Adopting A Dog from A Shelter

Adopting that cute puppy at the animal shelter may take a little more thought than just purchasing a dog license.




According to most pet professionals, there are a few factors that you should take into consideration when you adopt a pet from an animal shelter.

It is sometimes very difficult to predict how big a puppy is going to get by looking at it. That’s surprising to say, but with a mixed-breed animal, you really don’t have a clue how big it’s going to be. Unfortunately, there are a lot of unhappy owners once they find out this animal is two to three times the size that they had expected. Ultimately, these animals end up back at the animal shelter because they grew up and didn’t fit in the household anymore.

Adopting a Pet

Adopting a pet is a big decision. Dogs and cats are living beings who require lots of time, money, and commitment—over 15 years worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt a companion.

Adopting A Cat

You may have heard the saying, “You own a dog, but you feed a cat.” It is true that cats value their independence a bit more than their canine counterparts. If you’ve ever been around cats, you already know they crave and require love and companionship. Cats make wonderful pets and most easily adjust to a variety of lifestyles and living spaces. Every cat is a true individual though, so it’s important to take the time to choose a four-footed friend who’s right for you. A cat’s personality, age and appearance, as well as the kinds of pets you already have at home, are all things you should keep in mind when making your selection.




If you’ve ever been to a shelter, you have probably noticed that some cats meow and head butt the cage door, while others simply lie back and gaze at you with a look of total ambiguity. There are as many different personalities of cats as there are cats in the shelter. Which disposition is best for you? You have to decide.

Cheyletiellosis

Cheyletiellosis is a highly contagious skin disease of dogs, cats, rabbits, and humans. It is caused by a mite that lives on the surface of the skin. The mite is fairly large and can often be seen with a hand lens. The entire life cycle (egg, larva, nymph, and adult) of the parasite is spent on the host’s skin.

Dog with Cheyletiella Mites

Cheyletiellosis generally produces scaling and crusting of the skin with dandruff-like flakes in the fur. Dandruff is a very common clinical symptom in dogs and is usually seen on the dorsal (back) part of the body. Cats develop a crusty form of the disease that resembles ringworm. Scratching is variable. Some animals are very itchy while others don’t scratch at all.

The disease is often seen in puppies and kittens recently purchased from a pet store, kennel, or cattery.

The parasite is transmitted by direct contact with an infected animal or by contact with contaminated products. Bedding and grooming articles are often the source of Cheyletiella infections.

Diagnosis of cheyletiellosis is made by identifying the mites under the microscope.

Your veterinarian will recommend an appropriate treatment for your pet if cheyletiellosis is diagnosed. Bedding and grooming articles must also be treated.

Cheyletiella mites may be passed to humans

Human arm with Cheyletiella lesions

Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease that affects all warm-blooded animals, including humans. The virus is transmitted through saliva when an affected animal bites a susceptible victim. On rare occasions, the rabies virus can enter the body through deep scratch wounds (or any break in the skin or mucous membranes) or by inhalation. Inhalation of the virus is an unusual method of transmission; however, it can occur in caves that are heavily populated by rabid bats.




A rabid animal bites its victim and injects saliva containing the rabies virus. In the newly infected animal, the virus begins to multiply. Virus multiplication occurs in the area surrounding the bite wound. After a period of time, virus particles enter large nerves and travel toward the spinal cord and brain. Once inside the brain, the rabies virus multiplies a second time. As multiplication occurs, viruses pass to the salivary glands. This is particularly important and accounts for the danger associated with saliva.

Early symptoms include personality changes. Friendly animals become shy, and reserved animals often become aggressive.




Two forms of rabies are recognized: the “furious” or “mad” type and the “paralytic” or “dumb” form.

The most common form of rabies is the furious type. Animals hallucinate and snap at imaginary objects. A rabid animal is extremely aggressive and may attack or bite other animals as well as his (or her) owner. Other signs include excitation, irritability, photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light) and seizures.

In the United States, wild animals are the reservoir for the rabies virus. Raccoons, foxes, skunks, and bats are commonly infected. Raccoons and skunks are particularly a problem due to their presence in urban and suburban areas. Pets become infected when they come into contact with these animals (and are bitten).




Vaccinating pets protects them from rabies!

Vaccinations begin at three to four months of age and should be continued throughout the animal’s life




If you would like additional information concerning rabies, contact your veterinarian or your local public health official.

Hypersensitivity Reaction

Hypersensitivity means that the immune system overresponds to a particular antigen (foreign material). This is also known as an allergic reaction. The antigens that cause this allergic reaction are known as allergens. Whenever an allergic reaction occurs, there is some type of injury to the body.

Common allergens in animals include flea saliva (flea saliva is injected into the animal during a fleabite), ear mites (insect bites in general) certain foods and pollens. Pollens fall into a special class of allergens called “inhalant allergens.”




Scratching (skin itch) and wheezing (bronchitis) are two common symptoms of allergies in animals.

