Bufo Toad Toxicity, by Dr. Laura Allison

Photo courtesy of the University of Florida Wildlife Extension

At this time of year during the rainy season, it is especially important to be award of Bufo Marinus, commonly known as the Bufo Toad. This particular toad causes a major threat to our pets, especially small dogs. The Bufo toad secretes a white toxin from the skin when licked or mouthed by a dog, thereby causing the toxin to be rapidly absorbed by the mucous membranes in the dog’s mouth. Bufo toads abound in spring and summer and are most active at dusk and dawn. Additionally, they can be seen during the day in areas with much shrubbery and gardens where there is plenty of shade.

Symptoms occur very quickly and include profuse salivation, brick red gums, pawing at the mouth, incoordination and difficulty breathing. If intervention does not occur, seizures and death may follow. As mentioned, puppies and small dogs are most at risk due to their size and the severity of the amount of toxin exposure. The more toxin per pound absorbed into the bloodstream, the poorer the prognosis. In the event your dog has come into contact with a Bufo, the first thing to do is rinse the dog’s mouth out copiously
for 5-10 minutes with a water bottle, garden hose or sink sprayer. Do not allow the dog to swallow the water and do not force water down the throat, this will only enable more toxin to be absorbed. Rinse the mouth side to side with the head facing downward if possible. A wash cloth saturated with water may be used to wipe out the mouth if the dog will not tolerate a hose or sink sprayer. Be sure to use caution as a panicked pet may inadvertently bite you while you are trying to rinse the mouth. After rinsing the mouth copiously, make your way to your veterinarian or to an emergency clinic if your regular veterinary office is closed.

There is no anti-toxin to reverse these effects but supportive care provided by your veterinarian is crucial. If seizures have occurred, your veterinarian will be able to give anti-convulsants to stop the seizures and monitor the vital signs such as your dog’s heart rate. Uncontrolled seizure activity can cause an elevated temperature and the toxin can cause an irregular heartbeat. Intravenous fluid therapy can be used to decrease fever along with cool water baths. If the heart is beating irregularly, anti-arrhythmic cardiac drugs are available to correct this issue. Early intervention and follow up with a veterinarian is critical to saving the life of your beloved pet.

To prevent exposure to a Bufo toad, pet parents should first be aware of what this toad looks like; from younger toads to the adult stage. These are not frogs, which tend to be colorful and have webbed feet. Bufos can grow to be quite large, up to 9 inches in length with bumpy brown skin. In rainy weather, they are more likely to be found in the grass in your yard. Be sure to check swimming pools, ponds and other areas where these toads will be likely to congregate. Try to keep dogs on a leash at all times, controlling their exposure to plants, hedges and shrubbery. Bufo toads eat a variety of foods, including pet food. Minimize exposure by not leaving pet food in areas where toads could have access to it. Raise food bowls if pets are fed outside and clean bowls immediately after feeding time. If your yard is fenced, you can place chicken wire around the bottom of the fence making it more difficult for toads to gain entry to your yard.

Recognizing the Bufo, securing your dog’s environment and knowing what to do in case of intoxication can make all the difference. Prepare an emergency plan ahead of time by knowing your vets hours of operation and where the local emergency clinic is. Carry a water bottle with you on walks, pay attention to the dog’s environment and avoid times of the day the Bufo is most active. Most of all, remember to rinse out your dogs mouth if exposed, this step is perhaps the most important and can make the difference between a minimal exposure and a life-threatening tragedy.

Written by Dr. Laura Allison

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Read more or contact Dr. Allison:
Laura Allison, DVM

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice
(954) 778-8908
Pompano Beach, FL
drallison@lapoflove.com  |  www.lapoflove.com

Dr. Allison services Broward County, including Pompano Beach, Lighthouse Point, Hillsboro Beach, Deerfield Beach, Coconut Creek, Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Coral Springs, Tamarac, Plantation, Sunrise, Lauderhill, Oakland Park, Ft. Lauderdale, Aventura, Miramar, Hollywood, Davie, Pembroke Pines, Cooper City, and Weston.

