Top 10 Cat and Dog Medical Conditions of 2011

Nation's Largest Pet Insurer Reveals Most Common Causes of Veterinary Visits

Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI), the nation's oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, recently sorted its database of more than 485,000 insured pets to determine the top 10 dog and cat medical conditions in 2011. Click here to see the original report from VPI or see the lists below.

For cats, notice that two endocrine problems, hyperthyroidism and diabetes, were among the top 5 most common feline diseases. For dogs, the only endocrine problem that made the top 10 list was hypothyroidism, but I suspect that hyperadrenocorticism Cushing's syndreome) and diabetes were not far behind.

Top 10 pet medical conditions, according to Veterinary Pet Insurance's database of more than 485,000 insured pets:

Cats

Palpating the thyroid tumor
in a hyperthyroid cat

1. Lower urinary tract disease 
2. Gastritis 
3. Chronic renal failure 
4. Hyperthyroidism 
5. Diabetes mellitus
6. Enteritis/diarrhea 
7. Skin allergy 
8. Periodontitis/dental disease 
9. Ear infection 
10. Upper respiratory infection 

 Dogs

Truncal hair loss
in a hypothyroid Doberman

1. Ear infection 
2. Skin allergy 
3. Skin infection/hot spots 
4. Gastritis/vomiting 
5. Enteritis/diarrhea 
6. Arthritis 
7. Bladder infection 
8. Soft tissue trauma 
9. Non-cancerous tumor 
10. Hypothyroidism

American Diabetes Alert Day: March 27, 2012

24th ANNUAL AMERICAN DIABETES ALERT DAY   

AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION

What is American Diabetes Association Alert Day?
Today is the American Diabetes Association Alert Day, which is held every year on the fourth Tuesday in March (1). The purpose of this Diabetes Alert Day is to call special attention to diabetes and to encourage everyone to find out if they are at risk.

While diabetes is often a hereditary condition, it is still possible to develop diabetes even if you have no known history of it in your family. In addition, type 2 diabetes is often preventable through regular medical checkups and a healthy lifestyle.

Why is Alert Day important? 
Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes nearly 26 million children and adults in the United States, and a  quarter of them—7 million—do not even know they have it. An additional 79 million, or one in three American adults, have prediabetes, which puts them at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

Unfortunately, diagnosis often comes 7 to 10 years after the onset of the disease, after disabling and even deadly complications have had time to develop. Therefore, early diagnosis is critical to successful treatment and delaying or preventing some of its complications.

The Diabetes Risk Assessment Quiz
To find out if you are at risk for diabetes, you can do so by taking the Diabetes Risk Assessment and then read more below about what you can do to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes. Click here to take the diabetes risk test.

This test asks users to answer simple questions about weight, age, family history, and other potential risk factors for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Preventative tips are provided for everyone who takes the test, including encouraging those at high risk to talk with their health care provider.

I took the test and it was quick and painless. The results of my test? I'm at medium risk for type 2 diabetes. Although I'm not overweight, I'm almost 60 years old (remember that type 2 diabetes increases with age), and my mother has had type 2 diabetes (she's lost weight so she's not on insulin now and is doing well).

Why is the Diabetes Alert Day important for diabetic cats and dogs? 
Diabetes is a serious disease that strikes more than 1 in every 200 cats. Like the situation in human diabetic patients, Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in cats. Although dogs commonly develop diabetes, the form of diabetes they develop is not type 2 and more closely resembles type 1 diabetes (2).

Many of the risk factors for development of Type 2 diabetes in domestic cats are similar to man and include advancing age, obesity, and physical inactivity (3-7). Cats are obligate carnivores and have no need for dietary carbohydrates (2).  Feeding cats diets high in carbohydrate can increase blood glucose and insulin levels and may predispose cats to obesity and diabetes. Feeding low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets may help prevent diabetes for cats at risk.

The incidence of feline diabetes has progressively increased over the past few decades (6,7). In one study looking at records of cats with diabetes mellitus from 1970 through 1999 (7), prevalence increased significantly from only 8 cases per 10,000 in 1970 to 124 per 10,000 in 1999!

The exact cause of this increase in feline diabetes in not known but may relate to higher obesity rates and more cats being fed high-carbohydrate diets (6,7). Male cats appear to be at greater risk, representing approximately 60-70% of all diabetics (2-7). Increasing age also correlates with increasing risk of diabetes, with two-thirds of cats diagnosed when older than 10 years (3,5-7).

