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

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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.

 

The Canine Anal Gland, by Dr. Jennifer Hawthorne

It’s something that most people don’t really want to think about, and for many pets, anal glands pose no problems. For other pets, however, anal glands can be a source of discomfort, pain, or infection, and for owners, they can be a smelly mess.

So what is an anal gland? Both dogs and cats have them. They are small glands that sit just inside the anus, not visible from the outside. They typically sit in about the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions, with some variations, if you are looking at your dog’s anus from behind. Anal glands fill with a smelly fluid that has a very distinct odor. With the passage of normal firm stools, most dogs anal glands are expressed to the outside through a small opening in each gland. The odor helps dogs identify themselves and each other (hence why dogs tend to sniff each other’s rear end). For a pet owner, the odor is far from pleasant. Some dogs will express their glands in situations of fear or stress/ struggle. Some dogs have difficulty expressing their anal glands on their own, sometimes because they have softer stools, but sometimes there are other reasons. In general smaller dogs tend to have more problems with anal glands, as well as dogs that are obese, but any dog can have problems with them.

Common anal gland problems are difficulty expressing them, which leads to discomfort for the pet, anal gland impaction, infection, abscessation, and rupture. Signs that your pet is having a problem include scooting his or her rear on the floor, licking and biting at their rear end, and acting uncomfortable when sitting or posturing to defecate. Also, some owners will notice a fishy smell or find brown leakage on furniture or the dog’s bed. While not all dogs have these problems, most dogs need to have their anal glands expressed every so often, while others need it done regularly. Pet owners can learn to do this at home, but many people prefer their groomer, bather, or veterinarian to do it. Normal anal gland fluid can vary from pet to pet, but typically it is light brown to darker brown and relatively thin in consistency. Some dogs will have very thick secretions and are more likely to end up with impaction problems.

If the anal glands become too full it can lead to an abscess (swelling of the gland) which can lead to the gland rupturing on the outside of the anus (the above picture shows and abscessed gland that is about the rupture). Some owners do not realize the pet is having an issue until the gland ruptures and they find blood on the pet or the floor, etc. This needs to be treated by your veterinarian with antibiotics, flushing of the wound and often pain/ anti- inflammatory medications. Some pets have chronic problems with glands leading to fistulas. Anal glands can be removed surgically, but it is only recommended in extreme cases due to the difficulty of the surgery and possibility of complications.

Another less common issue with anal glands is an anal sac carcinoma, which is a malignant cancer. This is why it is important to have them checked if any symptoms of discomfort are present, although some animals with this cancer do not exhibit the typical symptoms.

To help prevent problems with the anal gland, have them checked by your veterinarian if you notice any of the above symptoms. Normally, if you take your pet to be bathed or groomed they will express the glands at that time. Cats also have anal glands, although they do not tend to have as many problems with them as dogs do. Cats can develop impaction, abscess and infection though, so it is important to monitor them for any symptoms, which could potentially include defecation outside of the litter box.

Written by Dr. Jennifer Hawthorne

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.

Vestibular Syndrome in Dogs - Jennifer Hawthorne

                                                                                                                     

Vestibular Syndrome in Dogs
by Dr. Jennifer Hawthorne

                                                                                                                     

Vestibular disease refers to a disorder involving the vestibular apparatus of the inner ear and brain.  It involves the 8th cranial nerve.  The vestibular apparatus helps maintain balance and orientation.  A condition commonly seen in older dogs is something often referred to as “geriatric vestibular syndrome” or idiopathic vestibular syndrome.  It is similar to vertigo in people.  Some people will also refer to it as a “stroke,” but it is not really the same as a stroke in humans.  Sometimes there are other underlying reasons such as an inner ear infection or a problem within the brain.  Often, however, it simply happens for no known reason.

