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Hip Dysplasia: What is it and what can you do about it?
Hip scoring, dysplasia and osteoarthritis are terms that you may come across frequently when thinking about getting a new puppy, researching new breeds or simply wondering why your own dog is a little bit slower to get up or has an unusual hindlimb gait. Hip dysplasia is the abnormal development of the coxofemoral (hip) joints. It is a condition seen mostly in larger dog breeds, most commonly German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Labradors. However, the condition can occur in any breed and infrequently occurs in cats too. Hip Dysplasia is not immediately evident at birth. This syndrome is developmental and progresses with age. There is a significant genetic component to hip dysplasia hence the importance of hip scoring and selective breeding. There are however other influences such as environmental influences. A good example of this would be over-feeding. Over-nutrition during a puppy’s first year of life, in which rapid growth of the bones and joints occurs, is thought to contribute to the development of dysplastic hips. The pathophysiology of hip dysplasia includes multiple variables and the disease can be unilateral or bilateral and range in severity. The coxofemoral joint can be thought of as the ball (the femoral head) and the socket (the acetabulum) joint (see figure 1). Figure 1: This radiograph has been annotated to show the “ball” of the femoral head and the “socket” of the acetabulum. The primary abnormality in these dogs is poor congruency of the coxofemoral joint (figure 2), in other words the ball does not sit in place as it should. This can lead to instability and the abnormal exertion of forces on the cartilaginous linings of the joint. Figure 2: This patient has severe incongruency and laxity of the coxofemoral joints. The earliest changes noted include the erosion of the cartilage on the femoral head and acetabulum, joint effusion where fluid builds up in the joint and thickening of the ligament on the femoral head. These changes cannot be detected with X-rays, however, clinical signs might include a swaying hindlimb gait, reduced range of motion in the hip joints and reluctance to climb stairs. As the disease progresses, the body attempts to stabilise the lax joint by producing new bone around the femoral head, neck and acetabulum (figure 3). The bone underlying the damaged cartilage hardens, a process known as sclerosis. As more new bone is deposited around the joint, the femoral neck becomes thickened and the head loses its rounded shape. These degenerative changes are collectively called ‘osteoarthritis” and are the cause of pain and reduces mobility. Unfortunately, there is no method of reversing osteoarthritic changes once they have developed. Treatment options include certain surgical procedures which either remove, alter, or replace the painful, dysplastic joint, or medical therapy to reduce pain and improve mobility. Due to the heritable component, ‘hip scoring’ of higher risk breeds prior to breeding is important. This involved potential breeding animals having a set of radiographs (X-rays – PennHIP) taken by a certified veterinarian or veterinary technician where the hips are forced into both compressed and distracted positions. The radiographs are sent to the USA to measure the degree of laxity of the hips and determine if there are already signs of osteoarthritis. A numerical value called the ‘distraction index’ is then assigned to each dog. Not only does the distraction index quantitively measure the laxity in each joint, it has been shown to correlate with the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the future. This makes in an excellent test for young dogs with PennHip being able to be performed as early as 16 weeks of age. Hip Dysplasia is a debilitating disease that can significantly limit an animal’s quality of life. Ethical and responsible breeding with testing of potential parents, appropriate early nutrition and limited high intensity activity during growth are all important factors in reducing the incidence of hip dysplasia. If you are considering a new puppy, have questions about hip scoring or are worried about the hip health of your existing furry friend, consultation with your veterinarian is highly recommended.
