Cat and Dog Treat Recipes

I found some tasty and healthy sounding dog and cat treats, for those of you who might want to make your pets a holiday gift of their own.  I know tasty and healthy don't usually go together but these really do sound good.  In my research of treats I will have to say to beware.  There were so many treats out there that we loading with fattening meats(bacon!), grease(lard), and/or dairy(cows) milk.  To me, those recipes are going to prompt a trip to the veterinarian for diarrhea and vomiting!  And for sure if your pet is on a special diet or has a sensitive stomach these treat recipes may not be for them.  Ask your vet to look at the recipe if you have any concerns.

Dog Treat Recipes:
-Peanut Butter Dog Treat with Safflower Oil
-Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treat with Soy milk

Cat Treat Recipes:
-Tuna Tidbits
-Chick N'Biscuits

Homemade Dog-cat Treats

Hazardous Holiday Plants

I am reposting this from last year, really good recycled information!!



As everyone is aware the holiday's are upon us. There are trees, decorations, and holiday foods everywhere!  In this blog I'm just going to address holiday plants, such as the poinsettia, mistletoe, and the Christmas tree.

-Poinsetta(Euphorbia pulcherrima):  The poinsettia has long been deemed highly toxic by folklore, and perhaps is as a result of misidentification of a plant involved in a lethal toxicosis.  In experiments is had failed to produce toxicosis...  However, in instances where small animals ingest a large quantity it can produce considerable vomiting and diarrhea.  All plant parts (leaves, stems, flower) are irritating. 

-Mistletoe(Phoradendron Serotinum):  This is the American mistletoe, it is actually a parasite of other trees such as oak or walnut.  The leaves and red berries are both toxic!  As little as three berries could be toxic to your pet or a child if eaten.  It causes sudden stomach and intestinal upset, which results in vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.  This can rapidly progress onto collapse of the heart and vascular system.  If proper treatment isn't initiated then death can occur within 10-16 hours after ingestion.  Due to the toxicity of this plant I recommend people just have the fake-plastic mistletoe if they need a plant to kiss under....

-Live Christmas Tree:  Most common types of trees (Spruce, Fir, Pine) are non-toxic.  The only real concern is if the pet ingests enough needles that it causes an obstruction (block them up, so feces can't pass).  Many pets also decide that the Christmas tree water is a wonderful new watering hole and drink more water than the tree does.  This water often has preservatives in it. These preservatives are primarily diluted sugar and NPK fertilizer. Most animals that drink the water develop no signs. On occasion mild stomach and intestinal signs occur, and rarely, bacterial/fungal contamination of the water may lead to more severe signs.

-Amaryllis:  This is a common bulb that is forced to bloom at Christmas time.  The bulb is actually the most toxic part, but the leaves in a large enough quantity are toxic as well.  Eating leaves generally only results in drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea.  The bulb on the other hand can cause low blood pressure, weakness, falling over, shaking and seizures.  Cats don't generally dig to find the bulb but if ingestion is suspected an immediate trip to the veterinarian is warranted. 

-Lily:  Lilies are more of an Easter flower but many are used in floral arrangements during the holidays.  Lilies(easter lily, day lily, tiger lily) can cause sudden kidney failure in cats.   Even minor exposures (bite on a leaf, ingestion of pollen) may result in toxicosis, so all feline exposures to lilies should be considered potentially life-threatening.  This means head straight to the vet for care, kidney failure can occur in 48-96 hours after ingestion.  These plants are colorful and fragrant which makes them 'uber' attractive to cats! So just don't have lilies if you have cats...

These are the most common plants ingested at the holidays, but don't forget all the yummy people food and stray holiday ribbon that is a source of concern as well.  Many of the holiday treats we have are super high in fats and sugars.  This can lead to symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea that can become severe enough to need a trip to the doctors office.  Those strings that are so pretty and shiny are also crazy exciting to cats!   The cats eat them and can they can cause an intestinal blockage. 

My cats have never, thankfully, eaten any ribbon.  Cedar (the orange cat) haassss pulled an entire Christmas tree over by himself!!  He did this by taking some beaded garland in his mouth and taking off in the other direction at full speed.  This caused the tree to fall over enough that half of the ornaments fell off, then the other half were smashed when the tree smacked back into the wall when Cedar let go of the garland!!!  This all occurred at about 2am when I had a house full of sleeping people!  He always has to be the center of attention, no matter the cost(his or mine)...

Everyone have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Be safe and keep your pets safe.

