Animals are masters at covering up their illness and injury.

They tell me it is a sign of weakness in the animal kingdom. By the time we notice something is wrong it can be too late.

Dehydration can be an indication of illness or injury and in some cases lead to death.

This simple test can provide early detection and even save lives.

1) Gently pull up on your animal’s skin on their back near the shoulders into a ‘tent’.

2) Release the skin

If the skin stays in this ‘tent’ position after you have released the skin or it is slow to return to it’s normal place then your animal may be dehydrated and you should call veterinarian as soon as possible.

If the skin returns to it’s normal place quickly this is an indication that your animal is properly hydrated.

Cats can become dehydrated quickly so perform this test on a regular basis so you know what ‘normal’ is like for your animals.

There are a lot of myths floating around out there about the cats and dogs we share our life with.

Here are a few common myths:

Dogs and cats should have a litter before they are spayed.

False.  In fact cats and dogs do not need to have a litter before being spayed. Both will live happier, healthier lives without possible uterine infections and in some cases a lower risk of mammary cancer.

Happy dogs wag their tails.

This may be true but aggressive dogs often wag their tails too.  A wagging tail can mean either agitation or excitement. A dog that wags his tail slowly and moves his entire rear end or crouches down in the classic “play bow” position is usually demonstrating a friendly wag. Tails that are wagged when held higher, tails that “twitch” or a wagging tail held over the back may be associated with aggression.

Dogs and cats will let you know when they are sick.

False, false false! The animal kingdom sees injury and illness as a sign of weakness and instinctual habits will cause most of them to hide and cover up their medical problems.  By the time we notice something is wrong an illness can be quite advanced.

Dogs and cats like tasty food.

Both dogs and cats have poor taste buds and rely mainly on their sense of smell to eat. This explains why if they are congested and can’t breathe properly that they may refuse to eat.

Indoor cats don’t need heart-worm medicine.

False again.  Indoor cats can get heart-worm disease as it is spread by mosquitoes which can easily go inside.

Recently a client named Sandra contacted me after she inadvertently poisoned her cat, Slinky by giving her Tylenol which contains Acetaminophen.  Acetaminophen is highly toxic to cats and should never be administered.

Needless to say, Sandra was riddled with guilt over Slinky’s death.

Please don’t make the same mistake Sandra made.

A quick call to the veterinarian’s office could have prevented this tragedy from occurring…

Never give your animals any over the counter medication without consulting with your veterinarian.  Below are some medications that have been known to be safe for either cats or dogs but read carefully. Some are not safe for cats.

Tylenol- NOT SAFE FOR CATS                   

SAFE FOR DOGS - Under veterinarian care only

This seemingly safe drug used in humans for headaches and fever, can actually be deadly to your cat.

Why?

Cats have an unusual metabolism in their liver. When Tylenol is eaten, it is taken by the bloodstream to the liver.  In the cat, the liver metabolizes or breaks down Tylenol into separate components which are actually toxic to the cat.  In other species these components are further broken down by the liver into non-toxic substances.

But the cat lacks the necessary enzymes to continue this breakdown process.  These end products of Tylenol breakdown are so toxic to the cat that death is the typical outcome.

Source: ASPCA,  Dr. Jon

Ibuprofen is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug).  Ibuprofen goes by several brand names, such as Advil and Motrin. 

Ibuprofen should be used only as directed by your veterinarian for dogs.

Avoid administering Ibuprofen to cats. Source: VMA, Dr Jon

Aspirin - CAN BE SAFE FOR CATS AND DOGS

Check with your vet first!

These are the most commonly used drugs today classified as NSAIDS (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and are used for pain relief, and sometimes relief of inflammation in both dogs and cats.  Once again, cats tend to metabolize (or break down) the aspirin products more slowly than dogs or humans, so dosage is usually done on an every other day basis in the cat.  As with any NSAID, stomach upset can be a commonly seen side effect, so discontinuing the drug if vomiting occurs is recommended.

Typically, your veterinarian may recommend buffered aspirin, or more effective, Ascriptin.  This form of aspirin contains Maalox, which helps to coat the stomach lining, and prevent irritation associated with aspirin products.  Long term usage of aspirin, may also result in complications with the normal clotting of blood.  Therefore, discontinuation of all aspirin products prior to any surgery is highly recommended.

Pepto Bismol - NOT SAFE FOR CATS                                     

SAFE FOR DOGS

Commonly recommended for our pets for stomach upset or diarrhea, Pepto-Bismol should only be used in the dog, as it can not be given daily to the cat.  Perhaps the one benefit of Pepto-Bismol, is that of coating the stomach, and perhaps alleviating some symptoms of nausea.  As for diarrhea, there seems to be little Pepto-Bismol can do.

Kaopectate - NOT SAFE FOR CATS

SAFE FOR DOGS

This too has been used in our pets for stomach upset or diarrhea.  Some veterinarians swear by its effect, yet to date, little has been shown to its effectiveness in clinical studies.  Recommended only for use in the dog.

Imodium AD - SAFE FOR CATS & SAFE FOR DOGS

This anti-diarrhea medication is useful in both dogs and cats.  It seems to work better with small intestinal diarrhea and is available in both tablet and liquid form.  Check with your veterinarian if your pet could take this drug, and at what dosage.

