Kitty's First Christmas

 

If you follow this space, you already know that for many families, 2020 was the year of the pet. Puppies and kittens were added to homes in record numbers. And now that the holidays are upon us, these youngsters will be entering the challenging phase of adolescence. Like human teenagers, adolescent puppies and kittens can be defiant and prone to mischief. When combined with standard holiday decorations, these traits can lead to veterinary emergencies, especially for kittens and cats. 

Young cats are often drawn to indoor plants. The holiday versions of such greenery, particularly poinsettias, amaryllis, holly, and lilies can be toxic to cats when ingested. Additionally some of the seasonal essential oils we use to scent our homes in December cannot be processed by the feline liver, and can lead to severe illness and death. Finally, tinsel is irresistible to most young cats, and if swallowed can cause a linear intestinal foreign body. This life-threatening condition requires risky emergency surgery. It has always been my recommendation that cat parents avoid these products when decorating for the holidays. 

Somebody's on the naughty list!

                                                                                      

The Free-Feeding Fail

 

The Free-Feeding Fail

As 2020 begins winding down, the puppies and kittens who joined our families when Covid forced us to stay home have begun to mature. For many of us, our lock down routines may be starting to change as well. Maybe our children are back in brick and mortar school. Or perhaps the home office is empty and the commute has returned. As our routines change, our pets' lives will change with them, and disruptions to their feeding schedules often occur. When this happens, many pet owners give up on scheduled meal times and leave food down at all times so their pets can eat at will. Known in veterinary circles as free feeding, this type of feeding schedule often creates far more problems than it solves.

Pets who are free fed can develop behavioral problems and are more prone to finicky eating. This becomes problematic as pets enter the stages of life when long term medical problems become more common. Many health concerns can be managed with supplements or medications, some of which must be given with regularly scheduled meals. Liver support supplements and insulin are just two examples of treatments that cannot be given independent of meals. Additionally, many pets require prescription diets which may not be especially palatable. Pets who lose their food drive as a result of having constant access to food may not be eager to accept such changes. It is therefore always recommended to maintain scheduled meal times as your pet matures, and to remove any uneaten food fifteen minutes after presenting it.

                                        Remove all uneaten food fifteen minutes after presenting it.

October Is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month!

 October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month!

Since Covid-19 forced many Americans to work from home and rethink travel, veterinarians have been witnessing a so-called "Puppy Boom." Some reputable breeders have stopped taking deposits on future litters, as even puppies who are yet to be conceived have already been promised to future homes. Prices for puppies are at an all time high, and shelters are being inundated with callers looking for adoptable fur babies. 

While daily puppies are making this period of history a uniquely fun time to be a veterinarian, there are many adoptable dogs in our shelters and rescues who are still waiting for their forever homes. Puppies require a tremendous amount of time and patience in order to develop into well-behaved adults. And working from home does not necessarily guarantee a schedule which allows this degree of training to occur . So while the whole country is posting about the #2020PuppyBoom, consider visiting your local rescue or shelter, and adopting an adult dog with a lot of love to give - who's way past destroying your shoes!

Meet Milo, Our October Pet Of The Month!

Fam, meet Milo, Our October Pet Of The Month!

Milo is a six-month-old Shorkie who joined the 2020 Puppy Boom that came in the wake of Covid. His mom made sure he received all his well-puppy care, and signed him up for the Trupanion insurance policy  recommended by our team. 

Recently, Milo returned to the clinic with a terribly upset tummy. X-rays showed some unusual shapes and lines in the stomach, so Dr. Kupkee suggested we induce vomiting before Milo's mystery meal could reach his intestines. The result? A perfectly intact pair of black, no show liner socks that had just gone missing! After a few injections to settle his tummy and a couple of light meals, Milo is fully recovered and feeling like his old self again.

While people are spending more time than ever at home, it is impossible to keep an eye on curious puppies 100% of the time. This is especially true for those of us who are working remotely, homeschooling, or juggling both! Puppies get into EVERYTHING - which is why there's pet insurance. If your pet isn't covered, ask our team for more information. 

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

                                                                Milo has a tummy ache...

                                                            And this is why. Ewwww!

The Re-Emerging Threat Of Leptospirosis

As local governments ordered restaurants to close their dining rooms to slow the spread of Covid-19, urban rodentologists began to notice drastic changes in the movements and behaviors of city dwelling rats. Specifically, as restaurants cooked less food and produced less waste, hungry rats started spreading into suburban and residential areas where household kitchens are currently filling the niche.

While a plague of vermin might not seem particularly shocking in the big picture that is 2020, rats are the most common carriers of leptospirosis, a disease caused by a bacteria which is shed through their urine. Clinical signs of leptospirosis include fever, lethargy, vomiting, inappetence and jaundice. In its later stages, it causes renal and liver failure. It is usually fatal if not caught and treated in a timely manner, and can be transmitted from pets to humans. Thankfully, there is an annual vaccine which protects dogs from leptospirosis, so make sure your pet is up to date. While leptospirosis has been reported in cats, it is extremely rare, and far more common in dogs.

Meet Daisy, Our September Pet Of The Month!

 

World, meet Daisy, our September Pet Of The Month!

Daisy is a 14-year-old dachshund who, like most of us, is unimpressed with the year 2020. As stay at home orders turned Miami into a virtual ghost town, Daisy's mom found herself racing to a veterinary neurologist when Daisy became suddenly paralyzed. After major surgery to repair her spinal column, Daisy developed acute pancreatitis in response to her many post surgical medications. This led to another round of hospitalization, including several weekends in the emergency clinic. 

Like most dachshunds, however, Daisy a wee bit on the stubborn side! Feeding tube? No problem! Kidney problems? Bring 'em on! Fast forward to the fourth quarter of 2020 and Miss Daisy May is fully recovered. She took on 2020 and won - and we will too.

Oh and a tip from Daisy's family? Buy. Trupanion. Pet Insurance.

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

                                                    Daisy surveys her many get-well gifts!

Heartworm Disease Cases Expected To Rise

Heartworm Disease Cases Expected To Rise

June of 2020 brought unusually high levels of rainfall to an already waterlogged South Florida. Consequently, urban flooding and standing waters provided ample breeding ground for mosquitoes. Our community has seen an uptick in cases of mosquito-borne West Nile Virus. And as more people and pets head outdoors to escape Covid-induced cabin fever, we can expect to see an increase in heartworm disease as well.

Heartworm disease is carried by mosquitoes and infects both dogs and cats. While we can do our part to control mosquito populations by dumping  the standing water in which they breed, our neighbors might not be as diligent. For this reason, it is imperative to keep both dogs and cats on monthly heartworm prevention. While many pet owners feel that pets who do not go outside often (or ever in the case of indoor cats), mosquitoes will often enter the house as humans come and go. A single bite from an infected mosquito is all that is necessary to transmit the disease to our furry family members. The treatment for canine heartworm disease is very expensive with potentially dangerous side effects. There is no treatment for feline heartworm disease. In both species, the disease is usually fatal if left untreated.