Ultrasound

Ultrasonography is an important medical imaging technique used in humans and pets alike.  Companion Animal Hospital is happy to provide this imaging option as it plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of many medical conditions.  Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves and their echoes. The technique is similar to the echolocation used by bats, whales and dolphins, as well as SONAR used by submarines. 

An ultrasound exam is a way of looking inside your pet’s body (liver, kidneys, and intestines) without having to perform surgery.  The ultrasound machine transmits high-frequency (1 to 5 megahertz) sound pulses into your pet’s body using a probe.  As these sound waves travel through the body, they hit a boundaries between tissues (for example boundaries between fluid and soft tissue, soft tissue and bone).  When hitting these boundaries, some sound waves are immediately reflected back to the probe, while others travel on further until they reach another boundary and get reflected.  These reflected waves are sensed by the probe and this information is sent to the machine.  The machine calculates the distance from the probe to the tissue or organ (boundaries) using the speed of sound in tissue and the time of the each echo’s return.  The machine’s screen uses this information to form a two dimensional picture your veterinarian has been trained to interpret.   

                

Ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool in veterinary practice.  It does a great job of evaluating tissue architecture.  Loss of normal tissue architecture is seen in many diseases, most notably cancer.  Other examples of when ultrasound is used in veterinary medicine include:

• Early diagnosis of pregnancy
• Diagnosis of bladder or kidney stones- even those that can’t be seen on radiographs (x-rays)
• Measuring thickness of organs such as intestines and the bladder
• Echocardiography is ultrasound of the heart and is extremely important in the diagnosis of heart disease.  Recommendations for treatment are heavily based on the ultrasound findings.
• Color Doppler can be used to look at blood flow to different organs in the body.

Ultrasonography is an important part of the diagnosis of many conditions we see in pets.  Please let us know if you have any questions about this imaging modality.  We would be happy to discuss its benefits and whether it may be right for your pet!

article written by:

Derek Williamson, DVM

Companion Animal Hospital Vernon Hills and Crawford Animal Hospital

Cat Introductions: Helpful Hints

When the time comes to add a cat to your feline family, planning for a proper cat introduction will help promote success.  Could you imagine if a person came into your home announcing themselves as a new roommate and sat in your favorite chair and commandeered the TV remote?  Sometimes when we bring a new cat home and let the cats “work it out”, we’re creating a similar stressful situation.  While the cats might work it out on their own, we can certainly decrease the chances of problems and make the process easier on everyone.  Here are some tips for a gradual introduction.

• At first the cats should only be allowed to smell and hear each other, not see each other.  Confine your new cat to one room of your house with its own litter box, bowls, toys, etc. Place towels with the scent of the other cat (maybe one they've slept on) underneath each cat’s food bowl and on resting places.  Rub the cat’s toys with the scent of the other cat.  The goal is to have the other cat's scent associated with good things.
• After your new cat is comfortable in her room (maybe after several hours or more likely, several days), switch places for an hour or so (confine your resident cat(s) in the room and allow the new cat out to explore the rest of the house).  Do not allow the cats to see each other in this exchange.  This will help the cats to become more familiar with each other without the stress of confrontation.
• Give favorite treats close to the door of the cat’s room (with one cat on each side of the closed door).  This helps to associate good things with the presence of the other cat.  Try slipping one end of a toy underneath the door to encourage the cats to play with each other under the door.
• Repeat the above steps until there is no hissing, growling or fleeing and all cats seem curious about the cat on the other side of the door.
• Next, wedge the door open about an inch with doorstops.  This allows the cats to see each other, paw if they want to, but they can get away from each other safely if they chose. 
• Then let the cats out together.  When they are first out together, keep the meeting short, and continue to offer food, treats, toys and petting. If any hissing or conflicts occur, distract the cats into another activity - dangle a favorite toy, offer food (use the sound of the can opener to "call" the resident cat to the kitchen), etc.
• Supervise them, not allowing them to be alone together, until they are consistently demonstrating friendly behaviors with each other for at least one week.
• Punishment is not helpful.  It doesn't create the association of "good things" with the other's presence and adds stress to a stressful situation.

As always, if you have any questions or need help with a cat introduction, please call us.

article written by:

Sheila Newenham, DVM

Companion Animal Hospital Mount Prospect

Your Unique Feline Friend

Anyone who shares their home with a cat knows that they are a unique creature.  While every cat has its own personality, there are some underlying innate behavioral characteristics that make them decidedly different from dogs (and people). 

Dogs and people are “pack species” and have evolved as group hunters of large prey.  The cat is an “independent species” and has evolved as a solitary hunter of small prey.  The cat is also a prey item for larger animals (such as dogs).  Being independent by nature is what makes most cats happier with interaction on their terms.  Cats like to feel like they are in control of their situation, therefore changes to their routine or surroundings is challenging for them.  They do not respond to force.

It is important to understand the basics of cat behavior so that we can provide a home that they feel content and safe in.  Knowing how they would use a natural environment helps us to simulate that environment in our homes.  Not only does this make a happy cat that you can live amicably with, but it reduces their stress and anxiety.  It has been found that stress can play a role in illness, particularly urinary tract related illness, in the cat.  Without the proper provisions, normal cat behavior can be problematic in a home. 

From Kitty’s perspective:

1. I want my space.  Have a separate area for food, water, and elimination.  No one should sneak up on me when I am eating or eliminating.  Avoid placement near appliances or vents that could startle me.
2. Litter pan happiness.  The rule of thumb for litter pans is to have one pan per cat plus one (2 cats = 3 pans).  Place a pan on each level of the home.  Most, but not all cats like fine, unscented, clean litter in a large, open pan.  Finding my pan should not be a journey or dangerous adventure.  It shouldn’t be gross.  Experiment with side by side boxes to determine preferences if you are making a change. 
3. Let me hunt. I will hunt birds, bugs, or rodents, but I might have a favorite.  Experiment with toys to find which I prefer.  Do not use fingers or toes as toys.  Be careful of toys with strings attached or toys that are falling apart.  If small parts or a string could be eaten by me, the toy is no longer safe.  (Bugs= lasers, hard kibble, Rodents= balls, furry mice toys on the ground, Birds= feathered toys, suspended toys)
4. … Or let me sleep.  In nature, I am hunting as many as 20 prey items per day.  Between hunts, I rest.  I do not have a pattern to my sleep/wake cycle as my person does and therefore can be more active than my person might like at night.  Adding some play during the day can help to keep me quieter at night.   
5. Let me find my safe place up high. I want to spend my vulnerable sleeping time where nothing will surprise or hurt me.  In nature, I am a prey item for other animals.  I often have a preference for being elevated or hidden away when I am resting.  Perches also provide a means to watch the action from above, check out the outdoors, and satisfy my curiosity without feeling at risk.
6. Scratch that.  I may scratch horizontal or vertical surfaces.  I may prefer sisal, cardboard, or another substrate.  Experiment until you find the favorite.  I scratch to hone my claws, but also to scent mark and stretch.  My scratching areas should be readily available. 

This is short article is only a brief summary of the nuances of cat behaviors.  The best resource for all homes with cats is the website dedicated to Indoor Pets from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats 

article written by:

Laura Rau-Holl, DVM

Wolf Merrick Animal Hospital, Kenosha, WI