Written by Dr. Jennifer Menning

One common problem that we see in our feline friends is inappropriate urination. We often see cats for sudden, seemingly random urination outside the litter box. Sometimes, these cats urinate in very undesirable places around the house, such as on pillows and bedding. Many clients ask why this has happened. One possibility is feline lower urinary tract disease. Unfortunately, this disease is difficult to pin down, and sometimes frustrating to treat. However, if an owner is dedicated and committed to their cat, it can be successfully managed.

Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) is a genetic disease that affects 1-2% of cats, Persians in particular. It is an inflammatory condition of the bladder seen primarily in younger cats. FLUTD is a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that a full diagnostic workup is performed (urinalysis, urine culture, abdominal x-rays, and bloodwork) and all other urinary diseases have been ruled out first. With FLUTD, your veterinarian may only see hematuria (some blood in the urine) and nothing else. This is indicative of sterile cystitis, or inflammation in the bladder without a true bacterial infection. Clinically, the symptoms you’ll see at home include urination outside the litter box, straining to urinate, pollakiuria (urinating small amounts frequently), and hematuria. These symptoms are usually acute, and can recur over and over. These signs are not specific to FLUTD. Therefore, a full workup should always be done to make sure other diseases, such as a urinary tract infection or bladder stones, are not present.

So what causes FLUTD? Stress is a major factor in development of this disease. Cats are creatures of habit, so anytime their normal routine is disrupted, he/she may start urinating inappropriately. Think back to any recent changes in your household. Is there a new person or animal in the home? Have you moved recently? Are there stray cats outside that may be bothering your cat? Have you moved the litter box to a loud, heavily trafficked area? Even a new piece of furniture can lead to FLUTD.

Treatment for nearly any disease in veterinary medicine involves treating the underlying, root problem, and this is no different for cats with FLUTD. Therefore, stress management is of the utmost importance. This may be as simple as moving the litter box to a quieter, more accessible area. Often, though, it is harder to manage. Think about how you can modify your cat’s environment. If he/she is being chased by a new dog, buy a climbable cat tree or perch to allow for escape. Consider separating your cat from any new disruptive people or animals. Scratching posts are an option. There are also several products and medications that can help. Feliway is a product that contains a synthetic pheromone known to decrease stress and anxiety, and comes in several formulations. Cosequin, a joint supplement labeled for cats, contains polysulfated glycosaminoglycans, which help protect and strengthen the bladder wall. We at Franktown Animal Clinic also carry several holistic products, such as Solliquin, to induce a calmer state of mind.

Other treatment modalities that may help include pain medications, especially if your cat is straining to urinate; phenoxybenzamine, a medication to reduce urethral spasms; and anti-anxiety medications, such as fluoxetine or amitriptyline. A diet change to a prescription urinary diet (Hill’s C/D Stress is a new diet that addresses both stress in the household and urination problems) can also be helpful, although any canned diet is better than dry food. Feeding a canned diet helps increase water consumption, which flushes out the bladder.

One serious condition to monitor for in male cats is urethral obstruction. Sometimes, the inflammation and urethral spasms can be so strong that your cat can no longer urinate at all. This is a life-threatening emergency. If you notice your male cat straining excessively and no urine is produced, please take him to the nearest emergency clinic ASAP.

Though FLUTD often recurs (typically within the first year), if diligent environmental enrichment and medications are pursued, it can be managed. Talk to your veterinarian about a personalized treatment plan for your pet, and together we can get your cat feeling better again.

Don’t let Fido get fanged!

Every year, the Friends of Douglas County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit hosts a special Rattlesnake Avoidance Clinic to educate dog owners on how to best protect your pooches from this common Colorado canine menace.

The clinic costs $95 and is a perennial sell-out — all proceeds go to support the non-profit Friends of Douglas County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit organization. The clinic ran June 11th-12th, 2022, but if you missed it this year, don’t fret, we’re here to help with this list of 6 Things To Know About Keeping Your Dog Safe from Rattlesnakes.

