If you’re a large dog owner, you’ve probably heard of bloat or GDV (gastric dilatation volvulus). It’s a life-threatening emergency in which every minute counts. This makes it incredibly scary. But do you know the symptoms to look for? Did you know that while very rare, even smaller dogs can bloat?

Let’s take a look at what all dog owners need to know. This is some basic information that can help save lives, so if you know any new dog owners who might not have learned about this yet, please do share!

What is Bloat aka GDV?

For purposes of simplicity, we’re using the most commonly known name for this article, bloat. (This condition is also known as GDV, gastric torsion, or twisted stomach.) But the life-threatening factors of bloat are about far more than just a gassy belly after eating. This is bloating so severe that it can significantly reduce blood flow, rupture the stomach, and/or put pressure on the diaphragm which inhibits normal breathing. This can happen with or without the volvulus, or twisted stomach, part of the equation. Often, the stomach will also twist on itself, taking the spleen with it. This causes such severe restriction of blood supply and extreme pain that the dog will likely go into shock. Surgical intervention is required as quickly as possible to save the dog’s life.

Tens of thousands of dogs bloat each year. Different studies have shown mortality rates ranging from 10-33% even with surgical intervention.

Symptoms of Bloat

Your ability to react quickly can save your pup’s life! Look for:

• Enlarged abdomen
• Unproductive vomiting
• Signs of distress
• Excessive salivation
• Panting
• Shortness of breath
• Dog looking at its abdomen

When in doubt, see your vet as quickly as possible! (If outside of standard business hours, we recommend our Raleigh clients contact Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas for emergency services.)

What are the Risk Factors?

Large dogs are most likely to experience it. Among them, deep-chested breeds are often considered higher risk such as Great Danes, boxers, and German shepherds. Other risk factors include age (adult and senior dogs are more likely to bloat), family history, and eating too quickly. It is also thought that only feeding dogs a single, large meal each day can increase risk compared to multiple smaller meals. There is some debate around other risk factors that are in your control, such as elevated feeding options. As bloat is a condition that continues to be studied, we recommend that you ask your vet for the most current information.

Either a Wookiee is hanging out in your house when you aren’t home, or you’re beginning to see the first signs of pet shedding season. Either way, it’s time to arm yourself with lint rollers, charge up the vacuum robot, and prepare to do battle with your brushes of choice at the ready. But which tools are best? And why do pets shed so much in the spring anyway?

Why All the Springtime Shedding?

Science. You’ll notice seasonal shedding more with some breeds of dogs and cats than others. For example, a German shepherd, with it’s thicker undercoat, will have more hair to shed as winter departs than a boxer who doesn’t even grow an undercoat. This makes it tempting to assume that the shedding is due to warmth. As temperatures increase, the shepherd gets toasty and starts to blow its coat, right? Yes, but that’s only part of the story.

Organisms from cats to cyanobacteria have a circadian rhythm. This is a physiological cycle that centers around external factors such as temperature and light. Light is a huge factor as it affects everything from sleep-wake cycles to the growth of new leaves on trees each spring. As the days get longer, our pets’ bodies begin to get the cue from the sun that they don’t need their winter coats anymore. Yes, even your couch potato—who isn’t exactly roaming the outdoors like a wild creature in full sun—is still getting the message. Is it any wonder that our pets love to find the sunniest spot in front of a window for their naps? They are wired for it!

Tame the Fuzz with Good Grooming Habits

Don’t underestimate the importance of good grooming habits for your pets. The benefits of making this part of your regular schedule extend beyond the hair on your recliner. This is the perfect time to support your bond with your pet and also to really get your hands all over him or her. This functions as an exam of sorts, keeping you aware of any lumps, bumps, injuries, etc. that might easily go unnoticed. This is often how the first signs of potential health problems are found and then reported to vets!

For long-haired pets, frequent, regular brushing is an absolute must. Neglecting to do so will often result in matted fur which comes with a whole other set of problems ranging from pain to skin infections that just get worse and worse. This is especially common in older pets who aren’t as limber and enthusiastic in their grooming as they were once able to be. For cats, in particular, brushing helps to prevent hairballs, too.

