Tech Talk – The Chronicles of Hank

The Chronicles of Hank!

My husband Cory and I recently adopted a 10 week old Labrador mix puppy! This is our first foray into dog ownership together and his first dog ever. To say that Hank has changed our life for the better is an understatement. While there are challenging moments, (do you have to chew on EVERYTHING??) Hank has enhanced every aspect of our life.

Hank came to us from California. His mom was found as a pregnant stray and was taken in by a foster family down there. She gave birth to 11 puppies (!!) and they all lived in their foster home for about 8 weeks. Some of the pups were adopted in California, and the rest came up here for adoption via the Oregon Dog Rescue. My friend Alysse ended up fostering two of the male puppies for them. She knew we were in the market for a puppy, but that I wanted to adopt one instead of buying from a breeder. So, when we got the text with the adorable photo of the one she thought we would like, we had to go meet him!

We met him one night at her team’s flyball practice. I was surprised at how tiny he was! We fell in love and adopted him 2 days later on a snowy Saturday morning. Since we have brought him home, he has more than doubled in size from 10lbs to over 21 now! He is such a sweet friendly guy who loves people, kids, dogs and cats (though our cats Mama and Zoe are not too sure about him and would prefer that he went back to where he came from.) I am extremely lucky that he gets to come to work with me every day. He was not a fan of being in a kennel, but he is now the Sunstone mascot and lives up front with our referral coordinator, Sarah. Our clients love him and Aunt Sarah even plays him animal videos!

We have been going to Puppy Kindergarten classes at Dog Days NW in Vancouver, WA. At our first class, Hank got put into the “Small and Shy” play group, where he promptly bowled over a little Cavalier King Charles puppy. He now plays in the “Rough and Tumble” group and fits in much better! He loves the obstacle courses they have and has learned sit, down, stay, roll over, shake, and spin! Hank has taken a week-long trip to Trout Lake with my friend Alicia and I where he got to play in his favorite thing – snow! He also had his first beach trip last weekend. He is pretty sure the beach is the best thing ever!

He is now about 99% potty trained and is almost sleeping through the night. Potty training was definitely challenging but with consistency and positive reinforcement, he caught on pretty quick! We will also be happy when he outgrows the “puppy teeth chew on everything phase”, though I know that this phase of life will pass all too quickly. Being a veterinary technician, I work with dogs all day long. I typically see them when they are older and sick so I know all too well how fast the time goes by. Hank makes Cory and I laugh every single day and has brought so much joy to our lives. We are so grateful to everyone involved in bringing us together and also to my work family who loves Hank and puts up with his shenanigans.

This is only the first installment of the Hank Chronicles. Stay tuned for more…..

Katie

Head Technician

Tech Talk – Potty Training Pitfalls

Potty Training Pitfalls

My friends recently got an adorable new puppy who is just the sweetest little girl who caught onto potty training very quickly. She is now about 3 months old; and, as soon as she comes inside from going potty, she’ll go pee on the carpet by their bedroom. Not a lot but it was really starting to annoy them. I received a text recently asking what they should do as they were just about at their wits end and had gone through more carpet cleaner than they’d like to admit. I smiled reading her text as I knew exactly what they were going through all too well, having been there 3 times with my dogs when they were just wee little ones that liked to wee in places they knew they shouldn’t. 

Why, oh, why does she still pee inside?

It sounds as though your pup may not fully have control of her bladder. She is a puppy still, and though she has the basics down, she may not be completely emptying her bladder when outside. So when she goes back inside, she realizes this and just finishes up. Here are some tips to help get you through those piddle situations!

Tip 1: Stay outside a bit longer and see if your pup pees again. If she does, that’s a sign that she doesn’t empty enough the first time. Some pups may do this even 3-4 times given the opportunity. If your puppy pees quickly and then runs off to play in the yard, keep her on leash.

Tip 2: Take her to the same potty area each time. This will help to teach her that when she is taken to this specific spot, pottying is what needs to be done. No playing or other shenanigans in this area.

Tip 3: Don’t be a distraction. If she is outside peeing and you are too fast in praising/rewarding with a treat, you may be interrupting the urine flow. Don’t praise and/or give her a treat until she is completely done peeing and is moving away from the potty spot. And don’t walk away while she is peeing! Stay stationary as she may stop mid stream to try to follow you. 

