Are blue eyes an automatice deaf sentence?

Cats, dogs, horses, and sometimes other pets of our acquaintance, sometimes are born with one or both eyes blue.  When both eyes are the same color is it called homochromatsism, and heterochromotsism when they are different from each other or sometimes two colors in one iris.  This is not a defect, a throwback, or even any kind of a problem.  So why do people ask if my dog is blind in one eye? Sometimes they ask if he's deaf on that side. The right side of my hairy beast has a white, or low pigment 'switch' on, for lack of a better term. The eye on the right is blue.  The black side of him, his left, has dark pigment genes switched on, and hence, the common brown eye.  The flash, of course, shows you mostly a red eye and a green tapetum on the left.

 

 

Many animals have the ability to pass on blue eyed genes.  Sometimes, the gene connected with the low color pigments is related to the gene for audio processing in the brain. A pet with an all white coat, white skin, and blue eyes, although not albino (no color), may indeed be deaf.

 

Merles are often born with blue eyes, and they are not deaf, even when both eyes are blue. We often see in the Paint breed of horses a white face, called a bald, and if it includes the eye area the eye is often blue.  Again, no deafness.  Of course, a truly white horse doesn't exist as the genes for white are lethal. 

 

Many genes tag along on others, and in specific cases we may call some of these sex-link genes.  It's why females are rarely colorblind, that gene being passed on the Y chromosome in humans. In chickens, female chicks will grow adult plumage that matches the rooster, and the males will mature with the plumage of their hen momma. Alas, it doesn't work with all breeds.

 

The long answer, then, is no, blue eyes are not an automatic "deaf" sentence.  To check your pets' hearing, stand behind them when they are interested in something in front of them, and make a noise, as long as the noise doesn't make so much wind that your pet can feel the noise!  If they turn about, they heard you.  You can also snap your fingers behind their head and see if that gets you a response.  Most dogs and cats can read our body language, and will come when called even if their ears didn't hear you (and their blue eyes saw you!).

 

 

All white dog, both eyes brown.  Not deaf, and not blind!

 

When is it time to let go? Euthanasia.

Oh, the subject of euthanasia.  I get asked, often, when will I know it's time?  Did I do the right thing?  Are they suffering?  My answer is, well, each situation is different.  This not being what a person wants to hear, I thought I"d do a little research and see what I could come up with from our medical community.

I found some very good Q & A that a pet's owner should consider when trying to make the Big Decision.  Hopefully this will give you an idea from the medical standpoint.

Dr. Alice Villalobos is a well-known veterinary oncologist. Her “HHHHHMM” Quality of Life Scale is another useful tool. Hurt, Hunger, Hydration, Happiness, Hygiene (toileting), Mobility and More (good days than bad days). Dr. Villalobos recommends grading each category on a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being poorest quality of life and 10 being best). If the majority of categories are ranked as 5 or above, continuing with supportive care is acceptable.

Another thought process is that animals, bless their hearts, do not think the way we do.  They live for NOW, and are not possessed by thoughts of an afterlife, the future, or their wills, or most anything else humans have instilled into the subject of death. 

Quality is more important than quantity in this case.  Why do you want to keep your pet alive (for yourself?) or euthanize him (for yourself?).  If you pet is suffering and the joy is gone, it is time to let go.  I feel we OWE our pets, for all the things they've given to us over their lifetime, a kind passing even if we must hurt ourselves in the process. Are they facing recovery or will they simply have more days of pain, vomiting, seizures, or the like?  Are they facing $5000 in medical bills that most people cannot afford to pay?  An older pet without monetary value (unlike an animal such as a horse) may fall into this category.  Guilt is the biggest motivation here.

I have been there myself.  A young dog facing a straightforward amputation is not the same as an older cat with diabetes facing dialysis. Without insurance, we must pay the veterinarian CASH or perhaps credit.  Does this take college education or even food away from our family?  Would your unselfish pet want you to go into serious financial hardship to give them a few months of life that won't be much fun anyway?

Setting your dear friend free of a painful body is not unkind; it is the greatest kindness.  When medicine can no longer cure or ease the pain, if you pet no longer lies in the sunshine nor wags their tail to greet you, it's time to discuss the end.  Your pet would thank you for your sacrifice.

 