Pepcid AC- NOT SAFE FOR CATS

SAFE FOR DOGS

Is a useful drug for vomiting in the dog.  Designed as an antacid, Pepcid AC decreases the acid secretion in the stomach, thereby alleviating associated discomfort and nausea.  Check with your veterinarian if you pet could take this drug and at what dosage.
If you suspect your animal has ingested something it shouldn’t contact your veterinarian immediately and/or the Animal Poison Control Center

I receive many calls from worried clients who are concerned that their ill or elderly companion animals are in too much pain or discomfort.  For those of us who have suffered from chronic pain, we know how difficult life can be just living day to day.

Although animals handle pain much differently than you and I do they still talk about it and share their insights in a very matter-of-fact way with me.  If a thorough vet check comes up clean and you are still seeing or sensing a problem with your animal, I have provided three tips to help you determine what may be going on.  Some of their answers may surprise you and perhaps even change your outlook on managing pain with the animals in your life.  

1.  Tip #1  Watch Behavior

Animals have a much higher tolerance for pain than humans do.  By the time you see them limping or crying out, know that the pain is pretty significant.  Why is this?  The animals tell me that illness and injury are signs of weakness in the animal kingdom.  Their natural defense is to mask disease, pain or injury to keep from appearing weak.  As we all know, it is survival of the fittest in nature.  That instinct still runs very strong in our companion animals.

Most animals will be vague about their pain unless I bring up specific areas of concern.  Watch their behavior for signs of discomfort.  Changes in their eating and drinking patterns will usually be a sign that something is wrong.  Watch for other changes in behavior such as litter box misuse or not being excited about treats, toys or activities that they are normally very interested in. Listen to that inner voice, that gut feeling you have.  If you suspect something is wrong, chances are strong that there is something wrong.

Tip #2  Mirroring

The animals have told me that they take on our pain and injuries.  I have many clients who contact me out of concern for their animals only to find out the animal is taking on their pain.  Why do they do this?  Part of it is just their purpose and mission in life.  They are here to help us and support us throughout this lifetime.  Our animals love us so much they are naturally inclined to overextend their limits placing their own health in jeopardy.  Taking on our pains, they are our personal barometers. They are a good indicator of how our own bodies are either balanced and healthy or in some cases, very unbalanced.

Check your own health. Are you taking good care of yourself?  Are you being proactive with your diet and exercise?  Is your back or hip pain being reflected in your animal’s body?  Sometimes it will be exactly the same condition in you as it is in the animal.  Other times it may develop into an entirely different type of illness.  I call this a classic sign of mirroring. Is your animal taking on your emotional pain?  This type of mirroring will most likely not show up in tests results or x-rays.  Ask yourself what your emotional state of mind is.  Be honest.  Emotional stress can cause just as many problems as physical stress. 

Information obtained during a session should never be a substitute or alternative for regular veterinarian care, proper nutrition or healthy exercise. I do not diagnose illnesses or recommend treatments but I can ask where an animal feels pain, discomfort or if they are feeling better. This can be helpful to you and your veterinarian in certain situations.

During a session I can scan an animal’s energy to see what I describe as a living x-ray.  It has light and dark colors, the skeletal system, the nervous system and even the internal organs.  These body scans can be very informative about the animal’s pain and sometimes issues that don’t show up in the vet’s office will show up here. If you feel like your animal is taking on your physical or emotional pain then now is the time to act.  Get well and improve your own health.  Get counseling or therapy for emotional stress and seek medical attention for physical pain or discomfort.  The more balanced you are the more balanced your animals will be.

Tip # 3  Don’t Assume 

The animals will also share their levels of pain with me.  Sometimes they send it to my body and I’ll feel pain or discomfort in my leg, back, neck or hand.  Sometimes they will tell me about it saying, ”It’s not that bad,” or ”It’s very tolerable.”

Connecting with your animal and finding out exactly where they feel discomfort and how strong the level of pain is can help you determine the best path of treatment and recovery.  I’ve had some animals tell me, “My mom worries too much, I’m fine!” and yet others say, “Please tell them I can’t take this anymore, I can no longer continue living this way.”

Don’t assume your animal’s pain is too much for them to tolerate. Each animal is different and each situation is different.  Find out their thoughts on the matter.  Checking in with them will give you their perspective.  You will also gain peace of mind and more details so you can make a more informative decision about their future. 

Many times after a session clients will tell me that they suspected something was wrong all along and either it didn’t show up in test results or their veterinarians could not find anything physically wrong with the animal.  In most cases, their persistence and devotion to their animal’s health was pivotal with their improvement and recovery.

I encourage you to trust your own instincts when it comes to your companion animals.  You know them better than anyone else.  Listen to that inner voice or gut feeling when you think something is wrong.  Chances are good that you are right on target. Get a second opinion from another veterinarian if you are unhappy with your existing vet. Ask your family and friends for referrals in your area. Be prepared, ask a lot of questions. 

Our animals deserve the very best when it comes to their quality of life. Some will even hold on longer just to appease us, not wanting to hurt or upset us with their inevitable passing.  Let’s do the best we can each and every day.

Peace,

Karen Anderson