Ear Cleaning- How To

by | Mar 29, 2024 | How To's

Ear Cleaning- How To

Ear Cleaning

By Dr. Karen Burgess

Before discussing how to clean your pet’s ears, it is first important to understand the basics,

  • In most cases a healthy dog’s ears should not require “cleaning”. The normal ear’s anatomy and physiology should stay clean on its own.
  • In some situations, ear cleanings are medically recommended. Examples would include predisposition to ear infections (due to breed, anatomy, or underlying medical conditions), history of skin allergies, in the treatment of an existing ear infection, or to assist in drying out a wet ear (ex. after swimming or bathing).
  • Cleaning a diseased or infected ear is often painful and may require medications to help with this discomfort.
  • Signs of ear problems include head shaking, pawing at ears, bad odor, visible debris, or resentment of head petting.
  • Nothing, whether it be liquid or solid, should be placed in a pet’s ears without first consulting a veterinarian. Some over the counter ear products are not only ineffective, but may actually be harmful.

Understanding the ear

  • The ear is really just a canal or tube lined by skin. If a pet has underlying skin disease it is common to also have ear issues and it is fairly uncommon for a pet to just “get an ear infection”. Instead it is often a sign of underlying skin disease or systemic allergies.
  • The anatomy of some breeds can affect the ear’s ability to stay healthy. Whether it be a too narrow passage or an ear with excessive secretions these are typically lifelong issues.
  • The ear canal is L-shaped with a vertical and horizontal portion. The vertical portion is visible to the naked eye, the horizontal portion is visible only via a veterinarian’s otoscope. The tympanic membrane (TM) lies at the end of the horizontal canal. Often a pet owner may see a normal appearing vertical canal while the otoscope may reveal a completely occluded horizontal canal. To address ear disease both the vertical and horizontal portion of the ear must be treated while protecting the TM. The TM or eardrum can be damaged by disease, medications, or objects placed into the ear (i.e. Qtips). While the eardrum can heal, damage can also potentially affect hearing longterm.

Cleaning 101

  • If you feel you are not able to safely clean your pet’s ears, do not proceed. Ear cleaning can be scary and painful which could potentially make a normally docile animal become aggressive.
  • Before starting, gather supplies: ear cleaner, cotton balls, towels, treats, old clothing.
  • Location, location, location-find an area where your pet can be confined. An elevated surface or corner of a room often work well. Having an extra pair of hands is often helpful. For smaller animals a towel can be used to “burrito” wrap and better control the process. For some really messy ears, cleaning outdoors may be preferable.

Soak two cotton balls fully with ear cleaner

ear drop

Place cotton balls lightly into the visible vertical canal. They will not get lost!

ear checking

Hold the ear flap (also called the pinna) closed like a resealable bag. Massage the base of the ear for 1 minute.

ear checking

Allow pet to shake head, this will cause the cotton balls, some cleaner, and typically abnormal ear debris to come flying out. The act of shaking and the centripetal force involved are far more effective at cleaning out the ears than any wiping could ever be.

Dry outer ear lightly.

Cat 411

by | Mar 29, 2024 | How To's

Cat 411

By Dr. Karen Burgess, DVM

What should be considered before getting a cat?
The introduction of any pet should first be discussed with all family members or potential human housemates. Cats are a long-term commitment living up to twenty years. If unsure, ensure that no family members have an allergy to cats (typically to their saliva or dander). If uncertain or unfamiliar with cats in general, it is a good idea to first visit and interact with cats in an animal shelter type setting.

What should I look for in a cat?
Ideally one would have the chance to spend at least an hour observing a prospective cat’s behavior. Ensure that they are willing to be handled by humans and seem comfortable with all family members. Cats that have been handled by people from a young age and raised by a mother cat tend to be better options (bottle raised kittens may have more issues with behavior in the future). Observe for any signs of a respiratory infection (sneezing, nasal discharge), has solid stools, uses the litterbox, and has a good overall appetite.

What do I need to own a cat?
It is best to have the following supplies before bringing your new cat home.

