Cystitis, how serious it is?

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder wall; it is multi-factorial in origin, it can be caused by a simple bacterial infection, bladder stones, tumours, polyps. The cause of the problem very much decides its prognosis, I shall try to go through the symptoms and its treatment bearing in mind that it can be a medical emergency in certain cases.

The most common symptom that patients present with is increased straining and frequency of urination. The animal in question has the urge to go to the toilet more frequently because of the bladder irritation, therefore clients notice behaviour changes, often these animals are very clean animals that have never had an accident in the house, but as a consequence of the cystitis they cannot control the urge to urinate. It is important that they are not told off when this happens, they cannot control the need to urinate, and scolding the pet could actually compound the problem. Often there is blood in the urine and the animal may spend excessive time licking their genital areas.

In the more elderly animal a bacterial cystitis is more common, usually as a result of an ascending infection; therefore a short course of anti-inflammatories and antibiotics is usually sufficient to treat the condition. However if the problem starts to recur then it is important that the condition is worked up properly as one of the other causes might be a factor.

Another common cause of cystitis in dogs and cats are urinary calculi, these are crystals that are formed in the urine that often coalesce to form larger stones. These crystals can be formed as a result of a metabolic anomaly in the patient or secondary to a primary infection. In the male dog and the tom cat this can lead to a medical emergency, the male urethra is narrower than in the females therefore as a direct result of this a urinary stone can cause an obstruction. If this obstruction is not removed then the animal will deteriorate rapidly, develop kidney failure and die a slow agonising death. This problem is seen more commonly in cats, so if your cat is spending excessive amount of time on the litter tray then it is important that you get him to a vet immediately.

The most common cause of cystitis and urethral obstruction in cats is stress related, so if there are any changes in the cat’s environment then be aware that this may set off a bout of cystitis and often a urethral obstruction too.

Polyps are seen infrequently, but bladder tumours in dogs are seen more commonly, transitional cell carcinoma is seen relatively frequently and unfortunately carries a very poor prognosis, it tends to affect most of the bladder wall so surgical excision is not an option, they can only be managed medically.

If you have your dog or cat presenting with symptoms of cystitis then get it treated promptly. Personally I ultrasound all of my patients, an ultrasound tends to be used as the first diagnostic tool, it is better at picking up stones,(some stones do not show up on x-ray). The ultrasound is also better at accessing the bladder lining, therefore polyps and tumours can be picked up earlier   and treatment can be implemented and therefore the prognosis will be improved.

In summary cystitis in your pet can be treated easily in the majority of cases but can become complicated if ignored and may carry a poor prognosis if the underlying cause is serious or the condition is not treated promptly and efficiently.

Does your pet have bad breath???

Sometimes halitosis can be an indication that all is not alright with your best friend, it is not a condition to ignore as there could be treatment that might help and keep your pet healthy.

The most common causes of halitosis are tooth decay, gingivitis and periodontal disease. This is particularly common in the smaller breeds of dogs, in Gibraltar the breeds most commonly afflicted are the Yorkshire terriers and Chihuahuas. Just take a couple of minutes to check your pet’s mouth, but don’t just check the incisors, firstly pull his gums back and have a look at all the teeth, right up to the last molars, obviously check both sides and upper and lower teeth. Then open your pet’s mouth and have a look at the biting surfaces and the inside surface of the teeth. If there is any reddening of the gingiva, and bleeding from gums or a lot of plaque on the teeth, get them checked out. Just because your pet is young does not exclude him from developing dental problems.

Neglected teeth with tooth decay over a protracted period time can have serious repercussions to your pet. What happens frequently is that bacteria from infected teeth embolise into the blood and lodge in the liver, the liver can usually cope with this but if the liver is subjected to a protracted challenge of embolised bacteria it can be damaged, resulting in decreased hepatic function and in very advanced cases can cause death.

The heart can also be affected by the bacterial emboli, these have a tendency to adhere to the heart valves and form vegetative lesions. Once this happens there is permanent damage to the valves, even if the bacteria are cleared with antibiotics the valves are irreversibly damaged and with time the animal will develop heart failure.

Other less common complications directly linked to dental disease are kidney failure and haemolytic anaemia.

In cats halitosis and gingival disease are one of the most common symptoms of FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus), cats also suffer quite badly from immune based diseases that affect the gingival margins, causing severe inflammation and infection.

