Ask Dr. Pawz Blog....

Pit bull prejudice

2012-02-23T14:10:00.005-08:00

Copy of article written in response to recent letter to the editor in Wyoming Tribune Eagle

I am writing in response to the Feb. 23 letter to the editor authored by Emily Sieger. To begin, I realize that this is an emotionally charged subject and there will be strong emotions on both sides of the aisle. I have chosen to participate in this discussion based on my belief that the veterinary community should be at the forefront of any discussion involving animals and provide others with a trusted voice of reason. I will agree that the media has paid more attention to this case because the two dogs involved were Pit bulls. As an example, in the last year, two separate clients of our practice lost animals as the result of a dog attack. One family lost a llama and the other lost a couple of goats. The attack on the llama involved a German Shepherd and the attack on the goats involved a pack of Welsh Corgis. To my knowledge, there was no media coverage afforded to these cases. I think that the discussion should turn away from the fact that these two dogs were Pit bulls and focus on the fact that any dog has the potential to kill something, as all dogs are predators by nature. Any dog owner needs to be responsible and prevent their dogs from roaming past their property in order to prevent similar incidents from occurring. According to Ms. Sieger’s letter, she is questioning the validity of the belief that once a dog tastes blood, they suddenly become more untrustworthy and somehow different. After hearing this point brought up by a couple of individuals, I have been pondering whether or not blood lust has anything to do with making a dog untrustworthy. Personally, I own several hunting dogs that periodically taste blood as the result of a kill following a successful hunt. In spite of this, my dogs have been perfectly trustworthy around my horses and other animals around my place. The trustworthiness ends, however, when they are allowed to be around poultry; in particular chickens. I feel that it is not so much that my dogs crave the blood of winged creatures as much as they have the instinct to chase birds around and find great satisfaction when they eventually catch one. As an example, my youngest German Shorthair Pointer, Mitchell, was pointing at the clinic’s resident chickens before he had been taken on a hunt. It would be virtually impossible to make him stop wanting to chase birds simply based on his inherent instinct. Similarly, Pit bulls were originally bred to be used as “catch dogs” for wild boars and livestock, meaning they have the instinct to chase and attack large animals, especially when paired with another dog. As with hunting dogs, certain Pit bulls retain more instinct than others, making it equally impossible to stop them from chasing livestock once the desire has been recognized. While these two Pit bulls seem to be perfectly nice around people, it has now been established that they possess a greater instinct than some dogs to chase and kill sizeable creatures such as Spirit the pony. Given the dogs’ proven ability to escape and the owner’s inability to keep them contained, they are too much of a liability to be allowed back into any community. The fortunate fact is that the “arcane” law that Emily referenced in her letter was put into place so that responsible owners would have an outlet to deal with rogue animals that pose a threat to their livestock. In closing, I love all animals, including Pit bulls, which is why I chose this profession. I do not take the euthanasia of healthy animals lightly, but by advocating the humane euthanasia of these two dogs, I feel that other animals will be saved in the community by preventing future attacks. I have a forum at www.askdoctorpawz.com if anyone would like to further debate the issue. Thanks- Chad Zadina, DVM Frontier Veterinary Clinic

New Resource for Pet Emergency Preparedness.

2012-01-12T10:48:00.000-08:00

As anyone with a pet will attest to, emergencies involving a pet usually occur at the most inopportune times; usually during hours that the majority of vet hospitals are closed. Knowing how to respond to an emergency can not only save money, but potentially the life of a pet. Unfortunately, many pet owners only think of how to deal with an emergency after it has occurred or wish that they would had a pet first aid kit while in the process of handling an emergency.
As a veterinarian, I can personally testify that many pet owners are not prepared to deal with an emergency involving their pet. Some of this is due to the panic factor that occurs upon the discovery that a four legged member of the family is potentially sick or injured. The other part is the simple fact that most animals live many years without being sick or injured, effectively placing the thought of an emergency out of the consciousness of a pet owner. In my opinion, it is always better to be proactive than reactive in any given situation. To help educate pet owners on emergency preparedness, I have created the website, www.pawzfirstaid.com . On the site, I have included a library of videos discussing common emergency situations as well as an online store offering first aid kits and associated supplies created with pets in mind.
In addition to learning how to handle various emergencies, you should also know who to call when something happens. The short answer is to call your regular veterinarian; however, many practices do not handle after hours emergencies. Hopefully if you see a vet that does not see after hours emergencies, they will leave the number of a hospital that will. I would encourage everyone to discuss this subject with your vet and determine what their policy is, as this will help avoid confusion at 3 o’clock in the morning! It is also a good idea to program the number to an emergency clinic into your cell phone. For those of you without a regular vet- there is a useful search engine on my other site- www.askdoctorpawz.com that will locate a pet hospital based on where you live.
I hope that everyone will find this resource helpful! Go on the site, look around, and pass it around to your friends. If there are products or subjects that you would like to discuss, let me know.