  • Cat carrier, some shelters may provide a cardboard variety, plastic versions are typically more convenient and durable and are often available second hand at garage sales etc.
  • Litterbox, purchase the biggest available (even consider a concrete mixing container from Home Depot, often more affordable and larger than real litterboxes), avoid uncovered versions
  • Litter and scooper, clumping, non-scented preferable, commercial scoopers are typically most durable
  • Water and food bowls, separated
  • Cat food, try and find out what your new kitty is already eating and obtain a small amount of this to start with, having some additional cans of tasty cat food may also serve as a nice treat
  • Scratching post, horizontal and vertical, many types available, taller the better as cats typically want to scratch while in a full stretch, ask Healthy Paws for additional recommendations on scratching in general
  • Cat toys, various types available, favorites tend to be wand toys, balls, food dispensing balls, catnip products
  • Cat bed, covered often preferred
  • Cat hair brush and nail clippers for grooming
  • Cat collar, breakaway type (one that if a cat jumps and is caught by the collar will break away thus preventing choking), bell can be helpful in keeping track or your new friend

Where should my new cat stay?
In the beginning it is best to have a small room (laundry room, bathroom as example) set up as the cat room. Put food, water, litterbox, bedding, scratching post, and toys in this room and use it as a home base. Fill the litterbox with 2 inches minimum of litter and place food and water bowls as far away from the litter as possible. Cats like hiding spots. Keeping a carrier, covered cat bed, or even a box with one open side in the room may provide added security. Use of the scratching post can be encouraged by sprinkling it with catnip or hanging a toy from the top. As your cat and you feel more comfortable, gradually allow more access to other areas of the house.

Do I need to cat-proof my home?
Cats by nature are inquisitive animals often preferring vertical surfaces to allow a better view the lay of the land. Small areas are also favorite hiding places for cats. Take a look around the house before introducing your new cat to look for any potential areas that might require blocking off. Look at all surfaces, including tops of cabinets/higher surfaces to ensure nothing will be harmed if your cat starts exploring. Some common safety concerns for cats include…

  • Recliners
    Washers and dryers/piles of laundry that unwittingly contain a sleeping cat
  • Doors left open to the outside
  • String, yarn, rubberbands, and hairties that may be ingested causing life-threating intestinal blockage
  • Trash cans that do not contain lids
  • Dangling electrical or window blind cords
  • Breakable objects that may fall during cat exploration (look for museum or earthquake wax to secure objects)
  • Household plants
  • Fireplaces, ensure have a screen
  • Boxes that are unintentionally thrown out with a cat inside
  • Burning candles
  • Closed closets or drawers that a cat may have hidden in

What about the first day at home?
Once home, take your new cat into their special room in their carrier. Close the door, get situated sitting on the floor, open the carrier door, and wait patiently kitty decides how they want to explore. Some cats will come bounding out and be excited about their new surroundings, others may hide for hours in the crate only coming out to explore when left completely alone. Be patient, even shy cats can make wonderful pets; they just may require a bit more time to adjust.

When should the first veterinary visit be?
New cats should have a complete examination by a veterinarian within a week of coming home to ensure their overall health.

What are some good general cat resources?

  • The ASPCA has a vast amount of helpful information for cat owner. Below is a sample of available articles….

    • Cat Care Tips

  • Cat Behavior Associates also has a variety of helpful articles regarding cats.

Heartworm Disease

by | Mar 29, 2024 | Heart/Lungs

Heartworm Disease

By Dr. Karen Burgess

What is heartworm?
Heartworm disease is caused by Dirofilaria immitus, an up to foot long spaghetti-like worm that grows to maturity in the heart and pulmonary artery (blood vessel connecting the heart to the lungs). Dogs become infected with heartworm disease when they are bitten by an infected mosquito that acts as an intermediary host.

What are symptoms of heartworm disease?
Dogs with heartworm disease range in showing no symptoms to experiencing heart failure. More common symptoms include exercise intolerance or a cough. The adult heartworm can clog blood vessels and cause dangerous inflammation within the lungs. Symptoms often do not develop for several years after initial infection, but by this time extensive and permanent damage to the lungs has often already developed.

What is the life cycle of the heartworm?
Heartworms develop through five different life stages. The adult heartworm resides in an infected dog’s pulmonary artery (blood vessel connecting the heart to the lungs). After mating, adult female heartworms produce microfilaria, or microscopic larva that travels through the blood stream. When a mosquito bites an infected dog, they ingest microfilaria along with blood. The heartworm larva goes through two life stages in the mosquito over a several week timespan before being infectious to another dog via mosquito bite. After a dog is infected, the heartworm must then go through three more lifestages before becoming an adult in the heart. Ultimately it takes approximately four months from time of mosquito bite to when a mature heartworm is found in the heart.

