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Celebrating May

May 13th, 2012

May receives double billing when it comes to pets and the people who love them. Not only is this Pet Cancer Awareness Month, May also happens to host National Pet Week. In honor of this special month, I have two special offers for you.

Consultations

Over the years, I’ve received many inquiries from readers requesting advice pertaining to their own pet’s health issues. If you are interested in such a consultation, please contact me at Dr.Kay@SpeakingforSpot.com and I will fill you in on the details.

While I am always happy to comply with such requests, it is important for you to know that, without direct hands-on contact with your dog or cat, my consultation must be limited to providing guidance for you. I can help you:

Understand what you have been told by your veterinarian or have learned online
Prioritize your concerns
Figure out what information is needed (help you prepare a list of questions for your veterinarian)
Clarify logical next steps
Work your way through difficult medical decisions while prioritizing what is best for your pet as well as your own peace of mind

I recently received the following feedback from Kim (and Ollie) and am sharing it with you to clarify how a consultation might be helpful:

Dear Dr. Nancy,

It was really nice talking to you. I needed it more than you can imagine. I really felt that you would understand both the anesthesia and knee issues and the shock and emotional reaction I have been feeling. And you did exactly what I needed – validated my concerns, honed right in on important facts even though our history (and no doubt my explanation) has been a long and confusing one, offered clear, direct opinions, and gave me a strategy for my next steps (with extra emphasis on key points so I really understood them). That means so much to me. I really appreciate your guidance in our challenging situation. Ollie is the happiest creature that I have ever known. He is much-loved by family, friends, neighbors… he is really a special boy (and so cute it is ridiculous). I will definitely be in touch and let you know how we are doing and what we learn. Thank you so much again.

Best,

Kim & Ollie

Two-For-One Book Sales

In honor of this special month, between now and the end of May, I invite you to buy two of my books for the price of one. Purchase Speaking for Spot or Your Dog’s Best Health and get a second book (either title) at no extra charge. (If applicable, the price will be based on the more expensive book.) To take advantage of this May special, please use this link for the Two-for-One purchase page. The May special is not available on the regular purchase page.

Will you be doing anything with your pets to honor this special month? If so, I would love to hear about it.

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life
Author of Your Dog’s Best Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect From Your Vet
Recipient, Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award
Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award
Recipient, Dog Writers Association of America Award for Best Blog
Recipient, Eukanuba Canine Health Award
Recipient, AKC Club Publication Excellence Award
Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook

Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot and Your Dog’s Best Health. There you will also find “Advocacy Aids”- helpful health forms you can download and use for your own dog, and a collection of published articles on advocating for your pet’s health. Speaking for Spot and Your Dog’s Best Health are available at www.speakingforspot.com, Amazon.com, local bookstores, and your favorite online book seller.

Tags: Dr. Nancy Kay, Nancy Kay DVM, National Pet Week, Pet Cancer Awareness Month, Speaking for Spot, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Cancer Diagnosis in Dogs, Canine Cancer, Dog health, Second opinions, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Office Visits, Your Dog's Best Health | 3 Comments »

Were You Smarter Than A Vet Student?

May 8th, 2012

curiousanimals.net Thank you for playing along with this blogger’s shenanigans! I hope you had fun with it. The first place winner was Cheryl Bryant from Mount Vernon, Iowa, the only respondent (out of more almost 100) who had a perfect score. Many of you would have achieved the same had it not been for that doggone tricky tapeworm question! I chose the other two winners by drawing names out of a hat, and they are (drum roll, please), Shirley Struble from Ann Arbor, Michigan and Shelli Pawlu from Pierz, Minnesota. Cheryl, Shirley, and Shelli will all receive a signed copy of Speaking for Spot or Your Dog’s Best Health.

Now for the answers and explanations you’ve been waiting for. If you happened to miss the questions, check out last week’s blog post before reading the answers below.

The best way to diagnose bladder stones is an ultrasound examination of the abdomen.

The best way to diagnose bladder stones is with ultrasound, a super-safe noninvasive way to view all of the structures within the abdominal cavity. Only really large stones can be found via palpation, and, because of their mineral composition, certain types of stones go undetected by X-rays. Ultrasound is far more reliable. Yes, exploratory surgery is a sure-fire way to diagnose bladder stones, but why perform such an invasive procedure when ultrasound is available?

Once a dog or cat is an adult, core vaccinations (the vaccines recommended for every dog or cat) should be given once every three years.

