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Most people stay away from a dog that is growling and lunging; however, there are still countless dog bites every year, many of which are described as “unprovoked”. As a community, we have raised awareness of the risk of rabies after a dog bite and we talk about the importance of socializing your puppy and training it. There is still a gap in educating the public that ALL dogs are at risk for biting people. For those with a farming background or experience with horses, this is comparable to saying, “I will never stand directly behind a horse, because all horses are at risk for kicking”. Any breed of dog can bite if it feels threatened, whether it is considered to be a friendly family breed or not and whether it has a history of aggression or not. This message cannot be repeated enough.
The next point is that the overwhelming majority of bites are not random but are provoked by a stimulus to the dog. Children are the most common victims of dog bites and unfortunately, are the most likely to be seriously injured. Children are often bitten by familiar dogs. For example, the stimulus could be a fast, erratic motion that makes a dog feel threatened or guarding of a valuable resource, such as a rawhide.
Apart from bite prevention through management (baby gates to separate a dog from a young child) and active supervision, the key is recognizing that the dog is uncomfortable and it needs more space. Dogs communicate through body language and generally there are subtle cues that precede a bite. Dogs generally bite as a last resort and only after their threshold of stress/anxiety/fear has been crossed. Here are some calming signals that a dog may give to show they are uncomfortable with an interaction:
Be your dog’s advocate, if you are in a social situation where your dog is giving these signals in the presence of another person, speak up and ask them not to pet your dog and remove your dog from the situation if appropriate. Dogs can be overwhelmed in new places, with new people or with children that crawl or try to pet them. It is important to educate children how to approach dogs and that dogs do not enjoy being kissed and hugged.
If you would like more information, speak with your veterinarian and check out these sites:
https://www.avma.org/public/pages/Dog-Bite-Prevention.aspx
Infant bitten in “unprovoked attack” by family dog: What can we learn?
Mar 18
March 16th -22nd is pet poison prevention week, so we are discussing the most common toxins available in your home, and how to keep your pets safe.
Over the counter medications consistently rank at the top of the ASPCA’s list of most commonly ingested toxins by pets. While these medications may be safe for humans to take without a prescription, they can be deadly in animals. For example, cats cannot tolerate any amount of acetaminophen (Tylenol), as it is highly toxic for them because their liver is not able to process it. Other medications, like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) have very narrow safety margins and cause stomach ulcers or kidney damage.
Make sure to keep these medications in an area that your pet cannot access. Always contact your veterinarian before giving any over the counter medication to your pet to make sure it is safe. If you pet ingests any medication, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Food is also a very common toxin ingestion, and depending on the breed you have, may be a constant battle! The foods of most concern include chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, dough and bones. More recently, xylitol has also become a concern. Xylitol is found in many products including gum, toothpaste and some nut butters. Xylitol can cause life threatening low blood sugar values.
Keep food off counters and out of reach for your pet. Make sure to never offer them any xylitol or chocolate containing products. If your pet ingests anything that you aren’t sure about, contact your veterinarian immediately to discuss whether the food is toxic and what the next steps should be.
There are many plants that are toxic and can even be lethal to your pets. For example, lilies are extremely deadly for cats. Even ingesting just small amounts of it, or just drinking the water from where the lily is placed, can cause acute kidney disease and death. Lilies should not be kept in a house with a cat. Other plants that are toxic for pets include azalea, daffodils, and tulip bulbs. Before bringing any plant home, it would be best to make sure it is safe to have around your pet by contacting your veterinarian.
Human prescription medications have now made it on the list of common pet toxins. The common medications ingested by pets are the common medications taken by owners. These include heart medications and anti-depressants. Because all of these medications are very different, they have many different ways in which they are dangerous if ingested by your dog or cat.
All medications should be kept in areas that are not accessible by your pet. If your pet ingests a medication, contact your veterinarian immediately and have the medication with you so that your veterinarian can know exactly what your pet has swallowed.
If you ever have any questions about anything your pet has eaten or come into contact with, always contact your veterinarian. They are happy to answer any questions to help keep your pet safe and healthy!
If you plan on going away this summer, your dog may need to spend time in a pet boarding facility. Boarding facilities (as well as grooming facilities and dog parks) are common areas where dogs may catch Kennel Cough!
