Treats! Treats! (The Wonderful Fruit.)

Dear Fellow Pet Lovers,

 

As many of you have learned, I am not a big pet treat fan for several reasons, but I do understand that many of you are.

 

You may remember the discussions about Chicken Jerky treats causing real problems up to death in thousands of dogs since 2006. The problems occurred most often in treats that, though from American companies, were actually produced in China. To this day, we do not know the entire problem with the treats.

 

A recent report indicated that the problem with chicken jerky treats for dogs has reduced dramatically, though there still are cases. Not all the cases were from Chinese product, and, again, we never totally discovered the cause of the problem.

 

So, I recommend that you never feed chicken jerky treats to your canine friends in any case.

 

If you are a real pet treater, and feel you must treat…

 

– Use a product, preferably one made in the US that is known to be safe.

– Do not feed large quantities of treats, as they are often rich and cause upset stomach and sometimes diarrhea.

– Avoid “tipping,” meaning giving your dog a treat every time he does what he is supposed to anyway.

– Use lots of attention and petting and talking to in lieu of large amounts of treats, and your dog will be happier and lighter.

 

So, there you have it. My take on treats….

 

See? Something CAN be done about preventing pet illness.

 

 

That is all.

 

 

Dr. John Emerson, Pet Emergency Clinic

Take This!!!! (You Dirty Rat.)

Dear Fellow Pet Lovers,

 

Rat poisons have for many years been relatively easy for DVM’s to deal with, since they cause bleeding, and they take about two days to cause symptoms. They have a good antidote and are almost always curable if we have any ideas that are present. What’s not to like?

 

In the past few years, the bleeding type rat baits (warfarin or coumadin types) are being replaced by products that affect the animal much more quickly with much more severe symptoms, including sudden death. There are some reasons given why this is occurring, but I do not really understand them.

 

So, a few words to consider:

1- Be extremely careful with any rat poison, but especially with newer ones that are not “warfarin” type or “coumadin” type. If your pet ingests much of the newer type, he will be at severe risk of death.

2- If your pet ingests rat poison, or ANY poison for that matter, call the ER or your DVM NOW with the active ingredients. In many cases, vomiting is important and vomiting within an hour of ingestion may save a life. So have your container with label out when you call, and bring it with you to us.

3- An Animal Poison Control, which is current on all animal poisons, is available to us for a fee. Be prepared to allow us to use it if we need it.

 

As I always advocate, use good basic common sense in these situations, and you will often save the day.

 

 

See? Something CAN be done about preventing pet illness.

 

 

That is all.

 

 

Dr. John Emerson, Pet Emergency Clinic

 

The Heat

Dear Fellow Pet Lovers,

 

It seems like just yesterday that we had that cool, low humidity “California” weather that we and our pets enjoy. It left.

 

Welcome back to Louisiana, where it’s not just the heat… It’s the humidity. I agree that the combination of high heat and high moisture in the air can be stifling.

 

So, this update is to remind you that the Louisiana heat is returning, having evicted the California cool.

 

Remember your pets in the heat.

 

-No pets left in cars, since the car will become a convection oven within several minutes.

 

-All pets that are outside need lots of shade, water, and maybe even a fan or two.

 

-Be very careful with exercising your athlete pets. I have seen retrievers that would not stop, even when overheating, until they collapse. So, maybe training early in the morning or late in the evening, maybe in the water, with very close monitoring.

 

Just keep your pets in mind and be sure you help them “beat the heat”.

 

 

See? Something CAN be done about preventing pet illness.

 

 

That is all.

 

 

Dr. John Emerson, Pet Emergency Clinic

Plop Plop Fizz Fizz, Causes a Stomach Twist???

Dear Fellow Pet Lovers,

 

The 1990’s internet rumor that is again beginning to gain traction is that your dog can become bloated and at risk for a deadly stomach twist from swallowing Alka Seltzers.

Though I cannot see why giving Alka Seltzers to your pet would be helpful for any reason, the legend does not appear to be true.

Dogs seem to be able to bloat with stomach twist (GDV) all on their own for reasons we humans cannot always fathom.

This condition (GDV) is usually a concern in large, deep-chested breeds such as the Great Dane and the German Shepherd dog, but it can occur in most large breeds. It’s sometimes thought to be triggered by the dog’s eating lots of dry dog food and then guzzling water. The theory is that the food swells in the stomach, causing swelling, and the stomach can then twist. While this theory may be true, we in fact do not really well understand exactly what triggers this condition.

One thing is true. If you see a sudden onset of swelling of your large breed dog’s abdomen, get veterinary help now. Your pet may die from this.

 

How to prevent?

