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| Greetings!
The weather is cooler and the leaves are falling. Ranger says that he hopes everyone has a good fall. He is ready for Trick or Treating.
Click on "Like" to be a friend. We are starting a Question of the Week contest. You can win a prize or your pet's photo featured on our Facebook page if you have the best answer.
Dr. Foote will be at Prairieland Feeds on Sunday October 24 to talk about animals adopted from a Shelter/Rescue and to help them adjust. Read more below.
Let us know what you would like to see in future newsletters. We would love to answer your pet questions! Our email address is okawvetstaff@mchsi.com. Our phone number is 253-3221.
The Okaw Vet Clinic Staff |
Play with Your Food - It's good for Body and Brain
For many animals eating is not just about hunger. There is a lot of activity around searching for, finding and then eating a food in the wild. Our pets are not wild animals, yet the need for finding a food and then taking it apart to eat it is still ingrained in the brains of our dogs and cats. Toys that have food kibble spill out of them when batted around, or pulled apart help the pet to have more physical and mental activity. This helps to keep them happy and actually eat less preventing obesity problems. These food puzzles/toys also help treat and prevent many behavior problems.
Dogs in particular like to chew on things as a young dog as a way of investigating what something is.As the pup grows up, this desire to chew may decrease or be the same. Some dogs like to unstuff things rather than actually chew and devour. All of these actions are a part of the hunt and kill pattern that dogs would do in the wild. Even our pet dogs still have this desire in them which is part of why they like to chew on toys and other things. See what your dog likes to do most - unstuff toys, or chew on things like rawhide, sticks, table legs, books, etc. Pick a food toy that matches what they like to do.If your dog likes to unstuff things, then a Kong toy with the food packed in and frozen helps them put that behavior on something good, saving your sofa. For dogs that like to chew, hard rubber food toys such as the linkables require them to chew and mash the toy to get the food out, again saving destruction. All of the food toys require the dog to figure out how to get the food out, which is a great way to relieve boredom and stimulate their brain. Food toys help dogs with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (doggie senility) and can slow down its progression. Often times giving a food puzzle as you leave distracts your dog, decreasing separation anxiety problems. Your dog also gets more exercise and will eat less food since it takes longer to eat when you use a food puzzle. This can help with weight management. Cats also can like their food toys.Cats really need life to be more exciting and challenging. They really like to hunt out their food.So, hide food in empty Kleenex boxes with the plastic flap in place.Cats have to paw, and flip the box around to get the food out.There are balls that the cat can knock around to release food also. Empty water bottles can have food kibble put in them for the cat to grab, kick around and knock the food out of.Using food toys is an excellent way to get cats to exercise more, and control how much they eat. This is one of the best ways to get cats to lose weight.Many cats are overweight, and that excess weight can lead to diabetes, joint problems and urinary problems. Much of this information about how animals like to hunt and work for their food comes from observing animals in the zoo. When you go past the gorilla exhibits, you will likely notice the bananas, apples and other food scattered all over. The apes are not messy. Hunting and finding food is what the apes like to do, it keeps them from being bored and much healthier. The same is basically true for our pets. Sometimes people feel it is mean or unfair to put the food in a puzzle that the animal has to figure out in order to eat.Actually, our pets really like to have challenges. Food puzzles are a great way to give out pets an outlet for exercise, mental activity and fun. Some of the pet stores sell food puzzles and we do carry a few at our office. You can also make some at home. Visit the Play with Your Food page to view puzzles you can make. |
Big Cats Don't Cry - Why Cats Hide Pain
Often clients will bring in a cat that is "just not themselves." Maybe a little quieter, not as social with the family, sleeping more or hanging out in the bedrooms away from the family. Occasionally it may be that the cat is getting up on their perches and places but just not moving around the house as much. Some cats may occasionally miss the litter box, especially if the box is in the basement, or is covered and has high sides but there are not any signs of stool problems. A really observant owner will notice if the fur looks less shiny, or more fur clumps on the sides of back of the body. These are really not specific signs for anything and if you have more than one cat it can really be hard to know if they are changes to how much they are drinking and eating.
Usually it is when there are number things that are just different, that the owner figures something is going on and brings the cat into the veterinarian for an exam. It may be quite surprising for the owner to find out from the veterinary exam that their cat has diabetes, kidney failure, or another serious disease. How can it be that this cat can be so sick when there were not any expected signs? They must be feeling sick or uncomfortable but they did not show it to their owner. It seems like such a mismatch. Owners are often confused, then concerned that they do not miss more.
