Pet Allergies

Just like humans, dogs and cats can have allergies. Like in humans, the allergies can come from food, or inhaled allergens like trees, weeds, grasses, pollens, fungi, insects and mites. While there is no cure for allergies we can find ways to control the symptoms. To greater define your pet’s allergies you can have a allergy testing done.

Common signs and symptoms of food allergies can be gastrointestinal problems (i.e. chronic vomiting, regurgitation, diarrhea, or gas). Oral medications such as anti-histamines ore immune suppressants can be used. Pets that have food allergies can get tests done to find out what common food items they may be allergic to and then placed on a diet that is appropriate based on the results. The most common food allergens are beef, pork, dairy, wheat, egg, chicken, lamb, soy, rabbit and fish.

Inhalant symptoms include licking at paws, rubbing at face, hair loss, red skin, or itchiness. For inhalant allergies your pet can be placed on hypo-sensitization injections to help increase your pet’s tolerance to the allergens. This can manage the allergies and provide lasting relief. It can also be safe for long term and provide your pet with much longer-term relief than drug therapy, and without their side effects.

Please contact us at (480) 732-0018 if you suspect your pet to have allergies. 

The Polite Thing To Do

By Cristi Edwards

Imagine. You walk in to your Dr.'s office and patients that are waiting in the lobby rush up to you and one starts yelling in your face. Another time a patient tries sniffing your back side, that's uncomfortable! How do you respond? Do you yell back, sniff back, or cower in fear? Are you the social butterfly that welcomes the new friends and attention or are you shy? Maybe you're having a bad day and just don't want to be bothered.

Remember this scenario the next time you take your dog to the vet. Now not all strangers are danger, but just because your pet is friendly does not mean the others are too. When entering the vet's lobby it is a good practice to have your pet on a secure leash and close to your body. Before approaching another pet ask the owner if their pet is friendly, and if it is okay for your pet to say hi. This is the polite thing to do and it can help avoid an unnecessary argument between pets. So here's to a happy and healthy vet visit!

Wool Suckling: a Cat’s Tale

Sully is a 6-year-old male Domestic Short Hair (DSH) cat, and he can’t resist suckling on his favorite blanket. Sound familiar? What he is doing is called wool suckling, or wool sucking. It is a fairly common behavior, especially for cats under a year of age.

Causes for Wool Suckling

There are several possibilities for what’s behind the wool suckling. A likely one is that the kitty was young when he or she was weaned or was weaned too quickly. For cats, wool suckling is a natural way to comfort themselves, but usually, this behavior ends before the kitty is a year old.

Sully was found when he was 7 to 10 days old. His mom bottle-fed him until he was around 6 weeks old and started offering him food (canned food mixed with milk replacer) as soon as he learned how to lap. This created a need for him to self comfort. He prefers really soft velvety blankets, probably because that is what his mom put in his box when he was little.

Another possibility could be stress or even anxiety related. If there are sudden changes in your home, it could trigger separation anxiety, all which could cause your kitty to need the comfort of suckling. Wool suckling is much like humans sucking their thumbs.

Some other reasons could be the lack of environmental stimulation or dietary fiber, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying medical conditions. Oriental breeds also have a greater tendency for wool suckling behavior than other breeds.

What Should You Do?

Experts say that in some cases, cats will just suck on the material without ingesting any of the fibers. However, ingestion of fabric or other materials could cause a dangerous abdominal blockage, which can require surgery to remove. If your cat fits in the first category, you may just wish to tolerate the suckling behavior and let your cat have that bit of comfort. But if you feel your pet's behavior is harmful or destructive, you should consider making adjustments. As a pet parent, you know your cat best and will have to decide what to do about the wool suckling, if anything.

Possible Solutions

If you do see that the wool suckling behavior is a problem then first have your cat examined by the veterinarian to rule out any potential underlying medical cause for the behavior. In addition, talk to your veterinarian about your cat’s diet in case there is a dietary deficiency.

Next, you can try a few things that have been known to help. You will probably want to begin with the basics and just to remove or hide the item or material that your kitty is sucking on. You can also divert your kitty’s attention with play, get a scratching post, or get a cat tree to climb. Also make sure your litter box and the area where your kitty eats are clean and he or she feels safe.