Does my cat have diabetes? By Dr. Charles Jameson

Photo courtesy of:
http://www.catbreedsjunction.com/feline-diabetes.html

The technical term for feline diabetes is diabetes mellitus, also known as “sugar” diabetes for its reference to excess glucose in the bloodstream. It is a complex, but common, disease similar to diabetes in humans, in which the cat doesn’t produce sufficient insulin or doesn’t process the insulin produced by its own body. Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas in small amounts and helps to properly balance the blood sugar (glucose) levels in the blood. Glucose is the fuel that provides energy needed by the cells of the body to sustain life.

The types of diabetes in cats are based on the human classification system.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 form of diabetes is defined as an absolute insulin deficiency. In this form, the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin to regulate the glucose in the bloodstream, leading to persistent high glucose levels in the blood. This type of diabetes is very rare in the cat.

Photo courtesy of: http://www.catbreedsjunction.com/feline-diabetes.html

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes in cats, occurs when the cells in the cat's body don’t respond to the insulin that is being provided. As a result, the cat becomes hyperglycemic (high blood sugar), which may lead to having excess sugar in the urine.

No test can differentiate between Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes in the cat.

Photo courtesy of: http://www.catbreedsjunction.com/feline-diabetes.html

Type 3 Diabetes

Type 3 diabetes is also less common and may occur due to other conditions (e.g., secondary to another primary disease which may damage the pancreas).

While diabetes can affect any cat, older, obese and neutered male cats are more commonly associated with the disease. In addition, chronic pancreatitis, hormonal diseases and certain medications have shown a link to increased incidence of diabetes.

As in humans, diabetes is often seen in overweight cats because fat cells produce a substance that decreases the body's response to insulin (as occurs in Type 2 diabetes).

In addition, diet plays a major role in maintaining the cat's proper weight and nutrition, both of which are key determining factors in diabetic patients. Because cats are designed to consume mostly proteins and fats for energy in their diets, high carbohydrate diets may lead to weight gain and increased incidence of diabetes in many cats.

Further, diabetes is more prevalent in older cats, neutered male cats and felines with a history of pancreatic disease, hormonal imbalances and use of certain medications

Your first vet visit: diagnosing feline diabetes

Your veterinarian can diagnose diabetes with a simple, in-office physical examination of the cat and laboratory tests, which will determine if there is an abnormally high level of sugar in the bloodstream and urine.

Your veterinarian may ask if your cat has exhibited any of the following symptoms, indicating a possibility of feline diabetes:

• Increased thirst
• Sudden increase in appetite
• Sudden weight loss (despite an increase in appetite)
• Increased urination
• Increased lethargy

Understanding your cat's diagnosis

The food your cat eats is broken down into glucose during the digestion process. Glucose is the fuel that provides energy needed by the cells of the body to sustain life. As glucose enters the bloodstream, the cat's pancreas secretes insulin. Insulin is a hormone released in small amounts to properly balance the blood sugar (glucose) levels in the blood.

Feline diabetes is similar to human diabetes, and occurs when your pet either doesn't produce or is unable to process insulin, a hormone that helps regulate glucose or sugar in the bloodstream.

Just like humans, diabetic cats are diagnosed primarily with Type 2 diabetes.The types of diabetes in cats are based on the human classification system.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 form of diabetes is defined as an absolute insulin deficiency. In this form, the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin to regulate the glucose in the bloodstream, leading to persistent high glucose levels in the blood. This type of diabetes is very rare in the cat.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, the most common form of diabetes in cats, occurs when the cells in the cat's body don't respond to the insulin that is being provided. As a result, the cat becomes hyperglycemic (high blood sugar), which may lead to having excess sugar in the urine.

No test can differentiate between Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes in the cat.

Type 3 Diabetes

Type 3 diabetes is also less common and may occur due to other conditions (e.g., secondary to another primary disease which may damage the pancreas).

My cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes … now what?

Discovering that your pet has diabetes can seem overwhelming and scary especially since there is no cure. The good news is that feline diabetes is not a fatal diagnosis and with proper attention, your cat can live a happy and virtually normal life.

