Back in the Game

                        It was only a routine play to the sideline. But when it was over, the player sat quietly on the grass, with a “help me” facial expression both acknowledging that something bad had happened, and disbelief that it did.

                        The fans were shocked, silenced by the sudden end of so much promise,  followed by that horrible feeling of what might have been.

                        Am I describing the play that took out Cleveland quarterback, Brian Hoyer, and all the hope he represented for long suffering Browns fans? Oh, my goodness, no! This was far worse than that. The player injured didn’t even play football. She played “ballie”, and although she had the same injury as Brian Hoyer, a torn ACL, she wasn’t a human. She was a dog. And not just any dog. The player hurt was our beloved Welsh Corgi, Betsy Louise. Moreover, in that instant her parents went from being veterinarians to owners of a broken pet, with all the concern and anxiety their clients might experience when faced with a similar situation.

                        What should we do? Surgery or medical management? We don’t do knee surgery in our practice, but we have treated several dogs, big and little, successfully with anti-inflammatory drugs, glucosamine-chondroitin sulfate medications, exercise restriction, and time. Betsy, however, was a special case. She was only two years old, and without question, the most athletic dog we’ve ever had.

                        Although our two Border Collies literally run circles around her when it comes to herding sheep and ducks, and Betsy does try, fetching the Kong ball is her specialty, and obsession. With her short legs and lightning reflexes, she makes the Border Collies look like the team that always plays, and loses to, the Harlem Globetrotters.

                        The knee or stifle joint, which connects the long femur bone to the shorter tibia and fibula bones of the lower leg, is one of the most complex joints in the body, subject to stress with each step taken; the stress exacerbated when running, jumping, and twisting is thrown into the mix. This is probably what got Betsy into trouble.

                        The joint is held together by two pairs of ligaments, which are fibrous bands of tissue, that link bone to bone. The medial and lateral collateral ligaments are located on the inside and outside surface of the joint. The anterior or cranial cruciate ligament and the posterior or caudal cruciate ligament hold the joint together from within.

                        If the anterior cruciate ligament is torn, as in Betsy’s case, the tibia is allowed to move forward unconstrained, which destabilizes the joint and can lead to further damage to the other ligaments as well as arthritis.

                        Betsy’s mother, Bonnie, consulted with two surgeons. One preferred a procedure known as Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy [TPLO]. In this surgery part of the tibia is cut and rotated. It is more invasive, more complicated and thus more expensive. For larger dogs, though, it may be necessary. The other surgeon routinely performs the Lateral Imbrication technique, which involves tightening the lateral joint tissues with sutures. For smaller dogs like Betsy, this usually works fine, and is the route we decided to take.

                        As surgery day drew near, however, we were filled with additional nervous-owner questions. Were we doing the right thing? Would the operation be a success? And, of course, the whole idea of putting Betsy’s life in someone else’s hands, even when we knew he was perfectly capable, was another small mountain to climb.

                        The patient was to be dropped off at the animal hospital around noon. Bonnie made a list of Betsy’s likes and dislikes. Included was that Betsy liked to have someone’s fingers placed inside her ears, I guess for an internal massage. She also liked to have her chest rubbed, but not her belly. I did not know that. And please, if they could trim her nails real short while she was sleeping, as Betsy has never been keen about nail-trims. I knew Betsy liked to play by her own rules, but I didn’t realize there was an actual list. I appreciated the doctor and his technicians for the kindness and patience shown to me, the list, and Princess Betsy Louise.

                        Her surgery and recovery went well, and although she was pretty gimpy for the first few days, the sparkle soon returned to her eyes. With each passing day she becomes more like the Betsy Louise of old. Hopefully, in about three months, if her rehabilitation continues to go well, she can begin to think about getting back in the game.

Author:  Dr. John Jones

Making Your Pet’s Christmas Merry and Bright

                     

                        Stuart is a much loved, bow-tie-wearing Goldendoodle.  At just five months of age, he was the recipient of most of Angela’s Secret Pal presents at our recent hospital Christmas party.  The more “Stuart gifts” Angela unwrapped, the larger the grin on her face grew.  Witnessing Angela’s joy inspired me to share some thoughts about every pet’s Christmas list. 

 

                        Stuart’s gifts were both delightful and appropriate: a Christmas collar to match his favorite bow-tie, a seasonal bandanna, and a Santa/Mickey Mouse hat. I truly believe we love our pets because in many ways they are a reflection of us.  As a health-conscious veterinary technician who graduated at the top of her class, Angela takes great pride in assuring that “Stu” always looks good.  And, she is giving him one of the greatest gifts of all, obedience classes. 

 

                        Besides the gifts of attire and training, toys and treats probably top every pet owner’s shopping list.  As a veterinarian, unfortunately I am usually on the side of the “Don’ts” for pet Christmas presents.  The gifts that make me cringe most are all items that go into pets’ mouths.  For dogs, these include hard vinyl toys (Nylabones), rawhide chews, antlers, cow hooves, pig ears, and pressed bones. For cats, the “No-No” list includes any toy with small pieces or long strings.