Sully’s mom hasn’t discouraged him from wool suckling because he doesn’t bite the material or break off fibers that could cause digestive issues, and it does give him great comfort. Sully’s house mate, Avery, doesn’t so much do wool suckling, but he does do a lot of kneading. Avery was also a bottle fed baby.

Halloween Pet Safety Tips by Dr. Keith Joyner

It's about time for the annual visitation by all those little neighborhood ghosts and goblins, not to mention the ninja turtles and princesses.

It's always such fun.

But if we are pet owner's, we have the responsibility of keeping our pets safe and the visiting children and their families safe too.

Remember, some children are frightened by even small dogs and cats. And worse yet, some are so comfortable with them that they may rapidly approach your pet and startle it into a reactive self-defense snap or scratch!

Not to mention, the door opening so many times gives the pet a chance to run out of your house, and with people around, there are lots of distractions and excitement. Many pets become lost under such circumstances. Holidays like this always result in a surge of lost pets.

So, what should you do?

1. Put your dog on a leash before answering the door. That way you can control it and prevent it from going out the door. Some dogs, if they are too rambunctious, will need to be put in a crate for the evening.

2. Unless your cat is very social with strangers, you may want to lock it in a bedroom or utility room to keep it safe and calm. Social cats need to be on a leash so they don't run out the door.

3. Don't let your pet get close to other people's children. Unexpected things can happen very quickly. Safety first, always!

4. Dogs LOVE candy. Given the opportunity, they'll steal what they can. Chocolate can be toxic to dogs if enough is eaten, and can cause fatalities. Just sugar in candy can cause a toxic reaction if enough is consumed. So guard your supply and your children's collections.

Halloween is a great time for kids and pets, but let's keep both safe!

-Dr. Keith Joyner 

Get to Know Erin Lawrence!

Meet Erin Lawrence! Erin, is a Certified Veterinary Technician, that works at our Chandler location. She has worked for 1st Pet Veterinary Centers, for over 7 years now in our Emergency and Critical Care Department. Her love for animals has always been part of Erin. Growing up, she participated in 4-H and was involved in gymkhana. Prior to working at 1st Pet, Erin worked 2 years at an emergency veterinary hospital in California, and as a groomer 2 years prior to that. Erin loves caring for our critical patients at 1st Pet. Seeing them go home after being hospitalized is very rewarding. 

One of her favorite memories is regarding a cat that was hospitalized for a month and no one could get the cat to eat any food. The kitty ended up eating for the first time for, Erin! Erin, describes the emotions by saying, “ It is one of the best feelings in the world when you can get a sick cat to eat. When she went home it was both sad and happy tears that were shed from me.” We truly love our patients as they are our own here at 1st Pet!

In addition to caring for the patients, Erin, loves training new Technicians and Assistants that join 1st Pet. She has worked hard to grow and learn and become a Certified Veterinary Technician during her time here at 1st Pet! Now she passes on what she has learned to others. When not at work, Erin, enjoys spending time with her husband and young daughter as well as their 2 cats and 3 dogs! They enjoy camping and fishing and hanging out together. Erin, is truly an asset to our 1st Pet Team!

Raw Food Diet Controversy

Pets 'At Risk' from Home Smoking

A leading professor of animal medicine is warning dog and cat owners about the risk of smoking around their pets. Clare Knottenbelt, from the University of Glasgow's Small Animal Hospital, said there was mounting evidence of the effect of second-hand smoke on pets.

Professor Knottenbelt said studies had shown increased risk of lymphoma and oral cancer in cats and of lung, nasal and sinus cancer in dogs. "Currently I am writing a research paper looking at levels of nicotine in the fur of dogs which indicates they are as exposed to the same levels of nicotine as children in the household.

"This may be a useful way of indicating second-hand smoke exposure in a household in general."

"While veterinary medicine is advancing all the tie and we have the ability to treat some cancers in pets, it is expensive and provides no guarantees of long-term survival. The best way of avoiding damage to your pet's health is to not smoke around them - or better still, to give up."

