To Breed or Not To Breed, That Is the Question

             

                       

                        Caring for pets is my life work. My daily aspiration is to educate pet owners about providing compassionate and loving care to their pets to insure that all pets live long and, most importantly, healthy lives. One area that requires constant education by all veterinarians is controlling the pet population.  Unfortunately, my career aspiration will never be entirely successful because there will always be pet owners who breed pets that should not be bred. 

            Call it a pet peeve, but nothing annoys me more as a veterinarian than individuals who choose to breed their pets without a good reason for doing so.  I’ve heard the full gamut of reasons: “I want my children to experience the miracle of birth” or “he’s such a great pet that we want another one just like him,” and my all time favorite, “we want to breed her because she has ‘papers.’” 

            I respond to these comments by suggesting that pet owners and their children visit an overcrowded animal rescue facility to witness the end results of “the miracle of birth” and indiscriminate or “casual pet breeding.”  Attempts to reproduce that “amazing pet” often result in disappointment as the offspring fail to live up to expectations.  Oh yes,  then there’s the issue of the pet being purebred and having (registration) “papers;” did you know that even registered pets often have congenital defects or are descendents of ancestors with multiple defects? 

            The duty of a pet breeder is to improve the breed’s genetics, not to contribute to its defects.  With this in mind, any pet owner who is considering breeding a pet should consult a veterinarian and a breed expert to determine if the pet in question is a good candidate for breeding.  Pets should have hip x-rays to identify hip dysplasia (a malformation of the hip joint), a thorough eye exam and blood tests for hypothyroidism or other specific breed diseases prior to considering breeding. 

            I also like to remind pet owners who are considering breeding their pets that once a litter is born, you, the pet owner, are directly responsible for every member of that litter for its entire lifespan.  That means that any pet adopted out by you should be returned to you if the new owner is unable or unwilling to properly care for it, since that pet is on this earth because you chose for its birth to happen.  While some may think this reasoning is a little strong, I see it as an important responsibility. 

            Casual pet breeders are often struck by the reality that raising newborn pets is a lot of work, especially if the offspring require orphan rearing.  Weaning is another time when the pet owner’s workload multiplies, as very young animals take great effort to keep clean and content.  All too often young pets are weaned too early and then adopted out at an inappropriately early age because the pet owners are no longer interested in attending to them.  Sadly, young animals that are weaned too early or separated from their littermates prematurely are the same pets that later occupy animal shelters because their temperaments are often poor. 

            Who should breed pets then?  The best pet breeders are thoroughly educated about acceptable breed and health standards and the breeding process. Consulting a veterinarian as well as a mentor for your pet’s breed (an experienced, reputable breeder) is essential prior to making the decision to breed a pet.  Furthermore, there is never a good reason to breed a crossbred pet---intentionally or otherwise.   

            Please consider the decision to breed your pet carefully.  Pets that are never bred, but instead are neutered prior to the onset of puberty, experience great health and behavioral advantages. If you are considering creating more pets, I would ask you to ponder adopting a deserving, homeless shelter pet instead.

 

 

By Dr. Bonnie Jones

Suns Out Guns Out - Keeping Your Pet Healthy in Warm Weather

     

   "Suns out guns out" is a saying on a muscle t-shirt for sale at Kohl's, providing for the summer wardrobe needs of today's vain gentleman. Seeing this colorful (yet grammatically incorrect) shirt on the sales rack gives me a glimmer of hope. It reminds me that summer is coming. There are brighter times coming just around the corner. Winter is behind us. Spring is upon us. Summer is knocking at the door. These are good days indeed.

         These are also days where we not only have to start transitioning our personal wardrobe and start spring cleaning but we also think about our family's safety during these upcoming hot and sunny months. This should include preparing for our pet's care as well.

         Recently, I was out doing yard work for the first big landscaping project of the season – weeding, edging, tilling, etc. While doing yard work I normally allow my little dog, Marty McFly, to supervise. Marty enjoys lying out and sunning himself while I do all the work. But Marty also sunburns easily. Yes, he has fur, but he also has a very naked belly which I protect with low SPF sunblock to prevent a nasty sunburn each time we are out in the sun.

          Marty also seems to have a hypersensitivity to my lawn. He breaks out with intense itching the day after yard work if I don't make him stay off of the grass. This itching can lead to secondary skin infections, so that means that my dog gets to lie out on a beach towel with sunscreen on a regular basis.

          Admittedly, most people don't have a sensitive little flower for a dog like I do. However, it is still important to keep our pets' needs in mind as the good weather brings with it specific health risks and concerns.

         Among other things, nice weather carries with it increasing pollen counts, which can cause allergic reactions in dogs and cats. Our pets don't often have the itchy, watery eyes and sneezing that pollens cause in humans with hayfever or seasonal allergies. Instead, our pets often exhibit seasonal allergies with flare ups of skin diseases – hair loss, itching, licking, ear problems and skin infections. Itchy dogs and cats are commonly seen in our veterinary clinics beginning this time of year.