Thanks!
Dr. Zadina (AKA Dr. Pawz!)

The Low Price of Horses; Fact or Fiction?

2011-07-29T10:41:00.001-07:00

Being a person with an independant mind, I am constantly pondering and reconsidering my opinions, which means my ideas are always evolving! I believe in constantly re-evaluating my stances in life- heck, I used to be a republican and now I am a liberal! At one point in my life, I would have never thought this possible! My views on the horse slaughter issue have experienced a similar transformation. I used to think that horse slaughter was the answer to our horse overpopulation problem and the general low value of horses. My thought process was that if there was a base price as set by slaughter houses, then horses would be worth at least 5-600 dollars which would make it easier to get rid of unwanted horses and thus prevent alot of the starvation and abuse cases that we see today.

As I have pondered my stance on the issue, my thoughts began to consider the fact that horses are still being slaughtered and consumed by the same market that existed before slaughter plants in the U.S. were shuttered. As with any business, industry will adjust to meet demand which means the existing plants in Canada and Mexico would ramp up their efforts and kill more horses in response demand.

The link to the article by the AVMA confirms my suspicions. The same number of horses are being slaughtered in Canada and Mexico as were slaughtered before the U.S. plants were closed down! This seems like the perfect scenario for the horse meat industry. Pay nothing for the animals to be processed and sell the final product at the same or probably higher price to consumers! Imagine what their profit margin must be!! I think that all of us as horse owners have been duped into believing that the average horse is practically worthless!! Here is the link to the article. http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/aug11/110815a.asp

More on the horse slaughter topic later. Please visit my website www.askdoctorpawz.com and feel free to add any articles that might be helpful!

EHV-1; What is it and what does it mean for my horse?

2011-05-29T11:44:00.000-07:00

Equine Herpes Virus 1 has been the main topic of discussion among horse owners over the last couple of weeks. The original outbreak was traced back to a National Cutting Horse Association Event in Ogden, Utah that was held a few weeks ago. Two horses that attended the event were diagnosed in Colorado as having the neurological form of EHV-1, otherwise known as EHM, and were subsequently euthanized. Since that event, there have been numerous horses diagnosed with EHV-1, but no other horses connected to the event have shown neurological signs (EHM.)

First, what is EHV-1? EHV-1 stands for Equine Herpes Virus 1. In addition to Equine Herpes Virus 1, EHV-3 and EHV-4 are also common in the horse population. The other acronym commonly associated with the current outbreak is EHM, or Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy - the neurologic form of EHV-1.

The Equine Herpes virus is endemic in the equine population, meaning that all horses are infected at some point from birth to one year of age through contact with other horses carrying the disease. Once infected, horses are lifelong carriers and usually show signs of the disease during times of stress; such as when traveling to a horse show. The virus typically manifests itself as an upper respiratory infection, but horses can shed the virus without showing clinical signs. Other clinical signs of EHV-1 are late term abortions in mares, early neonatal foal death, and less commonly, severe neurological dysfunction. Horses that are vaccinated with the rhinopneumonitis vaccine, or “Rhino”, are protected from all forms except EHM.

The form that causes equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a mutation of the EHV-1 normally found in the horse population, meaning current vaccines do not provide protection against EHM. The mutated version of the virus attacks the blood supply of the Central Nervous System which results in severe damage to the brain and spinal cord. Because the virus must mutate to cause neurologic signs EHM is rare in the horse population but, in theory, can be shed by any horse at any time. Research is ongoing to determine the factors that cause EHV-1 to mutate from a usually mild disease to an often fatal one.

Diagnosis of the disease is based on a combination of laboratory findings and clinical signs. If a horse has been exposed to another horse diagnosed with EHM, the current recommendation is to monitor the horse’s temperature twice a day. The normal temperature for a horse is 99-101 degrees Fahrenheit, but can vary depending on activity level and other factors, so it is important to determine normal body temperatures for individual horses. It is not recommended to swab clinically normal horses in an attempt to see if they have EHV-1 since healthy horses can shed the disease. If a suspect horse develops a fever, however, then a veterinarian should be called out to collect blood samples and nasal swabs, which should then be sent to UC Davis for further work-up.

There have been a lot of questions in recent days regarding what horse owners should do from this point on when considering summer equine activities. The advice for the past few weeks has been to “lay low” and let the dust settle. This has allowed time for any new cases of EHM to surface; no new cases linked to the original outbreak have been detected. While it was important in the short term to limit attending horse events, I would not find it necessary to cancel all plans this summer.