Discover Your Cat's "Real Age"

Science Diet pet food is hosting an online quiz to help cat owners determine their cat's 'Real Age', not just their calendar age.  I often have people ask me how old their cat is, in 'cat years', so as to compare to humans age.  Most people like to go by the simple rule of multiplying the cats calender age times 7, to say compare them to a 80 year old person.  I find that this isn't uniformly accurate, because of environmental and/or individual cat differences.

Science Diet has taken an innovative approach to cats age.  They ask questions about the cats body type and lifestyle, such as eating habits and activity levels, then calculates whether the cat is older, younger, or about the same age as its calendar year.  This questions are helpful in making you more aware of things you can do or change to make your cat healthier and live longer.  I really like the questions about exercise and measured feedings.  I think these are the two biggest things that cat owners aren't aware of.  That cats do need exercise and most cats really need to have their food measured and the amount regulated -no free choice..... :-(

                                
 Science Diet Age Quiz

FYI:  They also have a chance to win a spa vacation and food coupons.  I won't lie I signed right up for a chance at that spa vacation!!!

They Ate What?  Second Installment- 2011

One of my first blogs was about the crazy things pets eat.  Veterinary Practice News just came out with the 2011 x-ray contest winners, in their September issue!!  I had to share these amazing x-rays!!

Grand Prize Winner


Vanessa Hawksin, DVM
Bayshore Animal Hospital
Warrenton, Ore.

The dog was presented for lameness in a hind leg, and while taking radiographs looking for musculoskeletal abnormalities, nine handballs were discovered as an incidental finding.




Runners Up


Lisa Anne Attanasi, DVM
Eaglewood Cliffs Veterinary
Eaglewood Cliffs, N.J.

Wailen, a 12-year-old beagle, ate shoe laces, mulch, knee high stocking, a plastic plant, plastic ties and bristles of a car snow cleaning brush.



Jenny Yanson, practice manager
Suburbia North Animal Hospital

A 6-month-old bulldog, Tinkerbell, ate a training collar off another bulldog in their house. The owners had no idea until she ate a second metal slip collar and then proceeded to become seriously ill. Doctors were surprised to find two slip collars in her stomach.




Honorable Mentions

Michael Herko, DVM
Falls Road Animal Hospital, Baltimore, Md.

Penelope, a 2-year-old duck, presented for left leg lameness and was uncomfortable upon abdominal palpation. Radiographs showed a nail and stones in her gizzard. Surgery was performed and Penelope went home. She was back a month later. Radiographs revealed another nail and a second surgery was performed.



Lisa Anne Attanasi, DVM
Eaglewood Cliffs Veterinary
Eaglewood Cliffs, N.J.



Radiographs showed a 2-inch sewing needle seen in ventral proximal neck in Sally, a 1-year-old dachshund.



Melissa Seavey
Healthy Paws Veterinary Center
Westborough, Mass.




A 4-month-old golden retriever ate 10 baby bottle nipples.



Dr. Shriaz Juma
Sherbrook Animal Hospital
Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada

A 6-month-old male kitten, Keelee, loved playing with the guitar that the owner was fixing. Owner tried to pull the string and because it wouldn’t come, he brought Keelee in.



Stephen Crosby, CVT, VTS
New Haven Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine
New Haven, Conn.


The owner was feeding peanut butter off a spoon to her Alaskan malamute, who gulped down more than just its treat. The rads also show a piece of a collar and a toy the dog had eaten earlier (totally unrelated to the spoon incident).



Monica Hazelwood, DVM
VCA Mountainview Animal Hospital and Pet Lodge
Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Barkley, a 5 1⁄2-year old cocker spaniel, presented for vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Radiographs revealed a game board die in his small intestine.



Adam Honeckman, DVM
Mobile Veterinary Diagnostic
Orlando, Fla.


Raven, a 4-year-old female Labrador, was offered a spoonful of peanut butter but decided to eat the spoon, too. The spoon was successfully removed endoscopically.



Beth Shannon, DVM
North Liberty Pet Clinic
North Liberty, Iowa

A 1 1⁄2-year-old male Chi-weenie had chewed on a bottle of Gorilla Glue. The glue expanded in his stomach and molded to it perfectly. He had a complete recovery after the surgery.



Caitlin Fickett
Alaska Veterinary Clinic
Anchorage, Alaska

This dog came in for vomiting and eating grass. A radiograph revealed a foreign body in the stomach. The next morning, an additional X-ray better showed the object: a hard plastic dinosaur.



Bridget Landon, DVM
Fairgrounds Animal Hospital
Reno, Nev.

