Category: 2008

May

“Slip of the Tongue”

written by
Melissa A. Rotella, DVM

Sebastian is a two year old male neutered Chihuahua that was recently seen here at Route 516 Animal Hospital. For a few months prior to presentation, Sebastian had been crying out in what his owner assumed was pain when petting his head. He also had not been eating as much and had lost almost 14% of his body weight. Sebastian had also developed an occasional cough. All of these signs were inconsistent, but becoming worse over time.

On physical exam, Sebastian appeared happy and healthy. He was, however, very resistant to opening his mouth and a foul smelling odor was noted. The cause of most oral odor is usually from infected gums or tooth decay. However, Sebastian’s teeth were pearly white! Since Sebastian wouldn’t allow a full oral exam be performed, it was necessary to sedate him for a thorough exam.

Once Sebastian was sedated, a fairly large, ulcerative and infected growth was detected underneath the tongue. We had found the source of the odor and pain! Upon further evaluation of the oral cavity, a string was seen wrapped around the base of the tongue and extending down the throat. The proliferate tissue growth seen under the tongue was in response to the string foreign body. Every time Sebastian swallowed, he was most likely in pain.

Foreign bodies lodged or embedded in the oral cavity are not extremely common, but can be a real source of pain and infection for both dogs and cats. Signs of oral discomfort are usually noted (pawing at the mouth, decreased appetite, and reluctance to eat hard food). Other clinical signs can be facial swelling, odor, drooling, oral discharge (blood or pus); or more nonspecific signs such as depression or vomiting. Once the foreign body is detected and removed, treatment consists of antibiotics and pain medication. It is a good idea to avoid situations that could lead to foreign body injuries (i.e. chewing on sticks, fishing line, bones, yarn, etc). Foreign bodies that are fully ingested and not limited to the oral cavity usually cause some other clinical signs such as vomiting and/or diarrhea. Gastrointestinal surgery is usually required to remove foreign bodies of the intestinal tract.

It has been over a month since Sebastian had the string removed from around the base of his tongue and he is doing great!. Sebastian has gained weight and is back to his usually happy self!

April

Obesity in Animals

written by Dr. Melissa Rotella, DVM

Innis is a 7 year old male Golden Retriever. He is neutered. Innis currently weighs 88 pounds. However, a few short years ago, he was approaching 120 pounds. Innis was obese!!

Obesity is defined as an increase in body weight beyond the limitation of skeletal and physical requirements. As in the human population, animals of any age, breed, or sex can become overweight. However, there are some breeds that seem to be at an increased risk: Labradors, Dachshunds, Beagles, Basset Hounds, and Golden Retrievers, just to mention a few.

There are serious health risks for overweight animals. Overall, they have a reduced life expectancy and are at increased risk for diabetes, joint problems, tracheal collapse, skin and heart disease. Therefore, routine wellness blood work and urinalysis are always important diagnostics in any overweight patient. It is also important to note that there are some diseases and medications that can make weight gain more likely. Hypothyroid disease is a common endocrine disease that can lead to weight gain. Once the underlying illness is treated, weight loss becomes an easier task.

One major way to decrease the chance of pet obesity in your household is to know what to look for. A body condition score (BCS) is a measurement scale that most veterinarians use to classify the degree of obesity. The BCS is a five point system with 3 being the ideal weight to body type ratio. A body condition score of 5 (obese) is classified as: difficulty feeling ribs under thick fat cover and no waist evident when viewed from the side or above.

Obesity treatment is aimed at weight reduction and risk-factor avoidance. There are a wide variety of reduced fat or low calorie foods now available for pets. Your veterinarian can help choose the appropriate one for your pet. Decreasing the amount of treats your dog or cat gets, along with choosing healthy options such as baby carrots or snap peas, are just a few helpful tips. As with human health, exercise also becomes an important aspect of any diet plan. If your pet can tolerate it comfortably, your pet should be encouraged to be active for 30 minutes each day. This can range from walking, hiking, playing fetch, or even swimming. It is important to have regular follow ups with your veterinarian so that progress can be monitored and any changes to the diet or exercise adjusted. With time and dedication, weight loss is possible and your pet will lead a healthier, happier life!!

February

Dental Disease

Murphy is a 14 year old female Bassett Hound who presented to the Rt 516 Animal Hospital for difficulty eating, severe malodor from her mouth and a large swelling on the right side of her face, near her cheek. Upon examination, Murphy’s swelling proved to be a tooth root abscess. These are pockets of infection caused by bacteria found in tartar in our pets’ mouths. As the bacteria replicate and white blood cells rush to the source of infection, the cellular build-up will cause the breakdown of tissue lying between the roots of problematic teeth and nasal cavities, sinuses, or skin. Abscesses can disintegrate these tissues and eventually result in the flow of pus into the sinuses or even externally onto the nose and face. They are extremely painful due to both the build-up of pressure from the pus and also from the stimulation of sensitive nerves that lie at the tooth’s root.