Use the Right Tools for the Job

Not any old brush will do. For dogs with undercoats, you will need a brush that is specifically designed to remove loose undercoat hair. The Furminator is a popular example of one. These brushes will definitely make your home brush-outs more effective.

For cats, probably the most important thing to do is to find out what your cat enjoys most. Some like certain kinds or sizes of brushes more than others. And whether or not your cat will let you groom it’s belly is totally up to the individual cat…you know what we’re talking about if you have cats! If you have a long-haired cat, definitely invest the time in grooming.

Pinched for Time? Is the Mountain of Hair Too Daunting?

Professional groomers are one of the best tools you have. They are fast and efficient at bathing, shaving, removing matted hair, and veterinary practices can even offer sedation grooming when needed.

A Note on Safety

Never, ever use scissors to try to cut out mats. You’d be surprised how often and easily this turns into an accident that requires sutures. The same can be said for shaving, especially with cats who tend to have loose, delicate skin. For safety reasons, it’s best to leave these more intensive needs to the pros.

Have you noticed that your cat is losing weight yet still has a good appetite? Does he or she seem energetic, perhaps more than usual? And is that glossy kitty coat looking a little unkempt lately? These are symptoms of a hyperthyroid disease.

Hyperthyroid disease occurs when the thyroid gland is working too hard and producing too much of the hormones it is responsible for. Overactive thyroid is unfortunately common in senior cats, but it’s seen in middle-aged cats too. It’s a top condition that veterinarians check for in older cats during their exams. Left undiagnosed or untreated, hyperthyroid disease is deadly. However, the prognosis is good with early treatment!

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism in Cats

Early signs of thyroid disease in cats include:

• Weight loss
• Rapid heart rate
• Increased hunger
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination

As hyperthyroidism progresses, symptoms also include:

• Poor coat condition
• Vomiting
• High blood pressure
• Vision problems or loss of vision
• Emaciation

Because these cats are burning through their calories so quickly, some cat owners will also notice that their cats seem to have unusual spurts of energy too. While it’s tempting to think this is just an old cat being cute and playing like a kitten, if it’s not normal for your cat, it’s worth noting to your vet.

Diagnosis is Simple

If your vet suspects hyperthyroidism, he or she will want to take a small sample of blood to run a test to verify it. This is important to do, not just for the confirmation, but also because establishing exactly how overactive the thyroid is will determine the dosage of medicine that needs to be given to your cat. It needs to be corrected, but not overcorrected.

Treatment for Hyperthyroidism in Cats is Easy & Affordable

Hyperthyroidism cannot be cured, but it can be managed and improved with good success! A prescription medication will be given daily. Sound like a chore? Don’t worry. If sneaking a little tablet into a treat doesn’t work, there are other ways to give the same medication. It can be formulated into a soft, flavored chew with a range of flavors to choose from. It can also be ordered as a transdermal gel that you rub onto the bare skin of your cat’s ear where it will absorb readily. Easy-peasy! The other good news is that the medication has been a generic mainstay for many years, so as prescriptions go, the monthly commitment is quite low compared to newer name-brand drugs for other conditions.

Have questions? Let us know! We’re happy to help!

They aren’t. Have you ever spent hours on end in cold weather sitting in all your layers of puffy winter clothing to still be chilled to the bone? Did your ears ache with cold or your fingers and toes go numb? How was your arthritis? But rarely do humans sit in the cold for long. We go out to run our errands as quickly as possible in our scarves and hats, or we spend an hour playing in the snow before we come in saying that we’re frozen. We’re bundled up, bustling around, and doing it in short bursts.

Now imagine being a pet who lives outdoors, or is left outside for multiple hours at a time. A dog house isn’t heated or insulated. Pets don’t have thumbs to help them keep a blanket tucked around them at night. Drinking water freezes. A cold body burns more calories just trying to maintain body temperature.

Dogs and cats do not tolerate cold weather as healthily or happily as many people think.

But Dogs & Cats Have Fur Coats Evolved for Outdoors, Right?