A 9-month-old golden retriever presented for vaccines. The owner reported that the patient started vomiting two days prior and appetite had decreased. The patient had a gutful of rocks measuring 4-6 cm in diameter.





Patti Klein Manke, DVM
Woodstock Veterinary Clinic
Woodstock, N.Y.

Prince Edward, a 9-year-old bulldog, ate his owner’s false teeth when he found them in a bowl that had ice cream in it. The teeth were returned to the owner and she is smiling again!

TREATMENT for Heartworms

I just wanted to drop a quick note about Heartworm TREATMENT.  I am not talking about the monthly prevention (Heartgard, Interceptor, etc).  I'm talking about the medication we use to treat your dog if it actually gets heartworms.  The medication is called Immiticide, it comes as an injection that is administered in your dogs back muscles.  The problem and concern right now is that Merial has experienced a technical issue at the plant where the FDA-approved version of the drug is manufactured, and it's inventory ran out in August of this year.  In simple terms this means if your dog gets heartworms, we have no way of treating it!!!  The monthly prevention DOES NOT treat heartworms, it PREVENTS them.  The prevention works by killing the baby heartworms before they are able to becomes adult worms.

I have been advising all my clients to be very diligent about giving their heartworm prevention every month.  They are currently working on importing a limited amount of Immiticide from Merial's European supplier.  Please call your veterinarian with any questions or concerns.    

DEMODEX

"Demodex" it's such a scary word..  Try saying it, make sure you use a deep voice...  Scary, huh?  I have heard it called "Red Mange" and/or "Puppy Mange".  I searched all over to find out why it was given the name Red Mange and found nothing.  I assume the it comes from those untreated dogs whose skin turns bright red from scratching and infection.  It is a microscopic mite that infects the skin dogs and cats.  It is one of the most common skin problems in puppies.  My newest family member "Cherry" had demodex when we got her from the animal shelter.

Cherry is a 6 month old black large breed mix.  We got Cherry back in May from the local animal shelter, she was the cutest-ganglest puppy I've ever seen.   But then of course being one of my pets she developed a little problem(animals see me and say, she'll fix us lets go to her house!).  She started getting very small patches of hair loss.  At first it looked like she had just scrapped herself on something.  But then the areas started getting bigger and there was suddenly 3 areas of hair loss instead of one.  These areas were not red or itchy.  The skin was very smooth and it didn't seem to bother Cherry at all.  Being the smart Veterinarian that I am I instantly assumed it was Demodex!  LOL!



Cherry when we got her in May



Cherry today! 6 months old!

I took Cherry up to the clinic for a skin scraping to diagnosis Demodex.  These mites live in the hair follicles, so a fairly deep scraping is needed to find them.  The skin scraping is then put on a slide and looked at under the microscope.  This is a drawing of the mite.

This mite is not contagious from dog to dog.  All dogs raised normally from their mom possess this mite.  It is passed from the mom to the pups in the first few days of life.  When the pup is about 1 week old it develops and natural immunity to the mite, which allows them to live together in harmony.  There are several instances when the mites begin to proliferate and can cause serous skin problems.  In Cherry's case I think her young age and the stress associated with being at the shelter suppressed her immune system.  An underdeveloped immune system is often the cause of demodex in puppies.  Demodex can also occur in older dogs.  Some of the cases I've seen occur because of; stressed immune systems,  organ dysfunction,  or dogs that have chronic skin conditions with extended steroid use. 

There are several treatment options available.  Everything from medication by mouth, to dipping, to topical drops.  It is really up to your veterinarian and their protocols.  One thing that will determine treatment is the extent of infection.  Cherry had a very mild localized infection.  But, I have seen dogs that have mites from their heads to their tails.  These poor dogs often have secondary bacterial and yeast infections.  This is called generalized demodex, it is usually very itchy.

Most dogs respond very well to treatment, especially the puppies.  The adult dogs with generalized demodex are the ones that are often hard to clear up.  In these dogs, Demodex is usually secondary to a more serious problem.  Many skin problems can look the same so make sure you take your dog in for appropriate testing and treatment at your veterinarian.  

Here are some pictures I found online.  The first is a very, very severe case of Demodex.  The second is just a drawing but it shows where the mite actually lives.  Very informative!

Online Pet Pharmacies - BUYER BEWARE

I just have to put in my 2 cents about online pet pharmacies.  I as a veterinarian, I of course, want you to buy your prescription products from me.  And it's not all about my bottom line, as most people would think.  I truly want what is best for your pet.  That includes several things from making sure you get the right size of medicine for your pet to making sure the product is in date. 