If you’ve read my books or my blog, this was probably an easy one for you to answer. Disease protection provided by core vaccines (distemper, parvovirus) in adult animals lasts a minimum of three years. It simply does not make sense to administer them more frequently. All vaccines have the potential for adverse reactions. Why on earth expose your dog or cat to such risk when there is no benefit to be gained? The exception here is rabies- your local government gets to dictate the frequency of administration of this vaccine.

An alternative to revaccinating adult dogs for canine distemper and parvovirus is vaccine serology, aka “titer testing.” For more information about this I encourage you to read the chapter called, “The Vaccination Conundrum” in Speaking for Spot.

Unfortunately, not all veterinarians are on the bandwagon when it comes to current vaccination protocols. What should you do if your vet insists on annual vaccinations? Time to find yourself a more progressive veterinarian!

Tapeworms can cause itchiness around the anus.

As a child I remember hearing that tapeworms could rob the body of nutrition. In veterinary school I learned that this is simply old wives’ tales. The two major issues caused by tapeworms are an itchy anus for the animal (worm segments exit the animal’s body by migrating through the anus) and a major “gross out” experience for the unlucky individual who happens to observe this trans-anal migration. Worst-case scenario, a super large volume of tapeworms within an animal’s gut can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

Food allergies can cause itchy skin, diarrhea, and ear infections.

Yup, food allergies can cause all kinds of symptoms for dogs and cats- from itchy skin to ear infections to vomiting and diarrhea. The best way to know if this is the cause of your pet’s problems is to talk with your veterinarian about a hypoallergenic food trial. Your dog or cat will be restricted to a limited-ingredient diet for 6-8 weeks while you and your vet observe whether or not the symptoms improve.

Hip dysplasia is something a dog is born with.

The normal hip joint consists of a ball (the head of the femur) that is deeply seated within a round socket (the acetabulum). Hip dysplasia refers to a defectively developed hip joint- something that the pup is born with- in which the head of the femur is not deeply seated within the acetabulum. The result is instability of the hip joint. Over time, the body reacts to this instability by remodeling the joint, the end result of which is arthritis. Hip dysplasia is the underlying abnormality, and arthritis is the secondary consequence.

Kennel cough is caused by bacterial organisms and viruses, and is the common name for infectious tracheobronchitis.

Kennel cough is an umbrella term used to describe inflammation of the respiratory tract caused by a variety of airborne, contagious, infectious microorganisms. Keep in mind that the Bordetella vaccination protects against only one microorganism capable of causing kennel cough.

A veterinary specialist is an individual who has completed advanced training and has become certified in a particular area of veterinary medicine.

From a legal point of view, the term “specialist” is reserved only for those docs who have completed advanced residency training (beyond veterinary school) in a particular field of veterinary medicine. In addition, the specialist must have authored publications and passed some insanely rigorous exams, the culmination of which is referred to as “board certification.” Many specialists do indeed have “special” personalities, but this is not a requirement.

Did you learn something new? Would you welcome more “Are You Smarter Than a Vet Student” in the future?

Lastly, I would like to send out greetings to all of you mamas out there. I hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day!

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: Are you smarter than a vet student?, Bladder stones, board certification, Bordetella, diarrhea, Distemper, Dr. Nancy Kay, ear infection, food allergies, food trial, hip dysplasia, hypoallergenic food, Kennel cough, Nancy Kay DVM, Parvovirus, Speaking for Spot, tapeworms, ultrasound, Vaccinations, veterinary IQ, veterinary specialist, vomiting, X-ray, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Canine Diseases, Dog health, dog health care, Dr. Nancy Kay, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Office Visits | 1 Comment »

Are You Smarter Than a Vet Student?

April 29th, 2012

Quinn and Nellie - Photo Credit: Susannah Kay

This week, I’m asking you to put your veterinary knowledge to the test. I hope you have fun participating and will learn something in the process. As always, my goal is to help you become a savvy medical advocate for those animals you love so dearly.

So, here’s how it works. Take a look at the following questions and choose the response you believe makes the most sense. I invite you to post your responses publicly from which I will choose two “winners” who will receive a signed copy of Speaking for Spot or Your Dog’s Best Health. I will provide the answers to all of the questions within my next blog post. Enjoy!