How is heartworm disease diagnosed?
There are several blood tests readily available to screen for heartworm disease. The biggest limitation being that most tests are only able to detect more than three adult female heartworms. Since it takes four months from time of infection to having an adult heartworm, some dogs may test falsely negative for heartworm disease initially.

How is heartworm disease typically treated?
There are several components to successful treatment for heartworm disease.

The microfiliaria (baby heartworms, L1) and recently injected and developing heartworms (L3 and L4) are killed by ivermectin based heartworm preventatives (Heartgard Plus). This prevents other dogs from being infected and recently injected larva from growing into adult heartworms in an exposed dog. Injected heartworms (L3) remain in the skin for three months developing to the larval stage that ultimately migrates to the heart (L5). Developing larval heartworms (L3, L4) are killed by ivermectin based (Heartgard Plus) heartworm preventatives.

Treatment for the adult heartworm (L5) involves a very specific medication called immiticide, a derivative of arsenic. Prior to treatment, dogs should have their overall health and stage of disease determined. Blood tests and thoracic (chest) radiographs are recommended at a minimum. If there is evidence of lung or heart disease on radiographs, a modified treatment regimen or further testing may be necessary in an effort to prevent complications. Current recommendations for treatment involve an initial one month course of doxycycline. Research has shown that doxycycline kills a specific bacteria associated with the adult heartworm thus making it more susceptible to immiticide and potentially decreasing side effects of treatment. After the course of doxycycline, there is a month delay prior to treatment with immiticide. This allows time for immature heartworms to either be killed by preventative or mature to adulthood allowing immiticide to kill them. A confirmatory heartworm test should be performed after this eight week delay and prior to immiticide therapy.

Immiticide is administered as an injection in the back muscle. One month after this first injection, the same injection is given again twice over a two day period. Each injection of immiticide kills a certain percentage of heartworms. By dividing the treatment over a two month period, the total number of dead worms a dog is exposed to at any one time is limited.

What is follow-up care after treatment for heartworms?
Dying adult heartworms and the ensuing inflammation they cause in the lungs is a potentially life-threatening problem for dogs undergoing heartworm treatment. There is no way to completely prevent complications secondary to heartworm treatment. Anti-inflammatories are often administered immediately after treatment to assist with any local pain at the injection site which can be severe enough to cause a dog to bite. An estimated 30% of dogs will experience some sort of reaction secondary to the injection. Strict rest is required for four weeks after each injection; this means short leash walk to go to the bathroom in the yard, no running, walks, playing, or excessive excitement. The dying adult heartworm can be very dangerous and the more the heart is rested the safer it is for the dog. It is better to error on the side of caution (crating a pet) than risk a possible complication. A heartworm test should be performed again six months after treatment.

What are signs of complications from treatment?
Cough (often closely resembling vomiting but with no food present), lethargy, vomiting, difficulty breathing, loss of appetite, or collapse are all possible complications and warrant immediate medical attention.

Can heartworm be prevented?
There are several different products available to prevent heartworm disease. These are typically a pill that is administered once monthly year round. Care should be taken to purchase a reliable product from a trusted brand as several product lines have experienced recalls over the years.

Can a dog get heartworm disease while on preventative?
Heartworm treatment is nearly 100% effective. Reasons for breakthrough include failure of pet to ingest pill, poor owner compliance in giving pill monthly, resistant strains of heartworm (not a current problem in this region), and an animal that had immature worms that were not detected on a previous heartworm test.

Why do dogs need to be tested for heartworm disease prior to giving preventative?
Heartworm preventatives quickly kill off microfilaria. In rare instances this can lead to a potentially fatal anaphylactic reaction in a dog. Heartworm positive dogs with microfilaria should be monitored in a hospital setting when first being given preventative.

Heart Murmur

by | Mar 29, 2024 | Heart/Lungs

Heart Murmur

By Dr. Karen Burgess

What is a heart murmur?
The heart is a muscular organ that contains four separate blood holding chambers. The heart muscle functions to push or pump blood held in these chambers through the body’s blood vessels. Between the four chambers of the heart or valves that help compartmentalize the blood within the heart. When a heart murmur is heard by your doctor via a stethoscope it is actually the sound of blood flowing inappropriately through what should be a tightly sealed valve. If the heart chambers are rooms and the valves are doors, this would be similar to wind rushing through a partially closed door. There are six grades that qualify how loud a heart murmur sounds with grade one being the quietest.