 Tip 4: If she is treat motivated, and knows which hand/pocket/bag/etc they are in, she may not finish up doing her business completely because she wants that treat. And, at this point, reward her only when you are headed inside and you are sure that she has completely emptied her bladder.

Basically, your pup peeing inside after you’ve recently been outside is COMPLETELY NORMAL and just means her body is still learning, growing, and may need a bit more time outside (with some modifications). 

On occasion, some pups may develop a bladder infection causing them to piddle inside more. If you believe this may be the case, please consult your regular veterinarian.

Happy potty training!

Erika

Cardiology Assistant

Tech Talk – Why Ultrasound?

Why Ultrasound?

One of the most common things I hear from clients calling to schedule with Dr. Elliott, the internal medicine specialist here at Sunstone, is that their primary care vet is recommending an ultrasound as the next step for their pet. Indeed, the ultrasound is one of our most valuable tools for diagnosing the pets we see, but many people are surprised to hear that it is an option and may not know why it can be so useful.

There are several different options for imaging when a pet gets sick. The most common is the X-Ray, which most veterinary practices have located right in their clinic for easy use. Less common are ultrasound, CT and MRI. CT and MRI are considered more advanced imaging and are usually only found in a few specialty practices. Ultrasound machines are more common than CT and MRI, but not every veterinarian is trained to use the machine or feels comfortable interpreting the images, so they may refer their patient to a specialist like Dr. Elliott.

The key to deciding which form of imaging a pet needs lies in where the doctor is trying to look. X-Rays work by sending a beam of radiation through the body at undeveloped film for a very brief moment to create a single image. These pictures are very useful for evaluating bones, lungs and giving a general view of soft tissue structures within the body. Ultrasound, on the other hand, uses sound waves to create images. Very similarly to the echolocation used by bats, the ultrasound machine can interpret how the sound waves bounce back, forming a picture. Air and dense structures like bones bounce back the sound waves, while soft tissue structures like the liver and kidneys let some bounce back and some pass through. Because bones and air don’t let waves through at all, ultrasound is not a good tool for looking at/behind bones or within air-filled areas, like the lungs. However, it is excellent for looking within the abdomen.

One of the biggest differences between these types of imaging equipment is that ultrasound produces a live video stream of images as the doctor moves the probe around. This lets the doctor see organs from many different angles, which gives them a lot of detailed information. Sometimes there are visible changes, and being able to see those changes gives us a diagnosis. However, in many cases these changes could happen for a variety of reasons and the only way to tell the cause is to look at the tissue on a cellular level. For these times, Dr. Elliott can use the ultrasound as a guide to take a small sample of the organ in question, which is then looked at with a microscope.

In my two and a half years with Dr. Elliott, I have probably helped with somewhere between 1-2000 ultrasounds, so I have seen firsthand how much information can be gathered with this tool. I have also seen when the answer was found with an X-Ray, or a blood test, or a stethoscope. These are all important tools, with their own strengths and weaknesses, for gathering information to piece together the puzzle of what is happening inside each pet.

Colleen

Internal Medicine Assistant

Tech Talk – Emergency Pet Preparedness

Emergency Pet Preparedness

“Prior planning prevents poor performance.” This is a quote my father has told my siblings and I growing up, and still tells us to this day. It’s a quote that you can apply to many areas of your life and goes well with the topic I am about to discuss.

For the past few years, we’ve been hearing about this massive earthquake that can hit the PNW at any time and that there’s an impending disaster coming this way.

Question is, are you prepared for whatever is headed our way? Better yet, are you prepared for your animals? The best way to protect your household from the effects of a disaster is to have a disaster plan. And if you are a pet owner, that plan must include your pets. Being prepared can save their lives.

In the event of a disaster, if you must evacuate, the most important thing you can do to protect your pet is to evacuate them too. If it’s not safe for you to stay behind, then it’s not safe to leave pets behind either.

I’m going to go over a few things you can do to be more prepared for your animal in case of a disaster.