 

                        The problem with the canine “Don’ts” are the fractured teeth associated with these chew toys that are just too hard.  Veterinarians see many fractured teeth. The history for these pets usually includes that the dog is an aggressive chewer whose owner has great difficulty finding toys the dog cannot destroy and ingest.

 

                        My suggestion for these “extreme chewers” is Kong toys, with the black Kong (“Extreme Kong”) being the most durable.  Kong toys are made of very tough rubber and are available in multiple shapes and sizes.  If a pet swallows chunks from a Kong, the pieces are likely to be small and will pass through the pet’s digestive tract.  By stuffing your dog’s Kong toy with low fat canned food or peanut butter mixed with treats then freezing it overnight, you can create an enjoyable, enduring, healthy, dental treat.

 

                        For fans of rawhide treats for pets, I have a precautionary word.  I once had the misfortune of seeing a Pekingese that had died en-route to our hospital as his owner rushed him in to see us.  The cause of his sudden death was a chunk of rawhide lodged in the back of his all too crowded throat.  His owner was inconsolable.   Inevitably, rawhide will get swallowed, intentionally or accidentally, then either obstruct or grind its way through your pet’s intestinal tract.  Please don’t give your pet rawhide chews!

 

                        Also, changing your pet’s food or treats during the holidays may result in an “astronomical-gastronomical event” that will not “deck the halls” nicely, if you know what I mean.  Instead, consider filling your pet’s stocking with tried and true treats. And, please do not share your holiday dinner with your four-legged friends!

 

                        For my feline patients, the “Don’ts” include Christmas toys with strings, such as fishing pole toys.  These are great “chase toys” when humans are on the other end of the pole controlling the game, but NOT when they are left unattended.  Cats commonly swallow linear items like thread, yarn, and string while in pursuit of whatever is attached to them. Eat, drink and be merry, but please don’t give your cat the gift of emergency intestinal surgery!

 

                        The best holiday cat toys may already be in your home and include gift bags and boxes to play in, and bows to bat around.  Since many house kitties are often overindulged with too much food and not enough exercise, consider “puzzle balls (Egg-cersizer)” to make your cat “work” for its food and treats.

 

                        If your pet family is mixed like mine and includes both cats and dogs, be mindful, too, of small cat toys that dogs will seek, chew, then swallow. Nothing ruins the reason for the season like an expensive emergency foreign body retrieval surgery.

 

                        Like all of us, pets crave the gift of your time more than anything else. Instead of spending that embarrassing amount of your slush budget on toys and food for Fido and Fuzzy, choose to spend time interacting with your pet, or homeless pets if you are currently “pet-free.”  Celebrate the human-animal bond during the holidays and all year round by walking, playing with, or training your pet.  Then, ask yourself who really received the gift. 

 

                        Happy Holidays from the two and four-legged residents of Welshire Farm!

 

Author:  Dr. Bonnie Jones

Have We Seen Your Cat Lately?



 

                

                         I find dogs irresistible, from the tiniest Yorkie to massive Mastiffs.  Plain and simple, I love dogs.    

                        My affection for cats, however, rivals my adoration of dogs to the nth degree.  Cats fascinate me with their intelligence, beauty, independence and ability to thrust their people into servitude.  This may seem obvious to you if you have ever been around me or any veterinarian, so why am I bringing this to your attention? 

                        Well-known, yet troubling observations by veterinarians were confirmed recently by the Bayer-American Association of Feline Practitioners Veterinary Care Usage Study presented at the American Veterinary Medical Association conference in July. This study showed that HALF as many cats get annual veterinary exams compared to dogs.  The study also found:

                        - 52% of cats haven’t been to the veterinarian in the past year

                        - 81% of pet owners believe cats are independent and self-sufficient,                                  therefore requiring little attention

                        The findings from this study, and others like it, are heartbreaking and frustrating for me. While veterinarians have known about these observations for a long time, we can’t seem to change this trend, no matter how vociferously we advocate for our feline patients.  The primary reasons cats do not visit veterinarians as often as dogs, or at all, are twofold.   

                        First, and probably foremost, cat owners find capturing and transporting cats to be personal torture.  Any cat fancier is well aware that you work for your cat and cats do not like leaving the comforts of home. Why then would we think these incredibly clever creatures would be content leaving their abodes to go to the veterinarian where they are “poked and prodded?”

                        Transporting cats can be a daunting task,  but it doesn’t have to be a dreaded drudge!  A few simple hints can make these trips less distressing.  Just as we begin puppy training early in life, we must kitten train as well.  Without argument, the safest way to transport cats (and small dogs) is in a pet carrier.  This six sided safety zone needs to be made into a comfy haven for cats of all ages, but starting early in the kitten period will be more fruitful.

                        I encourage cat owners to purchase or create a six-sided pet carrier that can be dismantled in to top and bottom halves, or that has side and top opening doors.  Line the carrier with a soft, enticing blanket or fleece and leave it out in a comfortable area of your home for the cat to discover and become accustomed to.  Place favorite toys or food treats in the carrier as positive reinforcements. Ask your veterinarian about a pheromone (Feliway) spray or towelettes to make the carrier even more attractive to your cat. Over time, your cat will bond with this new, alluring “hideout.”

