Kids at the Vet

It’s that time of year again. It’s that sun is shining, school is out, everybody seems happier time of year. It’s also a time of year that many businesses, including veterinary practices, experience an influx of often loud and energetic young visitors. Because the kids are not daily cooped up and getting an invaluable education at the schoolhouse — we at the veterinary hospital see many sun-kissed, flip-flopped youngsters who look like they just got out of the swimming pool to tag along with their parents or grandparents for Fido’s trip to the vet. Man, to be a kid again.

I, for one, am always excited to see kids at the clinic. I remember as a young girl taking our dogs to the vet with my mom and dad. These childhood clinical experiences, as well as an innate love of animals and people, powered my drive to become a veterinarian. You never know what may trigger a passion or even interest in a career in a young person. I love the idea that everyday experiences like taking the family dog to the vet can enhance knowledge and overall personal life experience.

I see a large variety of kiddos at the clinic. Many of them seem genuinely excited to be there, however, some of them are more shy and stand-offish. I have seen the out-going inquisitive type, asking me questions every step of the way who are eager to tell me about this pet and all of the other pets they have ever owned. As their accompanying adults sit back and beam with pride, many children are very helpful and clearly take an active role in the responsibility of owning a pet. They even help answer my questions regarding the patient’s eating habits, mobility concerns and strangely they are sometimes the ones who know the most detail about their pet’s bowel movements and urinary habits.

This is in stark contrast to the times I walk into an exam room full of juvenile-influenced chaos. I have seen red-faced tantrums, siblings pushing and punching, exam tables turned into active diaper changing tables, creative rearrangements of all of our retail products that live on the lowest (and most accessible shelf), kids slamming cabinet doors and discovering that, yes, the light switches do turn the room lights off and on no matter how fast you flip them. In these rooms often I find pets who are feeding off of the stress level. A trip to the veterinarian is at least to some degree very stressful for most pets, but when you add screeching and tumult in a tiny exam room with a bunch of little bodies, it increases the stress level for poor Fido and miserable Whiskers by ten-fold easily. Keeping the chaos to a minimum is a goal to be achieved with every child-accompanied vet visit.

Children are always most welcome to attend their pets’ appointments and I encourage it wholeheartedly. However, keeping each pet’s stress level in check is also very important for the mental health of the pet and for the safety of the veterinary team and owners alike. If Whiskers has been pushed to the breaking point by one too many shrieks in his ear and pinches while Timmy is manhandling him, then no one in the room is safe from Whiskers’ inevitable out-lash when being examined and vaccinated.

Teaching children proper pet respect is important for the child’s safety. Getting children to ask an unfamiliar dog’s owner for permission to pet a dog before approaching is basic safety and helps prevent many dog bites. Many children do not have an understanding of what a friendly versus a non-friendly pooch may look like. Just because their family dog appreciates their embraces, dogs in veterinary lobbies often have enough stress to deal with in their life and may not like hugs.

As a veterinarian, I get to hang out with kitties and puppies all day long. Getting to interact with the kids that come with them is just an added bonus to my job. As summer picks up full swing, the veterinary hospital becomes a little more lively and boisterous with the pitter patter of little feet visiting with their furry friends. While these visits can be enriching experiences in a young person’s life, keeping our pet patients stress-levels to a minimum helps keep the smallest of our clients safe and happy. When Timmy and Suzy are safe and happy, they will be able to look forward to future visits where they can regale me with stories of their dog’s pooping abilities. Perhaps memories of happy stress-free appointments will help Timmy or Suzy become the next generation of veterinarians.

Author:  Dr. Marisa Tong
Image courtesy of artur84 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

If I Could Do It, Anybody Can

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Sometimes, even a ton. As a veterinarian, I've essentially preached something similar to pet owners and farmers alike my entire career. “Heartworm test your dogs, vaccinate your cats, spay and neuter them all, and de-worm your sheep!” All of this was done with the intent to keep animals healthy and prevent the spread of disease in the population.