1) Snakes like to sun themselves.
You might think you’re safe on the hiking trail, but that’s a common area for rattlesnakes to hang out. Since they’re cold blooded, they like to sunbathe, and shadeless areas like rockpiles or the trail itself can attract them. Give them a wide berth, but if you have to step off the trail into the brush, make sure to prod the area in front of you with a long stick because there might be more hanging out in there, too.

2) Avoid the brush.
The upside of the trail is you can see everything, especially a snake. Keep out of the brush, areas with tall grasses — basically anything where you can’t see the ground (also good advice for avoiding ticks!). Rattlesnakes rattle when they’re stressed, but most bites occur when they’ve been surprised, and they may not warn you with a rattle.

3) Leash up.
Not only is there a leash law in Colorado, but it’s even more important to keep Rover tethered on the trail with a short leash. Dogs are most commonly bitten around the face, because they like to investigate everything, so it’s critical not to let them off the leash, where you’re unable to pull them back if they’re in danger.

4) Rattlesnake vaccine is a thing, but it’s not complete immunization.
The science is still murky on it, but there is a company that manufactures a rattlesnake vaccine. More than 30,000 dogs and cats suffer venomous snake bites every year, so if you’re out on the trail a lot, it’s worth asking your vet about the Rattlesnake Vaccine. which might lessen the pain and slow the progression of the venom. BUT, it’s important to note that a snakebite still needs emergency veterinary care, even if your pup’s been vaccinated. Antivenom is still critical.

5) Know the symptoms.
If you’ve forgotten or ignored number 2 above and Spot’s out running around off-trail, you might not see a bite take place, or even know it occurred. So it’s important to know what the symptoms of a bite look like. Keep an eye out for these immediate symptoms:

• Puncture wounds or any bleeding, even inside the mouth
• Any swelling
• Excessive panting and drooling
• Unusual restlessness
• Your dog appearing to be in pain

Later-occurring symptoms over the next several hours include things like:

• Tremors/shivers
• Seizures
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Problems breathing

Get to a vet immediately if any of these occur or if you suspect a bite in any way. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

6) Stay calm and cool if a bite occurs.
You’ll want to keep your dog’s heart rate low to avoid accelerating the flow of the venom into its bloodstream. So, you need to remain calm too. Don’t mess with the bite area, because things like ice or meds for pain can make it worse. If you can, carry your dog back to your car — or walk slowly — and get to the vet immediately.

Getting out in the natural splendor of the beauty of the Centennial State is a major draw for people who live here, and there’s no reason not to share it with your four-legged loved one. Just be smart, stay alert, and be a responsible dog owner (pack out your poop, too!), and you’ll enjoy a rattlesnake-free frolic on the trail.

By Dr. Jen Menning

Time flies when you have a pet you love. Seemingly in the blink of an eye, your adorable, excitable puppy has grown into a mature, 10-year old, graying senior dog. Our pets are living longer than ever these days thanks to caring and dedicated owners, along with significant advances in veterinary medicine. But what does a senior pet look like? What new ailments should you be aware of that your pet may encounter?

First of all, the terms “senior” or “geriatric” mean different things to different species and breeds of animals. It is not uncommon for a cat to live to be 18-20 years old! Therefore, we generally don’t consider cats seniors until they reach 10 years of age. Giant breed dogs, such as Great Danes, however, have much shorter lifespans, and anyone over the age of 6 should qualify as a senior animal. Most pets fall somewhere in the middle.

Once your pet starts to age, it becomes more important to bring them to your veterinarian for regular physical exams. We recommend a comprehensive physical exam every 6 months. This will enable you to stay on top of any new conditions your pet may develop. Some of these new ailments, such as skin tumors, cataracts, heart murmurs, and arthritis, can manifest quickly. For example, it is much easier to surgically remove a skin tumor while it is still small, rather than waiting for it to grow or break open. If a heart murmur is detected on auscultation, early intervention with a cardiologist can provide a diagnosis and minimize the risk of congestive heart failure. Periodontal disease is also far easier to manage (usually with a professional dental cleaning under anesthesia) when your pet has minimal tartar, rather than when his/her teeth are rotten and falling out. Osteoarthritis is very common in large breed dogs. While arthritis is slowly progressive, the earlier a joint supplement is used, the more beneficial it will be. In addition, anti-inflammatory medications, such as Rimadyl, along with acupuncture and laser therapy can be useful early on.