A. The best way to diagnose bladder stones is:

An x-ray (radiograph) of the abdomen
An ultrasound examination of the abdomen
Palpation of the abdomen in order to feel the stones within the bladder
Via surgery

B. Once a dog or cat is an adult, core vaccinations (the vaccines every dog or cat should receive) should be given:

Once a year
Once every two years
Once every three years
Never again once the adult has been vaccinated

C. Tapeworms can cause:

Increased appetite
Weight loss
Itchiness around the anus
All of the above

D. Food allergies can cause:

Itchy skin
Diarrhea
Ear infections
All of the above

E. Hip dysplasia is:

Something a dog is born with
Something a dog develops over time
The same thing as arthritis in the hips
Always a preventable disease

F. Kennel cough is:

Caused by bacteria
Caused by viruses
Is the common name for infectious tracheobronchitis
All of the above

G. A veterinary specialist is:

An individual who has a special interest in a particular area of veterinary medicine
An individual who has completed advanced training in a particular area of veterinary medicine
An individual who has completed advanced training and has become certified in a particular area of veterinary medicine
An individual with a special personality

Now, don’t forget to post your responses.

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: Bladder stones, Core vaccinations, Dr. Nancy Kay, ear infection, food allergy, hip dysplasia, Kennel cough, Nancy Kay DVM, radiograph, snap test, Speaking for Spot, tapeworms, ultrasound, Vaccinations, veterinary specialist, X-ray, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Canine Diseases, Dog health, dog health care, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Office Visits | 92 Comments »

Caring for a Rescued Puppy Mill Breeding Dog

April 22nd, 2012

As discussed in last week’s blog, rescued puppy mill breeding dogs come with a whole lot of emotional baggage. Fear is the number one issue- fear of people, other animals, and new sights and sounds. Should you decide to foster or adopt a rescued puppy mill breeding dog, how can you help her adjust to her new life? Here are some pointers for creating an emotional environment to help your new dog feel safer.

-Enter the process with realistic expectations. Understand that your rescued dog may not ever be a “normal” pet in terms of her trainability and responses to new people, other animals, places, and things.

-Patience is a virtue as progress may feel exceedingly slow at times. Do your best to avoid pushing your new dog past her comfort level.

-It can help to have another, well-adjusted dog in the household to role model healthy emotional responses.

-Be sensitive to your dog’s reactions. It’s not a given that your puppy mill rescue will react positively to being held or cuddled. Some dogs prefer more physical distance.

-In order to acclimate your dog to strangers, recruit your dog loving friends and relatives to come over, one at a time. They should enter your home in a quiet and gentle fashion, allowing your dog to approach them on her own terms.

-Find a reputable trainer who enjoys working with fearful dogs. Such an individual will be an invaluable coach for both you and your dog.

-There have been plenty of books written about working with fearful dogs. Ask your trainer for his or her recommendations.

Rescued puppy mill breeding dogs are certainly not for everyone. Boy, oh boy, caring for them properly is a lot of work and requires so much patience. The reward for all that hard work and patience is the opportunity to observe a battered little soul slowly emerge from its shell and experience what life can be for a dog who is loved.

Have you ever fostered or adopted a puppy mill breeding dog? Any words of advice?

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: Dog trainer, Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, fearful behavior, Nancy Kay, Puppy mills. Puppy mill breeding dogs, Speaking for Spot, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Adoptions, Puppies, Puppy Mills, Reputable breeder, rescue organizations, Speaking for Spot, Your Dog's Best Health | 21 Comments »

Puppy Mill Breeding Dogs: Proof of the Psychological Price They Pay

April 15th, 2012

Fearful dog by Noiseburst on Flickr I recently spoke at the annual conference of the American Animal Hospital Association where I reconnected with an old friend, Dr. Frank McMillan. We were small animal medicine residents at UC Davis together back in the day. Dr. McMillan’s professional journey has been an interesting one. Most notably, he has become a passionate, world renowned expert on the emotional well being of animals.

Dr. McMillan’s research on puppy mill breeding dogs was recently published in Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science. In his study called, “Mental health of dogs formerly used as ‘breeding stock’ in commercial breeding establishments” he compared the psychological and behavioral characteristics of 1,169 rescued former puppy mill dogs with those of 332 pet dogs without a mill history. The most striking difference between the two groups was in their fear level. Dogs originating from puppy mills exhibited far more fear in response to people, other dogs, stairs, and touch. For many of these dogs, an increased fear response continued even after years spent in their adoptive households. Dr. McMillan’s research also documented that the puppy mill dogs demonstrated more house-soiling and compulsive behavior as well as reduced trainability, energy, and aggression towards other animals.