Knowing that the equine herpes virus emerges during stressful situations, it is important to minimize a horse’s stress level when traveling to events. In addition, if you are at an event and your animal goes off feed or spikes a fever, be responsible - separate your animal from all others and minimize contact between your suspect horse and other horses. With a little knowledge about the disease, we can all take steps to make sure that we minimize risk for all horses.

News Channel 5- Cheyenne Newscast about EHV-1 Featuring Dr. Zadina!!

2011-05-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

Channel 5 Newscast about EHV-1

My absence

2011-04-28T13:43:00.001-07:00

Sorry to everyone that has been reading my blog, but I have been busy working on my website!! Please check it out at www.askdoctorpawz.com

Article on Stem Cells

2011-04-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2011/04/05/news/01top_04-05-11.txt

Pets and Grieving

2011-03-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

http://www.jesusjazzbuddhism.org/dogs-and-divinity.html

Help me create a reality series based on vet medicine!!!!

2011-03-12T15:03:00.000-08:00

I would like everyone to watch this video and pass it around to anyone that loves animals and has ever wanted to be a vet!! With enough views, we can make this idea a reality!!

2011-02-12T09:06:00.001-08:00

Gotta love Saturday!

2011-02-09T09:23:00.001-08:00

Purebred Dog Breeding Practices- Making Better Dogs or Genetic Nightmares?

2011-02-09T09:13:00.000-08:00

Purebred Dog Breeding Practices- Making Better Dogs or Genetic Nightmares?

One of the perks of being a vet is getting to spend a lot of time playing with puppies! I get to see all shapes and sizes; ranging from mutts to purebreds. Puppies come from many places including: local breeders, pet stores, animal shelters, or via airplane from overseas. As puppies get older, most owners continue to bring them to the clinic for routine services such as spaying/neutering and annual vaccinations. As with their human owners, animals tend to have health issues as they age including arthritis and cancer. While these issues affect all breeds, purebred dogs have a greater incidence of health problems when compared to the common “mutt”.
The question that needs to be addressed is why are there more health issues in purebred dogs and how can we improve the health of our purebred population? The bottom line is that the solution starts with the breeders who are supplying the puppies. Potential puppy buyers should only purchase from reputable breeders and never purchase a puppy that was born in a puppy mill. Unless a pet store manager/owner can verify their puppies were not born in a puppy mill setting, then I strongly discourage anyone from buying a puppy from a pet store. A puppy mill is a place where dogs exist solely for the purpose of making puppies and are generally housed in a manner that prevents or restricts adequate and meaningful socialization with other dogs or people. To me, that is a cruel existence! The majority of puppy mills are focused on quantity and not quality. I cringe when I see a client who thinks an expensive puppy from a pet store automatically equals a good breeding animal - price does not always reflect quality! Legitimate breeders should be scrupulous about which animals they chose to breed and decline to breed any that don’t meet their standards. Breeders shoud follow-up with puppy owners to see if their line is producing any genetic issues.

The other problem that I see in the breeding world is selecting animals based on a few traits deemed desirable, such as those often promoted by breed registries or the American Kennel Club (AKC.) Selecting animals based on few, discrete, desirable traits results not only in the magnification those desired traits, but negative traits as well. English bulldogs are a good example of this. Breeders, breed registries, and the dog-showing world have been so focused on producing a stocky animal with a very large head that they have created a genetic nightmare. As a result of their “brachycephalic” or short face, which has resulted in long soft palates, small tracheas, and small nostrils, virtually all bulldogs have respiratory (breathing) issues. Many of these animals require corrective surgery just to be able to breathe properly!! Also, most bulldogs have hip dysplasia, which in any other breed would disqualify an animal from being a dam or sire. Finally, the vast majority of bulldogs have to be artificially inseminated due to their inability to breed naturally and have to be born via c-section because of their large heads!! Thus, the over-selective breeding of bulldogs has not only created a variety of serious health problems for the breed, but has resulted in an animal which cannot even exist naturally.

While I have been picking on English Bulldogs, genetic issues are not unique to their breed. Most large breed dogs, such as Rottweilers and Great Danes, are more prone to developing bone cancer at some point in their lives. Cavalier King Charles and Dobermans are well known for having heart issues. Genetic disorders are the result of many years of inbreeding and selecting breeding stock for a narrow set of traits.

Many of these concerns are being brought to the forefront in other countries. For example, the European Union, which is often ahead of the United States with regard to animal welfare issues, is considering making it mandatory for veterinarians to report each C-section that an individual dog receives. If an individual bitch has received more than 2 C-sections in her life, then the puppies from those subsequent litters will be denied breed registry. The European Union has also stopped the practice of docking ears and tails – a practice still required in many breed registries, including the AKC.

