Dr. D. Lee Pickett
Editor’s observe: Dr. Lee Pickett has retired, however Creators continues to distribute columns from her archive. This is from 2020.
Q: Kip, my retriever combine, likes to swim in a close-by lake, even through the winter. The water not too long ago turned inexperienced, so I saved him out. If the lake is inexperienced the subsequent time we hike there, is it protected for him to swim?
A: I like to recommend Kip avoid inexperienced water, as a result of the colour could imply it’s contaminated with blue-green algae known as cyanobacteria.
Of the two,000 species of cyanobacteria, 95 produce potent toxins that rapidly sicken or kill home animals, wildlife and people.
Cyanobacteria can stay in contemporary or salt water — lakes, ponds, retention basins and yard fountains — all year long. However, populations thrive when water is heat and calm, particularly after a rainfall washes fertilizer and different vitamins in from close by lawns and fields.
Water contaminated with cyanobacteria normally seems pea inexperienced however generally will be clear. Often inexperienced or blue-green mats of algae float on the floor.
Poisoning happens when the animal ingests contaminated water, algae mats or fish. It may even develop after inhalation of airborne water droplets or pores and skin contact.
The toxins are launched because the cyanobacteria are disturbed, when the algae mats are broken or within the presence of abdomen acid. The toxins are rapidly absorbed and circulated all through the physique, inflicting liver injury and neurotoxicity.
Clinical indicators begin inside minutes to hours and embrace diarrhea, weak point, muscle tremors, rigidity, paralysis and seizures. Death can happen inside just a few hours.
So play it protected: Prevent Kip from consuming, wading by way of or swimming in inexperienced water.
Q: My elderly cat, Archie, has been taking a joint complement for his osteoarthritis. It’s getting worse, so his veterinarian really helpful two drugs. I don’t take medicine myself except there’s no various, so I’d quite attempt one thing extra pure on Archie first. What do you advocate?
A: Ask for a referral to a veterinarian who practices acupuncture or laser remedy. Both may also help osteoarthritis, additionally known as degenerative joint illness or DJD.
Acupuncture, the insertion of extraordinarily skinny needles into particular places on the pet’s physique, may be very efficient at lowering the ache related to DJD and enhancing joint perform.
While practically each canine I handled appeared to like the remedy, solely about half my feline sufferers have been as enthusiastic in regards to the needles.
If Archie resists acupuncture, take into account laser remedy. The instrument used is usually known as a low-level laser or a chilly laser, to distinguish it from a surgical laser.
The formal identify for laser remedy is photobiomodulation, or PBM, remedy, as a result of it makes use of mild (photo-) that’s absorbed by cells inside the physique (-bio-) to provide a helpful therapeutic final result (-modulation).
Laser, or PBM, remedy reduces ache and irritation, decreases cartilage degeneration, will increase joint energy and mobility, improves circulation, promotes tissue regeneration and accelerates therapeutic.
For each acupuncture and PBM remedy, most pets with DJD begin with two or three therapies per week for the primary two or three weeks, after which therapies are regularly unfold out as applicable for the individual pet. Maintenance remedy normally consists of 1 therapy each three to eight weeks.