We’ve domesticated pets to live with us over thousands of years. Dogs are not quite as similar to wolves as some tv commercials suggest they are. House cats are not lynxes. And even if they were, most wild animals don’t have the lifespans that domesticated or captive animals do, so they aren’t living into the middle- and senior-aged years where arthritis begins to develop and be exacerbated by weather.

It’s true that some breeds are better suited to cold weather than others. A malamute can tolerate cold better than a boxer, for example, due to their thicker coats. But no dog or cat is actually comfortable—or perfectly safe—spending long hours out in freezing temps.

Pets Can Get Hypothermia & Frostbite

Comfort and happiness aside, there are some real health risks for pets who are outside for extended periods in the very cold. Ears and toes can become frostbitten. Body temperature can lower to dangerous territory. Pain, lethargy, weakness, and low heart rate are among the symptoms of these.

Winter Dehydration

Wintertime dehydration is often overlooked, but it is a common problem. Lower humidity, combined with the body working hard to maintain a healthy homeostasis, means your pet needs constant access to clean, fresh drinking water—just like in the dog days of summer. On top of that, some animals drink less when it’s very cold outside, either because the water is often frozen or just because they are so cold they don’t want more icy cold liquid. This can lead to dehydration, which is easy to miss the early signs of if you aren’t paying attention.

Compassion & Kindness for Those in Your Care

We’re going to go out on a limb here and guess that if you’re even reading a pet blog, you care about your dog or cat. Keeping those we care for safe and comfortable, to the best of our ability, is a responsibility we take on. Does that mean that Fluffy needs a trendy down jacket for pets? No, not really. But she does need a dry, warm place to sleep without unnecessary discomfort or stress to the body. The icing on the cake is all the purrs and wags you’ll get in return.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has some cold weather safety information you can read or pass along to others!

The month of resolutions to make beneficial changes for ourselves is here. Gym memberships soar, we opt for salads over fries, practice more mindfulness, or read a new book each month instead of binging on Netflix so much. But what about resolutions that are good for both you and your pet? Lots of great options exist that are win-win, whether you have a cat or a dog. Let’s look at some great New Year resolutions to stick with throughout the whole year!

Exercise!

This might be the most obvious resolution for both of you, but it’s important enough to keep shining some light on. For all the same reasons that your doctor wants you to exercise more (healthy heart, healthy weight, strong body, stress reduction, longer life, etc.) your veterinarian wants you to do the same for your pets!

For dogs, plan to go for more or longer walks together, or make playtime with a favorite ball or frisbee in the yard a matter of routine. Get out and move together! But did you know you can engage in play with your cat in a similar way for their exercise? Even feline senior citizens still enjoy chasing toys around. Indulge them! While toy play with kitties may not exactly get you at target heart rate, the natural movement, proven stress-relief of interacting with animals, and healthy bonding time are guaranteed to be good for you as well.

Learn a New Training Technique

You can teach and old dog new tricks. And doing so with the right approach is beneficial for both humans and dogs. What we teach them is less important in some ways than how we teach them. Hands down, the kindest and most effective way to teach a dog good manners or new tricks and skills is through the intentional use of positive reinforcement techniques. Simply put, this means rewarding positive progress consistently and strategically instead of punishing or scolding negative or neutral behavior. It’s proven to produce better results in training goals, but also it deepens your bond with your dog by encouraging trust and enthusiasm instead of fear or nervousness.

So how is this good for you (aside from knowing you’re being super-duper awesome to your dog)? When you’re focusing on coaxing and rewarding positive actions, your own headspace is in a positive working mode too. It’s a cup-half-full experience that’s just as good for you as for your pup. Now apply positive reinforcement to areas that are good for both you in your day-to-day routine: like the safety benefits of a dog with a reliable “come” or “stay” or the sheer cuteness of “high-five”.

Therapy Dog Certification

Want to take that great training a step further? Some dogs can become well-suited to work as a certified therapy dog! This is a fun goal to work toward. It does take some effort and official steps, but doing so opens up the ability to work with people in situations where they really could use a little time with an animal to lift their spirits or settle their anxieties. Animal-assisted therapy opportunities include visits to hospitals, nursing homes, group homes, schools, and more. It’s a wonderful way for you and your pet to contribute to your community.

