'Bo' - A Special Dog needs a Special Home

I'll start by telling you the reason for this blog and then if you want to go ahead and read his story you can.  We have been fostering Bo, a 3 year old medium mixed breed for ~2 months.  He is in need of a very special home.  I would love to have him, but if you follow my blog you know I have 5 pets!  And to top it off Ebby the Diva has told me she will tolerate no more pets!! 

Bo came to us as  hit-by-car.  He had some very significant wounds that required aggressive-repetitive surgeries to get them to healed up.  It was shortly following one of these surgeries that Bo threw a blood clot.  This blood clot lodged in a blood vessel that supplied both of his rear legs.  Initially he was very painful and had no pulse or feeling in his rear legs.  Within 24-48 hours he was less painful, pulses had returned and he could feel his legs.  The problem was he had long term damage to the muscles and nerves of his rear legs.  This kind of trauma would require long term care and management.  Bo had a very compassionate owner that decided at that time she wouldn't be able to provide the care Bo was going to need.  So she signed him over to me to continue on with his care and recovery. 

At this point I had no idea as to what to expect in terms of Bo's eventual outcome.  We contacted several veterinary surgeons and internal medicine specialists, but they had never seen a case likes Bo's.  They reported most dogs with his condition had to be put to sleep because they never regained any function in their back legs.  I think Bo's un-ending spirit and wonderful personality is what has allowed for him to make it through this.  He has the whole staff here doing his bidding and he makes instant friends with any new person he meets. 

He has slowly began to learn to use his rear legs some and depend more on his front legs when needed.  He is currently receiving daily physical therapy and goes to the animal physical therapist once to twice a week.    He gets around un-assisted now and even goes up and down stairs without help!! (I included a video of him going up and down stairs when there was snow on the ground!)  He is so independent, sometimes you forget he has a disability.  As one of my clients said the other day, "He doesn't know he's disabled, he's just a happy dog".  He just doesnt' let anything get him down!! 



Cherry and Bo

 He absolutely loves other dogs!  He loves big and little dogs, he is equal opportunity.  Him and my dog Cherry(she's big-50#), love to play tug-of-war and chase around my house!!    Cherry doesn't treat Bo like his is disabled and he loves that!  I would recommend Bo doesn't go to a house with kids.  They seem to stress him out (I can understand this, they stress me out a little to!!)  If the kids are bigger and not such scary little creatures I think he would be ok with that!!!  LOL!!



I feel like Bo will always have some degree of disability with his rear legs.  This is why he needs an extra special owner.  Someone who is willing to accept this and love him for it!  As of right now he is having physical therapy 3 times a day and on pain management.  I don't know what long term care he will need, Bo will have to let us know as time goes by.  He really is a great dog and with all he's been through he deserves an great home!!  Please feel free to comment back or contact us here at the clinic if your interested in Bo.  He is taking interviews Monday-Friday!  Phone here is 817-465-1401

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!