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Posts Tagged ‘dog health care’

Mushers in Scotland

Monday, August 29th, 2011

Having just returned from lecturing at this year’s American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association Conference while in the midst of preparing to move from my home of 16 years in less than a week (no worries, this is by my choosing). I’ve simply not managed to put fingers to keyboard and produce a blog that I would consider meaningful. Rather than skip a week, I’ve opted to provide you with something for your viewing rather than your reading pleasure.

I love this piece titled, “The Boys and the Kids” because it so deftly portrays the human animal connection. I think I’d love it even if the creator of this piece weren’t my daughter Susannah, a photojournalism student at Ohio University. Part of her curriculum takes place in Scotland (my, my what lucky students) which is where this video was created. Enjoy.

Video: Susannah Kay

Mushers in Scotland? Who knew!

Best wishes for good health,

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
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. 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 is available at Amazon.com, local bookstores, and your favorite online book seller.

Tags: Dog care, dog health, dog health care, Dog Training, Dr. Nancy Kay, mushers, Nancy Kay DVM, photojournalism, Scotland, sled dogs, Speaking for Spot, Susannah Kay
Posted in human-animal bond, Photojournalism, Speaking for Spot | 7 Comments »

The Dog Days of Summer Camp

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Nothing quite tickles my heart like stories conveying the human animal connection. Sometimes such stories put a big goofy grin on my face, and sometimes they cause my eyes and nose to become uncontrolled leaky faucets. Needless to say, I prefer the former to the latter!

The following human-animal bond story was written by my dear friend Kathie Meier and was published in Marin Pets, a blog moderated by the Marin Humane Society. Between Kathie’s descriptions and her fabulous photos, this story succeeded in putting a big goofy grin on my face! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Even though I am many moons past my own summer camp days I look forward each year to volunteering with my animal companions at the Marin Humane Society’s summer camp for children entering first through sixth grades.

For nine weeks on Friday afternoons the Pavilion is filled with the laughter and chatter of excited campers, and the tail wags and kisses of ten fabulous SHARE dogs. In no time the kids have their eager buddies doing sits, downs, and puppy push-ups and traversing beginning agility equipment.

The real fun begins when the kids “teach” their companion a trick and then perform it. To the absolute delight of all we’ve watched Mooki, Duncan and Winston zip through legs, Sophie sit upright and wave her paws, Woody shake, Chudleigh play dead, Charlotte play the toy piano with her nose, Tigger, MJ, and Angus run an agility course, Katie dance, Autumn, Kuri and Frisco jump through hoops, Chloe and Mitzi roll over, and Lance balance a treat on his nose and catch it.
This is my 11th year coming to summer camp with my dogs. While the kids have grown and changed over the years, the one thing that hasn’t changed is the magic of the bond of having animals in our lives. The camp provides the children a wonderful opportunity to spend the week learning about animals of all shapes and sizes and to work 1-on-1 with some very special dogs.

The Marin Humane Society SHARE Program dogs participate in a wide variety of animal-assisted therapy programs including visits to seniors, reading with children through SHARE a Book, and classroom humane education programs throughout Marin. I know my pup Charlotte would say that paws down the summer camp dog training is her favorite! No surprise that each year it’s also the favorite activity of the children.

Kathie Meier- www.brrnese.com

_____________________________________________________

Have you and one of your pets participated in an animal-assisted therapy program? If so, I would love to hear all about it.

Best wishes for good health,

Tags: animal assisted therapy, Dog care, dog health, dog health care, dog tricks, Dr. Nancy Kay, humane education, Marin Humane Society, Nancy Kay DVM, SHARE a Book, Speaking for Spot
Posted in Dog Training, human-animal bond, Speaking for Spot | 8 Comments »

Talking Teeth

Monday, August 8th, 2011

Is your dog’s bad breath sabotaging your cuddle time? Is your kitty drooling while nibbling her kibble? If so, your four-legged family member likely has dental disease. A recent study of Banfield Pet Hospital’s 770-hospital network identified dental disease as the most common malady among pets, affecting 68 percent of cats and 78 percent of dogs over three years of age.

