Grand Valley Vet | Grand Valley Animal Hospital

07/07/2020

How to Protect Your Pet from Heatstroke

We all know that during this time of year the temperature can get much hotter than what we are used to. When we are playing and having fun outside, we forget that our pets are more susceptible to dehydration, overheating, and heatstroke than we are.

Heat-related illnesses should be taken seriously; it’s crucial to be informed on how easily our pets can get overheated, how to prevent heatstroke, and how to take action if your pet is showing symptoms.

Why do cats and dogs overheat?

Dogs and cats can overheat quickly, because they have higher body temperatures than we do and are unable to cool down as efficiently. Their bodies are designed for insulation from the cold and not for cooling down in intense heat.

Did you know, on an 85-degree day, the temperature inside a car with windows slightly open could reach 102 degrees in 10 minutes, and 120 degrees in 30 minutes? Within a short period of time, our pets can experience severe damage to their brain, heart, liver, and nervous system.

Take a look at this video showing veterinarian Dr. Ernie Ward capturing what it’s like for a dog to be trapped in a car for only 30 minutes:

How to Prevent Heatstroke

Practice these safety tips to make sure your pet doesn’t get overheated:

Never leave pets in a parked car

Do not ever leave your pet in a parked car, not even for a minute with the A/C on. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly. If you see a pet in a parked car, inform the owner or a store attendant immediately. It is also appropriate to call the police or the humane society.

Watch humidity

If the humidity level is too high, pets are unable to cool themselves down and their body temperature will rise to dangerous levels. Ideally you would like to aim for 60% humidity in your home, so be aware of levels that exceed this wherever your dog may be.

Limit outdoor exercise

On hot days, limit exercise to morning or evening hours. Asphalt can get very hot and burn their paws, so walk your pet on the grass when possible.

Water and shade

Whenever your pet is playing outside, make sure there is cold water; even add ice when there’s intense heat and humidity. Also, tree shade and tarps are ideal — not a doghouse; those will not provide relief.

Cool your pet down

Use a cooling body wrap, vest, or mat to help them release heat, or if they don’t mind baths, it’s beneficial to give them a cool soak.

What to Do If Your Pet is Showing Symptoms of Heatstroke

Monitor your pet closely when they are outside. Overheating and heatstroke symptoms include:

Deep red or purple tongue
Dizziness
Excessive thirst
Fever
Glazed eyes
Heavy panting or trouble breathing
Lack of coordination
Lethargy
Profuse salivation
Paleness
Rapid heartbeat
Rectal bleeding
Seizure
Unconsciousness
Vomiting

If your pet is showing three or more of these symptoms, they may be experiencing heatstroke and you should immediately contact GVAH or the closest veterinary clinic.

If you have questions or concerns about heat-related illnesses, the staff at GVAH is more than happy to assist you. You may stop in, call our office at 701-757-3500, or email us at info@grandvalleyvet.com.

04/09/2020

What Does a Veterinary Dermatologist Do?

Skin conditions in dogs and some cats is a common concern for many pet parents. From behavioral signs like excessive licking or scratching to physical symptoms such as hair loss, red skin and scabbing, there is a wide range of skin irritations and diseases that can develop from various causes.

These conditions also range from mild irritation to extreme pain in your pet’s skin if left untreated, so it is best to seek help from a veterinary dermatologist for the best course of action.

What is a veterinary dermatologist?

Veterinary dermatologists are veterinarians with expertise and specialized training in the diagnosis, treatment and management of animal skin, ears, hair, nail, hoof and mouth. These specialty veterinarian services are especially proficient in treating allergic skin conditions commonly found in animals.

When should you think about consulting with a veterinary dermatologist?

If your cat or dog shows signs of excessive licking and scratching behavior that causes itchiness and other skin irritations, or shows symptoms of skin conditions, make an appointment with our vets for an examination, skin scraping or prescription treatments. If symptoms persist or worsen, or the condition is severe, we would advise setting up an appointment with a veterinary dermatologist to thoroughly examine your pet to diagnose and develop a specialized treatment plan.

What constitutes as excessive behavior in cats and dogs? If you notice your dog is licking or chewing their paws, rubbing their face or sneezing more than once daily for an extended period of time, it may be time to further investigate what is causing this. For cats, they tend to have a grooming routine a couple times a day, especially after meals, but if you notice them continuously grooming several times, closely monitor for signs of skin conditions.

It is especially advisable to seek out more information and a dermatology consultation appointment for cats and dogs if any of these behaviors result in visible irritations.

Common symptoms of skin irritations:

Dull or greasy coat
Hair thinning
Red, watery eyes
Redness
Scabbed, scaly or flaky skin
Sores or swollen areas

There are many things that can cause your cat or dog to experience these symptoms of skin conditions. Some may be more easily treatable with shifts in nutrition or care routines, while others are more serious and severe in nature, which require more extensive treatment plans.

