What To Expect From A "Hypoallergenic" Pet

What To Expect From A Hypoallergenic Pet
By Dr. Ian Kupkee

Over the past decade or so, the popularity of "designer" dogs and cats has been on the rise. One of the reasons for the uptick in demand is the claim that many of these hybridized pets are hypoallergenic. It is widely believed these breeds do not shed, and are ideal pets for humans who suffer from allergic responses to dogs or cats. But which breeds are truly 100% allergen free?

Unfortunately, the answer is none of them. While Labradoodle dogs, Rex cats and many others like them create a lighter allergen load, there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog or cat. Allergens are found in our pets' dead skin cells (or dander), urine, and saliva. While many of these breeds generate fewer allergens than others, there is no guarantee they will not create problems for a human companion with allergies. And while they may shed less hair than their  "allergenic" counterparts, make no mistake - they shed. Before deciding to take home an "allergy free" pet, be sure to spend lots of time with one to ensure they will be the right fit.

Allergy free? Nope, not me!
Image by Pixabay

Meet Java, Our January Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Java, our January Pet of the Month!

Java is an eight-month-old cutie pie whose humble beginnings are about as humble as beginnings get - he was found in a garbage can. When his family was given the opportunity to adopt him, they couldn't resist his wide eyes and non-stop snuggles. During his recent boarding visit, he spent far more time in laps than in his kennel. It was not easy for our team to give him back!

Congratulations, Java and share with all your friends - you're our Pet of the Month!

What's a kennel?

Meet Oscar, Our April Pet Of The Month

World, meet Oscar, our April Pet Of The Month!

Earlier this year, this sweet boy accidentally escaped from his house. For five weeks, his frantic mom searched the neighborhood and posted his picture on social media. Despite the Negative Nellies who advised her to give up, she persevered and never stopped hoping.

Five weeks later, Oscar returned home, a tad dehydrated but none the worse for wear. While he undoubtedly had quite the adventure, something about this look suggests he wouldn't tell his secrets if he could!

Congratulations Oscar, and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

"Guess where I've been? Nope. Not telling!"

Cats and Essential Oils: A Hidden Hazard

March is Pet Poison Prevention Awareness Month!  Many pet parents are aware of the dangers to pets posed by cleansers, medications and table foods. But what about those all-natural aromatherapy diffusers and sprays? While the essential oils used in these products can be beneficial for humans, some can cause problems for pets. Others still can be fatal to our cats.

Our pets rapidly absorb essential oils via the mouth, or over the surface of the skin. They are then metabolized by the liver. Cats, however, lack the enzyme they need to process and eliminate the toxins which occur naturally in certain oils. They are also inclined to develop respiratory problems from inhaling vaporized oils. While the full scope of essential oils known to sicken cats is not currently known, the following is a list of oils with a well-documented history of toxicity. They include, but are not limited to, pine, citrus, eucalyptus, Ylang ylang, peppermint, pennyroyal, sweet birch, wintergreen, cinnamon, clove, and tea tree oils. Until more is known about the potential dangers of these products, pet parents are advised to use extreme caution when using essential oils near pets. And under no circumstances should essential oils be given orally to a cat, or applied directly to a cat’s body.

The essential oils used in air fresheners, odor removers, and aromatherapy diffusers can sicken our cats.

Meet Oliver, Our March Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Oliver - our March Pet Of The Month!

Oliver is a two-year-old Russian Blue who was abandoned by his owner just days before Christmas Eve. While we can only imagine how betrayed he must have felt, no Grinch was going to steal his Christmas - a holiday angel stepped up to the plate and gave Oliver the forever home of his dreams. Of course, his new mom thinks she hit the jackpot, so we'll just call it a win-win.

Congratulations Oliver, and share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

Oliver scored a new home for the  holidays! 

Canine Flu-Watch 2018

This year, humans aren’t the only ones at risk from the misery of influenza. The newest strain of Canine Influenza Virus, strain H3N2, is causing serious problems for our colleagues and fellow pet parents in other parts of the country. As of this writing, the more serious outbreaks are being reported in a handful of states, including, but not limited to, Pennsylvania, Montana, Missouri, Washington, and California. One animal hospital in the San Francisco Bay area has seen over 50 cases since the beginning of 2018.

H3N2 was first identified in 2015 after an outbreak in Chicago. This particular strain was originally an avian virus which mutated and began to affect dogs. While several cats have been infected, their risk for falling ill is very low. At this time, it is believed humans are NOT at risk from contracting the flu from their pets. Our hospital treated roughly a half-dozen cases last year, and we have yet to see any for 2018.  That said, the country is experiencing record cold temperatures, and South Florida is expected to enjoy a robust tourist season as our neighbors to the north and west seek refuge from the bitter cold. It stands to reason that many travellers will bring their dogs - and potentially the flu - along with them.