Feline diabetes is definitely treatable and need not shorten the cat's life span or life quality. Management of the diabetic cat should be a multipronged approach incorporating insulin, dietary therapy (to reduce carbohydrate load and induce weight loss if the cat is overweight), and management of any infection or concurrent condition.  With early intervention and good glycemic control, diabetic remission was achieved in over 75% of cats (2).

References:

1. American Diabetes Association Website: American Diabetes Alert Day, 2012.    
2. Rand JS, Fleeman LM, Farrow HA, et al. Canine and feline diabetes mellitus: nature or nurture? Journal of Nutrition 2004;134(8 Suppl):2072S-2080S. 
3. Baral RM, Rand JS, Catt MJ, et al. Prevalence of feline diabetes mellitus in a feline private practice. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2003;17:433.
4. Lederer R, Rand JS, Jonsson NN, et al. Frequency of feline diabetes mellitus and breed predisposition in domestic cats in Australia. Veterinary Journal 2009;179:254-258. 
5.  Panciera D, Thomas C, Eicker S, et al: Epizootiologic patterns of diabetes mellitus in cats: 333 cases (1980-1986). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 1990;197:1504-1508. 
6. McCann TM, Simpson KE, Shaw DJ, et al. Feline diabetes mellitus in the UK: the prevalence within an insured cat population and a questionnaire-based putative risk factor analysis. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 2007;9:289-99. 
7. Prahl A, Guptill L, Glickman NW, et al. Time trends and risk factors for diabetes mellitus in cats presented to veterinary teaching hospitals. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery  2007;9:351-358. 

FDA Video: Safe Handling of Pet Food in the Home

This week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center’s for Veterinary Medicine released a new video that cautions consumers about the health dangers — in the form of food-borne illness and disease—associated with feeding pet foods.

Based upon the unsettling assumption that pet food or treats might be contaminated, the video brings to light how your pet (and you) might avoid becoming ill if you follow some basic, commonsense food safety guidelines. And what steps to take should you suspect a pet food has adversely affected you or your pet.

Taking these precautions are very important in animals with endocrine disease, especially since many hormonal problems (e.g., diabetes, hyperadrenocorticism, hyperthyroidism) lead to a suppressed immune system and a decreased ability to ward off infections or other toxicities.

To see the video, click here to to directly to the FDA website or see the link below.

Link:

• FDA Website: Safe Handling of Pet Food in the Home (Video) http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm296800.htm?source=govdelivery

Dr. Peterson Lectures to Packed House at Second Animal Endocrine Seminar

Dr. Mark E. Peterson lectured to a packed crowd of over 80 veterinarians from the tri-state area on Sunday, March 18th at the second Animal Endocrine Seminar. The seminar was held at Antun's in Elmsford, NY and was open to members of the veterinary community.

Dr. Peterson's seminar was sponsored by Dechra Veterinary and Antech Diagnostics, allowing him to offer the seminar at no cost to the attending veterinarians. The four lectures presented on March 18th were:

• Update in the Management of Hypercalcemia in Dogs and Cats
• Update on Hyperthyroidism in Cats
• Management of the Difficult Diabetic
• Treatment of Cushing's Syndrome: Vetoryl or Lysodren?

Overwhelmingly positive feedback from the vets attending Dr. Peterson's seminars has led him to begin scheduling these events regularly. To keep informed about upcoming seminars, please sign up for the Animal Endocrine Newsletter by clicking here. To see all the images online, click here.

Book Review —The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management

This book, which is a completely revised version of the edition last published in the mid-1990s, is a welcome addition the library for any veterinary office that cares for cats.

Comprehensive in scope and exclusively devoted to feline medical care, Dr. Susan Little's The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management is an essential resource for anyone who provides complete, state-of-the-art care to cats.

In one convenient volume, you'll find authoritative, clinically-focused information enhanced by full-color illustrations, tables, boxes, algorithms, key points, and much more - all in a format designed for quick access. Dr. Little and her expert contributors address the unique concerns and challenges facing the feline practitioner, including the latest advances in feline medical diagnosis and management and their clinical applications to everyday practice.

I'm proud to say that I was asked to help contribute to the section on feline endocrinology, coauthoring the chapters on pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal gland disorders. These chapters included a wide range of different disorders including acromegaly, diabetes insipidus and other causes of polyuria and polydipsia, hyper- and hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, Addison's disease, and hyperaldosteronism.