First, if you don’t already have one, you should start putting together a pet emergency preparedness kit. This could include the following: Medications and medical records (stored in a waterproof container), first aid kit (animal specific), sturdy leashes, harnesses, crates/carriers, current photos of your pet and even a picture of you and your pet together. A collar with an ID tag, enough food and water for several days, bowls, cat litter/pans, manual can opener, small poop bags, trash bags. Other sanitation necessitates like paper towels, household chlorine bleach (it can be used as a disinfectant if diluted correctly) and newspaper. Don’t forget bedding, towels, treats, and their favorite toys if easily transportable. It would also be a good idea to have information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behavioral problems, and the name and number of your veterinarian in case you have to foster or board your pets. Keep all of this in a storage container so you can just grab and go when needed. There are some pet emergency checklists out there that you can use to guide you that I will include at the end of this article.

Second, know a safe place to take your pet. Never assume that you would be allowed to bring your pet to an emergency shelter. Contact hotels and motels outside your local area to check their policies on accepting pets and restrictions on number, size, and species. I would also ask if “no pet” policies can be waived in an emergency. Keep a list of “pet friendly” places, including phone numbers, with your disaster supplies. You can also ask friends/relatives outside the affected area whether they can shelter your animal. Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be able to shelter animals in disaster emergencies (include their 24-hour telephone number). Check with your local animal shelter. Some shelters may be able to provide foster care or shelter for pets in an emergency. Just keep in mind that shelters have limited resources and are likely to be stretched thin during a local emergency.

Another important tidbit to keep in mind; in case you’re away during a disaster or evacuation order, make arrangements well in advance for someone you trust to take your pets and meet you at a specified location. Make sure you show them where your pets are likely to be if they hide when they’re nervous or scared and show them where your disaster supplies are kept. Go over their feeding schedule, and medications if they’re on any.

Third, make sure your pet(s) have current ID. Double check that their tags are up to date and securely fastened to your pet’s collar. I would also consider microchipping your pets. You’ll increase the chance of being reunited with pets who may get lost by having them microchipped; make sure the microchip is registered and up to date, and that it’s in your name.

I would like to reiterate, if you evacuate your home, do not leave your pets behind!!! Pets most likely cannot survive on their own and if by some chance they do, you may not be able to find them when you return.

We don’t know when the “big one” is going to hit and it’s not pleasant to think about but we need to. So, remember the five p’s; Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. Take action now so you know how to best care for your furry friends when the unexpected occurs.

For help identifying pet-friendly lodging, check out these websites:

Bringfido.com

Dogfriendly.com

Doginmysuitcae.com

Pet-friendly-hotels.net

Pets-allowed-hotel.com

Petswelcome.com

Tripswithpets.com

Here are two websites you can use as a guideline for making your checklists and being prepared:

https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/90944

https://www.cdc.gov/features/petsanddisasters/

 

Alicia, AA, AAS, LVT

Surgery Technician

Tech Talk – Who is Your Vet Tech?

Who is your Veterinary Technician?

The Veterinary Technician is an indispensable part of your pets medical team yet it seems that many people outside of the veterinary world have no idea what we do. Do we simply hold animals for the doctors we work for? Do we snuggle puppies and kittens all day long? (No, though that doesn’t sound bad…) Are we similar to human nurses? Have we gone to school? Are we licensed or registered? How are we different than Veterinary Assistants? This blog post is here to dispel all these myths and to hopefully answer your questions!

A Registered Veterinary Technician (or Certified or Licensed depended on what state you live in) is a technician who has passed the VTNE, the Veterinary Technician National Exam. They will also have satisfied the additional requirements their particular state and/or province may have. The VTNE is a rigorous examination encompassing both small and large animal medicine. Most states and all provinces require that VTNE candidates be graduates of a Veterinary Technology program accredited by the American or Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. There are a few states left that allow technicians to “grandfather” in, meaning they can use on the job experience in order to qualify to take the test however, this is going out of favor.

Most RVT’s have graduated from either a 2 year or a 4 year Veterinary Technology program where they studied everything from anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, surgical nursing, anesthesia, radiology, parasitology, medical math and more. During these programs students typically complete externships where they gain on the job experience and many students work at veterinary practices too. Upon graduation and successful passing of the VTNE, a person can be lucky enough to call themselves a Registered Veterinary Technician. There are many different avenues a technician may choose to go into such as working with laboratory animals, food animals, zoo animals, equine medicine, small animal general practice or emergency practice, specialty medicine and more!