-BBCmobile; 10/24/11

Pets and Heat

The Arizona heat is intense! Be mindful when walking your dog this summer, that the sidewalk is very hot and can burn the pad of their paws. We encourage you to minimize exercise with your pet during the heat of the day and walk or play in the morning or evening. Remember, short-faced dogs cannot regulate their temperatures as well as long-nosed dogs can. Large dogs are also more at risk for this, but we need to be careful with all pets. Don't let your pet overexert themselves or they can get heat stress, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke! Dogs can still overheat with water and shade, so minimize outdoor exposure when it is hot and sunny.

 

Proper Way to Remove a Tick

What does my BAD cat need?

You feed and groom her. You tell her she's wonderful and give her plenty lap time. Great going. But it's not enough. Orchestrated playtime is increasingly being prescribed by experts. You and the cat. Together. Regularly and often.

It's a crucial piece of creating the kind of environment that fosters happier, less stressed and more fit felines, they say.

Though some cat owners came to realize long ago that engaging cats in activity was not only amusing to watch but reduced kitty boredom and 3a.m. mischief making, "it's surprising how many people don't realize how important this kind of environmental enrichment is for all cats," says renowned cat behavior cat consultant Pam Johnson-Bennett, author of several cat books. "There's still a very strong feeling among many people that cats are no-maintenance."

Toys that experts like, and dislike 

Some experts love laser pointers to provide stalking and exercise opportunities; others hate them. Author Pam Johnson-Bennett is among the latter.
"The cat follows it, leaps on it but never really catches anything or even makes contact with anything," so its an exercise in perpetual frustration, she says.
She's also not a fan of "toys that are battery-operated and kind of frantic and large," because they make many cats feel less like the stalker than the stalkee. But it's important to learn your cat's preference, and cats differ greatly."
Revving up interactive activity can solve behavior problems. "When you have a Ferrari, and you're leaving it in the parking garage, you're going to have problems," says Johnson-Bennett, once a lone voice promoting action-oriented interactive play. In recent years, most experts have become a chorus trumpeting its virtues. "Cats needs activity and stimulation," she says, "and opportunities to be challenged."

That doesn't mean tossing cats outside, hoping they'll stalk a bird, will be enough. "We want them inside, as that's where they're safe," she says. And just leaving a furry mouse toy on the floor won't suffice, though that's good for solo play.

The human engaging the cat in ways that prompt the animal to use stalking skills and brainpower is the way to go - allowing Fluffy to be the mighty hunter so emotional, mental and physical needs are met, Johnson-Bennett says.

Wand toys are great for that, and some cats love playing fetch or stalking items you haul around on a string.

Creating ways for the cat to keep busy while you're not there is also important, she says, such as employing kitty puzzle toys or puppy-size food-filled Kongs the cat shoves around to get to the treats.
Some of the best toys cost next to nothing. Johnson-Bennett often tosses around a paper bag with a Ping-Pong ball inside, or empty tissue boxes or paper towel rolls with something inside.

Some people think multi-cat households require no such effort. Wrong. Cats may play together and that's great, but it's not enough. "Two cats can be as inactive and depressed as one," Johnson-Bennett says. Even if they seem content, if the prey-drive need isn't met, they're not fully satisfied. Also: Interactive playtime must be seperate with each cat.

"Play therapy is not a luxury," she says. "It's a necessity."

-Joan Fairman Kanes; USA TODAY
05/16/11

The warm weather and your pet's furry coat are happy hunting grounds for fleas and ticks.  We want you to know that fleas and ticks are more than just pests…they spread diseases, including, lyme disease, Erlichia, tapeworms, anemia, zoonotic intestinal disease and cat scratch fever. We offer flea and tick prevention to help keep your pet healthy and happy during this season. 

Employee of the Month

North Valley Regional Animal Hospital is pleased to show our appreciation to Jamie Pizzitola for her outstanding work and recognize her as Employee of the month! Jamie is a veterinary technician and has been with our hospital since 2008, and our First24Vet team since 2004. She has worked in emergency and specialty areas since she started in the veterinary field. Jamie entered the vet field because she was a huge fan of James Herriott. She wanted to be a veterinarian, but became an assistant and decided she liked the nursing side better. She almost ended up with a Bachelor’s of Art in Art History, but we’re glad she’s joined our team instead! Congratulations and keep up the good work!