Clinical signs of H3N2 include coughing, sneezing, lethargy, inappetence, fever and lethargy. Should you notice any of these symptoms in your pet, please see your veterinarian as soon as possible. There is a vaccine available to prevent H3N2. Our two dachshunds received the first doses to arrive at the hospital. The vaccine is safe and effective, and we are recommending it for any dogs who frequent grooming salons, kennels, dog parks, dog shows, training facilities, doggie day care centers, or any spaces where multiple dogs are present. Additionally, we are advising owners of brachycephalic  or “smush-faced” breeds to consider vaccinating. H3N2 becomes pneumonia in over 95% of cases, and has a 10% mortality rate. Sickened pets may need to be hospitalized for extended periods of time, leading to costly and unexpected veterinary bills. Now is therefore a good time to talk to your pet’s veterinarian, and determine if the vaccine is recommended for your individual pet. 

Meet Josie, Our December Pet Of The Month!

Josie is a four-year-old Yorkshire Terrier who loves to snuggle! When she's not lounging in a lap, Josie enjoys frolicking at the beach, and going for long walks with her family.  When she's worn out from all the cuteness, her favorite place to recharge is in the laundry basket - with warm towels, fresh from the dryer, naturally!

Congratulations Josie, and share with all your friends - you're our Pet of the Month!

Introducing A New Dog To An Established Dog

If you decide your dog needs a friend, remember the value of first impressions. What happens during the initial introductions can have lasting implications on their future friendship, so be sure to set them up for success from day one.

Before you bring the newbie home, make sure the existing dog has burned a lot of energy by walking, playing, and enjoying his favorite form of exercise. When meeting a new housemate, pent up energy can present a problem, so make sure the established dog is as calm as possible. Have the two dogs meet at a neutral and unfamiliar location, such as a park or parking lot. The introduction should happen while another handler holds the new dog’s leash. The first introduction should never be face to face! This can be perceived as a challenge in any meeting scenario. Allow the existing dog to sniff the newcomer’s backside (it’s what they do!) for a maximum of three seconds. Then switch roles - new nose meets old butt. Repeat the exercise several times, then go for a walk together. Once they have walked as a pack and are somewhat tired, allow them to sniff nose to nose. Again, allow only three seconds, then walk away and repeat several times. This should  allow you to get  a feel for how the relationship is progressing. Our younger needs at least six three-second nose to nose greetings before he’s ready to play. Every dog is different, so patience is the key. And speaking of patience, cat parents, next month, we’ll talk about introducing new cats. Stay tuned!

Destined to be BFFs!

Meet Boris, Our October Pet Of The Month

World, meet Boris, our October Pet Of The Month!

Boris is an eight-year-old-tabby who genuinely enjoys coming to see us. No, really! We think his signature collection of bow-ties gives him the self-confidence of a boss. They certainly make him that much more adorable.

Congratulations, Boris, and share with all your friends - not only are you one dapper dude, you're our Pet Of The Month!

Boris is one fabulous feline!

Hairballs Happen

Hairballs Happen

By Dr. Ian Kupkee

Mankind has been fascinated for thousands of years by the regal and dignified nature of domestic cats. Yet in spite of their mystique, many of our feline friends are plagued by the rather inelegant problem of hairballs. Hairballs happen when cats ingest too much hair during the self-grooming process. Allergies, skin diseases, stress, and external parasites are just a few reasons why cats may shed enough hair to present a problem. If your cat is losing weight, refusing food, or vomiting hair more than once a week, it’s time to see your veterinarian for a checkup.

Most of the time, however, hairballs can be controlled by making a few simple changes at home.  Daily brushing can greatly reduce the amount of hair your cat ingests. Adding omega-3 fatty acids to their diets can mitigate shedding, but supplements must be specifically labelled for use in cats. Products intended for humans often contain artificial sweeteners that are toxic to pets. Additionally, your kitty may respond to a diet that is higher in fiber, or one containing fewer potential allergens. Ask your veterinary healthcare team to recommend a suitable diet for your individual cat. Since hairballs can occasionally lead to life-threatening blockages which require a surgical fix, it’s best to intervene sooner rather than later.  Minor adjustments at the first sign of trouble are often the key to preventing a hairball horror.

