Otitis and Ear Infections

Ear Infections are one of the most common problems submitted to pet insurances every year.  Dogs and cats typically get otitis externa, which is an inflammation of the ear canal rather than a middle ear infection (which is more common in people).

Causes 
Foreign bodies in the ear canal, parasites, yeast or a bacterial infection, allergies, moisture from swimming and (in cats) pharyngeal polyps

Symptoms 
Head shaking, pawing at the head, scratching, reddish brown build up of ear wax, yellow crusty build up, thickening of skin, and odor.

Diagnosis  
Otoscopic exam by a veterinarian and a swab from each ear for cytology to determine the cause of the infection and appropriate treatment options. Your veterinarian will also need to know if your pet has been in water recently, if they have a history of allergy issues, if there has been a change in food, etc.

Treatment 
If there is no infection, it is important to just keep the ears clean. Dogs and cats have a vertical and a horizontal ear canal.  This can make cleaning a bit more challenging, but here are some tips: 

In acute issues, cleaning can be straightforward. However, if ear infections are a chronic problem with your pet, thickening of the ear canal can cause additional hurdles.

To clean your pet's ears you will need cotton balls and a good, water-based ear cleaner (not alcohol or peroxide!). You may also need a helper. :)  Soak the cotton balls with cleaner, place the cotton ball in the ear, and start gently massaging. This will cause the ear cleaner to drip into the canal. The idea is to fill up the ear canal with the cleaner.

With larger ears, you may need to actually fill the ear canal directly with the solution. In either case, massage the base of the ear, then use the cotton balls to gently remove debris and wax from the canal. You should get into a routine of cleaning your pet's ears daily, weekly, or bimonthly, as recommended by your veterinarian depending on your lifestyle and current problems.

Medical therapy may be necessary if an infection is present. Topical ointments are most often used, either a liquid solution that is applied daily or a gel-like long-acting ointment that is applied once or twice in the hospital. Sometimes oral medications may be added as well, including antibiotics, steroids, or antihistamines. If the infection is suspected to be the result of an allergy, food trials and allergy testing are also sometimes warranted. In extreme cases, surgery may be discussed.

If you think that an infection may be present, please see your veterinarian sooner rather than later. Infections rarely clear up on their own, and severe or repeated infections can damage the ear drum, which will require additional precautions or treatments.

Reverse Sneezing Video

Reverse sneezing may look and sound alarming, but, relax, it is a very common and non-life-threatening condition. Check out this video to see an example:

Happy Holidays - New Puppies and Kittens

Though it may be tempting to get a new puppy or kitten in time for the holidays, there's a great deal to consider before getting your new family member: time commitment, home environment, planning for veterinary care. Especially during the holidays, it is important to ask yourself first why you want a pet and to make sure your entire family is ready for the commitment. 

Here are some things to consider prior to getting a new pet:

Assess your lifestyle.  
What is your level of activity?  
Do you want a couch potato or a running companion? 
Are there any people with allergies in the house?  
How will you share the responsibilities of pet ownership with your family members?
Do you have time for grooming?   
 

Evaluate your home and outside environment.   
Are pets allowed in your apartment or condo?  
How much room is there for the pet inside and out?  
Is it a pet friendly area?

 
Once you've decided to get a pet, it is time to prepare your home as well as find a veterinarian. After all, your vet will be your long-term partner (equivalent to your child's pediatrician). Most new puppies and kittens will require at least two visits in the first several months, if not more, for booster vaccinations, so make sure you find a vet you trust. Here are some tips for home prep as well as veterinary care for your new family member:

1. Establish ground rules with your children. Make sure kids understand that a new pet is a not a toy and that there are important rules that must be followed: Let the pet approach you; Do not chase the pet; Do not restrain the pet; Allow the pet some alone time to sleep and eat; Do not pull on their tails or chase them; etc.
2. Safety proof the house. Check for electrical cords, house plants, chemicals, objects that can fall, gaps in your fencing, kid’s toys, and trash.  
3. On the day you pick up your pet make sure you get a full copy of all medical information. You will need this for your first visit to the veterinarian. Also make sure you have an appropriate carrier or harness restraint for the car ride home. When you arrive home, show your pet the appropriate bathroom spot in the yard or litter box and then allow your new pet to have some time to settle in. Make sure to monitor them in their new environment and supervise them with the children. 
4. Visit Veterinary Practices. Make sure you ask questions! Observe how the staff and veterinarian interact with the patients.  Find out about the practice's philosophy.  Ask about emergency care, hours, and payment options.
5. Make your new pet's first appointment within a week of bringing them home. At the first veterinary exam it will be important to discuss vaccinations, parasite control, dental care, behavior and training, microchipping, nutrition, and future care.
6. Research. Find out local training places, pet sitters, or doggy day care facilities, for example, so you have a list of options ahead of time.