Hotdogs, hamburgers and corn on the cob…YES PLEASE! That’s what your pet is thinking when you’re cooking out. We would like to remind you that even a small amount of “people food” can be bad for your pet’s stomach….Don’t forget to be mindful of your pet while cooking out.  

 

Happy Mother's Day!

We would like to wish a Happy Mother's Day weekend to all the pet mommies of fur babies and other pets! We hope you have good memories on Sunday, May 8th and that you do something special with or for your pet that day. Have a great Mother's Day everyone!

This week is Be Kind to Animals Week!

Join the event that’s been celebrated every year since 1915 -- American Humane Association’s Be Kind to Animals Week. In this annual tradition, we commemorate the role animals play in our lives, promote ways to continue to treat them humanely, and encourage others, especially children, to do the same. While Be Kind to Animals Week is celebrated only once a year, we should strive to always be kind to animals every day. What is the kindest thing you've done for your pet today?

 

Pets & Emergencies

During springtime we all start doing more outside activities, especially with our pets. Accidents happen and the first thing to remember when dealing with any injured animal, whether it’s a family pet or one you found lying on the side of the road is to approach with caution. When an animal is hurt and you approach to help, their response to pain may cause them to bite or scratch and injure their rescuer. If it is your pet, cover his head so he can’t bite you, put pressure on minor wounds, provide support to the injured limb and seek treatment immediately. 

Lilies and Cats

Easter Lilies can be a beautiful decoration in the spring season, but did you know that all parts of the lily plant are considered toxic and dangerous to your cat? If ingested, it can cause severe kidney damage and even death. Please be advised that cat owners should remove lilies out of reach of your cat and consider an alternative to the lily such as Easter Orchids and Easter Daisies. 

Avoiding Easter Hazards!

With the arrival of the holiday season our pets are often prone to new un thought of risks. Nothing makes a holiday more memorable than a panicked trip to the vets. But pet owners need not fret. Here's what you need to know to have an emergency-free celebration this Easter.

Festive Foods:
One of the biggest risks to pets at Easter time is "CHOCOLATE". The canine nose is an expert in sniffing out all the lovely sweet goodies in an instant. And birds, cats & dogs alike are drawn to the bright colors & shiny wrappers. Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine that can be toxic to dogs, cats and parrots. Baker's chocolate has the highest concentration of theobromine. How a pet reacts to chocolate depends on its size, as well as the amount and type of chocolate eaten. Vomiting and diarrhea are common signs of chocolate toxicosis, and while rare, too much chocolate can even be fatal. Carob chocolate is a natural, delicious and pet friendly alternative.

Foil packaging, ribbon and pretty sparkly plastic wadding are irresistible to cats and birds, while a big shiny Easter egg appears as a fun ball for a dog.  Pets love to play with these items and they will sometimes swallow them. Known as linear foreign bodies in vet speak, they are indigestible and can cause a partial or complete obstruction. They are often sharp and run the risk of cutting through the wall of the intestinal tract which can cause peritonitis.

While we all love our pets and wish to include them in the festivities, it is important to remember that now matter how much they beg, what they want may not always be what is best for them. Rich fatty foods can cause an upset stomach, vomiting or even pancreatitis in the extreme. Onions either raw or cooked can be poisonous to cats and dogs. As little as one bite of an onion can cause some of the red bloods cells to be destroyed (haemolytic anaemia) symptoms can include pale gums, reddish urine and lethargy.

It is important to remember never to feed your pets cooked bones as they can splinter and cause internal damage. The same applies to feeding your pets fish which might contain bones. Bowls of nuts and raisin-laden fruitcakes or chocolate covered sultanas are also common holiday treats. Macadamia Nuts are toxic to dogs. Although one nut is not likely to harm your dog, a number of them could require a trip to the emergency ward. Dogs who ingest macadamia nuts could suffer weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia.