Common causes of itchiness in cats and dogs:

Allergies
Autoimmune diseases
Bacterial infection like staphylococcus, or ‘staph’
Fungal infections like yeast and ringworm
Parasites like fleas, ticks, mites, lice
Skin cancer

The best approach to help keep your pet’s skin healthy is to consult with your veterinarian when you notice signs of irritation so we can work with you and your pet to determine the best course of action. If needed, we may suggest you make an appointment to meet with a veterinary dermatologist.

Veterinarian dermatology services coming to Grand Valley Animal Hospital

At Grand Valley Animal Hospital, we continuously strive to provide the best comprehensive services that help your pet live as healthily and happily as possible. We are pleased to announce that Dr. Amanda Young, DVM, DACVD, will be offering on-demand veterinary dermatology services on a bi-monthly basis at our clinic tentatively beginning in May 2020.

Dr. Young is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist currently based out of the Pet Dermatology Clinic in Maple Grove, MN. A graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, she spent four years in a small animal general practice outside of Chicago before completing her internship in specialty dermatology at the University of Illinois and her residency in veterinary dermatology at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center in 2019.

Dr. Young will be offering services at Grand Valley Animal Hospital that include the diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of skin, ear and allergy conditions for your pet.

To make an appointment with Dr. Young, please contact the Pet Dermatology Clinic directly by calling 763-210-1177. If you have any questions about these services or appointment setup, please do not hesitate to give our team at Grand Valley a call.

03/17/2020

Seasonal Pet Allergies – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Allergy season is upon us, and we can’t forget that our pets develop allergies, too. Pets can develop seasonal allergies towards plants, dust, dander, and more. If untreated, allergies can leave your pet in severe discomfort and pain. Let’s learn about what pets are most commonly allergic to, symptoms of various seasonal allergies, and how to treat these allergies to leave your pets feeling happy and healthy!

Pet Allergies

Just like humans, our pets can develop allergies when their immune system identifies something such as pollen, dust or food as harmful. When this happens, the body may stimulate the release of chemicals to alert to the sensitivity and this can lead to allergy symptoms.

Dogs can develop seasonal allergies throughout their lifetime, and terriers, retrievers, setters, and brachycephalic breeds such pugs, bulldogs, and Boston terriers are more likely to experience common allergies. Cats can also develop allergies and tend to have severe reactions when exposed to whatever their body is identifying as dangerous. If your cat spends time outdoors, they may be more susceptible to pollen and flea allergies.

What can cause your dog or cat to experience allergic reactions? Here is a list of some common allergens:

Pet Allergy Symptoms

Dogs and cats have similar symptoms of allergies. If you notice your pet has any of these particular symptoms, they might be experiencing an allergic reaction.

Treating Your Pet's Allergies

See Your Veterinarian

If you think your pet has allergies, it’s important to make an appointment before their symptoms worsen. At Grand Valley Animal Hospital, our veterinarians will determine if your pet should be prescribed a medication and recommend an allergy-screening panel – this helps determine which items in or near your home are causing your pet’s allergies.

Additionally, if you believe your pet is having an allergic reaction to a prescription drug or an over-the-counter medication, make an appointment to consult with your veterinarian.

What You Can Do at Home to Treat Pet Allergies

There are effective ways to help treat your pet’s allergies at home, including:

Clean Pet Bedding Often – If your pet has a dust allergy, cleaning their bedding once a week and vacuuming at least twice a week should help their symptoms.
Weekly Baths – Bathing your pet weekly will also help relieve itching and remove environmental allergens from their skin. However, it’s very important that you use a shampoo formulated to your pet’s species [cats, dogs, ferrets, etc.]; you can find shampoo that will work to eliminate itching on our online store.
Flea Medication – To help prevent allergy symptoms caused by fleas, start your dog on one of the medications we recommend, which can be found in our online store or at our clinic.

If you have questions or concerns related to pet allergies, don’t hesitate to ask! Our staff is more than happy to assist you – stop in, call our office, or email us.

01/31/2020

The Do’s and Don’ts of Dental Care

What daily rituals do you have with your pet? Giving them fresh food and water each morning and lots of love, maybe going for a daily walk or giving them a good brushing? If maintaining dental health isn’t on the list, it should be. February is National Pet Dental Health Month, and this edition of Pet Talk will get into the nitty-gritty details of keeping those canine and feline chompers sparkling.

Just like you have a habit of brushing your teeth every morning, your pet will expect a daily brushing if you gradually introduce it and remain consistent with daily dental care. Start slow with lots of love and rewards, and if your pet’s patience wears thin, give them a treat and finish the rest later. Daily brushing is ideal, but in some cases it may be unrealistic and you should aim for three to four times a week minimum.

While dental chews and treats are not a replacement for daily brushing, they are a good supplement to a complete dental routine and are proven to reduce plaque and tartar accumulation, but only if the right type is given. It is important to remember that dog and cat teeth are no stronger than human teeth, but their jaw strength and need to chew is, which sometimes leads to painful tooth fractures. Hooves, antlers, and some types of hard bones are a major cause of broken teeth. A good rule of thumb to prevent breakage is to never give your pet a bone or chew that you think would be too hard for you to bite down on.