Anaphylactic shock is an extreme allergic condition. The animal develops respiratory symptoms (wheezing and shortness of breath) as bronchioles constrict, accompanied by cardiovascular failure. Decreased blood pressure may be fatal in just a few minutes.

Anaphylactic shock is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.

Hematoma of the Ear Flap (Aural Hematoma)

Aural hematoma is an accumulation of blood between the cartilage and skin of the ear. It is usually seen in pendulous-eared dogs, however it can occasionally be seen in erect-eared dogs and cats.




Aural hematoma is generally caused by violent scratching of the ear flaps and / or shaking of the head. This violent trauma to the ear flap causes the blood vessels to rupture, forming the accumulation of blood.

Along with treating the hematoma, the underlying cause for the scratching or head shaking must be found.

There are several underlying causes for ear scratching and head shaking in dogs. The most common cause is skin irritation. Allergies affecting the skin (particularly flea allergies), along with canine atopy, are frequently the cause of skin irritation. In cats, aural hematomas usually result from ear mite infestation. These underlying problems must be addressed in order to provide a long-lasting “cure.”

There are two surgeries that are generally performed for treating aural hematomas. Both surgeries require general anesthesia.

After surgery, an Elizabethan collar is often placed around the dog’s head. This collar discourages the dog from pulling at the bandage. Often, the Elizabethan collar and the bandage are removed by the dog. If this occurs, the veterinary hospital should be contacted immediately.




About a week after the surgery, the Elizabethan collar should be removed. An appointment should be made in order to recheck the hematoma surgery area as well as removal of the collar.

Lateral Ear Canal Resection (Zepp Surgery)

Chronic (long-term) infections of the ear canal are common medical problems encountered in dogs. Surgery is often performed in order to treat ear canal infections that are unresponsive to medical therapy.

Some dogs have small external ear canal openings, while other dogs have narrow ear canal diameters. Certain breeds have heavy ear flaps (cocker spaniels) that prevent adequate ventilation of the ear canal. Without proper ventilation, the humidity in the interior of the ear canal increases, making it favorable for bacterial growth. This bacterial growth is responsible for creating an inflammation in the lateral ear canal wall. The ear canal wall thickens causing inadequate ventilation and drainage.




The purpose of lateral ear canal resection is to provide drainage and exposure for the vertical and horizontal ear canal.

This surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Presurgical blood tests are sometimes required since the surgery is often performed on middle-and older-aged dogs.

After the surgery, the dog often goes home wearing an Elizabethan collar. This collar is used to protects the delicate surgery area from trauma. If the pet removes the collar, or if the surgical site looks unusual, the veterinary hospital should be called.

An appointment for a recheck, Elizabethan collar removal, and suture removal should be made.

Otitis Media

Otitis media is an inflammation of the structures of the middle ear. It generally occurs secondary to otitis externa, an inflammation of the outer ear canal.

Many clinical symptoms associated with otitis media are similar to those seen in otitis externa. Head shaking, ear rubbing, and foul smelling discharge are common to both. Symptoms more specific (but not always present) to otitis media include: head tilt, drooping upper lip, depression and fever.

Cat showing symptoms of otitis media in left ear

If otitis media is suspected, general anesthesia is usually required to perform a thorough otoscopic examination. Bacterial cultures, x-rays, and blood tests can also aid in the diagnosis.

Initial treatment for otitis media involves flushing of the infected ear canal. Antibiotics are generally administered for a prolonged period of time.

Surgery may be required for animals that are unresponsive to medical treatment.
an inflammation of the structures of the middle ear. It generally occurs secondary to otitis externa, an inflammation of the outer ear canal.

Otitis Externa

The external ear canal begins at the outside of the ear and ends at the eardrum. Otitis externa is an inflammation of that part of the canal.

Otitis externa is a very common problem in dogs and is extremely difficult to cure. The condition is fairly common in cats and usually results from ear mite infestation.

Causes of otitis externa are numerous. Certain individual animals and breeds are predisposed, making the diagnosis and treatment more difficult. Factors responsible for inflammation of the outer ear include: ear mites, allergies (food, fleas, etc.), foreign bodies, wax, matted hair, debris, bacteria, and fungi. An infection located in a deeper area of the ear (otitis media) can also cause otitis externa.

The external ear canal is warm and moist, making it an excellent breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Dogs with floppy ears, deep canals, and / or excessive hair in the ear canals are generally more susceptible to otitis externa.




The clinical symptoms associated with otitis externa include: head shaking, scratching, and rubbing the ears. A pungent odor often originates from the ear.

A thorough otoscopic examination is necessary to diagnose otitis externa. Results of bacterial and fungal cultures, as well as cytology, are often important for determining the proper treatment. Often, manipulation of the ears is very painful and requires general anesthesia.

Long term treatment is usually necessary for controlling otitis externa. Frequent veterinary visits are often necessary. Some animals never seem to show much of an improvement. These animals may be candidates for lateral ear canal resection.