                        When it is time to travel with your cat, place it in the carrier and cover it with a cloth to decrease visual stimulation.  To minimize your cat’s stress when visiting your veterinarian, keep the cloth on the carrier until your cat is in the exam room and ready to be handled by a veterinary professional.  Having your cat in a well protected hiding spot also greatly diminishes the likelihood that it will scratch you when it becomes frightened by its new surroundings and boisterous fellow patients.

                        Acknowledging their feline patients’ anxiety, veterinarians commonly examine cats while resting in the bottom of their carriers.  All veterinary professionals will aspire to calm your cat by using soothing tones and gentle touches, including chin rubs and ear massages. 

                        The second reason cats do not frequent veterinary offices is they are  “great illusionists,” successfully hiding their potentially life-threatening or chronic illnesses from their owners. In short, cats regularly dupe their owners. 

                        Cats were wild animals that we domesticated.  In the wild, if you show weakness, you become prey.  Cats intuitively know this and continue to conceal their illnesses from their owners until they can no longer do so;  then it’s too late to change their plight.  

                        Veterinarians are trained to detect signs of illness in these feline masters of disguise.  My heart aches for countless feline patients that miss out on annual wellness exams during which I could provide early detection, treatment, and often cures, for their illnesses and diseases.

                        I know that there are cat people and there are dog people, and people like me, who are both.  But, if you love cats a little or a lot, please introduce your cat to the possible pleasantries associated with pet carriers as well as travel immediately upon adoption.  And, don’t miss out on the opportunity to have regular wellness exams for your cat.  Let us help you guarantee a longer, healthy, and high quality life for your cat.

 

Author: Dr. Bonnie Jones

Marty McFly’s Life-changing Wardrobe

                                            

Marty McFly is a well-dressed man. It’s a sentiment that you will not hear me dispute — other than the fact that he’s not actually a man. Marty McFly is my dog. Marty came into my life about three years ago. I adopted Marty from a local Rescue group in Toledo. I must divulge that I grew up with Newfoundland dogs and English mastiffs. So a small 18-pound senior citizen chihuahua-terrier mix was kind of a “big” change for me. Sure my family has had a beagle and dachshunds in the smaller-framed category before, but none of these heartier fellows had the problems Marty seems to have. The other guys have had lots of bulk and muscle mass and tons of fur which my new twig-legged, short-coated friend does not.

Marty McFly gets cold. He gets cold easily. I figured out that his little internal thermostat is set at 72 degrees Fahrenheit. If the external temperature is anything over 73 degrees, he is panting. Anything under 71 degrees and he is shivering and gives me sad puppy-dog eyes pleading for warmth.

I must admit that before my time with Marty I knew that people dressed their dogs but I always wrote it off as kind of a silly thing to do. My past experiences with giant breed dogs led me to believe it was a frivolous practice to dress your pet. I still remember the day when I experienced the first real bout of shivering from Marty as the weather got colder. It was a late autumn day and only wrapping him in blankets would stop it — I realized I had a decision to make. Do I dare become one of those dog-dressing people? Do I cross that line? I decided I might as well try it out. If it made Marty’s life easier I would do it. I would sacrifice my dignity. I brought home a red plaid fleece jacket from a doggie boutique. He wore it around well, didn’t try and shake it off, or fight it as some dogs do. Miraculously, the shivering and pleading puppy-dog eyes stopped.

During my first year out of vet school I had a client who was an elderly lady that owned an elderly 7-pound toy poodle. Her complaint was that her dog was having “seizures.” She would have fits of shivering and chattering teeth that lasted several minutes at a time. What she described could have been considered a type of seizure. We discussed the varying symptoms of seizure disorders and our medical options. She was an older poodle due for annual wellness testing anyway, and to be thorough, we ran an organ profile. As we were discussing her poodle’s history and symptoms I asked her if she kept her heat low in the house. She reportedly kept her house warm (or so she thought). I suggested before starting her dog on seizure medications as she was asking, that we try a week of doggie-sweater wearing. She took home the prescribed sweater. The blood work came back normal. As I called to check in on the pooch a week later, the fits had stopped. I had unwittingly converted another person to the lifestyle of being a dog dresser.

Older dogs, puppies and sick pets can have trouble regulating their body temperatures. Puppies especially routinely need warming in blankets and will cuddle with each other in “dog piles” with their litter mates. If you have a young or small breed puppy you must offer them a warm place as hypothermia is a life-threatening concern and is avoidable. You don’t necessarily need to dress them in puppy sweaters, but rather, be vigilant of their environmental temperature.

Extreme weather conditions are a major concern for dogs that spend significant time outdoors. Even my beloved blocky-headed mastiffs will sometimes require small horse blankets in frigid climates. Outdoor dogs need easily accessible shelters with warm bedding to keep them safe from the elements. Frostbite and hypothermia are considerable risks with any dog living outdoors.

Since that cold autumn day when I first experienced Marty’s shivering escapades, his wardrobe has filled out. He doesn’t have as impressive a clothing line as some that I know, but he has a significant collection nonetheless. I have accepted the fact that I am now a dog dresser. I no longer make excuses for it. At Halloween, Marty McFly makes the cutest pterodactyl this side of the ice ages. So please be sympathetic and don’t shake your head in disgust at the next dog you see dressed in a bedazzled denim jacket or a Santa sweater — it may be a result of a veterinary prescribed wardrobe.


