Vet Wisdom® Café

Canines, Cats, and Confidence

A new study has been getting a lot of media attention lately.

It seems pet owners have higher self-esteem and are less fearful and preoccupied than those who don't live with pets.

So, no more thinking of us as crazy cat ladies or wacky dog people! Now, we're the sane ones!

Dr. Allen McConnell, the lead researcher for the study, says people who are close to their pets are also closer to their friends and relatives. In other words, pet people make relationships a high priority and solid relationships are correlated with better mental health.

A surprising outcome of Dr. McConnell's study is that the people who saw the most humanlike qualities in their pets got the most benefit from their relationships.

So, go ahead and anthropomorphize (assign human qualities, behaviors, and emotions) your pets to your heart's content! It's good for you!

--Laurel

Are Guidelines for Pet Parents a Good Idea?

Every once in a while, I'm surprised by someone I think I know fairly well. And, what usually surprises me is their attitude about pets, or animals, in general.

My surprise comes when the person reveals a belief that animals are merely on the planet for our use or enjoyment and are certainly "disposable" or "replaceable," if need be.

I encountered such a person a couple of weeks ago, just after I read a blog by Dr. Nancy Kay (author of Speaking for Spot).  Dr. Kay's blog was about the new AVMA Guidelines for Responsible Pet Ownership. While I was reading the blog, I found my inner cynic awakening.

"Gee, aren't we past the time when people who live with pets need to be reminded how to treat them?" I asked myself.

Then, I heard my acquaintance tell another friend that she had packed her dogs off to the pound because she no longer had the energy to deal with them. They had become, in her words, "liabilities, rather than assets."

Well, apparently we do need some Guidelines!

I know these Guidelines are enforceable, but, if everyone considering the adoption of a pet or currently living with a pet would abide by them, we'd have fewer animals in shelters, veterinarians who could afford to stay in business, and pet parents who would survive their pets guilt and regret free.

Guidelines include:

• Committing to the relationship for the entire life of the pet(s).
• Establishing and maintaining a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
• Recognizing declines in the pet(s) quality of life and making decisions in consultation with a veterinarian regarding appropriate end-of-life care (e.g. palliative care, hospice, euthanasia).

Check out the entire list of Guidelines on the AVMA website.

And, then let us know what you think about them. Based on your experiences, what would you add? 

--Laurel

Release the Chipmunks!

 

“All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on."  --Henry Ellis

About a week ago, Tammy wrote about realizing that her grumpy cat Oscar was aging.  She described her feelings of anxiety about it and the solution she found to deal with it, which is to spend time now cuddling with and paying attention to Oscar, rather than regretting those missed opportunities later.

This post got me thinking about regrets that might lie in my future.  So I did something bold.

I gave my dog Bear his chipmunks.

You see, two Christmases ago, I gave Bear the best doggie toy he'd ever seen.  It's a furry tree stump with three holes in it.  Inside, snuggled into their "nest", are three stuffed chipmunks.  The idea is that a dog will spend hours figuring out how to get these little rodents out of their nest. This struggle is meant to entertain your dog and keep him busy and happy for hours on end.

Of course, it took Bear about 2 minutes to retrieve all three chipmunks, rip a little leg off each one, and gut them of those wonderful squeaky spheres that lie inside.  After all, it's the squeaky plastic bulb that is the true toy for a dog!

Since Bear had ruined his new toy before I could even get my camera out to record him, I quickly threw away the squeakers, tucked the chipmunks back into their tree, and hid the toy in a drawer.  My plan was to give it to Bear again only when I had time to closely supervise him.  After all, I didn't want the chipmunks shredded beyond repair!

Two years have passed and Tammy's blog made me realize that Bear is aging, too.  I had a vision of coming upon these chipmunks one day in the future, after Bear has passed on, and wondering why I had deprived him of this great toy.

What am I waiting for?  Why am I treating this toy as more special than my beloved dog?

Right then, I knew that Bear needs a little chipmunk cheer in his daily life. 

So, thanks to Tammy, the chipmunks are out and are being lovingly carried all over the house by a very happy Bear and his little buddy Beau.  Compared to Bear, who is a 100-pound plus Chesapeake Bay retriever, the chipmunks are tiny and can be almost entirely hidden inside his mouth. Just the tip of a tail hangs out.

I've rarely seen him happier than when he has a chipmunk in his mouth.

And I've learned a good lesson about preventing pet regrets. (Pictured is my daughter Kaia, with Bear)

--Laurel

Burying a Pet

I have been thinking about this subject lately. At this point, my kitties are all OK and still with us. (Henry is still scrawny, but eating, and more like himself!)

But, since we have moved again, I've thought about what I would do if or when one of our cats dies. I'm not typically overly sentimental about a pet's body after it has died. I have never chosen to have a pet cremated and ashes returned to me. While living in Colorado at my little place in the country, I did bury my Bear cat. There is a stone marker in the pasture where he rests. And when we euthanized our Miss Girl, she found a resting place there too.

