DENTAL HYGIENE

FELINE ELIMINATION PROBLEMS

LABORATORY TESTING

SKUNK ODOR

EUTHANASIA

HEARTWORM DISEASE

RADIOLOGY/X-RAYS

VACCINATIONS

Signs of dental disease include bad oral odor, difficulty chewing, visible tartar accumulation and bleeding gums. Our staff at the Park Pet Hospital will recommend a teeth cleaning if significant tartar or gingivitis is present. Dental extractions or periodontal treatments may be done at the same time, if indicated, and pain medications or antibiotics may be prescribed. Dental radiographs (x-rays) are helpful in some cases, and referrals to dental specialists are available for difficult cases.

Home dental care is a valuable adjunct to professional veterinary care. Virtually all dog and cat owners are aware of the benefits of daily tooth brushing, but brushing even once or twice a week can help prolong the intervals between professional cleanings.

Chew toys that promote good teeth are readily available in all pet stores, and oral rinses and special biscuits or rawhides may be helpful. The Park Pet Hospital even carries a type of Hills Prescription diet called t/dÆ that helps keep the teeth clean while your dog or cat is chewing it! Please ask one of our staff members about any of our dental products.

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FELINE ELIMINATION PROBLEMS
Cats may stop using their litter boxes for a variety of reasons. Common behavioral causes include an aversion to the type of litter being used, litter pan(s) in insufficient numbers or improper locations, and litter box odors.

Medical problems may precede or overlap with behavioral causes of house-soiling, and laboratory tests and radiographs (x-rays) may be needed to assess your cat's overall health.

The smell of previous urination or defecation will stimulate cats to eliminate in that location again. It is extremely important to thoroughly clean previously soiled areas, followed by treatment with an enzymatic cleaner. EqualizerÆ and LiquizymeÆ are two effective enzymatic cleaners available for purchase at the Park Pet Hospital.

Once previously soiled areas are thoroughly clean, the areas may be covered with heavy-grade plastic, which changes the tactile sensation for your cat and helps to prevent further penetration if the elimination problem persists.

Deterrents such as scented sprays and soaps may also be applied to affected areas to discourage elimination. Many cats dislike citrus and mint odor. Placing bowls of cat food at the previously soiled sites may change the cat's mind about eliminating there.

It is always desirable to have more than one litter box and to clean the box regularly. A good rule of thumb is to have the number of litter boxes equal to the number of cats in the household plus one. The litter boxes should be placed in convenient yet quiet areas that give the cats some privacy, and should be spaced apart in variable locations. It is recommended that at least one litter box be placed on each level of a multistory house.

Many different types of litter boxes are available, and we advise trying different styles to accommodate your cat's preference. Try open and covered boxes, as well as large and small ones with both deep and shallow sides.

A variety of different litters should be offered because some elimination problems are due to litter aversions. Traditional clay litters are sometimes too dusty, and some cats dislike scented litter. Sand, shredded newspaper or toweling, and sawdust are alternatives. Many clients are now using clumping types of litters, which many cats seem to prefer. You may find that your cat favors very little litter or no litter at all! Be creative and persistent; watch your cat and let him show what works. The clumping litter should be scooped daily, and most other types should be discarded completely every few days. All litter boxes should be washed in hot, soapy water periodically. Avoid ammonia cleaning products and make sure the box is well rinsed and dried. Many feline elimination disorders have been resolved simply by cleaning the litter box more frequently.

Environmental stress is a common cause of inappropriate elimination and is often the most difficult cause to deal with. New or missing persons in the household, changes in the furnishings or the addition of new pets may be stressful for your cat. Ideally, changing things back to the way they were before the soiling might be effective, but in many instances this is not possible. Separating housemate cats that are not getting along well and preventing neighborhood cats from coming into the yard may be helpful. Neighborhood cats can be kept off of window sills by placing mousetraps upside down on the sill. Covering the lower part of the window may help prevent your cat from seeing the intruder, which may lead to less house-soiling.

Behavior modification techniques for feline elimination disorders include "showing" your cats where the litter boxes are located and rewarding them with praise or treats for using it properly. Some cats may need to be confined to a restricted area, for instance a bathroom or laundry room, to encourage use of the litter box. Access to the rest of the house can be gradually expanded once your cat is using the litter box appropriately. If you do confine your cat, you must give him attention and play several times a day in addition to food and water. Many cats will begin to use the litter box within days, although for some it may take weeks.

Antianxiety medications may help in some cases for cats that do not respond to the methods given above. If it is determined that medication could benefit your cat, you need to use it in addition to the behavior modification, not instead of it. These medications may be given for a defined "trial" period or may be continued for extended periods of time. Cats on chronic medication will need to have blood tests done periodically to monitor for any side effects.

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LABORATORY TESTING
Laboratory testing is an integral part of the diagnosis of many conditions. Testing may also be used to assess the response to therapy and to monitor for side effects of various treatments.

The Park Pet Hospital has an on-site laboratory in which we perform routine tests on blood, urine, and fecal samples, in addition to bacterial and fungal (ringworm) cultures. We have the equipment to perform stat blood chemistry and blood gas analyses, and to microscopically evaluate bodily fluids and cells (cytology).

Many lab tests are submitted to outside diagnostic laboratories, including both private and university-based labs all across the country, and our doctors regularly consult with specialists about challenging cases. The turnaround time for lab results varies with the type of test performed, but most results are available in 1-3 days.

