A Near Perfect Farm Call By Dr. John Jones

                                                

             It was a perfect summer day. The temperature was in the seventies, the humidity low, and the clouds were high in the vibrant blue sky. So when I saw the message from Amy Stechschulte that read “limping fair pigs”, I was almost relieved to have an excuse to leave the office.

            I first met Amy and her family two years ago when they had a minor rectal prolapse problem with one of their 4-H hogs. Last year involved a few visits, unfortunately, as they dealt with some sick pigs. Ironically, I happened to be thinking of them the morning Amy called, and wondering if they even had any pigs this year. Evidently, they did, but until the limping pig epidemic started a few days before, no problems had arisen.

            As I approached their well kept farm, I saw four kids manning a “sweet corn for sale” stand in the front yard, and when I turned into the driveway they all made a bee-line to the barn. It was a scene I think Norman Rockwell would have appreciated. I know I did.

            When I started veterinary practice thirty years ago, I was only seven years removed from my own 4-H days. At that time every animal, except rabbits, going to the county fair needed a health certificate signed by a veterinarian. In addition, hogs needed to be blood tested for a disease called pseudorabies. Although I enjoyed the camaraderie of the kids, and the chance to relive my youth vicariously, the work could be exhausting.

            From late May until nearly September, I stayed busy preparing papers for children from Putnam, Paulding, Allen, and Van Wert counties. That involved a lot of driving, crawling in and out of pens, boot washing, and coverall changing. Moreover, stooping down to get blood out of a pig is very hard on one’s knees, and just about everything else. By the end of summer, I was ready for the fairs to be over.

            After a few years, pseudorabies was eradicated from Ohio, and the Ohio Department of Agriculture deemed testing no longer necessary, nor was the requirement for county fair health papers. “Yippee!”  I felt like a kid given summer vacation. I didn’t think I would ever miss those days.

            Then last year as I was walking through the aisles of 4-H and FFA animals at the Allen County Fair, it hit me. I hadn’t a clue who most of those kids were.  Unless they had a problem earlier in the summer with their project, I knew nothing about them, or their animals. The sense of loss was profound.  Apparently, I missed those summers with the kids more than I thought.

            At the Stechschulte farm, my assistants were three sixth-grade boys and a fourth-grade girl. Inside their barn, the pens were neatly arranged and immaculate, as were the hogs. In spite of this great care, though, four of the pigs had become lame.

 Modern show pigs have muscles of such mass and definition Arnold Schwarzenegger would be envious. This conformation combined with the increased walking the kids do to train the pigs in the weeks leading up to the fair, puts a great amount of stress on the joints, especially the hock joint in the rear leg.

            I appointed Logan to be in charge of the hog snare, a noose-like device used for restraint, much like a twitch on a horse. He held each pig still while I took their temperature and performed an exam. Three of the pigs had swollen hocks, and two had a slight fever.

            Our plan was to treat each pig with an injection of Draxxin, an antibiotic used to treat an infectious arthritis caused by Mycoplasma bacteria, and two different anti-inflammatories. Because each drug had virtually the same dosage, was clear as water, and my coveralls had only so many pockets, I assigned each of my other three assistants the task of holding syringes. Abby was “Dexamethasone Girl,” Caleb held the Draxxin, and neighbor Max handled the Banamine. As the Amish say, “Many hands make light work,” and soon our job was done.

            Thank you, kids, for taking me back to the old days, even if it was for just a short while. And thank you, also, for the help with your fine bunch of pigs. It was a nearly perfect visit for this old vet. I only wish I had bought some corn.

 

Rodentophobia By Dr. John Jones

                                                                  

          

               The huge beast was coming straight for me. Mouth agape, saliva dripping, I could see the rows of razor-sharp teeth. It lunged. I tried to move but my legs were in cement. I was paralyzed with fear…and then I screamed.

            Was that the end of me? No, just the latest installment in a long history of nightmares about my favorite creatures.

            “It was rats, wasn’t it?” was all my wife needed to ask the next morning.  

            “Yup.”

