Aesops Veterinary Care
Dr. Lea Stogdale, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM
192–2025 Corydon Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3P 0N5
Holistic Care for Your Pet
http://aesopsvet.wordpress.com
Ph (204) 487-4744
Most clients don’t like needles, and do not like to see their pets hurt.
Clients are often grateful if we can vaccinate their pet in a quick and relatively painless manner. As much as possible, fill your vaccine syringes before the client and patient come into the examination room, and have the syringes in a discrete location on the counter. Watching you load the syringes only heightens the client’s anxiety. When it’s time to vaccinate the pet, and if you don’t have an assistant in the examination room to help you, ask the owner to hold the animal and also vigorously scratch the pet behind its ears (the harder the better). If the owner is very nervous of needles, they can close their eyes. Then quickly vaccinate the pet. Don’t discard the empty syringes until the examination is over, because sometimes the owner doesn’t think you actually gave their pet its shots.
Here are 2 ways to help differentiate between back pain and abdominal pain/cramps in a dog.
When palpating the dog for pain, only touch the region you are testing. For example, if you’re checking for back pain, palpate the back but do not steady the dog by placing your other hand under the abdomen! When you’ve finished your physical examination, place the dog on the floor at the far end of the examination room. Dogs without back pain will usually give a full body shake after walking over to the owner, somewhat like they shake off water after a bath. A dog with back pain will only shake the head and shoulders, stop, and then shake its pelvis and tail.
Most clients are really impressed by a timely call back from the veterinarian (even my own doctor does not call me).
Try to phone the owner later in the afternoon when they’re more likely to be home, if things are not going well, book a re-examination.
Say anal glands, not anal sacs. Sacs sometimes sounds like sex.
We receive more thank you letters from clients after a dignified, caring euthanasia, than we do after a successful medical or surgical procedure.
In addition to your normal euthanasia routine, try to physically touch the owner after the pet is deceased. A gently squeeze of their hand, elbow, or shoulder, a handshake or even a hug (whatever seems appropriate) demonstrates your genuine empathy for what the owner is experiencing. Then give the owner time alone with their deceased pet. Most owners leave the room within 5 minutes. Write a short personal note on the sympathy card and include that they “made the right decision” or “did the right thing,” if the decision to euthanize seemed a difficult one — this owner will likely return to you when they get a new pet.
Constipation in cats
Constipation in cats can lead to very serious problems, but preventive measures can minimize the consequences — it is best prevented.
The cause of constipation in cats is an inadequate fluid intake, usually due to dry food, or a high fiber diet. Cats evolved as carnivores; eating animals they killed (10 mice a day is an excellent feline diet). As a result, they are used to a diet of meat protein with a high fluid content, not dry food or high fiber. A cat’s nutritional and physiological needs are different from those of dogs or humans; they are unique.
Signs of constipation
Cats should easily pass their feces — daily. Their feces should be brown, formed, and leave a stain if picked up with a paper towel. If your cat is straining in the litter box, or if his/her feces are dry and hard, this is an early indication of a problem.
Prevention of constipation
While there are therapeutic options, they must be continued daily for the rest of your cat’s life. Taking preventive measures now will save your cat considerable stress and you significant time, heartache, and costs later on.
To prevent constipation, feed canned food with some meat, preferably with water mixed in. The food should be like a thick soup so that your cat drinks his food. Feeding a balanced and complete home prepared diet is another option.
Controlling constipation
Until recently, controlling constipation in cats was problematic and not always successful. We now know how to prevent constipation but the owner must feed the appropriate cat food and add powder (see below) to it daily for the rest of the cat’s life.
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Feed ONLY canned cat food diluted with water to resemble soup. No dry food.
Possible problem: An occasional cat has become addicted to dry cat kibble. These cats will not eat canned cat food.
Possible solution: We can use an appetite stimulant to get these cats eating watery canned food. After several months they no longer require the appetite stimulant. See Aesops information sheet: “Rx Clonazepam for Appetite Stimulation in Cats.”
Hair Ball remedy — Dose: Give 1 to 2 inches or a 1/2 teaspoon twice a day.
Vaseline or Petroleum jelly — Dose: Give a 1/2 teaspoon twice a day.
Lactulose — Dose: Give 1 to 3 mL or a 1/2 teaspoon twice a day.
Whiskas hair ball control treats “Temptations” — Dose: Several twice a day.
Benefiber is a tasteless powder that dissolves in water. This is a partially hydrolyzed guar gum that is gluten-free. It is a soluble fiber that retains water. Available from drug stores, over the counter. Dose: Give 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon twice a day.
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Stomach Ease is a herbal laxative in capsules that is available from health food stores. Dose: 1/2 to 1 capsule once to twice a day; mix with Vaseline and give orally.
Potential problem: All herbs taste horrible to cats so acceptance can be a challenge.
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Omega-3 essential fatty acids are anti-inflammatory fish oils that are available from supermarkets, drug stores, and health food stores. This is not mineral oil. Dose: 1 capsule or 1/2 a teaspoon twice a day.
Potential problem: Many cats do not like the taste of fish oils and refuse to take them.
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PEG = Polyethylene glycol is an inert, non-toxic, non-absorbed, tasteless compound. It is a soluble fiber that also lubricates the feces; it is a stool softener. It comes as a dry powder and is readily mixed with moist foods.
This is easy to use, accepted by cats, and works very well. Dose: Start with 1/4 teaspoon with each meal and adjust according to stool characteristics. The usual dose is 1/4–1/2 tsp twice a day in canned food.
Availability: PEG is a non-prescription compound available from pharmacies. As this is a “different” use, pharmacists prefer written/phone directions. PEG 500 g powder. 2008 cost is approx $45.00.
Veterinary therapies
If constipation persists or worsens, then veterinary therapies are required. These include:
Acarbose, an anti-diabetic medicine, used only if your cat is overweight.
Cisapride increases the contractions of the intestines.
Fluid injections under the skin are indicated if dehydration or chronic kidney disease is a problem.
In cats that need repeated enemas to control their constipation problem despite canned food and PEG powder, a major surgery (a colonectomy), is required.