Sunday, November 25, 2012

Pet Health Tip #32- Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs

Diabetes mellitus, also known as sugar diabetes, affects all breeds of dogs.  However, the most commonly affected are Golden Retrievers, Miniature Schnauzers, and Poodles.  Obesity is a predisposing factor that contributes to the development of diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is caused by the pancreas’s inadequate production of insulin.  This causes the cells to be unable to absorb glucose.  The glucose levels rise in the blood stream and will eventually spill over into the urine, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels and glucosuria.
Early symptoms of diabetes include increased appetite, increased thirst, and weight loss.  More severe symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, cataracts, and coma.
Most diabetic dogs will need to be treated with a combination of insulin and dietary changes.  The dose of insulin needed depends on the dog’s body’s reaction to it.  Dogs are started on an insulin regimen for about a week.  They will then need to come back into the vet clinic to have a glucose curve run to watch the body’s reaction to the insulin.  The dose will then be adjusted based on this reaction.  The dog will have to make regular visits to the vet clinic in order to monitor the blood glucose levels.  In addition, most dogs will need to be placed on a high fiber/high carbohydrate diet.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Pet Health Tip-Holiday Hazards

Since we are moving into the holiday season, I thought I would write a post reminding everyone of the potential hazards for pets this time of year.
 
First, there are several potential dangers associated with the abundance of food we consume during the holiday season.  Chocolate, especially baker's chocolate, can be very dangerous.  It can cause a variety of neurologic signs.  For more details about the dangers of chocolate, see my previous post on chocolate toxicity.  Other foods like onions and grapes are also toxic to dogs.  Additionally, turkey bones can be very dangerous.  The bones can splinter and puncture the bowels leading to peritonitis or they can become lodged in the bowel and require surgery to remove.  Finally, dogs that are not accustomed to eating the high fat foods that we eat at the holidays are at risk of developing pancreatitis when they are fed the leftovers.  This is something that I saw quite frequently in practice.  Pancreatitis causes vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, and can be life threatening.  So, bottom line, DON'T let your dog join in the feasting!!!
 
Another danger that pets face during the holidays is the stress of so much activity going on around them.  This can be especially stressful for older pets.  High levels of stress most frequently causes "stress colitis". This is severe inflammation of the colon leading to bloody diarrhea.
 
Finally, for cats the most dangerous part of the holiday is the Christmas tree.  Cats love shiny objects, especially tinsel.  They have a tendency to swallow these objects.  This can lead to the tinsel becoming trapped in the intestines.  It usually requires surgery to remove the tinsel. 
 
Final thoughts, the holiday season is an exciting time of the year for everyone, including out pets.  With just a few precautions, you can ensure that it is also a safe time of the year.
 
 

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Critique de Book's 5 Star Review of THE RESCUE TEAM

Title: The Rescue Team
Author: Billi Tiner
Genre: YA/Animal Fiction
Publisher: Self (July 26, 2012)
Available: $2.99 at Amazon
Rating: 5+ stars
Rater: Lauri

From the publisher:

Ellie is shocked and confused when her owners leave her at the animal shelter. Feeling abandoned and unloved, Ellie spends her days staring vacantly through the gate of her pen. Ellie’s life changes when she is finally adopted by a compassionate woman named Anne. Ellie and Anne form an unbreakable bond of love and friendship. A thunderstorm drives Toby, a young frightened kitten, to Anne’s porch. Anne and Ellie immediately welcome him into their family. One night, they hear an emergency broadcast announcement that a little girl is missing in the woods near their home. Anne, Ellie, and Toby join in the search to find her, and an incredible rescue team is formed. The team will be called upon again when a tornado tears through their town. Will they find any survivors?


What I liked: This is a book that should be on every child’s bookshelf. In it, a child can explore some tough and scary situations inside the safe medium of a story, and her parents can be certain the story tells her the right things. In these pages, a couple of abandoned animals find their way to Anne, whose heart is as big as the world. Sometimes things are hard, but this adoptive family learns to stick together, and their love truly saves the day. (And best of all, my son loves this story.)

What I didn’t like: Not one thing.

In sum: Buy this for your kids - today. It’s a must-have. And if you read my reviews, you know I almost never say that.

Visit Critique de Book: http://critiquedebook.blogspot.com/

Friday, November 16, 2012

4 Middle-grade books by Billi Tiner


Welcome Home

5 stars-"Welcome Home is a well-written animal story that young readers will enjoy... Welcome Home will be loved and remembered and reported upon by many young pre-teen readers"-Alice D. for Readers Favorite

"Young readers who like animal stories will appreciate this warm canine tale."- Kirkus Reviews

"Welcome Home is a charming story of what a dog wants out of life..."- Midwest Book Review





Welcome Home is the story of Jake, a black Labrador Retriever mix. For as long as Jake can remember, he has been having the same dream. In his dream, he lives with a wonderful man in a beautiful home. He has never seen the face of the man in the dream, but he knows his voice and is certain that they are meant to be together. When the day comes for Jake to be given away to his new home, he believes that he will finally get to meet the man from his dreams. However, when he is chosen, it is definitely not by the man from his dream! He is taken to a home where he is terribly mistreated. After suffering years of abuse, Jake finally escapes and is able to begin the search for the man he has been dreaming of his entire life. Along the way, Jake meets some interesting characters, survives amazing adventures, and forms life-long friendships. Join Jake on his incredible journey home.
 