Dr. McMillan and his coauthors discussed two likely causes for the behaviors demonstrated by the puppy mill dogs. The first cause, known as “stress-induced psychopathology” refers to behavioral responses to stressors such as spatial restriction (confinement to a small space), extreme temperatures, aversive interactions with humans, lack of ability to avoid or regulate exposure to aversive stimuli, and limited access to positive social interactions with humans and other dogs. Most if not all of these stressors certainly come into play in most large scale breeding operations.

Also discussed as a cause for behavioral abnormalities in puppy mill dogs was inadequate socialization during the first few months of life (the critical period for normal socialization to develop). For puppy mill breeding dogs, most of this sensitive developmental time period is spent behind bars with little to no exposure to psychologically “nutritious” environmental surroundings.

For those who work with rescued puppy mill breeding dogs, none of Dr. McMillan’s conclusions come as a surprise. It’s common knowledge that such dogs are damaged by years of emotional negligence. The true importance of this study is that it provides the very first scientifically documented proof that conditions prevailing in puppy mills are profoundly detrimental to the emotional well being of dogs imprisoned there. This research is one more arrow in our quiver as we do whatever we can to exterminate puppy mills. Kudos to you Dr. McMillan for the important work you are doing!

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: American Animal Hospital Association, canine behavior, commercial breeding establishment, dog behavior, Dr. Frank McMillan, Dr. Franklin McMillan, Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, emotional well being, fearful behavior, Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science, mental health of dogs, Nancy Kay, puppy mill breeding dogs, puppy mills, puppy socialization, Speaking for Spot, stress-induced psychopathology, UC Davis, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Adoptions, puppy mills, rescue organizations, Speaking for Spot, Your Dog's Best Health | 15 Comments »

Caring for Your Senior Pet

April 8th, 2012

Caring for an aged pet can be a mixed blessing. What a glorious achievement that your cat or dog has become a senior citizen. However, now it is incumbent upon you to recognize and care for special medical needs created by the aging process. Age-related problems can progress so slowly that they may go unnoticed. Here are some tips for recognizing common age-related problems.

Stiffness: Pay particular attention to your elderly dog or cat first thing in the morning. If she appears stiff upon waking, but gradually warms out of the stiffness with activity, chances are she is experiencing some arthritis pain. Talk with your veterinarian about your observations. These days there are a plethora of ways to take the edge off of arthritis pain including supplements, anti-inflammatory medications (made specifically for dogs and cats), acupuncture, and rehabilitation therapy (the equivalent of physical therapy for people).

Ocular changes: Have a close look at your pet’s eyes. Most dogs and cats over the age of ten experience a change in the normally crystal-clear lenses of their eyes that cause the pupils to become gray or cloudy. Your veterinarian can determine whether this change is caused by lenticular sclerosis (an age related condition within the lens that does not impair vision and requires no treatment) versus cataracts (opacifications within the lenses that impair vision). If cataracts are diagnosed, referral to a veterinarian who specializes in ophthalmology is warranted to determine if cataract-induced inflammation within the eyes is present. Depending on your pet’s overall health (and your budget), surgical removal of the cataracts to restore vision may be a viable option.

Decreased appetite: There are a number of reasons why senior dogs and cats can become less interested in the food they used to eat with gusto. The explanation may be a simple one, such as an infected, painful tooth or reluctance to bend down to the food bowl because of neck stiffness. Other more serious causes include age-related organ failure or an underlying infectious or cancerous process. If you find yourself hand feeding your elderly pet or having to “doctor up” her food, time to schedule an appointment to see your veterinarian.

Increased thirst: Have you been filling the water bowl more than usual? Is the litter box soaked after just a day or two? Are you finding puddles of urine around the house? If so, your pet may be drinking more water than normal. Many different medical issues can cause increased thirst in older dogs and cats including urinary tract infections, hormonal imbalances, and kidney or liver failure. Even if your elderly pet appears otherwise happy and healthy, her increased thirst is a “heads up” that a trip to the vet is warranted. Her urine will need to be tested, so arrival with a full bladder (hers, not yours) will be appreciated!

