Sandra Wahlert DVM

I think my dog had a seizure…

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

I think my dog had a seizure. What do I do?

Dogs can develop seizures at any time during their lives. Aberrant brain activity can range from imperceptible to a full blown Grand Mal seizure. Often owners will be awakened in the wee hours of the morning as the animal thrashes about next to the bed.

Seizures can have many etiologies (causes) so most veterinarians will want to run some blood and urine tests to help them determine the cause. Many seizures have a genetic component or are idiopathic, meaning we can’t find a cause. Taking a video of the pet having the seizure and timing the event can help the veterinarian as well.

Fortunately, most seizures can be controlled with medications.

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Old Cats, Kidney Disease and Diets

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

My old cat has just been diagnosed with kidney disease. Should I feed her a special diet?

The stage of renal disease that the cat is in and the clinical symptoms the cat displays helps determine the dietary plan for the pet.

In general, many veterinarians will recommend a prescription renal (kidney) diet for cats with elevated kidneys values. Diets such as Hill’s Science Diet K/D, Purina ProPlan’s N/F, and Royal Canin’s renal line have high quality proteins in decreased amounts compared to those sold in most grocery and farm stores. Controlling the protein level decreases the amount of harmful phosphorus in the diet.

Additionally, these diets have reduced sodium and higher levels of potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. This combination of nutrients helps the cat maintain body condition and muscle mass. Research shows that feeding prescription diets will increase the length and quality of life for your cat.

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Grazing Muzzles

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

What is a grazing muzzle?

Horses are grazing animals. When they are not allowed pasture time on a regular basis they can suffer from psychological and medical issues. On the other hand, continuous grazing of lush pasture can also cause certain horses to become overweight or obese. Founder (laminitis) is frequently seen in these overly fat, carbohydrate sensitive animals.

Unfortunately laminitis can permanently damage the horses’ feet and can become life threatening if severe enough. Grazing muzzles where designed so that a horse could still be turned out to pasture thus supporting his need for exercise and mental stimulation without overconsumption of calories from all day grazing.

The durable soft rubber basket that slips over the horses muzzle can either be attached to a halter or comes with a break away halter for safety. They come in several different sizes to accommodate miniature horses all the way up to draft horses and usually cost around $50.00-$120.00. Depending upon your pasture situation, they can be a nice option for weight control while still allowing your horse the freedom to roam and get a drink of water. Check out www.intrepidintl.com for styles and sizes.

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What do I feed my fat horse?

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

What do I feed my fat horse?

We carry a variety of horse feeds

As most horse owners know, fat horses can be more prone to an uncomfortable and potentially life-threatening disease known as founder (laminitis). Lush pasture and a general over consumption of carbohydrates can be contributing factors.

There are many lower starch horse feeds on the market these days. Notable, Purina has an excellent line up of low starch feeds designed to feed younger equines on up to the senior horse.

Purina’s Enrich Formula is designed to be fed at the rate of 1-2 pounds per day. It can be fed to weanlings through adult horses. It supplies vitamins, minerals, and needed protein to supplement pasture or grass hay without added calories or starch.

Purina WellSolve W/C is a weight loss formula that supplies limited calories while still allowing one to feed a normal meal size. Very carbohydrate sensitive horses can benefit from Purina’s WellSolve L/S.

Veterinary consultation is recommended before feeding either of these diets to rule out metabolic issues. Purina Strategy Healthy Edge, Equine Adult, and Horse Chow 100 can also be used for overweight horses.

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Beat the Heat

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Sometimes, even a fan isn’t enough

Baby, it’s hot out there! Here are 8 quick tips from the AVMA to help you and your furry friends beat the heat. (These tips can also help cats)

Never, ever leave your dog in the car
Make sure your dog has unlimited access to fresh water
Make sure your dog has access to shade when outside
Take walks during the cooler hours of the day
When walking, try to stay off of hot surfaces (like asphalt) because it can burn your dog’s paws
If you think it’s hot outside, it’s even hotter for your pet – make sure your pet has a means of cooling off
Keep your dog free of external parasites (fleas, ticks) and heartworms – consult your veterinarian about the best product for your pet
Consider clipping or shaving dogs with long coats (talk to your veterinarian first to see if it’s appropriate for your pet), and apply sunscreen to your dog’s skin if she or he has a thin coat

Bonus tip: Your dog may like some pup-sicles. Check out this DIY recipe from the Humane Society (Don’t worry feline fans, they also have a variation for cats!)
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/eating/recipes/animal_treats/dog_popsicles.html

Discover other tips and tricks at:

Humane Society: Keep Pets Safe in Heat
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/pets_safe_heat_wave.html

PetFinder: Keep your dog safe in a heat wave
https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/dog-care/heat-wave-safety-dog/

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4th of July and Pets

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

More pets get lost on the 4th of July

Did you know? More pets get lost on the 4th of July than any other day of the year.

