People love fruit because it is sweet as well as being loaded with nutrients that are excellent for your body.  Any pet owner who has ever dropped a piece of fruit on the ground only to see their dog snatch it up and eat it as quickly as possible quickly realizes that pets love fruit too.  What many pet owners do not know about fruit is that certain types are also good for your pet’s body, and others are not.  As we have stated many times, your pet’s body is not exactly like yours, and reacts differently to many foods than yours does.  Just because you can enjoy a certain food does not mean your pet can as well, without getting sick or worse.

Below is a list of fruits that are good for your pet, although we should note that feeding your pet too much fruit can cause them to become sick, have an upset stomach and also get diarrhea.  Small amounts in moderation of these fruits are fine.

Apples: They are loaded with potassium, fiber, phytonutrients, flavonoids, vitamin C.  However we should also mention to  not give dogs the core or the seeds.  Apple cores and seeds contain arsenic.
Bananas: These tasty treats are full of potassium and high in carbohydrates.
Blueberries: High levels of antioxidants, selenium, zinc and iron. Also very high in vitamins C, E, A and B complex.
Blackberries: High levels of antioxidants, polyphenols, tannin, fiber, manganese, folate, omega-3. Additionally high in vitamins C, K, A and E.
Raspberries: Loaded with dietary fiber, antioxidants, potassium, manganese, copper, iron, magnesium. Also source of vitamin C, K and B-complex.
Cranberries: High levels of vitamin C, fiber and manganese.  These treats assist healing of urinary tract infections.  Additionally balances acid-base in dog’s body.
Strawberries: Chock full of fiber, potassium, magnesium, iodine, folic acid, omega-3 fats, vitamins C, K, B1 and B6.
Kiwis: Lots of fiber, potassium and high in vitamin C.
Pears: Loaded in fiber, folic acid, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, copper, pectin and vitamins A, C, E, B1 and B2.
Watermelon: High concentrations of vitamins C and A, potassium, magnesium and water. However, you should not feed your dog the seeds or rind.
Cantaloupe: High levels of vitamins A, B complex, C, plus fiber, beta-carotene, potassium, magnesium, thiamine, niacin, pantothenic acid and folic acid.
Oranges: Loaded with fiber, potassium, calcium, folic acid, iron, flavonoids, phytonutrients, and vitamins A, C, B1, and B6.
Pumpkin: Full of fiber, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, zinc, iron, potassium, and Vitamin A. However there are some restrictions regarding pumpkin.  Even though you can feed your dog pumpkin seeds, most recommend feeding them to dogs unsalted, roasted, and then grounded. Do not feed your dog any other part of the pumpkin due to the small, sharp hairs on the pumpkin stem and leaves.

Animals can benefit from eating any of the fruits listed above, however, if the fruit that you are eating is not on the list you should avoid feeding it to your animal before consulting with a veterinarian.  Never assume that your animal can eat the same things as you can, as certain foods that humans eat every day can make your animal very sick.

The vestibular system is the neurological equipment responsible for perceiving the body’s orientation relative to earth. It is responsible for maintaining posture, balance of the head and trunk, and the position of the eyes in relation to head movement. The vestibular system can be divided into central and peripheral components. Central vestibular structures are located within the brainstem and cerebellum. Peripheral vestibular structures involve the nerves related to receptors in the inner ear. Idiopathic vestibular disease involves the peripheral vestibular system.

Idiopathic means that the cause of the condition is unknown. Dogs with acute idiopathic vestibular disease are often older than 7 years of age; hence, the disease is sometimes referred to as “old dog vestibular disease.” Feline idiopathic vestibular disease most often occurs in late July and August in the northeastern part of North America, and for unknown reasons tends to affect male outdoor cats more often.

Clinical signs of vestibular disease often occur quickly. Animals will often have a head tilt due to the loss of antigravity muscle tone on one side of the neck. The head will tilt toward the side of the problem. Animals can also have a nystagmus, which is an abnormal eye movement from side to side. The eye movement will include a rapid phase,which will often be away from the side of the problem. Other clinical signs that may occur include falling (often toward the side of the lesion), gait disturbance, circling and motion sickness.

