Tag: Pets

There’s something magical about eyes. Sleek and precise, they seem built of different stuff than the rest of our physical selves—something more deeply connected to the root of who we are. This may be true in more than the poetic sense. Embryologically, the eyes sprout directly from the same clump of cells that go on to form the brain, as if the mind itself insists on peering out from the body that it has been made to inhabit.

Perhaps this is why eye contact feels so immediate and personal—two minds literally seeing one another—and why it can be so distressing when that contact breaks down. Many people are familiar with the signs of aging in their pets’ eyes. Is it cataracts? Does it affect vision? Is blindness next? It’s normal to fear what might happen if you simply can’t see each other anymore.

We are at a disadvantage trying to assess vision in our pets. For obvious reasons, we are unable to sit animals in front of an eye chart to get an accurate read of visual acuity. And, let’s be honest, we’re not going to fit them with prescription eyeglasses even if we could. Veterinarians can tell if a pet is completely blind or not, but we often rely on observations at home to sort out the spectrum between those extremes.

Many older pets develop a benign condition called nuclear sclerosis—a hardening of the lens deep within the eye. Owners first notice a milky look to the pupils, and often worry about cataracts. But this condition is a normal part of aging and rarely causes any serious loss of vision. Unfortunately, at a glance this condition looks very similar to cataracts—your veterinarian can differentiate between the two with the aid of an ophthalmoscope.

Unlike nuclear sclerosis, cataracts are not normal. They are a disease process that clouds up the lens, interfering directly with vision. They can happen on their own or in response to underlying diseases like diabetes. In some cases, cataracts can be removed surgically, although this requires a visit to a specialist (yes, there are animal ophthalmologists, and they are fantastic). In other cases, we may simply choose to monitor them for progression. Unfortunately, there is no medical management known to treat cataracts, no matter what miracle cures you might read about.

There are other disorders that can affect vision, of course. Glaucoma, an increase of pressure within the eye, could permanently blind affected patients within a day. A mysterious condition called SARDS (sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome) can cause dogs to go blind all at once for no apparent reason. And even routine eye infections might progress to severe corneal scarring if left untreated. When it comes to eye problems, it’s best to seek veterinary attention at the first sign of trouble, rather than risking serious complications by trying to wait it out.

Some pets are sadly bound to lose their vision regardless of what steps are taken. Although it’s hard at first, I’ve always been amazed by the capacity for animals to meet that challenge with astonishing grace and cheer. It falls to us to make sure their environment is consistent so they can learn the layout and navigate with confidence, and to block off hazards such as stairwells to prevent accidents. Distinct tactile surfaces like throw rugs and carpet runners can provide non-visual cues that help pets get their bearings.

It’s also up to us to communicate with our pets in new ways if eye contact is no longer an option. If you’re anything like me, you already spend a decent amount of time talking and singing to your pets (is that weird?), so it shouldn’t be hard to do that a little more. And never underestimate the power of touch. A guiding hand or a warm hug go a long way toward letting pets know they are safe and secure, even in the dark.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small-animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.

Another year, another Internet controversy. Although it hasn’t reached the fever pitch of last year’s ambiguously colored dress, I understand that people are now very concerned about whether a dog’s pants should cover all four legs or just the hind two.

There isn’t much sense to the question, of course. It’s hard to imagine any good reason for any dog to wear pants regardless of how many legs they’ll cover. Now that’s not to say that dogs should never wear clothes. Sure, it’s easy to snicker at your neighbor’s lapdog adorned with pointless pink frills, but sometimes dogs need to brave elements they simply weren’t bred to endure, and a garment or two may put function squarely above fashion.

Although there’s been a delay, winter is finally getting around to being cold. Big arctic breeds such as huskies and samoyeds have little need for concern. But if your skinny whippet steps out for longer than necessary to check the mail, you’ll likely find him shivering in a hurry. Not only do smaller and lighter-framed dogs lose body heat quickly, but dogs with short or sparse fur (whether by their nature or because of illness) can struggle when temperatures fall. And puppies or elderly dogs are inherently more vulnerable. A pet coat is an entirely practical way to keep them warm.