Learning how to monitor your cat's blood sugar levels will be one of the most important aspects of caring for your diabetic cat. Your veterinarian may run these tests in the hospital or may demonstrate how to test your cat's blood sugar levels at home, either through urine or blood sample testing.

Additionally, feeding your cat on a regular schedule will help prevent dips and spikes in the cat's glucose levels. Again, your veterinarian will discuss specific dietary changes and options to best fit your pet, your family and your lifestyle.

Finally, it's important to understand that you and your cat are not alone — the more you know about this disease, the easier it can be to manage. Our reference library provides links to additional resources and community blogs about feline diabetes to help keep you connected.

Hypoglycemia vs. hyperglycemia

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood sugar. Diabetics have the opposite problem of hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar.

Diabetic cats can develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when their diet and treatment is managed incorrectly. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

• Abnormal hunger or disinterest in food
• Restlessness
• Weakness or lethargy
• Shivering
• Staggering or uncoordinated movements
• Loss of eyesight
• Disorientation
  

If your cat experiences symptoms of hypoglycemia it is recommended to contact your veterinarian for advice. In the meantime, you can try feeding the cat some of its normal food. If the cat is unwilling to eat, try encouraging the cat by offering a small amount of corn syrup on the food. In cases of extreme condition, contact your veterinarian and take your cat in immediately.

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is when your cat's blood sugar levels are too high, resulting in the primary symptoms of feline diabetes, including:

• Increased thirst
• Sudden increase in appetite
• Sudden weight loss (despite an increase in appetite)
• Increased urination
• Increased lethargy
  

Generally, hyperglycemia is not life-threatening and can be controlled through administering insulin. Your veterinarian will work with you to develop a regimen for testing and controlling your cat's blood sugar levels to avoid hypo- and hyperglycemia.

Living with a diabetic cat

Each diabetic cat responds differently to different therapies. Some cats are easier to regulate; others require more complex types of treatment. Some cats can be treated successfully through changes in diet and with oral medications. In cats with more severe diabetes, insulin injections may be required for the remainder of their lives.

In general, treatment for diabetes falls into three categories:

• Insulin injections
• Oral hypoglycemic medications
• Diet

Home monitoring & testing

Ongoing and frequent home monitoring of your cat's glucose level is important both for ensuring that diabetes is under control and the long-term health maintenance of your pet. Home monitoring usually results in less stress on the cat and allows for closer, more precise control of blood glucose levels on a regular basis, which helps avoid the risk of hypoglycemic episodes.

Home testing of glucose levels can be done with a similar type of blood glucose monitor used by humans. This method requires a small sample of blood that is taken from the cat for testing and generally provides an immediate reading of your cat's blood glucose level.

In addition to monitoring glucose levels through the blood, caretakers can use urine glucose monitoring. However, urine glucose monitoring is generally not as accurate due to the lag time for glucose to go from the blood to the urine in the cat's body.

It is recommended to consult with your veterinarian on the best way to monitor your cat's glucose. They can also provide valuable advice on which type(s) of monitors work best in cats, as well as train you on how to use and interpret the test results.

When at home, you also should continually be aware of your cat's appetite, water consumption and urine output to determine what is normal behavior. Changes in your cat's eating and drinking habits, weight and urine output can be a sign that there is a problem and veterinary attention is needed.

Diet

Along with insulin and oral medications, maintaining a proper diet for your cat is important in a successful treatment program. Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes and insulin sensitivity in most cats. If your cat is overweight, you and your veterinarian can tailor a safe weight loss regimen. Some cats respond better to carbohydrate-restricted diets ( Catkins diet ) and some respond well to high-fiber, complex carbohydrate rations. In fact, some cats have been able to get off insulin after losing weight & staying on the low carb diet.

In addition to the type of diet fed, the feeding routine also is important, especially for cats receiving insulin injections. Ideally, a cat should be fed half its daily food requirement at the time of each injection, with the rest available throughout the day. When and how much to feed your cat should be discussed with your veterinarian as other factors may impact this process, (e.g., number of insulin injections/day or living in a multi-cat household).