I feel that knowingly breeding animals predisposed to genetic disorders is unethical and indirectly results in animal welfare issues as those animals require more treatment down the road. The responsibility of fixing the problems in the purebred population do not lie with a single group of people. Recently, the protection of animal welfare was added to the Veterinarian’s Oath by the AVMA. Part of animal welfare is helping ensure that animals live a life as free from pain and medical conditions as possible. The veterinary community needs to do a better job educating owners and promoting ethical breeding standards. Part of that means refusing to AI animals that are unable to breed naturally and refusing to do multiple C-sections on one animal. Breeders need to be more selective about which animals they choose to breed and why. In addition, pet owners seeking a purebred dog need to be more selective about where they purchase their puppies and avoid puppies from puppy mills. Finally, we should look more closely at the restrictions the European Union have in place and consider similar measures for our society.

Only by working together will we make a difference in helping improve the overall health and welfare of the canine population. We should be working toward a common goal of extending the lives of our four legged companions rather than creating a gene pool full of health problems.

Convenience Euthanasia

2010-12-20T18:21:00.000-08:00

Many veterinarians working in today’s tough economic environment are being forced to confront the issue of convenience euthanasia. Convenience euthanasia means that a pet owner has chosen to put a healthy animal to sleep for reasons such as inability to afford pet-care, relocation to a new home that does not allow pets, or simply being tired of their pet. Pet owners need to be aware that there are many viable alternatives to euthanizing unwanted pets.

As a vet, I struggle with the concept of euthanizing healthy animals. In my utopian world, all people who make the choice of acquiring an animal should have an obligation to ensure that their animal is allowed to live out its life and is provided with adequate food and shelter. If at anytime they are unable or unwilling to care for their pet, then it should be their responsibility to find it a new home and not subject their animal to a premature death.

One of the harsh realities of the recession is that a lot of people have lost their jobs and are having a difficult time finding new employment. One result of high unemployment is that people are being forced to trim the fat from their family budgets and prioritize their lives. While many of my clients would starve before getting rid of their pets or letting them suffer, there are a few that view pet ownership as a luxury and, in times of hardship, let their pets go. While I find it a little sad, I can’t argue with pet owners that want to get rid of their pets in time of financial crisis. If I had to choose between feeding my family or feeding my dog, I would have to choose my family.

Fortunately, the majority of pet owners who have to make the difficult decision of getting rid of their animals choose to surrender them to an animal shelter or animal rescue organization, allowing a large portion of surrendered animals to find happy homes and live out the remainder of their lives. Unfortunately, not all pets are as lucky - some end up being put to sleep, killed by their owner, or neglected until they are either rescued by authorities or starved to death.

As an animal doctor, I have dedicated a considerable portion of my life to learning how to be a good doctor and providing all animals with compassionate and quality care. One of the more difficult aspects of my job is putting animals to sleep. While the task is never enjoyable, it is much less difficult ending the suffering of an old or terminally ill patient versus ending the life of a vibrant, healthy animal. Ending the suffering of an ill or elderly pet may be the final act of kindness an owner can bestow upon their beloved four-legged critters.

Convenience euthanasia, however, not only places an undue burden on the veterinary profession, it also directly violates the veterinarian’s oath which states: Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge. I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence. Nowhere in the oath does it say “I swear to kill healthy animals for their owner’s convenience.”

Some attempt to justify convenience euthanasia by arguing that it prevents future suffering, such as owners killing their own animals via less humane methods or letting them die of neglect. I believe, however, that there are many viable alternatives to killing unwanted pets. One such alternative may be rescue or shelter organizations. There are rescues for both large and small animals, as well as animal shelters, located in most cities and towns. In addition, many veterinary clinics will help their clients find new homes for unwanted pets. Furthermore, running an ad on a service such as Craig’s List or in a local newspaper is yet another viable option and one that allows owners to “interview” potential adopters to ensure that their pet finds a good home. Pet owners owe it to their animals to find them a new home should they become unable to care for them.

The solution to solving the problem of euthanizing unwanted pets is multi-faceted. First, pets should never be purchased on impulse. Just smile and walk by the puppies in the windows of pet stores unless you have pre-planned for them and are prepared to take on the lifetime of responsibilities and expenses. Prior to making the decision to expand your family with a 4-legged addition, you must realize that they will be with you for potentially the next 15 to 20 years. (Or, in the case of a donkey, 40 to 50 years!) Also, take time to research an appropriate pet and breed for your family and home setting. For example, high energy dogs such as German Shorthairs, require ample space and do not belong in an apartment. Finally, if you are no longer able to care for your pet for any reason, consult with your veterinarian and local resources to find a solution other than euthanasia.