 

Symptoms usually come about suddenly in an older pet.  Signs include:

• Head tilt to one side
• Falling over to one side
• Completely unable to stand or walk
• Rapid eye movements in a certain direction (nystagmus)
• Nausea/ vomiting
  Circling in one direction

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Pets may show several or a few of these symptoms.  Usually it is very disturbing for a pet owner to suddenly find their pet in this state and they often rush them into the veterinary clinic.  Evaluation of your pet will include a good physical exam to start with to determine whether your pet has an ear infection or not.


There are certain signs that may sometimes point to a more serious problem. Vestibular disease is usually lumped into two categories:  peripheral and central.  Geriatric vestibular disease is typically peripheral with symptoms as above.  Central vestibular disease is more serious with other signs.  These include nystagmus in a vertical direction,  loss of conscious proprioception (proper placing of feet) and change in mental status.  Other cranial nerves are involved and there may be a problem within the brain.  Typically with geriatric vestibular syndrome the nystagmus is horizontal or rotary, the pet maintains normal proprioception and normal mentation.  Further tests are usually needed to rule out a central problem including bloodwork and advanced imaging of the brain (MRI, CT).

There is no real treatment for geriatric vestibular syndrome, but that does not mean that the pet is doomed.  Many pets can recover with some time.  Often they will start to recover in a few days, up to 2 weeks.  Some medications can be used to try to alleviate symptoms.  These include meclizine, which is a motion sickness medication, and prednisone, a steroid/ anti-inflammatory.  Many times symptoms will resolve, although some animals will have residual side effects such as a head tilt that remains.  If a pet is not recovering it may be a sign of a central problem.  Sometimes owners cannot bear to see their pet in that state and worry that they will suffer while waiting for it to resolve.  Other factors such as the pet’s age and overall health come into play as well.  Worry that the pet will harm itself falling is often another concern.  The pet should be kept confined in a safe place while trying to recover.  If the symptoms are too severe some owners will elect euthanasia.  This is a decision that should be discussed with your veterinarian.  

Blog 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.

 

Posted by Mary Gardner DVM

Dry Eye In Dogs KCS

DRY EYE IN DOGS

Dry eye, also known as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS), is a relatively common condition of the cornea and conjunctiva caused by a deficiency in tear production.  It is rare in cats.   It is most common in smaller breed dogs including Westies, Lhasas, Pugs, Shih tzus, Yorkies, Pekes and American Cocker Spaniels.   

Usually what owners notice is excessive sticky mucous production in one or both eyes, especially after the pet has been sleeping.  A dog will often wake up with thick green mucous dried around the eye (see image below).  

Photo Curtsey: www.animaleyecare.com

The sclera (white portion of the eye) may be red and irritated as well as the conjunctiva.  In chronic cases brown pigmentation may start to cover the cornea, vessels may grow into the cornea or corneal ulcers may develop. 

                  

The most common cause is an immune mediated adenitis.  It can also be a congenital condition where the lacrimal glands (tear ducts) are hypoplastic or aplastic (virtually non-existent).   It can sometimes be caused by certain medications, infections or metabolic disorders.   

Photo Curtsey: www.dogheirs.com

It is usually diagnosed based on clinical signs and a simple test called a Schirmer Tear Test where a small piece of paper is held in the eye for one minute (image 2) and the tear production is measured in millimeters.  A normal dog has 15mm or more of tears; early or subclinical dogs have 11-14 mm, mild to moderate cases have 6-10 mm and severe cases have 5mm or less.  

Treatment in most cases is life-long.  It usually consists of using at minimum a tear substitute in the eye(s) such as Artificial Tears™ drops or ointments or some human over the counter products such as Genteal™ or Refresh™ drops.  These need to be used several times each day.  Other medications include lacrimostimulants, or medications that are supposed to help the eye start to produce more tears of its own.  These include cyclosporine-A emulsions or tacrolimus drops.  These medications usually have to be compounded at a pharmacy and used once or twice daily.   

Blog 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.