Cathy, April, Kalon, Lynne, Norma, and Sheri want you to know that they have a fantastic addition to the Client Care Team. You may already have seen her smiling face if you have entered through our cat door in the last few weeks. Her name is Jill and she has fit right in with our competent, intelligent, warm and friendly team at our front desk.  Jill loves animals (of course!) especially her own darling Westie, named Riley Wallace, and her cute bunny, named Bailey. Jill is a graduate of both North Buncombe High and the University of Tennessee and lives in Weaverville with her husband, Jared. When she isn’t at work she still loves helping animals, and she enjoys painting, hiking, spending time with her family, as well as decorating and fixing up her house.  Please welcome her to our team when you see her!

Jill has joined six other team members with an average of almost 15 years each at Animal Hospital of North Asheville. We hope Jill will be here a long time, too! With so much experience, each person has the ability to perform any task needed, but each one has an assigned role each day such as scheduling appointments, facilitating client communications with the veterinarians, and answering questions on the phone (Lynne, Sheri, and April most days), greeting you and processing your information both as you enter and leave (Norma, Kalon and Jill most days). When not helping clients, they do so much to try to make AHNA and your experiences here special. Cathy, who supervises the team, may be seen in many different places on any given day and also plans and coordinates the team and education meetings that occur on Tuesdays. Yes, each team member is smart, capable, and careful, but what really makes them special is that each one really does care about each and every person and pet.

Is your cat grooming half of her hair off, or is your dog licking his paws raw? It may well be that your pet is experiencing allergies, one of the most common health problems for pets. Forty percent of dogs and cats are estimated to have allergies. Just like people, animals have allergic reactions because their immune system — the system that protects the body from foreign and potentially infectious substances — overreacts to some material. Almost anything — pollen, dust, an ingredient in pet food, a household chemical, an insect bite — can set off an alarm in the immune system, causing it to pump out large amounts of white blood cells, hormones, and other material called histamines into the bloodstream.

The result for animals can be a range of different effects, including itchy, swollen skin (known as pruritis); difficulty breathing; or a disruption of the digestive tract, such as vomiting or diarrhea. These symptoms are the animal equivalent of a person’s sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes.

Pets with these kinds of allergic symptoms can be pretty miserable creatures, and unfortunately they can’t be cured. Allergies are lifelong, chronic problems. The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to help your animal “children” feel better. The best way to start is to find out what your pet is allergic to so that you can keep the allergen out of his environment. Animal allergies generally fall under one of four main categories.

Contact Allergies

These are the least common type of allergy in animals. They happen when an animal’s skin comes in contact with the material to which he’s allergic — if he rubs his face against a wool blanket, for example, and he’s allergic to wool. The chemicals in flea collars can cause this problem as well. The skin at the point of contact will be irritated; it may itch, become thickened or discolored, have a strong odor, and/or lose hair due to constant biting or scratching.

Contact allergies are generally not a hard problem to solve; they’re usually confined to a specific area of an animal’s body.  The area of the pet that contacts the floor or carpet is typically affected. The allergen shouldn’t take too much work to discover. You can try removing different materials that your pet touches until you find the one that irritates his skin.

Food Allergies

Diet can be a complicated factor in pet allergies. Most animals are not born with allergies to food; their immune systems develop an allergic response over time to some part of their diet, often one of the animal proteins. A food allergy can present in many different ways, including the itching, digestive disorders or irritated anal glands.  They can be a real challenge to solve, however.  There is not a specific test for food allergies.

You can try to figure out what’s causing your pet’s allergic reaction by feeding him different diets, but the allergic effects of food can stay in the system for 8 weeks. You may have to keep your furry friend on a special hypoallergenic (non-allergy-causing) diet for 8 to 12 weeks to see how he reacts, and you may have to do it several times with several different diets before you find one that doesn’t cause an allergic reaction.

And while you’re feeding these test diets, you’ll have to make very sure that your pet doesn’t eat any treats, vitamins, leftovers, scraps or even plants around the house. He must eat the test diet exclusively for the entire 8 to 12 weeks to determine whether he has an allergic reaction to it.  A diet trial does not mean to switch from one grocery brand to another.  Special diets are available with proteins your pet has probably never had such as Ostrich and Rice, Rabbit and Rice, Venison and Rice and one of these is fed for 12 weeks.  If the allergy symptoms resolve, it does not mean that you pet must only eat the trial diet.  Improvement confirms that a food allergy is present and then you can add ingredients, one at a time, to see if the symptoms return.