Common Pet Poisons

Fall is a beautiful time of year, but it can also bring about new household and environmental toxins to consider. The following list contains some of the more common fall toxins that can pose serious problems if ingested by our pets:

• Mushrooms - Certain types can be very dangerous. One of the most dangerous is the Amanita phalloides, which is found throughout the US. Symptoms of mushroom ingestion can include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, tremors, seizures, depression and even organ damage. Please try to keep your yard free of mushrooms.
• Mothballs -  Mothballs typically contain either paradichlorobenzene or naphthalene. Symptoms of ingestion can include vomiting, severe abdominal pain, tremors, weakness, organ failure or even problems with red blood cells.
• Antifreeze -  As little as one teaspoon for a cat or a tablespoon or two for dogs can be fatal. Signs of early poisoning include acting drunk, excessive thirst, and lethargy. While these signs start to resolve in hours, the internal damage to the kidneys is occurring and can be fatal. Immediate treatment is important.
• Mouse and Rat Poisons (Rodenticides) -  Mouse and Rat poisons pose a threat not only if your pet directly ingests the bait, but also if your pet is exposed to a large number of dead mice that have eaten the bait. Newer poisons are largely neurotoxins and are extremely dangerous. There is no effective treatment. The best course of action is to prevent exposure by securing any bait away from your pets and keeping them away from any potentially affected mice and rats.
• Compost bins or piles - These can have molding food products that contain tremorgenic mycotoxins, which cause seizures. 
• Red maple leaves -  A seemingly innocent leaf, the red maple can result in hemolytic anemia in dogs and cats if eaten, and it is a serious concern for horses as well. 

Two important resources are :

1. ASPCA Poison Control Center open 24 hours a day, 365 days a week.  (888) 426-4435.
2. Pet Poison Help Line open 24 hours a day.  (800) 213-6680.  Poison Helpline also now has an iPhone app “Pet Poison Help”.

For only $1.99, Pet Poison Help will provide you with:

• Life-saving access to poison information with one-touch direct dialing to Pet Poison Helpline.
• A searchable database of over 250 poisonous plants, foods, medications and household items, all with pictures.
• Descriptions of how specific poisons affect your pet, their alternate common names, and symptoms to watch for.
• Instructions on what to do if your dog or cat is exposed to a dangerous substance.
• Constant access to poison information – 　even when you don’t have Internet access

Pet Insurance

Just like everyone else, pets sometimes get sick, and health care for your pet can get very costly very quickly, especially in unexpected emergency situations. According to 2010 PetPlan claims data, one in three pets will need unexpected veterinary care each year, and dogs under the age of one are actually 2.5 times more likely than their older brethren to have an unexpected visit to the vet.  

While every pet parent wants to provide their pet with the very best care, sometimes the high costs can force you to ask your vet for less expensive alternatives. 

While everyone wants to make the best decision for their pet, regardless of cost, treatments can quickly get very expensive. Every six seconds, a pet parent is faced with a vet bill for more than $1000. This means that many pet owners are faced with covering this large bill themselves or asking their vet for a less expensive, and sometimes less effective, alternative treatment option.  

This is where pet insurance can be a huge benefit! By insuring your pet’s health, you can have peace of mind that your unexpected veterinary costs can be covered should your pet get sick or injured. Not all pet insurance plans are created equal, but there are many good options out there. Here are the top five questions to ask before buying pet insurance:

1. Does the policy cover chronic and hereditary conditions?  
2. Will my policy offer coverage for the rest of my pet's life?  
3. Are there per-condition limits?   
4. How well-established is the company?  
5. Can you customize your policy?

You also need to know:

• Is there a physical exam required to get coverage?
• Is there a waiting period before the coverage goes into effect?
• What percentage of the bill does the insurance pay — after the deductible?
• Are payments capped in any way?
• Are there co-pays?
• Does the plan cover pre-existing conditions? What is considered a pre-existing condition?
• Can you use any vet or animal hospital?
• Are prescription drugs covered?
• Are you covered if you travel with your pet?