There is another level of expertise that Registered Veterinary Technicians can pursue and that is to obtain their Veterinary Technician Specialty certification. There are a variety of specialties a technician may pursue such as Small Animal Internal Medicine, Emergency and Critical Care, Anesthesia, Dentistry, and more. This is an extremely demanding process that requires many hours of experience in their specific field (3 years or 6000 hours as an example), letters of recommendation, continuing education, case logs and case reports, as well as passing another rigorous examination. There are only about 700 VTS’s in North America. Becoming a VTS is a great way for technicians to advance in the veterinary field and to gain advanced skills and knowledge.

So, now that you know about the education level of RVT’s, lets delve into what they do all day at work. A technician will likely wear many hats during the course of a typical day. Legally, we are not allowed to perform surgery, prescribe medications or diagnose a disease or illness. These are tasks left to the Veterinarian. Aside from these, we perform the majority of patient care tasks. One of the biggest things that RVT’s do is induce, maintain and recover patients from anesthesia. When your pet has a dental cleaning, surgery, endoscopy, or any other anesthetized procedure, the anesthesia is likely done by an RVT. A technician will also be taking radiographs (x-rays), drawing blood, placing IV catheters, placing urinary catheters, performing dental cleanings, running laboratory tests, giving medications, educating clients,

assisting the veterinarian, and many more tasks. A RVT is similar to a human nurse and there is a push in our field to start calling all licensed or registered veterinary technicians, Veterinary Nurses. We will see if this change comes about.

A Veterinary Assistant does many similar tasks that a Veterinary Technician may do however, they have not completed a Veterinary Technology program or passed the VTNE. Legally there will be a few things that they cannot do, such as induce anesthesia, give rabies vaccines, give IV injections without an IV catheter, etc. Many Veterinary Assistants are very knowledgeable and experienced. I know that I could not live without the assistant on my team! They are equally as indispensable as Veterinary Technicians, but they do not share the same title or credentials.

I hope that this blog post has cleared up a little bit about what a Registered Veterinary Technician is and does. Next time you see the technician at your pet’s veterinary office, make sure to give them a big hug and a thank you for all of the personal care they provide to your beloved pet!

Winter Wonderland!

Winter Wonderland!

My littlest fur baby (Jensen a 1.5 year old Red Heeler) experienced his first snow last week, and it was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. After running in and out of the room 3 times trying to get my attention, I finally got up to see what it was that he wanted. He ran to the living room and stood there growling in front of the bay doors that lead into the backyard. Curious, I got down to his level to see what he was growling at, there was nothing but giant snowflakes falling from the sky. I opened the door and he darted onto the patio, threw his head back, and howled! After a dramatic pause, he bowed to his new found toy, barked, and began to jump and snap at the air to catch these mysterious white flakes falling from the sky. I must have been laughing so hard because Jensen would pause to look at me, ears like satellites, head tilted to the side in wonderment at my silly noise making. His sisters, Sadie and Lola, joined him after a few minutes. They all continued frolicking around the yard making puppy angels, tossing the icy flakes around with their noses, and playing chase while bouncing around like little foxes in the snow.

As I played with my dogs in our little PNW winter storm, and after having to trick Jensen into going inside before he turned into a little pupcicle, I began to think about all of the things I needed to do to keep my dogs safe while playing outside in the cold/snow:

WATCH OUT FOR ICE! 

Here in the PNW we tend to get snow, then that all so lovely freezing rain. Be on the look out for ice patches when your pooch is outside as dogs can easily slip and break their bones or strain a joint just as people can. Also, be careful when walking your dog on a leash because when they slip on ice, you both may fall!

NO SNOW CONES FOR FIDO

As much as your dog may love eating the snow or catching flying snowballs, like my Jensen likes to do, this can prove to be unsafe for your pet. Antifreeze can smell sweet and taste even better to animals, but it is HIGHY TOXIC. Rock salt, while not toxic to your pet, can easily get mixed in with the snow and can cause an upset stomach. Lastly, eating large amounts of it can also dramatically lower your pooch’s core temperature and trigger hypothermia.