According to the FDA;   Illegal online pharmacies may sell medicines that are counterfeit, outdated, mislabeled, incorrectly formulated, or improperly made or stored. These medicines may not contain the actual drug, may contain contaminants, or the incorrect amount of drug, may not work as well due to age or being stored in conditions that were too hot, cold, or humid, and may not have the proper directions for use.  This is an informational brochure from the FDA, they are trying to help make pet owners A.W.A.R.E of problems with pet pharmacies.  Here is the link. http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm203000.htm


I have numerous clients that use online pharmacies with no problems, but I do have a few examples and words of caution.  My number one problem is that most drug companies will not honor their product guarantee's(Ex:  paying for heartworm treatment if the dog gets heartworms while on the product) if the product is not sold by a veterinarian.  A few of the online pharmacies have gotten around this by they themselves offering a product guarantee.  I think this is fine but make sure you clearly understand the pharmacy policy.   FYI:  The treatment for heartworms is currently on indefinite manufacture back order, which means we can't get it!

I have also had clients get things online that were in other languages, this one was in French.  This really had me wondering what was in the little vials that were supposed to be Frontline....

I have also had clients bring me products that are not the right size/weight for their pet.  This is most common in young dogs that are growing, but occasionally with adult pets that just put on a few pounds.  It is very important especially with heartworm prevention that you get the right size.  I don't like to over or under dose pets. 

The last thing that I try to tell clients is: 'We often don't get the requests from the online pharmacy'.  I guess instead of telling the owner they were unable to fax the request they just tell them we declined the prescription.   We get a lot of calls from owners that are very upset because of this.  So, please if you decide to get your prescriptions filled online and it is declined, Call Us!  More than likely we never got a request.

We have owners sign a waiver if they are going to get meds filled online and just like a human doctor we require a yearly wellness exam before writing any prescription.  This helps us make sure your pet is healthy enough for those medications and taking the appropriate type and dose.  Please don't be shy about asking your veterinarian about online pharmacies, I know I am happy to share my knowledge and give you any advice I can.  I agree with the FDA totally, online pharmacies are a definite Buyer Beware!
 

****Just so everyone knows when I make a new post I always update it on the clinic's Facebook status.  Just look us up, Arlington South Veterinary Hospital****


10 Life- Threatening Behavior Myths in Dogs

Do you think puppy classes pose health risks? Does your dog seem to act angry with you? Do you punish your dog? If so, read on and see the truth behind these and other common misconceptions when it comes to dogs’ behavior.

By Valarie V. Tynes, DVM, DACVB
From dvm360.com, client handouts

Myth #1

I’m embarrassed to talk to my veterinarian about my pet’s behavior. I’m afraid that I’m the cause of the problem!

A variety of factors play a role in the development of behavior problems, including a pet’s genetics, early experiences, and environment. While you can certainly worsen a pet’s behavior problem with inappropriate training methods, it is highly unlikely that you caused your pet’s behavior problems.  Many medical conditions and medications can also contribute to behavior changes, so your veterinarian is the best person to consult first when your pet exhibits worrisome behaviors.

FACT: Don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian about any problem that may affect your pet’s health and well-being. Most behavior problems are at least manageable—if not always curable. But the sooner you seek qualified advice, the higher the likelihood you can successfully treat the problem.


Myth #2
Puppies shouldn’t go to puppy classes until they have had all of their shots or they will get sick.

The critical period for socialization in dogs lasts from the fourth to the 14th week of life. During this time, dogs learn about their environment, other dogs, and people.  Poorly socialized dogs are more likely to exhibit behaviors that make them unsuitable as a pet and result in relinquishment to an animal shelter or euthanasia. Thus, the likelihood of death due to poor socialization is greater than the likelihood of illness or death due to contagious disease—as long as the puppy class is managed properly.
All puppy classes should:
• Only mix puppies of similar age
• Require that all puppies have their first vaccination several days before the beginning of the class
• Be held on an indoor surface that can be sanitized
• Clean all puppy waste immediately and disinfect the soiled area
• Not allow any puppies into the class that show signs of illness.
FACT: Proper early socialization can save a dog’s life and is the best way to ensure that you end up with a pet that is well adjusted and a joy to live with for many years.


 
Myth #3
My dog is aggressive/fearful/shy because he/she was abused as a puppy.