Author: Dr. Marisa L. Tong

October is National Pet Wellness Month!

Did you know? Have you heard?  October is National Pet Wellness Month!

When our babies are born, they immediately have their first wellness exam.  We continue to schedule and attend these exams as recommended and never miss an appointment.  Often pet owners begin puppy and kitten wellness exams nearly as early in life, but as the pet ages, these same owners tend to schedule visits less frequently than recommended.  

Please remember that every year of human life corresponds to approximately seven years for your dog, depending upon its size and breed.  As a result, if one year of wellness testing is missed for your dog, it is comparable to missing seven years of human checkups! Cats, too, age at a much more rapid rate than humans.  For example, a three year old cat is approximately 42 years old in human years. 

There are many reasons (or excuses) to not schedule your pet’s wellness visit…bad economy, lack of time, or the cost just does not fit into the budget at this time.  It is wise to keep in mind though, that wellness testing may find those otherwise undetected conditions that will end up costing you more in the long run.

Starting wellness testing when your pet is young gives you and your veterinarian a set of laboratory values that are normal or “baseline” for your pet.  Annual exams with blood testing can detect any abnormalities and provide the opportunity to treat any conditions early and more effectively. This will keep your pet healthier plus save substantial costs. Pet owners that are vigilant in providing necessary preventive treatments will find their pets healthier and happier.

When your pet reaches “senior” age level, yearly blood tests are even more important. It is at this stage that many organs begin to function at less than optimal levels, particularly the kidneys and liver.  Blood tests can detect these changes as well as others, and the necessary treatment can be determined to extend both the life and the quality of life of your pet.

So, let’s celebrate National Pet Wellness Month with our pets!  Give them the best care – the care that they deserve – and keep them healthy throughout every life stage!

                                                       
                           Don’t Rock the Boat (Parts 1 & 2)
          

 

                        “That’s my test!” I exclaimed to the GenAlysis receptionist. “Not really, but six years and a month ago I did make the first call to Dr. Beever to see about developing it.” 

                        A proud moment for me, I could barely contain my excitement. I had just received a fax from the genetics lab, and in a little box to the right of my scrapie results were the words “Ectodermal dysplasia [ Hairy lamb syndrome ].”

                        Although I knew the commercial availability of the test was imminent, this was my first proof it was actually real, and the effort begun those six years ago truly worthwhile.

                        I was never going to mention my hairy lambs in one of these columns again. To be honest, some bitterness on my part played a role in that decision. But one night I made a discovery that put a lot of things in perspective, and I felt compelled to tell this story. I guess you could say “it was in my genes.”    

                        While looking for an old photograph in a hutch by our kitchen, I found a far greater treasure- the Spring / Summer 1982 edition of The Speculum, a newsmagazine published by Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Inside was an article about a retiring professor and the book he wanted to write, “Don’t Rock the Boat”, a memoir on “the foibles and political intrigue of university life.”

                        Included was advice he often gave his students: “The price you pay for nonconformity is non-acceptance. But go ahead if you can stand the non-acceptance- that’s how things get done.”

                         Last November, my five year stint as a member of the board of directors of the American Southdown Breeders Association came to an end. Minutes from the board meeting state that I didn’t seek re-election. One reason for that is because I was never elected to begin with. The true reason, though, is that I wasn’t intrigued by the politics anymore, just tired of it. 

                        In May 2007, I was appointed by the association president to chair a committee to find a solution to a problem that had been plaguing our breed for over twenty years- hairy lambs. These lambs are born not with wool but a short, silky, curly hair-coat, have a fine bone structure, and a jaw deformity resulting in a “parrot-mouth”.  

                        My first hairy lamb was born in the spring of 2006, and presented a “What the heck is that?” scenario. Was the poor little creature caused by a viral infection, a toxic plant or some kind of vitamin / mineral deficiency? When the second was born a year later, a familial link surfaced. The third and fourth born two weeks after that were nails in the genetic coffin.

                         My first act as chairman was to contact Dr. Jonathan Beever, a molecular geneticist at the University of Illinois, and one of the best livestock geneticists in the world. Perhaps it was his professorial aura, but something about him reminded me of my dad, and I sensed that he, too, might be a bit of a boat-rocker.

                        Immediately we set about to collect blood samples from hairy lambs, their parents and siblings, and study pedigrees to look for common ties. In November of that year I was asked to fill a board seat vacated by a retiring member. 

                        It didn’t take me long to realize that on a board full of sheep sellers I was probably one of the few, if not the only one, who represented buyers. And the really big sellers didn’t want anything or anybody to disrupt that process. 

                        Soon I began to hear this phrase: “We can’t be pointing fingers at anyone.”  I didn’t have to. The sheep with their ear-tags and registration papers did all the pointing necessary, and without exception, every hairy lamb I was privy to, and their associated pedigrees, pointed in the same direction. 

 

                        Hairy lambs had been reported from Texas to Minnesota and Massachusetts to California, and they all traced to a single flock located in the center of our nation. Apparently, sweeping bad recessive genes under the rug doesn’t make them go away; it just spreads them farther and wider. 