Diagnostic tests are also especially important in senior pets. Routine bloodwork can reveal all sorts of common diseases, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, or kidney disease. Many of these ailments can cause subtle clinical signs in your pet, such as increased thirst, lethargy, or weight loss. These changes may go unnoticed or simply be perceived as part of the normal aging process. In reality, your pet may have a disease that requires treatment. Sometimes, once an appropriate course of action is started, your pet will act and feel like a youngster again!

Other valuable diagnostic tests include a blood pressure measurement, x-rays, and abdominal ultrasound. Unfortunately, cancer is common in senior pets. Cancer can originate anywhere in the body, but many tumors tend to metastasize (spread) to the lungs. Therefore, a chest x-ray is an important tool we can use to investigate this, especially if your pet has a cough. Here at Franktown Animal Clinic, we also have an abdominal ultrasound machine that we can use to your pet’s benefit. One malignant tumor we see frequently is splenic hemangiosarcoma. This tumor originates on the spleen, which is an easy organ to image with ultrasound. These tumors bleed into the abdomen easily, which can cause acute collapse, abdominal distention, and pale mucous membranes. If this happens to your pet, he/she will need emergency surgery to remove the spleen. The good news is that if we can find a splenic tumor BEFORE it ruptures and becomes an emergency, we can proactively take your pet to surgery while he/she is still stable. Your pet will then have a better chance of recovery. In addition to the spleen, we can easily image the liver, bladder, and kidneys. There is also a procedure called an abdominal FAST (aFAST) scan, which allows us to evaluate four different areas of the abdomen for free fluid, which is always abnormal.

The key here is early intervention. Like an elderly person, nearly every geriatric pet undergoes at least some change to his/her body with age. The earlier we can detect a problem, whether it be simple arthritis or something more serious, like kidney disease, the faster we can intervene. Your pet will thank you for it. We at Franktown Animal Clinic have created Senior Wellness Plans to assist you with your senior pet. These plans are year-long packages that include two physical exams, along with the above diagnostic tests and more! Next time you’re here at Franktown Animal Clinic, ask us about these plans and together we can provide the best care for your geriatric pet.

Walk into any pet store and you will find an extensive, exhaustive array of pet foods to choose from. Scan the labels and you’ll find phrases like “all-natural”, “limited-ingredient”, and “grain-free”, among others. Many people wonder, “Which food is best for my pet?” and “What ingredients should I be looking for?” Recently, we have seen an unparalleled explosion of grain-free diets in the market, many of which have received positive attention throughout social media. But are grain-free diets really all they’re cracked up to be?

First of all, what are grain-free diets? These diets tend to use legumes, such as peas, lentils, and soybeans, along with potatoes as their main ingredients, as opposed to corn or rice. Pet food trends tend to parallel current human diet trends, so with the proliferation of gluten-free foods for people, many pet food companies decided that grain-free diets were necessary for our pets as well. This is not the case. Grain-free diets were created without any real scientific basis behind them. Grains are not harmful to pets in any way. Our pets do not get celiac disease and true grain allergies are exceedingly rare. Many of the boutique pet food companies that create these diets have not performed feeding trials or conducted any adequate research on these foods.

Unfortunately, a major problem has come to light regarding these diets. Veterinary cardiologists have found a link between grain-free diets and a heart disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a disease in which the heart muscle becomes weak and the chambers of the heart abnormally distended. Untreated, DCM can be quite serious and lead to heart failure. Normally, DCM is only seen in a select few breeds, including Boxers and Doberman Pinschers. However, cardiologists have recently been diagnosing this disease in other breeds (especially Golden Retrievers) consuming a grain-free diet. The suspected link is a deficiency in an amino acid called taurine, which is essential for the heart to function normally. An interesting fact to note, however, is that these diets are not low in taurine themselves; rather, dogs eating these foods seem to have a problem with taurine absorption and/or metabolism. To complicate matters further, some dogs’ blood taurine levels actually test normally and they still develop DCM if they are consuming a grain-free diet! We do not know the underlying mechanism behind this. Therefore, a simple correlation is all we have to go on at this point. Research studies are working to determine the true cause of the problem.

