Nancy Kay's Blog

With so many vaccines to choose from, figuring out which ones your dog truly needs can be a challenge. The kennel cough vaccine is one to consider.

Unlike distemper and parvovirus vaccinations—recommended for every dog to prevent these ubiquitous, highly contagious, life-threatening diseases—kennel cough is treatable and without universal risk of exposure.

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When determining whether to vaccinate your dog for kennel cough, the chicken soup philosophy of, “it couldn’t hurt” doesn’t fly. I encourage you to consider every vaccination as a medical procedure with potential risks and benefits.

Kennel cough, aka “canine contagious cough complex” (fabulous alliteration!) is an umbrella term for an infection (bacterial or viral) that causes tracheobronchitis—inflammation of the windpipe (trachea) and bronchial passageways. Kennel cough is highly contagious, spreading from dog to dog via respiratory tract secretions. So it makes sense that places where dogs congregate (boarding facilities, dog shows, dog parks, etc.) are potential hotbeds of infection.

Kennel cough produces a hacking, incessant, keep-you-awake-all-night kind of cough. Therapy often includes a cough suppressant and antibiotics to treat an underlying bacterial component. Complete recovery typically occurs within 10 to 14 days.

The most common causes of kennel cough are:

Bordetella brochiseptica (bacterium)

Parainfluenza virus

Canine adenovirus type 2

When deciding if the kennel cough vaccine makes good sense for your dog, consider:

Vaccinations are available to protect against Bordetella, parainfluenza, and adenovirus type 2. Distemper-parvovirus vaccines often include protection against parainfluenza and adenovirus. The veterinarian who vaccinated your dog will have this on record.

Bordetella, parainfluenza, and adenovirus type 2 are the most common, but not the only causes of kennel cough. Just as is true with the human flu vaccine, vaccinated individuals can still develop the disease if exposed to one of the other causative infectious agents.

If you opt for a kennel cough vaccine, and your dog has already been vaccinated for parainfluenza and adenovirus, Bordetella is the remaining kennel cough option to consider.

Many doggie daycare and boarding facilities, groomers, and even some exclusive dog parks will require that your dog have the kennel cough vaccine on board. Keep in mind that the buildup of immune protection requires 7 to 10 days for the injectable vaccine and 3 to 5 days following the intranasal or oral forms.

A dog that has never received a kennel cough vaccination must receive two doses of the injectable form of the vaccine three to four weeks apart to achieve immune protection. Only one dose is required for the oral and intranasal vaccines.

What should you do if, even after discussion, your vet insists on administering unnecessary vaccinations to your dog? Step up to the plate as your dog’s medical advocate and find yourselves a new veterinarian.

Does the kennel cough vaccine make sense for your dog?

Best wishes to you and your-four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful Thanksgiving. I’m profoundly grateful to you, my dedicated readers. It is a joy writing for you.

I just received this feedback that jump-started my Thanksgiving gratitude .

Hi Nancy! Just wanted to reach out about your Book “A Dog Named 647”. It has truly brought both myself and daughter to tears. I have been in the animal welfare field for a while now, I opened my own dog rescue, Underdog Rescue Ranch a few years ago, am a Vet tech, and spend majority of my days raising my 3 kids to be compassionate and an advocate for the ones without a voice. Thank you for writing such an amazing story.

My daughter’s book club will be reading this next month and hoping to spread the world!

Thank you again.

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for happiness and good health,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com

‘Tis the season for family gatherings, gift giving, and food galore. Veterinarians know this is also the season for canine pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), a painful, potentially life-threatening condition most commonly caused by overindulgence in foods that are particularly rich or fatty. And what kitchen isn’t overflowing with such foods this time of year?

The pancreas is a delicate boomerang-shaped organ tucked up against the stomach. Its size is diminutive, but its actions are mighty! The pancreas provides the body with insulin and enzymes necessary for food digestion.

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Following a meal, the pancreas releases digestive enzymes into the small intestine. When things go awry, these enzymes can activate within the pancreas itself — picture little Pac-Man creatures gobbling up cells. Ouch! Symptoms of pancreatitis vary from mild to life-threatening, and can include vomiting, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, and low energy.

Excess alcohol consumption is the most cause of pancreatitis in people. For dogs, it’s rich, fatty foods. Other potential causes of canine pancreatitis include steroid administration, hormonal imbalances, and inherited defects in fat metabolism.