                        When I joined the sixteen member board, I became the thirteenth to have the problem in my flock; I simply didn’t know the status of the other three. Yet during the first two years of sample collecting, besides the president and me, only one other board member provided any samples. I found that profoundly disappointing. 

                        To be fair, I guess they were trying to protect their flocks. Unfortunately, not enough of them recognized I was trying to do the same- for theirs as well as my own.   

                                                                                                            …to be continued

                   
                                                        Don’t Rock the Boat, Part II

                         

                        By the summer of 2008, Dr. Beever began to employ new technology called single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP testing. I can’t even pretend to understand how it works, but it was supposed to be a faster method to uncover and identify genetic disorders using glass slides called “chips,” already mapped out genomes, and computers. Our hairy lamb problem was to be one of the first sheep conditions to utilize this tool.

 

                        That November, our vice-president, who happened to be the son of the owner of the suspected source flock, became president, and I was promptly relieved of my command and replaced by one of his friends. Needless to say, I was pretty much kept out of the hairy lamb loop after that, officially at least.

 

                        But breeders still called me about possible cases, and late one night, another board member expressed concern that someone might try to “derail the project.”

 

                        The next morning I called Dr. Beever and asked him this simple question: “Is there anything anyone can do or say to you to make you stop working on this?”

 

                        Dr. Beever, who can “go on and on and on” when talking about molecular genetics, in normal conversation is usually quite succinct. “No!”  was his reply.

 

                        A few lines of conversation later, though, he did add in reference to me, “You don’t have many friends.”

 

                        “Do I have you?”  I asked somewhat sheepishly.

 

                        “You bet. Absolutely.”

 

                        He had been through this kind of political stuff before with virtually every breed of every species he dealt with. If I could only have one friend, he was the one to have.

 

                         Still, my critics may have been justified. I probably was a tad overzealous in my approach. But the motive for that was clear to me, if not to anyone else. Real people were spending and losing real money on these sheep, and if our breed was going to continue to prosper, this problem had to be solved and solved quickly. 

 

                         I vividly recall a conversation I had with a grandfather from Illinois. His grandson had purchased a ram and a ewe for a fair amount of money, bred them, fed them over winter, and ended up with worthless hairy lambs the next spring.

 

                        Sympathizing with his frustration, I told him, “I know how you feel. I’ve had eleven of them.”

 

                        “Eleven! What did you do with the ewes?” he inquired.

 

                        “I got rid of most of them, but I kept two or three.”

 

                        When he asked “Why?” I hesitated a moment, then told the truth. “Because their mothers cost $3000.”

 

                        “Oh my God! Wait till I tell my grandson. That’ll make him feel a lot better!”

 

                        Yes, these were expensive sheep. Carriers of this defective gene included sale toppers, show champions, even National Show champions. My intent from the beginning, my reason for wanting to develop a test, was not to destroy these genetics or the flocks they came from, it was to save them, and move forward with non-carrier offspring to strengthen and improve the breed.

 

                        Over the next couple of years, however, there were setbacks with the new technology. The SNP chips used contained only a portion of the sheep genome, and Dr. Beever was not able to isolate our specific gene defect on them. The really bad news was that it might be two to three years before a more complete chip would be available.

 

                        So imagine my surprise on December 21, 2011, when I received an e-mail from him that read: “Do you want to test your entire flock with a new DNA-based test for hairy lamb?” Did I? You bet. Absolutely!

 

                        I’m not sure exactly what he did, but he somehow compared our original samples to blood from a non-Southdown flock and narrowed down the suspicious gene location, I think the old-fashioned way.

 

                        Over the next six months several hundred Southdowns were tested and although I can’t recall the precise numbers, I do remember that 18% were deemed carriers, which ironically is what I had in my flock [ 26/141 ] and I knew I had a problem!

 

                        To their credit, at the 2012 annual meeting the board voted that as of September 1, 2013, all Southdown sheep consigned to national level sales will have to be ectodermal dysplasia free, and as of January 1, 2014, all sheep entered in national level shows will have to be free as well.

 

                        Never again will Southdown enthusiasts have to suffer the emotional and financial disappointment of hairy lambs.

 

                        Don’t rock the boat? No. If the boat needs rocked, then rock the hell out of it. That’s how things get done. Thank you, Dad. And thank you Dr. Beever.

 

Author: Dr. John Jones

Don't Rock the Boat, Part 1

                                                Don’t Rock the Boat, Part I.

 

                        “That’s my test!” I exclaimed to the GenAlysis receptionist. “Not really, but six years and a month ago I did make the first call to Dr. Beever to see about developing it.”

                        A proud moment for me, I could barely contain my excitement. I had just received a fax from the genetics lab, and in a little box to the right of my scrapie results were the words “Ectodermal dysplasia [ Hairy lamb syndrome ].”

                         Although I knew the commercial availability of the test was imminent, this was my first proof it was actually real, and the effort begun those six years ago truly worthwhile.

                         I was never going to mention my hairy lambs in one of these columns again. To be honest, some bitterness on my part played a role in that decision. But one night I made a discovery that put a lot of things in perspective, and I felt compelled to tell this story. I guess you could say “it was in my genes.”    