Ectopic Ureters – Marty’s rare condition
Ectopic Ureters – Marty’s rare condition Marty, an adorable golden retriever puppy, was just 15 weeks old when he first presented to the VSA team in Sylvia Park. He presented initially to the medicine department for urinary incontinence which was occurring when Marty was awake, lying at rest and when asleep. The owners adopted Marty at 8 weeks old and first noticed signs of urine leakage approximately one week later. Marty was otherwise a bright and clinically well puppy. Further investigation was needed to determine the underlying cause of Marty’s incontinence. Marty was kept in hospital for a day as Dr Wen-Jie Yang recommended a collection of diagnostic tests that initially consisted of blood work (biochemistry and haematology panel), a urine sample for culture, urinalysis, and an abdominal ultrasound. The biochemistry renal parameters of creatinine were within normal reference range with phosphate mildly elevated. Urine culture, urinalysis and haematology were all unremarkable. Abdominal ultrasound showed that the kidneys were severely enlarged (>95mm length) with marked hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidneys). Both ureters (tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder) were severely distended (>33mm diameter) with a highly tortuous path and terminated at the cranial aspect of the prostate gland. Conclusions of the ultrasound showed that Marty had bilateral ureteral ectopia with very severe secondary hydroureter and hydronephrosis caused by ureterocoeles. A ureterocoele is simply a swelling limited to the end of the ureter as it enters the bladder and can be associated with urine refluxing backward to the kidney causing enlargement due to a build-up of urine (hydronephrosis). The ureterocoeles were likely responsible for both Marty’s incontinence and hydronephrosis. Ectopic ureters (abnormal location of the ureters) are a rare finding in dogs but are the most common congenital anomaly that causes urinary incontinence. The disease is thought to arise because of disruption in normal embryogenesis (the process of embryo development). Hydronephrosis leads to kidney damage, however, Marty’s most recent kidney parameters had improved compared to previous blood testing which was good news. While Marty was not displaying obvious pain, hydronephrosis can be a painful disease and he was sent home with gabapentin to help control any underlying pain. The severity of this condition meant that without surgery, Marty would soon succumb to end stage renal failure with a grave prognosis. It became clear from the diagnostic test results that Marty was a puppy with a big problem. Surgery was Marty’s last hope, and he was transferred to the surgical team at VSA. A CT scan of Marty’s abdomen with a negative contrast cystography (an injectable contrast dye to help visualise the bladder) was recommended to further characterise the urinary tract pathology and facilitate pre-surgical planning. This scan was performed a week later. CT scans are an excellent form of imaging as they offer a much higher level of detail compared to standard X-rays and can create a 360-degree view of the body’s internal structures. Dr Richard Jerram reviewed the CT results and discussed Marty’s significant urinary tract abnormalities and surgical options with his owners. Results confirmed bilateral extramural ectopic ureters. The extreme nature of the bilateral hydroureter and hydronephrosis was indicative of a chronic partial obstruction at the point where the ureters enter the bladder (ureteral termination) whilst the severe distension of the urinary bladder was thought to be due to compression of the bladder neck by the overlying ureters. Surgical treatment was scheduled a week later and consisted of abdominal surgery to perform neo-ureterostomy bilaterally. This procedure involves creating a new ureter opening where the distal portion of the ureters are relocated so that they enter the bladder in the correct anatomical location. Even though this surgical approach would aid in resolving Marty’s immediate problem (relieving urine build up) and hence improve renal function, Marty’s urinary incontinence was expected to continue. Further surgery may be necessary, assuming that Marty does not progress into renal failure. This would involve placement of ureteral stent devices (subcutaneous ureteral bypass device and a hydraulic urethral sphincter occlusion device) to improve the incontinence by maintaining the flow of urine from the kidneys to the bladder when the ureter becomes obstructed. Marty, being a resilient little puppy, recovered well from major urinary tract surgery. An indwelling urinary catheter was placed to assess his urine flow. He appeared to be producing good urine from the kidneys with no evidence of further renal deterioration indicating that the neo-ureterostomy sites were flowing well. Once it was clear that Marty could urinate without the need for the urinary catheter, he was discharged 3 days post-surgery with pain relief, antibiotics and strict 2 week confinement – no easy task for a energetic puppy! One month following his ectopic ureter surgery, Marty has been making excellent progress at home. He is now able to urinate with no evidence of incontinence. A repeat abdominal ultrasound evaluation was performed which confirmed functioning ureters with some renal improvement but with continued dilation of the ureters bilaterally. While Marty is not out of the clear yet, with the help of his committed owners, he still has a long road to recovery that involves repeat ultrasound exams and bloodwork to assess his ongoing renal function. Due to the severe nature of Marty’s condition, his long-term prognosis remains uncertain. The VSA team have our fingers crossed for Marty and he looks like he is heading in the right direction – go Marty!