Short of performing a pancreatic biopsy (a risky procedure), diagnosing pancreatitis can be tricky. Veterinarians must rely on a combination of the following:

• A history of dietary indiscretion, vomiting, and lethargy.

• Presence of abdominal pain.

• Characteristic complete blood cell count (CBC) and blood chemistry abnormalities.

• A positive or elevated Spec cPL (specific canine pancreatic lipase) blood test.

• Abdominal ultrasound changes in and around the pancreas.

There is no cure for pancreatitis. Much like a bruise, the inflammation must resolve on its own. This is best accomplished by allowing the pancreas to rest, which means fasting to prevent digestive enzyme secretion. Other treatments may include round-the-clock intravenous fluids, medications to control pain, vomiting, and stomach acid secretion, and antibiotics to prevent secondary infection or abscess formation.

If your dog is hospitalized, be sure to ask who will be supervising throughout the night. (Is it really a 24-hour care situation?)

Long-term treatment for pancreatitis involves feeding a low-fat or fat-free diet. This may be a lifelong recommendation, especially if your dog has been a repeat offender.

How can you prevent pancreatitis during this food-oriented time of year? Avoid feeding holiday leftovers altogether (this would cause a canine mutiny in my household) or heed the following recommendations:

If the food isn’t good for you, don’t feed it to your dog. For example, skinless turkey breast is fine, but without the mashed potatoes and gravy. Consider offering a bite of brisket, but no potato latkes and sour cream! Most dogs are so darned excited about getting a treat, they don’t care what it is, only that they’re getting it!

Feed table food in limited quantities. Whether you give your dog a teaspoon or a tablespoon, guaranteed it will disappear in the same amount of time.

Rely on your dog’s track record in terms of what foods are well tolerated.

Some people dream of sugar plum fairies and stress-free family gatherings. I dream of a holiday season that is free of pancreatitis!

Wishing you and your four-legged family members a joyous and healthy holiday season,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

As we all know, books make wonderful gifts. I’ve been thinking about what I can offer you for Black Friday and throughout the December holidays. Given that I don’t sell my books directly, here’s what I’d like to do.

Purchase a copy of for a special kiddo in your life, and I will send a personal letter/email to him or her. It will be a heartfelt, personal communication from this veterinarian/author about making a difference in the world.

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Reach out to me with your kiddo’s contact info- either email or snail mail address.

And now, I have a favor to ask of you. I’d love for you to leave a review for A Dog Named 647 on and/or . It can simply be a starred review if you don’t feel like writing anything. Such reviews have a huge impact on how the website algorithms generate my book’s visibility.

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members throughout the holiday season,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Of the many holidays celebrated throughout the year, Thanksgiving is, hands down, my favorite. I love devoting an entire day to meal preparation, interrupted only by an autumn hike (rain or shine) with my pupper and anyone else who cares to tag along.

I also relish a holiday that doesn’t involve giving gifts that require forethought, shopping, and wrapping. The gifts shared at the Thanksgiving table are spontaneous, require no embellishment, and are simple to deliver—love and connection created within and delivered by an open heart.

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Many things can nurture open-heartedness. For some, it’s music, art, or a walk in the woods. Being with animals definitely does this for me. And if it’s a baby animal, forget about it! Not only does my heart open wide, I think it grows even bigger!

To those who question the sanity of investing so much in loving and caring for animals when there is so much human suffering in the world, I say, “Bah humbug!” Without animals in our lives, people like me would have a tough time opening our hearts to give to others. Loving our animals doesn’t make them more important than humans, nor does it “use up” our ability to tend to people in need. Rather, loving them makes our own humanity more accessible. They nourish our hearts and allow them to open wide.

What is it that opens your heart?

My Thanksgiving wish for you is a full tummy and an open heart. Thank you for your loyal readership.

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

While out hiking a few days ago, I tripped and broke my fall with my nose. Or, should I say, my fall broke my nose. The result is the perfect Halloween look. Too bad this occurred after Halloween.

I’m not doing much right now other than trying to avoid the mirror, so this week’s blog post will be short and sweet.

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

I invite you to Ask Me Anything! Questions about your pet’s health, behavior, symptoms, routine? Difficulty finding a veterinarian who is right for you and your dog? Thinking about writing a book and wondering how I did it? Want to know some of my favorite moments as a veterinarian or tricks for finding an ideal four-legged family member? Dying to know more about me (I won’t discuss politics!)?

