Shoreline Animal Hospital

Inevitably, most of us will be faced with the passing of a beloved pet and the raw feelings we are left with may lead us to question when it will be the right time, if ever, to welcome a new pet into our homes. 

Certainly it is a very big decision and every individual’s needs are different.  Many of us hesitate from fear of going through the sadness all over again.  Some of us feel a sense of guilt or betrayal at the thought of loving another animal.  The grief process is a unique journey for each individual and it does not follow a timeline.  Young children will often be sad for only a few days and then move on quickly wanting to get a new pet.  They seem to be much better than adults and teens at living in the present moment.  Adults and teens often need a long period of time to grieve and resolve their feelings. 

The death of a pet often leads to a period of deep grief and acknowledging these feelings is the first step in the healing process.  Hopefully one’s immediate family, friends and veterinarian will be helpful in providing the emotional support needed in this difficult period.  Additional support can be found through counseling services and many veterinary teaching hospitals  provide free telephone  support to anyone who needs it.

As the pain of the loss eases and one moves through the grieving process, opportunities for a new pet may present themselves.  Surprising a bereaved pet owner with the gift of a new puppy or kitten can be a disservice if the person has not gone through the process of accepting  their loss.  They need to decide when it is the right time for them.  Avoid trying to replace the lost pet with a look-alike pet or with a sibling assuming they will behave similarly.  Each animal is an individual with unique habits, personalities and needs. 

 Ironically, it seems that often the right time occurs when a new pet seems to find an owner.  Remember to keep an open heart to the possibility that your next pet may be looking for you.

Today as we launch our new website and blog,  we want to remember our dear friend and hospital cat–Mona.  Unfortunately, we lost Mona to chronic kidney disease in January 2011.  She was approximately 17 years old.  For those of you who had the pleasure of knowing her,  she was friendly and lovable but had a meow that was haunting.  She sounded like –well an old moaning woman and hence the fitting name.

So to honor Mona, we will call our blog today “Mona’s Meow” and we will dedicate it to the topic of chronic renal disease  (CRD).

One of the most common diseases we see in older cats, CRD,  is often not diagnosed until it has progressed quite far.  One of many important functions of the kidneys is to remove wastes from the blood stream.  In CRD, these toxins build up in the body resulting in many complications and symptoms. 

The early symptoms may be very subtle and could include– increased drinking and urination, a decreased appetite, gradual weight loss and intermittent vomiting.  CRD  is not caused by any one specific factor nor is there a cure. 

Treatment involves supportive care, medications and diet changes.    Sometimes medications are prescribed to help deal with secondary issues such as anemia or increased phosphorous levels which are often seen in the later stages of CRD.  Supportive therapy may involve fluids either intravenously (directly in a vein) or subcutaneously (under the skin).  Diet can be used to help support kidney function and reduce the kidney’s workload.  Veterinarians usually carry several brands of prescription renal diets.  These foods are usually lower in phosphorous, sodium and protein while having additional Omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants, B vitamins and soluble fiber.   Many animals with CRD have poor appetites and will not eat a commercial diet.  For these animals we can prescribe a home made diet that will meet the nutritional needs of the individual. 

So what can an owner do to prevent this disease?  Good quality food, regular dental care and most importantly –annual visits to the veterinarian.  Preventative care with a thorough physical exam along with yearly blood and urine screening is very important.  Your veterinarian may pick up on minor weight loss, changes in the size or shape of the kidneys or abnormalities on the blood and urine results.  The earliest changes will be noted on urine samples before an owner is likely to notice any symptoms.  The urine will become dilute and have small amounts of protein in it.  On the blood tests, elevations in two values called the BUN and Creatinine, are not observed until there is already compromise to approximately 75% of the kidney function. 

So don’t wait until your cat or dog is showing signs of CRD.  Be proactive and discuss the importance of screening tests and wellness care with your veterinarian.  Maintain good oral hygeine for your pet as bacteria can be picked up in the bloodstream from plaque and tartar in a mouth with dental disease.  This can then cause damage to the kidneys and the heart.  So start early with your pet to help them live a long and healthy life. 

For several more detailed articles on this disease, click on the Veterinary Partners button in the right sidebar below and search for kidney failure or feline chronic renal disease.

Swimming is a favorite summer activity for many dogs and is a great form of exercise because it does not require weight bearing. It can be very beneficial for dogs with arthritis or other orthopedic issues. However, it can also increase the risk of ear and skin infections due to bacteria in the water, getting water in the ears and having the dog’s skin constantly wet in high humidity.

Caring for your swimming dog: Choose larger bodies of water that are not stagnant, rinse him off after the swim and dry with a towel, clean out his ears with a cleaner made for dogs afterward and watch the ears and skin for odor, discharge, redness or scaling. Call your vet if you have any problems. If your dog swims in a pool only allow under supervision and make sure he knows how to get out on his own.

We are so excited to let everyone know that Flipper will be having his fractured legs repaired next week with a surgeon who is significantly discounting his services. A million thanks to several generous donations made by our clients over the past year into our “Buddy” Fund that will help defray the cost.

I think Flipper has a few angels watching over him. To follow Flipper on his journey over the next 8 weeks as he heals and learn more about the Buddy Fund, watch for our SAH FB Fan Page to go live in the next few days.

We will share behind the scenes stories at Shoreline Animal Hospital, pet health tips, food recalls, local and national pet health concerns, funny pet photos and much more! It will be a fun place to learn and laugh every day as we enjoy and honor the animals we love.

“Flipper” as we affectionately call him, was found on Thursday in Deep River hopping around in the woods unable to use his front legs because they are fractured. He is a very sweet kitty and we can’t help but wonder if a family somewhere is missing him terribly. We are in the process of discussing his fractures with a surgeon to see if they can be repaired to give him better use of his legs. Please spread the word and lets see if we can find a way to help this sweetie pie.