Author: Hanie Elfenbein, DVM

By Hanie Elfenbein, DVM In the past few years, doctors and researchers have recognized the important role of gut bacteria in digestion. These bacteria inhabit the digestive system of all animals and are necessary for proper digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. Gut “microbiota” refers to the community of these bacteria, as well as other microscopic organisms that work together to keep your digestion healthy. The composition of the microbiota depends on many factors, including genetics, environment, and diet. Intestinal infections, such as those that cause diarrhea, and subsequent antibiotic medications alter the gut microbiota. Sometimes this leads to long-term dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the composition of the microbiota, leading to digestive difficulty and chronic diarrhea. What Is a Fecal Transplant? Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), among other terms used, is a procedure where fecal material from a healthy individual is given to an individual with intestinal illness in order to restore a healthy balance to the gut microbiota and resolve the illness. In humans, FMT is most frequently used to resolve gastrointestinal infections with C. dificle, a harmful bacterium that flourishes in immunocompromised, hospitalized, and other very ill individuals. The healthy bacteria found in the fecal transplant material replaces the harmful bacteria inside of the recipient’s intestines and helps restore a beneficial community. Researchers are studying whether FMT can also help people with chronic intestinal disease such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. So far, the therapy seems promising. Given the success of FMT in humans, veterinarians and veterinary researchers wondered whether the procedure could also help dogs and cats with chronic intestinal disease and diarrhea. An occasional bout of diarrhea is likely nothing to worry about and can be easily treated. But some pets rarely have normal stool or have diarrhea for weeks at a time. These dogs may need daily therapy or major changes in their diet before they can have normal feces. Veterinarians classify diarrhea by what type of therapy resolves it: antibiotic-responsive, fiber-responsive, diet-responsive, and non-responsive. It is thought that dogs with diarrhea that is refractory to treatment have an imbalance of their gut microbiota, or a dysbiosis. FMT is aimed at treating that dysbiosis by replenishing beneficial types of bacteria. This is why selection and screening of the donor animal is so important—their microbiota needs to be healthy and well-balanced.

By Hanie Elfenbein, DVM

By Hanie Elfenbein, DVM Most urban and suburban pet parents are very familiar with the details of their pets’ feces because they have to scoop it daily on walks. A dog’s urine, however, is often harder to keep track of because it quickly disappears into the grass or dirt. But sometimes you may notice changes in the color or odor of your dog’s urine. For cats, of course, monitoring the cat litter box is key to noticing any changes. The most important thing to remember is that in order to notice a change, you should first make yourself familiar with the characteristics of your pet’s urine while he or she is healthy. A change from whatever is normal for your pet may indicate a change in his or her health. If you do notice a change, try to catch a sample from your dog in a clean disposable container and bring it to your veterinarian’s office. Even if you can’t schedule an appointment for a few days, you can start to diagnose the problem and hopefully resolve it. Cats must usually be brought into the clinic where a sample can be collected, although there are some non-absorbent litters that are designed for collecting urine samples at home. Ideally, urine should be delivered fresh to your veterinary clinic within one hour or refrigerated. Characteristics of Your Pet’s Urine Color Clear: This either means that your pet is well hydrated or it’s a sign that he or she is unable to concentrate urine. There are many reasons that pets cannot concentrate their urine. If you are concerned that your pet’s urine may not be concentrated, the best sample to bring to your veterinarian is their first-morning urine. It tends to be the most concentrated sample of the day. Yellow: This may indicate concentrated urine, in which case your dog or cat should be encouraged to drink more water. Cat or dog water fountains may increase water intake. Some pets prefer to drink out of cups rather than bowls and others prefer glass to metal. *Note: Clear urine is not necessarily dilute nor is yellow urine necessarily concentrated. But it is a good first guideline. Red, Brown, or Orange: This may indicate blood in the urine. Some medications may also give urine an orange or red tint. In dogs, blood in urine is most likely due to an infection or bladder stones. Cats may also develop bloody urine in response to stress. Animals prone to developing bloody urine may have an underlying disease that can be addressed with something as simple as a change in diet. This is definitely one urine change worth talking to your veterinarian about. Odor Any change in odor should be a reason to have your pet’s urine analyzed by a veterinarian. Foul smelling urine is often an indicator of infection. Concentrated urine will have a stronger smell. Clarity Cloudy urine can indicate an infection, bladder crystals, or stones. It could also indicate protein in the urine. Quantity If your pet starts urinating a much larger quantity (or the same quantity more frequently), that may indicate the kidneys are not doing their job to concentrate urine. This could be due to kidney disease or a hormonal influence on the kidneys. Either way, your veterinarian can help you manage or resolve the problem. Frequency Changes in frequency, stream, posturing without urinating, increased licking after urinating, or staining around the vulva or prepuce can all indicate a problem. See your veterinarian as soon as possible. For cats, visiting the litter box more frequently could be the most clear sign that something is wrong. No Urine If your pet does not urinate for 24 hours, it’s a medical emergency. There may be a blockage preventing urine from flowing into or out of the bladder. This is more common in cats than dogs, especially male cats. If you think your cat may be unable to urinate, rush to your veterinarian or the nearest emergency clinic. Multi-Cat Households If you have more than one cat using the same litter box, it can be hard to determine which one is having an issue. If one cat shows other signs, such as more time at the water bowl or less interest in cat food, that can help narrow it down. There are some litters that claim to change color in response to changes in your cat’s urine. While these are great in theory, they are not always reliable.

4. Maintain a Barrier for Christmas Tree Lights Christmas lights should be positioned away from the bottom of the tree. Electric cord injuries will damage a dog’s mouth tissue and can lead to long-term problems eating, difficulty breathing, and even death. Regularly check the electric light cords frequently for signs of chewing (which is also a fire hazard). To ensure your pup’s safety, put a gate or pen around your tree. You can also buy plastic fish tank tubing, split them, and cover your lights. This makes them much more chew-proof.,The winter holidays are a magical time, punctuated with glittering lights, shimmering ornaments, Christmas trees, and brightly colored garlands. Not only are all these things fun for us, but they’re also intriguing to our pets. However, before you set up your tree and start taking out your decorations, take a moment to consider these Christmas tree safety tips to keep your pup happy, safe, and healthy throughout the holidays.