Inhalant Allergies

Inhalant allergies are the kind we humans are most used to. Just like us, our pets get hay fever, meaning they can be allergic to the pollen and mold that fill the outside air during the spring and fall. They can also be allergic to the dust mites, mildew and mold that can be inside every home. These kinds of allergens usually produce severe itching in pets, which is usually concentrated in the ears, feet, groin and armpits, although it can be spread across the entire body. Dogs in particular may develop hairless, irritated “hot spots” from constantly chewing on and scratching the affected skin.

Most animals that are allergic to airborne particles are usually allergic to more than one. Often, they will only experience itching during the pollen-heavy seasons of the year, just like humans who have hay fever. If you find that your pet’s allergies seem to be seasonal, you may be able to limit his outdoor time during allergy season. Your pet may be reacting to an indoor allergen, however, or an allergen that doesn’t vary by season. In that case, there’s not much you can do to keep him away from whatever he’s allergic to, although an air filter might provide some relief.

Flea Allergies

This is an extremely common problem for pets and is possibly the most common allergy of all. Animals aren’t actually allergic to the fleas themselves but to proteins that fleas secrete in their saliva when they bite. Your pet doesn’t have to be a walking flea circus to suffer from an allergy, either. Affected animals can itch severely from a single bite for more than 5 days! So, if you suspect that your pet is allergic to fleas, you’re going to have to work very hard to keep the little pests away.

Frequent baths are a good idea, as are the prescription flea applications and pills. Consult your veterinarian when you choose a flea repellent for your pet, though; the wrong kind or too strong of a concentration could cause irritated skin, seizures and even death in extreme cases. You will also want to treat your pet’s environment, including any bedding or carpeting with which he comes in contact.

Other Options

What makes allergies hard to deal with is that, in many cases, you either won’t be able to determine exactly what is causing the reaction or you won’t be able to remove it from your pet’s environment. This is where your veterinarian comes into the picture. You and your veterinarian will probably have to work together to determine the best treatment, or combination of treatments, for your pet’s allergy. You may have to go through a series of trying a possible solution, waiting to see how your pet reacts to it, and moving on to another solution. Your veterinarian may suggest one or more of the following tests or treatments:

Testing — Your veterinarian has a few different tools to help determine the source of your pet’s allergy. Intradermal or “scratch” tests involve making small abrasions in an animal’s skin and inserting small amounts of materials to which the veterinarian suspects the pet might be allergic. If the animal is allergic to one of the materials, say dust mites or ragweed pollen, the immune system will react to it, and that particular scratch will become inflamed. There are also a number of blood tests that your veterinarian can use to analyze the amount of certain chemicals that the immune system releases into the bloodstream when it is exposed to different allergens. These tests can be used to tell whether your pet is having an allergic reaction or whether the problem is caused by something else, and sometimes they can determine the source of the allergy.

Steroids — These drugs work to suppress the immune system and make the allergic reaction less severe. Steroid treatment can help your pet even if you can’t determine what he’s allergic to or how he’s being exposed. Steroids can have several side effects, however, and they affect nearly every organ in the body. Steroid use can cause weight gain, increased thirst and urination, and increased aggression and other behavioral changes. Steroids are generally used if the allergy occurs for a short amount of time, because long-term use makes animals more prone to infection, as well as susceptible to diabetes and seizures.

Immunotherapy — This is one of the safest and most effective ways to treat allergies, but it also takes the longest amount of time to work. In immunotherapy, animals are given regular — often weekly — vaccinations that contain small amounts of the substance to which they are allergic. The same therapy is used for people who go in for allergy shots. It gradually desensitizes the immune system to the allergen, meaning that, as time goes by, the immune system is reprogrammed and doesn’t react to the allergen as strongly. Unfortunately, it takes some time for the immune system to re-adjust. It can sometimes take 6 to 12 months before animals show any improvement from the treatment.