Insulin injections

Most diabetic cats require insulin injections under the skin once or twice a day, depending on the diabetic severity, type of insulin used, dose, diet and other factors. Because each cat reacts differently to insulin, your veterinarian will most likely perform a blood glucose profile at various time points during the day to determine the proper insulin dosage and treatment program. Insulin dosage may change over time as the cat ages, and you may need to adjust the dosage based on new blood glucose profiles, test results and how the cat responds to therapy. It is very important to consult with a veterinarian before making any changes to your cat's insulin dose. Many factors are involved with a decision to increase or decrease dose and you want to avoid causing hypoglycemia in your cat. There are reports of some cats reverting back to being non-diabetic after being on certain insulins, as glargine.

There are several different types of insulin available for use in managing your cat's diabetes. Some of the most common include protamine zinc (PZI) insulins, lente insulins, Humulin® and other human-type products.

Oral hypoglycemic medications

Some healthy diabetic cats can be successfully treated with orally administered hypoglycemic medications that lower blood glucose levels. Often, the use of these medications requires frequent glucose monitoring to ensure the best results, and many cats still require insulin injections to achieve the highest level of control.

Ketones

Ketones are waste products of fatty acids that may build up in the bloodstream and urine of cats with diabetes. Ketones develop when the cat's body burns fat, instead of glucose, to fuel its body.

If your cat accumulates too many ketones in the body, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) may occur. This is a serious condition altering the pH and blood chemistry of your pet, and should be treated immediately.

Signs your cat may have diabetic ketoacidosis:

• Drinking excessive water or no water
• Excessive urination
• Diminished activity
• Not eating for 12 hours or more
• Vomiting
• Lethargy or depression
• Weakness
• Dehydration
• Ketone odor on the breath (may smell like nail-polish remover or fruit)
  

Simple urine tests will alert you to the presence of ketones. If you discover ketones in your cat's urine sample, check to see if your cat is exhibiting any of the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis listed above. If the cat is generally alert and well-hydrated, simply treat the cat with your normal insulin regimen, provide the cat with continual access to food and water, and monitor the cat for signs of diabetic ketoacidosis. If the cat develops signs of DKA, contact your veterinarian immediately.

For more information on feline diabetes, please go to www.MyCatHasDiabetes.com

References

1. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. What is Feline Diabetes?
   www.MyCatHasDiabetes.com 2013.
2. Nunn, Lyn. Feline Diabetes: Cat Diabetes Types and Causes
   http://www.catbreedsjunction.com/feline-diabetes.html 2013.

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Written by:

Charles Jameson, DVM
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice:
Houston location

http://www.lapoflove.com  

Wild Baby Birds – How Can You Help? by Dr. Dana Lewis

It's bound to happen if you're out and about. You are going to find a baby bird in a low branch or on the ground. Wondering what can be done when you find one or more is a question veterinarians often get every Spring. Many baby birds are thought to be abandoned when someone finds them in their yard, but the truth is few young birds just fall from their nest unless a storm has occurred.

If you find a young bird and it is injured, seek medical care immediately from a veterinarian who sees birds. If it is uninjured, you will need to determine whether or not it is really an orphaned bird. The best way is to determine if it is a nestling or a fledgling. Most young birds that are found are really just young fledglings that can't fly well yet. Many people don't realize that when birds leave the nest they jump and glide between tree branches while learning the basics of flying. In order to determine whether the bird is a nestling or a fledgling allow the baby bird to perch on your finger. If it is able to grip your finger firmly then it is a fledgling. The best thing to do in this case is to place it in a nearby tree or shrub and leave it alone. The parents will continue to care for it and feed it.

If the bird is not able to cling to your finger, then it’s a nestling. Try to locate the nest. Most of the time, the nest will be close by and well hidden. Place the bird back in the nest. If the nest cannot be found or is too high for you to safely reach it, make a temporary nest (example- a berry container with tissues inside it) and attach it to a nearby tree or in a shrub to protect it from predators. Place the young bird in the basket and leave it alone. The parents will take care of it once you leave. It is a myth that once you touch a baby bird the adult birds will abandon it.