                         While looking for an old photograph in a hutch by our kitchen, I found a far greater treasure- the Spring / Summer 1982 edition of The Speculum, a newsmagazine published by Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Inside was an article about a retiring professor and the book he wanted to write, “Don’t Rock the Boat”, a memoir on “the foibles and political intrigue of university life.”

                        Included was advice he often gave his students: “The price you pay for nonconformity is non-acceptance. But go ahead if you can stand the non-acceptance- that’s how things get done.”

                        Last November, my five year stint as a member of the board of directors of the American Southdown Breeders Association came to an end. Minutes from the board meeting state that I didn’t seek re-election. One reason for that is because I was never elected to begin with. The true reason, though, is that I wasn’t intrigued by the politics anymore, just tired of it.

                         In May 2007, I was appointed by the association president to chair a committee to find a solution to a problem that had been plaguing our breed for over twenty years- hairy lambs. These lambs are born not with wool but a short, silky, curly hair-coat, have a fine bone structure, and a jaw deformity resulting in a “parrot-mouth”.

                        My first hairy lamb was born in the spring of 2006, and presented a “What the heck is that?” scenario. Was the poor little creature caused by a viral infection, a toxic plant or some kind of vitamin / mineral deficiency? When the second was born a year later, a familial link surfaced. The third and fourth born two weeks after that were nails in the genetic coffin.

                          My first act as chairman was to contact Dr. Jonathan Beever, a molecular geneticist at the University of Illinois, and one of the best livestock geneticists in the world. Perhaps it was his professorial aura, but something about him reminded me of my dad, and I sensed that he, too, might be a bit of a boat-rocker.

                        Immediately we set about to collect blood samples from hairy lambs, their parents and siblings, and study pedigrees to look for common ties. In November of that year I was asked to fill a board seat vacated by a retiring member.

                        It didn’t take me long to realize that on a board full of sheep sellers I was probably one of the few, if not the only one, who represented buyers. And the really big sellers didn’t want anything or anybody to disrupt that process.

                        Soon I began to hear this phrase: “We can’t be pointing fingers at anyone.”  I didn’t have to. The sheep with their ear-tags and registration papers did all the pointing necessary, and without exception, every hairy lamb I was privy to, and their associated pedigrees, pointed in the same direction.

                        Hairy lambs had been reported from Texas to Minnesota and Massachusetts to California, and they all traced to a single flock located in the center of our nation. Apparently, sweeping bad recessive genes under the rug doesn’t make them go away; it just spreads them farther and wider.

                        When I joined the sixteen member board, I became the thirteenth to have the problem in my flock; I simply didn’t know the status of the other three. Yet during the first two years of sample collecting, besides the president and me, only one other board member provided any samples. I found that profoundly disappointing.

                         To be fair, I guess they were trying to protect their flocks. Unfortunately, not enough of them recognized I was trying to do the same- for theirs as well as my own.  

 

                                                                                                            …to be continued

 

Author: Dr. John Jones

 

                         

Top 10 Mistakes Pet Owners Make:

 

Experience has taught me that a few things can make all the difference between “delightful” and “disastrous” in a pet’s life. I love to see happy people, dogs, and cats! Avoid these common mistakes, and enjoy a better bond with your pet….

 

  Not bringing cats for wellness exams: I commonly see feline patients visit during their geriatric years, when their last recorded visit was 5-10 years ago. In this missed window of opportunity, we could have diagnosed diseases such as obesity, kidney disease, thyroid disease, and diabetes, before they progressed to a life-threatening stage. It is sometimes difficult to catch the cat, get him into the carrier, and endure the car ride – however, there are ways to make the trip easier on you both! Just ask your veterinarian for some tips.

 

Ignoring parasite control: My heart sinks when I have to inform an owner that his or her pet has heartworm disease, when it could have been so easily prevented with a monthly medication or six month injection. Do your best to comply with year-round heartworm and flea prevention for your pet, and make sure he stays free of intestinal parasites with yearly fecal exams. By the way, cats get heartworms, too – and there’s no cure for feline heartworm disease.

 

Blaming pets for their behavior problems: Excessive barking, jumping, pulling on the leash, chewing furniture, and ignoring your calls are not schemes by your dog to make you miserable. They are problems that were allowed to develop due to lack of training. While some personality traits are influenced by genetics, most behavior issues can be improved with intervention by a trainer or veterinarian.

 

  Overfeeding: Can you feel your pet’s ribs? If not, you might be “killing him with kindness” by feeding too many treats, scraps, or allowing him to eat his fill of dog food. I recommend feeding measured portions twice daily for adult pets – there should be a portion chart on the dog food bag to help guide you, but you should seek advice from your veterinarian as well. Schedule daily walks or activities to further help burn the calories. Obesity can lead to diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease, just as for humans.

 

Declining the wellness test: “Wellness testing” means evaluating the internal health of a pet – things we can’t see or feel on the “wellness examination”. Wellness testing can include: organ profile, complete blood count, urinalysis, thyroid level testing, chest x-rays, and more. Your veterinarian’s staff will help you decide what tests fit into your budget. Pets are good at hiding subtle symptoms of illness! Many diseases can be managed or reversed with simple measures when caught early, prolonging your pet’s life and avoiding more costly medical or surgical treatments.