While this may be a possibility in the case of some re-homed dogs whose exact histories are unknown, the most common cause of fearful behavior in dogs is inadequate or inappropriate early socialization. Fearful behavior is also heritable, so some dogs are born with a predisposition to shyness or fearfulness. Proper socialization may be even more critical in these individuals.
FACT: No matter the cause, dogs that exhibit fearful or anxious behavior frequently may be suffering and should be evaluated by a veterinarian. These animals can be helped in many different ways.


Myth #4
I want that new medication I heard about to treat my pet’s .

Medications alone rarely completely solve a behavior problem. Behavior modification and environmental modification are usually necessary to achieve long-term, lasting improvement. Some medications have been shown to increase the speed with which the behavior modification takes effect and can be considered another useful tool in treating behavior problems, but they are not the sole remedy.
FACT: Medications can play an important role in the treatment of a behavior problem but only if used appropriately as a part of a complete treatment plan.


Myth #5
Dogs that are aggressive are acting dominant.

While some dogs truly exhibit dominance aggression, they are much rarer than the popular media would have you believe. The problem with outdated dominance theories is that they result in the recommendation of confrontational styles of training based on the erroneous belief that owners have to physically dominate their dogs. Not only is this dangerous, but it is usually ineffective and has resulted in damage to the human-animal bond far more often than it has led to success.
FACT: Most dogs with aggression problems are anxious or afraid and are more likely to respond to reward-based training under the supervision of a qualified animal behaviorist or board-certified veterinary behaviorist.


Myth #6
He must be angry with me. He knows what he did was wrong.

Many dogs show submissive behaviors when their owners arrive home. These behaviors of tucking the tail, lowering the ears, avoiding eye contact, and slinking away do not mean “I am sorry” in dog language. They mean “Quit acting angry at me.” They mean that the dog has learned to associate the return of people to the home with the presence of feces, garbage, or other destroyed items on the floor. The dog is not angry—he is afraid because in the past when people arrived and these items were on the floor, he was yelled at or hit. Even if the dog was not yelled at or hit, the angry body language of the human is clear to the dog, and the dog still learns to feel fear when people arrive. Punishment in these circumstances does not teach the dog anything (except to fear the arrival of people). The dog is completely incapable of associating any punishment with the behavior he performed minutes or hours before.
FACT:  Dogs do not eliminate on the floor or destroy items out of spite. The most likely cause of the behavior is anxiety or lack of appropriate exercise and stimulation(or incomplete housetraining). Rather than being angry at your dog, seek help from a professional. Your dog may be suffering.


Myth #7
If you use treats to train a dog, you will always need them to get the dog to obey your commands.

The principles that govern the laws of learning have shown this to be completely untrue. Treats are an excellent means of reinforcing a behavior. Clear and consistent reinforcement is necessary when you initially begin teaching any animal a new behavior. For some animals, a vocal reward, toys, or petting may serve as good reinforcers, but food is for many animals the most salient reinforcement there is. The rules of learning show that when first teaching a new behavior, reinforcing every single time the behavior is performed on cue will lead to the fastest rate of learning. Once a behavior is learned, intermittent reinforcement is the best means of maintaining the behavior and making it most resistant to extinction. This means that you only have to use the treats periodically once the behavior is learned.  People who believe that an animal is not responding because it knows there is no treat available have usually failed to use reinforcement appropriately or don’t realize that the animal has actually not learned the behavior. It is common for pet owners to think that an animal has learned a command long before it actually has.
FACT: When used correctly, positive reinforcement training with food rewards is far more likely to be effective and has less chance of doing harm than most other forms of training.





Myth #8
Dogs chase their tails or spin in circles because they are bored.

Repetitive behaviors such as pacing, spinning, tail chasing, and foot licking have many causes. To infer they are caused by boredom oversimplifies a complicated problem. These behaviors may be caused by frustration or conflict.  They may often be secondary to certain medical problems that cause itching, pain, or discomfort in a body part. Sometimes they are caused by seizures, and in other cases they result from other forms of brain dysfunction.
FACT:  Repetitive behaviors are complex problems that require evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment by a veterinarian.


Myth #9
Oh, he has a behavior problem? Send him to a trainer.

The behavior of all animals is a result of a complex interaction among their genetics, early development, and environment.  For this reason, behavior problems can vary greatly in their underlying causes and must be treated by an appropriate professional. If your dog simply needs to be trained to sit, lie down, or heel, then a trainer is the best person to consult with. If, however, your dog is fearful of other animals, strange people, loud noises, or other benign stimuli; is aggressive under any circumstances; or is destructive when left alone, then you should consult with a veterinarian first. Veterinarians are trained to rule out primary medical causes for these problems and recognize when a problem requires referral to a specialist such as a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.
FACT: Anyone can call himself or herself a trainer or a behaviorist. This does not mean that he or she is the appropriate person to help you with your pet’s particular behavior problem. It is important to be aware of the variety of professionals available to help with pet behavior problems and to choose the proper individual for the problem. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior’s website (avsabonline.org) contains more information about these professionals and how to choose the right one for you and your pet.