Ask me ANYTHING! Leave your questions in the comments below. (Please don’t send your question as an email.) I will do my best to answer every single one of them!

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

According to a recent New York Times article, anti-vaccine sentiments are spilling over into veterinary medicine. A 2024 survey estimated that 21.7 percent of dog owners and 25.9 percent of cat owners are vaccine hesitant. Oy…

I won’t discuss human vaccines here, for the same reason I have no desire to walk into an airplane propeller. But for nonhuman animals, I must speak my mind, because I want you to be outstanding medical advocates for your pets. Heck, I wrote an entire book about this!

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Vaccines are an invaluable tool for giving us what we most want: more time with our animal companions. Consider:

Canine parvovirus: The vaccine protects against this highly contagious disease that causes profuse vomiting and diarrhea, and is invariably fatal without aggressive therapy

Canine Distemper: Treatment or no treatment, this respiratory and neurological disease causes death in 80% of infected puppies.

Rabies: All mammals can get rabies (yes, we are mammals). Once symptoms arise, the disease is universally fatal. Remember the movie Old Yeller? I cried my eyes out watching it. If you’re too young to remember, the plot goes like this. A beloved family dog (best doggone dog in the west) catches rabies and has to be put down (the old fashioned way). Rabies is nothing to mess around with.

While I have zero doubt that vaccines save lives, not every animal should receive every vaccine. For example, why give the rattlesnake vaccine with no snake exposure? Why vaccinate a penthouse Pomeranian for Lyme disease? Why expose a dog or cat to any vaccine risk whatsoever when there’s no possible benefit to be gained?

As with any medical procedure, vaccinations can cause adverse reactions. Fortunately the incidence of serious and life-threatening adverse reactions is extremely low. Statistics are of little consolation, however, if your pet happens to be affected.

Discuss which vaccines are important for your pet with a trusted veterinarian. Not keen on giving vaccinations? Ask your vet for antibody testing, aka vaccine titers, to determine if your pet still has protective immunity. Just how long protection lasts varies from animal to animal.

Formal guidelines for canine and feline vaccines, as created by the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association for Feline Practitioners can be found here.

What’s your philosophy about vaccinating your pets? Do you discuss the options with your veterinarian?

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Hi friends,

My recent novel, , has received nothing but stellar reviews (4.9 star ratings on both Amazon and Goodreads). The book conveys important messages to kids about friendship, compassion, and taking a stand for what you believe in.

I’d like to get A Dog Named 647 into the hands of as many teachers, librarians, and parents of middle graders as possible. Do you happen to know any? Are you one yourself? If so, please reach out to me at vetmama@sonic.net.

The more kids (and adults) who learn about puppy mills, the better.

Thank you!!

Dr. Nancy

drnancykay.com

I’ve got nothing but mad love and respect for the liver. This amazing, multitasking organ performs a vast array of functions essential for survival. A description of them along with liver disease symptoms and diagnostic testing are found in Liver Disease: Part I. Below is the rest of the story.

You need more than two hands to count the number of diseases that affect the canine liver. Listed below are those most commonly diagnosed. As you read through them, it will help you to know that:

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

hepa or hepato = liver

pathy = disease of

itis = inflammation (keep in mind that things other than infection can cause inflammation)

cholangio = bile vessels within the liver that are responsible for transporting bile to the gall bladder

Blood from abdominal organs (spleen, kidneys, stomach, intestines, pancreas, prostate gland, uterus and ovaries) flows into the liver via the portal vein before returning to the heart. Shunting is the term used when blood bypasses the liver and flows directly to the heart by way of other blood vessels (shunts).

This is problematic because none of the important products manufactured within the liver (protein, blood clotting factors, glucose, cholesterol, etc.) can be distributed into the bloodstream for transport throughout the body. Secondly, there isn’t an opportunity for substances such as vitamins and minerals to be delivered to the liver for storage. Lastly, the liver acts as a bit of a garbage disposal to detoxify the blood. With shunts, substances normally removed by the liver accumulate in the bloodstream and can cause the neurological symptoms (hepatic encephalopathy).

Most liver shunts arise during fetal development. Breeds most commonly affected include: Maltese, schnauzers, shih-tzus, dachshunds, poodles, and Yorkshire terriers.