Parvovirus Outbreak 2022
Parvovirus – what every dog owner should know We generally see an increase in cases of parvovirus over the summer months, but this year has seen an especially high number of cases. This is partly because of the weather conditions being so favourable for virus survival, but also likely due to lower than normal vaccination rates over the lockdown last year. If you are a dog or puppy owner, it is important to know about canine parvovirus, how to protect your puppy from getting it and what to do if you suspect your pet may have the virus. What is Parvovirus? Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and in many cases death. It is transmitted through exposure to contaminated faeces on the ground, on bedding, blankets and bowls, between dogs or even just on the ground. Parvovirus is a very hardy virus that can survive for years in the environment. Indirect transmission can also occur if a person who has been with an infected dog strokes or pats your dog. Parvovirus (also called Parvo) is most commonly thought of as a gastrointestinal disease, attacking the stomach and intestines, but it has an affinity for rapidly growing tissue, which is one of the reasons why it is so much more dangerous for puppies. It can also affect other organs such as the heart and nervous system. Who can catch Parvovirus? Any dog who has not been vaccinated can catch parvovirus but puppies between the ages of 6 weeks and 6 months old are at the highest risk. The vaccine is very effective in preventing disease and so it should be prioritised. Talk to your local vet about booking this in as soon as possible. Until your puppy is fully vaccinated, they are susceptible and should not be socialising out and about in public. Dogs of all ages can become infected with parvovirus and in fact older dogs, with good immune systems can shed the virus but have no symptoms. So, for the protection of your own and other dogs, it’s important that dogs of all ages are vaccinated. Symptoms of Parvovirus Parvovirus can take hold and make a puppy very sick, very quickly and so the sooner you get medical help the better. Symptoms of parvovirus include: vomiting and diarrhoea, especially with blood in it Loss of appetite Fever and lethargy Weakness Dehydration These symptoms are not specific and there are other illnesses that can cause them, but if your puppy has any of the symptoms above, call your vet. OUR EMERGENCY TEAM ARE HERE 24 HOURS A DAY, EVERY DAY. IF YOU NEED EMERGENCY OR OUT OF HOURS VETERINARY HELP CALL US ON 09 320 5645 Treating Parvovirus If your dog is diagnosed as having parvovirus, the sooner he or she can get treatment the better. If it is not treated, parvovirus will nearly always progress to a very serious illness in puppies. Getting medical help as quickly as possible can make the difference between life and death. Not all of the dogs we see with Parvo need to be hospitalised. Many are treated with daily medications and fluids and with good nursing care from their owners can do really well, especially if treatment is started early in the course of the disease. Without treatment the outlook is much bleaker especially if they have been sick for several days. What to do if you think your dog has parvovirus? Call your vet (or animal emergency service if it is out of hours) and let them know your dog’s symptoms. They will advise you on the best options for diagnosis and treatment. When you arrive at the vets, it is very important that you stay in the car with your dog and call them to let them know you are there. This is both to prevent them spreading the virus if they have it, and to prevent them being potentially exposed to it if they haven’t been. How to prevent parvovirus Prevention is the best cure and the vaccination for parvovirus is very effective at preventing the disease. If your dog or puppy is not fully vaccinated, contact your local vet today and get an appointment to get the course started. Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Share on linkedin LinkedIn
KARAKA BERRY TOXICITY FOR PETS
Did you know that Karaka Berries are highly toxic for dogs? The New Zealand native evergreen Karaka tree (Corynocarpus laevigatus) is a common sight in coastal regions, particularly in the North Island. Each year during the Summer to Autumn months it produces a fleshy orange berry which can be highly toxic to our canine companions. Karaka trees are more common than you may think and are found frequently in backyards and parks, hence being able to recognise them is essential for dog owners. The Karaka tree is a large tree than can grow up to 15 metres tall. They can be identified by their dark glossy leaves, and when in season, produce characteristic orange, olive shaped fruit. The principal toxin, commonly called Karakin (a glucose ester of 3 nitropropionic acid) is found in highest concentrations in the fruit and enclosed seeds. The pathophysiology of Karakin toxicity is complex; it causes oxidative stress, inhibits normal energy (ATP) production in the mitochondria of the cell and causes excessively high neurotransmitter levels resulting in neuron cell death. Fruit remains toxic for several months, hence toxicity can occur even after the fruiting season has ended. Karakin acts as a potent