-Feed your pet multiple smaller meals through the day.

-Some recommend water-soaking the food to allow it to swell prior to being ingested.

-I say feed a higher quality diet recommended by your DVM.

 

Remember that, proper steps and avoidance of Alka Seltzer or not, your large deep chested breed could get this condition. So be observant.

 

 

See? Something CAN be done about preventing pet illness.

 

 

That is all.

 

 

Dr. John Emerson, Pet Emergency Clinic

Make Memorial Day 2016 a Good Memory

Dear Fellow Pet Lovers,

 

Memorial Day 2016 will be here very soon. This important holiday, which informally marks the start of the summer season, was established to honor all Americans who died while serving in the military. It was originally called “Decoration Day” and was first observed in 1868.

 

Every year, we all get together to celebrate, be together, maybe cook delicious food, and enjoy ourselves. And every year, we, as loving pet owners, determine to share “just a little treat” with begging Fideaux of the big sad eyes!

 

And every year, we at Pet Emergency Clinic treat a large number of those “begging Phydeauxs of the big sad eyes” for vomiting and diarrhea. Never fails.

 

So, why am I combining Memorial Day with diarrhea? Because they seem to go together as regards pets. That’s why!

 

Well, what can you do…???? I thought you would never ask!!

 

1- Do not feed your pet ANY new food during this time. Rather, give the pet lots of love and attention in lieu of diarrhea-causing treats and people food.

 

2- Keep your pet contained this holiday. The next most popular holiday fare at the ER is “Big Dog- Little Dog” fights and wounds.

 

 

Memorial Day is an important day on which we honor our American heroes. Do 1 and 2 above so the focus may stay on the heroes rather than the pets we have maybe made ill.

 

 

See? Something CAN be done about preventing pet illness.

 

 

That is all.

 

 

Dr. John Emerson, Pet Emergency Clinic

“The Heat Was Hot and the Ground Was Dry…..”

Dear Fellow Pet Lovers, 

Recently, I was feeling really good on a Saturday morning prior to my PetER shift. I exercised, cut grass, and did other outdoors work that totaled about 2 hours. Felt fine. 
Had a late breakfast and arrived for my noon shift on time and feeling fine.
At work, I noticed that I was clumsy, dropping some things, being cranky towards my excellent staffers, and began to feel wierd. Couldn’t understand why. At about the time the headache started, I realized that I was having a mild case of heat exhaustion, which is just a few steps away from heat stroke. 
Got some Pottassium, drank lots of water, and felt better and able to continue competently. 
This reminded me that THE HEAT THIS SUMMER IS SOMETHING SPECIAL!. Reminds me of the heat in the Carribean near the equator. 

We have been seeing more pets with heatstroke at Pet ER. 

Not the classical ones such as dog left in car, Labrador training till he drops, dog running behind bicycle until he collapses. Rather, less obvious ones you wouldn’t expect. 
Indoor dog allowed outside into shaded yard for several minutes. Becomes ill.
Outdoor dog, accustomed to the heat, chases a ball for just a few minutes. Collapses.
And others like that. 
So, my point is to be TOTALLY AWARE of the heat and of HEATSTROKE. 
-Exercise your pet when it is cooler.
-Do not let your fur-covered friend lay in direct sunlight for long. 
Just BE AWARE!!!!
If your pet DOES overheat, cool him with tap water briefly and get him to a DVM NOW!

Careful, get him wet but do not go crazy. We must cool these pets cautiously since too dramatic temperature changes (in my experience) seem to make things worse. 
If your pet seems cooled off and better now, he should still be seen. Heatstroke symptoms can show up to 3 days after the incident. So being on IV fluids and antibiotics and intestinal protectants increase your pet’s survival dramatically.
To summarize, take the heat seriously. Avoid allowing your pet to overheat, and if you think that he did, get him veterinary help right away, even if he seems better. 

That is all.

Dr. John Emerson, Pet Emergency Clinic

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

Dear Fellow Pet Lovers, 

One of you wrote me and asked why her dog occasionally eats grass, and then seems to vomit. My answer? I don’t know!
Not trying to be cute, but I really do not know. 
I do associate eating grass with intestinal upset in dogs. Some people believe that a dog eats grass when the dog feels queasy and some people believe the dog becomes queasy from eating the grass. I confess ignorance. 

Asked Cocoa, the ER pet dog, and she just stared at me as if I were crazy. So, I have zero data “from the dog’s mouth,” so to speak.

I can suggest that, to avoid intestinal upset in your dog, feed a HIGH QUALITY diet regularly and avoid human foods mostly. The WORST human foods to feed seem to be pork products and fat of any type. Also, bones of any type are often a bad (read Expensive) idea. 
Regarding HIGH QUALITY diet, I am opening a can of worms, but here goes….
Remember, that this is MY OPINION, OK?