Most dental diseases, including halitosis (bad breath) and gingivitis (gum disease) are caused by tartar accumulation. All cats and dogs can develop dental tartar, but small breed dogs are particularly predisposed. Toy Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Pomeranians and Shetland Sheepdogs are at greatest risk, according to the Banfield study.

Be sure to inspect your pet’s teeth and gums on a regular basis just as you would his or her skin and haircoat. Here’s the key to getting a good look- don’t try to pry your pet’s jaws open lest you desire to engage in a wrestling match. Rather, with the mouth remaining closed, simply pull those flabby lips up, down, and then back (as if he is smiling) to get a good view of the gums and teeth. Look for tartar accumulation (brown colored material that’s adhered to the teeth) redness or swelling of the gums, and broken or loose teeth.

If your pet does develop significant tartar and gingivitis, he’ll need a thorough dental cleaning. Dental X-rays may be recommended to detect abscesses or bone loss. Should such significant abnormalities be found, your vet will discuss antibiotic therapy and the pros and cons of removing the affected teeth versus a root canal procedure.

The best way to prevent tartar buildup is to brush your pet’s teeth (including those way in the back) at least two to three times a week. Ask your vet or members of the clinic staff to share their secrets for success when it comes to brushing. Have them observe and provide critique as you demonstrate how you brush those canines (in cats they should be called “felines”), incisors, and molars.

What can you do besides brushing? Dental chews, additives to your pet’s water, products applied to the teeth and gums, and specially formulated dry foods that have received the Veterinary Oral Health Council Seal of Acceptance can help prevent tartar buildup. However, nothing beats regular brushing (sorry!).

Part of your pet’s annual physical examination performed by your veterinarian should include careful inspection of the teeth and gums. Early identification and treatment of dental disease goes a long way in preventing serious consequences.

Now it’s your turn to talk about teeth. What have you experienced with your dogs and cats?

Best wishes for good health,

Tags: bad breath, Banfield Pet Hospital Study, dental chews, dental disease in cats, dental disease in dogs, Dog care, dog health, dog health care, Dr. Nancy Kay, gingivitis, halitosis, Nancy Kay DVM, Speaking for Spot, tartar, tartar accumulation, tooth abscess
Posted in Dog care tips, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Care | 19 Comments »

The Elephant in the Middle of the Exam Room

Monday, August 1st, 2011

My dual career as an author and a practicing veterinarian provides me with a unique vantage point. Not only am I privy to the issues my veterinary colleagues are stewing about, I also receive a plethora of emails from my readers candidly venting about their experiences as consumers of veterinary medicine. It’s rare that those on both sides of the exam room table are growling about the same issue, but these days this is certainly the case.

See if you can identify the elephant in the exam room based on the following data that has appeared in current veterinary news feeds along with quotes from recent correspondences with my readers:

- The number of pet visits to veterinary hospitals is dramatically decreasing (DVM Newsmagazine, June 2011), and a special session was held at this year’s conference of the American Veterinary Medical Association to explore ways to increase public awareness about the importance of annual checkups for pets.

- “In my opinion, most of the decline in veterinary visits is primarily due to the bad economy. If you are barely scraping by, you are certainly not going to the vet for a very pricey annual exam, especially if your pet seems fine.”

- While pet spending is up, the market isn’t growing fast enough to support the number of new veterinarians entering the veterinary profession. (DVM Newsmagazine, June 2011) Veterinarian supply is growing faster than pet owner demand. (The Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study 2011)

- “Sadly there are some veterinarians who see hospitalization fees as a revenue stream and do not inform clients that no one will be supervising the pet they recommend be hospitalized. While one tends to like to think of their vet as a kind, caring person and many are, some are more business than heart.”

- Eighty-nine percent of current veterinary school graduates have student debt. The average student loan debt of students graduating in 2010 from veterinary school was $133,873 (15% have debt in excess of $200,000) and the average starting salary was $48,674. (Veterinary Information Network News Service, January 4, 2011)

- “My question is why most vets feel the need to worry about money instead of worrying about taking care of the pets.”