Excessive Heat & Animals

Just a quick note to some residents who may not know the law in Clark County.  Horses, Dogs, and Cats are required by law to be provided with supplemental cooling devices when there is an excessive heat warning advised by the NWS. 
Dogs and Cats should NOT be left outdoors without access to serious shade and cool water.  Although my silly cats will stretch out on the patio in 105F, they can come into the 78F A/C through the pet door anytime (and usually do after 10 minutes outside).  Dogs and cats do not sweat and must pant to cool off.  When the air temp is over their body temp (101.5+-), what are they going to do?
Horses are often left in the direct sun, with folks thinking they don't need shade.  Horses can sweat, but they can't take in nearly enough water to stand in the sun and 110F heat from 6 am to 8 pm without dehydration.  Lighter horses can become sunburned, leading to cancer. It is the LAW that horses must be provided 90 square feet of shade during all daylight hours, even in the winter. 
If you see a pet outdoors unable to find shade or have access to water, call Clark County Animal Control at (702) 455-7710 and tell them the address where to find the animal victim. People may have time to correct the offense, or, simply be cited on the spot.  In some cases animals may be removed from the property and taken to shelter.
As a side note, I have chickens, a goat, and a few free roaming birds that have access to cool water and many shaded places.  The chickens and goat, and horses, all have shade at all times, much more than 90 square feet, and we have installed misters in the horse corrals (under the shade) and in the chicken pen (2 feet off the ground).  All pets that can come in the house are in the house.
Rabbits and Guinea pigs are especially susceptible to heat stroke, so if it's over 100, bring them indoors, at least during the hottest part of the day.  No amount of shade will protect them and again, dehydration will kill them in a few hours.
It is a crime in Clark County to leave animals out in record breaking heat, and it is a crime of humanity to ignore such an act.  Call Clark County Animal Control at (702) 455-7710.

Hawaii has no rabies

A strict four-month quarantine policy on animals coming in from, well, anywhere, makes Hawaii one of the few places globally that does not panic when a person is bitten by a dog.  Rabies, a deadly disease of the neuro-system, affects mammals, of which taxonomic Class humans belong to.  As a veterinary professional, I have had a rabies vaccine (I'm probably due for my booster, too). 

The disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal.  Saliva carries the virus into the nervous system, then it travels to the brain over a series of months.  During this time, the animal may not show symptoms of having the rabies, and thus, why an animal bite is a serious thing. The only way to be sure an animal does NOT have rabies, is to examine it's brain in the lab.  I should not have to tell you the animal and its brain must be separated....

Rabies vaccines are CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP.  Usually less than $15 protects your pets for up to 3 years (young animals need a booster after 1 year).  It also protects your pet from the possible separation of its body from brain with proof of the vaccine, so keep that information in a safe place.

If you are in an area that routinely has natural disasters where you may have to evacuate in a hurry (fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc) keep a copy of that rabies certificate with your pet's evacuation package.  You can never have too many copies of it.  Remember to make a paper package and keep it in a large zip baggie with your pets' carriers, or in your emergency kit. 

If you live in Hawaii, it is recommended that you have your pet vaccinated before you come back to the mainland.  Military folks with pets they have adopted in Hawaii will need this to fly pets back anyway, so do it a few weeks ahead of time. Dogs and cats, both, need this protection.  Cats are even more vulnerable, now, than dogs, as they still often roam the woods where carriers may be lurking.

Most importantly, if your pets bites someone, the proof of the vaccine, something only licensed veterinarians are allowed to do, keeps your pet's brain in its head and may even prevent a 4 month quarantine.  Unless you go to Hawaii.    

Summer time changes everything

When the temps go up, it's time to make some changes to your pets' environment and general care. The heat, and humidity, makes a marked difference in the ability to stay cool (thermoregulated) if you're a mammal or bird, and its the time for reptiles to become more active.

Riding horses:  if the humidity and temp combined are over 120, riding becomes stressed.  More humidity reduces the ability to cool by evaporation (sweat) and the higher temps make it all the more necessary.  Dehydration occurs quicker. Consider the condition of your animal before embarking on any long rides with out water stops. Most average horses will need 20 or more gallons of water every day when the temps are over 90F (32C).  Think about using electrolyte solutions and be sure to provide a salt block and shade.

Dogs and cats:  don't sweat.  Well, they do a little.  Sweat glands are located on the pads of the feet.  If you are covered in fur and can't sweat much, the body pumps blood to thin-skinned areas such as the ears to help maintain their normal body temp of 101.5F  (38.6 C).  Cool water and shade MUST be provided for pets that are outdoors. Consider trimming fur for long haired breeds, but don't shave it off to the skin.  Fur also is an insulation device and protects skin from sunburn.

Bunnies and guinea pigs cannot tolerate heat well.  No matter how much water, if they are left in a sunny area without access to hide or get away, they can die in a few hours. Hang wet bath towels over their cages to provide shade and act as an evaporative cooler. If possible, bring them indoors to where the temps are below 90. 

Birds generally like hot weather if they are provided water and/or dust to bathe in.  Chickens, pheasants, and outdoor birds need both shade, clean cool water, and dirt or DE to fluff themselves in.  This helps keeps bugs off their skin and insulate them from sun rays.  Parrots and passerines (finches/canaries) need water to bathe in and drink.  Air conditioning can be detrimental to birds, so keep them away from the vents and above 72F (22C).

Reptiles become more active, and will need extra humidity.  If they are in your home and the A/C is running, keep them away from the vents and give extra sunshine.  They need the extra light to tell their brain that it is time to be active if the temperature doesn't fluctuate indoors like it does outdoors. Extra feedings can help them prepare for their winter metabolism.