Thunder, fireworks and other loud noises can really stress out our furry friends. As a result, this noisy holiday means more “guests” in the “pound” as they seek to escape the loud noises that terrify them.

It also means the possibility of an emergency visit to the Vet for a variety of things, ranging from injuries from escaping to digestive stresses and more.

Here are some quick tips:

Be sure your pet has a safe, den-like place, such as a crate or kennel
Play some music or other “white noise” to help mask the sound of fireworks
Don’t comfort your pet during fireworks or thunder. It rewards the fear behavior.
Be sure they have current ID on them such as a microchip or pet tags. You can also write your telephone number (including area code) on their collar with a permanent marker.
Keep them safe and away from fireworks

To learn more, check out these articles:

Humane Society: Fear of Thunder and Other Loud Noises
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/fear_thunder_loud_noises.html

ASPCA: Fourth of July Safety Tips
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/fourth-july-safety-tips

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Signs your cat may not be feeling well

Posted on June 10, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Cats can be fairly stoic animals so it may be difficult to know when your cat isn’t feeling well. Here are some signs to help you know if your feline friend is ill.

Obvious signs of illness include:

Lethargy
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Weight loss
Not eating

More subtle signs of illness can include:

Hiding
Failure to groom or a decrease in grooming behavior
Clumped and /or greasy hair coat

Personality changes can also indicate your cat isn’t feeling well such as growling or trying to bite when certain areas of the body are touched. Older cats will often yowl loudly especially at night if they are suffering from disorientation or cognitive dysfunction.

In addition to a physical exam, your veterinarian may want to take radiographs and run blood and urine tests to determine why the cat is ailing.

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Avoid a Dog Bite

Posted on June 8, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

How do you avoid a dog bite?

Many times dogs give us a lot of potential warning signs before they bite. We just need to learn their language.

As humans we often show our love and affection by kissing, hugging, and cuddling. We often approach each other face to face and look each other in the eye. All these behaviors can be threatening to dogs especially if they haven’t been well socialized.

If you have to interact with a seemingly friendly dog that you aren’t familiar with, kneel down sideways to the dog and don’t make direct eye contact. Talk in a happy voice and let the dog approach you. Make sure it doesn’t feel cornered or like it can’t escape. Don’t lean over the top of the dog, grab it or stare.

If the dog turns its head sideways, lays it’s ears back, stiffens it’s body, yawns, shows the white part of the eye, or starts panting- back off.

Check out the info graphic below to learn some more :

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Kids, Pinworms and Pets

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

Can my kids get pinworms from our dog or cat?

Pinworms are not transmitted from animals to humans. While it is true that other species of animals can have pinworms, they are not transmitted to people.

However, there are other species of worms that have zoonotic potential and can cause disease in humans. Various forms of larva migrans are caused by Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati, the roundworms of dogs and cats. Infected animals can contaminate the soil and then humans coming in contact with the soil can ingest the eggs accidentally.

Some statistics show that almost a third of US parks are contaminated with roundworm eggs. Making sure kids and adults alike follow good hygiene protocols and washing garden vegetables before consumption are good practices for prevention . Additionally keeping pets on a good parasite control program can reduce local contamination.

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Worming Dogs and Cats

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Sandra Wahlert DVM Posted in Education .

How often should I worm my dogs and cats?

How often you worm your pets depends upon several factors. The pet’s environment, travel history, age, diet, and lifestyle can all affect the frequency of dosing and the choice of medication.

In general, most pets require twice yearly, at minimum, to monthly deworming for prevention only. Active parasite infections may require more frequent dosing.

While most pets become infected through their environment, puppies and kittens can become parasitized through the placenta or from the mother’s milk. Parasites such as roundworms and hookworms can infect humans and cause detrimental effects especially in children and immunocompromised individuals.

Consult with your veterinarian as to the best plan for your pet.

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Barnyard Veterinary Service & Supply

Author Archives: Sandra Wahlert DVM

I think my dog had a seizure…

Old Cats, Kidney Disease and Diets

Grazing Muzzles

What do I feed my fat horse?

Beat the Heat

4th of July and Pets

Did you know? More pets get lost on the 4th of July than any other day of the year.

Signs your cat may not be feeling well

Avoid a Dog Bite

Kids, Pinworms and Pets

Worming Dogs and Cats