Pet Toothbrush - A soft human toothbrush to match the size of the mouth works. There are also pet toothbrushes available that are designed for pet mouths, as well as fingertip style toothbrushes to make it easier to get to hard-to-reach spots for trained dogs.
Canine Toothpaste - Human toothpaste is toxic to pets when swallowed. Choose toothpaste specifically made for pets, which comes in flavors like chicken and fish that they may prefer the taste of, helping to make it easier to start a brushing routine.
Dental wipes or pads - These will work to wipe away some bacteria and food in a pinch.

While you may think that bad breath is just a normal part of a pet’s life, chronic bad breath can be a sign of some serious underlying issues. One of the most common causes of bad breath in pets is periodontal disease, which affects 90% of dogs and cats after the age of three and can cause tooth loss and damage to the heart and kidneys. Freshen up by talking to your veterinarian to find out ways you can prevent and treat underlying oral diseases in your pet that cause bad breath.

Just like your regularly scheduled trip to the dentist, pets also require a professional cleaning from time to time. With such a high percentage of pets developing periodontal disease, it is important to thoroughly remove plaque and tartar from a pet’s teeth and to remove bacteria under the gum so it does not affect the health of internal organs and to prevent painful tooth loss.

While brushing your pet’s teeth helps to remove surface tartar, a professional veterinary dental cleaning is truly the only way to remove tartar completely from the teeth, as well as under the gum tissue.

It is important to only seek pet dentistry from a professional who is trained and certified to practice dental care on your animal, like a licensed vet or vet technician being supervised by a practicing veterinarian.

Oftentimes, groomers offer ‘teeth cleanings’ using dental tools that they are not trained to use and no anesthesia, which can be dangerous to both the pet and handler. Additionally, the methods they use such as Waterpiks, hand scalers, and other hard devices are actually proven to cause faster calculus buildup and do not address the true issue of examining and treating below the gum line, where infections and disease can occur.

Veterinary clinics, on the other hand, use ultrasonic scalers to clean below the gumline where the disease is occurring and follow up the cleaning by using a low-speed polishing device to ensure that the tooth surface is completely cleaned. Professional veterinary dental cleanings should always be performed under anesthesia, as this prevents pain for your pet and allows for a thorough cleaning and assessment of the entire mouth.

Don’t leave your pet’s dental health to chance; contact us to schedule an appointment to assess your furry friend’s dental health and talk about tips for brushing success today at 701.757.3500.

01/16/2020

Pet Care to Consider Before Getting a New Puppy or Kitten

A puppy or kitten can be an exciting addition to the family, but before you surprise your family with a new little furry friend, be sure you are prepared. In this pet care starter information, we have included some ways to be prepared when bringing a new puppy or kitten home.

Let’s start with being prepared for the new pup in your life! The following is a list of items you will need for the first few days and nights:

Premium quality puppy food

It may be a good idea to ask what they were being fed previously and stick with that, or slowly switch them over to a new food to prevent an upset tummy.

Food and water bowls

Ceramic or metal won’t harbor bacteria, are easier to clean, and less likely to become chew toys than plastic versions.

Safe toys

Make sure there are no small or breakable parts; if it fits through a paper towel roll, it is too small.

Pooper scooper and bags

Essentials for clean up after they go potty.

Leash, collar, and ID tag

For exercise and easy identification in the case they get lost. Additionally, get them licensed as soon as possible and speak to your vet about microchipping your pup.

Training crate

Here is how to make sure you get the right training crate that fits their size.

Blankets/towels that you don’t mind being ruined

Help puppy to bond with her new family members by keeping their scents close by. Have everyone handle and touch an old blanket or towel and give to puppy as a soft place to lay.

Plants

Check to be sure no plants in your home are toxic to pets. If there are, either get rid of them or be sure they are out of reach.

Wellness exam

Set up their first veterinarian appointment for a preventative care exam and to learn more about the additional extensive care will be needed over the course of the next couple years to help your puppy thrive.

Did you get a new kitten? We have a great list to help you prepare for those first few days and nights with your new little furry friend:

High-quality kitten food

It may be a good idea to ask what they were being fed previously and stick with that, or slowly switch them over to a new food to prevent an upset tummy.

Food and water bowls

Ceramic and metal are best, in case your kitten is sensitive to plastic.

Safe toys

Make sure there are no strings or small pieces that can fall off and be swallowed.

Breakaway collar and ID tag

Choose a breakaway collar that easily opens if caught on something to prevent accidental choking and get ID tags to ensure your kitten can be identified if they wander off. Speak to your vet about microchips for an extra layer of ID protection.

Scratching post

Get ahead of unwanted behavior by training your kitten to use a scratching post. Be sure to reward them with praise and/or a kitty treat so they know that is where they should be scratching.

Litter box and litter

The kitty potty break essentials.

Cat carrier

To transport your kitten in a safe environment – make sure it fits their size.

Cat bed

For a comfortable space they can retreat to for rest.

Wellness exam

Set up their first veterinarian appointment for a preventative care exam and to learn what additional care appointments will be needed over the next several months to help your kitty stay happy and healthy.