As in most other medical conditions, prevention is better than cure and the sooner you start looking after your pet’s teeth the easier it will be to keep them healthy. Cleaning your pet’s teeth is usually not very successful, pets don’t often tolerate this very well and we all lead very busy lives. So the best way is to get your dog to clean his own teeth!! From an early age get your dog used to hard chews, buy a selection of tough chews that your pet will spend a long period of time gnawing at.  If you buy a product that is gobbled away in a matter of minutes then don’t purchase these, all they will do is make your dog get fat.

Unfortunately if your pet has bad teeth and gingival disease then it will need a dental, I always give the dog or cat a course of antibiotics before a dental, primarily to stop bacteria embolising into the blood and causing complications. At the practice we have invested heavily in dental equipment to offer our clients the best dental care possible, with ultrasonic descalers, polishers and dental drills.

Halitosis can also be an indicator of internal disease, when waste products cannot be cleared effectively from the body then they can taint the smell of expired air, most commonly seen in animals with renal disease and diabetes. These diseases can be treated, the sooner they are diagnosed the better the prognosis.

In summary if your pet has a smelly mouth do not ignore it!!!

Christmas Pet Safety Tips

Christmas is a wonderful time of year – but not always for your pets! Here are some tips for keeping your pets out of danger.

Food to avoid giving your pet at Christmas

• Alcoholic beverages
• Chocolate (can be toxic to pets especially dark chocolate)
• Coffee
• Mouldy or spoiled foods
• Salt
• Chicken or Turkey bones (they can splinter)
• Raisins and grapes have on rare occasions caused acute irreversible renal failure in dogs, so be aware of this.

Avoid giving your pet any of your leftovers as this can cause diarrhea. This is particularly the case with dogs that are used to a dried diet, owners often feel that their pet has to partake in the Christmas binge and this can result in acute gastroenteritis.

Also keep your pet away from cooked bones: they can splinter or get lodged in your pet’s throat or can cause serious damage by puncturing the intestinal tract.

Pet hazards around the Christmas tree

• Fallen Christmas tree needles are very sharp and can easily get stuck in your pet’s paws or throat. Sweep tree needles up regularly.
• Do not hang your chocolates from your Christmas tree: they can be toxic and your pet will be tempted if he can see and smell them.
• Cover up electric cords and flashing tree lights so your pet can’t chew them and electrocute himself.
• Try using fairy lights that don’t flash as some pets when up close can get very scared by these.
• Christmas tree decorations can cause a nasty accident or be fatal to your pet. Cats, and young pets especially, will show a great interest in decorations hanging from your tree. Try to use unbreakable decorations and nothing too small. Avoid tinsel or ribbons as these are dangerous to the gastrointestinal tract if your pet swallows them. I have on numerous occasions had to perform life saving surgery on cats who have swallowed long strands of tinsel.
• Be very careful with any balls purchased for your dog to play with, if they are large enough to swallow but too small to pass through the intestines they will cause an obstruction.
• Make sure your tree is well anchored so your pet can’t pull it over.

Other Christmas dangers to pets

• Holly, mistletoe, lilies and yew trees are poisonous to pets and must be kept well out of reach.
• Remember loud noises will panic your pet, such as Christmas crackers, poppers, balloons, and champagne bottles.
• Remove your Christmas wrapping paper (and toys) from the floor to avoid your pet chewing or swallowing it.
• For your pet’s safety this Christmas always buy your pet’s presents from a reputable outlet.
• In many households this is often the only time of year that your pet is exposed to large gatherings of noisy excitable people and children. This can scare your pet, and this may result in unusual behavior, placid dogs have been known to get aggressive in this scenario. Therefore make sure your pet has some place where it can find a degree of sanctuary.

FIREWORKS AND YOUR PETS

Fireworks are enjoyed year-round by lots of people but many

animals are frightened by them. It doesn’t have to be that way though, so if your pet is scared, there are lots of things you can do to help. 

Make sure your dog or cat always has somewhere to hide if they want to and has access to this place at all times. For example, this may be under some furniture or in a cupboard. 

Make sure your cat or dog is always kept in a safe and secure environment and can’t escape if there’s a sudden noise. Have your pets microchipped in case they do escape – by law, your dog should already be microchipped. 

During fireworks seasons, walk dogs during daylight hours and keep cats and dogs indoors when fireworks are likely to be set off. 

At nightfall, close windows and curtains and put on music to ask and muffle the sound of fireworks.  

Never punish your pets when they are scared as this will only make thing.

Each evening before the fireworks begin, move your dog to the play area and provide toys and other things that they enjoy.

Make sure that there are things for you to do too so that your 

dog isn’t left alone.

Ignore the firework noises yourself. Play with a toy to see if 

your dog wants to join in, but don’t force them to play.

