Blog

By Christie Long

Lately, it seems that lots of organizations and even retail stores are offering vaccination clinics for pets. Owners can bring their dogs or cats to these clinics, and quickly and inexpensively get them vaccinated against the routine diseases that pets are at risk of contracting.

Most of us lead busy lives and often find that our pets are behind on the routine vaccinations before we know it. Rabies has become such a concerning problem in Larimer County, Colo., having been isolated in ground-dwelling species such as skunks, raccoons and now even foxes, that it’s more important than ever to make certain that your pet’s rabies vaccination stays current. But I’m concerned that owners leave these vaccination clinics with a false sense of security regarding their pet’s health status.

Vaccination clinics can be a low-cost way to keep your pet’s shots up-to-date, but don’t let them replace regular visits to the vet.

Recently, a young man brought his 1-year-old cat into my clinic in severe respiratory distress. This had been going on for a few days but had been getting progressively worse, and when I first met him, the cat was struggling to breathe. The sweet kitty relaxed when given supplemental oxygen, but chest X-rays showed an enlarged heart and fluid in the chest cavity and lungs. The young man was devastated to learn that his cat had a heart defect that had likely been present since birth and that would continue to worsen. With such a poor prognosis, he made the agonizing decision to euthanize his friend.

As I discussed the situation with the owner, he told me that a few months earlier, he had taken his cat to a vaccination clinic, where he had been told that the cat seemed healthy. I can’t say for sure, but I suspect that the cat was never actually examined by a veterinarian. In this case, identifying the heart defect would not have changed the ultimate outcome, but it would have allowed the owner to prepare. We might have even been able to start medications that could have delayed the onset of heart failure.

Administering vaccinations isn’t rocket science, and if you’re capable of sticking a needle into a pocket of skin, you’ve pretty much got the skills to do it. When you pay a veterinarian to administer a vaccination to your pet, what you’re paying for is much more than the liquid in the syringe. You’re paying for the physical examination of all body parts and systems. You’re paying for the discussion about eating habits, water consumption, bathroom habits, nutrition and behavioral issues, as well as the expertise that a veterinarian brings to bear on exactly what vaccinations your animal needs. And you’re paying for recommendations regarding preventative care, such as parasite prevention and dental care.

Vaccination clinics provide a low-cost source of vaccinations for many people in our community, and it’s critical to make sure your pet stays current on them. But your pet should still see a veterinarian at least yearly for a full examination. This becomes especially important for older pets because their bodies are aging much faster relative to ours.

Christie Long is a veterinarian at the VCA Animal Hospital in Fort Collins, CO. Long left her job in software sales in 2000 to travel for 13 months. Along the way, she was touched by the plight of the animals she saw and somewhere in the Nepalese Himalayas she vowed to return to school to become a veterinarian. While she often finds end-of-life situations heart-wrenching, she considers herself blessed to be called upon as a trusted adviser to families during difficult times. Dr. Long’s family includes her husband and travel partner, Wiley, their son, Wiley IV, their dogs Pancake and Gizmo and cats Sneaky and Sidh.

By Karen A. Soukiasian

Approximately sixty percent of your dog’s body is water! That’s more or less six pounds of liquid for every 10 pounds of dog! Even though dogs don’t “sweat” as we do, dehydration can be a serious problem. It is your responsibility to make sure your dog is drinking enough!

Make it a habit especially in the summer, to have SEVERAL water bowls or buckets, filled with clean, cool water, located where your dog will most likely need them and use them.

Dogs are most susceptible to dehydration in the summer. Sometimes they just so busy they “forget” to drink! From time to time they may get too over heated and do not want water. CAUTION! They could be on their way to heat exhaustion!

Diarrhea, liver and kidney diseases are also reasons for dehydration.

Make it a habit especially in the summer, to have SEVERAL water bowls or buckets, filled with clean, cool water, located where your dog will most likely need them and use them. Encourage “time out” when playing or exercising, for a drink. In the summer, get into the habit of carrying water with you, when walking or hiking…a bottle for you, and a bottle for your pal.

Signs to watch for of dehydration:
1. Fever in severe cases
2. Lethargic
3. Disoriented
4. Lack of appetite
5. Diarrhea
6. Vomiting
7. Lifting the skin on your dog’s head. If your dog is hydrated enough, the skin will have elasticity and immediately spring back. If it doesn’t, your dog could be dehydrated.

How Will I Know If My Dog Is Dehydrated?
1. Lift your dog’s upper lip. The gums over the teeth should be pink. Press the flat part of your index finger on that part of their gum. The pressure will turn the spot white. If it turns pink in 2 seconds, he or she is not in serious danger.
2. If it takes 3 to 4 seconds, your dog needs to be seen by your vet immediately. The veterinarian will most likely recommend to rehydrate your pet with IV fluids.

For moderate rehydration, as long as your dog is not vomiting, you can try:
1. Encourage him to drink water – you may need a needless syringe or turkey baster
2. Slip ice chips into his or her mouth
3. Flavor their water with no-fat, no-salt chicken or beef broth
4. Soak a clean towel in water, and squeeze the liquid into their mouth
5. A 50/50 mix of Gatorade, Powerade or Pedialyte to their water
6. Freeze a combination of 50/50 water and Gatorade, Powerade or Perdialyte, in an ice cube tray -place a treat so it sticks out a bit. Let your dog lick or chew the ice cube to get the treat.
7. If your dog is not diabetic, try a Popsicle
8. Add water to their food, especially in the summer.
9. Get them out of the sun!
10. Cool them off by gently spraying them with water and/or bring them inside for the air conditioning. Simply cooling them off may stimulate them to drink.

Do not let your dog over drink. One to two ounces every 2 hours is a good start. If you don’t see any improvement in 6-8 hours, it’s time to visit the vet!

For severe dehydration, don’t waste time. Get them to your veterinarian immediately!

Bottom Line: Management is key for keeping your dog properly hydrated. Make sure there are plenty of water bowls, they are accessible, and full of clean, cool water. Take the time, to watch to make sure they are drinking enough. Don’t rush them!

NOTE: There are dog owners who feel because the dog is poolside, they will drink out of the pool. Therefore, they don’t need a water bowl out there. This way of thinking doesn’t always work…and it could be tragic.
1. Some dogs will not drink pool water because of the chlorine content.
2. If you have a salt-water pool, it could be hazardous to their health!
3. Dogs have fallen into the pool and drowned, simply because they were thirsty!

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