- Although the number of households in the United States with cats is increasing, the number of feline visits to veterinary hospitals is decreasing. (Banfield Pet Hospital® State of Pet Health 2011 Report)

- “I’d love to take each of my cats in for dental cleaning on a regular basis and I have two cats that desperately need attention now. For me, it’s a matter of costs. Vets continue to increase their charges and there’s no break for multiple pets. Dental disease is a precursor for renal failure in cats and yet it’s so expensive for cleaning – yet alone extracting any teeth. Then blood work is usually advisable to be on the safe side. It’s a small fortune when you leave the vet’s office for ONE pet. Next you’ve got the cost associated with monthly flea control. You have to draw the line somewhere and hope for the best.”

- Fifty-four percent of cat owners and 47% of dog owners report that they would take their pet to the veterinary hospital more often if each visit were less expensive. (The Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study 2011)

- “I am not saying veterinarians can’t charge a reasonable fee for their services, but most people can’t afford $300+ bills every time they step into a clinic, per pet, per year, and that is for the healthy ones who are coming in for regular yearly checkups and not for other medical concerns that require medications, further diagnostics, overnight stays, dental cleaning, blood work etc.”

- Fifty three percent of clients believe that veterinary clinic costs are usually much higher than expected. (The Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study 2011)

- “I am sick and tired of the way veterinarians financially take advantage of people who are emotionally upset about their pets.”

- Twenty-four percent of pet owners believe that routine checkups are unnecessary and 36% believe that vaccinations are the main reason to take their overtly healthy pet in for an office visit. (The Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study 2011)

- “We have a lot of price gouging going on here at local vets. A dental cleaning has gone from $75 to $300 and up at many places. A lot of the clinics are buying high tech equipment and passing overhead costs on us so they really shouldn’t complain when clients come for less visits.”

Have you identified the common thread amongst these comments and statistics? No doubt in my mind that the “gripe du jour” is the “M word.” Perhaps it is more accurate to say that the real issue is too little money.

This blog is not intended to create or perpetuate harsh judgments. Please hear me when I say that I know that not every veterinarian or every person who brings their pet to see the vet is thinking primarily about money. Clearly, however, money matters are on the minds of many, in fact more so than I’ve witnessed throughout my thirty year career. Never before have I observed colleagues declare bankruptcy. Never before have I spent so much time in the exam room trying to help folks figure out how to do more with less.

My goal in presenting this information is to create some understanding about what’s going on in the minds of individuals on both sides of the exam room table. Blame this money mess state of mind on the diseased economy, veterinary competition, or the expense of going to veterinary school. Whatever the causes, there is an awful lot of emotion tangled up in the financial aspects of providing and receiving veterinary health care these days.

What are your thoughts? Let’s talk about it and in doing so we will be able to kick that big ole’ elephant out of the middle of the exam room!

Best wishes for good health,

Tags: Banfield Pet Hospital, Banfield State of Pet Health 2011 Report, decline in veterinary office visits, Dog care, dog health, dog health care, Dr. Nancy Kay, financial concerns, money matters, Nancy Kay DVM, pet vaccinations, regular dental cleaning, Speaking for Spot, The Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study 2011, veterinary office visits
Posted in Paying fgr Veterinary Care, Pet Health Insurance & Other Financial Concerns, Selecting a Veterinarian, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Care, Veterinary Diagnostic Procedures, Veterinary Emergency, Veterinary Office Visits | 30 Comments »

A Primer on Leptospirosis

Sunday, July 24th, 2011

Of all the vaccination questions I receive, the most common one is from folks questioning whether or not to vaccinate their dogs for Leptospirosis. And I am so pleased they are asking- I love when people recognize that simply handing their dog over for “the works” in response to a vaccination reminder card (or these days, perhaps an email reminder) simply doesn’t make sense.

Unlike canine distemper and parvovirus- infectious bad guys that are ubiquitous in the environment and against which all dogs should receive vaccine protection- not all dogs come into contact with Leptospirosis. Exposure is truly dependent on where you and your dog live and his or her extracurricular activities- in medical jargon this is referred to as “biolifestyle”. Leptospirosis organisms are bacteria that thrive in warmer, wetter climates. Wild animals (particularly deer and rodents) and some domesticated animals (cows, sheep, pigs) can be Leptospirosis carriers. Although infected, they manage to maintain good health while shedding Leptospirosis organisms in their urine. Dogs can develop the disease by coming into contact with the infected urine or urine contaminated soil, water, food, or bedding. So, if your dog’s biolifestyle includes roaming on rural property or drinking from creeks, streams, lakes, or rivers the potential for exposure to Leptospirosis is far greater than if your pup is a couch potato and your yard is devoid of trespassing wildlife.