Winter weather can also be a particular challenge for dogs’ feet. Not only are they in direct contact with cold surfaces, but they have to deal with snow, ice and whatever humans have sprinkled on the ground to melt it. Pads become chapped and cracked, and can take a long time to heal. Dogs with longer fur often get painful balls of ice jammed up between their toes, and road salt (even the “pet-safe” kinds) can be terribly caustic. There’s nothing wrong with fitting your dog with a good set of boots to help keep their feet protected. It’s still wise, however, to clean and dry their feet once the boots come off at home.

Regardless of how you might decide to outfit them, no dog is completely impervious to severe cold. Extremities such as ears and tails are vulnerable to frostbite even in the most densely insulated breeds. And if there’s precipitation in the air, wet fur will quickly lose its ability to provide warmth. No dog should ever be left in the cold unattended or without appropriate shelter, and if you start to see your dog shivering or slowing down during an extended winter walk, it’s time to get back inside to warm up again.

Dog clothes can serve a perfectly valid purpose under the right circumstances, and don’t have to be embarrassing. Except for those pants. Those are plainly absurd. But for the record, anybody with any sense can see that dog pants would only cover the hind legs.

By now, most pet owners are well aware that chocolate can be toxic to dogs and cats. The fact has a memorable pub quiz flair to it—a simple nugget of knowledge that is simultaneously fascinating, bizarre and useful. And the publicity has no doubt saved the lives of many thousands of household pets. But when it comes to the unexpected toxicity of a seemingly innocent household staple, there’s a heavier hitter in town these days. With all due respect to chocolate, perhaps it’s time to start worrying more about peanut butter.

I should back up a bit. There’s nothing inherently wrong with peanut butter (apart, perhaps, from its astonishing calorie density). And the odds are good that the peanut butter in your own home is perfectly safe to give to a dog. But you’ll want to check the label, because those odds are a bit lower than they used to be.

The threat comes from a sugar substitute called xylitol, a naturally existing sugar alcohol that offers the same sweetness as table sugar but with a fraction of the calories and a bonus layer of protection against dental cavities. This has made it a common ingredient in chewing gum over the past decade or so. You can even buy bags of the stuff in health food stores to use in sugar-free baking. And in the last few months, it has started to quietly appear in a few niche brands of peanut butter.

While xylitol is perfectly safe for human consumption, it is terribly toxic to dogs. It fools their pancreas into releasing a dangerous surge of insulin. This causes their blood sugar to bottom out, potentially resulting in seizures, coma or death. Adding insult to injury, dogs who survive the initial crisis can find themselves contending with liver failure. In truth, xylitol is far more toxic than chocolate, but far fewer people know about it.

Xylitol caused enough trouble when it was only in chewing gum, resulting in the occasional emergency when a dog was found rummaging through a coat pocket. But those are accidents. Peanut butter is a different story entirely. People give it to dogs on purpose, smearing it inside rubber toys to keep dogs busy or even baking it into homemade treats. And, until recently, there was absolutely nothing wrong with that.

To be clear, the vast majority of peanut butters do not contain xylitol and are safe for canine consumption. It is a small number of less-common brands (including Nuts ’n More, Krush Nutrition and P28 Foods) that are of concern. Unfortunately for consumers, the labeling can be subtle. While manufacturers are quite happy to trumpet “naturally sweetened” across the front of the jar, they are less eager to append “with something that might kill your dog.” If the ingredient list contains xylitol, or if it makes a less- specific reference to “sugar alcohol,” it’s best to just leave it on the shelf.

These products entered the market without any particular fanfare, and I worry that this is the start of something bigger—that xylitol is going to gain traction in other sugar-free products as well. If the current situation is any indication, the onus will fall entirely on pet owners to make sure that they are not unwittingly putting their dogs in danger. Buyer beware, indeed.

Dr. Mike Fietz is a small-animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.