In summary, in the case of unwanted pets, a little effort and compassion go a long way in ensuring unwanted animals are rehomed and not needlessly euthanized for the convenience of their owners.

2010-11-15T15:02:00.001-08:00

Very large acupuncture patient!

Preparing Animals for the Winter

2010-11-11T14:28:00.000-08:00

As the last leaves fall from the trees and the snow starts flying, it is time to ensure that your animals have adequate care for the long winter ahead. Whether you own pets or livestock, the first thing to consider is shelter. As part of my job, I provide ambulatory services to rural areas meaning I drive to client’s farms and take care of their livestock. My travels carry me to all parts of the area and one thing that has struck are the number of acreages that have horses or other livestock, but lack shelter for those animals. Having little or no shelter works out fine during the summer and early fall, but is unacceptable during the winter time, as temperatures in this region can dip well below zero with dangerous wind chills for several days at a time.

When referring to adequate shelter, I don’t mean that all animals require a heated enclosure to get into when the weather gets cold. This would be nice, but not very practical; as it is expensive enough to heat a home, let alone a barn!! To me, an adequate shelter is an enclosure where animals can get out of the wind and snow. This could be anything ranging from a lean-to shed to an enclosed barn. At the last place I lived, I enclosed a lean-to shed that the horses loved to huddle in during blizzards. If you don’t have the resources available to build a barn, then a lean-to will serve your animals well.

Shelter for small animals can also be an issue during this time of year. While many pet owners choose to keep their dogs and cats indoors during the winter months, there are many pet owners that have outside dogs who probably don’t want their house to be destroyed by translocating animals accustomed to living outside, inside! I can’t imagine letting my four large, crazy dogs loose in my house! When considering whether or not to keep your dog outside during the winter, the breed and size of animal needs to be considered. A Chihuahua is probably not an ideal breed to keep outside during the cold months, as they are both short haired (usually!) and small. Those two factors combined (short hair and small stature) make for a good indoor dog! Large breeds such as Labs and Rottweilers can handle the cold pretty well when provided with adequate shelter. Outside cats are not usually an issue, as they have a knack for finding shelter- just be careful to check your engine before starting it up on cold mornings as cats enjoy sleeping on warm engine blocks and can get caught in the fan if the engine is running!

When I say that it is OK to have an outside dog, some preparations need to be made to ensure their comfort. Once again, adequate shelter is needed. At my house, I have dog-loos and I fill them up with straw to provide additional insulation from the cold. During really cold times, I have a heated, insulated tack room and converted stall in the barn; both of which stay very warm; especially when all the horses are inside. Dogs should be brought indoors (especially old and young) at night during the winter; this could in a barn, garage, or your house. (Inside pet carriers) This will ensure that everyone rests comfortably during the long winter nights.

Cold temperatures also mean frozen water and increased feed intake to help animals keep up with the increased demand placed on their body to stay warm. Always remove your hose from the water hydrant to prevent frozen pipes. Tanks heaters, especially with horses, are a necessity, as tanks without them will eventually freeze solid. (I know from experience!) It is very important during the winter months that horses be provided with an unfrozen source of water, as the chances of colic increases when horses become dehydrated. Always keep electric cords out of reach of your horse and other livestock, as curious critters enjoy chewing on them. Tank heaters also mean an increased electric bill, but this can be lowered by placing the heaters on timers so that they turn on during the evening and off during the day. Many are controlled by an internal thermostat, but my electricity bill was cut in half when I put them on timers!

For dogs, there are heated bowls available, but caution should be taken to make sure that the power cords are out of reach from your pets, as many dogs think it is fun to chew on extension cords! This often results in severe mouth burns and potential death! If electric bowls are not an option, make sure that you empty the ice out of the bucket every morning and night and fill it with fresh water, as the fresh water will not freeze as rapidly as if you just break the ice in the bowl.

I also recommend increasing the amount of feed given to animals during the winter, as their metabolism increases to help keep their body warm. I increase the amount of food that I feed my dogs and add in a grain supplement for the horses(usually cracked corn) to increase calories in their diet which increases their internal heat production capacity. It is also important to ensure that your livestock are fed a higher quality hay during the winter than they may get during the summer simply due to their increased energy requirements.

With horses, it is a common, but unnecessary, practice to blanket them during the winter. I only find this necessary if you are trying to maintain a short hair coat for show purposes or for very old or very young animals. Horses will grow a very thick coat if left unblanketed, which will actually benefit them more in the long run. Coats on dogs are a good idea, especially if you have a small one, but on labs and other large breeds unnecessary. (OK if you are wanting to make a fashion statement!)