I always feed a major brand that has been around a while and that I have had good success with. Many of the grocery store brands more top of the line versions are often ok. Such as the Purina Pro Plan or even the Eukaneuba. Avoid the cheaper grocery store brands. They often cost you more in medical bills than what you save.
I avoid some of the highly hyped pet store foods. Often, the vast majority of these brands’ budgets go into SELLING rather than developing great products. In some cases, the label claims are just a lie. 
Grain-free is pretty much marketing. It mostly is of no benefit. And, many that claim grain-free are NOT.
And lastly, CORN is NOT evil. It is just another source of carbohydrate, a nutrient your pet needs. It is true that if your pet is allergic or sensitive to corn, then you should avoid feeding it. 
Now, lastly, who should you trust to give you nutritional advice? Your DVM or a pet store clerk? Sorry, I just have to say your DVM. Maybe it is my bias since I am one. Your DVM is interested in your pet living a long time, so you will be happy, and maybe even take the pet to her for a long time. (Also, your DVM has years of education and maybe even some experience helping pets. So, consult your DVM on diet too.
To summarize this wild flyer that started with grass eating…..
1) Avoid feeding human foods to pets in general, especially pork and fat. 

2) Feed a high quality diet to your pet after receiving input from your own expert, your DVM.

See? Nothing to it. 
That is all.

Dr. John Emerson, Pet Emergency Clinic

Summer Time (And the Living is Easy)

Dear Fellow Pet Lovers, 

Summertime in Southwest Louisiana is hot (a PROFOUND STATEMENT) and the living is not always so easy for our pets.
Though this is not my first mention ever about the heat and its effects on pets, it is time to bring it up again. So here goes…..

The heat may seem oppressive for humans, no doubt, and now imagine its effect on animals encased in fur whose normal body temperature already runs over 100 degrees. Our pets may be affected by the heat more quickly than we are and in a worse fashion. Repeat it Repeat it Repeat it.

When an animal gets heatstroke, it may collapse and look near death or it may just be acting “strange,” and all the while its body is overheating and severely injuring its critical organs. Heatstroke is a medical emergency and your pet needs to see a DVM if it occurs.

In some cases, a pet exercises and does not know when to stop (think Labrador Retriever), in some cases the water got tumped over and the sunshade fell down, and in some cases we left our pet in the car (excellent solar-powered convection oven) “for just a minute” and our pet “baked.”

Whatever the scenario, if you believe that your pet has overheated, even if he seems good now, he should see a DVM immediately. Cool him off by wetting him with room temperature water and get him to the DVM NOW NOW NOW!
Why do you need to come in even if he seems fine now?

Heatstrokes are a nasty disease that may not show severe symptoms until about 48 hours after the incident. Getting into the hospital now is the best chance to salvage the pet.
What can you do to prevent it?

Start by having awareness of it, and do not count on the Labrador quitting when he gets too hot (he probably won’t), don’t count on the sunshade’s staying up, the fan to keep running, and the water to remain untumped (they probably will fail at the absolute worst time), and especially don’t count on your car not turning into an oven (it will).

In other words, count on Murphy coming to visit. He will!

If your pet shows any signs of overheating at all, or even if you just think he may have overheated, go see your DVM NOW NOW NOW.

And if it is after hours, come to Pet Emergency Clinic. (337-562-0400)

That is all.

Dr. John Emerson, Pet Emergency Clinic

Splish Splash

Dear Fellow Pet Lovers, 

Since summer has mostly arrived and we are all looking for ways to cool off, decided that a summary of common sense “pet pool rules” may be helpful to you. (This summary paraphrased from the latest issue of “Dogster” magazine.

1) Teach your dog to enter and exit the pool. Dogs have drowned when unable to figure this simple thing out. 
2) Swimming dogs need a lifeguard- you!
3) Be especially careful about the very short-legged breeds such as dachshunds and bulldogs at the swim. Be sure your dog can physically do it. 
4) Use a doggie lifevest, no matter how well your dog can apparently swim.
5) Be aware of sunburn, especially with white breeds. Use a sunscreen rated for dogs if needed. 
6) Stop the water session before your dog becomes overtired. 
7) Take a pet first aid class for the best safety. 
So, there you have it. Common sense rules for pet safety around swimming pools from Dogster magazine.

If your pet has a medical problem, call your DVM. And if after hours, call PetER. 337-562-0400.

You CAN do something about pet illness.

That is all.

Dr. John Emerson, Pet Emergency Clinic