Each evening before the fireworks begin, move your dog to the play area and provide toys and other things that they enjoy.

Pheromone diffusers and pheromone collars are available from the vet clinic. These disperse calming chemicals into the room and may be a good option for your dog. The collar centralizes the pheromones around the dog so in some cases is more effective.

In some cases we may prescribe medication. These are tranquilizers that will sedate your pet and make him less aware and therefore less frightened of fireworks.

Either of these medical options can be used in conjunction with behavioral therapy.

Finally from myself and all the staff at the Gibraltar 

Veterinary Clinic we wish you all a fabulous

Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

A Pet is for Life not for Christmas !!

Now the festive season approaches there is an unwavering desire amongst some people to acquire a pet either for themselves or for a family member. This article is written not to deter people but produced in an effort to try and prevent impulse purchases, to try and make individuals more aware of the ramifications and responsibilities of taking on an animal.

Primarily what must be realised is that acquiring an animal, any living creature, immediately makes you responsible for that animal’s care, quality of life and survival. The principal animal charities at this time of year carry articles on dogs and cats primarily; unfortunately this is only a drop in the ocean. How many people purchase birds, aquarium fish, hamsters, reptiles, guinea pigs etc? How many of these actually die in the first few months due to neglect?

Before getting a pet, you should always ask yourselves a few pertinent questions.

1.       Do you have the time to look after the animal? All animals require time spent on them, animal cages need cleaning, aquariums need cleaning , dogs have to be walked regularly, cat’s litter trays have to be cleaned out regularly, vivariums need to be monitored for warmth/humidity, etc ,etc. After the novelty wears off and the excitement ears off you still need to find the time, these animals are dependent on you. You have taken the responsibility of looking after a living breathing creature and they are totally dependent on you for their survival.

2.       Does the pet require any special care? The most common cause of death I have encountered amongst animals over all my years of practice has been bad animal husbandry. I have seen dying reptiles bought into the clinic dying of starvation, primarily out of ignorance, where the animal has been fed the wrong diet or the temperature of the vivarium has been too low resulting in the animal not been able to digest its food.

3.       Can I afford to keep a pet? Animals are a continual drain on resources, they will need money spent on them throughout their lives, they are not a computer game that after the festive period is left unused in a cupboard!!   Different animals carry varied financial burdens, but this must be quantified. Even different sized animals carry dramatically different costs, a Chihuahua will eat less and medication will be significantly less than a larger breed like a Great Dane. All dogs need to be registered and licensed, an additional cost of £25 per annum per pet on top of the initial £30 registration cost. So before getting an animal please make sure you can afford the maintenance costs.

4.       How long can the animal live for? Remember once you have a pet you are in it for the long haul.  You might be a rabbit for your child, this rabbit could live for 10 years, your child might be married and have his own kid before the rabbit passes away!! Parrots can live for decades as can tortoises!! My point here is that make sure you are aware of how long these animals will be around for and that you will be responsible for them throughout their lives.

5.       How large will the pet become? The most extreme cases that I have seen are individuals that have purchased small pigs that supposedly were supposed to be ‘miniature’ and remain small. If anyone is interested pop over to the Wildlife Park at the Alameda gardens and see how miniature a couple of these pigs have become!!! Another very sad case that I have witnessed is one where an iguana became too large and was released into the Nature Reserve, if was bought into the clinic dead as it had starved to death. On this note I would like to add that releasing an animal into the wild is beyond the pale, apart from the fact that it might die, it could in theory survive and put pressure on native species.

6.       Can I give the pet the care and love it requires? Obviously different pets will need different levels of attention. For example, a hand reared parrot will needs countless hours of your family time, otherwise they will develop medical problems brought on by stress. In fact a lot of medical conditions can be as a result of lack of attention, it is not enough to just feed and clean your animal.

Getting a pet for Christmas carries loads of caveats, these are living creatures that will be dependent on yourselves for their survival, so getting a pet carries loads of responsibility and you must be aware of this and prepared to take this on.

Saying all this I hope I haven’t sounded too negative, I personally have a bit of a menagerie at home, pets can give you a lot of pleasure and happiness , but please look have them. Have yourselves  a Merry Xmas and prosperous New Year.

Autumn is upon us

 

Now the cooler months of autumn are upon us there are various points that I would like to bring to the reader’s attention that I hope will help in the welfare of your pets.

With the change of season we tend to become more active as the halcyon summer days become a distant memory. We tend to exercise more, taking our pets to the countryside for some well-deserved exercise and fresh air. However there are some pointers that I would like to bring to your attention.

