Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies

Dogs have been known to swallow bones, toys, sticks, stones, pins, needles, wood splinters, cloth, rubber balls, rawhide, leather, string, peach pits, and other objects. With string, one end often knots up while the other gets caught in food. Tension on the string then causes it to cut through the wall of the bowel. Swallowing pennies will not usually cause an obstruction, but can lead to zinc toxicity as the metal leaches out of the coins. Batteries can also cause toxicity when swallowed.

The esophagus of the dog is larger than the outlet of his stomach. Thus, dogs may swallow objects that are too large to pass out of the stomach. Gastric foreign bodies are therefore associated with chronic gastritis and episodes of gastric outflow obstruction.

If an object makes it into the small intestine, it may pass through the entire GI tract without causing problems. Those that do cause an obstruction usually do so at the ileocecal valve or in the colon and rectum. Foreign bodies in the rectum cause anorectal obstructions. Sharp objects such as pins, splinters, and bone chips can lodge anywhere in the GI tract and obstruct or perforate the bowel, causing intestinal obstruction or peritonitis.

Unless it also causes indigestion, a swallowed foreign body will go unnoticed until it produces symptoms. Many foreign bodies can be seen on X-rays of the abdomen if they are radio-opaque. A contrast study may be needed to identify foreign bodies that are not visible on X-rays.

Treatment: Foreign bodies that produce symptoms should be removed. This usually involves abdominal surgery. Gastric foreign bodies can sometimes be removed through an endoscope.

 

 

 

 

Is my pet overweight?

What should my pet weigh?   A recent survey found 53 percent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats to be classified as overweight or obese.  The most distressing finding in this study was that more and more pet owners are unaware their pet is overweight.   Pet obesity is plainly a people problem, not a pet problem.  No animal goes to the pantry or the refrigerator and helps themselves.  We are enabling our pets to get fat!   Common weight related conditions in dogs and cats include osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems, kidney disease and shortened life expectancy by 2 - 2 1/2 years.   If your pet is overweight, talk to us.  We can help with prescription diets and healthier treat choices. Our concern is to keep your pet healthy.

Halloween Costume Contest

 

 

 

Email us a picture of your pet's favorite costume to:

 

vet@lincolntonanimalhospital.com

 

 

The winner will receive a choice of:

 

 

$50.00 credit on their account

 

or

 

Free bath with 1 dose of Vectra 3D

 

 

Submit your photo from October 1st - 24th.

 

We will post them on Facebook starting the 25th.

 

The pet with the most likes will be the winner.

 

Winner will be announced Halloween Day.

 

 

TICKS 101

Don't be left in the dark about vector borne disease.

While Lyme disease is well known, it certainly isn't the only disease that dogs or people can contract from ticks.

In addition to Lyme disease, ticks also carry ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and others.  There's simply no way for pet owners to tell if a tick is carrying disease or not and it only takes one tick bite to infect your dog.  Also, some ticks are known to carry more than one of these diseases, which can lead to multiple infections, or co infection.  What's common among all vector borne disease, however, is that symptoms can be vague and difficult to recognize.  Often many pet owners don't know their dog is suffering from a debilitating tick disease until it's too late.
Humans and other non canine family members can also become infected with the same tick borne diseases as dogs.  These cross species diseases are known as zoonotic.  So, if you live in an area with tics or if you've ever found a tick on your dog, you should also be sure to check yourself and your family.



Picnic Safety

Nothing says summer like an old fashioned barbecue.  BUT with them comes a chance of illness or injury  for your pet.

FOOD - barbecue chicken, ribs, and steaks contain bones which can splinter and lodge somewhere in the esophagus or intestines.  Corncobs and peach pits can cause problems as well.

BEES or WASPS - Their sting can be minor or send your dog or cat into shock.

CHILDREN - more children are bitten by dogs, (usually a family or known dog) during the summer months.  This is due to more activity so keep an eye out for aggressive triggers.

BARBECUES - some dogs will try to steal food from the barbecue and can suffer burns on their paws from the hot surface, or swallowing very hot food.

HEATSTROKE - the signs of heatstroke include excessive panting, dark or brights red tongue and gums, staggering, stupor, seizure, or vomiting.  If you suspect heat stroke get your dog to your veterinary hospital or an emergency hospital right away.  Dots with short noeses such as bulldogs or pugs, and heavy coated dogs are more subject to heatstroke.



Dangers of Rat Poison

When purging your home of pests, keep your pets in mind.

Most of us will agree, rats are the most repugnant of pests, expecially when they rival the size of our cats.  However, if you find yourself scrambling to stifle a rat infestation by using poison, you'll need to be extra careful with your pets.

There are a number of chemicals commonly found in rat and mouse poisons that are very toxic to dogs and cats.  One of those chemicals is bromethalin, which kills animals by poisoning the central nervous system.  Brodifacoum is another and is an anti-coagulant.  It falls in with a group of chemicals that  keep blood from clotting, leading to spontaneous and uncontrollable bleeding. 

These chemicals can be deadly for dogs and cats.  Poisoning can take place directly or indirectly, such as when your pet nibbles on a rodent killed by the poison.

If your pet is unlucky enough to ingest rat poison containing either of these chemicals, the consequences can be dire, especially if not diagnosed in time.  If you think your pet may have ingested any type of poison call your veterinary clinic at once.  If after hours, call an emergency clinic.

Prevention is simple.  While it's understandable to want to rid your home of rats and mice it's important to make sure your pet does not have access to rat poison.   If you choose to use products containing dangerous chemicals like bromethalin or brodifacoum, you will want to be diligent about discarding dead rodents and keeping your pets away from the poison.



Heartworms

Only one bite from an infected mosquito can infect your pet with heartworms.
The American Heartworm Society advises to use heartworm prevention year
round no matter where you live.

April Special

Heartworm Test     15% off
Heartworm  Prevention   10% off