Since that time, the house has been sold, and I don't know the owners of it anymore. I don't know if the markers for my cats remain in place or not. I think it is OK if they aren't there anymore. I know where they are buried, and I can still drive by and "say hi" when I visit Colorado. It is a little sad that I don't know who lives there now - and they'll likely never know that my kitties were buried there.

Now, as for the cats we have now - I just don't know what we'd do. We live in an apartment, so burying them near home obviously isn't an option (and can be illegal depending on where you live!) I know that there are pet cemetaries and memory gardens in many places. (There was one near where we lived in Oregon. I don't know if there is one here in California, but I would be surprised if there isn't.) I have mixed feelings - for myself - about doing that with my pets though.

I think I might choose to have them cremated, but then I'm not sure what I would do with the ashes. I love some of the urns that we carry at World by the Tail, but I don't know if I want that for myself. I know I don't have to know any of these answers now, but as our cats are all getting elderly (Oscar is 14 and Ben and Henry are both 10.) we may have to face decisions about this type of thing in the not-too-distant future.

Have you thought about what you would choose to do for a pet that is still living currently? Would you choose a pet cemetary? Or would you cremate them? Ashes back, or not? I'm interested to hear what your opinions and choices might be. We talk a lot about being prepared. I guess that's why I've thought about this. I don't want to be caught off guard in a new town, with no resources, if or when the time comes for me to bury a pet. (I know one thing for sure - I want a ClayPaws® print of each cat!)

--Tammy

Pet Parent Guilt

So, I would like to hear from you all. How do you deal with your guilty feelings surrounding your pets' health and well-being?

Since our move, Henry hasn't been doing very well. All year, we've been treating him for irritable bowel issues. He has stopped his daily vomit sessions, which is awesome! And up until right before our move, he was doing pretty good overall.

But, since right before the move, he has decided that eating is optional. I initially chalked it all up to stress from the obvious uproar of packing to move, and then moving... and then settling into our new house, etc. But, he hasn't completely come back around and has lost some weight.

I found a new veterinarian in our new town and we're trying some new things for him. But, we're having to choose to do a very minimalist approach to treatment because of money. We have none. We spent so much on this move, and my husband's paychecks are not rolling in yet for his new job. I HATE that money has to play such a role in our treatment decisions, but honestly, it has to.

Thankfully, the new veterinarian is very helpful, and pretty conservative in her suggestions, which I so appreciate! She has suggested a possible next course if he doesn't improve, but it involves a lot of testing (and therefore, a lot of money). For now, I'm not moving ahead with anything because Henry has started eating (without prompting!) and seems to be getting perkier. I'll need to take him back in soon to get another check and see where we do go from here.

So, while I know all about guilt in theory, and how to deal with it, it's quite different in practice! When it's my pet, and it's my money worries, it's harder! How do you deal with these issues surrounding your own pets? 

--Tammy

Pet Hospice Resources

As you hopefully know, we have created the Veterinary Wisdom® for Pet Parents website as a resource for pet parents, and for veterinary professionals to refer clients to for support, articles, and information.

On the home page, we will be rotating information to feature new areas of interest every few weeks. Right now, we are featuring information, articles, and links about Pet Hospice.

Hospice is a fairly new concept for pets and it is definitely something that pet parents are learning about, and is becoming more readily available as an option for pets. We're continuing to gather resources, but we have quite a few to offer now.

Hop on over to the home page, and you'll find useful links that make this information very easily accessible. As always, please let us know if you have other resources that we don't have listed. (Email me at webmaster@wbtt.com) We're always adding, updating, and changing our information to be as accurate and complete as possible!

--Tammy

Top Pet Toxins

I learn something new every day... and often many new things!

I came across an article on the ASPCA blog recently that talked about the top ten pet toxins for 2010. I was surprised at the list, so I thought I would share the list with you. Being aware of what your pets could get into in your home is a good idea. Pet-proofing a home may be just as important as child-proofing!

Here's the list:

1. Human medications: many over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can make pets very ill if they ingest them.
2. Insecticides: Always follow the directions on labels for insecticides. Using something on your pet that isn't specifically for a pet can be dangerous!
3. Rodenticides: Yes, mice can be pests, but the baits you use to kill them can be lethal to your pets! Use caution!
4. People food: There are many people foods that can be toxic to pets. Grapes, raisins, onions, to name just a few. Be cautious in sharing bites with your pets or leaving food where they can help themselves!
5. Veterinary medications: This one gave me pause. What? Why would veterinary medicines be toxic to pets. But then it's explained - they make these medicines so they taste good to pets, so sometimes pets will get ahold of meds and eat way more than they should because of the taste. Be sure you're keeping their medicines where they can't get into them!
6. Chocolate: Keep your emergency chocolate stash well away from where Buddy can get to it!
7. Household toxins: Cleaners, batteries, potpourri... many things can make pets sick. Be sure to keep things that might be harmful out of reach of your pets. Our Henry got sick because he liked to jump in the tub and lick the water off of the bottom after a shower. But the soap residue made him really sick... We learned our lesson to not allow that behavior!
8. Plants: Keep your houseplants up and away from where pets can chew on them. Lilies and sago palm, among others, can be deadly if ingested. (So posing your cute new, puppy with lilies as in the above picture? Probably not the best idea!)
9. Herbicides: Apparently, herbicides can taste salty so pets will lick at them. Be sure if you're using one to keep your pets away!
10. Outdoor toxins: Antifreeze, fertilizers, ice melt - common things that pets have ingested outside the house. If you use them outside, be sure that your area is clean and safe before allowing your pets out. Store extra supplies away from where pets can get to them.