Antihistamines — These drugs, much like the allergy medication that people take, work to block the chemicals, called histamines, that are released by the immune system. They are effective at reducing itching and inflammation, and they are relatively safe to use. Their major drawback is that they cause sedation and can make pets extremely drowsy and sluggish. Occasionally, they can change an animal’s energy level enough to affect his quality of life.

Symptomatic treatment — Even if none of the above treatments are effective, you can still give your pet a lot of relief by simply treating his symptoms as they come up. There are a number of soothing shampoos on the market that contain ingredients like oatmeal or Epsom salts. Your veterinarian may also be able to suggest ointments, ear treatments or sprays that can make your pet more comfortable. Be cautious about using home remedies or herbal treatments on your pet, however. Consult with your veterinarian before you try any new treatment, because you could damage your pet’s skin or aggravate the allergic reaction. Most of all, remember that, while you can give these symptomatic treatments often, they will only provide temporary relief. If your pet still seems uncomfortable despite the baths or other treatments, you can talk to your veterinarian about long-term treatment.

Whatever treatment decision you and your veterinarian come to, rest assured that the patience and determination it can take to treat allergies is well worth it. Although it may take some time and effort, you can help your itchy, grouchy pet feel comfortable again.

This article originally appeared on healthypet.com

Animal Hospital of North Asheville Thanks Them with a Sponsorship

On August 7, 2010 there will be a parade of dogs in Asheville who are giving their all to fight cancer as they participate in the American Cancer Society’s Bark for Life. Animal Hospital of North Asheville is a sponsor of the event to show our appreciation for these dogs getting out to fight cancer in people! We also appreciate the American Cancer Society for their recognition of the important role that companion animals play in our lives when they say:

Canine companions represent unconditional love, joy, security, compassion, and no judgments of human abilities orappearances. Bark For Life is an irresistible way to “take a bite out of cancer”, smile, and make new friends canine & human.

The American Cancer Society Bark For Life, “Bark For Life” (ACS BFL) is a full American Cancer Society Relay fundraising event that honors the care giving qualities of our canine “Best Friends”. Monies raised contribute to and are included in the annual Relay For Life event total.

Canine Caregivers are Canine Companions, Guide Dogs, Service Dogs, Rescue Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Cancer Survivor Dogs, and Diagnostic Dogs, who with their owners, are joining the American Cancer Society as Relay teams and participants to celebrate cancer survivorship, to honor people lost to cancer, to fundraise in support of cancer research, education, awareness, patient services, advocacy, and to help eliminate the suffering that cancer causes worldwide.

Visit: www.relayforlife.org/barkasheville to learn more about the event and to register.

The red number 1’s are retained baby teeth. In this picture, see how the permanent teeth, blue number 2’s have been pushed inward and when they fully erupt, they will poke into and damage the roof of the mouth. The green “x” is a baby incisor to be removed.

These numbers are true for most pets:

- 28 baby (deciduous) teeth erupt between 3 and 6 weeks of age.

- 42 permanent teeth arrive between 4 and 7 months by pushing the baby teeth out. (Between 4 and 7 months, you may see baby teeth fall out, or find them on the floor or see some bleeding gums where they have fallen out)

Teething: Teeth pushing through the gums are painful and the pain is reduced by chewing on objects. Rawhide chews and soft toys seldom cause damage. Do not allow real bones, hard plastic chews and cow hooves as they often fracture or break teeth.

Retained Deciduous Teeth:  Occasionally a permanent tooth will erupt beside a baby tooth, and the baby tooth can crowd the permanent tooth into the wrong position resulting in malocclusion or a bad bite.When a baby tooth (deciduous) tooth and the accompanying  adult or permanent tooth can both be seen, the baby tooth should be removed quickly.  You do not want the baby tooth to deflect the permanent tooth into an incorrect position.  Also, when two teeth occupy the space meant for one tooth, food accumulates between them and periodontal disease and discomfort occur. Removing baby teeth typically requires anesthesia so the the baby tooth can be removed completely.

A red #1 baby tooth is pushing the blue #2 permanent tooth forward.

The retained baby tooth has been extracted.

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So handsome!

It’s a hot, steamy day. The clouds build, and you hear rumbles of thunder in the distance.  For most of us and our pets, there’snothing to fear. But for animals with storm phobia, it’s time to panic. A “phobia” is a persistent, irrational fear of a stimulus, and can manifest in many ways, from anxiety and trembling all the way to destructive behaviors. At the onset of a storm, some dogs hide or seek out their owner. Others tremble, salivate, or pant. In the more extreme cases, dogs can cause damage in their attempt to be “anywhere but here,” digging up carpets and walls, breaking windows, or even breaking nails and teeth trying to escape.

