Wendy Turner DVM

12/01/2024

Ode to Odin

I’d like to share with you all the story of a special needs kitty. A lot of these cats and dogs get a pass for adoption or foster. Please give these guys a second look - it can be so rewarding!�Odin (and his sister Freyja) was lucky because, as a purebred, he was surrendered to an incredible Abyssinian rescue organization that has a great foster network.

A year ago, I was given 2 Abyssinian kittens to foster: a brother and sister. They had recently been diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism, and their breeder was overwhelmed with the diagnosis and caring for them. I have fostered before for this organization, and being a cat doctor (with a dog habit) I took them.

Congenital hypothyroidism can variably affect kittens. They are generally smaller than their litter mates, with stubby legs, short necks, big heads, pot bellies, and prognathism (their chins stick out). Clinical signs can be mild (stunted growth, constipation, and lethargy or severe, with dull mentation and failure to thrive. Some of these babies do not survive to parturition.

Early diagnosis is key, and once they are supplemented, growth usually resumes, but there are often long-term effects. Some cats, like Freyja, look pretty normal, albeit a little small. I suspect Freyja can’t see or hear as well as most cats, but she’s adapted and acts for all intents and purposes like a pretty normal Aby. She does have that stick-outy chin, which makes her look like she’s judging you all the time. She’s really shy but also fearless - she climbed the climbing wall as soon as I got her, even though the first step was a good 2” above her head.

Odin, on the other hand, has a lot of changes that can be challenging. Visually, he’s a stunning (but fun-sized) Abyssinian. He is the sweetest boy, too. He’s got several neurologic deficits. I’ve taken radiographs of this entire cat, and his bones are put together properly. But when he walks or runs, he looks like a marionette, legs going in all sorts of directions. He can’t jump onto things that are higher than about 2 feet. He overreacts to noxious stimuli; as in, it looks like he’s having a seizure, and he's screaming at even mild pain. I can’t for some reason hold his bum - it makes him either uncomfortable or nervous, and he will complain loudly. When he was a baby, he’d start staring at the ceiling and slowly tip his head back so far that sometimes he fell over. The other day, his sister ran into his face during dinner (they both go bonkers over food), and he stopped in his tracks, got the weirdest look on his face, and looked completely dazed for a full 5 seconds. When something happens that he doesn’t expect or like, he gets a half-confused, half-angry look on his face as if he’s trying to figure out the appropriate reaction. He has to be put down very gently, or he will lose track of where his limbs are and absolutely eat the dust - even from 6” above the ground. When he's really upset, we have to rub his head vigorously to calm him down - when we can catch him. And when he eats, he has the most bizarre action I've ever seen, like those bobbing drinking bird toys that used to be so popular.

But at the same time, he’s taught himself how to be as close to a normal cat as he can. He’s got Aby smarts in there, although they’re often obscured by his neurologic issues, lack of coping skills, and processing delays. He’s taught himself to jump-climb to get up on things, and if there is some secret way to get on top of something, he will find it. He’s also taught himself to jump down from things and seems to know that he doesn’t know where his hind legs are all the time but manages if he knows what to expect. He can tear up and down the stairs at normal speed, even if it looks… weird. He has learned to clean himself and also use the litter box (this was a major struggle for him, probably because of his early constipation). He is the absolute sweetest boy and has learned to be patient when he doesn’t feel like something is right. He is a purring machine and has also learned to play with his sister (moderation he’s still working on - he pushed too hard, and she pierced his ear the other day). I don’t think he will be able to be rehomed because he is *just* getting comfortable here and feeling secure enough to find his way. He very much needs security and reassurance that his world is safe. He also needs both an experienced Aby owner and a really solid feline veterinarian.��

I’m telling you all this not just because I love this little guy dearly but also to encourage you to give the special needs adoptees and fosters a chance. This cat has scared me a few times and worried me more, but he’s been so incredibly worth it. There is nothing like holding him the way he wants to be held and seeing the absolute trust on his face or watching him learn to navigate the world in as normal a manner as he can. So, go ahead - take another look at that baby who needs you, and might turn out to be just the thing you didn’t know you needed.

