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Thunderstorm Phobia! By Zoe Forward, DVM, DABVP (canine/feline) We might love a good storm, but our dog might not. We suspect there are genetic factors that underlie a dog’s susceptibility to thunderstorm phobia. In people genetics contribute to fears. Studies show that identical phobias (e.g. fear of heights) will develop in identical twins raised completely apart. However, negative experiences can clearly trigger the development of fears. Specifically, personal experience and observational learning (witnessing another fearful dog or person) may be involved. Storm phobia responses are not just physical, but also emotional and physiological. Physical responses include attempts at escape (flight), finding a safe place, shadowing the owner or hiding. Affected dogs may also pace, pant and whine or bark. Emotional responses include the immeasurable in a dog—the subjective experience of terror. Physiological responses include activation of the autonomic and endocrine systems triggering ...

Common Dangers that Pose a Threat to Pets on the 4th of July Courtesy of Pet Poison Hotline     Fireworks . In addition to being loud and scary to pets when lit, unused fireworks can be toxic if ingested. Many contain hazardous chemicals like chlorates that harm red blood cells and the kidneys, soluble barium salts that cause life-threatening drops in potassium, and sulfur and coloring agents that contain dangerous heavy metals. Gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, a painful abdomen and bloody diarrhea can result. The severity of the reaction will depend on the type of firework and the amount ingested. In severe cases, pets can suffer tremors or seizures, along with acute kidney failure, bone marrow changes, shallow breathing and jaundice. When lighting off fireworks, its best to keep pets indoors, away from the noise and risk for thermal injury.   Barbecue Foods . We love cookouts, but they can have the opposite effect on pets. While rich savory meats are...

Feline Idiopathic Cystitis: It’s NOT a Urinary Tract Infection!   Guest post by Amy Auwater, DVM Your cat has started having signs that might look like a urinary tract infection: squatting to urinate in unusual places outside of the litterbox, making frequent trips in and out of the litterbox, straining to urinate, vocalizing, licking the urinary opening, and/or producing small amounts of blood-tinged urine (if there is no production of urine the kitty is male, he could have an obstruction which is a medical emergency!).   All of these signs are related to pain and discomfort in the lining of the urinary tract.   The fact is that in young-middle aged healthy cats (especially male), it is actually rare to get a true urinary tract infection.   Only 1-5% of cats with these signs will have a true urinary tract infection. Other things that can cause similar signs might be bladder stones (20% of affected cats), trauma to the urinary tract (1-5%) or urinary cancer (1-5%)....

OLDER PET…SHE'S FORGETTING EVERYTHING!    COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION. By Zoe Forward, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (canine/feline) Does it seem like your cat is having “senior moments” such as forgetting where she is?   Is your dog gazing off into the horizon or forgetting which side of the door to go out of?   These are signs of cognitive dysfunction.   Ot her signs might include house-training problems, apparent memory loss, disorientation, confusion, wandering, getting stuck in corners, sleep disturbances (waking at the wrong time, sleeping unusually deeply, night pacing), restlessness, barking, separation anxiety, panting, drooling, obsessive licking, etc. Just because your pet is getting old doesn’t mean we need to stand on the sidelines and let him get old. There are things we can do to intervene and improve your pet’s ability to function and improve its quality of life. What is Cognitive Dysfunction? Cognitive dysfunction is a decline in learning, memory or aware...

Litter Box Blues By Zoe Forward, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (Canine/Feline)   She’s been going in the box for upteen years and now all of a sudden she’s peeing all over the house!   This is a common problem. It is frustrating. And in most of us with busy households, we just don't have time to deal with another crisis.  This problem is the number one reason cats are relinquished to shelters.   So, why do they do it?   The most common reason a cat might refuse to use the box is that he perceives the box to be dirty.   Cats have a very keen sense of smell and, although the box may seem clean to you, it doesn’t to the cat.   Have you ever been inside a rest stop restroom and upon one sniff think about going in the bushes along the side of the road?   Most people on average clean their cat’s litter box once or twice a week.   How would you like to use your own bathroom if you only flushed the toilet once a week?   STEP ONE: KEEP THE BOX ...