Category: Health

Homeopathy has very effective remedies for canine bronchitis, a disease characterised by inflammation in the bronchi and bronchioles, the parts of the lungs through which oxygen-rich air travels, says
Dr. Tushar Gupta, B.H.M.S.

The highest ideal of cure is the rapid, gentle, and permanent restoration of health…in the shortest, most reliable and most harmless way.” _ Samuel Hahnemann, M.D. (1755-1843), founder of Homeopathy Bronchitis in dogs is a common illness that affects the upper airways and causes coughing. To understand the disease, it’s first important to know about the basic anatomy that’s involved. Air enters the body through the mouth or nose and flows through the trachea, also known as the windpipe. The air then travels into smaller air passages called bronchi before reaching the smaller bronchioles and, finally, the tiny alveoli, where oxygen enters the bloodstream.

What Is Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a disease characterised by inflammation in the bronchi and bronchioles — the parts of the lungs through which oxygen-rich air travels. The inflammation of the epithelium of bronchi and bronchioles is known as bronchitis. The inflammation extends to various depths of the mucosa of the bronchial tubes. Inflammation of the trachea and bronchi leads to a condition known as trachea-bronchitis. It may extend to lung parenchyma causing a condition known as broncho-pneumonia.

Types of Bronchitis

1. Acute bronchitis

2. Chronic bronchitis

A cough that is present most days for a minimum of two months without signs of other underlying conditions that may cause cough is described as Canine Chronic Bronchitis.

Predisposing factors

1. Inhalation of irritants e.g., dirt, dust, gases, toxic
2. fumes, chemicals, smoke etc.
3. Sudden changes in environmental temperature
4. Exposure to cold and damp weather
5. Keeping the pet in a poor ventilated house
6. Too much washing of pets with cold water

Exciting factors

1. Bacteria like B. bronchiseptica, Streptococcus,
2. Staphylococcus, Klebsiella
3. Virus like influenza, canine distemper,
4. canine adenovirus
5. Parasites like migration of Ascaris larva

Clinical Findings

1. Productive dry, harsh cough
2. Cough is spasmodic in nature and noticed
3. predominantly in the morning hours.
4. Expectoration of a large volume of mucus
5. and coughing.
6. Elevation of body temperature.
7. Increased Respiratory rate.
8. Mucoid, mucopurulent, or purulent nasal discharge.
9. In a severe attack, dyspnoea and mouth breathing.
10. In chronic cases, plenty of rhonchi and crepitation all over the chest.

Environmental Modifications and Supportive

Treatment

1. Prevent bronchitis coughing in dogs by avoiding
2. environmental triggers and allergens.
3. Avoid smoking around the dog
4. Avoid spraying perfumes, scented products, or aerosols
5. Ensure that the dog has a well-ventilated environment when possible
6. Humidifiers, air purifiers, or diffusers might help

Obesity can worsen symptoms and exacerbate breathing difficulties in pets, so keep them at a healthy weight. Exercise is necessary to help mobilise secretions and clear airways. However, do not overexert the pet as it may trigger a coughing episode.

Homeopathic Treatment

Homeopathic medicines provide symptom-based holistic coverage for the treatment of bronchitis in pets.

Homeopathy has very effective remedies for bronchitis where the inflammation of the mucosa of the bronchi and bronchioles is reduced significantly, improving the signs and symptoms of the pet. These medicines are gentle on the system of the animal and are free of the usual side effects of strong allopathic medicines.

Homeopathic medicines also help in checking the overproduction or secretion of mucus by stabilising the activity of mucus-secreting cells.

Also, in the case of chronic bronchitis, homeopathic medicines help in reducing the oedema of the bronchial mucosa, reducing the secretion of mucus, and reducing the bronchial muscle spasm.