What is the significance of a heart murmur?
A heart murmur alone is only a symptom. It may be innocent, meaning of no harm to the patient, or an indicator of extensive heart disease. Neither presence of nor the grade of a heart murmur are reliable indicators of whether relative heart disease is present in a pet. What it signals is that more information should be obtained to ensure overall heart health.

What tests are indicated when a heart murmur is diagnosed?
In some cases the first recommendation may be to simply reauscult the heart in several weeks. Some medical conditions that may be temporary (ex. change in hydration status, fever, infection) can lead to transient murmurs that will self-resolve. Further evaluation of the heart typically involves imaging. Radiographs or x-rays of the chest can help define the size and shape of the heart, the density of the lungs, and look for other anatomical issues. Radiographs do not determine how the heart is functioning. An ultrasound or echocardiogram of the heart allows direct visualization of the heart size, shape, and real time views of the valves and heart muscle. While a more expensive test, and echo is the gold standard for evaluating overall heart health. Laboratory tests, EKG (evaluates the electrical impulses that cause the heart to contract), and blood pressure measurement are also typical diagnostics when evaluating a heart murmur.

a heart murmur be harmless?
Yes, in some cases a heart murmur is innocent. This means that there is no corresponding or detectable heart disease. These are most commonly seen in young puppies less than fifteen weeks old. It is important to ensure these murmurs resolve as puppies can also be born with congenital heart defects which are far more problematic.

What if my pet is found to have heart disease?
There are a variety of specific diseases and treatments that affect the heart. Without an echocardiogram it is impossible to treat a pet for a specific problem and therefore improve chances of success. Treatment may involve medication, diet change, or in some rare cases surgery.

Heart Failure

by | Mar 29, 2024 | Heart/Lungs

Heart Failure

By Dr. Karen Burgess

What does heart failure mean?
The heart is a muscular organ that contains four separate blood holding chambers. The heart muscle functions to push or pump blood held in these chambers through the body’s blood vessels. When the heart is unable to push blood forward at a rate that keeps up with the body’s demand it is considered heart failure. Heart failure typically leads to fluid backing up into the lungs.

What causes heart failure?
There are a variety of diseases that can lead to heart failure. Pets with a heart murmur, or leaky heart valve account for 80% of heart failure cases in dogs. In some cases the heart muscle is abnormal, either too thick or too thin. Lung disease can also put added stress on heart muscle.

What is the significance of heart failure?
Heart failure can be chronic disease with symptoms waxing and waning or acute in nature leading to sudden death. When blood flow to the body is affected energy level, organ function, and the ability to breathe can all be affected. Owners may also notice an enlarged belly (from fluid buildup), gums that are blue or paler than usual, and weight loss.

What are symptoms of heart failure?
Pets experiencing heart failure are often first seen for coughing, in particular after exertion of first thing in the morning. Other signs include exercise intolerance, reluctance to go for walks, and change in sleep pattern or position.

What tests are indicated if heart failure is suspected?
If a pet is experiencing collapse or severe breathing issue from heart failure it may be life-threatening within minutes to hours and immediate medical attention is necessary. Hospitalization and oxygen support along with medications may be required in these situations. Radiographs (x-rays) are often used to evaluate for heart failure which will often produce an enlarged heart shape of evidence of fluid buildup in the lungs. Blood pressure, EKG evaluation, and blood tests are often recommended to further evaluate the impact of heart failure on the rest of the body. Ultimately an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) allows a veterinarian to understand the specific disease affecting the heart.

What is involved with treatment for heart failure?
Often pets with heart failure are able to be managed with oral medications for some time period after diagnosis allowing them to live a relatively normal quality of life. It is helpful in managing heart failure patients to monitor their breathing rate while sleeping; changes in this number may indicate that a pet is having more troubles related to their heart function.

Is heart failure the same as a heart attack?
Heart attacks are common in humans and occur when blood flow to the heart muscle is interrupted thus leading to death of the heart muscle known as a myocardial infarct. This is not a common cause of death or heart disease in cats and dogs.