We need to understand the nature of the cat. It is different than dogs, or other animals in some ways. First understand our own human way that we show or communicate we are in pain or sick. First of all humans have another human to tell that they need help. Human to human is the same species communication so it is not too hard (typically!) to understand. We trust and know that our human helper will get us aid.
Cats have a long history of being wild before becoming domesticated. The instincts that kept them safe in the wild are still working for them now. The cat is one of the few animals that is both predator and prey. What this means is that they can be forwardly aggressive and defensive to some animals but to other larger animals they are lunch. The easiest prey for a predator to kill is the sick or injured one. So when sick a cat will be quiet or hide to keep themselves out of sight of the predator. Otherwise they will die. Cats also are one of the few species that lives alone in the wild. They live with another cat for mating and after that just for raising their young. So, a cat does not have a pack to help it out when injured. Vocalizing in pain will not bring another cat to the sick one for help. It will bring a big predator to eat the sick cat. So, cats will not meow, or cry in pain unless they are in a severe state and near death. Understand that avoiding using what hurts them and finding a way to live is the survival tactic for the cat. This is why your cat will just stay out of the active areas of the house when sick, find a quiet place and just be calm and not meow or vocalize even when their beloved owner is near petting them or trying to coax them to eat or come out of hiding areas.
So the best way to help your cat stay healthy, especially as they age is to be very aware of the usual habits your cat has. If they always greet you at the door, groom themselves after eating, get up on certain furniture especially high places, and are reliant about litter box use any change in those habits is a sign that they are not feeling good. They are not being naughty or just making you mad if they miss the litter box. It is commonly due to joint pain in the older cat. If they are not eating their dry food, it is not because they are bored. Tooth pain is likely the problem.
Don't wait on getting an exam for your cat. Yearly wellness exams are one of the best ways to keep up on your cat's health and catch any problem before it becomes big. Keep your cat's carrier out and toss treats in it so they are not upset about the carrier. This will help their vet visits be less stressful. Some veterinarians offer house call appointments also. You can always ask if that may be possible. To find out more about cat health and behavior visit the pet health articles, pet behavior articles and pet library. We are also on facebook! |
Hookworm's mouth with hooks |
What are Hookworms? Hookworms are a type of nematode that lives in the intestines of animals. Ancylostoma canium, Ancylostoma braziliense and Uncinaria stenocephala are the scientific names of the worms that can live in your cat or dog. The are a white and can grow up to 2 inches in length. These worms survive by drinking your pet's blood.
How do I know if my pet has Hookworms? Bring in a fresh poop sample to our office. We add a solution to a sample of the poop. The solution causes the eggs to float to the top of the container and attach to a small piece of glass. We will look at the glass under a microscope and look for the worm eggs. Adult Hookworms are rarely seen in your pet's poop. This is why we highly recommend doing a fecal test, described above, to check for Hookworms. Some signs that your pet has worms are pale gums, diarrhea that is a dark color, lack of appetite, dry cough and a lack of weight gain or growth.
How did my pet get Hookworms? Your pet likely came into contact with some poop that was infected with Hookworm eggs. Your pet can be infected by eating the poop or just standing in it. Your pet doesn't have to eat a large amount of poop to get worms. For example, your dog Jasper goes outside and steps in some poop from a stray dog who has Hookworms. He licks his foot clean. As he licks his foot, he eats some of the worm eggs. The eggs open in Jasper's stomach and the baby worms, or larva, travel to his intestines. Once in the intestines, the larva will attach and grow into adults and start to reproduce. Your pet can also get infected by Hookworms by just standing on or near an area with infected poop. For example, Jasper goes out and stands in area where that stray dog likes to poop. The worms have hatched into larva and are crawling around looking for a host, your dog Jasper. When Jasper stands on that area the worms burrow into his feet. The larva travel through Jasper's skin looking for a blood vessel. They will travel through the blood until they enter the lungs. The larva are irritating to the lungs so Jasper coughs them up and then swallows them. The larva travel to the intestines and attach and grow. Puppies can also get worms if the mother dog has Hookworms. The larva can travel from the mother into the puppies while they are in her womb. The worms can also travel to her milk and the puppies drink the larva with her milk.
Can I get Hookworms? Yes. People can also get Hookworms. People can get worms by putting items that are contaminated with worm eggs into their mouth. People can also get Hookworms when the larva burrow through the skin and cause Creeping Eruptions, red raised lines in a person's skin caused by the larva's movements. Children who eat dirt are at risk for eating eggs and larva. You can prevent getting Hookworms by following a few simple rules.