Not all dogs become sick when exposed to Leptospirosis, but for those that do, the results can be devastating. Symptoms associated with kidney failure (lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite) are most common. The liver and lungs are also targets for this disease. Your veterinarian will suspect Leptospirosis based on the history your provide, abnormal kidney and/or liver enzymes on blood testing, and specific blood and/or urine testing for Leptospirosis.

Successful treatment ideally consists of aggressive round the clock intravenous fluids and antibiotics. If the kidneys become so inflamed that urine production diminishes, temporary dialysis may be recommended. Infected dogs should be housed in an isolation ward to protect other hospitalized patients and personnel are advised to wear protective garb (gloves, gown, goggles) as Leptospirosis is considered a zoonotic disease (humans can become infected via contact with infected urine). Yes, such therapy is expensive- far more costly than the price of a vaccination- and in spite of everyone’s best efforts, some dogs do succumb to Leptospirosis.

The Leptospirosis vaccine provides adequate protection for one year and, in theory, the risk of adverse reactions is no different than reported with other vaccinations. However, some vets feel strongly that the Lepto vaccine is more likely to produce transient “post-vaccine blues” than are other vaccinations.

Is the Leptospirosis vaccination appropriate for your dog? Talk to your vet to find out whether or not the disease has been reported in your neck of the woods. Next consider your doggie’s biolifestyle. Does your pup live in a pristinely kept environment or does he go camping and hiking with you? If your pup lives in an environment with no standing water or exposure to wildlife, the risks of vaccinating clearly outweigh the benefits. If you and your best buddy love to hike and camp together, vaccinating may be a no-brainer. As I routinely advise whenever discussing vaccines: Administration of vaccinations is no different than any other medical procedure- they should not be administered without individualized discussion and consideration of the potential risks and benefits.

Have you considered vaccinating your dog for Leptospirosis? If so, whereabouts do you live and how did you (will you) decide whether to say “yea or nay” to the vaccine?

Best wishes for good health,

Tags: biolifestyle, Canine distemper, dialysis, Dog care, dog health, dog health care, Dr. Nancy Kay, isolation ward, kidney failure, Leptospirosis, Leptospirosis vaccination, Leptospirosis vaccine, Nancy Kay DVM, Parvovirus, renal failure, Speaking for Spot, vaccination risks, vaccine risks, zoonosis, zoonotic disease
Posted in Important Questions to Ask You Vet, Medicine Decision Making, Speaking for Spot, The Vaccination Conundrum, Vaccinations, Veterinary Office Visits | 26 Comments »

Does Your Veterinarian Hear Your Concerns?

Monday, July 18th, 2011

Until a few years ago it was darned near impossible to find much in the way of useful research about communication between veterinarians and their clients. Nowadays, several wonderful studies are surfacing. It’s about time I say, and the results have been fascinating! The newest communication study appears in the June 15, 2011 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and is titled, “Analysis of solicitation of client concerns in companion animal practice.”

The purpose of this study was to determine what percentage of veterinarians evaluated effectively solicited their clients’ concerns at the beginning of the office visit. When veterinarians did solicit concerns, the client’s responses were referred to as their “opening statement”. What we know from research pertaining to human physicians is that only 23% to 28% of patients are allowed to complete their opening statements. On average, they are interrupted by their physicians within 12 to 23 seconds. Research has also documented that physicians often mistakenly assume that the first or only concern expressed by their patient is the main concern or only concern.

In addition to learning how many veterinarians effectively solicit client concerns, this study also determined if there is a difference in the way clients respond to open-ended versus closed-ended solicitations. Open-ended questions such as “What brings you in today?” cannot readily be answered by a simple “yes” or “no”. Rather, they require more expansive, thoughtful responses. Closed-ended questions such as, “Has Peanut been vomiting?” can readily be answered by “yes” or “no” and may entice a client to focus on what they perceive the veterinarian thinks is important rather than what they are truly concerned about.