11/26/2024

THANKSGIVING FOR PETS (with recipes!)

Dog and cat safety has been covered here. Everyone has a plan, I’m sure! I mentioned a list of “beware foods” - but the urge to treat our pets is strong during this time of year, too. I get it. Miles used to get a “birthday cupcake” - ham, cat food, and peanut butter - one of my favorite things to do for him. With that in mind… We vets tell people all the time, "Don't give your pet people food!" but for some people, it is a meaningful part of the relationship with their dog or cat. I'd rather tell you what you *can* give in a way that is healthy, and brainstorm ideas to help you do this in a way that doesn't skimp on nutrition or cause weight gain.

What kind of food *can* your pet have? If you want your fuzzball (or in some cases, nakey-bakey) to have a Thanksgiving treat, skip anything with spices, herbs, or any of the foods listed in my previous post. Here’s a quick refresher: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets .

Keep the amounts down! They don't have pants buttons to undo, and I have done surgery on a dog who over-ate and became impacted. An endless stream of snacks throughout the day will likely end up with a visit to the local veterinary ER - not ideal, so moderation is vital. I cannot stress this enough: do not overfeed your pet on this day (or any day). It’s not worth it. Remember that to them, it’s just another day on the calendar.

Safer foods for your pet:
Turkey breast is acceptable (and legs/thighs for cats). A good rule is to divide your pet's weight in half, divide by 10, and give that size in inches long, 1/2" wide. So, an 80 lb dog can have a 4” x 1/2” piece of turkey. Fair? Break it up into tiny bits so they have multiple “opportunities” to enjoy these treats. You can also give dogs small plain apple slices, fresh vegetables, or bits of cooked unflavored sweet potato. Cats can have **in moderation** small bits of cooked turkey meat, turkey skin, turkey parts from the parts bag except the neck (🤢), a little cube of plain baked sweet potato, or a little cube of cornbread (“cube” = pinkie-sized, as long as you’re not using Uncle Jay With the Giant Hands’ pinkie).

Treats you can make for your healthy pets for special occasions (I do not recommend these if your pet is on a specialized diet or has a sensitive stomach):

Dogs - Thanksgiving treat cup: crush a small dog treat into a small cup or bowl. Layer 1-2 T plain nonfat yogurt on top. Shred 1T turkey for the next layer. Drizzle a little peanut butter over that (I know I know, but they love it. Dogs who joyfully eat cat p**p cannot be choosers). Finish off with an itty bitty sq**rt of whipped cream, and top with a small piece of sweet potato, plain pumpkin, or another dog treat. If your doggie is less than 20 lbs, adjust amounts downward accordingly (this treat as written would feed a tiny Yorkie for 2 days I think).

Cats - just give the carnivore some turkey 😆 Cats love whipped cream - I've used it in exam rooms for nervous kitties. So let's try this - make a little charcuterie board for your kitty, making the portions tiny, like pinkie-nail sized: a cube or 2 of turkey, a smudge of whipped cream, a little dash of plain pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix), a tiny piece of butter, a cooked pea or 3, a little flake of cheese, a dot or 2 of plain applesauce, and a little cornbread cube. My cats would go nuts for this, but they're a bunch of tiny furry sharks so no surprise there. Let me know how it goes!

There you go. Your pets likely aren’t as choosy as people, and they would probably also be delighted with one of their usual treats. Hopefully, these suggestions will allow for some creativity and some special cooking for your best furry friends.

11/24/2024

It's almost Thanksgiving, and I give thanks for having one of the best jobs in the world, having met some of the most wonderful people through that job, and being able to help you all take the best care of your dogs and cats (especially cats, being a cat doctor with a dog habit).

OK enough of the mushy stuff - let's get to the turkey and potatoes! Here are some tips to keep your dogs and cats safe and healthy on National Good Thing I Wore Stretchy Pants Day.