As with anything involving animals, common sense is key in taking proper care of them. Overkill is a much better policy than not doing enough to take care of them during the winter. I would rather see over-pampered critters than critters without proper shelter or access to food and water. I urge everyone to also use common sense when reporting others to the authorities for what you may perceive as being inadequate care. If you see a dog left outside during the day in the winter, make sure that it has access to shelter and food/water before you call the authorities. It is very common today to have a diverse mix of folks living together in rural areas. There are many that have always been country folk and probably have a different view on taking care of animals than folks that may recently find themselves in the country. I often times hear reports from clients that a nosy neighbor has reported them for keeping their dog outside during the winter even thought they provided it with proper care. Often times, then animals are taken care of very well, albeit differently than if it lived in the city! Bottom line, if you are going to report your neighbors, make sure that it is for a good reason!!

As always, I always welcome comments from readers regarding the content of my blog. Also, if you have any vet related questions, feel free to contact me on facebook on “Ask the Vet”.

2010-09-20T07:55:00.001-07:00

My dog decided it would start hunting rattlesnakes!

2010-09-13T15:58:00.001-07:00

Chest xray of dog in congestive heart failure

Follow Me!!

2010-09-09T19:39:00.002-07:00

I thought that it would be interesting for those of you that don't look at this stuff everyday to glance at interesting things I encounter along the way!!

2010-09-09T19:39:00.001-07:00

An interesting xray!

Laser Therapy for your Pet?

2010-07-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

In modern day veterinary medicine, doctors and owners alike are starting to realize the benefits of managing pain in our four legged critters; both large and small. A pain free pet has a better quality and life and in many cases a longer life! With this enlightenment has followed a plethora of options available for treating pain which include; oral medications, shockwave therapy, acupuncture, stem cell therapy and laser therapy. Veterinary schools across the nation are instilling the importance of pain management on new graduates; which has not always been the case. In times past, pain was not a major focus of the veterinary curriculum as animals are able to mask their pain very well which caused many in the field to debate whether or not animals felt pain at all! I feel very fortunate to be working at a practice that is very conscious of the benefits of pain management. We currently offer all pain management options mentioned above with the exception of stem cell therapy; which we may offer in the future.

In order to offer our patients the latest in pain therapy, we have purchased a Companion Therapy Laser Unit. Laser therapy is rapidly gaining popularity in human and veterinary medicine alike. College and pro sports teams such as the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies are seeing the “light” with laser therapy in shorter healing times, less post-operative pain, and decreased swelling at sites of previous soft tissue injuries.

Lasers (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) have been around for a lot of years and are used in products ranging from DVD players to the scanner at the grocery store. Only recently have we begun to see the benefits of using lasers to aid in healing. The principle behind laser therapy is to tap into the bodies internal pharmacy and boost the natural healing potential inherent to all living creatures. Laser photons are able to penetrate the skin and decrease inflammation, decrease the activity of sensitive nerves, increase healing potential by stimulating cellular growth which aids in new tissue formation and subsequently decreases wound healing time. Laser therapy is also a great adjunct therapy to increase the effectiveness of acupuncture treatments. Some of the other conditions that we are treating with our laser is inter-vertebral disc disease, degenerative joint disease, lick lesions, numerous skin conditions, gingivitis, and ear infections. Our staff at the clinic are also seeing the benefits in treating their many ailments!! I received a cut on my finger and with 2 treatments have no pain at the site; unless of course I hit it on something!!

My philosophy with pain management is to utilize a combined approach and take advantage of the strength of each modality. With this philosophy, pet owners need to keep an open mind when thinking about managing pain in their pet and realize that if one approach does not work, there are others available. All too often I see arthritic, geriatric dogs that are in pain, which naturally makes their owners feel as if they are suffering. Since most pet owners do not like to see their animals suffer, the decision is often made to euthanize their pet at the time that I see them.

In summary, with all the options available for treating pain, your pets quality of life and overall longevity should be increased!

Mystery purple wound dressing- question from July 2, 2010 radio show

2010-07-03T07:41:00.000-07:00

I think that this is the wound dressing everyone was asking about on Friday- It is simply called Purple Lotion Wound dressing. Here is a link that will show you where to purchase it. http://www.durvet.com/prods/PURPLE_237/DetailSheet.html I look forward to hearing more questions next month! Remember we air on the first friday of every month on KFBC 1240 AM- at 12:30.

Ticks!!

2010-04-24T19:16:00.000-07:00

Springtime means that the snow is finally melting (in most parts of the country) and the grass is starting to grow. With all of this renewed life means renewed insect life; which unfortunately includes ticks! These little creepy crawly blood-sucking critters have started to hatch and will start to find their way onto our pets and us.