Other causes of vestibular problems include inner ear infections and brain lesions. Inner ear infections also involve the peripheral vestibular system and can cause clinical signs similar to idiopathic vestibular disease. Animals with vestibular disease typically have a history of chronic ear infections and must have their ear drums examined for any evidence of possible infection. Brain lesions involve the central vestibular system. Central vestibular problems can be differentiated from peripheral problems based on cranial nerve abnormalities of the opposite side, or a nystagmus that is vertical or only present when the head is placed in certain positions.

The prognosis for idiopathic vestibular disease is excellent and the improvement of clinical signs usually occurs within 72 hours. Animals usually return to normal within 10-14 days, but some may continue to have a head tilt long term. Treatment usually involves supportive care, including preventing motion sickness, and an idiopathic vestibular disorder will rarely reoccur.

The trachea (windpipe) is a tube of c-shaped cartilage rings that connect the oral cavity with the lungs. The c-shaped cartilage has a membrane that lines the top surface. In dogs, these cartilage rings can weaken and the tracheal membrane loses its rigidity,causing the trachea to collapse. A collapsing trachea will cause clinical signs ranging from increased noise on inspiration to a characteristic “honking” cough, especially during exercise.

The trachea can be divided into an extra-thoracic portion (outside of the chest) and an intra-thoracic portion (inside the chest). The area of the collapse can be confined to an isolated portion in the trachea or it may encompass the entire structure. The most common area for the collapse is the point at which the trachea enters the chest.

Tracheal collapse is common in middle-aged and older toy and miniature breeds, with Yorkshire terriers, poodles, and Pomeranians being the most affected. Many times the coughing is triggered by activity or exercise. Secondary problems, such as obesity, increased respiratory irritants (cigarette smoke), development of a respiratory infection, or anesthesia involving the placement of an endotracheal tube, can exacerbate the disease. Dogs suffering from an extra-thoracic collapsed trachea can often have a cough initiated by palpation of that area. A definitive diagnosis is often made by endoscopy, radiography, or fluoroscopy.

Treatment of a collapsing trachea usually focuses on a combination of correcting any secondary problems and medically managing the cough. Any secondary problems must be addressed and corrected, including an owner giving up cigarettes or pets undergoing a strict diet plan. Other alterations to a pet’s environment that can improve the disease include removing stress, restricting activity if weightloss is not a concern, and wearing a harness instead of a collar to take any pressure off of the trachea.

Medical management involves medications such as cough suppressants, bronchodilators, and steroids. Surgical correction is usually not considered until medical management has proven ineffective. Surgical correction involves the application of plastic rings to the external surface of the trachea or insertion of intraluminal stents inside the trachea. Both procedures have a high rate of complications and should be discussed and performed by a veterinary surgical specialist.

Pyometra is a disease that occurs when the uterus in an older female dog or cat fills with pus. Most affected dogs and cats are older than six years of age and have not been spayed or still have their ovaries and uteruses. Some spayed dogs can get an infection from a remnant of the uterus, which is called a stump pyometra.

The cause of a pyometrais an interaction between the lining of the uterus and the hormone progesterone. After a heat cycle takes place, the ovary releases progesterone to prepare the lining of the uterus for pregnancy. In older animals, this causes a syndrome called Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia, in which the tissue that lines the uterus becomes excessive or persistent. As fluid accumulates along the lining of the uterus, bacteria can ascend from the vagina and the uterus becomes inflamed and ultimately infected and filled with pus. This infection can spread to other parts of the animal’s body, causing the animal to become systemically ill as well.