Urinary incontinence: Finding a puddle of urine where your dog or cat normally sleeps is evidence that she has urinary incontinence (involuntary urine leakage). There are a myriad of causes for this messy problem in senior pets including urinary tract infections, loss of sphincter tone where the bladder joins the urethra, hormonal imbalances, organ failure, and urinary tract cancer. Medications that can be administered at home have the potential to result in significant improvement. So, if your little snookums is soaking the bed, be sure to schedule a visit with your veterinarian to discuss diagnostic and treatment options.

Elderly pets should receive a thorough veterinary health exam at least twice a year. The sooner medical issues are detected and diagnosed, the greater the likelihood for a positive outcome.

Are you caring for an older dog or cat? If so, what medical issues have become apparent?

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: arthritis, cataracts, Decreased appetite, Dog care, dog health, dog health care, Dr. Nancy Kay, DVM, increased thirst, kidney failure, lenticular sclerosis, Liver disease, Nancy Kay, Older cat, Older dog, Senior pet, Speaking for Spot, stiffness, urinary incontinence, Urinary leakage, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Canine family members, Important Questions to Ask You Vet, Senior Dogs, Veterinary Care, Veterinary Office Visits | 13 Comments »

Our Pets: Property or Family Members?

April 1st, 2012

Photo Credit: Blair O'Neil

A number of recent court cases have debated the issue of financial compensation for emotional damages stemming from the negligent loss of a pet. While court systems within the United States view our furry and feathered family members as “property” at least in some instances, judges are beginning to regard them as a “special” type of property. At least the cases are being heard rather than kicked out of the courtroom.

Consider the following three examples:

A lawsuit in Clearwater, Florida called for the court to award $15,000 in emotional damages to Liza Baceols. Her beloved Golden Retriever Cody was hospitalized in order to remove a growth on his tail. Following the surgery, Cody chewed at and removed the remaining portion of his tail. He subsequently died during a second surgery to repair the damage. Ms. Baceols claimed that the veterinary staff provided inadequate supervision following the initial surgery. The week-long court proceedings ended in mistrial because of a deadlocked jury.

The Raleigh, North Carolina Court of Appeals weighed in on the wrongful death suit of a Jack Russell Terrier named Laci cared for by Nancy and Herb Shera. Laci passed away because of complications caused by incorrect technique when placing a feeding tube. The Sheras asked for $28,000 in damages, and the party sued was North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. In a 20-page ruling, the appeals court unanimously upheld an earlier verdict in which the Sheras were awarded $2,755 in veterinary bills plus $350 to pay for a new dog of the same breed.

In Texas, Kathryn and Jeremy Medlen’s dog Avery escaped from the family backyard and was picked up by the local animal control organization. Before the Medlens could retrieve their dog and despite a “hold for owner” tag, Avery was euthanized. The Medlen’s prevailed in the courtroom due to a Texas law stating, “where personal property has little or no market value, and its main value is in sentiment, damages may be awarded based on this intrinsic or sentimental value.” It’s interesting to note that, despite the ruling, Avery’s status was never deemed to be anything other than “property.”

How do we all feel about the legal designation of pets as property? It’s a given that outside of the courtroom, we all view our pets to be family members- after all, would I be a weekly pet blogger and would you be a weekly pet blog reader if we didn’t view our animals this way?

So what could be the downside to court rulings that treat pets as family members and award emotional damages on the basis of negligent loss? Consider what Paul Boudloche, an attorney representing the animal control organization in the Avery Medlen case had to say:

I think it’s going to have a significant impact on the private sector, particularly veterinarians, kennel owners, even individuals who take care of their neighbors’ pets. I mean, for example, on veterinarians, things which would be routine care for a pet, now they have to practice much more defensive medicine. The value of a dog has changed in the eye of the law. So, if mistakes happen, the exposure for everybody is much greater.

Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, groomers, pet sitters, boarding facility employees- each and every one of us who assumes responsibility for another person’s pet will undoubtedly, at some point in time, make a mistake. And sometimes those mistakes result in dire consequences. Combine this with the fact that we live in a litigious society and it’s easy to predict skyrocketing malpractice costs, should courts begin awarding damages for pain and suffering caused by the loss of a pet. Currently, on average, veterinarians pay less than $1,000 a year for malpractice insurance. Just imagine if insurance premiums begin to approach what some medical doctors pay- in the range of $100,000 or more per year!

When veterinarians and others who care animals are forced to pay more for malpractice liability, there’s no question how such expense will be recouped. Richard Cupp, a Pepperdine University law professor stated:

If courts routinely start to award emotional damages to pet owners, veterinary care will cost more, leading to more suffering among pets because fewer pets will get sent to the vet.