While finding a tick on yourself or your pet is not a pleasant experience for the faint of heart, it is not an immediate emergency! At pet clinics across the United States, panicked pet owners are rushing into clinics because their pet has a tick and they are unsure of what to do. Owners are not to blame for their lack of knowledge when it comes to ticks, as many have never had an encounter with a tick before and are unsure what information is correct due to the large number of wives’ tales out there. Most bits of information have to do with tick removal and range from burning the tick out with a match to mixing up topical home remedies to rub on the tick. All of these have been devised to prevent the tick’s head from staying behind when the tick is removed.

Growing up in Nebraska has provided me a first hand knowledge of removing ticks. I have pulled hundreds off of my pets and myself with no side effects. To begin, a tick’s head will not stay behind should you remove the tick yourself; however there are mouthparts that can potentially detach. Should this happen, you or your pet could develop a minor skin infection, but nothing serious. This can be prevented by applying gentle traction to the tick, which allows the tick to “disengage” their mouthparts as they are being removed. A useful thing to keep around is a pair of tweezers which will help pull out the smaller ones.

If you are planning on hiking or camping in the woods, tick prevention is something that you should consider. Frontline works well for your pets and something containing DEET in it works well for you. It is important to check yourself a couple of times a day for ticks, as some tick borne diseases require the tick be present on its host for at least 24 hours.

The biggest threat that ticks pose is the potential to transmit certain diseases. These include but are not limited to; Lyme disease, ehrlichia, tularemia, babesia, rocky mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis, and tick paralysis. Lyme disease in particular requires that a tick remain on its host for at least 24 hours. One of the most common initial signs observed in humans infected with Lyme disease is the formation of an area of redness at the site of the tick attachment that starts to look like a “target”. Certain diseases are more prevalent in different areas of the country depending on what tick species are present. Regardless of the tick borne disease, all cause similar symptoms including; high fever, sudden onset of arthritis (lameness), anemia, icterus (yellow mucous membranes), and paralysis in the case of tick paralysis. If any of these signs are observed, take your pet to your veterinarian immediately to begin treatment.

In summary, if you or your pets find that you have suddenly been transformed into a buffet by hungry ticks, don’t panic!! Remove the tick, squish it, and be aware of the signs that can happen as a result of infection with a tick born disease.

Adventure Dog First Aid Kit Created by Dr. Zadina - Owl Canyon Integrative Veterinary Services - pitchengine.com

2010-02-22T18:34:00.000-08:00

Adventure Dog First Aid Kit Created by Dr. Zadina - Owl Canyon Integrative Veterinary Services - pitchengine.com

Pain Management: What Therapies are Available??

2010-02-12T22:23:00.000-08:00

In the past, animals were thought to not experience pain in the same way that humans do; in fact there was debate about whether animals experienced pain at all! Studies have since proven otherwise, and in today’s modern veterinary practice, pain management has become more important to both veterinarians and pet owners. Pain management is now viewed in a multi-factorial way and pain is attacked from many different angles.

One of the most common patients that I see are middle aged to older dogs with osteoarthritis. Owners naturally do not like to see their dogs in pain and respond a number of different ways. First, there are the owners that want to euthanize their dog because their pet is merely “slowing down” and seems to be in pain. The second subset of owners believe that if they give their pet aspirin or oral cosequin, then that should be enough. It is my job to inform both groups that there are many options available for the treatment of pain. All therapies need to be viewed as one piece of a larger puzzle.

The first thing to evaluate is the weight of a dog, as many dogs are severely overweight when they present to me for being lame. The cheapest and initial thing that should be considered when setting up a treatment plan is weight loss. Many clients have a hard time with this, but they should consider how easy it would be for them to lose weight if someone were limit feeding them and they had no way of feeding themselves. For a dog to lose weight all that it takes is to decrease treats, stop all human food, and decrease daily food intake. (Never free choice feed!) If this fails, then the next option is talking to a veterinarian about the product slentrol. Slentrol is a weight loss formula for dogs. Weight loss will result on less joint stress and a longer, healthier life.

The most common class of medications used to treat pain associated with osteoarthritis are non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS. Examples of these are deramaxx and rimadyl, which are very similar in action to aspirin, but have less potential for harmful side effects. These medications target pain at the level of inflammation, as inflamed portions of the body are more painful than non-inflamed areas. Inflammation also results in damage to affected areas of the body.

The next group of medications commonly administered is chondro-protective agents. Examples of such products are cosequin and adequan. Cosequin is an oral medication and adequan is injectable. Both serve to increase joint lubrication and thus maintain joint health. The advantage of using adequan in addition to cosequin is that adequan has been shown to more directly target the joints.