A case of Canine Chronic bronchitis managed with the holistic Homoeopathic line of treatment: Loki, 9 y/o Beagle, was examined for recurring symptoms of spasmodic, harsh and productive cough with increased mucus production. The dog had similar episodes of intermittent respiratory symptoms for the last one year and had gradually become lethargic and unwell. A detailed case history including history, signs, and symptoms was taken from the pet parent to formulate the holistic homeopathic line of treatment. The case was analysed utilising the latest homeopathic software and the line of treatment was formulated to cover a two-pronged approach. One was to provide symptombased relief for the acute symptoms and a long-term plan was prepared to include medicines known to reduce inflammation of bronchial mucosa and reduce mucus formation to delay the progression of chronic disease. Medicines used in this case: Bryonia alba, Arsenic album, Kali Mur, Drosera, Blatta orientalism (medicines were used based on symptom totality as and when needed, in regular/infrequent doses)

Symptomatic relief for the acute respiratory symptoms was observed in the first few days of treatment. The pet parent confirmed the reduction of cough and mucus with ease of breathing. Long-term homeopathic treatment was continued for Loki to control the clinical symptoms of chronic bronchitis and slow down the progressive lung damage. As a result, Loki is able to live a normal and better quality of life with reduced frequency and intensity of clinical symptoms.

As always, let us build a symbiotic relationship as a pet parent and caretaker to collaboratively spread the goodness and benefits of homeopathy amongst our pets.

It’s pretty adorable when my lil’ buddy tilts his head to the side and looks up at me with those puppy dog eyes. But lately I’ve noticed that he persists with head-tilting and also keeps shaking his head. He also rubs his ear against hard objects. Could it be a sign that my pup is suffering from a dog ear infection?
– Prerna Gauri, Gandhinagar

Among the most common signs of dog ear infections are whining, shaking the head, and pawing at the ears. After all, those ears hurt and your dog is trying to stop the pain. As you inspect the ears, however, you may find they smell or have a discharge. That’s common with ear infections. As a proud pet parent to a lovable pooch, you should be prepared to one day help your canine companion fight off an ear infection. Why? For one thing, your pal’s ear canal is mostly vertical unlike yours, which is mostly horizontal. This vertical orientation makes it easier for dirt, debris, and moisture to get trapped inside the ear and lead to infection. There are a lot of reasons why dogs get ear infections, which are one of the most common health problems dogs faces. The medical term for an ear infection is otitis, or an inflammation of the ear. Your doggie could get one of three types, depending on
what part of their ear is affected?

1. Otitis Externa develops when the outer ear canal becomes inflamed
2. Otitis Media refers to inflammation of the middle ear
3. Otitis Interna is a serious condition affecting the inner ear that can lead to permanent damage

Otitis Externa is the most common, but it’s important that you always take your pup to the veterinarian if you suspect an ear infection, even if their symptoms are mild. Ear infections can spread deeper into the ear canal, causing nerve damage, equilibrium issues, and hearing loss.

There are a lot of factors that can contribute to your pooch developing an ear infection. Some common ones include excess hair in the ear canal, earwax build-up, or too much moisture. However, these factors are only contributors.

Ear conditions are very unlikely to clear up on their own and the longer it remains untreated the harder it is to clear up the problem. It’s true that some breeds of dogs – ones with long dangly ears such as Springer Spaniels – are more prone to ear problems than others. Dogs which spend a lot of time in water may also suffer from regular ear problems, as well as dogs with allergies. If your dog is the kind of breed that is susceptible to ear problems or has long ears, make it a part of your grooming routine to check their ears regularly. Keep the ears clean and if you spot a problem contact your vet to see if they think further investigation is needed.

Why is my dog so clingy? How can I get him to leave my side and be more independent? I can’t take a shower, or sit on the couch with a loved one without my pooch demanding attention and following my every move.
– Ritika Chopra, Noida

