Tip the Scale in Favor of Your Pet

As I sit at my kitchen table enjoying dinner, I look down and see a pair of big, puppy dog eyes staring back at me. Our eyes lock and his tail begins to wag at an immeasurable speed. I look away quickly, thinking he will forget I am eating. Not a chance! Next comes a paw scratching at my leg as more persistent pleading begins.

Sound familiar? Do not be embarrassed if you have found yourself in a similar situation. Many people, myself included, have fed their pets from the table. Why do we do this if we know it is bad for them? 

Of course we want our pets to live long, healthy lives. We must therefore show them tough love and focus on feeding them appropriately.

What does “feeding appropriately” mean? It is more than not feeding them human food from the table. You can over feed your pet with its own food, too. In fact, this is how my husband and I found ourselves entering one of our own dogs in the Delphos Animal Hospital’s “Biggest Loser” competition. Both of us were filling his bowl inappropriately and, after a short amount of time, our poor dog fattened up. Our hearts sank when we finally weighed him.

Our plan of attack was to gradually wean him on to a “light” or “reduced calorie” dog food.  Each meal is now carefully measured as well. I am happy to say that in just a few weeks we have seen progress and are certain that our dog has a chance at winning the Biggest Loser competition.

Please don’t make the same mistake we did. Take action now and be smart when it comes to feeding your pet. Eliminate human food, limit treats, and increase your pet’s exercise.

Also, read the feeding guideline on your pet’s food bag if you are unsure how much to feed. Keep in mind these guidelines are designed for what pets should weigh. For example, if your dog weighs 100 pounds, but should weigh 80 pounds, be certain to use the 80 pound dog feeding guideline.

If you are not sure what your pet's ideal body weight is you can use some visual clues to help you determine if it is over (or under) weight.

 1) Is it difficult to feel/see the ribs and/or spine?

 2) Can you see a waistline? 

 3) Does your pet have a sagging belly?

 Veterinarians also use a weight grading system called a Body Condition Score (BCS) to determine a pet’s healthy weight on a numerical scale of 1-5.  Your veterinarian will weigh your pet at each visit to help you adjust its diet and lifestyle to achieve an optimal BCS.

Where does your pet fall on the BCS scale? An easy way to tell is by feeling and looking at the rib cage.

1 (emaciated) = ribs are visible from a distance

2 (thin) = ribs are easily felt and may be visible

3 (moderate) = ribs are palpable without excess fat covering them

4 (stout) = can feel the ribs, but have to push hard

5 (obese) = large fat deposits cover the ribs

As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health or weight, seek the advice of your veterinarian.  Tip the scale in favor of your pet living a longer, healthier life by making it a Biggest Loser, too.

 Author: Dr. Tracy Lee Strauer

What if Dr. Who was a Veterinarian?

It’s that time of year again. That “Holy smokes! Christmas is over and a new year is starting — where did the time go?” time of year. It’s shocking to think how fast time goes by. I am told on a regular basis from older family members and friends that time only goes faster as you age. It makes you wish you had a way to slow things down, enjoying more quality time with family and friends. It kind of makes me wish I had a time machine.

If you were to poll my family and friends, there are a few things that they would all be likely to tell you about me. One thing for certain would be repeated: “Marisa loves ‘Doctor Who.’” If you aren’t familiar with it, “Doctor Who” is a British TV show that started in 1963. It is about the adventures of an alien time-traveler and his human traveling companions. “The Doctor” has a time machine, and they fly about time and space and combat many evil forces.

I often wonder how much easier my job would be if I had a time machine. I think about the evil forces of infection, parasites, tumors and organ failure that I could defeat. I could travel back in time and stop my arch nemeses before they affected the pets in our families. Perhaps, some would argue, that would be a poor use of time travel in the big picture. But certainly it would make me a happier veterinarian and bring about healthier and happier times with our pets. I think it would make the world a better place. Happy pets mean happier owners.

If you think about it, we have a way to combat those particular medical evil forces in our current time. Medical testing with early detection is often the key to winning the battle with many diseases. We have routine medical tests, such as heartworm tests, organ profiles, complete blood cell counts, X-rays, fecal tests and countless other tools at our disposal. If we don’t use the proper screening available, many diseases will continue to ruin our beloved pets’ quality of life and decrease their lifespans.

Consider how many issues we could avoid if we were more proactive in our pets’ medical care. We could eradicate all flea infestations in homes around the world if we all would use proper monthly flea control for our cats and dogs. Ending the flea epidemic worldwide would certainly be a victory over one of veterinary medicine’s arch enemies. I can’t tell you how many cat owners tell me that they don’t use flea control for their cat because the kitty stays inside completely. That’s when I run a flea-comb through their itchy indoor kitty’s fur, and I inevitably find flea dirt and live fleas. I would take my time machine back to before the first flea found that furry friend and stop the infestation before thousands of flea eggs were dispersed in the environment.

Getting your pets spayed or neutered is also a great way to avoid many diseases. One deadly example of a common disease affecting intact female dogs and cats is a disease called pyometra. Pyometra is a uterine infection. It can affect any un-spayed female and usually happens a few weeks to months after a heat cycle. This is a life-threatening disease and can make a female dog very ill surprisingly quickly. The best way to avoid the uterine infection altogether is to get your dog or cat spayed at an appropriate age, usually as a six-month old puppy or kitten.

Owners of pets with pyometra often tell me, “I wish we would have gotten her spayed when she was little.” When people are faced with an avoidable life-threatening diagnosis, it is usually then that everyone wishes that they had done something about it earlier. They don’t even know it, but they are wishing to use that time machine.

As much as I enjoy the idea of traveling time and space with “The Doctor” to fix my patients’ problems before they begin, time travel is not possible. We can only use the best tools we have at hand to ensure that our pets lead healthier and happier lives. If we all would act sooner and not procrastinate when it comes to regular veterinary care, more diseases would be detected earlier, parasitic infections could be prevented and deadly infections such as pyometra could be avoided. If that were the case that imaginary time machine could be used for some other good, such as watching all of the future episodes of “Downton Abbey.”

Author:  Dr. Marisa Tong

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!