Preventing Pet Theft

South Florida residents are forever being warned about the prevalence of property theft. Generally speaking, our local miscreants are looking for cash, electronics, jewelry, and cars. Whilst victims of burglary often report feeling angry and vulnerable, many are quick to add that their possessions are merely "things".  And things can be replaced. Sadly, however, more and more families are arriving home to find that their irreplaceable pets have been stolen as well.

Small, purebred dogs are common targets for pet thieves. Yorkshire Terriers, Chihuahuas and Malteses are especially vulnerable. French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers are hot commodities, and the popularity of Labradors and Labradoodles has caused a coinciding spike in thefts of these breeds as well. Finally, dog-nappers single out breeds with reputations for guarding and fighting. This puts German Shepherds, Pit bull type dogs, Rottweilers and Dobermans squarely in the sights of dog thieves.

The best way to protect your pets from theft is to keep them under your supervision at all times.  Keep them indoors when you are not at home, and secure your home to the best of your ability.  Unless your large breed dogs have been trained to protect your home, do not leave them outdoors unattended. Dog thieves are not easily intimidated, are many are very good at making friends with so-called "guard dogs." Finally, even if the air conditioner is running, do not leave a dog unattended in a car. Cars can be stolen in the time it takes us to blink, and a canine passenger is an added bonus to a car thief. Make sure your pets are micro-chipped, as this tiny device can provide proof of legal ownership if your pet is recovered and claimed by another party.

Sadly, we live in a time and space where too many humans fail to see animals as anything other than commodities. If we apply the same principles of vigilance towards our pets as we do to our inanimate possessions, we can offer our companion animals a measure of protection from the unthinkable.

Meet Chiquita, our June Pet of the Month!

World, meet Chiquita, our June Pet of the Month! Chiquita is a 12-year-old Miniature Pinscher who loves sunbathing and being spoiled. And who can resist spoiling that face? Despite the adulation, Chiquita's sweet and laid back temperament made her an instant hit with our team. Even when she's waiting for Santa with her four-legged companions, she still keeps her cool.

Congratulations, Chiquita, and share with all your friends - you're our Pet of the Month!

Meet Agatha, our May Pet of the Month!

Introducing Agatha, our May Pet of the Month! While the two-year-old tabby may look innocent and sweet, this feisty feline wears the Cone of Shame like a boss. She bravely did battle with a string of twine measuring five feet, four inches in length. And it wasn't enough to simply defeat the twine - she ate it!

All of it.

Thanks to her mom's quick thinking, Agatha is now recovering from a 90-minute surgical procedure in which Dr. Kupkee removed the twine from her intestines and stomach.

All of it.

She ate what?!

While she continues to flaunt her Cone of Shame, we've no doubt she'll be back to her spirited self as soon as her stitches are removed. In the meantime, she continues to heal like a champ - and what remains of the twine has been safely stashed out of her reach.

Congratulations, Agatha, and share with all of your friends - you're not only the Slayer of Twine, you're our Pet of the Month!

Community Cats

Community Cats

Many South Floridians share their lives with so-called community cats. Such cats are not members of any one particular household, but roam outdoors, sticking to familiar neighborhoods and feeding stations. They vary in temperament from truly feral cats who live like wild animals, to friendly strays who were likely abandoned by their owners. While many of us do not mind providing food and water for these special souls, there are a few essentials to keep in mind.

Cats can begin reproducing as early as five months of age. They often become pregnant with their next litter while still nursing a current litter! It is therefore crucial to make sure all community cats are spayed or neutered. Miami-Dade Animal Services performs these procedures free of charge, so schedule the surgery before your visitor becomes a village!http://www.miamidade.gov/animals/trap-neuter-return.asp  If you share your home with indoor cats, place the community cat’s food and water bowls as far away from the house as possible. Your indoor kitty may perceive the newcomer as a threat, and resort to undesirable behaviors such as urinating outside the litter box to mark his or her territory. While community cats are happy to create their own outdoor restrooms, many will use a litter box. Not all of our neighbors appreciate community cats, especially if their yards are routinely fouled by our feline friends. This simple addition can go a long way towards keeping the peace, and ensuring community cats have as little negative impact as possible.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay Free Images

Meet Rex, Our March Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Rex, our March Pet Of The Month!

Rex is a Yellow Lab who will be six years old on the 28th.  When he's not swimming, cuddling, and playing with his two-legged big brother, Rex can be found sitting upright on the sofa. That's the cue for his household humans to stop what they are doing, and bring on the belly rubs! With his birthday coming up, chances are he'll be getting lots and lots of them.

Congratulations, Rex, and Happy Birthday in advance. Be sure to share with all your friends - you're our Pet Of The Month!

Was Rex the cutest puppy ever or what?!

