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Urinary Stones

These stones or calculi are caused by a buildup of crystals than can result from different types of minerals in a pet’s urine.  The crystals can bind together and form bigger, denser stones.  These stones can cause irritation and infection in the bladder, or a life threatening blockage of the urethra.  Some stones can be dissolved with food, but others must be removed surgically in a procedure called a cystotomy. 

Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus or Bloat

In this condition, the stomach fills with gas and twists, trapping the air inside.  It is often characterized by non productive retching and a distended abdomen.  It is more common in large deep-chested breed like, Standard Poodles and Great Danes.  This is a serious and life threatening condition that requires immediate surgery to repair.

Foreign Body

This image is of a metallic foreign body in the stomach, possibly a penny.  Most foreign bodies are things that pets eat that will make them ill.  The most common problem is obstruction.  This is when a foreign body is unable to pass and causes a blockage in the digestive system.  This is a life threatening situation, often characterized by frequent vomiting, lethargy or not wanting to eat.  Foreign body obstructions often require surgical intervention to be resolved.  Linear foreign bodies, like string or dental floss, can cause a bunching of the intestines, which can be fatal.  Some foreign bodies like pennies, also have the ability to be toxic and cause things like metal poisoning.

Urinary Obstruction

This is a condition in which, debris or crystals from the bladder cause a blockage in the urethra.  This blockage causes the pet’s body to be unable to urinate or remove waste products.  The buildup of waste products can cause severe symptoms including death in just a few days.  Signs of a urinary block can include: non-productive straining to urinate, vomiting, lethargy or pain when trying to urinate.  This condition is most common in male cats due to the narrow width of their urethra, but in the right circumstance can happen to any pet.  In order to relieve this obstruction, a urinary catheter can be inserted, as seen in the image above.

Bone Fracture

This is a traumatic injury, usually caused by large amounts of force being applied to a limb, like in a car accident or a fall.  The most common treatment for fractures is a surgical repair, which can involve pins and plates just like in people.  With an extensive injury like this, it can be a long and difficult road to recovery.

Oxygen masks for pets

It's one of our worst nightmares - a house fire.  In addition to losing a home and all of our belongings, the risk of losing family members is terrifying.  And for many of us, "family" includes our pets.

Our emergency service has seen it over and over;  brave first responders rushing through our doors with unconscious animals that are suffering from smoke inhalation.  The vital treatment for those animals is oxygen supplementation, and many of these trucks don't have the right equipment.  Human oxygen masks help, but they just don't fit right.

Pet masks are not standard equipment, and we'd like to change that.  So we're challenging the entire Durham County veterinary community to get involved; with their help and the help of the pet-owning public, we believe we can supply every emergency truck in the county with a set of pet-specific oxygen masks.  These masks will fit everything from kittens to Great Danes, sealing around the "snout" to provide supplementary oxygen to animals struggling to breathe.

We've partnered with Bayou rescue for this project, and as a 501(c)3, donations are tax deductible.  When you visit your primary care veterinarian, look for our display and donation jar.  If they don't have information on the program, be sure to mention it to them!  Donations  (checks should be made out to Bayou Rescue) can be mailed to 608 Morreene Rd, Durham NC 27705. (We are unable to accept credit card donations due to bank fees.  We apologize for any inconvenience.)

Thank you so much for your help!

Pets and Child Safety

How to Teach Your Child to Approach Dogs Safely

Summertime is here which means more outdoor activities at the park or around your neighborhood where children and dogs will meet.  Children love to pet dogs, for the most part, and dogs love to be petted, for the most part. Teaching your children the proper and safe way to approach a dog is important for their safety as well as the dog. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure that the experience will always be positive and pleasant.

Always ask permission from owner before you approach the dog! While most dogs you meet may be friendly, some may not be use to strangers or children. If the owner says no, thank them and let them pass, giving them plenty of space.

Allow the dog to approach and smell your hand. Hold your hand out palm down, in a loose fist so the dog can smell you. Wait for the dog to approach you and sniff your hand. If he turns away, he does not want any more attention. If he leans in or licks your hand, then he is letting you know you may pet him.