Shunts can also develop in response to liver disease severe enough to markedly increase pressure within the portal vein. Surgery is the treatment of choice for dogs with single congenital shunts, and is often curative. For dogs with multiple and more complex shunts, medical therapy can provide significant benefit in the short term.

Given that the liver is the garbage disposal of the body, it’s no wonder that it’s often the first organ to take a hit when a dog eats or is exposed to something toxic. For this reason, ingestion of poisonous mushrooms often results in life-ending liver failure. In people, a liver transplant is often required. Many toxins affecting the liver are medically treatable and transient. If the damage isn’t devastating, the liver can repair and regenerate remarkably well.

This is a frustrating disease in that the actual underlying cause is poorly understood. A liver biopsy reveals chronic smoldering inflammation without an identifiable infectious agent. Left unchecked, this inflammation can result in scar tissue (cirrhosis) within the liver. Treatment is aimed at reducing inflammation and protecting the health of the hepatocytes (liver cells).

Bacterial infection is the most common cause of infectious hepatitis. Infections can arise from gut bacteria (remember, all blood coming from the intestines passes through the liver) or from a systemic bacterial infection such as leptospirosis. Adenovirus, a viral cause of infectious hepatitis, is rarely diagnosed because protection against this disease is included with distemper/parvovirus vaccinations. Antibiotics and supportive care such as intravenous fluids and medication are used to support the health of liver cells.

This refers to inflammation within the liver as well as the biliary vessels that transport bile to the gall bladder. Cholangiohepatitis is usually a result of a bacterial infection, and the treatment consists of antibiotics, medications to hasten bile flow and supportive care.

Copper metabolism abnormalities result in excess accumulation of copper within the liver cells. Not only does this disrupt normal liver function, it can incite chronic inflammation that may ultimately result in liver failure. Copper storage disease has been identified as an inherited abnormality in Bedlington terriers, Labrador retrievers, doberman pinschers, Skye terriers, and West Highland white terriers. Treatment of this disease utilizes anti-inflammatory medications and chelation therapy which makes the copper more soluble in water and enhances its elimination via the kidneys.

This refers to the accumulation of globules (vacuoles) of water or fat within the liver cells. It is a default response of the liver to any sort of stress. It occurs in response to excess cortisone in the body, caused by Cushing’s disease (over production of cortisone in the body) or treatment with cortisone-containing medications. The treatment of choice is removal of the underlying cause.

Several types of cancerous growths originate within the liver: lymphoma, hemangiosarcoma, mast cell cancer, malignant histiocytosis, and adenocarcinoma. The liver is a common site of metastasis from cancer in another body site. Treatment varies depending on the type of cancer diagnosed.

A number of different medications can cause liver disease:

Cortisone (discussed above)

Phenobarbital (antiseizure medication)

Anti-fungal medications

Some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications

Acetaminophen (Tyelenol)

Diazepam (valium)

This refers to scar tissue within the liver. On ultrasound, end stage cirrhosis looks like a small cluster of grapes rather than a normal sized, smooth surfaced organ.

Cirrhosis in people is often associated with alcohol consumption. In dogs, it is the end result of a chronic insult (inflammation, toxicity, infection) to the liver cells. If ever canine liver transplants become available, these are the dogs who will need it.

As you can see, there are a whole bunch of ways the liver can get in trouble. Treatment plans for dogs with liver disease vary a great deal depending upon the type and severity of the diagnosis. Whenever possible, a liver biopsy should be collected in order to provide a clear-cut diagnosis. If a liver biopsy isn’t feasible, empirical therapy (“best guess” treatment) is the go to. In some cases hospitalization is recommended for dogs with liver disease. Other can be successfully managed on an outpatient basis.

Treatment of liver disease often requires a good deal of finesse. For this reason, it is wise to consider enlisting help from a specialist in internal medicine (or surgeon if shunt surgery is required). Don’t hesitate to ask your family veterinarian for a referral.

Treatment for dogs with liver disease might include:

• Intravenous fluids or fluids administered under the skin to restore and maintain hydration, hasten delivery of medication, and promote elimination of toxins

• Plasma transfusion: rich in protein and blood clotting factors

• Antibiotics

• Anti-inflammatory medications (steroids most commonly used)

• Medications to reduce stomach acid production and promote appetite

• Medications to reduce nausea

• Diet change

• Ursodiol: a medication that promotes bile flow

• Vitamin K: supports normal blood clotting

• Vitamin E: antioxidant that can support liver health

• Milk thistle (silymarin): an herbal supplement that supports and protects liver cells from damage

• S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe): a compound that promotes liver cell health

• Lactulose: binds and inactivates substances in the bloodstream that can cause neurological symptoms

• Surgery to correct a liver shunt or remove a cancerous growth

• Chemotherapy: treatment for some liver cancers

Given the many types of canine liver diseases, the prognosis truly runs the gamut from good to poor, and is not always predictable. In fact, two dogs with the exact same disease and treatment can have completely different outcomes. The best bet is to initiate therapy and see how the dog responds.

