Following veterinarian’s suggestions are the best way to keep your dog or cat healthy.  During visits to the veterinarian, your pet will usually get some vaccinations or a check-up, but there will probably also be some advice given to the pet owner that is intended to keep the pet healthy and happy.  One of the issues that cause many problems with pet health is the people not following the instructions.  A good example is controlling the weight of your dog or cat because it is not healthy for them to be overweight.  Veterinarians will go as far as prescribed diets and weight management plans in order to help animals shed the pounds, all in the name of reducing stress on the pet’s joints, helping with heart and liver health, and avoiding injuries and illnesses that being overweight contribute to.  Once the pet and the owner are at home, however, many times the diet and feeding amounts go out the window because the animal begs for food.  The compassion of the pet owner gets the best of them, and they start feeding treats to the pet of human food, giving them “just a little more” to eat at mealtimes or mixing in “better tasting” food if the pet seems to not like the flavor of the reduced-calorie diets.  Even though it seems as though you are being good to your pet, this is actually bad for them in the long run and is not aiding them in being healthy and happy.  The short-term happiness of the owner giving treats to their friend compromises the long-term goals of weight loss for health reasons.

What you need to understand as a pet owner is that you know better than your pet does what is best for them, and your veterinarian is giving you plans on how to best help your pet for their own good.  Your dog or cat is always going to beg for food, and it is your responsibility as the parent to make them stick to their diet.  This type of mentality goes with everything that is prescribed by a veterinarian, none of which the pet is going to do willingly.  If treats did not taste good, the animal would not beg for them.  It is a rare occasion where a pet will beg for medications as pills are generally not the best tasting things, but as a human, you must keep the pet on the plan that the veterinarian has mapped out for their eventual better health.

Veterinarians can only create the plans to better health that pets need in order to live happy lives.  The failures of these plans are usually because the human parent deviates from the course because the pet wants it that way.  The best way for you to show love for your pet is to follow the veterinarian’s advice, and not give in to the habits that put them at risk…..even if they seem to want it that way.

Anyone who is new to the Las Vegas area who is looking to find a new veterinarian for their pet is faced with an overwhelming amount of choices.  When asked the question “how do you choose a veterinarian in Las Vegas” the answer should be one that provides the following:

After asking friends who they recommend, visit the veterinary office in person.  Taking someone at their word is never a good idea, as the person who you have asked for a suggestion may have simply chosen the veterinarian that is closest to their house, or who is the cheapest.  If you are looking to make the choice that is best for you and your pet, it is always a good idea to make a list of the veterinary clinics that have been recommended by people you believe care for their animals in the same way you do, then visiting them in person.  Ask to take a tour of the clinic, and to speak to the lead veterinarian in person about what makes their clinic different and better than others.  If you feel comfortable that this is the best veterinary clinic for your animal, then book an initial visit.

Is the veterinary office clean and professional? A veterinarian is a doctor for your pets, so judge them in the same ways that you would if you were choosing a doctor for yourself.  If the office is not clean and professional, with a staff that is courteous and concerned about your pet, then choose a different veterinarian.

Convenience is always a concern and should be taken into consideration if it is going to make you visit the veterinarian less often because it is too far away.  Choose a clinic that is convenient enough to your home to make the trips regularly, not only when your pet is sick or in an emergency.  Pet care is best when routine maintenance is performed, so make sure that the veterinarian you choose is not someone so far away that you would not make the drive regularly.  Additionally, request the address and phone numbers of the suggested emergency veterinary location.  If the clinic that is serving as your regular veterinarian does not keep 24 hour times, then you need to know who they suggest you see if an emergency takes place when they are closed.

Does the veterinarian seem to care? A veterinarian is a doctor and should care about the health and well-being of your pet above all else.  Talk to them and get a sense as far as their priorities, it will help you make a good choice.  There are many, many veterinarians in Las Vegas, and we want to be your first choice.

Most veterinarians will agree that using coconut oil in your pet’s diet will have benefits, just like most doctors will agree that using it is beneficial to humans.  Here are the specific benefits of mixing coconut oil into your pet’s diet:

 

• Coconut oil is an excellent source of nutrition and is over 90% saturated fat, antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal.
• Coconut oil is high in antioxidants and helps the absorption of vital minerals.
• Coconut oil is high in fatty acids and has been proven to have health benefits.
• Lauric acid is effective in fighting staph, especially in combination with oregano oil.  It is additionally effective in the prevention of some cancers, and is the richest source of lauric acid available at 40%.

Coconut oil also helps in digestion and improves pet’s coats.  Animals like cats and dogs would have consumed high levels of fats in the wild due to their meat diet, and unfortunately many pet foods fall short of necessary levels.  Coconut oil is a good source of these fats.  It can be applied externally on wounds and rashes in order to assist in the healing process, as well as reducing infection.  Pets love to eat coconut oil so it is incredibly easy to administer to them.  The dosage is typically about a teaspoon per 10 pounds, but make sure to gradually build up the daily dosage as it can produce flu-like symptoms if administered too fast.

Ear Infections (Otitis Externa) in Dogs

Ear disease is one of the most common conditions treated by veterinarians. Otitis externa is the term used to describe inflammation of the outer ear canal. Unlike the horizontal shape of the human ear canal, a dog’s ear canal has a more vertical shape, making it an ideal place for debris and moisture to build up.