1) Always wash your fruits and vegetables before eating them.
2) Wash your hands after working in the dirt or grass.
3) Do not let children eat dirt.
4) Pick up your dog's stool each time he or she goes outside.
5) Wash your hands after petting your dog.
6) Wear shoes when you walk outside.
7) Wear gloves when garden.
How do you treat Hookworms? Treating Hookworms is easy. We will give you pet medication, such as Drontal, to kill the worms. If your pet has a large amount of worms, we may need to give another dose of the medication. If Hookworms are not treated, they will continue to multiply in your pet's intestine. Your pet may become anemic because the worms are sucking your pet's blood. Your pet's intestines can also get blocked by the clumps of worms. Your pet won't be able to absorb all the nutrients from his or her food.
How do I prevent my pet from getting Hookworms? Keep your pet on year round Heartworm prevention. Revolution and Interceptor protect your pet from Heartworm disease and intestinal parasites, including Hookworms. Pick up your dog's poop each time he or she goes out.
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Veterinary Technician Week - Oct 10th - 16th
Veterinary technicians are a little bit like nurses for pets. They can draw blood for tests, read microscope slides with blood or tissue samples on them, take x-rays, perform dental cleanings and many other tasks. Technicians can do pretty much any task except diagnosing a pet, giving a prognosis, prescribing medications and performing surgery.
Most technicians have attended a Vet Tech program at a College, like the one at Parkland College in Champaign. Technicians learn about common pet diseases, parasites, medications and many other topics related to pet health and care. Technicians also learn how to take x-rays, monitor animals under anesthesia, perform fecal tests, place IV catheters, draw blood and other skills.
Technicians must pass a board exam and are licensed by the state. Every two years the license is up for renewal. In order to renew their licenses, technicians must meet the continuing education requirements of 15 hours of education. Technicians can earn credits by attending seminars and reading case studies. This education requirement ensures that technicians keep up to date on current medicine, techniques and practices.
We have three Veterinary Technicians working at our clinic. They all attended Parkland's Vet Tech Program and are licensed by the State of Illinois.
Meet our Techs:
Rachael Green
6 years at the Okaw Vet Clinic
I grew up in a small town and have had pets my entire life. We have always had at least one dog and outside cats. We live on a farm so I also grew up around horses, donkeys, cows, pigs, chickens and a goat. I decided to work in an animal related field when I was in high school. We had a sick cow on our farm. She was pregnant and was having a difficult time walking. She had fallen down. We were trying to help her stand up. We couldn't get her to stand up. So I started massaging her legs to help stimulate blood to flow to her muscles. My brother said I should be a veterinarian. I laughed, but thought maybe I should go into the veterinary field. I have always loved animals. So I would help keep them healthy.
I found out about the Vet Tech program at Parkland College. I applied and got into the program. It was a tough - lots of studying and long hours of classes. But it was worth it. I have enjoyed working with animals and helping keep them healthy.
Debbie Gass
5 years at the Okaw Vet Clinic
From a very young age, I just knew that I was going to work with animals. Back in 1988, I had the opportunity to work at an Animal Emergency Clinic. Oh boy, was I hooked! I just knew that this was what I was meant to do.
Upon arriving in Illinois (from my native Rhode Island), I learned about Parkland College's Veterinary Technology program. I jumped at the chance to learn more and get some more training. It was great to know there was a program to gain more knowledge and training for the field I had come to love.
Every day as a veterinary technician is a learning experience. There are always new medicines, techniques, diagnostics out constantly coming out to keep this field so fresh and exciting. (Not to mention all the great animals and people I meet!)
I am blessed that I love my job and look forward to going to work to see what each day will bring.
Leeza Chapman
5 months at the Okaw Vet Clinic
I have wanted to work in the veterinary field for as long as I can remember. I used to bring home stray animals. My mother wasn't to happy, but I wanted to keep them. In second grade, I announced that I wanted to be a vet. In fifth or sixth grade I decided that I would like to work in a vet office, but not be a vet. I decided to look into other jobs that would allow me to work in a vet office. I found information about veterinary technology and decide to be a veterinary technician.
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Halloween and Autumn Safety
Halloween and Autumn is a nice time to get back to those daily walks, no more summer heat. Pets and people can spend more time outside. Here are a few tips to help keep your pet safe.
1. No candy - Pets can get sick eating chocolate and other sweets. Sugar free candy contains Xylitol, which will make your pet sick.
2. Keep your pet inside the house during Trick-or-Treat hours - Pets can get scared by children wearing funny looking outfits and masks.