Here’s what this study’s researchers learned by reviewing 334 videotaped veterinarian-client office visits:

- Solicitations for client concerns were made in only 37% of the office visits.
- Of the office visits that included solicitations, 76% of the queries were open-ended and 24% were closed-ended.
- In response to open-ended solicitations 76% of clients expressed one or more concerns. In response to closed-ended solicitations, 40% of clients expressed one or more concerns.
- Clients spoke more than twice as long in response to an open-ended solicitation compared to a closed-ended solicitation.
- Clients’ opening statements in response to the solicitation were interrupted by the veterinarian 55% of the time, on average after only 11 seconds!
- Following an interruption, clients returned to and completed their response only 28% of the time.
- Appointments in which the veterinarian did not solicit client concerns at the beginning the office visit were significantly more likely to have concerns raised at the end of the office visit.
- Open-ended solicitations were more likely to occur during “well pet visits” than visits initiated because of a medical issue.

Are you surprised by these results? I’m a bit surprised by the numbers and, admittedly, as a veterinarian, I’m feeling a bit of professional embarrassment. This study underscores the fact that veterinarians could be doing a much better job soliciting and listening to their clients’ concerns. By learning from studies such as these, there is so much potential for greater success, not only in terms of doing a better job for our patients (gaining an accurate assessment of all concerns is certainly in the best interest of the patient), but also in terms of our clients. Actively listening to their concerns without interruption conveys empathy and what person worried about their best buddy’s health couldn’t use a good dose of that?

As a consumer of veterinary medicine, what is the take home message for you? I hope this data will prompt you to be persistent in expressing all of your concerns to your veterinarian at the beginning of the office visit. And, if interrupted, do your best to return to your original train of thought!

What is the take-home message for veterinarians? It is clear that we could and should be doing a much better job consistently asking open-ended questions at the beginning of office visits and then actively listening, without interruption to hear what our clients have to say. Perhaps before entering the exam room we might remind ourselves of the saying I’ve always loved, “Don’t just do something, stand there!”

Best wishes for good health,

Tags: client communication, Client concerns, Closed-ended questions, dog health, dog health care, Dr. Nancy Kay, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Nancy Kay DVM, Office visit, Open-ended questions, Speaking for Spot, Veterinarian client communication
Posted in Client expectations, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Office Visits | 14 Comments »

Who Was Dr. Leo Bustad?

Saturday, July 9th, 2011

I first heard of Dr. Leo K Bustad in association with the Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award. Since 1986 this award has been bestowed upon veterinarians whose work exemplifies and promotes the human animal bond. When I first learned of the award I remember thinking, how fabulous to honor this important professional achievement rather than the academic/research accomplishments more commonly recognized within the profession. Some of the veterinarians I most admire have been recipients of this award including my friends Drs. Jane Shaw, Alice Villalobos, and Marty Becker.

Fast-forward to 2011 and here I am pinching myself since learning a few months ago that I am the incredibly fortunate recipient of the 2011 Bustad Companion Animal of the Year Award! I feel honored beyond belief.

So who was the man who served as the inspiration for this award? Dr. Leo Bustad was a veterinarian who also happened to be an outstanding educator, scientist and humanitarian. While dean of the veterinary school at Washington State University, he co-founded the People-Pet Partnership, the first university based community service program focusing on the human-animal bond. In 1981, the Partnership morphed into the Delta Society, an organization that continues to thrive and co-sponsors the Bustad Award along with the American Veterinary Medical Association and Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

The stated mission of the Delta Society is, “To help lead the world in advancing human health and well-being through positive interactions with animals.” Dr. Bustad served as the first president of the Delta Society, a position he held until 1990.

As a veterinarian, Dr. Bustad’s interest ventured far beyond the healing of animals. He devoted his professional life to the healing of humans through their relationships with animals. A great deal has been written in recent years about the human-animal bond. Perhaps the best description comes from Dr. Bustad himself. In 1985 he wrote, “On the basis of experiences by many people and institutions in Australia, Europe, New Zealand and North America, companion animals must be recognized as vital to the physical, psychological and social well-being of people and as agents of therapy in a great number of conditions and situations. Almost everyone could benefit by contact with warm “fuzzies” (unless we are allergic), and our companion animals offer us security, succor, esteem, understanding, forgiveness, fun and laughter and, most importantly, abundant and unconditional love. Furthermore, they make no judgments, and we can be ourselves with them. They also need our help and make us feel important.”