 

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Friends for Life


"Tiner manages to breathe life into the book's four main characters...An entertaining read..."- Kirkus Reviews

5 star-"Friends for Life" is so much more than just your ordinary dog story...It is such a feel good tale that you will want to mark this as one that will be a classic..."Reviewed by Lorraine Carey for Readers Favorite

"Friends for Life" is a strong pick for youth readers who enjoy a dog-driven tale."- The Midwest Book Review



Bo and Rico are two puppies who meet at a pet store. The puppies are dognapped from the pet store by two goons. Realizing they are in danger, Bo and Rico must work together to escape the dognappers. After their escape, Bo and Rico find themselves scared and alone on the mean city streets. They are rescued by a streetwise stray named Tank. Tank takes the puppies under his wing and teaches them how to survive on the streets. Bo and Rico embark on several adventures including avoiding the local Animal Control officer, Jimmy; several run-ins with a pack of dogs led by a stray named Mongrel; and rescuing a beautiful lost Poodle named Pearl. Through it all, Bo and Rico form an incredible friendship that will last a lifetime.






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Heart of a Hero


"Heart of a Hero is a treasure for dog lovers."- Midwest Book Review

5 stars-"If you are looking for a good read for your child or teen, I highly recommend you grab "Heart of a Hero" by Billi J. Tiner for them. This is a truly awesome book for those who love dogs."-Joy H. for Readers Favorite


Lady, an Irish Setter puppy, is leading a simple life on a farm in Ohio during the 1940’s. Lady’s biggest desire is to become an expert hunting dog like her mother. She has no idea that her life is going to take her down a path where she will find herself in the middle of incredibly dangerous situations, including a world war. On several occasions, Lady will have to find the courage to risk her life in order to save someone she loves. The loyalty and bravery that Lady shows throughout her lifetime illustrate what it truly means to have the heart of a hero.


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The Rescue Team

5 Stars- "I recommend this wonderful little story strongly for anyone old enough to read. I give it 5 barks!"- Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers Favorite


Ellie is shocked and confused when her owners leave her at the animal shelter. Feeling abandoned and unloved, Ellie spends her days staring vacantly through the gate of her pen. Ellie’s life changes when she is finally adopted by a compassionate woman named Anne. Ellie and Anne form an unbreakable bond of love and friendship. A thunderstorm drives Toby, a young frightened kitten, to Anne’s porch. Anne and Ellie immediately welcome him into their family. One night, they hear an emergency broadcast announcement that a little girl is missing in the woods near their home. Anne, Ellie, and Toby join in the search to find her, and an incredible rescue team is formed. The team will be called upon again when a tornado tears through their town. Will they find any survivors?








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Sunday, November 11, 2012

Pet Health Tip #31- Feline Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus affects approximately 1 in 400 cats.  Obesity is the number one contributing factor to feline diabetes.  However, not all cats that develop diabetes will be overweight.  Early symptoms of diabetes include: increased appetite, increased urination, increased drinking, and unexplained weight loss.  Advanced symptoms include: loss of appetite, vomiting, ketone breath (sweet odor), and diabetic coma. 

Diagnosis of feline diabetes mellitus is based on symptoms, elevated blood sugar levels, and glucose in the urine.  When the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin or the cells fail to respond properly to insulin, the body cannot properly handle blood sugar.  This leads to the elevated glucose in the blood and this spills over into the urine.  The inability to properly use blood glucose can lead to an increased level of ketones.  Ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition caused by elevated ketones in the blood. 

There are three types of diabetes mellitus in cats.  Type I diabetic cats are insulin dependent, meaning their pancreas is not producing enough insulin.  These cats will need to receive regular insulin injections.  In cats with type II diabetes, the cat’s pancreas may make enough insulin but the cat’s body does not use it properly.  This is the most common type of feline diabetes.  Often, these cats will respond to oral medications and dietary restrictions. 

There are some cats that are Type II, but need initially need insulin injections.  However, eventually, their system re-regulates and they can go off insulin.  These cats will still require a special diet.

Treating diabetic cats can be an expensive and frustrating endeavor.  The best treatment is prevention.  By maintaining your cat at a healthy body weight, you will significantly reduce the chances of the cat developing diabetes.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Pet Health #30- Hyperthyroidism in cats


Hyperthyroidism is an issue that primarily affects cats.  The thyroid gland becomes hyperactive and gives off too much thyroid hormone.  Hyperthyroidism in cats often goes undiagnosed.  However, in severe cases, the most common symptom the owner sees is a cat who has a voracious appetite, but is losing weight.  Often times they will have an unkempt hair coat.  They also have a very rapid heart rate.  Other possible symptoms included: increased urination, vomiting, restlessness, and diarrhea. 

The thyroid gland sits in the throat.  A normal thyroid gland should not be big enough to feel.  However, an enlarge thyroid gland will be palpable.  It will feel like two small peas on either side of the trachea (throat). 

Treatment for hyperthyroidism includes daily medication.  However, as most cat owners know, pilling a cat can be a very difficult job.  Some cats will take the pills if they are hidden in food (i.e. hot dog, bread, cheese).  Another good way to pill a cat is to put it in the back of the throat and then squirt water in the cats mouth.  This accomplishes two thing.  First, the cat will be forced to swallow; and second, the water will help the pill down the cats throat making it more comfortable for the cat. 

There is another treatment option that is safe and is actually a cure.  There are special clinics that will irradiate the thyroid gland.  It is a completely painless process.  The cat usually stays in the hospital for a few days in order to eliminate any radioactive waste.  Then they can go home and resume a normal life.  This treatment is the ideal treatment for hyperthyroidism.  However, it is also the most expensive and there are not that many clinics that are licensed to do it.