3. No nuts - Walnuts, acorns and other nuts are falling off the trees. Pets are tempted to eat the nuts. The shells and nuts can upset your pet's stomach. The shells and nuts can also scrape your pet's intestines and possibly get stuck in your pet's intestines.
4. No fake cobwebs - Pets can eat the cobweb material and the fibers can block or pet's intestines. |
Dr. Foote will be at Prairieland Feeds on Sunday Oct 24th from 2 - 3 pm. She will be talking about rescued and adopted animals. Topics include helping them adjust to a new home and common behavior problems.
Bring a friend! But this is a human only event. Please leave your pet at home. |
K9 Karnival - Hands 4 Paws event
Bring your doggie to Tuscola's Wimple Park on Saturday October 23rd for a fun afternoon. Hands 4 Paws will hold their first annual K9 Karnival from 1 - 3 pm. There will be a Halloween costume contest and lots of games. Some games include bobbing for hot dogs, puppy dog painting, musical hula hoops, agility course and many other games. There will be treats for dogs and kids. Have your pictures taken too! The event fee is $5.00 which allows you entry into the Karnival and you and your pet may participate in any and all events.
For more information, visit the Hands 4 Paws website. |
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About Okaw Veterinary Clinic
Thank you for reading our newsletter. We strive to make our pet parents informed about pet healthcare. If you have any concerns or questions, please let us know.
140 W. Sale St.
Tuscola, Illinois 61953
Okaw Veterinary Clinic
217-253-3221
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Treat Recall
Hartz has recalled their Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats in a 8 oz bag with lot number BZ0969101E. The treats may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can cause your pet to be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact us.
If you have purchased a recalled bag, please call 800-275-1414 to get a refund.
Dog Treat Recall Expanded
Merrick Pet Care has recalled Beef Filet Squares in a 10 oz bag, in all lot numbers and Texas Hold'ems in a 10 oz bag, in all lot numbers. They may contain Salmonella. Salmonella can cause your pet to be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact us.
If you have purchased this product, you can return the unused portion to the place you purchased it. For more information you can contact the company at 800-664-7387. |
Pet U Classes
The U of I and the CARE Center are presenting a series of pet classes. The classes will be held at the U of I Small Animal Clinic in Champaign from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Visit the Pet U website for more information about classes and how you can register.
Caring for Your Aging Pet
Thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, today's pets are living longer, healthier lives. Dr. Graves will discuss the aging process in dogs and cats, common medical disorders of senior pets, and strategies for keeping your pet healthy for as many years as possible.
This class will be held on Oct 11. The class fee is $8 if you register before Sept 29. If you register after that date, the fee is $13.
Selecting the Right Pet for You
Thinking of adding a dog, cat, or small animal to your family? Discover which type(s) of animal companions best suit your lifestyle and budget. Dogs will receive the most attention given their popularity and great variability, but cats and non-traditional pets will also be explored. You will have the opportunity to complete a lifestyle survey and ask questions regarding your specific needs.
This class will be held on Nov 8. The class fee is $8 if you register before Oct 27. If you register after that date, the fee is $13. |
Evamist Hormone Spray may cause Illness in Pets
Evamist (estradiol transdermal spray), a topical hormone replacement product, sprayed on the forearm to reduce hot flashes in women during menopause, has the potential to cause health problems in pets exposed to the product on the owner's skin. Since Evamist's approval in 2007, FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) received two reports of dogs experiencing mammary, or nipple, enlargement and vulvar, (external genital) swelling. In one case the dog experienced liver failure and vaginal prolapse and in the other case the dog had elevated estrogen levels. To help prevent estrogen exposure to a pet, FDA suggests that women using this product wear long sleeves to cover the application site and prevent pets from licking or touching the arm where Evamist was sprayed. |
Did your Dog get Sprayed by a Skunk?
Use this recipe to bathe your dog. If your dog's breath smells bad too, try yogurt. Your dog can eat 1/4 to 1/2 cup of plain yogurt, NOT fat free, twice a day.
2 Quarts Hydrogen peroxide
1 Cup Baking soda
1 Tablespoon Dawn dish soap (other soaps do not work as well)
Mix the ingredients together and wash your dog. Leave mixture on for 5 minutes, then rinse off. You can repeat if needed.
*Peroxide may damage carpet, towels and other materials. |
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Remind My Pet
Sign up for this free service to get reminders of when your pet is due for their heartworm, flea or other medication. You can have the reminder sent as an email or text message.
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