It’s been said that “eyes are the windows to the soul” and certainly when you look into the eyes of your beloved pets, you can see the affection and loyalty reflected there. Unfortunately, some owners look deep into their pet’s eyes and see problems. While I was in school, I took extra rotations in ophthalmology. I found the eyes to be an interesting system and even contemplated doing a residency in veterinary ophthalmology. Today, I have a strong interest in the eye cases that come into our hospital. However, there are some eye conditions that require a special touch. As a result, when your pet’s vision is at stake, veterinary ophthalmologists stand ready to take action!
As part of your pet’s regular check up, the veterinarian will spend time peering into the depths of the animal’s eyes. In the majority of cases, the doctor will see eyes that are bright, clear and free of any sort of abnormality.
Occasionally though, pets present to their veterinarian with injuries, scratches or irritation to their eyes or eyelids. Some pets have inverted eyelids (entropion) or even extra eyelashes that grow on the inner surface of the eyelid (distichiasis). Short faced dogs and cats often find themselves with scratched corneas from normal play and roughhousing with other pets. Some pups will end up with a condition known as “cherry eye” where the gland of the third eyelid protrudes up and away from its normal position. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s a common occurrence…pet owners expressing feelings of frustration, helplessness and even despair from a single symptom. Their pets itch and scratch, itch and scratch – and it is not a flea problem! Although this may not seem like a big deal, these owners suffer through sleepless nights as their pets scratch and chew and lick, all in an attempt to get some needed relief. If it’s not fleas…what can this common problem be?
Seeing a beloved pet scratch often leads many owners think their pets have fleas. When trips to the veterinarian and doses of flea products fail to resolve the itchiness, it is time to think about environmental allergies, or ATOPY.
Just like people, our pets can suffer from allergies and sensitivities to particles in the air. Many times, pollen, certain grasses and trees or even dust mites can trigger this reaction in pets.
Unlike people though, our pets rarely sneeze and show signs similar to “hay fever”. Instead, our pets are itchy and they will do anything to relieve that sensation. Some pets scratch constantly, others lick and chew at certain spots, like their feet and still others might rub against carpets and furniture. This behavior, and the consistent noises and thumps produced, is often too much for many pet owners. Sadly, some pets are relinquished to shelters or rescues due to a condition that is actually manageable.
For almost two decades, safe, effective flea medications from your veterinarian have helped
pet owners battle these blood-sucking parasites. Now, several “generic” flea medications are flooding the market, showing up in big box stores and grocery stores across the country. Will these cheaper medications help more pets or do they have the potential for failure?
For a long time, flea control consisted of harsh products that were related to nerve gases of World War I. Many of these carbamates and organophosphates worked well at killing fleas, but unfortunately, they weren’t very safe for pets and had the potential for severe toxicity. Then, about fifteen years ago, modern chemistry helped give us safer topical flea treatments. Because fleas, ticks and other parasites are medical problems that need educated medical recommendations, the companies producing the new products chose to sell these flea medications only through veterinarians.
Fast forward to present day and you can find many flea products both over the counter (OTC) and through veterinary or “ethical” channels. Annual sales of flea and tick medications exceed $1 billion and there are many companies eager to get their share of the pie.
Recently, the compound, fipronil became available for generic use. The original patent holder, Merial, produces an excellent flea product (Frontline®) that was the main choice of veterinarians for many years. Now, no less than 15 “generic” fipronil flea products will be offered in the OTC markets.
What does this mean for you and your pets? Can you feel comfortable with generic flea medications?
I hope all of you had a safe and happy 4th of July Holiday. My family had a wonderful time together with a cookout, fireworks and a parade.
Many of us enjoy snuggling close to our pets and despite misguided news reports detailing health risks, most of us will continue to do so.
But, there is a risk of sleeping with pets and it has to do with diseases carried by our old enemy, the flea. So…what’s the best way to shut down this annual pest? Fleas may be one of our pets’ worst enemies, but they don’t have to conquer your pet or your home.