neurotoxin when ingested and can cause convulsions, spasms, hindlimb paralysis, incoordination and death. Karaka toxicity affects not only dogs; cases have also been seen in livestock, the native Kiwi bird and has even been reported in Honey Bees feeding on the trees nectar. Its critical given the highly toxic nature of these fruits that all dog owners familiarise themselves with the leaves and fruit and are able to identify any dangers of these trees on their walks. There are many tree identification resources available online, and a quick google for ‘Karaka trees’ will display a range of images that will help you to identify the potential dangers on your routes. What to do if you think your dog has eaten Karaka Berries Ingestion of any number of Karaka berries should be treated immediately by your local vet or an emergency vet; decontamination (inducing vomiting) is the most effective way to avoid toxicity. Induction of vomiting should never be attempted at home; most of the commonly suggested home remedies can have dangerous side effects and complications such as aspiration. Should your dog present with clinical signs of Karaka toxicity, which can often be delayed up to 48 hours after ingestion, decontamination is no longer an option. Treatment of clinical disease is symptomatic as there is no specific antidote for Karakin. Supportive care will generally include intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medication and anticonvulsants in case of seizures. Despite aggressive therapy, some cases may still lead to death if damage to the central nervous system is severe. Affected dogs will typically remain in hospital for several days before discharge can be considered. Awareness is our greatest preventative for this tragic toxicity. All dog owners should familiarise themselves with the Karaka’s appearance and be on the look out for fruiting trees during January to April. Chronic scavengers should be watched closely on walks and be kept on a lead around identified trees. Training dogs to wear a basket muzzle, which prevents the dog from eating, during walks may be necessary for the repeat offender. Unfortunately despite the unpleasant experience of being made to vomit after eating something they shouldn’t, most dogs never learn! You can read more about the Karaka Tree and view images on the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network Karaka Page OUR EMERGENCY TEAM ARE HERE 24 HOURS A DAY, EVERY DAY. IF YOU NEED EMERGENCY OR OUT OF HOURS VETERINARY HELP CALL US ON 09 320 5645 Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Share on linkedin LinkedIn
CHRISTMAS DANGERS FOR DOGS
Christmas is a busy time of the year – full of celebrations, indulgence and family time. Our pets are part of the family and also want to be part of the fun but it’s important to know of a few things to keep your dog away from at Christmas time. IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR DOG HAS CONSUMED A TOXIC SUBSTANCE, CALL OUR EMERGENCY TEAM ON 09 320 5645 – WE ARE OPEN 24 HOURS, EVERY DAY 1. Chocolate Chocolate contains methylxanthines. Methylxanthines are theobromine and caffeine. The caffeine and theobromine cause similar effects, with theobromine’s effects lasting much longer than caffeine. Theobromine causes vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, seizures and a racing heart rhythm which progresses to abnormal heart rhythms and heart failure. The toxicity level depends on four things which your vet is sure to ask you if you need to call them because your dog has eaten chocolate: The type of chocolate – the darker the chocolate, the more toxin it contains, therefore white chocolate and milk chocolate have lower levels of toxin compared to dark chocolate. Baking chocolate is the exception which contains surprisingly large quantities of this toxin and is the worst type of chocolate for pets. The quantity of chocolate they have consumed – The more chocolate they have eaten, the more toxin they have consumed. If you are unsure of how much chocolate was consumed, estimate the largest quantity that they could have eaten based on how much chocolate is missing. The approximate weight of your pet – The smaller the pet, the less capacity they have to tolerate the toxin and the more affected they will be. When did they consume it – If your dog has just eaten the chocolate, there is less chance that the dog’s stomach has had time to absorb the toxin and it may be possible to get the dog to vomit some of the chocolate toxin out in the your vet’s clinic. If your pet has indulged in some chocolate, it is always advisable to call your veterinarian, or an emergency vet immediately so they can calculate if your dog has consumed a toxic dose and requires immediate hospital care. IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR DOG HAS CONSUMED A TOXIC SUBSTANCE, CALL OUR EMERGENCY TEAM ON 09 320 5645 – WE ARE OPEN 24 HOURS, EVERY DAY 2. Grapes, raisins and currants Everyone loves a bit of Christmas pudding or a sneaky mince pie but unfortunately for dogs, grapes, raisins (even seedless), currants and sultanas all contain a substance that is toxic to dogs. This substance can cause sudden kidney failure. No one knows exactly what the toxin in these fruits is that makes then deadly to dogs. Symptoms of toxicity are vomiting, diarrhoea, thirst, lethargy, abdominal pain and decreased urine production, and sadly death. Kidney failure can occur within 72 hours without treatment. It is important to note that these fruits affect different dogs differently. In some dogs, they cause a deadly toxicity from eating a small quantity, whereas other dogs may eat a large amount and are unaffected. Dogs of any size or breed, male or female may be affected, therefore there is no way of predicting if your dog will be seriously affected or not. If your dog has consumed any of these fruits, it is best to call your vet to limit potential effects. 