PROTECT THEIR PAWS

Some dogs are made for colder weather (i.e Huskies have thicker pads as well has coarser hair); however, if your dog is not designed for this, limit their time outside and be sure to dry their paws when they come inside. Treat any cracked pads with a moisturizer specifically made for your pooch’s pretty paws, or try a cream made for cow udders to sooth their pads. 

CLEAR SOME SNOW!

To make potty time quicker and easier, shovel an area where your dog likes to do their business so they know where to go (and your house stays piddle free). If they do have an accident in the house, try taking them out more often and rewarding them when they come back inside (essentially you will be potty training your dog again as this crazy white stuff falling from the sky is a new situation for them, which requires a new routine). 

GET MOVING!

If your pups are like mine, they require a ton of exercise! It can be difficult to get out and get moving with your dog when it is cold out; but, staying inside may lead to pent-up energy which can potentially lead to destructive or nervous behaviors! Once my dogs were acclimated to the cold and they were used to wearing their fancy new winter coats, we started back up on our regular walks and they have been spending more time outside each time they go out. When it snowed, I built Jensen a little obstacle course which he just loves and his sisters tried to destroy! If it is just too cold for your dog, try puzzle feeders, peanut butter or other treat filled Kongs, or simply playing hide and seek in your house; anything to keep them busy and entertained on these cold days!

There really is nothing more heartwarming than watching your dog play in the snow! Best of luck with our up coming winter storm! 

Stay toasty!

Erika S. 

Cardiology Assistant

 

Tech Talk – What Would You Do

What Would You Do?

At some point in our careers as veterinary professionals we will be asked by a pet owner: what would you do if it was your pet? Often, we are asked this question when a client (or family member, or friend) is trying to wrap their head around the disease or injury that has inflicted their beloved dog or cat. It can be troubling to weigh the options of a life saving surgery or the overwhelming details of chronic disease management. As someone who has worked in veterinary medicine for 10 years I can tell you that the decision is not always clear cut, even for those of us in the field.

A large driving force behind the decisions we make regarding the care of our pets has to do with the relationship we have with that particular animal. As an owner of four cats, a dog and a horse, I can tell you that I have very different relationships with each of them. I share a stronger bond with some and would address certain health issues differently with each one. For example, one of my cats is a very nervous and skittish creature, she hides most of the day and only comes out to socialize at night. You can’t reach down to pet her or pick her up without causing her distress. Because of this, I am not as closely bonded to Pearl as I am to my other pets. If Pearl is ever diagnosed with an illness that requires a lot of medical management and daily handling I do not know if we would be able to handle that level of care. She would be terrified as I tried to administer medications and treating her disease would put a huge strain on our delicate relationship. Now on the other hand if Pearl needed a life saving surgery (perhaps she gets a blockage in her intestine, for example) that procedure would likely be a one-time event. Once she was recovered from the surgery Pearl could return to her recluse ways and be happy in her solitude. In her case, I would likely opt for the one-time surgery than I would for something like Diabetes which could require twice daily injections and frequent veterinary visits.

I had an experience a few years ago where I chose not to pursue additional treatments and diagnostics for my cat Raspberry and instead opted for the hard choice of euthanasia. This was my first personal pet that I have had to make that final decision for. I adopted Raspberry when I was working as a veterinary assistant at an animal shelter. She came into the shelter with terrible skin disease that was proving hard to manage. After 3 months in the shelter and yet to be available to the public for adoption, I decided to foster her at my home. Long story short, she never went back to shelter and I officially adopted her some months later. Her skin allergies were always a problem (she wore T-shirts and little sweaters to keep her from scratching), and then down the road she also developed IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease).

For seven years I cared for Raspberry. She was the best darn cat, so sweet and easy-going, I loved her so much. She required many veterinary visits, medications, injections, x-rays, ultrasounds, special food but despite all that I believe she had a good quality of life with us. Her IBD was hard to control and it was a progressive disease, always getting a little worse. Towards the end Raspberry started to visibly look thinner and was vomiting more frequently, but she was still having more good days than bad. We continued to alter and adjust medications as necessary to keep her happy and comfortable. One night she was having some vomiting and I gave her some medication and separated her from the other cats so she could rest in peace (some times my other cats would bully poor Raspberry), I didn’t get too worried about vomiting since this had been an on-going issue.