Kennel Cough is an upper respiratory tract infection spread between dogs. It is most commonly caused by infectious bacteria and viruses such as Bordetella bronchiseptica or Canine Parainfluenza. When infected with these, the defense mechanisms of your dog’s upper respiratory tract is lowered, allowing bacteria to grow and thrive. This will commonly lead to upper respiratory signs, but can descend further into the lungs and cause pneumonia.
Dogs catch Kennel Cough by being around other infected dogs and inhaling the organisms. Unfortunately, dogs can shed Kennel Cough without actually showing any signs that they are infected, this makes it difficult to prevent in kennel situations. Signs usually occur 3-10 days after exposure. Dogs that are particularly stressed are more likely to develop Kennel Cough.
What are signs of Kennel Cough?
The most common sign is a dry hacking cough. Often it will sound like your dog has something stuck in its throat. Typically dogs are still very bright and energetic. More serious signs that suggest a deeper infection and possibly pneumonia include lethargy, fever, a productive cough with mucous and difficulty breathing.
What should I do if I think my dog has Kennel Cough?
The best thing to do would be to take your dog to the veterinarian for a thorough physical exam. This will allow your vet to make sure your dog has no other issues that could cause a cough, such as heart disease.
How is Kennel Cough treated?
Many dogs are able to recover from infection on their own with two weeks of rest. It is important to keep your dog isolated from other dogs while it recovers, as Kennel Cough is highly contagious.
If your dog is really feeling unwell or if your veterinarian notices signs of secondary infections, the vet may elect to place your dog on antibiotics and/or cough suppressants.
Can Kennel Cough be prevented?
Vaccines are available for both Bordetella Bronchiseptica and Parainfluenza. Like flu vaccines, Kennel Cough vaccines may not fully prevent your dog from getting Kennel Cough in a high exposure area but will help prevent your dog from experiencing severe signs. You should make sure your dog is vaccinated at least one week before entering a boarding facility.
Is there anything else I can do?
An important part of preventing Kennel Cough while boarding is ensuring as little stress as possible, since stress can lower the immune system’s defenses. Here are some boarding tips:
We hope that by following these tips, your dog will have a safe, healthy and enjoyable time boarding!
Sep 16Did you know that September 28th is World Rabies Day? This day is meant to raise awareness about Rabies and ultimately to prevent Rabies from occurring. Sadly, in many countries in the world people are still infected and almost 59,000 people are killed every year from this fatal disease.
Rabies is a virus that is spread by infected animals biting other animals or transmission of their saliva to an open wound. The virus travels through the nervous system to the brain where it will cause neurological signs including changes in behaviour, aggression, paralysis and death. Once signs are evident, Rabies is almost 100% fatal.
Luckily (thanks to extensive vaccination programs), the risk of Rabies is low in Canada, but still present. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in 2021 (up to July), there were 21 confirmed cases of Rabies in Ontario (56 in Canada). Half of those cases were bats.
Other animals such as raccoons, skunks and foxes are also more common carriers, though any mammal can be infected.
Rabies is 100% preventable, but people are still exposed every year which is why this is still an important issue. Keep your family safe by talking to one of our team members at Mitchell Veterinary Services about Rabies vaccinations for your pets.
Recommended read – Rabies in Ontario blog
Oct 06
Did you know that according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), more that 56% of dogs and 60% of cats are classified as overweight or obese. If you are looking at your pet and wondering if it is overweight, here are some things you can check:
You may be thinking, “So what? My animal is overweight; there is just more of him to love.” This may be the case; however, pet obesity can cause some serious health problems, and make existing ones worse, which can reduce your beloved pet’s life span and decrease his quality of life. Some conditions are:
Your Vet may have told you that “Fluffy” should lose a little bit of weight, but did you know that for cats and small dogs 1 lb overweight = 10 lbs overweight for humans? For large breed dogs 1 lb overweight = 5 lbs overweight on a human? Even if Fluffy is only 5 lbs overweight (if we think about it in human weight), Fluffy would be a 50 lb overweight human!
Did you know that a 20lb dog eating one hot dog is equivalent to a 5’4″ person eating 3 hamburgers? What may not seem like a lot adds up for our pets!
*Feed a specific weight loss food to guarantee the appropriate amount of nutrients, as decreasing regular food could be depriving your pet of its dietary needs.