As a 53 year old, however, there was something I had been putting off for quite some time, something that was widely and highly recommended by the human medical profession — the dreaded colonoscopy.

Oh, I've had my old man prostate examined three times already, thank you, but there was something about this other procedure that seemed more, for lack of a better term, “invasive.” Plus, I had heard horror stories of hemorrhaging and perforations. The real reason, though, I'm ashamed to admit, had more to do with squeamish modesty and privacy concerns of having my “you know what” out there for all the world to see.

But this spring, in a rare mature moment, I decided that was stupid thinking and it was time to schedule an appointment. The young lady at the check-in desk mentioned that I looked familiar.

“You probably never forget a … face,” was blurted out nervously. I thought I was hilarious. My wife apologized.

Nonetheless, the girl was right. I was there two months prior for my wife's colonoscopy. Okay, so I made the mature “colonoscopic” decision if Bonnie went first. It was lambing season, after all, and I couldn't afford to be out of commission during the preparation. Besides, truth be told, she's braver about such things. Most women undoubtedly are. This was her first colonoscopy, too, however, and we are the same age. What was her excuse? I'm guessing it was me.

Thankfully, she did go first, because a valuable lesson was learned regarding the gowns which would have been the death of me. After giving the order “Everything off but the socks,” her nurse exited the cubicle, leaving my soon to be naked wife and I with what appeared to be a flat sheet, a couple of ties, and snaps that made no sense. With 14 years of college education between us, you'd think we could have figured it out. Nope. After what seemed an eternity, we called for help. The snaps, if properly aligned, were to form the arm holes — a lesson not forgotten.

When I received that same command two months later, the first thing checked were those darn snaps. My gown, fortunately, came pre-snapped, and within seconds I was up to code and safely tucked in the bed.

Not long after, the doctor entered the “room” to explain what was going to happen during the procedure. He went on to say that colon cancer is the most preventable cancer there is, and most colon cancers begin as a small out-pouching of tissue called a polyp, which over time can become malignant. If any were found, they would be removed and biopsied.

I really didn't think he'd find any, though, because I had no problems in that department, if you know what I mean, and fecal occult blood screenings after my yearly man exams were all negative. Still, my family physician had always cautioned me that a person can have colon cancer with no discernible blood.

In the procedure room, I asked the nurse how many colonoscopies they did per day. “About thirty-five,” she replied. It was then I felt myself begin to relax as I realized my “you know what” wasn't going to leave much of a lasting impression on them. After the sedation was administered, I bid the team “good luck,” and as far as I was concerned my first colonoscopy was over.

I awoke, what seemed like seconds later, to the sound of my wife and doctor talking. Guess who had a polyp? Apparently my own colon health assessment was not very accurate. Because I did have the polyp, the doctor wanted to see me back in five years. And you know what? If he had said five days, I would have complied.

We all die, and I know something will eventually get me, but that insignificant little piece of tissue will not be the thing that does. If you need to schedule your first colonoscopy or are overdue for a follow-up, do it now. The preparation part isn't much fun, but the procedure itself is not a big deal. The reason for it, however, is. It can save your life.

If you won't do this for your family or friends, then do it for your pets. Surely, they'll miss you.

Author:  Dr. John Jones
Image courtesy of jscreationzs at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Take a Bite Out of Cancer and 'Bark for Life'

 

Cancer is a word that I am certain everyone does not want to hear, especially with his own name in the same sentence. I would venture to say that all of us have been touched by this malevolent disease in some way, at some point in our lives. Perhaps it was through the loss of a loved one, through our own personal experience, or even through a beloved pet. Cancer, you see, does not discriminate based on age, gender, race, nor species.

Throughout my 29 years as a veterinarian, I have cherished the relationships I have formed with my clients and their pets. I have been blessed to observe the love and strength of the human-animal bond over and over again. I have had the privilege of watching my clients’ children grow into pet owners, and, sadly, I also have experienced the loss of clients of all ages to cancer.