So, where is the compromise between treating our pets as property and prohibitively expensive malpractice premiums? Consider the legislation called “Gracie’s Law” proposed by Dr. Kenneth Newman, a veterinarian in Florida. His own Labrador Gracie died due to injuries caused by a negligent driver. When attempting to recoup losses for pain and suffering, he ran head-on into the reality that the court viewed Gracie as nothing more than property. According to “Gracie’s Law” people who suffer as Dr. Newman did would be allowed emotional damages of up to $25,000. Perhaps Dr. Newman’s proposed ceiling on damages would serve as a reasonable compromise.

How do you weigh in on this topic? Should courtroom monetary awards exceed the replacement value of a pet? If so, how should the amount of money be determined? How should pet professionals deal with escalating insurance premiums? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: Avery Medlen, Dr. Kenneth Newman, Dr. Nancy KayNancy Kay, DVM, Emotional damage, Gracie’s Law, Herb Shera, human-animal bond, Jeremy Medlen, Kathryn Medlen, Liza Baceols, Malpractice, Malpractice insurance, Nancy Shera, North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine, Paul Boudloche, Pepperdine University, Richard Cupp, Speaking for Spot, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Canine family members, Dr. Nancy Kay, human-animal bond, Speaking for Spot, Your Dog's Best Health | 26 Comments »

Three Essential Steps for Maintaining Your Dog’s Health

March 25th, 2012

As mentioned in my last blog post, the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association recently teamed up to create Guidelines for Canine and Feline Preventive Healthcare. These guidelines have been distributed to veterinarians throughout the United States with hopes of enhancing their efforts to counsel their clients about disease prevention.

Last week, I provided you with a tour of the preventive guidelines for feline health care. Rather than review the entirety of the guidelines for you dog lovers (I encourage you to do this on your own), from them I’ve selected three that I consider to be most important.

An Annual Physical Examination

In the past, veterinarians have done a remarkably good job using vaccine postcards and emails to remind their clients to schedule visits. The downside is, clients have been inadvertently programmed to believe that vaccinations are the most, if not the only, important part of their dog’s regular visits. Now that adult core vaccinations are required only once every three years (rather than once a year), it’s no surprise that veterinarians have observed a marked decline in annual office visits.

An annual physical examination is a key ingredient for maintaining your pet’s good health. It provides the opportunity for discussion about nutrition, behavioral issues, parasite control, and anything else that warrants veterinary advice. Additionally, an annual physical allows for early disease detection and treatment. It’s a no-brainer that the earlier cancer is detected, the better the outcome. The same holds true for heart disease, kidney disease, periodontal disease, and a myriad of other medical issues that might be detected during a routine physical exam. Here’s the bottom line, get your pet to the vet once a year, no matter what!

Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm disease has now been documented in all 50 of the United States. This parasitic infection is spread from one dog to another by way of mosquitoes. Heartworms set up housekeeping primarily within the heart and the blood vessels within the lungs where they are capable of wreaking havoc. Treatment for this disease isn’t always successful and carries significant potential for negative side effects. To make matters worse, there is a worldwide shortage of Immiticide®, currently the only approved drug to treat heartworm disease. And, while it’s tempting to believe that your dog’s thick haircoat or primarily indoor lifestyle will be protective againt heartworm disease, statistics prove otherwise. There, have I adequately made my case for use of heartworm prevention?

There are a number of safe and effective medications on the market that effectively prevent canine heartworm disease. Talk with your veterinarian about the incidence of heartworm disease in your community to determine if prevention is warranted. If recommended, please use the product exactly as prescribed. Lack of compliance is the number one reason dogs receiving heartworm prevention develop the disease. To learn more about heartworm disease, visit the website of The American Heartworm Society.

Counseling on Behavioral Issues

The number one reason dogs are euthanized or relinquished to shelters is problematic behavior. Separation anxiety, aggression, failed housetraining- these are just a few of the reasons people give up on their pets. I recently worked with a client for the first time whose adorable six-year-old Schnauzer Molly has kidney failure. In an, “Oh, by the way” comment, she told me that she and Molly never, ever spend time apart because of separation anxiety. Left alone, sweet little Molly assumes the role of demolition artist. When I asked Molly’s mom if she’d ever mentioned this problem to her family vet, she sheepishly shook her head. She was unaware that discussion with her veterinarian would result in referral to a “vetted” trainer and a prescription for medication designed specifically for the treatment of canine separation anxiety.