Should you attempt to hand-feed nestling birds that you have found? Young birds are fed by their parents about every 20 minutes during daylight hours. Most people are not able to provide this much time and effort in raising young birds. You also need to have some education in what is the proper diet to feed nestlings, and then as they grow their diets often change. Never force water or other liquids down their throats; you will actually drown the bird. The adults do not bring water to the nest. Water comes from the insects or fruit they eat. Instead, contact your local veterinarian or call your nearest wildlife rehabilitator. You can find them on the internet. Also you usually have to be licensed to hold wild birds and other wildlife in captivity.

Written by Dr. Dana Lewis

Read more or contact Dr. Dana:
Dana Lewis, DVM
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice
Raleigh, North Carolina
drdana@lapoflove.com  |  www.lapoflove.com

Dr. Dana assists families with Pet Hospice and Euthanasia in the Raleigh North Carolina area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the greater Triangle, as well as Wake, Durham, Orange, and Chatham counties.

Cat Scratch Disease, by Dr. Jennifer Hawthorne

Photo by Monique Jamieson
(Click to see original on Flickr)

Cat scratch Disease, also commonly called cat scratch fever, is a disease in humans caused by the bacteria, Bartonella henselae. It is typically spread to humans via a scratch or bite from a cat or kitten, hence the name. Cats show no symptoms of disease, and usually it is a self-limiting infection in people.
The bacteria is spread to cats by fleas and is found in the flea feces, therefore cats that are infested with fleas are more likely to carry the disease. It has been estimated that around 40% of cats have carried the bacteria at some point. Cats scratch themselves and the contaminated flea feces, or “flea dirt,” gets under the cats claws. The bacteria can also be found in the cat’s saliva. When an infected cat scratches or bites a person it can therefore inoculate the person with the bacteria. It has been found that kittens seem to spread the disease more. Since cats do not show any symptoms, you cannot tell which cats carry the disease.

Most people that have the infection have been scratched or bitten by a cat. This often includes children. A papule or pustule may develop at the site of the scratch. Symptoms can take 1-2 weeks or sometimes longer to occur. Typical symptoms include swollen lymph nodes near the site of the wound, usually in the arm, or neck. Some people will experience fever, fatigue, headache, or drainage of the swollen lymph node. Infections are usually self-limiting, meaning it will go away without treatment, and antibiotics are often not recommended. Occasionally other forms with more serious symptoms can occur but these are rare. Immuno-compromised people are more likely to have complications.

There are several ways to avoid catching cat scratch disease. Good flea control for your personal cats (and all pets for that matter) is most important, especially if they go outdoors at all. Avoiding rough play with cats and kittens is also important, because this is usually when bites and scratches occur. Always wash any cat bite or scratch well with warm soapy water and do not let a cat lick any open wounds you may have. Keep your cat’s claws trimmed well. If you develop any of the listed symptoms, contact your doctor.

Written by:

Jennifer Hawthorne, DVM

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and In-Home Euthanasia

www.lapoflove.com

www.facebook.com/lapoflove

Dr. Jennifer helps families in the Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Iredell counties including Charlotte, Concord, Kannapolis, Huntersville, Mooresville and more. Click here to read Dr. Jennifer's biography.

 

Dr. Dawnetta visits Gateway Pet Guardians 5K-9 event!

Within the last year, several people mentioned the Gateway Pet Guardians organization to me in conversation… a client at the vet clinic, a veterinarian friend of mine, a friend from church – all of them said the same thing… these are WONDERFUL people doing WONDERFUL things for stray dogs in our area. I checked them out online (www.gatewaypets.com) and was pleased to see that they had an upcoming fundraiser called the 5K-9. I signed up to host a Lap of Love booth, and looked forward to an early Saturday morning.  March 30th rolled around, and boy was it cold as I arrived at 7am to set things up!

(I arrived early and found a spot RIGHT next to all of the adorable adoptable puppies!!!)

Last year in March, it was in the 70s for their event – but this year, it was foggy and the temps stayed in the upper 30s / lower 40s all morning… but that didn’t stop the GPG staff and all of their supporters from having a great run and a great event!