Veterinarians are unique in the respect that we are honored to form relationships with people as well as their pets, while simultaneously observing the powerful bond between them. Pets provide purpose, companionship, security, unconditional love, and joy, without judgment, and always with unquestioned forgiveness.

So when one of my patients is diagnosed with cancer, it becomes a “double jeopardy” of sorts for me. Naturally, I know I must provide the very best care and compassion that I can for my four-legged patient. At the same time, my heart aches for the pet owner who is experiencing the inevitable heartbreak of losing a pet to a dreaded disease. I celebrate the human-animal bond at the same time that I grieve its loss.

Currently, I have the responsibility and privilege to care for three canine cancer patients, all of whom have loving and passionate caregivers, and all of whom are thriving throughout their treatments without illness. I am reminded that these patients are experiencing prolonged quality and quantity of life, not only because of the love and dedication of their human caregivers, but because of research, both veterinary and human.

Yes, pets do benefit from human cancer research. Because pets get some of the same cancers as people, pets and people are in cancer trials together. Pet cancer treatments and medications are often born out of the results of human research.

Due to the alluring power of the human-animal bond and my fondness for animals, I have a personal vendetta against cancer. My mission, and the mission of so many others, is to fight cancer by educating others about early detection and by being a cancer research fundraiser. Coincidentally, I was introduced to the American Cancer Society mini-relay called “Bark for Life” last year through the Delphos Relay for Life. This unique and novel fundraiser for the ACS honors the life-long contribution of “canine caregivers.”

Bark for Life is a dog walk fundraiser that pairs people with their canine companions and, cancer survivors with their “canine caregivers.” BFL walkers seek financial sponsors, with all funds collected being donated to the ACS to continue their mission to advocate, create awareness, educate, and fund cancer research. This mini-relay gives people an opportunity to be empowered through their canine companion partnerships and to contribute to cancer cures through the mission of the American Cancer Society.

In short, Bark for Life gives everyone who has been close to a cancer experience, and has a dog in their life, a chance to fight cancer in a very unique way. Celebrate the human-animal bond, while remembering loved ones and “barking back” at cancer.

On behalf of canine cancer survivors “Olivia” Friedhoff (chronic lymphocytic leukemia), “Jack” Frost (Multiple Myeloma), and “Petey” Ladd (B-Cell Lymphoma), I am personally inviting you to gather your sponsors and attend the second Delphos Bark for Life being held from 2 to 5 p.m. June 21 at Leisure Park on Ridge Road in Delphos. This event was highly successful in 2013, netting more than $7,500 for the American Cancer Society.

As I like to point out, who among us has NOT been touched by cancer? This is our opportunity to “take a bite out of cancer” while celebrating the human-animal bond, which just might be the best medicine of all! Will I see you at the Delphos Bark for Life?

Author:  Dr. Bonnie Jones

Life is Short - Adopt a Pet

I graduated from grade school as a member of a small class. There were just 21 of us all together, and most of us had been together since kindergarten. We grew up together. We shared a lot of the same experiences. We were influenced by the same teachers, learned lessons in the same classrooms, participated in the same sports teams, and survived the lunch room and playground together. As with all things, time passed, we grew up a little more each and every day. Eventually, we graduated and went on to different high schools and from there, college, or otherwise. As it is wont to do, life took us all in 21 separate directions. Then, last week, I got the horrible news that one of my classmates was the victim of a tragic accident and had died.

As with any tragedy, many people were brought together to comfort each other and pay respects to the one that we collectively loved and lost. I was moved to see the range of good people that her life had touched. I reconnected, at least briefly, with many people that I hadn’t heard of, or thought of, in a long time. Many of these people were influential in my upbringing.

If this week has taught me anything it is that, in the big scheme of things, life is short. As a veterinarian, I have seen the circle of life. I have seen pups and kittens enter the world and geriatric pets exit it. We humans may get upwards of a hundred years (give or take) to experience life, but our feline and canine friends, whom we bring into our lives on a regular basis, have a much shorter life expectancy. Our feline friends live an average of 12 to 15 years. In our canine companions, the average life expectancy varies according to size. Giant breeds may only live seven or eight years, whereas smaller breeds may surpass 15 or 16 years. There are always exceptions to the rules, and I’ve seen many a 20-year-old cat and toy breed dog.

