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This handout discusses the pros and cons of feeding a raw food diet to your dog. Topics included are nutritional imbalances, potential bacterial contamination, the risk of foodborne illnesses involving both you and your pet, and other concerns that may arise from feeding a raw food diet.
There are many environmentally friendly ways that owners can care for their pets. Waste disposal can involve biodegradable or compostable bags or careful composting. Cat litter can be transitioned to recycled newspaper or sawdust pellets. Any toys, beds, houses and other accessories can be biodegradable and/or recycled such as cotton or rubber. Cats should be kept indoors to reduce their impact on the ecology of their surrounding environment. A nutritionally adequate diet composed of organic food can be provided.
Abnormal droppings are a non-specific sign of illness in birds. Causes may range from a dietary intake of excess fruits to bacterial or viral intestinal infections and heavy metal toxicity. Any changes in the color or consistency of your bird's droppings should be addressed by your avian veterinarian.
An unplanned weight loss of more than 10% of a dog’s body weight is considered abnormal. Weight loss occurs because calories absorbed from the diet are less than the calories being used by the body. This can occur due to many factors, including decreased appetite (anorexia), excessive cold or physical activity, disease states that heighten the metabolic rate, insufficient calories or poor diet, inability to ingest the diet, inability to digest and/or absorb the nutrients from the diet, and loss of nutrients from vomiting, diarrhea, or increased urination. As well as a thorough history and physical exam, your veterinarian may perform testing such as bloodwork, urinalysis, and imaging to determine the underlying cause and institute targeted treatment.
An abscess usually appears suddenly as a painful swelling that may be firm to the touch or compressible like a water balloon. If the abscess is located inside the body (e.g., in the liver), fever is expected, and if the abscess has ruptured internally, there may also be bacteria in the bloodstream. Treatment depends on the location of the abscess and the severity of the infection.
Acepromazine is a sedative/tranquilizer used primarily in cats and dogs as a pre-medication for anesthesia or for chemical restraint. It is given by injection in the clinic or by mouth in the form of a tablet. The most common side effect is low blood pressure. Acepromazine should not be used in conjunction with certain toxicities, or in pets with heart disease or low blood pressure. It should be used cautiously in pets with mild liver or heart disease, clotting problems, or in pregnant, debilitated, or young animals. If a negative reaction occurs, call your veterinary office.
Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, is an analgesic (pain reliever) and fever-reducing medication. It is used to treat pain and fever in dogs. It is used “off label” or “extra label” in some avian species, rabbits, miniature pigs, and some rodent species. Acetaminophen comes in capsule, tablet, or liquid suspension form. NEVER USE in cats or ferrets as it is potentially fatal at even miniscule doses.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Paracetamol, APAP, N-acetyl-p-aminophenol) is a pain relief and fever-reducing medicine people use for many types of pain. Acetaminophen is available in many forms including tablets, capsules, gel caps, melt away tablets, rectal suppositories, and liquids. Acetaminophen is often found in homes with pets. Poisoning may happen when pets get into the owner’s medications.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol), a common human drug used to control pain in fever, can be poisonous to dogs if inappropriate doses are given. Acetaminophen is occasionally recommended by veterinarians and should only be given under their direction. Young and small dogs have a higher risk for toxicity.
Acetaminophen with codeine (brand name Tylenol with Codeine, Tylenol #3) is a combination drug that is used for pain management in humans. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. It is not often used in animals and, when done so, must only be used in dogs. It is often combined with the drug codeine which is a narcotic pain reliever. Acetaminophen/codeine comes in a variety of formulations.
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