Periodontal disease can occur at any age and in any species and breed. Some risk factors which can put pets at risk for tooth root abscesses include broken teeth, lack of adequate preventative dental care, long term steroid use, Diabetes and Cushing’s disease. Murphy’s tooth root abscess was secondary to her chronic, severe dental disease. Her teeth were covered with layers of tartar, hair and grass which in turn resulted in severe tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontal disease. The bacteria caused the breakdown of the ligaments holding her teeth in place and therefore several were loose, contained deep caries (dental decay) and were extremely painful to her. Murphy was placed immediately on antibiotics and scheduled for oral surgery. Twenty-one of her teeth (half in her mouth) were extracted and the remaining teeth were ultrasonically scaled and then polished. The swelling went down immediately and Murphy was much more comfortable as her gums began the healing process.

Dental disease is a preventable condition. You should brush your pets’ teeth at least three times weekly along the gum line with a soft toothbrush. Do not use commercial human toothpaste as it can cause an upset stomach in animals. Special pet toothpaste is available which comes in flavors such as beef and chicken to make the process more enjoyable. It is easiest to start brushing your pets’ teeth when they are young puppies and kittens. They will become accustomed to the sensation and learn to enjoy the attention (especially if is followed by a treat). Your pets’ dental health should be evaluated by your veterinarian once to twice yearly. She will determine if your pet will need to undergo anesthesia and further dental diagnostics and treatment. The degree of dental disease can be evaluated through dental radiography and by measuring the gingival recession and bone loss by using a periodontal probe.

The key to good dental health is prevention. Long standing tooth decay and gingivitis increases the likelihood of tooth root abscesses, halitosis, pain, and inevitably, extractions (see photos 1 and 2). Even more critical is preventing the spread of bacteria into the bloodstream and to major organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys. Taking proper care of your pets’ teeth will allow for routine dental scaling and polishing without the need for extractions or oral surgery. (See photos 3 and 4). After a routine cleaning is performed, a special sealant called Oravet can be placed along the teeth, which inhibits the attachment of plaque. We can also provide you with Oravet to apply weekly at home, along with a variety of other dental products to meet your pets’ special needs.

If you notice any odor from your pets’ mouth, difficulty chewing, weight loss, an obviously broken tooth, tartar/calculus build-up, or a painful swelling in the cheek area, make an appointment immediately with your veterinarian for a full checkup and oral exam. Proper dental care will not only help them live longer, healthier lives, it can make those pet kisses much nicer.

January

“Blowing Bubbles Can Cause Troubles”

Xylitol Ingestion

Written by Dr. Marni Cohen, DVM

Coal is an 8 year old male Greyhound owned by Dr. Flanagan. Recently he ate a pack of her Orbit chewing gum. Coal decided that the Orbit bubble gum smelled yummy and he ate the whole pack. In the past, when an animal ate chewing gum, it was nothing to worry about. Unfortunately, manufacturers have started adding a sugar substitute called Xylitol to a lot of the gum.

Xylitol is a white powder that looks and tastes like sugar. It is now being used as a sugar substitute. Due to the high demand for sugar free products, Xylitol is used in many more products; like candy, gums, puddings and baked goods. Xylitol has little or no effect in humans and is safe for us to ingest. However, in dogs it can have very serious side effects. Xylitol strongly promotes the release of insulin in dogs and can cause severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), liver damage, bleeding disorders, and possible death. These clinical signs can take up to 48 hours to develop. If ingestion is not caught early, the damage is often irreversible.

Chewing gums that are sweetened with xylitol contain about 1-2 grams per piece. This means that a small amount of gum (1 to 2 pieces) can cause hypoglycemia in an average sized dog. If the gum has already been chewed before the dog eats it, chances are that it has significantly less xylitol then a fresh piece. However, it is best to be extra cautious and call or take your pet to a veterinarian so that they initiate treatment. A full recovery is possible with early medical attention.

Dr. Flanagan rushed Coal into the animal hospital. We induced vomiting right away. This can be done with hydrogen peroxide, apomorphine, or ipecac syrup. We also checked his blood glucose, did a blood chemistry panel, started an IV fluid drip (to restore and maintain hydration) and put him on supportive liver medications. Once he was stable, Dr. Flanagan took him to a 24 hour hospital where he was monitored throughout the night to make sure his blood glucose did not drop to low and she would not have to worry. Coal did great, had no complications and wondered what all the fuss was about!!
Remember that products safe for humans are not always safe for our pets. Make sure you keep such products in a safe place where your pets cannot get them. It can happen to any one of us.