Myth #10
Some punishment is required to teach dogs proper behavior.
Punishment should never be used as the first or only method of dealing with an unwanted behavior. Punishment can cause far more problems than it solves, especially if applied incorrectly or used on a dog with fear- or anxiety-related problems. It is extremely difficult for most people to use punishment effectively, since punishment is only effective if administered within one or two seconds of the unwanted behavior and is administered every time the behavior is performed. Inappropriately used punishment can severely damage your relationship with your pet and worsen many behavior problems.
FACT: It is much easier and more effective for you to teach your dog what behaviors you want it to perform and reward it for those behaviors than it is to punish your dog for unwanted behaviors.

"I wish he was here...'

I was reading a story written by Dr. Bo Brock.  He is a veterinarian in Lamesa, Texas.  He writes some very funny stories about the life of a rural veterinarian.  He has a wonderful prospective on life and just how humerus animals can be.  This story below is actually a very poignant one about his dad and his guidance.  It reminded me about a story I love to tell about my Grandpa.  My brother and I spent almost everyday growing up at our grandparents house.  As little kids we were over there playing and then as teenagers we had our show animals(pigs, sheep and steers) there.  My grandparents were so proud of me when I decided to become a Veterinarian and just beside themselves when I actually graduated!  It was not long after that Grandpa asked me what kind of animals I would be 'working on'.  I responded 'dogs and cats'.  Grandpa thought about it for a minute and said; 'Well after you been there for awhile they'll probably let you move up to the big animals'!!  I thought about trying to explain to him about the changing views on pets, but thought better of it and just shock my head yes...  My Grandpa has passed on now but I often remember those times as a kid and like Dr. Brock I get the 'I wishes'.


'I wish he were here'

Jun 1, 2002
By: Bo Brock, DVM, Dipl. ABVP
DVM NEWSMAGAZINE

"Good throw," Papaw shouted as I completed my first back-of-the-pick-up rope sling.
On the first attempt, I caught the sick calf around the neck. I was about 12-years-old and no words could have made my head swell bigger than any kind of "atta-boy" from him. I called him Papaw and he called me Tirdhead. He was my hero. He had the patience of Job with me as he taught me how to work. He had taught me to whirl that rope and size my loop. He had taught me to keep my slack until just the right moment when I should close it down on my target.

It has been more than six years since he died. Just today I remembered him deeply with the fond memories that can only come after the sting of loss has passed and reveals the voice he left to guide me. It was this little voice I heard with each item I removed from the trailer. My wife, Kerri, and I finally got a storage house. The day after he died, I loaded up all the things out of the barn that he had told me were mine when he passed on. They were all packed neatly into a stock trailer that belonged to his dad. The thing was at least 60 years old but still rolled as smooth as it had the day he built it, attesting to the way he cared for things. The trailer and all my treasures had been in storage since a few days after he died.

Pieces of history
It took me hours to move the pieces of our history together from the trailer to the storage house. Each nugget brought back a moment that he and I had spent together; him teaching me and me not even knowing that there was a lesson in progress. He made learning the lessons of life such fun that it was years later, when I had grown into a man, before I even realized how much he taught me and how much time he spent doing it.

One at a time, I blew the dust away and soaked up the memories. My first bits. Two saddle blankets that were over-used. Vintage syringes that were made of solid glass and needles that were made of stainless steel. These were the things he used to teach me how animals had feelings and needed proper care.


As I dug through the pile I uncovered a bottle of "Thermic Linement." It must be 30 years old. He used it on every sore horse we ever had. Said it "pulled out the swellin'. " When I opened it, the strong menthol medicine smell rushed into my smeller and brought back all the memories of being a kid with him and thinking he was the smartest man alive. He could fix anything that was ailing. He was so particular about how to care for our animals. Everything had to be done correctly and at the right time. Even though he had no idea, Papaw was instilling in me a lifetime mission of seeing about the needs of animals. He gave me an incredible interest in caring for critters that lives on today.