So what to do if you have been feeding a grain-free diet to your pet? The quickest and easiest solution is to switch diets. Hill’s, Royal Canin, Iams, Purina, and Eukanuba are all excellent, well-balanced choices. Be sure to switch to a new diet gradually over 1 week so your pet does not get diarrhea. Some of the diets to avoid include Zignature, Blue Buffalo, Merrick, and Taste of the Wild, along with raw and home-cooked diets. For those few animals with severe food allergies, a grain-free diet may be the only diet that won’t upset their stomach. In these cases, supplementation with taurine may be beneficial. Small dogs less than 10 kg. should receive 250 mg twice daily, medium size dogs from 10-25 kg. should receive 500 mg twice daily, and large breed dogs over 25 kg. should receive 1000 mg twice daily. It is important to note that taurine supplementation does not always prevent or treat dilated cardiomyopathy. The good news, though, is that a taurine supplement is not harmful in any way. Another option is to add a pre-made grain mix to your pet’s diet. Dr. Harvey’s Miracle Food is a good choice.

If your veterinarian detects a heart murmur or arrhythmia on auscultation and your pet has been eating a grain-free diet, a consultation with a cardiologist would be most important. A cardiologist can perform an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) to determine if any evidence of DCM is present, and then treat him/her appropriately with medication.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions surrounding grain-free diets and their link to heart disease. The bottom line is that feeding a grain-free diet is risky. Until we know more, it is simply best to avoid these diets altogether. Your veterinarian can work with you to determine a better, more balanced diet plan for your pet.

It can be a frightening time when your beloved pet, who has never been sick a day in his/her life, starts vomiting. “Why is this happening?”, you might ask. “What can I do to stop this?” Most people feel confused and helpless when their pet vomits. Fortunately, there are ways to be proactive in helping your pet get back to their normal self.

First, there is much to consider regarding the timing of the vomiting. Has your pet vomited 10 times over the course of 24 hours? Or has he/she vomited once a week for several months? Acute vomiting is a more emergent problem than chronic, intermittent vomiting over a long period of time. If your dog has vomited multiple times over the course of a day or two, bring them in for an exam by your veterinarian immediately. Think back. Is your pet a young dog who likes to eat rocks or rip the stuffing out of their toys? A foreign body may be stuck inside your dog’s gastrointestinal tract, causing an obstruction. This is a surgical emergency. Your veterinarian will recommend abdominal exploratory surgery, in which the surgeon searches the entire GI tract to find and remove the object. Alternatively, has your dog recently eaten a fatty steak or stick of butter? Dietary indiscretion, especially of a fatty meal, can lead to pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) which usually requires hospitalization on IV fluids and intensive medical care to treat. Your veterinarian will perform diagnostic tests (usually bloodwork and abdominal x-rays) to sort out these possible diseases, among others.

Chronic, intermittent vomiting is not an emergency, but it can be more difficult to obtain a diagnosis. A whole host of diseases can cause chronic vomiting, from kidney disease to diabetes to cancer to food allergies. Your veterinarian will want to know a lot of historical information. Does your pet vomit when fed some foods but not others? Can you detect a sweet smell on your pet’s breath? Is the vomiting accompanied by increased thirst and urination? Your veterinarian will take these details into consideration when forming a diagnostic plan. Kidney disease can be easily found on routine bloodwork, and may require a simple diet change or IV fluids, depending on the severity. Hyperthyroidism, common in cats and also easily detected, requires a simple twice-daily medication to treat. On the other hand, in an older animal, cancer can cause vomiting and is often not easily found on bloodwork or even x-rays. Sometimes, we need to refer your pet for an abdominal ultrasound, which will pick up subtle, small abnormalities in the abdomen. The bottom line with chronic vomiting is that it can take time and sometimes an extensive workup to get to the root of the problem.

What does the vomitous look like? Your veterinarian will want to know this as well. Is it a big pile of undigested food? This may indicate an obstruction, especially if it occurs within 30 minutes – 2 hours of eating a meal. Is there bright red blood in it? This may be indicative of a disease called hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, or HGE, which usually requires hospitalization on IV fluids and is treated similarly to pancreatitis. Or does the vomitous look like black coffee grounds? This means that there is an ulcer somewhere in the small intestines and your pet would benefit from an antacid.