I have previously touched on the topic of ticks, now is the season of relatively high risk. A tick that I have not mentioned previously is the Hyalomma tick. This is quite a rare tick in this part of the world, but it is also a tick that can affect humans, there has been a case in Avila that proved to be terminal. In pets, it can cause large areas of necrosis, that can be life threatening in certain cases. These parasites natural intermediate hosts are large herbivores, horses, cattle, sheep etc. So if you are walking your pet in areas used for farming these animals please ensure that your pet has more than adequate protection. Personally I prefer the newer tick collars, these prevent the tick penetrating the skin, other products require the parasite to feed on the animal before it dies, which might be too late.

If you have a dog that has been largely sedentary over the summer then it is advisable that you don’t overexert your pet the first couple of times. Their bodies are similar to ours; we need to build up their fitness gradually. Dogs often do not know when to stop exercising; you have to be their voice of reason.  Build up their fitness gradually, give them regular rests, make water freely available, and very importantly make sure your dog is well trained and responds to your calls.

If your dog is chasing livestock then the farmer is legally entitled to shoot your pet, so a dog must respond to our calls. If in doubt keep it on the lead.

Remember that in Spain any dog over 20 kgs can be considered as a dangerous dog, so make sure you have a muzzle always readily available in case you get stopped by any of the Spanish enforcement agencies, make sure you have a valid EU passport and the pet’s vaccines are in date.

Looking after our ageing dogs is also essential; remember that if your best friend is now that little bit older you will have to tailor his exercise accordingly.  Some older pets have low-level arthritis that generally do not cause any lameness but with more exertion you might find your dog will be lame. In these cases I strongly advise using anti-inflammatories. Arthritis is a self- propagating condition, if there is pain (lameness) then there is inflammation and therefore the arthritic changes in the joints will deteriorate resulting in more lameness and so forth. So medication will reduce inflammation and therefore will slow down the arthritis deteriorating.

Also take note that dogs have a greater tendency to overheat than we do. They lose heat by panting and from a limited number of sweat glands on their pads. So on particularly hot days please be aware of this, again certain dogs do not know when to stop. Last year a young Rottweiler died from heat exhaustion, it was a hot still October day and the poor dog overheated, by the time the dog was presented for treatment it had gone into organ failure.

We are now into the season to enjoy the company of our pets on healthy long walks, there are few things more satisfying than spending time with your loyal companion, just remember to look after his welfare.

Time to get your pets protected against ectoparasites and the diseases that they can cause

As the weather warms the risk to your pet from insects rises exponentially. Insects multiply faster in warmer climates, some that have been dormant over the winter months now start to become active again, parasites that have laid low over less favorable periods make their appearance again, never become complacent, they are always out there waiting for your guard to fall.

Fleas are by far the most prevalent problem in our community, this is because we live in a warm urban community, as the winter months become milder as a result of global warming the problems that result as a consequence of this insect become more manifest and now stretch over a longer period.

The principal clinical sign that fleas present with is intense pruritus (itchiness) especially over the tail base and the dorsal skin region in that vicinity, particularly with dogs, cats can present with a more generalised dermatitis especially around the neck region. So if your pet is chewing around its tail base or in that vicinity, do not bother looking for fleas, just assume your pet has them and treat it accordingly. If you treat your pet for fleas and it is still itchy then bring it to us, there is very probably a secondary complication that needs to be addresses, for example if your animal suddenly becomes smellier then there is a high probability that it has a secondary skin dermatitis and possibly a yeast infection.

Fleas in cats can carry a blood parasite that can cause serious illness in cats, Mycoplasma haemofelis, this parasite can cause acute illness with the feline presenting with fever, lethargy and general malaise, blood results tend to show a regenerative anaemia. At this stage the bacteria can be treated very successfully with a protracted course of antibiotics. However in some cases there is no acute episode that is picked up by the owner, in these cases the disease becomes chronic and potentially life threatening. What happens is that the bacteria keeps destroying red blood cells and the bone marrow keeps regenerating new corpuscles, therefore the cat is clinically normal yet internally the bone marrow is working in overdrive. If this persists over a long period the bone marrow becomes exhausted and loses its ability to regenerate new red blood cells. At this point the cat starts to look unwell, pale, often exhibiting weight loss, lethargic, mild dehydration, symptoms of chronic illness. Unfortunately in these cases the prognosis is guarded and treatment is often unsuccessful.