            So now you know my big secret. I have rodentophobia. I am afraid of rats. I don’t mean just a little bit. I’m talking “heart-attack-city,” “scream like a little schoolgirl” scared. Rats are my main nemesis, but to be honest, I get the willies from just about all those furry little vermin—mice, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, although I can appreciate a nice squirrel…in a tree. I tolerate rabbits because I convince myself that technically they are not rodents. Rabbits are lagomorphs, a closely related but distinct family.

            I don’t really know why I am so afraid of rats. I like spiders and snakes—well, not really, but they don’t scare me. One of my earliest memories is of playing with a pet hamster, which I did like. My brother, who is 14 years older and also a veterinarian, thinks he knows why I am afraid. He says he used to put his pet white rat in my crib with me. Knowing him, I believe that.

            People are amazed I made it all the way through veterinary school and never had to deal with any rats. The only rat I saw during those years was in the large animal section of the building where the feed and hay were stored. That wasn’t a good day.

            A few farmers know of my affliction, and some are even sympathetic. One time at a dairy farm, I saw a flash of brown out of the corner of my eye. “What was that?” I asked, knowing that the farmer had seen it too. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Doc,” was all I got from the kind but expressionless face. I knew.

            My most horrible real-life nightmare occurred late one Saturday night on an old farm north of Ottoville. I was there to see a sick steer. At least I think it was a steer—that part of the memory is a smidge hazy. After walking into the dimly lit barn, it took my eyes a few moments to adjust. And then I saw them. Not just one or two, there must have been dozens, maybe hundreds. They were everywhere—in the feedbunks, on the rafters, and worst of all, some were crawling through tunnels in the manure just inches from my boots. I can still remember how the little bit of light glimmered on their greasy coats. I don’t know how I survived. As to what was wrong with the cow or steer, or its outcome, I can’t remember—it was hard to concentrate on anything but rats.

            I read in Time magazine years ago that G. Gordon Liddy, from the Watergate days, was also afraid of rats, as a boy. To overcome his fear, he decided one day to kill a rat, cook it, and eat it. He reasoned that the rats would then fear him. I won’t be doing that.

            So after all this talk about rats, you might be asking yourself, “What is the point?” and “How is he going to relate this column to sheep?” because you know it is coming.

            The point is I like cats. In my opinion there is no better rattrap or poison than a good cat, or better yet, a bunch of cats. Most people think of dogs as man’s best friend, but in my mind, cats are right up there.

            But there is a problem with cats and how they relate to the sheep business. That problem is Toxoplasmosis, a protozoal disease that causes abortion in sheep and goats, as well as birth defects in humans.

            Cats transmit this organism to sheep and goats through fecal contamination of feedbunks and hay. Many sheep veterinarians are very anti-cat, and think the only way to protect sheep from this disease is to eliminate all the cats on the farm.

            In truth, most cats only shed the Toxoplasma oocysts or eggs for a short period of time in their lives. Kittens usually begin to hunt between four to six months of age. They obtain the Toxoplasma agent from the tissues of their prey, become infected themselves, and pass oocysts in their feces for a two or three week period before developing immunity, and cease oocyst shedding. Mother cats nursing litters, or cats infected with feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus, that is, cats with compromised immune systems, may shed oocysts at inappropriate times.

            Therefore, keeping a healthy stable of older, neutered adult cats, avoiding kittens when ewes and does are pregnant, maintaining litterpans in barn aisleways, and nixing the purchase of feces contaminated hay, should help make your sheep and goats safe from Toxoplasmosis, and you and your veterinarian safe from rats.

            As luck would have it, the morning after my nightmare I described at the beginning of this column, on my way to the barn, I stumbled across the back-end remains of a small rat. I didn’t even know there were any around, and believe me, I look. A search revealed no other signs of rats nor the front end of that one. I guess my cats are still doing a great job. Nevertheless, it wasn’t a good day for me, or the rat.

 

The Lima News- October 3, 2004

The American Southdown Journal- Fall 2004

Taming the Itch That Just Won’t Quit

                                   

                                ‘Tis the season…that time of year when pets and pet owners have restless days and sleepless nights because the itch won’t stop itching. In the veterinary profession, we call it “peak allergy season.”  When hay fever suffers are the most miserable, generally pets are, too.  The difference is that most allergic pets reflect their allergies through itchy skin rather than respiratory and eye symptoms like their human counterparts.