          Insects and spiders can also cause allergic reactions in our pets. These reactions can happen quickly, just as in people who have allergies to bee stings or spider bites. Facial swelling, difficulty breathing, hives or skin lesions at the site of a sting or bite are all worthy of medical attention on the part of the owner. I always recommend that owners have a supply of Benadryl (or generic diphenhydramine) in their first aid kits. Benadryl is not only good to relieve some allergic reactions in human family members, but it is also often useful for our pets' medical emergencies.

          Good temperatures and sunny days also tend to bring about an increase in the number of what we in the veterinary world call "HBCs"(or "Hit By Car"s). Dogs and cats tend to roam more when the temperatures are nicer. It's likely due to the influence of "springtime love hormones," plus the fact that the lack of harsh climates tend to encourage Fido to keep going instead of returning home and seeking shelter. Unfortunately, these runaway pets often end up on the side of the road. Keeping your pets within securely fenced-in yards, on leashes or even on safe tie outs can help keep your pet safer and out of the emergency room.

          So while planning your summer activities, make sure to keep your pets' safety in mind along with the rest of the family. They rely on you for many things to help them stay healthy and safe throughout the whole year.　There are sure signs that summer is finally near - the grass is turning green, the days are lasting longer, and Marty McFly can be seen kicking back on his beach blanket on the lawn.　Marty's out, party's out!

By Dr. Marisa Tong

The Life of a Princess By Dr. John H. Jones

                                       

                         For years we kept on our refrigerator an old “Peanuts” comic strip.  Charlie Brown says to Snoopy, “What would you say if I told you I was going to devote the rest of my life to making you happy?  We’ll go for long walks in the woods and romp around in the yard.  You’ll sit in my lap and I’ll scratch your ears, and we’ll watch TV and I’ll give you cookies.” 

                        To which Snoopy replies, “What kind of cookies?”  That in a nutshell was the essence of our little Welsh Corgi, “Bunny.” 

                        She was known to many of her friends and fans as “Princess Bunny.”  Maybe because of my own Welsh roots, I was never completely comfortable with that royal title and usually referred to her as “The Bun.”  And I think she liked that.                     

                         But, the title certainly suited her. Unlike our Border Collies whose goal in life is to be eternally busy and devoted to their sheep herding “job”, Princess Bunny never really cared much for work, even though Corgis are technically a herding breed. 

                        Why work when you can beg?  She did that quite well, probably because she was very, very cute---“too cute for words,” according to her Aunt Cindy.  Although I loved her dearly, in a world of givers and takers, Bunny was a bit of a taker---a taker of treats and affection, and a stealer of hearts.  Somewhat aloof at times, if a treat was involved, she quickly became your best friend.  She was generous in her appreciation, too, and would reward her benefactor with multiple “low fives.”  Being a Corgi, "high fives" just weren't possible. 

                        Like many princesses, Bunny also had a royal carriage, my wife’s Honda Pilot, and relished the heated seat as they rode back and forth to work every day.  She never lost touch with the common man, though, and was always up for a ride in the “big truck,” where she liked to stretch her long Corgi body on the pick-up’s bench seat.

                        Bunny made a yearly pilgrimage to Mrs. Wiechart’s first grade class at Franklin Elementary School where she was a hit with the kids.  She was even a “Children’s Best Friend” at the Delphos Public Library, and was awarded a certificate for that. And. the Women in Science Conference held at Premcor Refinery was frequented several times by “Bunny in Science.” Like another Princess of Wales, Diana, Bunny was a splendid goodwill ambassador.  I guess she did have a job after all.

                        One day last April, Bunny wasn’t herself.  Somewhat sluggish, she didn’t do her usual dive into breakfast. Having parents with ready access to a blood chemistry machine meant a serum profile was in order. 

                        Bunny had been hypothyroid for years, and a liver enzyme (ALT) had been elevated for quite some time, but she showed no ill effects from either.  A test taken a month earlier revealed no major changes.  The results of this new test, however, caught us completely off-guard, and not in a good way. 

                        Bunny was in kidney failure.  Her creatinine value, an amino acid used to monitor renal function, was substantially high.  This was an instantaneous, slap-in-the face realization that our precious little dog was going to die. 

                        But, that didn’t mean we were going to let her go without a fight---especially her mother, “The Bon.”  Yes, that could be confusing. 

                        Possible causes were considered and explored, a plethora of tests run, and every known treatment tried.  Bunny lost no weight during this time, and continued to look good, and act, for the most part, like her old princess self. 

                        Bunny maintained this vigor because of her mother’s steadfast devotion to her diet, constantly tweaking her protein and carbohydrate sources to keep her interested in eating.  One more meal meant one more day.  We knew we were losing the battle, though, as her creatinine values kept creeping up, in spite of Bonnie’s efforts.

