Summer management of Dogs

"Summer is here and you need to do extra care with necessary precaution to protect your dog from heat stroke .

As you need air conditioners and coolers to cool your body temperature, sunglasses to protect your eyes, sunscreen to protect your skin, cold water and food to lower body temperature in summer, So in the same ways your Dogs also need such contrivances in summers which prevent them from dehydration and sunburn.

If Dog parents can't do extra care with necessary precautions during high temperature in summer their Dog may suffer or even die due to heat stroke or organ failure when temperature of Dog reaches above 43°C

"KEEP THINGS IN MIND THAT WHAT NOT TO DO WITH YOUR DOGS IN SUMMER"

            1. Don't leave your Dog in vehicle even if it is parked in the cooler place.

2. Always provide fresh,clean adequate amount of water to your Dog.

3. Always travel with your Dog in well ventilated vehicle and avoid travelling in the middle of the day when temperature is too high.

4. Avoid excessive running and exercise during day time when temperature is too high.

"KEEP THINGS IN MIND THAT WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR DOGS IN SUMMER"

1. Keep your Dog inside home with proper air conditioning or fans to provide sufficient amount of air circulation.

2. Always provide two bowls of water in case one is knocked over.

3. Always provide unrestricted access to fresh, clean water sources and added few ice cubes in it so that your Dog will remain hydrated.

3. Wet Dog food can help in increasing water intake during summers so  you can feed wet Dog food to your Dog.

4.   Exercise your Dog early morning or evening when the temperature is cooler.  

TYPES OF DOGS SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT STROKE

1. Brachycephalic breed ( pushed in nose) like Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terrier with Golden Retrievers and Labrador which are prone to laryngeal paralysis are also susceptible to heat stroke as well.

2. Dogs which are suffering from cardiac and respiratory diseases. 

3. Geriatric(elderly) or ill Dogs. 

4. Obese Dogs.

5. Dogs which are recently transferred to hotter climates.

6. Dogs which are caged or under poor ventilated areas.  

7. Dogs which do excessive running and exercise in high temperature.

8. Dogs which are suffered previously with heat stroke could be at higher risk of getting heat stroke again. 

DOGS VS HUMANS

1. "The only effective method of cooling/thermoregulation in Dogs is panting. Humans who sweat almost from everywhere because they have sweat glands, called apocrine glands, associated with every hair follicle on their body but Dogs only produce sweat on areas not covered with fur, such as the nose and paw pads." 

2. Dogs can't ask about feeling a need to drink to you when they are too hot.

3.They won't stop playing until there body can't take any more because Dogs are so eager to please their parents.

SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STROKE

1. An anxious expression or staring appearance

1. Heavy panting and raspy breathe

2. Excessive salivation

3. Elevated rectal temperature

4. Skin feels warmer than usual

5. Bright red gums

6. lying flat on cool surfaces

7. Collapsing, stumbling or falling down

8. Vomiting

9. Seizures

HEAT STROKE EFFECTUATE

1. Brain damage (Temporary or sometimes permanent).

2. Muscle Damage. 

3. Bleeding disorders.  

4. Organ failure if body temperature exceeds than 43°C

5. Lungs, liver and kidney failure.

6. Ulceration of stomach and intestine.
7. Death 

THINGS YOU CAN DO AT HOME IF YOU SUSPECTED THAT YOUR DOG HAS HAD HEAT STROKE 

TREATMENT BY VETERINARIAN

1. Cold water enema
2. Intravenous fluid (isotonic crystalloid at shock dose i.e. 90 ml/kg for dogs).
3. Seizures should be treated with appropriate anticonvulsants (diazepam, phenobarbital, propofol). 
4. Cerebral edema may be treated with mannitol or corticosteroids. Corticosteroids also would benefit a patient with upper airway edema.
5. Antibiotic therapy should be instituted to protect gastrointestinal tract.
6. Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. 

OUTCOMES

The key to successful management and treatment includes rapid recognition with protocols aimed at rapid cooling and support of the affected body systems. Heat stroke can result in multi-organ dysfunction that can be life-threatening.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Dogs

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Dogs

Introduction

Endoscopy is a Greek word comprising of “Endo” for Inner and “Skopein” to view or observe with a purpose and Fiberoptic endoscopy is a noninvasive technique for evaluating the lumen and mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. It is a fundamental method for investigation of the digestive tract, and is important in the diagnosis and prognosis of a variety of gastrointestinal disorders.

It is indicated mainly if history and physical examination of a patient reveals abnormalities in the area of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to this further investigations like plan and contrast radiography, ultrasonography and functional tests may permit tentative diagnosis. Until recently clinician had been limited in their ability to diagnose GI diseases morphologically because of the need to carry out an exploratory laparotomy in order to obtain biopsy samples and has been largely replaced by endoscopy.

THORACOCENTESIS AS DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC TOOL IN DOGS

THORACOCENTESIS

Introduction

Thoracocentesis is the name given to the clinical technique where by fluid or air is removed from thoracic cavity.

1. Thoracocentesis may be diagnostic to determine whether air or fluid is present and to characterize the nature of the fluid obtained.