                                When presented with a pet that is scratching, I will first ask a series of questions about the pet’s diet, and the timing, extent and severity of symptoms.   Next, I perform a thorough physical exam of my patient.  If warranted, I will conduct testing that might include skin scrapings for mites, allergy or thyroid blood testing.  Once I have obtained a complete medical history, conducted an exam and reviewed test results, by the process of elimination a diagnosis will be close at hand. 

                                In recent years, I have observed a significant uptick in pets being diagnosed with food allergies.  These patients are commonly diagnosed before two years of age and will begin having symptoms as early as the first few months of life.  The typical food allergic patient may have recurrent yeast ear infections or Staph bacterial infections, especially on the lower abdomen.  Often their sole symptom is mild to moderate generalized itchiness that may be responsive early on to oral antihistamines, such as Benadryl.

                                As time goes on, the food allergic patient will get progressively worse and multiple skin problems will ensue. These include difficult to resolve ear infections, ongoing rashes or Staph bacterial and/or yeast skin infections, anal itching, facial rubbing, or foot licking.  I teach clients the following phrase taught to me: “Ears and rears…think food allergy first” because the correlation rings true more than 90% of the time.  And, ears are skin on the inside of the body and that is why they are often involved, too.

                                Do not be surprised if your veterinarian asks you to alter your pet’s diet to resolve its skin or ear problems. This change can be a simple fix for your pet’s discomfort.  Keep in mind, that there are very specific rules you will need to abide by to guarantee you don’t inadvertently “cheat” on your pet’s diet:  your pet’s treats must contain the same ingredients found in its food.  Pet toothpastes, supplements and medications, including heartworm preventives, that contain food flavorings,will need to be changed to products without food ingredients.  Trash raids and snacking outdoors on animal feces and other items must be avoided as well.

                                For some good news, marshmallows are considered hypoallergenic  ( “faux food” as I like to call them) making them a good choice for hiding oral medications or as occasional treats for food allergic patients. The bad news is cheating on your pet’s special food allergic diet can result in your pet’s skin problems relapsing for as long as 30 days!

                                While food allergies are becoming increasingly more common, I would be remiss if I didn’t address the other reasons why pet’s itch.  And, sadly, as much as 50% of the skin problems veterinarians diagnose at this time of year are STILL flea-related. As always, prevention is the best plan when it comes to flea control! Once you realize you have a flea problem, it has already existed for 4-8 weeks, plenty of time for multiple flea generations to be living with your family in your home! It will take you a minimum of 8 weeks with aggressive flea control measures to eliminate your environmental infestation.

                                Please listen to your veterinarian’s advice regarding flea control: use veterinarian-recommended flea control products on ALL of your pets, consistently, properly, and ALL YEAR ROUND!

                                Once your veterinarian has ruled out fleas and food allergy, she will then be able to determine what the underlying cause for your pet’s skin problem might be.  If your dog is diagnosed with environmental allergies, you should ask your veterinarian if a newer canine allergy medicine called Apoquel is right for your dog. This medication is not a steroid, antihistamine or cyclosporine.  It is a neurotransmitter inhibitor that tells the dog’s brain “You’re not itchy,” no matter what the cause might be.

                              Apoquel has been very helpful for many of my patients, especially those with multiple, previously uncontrolled allergies.  Dog owners love that this medication works as quickly as four hours and has seemingly no side effects, unlike other allergy medications.  Apoquel’s current disadvantages include limited availability and cost. 

                                If you are growing tired of hearing your pet’s thumping or slurping, see your veterinarian.  With a proper diagnosis, we’ll help you put an end to your pet’s allergic misery so everyone can get a good night’s sleep again!

 

By Dr. Bonnie Jones

Old Sayings and Flea Control

             
              There's an old adage that “you can’t please ‘em all.” As a veterinarian, I encounter a wide range of people and personalities. From many clients I receive great praise and gratitude; however, I am not perfect, and on rare occasions, I do meet with negative vibes. Recently, I have been picking up on a trend –a handful of people seem to take offense when I run a flea comb through their pets’ fur. “Oh, he doesn’t have fleas” is a common comment that I get when I start examining some pets for an infestation. Occasionally, the people who deny the existence of a flea problem are correct –but sometimes they are not.

