Pets in the paper – training pandas or puppies
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahiesoman today -
- Raids hit dogfighting rings. (statewide)
- Turtles slow plane traffic. (New York)
- Three hurt in running of the bulls. (Spain, page 9a)
- Horse races spur 12 arrests. (Guymon)
- Unusual surgery saves hound. (Edmond)
- Frog races have kids leaping for joy. (Oklahoma City)
- Training tips similar for pets, zoo animals. (nationwide)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
What about my Westie?
Here’s an interesting Q&A from Oklahoma State University’s Vetenarian on Call:
I just got a Westie puppy and discovered on the Internet that they are prone to Addison’s disease. Can you tell me more about this problem?
Addison’s disease, also referred to as hypoadrenocorticism, is an immune disease, which attacks the adrenal glands. It can be difficult to diagnose since the signs may be very subtle. It occurs primarily in dogs but has also been reported in cats.
With this disease the adrenal glands (the two glands located near the kidneys) can no longer produce the normal amount of certain hormones, which are needed to maintain basic life functions.
These hormones are called mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. The body requires a low level of these hormones to maintain gastrointestinal health and to help the body adapt to stressful situations.
Mineralocorticoids help maintain the balance of sodium and potassium in the blood, which are both very important for fluid balance and heart rate and rhythm. Usually this problem results from immune destruction of the adrenal glands, causing the cells that produce these hormones to die.
The disease occurs more in females than in males and affects young to middle-aged dogs more commonly. While it can occur in any breed of dog, breeds such as Standard poodles, West Highland white terriers (“Westies”), and Rottweilers seem to have a higher incidence of this disease.
The signs for Addison’s disease can be very nonspecific and include sporadic vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, and at times, drinking and urinating too much.
Another presentation, which is more serious, is referred to as an “Addisonian crisis” and can be life-threatening. These dogs present with weakness, collapse, hypothermia (low body temperature), and shock. These signs develop very fast (within 24 hours) and require emergency intervention.
Your veterinarian may suspect Addison’s disease if your dog has compatible clinical signs, is dehydrated, has a slow heart rate and has corresponding blood tests, which reveal a high potassium, low sodium, low glucose (blood sugar), and possibly poor kidney function.
In this crisis situation, treatment should not be delayed. To prove that a dog has Addison’s disease, a special blood test (called an ACTH stimulation test) is performed to test the body’s ability to produce glucocorticoids (one of the hormones lacking in Addison’s disease). Dogs with Addison’s disease will not have a response to the ACTH injection and, therefore, not produce this hormone.
Currently there is no test that can predict whether Addison’s disease will develop prior to the onset of the disease. So the disease is always diagnosed after signs have developed.
Once a diagnosis is made, if the dog is in a “crisis,” intravenous fluids and intensive treatment and monitoring in the hospital is required.
Maintenance therapy (long term) requires replacement of the hormones, which the dog can no longer produce. This treatment will be needed for life, since the adrenal glands cannot function properly.
The most common treatment consists of a monthly injection of a replacement hormone. There is an daily oral medication available; but it is more expensive than the injection.Your veterinarian will also need to recheck blood tests periodically to monitor response to the treatment. The good news is that most dogs can be well controlled with these medications and live a long happy life as long as they continue to receive the hormone replacement.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – an old dog’s second chance
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Second chance was all she needed. (Oklahoma City)
- Zoo special includes food. (Oklahoma City)
- Golf tourney helps animal sanctuary. (Edmond)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – horse teeth and prison time
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Rodeo star pleads in veterinary case. (Geary)
- Beef company issues recall. (Colorado)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – elephants look for love
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman since Saturday -
- Police chief defends using Taser on dog. (Hobart)
- Raising guide dogs brings reward. (column)
- City’s elephant pair endure long courtship. (Oklahoma City, Tulsa)
- New clinich elps leash pet count, surgery cost. (Oklahoma City)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
FDA approves dog cancer drug
Today the Food and Drug Administration approved a medicine to treat cancer in dogs.
The medicine, Palladia, was developed by Pfizer. It’s designed to treat skin tumors, which can be common among pooches.
Until now, dogs with cancer have been treated with medicine for humans, ranging from oral treatments to chemotherapy. Like humans, dogs can develop a variety of cancers. And like humans, early detection is key. And like humans, unfortunately, there are a lots of bogus supplements and treatments out there.
The best option: talk to your vet.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – Vick dog in Oklahoma update
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Former Vick dog finds new life here. Fighting still a problem in some areas, experts say. (statewide, photos below)
- Training pups to help people is no easy task. (Oklahoma City)
- Kids can ride in style. (Yukon, page 1d)
- Zookeeper camp offers hands-on fun. (Norman)
- Pet Tales: Mischievous dog a real Diamond. (El Reno)
- Know when pet needs prompt vet care. (nationwide)
- Big catch reels in funds for the MDA. (Lake Thunderbird, page 3d)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets in the paper – gift horses’ mouths
Check out these animal stories in The Oklahoman today -
- Senate votes take teeth out of law on horse dentists. (state capitol)
- “Lion King” deserves roar of applause. (Oklahoma City)
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Ardmore clinic offers cheap shots
The Ardmore Animal Shelter and several local veterinarians are hosting a low-cost vaccine clinic to help pet owners immunize their animals and to help raise money for the shelter.
The clinic will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 9.
Rabies shots are $6, and distemper and parvo shots are $10. Feline distemper shots are also $10. For more information, call (580) 223-7070.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
Pets and pig flu? No need to worry.
The drama over swine flu - or as some folks perfer to call it, the N1H1 virus - contiues, and some pet owners are worried it could affect their furry friends. Experts say there’s no need to worry, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
“Currently there’s no data demonstrating any risk of dogs and cats contracting this strain of the virus,” says Dr. Louise Murray, director of medicine at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Hospital in New York City. “However, owners of pet pigs, as well as farmers, should monitor their animals’ health more closely and take steps to limit transmission from humans to pigs and vice versa.”
The American Veterinary Medical Association also reminded the public they can still hang out with pigs all they want. But it’s probably a good idea to get your porker the flu shot anyway. It’s part of their normal care, according to the ASPCA.
Staff Writer Carrie Coppernoll
