Animal Airwaves

Most dogs love to eat. But what should you do if your pooch is absolutely obsessed with food?

If your buddy can’t ever seem to get enough to eat, there could be lots of reasons why. So, start by scheduling a visit with your veterinarian. Diabetes, Cushing’s disease and cancer are just three conditions that can increase a dog’s appetite. If your pooch gets a clean bill of health, ask your veterinarian how to calm your dog’s cravings.

Consider trying a food that’s higher in fiber. Offering veggies might help too — both in meals and as treats. Feeding multiple smaller meals each day may do the trick. Also, think about using your dog’s penchant for treats to help with training — like finding activities to distract from the cravings.

In parts of the U.S., summer brings reports of anthrax in cattle. It hits rapidly, killing cattle without warning. That’s why some ranchers vaccinate their herds.

Anthrax is caused by bacteria that can lie dormant in the soil for many years before being reactivated and causing infections. Anthrax vaccine is inexpensive and effective, but it must be used with caution to prevent exposure to humans.

Anthrax is a reportable disease because it has serious health ramifications — both for people and animals. In areas where anthrax persists year after year, annual vaccination of cattle is generally recommended. Even so, consultation with a veterinarian is advised before vaccinating any animals.

Cats are always safest indoors. But if your feline friend likes to roam in warm weather, here are some hazards to keep in mind.

Traffic accidents and animal bites can happen at any time but are most common in summer when people and animals are out and about. Excessive heat can cause dehydration, so make sure fresh water is always available. That should keep your cat away from algae-contaminated water, which is often fatal.

Many cats like to sunbathe, but some burn easily and can benefit from cat-friendly sunscreens. Insect stings, snake bites, contact with toxic toads and lilies are all dangerous, too.

Protecting against fleas and ticks is also important — but don’t use preventatives containing permethrin. It’s toxic to cats.

A cat’s paws do more than cushion their gait and help them stick their landings. They provide a window into their overall health.

Some cats develop a condition called plasma cell pododermatitis, also known as “pillow foot.” Plasma cells are immune cells that normally pump out antibodies to fight infections. But in pillow foot, many of these cells invade soft tissues of the paw, causing swelling and even open sores. It can leave cats in great pain, less active and often lame. Some develop fevers and lose their appetite.

This is when keen veterinary diagnostic skills are called for, since other conditions can look similar. Once diagnosed, a veterinarian can formulate an individual treatment plan.

Feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV, is akin to HIV in people. It weakens a cat’s immune system, increasing the risk of infections and certain cancers. So, is it possible for FIV-positive cats to live good lives?

The odds are better than you might think — if a cat’s care centers around optimizing health and catching medical issues quickly. That means keeping FIV-positive cats indoors where they’re less apt to catch infections. Top-line nutrition helps, which means avoiding raw foods that can carry germs. Frequent checkups are key — every 4 to 6 months is recommended.

There’s no guarantee that FIV-positive cats won’t develop fatal problems, but with excellent care, they have a good chance of living long, happy lives.

Aquatic animals are fascinating, and many opportunities exist for training in a variety of disciplines relating to aquatic animal health. Veterinary students at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine who hope for careers in the field can tailor their curriculum by pursuing a certificate in aquatic animal health; others, including graduate students and other professionals can hone their knowledge in areas such as aquatic animal care and conservation. On this show, Dr. Iske Larkin, director of UF’s Aquatic Animal Health program, will discuss the variety of training opportunities available to those who aspire to work with the intriguing creatures that inhabit our oceans and aquariums.

If your pet has breathing challenges, summer can be a particularly tough time. In fact, you might not even notice issues until the weather gets warm.

Respiratory problems can present in many ways, often involving panting, snorting or raspy breathing and coughing. Dogs might exhibit open-mouth breathing — which can be normal in warm weather — but it’s a much more serious sign in cats, requiring immediate veterinary attention.

Abnormal signs may point to a primary respiratory problem, but they might be symptomatic of problems in other body systems. That’s why it’s important to schedule a veterinary visit as soon as possible, so that examination and diagnostic tests can zero in on the source. In the meantime, keep your pet cool and cut back on exercise.

Summer may seem carefree, but it’s no time for pooch parents to let down their guard. That’s when dogs are most at risk of so-called blue-green algae poisoning.

The culprit is actually a toxin-producing cyanobacteria [sigh-an-oh-back-TEAR-ee-ah] that can be found in ponds, lakes and slow-moving rivers. Exposure to the most serious of these toxins can cause liver or neurologic damage and since there’s no antidote, cyanobacterial toxicity can rapidly be fatal. If a poisoned dog makes it to a veterinary clinic, her survival depends on intensive care.

Tell-tale blue-green algal blooms develop in stagnant water, especially during warm dry periods. If you think your dog has been exposed, rinse him with fresh water and bring him to a veterinary hospital right away.

In the U.S. alone, nearly 12 million dogs and cats are diagnosed with cancer each year. Along with pain and discomfort, cancer and its treatment often result in decreased appetite and malnutrition, which can lower treatment responses, hasten remissions and lessen a pet’s quality of life.

About six years ago, researchers began developing diets for dogs and cats with cancer that are calorie-dense, nutritious and tasty. In dogs with cancer — who were studied first — many enthusiastically accepted the food, ate significantly more and increased their calorie intake, which increased their body weight and boosted their quality of life.

If your dog or cat is living with cancer, ask your veterinarian about available prescription diets to help your buddy thrive.

The cranial cruciate [CREW-she-ut] ligament, or CCL, is one of several ligaments that stabilize a dog’s knee. When one of these ligaments breaks down — and it’s often the CCL — it makes for a painful, unstable joint.

Dogs with an acutely ruptured CCL are normally in such pain that they’re unable to bear weight on the injured leg. That may improve over a week or so, but the knee will remain swollen and quickly develop degenerative changes, resulting in chronic lameness and pain.

Studies show that surgical repair of a ruptured CCL results in significantly less lameness and need for long-term pain relief than nonsurgical treatment.

You may not be able to prevent your dog from rupturing a CCL, but you might be able to choose the most effective treatment out there.