             Some folks seem to think that it’s a personal insult to check a pet for such a relatively common parasite. I am often taken aback when I encounter such a negative reaction to a very routine, simple diagnostic procedure that I perform on nearly every patient that I see. I use flea combs on patients so often that it hardly seems to register with me that some clients might take it personally.

             Don’t get me wrong - fleas are quite repulsive. They are nasty little guys that can spread disease and cause plenty of itching and hair loss in animals on a regular basis. And once fleas have set up shop in your home it’s very difficult and costly to get rid of them. The best way to deal with them is to prevent them effectively in the first place.

             Thankfully, there are a wide range of flea products available from monthly topical products to oral medications. I often tell clients that purchasing flea control is similar to purchasing insurance policies. You certainly can find cheap coverage - but it’s not going to be very good coverage. You may be able to find flea collars or flea shampoo at a cheap price on the grocery store shelves but they are by far the least effective flea prevention coverage out there. Another old saying comes to mind: “you get what you pay for.” In fact, some of the very cheap flea control products available have been widely known to cause seizures or neurologic signs and even death in some pets. I recommend getting your flea products from your trusted veterinarian. Use these flea products according to the instructions –usually the products are meant to be used every 30 days.

             The “every 30 days” bit tends to be the part where people get lax on using that coverage they have invested in. I am a veterinary professional and I have the “flea conversation” on average once an hour and I will confess that I myself have trouble remembering to use the flea control that I have for my dog. I have tried using the medications on the day that rent is due. I have tried putting a monthly alarm on my smart phone. The only thing that works for me is using the calendar stickers that come with the box of medicine. Every month when the sticker date arrives I apply my dog’s medicine, count out the next 30 days and place the new sticker as a reminder for the next month’s dose. Without these handy little stickers I’m sure my own dog would be a little flea bag, albeit a cute one.

             Would you be upset with your mechanic for checking your tire pressures? Would you be offended if your doctor or nurse took your temperature? I think that a vast majority of the population would not be upset –surely most realize that these things are a part of the exam, part of a routine work up. In fact, as a consumer, I would be concerned if these procedures were not performed, after all I am paying for the services and knowledge of the professional at hand.

            So try not to take offense if your veterinarian runs a flea comb through your pet’s fur. Rest assured that it is a very basic part of a routine veterinary check up. And if we do happen to find evidence of a flea problem, we will do whatever we can to resolve the problem and help avoid them in the future. To quote one final adage, "better safe than sorry!"

By Dr. Marisa Tong

Definitely Not a Mistake

                                                           

            When the phone rang at 4:40 am New Year’s morning, I must admit to not feeling very festive. Although I’m not a big “celebrator,” I was hoping for more than four hours of sleep. But when I heard it was one of Kirby’s moms who called, and he had taken a turn for the worse, my grumblings ceased. You see, I feel a certain bond with his moms. A few years ago, they provided me with what I consider my best column, as well as one of the most memorable “human” moments of my life.

            The column, “Bette’s Family Values”, was about the death of their old Cocker Spaniel from pancreatic cancer, a disease as nasty for pets as it is for us. Bette’s column wasn’t only about her, however. It also dealt with a window sticker on the back of their Jeep that read; “Hate is not a family value.”

            It wasn’t so much the sticker that impressed me, but the courage it took to display it. Society’s views were much different in the spring of 2006 than they are now, and from the faded, moth-eaten appearance of the sticker, it had been there for a good long time.

              Whenever I write a column and use the real names of pets or people, I always have the humans involved read it before publication to make sure they are comfortable with the content. In this case I wasn’t just asking permission to tell a nice tale, I was seeking absolute verification for a relationship I alluded to but wasn’t convinced even existed.

             I worried for days over how to approach the ladies, and then as if by fate, luck, or divine intervention, I spotted Joyce standing behind our reception counter on the Saturday morning before the column’s Tuesday deadline. I quickly printed a copy of their story, and asked her to follow me down the hallway to our surgery room. She seemed a little apprehensive, and I don’t blame her. It was a rather odd request.