The biggest danger is food: bones, fat, food impaction, garlic/onions, more fat, other goodies, chocolate... the list goes on. Here's a good one from ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets

Remember that unsupervised food is dangerous all day! And overfeeding your dog or cat can be disastrous, even if it is healthy food. If you're going to give your pet fancy food, cut down on their usual food and be aware that some dogs and cats have sensitive stomachs & may not be able to indulge. This will not hurt their feelings and they will forgive you (except maybe Huskies… or Abys. Ask me how I know). Specific foods to avoid at Thanksgiving include garlic, onions, leeks, chives, xylitol, chocolate, unbaked yeast dough, grapes, raisins, pumpkin pie mix, and corn cobs. To be safe, avoid anything seasoned and check that food list, above.

Make sure your garbage is always out of reach. This means for cats, too! I don't know about yours, but at least one of mine nearly has thumbs. She can get into anything. I keep all my food scraps in a big Rubbermaid container with a lid, then wrap and dump at the end of the day. Thumbs (aka, Leda) hasn't figured that one out — yet. They're nosy, too - see pic of Odin, doing a little Nose Shopping.

Visitors: we love them and we can also find them stressful. Dogs and cats may simply find them stressful, especially if they are not “people-people.” For both, set them up in a quiet room or crate that is comfortable, including water, litter box, toileting pad if applicable. Give dogs a favorite toy, such as a Kong lined with peanut butter or similar spreadable. Cats can have a box to hide in, or an open closet door to help them feel more safe. Both may be comforted by a favorite bed or one of your worn T-shirts if they’re not prone to eating bedding when stressed. If your pet is very prone to anxiety with visitors, talk to your veterinarian about medical solutions. Remember many of these people are strangers to your pets.

If you can leave your kitties and puppos at large, monitor exit doors so nobody slips out. Check your pets’ microchip registrations to ensure they are up to date. Keep guests’ coats, handbags, etc, in a room away from the doors so they can prepare to leave without the door open. If a pet does escape, alert the local police department, animal control, area shelters, and veterinary facilities so they are on the lookout. Post signs around your neighborhood with a recent picture, and any medical alerts that may be relevant. Prevention is key!

Finally, Thanksgiving is usually the starting line for holiday celebrations and decor (not August 1st, like some big box stores would have you believe LOL). Be aware of anything a cat or dog may eat or otherwise get into. Cats + Christmas trees = a big mess sometimes. Dogs who can fit anything into their mouths have tons of targets during the holidays. Cords look especially tasty during this time of year, and cats famously love to knock things (candle holders, menorahs, centerpieces, etc) off of tables. (Because it’s on page 3 of the Feline Rule Book). Several plants that are popular during this period (amaryllis, other bulbs such as paperwhites, holly, etc) are toxic. Here is a list from Animal Poison Control Center: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants This includes a list for horses, so those of you with house horses are covered, too 😁 Some toxicities cause GI upset, and some can be deadly.

At any rate, enjoy this day. With a few precautions, your pets will, too!

11/24/2024

If I can figure out how to post to my story here: would you guys rather see funny/heartwarming memes/reels, or practical/professional stuff? ❤️ for funny etc, 😮 for practical etc.

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11/24/2024

"So what about feeding my dog?"

Dogs don't need as much of a specialized diet as cats - they are omnivores and can even survive on a vegetarian diet, whereas cats cannot. Dogs are well suited to commercially available diets as long as they are complete and balanced. Here are some tips:

* Make sure you choose a *complete and balanced diet*, meaning the food contains well-sourced proteins, carbs, and fats, *and* includes the vitamins and minerals required to keep dogs healthy.

* Proper amount? Enough to maintain a lean body weight. For any dog, this varies based on breed, metabolism, and to a lesser degree, activity level. This will almost always be less than the bag says you should feed. My 39 lb dog ate 3/4 c food twice daily, even when he was running 30 miles per week with me. It seemed like this was his amount, no matter what brand I was feeding him, based on his body weight.