Dont forget insect control.  Flies and mosquitoes are happiest in hot weather, and carry all sorts of pathogens, many of them deadly (Parvo and West Nile come to mind).  Keep water fresh - no standing more than 24 hours.  Keep pet waste cleaned up every 24 hours to prevent outbreaks of flies.  If you will be on holiday, have someone look after your pets (preferably a professional pet sitter) to make sure they are visited at least daily to check and clean water and see that they are not developing any heat related medical conditions.

If you're in Las Vegas, you can visit our website for more tips and how to contact us for pet sitting services.    www.allpetscs.com 

Weed:  a plant you didn't plant, don't like, and/or don't want, that is supremely adapted to its climate and resists all attempts to eradicate it !  I give you the Foxtail. 



The Evil Foxtail

This noxious invention of nature is the plant world's version of the cockroach.  It proliferates in yards across the west and will not only choke out other plants, but will always hitchhike on anything that passes it from your socks to your pets. Especially your pets.

Foxtails comes in a large variety of species and sub-species.  They rise from the ground with the first Spring rain and pretend to be grass so you don't notice them until it's too late. Suddenly the grass sprouts fat seed pods, and they fan out like a broom, more or less. Don't confuse these with Fluff Grass or Fountain Grass, mounding grasses that are relatively benign. These things have sharp edges and pointed barbs that are adept at drilling into any object they touch, including, probably, solid rock.

Veterinarians see these things as magicians, wondering how on earth they get to where they get.  Of course, they know, but did you know they have been found in ears, eyes, between toes, stuck in fur and burrowing into skin, up the nostrils, and even up into the bladder and uterus of, mostly, dogs.   Cats are not at all immune to their evil ways.  Long haired cats that travel in the yard will bring them in on their coats and end up with them in their stomachs.

The end of just one of these seeds is needle sharp.  The barbs ensure that the thing hangs on and then augers its way inside your pet causing tremendous pain, abscesses, and infection in a very short amount of time, from days to just hours.

You must kill the weed in its green stage before they dry and cast their demonic seeds to the wind. They have shallow roots and I recommend pulling them out with your bare, or gloved, hands, and removing them to the nearest trash can and landfill.  Don't put them in your compost pile as they are remarkably resilient (remember the cockroach).Another good way to remove them is with a sheet of black plastic over the top of their patch, weighted down with bricks along the edge.  The lack of sunlight will all but melt them. Salt is another non-toxic weed killer, but it will kill your other plants as well, so use this only where the weeds grow.  Vinegar, applied weekly, will kill the things so you can easily remove them - recommended for those that grow in sidewalk cracks as vinegar, like salt, kill other plants as well.

If chemicals don't bother you, try any herbicide with GLYPHOSATE in it.  You SHOULD, however, use a mask and never use when it's windy (thereby eliminating the entire month of April).

Here is the problem with simply killing them.  They croak and leave their seeds right where they die.  Now what do you do?  Remember the cockroach:  they just don't die. As I mentioned, you must do this when they are GREEN and pretty, innocent looking and swaying gently like a field of wheat in the sun.  You can try to blower them away, vacuum them, burn them (altho this can enrich the ground so more will grow back).

I felt an urgency to talk about this horrid plant today as yet one nasty seed head found its way into my dog's ear the other day.  Of course, the family and I are pulling these nasties by hand over our one acre when the dog joined us. In 72 hours he was howling, holding his head to one side, doing his best to shake out the menace in his ear.  Unable to see it, or hold him still for the pain, it was off to the vet ASAP.  After sedation, the doc was able to pull out a 1 inch seed head with a still sharp-as-a-pin point on it that had been crafting its way into his ear drum.  At the cost of $152 to remove.

I have personally removed them from between the toes of both cats and dog, the eye of a cat, the chest of a hunting dog, cat's fur, and the nostril of a particularly nosey dog that wouldn't stop sneezing.  Being they are barbed this is not a pain free procedure nor an easy one. Thus, from years of personal experience with this wild weed, keep your pets as far away from possible from this by whatever means you have at your disposal.  If you spend $150 that is less than a vet visit, and a lot less pain and suffering for everyone!

If you are looking for a compassionate and educated pet sitter in Las Vegas, be sure to look us up and see what we can help you with - from vacation visits to taxi, nail trims to exercise.  www.allpetscs.com   

 

poisonious plants

Spring brings the growth of all kinds of plants that you didn't even know were planted in your yard.  Wild things can be poison to your pets, as well as the everyday houseplant and shrubs you tote home from the nursery.

I don't want to list the hundreds of plants and symptoms here in the blog.  Instead, I want you to keep this website handy:

http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/

And when I mean handy, I mean write it down and stick it on your refrigerator or tape it to the inside of your medicine cabinet, or in your pets' medical record books, and so on.  It can save a life.  Pets often eat things we don't think of as food, like cigarette butts, rocks, flowers, bees, sponges, batteries, jewelry, wood, prescription pills, marijuana, cocaine, and a host of other things you'd probably not imagine had you not seen it (as those of us in the veterinary profession have on an x-ray or in the bloodstream).

So don't spend any more time looking at this post.  Go to the Pet Poison Helpline website and take a look at what you never imagined could happen to your beloved beasties. Pre ready in advance.  Eating junk isn't just for goats anymore.