            Once inside, I closed the door, took a deep breath, and began my one line of questioning. “Are you and Joyce…”

            She stopped me. “I am Joyce.”

            My head dropped in defeat and embarrassment, and with what air was left I whispered, “I know that.”

            After a couple more deep breaths, I continued with my eloquent question. “So are you and Patrice cousins or sisters- in- law or something?”

            I wish I could adequately describe the look she gave me but I can’t. Let me just say it was penetrating. The look was followed by a two word response and a follow-up question of  her own. “We’re partners…Why?”

“Oh, thank God!” I exclaimed. “Here read this.”  In my excitement, I nearly threw the papers at her. Poor Joyce, I don’t think she had ever seen someone so happy she had a partner before.    

            As she read the column in front of me, her face softened, and her eyes filled with tears. When she finished, she gave me a really big hug, the warmth of which I can still feel today.

            A few weeks after Bette’s death, Joyce and Patrice adopted a puppy and named him Kirby. The first time I met him, I thought to myself: “Puppy, you just won the dog lottery!” Kirby had a great life with the ladies and the rest of their pet family, much of it spent camping, hiking, and boating at Grand Lake and beyond.

            Last fall his health began to decline. Although we were never able to make a definitive diagnosis, Kirby probably had some type of cancer. Whatever the cause, it culminated in that phone call New Year’s morning.

            When my wife, Bonnie, went to draw up the euthanasia solution, Patrice turned to me and asked, “Did you know Kirby was a mistake?”

             I had forgotten that part of his story. The fuzzy-faced Golden Retriever puppy the ladies purchased grew up to be a handsome Goldendoodle. But that didn’t matter to his new moms. His pedigree   was his only flaw.

            In the confines of the small exam room, as Joyce and Patrice said good-bye to their beloved pet, I had a flashback to Bette’s passing, and what I learned then from the ladies about what it meant to be a family. It became clear to me that a life capable of giving and accepting love can never be a mistake- not Kirby, not anybody.

By Dr. John Jones

Every Pet Should Have a Golden Ending on a Golden Pond

                                                               

 

                         I asked myself today “How do I begin a discussion about euthanasia, the act of putting animals to death humanely?”  This is a professional service that I administer for animals almost daily. In spite of the deep sadness that accompanies the majority of euthanasias, I am able to separate myself from that sadness by realizing I am terminating suffering or the ravages of disease.

                        Because veterinarians perform “cradle to grave” care for their patients that age more rapidly than humans, we get to know our patients and their people quite well and quickly.  The depth of love for and devotion to four-legged family members is revealed in different ways and at different times by pet owners. Thankfully, most pet owners who seek regular veterinary care are genuinely and emotionally invested in their pets.

                        As I tell my clients faced with the decision to end their pet’s life, letting go of that adored pet is the greatest act of love you can show them when the time is appropriate. I will assist in the decision-making process as needed by clarifying the choice with a few questions:

1)      Are your pet’s good days (or good hours in a day) outnumbering the bad?

2)      What do you think your pet’s quality of life is?

3)      Are you comfortable with your pet as it is?

                        When faced with quantitating good times versus bad, the decision becomes more “black and white” for most people.  If they still aren’t sure, I will ask them to use the “Penny Jar” principle.  They are instructed to put a coin in a “Good Day” jar when the pet is having a “good day,” and a coin in the “Bad Day” jar when they are not. This routine helps many justify the decision while they are preparing themselves for it.

                     Some euthanasias are easier to perform than others, technically as well as emotionally.  Veterinarians often develop strong, emotional attachments to their patients, for a multitude of reasons.  Caring for a patient that is blessed to live a long life commonly leads to a deeper attachment to that pet. Certain pets also remind us of our own beloved pets, past or present.  And, some patients are in the “too good to be true” category, either because they are incredibly cute or beautiful, but mostly because they are really cooperative, extremely forgiving, and easy patients to care for.

                    What prompted me to write this column was what I consider perhaps “The Most Perfect Euthanasia” of all. 

