Watch Out For Heat Stroke

When attending a veterinary technician training program, you learn about the basic functions of the canine body. Unlike humans, dogs don’t sweat to reduce their body temperature. They rely on panting (breathing quickly and deeply through their mouth) to exchange warm air inside their body for cooler air outside their body. So, when a dog is left in a hot environment for an extended period of time, they have very little ability to cool themselves down, resulting in canine heat stroke. One of the most common ways canine heat stroke occurs is when an owner leaves their dog in a vehicle that has been parked in the sun for too long.

Canine Heat Stroke Symptoms

Identifying if your dog is suffering from heat stroke is the first step to knowing if your dog requires medical attention. Canine heat stroke begins with panting that is heavier and more aggressive than usual. The dog may have trouble breathing as it enters into respiratory distress. As the internal temperature of the dog rises, the dog may go from one extreme to the other. The dog’s body may respond to high internal temperatures with vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive drooling. Making every effort to exit the vehicle, the dog may bark endlessly and whimper, calling out for help. If the dog is unable to exit the vehicle, it may reach the other extreme of canine heat stroke where it collapses, enters a coma, and ultimately reaches death.

Preventing Canine Heat Stroke

The best way to prevent canine heat stroke is to never leave your dog unattended in a hot vehicle. If it is absolutely necessary that your pet be left in the vehicle, be sure that there is sufficient air flow into and out of the vehicle. Rolling down the windows and parking in the shade can reduce the risk of canine heat stroke. As well as ensuring that your dog is left for very short periods of time. It is also important to leave water for the dog to prevent dehydration. It is never recommended to leave a brachycephalic breed in a car, regardless of shade and open windows. Learning to care for your dog is important.

Become a Veterinary Technician

If you are interested in caring and helping dogs as a profession, you may consider an occupation as a veterinary technician. You will learn more about situations like canine heat stroke and other illnesses during your training. Veterinary technician schools and online veterinary technician training programs can help you start a new and exciting career in the veterinary field!

Emergency Kits

In our world of environmental disasters, and unexpected emergencies, more and more people are buying emergency and first aid kits for their cars and homes. For example, after the 2011 Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, retailers saw a huge increase in the demand for Earthquake survival kits (source: Business News Daily). So, it's no surprise that people are including such kits for their pets. There are literally hundreds of suppliers ready to sell you a Pet Emergency Kit. So, why not make one yourself?

I was recently asked by a friend what should be included in a Pet Emergency Kit. She is involved with a dog rescue group in Mexico where she now lives with her two beautiful rescued dogs. After suffering the sad loss of a pet they were trying to rescue, she has decided to put together an emergency kit for her own home. So, it got me thinking about what I would include in it. Being a technician, there are so many things that I would include, but that cannot be used by the general public who don't have veterinary training, such as IV catheters, and endotracheal tubes. None-the-less, there are still many items that I would recommend and that can help save a pets life until veterinary staff can be reached.

So here is my detailed list,  that I feel every pet parent should have "just in case":

1. Bandage scissors
2. Gauze squares
3. Gauze wrap (aka cling wrap)
4. Telfa pads (these are bandage pads that will not stick to a wound and wick away grossness) 
5. Vet wrap (self adhering bandaging material) *CAUTION: too much tension is easily applied and may restrict blood flow, it is best unrolled first and then wrapped with light tension*
6. Large tongue depressors (can be temporarily used to help splint a leg, albeit a small leg), alternatively, 2 pieces of kindling can also be kept for the same purpose for larger pets
7. Benadryl (check with a vet on the appropriate dose for your pet; it is used in the event of allergic reactions)
8. Hydrogen peroxide +/- iodine to help with wound disinfection *CAUTION: iodine stains clothes readily
9. Surgical scrub antiseptic soap or gentle non scented dish soap
10. Sterile eye rinsing solution (not contact lens solution)
11. Nail trimmers
12. Styptic powder
13. Blanket(s)
14. 5 or 10 mL syringe(s) if available (for giving water after a pill or also for syringe feeding)
15. 1 inch medical tape 
16. Tweezers (i.e forceps)
17. Soft rope and a wood plank (to act as a stretcher if you need to carry an animal and keep it flat and from moving. Be sure to use quick release knots to tie the pet down so it doesn't roll off if it suddenly stirs)
18. Latex tubing for a tourniquet 
19. Vaseline and a thermometer 
20. Plastic or metal box to put everything in

Many of these things can be found at your local pharmacy. The pet specific items, such as nail trimmers, can be found in any vet clinic or pet supply store.

I would also recommend to pet parents to seek some first aid training for pets. Many local colleges and centers are now offering such courses and it is never a bad idea to be prepared for the unthinkable.

Do you have a pet emergency kit in your home already? Are there items that you have included that aren't on my list? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading. Until Next Time,

Mel, RVT

What Happens If I Don't Clean My Pets Teeth?

After renewing my love of dentistry, and writing two postings about it just this month ("Why Does Pet Dentistry Cost So Much?" and "Does My Pet Need a Dentistry?"), what's a third one, right? It is, after all, a subject that often gets missed and pushed aside when it comes to pets. The veterinary industry still has not been able to convince  everybody that dental care is a very important preventative health measure that needs to be taken seriously.

I'm sure most pets have been recommended a dental cleaning by their vet. I'm also sure that some people think:

"what's the worst that could happen if I don't do it? Fido will have bad breath? No biggie." 

Wrong! It is a biggie. A very big biggie. When a pet is young, their teeth are nice, clean and white. If brushing is not introduced at this young age and no tooth cleaning is done, slowly plaque builds and turns into tartar and gingivitis.