Want to Help Pets in Need? Volunteer!

There are a number of opportunities to volunteer with local shelters, rescues, or other animal-centered nonprofits. If your New Year resolution is to volunteer your time working with animals, you might be well-suited to walk dogs for a shelter or spend a morning each weekend caring for cats in a rescue. There are even many causes that need help from people with certain professional skills like event planning, grant writing, or professional photography of adoptable animals.

What are your goals for yourself and your pet in 2020? We’d love to hear them!

‘Tis the season for road trips. Often, our dogs join us in our travels as parts of the family. Cats, however, are usually left home with a pet sitter or boarded in a safe cat kennel at your vet office or other facility. Not all cats enjoy travel—or even take it in stride—unless they’ve always been exposed to it. Sometimes, though, kitties are just fine traveling with their families provided that you consider their unique needs and their unique personalities! Here are our quick tips for those who are traveling with cats!

Should I stay, or should I go now?

Don’t Torture a Truly Terrified Cat

The first tip is simple. You likely already know if your cat panics in the car from your trips to the vet. A long road trip isn’t going to go over any better, and a high level of stress just isn’t a good idea if it’s not necessary. Likewise, the destination may be stressful. Fearful felines probably shouldn’t be joining the holiday festivities. Some cats are pretty laid back, though, so use your best and most compassionate judgment here.

Use a Cat Kennel in the Car

If you don’t already have a travel kennel, get one. Leave the kennel out in your home where your cat has access to it with the door open and some treats inside. It’s good to be sure your cat is used to its kennel as opposed to only seeing it right before being put in it. You don’t want your cat to have negative associations with the kennel, or you’ll be starting off on the wrong paw right from the beginning.

Using a kennel while traveling is much safer for the cat and for you than letting kitty roam around your car. This eliminates the risk of your cat escaping when you stop for food or gas, and it prevents the cat from obstructing your driving.

Make the Kennel Feel Like Home

Reduce Stress

Traveling with cats benefits from a few things you should do to make the kennel a good environment for your cat. One top tip is to try a product called Feliway, which is a synthetic version of the chemical that cats produce from their glands that create a feeling of calm and contentment. Some cats benefit from having this sprayed in their kennel before being put in it (follow the directions for timing). There are other products on the market that are cat approved and might help, too!

Bring Something from Home

Use a blanket or towel from home (for that homey smell!) inside the kennel as a familiar comfort.

Nature Calls. Plan for It.

Disposable litter boxes are a great idea for putting inside the kennel. Nature’s Miracle makes good, sturdy ones. There are several brands you can try!

Keep Kitty Hydrated & Fed

Be sure to supply clean water and food. Water sloshing in a bowl might deter a cat from drinking, and some cats might not like drinking from a water bottle. If you’re worried about their intake of fluids, canned food is good to at least get some moisture in your furry friend as opposed to kibble.

Consider Medical Needs When Traveling with Cats

If your cat has a medical condition, ask your vet if they would recommend traveling with them at all. In some cases, it might be fine, but in others, it would really be best to stay home. In either case, plan ahead with veterinarian contact information and medications.

Questions? Let’s talk!

‘Tis the season of goodwill and giving. While many businesses are collecting coats, canned goods, and cash donations for great human causes, we’d like to shine some light on pets. In Raleigh, there are many who need help getting veterinary care when they are sick or in pain. Funding treatments for pets who might not otherwise get the care they need is a wonderful way to show your love for animals.

We’ve teamed up with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to integrate their Veterinary Care Charitable Fund (VCCF) into our practice. The fund assists those who are facing personal hardships which prevent urgent medical care for their pet or to help with the vet care of dogs or cats who have been rescued from abuse or neglect or have injuries.

Our Vet Care Goal

Our goal is to be able to ease pain and suffering in more dogs and cats in the Raleigh, NC area. Sometimes this means life-saving surgeries. Sometimes this means treatments to heal serious illnesses or injuries. Always…it means doing the right thing.