                        I have been caring for “Darla,” a much-loved truly “golden” Golden Retriever for over 13 years.  Her 14^th birthday would have been on July 31. Her people always gave her the best of love and veterinary care as recommended.  She earned her “frequent flyer” card at our hospital as a regular on the toenail trimming circuit as well.  We always knew when Darla was in the building because she would announce herself with several jubilant “woofs” upon entering the door. Plain and simple, Darla was a true delight…happy, beautiful, loving and always forgiving.

                        Like many senior pets, Darla began to be plagued by tumors when she was 11 years old. Her attentive owners expressed their concerns expediently as we began a journey of removing and biopsying three different cancers.  While her first cancer was a more benign tumor called squamous papilloma, her second and third cancers were digital and oral melanomas that eventually seeded themselves in her lungs. It recently became clear that Darla had lost her fight with cancer when she began having difficulty breathing, especially when she exerted herself.

                        With Darla’s welfare always at the forefront of their loving care, her owners decided it was time to say good-bye to Darla, and her departure was scheduled to occur at her home.  On the most perfect evening, in a picturesque backyard with more than beautiful landscaping surrounding a lovely pond, I assisted Darla across The Rainbow Bridge after she ingested one last handful of favorite treats, with her people by her side.  I am absolutely certain Darla was smiling as she left her earthly life and went to Heaven.

                        Do I enjoy euthanasias? No. But, this was as close to perfection as it gets.  Everyone should have a “Golden Ending on a Golden Pond.”

 

By Dr. Bonnie Jones

Shadowing a Veterinarian

                                                                       

As a veterinarian, I am often approached to have young people follow me around and learn what I do. These bright young minds are lovingly termed “shadows.” Through the years, I have seen a wide range of shadows – with varying degrees of interest, talent, and experience. Some of them seem to have been forced by gun point to show up and follow me around while others are overly excited to be there and willingly volunteer to take time out of their days and see what veterinary medicine is all about.

            I will always remember when I was an eighth grader and had my first opportunity to shadow our family vet, Dr. Darla Boyk. She had a very interesting surgery schedule that morning. It included an exploratory surgery of a dog that had become obstructed due to eating telephone cord (an uncommon foreign body obstruction these days). She also had to spay an old fat dog. I distinctly remember her telling me that that was part of the reason that veterinarians ask owners to spay their dogs when they are young. Younger animals tend to have minimal abdominal fat accumulation. She illustrated her point with the greasy fat material coating her surgical gloves making surgery much more complicated and slippery.  

I was definitely one of the eager-to-be-there types of shadow. I remember being so nervous and excited about shadowing a real life vet that I nearly shadowed her directly into a bathroom stall.  I am sure Dr. Boyk was probably simply trying to hide for a few minutes from the overly-eager eighth grader nipping at her heels.

            As life would have it I have gone from being the shadow to the shadowed. As I had experienced my first surgery many years ago, many of my shadows get to experience watching surgery for the first time.  My technicians know that I love to give these rookies a “spiel.” You see, many of these young people have never seen blood or guts before (other than Hollywood-produced gore). Many people don’t realize how weak their stomach is or how easily they buckle at the knees when faced with real life gore.

 I always tell my shadows that if they start feeling faint they should sit directly on the floor, not on a stool or chair, as it’s a much shorter distance if they do pass out. Recently, a first-timer came to visit and watched a particularly nasty dental cleaning. Apparently, it was too much for her. She was upright and carrying on a conversation one second, then turned white as a sheet and crumpled to the floor the next. Thankfully, she recovered quickly and even managed to stay for the rest of the day with her parents’ blessing. Hopefully, it will be a great story to share when she becomes a successful veterinarian in the future.

If you or some young bright-eyed student that you know is contemplating becoming a veterinarian, I highly encourage you to seek out a veterinarian who allows people to job shadow to get a feel of the veterinary medical field.  It is a very important first step on the long road to becoming a veterinarian.  I thank Dr. Boyk now for her patience and for the opportunity to witness firsthand what a vet does at such a young age.  I am glad that I now have the privilege to help those just starting down the road toward becoming the next generation of veterinarians.

By Dr. Marisa Tong