Pet the dog gently on his back. Never go over the dogs head to pet them. It may scare them. Instead approach from the side and pet him on his back avoiding his tail. Watch the dog for his response. If he is eager for more or rolls over on his back then continue petting him. If he seems uncomfortable, stop petting and talk gently to him instead.

“Thank you”. Let the owner and dog know you appreciate them letting you meet them!

Some other important safety tips to teach your child:

·         Never approach a dog when the owner is not with them.            

·         Never put your face in a dogs face.

·         Never take food or toys away from dogs.

·         Never run or shout around dogs.

·         Always be gentle and kind.

These steps and tips can help to prevent potentially dangerous mishaps. Start teaching your children early and make dogs safety game-like and fun to help your child to learn the rules quickly and easily. The sooner your child learns how to approach a strange dog the safer and happier they will be as well as the dog and its owner!

 -Jamie Hecht

Beat the Heat!

The sizzling summer months are upon us in Central North Carolina.  It is time for picnics, swimming pools, outdoor activities, and fun in the sun.  The days are getting hotter and hotter.  During this time, it is important to remember to keep our four-legged friends safe, especially when traveling with them in the car or taking them on walks and hikes.  Within five to ten minutes in a hot car with the windows up, a dog’s temperature can climb to lethal levels.  Temperatures inside an enclosed car can exceed 120 degrees F in less than 20 minutes, with an outside environmental temperature of 75 degrees!  So with the temperature in the high 80’s and 90’s recently, it is even more important to leave our furry friends at home. 

The types of pets that are at highest risk for heat stroke include pediatric or geriatric animals, overweight animals, dark-colored animals, and brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds (i.e. Pugs, Bulldogs).  However, any animal can suffer from heat stoke if left in extreme temperatures.  There are many signs of hyperthermia including excessive panting, collapse, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures or tremors.  If your pet is exhibiting any of these signs, it is important that you contact a veterinarian right away and bring your pet in for an examination and treatment.  It is not recommended that cooling measures be started at home.  If an animal is cooled too fast, more complications can result, such as a higher incidence of DIC, which is a lethal condition. 

So what can you do to prevent heat stroke from happening?

1. Avoid leaving animals inside a hot vehicle for ANY period of time.   Just leave them at home!
2. Avoid extreme exercise during hot days.  This includes leaving pets outside for extended periods.  It is not recommended to leave any brachycephalic breeds outdoors for any length of time.
3. If you are taking your dog on a walk or hike, make sure to bring water along.  Also, be aware of any hot surfaces that your dogs feet are coming in contact with because they can potentially cause burns.
4. If you are planning on taking your dog for a walk, early in the morning or late at night is a good time.

AND….

If you see a pet left in a car alone on a hot day, call 911!  It could make the difference between life and death!!

Compost - good for the environment, bad for your dog

In this day and age you are viewed as an irresponsible citizen if you are not 'Being Green'. We recycle, drive low-emission cars, and fashion our houses with energy efficient light bulbs.  Although many of the habits we have adopted over the years are more environmentally friendly, there is one in particular that is not friendly to our animal companions. The topic to which I am referring is composting.

The same piles of rotting organic matter and molding food products that make your summer gardens nutrient rich, also produce mycotoxins that have negative health effects on your dogs. Depending on the quantity consumed and state of decay of the compost, your dog may show some or all of the following symptoms: hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive panting, hyperthermia, ataxia, and seizures. If left untreated, these symptoms can lead to death. Your canine may need to be hospitalized for one to several days in order to counteract the side effects from ingesting mycotoxins. If deemed appropriate, a treatment plan will include inducing vomiting, IV fluids, routine blood tests, anticonvulsants and/or muscle relaxants, administration of activated charcoal, and temperature regulation.

If you are going to begin your voyage into composting this year fellow eco-savvy individuals, please be careful. Make sure your bins are covered, and possibly even locked. Treatment for mycotoxicosis is frequently successful if the ailment is promptly recognized, so it is important to contact your family's veterinarian or the local emergency clinic immediately if your canine comrade is exhibiting any or all of the symptoms previously listed.