 

Making the internet their first source of information: For example, if you Google “Parvo treatment” you will find all sorts of crazy advice, including recipes for giving bleach solution to puppies orally. Scary, huh? Visit your pet’s hospital website for some reliable links, if the net is your go-to source.

 

Buying a puppy without researching: Make sure you understand the requirements for activity, health maintenance, and grooming in your breed of choice before you fall head-over-heels for your furry bundle of joy. Can you really keep up with his needs, and is he an appropriate fit for your family’s lifestyle? For instance, a herding dog is best suited for an owner with an active lifestyle and lots of time to devote to his exercise. And a small breed dog with a calm temperament is best suited for an elderly couple.

 

Not thinking their pet could bite: If your veterinarian suggests your pet wear a muzzle, don’t take offense – it’s because he or she detected body language from Snuggles indicating that a bite could be in the near future. If your pet has ever bitten, please let us know. Growling and biting are reactions to fear, so we try to make our patients’ visits as comfortable and positive as possible. We cannot always predict which dogs that are “angels” at home turn into tazmanian devils in the office. We have to protect ourselves, our staff, and YOU.

 

Giving human medication without asking first: Some over-the-counter human pain relievers can cause serious kidney or liver damage to a pet. There are some OTC medications that can be used safely in pets, but ask your veterinarian for dosages.

 

Cats not in carriers or dogs off leash: Thinking a pet will not run away, or bite another person or animal, is a huge gamble I see many owners take during a trip to the office. Aggression and flight are instinctive responses to fear that we cannot predict. Prevent a tragedy (or a trip around the neighborhood) with these simple measures.

 

Author: Dr. Sara Smith

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How Poo Can Protect Your Family

Recently, I was handed a sealed container with “Megan Fox” written on the top. I knew what was in it. As a veterinarian, I'm handed containers like this multiple times a day. But it's unusual that I get to deal with one with a Hollywood starlet's name on it. I chuckled to myself as I set up the fecal sample to be read. “Megan” is a dog who happens to be owned by the Fox family. Megan's stool sample is a very important part of her annual visit to her veterinarian.

 

Through the ages people have come up with some interesting ideas for containers to use for their pets' fecal material submissions. Personally, I have seen many “Victoria Secret” bags, old butter dishes, paper towels wrapped in aluminum foil, zip-lock baggies, gift bags, glass ash trays, and even an expensive-looking gallon-sized Tupperware container. A couple of weeks ago, I was handed a coffee can with a “Flavor-Lock Lid” that was chock full o' disgusting. I was happy to take the sample as I knew because of that smelly bit of fecal material, we would be one step closer to helping that animal with it's problem.

I have learned to respect poo. Poo can tell us many things in regards to the overall health of an animal. Consistency, color and contents can all be indicators of certain disease processes. The most common thing veterinarians test for are microscopic eggs from intestinal parasites. Many of these intestinal parasites are transmittable to humans. Humans, especially children and the immune compromised, are susceptible to picking up parasites such as roundworms, hookworms and even tapeworms. One of the most common and major concern with contracting these worms is that they can cause diarrhea and weight loss in both people and animals.

Parasites are good at their job. They live to eat and breed and increase their numbers by passing on their eggs so that they in turn and can do the same. Intestinal parasites deprive a host of nutrients. As the worms grow and develop they will make baby parasites to pass out in the stool of the host which can go out into the environment. These maturing larvae stay outside until they are ready to be picked up by another unsuspecting host where they reach maturity and start the cycle all over again.

How does your pet get these worms? All puppies and kittens have worms until proven otherwise. This is why veterinarians routinely deworm puppies and kittens at their immunization visits. Young animals oftentimes pick parasites up in the environment in which they are born and live. They may even get them directly from their mothers while nursing or even in utero. Otherwise, the soil or other parts of the environment can hold viable eggs for a very long time. Pets get tapeworms from ingesting fleas that are infested with microscopic larvae. Children can pick up tapeworms from ingesting flea larvae in their environment. Therefore, keeping your pet up to date on good quality monthly flea control can also help decrease intestinal and external parasites and protect your family.
Many monthly heartworm and flea control products cover more than just “heartworms and fleas.” Many have labels for other parasites. For instance, Heartgard Plus, which is one of the more common “heartworm pills”, has a label for hookworms and roundworms.

Good hygiene and proper poop patrol are essential in the fight against intestinal parasites in your pet. Proper poop patrol means picking it up as soon as it happens and washing hands thoroughly after cleaning the litterbox regularly. Teaching children to wash their hands thoroughly after playing with the dog or cat is also a good way to decrease the risks. Proper deworming as determined by your veterinarian is vital to getting rid of the pests from your buddy. Often times multiple courses of deworming medications are needed. Teach children that it is dangerous to eat dirt or soil and to avoid areas where animals defecate regularly. Cover sandboxes when not in use to make sure that animals do not contaminate them.

A good reason to bring your dog's fresh bowel movement sample to the veterinarian is to help identify microscopic parasite eggs which may be passed on to you and your family. So please bring us your McDonald's bags, your Gladware, and your baby food jars with a fresh marble-sized sample of your pets' fecal material on an annual basis. We much prefer having a stinky sample that can ultimately help us protect you, your family and your pet than not having one at all.