So what can you do to help your pet until your appointment? First of all, don’t panic. Most causes of vomiting can be treated either medically or surgically by your veterinarian. If your pet is acutely vomiting and can’t keep anything down, take away their food and water. Protracted vomiting can lead to even more irritation of the GI tract. For chronic vomiters, you may try feeding a bland diet, such as boiled chicken and rice. An antacid, such as Pepcid AC, as well as a probiotic would not hurt either. Call your veterinarian to determine an appropriate dose for your pet. If your pet is vomiting first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, try giving him/her a late-night snack before bedtime. These are all safe, easy tricks to start with. Ultimately, once examined by your veterinarian, a personalized plan will be put in place to get your pet feeling better in no time.

By Jessica Brody

If you’re looking for something cute and cuddly in your life, then a new pet may be for you. But before adopting an animal, there are a few things you should keep in mind. What kind of pet is right for you? What does life look like once you bring home your new pet? You’ll need to consider both of these questions before you commit to the responsibility of adopting a pet. Here are four things you absolutely need to know.

1. Choosing the Right Pet for Your Home

One of your first considerations should be deciding which kind of pet is right for your home. Depending on your living situation, there might be a few stipulations that dictate the kind of animal you can adopt. Some apartments only allow cats or small dogs, and some apartments disallow pets altogether. Even if you’re a homeowner, you still need to consider the dimensions of your home. Sharing a small space with a large pet can be difficult. You also have to consider where and how your pet will relieve himself. Does your home or apartment have a yard? There are many breeds of dogs that need plenty of exercise to remain healthy.

2. Bringing Your Pet Home for the First Time

Once you find the right pet for your home, you need to make sure your home is ready. How you prepare your home depends on the kind of pet you decide on adopting. Cats will need to have their own litter box. Puppies or small breed dogs could similarly use a disposable pad to relieve themselves. Larger dogs will most definitely need to be taken outside. Other items your pet may need include toys, a small bed or cushion, or a crate.

Another way to prepare your home for pet ownership is by planning how you’ll clean up after your pet. Even before you bring your pet home for the first time, you can purchase cleaning supplies and odor eliminators. You might also want to consider investing in a high-quality vacuum cleaner, one that’s versatile enough to handle carpet and hardwood. For example, water filtration vacuums are great at removing pet hair, which can be very helpful if anyone in your family has allergies.

When you bring your pet home for the first time, it will take a little while for him to become accustomed to his new environment. He will likely be a little nervous at first and might shy away from you. During the first few days, you need to be especially patient and kind with your new pet in order for him to become comfortable and open up.

3. Balancing Pet Care With Your Work Schedule

You live a busy life and have plenty of obligations to keep up with. Sometimes it can be a challenge to balance your responsibility toward your pet with the other responsibilities you have in life. In order to give your pet the best possible care, you may need a little help while you’re away. If work or school keeps you away from home for most of the day, you could consider hiring a dog walker to come in and take your pup out on a walk.

4. The Key to Bonding With Your Pet

Just like with any human relationship, it takes time to really understand your pet and form a bond. No two cats or dogs are completely alike, and you’ll find that your pet has his own unique personality. The best way to quickly form a relationship with your pet is through your actions. Whenever you feed, play, and express love toward your animal, you build toward a positive relationship. Pay close attention to your pet’s body language. If he reacts positively toward a certain action (such as scratching behind an ear), then you have found another way to win his heart.

If you’re hoping to add something special to your life, then adopting a pet is definitely the way to go. Owning a pet is a lot of responsibility, but responsibility can also be rewarding. Over time, you will grow to know and love your new pet and share memories together that will last a lifetime.