As the pet gets older, if there is still no tooth brushing or dental care done, this tartar builds more and more and rots the teeth and gums it surrounds. The gingivitis advances to periodontitis. Not to mention, your pet will have foul smelling breath. I certainly wouldn't want that licking me.

As the periodontitis  and tooth decay advances, some teeth may break off, some may fall out entirely, and others may become infected. All of these are painful. A tooth that falls out leaves behind a big hole for bacteria, food and who knows what else, to hide out and cause even more trouble. A tooth that breaks off leaves an exposed pulp (the center of the tooth) that is very sensitive to touch, different temperatures and leaves behind a root. Generally teeth that fall out or break off go unnoticed by owners, because the tooth is often swallowed by the pet. The only way to know the condition of your pets teeth is to look at them.


So, you see, your vet is recommending dental care for your pet for a good reason. To save your pet from a painful mouth and horrible breath and you from having to dish out hundreds of dollars on expensive dental procedures that could have been prevented. It only takes a couple of minutes to brush your pets teeth. Learn how today. My posting "Does My Pet Need A Dentistry?" will take you to some great videos to show you how.

Thanks for reading,

Mel, RVT

Cow Appreciation Day

July 14 is cow appreciation day! When I was in high school, I went through a cow crazy phase, where I had stuffed animal cows, cow mugs, cow calenders, cow paper, I think I may have even had a deck of cow playing cards. I was obsessed with my new favorite animal. Although, cats have taken the number one place in my list, cows still hold a very special spot in my heart (I think it's somewhere in the right atrium).

So, in honor of cow appreciation day, I'd like to share with you a few interesting facts about these wonderful creatures:

• Cattle were domesticated in the Eastern Sahara around 7000 BC
•  The largest breed of cow is the Chianina, standing around 5 ft, 5"
• The smallest breed of cow is the Vechur, standing at a tiny 33"! 
• No two cows will have the same markings, each one as unique as your fingerprints
• The average cow tongue weighs about 3lbs!
• Cows can see colors... except red 
• Cows can hear higher and lower frequencies than people

We owe a lot to cows, they provide us with milk to drink and milk to produce all kinds of other wonderful dairy foods, like ice cream and cheese.... Mmmm cheese... So, next time you see a cow, give her a little pat and say thanks for all her hard work. 

I'd like to share my favorite cow joke with you: 

Two cows are standing in a field. 

Daisy says: I was artificially inseminated this morning. 

Buttercup says: I don't believe you. 

Daisy: It's true, straight up, no bull!

Until Next Time,

Mel, RVT

Does My Pet Need A Dentistry?

While sitting around a dinner table in the middle of the Sahara desert, I was asked a pet related question that I am often asked and love to answer.

Does my older pet really need to have a dentistry? 

When asked, it's usually a question filled with doubt, as if the vet is making it up, and so many people are surprised to hear my explanation as to why their pet should have a dental cleaning from time to time, but also about the things they can do to help prevent future dental disease.

If you smell inside the mouth of a puppy or kitten what will you smell? Not much. That is because they are young and the bacteria and biofilm (called plaque) in their mouths has not had the chance to mineralize on their teeth (when that happens, it produces tartar).

Conversely, if you smell the mouth of a mature dog or cat that has not had dental care, what will you smell? A foul, rotten mouth! That is not normal pet breath and is completely preventable and reversible.

As mentioned earlier, when plaque builds up and mineralizes on the teeth, it is called tartar. Tartar is full of bacteria and will stick like super glue to the tooth and gums (called gingiva) allowing the bacteria to decompose the tooth. A decompsing tooth is painful, so if your healthy, food driven, pet isn't diving into the food bowl  with as much gusto as before, it could mean that his mouth is sore when he eats. Changing to a soft food is not the appropriate solution in the case, as it doesn't solve the problem and will only lead to multiple tooth loss or extraction. 

What also happens, is that plaque can make its way into your pets blood stream, causing an increased risk of various systemic diseases, such as heart disease. 

Now, let's take action! 

If you are fortunate enough to be in possession of a young healthy pet, you are starting with a clean slate. Start training him/her to let you brush their teeth. I love these videos because they hit all the important points: Keep It Clean (dogs) & Vet Vid (cats). Once your pet is old enough to eat an adult formula diet (usually around 6-8 months old), discuss with your veterinarian your options for a dental diet. Combining daily brushing with a dental diet will greatly reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Your pet may one day still require a dental cleaning, just like you, but it likely won't be an intensive cleaning with multiple extractions due to decay.

If you pet is already mature and the vet has recommended dental care. Go for it. It will be worth every penny in prevention. Think is costs too much? Allow me to explain exactly what  you are getting for your money here: "Why Does Pet Dentistry Cost So Much?"

Once your pet has had the dental treatment, you're starting with a clean slate and can work to keep it that way. Discuss diet options with your vet. If there were teeth removed, you'll need to make sure that your pet is able to eat a dental diet after he has healed from the procedure. Now is also the time to start training your pet to accept tooth brushing. It's not hopeless to teach an old dog (or cat) new tricks, it just may take a little more time and effort. It will be worth it though. If I can train a senior cat to accept nail trimmings, you can definitely train your cat to let you brush her teeth.


With a little effort, your pet can have a pearly white smile like yours. The best part is that you will be saving your pets teeth from decay and also the huge costs of advanced dental care (think root canals and multiple tooth extractions). Your pet will thank you.

Until Next Time,

Mel, RVT