For more information on parasites that can be transmitted to humans, visit the CDC website

Author: Dr. Marisa Tong

Exercise Your Pets!

It's time to get those leashes out and take a walk or run with your canine companions!  Fetching ball or frisbee, swimming, and agility are also activities that many dogs enjoy.  There are even special harnesses available that allow your dog to run beside your bike!  Activity helps control weight and reduces destructive behaviors, like chewing and licking, that can begin with boredom.  Many dogs have been bred to work, and need lots of activity to have good behavior.  Indoor cats are sometimes difficult to exercise, but many enjoy chasing toys or laser lights, batting around a puzzle ball with a portion of their daily kibbles inside, or even walking with a leash and harness.  A simple puzzle box can be made by cutting holes in a toilet paper tube and taping over the ends.  Can you feel your pet's ribs?  If not, a change in diet is probably in order as well.  Ask your veterinarian for suggestions on switching to a light food, and how much to feed at each meal.  Keeping your pet at a healthy weight will prolong its life and help avoid medical problems such as diabetes and arthritis pain, so get moving!

Find out more about our Biggest Loser for Pets Contest by clicking here!

"Pappy" Dysinger of Thorn Bottom hunting is pictured doing his fave activity - bird hunting!

Author: Dr. Sara Smith

Value of a Veterinary Exam

Early in their training, veterinarians are taught to recognize the "normal" animal well before any introduction to animal disease. This may seem like an oversimplification of a comprehensive, four year education, but identifying what is normal teaches veterinarians to become tuned in to diagnosing abnormalities for patients that cannot speak for themselves.

Why am I making a big deal about this? Because I want every animal owner who seeks the advice of a veterinarian to realize if they are receiving not just professional, compassionate care, but also "value" from their veterinary visit.

Since America fell on hard times in 2008, it has become a challenge for pet and livestock owners, as well as veterinarians, to settle in to the new economic "normal." We are all working harder for our dollars, and at the same time, being more judicious about how we spend money. That means more people are competing for the same flexible dollars in everyone’s budget.

As a consumer myself, I have become very tuned in to seeking "value" for my expenditures, whether they are necessary or for pleasure. Pet and livestock owners need to do the same when it comes to veterinary care. How, then, do you know if you are receiving value for your veterinary spending?

The greatest value for your veterinary care starts with the veterinary examination. I label it the "nose to toes" exam because I literally visualize and/or touch every part of the patient’s body. This examination is pre-empted by a short visit with a veterinary nurse or "technician" who obtains the patient’s weight and temperature. The technician also collects information for the pet’s medical record about the purpose of the visit, pet owner concerns, and needed medications or pet supplies. This assistant is also a trained professional who has a keen eye for abnormalities and will conduct a cursory exam before the doctor enters the exam room.

Once the veterinary technician has completed her responsibilities, the veterinarian then reviews the veterinary record that includes important past medical history prior to beginning the examination. When I enter an exam room, and only after greeting both the client and the pet, I first discuss with the pet owner the reason for the visit and the events that will follow. With these tasks completed, I then begin a thorough physical examination. As I am surveying and palpating my patient, I converse with the pet owner about my findings and make recommendations for any abnormal findings.

Conducting comprehensive physical exams is so engrained in veterinarians that we often forget to tell the pet owner everything we are doing. For example, did you know that during an exam your veterinarian is not just looking at your pet’s eyes, ears, and mouth and listening to your pet’s heart? She is also feeling your pet’s external lymph glands, studying symmetry of your pet’s body, checking toenail length and health, feeling your pet’s anal gland area for tumors, looking for tapeworm segments, feeling individual abdominal organ shapes, location and size, and assessing your pet’s body condition score.

Does your veterinarian take time to watch your pet move around in the exam room, ruffle your pet’s hair to visualize the skin, inquire about your pet’s diet and eliminations, sniff check your pet’s breath, ears and skin?

If your veterinarian does not share with you that this is what he or she is doing, how do you know your pet has received a thorough physical exam? Ask your veterinarian questions about your pet’s exam findings if she does not tell you…but you really should not have to as she should be sharing them with you throughout the exam.

I find it helpful to complete a paper check list of my findings, both normal and abnormal, at the end of examinations. The pet owner then has permanent documentation of the visit, vaccination information, weight assessment, physical exam findings, test results, and medication recommendations, and knows when the next visit is due. This document is very helpful for reinforcing recommendations and findings long after the visit.

Ask yourself if this process happens at your veterinary visits, and if not, why not. Are you receiving "value" for your veterinary spending that will ultimately result in superior care for your pet’s health? Or, is your pet receiving a brief exam, if it is examined at all? Is your pet being vaccinated by a veterinary assistant who lacks higher training (or any training at all) without a thorough exam by a licensed veterinarian, and for a fee that is much lower than fees at other veterinary hospitals?

In veterinary medicine as in everything else in life, you will get what you pay. Do you want to take that risk with your pet’s health?

Find more information on your pet's health on the OVMA website.

Author: Dr. Bonnie Jones