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SKUNK ODOR-NEUTRALIZING FORMULA
According to chemist Paul Krebaum of Lisle, Illinois, you can make an excellent deskunking formula by mixing 1/4 cup of baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid soap in a quart of hydrogen peroxide. He recommends working the solution into your pet's fur, then rinsing well.

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EUTHANASIA
Euthanasia is the act of deliberately ending a pet's life by administering a lethal injection. The term euthanasia is derived from the Greek words meaning easy death, and it is therefore best thought of as a humane act to prevent unnecessary suffering.

While veterinary medicine can provide effective treatments and sometimes even cures for many maladies, there are many situations where an intolerable endpoint is reached and the option of euthanasia needs to be addressed. It is extremely important for the pet owner and the family to discuss all of the available treatment options with their veterinarian, and to talk openly and frankly about their pet's condition, quality of life, and prognosis.

The decision to proceed with euthanasia is difficult for most pet owners and oftentimes involves strong emotional, philosophical, and financial concerns. Ideally, the decision is made by considering what is best for the pet rather than what is best for their owner. The pet owner, however, must ultimately make the decision to consent to euthanasia on his or her own and trust that this is the right choice for their pet's sake. For legal reasons, a consent form must be signed prior to euthanasia.

At the Park Pet Hospital, our doctors and staff are very sensitive to the distress that euthanasia decisions cause, and special requests regarding the process can usually be accommodated. Some owners request tranquilization for their pets, and some want to be present when the intravenous injection is given.

Cremation is the usual choice for most pet owners, but some wish to make burial arrangements on their own or take their pet home after euthanasia. The Park Pet Hospital has an on-site crematorium, and it is possible for us to save the ashes for return to the owner.

Grieving after the loss of a beloved pet is natural and is part of the healing process. The bonding that takes a lifetime to develop is not easily broken, and the extent to which we are attached to our pets may surprise us in our time of sorrow. Rest assured that the fond memories that have built up over the years will endure and will be a comfort for years to come.

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HEARTWORM DISEASE
Heartworm disease is a common problem for dogs and cats, even in our northern climate. It is a parasitic disease spread from one dog to another by mosquito bites during the warmer months of the year. Heartworm disease can occur in cats, even if they stay indoors exclusively, but the overall incidence is much less than in dogs.

Signs of heartworm disease may include lethargy, difficulty breathing, coughing, exercise intolerance, vomiting, and darkly pigmented urine. Lab tests and chest radiographs (x-rays) are crucial for the diagnosis of heartworm disease and for assessing the safety of heartworm treatment.

In dogs, an injectable medication may be used to eradicate the worms, but in cats, the injections are not well tolerated and supportive treatment may be the best alternative.

Permanent heart and lung damage may result from heartworm if it is not diagnosed and treated promptly, and some pets, even with treatment, will succumb to the disease.

Fortunately, heartworm disease can be prevented by administering an oral heartworm preventive medication on a daily or once-a-month basis, by giving an injection that lasts for six months or by applying a topical once-a-month solution.

A heartworm blood test must be done each year to assess the pet's status. If he is negative, he may be protected by giving the oral heartworm preventive medication, the injection, or the topical solution. The Park Pet Hospital offers a variety of oral heartworm preventives (HeartgardÆ, InterceptorÆ, FilaribitsÆ), the injection (ProHeart 6Æ) and the topical solution that prevents both heartworm and fleas (RevolutionÆ). The heartworm preventive medications are usually well accepted and are not likely to cause any side effects or to interact with other medications that your pet might be taking.

In Wisconsin, it is recommended to have the heartworm blood test done in April or May, and to administer the heartworm preventive from that time until November or December.

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RADIOLOGY (X-RAYS)
The Park Pet Hospital provides contrast and survey radiograph services for our patients with in-house x-ray equipment and an automatic processor. Our doctors routinely perform survey radiographs of the leg, chest, abdomen, spine, skull, and hips. Some of these studies are available during office visits on an outpatient basis; however, sedation or anesthesia is sometimes necessary, which might necessitate hospitalization.

Contrast studies, with barium or other radiopaque dyes, are used for evaluating the upper and lower gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. Radiographic consultation with board-certified experts and Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) x-ray submission is available.

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VACCINATIONS
Vaccinations are routinely given to pets to help protect them against harmful infections. Vaccination involves administering an inactivated or modified virus or bacteria to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies. The level of antibodies, called an antibody titer, can be tested for, and if it's high enough, it will confer protection against a specific infectious disease.

Common vaccinations for dogs include DHLPPC (Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvo, and Corona viruses), Rabies, Bordetella (kennel cough), and Lyme disease. Common vaccinations for cats include FVRCPC (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and chlamydia), Rabies, and FeLV (feline leukemia virus).

Vaccinations are administered as a series of injections to puppies and kittens, and then are boostered at variable intervals for ongoing protection. Some pet owners choose to not give yearly boosters, but rather to monitor antibody titers with a yearly blood test.

Reactions to vaccinations are a concern, but fortunately, they occur infrequently and are usually self-limiting. Drowsiness, diminished appetite, and perhaps mild soreness at the injection site are possible side effects, and occasionally vomiting or diarrhea may be seen. A small lump under the skin where the vaccination was given is not uncommon, and it usually resolves in 2-3 weeks. If a lump fails to resolve or continues to grow larger, then your pet should be examined at once. Vaccination site tumors have been reported with certain feline vaccinations, but their occurrence is rare and should not be a reason to avoid giving cats at risk the protection that they deserve.

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