'Find the moments'
He also challenged me to find the moments. He had an incredible way of seeing the world. I would hear him describe an event and his description was much better than actually living through the moment. His way of describing brought things to mind that were generally unnoticed by a less observant person. I used to love to hear him tell someone else an event that he and I had lived through together. Listening to him made me aware that I was not watching the world close enough.


He would often ask me what I thought the horse I was on might be thinking. He would tell me that if I would look at things through the horse's eyes, it would open up an entirely new world. Through the eyes of critters I would find an entirely new perspective.


"Good throw," Papaw shouted as I completed my first back-of-the-pickup rope sling. The thing he had not told me was what to do next. The calf may have been sick, but he still weighed 500 pounds and I weighed in at about 85. I watched as the coils of rope in my hand got smaller and smaller and the calf got farther and farther away. In a panic, I dallied to the nearest thing in sight, a CB antenna coming off the headache rack. Well, it wasn't a whole antenna, just the spring that made up the base. The antenna had broken off years ago. This, of course, didn't even slow him down. As the tension hit the antenna, the knot on the end of the rope hit my hand. Not wanting to disappoint my hero, I held onto that knot for dear life.


The next thing I remember was a moment of peaceful flying before me, the CB antenna, the bracket that held it on and the driver's side rear view mirror that was hung on my boot hit the ground like Johnny Bench sliding into home plate. All I could hear was, "Let go of the rope, Tirdhead!!!!!" He was saying it over and over and the sound was getting softer and softer as the calf pulled me in the direction of his momma. By now, letting go was not an option. The bracket of the antenna had wedged between my hand and the rope and I were being pulled along like a rag doll.


Ear surfing
The only thing I remember hurting while I was being pulled was my left ear. Somehow in the fall it had filled up with dirt and grass. I must have been surfing on that ear for about a hundred yards before any other part of my body hit the ground. The dragging began to slow as the calf wore down. He finally stopped well short of his momma. Being 12-years-old and made of rubber, I hopped right up and jumped on him like a rodeo clown. By the time Papaw got there, I had it tied up and was working it over. If you can tell how bad a dragging is by the amount of dirt in your underwear, this one was monumental! I had enough in my britches to grow potatoes! It was filling up my boots as I got up to walk away.


We gave the calf a few shots to get him well and then I got a total body rubdown with, what else, Thermic Linement. You remember, it "pulls out the swellin'."


Whole new perspective
I miss him. I miss his view of life. I miss being called Tirdhead. I wish I had told him how much he influenced me and how I watched him and hung on his every word. He got to see me become a veterinarian. In his own way, he displayed how proud he was without ever saying those words. I wish he were here now to read these words he spoke as we road through the weeds and mosquitoes and see how they gave me a whole new perspective. I wish he were here now to give me guidance and fill my world with his thoughts, but I guess I'll have to settle for the voice he left to guide me.

It's HOT Out There!!! "Heat Stroke"

This is a post from last year, but I just saw my first official heat stroke of the year and it's only June 28th!  We have had maybe five, 100+ days so far.  This means there are many more heat stroke dogs to come.  This was a small dog that was only left outside for 1 hour, but as I explained to the owner, it doesn't take very long to get overheated when your covered in fur!!  Everyone be careful out there, if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your pet!

First of all Heat Stroke is an emergency!!! If you are googling because you think your pet has heat stroke, you need to stop and call your vet immediately!


I wanted to write about Heat Stroke now because here in Texas we are experiencing days and days of triple digit heat. It is miserable just walking from your car to inside the store. Even those pets that are used to being outside need some extra measures to make sure they're safe in this heat.



Causes:
Heat Stroke can occur at anytime the temperature rises above 105 F.

• When an animal is left outside in very hot/humid conditions (Texas in general).
This is made worse by; lack of shade, water or proper ventilation. Being very hairy, sick, overweight or having a short nose (pugs, bulldogs, shih tzu's) are things that can impair your pets ability to dissipate the heat.

• Exercising your pet in hot/humid weather.
I feel that it is only safe to exercise your pet very early (before 7am) or very late (after 8pm) here in Texas. And then I wouldn't walk more than 30-40 minutes depending on your pets fitness level.

• Leaving your animal in the car or in an un-air conditioned home, in hot/humid conditions.
I think I have said enough here...



Symptoms:
Signs can vary depending on the degree and duration of elevated temperature.

• Prolonged or excessive panting and increased temperature (over 105 F) are the most common
• Weak and Wobbly
• Collapse or Coma/non-responsive
• Red or blue(cyanotic) gums
• Vomit and/or Diarrhea. Can be bloody.
• Delayed Signs: Can occur 3-5 days after supposed recovery. There could be decreased urine production, yellow color to the gums or eyes (jaundice), or sudden death due to infection or heart malfunction.