Below you can read the first official review of this book, which was given "5 Stars"in this VIN Book Review. Believe me, it's a book worth having if you have an interest in caring for cats.

The Cat: Clinical Medicine and Management Susan E. Little, DVM, DABVP (feline) Review by Kathy Lyon  The book is intended to enhance the everyday (and out-of-the-ordinary) cases presented to the clinician, utilizing the expertise of a number of contributors, each representing state-of-the-art therapy and practice. There is an E-volume mentioned, but there is no link mentioned in the book, so it may be available independently from the paper book and not associated with the hard-copy purchase. The information is organized by body system, and an attempt has been made to keep it concise and readable. It is not a cookbook for students, as some extensive knowledge of feline diseases is required to navigate the Table of Contents and Index. Facing the preface is a short excerpt from a 1960 paper on The Initial Exam, which serves to point up the advances made since that presentation. In contrast, this book contains a full section with updated information and techniques for the current examination protocol. In the text, some techniques are laid out in a road map format to facilitate the learning process and to suggest innovative techniques. The opening section is a must-read. This covers the peculiarities of cats and their owners, and their unique requirements and beliefs (sort of reminds you of MAC owners). The differences between cats and dogs is addressed from the perspective of the cat, the cat owner, and the handling of the cat in the veterinary situation. Cat communications are illustrated in body and facial language, although some of the intentions are not clear. Included is a list of causes of various behaviors in the clinic—probably something that the support staff needs to review. The full exam/history process is described with some illustrations. Only a few restraints were shown, most likely the result of the success of the recommended techniques. A good chapter on creating a cat-friendly practice makes several innovative suggestions. The section on fluid therapy is useful in accessing the need and subsequent administration of fluids. Analgesia are discussed both in assessing need and in interpreting degree of discomfort through body language (photos). Other important sections include Anesthetics, Preventive Health Care, including a good vaccination guide). Kitten Development, Behavior Problems, Behavior Therapies, Nutritional Management, Cardiovascular Diseases (including relevant EKG's and color Doppler views), Dental Issues (with numerous photos), including an excellent illustrated section of mandibular injuries and repairs.The section on Dermatology is likewise well illustrated. The disease sections follow the body systems: Digestive system, Abdominal, Reproductive (including Pediatrics), Respiratory, Skeletal, Urinary, Ophthalmic, followed by various disease processes: Oncology, Endocrinology, Hematology, Neurology, Toxicology. Concurrent Disease Management and Chronic Disease Management are well described. Also, this may very well be the first book on general cat medicine that covers feral cat population management. All in all, this looks like THE book to have if you see cats. It is interesting reading as well as useful in the veterinary clinic. Leave it out in the break room for associates and support staff to peruse during slack time (if such a thing  exists). The results could be beneficial. Elsevier Publishing, 2011. ISBN 9781437706604.1398 pages, hard cover.

Dr. Peterson Currently Leading a Seminar on Animal Endocrinology

Dr. Peterson is currently leading a 4-hour seminar in Westchester, NY: four lectures on various topics in canine and feline endocrinology. This is a free seminar for veterinarians and veterinary professionals, and it is the second in our AEC Seminar Series. There will be more; sign up for our email list to keep informed about future AEC seminars in our area. To find out more, click here.

3 Brands of Chicken Jerky Treats Implicated in Causing Illness in Dogs

According to FDA records obtained by MSNBC.com, 3 brands of chicken jerky treats made in China have been connected to multiple canine illnesses following their consumption.

Brands most often cited in Priority 1 cases — instances in which the animal was younger than 11 years old and medical records were available — included Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch jerky or tenders, produced by Nestle Purina PetCare, and Milo's Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats, manufactured by Del Monte.

See the MSNBC/Vitals blog for the complete story.

FDA Released Q & A Regarding Jerky Treats from China

Continued complaints of dogs becoming ill after consuming chicken jerky treats from China has prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to release a document entitled, "Questions and Answers Regarding Chicken Jerky Treats from China."

Click the link to go to the FDA website to read the content of this informative Q & A document.

Movement to Ban Chicken Jerky Treats Gains Momentum

The FDA has received some 600 complaints that chicken jerky treats from China are causing kidney disease, and in some cases death, in dogs across the U.S. But since extensive testing hasn't confirmed a contaminant, the FDA is only warning consumers about a possible problem. Newer tests, which are looking for heavy metal contaminants, are still pending.