* If your dog is healthy and "doesn't seem interested in food," avoid the temptation to start adding more enticing food unless your veterinarian says your dog is too thin. Very commonly, we are simply offering dogs too much food. When it's just dry food (the "baked chicken and steamed broccoli"), they're more inclined to eat just what they need. When we add goodies on top (the "cupcakes and cookies"), of course they will eat more! (I do the same thing - when I'm eating healthy food I don't overeat. But put a dozen cupcakes in my reach...)

* It is shocking sometimes, how few calories our dogs need. Take a look here: https://petnutritionalliance.org/resources/calorie-calculator?type=dogs to calculate your dog's caloric needs. If you are unsure about your pet's body condition score, ask the vet next time you are in.

* If you are going to cook for your dog - an exercise of which I am very supportive! - **make sure the diet is balanced.** Check out www.BalanceIt.com for guidance from a board-certified veterinarian. Not all recipes on Google are good, healthy, or adequate! Some are actually harmful - so watch your sources. I have treated dogs with nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism - basically, low calcium caused by inadequate nutrition, resulting in very thin bones that could not support her body weight. No bueno. (She survived - it was a long haul but she made it).

* Sometimes the fanciest-looking foods are not the best for your dog. There is an organization called AAFCO which is a huge help with determining which food contains good nutrition and which doesn't. Look here:
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=8808771

* Grain-free foods: best to just not. Some of them are causing heart disease in dogs, and while we have general ideas we don't know exactly why. If your dog is allergic to a grain such as corn or wheat, feeding a grain-free food probably won't help because that food was most likely made in the same plant as the food containing the allergen. If you think your dog has food allergies, check with your vet for an appropriate diet as well as proper feeding and challenge trials.

* Go easy on the snacks. Your dog doesn't need a treat every time he comes inside, or every time she's staring at you while you're eating. That is, however, a great way to teach your dog to go outside a lot or stare at you! Praise is good, too, ya know. Sometimes your dog is staring because she's bored, or wants to go for a walk; it's not always about food.

* Low-calorie treats I like: small baby carrot pieces or celery, small watermelon pieces, air-popped plain popcorn, pieces of unflavored rice cake, watermelon pieces, other low-calorie fruits and vegetables such as cucumber, zucchini, apple slices, freeze-dried chicken breast or other protein cubes, tiny training treats. Remember that even though these are lower in calories, they still contain calories! Same with those mini Milk Bones treats - just because they're small doesn't mean you should give your dog a whole handful. Dogs don't care about the size of the treats as much as they do about getting a treat, so break those suckers into tiny pieces!

* Have your dog "ask" for meals and treats: have him show off what he knows before you give him his food. Mix it up, so he doesn't learn how to anticipate! This could look like: "Sit!" followed by "Down," or "place -> OK -> sit," or "Down -> sit" Use your imagination!

* Your dog will survive without that entire pizza crust, I promise. OK to give them a little tiny bite, but you're rewarding begging in the meantime. Teach "place" then give them that crust! If you want to feed your dog while you are also eating (I don't encourage this but to each his own), use a small bowl with a "treat allotment" that includes part of your dog's daily food ration and/or some of the treats mentioned above.

Lots of info here, so ask away!

(NB: this picture is not dog food, and your dog should not eat it because it's essentially fat, with another flavor of fat, coated in fat. This is poutine, a Canadian dish from Québec that is just heavenly, made of French fries, cheese curds, and brown gravy. This particular poutine has braised short ribs - delectable. I fortunately did *not* get pancreatitis, like a dog might if she ate this culinary delight).

11/18/2024

“Well how *should* I feed my cat?”

Cats are nothing if not carnivores. They *need* protein. Have no problem digesting fat. Aren't great at using carbs, but have perfected, ahem, storing them. Who else is an obligate, or true, carnivore? Orcas and other dolphins. All the big cats, of course. Crocodiles and sharks, too. Walruses and tarsiers.