Treatment:

• Call your vet or the closest animal emergency center!!
• Get the animal into a cooler environment. Into the shade or in the air conditioned house.
• If possible record the rectal temperature and write it down.
• Wet the pet with cool tap water. NOT ice water. The ice water actually prevents effective inner body cooling.
• Wrap the animal in a cool, wet towel and transport to your vet immediately.
• Once at your Veterinarian office, your pet with most likely be hospitalized. Blood work, intravenous fluids and appropriate medications should be started immediately. Expect a 3-5 day stay for treatment.


Prognosis:

This really depends on the severity of the heat stroke. Survival is poor for animals presented in a coma and for those with secondary organ failure.

Animals that survive heat stroke are more prone to reoccurrence in the future. Please make sure these animals keep in an air conditioned environment during the next heat wave.



Prevention:

• If you live in the south and it's 100+ degrees outside try to have those animals inside. Dogs are easily crate trained.
• If being inside just isn't something you can do, you MUST provide shade, cool/fresh water and an area with air movement.
• Some dogs love water: Get them a children’s wading pool-refill it daily.
• If you don't have shade, make some. Tarps and posts are cheap and easy to make shade out of.
• If your yard is small or if you have a wooden privacy fence the amount of air movement is almost zero. Think about investing in an industrial fan or a outdoor ceiling fan if you have a patio. Putting in grated vent areas in your fence may also help.
• Above all don't take a pet that has been inside and suddenly decide to make them an outdoor dog when it’s 100+ outside. These animals are not used to the heat and are much more susceptible to heat stroke than those that always live outside. It's like asking someone who works at a desk to suddenly change jobs and start replacing roofs for a living!

5 Most Important Things

"What does my pet need?'  Many people haven't had pets before or it has been a long time, and they don't know what they need to do for them.  Soooo, I decided I would make a list of the 5 most important things.  I feel like Dr. Oz and his 'Top 10 Daily Essentials'!!!!  This list is for dogs AND cats.

**This is in no form or way 'everything' you need to do for your pet, but this is a fantastic place to start.  I think if you do these 5 things for your pets health, you are on your way to having your pet for many, many years to come.**

1.  Yearly Wellness Exam at your Veterinarian
    Office

• This visit is so important, especially in those older pets, who could be starting to have problems with their teeth, heart, etc.
• Just a little trade secret, it helps if your veterinarian and the staff know you.  That way we already know what you want.  That makes it easier to make the right decisions about your pets care.

2.  Vaccinations

• These maybe yearly or every few years.  It depends on the vaccine.  These vaccines prevent many 'non-treatable' diseases.  Non-treatable means your pet will most likely die if infected with the disease, for example- Rabies.
• Your veterinarian can help with choosing the appropriate vaccines.

3.  Heartworm Prevention

• Yes! Cats get heartworms!
• Heartworms have been found in all 50 states.  Below is a map with the number of cases per clinic.
• In the state of Texas, where I practice, heartworm prevention is a MUST!
• Heartworms cause heart disease and eventually death.
• They are super easy to PREVENT.  It is just a once a month; topical-drop or a by mouth tablet/chew.
• TREATING heartworms is NOT super easy.  It requires a series of injections and a pre-treatment workup.
• Let me give you a cost break-down on prevention versus treatment.  A years worth of prevention for a 60 pound dog costs ~$120 versus ~$920 for treatment!!!!  You can prevent heartworms for 9 years before it even starts to even out!!

4. Flea/Tick Prevention

• Not only are they disgusting, they also spread disease.  These parasites feed on blood and spread numerous life threatening diseases.
• When it comes to flea/tick prevention I am a big brand name supporter.  There are several cheaper but less effective options out there, I don't think they work very well and they can be harmful to your pets, esp. cats.
• Every veterinarian has their favorite products.  Mine are Advantage for fleas and Frontline for fleas and ticks.  Both are safe but mostly they WORK!!!

5.  Good Food

• I get asked all the time what the best food is...  This is a very touchy question with some people, so my response is usually.                     

                 -"Buy the best food you can afford, you get what you pay for."-

• My favorite brands are Science Diet, Iam's, Eukanuba, and Purina Pro Plan or O.N.E.  All of these companies have been around fooorrreevver.  They have years of research in animal nutrition.  They also have fantastic customer support.  They guarantee all of their products, if the dog won't eat it, they give you your money back!