Be sure to talk with your vet about any of your pet’s behavioral issues just as soon as they become apparent. The sooner such problems can be nipped in the bud, the better the outcome will be.

Does your dog receive an annual physical examination? Are you administering heartworm preventive medication? Have you discussed your dog’s behavior issues with your veterinarian? Do tell!

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Annual physical examination, Behavior issues, Canine aggression, disease prevention, Dog trainer, Dr. Nancy Kay, Guidelines for Canine and Feline Preventive Healthcare, Heartworm disease, Hearworm prevention, House training, Immiticide, Nancy Kay DVM, Separation anxiety, Speaking for Spot, The American Heartworm Society, Vaccine reminder postcards, vaccines, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Canine family members, Canine Symptoms, Dog health, Dr. Nancy Kay, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Office Visits, Your Dog's Best Health | 9 Comments »

Preventive Healthcare Guidelines: Part I

March 18th, 2012

Photo Credit: Susie Schlesinger

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) have just jointly published Canine and Feline Preventive Healthcare Guidelines . These guidelines are being distributed to veterinarians throughout the United States. The goal of the guidelines is to coach veterinarians on thoroughly counseling their clients on disease prevention.

To begin with, the new guidelines emphasize the importance of an annual examination as an opportunity to discuss nutrition, exercise, body weight, training, and parasite control, as well as provide early disease detection and treatment. This recommendation is vital because, for years, veterinarians have inadvertently trained their clients to bring their dogs and cats in for vaccinations rather than for a thorough physical examination and discussion of several important issues. The vaccine emphasis has backfired- now that adult core vaccinations are administered once every three years, clients are tending to show up with their pets only every three years rather than annually.

I will now walk you through the AAHA/AVMA preventive healthcare guidelines for cats. (My next blog post will include those pertaining to dogs.) As you read the following, please bear in mind that these guidelines were written for veterinarians. I will interpret as I type.

Preventive Health Care Guidelines for Cats

History: Discussion with the client should include lifestyle and life stage (age related issues), behavior, and diet. Note to reader- history taking includes so much more than this. I believe the authors of these guidelines wanted to ensure that discussion of life stage, behavior, and diet are always included along with discussion of particular symptoms or diseases.

Comprehensive annual physical examination: The exam should include dental assessment, pain assessment, body and muscle condition score (this is where you will learn if your kitty’s size is too large, too little, or just right). Note to reader- these components hardly represent a thorough or comprehensive physical examination. My sense is that veterinarians are being reminded to be sure to include these items.

Assessments: On the basis of history and physical examination findings the veterinarian should assess the following: medical conditions, parasite prevention and control, dental care, genetic issues, breed-related issues, age considerations, behavior, nutrition, infectious and zoonotic diseases. Note to reader- zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Feline examples of this are toxoplasmosis and ringworm.

Client communication and education plan: According to these guidelines every cat should receive:

-Heartworm testing in accordance with existing guidelines. Note to reader- this will vary based on location and prevalence of disease.

-Testing for retroviruses (feline leukemia virus and feline AIDS virus) in accordance with existing guidelines. Note to reader- this will be based more on your kitty’s lifestyle than anything else.

-Annual testing for internal (intestinal) parasites

-Year-round broad-spectrum parasite control with efficacy against heartworms, intestinal parasites, and fleas; discussion about tick control

-Immunization with core vaccines (rabies, panleukopenia, feline herpesvirus-1, calicivirus) in accordance with existing guidelines. For kittens, feline leukemia virus vaccination is recommended.

-Appropriate identification including microchipping.

-Reproductive and genetic counseling and spaying or neutering unless specifically intended for reproductive purposes.

Lastly, the Preventive Health Guidelines recommend formulation and discussion of a plan for every individual patient. This plan is based on the history provided by the client in conjunction with physical examination findings. Topics that may be appropriate to discuss include:

-Diagnostic tests.

-Early disease screening tests. Note to reader- for example, if your kitty is a senior citizen, blood and urine testing may be recommended annually.

-Genetic screening tests. Note to reader- for example, if your kitty is a Maine Coon Cat, early testing for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a heart muscle disease) should be recommended.

-Tick control.

-Therapeutic recommendations.

-Dental recommendations.

-Behavioral recommendations.