Make sure you consider what you could reasonably afford to spend if an emergency occurred, and weight that against what each plan is really giving you and the monthly or yearly cost of enrollment. Some plans carry wellness plans while others don't. Some cover alternative therapies (i.e. acupuncture) and others don't. Most policies do not cover congenital or hereditary conditions, but there are some exceptions.  

In short, there are many pet insurance options out there, but having your pet insured can make your veterinary treatment decision that much easier by covering most, if not all, of the associated costs. With a little bit of research, you can make sure you are getting the right plan for you and your pet.

**Some information was provided by PetPlan insurance and NBC News comparison.

Inappropriate Elimination Part II: Canines

Image courtesy of Mister GC at freedigitalphotos.net

House soiling is a very common problem, affecting up to 37 percent of dogs. As mentioned in our previous post about cats, house soiling can be either behavioral or medical in nature. Common medical problems that can lead to house soiling include diabetes, kidney disease, parasites, and dietary issues. Behavioral causes can range from insufficient house training to submissive behavior, excitement, territoriality, and anxiety. 

The first place to start is with an evaluation by your veterinarian to rule out any medical issue and to discuss possible behavior problems and solutions. Your veterinarian may recommend blood work, a urinalysis, and/or a fecal examination to rule out certain conditions. Sometimes, radiographs or an ultrasound is warranted. 

Treatment for inappropriate elimination in dogs revolves around first treating any underlying medical conditions, neutering if recommended, and/or training and behavioral modification. Careful monitoring of the dog and where he seems to prefer to go to the bathroom in the house in addition to noting any routines or interactions with other animals or people that seem to occur prior to house soiling can help you and your veterinarian determine the possible cause and proper treatment/behavior modification.

Inappropriate Elimination Part I: Felines

"Inappropriate Elimination", or urinating or defecating in inappropriate places, is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners. From urination and/or defecation outside the litter box to urine spraying throughout the house, this is understandably an issue that can cause a lot of angst among cat owners.

Why do cats eliminate outside of the litter box? 
Although people commonly think this is a sign of revenge, that is not the case. Sometimes there can be underlying medical issues, such as inflammation or infection of the urinary tract that make it painful to go or inflammation of the colon or intestines. These can lead to increased frequency or urgency and decreased control of eliminations. 

In older or disabled pets, we also often see mobility changes that affect a cat's ability to get in and out of the litter box. Other times, litter box aversions can develop after something scary or repelling (perhaps a noise, a harsh odor, or a surprise attack from another pet in the household) results in a cat associating a negative experience with the litter box. Sometimes the root cause is simply an inappropriately sized box, dirty litter, a change to a different litter, or an inconvenient location of the box (at least in the eyes of your cat).  

What about urine spraying?

Urine spraying is another very common problem. This typically male cat behavior is often used to establish territorial boundaries, but it can be a result of frustration or stress. Most commonly, unneutered males are the main culprits.

What can I do? 
First, identify which cat in the household is having the problem, and take that cat to the veterinarian to rule out any medical problems.

Then, as long as everything checks out ok, analyze where your cat is going to the bathroom to try and find a common thread. Does he seem to prefer a particular texture? Is he using a location far away from other cats or the hustle and bustle of the rest of the house? If you have multiple boxes, is there one he prefers over the others? What makes that one different?

Some of the most common solutions for litter box aversion include:

• Trying a different litter (scent, texture, type)
• Changing the box size and/or location
• Changing the number of boxes available. You should ideally have one more box than the total number of cats in the house. 
• Adding or removing a cover from the litter box.

To discourage your pet from continuing to use an inappropriate area, make sure you are thoroughly cleaning and using an odor neutralizer anywhere there is inappropriate elimination. 

For spraying, consider neutering your cat (if he is not already). Try to determine if there is an outside influence, such as another cat that may be causing stress or territoriality, and make every attempt to eliminate that stress or deter the outside cat from coming on your property. Close blinds or shades if possible. 

If frustration or boredom seems to be the cause, consider increasing the amount of one-on-one playtime or adding toys to stimulate your cat when you are not around. You can also try placing newspaper in areas you want to discourage him from spraying (the sound is a deterrent). Putting your cat's food in the area where he is inappropriately eliminating and playing with your cat in the area may also help, in addition to decreasing access to the area when you aren't around.

More information can be found at Cornell Feline Housesoiling