Surviving Your Puppy's Adolescence

Surviving Your Puppy's Adolescence

It’s no secret that raising a puppy requires copious amounts of both time and patience.  Chewing, crying, destructiveness, demands for attention, and potty-training mishaps are all just par for the course.  But they’re sooooo cute! And the difficult phase only lasts few months, right? Wrong. Once your new edition is finished being a puppy, he enters a new, and often far more maddening phase of development: adolescence. Starting anywhere between nine and twelve months of age, that sweet little puppy will become - gasp! - a teenager.

Like human teenagers, adolescent dogs may test the resolve of their superiors. They often revert to the types of behaviors we thought they had long outgrown.  Like the rebellious, back-talking teen-aged child, teen-aged puppies often leave us scratching our heads, wondering where we went wrong. Obnoxious puppy behaviors such as play biting and jumping on guests may return with a vengeance. This is when behaviors such as growling, food guarding, and blatant disobedience of commands tend to appear seemingly out of nowhere. It is also when dogs are most commonly surrendered to shelters. Unaware of the existence of this challenging phase, many people assume they have either failed as dog owners, or are stuck with a “bad dog.”  These scenarios are rarely the case. The solution to the Terrible Teens is a combination of consistency, patience, and preparation. Do your research on canine adolescence as soon as you bring your puppy home. As with most other situations, you’ll be happy to have a plan when you need one.

Zohan at 14 months. He swears he wasn't eating the Halloween pumpkin, but note the debris field on the floor near his tail...

Terrible Toys

If your holiday shopping list includes pets, it’s  important to do your research before stocking up on stocking stuffers.  Some of the pet retail industry’s standard products can be dangerous for our four-legged friends.  The most notable culprit is arguably rawhide chew treats.  Rawhide chews and toys have a tendency to shread, causing dangerous blockages to form in the stomach and intestines.  Pig ears are also a cause for concern, as they can harbor bacteria that has been linked to recurring urinary tract infections.  Chew toys made from animal products that are imported from China should be avoided at all costs.

Remember to consider the temperament of any pet on your shopping list.  A cat who is easily frightened may not appreciate a mechanical mouse.  A dog with a high prey drive may become overly excited by a squeak toy that mimics the sound of dying prey.  Worse yet, yet they may swallow the squeaker, or ingest the stuffing in an attempt to “kill” the toy.  Be sure any treats or goodies are free of any known food allergens as well.  Few things ruin holiday cheer faster than than an unexpected trip to the emergency clinic.

Meet Lola, Our December Pet Of The Month!

World, meet Lola, our December Pet of the Month! Lola is an 11-year-old miniature dachshund with a larger-than-life personality. When she's not busy being adorable or wrapping herself around every little finger in the family, Lola comes up with creative games to keep herself amused. Her favorite is to use her scent hound skills to track down all the plug-in air fresheners in the house. Once she locates them, she pulls them from the wall and hides them in her bed!

Congratulations, Lola, and share with all your friends. In addition to being a character, you're also our Pet of the Month!

Adopting a Senior Pet

November is Adopt A Senior Pet Month! Many of my clients, some of whom are seniors themselves, express interest in adding another pet to their household, but cringe at the thought of caring for a puppy or a kitten.  Even younger pet owners quietly confess that while the little ones are quick to tug at their heartstrings, they have neither the time nor the energy required to raise a youngster, or the patience required to survive the adolescent stage of development.

After raising two energetic puppies, one of whom grew into a particularly challenging adolescent, I have a whole new appreciation for folks who may decide it is not for them.  If you fall into this camp, you’re in good company - and there are plenty of adoptable pets looking for people just like us.  Senior pets tend to have less drive, and are more content to spend time alone.  Most come

pre-trained, and are well beyond the trials and tribulations of those first few years. Since many adoptive families still prefer puppies and kittens, there are many senior pets in our shelters - and they are often overlooked.  When we choose to adopt senior pets, we are not just enriching our own lives. We are saving theirs.

Meet Toby, our November Pet of the Month!

Toby Vásquez (a.k.a Tobias José) is a sweet little black and white Pekingese dog born in Kansas on September 16, 2008. Mario and Stephanie took him home when he was only 3 months old. Toby moved to Florida in 2012. He loves playing with soft stuffed toys, taking long naps, and rolling around on the rug every time he finishes his meal. We believe Toby might have a “napoleon complex” because he thinks he is a big dog and, therefore is not afraid to bark at every big dog he comes across. This “complex” has gotten him in trouble in the past, so we hope he will learn to stay humble from now on.

But how can you be humble when you're this darn cute?! Congrats, Toby and share with your friends - you're our Pet of the Month!