How VCCF Works

The fund allows our animal hospital to collect tax-deductible donations from our community, for our community.  Because AVMA has set this up as a nonprofit organization, it’s a great way to help animals with an end-of-year donation that will also benefit your tax filings. It’s a win-win!

All money donated through Falls Village Veterinary Hospital is only used for the treatment of our patients who our veterinarians find to be in need of assistance in order to get care they’d not otherwise receive. We evaluate this on a case-by-case basis to be sure the funds are utilized where they are most needed.

Let’s Team Up! How to Help Us Help Pets

VCCF is a year-round need. Veterinary emergencies, rescues, and financial hardships are constants. Our hospital does work directly with some local animal rescue groups as part of our charitable goals, but we need your help to fill in the gaps that pets and pet owners can find themselves in. Sometimes life throws curveballs that our furry friends need our assistance with.

If you are able to donate to help local dogs and cats, know that we appreciate your generosity immensely!

Please SHARE our Veterinary Care Charitable Fund with others! 🎁 Help circulate the donation link on social media so we can offer assistance for more pets in 2020!

The holidays are upon us and with them stretched schedules (for people and for pets), naughty snacks (a helping of pancreatitis, anyone?), the tempting tang of tinsel (Fluffy was just flossing, she promises), and let’s not forget that animals and children can generally be relied upon to get sick at the most inconvenient of times. They can’t help it. It’s a scientifically proven fact of life. Okay, it isn’t really proven, but we’ve all been there. Emergency trips to the vet can often be avoided, but sometimes we just need to be prepared for the selective hearing of Uncle Mortimer who tosses a turkey wing to your dog despite being asked not to when he arrived.

Here are our tips on how to be prepared for the consequences of wayward family members and the appetizing allure of floral centerpieces to cats the world over.

It’s all about a two-pronged approach: prevent and be prepared anyway.

Know Your Local Emergency Vet Options

Whether you’re hosting a big meal or hiring a petsitter so you can travel for the holidays, it’s really important to do a bit of research ahead of time. Your pet’s normal veterinarian can see emergency cases during their business hours. Please try to call, and let them know you are coming, though, so they can prepare for your arrival amid their scheduled appointments for faster treatment. This option comes with two benefits:

• They already know your pet’s medical history.
• Treatment is typically cheaper than at an emergency clinic.

After normal business hours or on holidays when most businesses are closed, a 24-hour emergency clinic is your best (and in some cases your only) option. These hospitals are not only prepared for emergencies at all times, they often have specialists available to them. (In the Raleigh area, we recommend VSH for after-hours pet emergencies.)

Provide Emergency Vet Info to Petsitters

Be sure to give veterinarians’ names, addresses, and phone numbers to your petsitter or boarding facility. Keep the same info handy for yourself. In an emergency, time is critical.

Pet Emergency Prevention

From the dangers of toxic foods, the risk of intestinal blockages, to possible harm if a pet slips out of a door left open too long by a child—a range of things can happen. Sometimes the emergency is just a matter of an existing medical issue going unnoticed or forgotten and getting worse during all the holiday commotion. It’s easy to miss a dose of an important medication, for example, and end up in trouble.

• Make sure you and your household all know and plan to keep a close eye on your pet and their normal routine. This includes potty time, medicines, meals, and general oversight around temptations.
• Don’t be shy in asking other people not to feed your pet any table scraps. Fatty foods can trigger pancreatitis in some older pets, cooked bones can splinter in the intestines, etc.
• Remove toxic items from your home. Guests might bring over a bouquet with lilies which are deadly to cats or leave gum and sweets with xylitol on the coffee table which can be deadly to dogs. Keep these far away from pets.
• Pet-proof your holiday decor. Animals, especially stressed animals, swallow weird things sometimes. Be mindful of what is accessible. Be very careful with electric string lights, too!
• Refill prescriptions ahead of time. You don’t want to run out of insulin on a national holiday or 300 miles into your road trip.

Not sure if you have an emergency? Call us!