Whew, that’s a lot of information I just threw at you. If ever your dog has liver disease, I hope it will come in handy. Has your dog ever had liver disease?

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The liver is an amazing, complex organ that performs so many functions, all of which are vital for good health. Such multi-tasking means that there are several things that can go awry. Not surprising then that liver disease in dogs is quite common.

The liver is the most resilient organ in the body and, to a great extent, can regenerate and restore itself following damage. (I liken this to lizards regrowing their tails.) Additionally, because the liver contains multiple lobes, significant disease in one doesn’t impair overall liver function.

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Before blood from the abdominal organs (spleen, stomach, intestines, pancreas, kidneys) travels back to the heart, it must first pass through the liver via a large blood vessel called the portal vein. Once within the liver, hepatocytes (liver cells) detoxify the blood, removing any undesirable substances such as toxins or bacteria. This detoxification process is the reason a dog can recover from “food poisoning” after dining on a rotten carcass.

In addition to its role as the “garbage disposal” of the body, the liver also acts as a manufacturing plant, producing a vast array of substances some of which include vitamins, proteins, fatty acids, glucose, cholesterol, and blood clotting factors. The liver releases these essential products into the bloodstream for use throughout the body.

The liver serves as a storage unit for several essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals and glycogen, an important source of energy release during exercise. The liver also produces bile (bilirubin) and stores it within the gallbladder so it is ready for release into the small intestine when needed for fat digestion.

There is no single symptom or combination of them that is diagnostic for liver disease. Liver-related symptoms overlap with those of several other illnesses. And, just as in people with certain types of hepatitis, some dogs with significant liver disease have no symptoms whatsoever. This is one of the many good reasons to do blood testing on older dogs.

Symptoms commonly associated with liver disease include:

• loss of appetite

• lethargy

• vomiting

• diarrhea

• increased thirst

• jaundice (yellow coloring of the gums and eyes)

• abdominal distention caused by fluid accumulation

• neurological abnormalities (hepatic encephalopathy)

There are typically two stages of testing involved in diagnosing liver disease. While the first stage confirms that a liver abnormality is present, it doesn’t typically define the type of disease. The second stage of testing is used to confirm the exact type of liver disease present. A liver biopsy is often needed to make the diagnosis although, on occasion, the ultrasound alone is confirmatory.

First stage testing

Thorough physical exam

Complete blood cell count (CBC)

Chemistry profile

Urinalysis

Abdominal x-ray

Second stage testing

Bile acids test

Blood clotting studies

Abdominal ultrasound

Liver biopsy collected via surgery, laparoscopy, or with ultrasound guidance

The chemistry profile measures ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase), enzymes contained within the liver cells. Elevations of these two enzymes indicate that at least some of the liver cells are “unhappy,” enough so that they are leaking excess ALT and AST into the bloodstream.

ALT and AST results, even if markedly elevated, don’t provide information about how the liver is performing its normal functions. In other words, one cannot diagnose liver failure based ALT and AST results alone. Unfortunately, measurements of these two enzymes are often referred to as “liver function tests,” a term I find very misleading.

So, how then does one evaluate liver function? The chemistry profile also measures albumin, glucose, urea, and cholesterol, all of which are manufactured within the liver. Decreased amounts of these four substances in the bloodstream are compatible with liver dysfunction.The liver produces blood clotting factors, and abnormally prolonged blood clotting times can occur with liver dysfunction.

Blood clotting factors are also made within the liver, and abnormally prolonged blood clotting times can occur with liver dysfunction. A bile acids test (a blood test) is another accurate way of screening for this.

Stay tuned for Liver Disease: Part II to learn about the causes and treatment of liver disease.

Have you ever had a dog with liver disease?

Best wishes to you and your four-legged family members for abundant good health,

Dr. Nancy

DrNancyKay.com

Speaking for Spot - Dr. Nancy Kay is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.