The most common type of flea in the U.S. is the Ctenocephalides felis…or the Cat Flea. Despite its name, this species will feed from cats, dogs and even humans. These wingless insects attack both people and pets and feed by drawing blood from their host.
While most people relate to the irritation of flea bites, fleas can transmit more serious diseases. Flea allergy dermatitis is certainly the most common problem associated with fleas, but they can also transmit Bubonic Plague, tapeworms and Feline Infectious Anemia.
The challenge of winning the flea battle lies in understanding the flea’s life stages, then attacking all levels of the life cycle.
A single female flea can lay 20-50 eggs at a time, creating over 2000 fleas in her life span of three months. With just 25 adult female fleas that equates to more than a quarter of a million fleas in only 30 days! Read the rest of this entry »
Many dog breeds suffer from specific hereditary conditions. For example, Golden Retrievers and Boxers are prone to specific cancers and Dachshunds often suffer from back problems. But a serious genetic abnormality could affect your large or giant breed dog and you might miss the subtle signs. The name of this painful condition: Wobbler’s Syndrome. Unfortunately, we see this condition in our patients.
Tucker is your typical active 3 year old dog. He has a great home, loving family, plenty of room to run and two canine playmates to roughhouse with every day. Life seemed so perfect until a sudden yip of pain changed everything.
Tucker, a Great Dane, was coming in from outside, jumping and playing with his canine sister, Lily, a pointer mix. Thankfully, his owners were present to hear his cry and help him as he struggled to use his right front leg. They quickly rushed to calm him, keep him from struggling and, of course, keep Lily from worrying over him!
After a night of cage rest, Tucker was doing better, but his owners understood that he needed to go to his veterinarian for x-rays. Because he is a Great Dane and because of the symptoms the owners described, the veterinarian was very concerned about a condition known as Wobbler’s Syndrome. It is complex, so it can go by several other more accurate descriptive terms such as; Cervical Vertebral Instability, Cervical Vertebral Malformation-Mal-articulation Syndrome or
Caudal Cervical Spondylomyelopathy
On May 17, 2011, we underwent an intensive review by the American Animal Hospital Association.
The Gardner Animal Care Center is proud to announce that we passed our evaluation and are honored to be an accredited member of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Our accreditation demonstrates our commitment to the highest standards of veterinary care. AAHA regularly evaluates our hospital to ensure that we comply with the association’s standards for facilities, equipment, and quality procedures. AAHA standards are recognized around the world as the benchmark for quality care in veterinary medicine. Please watch this video to learn more.
Along with the arrival of warm weather, Mother Nature annually re-introduces large populations of bugs. Spring is an active period for many pests, including the pesky blood-sucking tick.
Ticks are the carrier for Lyme Borreliosis, more commonly known as Lyme disease. This illness, transmitted by tick-borne bacteria, affects dogs, horses and humans. Recent reports reflect an increase of human-diagnosed Lyme disease in certain areas of North America.
Are Lyme Disease numbers for dogs on the rise as well?
Lyme disease is named after the town of Lyme, Connecticut where it was reported in epidemic proportions in the mid-1970s. This disease has been diagnosed in people since 1975 and dogs since 1984. Although the disease is more prevalent in Lyme vectors along the Eastern coastline, it has been diagnosed in all 50 states.
Certain tick species transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. The most common species in North America are the black-legged (deer) tick and the western black-legged tick.
Lyme disease affects animals differently, with some showing no signs of being affected. Others manifest symptoms like: lethargy, joint pain, limping, lymph node swelling and fever. Lyme disease symptoms typically do not show up in dogs until 2-5 months after infection.
For many years we have been fighting a battle against heartworms. We have great products on our side to prevent this disease, but recent findings about heartworm resistance have many pet owners and veterinarians concerned.
Is it possible that heartworms are winning the war?
