Category: Pet Tips

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!

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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!

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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

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

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This week on Pet Tips We’re going to talk about Pancreatitis in Dogs

Pancreatitis is a very common and potentially life threatening disease of both dogs and cats that is characterized by inflammation of the pancreas.  The pancreas is an organ that lays just adjacent to the stomach and liver, and is responsible for producing enzymes to help in the digestion of food, among other things. 

 Inflammation of the pancreas, or pancreatitis, can result from a number of causes including fatty foods, infection, trauma, obesity, concurrent conditions like diabetes, liver, or intestinal disease, and breed predispositions.  In many cases we cannot identify an underlying cause. Miniature schnauzers, cocker spaniels, miniature poodles and Siamese cats are particularly susceptible.

Symptoms of pancreatitis include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.

If you suspect your pet might have these symptoms, a visit to your veterinarian is very important.  Pancreatitis can be diagnosed and differentiated from other conditions by performing a thorough physical exam, blood work (including a specific blood test for pancreatitis), and ultrasound. 

 The good news is that treatment is available and typically includes fluid therapy, dietary modification, anti nausea medications, antacids, and pain control.  Depending on the severity of the disease, your veterinarian may recommend hospitalization.

Pancreatitis can be avoided, and prevention starts by first making sure that your pet maintains a healthy weight for life and by getting regular check-ups with your veterinarian.  Try substituting high fat treats and table scraps with regular dog or cat treats or even vegetables. 

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 “Ticks.”  Tune in every Friday morning at 10:40am to hear more Pet Tips!

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This week on Pet Tips We’re going to talk about Ticks

First, let’s discuss a few common tick myths:

• Myth:  I only need tick prevention in the rainy months!
• Fact:  Ticks are around year round.  The immature ticks (nymphs) that are out during dry periods may only be the size of a freckle and hard to spot on a furry creature.
• Myth:  I don’t need a tick preventative because I am able to manually remove any ticks my pet acquires.
• Fact:  While it is true that it requires about 48 hours for ticks to transmit disease, it can be very easy to miss a tick on a pet if they are not on a preventative.
• Myth:  Tick preventatives are highly toxic
• Fact:  This is true of some of the older generation products.  The products that your veterinarian recommends are very safe and have been extensively tested.
• Myth:  My pet has not had a tick in years. His current illness can’t be due to ticks!
• Fact:  Just like in humans, tick borne illnesses can hand around for years or even for life, potentially causing disease a long time after exposure.

The truth is that ticks can pose an extremely serious risk to both people and pets, leading to the spread of diseases like Lyme disease and ehrlichia, causing tick paralysis, and leading to autoimmune diseases like chronic fatigue syndrome and hemolytic anemia.

The Good News is that ticks and tick borne illnesses can be easily prevented.  There are a number of very effective and safe products on the market, available as topicals or prescription collars, many of which also contain mosquito repellents and flea control. 

If a tick does manage to attach, it can be easily removed with a pair of fine tweezers.  Grasp near the head, twist slightly as you pull the tick from the skin.  Rubbing alcohol may also help to promote tick detachment.  Be sure to kill the tick prior to disposing of it.  If you are concerned, check with your county laboratory, as most will provide inexpensive testing for the tick for lyme disease.

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 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 “Fleas.”  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 Fleas

First, let’s discuss a few common flea myths:

• Myth:  My dog doesn’t have fleas!
• Fact:  All animals that go outside are exposed to fleas.  Keep in mind that only 5% of the flea population lives on the animal.  For every flea you see, there are hundreds that you don’t!
• Myth:  I’m getting flea bites from my dog’s fleas
• Fact:  Fleas will rarely choose a human over a dog.  The fleas biting you have most likely just hatched from the ground (your carpet)!
• Myth:  Flea control is highly toxic
• Fact: This is true of some of the older generation products.  The products that we use today are very safe and have been extensively tested.  In some cases, these products are used in human organic farming!
• Myth:  Garlic will get rid of fleas
• Fact:  While garlic does have some mild flea repellent properties, it is actually toxic to dogs and cats and not recommended.
• Myth:  My indoor only cat cannot get fleas
• Fact:  Many cats that are exclusively indoors will still be exposed to fleas and may need periodic treatment.

The bottom line is that fleas are extremely common on the Central Coast with our moderate climate and they can pose a big risk to humans as well as pets, leading to the spread of parasites such as tapeworms and infectious disease such as Cat Scratch Fever – a growing concern especially in seniors.

The good news is that there is a large number and variety of inexpensive and very safe products available to eliminate fleas from your pets!  They are all applied monthly and are available in topical or oral forms.  Some products, such as Vectra 3D, also kill ticks and help to repel mosquitoes.  Others, such as the oral medication Trifexis, prevent heartworm disease and several intestinal parasites.  Oral medications are a great choice if your dog swims or is bathed frequently

Its best to avoid older generation products, such as flea collars, baths, and dips because these can be highly toxic, especially in cats, and fleas are often resistant. 

 This is Dr. Joel Conn from Pismo Beach Veterinary Clinic.  I’ll be back next week with more pet tips.   For more information, check us out on facebook, visit us online at pismobeachvet.com 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 “Ear Infections.”  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 Ear Infections

Ear infections are an extremely common condition in dogs and are a top cause of chronic discomfort, hearing loss, and trips to the vet. Ear infections result from the overpopulation of normal ear flora, namely bacteria and yeast. This leads to infection and inflammation of the outer ear canal and can even lead to rupture of the ear drum.

As you might imagine, this can be extremely painful for your pet even though they are unlikely to complain!
Common causes of ear infections include foreign material in the ear canal, such as foxtails; and predisposing factors such as frequent swimming or bathing, ear shape and hairiness, breed, and underlying disease such as hypothyroidism. The most common cause of recurrent ear infections, however, is allergies! Recent studies have shown a surprisingly strong association between ear infections and food or inhalant allergies.

There are a few key indicators that your pet might be suffering from an ear infection: a yeasty or foul odor; discharge, commonly brown with yeast infection or white to tan with bacterial infections; shaking of the head or pawing at the ears; and in severe cases even a head tilt.

The good news is that there are some simple things that you can do to help your canine companion. Undetstanding that ear infections may be a life long issue, our treatment plans are usually aimed at controlling and preventing future infections. Weekly ear flushing with a gentle ear cleanser can really help to prevent flair ups. Controlling underlying allergies with antihistamines and/or a hypoallergenic diet is also important. Ear hair plucking might be helpful but in some cases can in fact make infections worse. Finally, it’s vital to recognize early on that your pet has an infection and work with your vet to treat it with appropriate medications before things escalate.

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 or come see us at 990 Price Street, Pismo Beach. We are open 7 days a week