* Increase exercise slowly
* Decrease food intake
*Consult your Veterinarian with any questions
If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s weight, talk to one of our team members at Mitchell Veterinary Services or Pauly Veterinary Clinic.
Dec 17December is Cat Lover’s Month, and so we decided to put together a list of some fun facts about why cats are so amazing. This list only reflects a very small reason as to why we love cats so much!
Cat purrs come in a range of frequencies, but scientists have discovered that these frequencies can have healing properties. It is known that a cat’s purr can help increase bone density and maintain muscle mass. It is well known in the veterinary community that cats are remarkable healers, healing from trauma much quicker than dogs and people. This is likely due to the therapeutic nature of their purr!
Cat purrs have also shown to have a significant benefit on people. It can decrease stress, lower blood pressure, and help people heal from injuries as well. Owning a cat in general also improves health, significantly decreasing the risk of having a heart attack.
Cats can make many different noises. In fact, cats can make well over 100 different vocal sounds (unlike dogs who can only make around 10). Obviously, one of the most well-known is their meow! But did you know that cats mostly meow as a way to communicate with humans? When cats communicate with other cats, they use other forms of communication such as body language and scent. Over time cats have learned that those methods don’t work so well on humans. But what does catch our attention? Meowing! Cats have many different styles of meowing, and most cat owners learn what each meow means for their kitty.
We all know that the famous feline, the Cheetah, is one of the fastest animals on earth, getting up to speeds of 120km/hr. But did you know our own house cats can run pretty fast too? Some cats can run as fast as 48km/hr! If you consider that speed when you are driving around, it is pretty impressive!
Most of us are familiar with the old saying “Cats always land on their feet”. While that saying may not be entirely accurate, it is pretty close to the truth! Cats have a very strong righting reflex. When they are falling, their vestibular apparatus in their ears allow them to quickly figure out which direction is up and down, and they are then able to maneuver their very flexible body to right themselves. Their flexibility also allows them to absorb some of the shock of impact when they hit the ground, decreasing injuries.
Cats are amazing animals who truly become very special members of our family. They bring us so much joy, there is really very little that compares to the love of a cat!
If you have any questions about your cat, talk to one of our team members at Mitchell Veterinary Services or Pauly Veterinary Clinic.
Nov 08
November 7th is National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day.
Canine lymphoma is one of the most common canine cancers. Lymphoma is the expansion of lymphoid cells and can include other lymphoid tissues. This illness targets organs associated with the immune system including the spleen, bone marrow, and lymph nodes but can affect other organs.
Unfortunately, there is no known cause. Scientists are looking into the possibility of genetic predisposition for this cancer, as we tend to see it happen more commonly in certain breeds, such as Golden Retrievers. Older dogs seem to be more prone to developing lymphoma but younger dogs can develop it as well.
Signs and prognosis are dependent on the type of lymphoma present, and how far it has progressed. The following is a list of some of the common types and signs we see:
Your veterinarian will need to do a full physical exam and gather history about your pet. Other diagnostics may be performed such as bloodwork, x-rays, ultrasound, or biopsy. Frequently, one of the first tests would be a small biopsy, called a “fine needle aspirate”, of an enlarged lymph node.
Although lymphoma is not curable, it is one of the most successfully managed cancers. The main treatment for lymphoma is chemotherapy. Quality of life is always the priority for our pets, so chemotherapy in dogs is very different than chemotherapy in humans. Great care is taken to make sure it is well tolerated, minimizing side effects as much as possible. Animals do not tend to lose hair with chemotherapy, but can have vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or decreased appetite. With chemotherapy, as many as 70% of dogs will go into remission. However, survival times vary based on many factors, but can range anywhere from months to over 2 years.
Talk to one of our team members at Mitchell Veterinary Services or Pauly Veterinary Clinic if you suspect your dog may have canine lymphoma.
Oct 31
Senior pets are some of our most special patients. We’ve seen them through the chaotic puppy and kitten stage and had many years to develop a strong relationship with them and now they are more willing to calmly spend time relaxing with us. We recommend a physical exam every six months for senior pets.