There are many factors in thunderstorms that can trigger the anxiety response. The sound of thunder is the most obvious, but it is thought that dogs can also sense changes in atmospheric pressure or buildup of static electricity. These factors make it more difficult to desensitize dogs to storms, but it still can be done.

Dogs with mild thunderstorm anxiety often respond well to being indoors; noise distraction such as radio or television can help also. Others do well with having a “safe place” available, which can be a closet, their crate, or another quiet small place. The bathroom may be a good spot, although one of our patients turned on the tub water in his anxiety during a morning thunderstorm, which led to thousands of dollars worth of water damage by the time his owner got home from work. Another technique is to have a “storm party,” pairing especially yummy treats or a favorite toy with the storm. Give the treats almost continuously as needed to distract the dog from the storm, which teaches the dog that storms can be associated with good things instead of fear.

Dogs will often destroy household items when they are frightened during a thunderstorm.

During the off-season, dogs that experience most of their anxiety associated with the sound of storms can be desensitized using CD of rain and thunder. Starting with the least threatening sound (usually rain), reward the dog with a yummy treat if he is calm and relaxed while the CD is playing softly in the background. Gradually increase the volume and intensity of the sound during each session, and reward the dog if he remains relaxed. If he becomes anxious, reduce the volume to a level that doesn’t cause anxiety. These sessions should last no more than 5-10 minutes, and should be done daily if possible. Do not leave the CD on all the time, as this will likely worsen the anxiety.

Other non-drug therapies that can be used include DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone), which may reduce anxiety to some extent. It is available in a diffuser, spray, and collar.  Anxiety wraps and storm capes can also be useful. Storm capes are designed to reduce static electricity buildup in the fur during the storm, and anxiety wraps claim to help the dog feel more safe and nurtured. These therapies do not take the place of behavior modification, but may be a helpful addition.

For many dogs with storm phobia, medication is the best way to manage the anxiety.  For milder cases, medication given before the onset of the storm is adequate. Some dogs do best with a maintenance drug every day during the thunderstorm season, allowing them to have lower overall anxiety and reactivity to storms.

Contact the Animal Hospital of North Asheville if you think your pet needs help with thunderstorm anxiety.  We’re here to help keep your pet healthy and happy!

Last Thanksgiving, Dr. Duncan diagnosed an inoperable tumor in his right front leg and amputation was the only option. “Miracle Mac”, as all the wonderful AHNA staff now call him, got through the surgery with flying colors and has adapted remarkably well to getting around on three legs. At 14, his sight and hearing are limited and his mobility is awkward, but on his birthday trip to the beach, (complete with new speedo just for the occasion!), he was a show stopper everywhere we went.  Everyone wanted to pet him, find out about the missing limb and talk about how gentle and sweet he was.

Mac, in his 'speedo', on his birthday.

He is truly a miracle and the center of our world.  More thanks than I can possibly express to all of you there at AHNA for your state of the art medical care given in a remarkably loving, compassionate way.  You are the best!!!

By Mac’s owner, Debbie McDowell

No matter how much they beg, (and no matter how cute they look when they beg), there are some foods that should never be fed to pets. Below you will find a list of the top toxic “people foods” to avoid feeding your pet. These are not the only foods toxic to your pets. There are other foods that, if ingested in large quantities, will make your pet ill. The following list details the most common and the most toxic foods to avoid.

If you suspect your pet has eaten any of the following foods, please note the amount ingested and contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.

Avocado

The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Sometimes ingestion of avocado may even be fatal.

Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine

When eaten by pets, chocolate, coffee and products containing caffeine can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Dark chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. Baking chocolate is the most dangerous.

Grapes & Raisins

Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure. In pets who already have certain health problems, signs may be more dramatic.

Macadamia Nuts

Avoid feeding the entire nut and any cookie or candy which contain Macadamia nuts. These nuts have caused weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last approximately 12 to 48 hours.

Milk

Because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk, milk and other milk-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.