Phlebotomus (biting fly)  is an important insect vector that become active in the warmer months, ambient night temperature has to be over 14/15 degrees centigrade for the larva to develop , my rule of thumb is that if you start wearing tee-shirts and shorts in the evenings then it is important that your pet has protection. From a previous article this is the fly that transmits the protozoa that causes leishmania, a potentially fatal disease if left untreated and once acquired it is an illness for life in the majority of cases.

Mosquitos also become active in these warmer months, the principal illness that they could carry in our community is heartworm as mentioned in my last article. There is no current information as to the prevalence of this disease in our area and we are currently undergoing a study, so if you want your dog or cat tested for this parasite we are still doing this pro bono at the Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic.

The other main groups of insect vectors are the ticks, there are different types of ticks and diseases that can be transmitted by these arachnids (adults have 8 legs as opposed to 6 of insects). I have gone through these at length in a previous article, but to summarise these parasites carry loads of infections that can cause chronic life threatening disease so prevention is crucial for your pet’s health.

The gold standard in protecting your pet against all these vectors is a combination of a systemic ectoparasitic medication with an external product. This gives a double safe protection, it will protect your pet against potential serious illness if applied properly and will prevent  you going through heartache.

Tick Borne Diseases

Ticks are prevalent in our environment and can potentially cause disease in our pets. In this article I am hoping to overview the various diseases they can transmit in this part of the world. What is common of all the tick borne diseases is that they are often insidious diseases with vague clinical symptoms that are often difficult to recognise. A dog might be slightly off colour and the owner often attributes it to just a bit of malaise that does not need addressing. In many cases when the pet is presented for treatment the disease is so advanced that it is untreatable.

Ehrlichiosis and Anaplamosis ( Tick Fever)

These are diseases spread by the Brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguinous. What is unique to this species of tick is that it can complete its whole life cycle indoors, so if left unchecked it can become a pest in homes and kennels.

Symptoms of these diseases are multiple and varied, enlarged lymph nodes, lethargy, anaemia, tremors, neurological signs, limb oedema, collapse etc.

Treatment of these illnesses is protracted and rarely is the dog totally cured of this parasite, an obligate intracellular bacterium, the patient will go into remission with treatment but regular testing must be undertaken throughout the dog’s life to measure the load level of this parasite in the blood. Regular treatments throughout the life of the dog will usually be necessary, so if your pet has been treated for this illness do not assume it is parasite free, regular testing will be required!!

Borreliosis (Lyme disease)

This is a disease caused by a bacteria that is spread by the tick Ixodes. There are various species of Ixodes that live in rodent and wildlife (e.g. deer) reservoirs in which they cause no apparent problems.

The main presenting sign for Lyme disease is joint pain and swelling, often the dog is running a fever. Dogs often present as if walking on eggshells, with general pain and malaise. However there are cases where the dog presents with intermittent lameness that resolves spontaneously but then recurs. So if your pet has episodic bouts of lameness and there is a history of tick problems then ask your vet to carry out a test for this disease.

Treatment is also with a prolonged course of antibiotics but often the disease goes into remission and retesting throughout the dog’s life is necessary.

Babesiosis

This is a protozoal disease spread by various types of ticks that infects red blood cells, can cause an acute anaemia in immune-compromised animals, but more generally the animal presents with jaundice, weakness and general malaise. Infection with babesia is often in tandem with ehrlichia and in these cases the clinical signs can be severe. Thankfully this disease is not seen frequently in our part of the world.

There are a couple of treatment options for this illness and in endemic areas a vaccination is available. However early diagnosis is critical, if your pet has had ticks and is looking pale and is lethargic get it to a vet ‘pronto’.

Bartonellosis in cats

This is a bacteria that is found in rodent wildlife reservoirs, it causes no illness in these animals. It can be passed to cats by fleas and ticks and usually does not cause clinical disease in them unless they are immune-suppressed. Symptoms can be varied, fever ,anaemia and internal organ failure.

These bacteria can also cause infections in humans, colloquially known as cat scratch disease, and again can cause serious illness in immune- suppressed individuals.

In summary ticks can cause quite serious, potentially life threatening illness in your pet. If you walk your dog in the country or he goes to kennels regularly always make sure he has protection against the tick. Prevention is much better than cure; there are a couple of excellent products on the market. If you find a tick on your pet, there are tick removers but be careful and follow instructions, if you pull it out you could leave the mouthparts buried inside your pet that will cause an inflammatory reaction. Alternatively use tick spray, it will die and fall off naturally( Do not burn them with a cigarette you will leave the mouthparts inside).

If your pet has had ticks in the past and is ‘off colour’, without any apparently serious disease make sure you get it blood tested, you could end up saving your best friend’s life!!!!