Heartworm disease has been known to veterinarians for more than 120 years. The heartworms are transmitted from any of more than 70 known species of mosquito, and the disease attacks the pulmonary arteries and right side of the heart in dogs. Heartworms are spread directly to the dog from the mosquito, with no dog-to-dog transmission.
For more than 4 decades, heartworm disease has been effectively prevented in dogs by using available products. But recent research indicates this might be changing. At a veterinary conference in 2010, information was released detailing a genetic mutation in heartworms that appears to confer slight resistance to current preventives. Anecdotal reports in the last 4-5 years also point toward an increase in heartworm prevention product failures in the Mississippi delta region of the U.S.
While lack of efficacy (LOE) to heartworm preventives remains geographically limited, research is ongoing to determine the extent of this problem. Historically, the LOE was attributed to poor owner compliance in the geographic area, the effects of Hurricane Katrina, increased heartworm numbers within the mosquito vector, and/or the increased sensitivity of heartworm testing.
Two prominent veterinary groups, the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) and American Heartworm Society (AHS) concluded at a recent council strategy session that most credible reports of LOE are geographically limited at this time. In addition, the extent of this problem is not truly known.
Pet owners are passionate about finding ways to help relieve pain in their older, arthritic dogs or lessen the discomfort of a pet with cancer. Veterinarians are now using a high tech solution that just might surprise you. We continue to explore this option at the Gardner Animal Care Center.
Whether used to blow up the Death Star or vaporize Romulans, most people view lasers as something destructive. Even in surgery, lasers can be used like scalpels to remove unwanted tissue or seal blood vessels with their intense heat. So, it may come as a surprise to learn that lasers are now being used to help heal wounds or provide pain relief for arthritic pets!
Photobiomodulation is the fancy word that describes how a laser is used to stimulate cells in an animal’s body. Unlike a surgical laser that uses a high energy output, lasers used to heal and relieve pain use a lower wattage. Although the actual mechanism is not known, advocates of “cold laser” theorize that the laser light stimulates the cells to increase production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the molecule that helps provide energy for cellular function. The added energy seems to encourage the healing process.
Even though using lasers in this way is relatively new, the first notation of its potential was seen more than 40 years ago. A Hungarian scientist testing laser effects on skin cancers saw that hair grew back more rapidly on the backs of shaved mice when a laser was applied. Fast forward four decades and low level lasers have been used for everything from combating hair loss to tattoo removal. Even the FDA has approved the use of therapy lasers, although it is still considered experimental. And, most insurance companies won’t cover any kind of laser therapy.
Dental month is now over but dentistry is important throughout the year. Veterinarians have long told pet lovers about the importance of good dental care. However, danger is lurking. Conscientious pet owners are being misled by aggressive marketing of a ‘fad’ option, “Non-Anesthesia Pet Dentistry” (NAPD).
This trend, using unlicensed and unsupervised individuals, advocates non-anesthetic techniques that may actually be harmful to pets.
Statistics from the American Veterinary Dental Society report at least 80% of pets by age three show signs of periodontal (gum) disease.
Good dental hygiene should start at home. A healthy oral regimen includes brushing, good dental diets, dental chew materials, and other effective techniques to retard accumulation of dental plaque.
This regimen should be augmented with regular dental exams by a licensed veterinarian. According to American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), dental exams for cats and small dogs should start at one year of age and large-breed dogs at two years.
While the concept of a non-anesthetic dental initially appears to make sense, a pet dental exam without anesthesia is purely cosmetic in nature. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s been said that “eyes are the windows to the soul” and certainly when you look into the eyes of your beloved pets, you can see the affection and loyalty reflected there. Unfortunately, some owners look deep into their pet’s eyes and see problems. While I was in school, I took extra rotations in ophthalmology. I found the eyes to be an interesting system and even contemplated doing a residency in veterinary ophthalmology. Today, I have a strong interest in the eye cases that come into our hospital. However, there are some eye conditions that require a special touch. As a result, when your pet’s vision is at stake, veterinary ophthalmologists stand ready to take action!