The ear canal is a sensitive structure and prone to infection, although this is more true in some dogs than in others. Dogs that have heavy, pendulous ears tend to be more predisposed to developing ear infections because of the lack of air circulation, while other breeds of dogs, such as Shar-Peis, naturally have a narrower (stenotic) ear canal. There are some breeds that naturally have an abundance of hair surrounding the ear canal, which blocks air circulation and may cause blockages of loose hair. Dogs with allergic skin disorders such as canine atopy and food sensitivity dermatitis tend to have more frequent ear infections as part of the overall allergic response. Other causes of ear infections include bacteria, yeast, and parasites such as ear mites. Foreign objects may enter the ear canal, causing irritation. As a dog scratches, they cause self-inflicted trauma, which makes ear problems worse. Hormonal deficiencies or excesses can affect the ears, such as in dogs with hypothyroidism, and may require treatment to prevent ear problems in the future. Occasionally, hereditary diseases such as dermatomyositis and primary seborrhea affect the ears, as well as squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and other tumors in the ear.

The normal appearance of a dog’s outer ears on the inside of the ear flap should be pale pink, smooth, with no foul odor or discharge. The following symptoms may indicate the need for veterinary examination of the ears:

Scratching of the ear area, head shaking, or tilting

Rubbing of the ear on the floor or furniture

Foul odor in the ear

Redness, swelling, crusting, discharge, or buildup of the outer ear or canal, hair loss around the ear

Pain around the ear area

Hearing loss, loss of balance, or walking in circles

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, they should be brought to a veterinarian for treatment right away, because external ear infections may spread to the middle ear and cause complications or permanent deafness. The veterinarian may use an otoscope, a tool used to examine the inside of the ear canal and eardrum, as a first step toward diagnosing the specific cause of your dog’s otitis externa. A sample of discharge from the ear canal may be taken and examined under the microscope or sent off to a laboratory to find out if any specific species of bacteria, yeast, or ear mites are involved. This will help determine what the best treatment plan is for the dog. In dogs whose ear canals are filled with too much debris for the veterinarian to see inside, or for those who are in too much pain for examination, sedation may be required so that the ears can be cleaned enough to examine.

Depending upon the cause of the ear problem, treatments could include antibiotics, antifungals, or ear mite medications. Treatment of the underlying cause of the infection may include allergy treatment, thyroid treatment, or removal of tumors or hair that may be blocking the ear canal.

Regardless of the cause of your dog’s ear problems, keeping the ear canal clean and dry is the first priority, and the best way to prevent further ear infections. Always follow your veterinarian’s recommendations to help keep your dog’s ears clean and healthy.

Canine Parvovirus Infection (CPV)

Canine parvovirus is a potentially life-threatening and highly contagious viral illness. All dogs are at risk of contracting this disease, but puppies under the age of four months and unvaccinated dogs are most at risk. The majority of cases are seen in puppies between the age of six weeks and six months of age. Early vaccination of young puppies drastically reduces the incidence of canine parvovirus infections.

Parvovirus Symptoms

The most common form of parvovirus attacks the intestinal tract, causing symptoms such as lethargy and vomiting, severe bloody diarrhea, fever, lack of appetite, and weight loss. This form of CPV interferes with fluid absorption in the intestine, causing rapid dehydration and weakness. Abdominal palpation may cause pain or discomfort, and the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes may be red. Death may occur in as little as 48 to 72 hours from initial onset of symptoms, so it is critical that veterinary attention is sought immediately. Although less common, the cardiac form of CPV attacks the heart muscles in very young puppies, and often leads to death.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Parvovirus

Clinical symptoms and laboratory testing assist veterinarians in diagnosing CPV. The ELISA test (Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbant Assay test) is a standard testing tool for parvovirus and works by detecting the virus in a dog’s stool. It may be necessary to run additional testing and bloodwork.

Since parvovirus is a viral infection, there is no cure. Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms while the virus runs its course. Intravenous fluids and nutrition are essential, to replace the fluids and electrolytes lost from severe diarrhea. Medications may be used to control vomiting and nausea to prevent further dehydration, and antibiotics and anthelmintics fight secondary bacterial infections, parasites, and bacterial toxins in the blood. Puppies without fully developed immune systems are at greater risk, so shock and sudden death are not uncommon in very young dogs.

How to Prevent Parvovirus

Due to its highly contagious nature, dogs infected with the parvovirus must be isolated from other dogs to prevent further spread of the infection. The first line of defense to prevent dogs from contracting the virus is to keep vaccinations current. Puppies 6 to 8 weeks of age should receive their first vaccine, and boosters are given every 4 weeks until they are 16 to 20 weeks old. An additional vaccine is given at one year of age. Older dogs who have not yet received their full series of puppy vaccinations should be given at least one immunization.

Parvovirus can be a tenacious pathogen, capable of surviving for months on surfaces. Good hygiene practices and vaccinations are important, but even then, it can be difficult to eliminate. Many regular disinfectants are not sufficient for killing the virus on surfaces. A solution of one part bleach to 32 parts water may be used on hard surfaces and items in direct contact with the infected pet. Any items that cannot be properly cleaned should be discarded. Pets recovering from parvovirus should be isolated from contact with other animals for at least a two-month period following recovery, to prevent the infection from spreading to other pets.