You may have what’s called a “Velcro dog.” Let’s find out what this means and whether you should be worried about your dog’s clingy behaviour. Although clingy dog behaviour can be endearing, it can also be frustrating, especially when your dog just won’t leave you alone—even for a minute! There are some strategies that you can try to help your dog detach from you and build self-confidence. Showing your dog that other humans are just as nice as you will help them detach from you. Let your dog bond with other people in your home by having another person feed, play with, train, or walk your dog. If you live alone, you can still have friends come over and interact with your dog. Velcro dogs want to keep an eye on you everywhere you go, so it’s important to show your dog that the world won’t end if you’re out of their sight. You can do this by setting boundaries. For example, shutting the door when you use the bathroom or go to another room, and then come back within a few minutes. This training may take a while, but your dog will learn that just because they can’t see you doesn’t mean you’ve abandoned them. Anxious dogs will do anything from whining, to inappropriate elimination in the house to get your attention. A way to correct this is to not reward your dog for needy behaviors. For example, if you leave a room, and your dog starts to cry, don’t reward the behavior by consoling him. Rewarding negative behaviors will only enforce attention-seeking behaviors. It’s OK if you don’t talk to your dog all the time, or constantly give him attention and cuddling. You can teach your dog to occupy himself while you’re at home by encouraging independent activities like offering chew toys or doggy puzzles. This way, your dog can learn to entertain himself with these same activities while you’re gone. If you have a “Velcro dog,” they may know what getting your briefcase, or jingling your car keys means, and this can cause anxiety. Helping to desensitise your dog to these actions can make leaving your home less stressful for both you and your dog. You can help relieve your dog’s anxiety by not making leaving a big deal, and to practice those rituals often without leaving. For example, grab your car keys, put on your coat and grab your bag several times each day without leaving. Soon your dog will eventually learn to stop associating these tasks with you leaving. If you have done everything under the sun to try to get your dog from following you everywhere, and experiencing anxiety if you leave the home, call a behaviorist. Veterinarians specializing in animal behavior can give you tools and counseling to help you and your “Velcro dog.”

When people are in pain, it’s pretty hard to miss most of the time. We complain about our aching back. We yell out because we’ve stepped on something pointy. We limp because it hurts to put pressure on a leg. But how do I tell if my dog is in pain? _ Prarthana Kaushik, Pune

If you’ve ever stepped on your pet’s foot by accident, or taken them to the vet so their doctor can inject them with medication, you might have heard them cry out or try to get away quickly. This obviously means they have the same pain receptors that we have. Just like humans, some dogs have a higher pain tolerance, which means that they’re more stoic. It doesn’t mean that if somebody hits them it doesn’t hurt. They just push through it. Dogs feel pain the same way we do, but they don’t always show it in the same way. A dog’s pain can become evident through physical symptoms, behavioural changes and/or mobility issues. These might be subtle, so stay vigilant and never be afraid to ask your vet about anything that might signal that your dog is in pain. If your dog never seems to show indications of pain, it’s not that he doesn’t feel it, it’s that he’s opting not to make his discomfort obvious to others. This behaviour is an innate relic from their forefathers. If a wild canine makes it clear that he feels weak, he becomes an easy target for fights and predators. If he behaves tough and healthy, he is no more a focus than anyone else, and therefore might be able to stay out of physical confrontations. Although dogs often try to keep their pain confidential, it sometimes becomes too much to bear. If your poor pooch is suffering, you might pick up on a host of signs. Signs Your Dog Feels Pain: Since there are many different injuries that can happen to a pup, there are going to be plenty of different signs to look out for. With this, there may be some signs that are not always there. In general, the following signs are the ones to look out for the most. These include crying, moaning, hesitation with regard to movement, antsy behaviour, widened pupils, frequent panting, decreased grooming, crouching down, shivering, atypically fierce behaviour, dull coat, aversion to physical contact, unusually silent or antisocial behaviour, hiding, inordinate chewing or biting of body parts, hobbling, excessive sleeping, bodily rigidness, loss of appetite and pressed down ears. If your pet’s temperament just seems off in general, pain might be the culprit. Take your cutie to the veterinarian as soon as you notice a single sign of pain. If his pain is outwardly apparent, it might mean that he’s been dealing with it for a while. When your pupper is dealing with pain, it is your job to know how to handle it, which means you will need to train yourself on how to best help your pup and then train them on how to know you are helping. Firstly, after you have had your four-legged friend for a while, you will more than likely pick up on their different personality traits and even understand how they are feeling most of the time. If they are acting strange or your head is telling you that there is something wrong, you should probably listen to it. When you are checking out your pup, you will want to make sure they know you are helping them out. This is where the training comes in. You will want to train your dog to let you check on their different body parts. You can do this by using repetition and treats as positive reinforcement. What this will do is let them know it is a good and safe thing to allow you to check their body out for any harm. This will also make sure that they become used to you doing this type of thing. That way, in case of an emergency, they will not have any issue with you checking their body. With that being said, as long as your dog is given a stress-free and happy environment, your dog will feel safe coming to you when they are in pain. This does not mean, however, that you should not be as gentle as possible. Until you know where the injury is located and the extent of the damage, be extra-careful as you check over each body part.