Dr. Leo Bustad passed away on September 19, 1998. He was 78 years old. On July 16th, 2011 at the American Veterinary Medical Association conference, I will be deeply honored to accept the award memorializing Dr. Bustad’s heartfelt professional endeavors and pioneering accomplishments.

Best wishes for good health,

Tags: Bustad Award, Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award, companion animals, Delta Society, Dog care, dog health, dog health care, Dr. Alice Villalobos, Dr. Bustad, Dr. Jane Shaw, Dr. Leo Bustad, Dr. Marty Becker, Dr. Nancy Kay, Hill's Pet Nutrition, human-animal bond, Nancy Kay DVM, Speaking for Spot
Posted in human-animal bond, Leo Bustad Award, Speaking for Spot | 44 Comments »

Urinary Accidents

Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

When your wonderful dog, who has always done his or her “business” outside, begins leaving puddles in the house, please do not default to the notion that this is a behavioral issue. It is highly unlikely your dog is mad at you for sleeping in on Sunday mornings or jealous because you showed some affection to your neighbor’s dog. Chances are, the inappropriate urination is a result of an underlying medical issue.

Well house-trained dogs would rather urinate anywhere other than inside their own home. Several types of medical issues are capable of disrupting normal house-training. Bladder infections, stones, and tumors create an urgency to urinate even when the bladder contains only a small amount of urine. Prostate gland disease (more common in boys who have not been neutered) can disrupt normal urinary habits. Increased water intake may overwhelm a dog’s normal eight to ten-hour bladder capacity. Common causes of increased thirst include a variety of hormonal imbalances, kidney failure, and liver disease. Commonly prescribed medications such as prednisone (a form of cortisone) and furosemide (a diuretic or “water pill”) typically cause increased thirst.

Some dogs develop urinary incontinence (involuntary urine leakage). This is more common in females and is usually a result of relaxation of the muscular sphincter that normally prevents urine from flowing down the urethra- the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside world. The urine leakage may be constant, but more commonly it occurs as the bladder distends during the night while the dog is soundly sleeping. In most cases, urinary incontinence can be successfully managed by correcting the underlying cause and/or treating with medications that “tighten up” the urethral sphincter.

If your dog has a break in house-training, please don’t respond with a reprimand. Far better to schedule a consultation with your veterinarian.

Has your well house-trained dog ever urinated in the house? Were you and your vet able to determine the cause?

Best wishes for good health,

Tags: Bladder infection, Bladder stones, Bladder tumor, Dog care, dog health, dog health care, Dr. Nancy Kay, Furosemide, House training, kidney failure, Liver disease, Prednisone, Prostate disease, Speaking for Spot, Urethral sphincter, Urinary accidents, urinary incontinence
Posted in Canine Symptoms, Important Questions to Ask You Vet, Speaking for Spot, Veterinary Care, Veterinary Office Visits | 17 Comments »

Traveling with Spot

Saturday, May 23rd, 2009

Speaking for Spot has taken me on quite a journey! My book has opened doors to many fabulous invitations and opportunities. Here are a couple of examples. Three weeks ago I was honored to give the keynote address at the Bergin University of Canine Studies commencement ceremony. Located in Santa Rosa, California, this organization’s stated mission is advancement of the human-canine partnership through research and education. Bergin University is the home of the Assistance Dog Institute in which dogs are trained for a variety of service jobs. At the graduation ceremony I attended, three dogs began a lifetime of assistance work and companionship for three individuals with physical disabilities. A fourth dog joined a family to assist with the needs of an autistic child. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house! In the course of my speech I discussed how my work and the work of Assistance Dog Institute both advance the human animal bond- we simply approach it from different angles. While they train dogs to become advocates for their humans, I train humans to become advocates for their dogs.