The next morning when I woke I went to check on Raspberry, she was surrounded by little vomit piles, dehydrated, hypothermic and too weak to even stand. I rushed her into a 24-hour emergency hospital. I gave the vet her medical history and said that I didn’t want do any extensive diagnostics or imaging, just supportive care to see if we could get her through this episode. Despite warming up her body temperature, providing IV fluids, anti-vomiting medication, Raspberry was still very weak, she still had low blood pressure and started having an abnormal heart rhythm. At this point the veterinarian let me know that we needed to do some more diagnostics to help guide treatment, but at that point, after seven years of high maintenance care, I was done and I felt that Raspberry was done as well. I let the doctor know that I was instead opting for euthanasia.

I called my husband and he came down to the hospital, we were both there when Raspberry passed very peacefully in our arms. In the following weeks I struggled with regret, that I should have done more to try and save her. But once the acuity of her absence had worn off, I came to realize that I made the right choice for myself and Raspberry. In the months leading up to this event, she was declining. The vomiting was increasing in frequency despite medications and her energy and weight were trending downwards. I was emotionally drained even before she crashed and we don’t know what would have happened afterwards even if we had been able to pull her through the crisis.

I am sure there are plenty of pet owners who would have continued medical care in this situation, and that’s ok. I am sure there are plenty of owners who would have struggled to provide the long-term care that Raspberry needed, and that’s ok too. The decision to pursue treatment or surgery is so circumstantial, it can differ between pets, it can change based on financial situations, or on the amount of time and effort an owner is able to dedicate to at-home-care. So, my dear clients and fellow animal lovers, when you ask me what I would do in your situation, I will always answer you honestly. But just know, that the decision you make is entirely yours. You know your pet, you know yourself and what you are realistically able to handle. It’s never easy to make these medical decisions, but it’s the burden we bear for the love our furry family members.

Katie, BS, AAS, LVT

Patient Care Technician

Tech Talk – Surviving Pet Loss

On Saying Goodbye

A few years ago, I had to say goodbye to my beloved Great Dane “Jolie” after she was diagnosed with bone cancer. I adopted her at 8 yrs old knowing from the start that I wouldn’t have that long with her. The life span of Great Danes are typically 8-10 years, and I only was able to spend 3 wonderful months with her. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye so quickly, and it took me a while to move on from the loss.

Looking back at my memories with her, I still tear up knowing how happy I was those last months with her. It’s never easy having to say goodbye to a pet whether they’ve been your life long companion or only with you for a few months. Our pets become such a major part of our families that it’s hard to deal with the loss of a loved pet. Even though there is no right or wrong way to get over the loss, here are a few suggestions that could help you cope if and when you’re faced with such a situation.

For many, a pet is not simply a dog, cat, or reptile. Our pets are beloved members of the family, and when they pass away, you can feel traumatic loss. Much like when dealing with human loss, everyone grieves in their own, sometimes deeply personal way. Some find that grief comes in stages where they experience a series of feelings like denial, anger, guilt, depression, and eventually acceptance and resolution. Others find that grief is more cyclical, coming in waves or a series of highs and lows. Some people start to feel better in weeks or months, but for others, the grieving process can be measured in years.

Whatever your grief experience, it’s important to be patient with yourself and allow the healing process to naturally unfold. Reaching out to others who have lost their pets can also help. Expressing your feelings with someone who truly understands what you’re going through can be a great alternative to holding feelings inside. It’s ok to cry or not to cry, but it’s also ok to laugh and find moments of joy.

If your friends or family members do not work well with the grief of pet loss, you can try other resources such as online message boards, pet loss hotlines, and grieving support groups. Other helpful alternatives include expressing your feelings in a poem or letter, telling a story about your pet, or rearranging photos and making a memorial collage.

Pet owners may ask the question, “Will my pets grieve?” Pets observe every change in a household and are bound to notice the absence of a companion. They often form strong attachments to one another, and the survivor may grieve for its companion. You may need to give your surviving pets a lot of extra attention and love to help them through this time. Maintaining their daily routine or even increasing exercise and play time will not only benefit the surviving pets but may also help elevate your own outlook too.

I hope this has provided some useful techniques for helping cope with the loss of a pet. I still miss Jolie, but I now celebrate her life and the joy she brought to me and others.