Foods that are healthy for us may not be so good for our beloved pets. Raisins and grapes are toxic to cats and dogs causing vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure and even death. While avocadoes are harmful to dogs, cats, birds and Guinea pigs. They contain a toxic fatty acid called persin which can cause vomiting, gastrointestinal irritation, congestion, respiratory disease, fluid accumulation around the heart tissue and may cause death, especially in small animals and birds. So please be careful when serving fruit platters or salads this Easter.

One very real concern to pets are products containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol. This absolutely needs to be avoided. It will cause low blood sugar if ingested in toxic amounts and has been known to cause fatal liver failure.
During the festive season it is easy to forget the dangers of leaving alcoholic drinks within reach of our pets. It may seem harmless enough to offer your best mate a frosty cold one to celebrate alongside the humans. But alcohol poisoning is a very real danger to our pets. Problems equate to the amount of alcohol ingested compared to weight. Even a very small amount of alcohol can cause severe poisoning in a small pet. The yeast contained in beer can also lead to bloating and abdominal pain.

The good news is there is now a specially designed non alcoholic doggy beer on the market called *Paw Rex* It is made with beef stock so dogs love it and even comes in a six pack.

It is also important to remember that most cats and dogs are lactose intolerant so avoid giving them any dairy products. Specially designed lactose free animal products are an available alternative.  It's up to us to make sure hazards are kept out of reach and that visitors or children know the risks. Remember prevention is better than cure. For healthy Easter treat alternatives to spoil your best friend, please visit our Pet Gourmet section in this special Easter addition of Pet Scene Magazine.

Unexpected Hazards:
With all the coming and going and busy rush that comes with the holiday seasons it is easy for opportunities to arise to get our pets into trouble. It is not uncommon for visitors who are not used to pets to leave gates or doors open. This welcomes the opportunity for your pet to flee the house with all its strange new smells, noise and people. An open window makes for a great escape root for cats or free flying birds. Many pets wind up getting lost or struck by vehicles as a result of this careless mistake. If you have a pet that becomes nervous around new people or strange activity it may be a good idea to plan in advance to have area of the house or yard which is separate where they can feel safe and secure. Visitors who aren't used to living with pets may inadvertently leave their medications within reach. This brings opportunities for serious problems. Dogs are not deterred by childproof caps and can quickly find themselves in a world of trouble. Warn guests to keep medications well out of reach.

Traveling with pets:
If your going out of town with your pet this Easter there are a few things to remember:

* Make sure your pet is in a cool well ventilated position and never left alone in a closed car, temperatures can sore very quickly.

* Make sure your pet is secured in either a pet crate or safety harness.

* If your pet suffers from motion sickness it's recommended that you consult with your vet prior to travel to arrange an appropriate treatment.

* Make sure you plan for toileting and drink breaks. Our pets need to refresh too. 

* If you are planning to go out on the water these holidays be sure to pack your pet a life vest.

* If you are going on holiday this Easter with your pets, be sure you have a full supply of any medications they may be taking with you.

The humble Easter Lily
Many cat owners will be surprised to learn that lilies ( Liliaceae) are extremely toxic to their feline friends. The exact cause is unknown, however even the smallest amounts if ingested by cats can  be fatal, while dogs who ingest large amounts only develop signs of mild gastrointestinal upset. Early warning signs of Lily toxicity include vomiting, depression and a lack of appetite. There is no antidote, but with early detection and aggressive treatment the cat stands a better chance of survival. Cats may sometimes appear to be improving after the first onset of symptoms, but 24-72hrs later crash and become critically ill as they go into acute renal failure. If you suspect there is a chance your cat may have ingested this plant it is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible. If left untreated cats die within 3-7 days. Cat owners should never grow Lilies in the garden and should ensure that lilies are never part of floral arrangements. This is important to remember these holidays with the popular Easter Lily appearing  in most flower arrangements.

We hope that these tips will help you and your pets have a happy and safe
holiday season.

First 24 Vet wishes Daniel Reuss a Happy Birthday!

Spring is a great time to be outdoors and start a new exercise program.  Don't forget to take your pet along with you. They need and want the exercise too.  We want you to remember that fun, frolic and exercising your pets keep them healthy and happy.