How is a carnivore built? Short GI tracts with relatively large stomachs. Jaws that scissor and rip, but do not grind. (Cats eat like alligators, while dogs eat like people). Super sharp, pointy teeth that grab and shred. Our little house pumas are also desert animals, and don't have a great thirst drive. They're like me: I should drink 3 of those 32-oz bottles of water every day, but ... I get busy. Think about other stuff. Finally drink when I'm at least 5% dehydrated, so about 16 oz per day if I'm lucky. That's what cats do, too.

How do we feed a carnivore? Give them protein. The more protein the better (unless your cat has a medical condition and your veterinarian has decided to limit protein content). Ideally, this comes in small snacks -- cats usually eat 8 to 10 times per day. Imagine the little critters they love to catch and eat, and you get the idea. I don't know about you, but I'm not feeding my 5 cats 8-10 mice each per day! Also ideally, their food (mice) is about 75% water. So, give them water too.

What this all means is, the ideal food for a cat, aside from small rodents, is a high-protein/low carb canned food. They don't need dry food for their teeth -- remember, they don't grind (but you can train your cat to accept tooth brushing; that's another post). If you do choose to offer dry food, make sure it's as high in protein as possible, and you have fresh, clean water at all times. Dry food is admittedly handy for things like food puzzles and toys, or for hiding around your house for your cat to "hunt." But it's lower in protein (on a 'dry matter' basis) and obviously lower in water content. As for grain-free foods, the jury is still out; previously it has been thought to be fine for cats and not dogs, but with the recent heart disease issues in dogs a concern has also been raised for cats. However, there are no conclusive studies that show a definitive connection between grain-free food and a particular heart disease in cats at this time.

I feed my cats high protein/low carb (

11/15/2024

Train your doggies! It not only turns them into pleasant cohabitants, but also exercises their brains, burns off mental (and sometimes physical) energy, and gives them much-needed structure. It's often very handy for people, too: "Fetch the ball! Get in the car! Transcribe my medical records!" (Miles didn't actually do that, but I bet he could have). Learning should always be fun and positive: none of that "dominate your dog" stuff. Caveat emptor when selecting a dog trainer: this is not a regulated industry and anybody can call themselves a trainer.

What to teach your dog? I recommend sit, down (as in, lie down), come, stay, off (as in, removeth thy body from wherevereth it resteth), leave it (do not touch that), and place (as in, this is yours - please use it). I taught Miles "out" which meant "spit that out immediately" and I'm sure it saved him a surgery: when I used it IRL he spit out an enormous acorn. Other than the Big 7, the sky is the limit. "Go start the car" might be a stretch, or "Can you get my coffee started, please?"

11/11/2024

Make travel easier for your kitty cats! Leave your carriers out, in an area where your cat likes to spend time (eg, not in the damp stinky basement). When they see the carrier as a consistent resting place, it removes a lot of the stress of travel or vet visits. It’s also much easier to get them into the carrier, and gives them a safe home away from home. How to select a carrier is in the comments - I have a blue one I’ve had for centuries it seems, and the black one is a new Sleepypod - like a Bentley for cats.

10/01/2024

Hello everyone! I plan on posting here regularly, and would love to know what everyone wants to learn. Comment below with topics you'd like covered. The more engagement I have, the sooner I will start posting!

Keep in mind: I am not offering advice on individual cases. However, I will accept pictures of all pets at any time! 😻

08/11/2024

Apparently there is some continued interest in things I've got to say about cats and dogs! So happy to hear - as most of you know, I love teaching and I *love* to talk.

I'll be dropping knowledge nuggets as we go. Dog peeps - give me a hot second. I've been seeing only cats since October, so all that fun stuff is fresh in my brain. I promise I'll get around to doggos, and -- read the cat ones too, because you never know when there will be information that fits for both species, and you never know when I'm going to finally talk you into getting a cat 😼

Discourse will be welcome, but I will not comment on individual cases or give individual advice. Stay tuned!