Why do dogs smell the way they do, plus how to get rid of dog smell in the house?
_ Anuradha Mittal, New Delhi

The infamous ‘doggie smell’ can be unpleasant for your family and embarrassing when you have visitors. Here are some practical tips for reducing or eliminating those nasty odours. While us owners can become accustomed to dog smells, the same isn’t true for visitors. Bad smells can also be a sign of an unclean house, which could

expose your family or dog to harmful bacteria. Regular cleaning is essential if you want to keep bad odours away. It’s not just the frequency of cleaning that makes the difference though – it’s also where and how you clean. The good news is that there are plenty of simple tips you can use to get rid of dog smells. Here are some of our favourites to keep your house smelling as fresh and odour-free as possible. A lingering doggie smell can either come from the dog themselves, or from odors embedded into soft furnishings and flooring. In many cases, it’ll be a combination of the two. All dogs have a natural odour that’s secreted from glands across their body. The bulk of these are in paws, around the anus, and in footpads. Some dogs have stronger odors than others though.

These include:

Breeds with oily coats. Oily coats often have a stronger scent. Coats with water-resistant properties, like those found on a Labrador Retriever, are prime examples.

Breeds that drool more than others. Dogs that are prone to excessive drooling can be smellier, particularly around their mouth, neck and chest.

Dogs with health conditions. Some health conditions, like allergies or skin infections, can cause your dog to be more smelly than normal. It’s important to seek veterinary advice if you notice any changes to your dog’s skin, behaviour, or odours.

Dogs who are dirt magnets. Dogs who love outdoor adventures, swimming, or rolling in smelly things are all likely to be whiffler.

While it’s often easy to notice when your dog smells bad, odours can also become embedded in soft furnishings and flooring around the house. This is due to drool, hair, dander, coat oils and saliva becoming absorbed into fabrics and crevices. These odours are often more difficult to pinpoint and remove. Over time, they start to

permeate the home, which is why doggie smells can remain even after bathing your dog. Of course, if you have a puppy, elderly dog, or a pet who isn’t house trained, indoor accidents are also a major source of bad odours. Urine can be tricky to remove, and if you don’t tackle the clean-up thoroughly, overpowering smells can begin to emanate from those spots. These smells also encourage your dog to return to the same spot.

Air Out Your Home

It’s amazing how much of a difference simply opening the windows in your home can make to the odours inside. This is especially true if you live in a house with lots of family members, poor ventilation, or in a humid climate. Opening the windows in more than one room will help to circulate the air more effectively. Admittedly, this isn’t going to be a magic cure. For deeply embedded odors, you’ll need to take more proactive measures. But, when the weather is mild enough, this can be enough to give the house a pleasant freshen up.

Wash Dog Bedding Regularly

A dog’s bed is often the strongest source of doggie odours. This isn’t surprising, as beds are constantly exposed to hair, dander, oils and even urine. When combined with a damp post-walk dog, beds become the perfect environment for bacteria and mould. For this reason, it’s a good idea to wash your dog’s bed at least once every two weeks. If your dog sheds a lot, goes on muddy walks, or is highly active, then you may want to wash the bed

weekly. Soft beds tend to absorb odours faster than other types. Many have foam mattresses which can’t easily be cleaned, so it’s vital that these are protected. Look for soft beds with durable and waterproof covers that can be machine-washed, as this makes it easier to keep the bed clean.