                        Euthanasia is something my wife and I deal with virtually every day, and we are constantly impressed by the courage, dignity, and grace shown by our clients when they make this difficult and painful decision.  We, too, have had to make this decision for some of our own pets, but even the thought of doing that to Bunny was heartbreaking and inconceivable. 

                        Early one Monday morning in January, that decision was taken from us.  At 3:20 a.m. we were awakened by a single gasp, and Bunny was gone.  The little princess, who took so much of our hearts (and our treats), at the very end of her life, gave us a great gift. 

                        So what kind of cookies?  Whatever kind she wanted.  She was really cute.

 

 The Lima News- March 6, 2011

The Delphos Herald- March 15, 2011

Prevent Pet Poisonings With These Easy Tips By Dr. Bonnie Jones

                             

                               “Emma” and “Beans” are delightful Boston Terriers.  At nine years old, one would assume they are living the quiet life in their senior period.  Not so…these two “terrier terrorists” still get into trouble, especially Emma, who likes to test her “stomach of steel.”

                                Like in the movie “Home Alone,” when pets are unattended, the “games” begin.  Such was the case for Emma and Beans.  While they were “home alone,” they discovered a healthy human snack in the form of chocolate yogurt-flavored raisins.   Unfortunately, this nutritious people treat can be deadly for pets.

                                Upon returning home, the dogs’ owner, Jo, made an unsettling discovery about her raisins and called for veterinary advice.  Her observation of a bloated, uncomfortable Emma told her she was the most likely culprit, while Beans probably cheered her on.  Jo was instructed to make Emma vomit by administering hydrogen peroxide orally.

                                Always diligent, Jo followed through as directed, then scooped Emma up for a trip to the emergency clinic for further stomach evacuation, followed by a night of intravenous fluids.   Emma, like Jo, is very diligent at her chosen profession of eating things she should not, so her stomach emptying revealed an abundance of chocolaty fluid, plastic pieces, and hair/carpet fibers. Oh yeah, did I mention that Emma also likes to enjoy snacks from Jo’s pond, including blue-green algae?

                                The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC)  fields 150,000 calls a year for animal-related toxicities like Emma’s.  With this in mind, I thought I would share these tips from veterinary emergency and critical care specialist, Dr. Justine A. Lee.

1)      Crate train your dog.  In your absence, dogs often become lonely, anxious or bored.  What dogs do to soothe or entertain themselves while you’re away is often detrimental to their health.  Keep them and your possessions safe!  Dogs were den animals in the wild; close enclosures are their “home” and will provide security for them when you’re gone. 

2)      Hang up your purse/briefcase/backpack.  Consider the following contents that may be found in these hand bags:  prescription drugs, NSAIDs (e.g.Tylenol), sugar-free gum (xylitol), coins, cell phone batteries, snack-sized raisin boxes.  All of the above can be intriguing, yet deadly to snoopy pets. 

3)      Store human medications away from pet medications.  All veterinarians receive phone calls from panicked pet owners who accidentally give their pet their own human medication (e.g. heart and blood pressure medications, anti-depressants and NSAIDs).   This accidental pet poisoning comes with both distress and guilt, but is readily avoided by storing human and pet medications in totally different areas. 

4)      Store weekly pill holders in elevated, secured cabinets.  Bear in mind that the noise these plastic pill containers make mimics that of a pet chew toy that rattles.  This “fun” discovery by a curious pet often results in intoxication with an array of vitamins and medications, multiplying the severity of the pet poisoning exponentially. 

5)      Stop storing pills in plastic bags.  These temporary storage containers when tossed without thinking into open suitcases are “easy game” for pets because of their hugely magnified sense of smell.  

6)      Keep chewable pet medications out of reach.  The trend in veterinary medicine has been to make pet medications as palatable as possible, especially NSAIDs, heart and heartworm preventive medications and joint supplements that pets take regularly.  When pets smell a tasty, familiar aroma, consuming the entire bottle is a “no-brainer.” 

7)      Supervise pets when outdoors and in garages.  These areas harbor multiple pet poisons, including rodenticides, fertilizers, compost, gasoline, motor oil, kerosene and antifreeze.  Secure these items up high in cabinets and closely supervise pets when they are outside. Better yet, keep pets out of garages entirely. 

8)      Put your veterinarian’s and the ASPCA  APCC’s phone numbers on your speed dial.  This will give you ready access to expedient emergency advice 24/7.  The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center number is 888-426-4435.  Time is of the essence when it comes to pet poisonings! 

9)      Download the FREE ASPCA  APCC app. This is a simple process that gives you fast, easy access to common pet toxicities in a user friendly app for your cell phone. With the press of a widget, you are seconds away from searching by species and the name of the intoxicant that your pet ingested.

                          As for Emma and Beans, fondly dubbed “The Raisinettes,” both are being carefully observed, repeatedly monitored, and are currently doing well due to Jo’s quick thinking and actions.