Another class of commonly used pain medications are known as opiates. These medications mimic the body’s internal endorphins that are released in response to painful stimuli. Commonly used drugs in this class are tramadol, hydromorphone, and morphine. Endogenous opioids (endorphins) are also a very important reason why acupuncture is such an effective pain management tool. Opiates are great for the treatment of acute pain, but should not be used on a long term basis to tre

Chronic pain is amplified by the spinal chord, resulting in an animal becoming more painful over time. There are classes of drugs that target chronic pain and help decrease the chances that an animal will become hypersensitive to painful and non-painful stimuli. Two examples of drugs used in these classes are amantadine and gabapentin. These medications have few side effects and can be used for the life of your pet.

Medical acupuncture is rapidly becoming more accepted as a very effective therapy to help control pain in animals. Acupuncture was once viewed by many as “voodoo”, with little evidence available as to why it was effective. There has been a shift in modern veterinary medicine to move away from the mystical view of acupuncture and explain scientifically why it works. The basis of acupuncture is to use the body’s internal mechanisms to help control pain by stimulating specific points with small needles. It also helps speed healing, reduce inflammation, and normalize circulation. Acupuncture can be a great addition to a pain control plan, has no side effects, and typically results in your pet having their medications reduced and sometimes even stopped! If your veterinarian does not offer acupuncture, ask for someone that is available in your area.

Other alternatives to systemic medication are therapies such as joint injections with steroids and stem cell therapy. Joint injections are widely used in the equine industry as well as in human medicine, but have not caught on yet in small animal medicine. They can be very effective in treating end stage osteoarthritis and are often combined with medication that aids in improving joint lubrication and joint health. Stem cell therapy is another exciting development in the realm of pain management. The theory is that stem cells retain the ability to become any tissue in the body and have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. The stem cells are derived from the patient’s own fat and then injected back into the affected joint. They have an affinity for damaged tissue and help repair areas in the joint such as articular cartilage and ligaments.

In summary there are many options for the treatment of pain. Each aspect of pain management should be thought of a piece of a larger puzzle. With a proper plan, it is possible to offer our pets a longer and better quality of life as they get older.

Is Chemotherapy the Right Treatment Option for my Pet?

2010-01-28T20:11:00.000-08:00

I have been very fortunate throughout my life to own a wide variety of pets including cats, dogs, and horses. As I have found out, if one owns enough pets long enough, at some point they will unfortunately experience a serious and sometimes life ending disease which will require important decisions to be made. One such disease that is diagnosed all too often is cancer.

I have personally experienced cancer treatment in my mother and two of my pets- a cat and a dog. As is the case in human medicine, the main treatment option for cancer in animals is chemotherapy. Many of the drugs that are used to treat human cancer patients are also available to use in our pets.

It is never a pleasant to inform owners that their beloved pet has cancer. As part of that discussion, chemotherapy almost always is offered as a treatment option. Many pet owners have either experienced cancer treatment themselves or have had a loved one go through the treatments, and know that it can be miserable. The majority of the responses I get usually go as follows “I don’t want to put my pet through that” and often end in the owner making the decision to euthanize their beloved pet.

I can tell you that I will never regret putting both of my animals through chemotherapy. My dog, Nikita was a 10-year old Rottweiler that was diagnosed with bone cancer. I chose to give her the best chance at living a longer life and made the decision treat her with a series of 6 chemotherapy treatments as well as amputate the cancerous leg. My cat, Roy, was diagnosed with Hodgkins like lymphoma about 5 months ago. The cancer appeared as a solitary lump about the size of a ping-pong ball. Due to its location, the only treatment option was chemotherapy. I am happy to report that he is doing great 5 months after his initial diagnosis and still has no lump!

Contrary to the terrible responses that humans may experience, dogs and cats have few, if any side effects. First, they do not lose all of their hair as most human patients do. (My cat did lose his whiskers, but that is it!) Animals do not typically have the days of vomiting and nausea that their human counterparts often experience. Roy and Nikita would come home after their treatments and feel a little tired, but never vomited or acted nauseous. I recall speaking with my mom after her treatments and she would describe feeling very achy and restless 3-4 days after receiving chemotherapy. She also lost all of her hair after her 2nd or 3rd chemo treatment; but still looks wonderful wearing a wig! I would also like to say that her cancer is gone and she is doing great!

Just some FYI bits: Animals do not lose their hair due to the stage of growth that theirs is in versus ours. Also, we do not use as high of a dose of chemo in veterinary medicine on animals as medical doctors use in humans; primarily because we can’t reassure the animal that they are suffering for a reason and will have a reward at the end.

In summary, I will always recommend chemotherapy for animals in the treatment of cancer. I feel that if we could change the name to something less insidious sounding such as “cancer therapy”, many more owners would choose to treat their animals. As with any chronic disease, all that we as owners or veterinarians can hope is to buy the pet and family some quality time. I hope that this blog article helps convince someone to not be afraid and give chemotherapy a chance to help their pet.