Kathryn

Surgery Assistant

Tech Talk – Diabetes and Pets

Dogs and Cats Get Diabetes Too!

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month for humans but also for our furry friends too! Many people are not aware that dogs and cats can have diabetes just like their human counterparts. While the disease process can be slightly different in pets, there are many similarities too. This article will provide a brief simplistic overview of canine and feline diabetes. Remember, if you suspect there may be an illness in one of your pets, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your family veterinarian!

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease that results in persistently elevated blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. In humans, this is caused by either a lack of insulin production from the pancreas (Type 1) or a developed insulin resistance (Type 2). Type 2 is the one typically linked with obesity, other disease process, decreased activity, and poor diet. Diabetes mellitus in a cat is more similar to human Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes of the dog is more similar to human Type 1 diabetes.

The most common symptoms in a pet with diabetes are excessive drinking and urination, weight loss and increased appetite. A complication of diabetes is a condition called Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). This is a very serious condition that may have symptoms such as depression, lethargy, anorexia and vomiting. This is most commonly seen in newly diagnosed diabetics or those with concurrent disease processes. As always, if you notice any abnormal symptoms in your pet, have them seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Your vet will first perform a physical examination on your pet and get a detailed history from you. They may want to run blood tests such as a blood glucose level and perhaps a full lab panel including a CBC, blood chemistry, electrolyte panel and urinalysis. They may also recommend a blood test called a fructosamine, which looks at the average blood glucose level over time. This is done to try to rule out influences such as stress that can artificially raise the blood glucose level as many patients are stressed at the vet clinic. They may recommend doing radiographs (x-rays), abdominal ultrasound, urine culture or other specialized tests. You and your doctor will come up with a plan specific to fit your pets and your family’s needs.

Once a diagnosis of diabetes is obtained, your doctor will likely recommend starting your pet on insulin therapy. This typically consists of twice daily subcutaneous injections of insulin, given after your pet eats a meal. Your veterinarian or their staff will show you how to give these injections and how to make it a positive experience for your furry friend! It is important to note that if your pet is not eating, you do not want to give them insulin as they may develop low blood sugar. If your pet is not eating, call your veterinarian right away for help. It is also important to make sure that the type of insulin syringe you are using, matches the type of insulin you are giving. Be sure to ask your doctor to explain the difference to you. There will be other details for them to teach you such as how to store and mix up insulin. Lifestyle and diet changes may also need to be made depending upon your pets case.

When your pet is first diagnosed there will likely be frequent visits to the vet to make sure they are on an appropriate dosage of insulin and are responding favorably. The majority of diabetic patients are easily managed by your family veterinarian. If they are having trouble regulating the blood glucose or your pet is still showing signs of illness, they may refer you to a specialist, such as an Internal Medicine Specialist.

When pets have difficult to manage diabetes, they often have concurrent underlying diseases that a specialist can help to uncover and treat. Controlling this underlying disease process can then help to control the diabetes in the long run. Occasionally, patients may go into remission and no longer insulin therapy. This is seen more commonly seen in cats. The majority of patients however will need lifelong insulin therapy and veterinary management.

Your dog or cat with diabetes can live a long and happy life with proper management from your veterinarian and of course, dedication from you!

Cheers to National Diabetes Awareness Month!

Lupe’s Story

A Thank You to the awesome team at Sunstone Veterinary Specialists:

Lupe first met Dr Su this summer when she developed a perineal hernia and was uncomfortable both peeing and pooping. Dr Su helped us put together a plan for two staged surgeries to get her back to health. The team members at Sunstone were always so kind and gentle with Lupe. They always made her feel safe and pampered, which is really how she likes things! Dr Su, Alicia, Sarah and the entire team at Sunstone always made me and my husband always feel cared for too. The professionalism, kindness, patience and compassion extended to us through this whole journey has been top notch. We are so thankful.

Lupe healed beautifully from her procedures and is back to being the queen of our household. She goes on walks to check her pee-mail and even goes to work several days a week to supervise or act as a greeter at the front desk. She is healthy, happy and sassy – all thanks to Dr Su and the team at Sunstone!

THANK YOU!!!

Katy Felton DVM and Alex Simpson CST