Cataracts in dogs

           Every year millions of animals are affected by a common disease known as cataracts,a clouding of the eye lens starting small in the pupil and progressively increasing in size causing blindness in one or both eyes.
Most cataracts are hereditary inherited by a parent or ancestor, some come from injury to the eye or diabetes. I have three clients with aging dogs who suffer with this condition,they seem to have high functioning qualities and only a few set backs. Mostly walking down stairs and being out at night affect how they might react. Often cataracts occurs in aging dogs and the surgery can be quite expensive and cost from $1,500-$3,000.00 depending on extent of cataract if both eyes are affected or type of surgery. The lens is removed and replaced by a new one the same surgery as a human would have. Commonly dogs live to a ripe old age just fine without surgery and it doesn't even seem to bother them or change their personality. Three years ago I had this surgery as a result of inherited cataracts, it changed the way I looked at things. I didn't realize what colors I had been missing or how clear something really looked. Dogs are amazing,they can function with cataracts and adapt much better than us humans. So much of our lives are through our sight, we need it to drive or to fly a plane unlike dogs who rely on their sense of smell to get around. 
 Many dogs are put down or brought to a shelter due to small medical conditions from owners who don't educate themselves about the cataracts.Knowledge is power and power can save an animals life.

Pets and the dangers of antifreeze

I have been hearing some good news about a chemical they want to add in Georgia's antifreeze it's a bitter smelling chemical called Propylene glycol, other states have used it already.It would discourage pets and children from drinking it.It's effects are a bit less harmful to the kidneys and less toxic.
 Just two to three teaspoons of antifreeze can kill a dog or even less for a cat. Children can be affected as well.
It is said that almost 700 children a year are exposed to the dangerous substance ethylene glycol used as an active ingredient,it only takes two teaspoons to kill a child or cause blindness..If ingested it affects  the nervous system and will cause vomiting,seizures, and severe kidney damage in animals and almost certain death if not treated immediately.
If you witness or suspect your dog of ingesting antifreeze, immediately notify your veterinarian, or rush your pet to an emergency vet hospital.
 The earlier the treatment is administered, the better chance he animal has of survival. To prevent the ethylene glycol from being absorbed into the liver your veterinarian will administer an IV of ethanol to counter the affect of the deadly ethylene glycol. Once kidney failure develops, most will die.
When purchasing and using antifreeze, always keep the welfare and health of your pets and children at the top of mind. Keep both new and used antifreeze containers in a sealed location; thoroughly wipe any drips from the sides of the container before storing; Immediately clean up puddles from your driveway where you might see antifreeze leaking from your radiator and always keep out of reach of children.

Pets and Dental Health

February is national pet dental month,vets start recommending we bring our trusted friends in for a routine dental assessment,This will include checking the gums for bacteria and any problems you may not know to look for.  Also they will check for tooth loss and damaged or receding gums. Like humans pets need a once a year exam to make certain they are not in any pain as they can't speak to us or tell us how they are feeling.You may notice them pawing at their mouth or refusing to eat.This can be a sure sign there is something wrong.


Even if you aren’t able to brush your pet’s teeth every day, by incorporating a special pet food into your pet’s daily routine, you can provide the dental care needed to keep your pet healthy. Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets. Twice-a-year checkups, including an oral health checkup, are important to ensure your pet is not in pain and is not suffering from serious oral health problems.
Besides causing receding gums and tooth loss, bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream, potentially infecting the heart, liver and kidneys, which can be potentially life threatening. Just as the public has come to realize that their own oral health is linked to their overall health, veterinarians want people to understand that dental health care is essential to maintaining the overall health and well-being of the family pet."
A complete home dental care program for your pet often will include brushing as well as a special pet food that helps care for your pet’s teeth while he or she eats.  My pets are now protected through a pet health insurance plan which covers annual dental exams and cleaning. Most companies stress the importance of this aspect of pet care, and support pet owners who take dental health to heart.

How do you know which pet foods are best?

This is tough because in my experience when my vet gave me a certain food for my dog, I thought because it came from my vet it was the best. After doing some research and finding out what  exactly is in most dog foods I was astounded. Most dog foods have sugar and unhealthy preservatives  making them more appealing to our pets. In turn these foods produce over weight and unhealthy coats as well as skin rashes and allergic reactions.Try to stay away from foods with these preservatives BHT & BHA. These have been shown to cause cancer,kidney disease,pancreatic disease as well as hair loss. Make certain to read food labels and determine which foods have what preservatives. There are many dog foods that say they are Holistic and contain no  byproducts just remember that small print. There are a lot of good choices out there and many manufactures are now aware more consumers are demanding better and more healthy choices for both cats and dogs.
Remember like us daily nutrition and  exercise are key to a happy more healthier pet.

Do we need to Groom our pets?

One benefit of regular pet grooming is that it encourages a stronger bond between owner and pet. In the wild, many animals only allow others of their kind to perform grooming tasks. If a domesticated animal allows his owner to brush out his coat or clean out his ears, this is a sign of complete trust. Pet grooming involves a significant amount of handling and petting, which also benefits the pet's emotional state.Pet grooming can also be a necessity for some pets' proper daily functions. For example, a dog with long toenails may not be able to walk comfortably, which in turn discourages her from exercising daily. A cat may develop more hairballs throughout the day if not brushed, leading to overnight distress depending on the coat it has. Guinea pigs with unchecked teeth can develop severe overbites, leading to an inability to eat and ultimately to starvation. By performing simple pet grooming tasks, an owner can prevent serious health complications down the road.Another important consideration is animal comfort. A dog with a thick coat of hair may become overheated during hot summer months. Some breeds of animals need regular grooming to remove excess hairs and spread healthy oils to the coat. A haircut may not only help the animal look more attractive, but it also allows more air to circulate and keep the animal cool. Cats may groom themselves more often than other pets, but they still need some human aid from time to time. Pet grooming efforts such as giving a cat a bath may seem to call for expert help, but they are necessary to remove excess saliva from the cat's coat. Some people with cat allergies may be more sensitive to a cat's dried saliva than to its dander.