As a part of our finite days on this planet, many of us choose to adopt pets. Pet adoption is overall a wonderful experience and can add immense joy to the life of both human and animal alike.

There are an estimated 6 to 8 million dogs and cats in American animal shelters each year. Many of these animals are found as strays roaming the streets while others come from downright horrendous environments including hoarders and puppy mills. Unfortunately, many pets are relinquished to shelters across the United States as owners can no longer afford to care for them, move to new homes, or the owner themselves dies without having made arrangements for their pets’ care.

I strongly encourage considering adopting a pet from an animal shelter. There are far too many good dogs and cats that end up meeting an early demise because there are not enough people willing to open their homes to a new pet addition. Owning a dog or cat can have countless benefits for a household. They can bring joy and unconditional love and companionship. A strong human-animal bond can be an incredibly moving and life-changing thing.

However, what many people forget is that owning a pet is a major responsibility. When we adopt a worthy animal companion we become their only means of resources and care. We take on that role of provider and steward for each animal we own. No amount of love or good intentions is going to provide food and veterinary care for our feline and canine companions.

If you are considering pet adoption, please take into account your financial situation and make a realistic budget for veterinary care. If you do not already have a regular veterinarian, start looking for a reputable one. Try to be objective as possible about if you and your family are able to accommodate a pet that is going to be a part of your family for many years. Research different breeds, and temperaments, and medical conditions associated with each breed. The more preparation you do, generally, the better the outcome for all involved.

I can’t help but think that my classmate would want to be associated with an article about shelter adoption. Her dogs were a big part of her adult life. Her family had requested that memorial donations be made to the local humane society. It was an honor to be a part of a donation from our
grade school class in the name of our childhood friend.

Author:  Dr. Marisa Tong
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Pigs of a Different Color

Today’s column is about pigs. No, not the male chauvinist kind nor the ones that inhabit those many posh pork palaces now dotting our countryside, but pigs most of us, including veterinarians, don’t see much of anymore. These pigs belong to what are called “heritage breeds.”

Hogs of these breeds played an important historic role in the development of the pork industry in the United States, but over the last several years have fallen out of favor for various reasons. One, is that their growth rate may be somewhat slower than today’s more popular breeds, but the main reason probably has to do with a thing called body fat.

As Americans tried to become leaner the demand for leaner pork increased, and some members of these breeds had just a little too much of the dreaded adipose tissue. However, true pork lovers know that fat is where the flavor is and that has become “the” key selling point for many of these heritage breeds.

So what started me thinking about these hogs? Late one night not long ago, I found myself mid- humerus deep inside of a sow trying to deliver her last pig, and not feeling especially jovial. The sow I was working on happened to be a “club pig mama”, not a breed per se, but a type of hog that produces the pigs that 4-H and FFA kids show at the fairs, and the type of hog I mainly deal with these days.

Although most of these sows have huge hips, way too many of them also have a narrow bony pelvis which makes piglet delivery difficult, and impossible in some cases. A dystocia involving a club pig sow is now my most common large animal emergency, and usually results in not many live pigs, disappointed owners, and I can attest, a very frustrated veterinarian.

I don’t want to make it sound like they are the bane of my existence, because they’re not. The sows are actually good for business. On the downside, though, the dystocias are crippling my hands. Fortunately, the squeeze from this sow provided enough regional analgesia that I could only sense my arthritic thumb grinding on itself.

It was about this time that a question begged to be asked: Could there be an easier and more enjoyable pig for people to raise on a small scale? Almost immediately, my mind began to fill with images of Tamworths, Herefords and Red Wattles.

Fans of “Downton Abbey” may recall the pigs introduced in Season 4 as a way for the Crawley family to increase revenue for the estate. Well, those were Tamworths.