Moldy or Spoiled Food

Never feed your pet moldy or spoiled food. Make sure that the lids on your garbage cans are tightly closed at all times.

Onions, Garlic, Chives

These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large amount is consumed.

Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones

Raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to pets. In addition, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin, which can lead to skin and coat problems. Feeding your pet raw bones can result in choking, or sustaining a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in, or puncture, your pet’s digestive tract.

Salt

Large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination, or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many salty foods include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death.

Xylitol

Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. Ingesting xylitol can result in vomiting, lethargy, loss of coordination and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.

Yeast Dough

Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked and the yeast has fully risen, pets can have small bits of bread as treats – but never moldy bread. However, these treats should not constitute more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.

For a more comprehensive list of pet toxins, please visit: http://www.healthypet.com/PetCare/PetCareArticle.aspx?art_key=655a2b98-fe3f-4162-b9e4-af262ec76c7c

Information in this article was taken from the ASPCA website and the WebMD website.

Eliza Mazzaferro, MS, DVM, PhD, DACBECC, director of emergency services at Wheat Ridge Veterinary Specialists in Colorado, says the Fourth of July is a busy time because of the inherent risks the holiday poses to pets. The most common culprit: fireworks.

“Pets get anxious and break out of kennels, jump through windows and get lacerations, and when loose, can get hit by cars,” Mazzaferro says. “We have also seen where people toss a firework or firecracker into the air, and the dog jumps up, swallows it, and the firecrackers cause severe damage to the internal organs.”

Obviously pet owners should prevent their dogs from swallowing firecrackers, but even the noise can injure their stomachs; in large breed dogs, Mazzaferro has seen an increased incidence of bloat or GDV (gastric dilation and volvulus), where the stomach twists. This occurs when dogs are nervous or excited, which happens during firework anxiety.

You can tell if the noise is affecting your pet if they tremble, bark, howl, try to hide, or get so anxious that they attempt to break free from their enclosures. In these cases, Mazzaferro recommends staying with them to help calm them down, rather than leaving them home alone. It’s a good idea to keep them inside, making sure that they don’t chew anything in their excited state.

“Moving things that can be destroyed or are harmful is beneficial,” Mazzaferro says. “However, in very anxious pets, I have seen them bite through a metal cage and injure their teeth and gums, and also jump through plate glass windows. They try to escape the noise, not knowing that it is outside. I have seen dogs chew through doors and dry wall, so just keeping them confined to a room or a dog crate is not always foolproof to prevent injury.”

In such extreme cases, it may be wise to have a prescription for anti-anxiety medication from your veterinarian. Testing the medication before the holiday is a good idea to ensure that it has the appropriate effect.

In case your pet does run away, it is important to be sure their collar has a tag with the current phone number on it. Mazzaferro suggests that all pets be microchipped, and that the contact information it contains is current as well.

“Too frequently, we see pets brought in by Good Samaritans having been found injured, and we attempt to contact the owner with the information provided by the microchip company, and find that the numbers are not current or have been disconnected, and we cannot reunite the pet with their owner,” she says.

Other problems for pets that occur around the Fourth of July include pets getting wounded during fights at backyard barbecues with other animals, or eating table scraps like corn cobs, ribs, hot dogs or shish kabobs that can cause gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and diarrhea) or even pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. Cats can get an obstruction in the stomach or intestines that can be life threatening without surgery. To keep pets safe, partygoers should not put their plates or drinks on the ground where pets can reach them.

Barbecues can also attract bees and wasps. Allergic reactions to insect stings can cause swelling of the face, hives, itchiness, vomiting, diarrhea, and in the worst case scenarios, respiratory distress and collapse. If a pet shows any of these signs, they need to go to the nearest veterinary hospital for treatment.

Finally, summer heat can create health issues. Mazzaferro stresses that pets should never be left in a car under any circumstances to avoid heat stroke. She also suggests walking or exercising pets during the coolest part of the day, with plenty of shade, and access to water every 20 minutes to avoid heart exertion. If your pet is tired, collapses, or starts making increased breathing sounds, stop the activity, have your pet rest in the shade with cool water, and have them evaluated by a veterinarian.

By taking these precautions, you’ll ensure that both you and your pet enjoy a happy Fourth of July!

This article was written by Jen Reeder for the AAHA Healthy Pet website