Here are some medical differences between an adult and a senior pet:
We recommend feeding senior pets a high-quality food that is very easy to digest and contains anti-oxidants, omega fatty acids and an appropriate amount of protein and calories. Joint health supplements, soft padded bedding and neutral temperatures are also recommended. Deterioration of body systems may be painful and many geriatric pets benefit from pain medication. Routine blood work can trend organ function and determine if therapy for chronic kidney disease, hypothyroidism (in dogs), hyperthyroidism (in cats), diabetes or other diseases should be implemented. Routinely having masses assessed may catch cancer early and allow it to be cured.
Just because your pet is old, it doesn’t mean that it should be slow or stiff, smell bad or be non-interactive and painful. Do not accept diseases in your pet simply because it is a senior. Unlike in people, your pet may not show you symptoms that you would associate with illness. At Mitchell Vet Services, we aim for early detection of disease in pets that may outwardly appear healthy. Our goal is to prevent or delay disease and death where possible. We also assess your senior pet’s current quality of life to determine whether measures can be taken to improve its daily comfort.
Talk to one of our team members at Mitchell Veterinary Services or Pauly Veterinary Clinic to discuss your senior pet’s individual needs.
Other Recommended Reading:
Cognitive Dysfunction in Senior Pets
Feeding Mature and Senior Dogs
Feeding Mature, Senior and Geriatric Cats
Benefits of Adopting a Senior Pet
Sep 10
With our Fur Babies being such a big part of our lives now, we treasure our time with them even more. They love us unconditionally and are also so dependent on us. We shower them with our love and attention; through food, cuddles and play. Our biggest responsibility as pet owners is to keep them safe and healthy. Even with good preventative care we are not able to prevent everything as accidents and illness still happen. Pet insurance can provide us the comfort we need to know that we are prepared for these surprises.
There are many different types of Pet insurance out there. Often you can choose from plans that help with emergency and illness care only and others that also include preventative care. We encourage you to do research and choose a plan that works best for you and your Pet.
Pet insurance helps to maintain and improve our human and animal bond!
Please feel free to check out the links below for pet insurance companies (listed in no particular order) or talk to one of our team members at Mitchell Veterinary Services.
Aug 16National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. During the month of August, there is a focus on the importance of vaccination for the human population. On-time immunizations play a role in preventing serious disease for people of all ages.
Just like for people, immunization for animals is also important for the health of our pets at all life stages.
A series of vaccines are required to achieve immunity. Immunization against core vaccine DHPP and FVRCP is generally given to puppies and kittens respectively every 3-4 weeks between the ages of 8 and 16 weeks. Very young puppies/kittens have maternal immunity (antibodies from their mother), which fades in the first few months of life. Early on, maternal immunity will block disease, as well as vaccines, but when it has faded, will not prevent disease. The purpose of the series of boosters is to ensure that the puppy or kitten is protected against disease during the window of time where maternal immunity no longer is protective.
The second core vaccine is rabies, which is generally given at 4 months. This immunization is extremely important to protect the public from rabies exposure.
Leptospirosis is also a core vaccine for dogs in Perth County, due to the number of cases contracted from local wildlife.
Lifestyle-specific vaccines
Vaccines may not be protective unless they are correctly administered at the appropriate intervals. There are vaccine guidelines that form the basis for your veterinarian’s recommendations for which vaccines should be given to your pet. These recommendations change based on your pet’s age, risk of exposure, health and history of vaccine reactions. There is a small risk of vaccine reactions, ways to minimize these risks can be discussed with a veterinarian. Titers, a blood test that evaluates a pet’s antibody level, may be discussed with a veterinarian as well.
For additional information, please check out the “Vaccinating Your Pet” section on the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association website: https://www.ovma.org/pet-owners/basic-pet-care/pet-health-101/ or talk to one of our team members at Mitchell Veterinary Services or Pauly Veterinary Clinic.
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243 Ontario Rd. Mitchell, ON N0K 1N0
Phone: (519) 348-9711 Email: info@mitchellvets.ca
Monday: 8:00am-6:00pm Tuesday: 8:00am-6:00pm Wednesday: 8:00am-6:00pm Thursday: 8:00am-8:00pm Friday: 8:00am-6:00pm Saturday: 8:00am-12:00pm Sunday: Closed
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Phone: (519) 595-8888 Email: paulyvet@cyg.net
Monday 8:00am – 5:30pm Tuesday 8:00am – 5:30pm Wednesday 8:00 pm – 5:30 pm Thursday 8:00am – 5:30pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday – Closed
*Small Animal Appointments are offered Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
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