That cast addition was fitting as “back in the day” hogs were known as “mortgage lifters.” If the Crawleys did have a mortgage, though, I don’t think the Tamworths could have lifted it much. I’m not even sure they could have paid Downton’s heating bill.

An English breed, Tamworths may have some genetic origins in Ireland. Red in color, with their long bodies and trim bellies, they were considered a bacon- type hog. Today, Tamworths are described as good grazers and extremely prolific.

Dan Hilty, from Wapakoneta, raises Herefords, an American breed marked similar to the cattle of the same name. With a red body and white face and legs, the Hereford hog is an attractive animal. Dan says they, too, do well on pasture and are “easy keepers.”

Dan also touted their good maternal instincts and described how careful the sows are with their babies when he farrows them in pens. “They don’t move around a lot when the piglets are little.” Dan went on to say that Herefords are “an enjoyable pig to have around.”

When I asked Tom Inkrott, who raises a few Red Wattle hogs near Leipsic, about his pigs, he cut straight to the meat of the matter, so to speak. “They taste like what hogs used to taste like. Their taste is the best.”

Red Wattles are also red-haired, with skin tags called wattles, akin to what goats have, hanging from their necks. According to Tom, Red Wattles are also known for having large litters.

If your favorite hog color isn’t red, don’t despair. The Large Black breed is aptly named, and if you prefer spots, the Ossabaw Island Hog or the Gloucestershire Old Spot have enough color splotches to satisfy anyone’s needs.

Sadly, many of these breeds have critically low population numbers. As a fan of all things agricultural, I would encourage anyone who likes pigs, has a small acreage, and wants to do something of lasting importance to the pork industry, to please consider raising one of these heritage breeds before they disappear. Good genes are a terrible thing to waste.

Author:  Dr. John Jones

Enjoy the Veterinary Perspective of a Cat Connoisseur

 

One of the greatest pleasures of veterinary medicine is being able to care for a variety of animals daily. Unlike our human counterparts, we are trained to diagnose, prescribe and treat multiple species, with cats and dogs being the most common. As such, we must learn about conditions and behaviors unique to the different animals that we see.

Personally, I find the feline species very intriguing, as not only are they very different from dogs, but also each cat is different from the next. And, unlike dogs that we can train and “mold” into canine good citizens, cats are independent creatures that “have staff.”

For veterinarians, even meeting and greeting cats requires a certain finesse to win the trust of these independent, highly intelligent animals. While most dogs will greet veterinarians with at least some exuberance and learn to trust their caregivers, cats assume the attitude of “what’s in this for me.”

With this knowledge, my first task when approaching feline patients is to identify their pleasure points. Will it be a full body pet from the top of the head to the tip of a curling tail as the cat walks away from me with inquisitive arrogance, or will it be a really good chin scratch as the cat hunkers down in the safety of the bottom of its travel crate?

Regardless of the cat’s acceptance (or lack thereof) of my intrigue and admiration, my brain has switched gears from the last species I treated to the feline in front of me. Now I get to think about all the unique health issues that cats might experience.

With every species, veterinarians are first trained to recognize the “normal” animal before learning about specific animal diseases. While there is some crossover between different species when it comes to disease, there are also a number of conditions unique to each species, including felines. Dirty Face Syndrome, Stud Tail and Painful Bladder Syndrome are a few conditions distinctive to cats.

Dirty Face Syndrome (Idiopathic Facial Dermatosis) appears just as the name implies. Kittens or cats, often of Persian or Himalayan breeding, will present with what appears as dirt accumulated in the coat around the lips, nose and eyes. This “dirtiness” is difficult to clean off and will recur very quickly if you are successful in doing so. The term “idiopathic” implies that there is no known cause, but since this condition occurs frequently in certain breeds, there is likely a genetic association. The “dirt” is excessive sebum or wax produced by oil glands on the face.

Feline Stud Tail is similar to Dirty Face Syndrome in that it is also associated with overactive oil glands, this time located on the tail base, usually of intact male cats. The excessive brown oil that accumulates collects dirt, which gives the tail base a greasy, black appearance that is again difficult to wash out. Neutering does seem to help eliminate or control this condition which may also be observed in neutered male or female cats.

