Category: News

Dr. Joel Conn’s segment “Pet Tips” aired Monday on 95.3 The Beach! The topic was “Kidney Disease in Cats.”  Tune in every Friday morning at 10:40am to hear more Pet Tips!

Click Here to Listen…

This week on Pet Tips we’re going to talk about Chronic Kidney Disease in Cats.

Chronic kidney disease is an extremely common condition in cats, affecting virtually every senior cat to some degree.  In all mammals, the kidneys serve to help conserve water, eliminate waste products from the body, and produce a number hormones required for normal function.  Kidneys are made up of millions of tiny pumps, called nephrons,, that filter the blood and produce urine.

Disease of the kidneys occurs when these nephrons begin to die off.  Once 70% of the total functional kidney mass has been lost, we start to see evidence of kidney disease.

Symptoms of kidney disease include increased thirst, increased urination, gradual weight loss, and in advanced disease poor appetite or anorexia, and even vomiting or diarrhea.  Cats that have developed any of these symptoms, should be seen by a veterinarian.

Kidney disease cannot be diagnosed on physical exam alone and typically your veterinarian will recommend a blood panel and urinalysis.  Cats with kidney disease are particularly susceptible to urinary tract infections and high blood pressure, so a urine culture and blood pressure measurement may also be recommended.

Though we cannot cure kidney failure without kidney transplant (which is in fact offered by several referral hospitals throughout the country), there are many things that you can do to help delay the progression of the disease once your cat has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. 

Diet can play an important part in preserving kidney function.   There are numerous prescription diets available that promote water intake, help with electrolyte balance and are low in protein, as protein is damaging to the kidneys.  Encourage your cat to drink more water by providing extra water dishes and by adding things like chicken broth or tuna juice to one of the dished to make it more enticing.  Your vet may also recommend giving occasional fluids under the skin if the kidney disease is more advanced.  In severe cases, initial hospitalization at the time of diagnosis may be extremely beneficial. 

The most important thing with chronic kidney disease is to identify symptoms early on and perform regular blood work to catch things before they have progressed.

This is Dr. Joel Conn from Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic.  I’ll be back next week with more pet tips.   For more information, visit us online at pismobeachvet.com, check us out on Facebook, or come see us at 990 Price Street, Pismo Beach.   We are open 7 days a week.

Dr. Joel Conn’s segment “Pet Tips” aired Monday on 95.3 The Beach! The topic was “Reptile Care and Management.”  Tune in every Friday morning at 10:40am to hear more Pet Tips!

Click Here to Listen…

This week on Pet Tips we’re going to talk about Reptile Care and Management.

Reptiles can make excellent pets, but their care can often be challenging.  The first thing that every reptile owner should do is get to know their pet – research the species, gender, lighting requirements, and feeding behavior and diet.  Not all reptiles make good pets, so be sure to consider your priorities as a pet owner.

Lighting is incredibly important in the lives of any reptile that is active during the day.  A high quality UVB light source should be purchased and regularly changed out.  When it comes to lights, you tend to get what you pay for, so expect to spend $75-100 for a good bulb.  Depending on the species, one or more heat sources may also be needed.  Avoid in cage items like heat rocks, as pets can easily get severe burns.

Cages and terrariums should be carefully planned – keep in mind that the average reptile spends about 75% of its day trying to escape, so the enclosure must be secure.  Anything in the cage should be easily replaced or cleanable and weekly cleaning of anything non porous with a dilute bleach solution is recommended.

Finally, diet is probably the most difficult and most important thing to get right.  Research your pet carefully and consult with your veterinarian regarding dietary advice and nutritional supplement recommendations.  Some reptiles need fresh vegetables and salads, while others need insects or even small mice or rats to eat.  The most common health conditions that we see in reptiles are related to inadequate nutrition.

Here’s the bottom line: before considering a reptile companion, DO YOUR HOMEWORK.  Your local exotics veterinarian can be a great resource, as there is a lot of misinformation on the internet and even in some pet stores. 

This is Dr. Joel Conn from Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic.  I’ll be back next week with more pet tips.   For more information, visit us online at pismobeachvet.com, check us out on Facebook, or come see us at 990 Price Street, Pismo Beach.   We are open 7 days a week.

Dr. Joel Conn’s segment “Pet Tips” aired Monday on 95.3 The Beach! The topic was “Foxtails.”  Tune in every Friday morning at 10:40am to hear more Pet Tips!

Click Here to Listen…

This week on Pet Tips we’re going to talk about Foxtails

Foxtails are an extremely common grass weed in California that pose a serious health threat to dogs and cats.  Foxtails are most problematic during the dry months, usually April through October.  They are very sharp and have tiny spines along their length that act as barbs, allowing them to enter noses, ears, eyes, and almost any other site on the animal’s body and migrate “in” but not “out.”

 The most common symptoms caused by foxtails are acute and severe sneezing if one gets in the nose, a suddenly blinky or painful or red eye if a foxtail becomes lodged under the eyelid; swelling or development of a draining tract between the toes if one migrates between the toes or pads, and shaking of the head if one gets stuck in an ear.  Foxtails can burrow under the skin in almost any location, so symptoms can range from a lump on the skin to severe complications like pneumonia or organ failure depending on where they end up.

 Since foxtails carry bacteria with them and can quickly migrate through the body, time is of the essence.  Seek immediate veterinary care – even if the foxtail can be located and removed at home.  Foxtails in the ear or nose may need to be removed with the animal under sedation.

 Since foxtails can be so problematic once they are imbedded, prevention is important.  Keep tall grasses mowed, preferably while they are still green.  When on hikes or walks, try to avoid letting your dog walk through high grasses or weeds and stay on the path.  If your dog or cat has exposure to foxtails, check their fur regularly to remove anything before it can penetrate the skin.  Very hairy dogs may also benefit from summer grooming, including a “foxtail clip” which is a close shave of their feet and ankles.

This is Dr. Joel Conn from Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic.  I’ll be back next week with more pet tips.   For more information, visit us online at pismobeachvet.com, check us out on Facebook, or come see us at 990 Price Street, Pismo Beach.   We are open 7 days a week