This past weekend, I paid a visit to the Argus Institute in Fort Collins, Colorado. This organization recently celebrated its 25^th anniversary. The mission of the Argus Institute is to strengthen veterinarian-client-patient communication and support relationships between people and their companion animals. Not only do they provide a tremendous support system for people experiencing grief about the loss or illness of a beloved pet, they also provide a comprehensive curriculum on client communication for Colorado State University veterinary students. Believe it or not, most vet schools provide no formal training in client communication. I was tremendously impressed by what I saw and learned at the Argus Institute and was privileged to provide a lecture while there on the topic of “How Veterinary Clients’ Expectations Are Changing.”

I invite you to learn more about these two wonderful organizations by visiting www.assistancedog.org and www.argusinstitute.colostate.edu.

Dr. Nancy Kay – Specialist, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine

Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot. 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 is available at Amazon.com, local bookstores, or your favorite online book seller.

Look for us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/speakingforspot

Become a Fan of Speaking for Spot on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Nancy-Kay/105415179814?ref=share

Listen to Dr. Kay’s interview – A Veterinarian Advises “How to Speak for Spot” on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross – http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?story

Tags: Argus Institute, assistance dog, autism, Bergin Institute, Cancer Diagnosis in Dogs, Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine, dog health care, dogs, Dr. Nancy Kay, Medical Advocacy, Speaking for Spot, veterinarian
Posted in Cancer Diagnosis in Dogs, Euthanasia, Medical Advocacy, Speaking for Spot | Comments Off

How to Trick a Tick

Wednesday, March 25th, 2009

How to Trick a Tick

I recently learned a fabulous new trick from Jessica, a nurse at my hospital. I was in our treatment room preparing to remove a tick from the base of my dog’s ear. Lucky dogs, Nellie and Quinn got to tag along with my husband and me on a recent horse camping trip. Quinnie, the more adventurous of the two returned home with a tick. When nurse Jessica observed me in the treatment room with thumb forceps in hand (my tick removal instrument of choice), she asked, “Would you like me to show you how to spin a tick?” I’d never heard of such a thing, but I offered forth the mighty Quinn and invited her to demonstrate.

Here is what Jessica did. She placed her index finger on the tick and then rotated her finger counter clockwise in small steady circles. I liken it to using your index finger to perform light pressure circles on the end of your nose. Low and behold, within approximately 20 seconds the tick, completely in tact, detached itself from Quinn (my boy thought he was receiving a massage). After performing this magic, Jessica assured me with utter confidence that it “works every time.”

I was thrilled by what I saw. Not only had this “old dog” learned a new trick, I was delighted by the prospect of employing a tick removal technique that is comfortable for the patient and avoids leaving tick mouthparts behind (a source of chronic irritation for the patient). The next time you discover a tick on your dog or cat, I encourage you to don a plastic glove (prevents tick-borne infectious diseases from entering your body via a skin crack or abrasion) and try this “spin the tick” method. Please let me know if it works for you. By the way, spinning clockwise or counter clockwise should do the trick!

Quinn (left) and Nellie (right). Photo by Susannah Kay

Please visit www.speakingforspot.com to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot. 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 is available at Amazon.com, local bookstores, or your favorite online book seller.

Wishing you and your dog good health,

Dr. Nancy Kay
Specialist, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine

Look for us on Twitter – http://twitter.com/speakingforspot

A Veterinarian Advises “How to Speak for Spot” on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross – http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?story Id=102105836

Tags: dog health care, dogs, Dr. Nancy Kay, Speaking for Spot, tick removal, Ticks, veterinarian, Veterinary Medicine
Posted in Canine family members, Medical Advocacy, pets, puppies, Speaking for Spot, Ticks, Veterinary Care | 1 Comment »

speakingforspot.com

Posts Tagged ‘dog health care’

Mushers in Scotland

Talking Teeth

The Elephant in the Middle of the Exam Room

A Primer on Leptospirosis

Does Your Veterinarian Hear Your Concerns?

Who Was Dr. Leo Bustad?

Urinary Accidents

Traveling with Spot

How to Trick a Tick

Search Spot’s Blog

Purchase Speaking for Spot

Speaking for Spot Website

Speaking for Spot Blog

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