There were lots of friendly faces (canine and human!) at the event. I spoke to a few people who loved the idea of our in-home hospice and euthanasia services, and wished they had known about Lap of Love sooner. I spoke to many people about the benefits of a peaceful in-home goodbye. And I was able to hear many stories about beloved pets who still hold a warm place in their family’s heart. As we spoke, many dogs sat patiently for their owners to give them a treat from my table… but a few jumped right up and helped themselves when their people didn’t take the hint quickly enough! The runners / walkers had a great time, and everyone stuck around for canine kissing contest and tail wagging competition!

All in all, it was a successful day (despite the cold), and Lap of Love will definitely be back next year to support this amazing organization!

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Written by:
Dr. Dawnetta Woodruff
Click here for Dr. Dawnetta's Bio and Contact information
Dr. Dawnetta assists families with in home hospice and euthanasia in Missouri & Illinois areas including:

• MISSOURI - Serving St Louis and portions of the St Louis Metro: South County / Fenton / Chesterfield / Kirkwood / Webster Groves / Town & Country / Ellisville 
• ILLINOIS - Serving Monroe County and portions of Randolph & St Clair counties: Waterloo / Columbia / Smithton / Millstadt / Belleville / Fairview Heights / O'Fallon

Beginner’s Guide to a Happy Frog, by Dr. Cook

Did You Know?

• There are over 4600 species of amphibians: 4100 of these species are frogs.
• Frogs are found on every continent in the world except Antarctica.
• Frogs can live in a huge variety of habitats: from lakes to rain forests to almost any backyard. Some species can even survive in the desert.
• Amphibian bodies need a lot of water to function but they don’t actively drink. They get the moisture they need through their skin.
• Frogs can breathe through their skin.

Frogs in Captivity

Basic Frog Care:

WATER: All frogs require the presence of fresh water, or at least dampness. Pay very careful attention to water quality in your tank. Keep water very clean and check pH often. Aquatic species should have at least two water filter devices.

REFUGE: Providing some sort of a “hiding place” is ideal. This can be plants, rocks or other objects. Live plants are good, but make sure they are not toxic to your particular species of frog.

TEMPERATURE: Frogs can’t regulate their own body temperature, which means that their body temperature depends on their environment. The proper temperature of the enclosure will vary due to species.

FEEDING: Different species will eat different things. Most frogs eat live small invertebrates such as insects, crustaceans, or spiders. The larger frogs may eat small vertebrates such as young rodents are newly hatched baby birds. Some frogs may even eat other frogs. Most live foods can be obtained from pet shops.

HOUSING: Housing must be secure! Make sure your frog can’t escape, because a frog can’t survive long once outside of the enclosure. Select an enclosure that is appropriate for the species you have. There are many different types of environments for frogs:

1. Aquatic (mostly water) 
2. Semi- aquatic (half water/half land)  
3. Terrestrial (all land with some kind of water dish) 
4. Arboreal (tall tanks full of plants or branches for climbing species).

Purchasing a Frog:

There are many places you can acquire a frog. Before you get one, be sure you do you research first. Certain species can be very time consuming, expensive or difficult to care for.

Choosing a Frog:

• It is best to start with a frog that is hardy and relatively low-maintenance. You can upgrade later with experience.

• Avoid rare or endangered species.

• Good starter frogs include:

• Fire-bellied Toads: these small semi-aquatic frogs (2-4 inches) are relatively cheap and hardy and will eat almost any insect small enough for them to swallow.
• True Toads: such as the American Toad, the Southern Toad and Woodhouse’s Toad are inexpensive, easy to find, and very hardy. Most are terrestrial and easy to feed.
• White’s Tree Frogs: This small exotic tree frog is widely available and easy to care for. When stressed, it can extrude a toxin from its skin that should not be handled with bare hands. 

Written by Dr. Cook

Read more or contact Dr. Cook: 
Jennifer Cook, DVM DABVP
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice
Knoxville, Tennessee
drcook@lapoflove.com  |  www.lapoflove.com
Click here for Dr. Cook's Biography

Spider Documentary (surprising facts you may not know about spiders)

 (April Fool's!)