Owners are pushing for further action, and one owner-geared Facebook group on the issue now has over 2,600 members (1).  The same group has posted a YouTube video that outlines the situation (2). One petition demanding the ban of jerky treats from China has acquired more than 3,300 signatures (3).

For more information, see the article posted today on the Food Safety News.com (4).

Links:

1. Facebook Group. Animal Parents Against Pet Treats Made in China!
2. YouTube Video. Animal Parents Against Pet Treats Made in China! 
3. Care2petitionsite. Ban All Poisonous Chicken Jerky Treats Imported From China
4. Andrews, J. Dogs fall ill as owners, vets, and lawmakers blame treats from China. Food Safety News. March 9, 2012.

Pet Obesity Epidemic Expanding, But Owners in Denial

Big Pets Get Bigger: 

Latest Survey Shows US Dog and Cat Obesity Epidemic Expanding 

The “fat pet gap” continues to widen according to the latest nationwide survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). The fifth annual veterinary survey found 53 percent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats to be classified as overweight or obese by their veterinarian. That equals 88.4 million pets that are too heavy according to veterinarians.

“The most distressing finding in this year’s study was the fact that more pet owners are unaware their pet is overweight.” comments APOP founder Dr. Ernie Ward. “22 percent of dog owners and 15 percent of cat owners characterized their pet as normal weight when it was actually overweight or obese. This is what I refer to as the “fat pet gap” or the normalization of obesity by pet parents. In simplest terms, we’ve made fat pets the new normal.”

 Perhaps even worse was the finding that the number of obese pets, those at least 30 percent above normal weight or a body condition score (BCS) of 5, continues to grow despite 93.4 percent of surveyed pet owners identifying pet obesity as a problem. The study found 24.9 percent of all cats were classified as obese and 21.4 percent of all dogs were obese in 2011. That’s up from 2010 when 21.6 percent of cats and 20.6 percent of dogs were found to be obese. “What this tells us is that more and more of our pets are entering into the highest danger zone for weight-related disorders.” says Ward.

Endocrinologist and fellow APOP Board member Dr. Mark Peterson agrees. “Obesity in dogs and cats is not just the accumulation of large amounts of adipose tissue, but it is associated with important metabolic and hormonal changes in the body. For example, heavy or obese cats are up to four times more likely to develop diabetes as a complication of their obesity. Losing weight can lead to reversal of the diabetic state in some of these obese cats.”

To read or download the complete article and results of the APOP survey, click here.

To learn more about pet obesity or the APOP, go to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention website.

The Cooking of Commercial Pet Food

As an endocrinologist, I have now been in practice for a very long time (over 3 decades). But the longer I practice and care for dogs and cats with a variety of hormonal problems (from diabetes to thyroid disease to Cushing's syndrome), the more I realize the vital roles proper nutrition and diet make in the overall success of the patient's treatment.

Susan Thixton has an excellent website — TruthaboutPetFood.com —that I recommend to anyone interested in learning more about pet foods. After reviewing the website, you might want to subscribe to the 'Truth' Newsletter to keep up to date with her many reviews and alerts.

In one of this week's posts (The Cooking of Pet Food), Susan provides a link to an article published on the Pet Food Institute website on "How Pet Food Is Made" written by Greg Alldrich, PhD, a consultant to the pet food industry. In this article, Dr. Alldrich explains that the cooking process of pet foods — both kibble and canned —"provides a number of benefits, including convenience, enhanced flavor and texture, improved consistency, pathogen control and decreased spoilage."

He continues "However, extensive processing can increase variability, destroy essential nutrients and create unwholesome by-products. From a formulator’s perspective, this creates a dilemma regarding how to assure the diet is sufficiently fortified while avoiding excess after accounting for processing effects."

In this article, Dr. Alldrich encourages the pet food industry to learn more about how pet food ingredients are affected during the cooking process.

Links:

• TruthAboutPetFood.com website http://www.truthaboutpetfood.com/
• Pet Food Institute website www.petfoodinstitute.org 
• The Cooking of Pet Food www.truthaboutpetfood.com/articles/the-cooking-of-pet-food.html
• How Pet Food Is Made www.petfoodinstitute.org/Index.cfm?Page=HowPetFoodisMade