Feline Painful Bladder Syndrome (Feline Idiopathic Cystitis or FIC) is a hemorrhagic inflammation of the lining of a cat’s urinary bladder and urethra. A similar condition is found in humans, primarily women, and is called Interstitial Cystitis. Cats — as well as people — will experience lower urinary pain, frequency, urgency and bleeding. There is no known cause for this uncomfortable ailment that appears to be exacerbated by stress.

Cats also differentiate themselves in the behavioral category with two different body languages that alert veterinarians to be on guard. The first is what I describe as “airplane ears.” Cats will lay their ears down flat on the sides of their heads, usually with their body somewhat crouched.

At the same time, the cat may begin a swishing tail motion, more pronounced at the tip of the tail. This action is a “tick-tock” motion that communicates the cat’s escalating discontent. When both airplane ears and the tick-tock tail are present, beware, as the next action will likely be a lashing out by an unhappy cat!

Not all cats are uneasy in the veterinary office. In fact, I would argue that almost every cat can be comforted during visits by all the right touches of a discerning veterinary eye. So, please do not hesitate to take your feline family member for routine veterinary exams. Your veterinarian is a trained connoisseur of cat behavior and diseases, and it our honor and privilege to care for them.

Author:  Dr. Bonnie Jones

A Pet Owner’s Nightmare: When Loving Pets Become Aggressive

I remember when my dogs took turns laying their heads on my pregnant belly. Even our cat would partake in this activity, which soon became a daily routine. My husband and I found great joy in this. Both animal lovers, we prayed that our unborn child would follow in our footsteps and enjoy God’s creations. However, I did notice a change in our pets’ behavior the larger my belly grew. They seemed to become more protective, never leaving my side, but never exhibiting aggression either.

Veterinarians deal with aggressive animals on a daily basis and the reasons for pet aggression can be numerous. Extensive research has been conducted leading to multiple theories about why animals misbehave. Yet, there is still so much to learn about pet aggression.  We cannot ask unruly pets “What is making you upset?”  We can only observe and study their actions and do our best to make sense of their inappropriate behaviors.

Many clients seek my advice about their pet’s aggression. My first task is to conduct a thorough examination to rule out physical causes for bad behavior such as diminished vision or hearing, or undiagnosed pain. Once I am convinced the pet is not experiencing any physical reasons for behavioral changes, I then counsel the pet owner about options to cope with their pet’s aggression. These might include changing the pet’s behavior through proper obedience training, an environmental or diet change, or medication.

Sadly, some pet owners have become afraid of their own animals, and many of them, like me, have children in their home. I have been asked by parents of small children on several occasions, “What would you do if you had an aggressive animal in your home?”  The question regarding aggressive animals in a household with children was always hard for me to answer, because until recently I did not have children.

It is hard to put yourself in someone else's shoes if you have no experience with their challenges. Of course, I have always been straight forward and honest with my clients. I have and always will offer them every option available to help them seek the choice that they are most comfortable with.

Veterinarians are charged with helping and protecting all animals. However, our higher responsibility is to protect the welfare of people, as well as pets. My personal goal is and always will be to do what is best for the animal AND its family. I am never judgmental, as I constantly realize every human-animal bond is different.

I can now say that as a first time mother with pets, answering questions on aggressive animal behavior in regards to children is easier. My husband and I recently found ourselves in the moccasins of my clients who own aggressive pets. This experience was truly eye-opening when it was in my own household.

A parent’s instinct is always to put the child first and protect them no matter what. However, this may be easier said than done, as most, like me, consider pets as family members. Needless to say, any decision about a pet’s well-being should always be made with the deepest consideration and utmost concern for the pet as well as its family.

Speaking from experience and the heart, I know bad pet behavior should never be shrugged off nor taken lightly.  Many are the avenues for coping with pet aggression. If you are dealing with an aggressive animal in your home, with or without the presence of children, please seek the advice of your veterinarian.

Author: Dr. Tracy Strauer