The clinical signs for a pyometra can be varied. The first clinical signs are usually seen within 4 weeks after a heat cycle in cats and 8 weeks in dogs. A vaginal discharge is the best indicator of a pyometra but will only be present if the cervix of the uterus is open. If the cervix of the uterus is closed, no vaginal discharge will be present. Other clinical signs of a pyometra include decreased appetite, lethargy, depression, vomiting, and diarrhea. Another unique clinical sign with a pyometra may be a sudden increase in drinking and urination. An endotoxin produced by the bacterial component of a pyometra, E. coli, causes a temporary paralysis of the kidneys’ ability to concentrate urine. This loss of concentrating ability for the urine causes the animal to suddenly drink excessive amounts of water.

The diagnosis of a pyometra involves a combination of history, clinical signs, and diagnostic tests. Since the timing of a pyometra is typically 4-8 weeks following a heat cycle, it is important to know when the last heat occurred. Physical exam findings such as distended abdomen and purulent vaginal discharge can support a diagnosis. Finally, more advanced diagnostic tests can help confirm a diagnosis. A complete blood count can show an elevated white blood cell count which would support a diagnosis. Abdominal X-rays may show tubular, fluid-filled structures in the area of the uterus. An ultrasound is also helpful to assess size, thickness, and presence of fluid in the uterus.

Treatment for a pyometra involves surgically removing the uterus and ovaries. The surgery can be a challenge because the severe infection that takes place during a pyometra does not make the pet an ideal anesthetic candidate. Depending on how severe the systemic extent of the disease is, extended hospitalization, including aggressive fluid therapy and intravenous antibiotics, may be necessary to overcome the illness. Animals surviving surgical correction of the problem have an excellent prognosis.

Pyometra is almost entirely a preventable disease. Spaying your dog and cat before 6 months of age will prevent the disease from taking place.

Pet Tip: Dog Parks

Dog parks are the fastest growing segment of city parks in the United States. They can be a great way for you and your four-legged friend to enjoy some time outdoors. Follow these helpful suggestions to assure that the day ends safely:

Obey all rules and regulations. Practice general courtesy by picking up your dog’s messes, as no one wants to step in your dog’s mess any more than you do. Try to remain civil toward other pet owners, and remove yourself and your dog if there are any disagreements that could escalate further.

Pay attention to your dog at all times, especially if it is your first visit. Understand general signals, postures, and social behavior of dogs, and learn to recognize any signs of aggression, stress, tension, fear, or other threatening behavior, and learn to differentiate it from playing. Know when to step in and separate your dog from others to prevent fights that may lead to injuries. Don’t allow other dogs to threaten or intimidate your dog, and if they don’t leave, remove your dog. On the other hand, watch your own dog for over-excitement or bullying behavior, and avoid putting other dogs or people at risk for injury by leaving if they are showing these signals.

Make sure your older dog is up to date on vaccinations and has a valid license. Don’t bringing puppies younger than 4 months old, or one that hasn’t been fully vaccinated. There are risks of dogs transmitting illnesses such as rabies or kennel cough to one another through close contact. Protect your dog by avoiding the dog park if they are ill or not up to date on vaccinations.

Introduce your dog slowly to other dogs by allowing them to greet other dogs through the fence before entering the park. If your dog does not have much experience socializing with other dogs, introduce your pet to dogs in other situations. This will give you a better idea of how they will react to others. If your dog is not friendly or polite to others, get help with a trainer to correct any unwanted behavior before bringing your pet to a dog park.

Do not take your pet to a dog park if they haven’t been spayed or neutered. The same goes for a female dog in heat. Dogs use scent to communicate with one another, and unaltered pets or those in heat send out signals that can cause fights or other problems.

Think safety before bringing your pet to a dog park. Avoid peak temperature hours, and watch for heat exhaustion. If the park is not equipped with clean water for pets to drink, bring your own. Carry a cell phone, and have the number of the local animal control agency available to report any aggressive dog or person that won’t leave the park.

Bringing your pet to a dog park should be an enjoyable experience for both you and your pet, and following these tips will help ensure that you both have a good time at the dog park.