Clean Your Dog’s Toys

A 2011 study found that pet toys are among the top 10 dirtiest things in the average household. Saliva, food and general muck can build up on toys over time. As well as being a reservoir for pungent odors, the resulting bacteria can be a health hazard. Getting into a habit of cleaning toys each week is recommended. Hard toys can be cleaned with hot soapy water or a white distilled vinegar solution, before being thoroughly rinsed. Soft toys

can usually be machine washed, and you can add a little baking soda to absorb stinky odours.

Vacuum Carpets

If you have carpets or rugs in your home, vacuuming at least twice a week will help to keep odors at bay. Dust, dirt, dander and dog hairs get caught in carpet fibres, making them start to smell much more quickly than hard floors or tiles. Don’t forget to vacuum sofas, carpeted stairs, curtains and other soft furnishings. Any fabric in the home can harbour doggie smells, although the worst offenders are those your pet has direct contact with. If you have a patch of carpet with a noticeable smell, then vacuuming isn’t going to remove the odor. Instead, you can use baking soda to neutralise the odour.

Buy an Air Purifier

Air purifiers are designed to remove dust, bacteria and other particles from the air. They can be effective for helping tackle doggy odours too.

WSAVA nutrition course supports veterinary professionals in creating feeding and monitoring plans

A four-module online nutrition course initiated by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s Continuing Education Committee (CEC) has been launched. Available free of charge to WSAVA members on the WSAVA Academy, the course aims to increase veterinary understanding of the value of nutritional assessments. It also supports veterinary professionals in creating feeding and monitoring plans and in advising clients as to the importance of appropriate nutrition for their dog or cat. While it is aimed at veterinarians, vet techs and nurses and veterinary students, the WSAVA says that individuals with a professional interest in pet food selection criteria and in body conditioning scoring, such as breeders and those working in shelters, will also find the content useful.

The course modules feature narrated and interactive e-learning, with videos, downloadable resources, multiple choice questions and drag and drop activities to help learners test their knowledge. They are currently available in English, Spanish, Russian and Mandarin Chinese and RACE accreditation is underway. The course has been generously supported by WSAVA Diamond Partner, the Purina Institute.

The course has been developed by the WSAVA’s Global Nutrition Committee (GNC), which offers a range of educational resources and tools for veterinary teams in its Global Nutrition Toolkit. The GNC promotes the importance of performing a nutritional assessment on every animal at every visit and advocates the inclusion of nutrition as a component of all veterinary and veterinary nurse/technician curricula. The GNC is supported by the Purina Institute, Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Royal Canin.

Commenting, WSAVA CEC Chair, Dr Jane Armstrong said: “The CEC is delighted to see the GNC’s Global Nutrition Guidelines brought to life in such a user-friendly form. This course is a valuable addition to the online offerings available on the WSAVA Academy. Thanks to the generosity of our Diamond Partner, the Purina Institute, we are pleased that the important foundational nutritional information it contains is freely available to all WSAVA members. As the International Veterinary Students Association is an affiliate member of WSAVA, veterinary students around the world will also enjoy free access to the modules, which is particularly great news.”

GNC Co-Chair Dr Marge Chandler said: “The modules were designed as an engaging and practical way for the practice team to incorporate nutritional assessments into everyday practice around the world, thus bringing added value to their patients and clients.”

Dr Natalia Wagemans, Head of the Purina Institute, said: “The Purina Institute and the WSAVA have a common goal to advance the science of nutrition to help pets live better, longer lives. We are proud to support this WSAVA course.”

It’s often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause, but severe cases can lead to dehydration, organ damage, diabetes, insufficient enzyme production, and even death of pets
TEXT: Yung-Tsun Lo, D.V.M., Ph.D, Bioguard Corporation

The pancreas is a gland within the abdomen located along the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. It has many functions, including the production and secretion of digestive enzymes (exocrine) and the production of insulin (endocrine). Digestive enzymes are important for breaking down dietary fats, proteins, and carbohydrates, while insulin aids in the control of the metabolism and blood-sugar levels.

