitely respond as we do with the rabies vaccination but this could leave a large window of vulnerability if the maternal antibody wanes early. To give babies the best chance of responding to vaccination, we vaccinate intermittently (usually every 2 to 4 weeks) during this period, in hope of gaining some early protection.

When a vaccine against a specific disease is started for the first time, even in adult animal, it is best to give at least two vaccinations. This is because the second vaccination will produce a much greater (logarithmically greater) response if it is following a vaccine given 2 to 4 weeks prior.

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