2. Thoracocentesis also can be therapeutic when removing large volumes of air or fluid to allow pulmonary re-expansion and correction of hypoxemia  and orthopnea.

3. Rapid stabilization in immediate respiratory distress due to the accumulation of air or fluid in the pleural space.

When the findings of the thoracic auscultation or percussion are suggestive of pleural effusion then thoracocentesis is  performed  to -

Ø  To Confirm the presence of pleural effusion.

Ø  Provide a specimen for examination which provide a diagnosis or guide the therapeutic plan .

Ø  Therapeutically drain a large of pleural fluid is present.

 THORACOCENTESIS IN DOGS

Materials needed:

Ø  Sterile Needle

Ø  Cat, 18-23 gauge

Ø  Dog, 18-21 gauge

Ø  Scalp Vein

Ø  A flexible polythene catheter with removable needle

Ø  Syringe- Usually 10-30ml so that large volumes of fluid/air can be collected.

Technique

1. Clip the hair and clean the skin at the proper location and each rib marked with an overlay of red ink.

2. Palpate the 13^th rib, and then the 12^th interspace immediately in front of it.‘Walk’ your fingers cranial ly from one interspace to the next, counting 11-10-9-8-7 as you go, to identify the 7^th and 8^th interspaces.

3. Once you’ve identified the desired location, advance the needle through the skin. As soon as the needle enters the subcutaneous space, pull back on the plunger to apply 1-2 cc’s of vaccum. You should be able to feel the plunger tugging against your fingers.

4. Never advance the needle deeper than you think the pleural space is your main goal is to avoid lacerating the lung in animals that in fact have no pleural space fluid or air.

5.Withdraw the needle as soon as you get a positive tap (loss of  vacuum observation of fluid), and proceed to a therapeutic tap.

6. While maintaining a strong suction, advance the needle through the chest wall at the leading (cranial) edge of the rib behind it. The instant the needle enters the pleural cavity , you will either lose the vacuum (in the case of pneumothorax as shown here) or observe the entry of fluid into the needle barrel (in the case of pleural fluid accumulation).

     Fluid Analysis

EDTA tube
a. Total protein concentration
b. Specific gravity
c.Total nucleated and red cell counts, and cytology.

Plain tube
a. Bacteriological examination
b. Other biochemical tests e,g,  triglycerides and cholesterol
c.  Smears should be prepared immediately after collection.

 Type of effusion

1. Pure transudate
a. Low protein level in the plasma (hypoproteinemia)

b. Congestive cardiac failure 

2. Modified transudate

a. High venous and capillary hydrostatic presure

b. Congestive heart failure

c. Obstruction of vein and/or lymphatics –intrathoracic mass 

3. Chylous effusions

a. Thorax –rupture of the thoracic duct

b. Intrathoracic lymphagiectasia

c. Obstruction or trauma

4. Haemorrhagic exudates

a. Thoracic trauma

b. Intrathoracic tumour

5. Exudates

1. Septic
a. Foreign body
b. Penetratign wound of the thorax, oesophagus or airway

2. Non-septic
a. Negative culture 
b. Immune-mediated process
c. Parasitic or neoplastic process

Thoracocentesis is very effective and safe procedure  in diagnosing conditions of the thoracic cavity in dogs and requires no special equipment. Thoracocentesis often makes the difference between life and death in dogs with severe disease. 

CHOCOLATE TOXICITY IN DOGS

IS CHOCOLATE SAFE FOR OUR PETS ??

Chocolate contains substances known as methylxanthines (specifically caffeine and theobromine), which dogs are far more sensitive to than people.  The onset of theobromine poisoning is usually marked by severe hyperactivity.

What Makes Chocolate Toxic to Dogs?

In general, though, the darker and more bitter the chocolate the greater the danger. Different types of chocolate contain varying amounts of methylxanthines. A small amount of chocolate will probably only give your dog an upset stomach with vomiting or diarrhea. With large amounts, theobromine can produce muscle tremors, seizures, an irregular heartbeat, internal bleeding or a heart attack. 

Why Isn't Chocolate Toxic to Humans?

Humans can break down and excrete methylxanthines such as theobromine much more efficiently than dogs.

What Should I Do if My Dog Ate Chocolate?

If you know your dog has ingested chocolate , or has any of the symptoms below, contact your veterinarian right away.

Remember, with any poisoning, it’s always cheaper, less invasive, and has a better prognosis/outcome if you treat early. 

"Once your dog has already developed clinical signs and is affected by the poison, it makes difficult for veterinarian to treat easily." 

Symptoms of concern include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increased body temperature
• Increased reflex responses
• Muscle rigidity
• Rapid breathing
• Increased heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Seizures

• Advanced signs (cardiac failure, weakness, and coma)

Treatment

Your dog should be seen immediately by your veterinarian to find out if there is immediate care that you begin with. It is common practice to induce vomiting and control any seizures, should they occur. In the meantime, you will need to keep your dog cool, calm, and in a quiet space.

Fluids will be given to keep your dog to keep it hydrated as its condition improves. To avoid any further problems, it should be fed a bland diet for several days.

Prevention

It is crucial to your pet’s health to keep chocolate products out of their reach, as there is no antidote to chocolate toxicity.