3. Onions, garlic, chives and leeks This is a lesser known toxin for dogs but these foods all contain a toxin called organosulfoxides which when eaten release reactive oxidants which are absorbed by the animal. These reactive oxidants cause oxidative hemolysis which means that the red blood cell membranes are damaged. This makes then fragile and causes them to burst. This lack of red blood cells causes symptoms that demonstrate that your dog’s body is struggling to get enough oxygen to its tissues. These symptoms include weakness, pale gums (anaemia) and tachycardia (fast heart rate). It can also cause signs of digestive upset such as vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. It is important to note that any form of these vegetable causes poisoning, so keep your dog away from all types, cooked, raw, dried, powdered, liquid or minced. 4. Alcohol Please fo not let your dog get tipsy this Christmas. Dogs are much smaller than us, so the amount of alcohol they can tolerate before becoming dangerously inebriated is much lower than the quantity humans would find dangerous. The toxin in alcohol is ethanol which is a central nervous system depressant. Specifically, it disrupts excitatory glutamate neurotransmission. Symptoms of alcohol toxicity in dogs include ataxia (incoordination), leathery, vomiting, weakness, depression, slow breathing, decreased body temperature, collapse and seizures. Just like with humans, excessive alcohol consumption in dogs can cause death. The key to all toxicities is to contact your veterinary or our emergency service if your regular vet is not open as soon as you realise the your dog has eaten something it shouldn’t have – this means even BEFORE symptoms have developed. If the toxin has been eaten recently, your vet may be able to prevent your dog from absorbing all of the toxin. Additionally, if your pet received veterinary care early they may be able to support your dogs body and help it process the toxins without such a severe and possibly permanent effect on the body. Even if you suspect the quantity of food your dog ate was low, we are always happy to provide advice over the phone to help your decision about bringing your pet to the hospital. So, that only leaves us to say, Have a wonderful Christmas! Enjoy the choccies, mince pies and a little tipple, but keep them all away from your dogs! OUR EMERGENCY TEAM ARE HERE 24 HOURS A DAY, EVERY DAY. IF YOU NEED EMERGENCY OR OUT OF HOURS VETERINARY HELP CALL US ON 09 320 5645 Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Share on linkedin LinkedIn
Auckland Police’s Newest Recruits
Happy news for Vali the Police Dog Here at VSA we are lucky enough to work with some incredible animal services throughout New Zealand, including Auckland Zoo and the NZ Police Dog Section. The hard-working police dogs and their handlers are well known to our team and so we were incredibly proud to be able to help out police dog Vali with her second pregnancy. Vali is a 3-year-old German Shepherd who works for the Auckland Police Dog Unit. She came in to see our Mount Albert team at the end of September for a pregnancy ultrasound to check for a positive pregnancy. On this visit, Dr Mike Coleman confirmed multiple viable gestational sacs, but we were unable to say how many there were. It’s tricky to do this when there are multiple sacs at the best of times, let alone when you are doing an ultrasound on a very active police dog. Vali is a very strong dog, as all police dogs are and so getting her to stay still while we tried to count the number of pups was a challenging task. Vali is a dog who knows her own mind and that meant that while on this visit we were able to confirm a pregnancy, we had to defer counting how many puppies there might be to another visit. Vali’s pregnancy continued incredibly well, and we had a second visit from her at the end of October. On this visit we took some x-rays and were able to confirm 7 puppies. You can see then numbered on the x-ray below. Shortly after this second visit, Vali took a trip down to the Dog Training Centre birthing unit and she started whelping almost immediately. By the end of the weekend of 29/30th October she had delivered 7 healthy puppies, 4 girls and 3 boys. Vali is an amazing mum. She is calm and maternal, using all her police dog training to keep her puppies in check. Female police dogs are made of tougher stuff than the males – well you would need to be to rear 7 new police dogs, wouldn’t you ?! Vali’s pups are growing up fast and they are just over 7 weeks old now. Aren’t they adorable? Meet Auckland’s newest Dog Squad!