-Environmental enrichment recommendations. Note to reader- this refers to ways to provide psychological stimulation (cat toys, scratching posts, climbing structures, other cats).

-Dietary and feeding recommendations.

-Immunization with non-core vaccines in accordance with existing guidelines.

-Other preventive recommendations and counseling regarding zoonotic diseases. Note to reader- as mentioned above, zoonoses are diseases that can be transmitted from animal to humans.

Whew! After reading all of this I’m tired! Are you? Believe it or not, all of this really can (and in my opinion, should) happen during the course of an annual examination.

Please bear in mind, these are guidelines for veterinarians, not rules. Your vet gets to choose whether or not to comply with these suggestions. And you get to choose who earns the privilege of caring for your precious kitty.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the particulars of these guidelines. Does your cat receive an annual health examination?

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, behavior, body condition score, calicivirus, Core vaccines, dental disease, disease prevention, environmental enrichment, feline AIDS virus, feline herpesvirus, feline leukemia virus, feline leukemia virus vaccine, Flea Control, genetic screening tests, heartworm testing, history, Intestinal parasites, Maine Coon Cat, microchipping, neutering, non-core vaccines, Nutrition, pain assessment, panleukopenia, parasite prevention, physical examination, Preventive Health Care Guidelines, Preventive Health Care Guidelines for Cats, rabies, ringworm, spaying, tick control, toxoplasmosis, zoonotic disease
Posted in Cat health care, Important Questions to Ask You Vet, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Care | 7 Comments »

Pet Poisons

March 11th, 2012

The telephone call I hope you never have to make is to a pet poison control center. If the situation does arise, however, I hope you will have the appropriate contact information close at hand.

Two poison control organizations that I strongly recommend, and which are available to you 24/7 are the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435) and the Pet Poison Helpline (1-800-213-6680). If uncertain if your pet has ingested or been exposed to something that is toxic, call one of these organizations right away. You will either be fully reassured or instructed on what course of action to take.

The Pet Poison Helpline recently released their “top ten list” of toxicities based on calls received during 2011. They are ranked below in order of frequency:

Top Ten Toxins Reported in 2011 Helpline Calls

Foods- specifically chocolate, xylitol, grapes, and raisins.
Insecticides- sprays, bait stations, and spot on flea and tick treatments.
Rodenticides (mouse and rat poisons). By the way, rodenticides pose the potential for relay toxicity- pets can be poisoned by eating rodents that have died from the toxin.
Human nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen.
Household cleaning products (all the more reason I don’t like to clean- could be harmful for my pets!).
Antidepressant drugs prescribed for people (Prozac, Paxil, Celexa, and Effexor).
Fertilizers including bone meal, blood meal, and iron based products.
Acetaminophen which is the active ingredient in Tylenol and many over the counter cough and cold remedies.
Amphetamine based human drugs including Adderall and Concerta.
Veterinary nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications (particularly those that are in tasty chewable tablet form) including Rimadyl, Deramaxx, and Previcox.

Just for fun, I will provide you with two other top ten lists created by the Pet Poison Helpline.

Top Ten Breeds Involved in 2011 Helpline Calls

Mixed breeds
Labrador Retrievers (Why am I not surprised!)
Golden Retrievers
Chihuahuas
Yorkshire Terriers
Dachshunds
ShihTzus
Boxers
Beagles
German Shepherds

Top Ten Dog Names Involved in 2011 Helpline Calls

Bella
Lucy
Max
Molly
Daisy
Bailey
Charlie
Lily
Maggie
Sadie and Buddy were tied for tenth place!

Have you ever had to call a poison control center for your pet? If so, please tell us about your experience.

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Tags: acetaminophen, Adderall, amphetamines, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, blood meal, bone meal, chocolate, Concerta, Deramaxx, dog health, Dr. Nancy Kay, fertilizers, grapes, household cleaning products, ibuprofen, insecticides, iron based products, Nancy Kay DVM, naproxen, pet care, pet health care, pet poison control center, Pet Poison Helpline, Previcox, raisins, Rimadyl, rodenticides, Speaking for Spot, Tylenol, xylitol, Your Dog's Best Health
Posted in Animal Poison Control Center, Canine Symptoms, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Emergency, Your Dog's Best Health | 12 Comments »

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Pet Poisons

Top Ten Toxins Reported in 2011 Helpline Calls

Top Ten Breeds Involved in 2011 Helpline Calls

Top Ten Dog Names Involved in 2011 Helpline Calls

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