What is pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory reaction of the pancreas that can make pets extremely ill. Normally, pancreatic enzymes are produced in an inactive state and travel through the pancreatic duct to the intestine. Once they reach the small intestine, they are activated to begin digestion. During inflammation of the pancreas, these enzymes are activated prematurely in the pancreas and cause pain and swelling as the pancreas actually begins to digest itself. Pancreatitis can lead to dehydration, organ damage, diabetes, insufficient enzyme production, and even death of pets.

Are there different types of pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis may be acute or chronic. Acute pancreatitis occurs suddenly, with no previous appearance of the condition before. It can become life threatening if the inflammation spreads to other organs. Chronic pancreatitis happens when inflammation in the pancreas persists over a longer period of time. This condition can result from recurrent acute pancreatitis. These two forms of pancreatitis may be clinically indistinguishable, although clinical signs in acute pancreatitis are usually more severe than those in chronic pancreatitis.

What causes pancreatitis?

The cause of pancreatitis is usually unknown, but some factors have been associated with pancreatitis:

• High fat diets /Obesity /Cancer
• Inflammation of the liver, stomach, or small intestine
• Hyperlipidemia
• High blood calcium levels
• Endocrine disease (diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism)
• Certain medications or other toxins
• Obstruction of the pancreatic outflow tract
• May develop after abdominal trauma or surgery
• Most common in middle-aged to older dogs
• Breed (miniature schnauzers, poodles, cocker spaniels, and yorkshire terriers)

What are the clinical signs of pancreatitis?

The most common clinical signs include:

• Weakness
• Vomit
• Fever
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite

How is pancreatitis diagnosed?

Pancreatitis is usually suspected based on a dog’s clinical signs and history, but a more definitive diagnosis is achieved through blood tests and abdominal ultrasound. Diagnostics that may be recommended include:

• Physical exam
• History
• Radiographs: While these images usually cannot establish the diagnosis of pancreatitis, they may be required to rule out other diseases.
• Routine blood tests and biochemical profile: They are helpful in ruling out other diseases.
•  Specialized test
• Canine pancreas-specific lipase test (cPL): The cPL test is a highly accurate test in diagnosing pancreatitis, but the presence of an abnormal cPL test does not definitely rule in pancreatitis as the sole cause of the clinical signs.
• An abdominal ultrasound to confirm inflammation of the pancreas.

Consequently, the diagnosis of pancreatitis may be tentative or presumptive in some cases and based solely on clinical signs and medical history.

How is pancreatitis treated?

The successful management of pancreatitis will depend on early diagnosis and prompt medical therapy. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove cysts, abscesses, tumors, or dead tissue from the pancreas or to unblock a bile duct. Any or all of the following treatment may be prescribed:

• Supportive therapy in very mild cases
• Hospitalisation at the veterinary clinic and in more severe cases 24-hour intensive care and monitoring
• Intravenous fluid therapy to correct hydration, electrolytes and acid-base disturbances
• Anti-vomiting, anti-diarrhoea drugs for recovery
• Pain medication for abdominal pain
• Antibiotics for concurrent infection
• Anti-inflammatory medication, such as steroids for severe cases when dogs are in shock
• A low-fat diet during recovery to decrease the chance of recurrence.

What is the prognosis of pancreatitis?

The prognosis depends on the severity of the disease, the degree of pancreatic tissue damage, the duration of illness, and the presence of concurrent disease when diagnosed. Dogs that present with shock and depression have a very guarded prognosis. Most of the mild forms of pancreatitis have a good prognosis with aggressive treatment. Ultimately, the earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better the outcome.

How can pancreatitis in dogs be avoided?

Sometimes dogs develop pancreatitis and we just don’t know why, but the following steps will help reduce the risk of dogs developing pancreatitis, including:

• Avoid high-fat diets.
• Avoid giving your dog table scraps, or other fatty foods.
• Don’t let your dog become overweight.
• Don’t let your dog have access to garbage. If your dog exhibits any signs that are consistent with pancreatitis, call your veterinarian immediately. They are your best resource to ensure the health and well-being of your pets.