By Dr. Jennifer Menning

Acupuncture has been available as a treatment modality for thousands of years. It is an adjunctive treatment that can be used for a variety of ailments, including arthritis, gastrointestinal upset, intervertebral disc disease, coughing, and even ocular problems, such as dry eye. The majority of our long-term acupuncture patients are older dogs with arthritis, muscle atrophy, and weakness in the hind end. Acupuncture is performed to stimulate the nervous system. It involves inserting needles into specific points around the body. These points are active areas in which nerves and blood vessels are plentiful. Inserting an acupuncture needle increases the body’s circulating endorphin levels, as well as dampens the pain signal on its way to the brain. It is important to note that in arthritic dogs, acupuncture does not “fix” the underlying problem, but rather allows the animal to be more mobile and comfortable.

So what does an acupuncture session look like? In the exam room, we will first perform a complete physical exam, followed by a myofascial palpation exam. This involves palpating the muscle and soft tissues for any “taut bands” or tight areas. For example, in a dog with a cranial cruciate ligament tear, we will often find tightness in the back and/or triceps muscles due to the dog unweighting its pelvic limb. It is important to look at the body as a whole, rather than only focusing on the problem area. Everything in the body is connected. We will then place our acupuncture needles in the appropriate points. These points change from session to session depending on where the animal is tight or painful.

When first beginning acupuncture on an animal, we perform once weekly sessions for the first month, and then it is performed as needed depending on how the animal is doing. Typically, we will acupuncture the animal once every 2 weeks, then once every 3 weeks, and so on. The effects of acupuncture are cumulative, so we usually see clinical improvement between the 2nd and 3rd sessions. Some animals may be sore for 24 hours after the first session. If an animal is not improving or is too wiggly for the acupuncture needles, we can consider therapeutic laser treatment. Many animals receive both acupuncture and laser treatments concurrently. We typically place 15-20 needles per session and leave them in for approximately 20 minutes. We have 13-mm needles for small dogs and cats, and longer 25-mm needles for larger dogs. To help keep the animal calm, we will offer them frozen baby food as a treat. Usually, the animal is very relaxed by the end of the session. Once finished, we will simply remove the needles and then the patient can go home.

To summarize, acupuncture is a very safe, easy, and scientifically proven treatment modality that helps with a variety of conditions. We most commonly perform acupuncture on older, arthritic dogs. Acupuncture works by stimulating the nervous system. For our clients looking for an additional treatment option, we would be happy to further discuss acupuncture.

By Kim Vanderholm

As temperatures rise, it’s important to be aware of your dog’s hydration levels. Water is crucial for regulating body temperature and healthy food digestion. People often underestimate the amount of water their dog needs in a day. According to petMD*, dogs need to drink one ounce per pound of dog weight per day. So, a 25-pound dog needs at least 25 ounces of water in a 24-hour period.

If you suspect your dog could be dehydrated, lift up the skin on the back of the neck and see how quickly it falls back into place to test skin elasticity. If it falls into place slowly, your dog could be dehydrated. Other signs of dehydration are pale and dry gums, a dry nose, thick saliva and sunken eyes. A severely dehydrated dog will collapse and their organs will begin to slowly shut down.

Some tips to keep in mind:

• Always keep a pop-up water bowl for your dog and bottles of water in your car and on walks in case your dog gets thirsty while on the road.
• Let your dog rest frequently during walks in warm weather.
• If your dog has been sick with vomiting or diarrhea they are more prone to dehydration and their regular water intake needs to be increased. Dogs nursing a litter will need to drink more water than is usual in a day. Geriatric patients are predisposed to dehydration.
• Feed your dog nourishing wet food in addition to dry food.
• Cool down an overheated dog slowly by placing a cloth soaked in cool or lukewarm water on their chest, their pads or over their entire body and if possible use a portable fan to blow cool air on the dog. Cooling too quickly can cause the blood vessels on the skin to constrict which will slow down central body cooling.
• Offer ice cubes to your dog. Some dogs enjoy licking and playing with ice cubes rather than just drinking water out of a bowl. Your dog’s water bowl should never be empty and should be refilled multiple times per day.
• This should go without saying, but NEVER leave your dog in the car with the windows closed even for a few minutes. Luckily, states (including Colorado) are now passing laws to protect good Samaritans from prosecution when they smash car windows to rescue dogs in hot cars.

If you suspect your dog is suffering from severe hydration, see a veterinarian immediately. Treatment at a vet’s office will include an intravenous or subcutaneous drip of fluids.

*petMD, “Dehydration in Dogs”