Many on this list are common sense suggestions. But it bears repeating. To keep your pet safe, keep things on the list away from them or away from where they might have access to them. Better safe than sorry!

Have you experienced a pet getting ill from ingesting a toxin on this list? How do you handle keeping your house safe for your pets? (photo from dreamstime.com)

--Tammy

Time to See Jenny Craig?

Obesity, It's one of the biggest health issues for people today but did you know that it is a problem with our pets as well? The September issue of Veterinary Practice News estimates that 45% of dogs and 58% of cats are overweight or obese. Just as with people, this excessive weight can mean various weight related diseases, and even a shorter life span.

Just as with people, one of the biggest obstacles we face at the pet hospital around this issue is the notion that food = love. Many pet owners feel that the best way to express their love for their pet is by feeding him/her frequently (and often with very high fat food). Additionally, those who are trying to reduce their pet's weight often feel that they are "depriving" their companion of love by cutting back on their food. In reality, just the opposite is true...if pet owners want to show how much they love their pet, they should keep their pet at a healthy weight.

Do you think that there is a connection between overweight people and overweight pets? If so, why do you think this is the case? I'd like to hear your ideas. (photo from bigstockphoto.com)

--Dana

Related articles you might find helpful:

8 Tips for Making Decisions for Your Pet

What's In a Name?

One very cool benefit of owning a pet hospital is the opportunity to discover the variety of names people will give their pets. It's interesting and I've often found that many people put just as much thought into it as they do for their own human children. I enjoy the more unusual ones...the ones that make you go hmmmmm....!

Two of my personal favorites I've heard over the years were 2 dogs named "Cowbell" and "Tree Sap" (I'm not kidding here)! What about all of you? What is the most unusual name you've ever heard for a pet? How do you go about naming your pets? Let's share!

--Dana

Related products you might like:

I Love My Dog ClayPaws® Kits

I Love My Cat ClayPaws® Kits

The 3 Ps

Want to know what Mary Tyler Moore and  Patti LaBelle have in common with my neighbor's 7 year-old cat? Not sure? Well ....they all have Diabetes.

Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce any (or not enough) insulin necessary to regulate the body's blood sugar levels correctly. It can cause major health problems, complications with other illnesses, and in some extreme cases, even death. November is American Diabetes Month and it's important for pet owners to know that their pets can have diabetes just like people. (for more information visit Dr. Ruth MacPhee at www.mycathasdiabetes.com)

Recent studies show that  approximately 1 in every 300 dogs, and 1 in every 200 cats have diabetes (Type 2). Fortunately, just as with people, there are many effective ways to manage a pet's diabetes by working closely with a family veterinarian. There are some obvious symptoms that come with diabetes. Doctors in human and veterinary medicine advise people to look for "The 3 Ps):

        1. Polydipsia: excessive thirst

        2. Polyphagia: excessive eating

        3. Polyuria: excessive urinating

These, along with weight loss and lethargy are important signs which could indicate diabetes and it's essential to take the pet to a qualified veterinarian. Do any of you have (or had) a pet with diabetes? What else should people know about this disease? Please let us know.  (photo from bigstockphoto.com)

--Dana

Related articles you might find helpful:

8 Tips for Making Decisions for Your Pet

ClayPaws® Prints are Cherished Links to Pets

Fighting Like Cats and Dogs

And now directly from the odd but true category. We all know the old saying about "fighting like cats and dogs." Yet, as thousands of pet owners will tell you, there are countless cats and dogs out there that get along just fine. In fact, we have clients who swear that their dogs and cats believe that they're just one big happy family. Such is the case of one of our clients, a physician in Colorado Springs. The other day he came in with both his cat and his dog for exams and heart worm tests. Now these two "pals" are reportedly, the best of friends. They always get along and often find each other to snuggle or play. In fact, they get along so well no one ever worries when they're together. Well, I guess even the best of friends can have their off days.

Let me describe the next few events as best as I can....cat hears loud noise outside in waiting room and jumps off the exam room table to go hide underneath the bench. Dog is curious as to why cat jumped and decides to investigate why cat is hiding underneath bench. Dog pokes his nose under the table and cat responds with hissing, demonic guttural sounds that only a terrified kitty can make. Upon hearing this hissing, dog comes completely unglued and loses his mind turning into a wild, growling, and snarling beast trying to bite whatever he can get near.

Now right before this charming encounter, Steve and the client were happily chatting away about the upcoming football season. It wasn't until they saw a flash of teeth, fur, and claws did they realize that they had a little problem on their hands. Curious as to what happened next? Owner pulls dog off of the cat while veterinarian scoops up cat and takes him to another room. After both are checked throughly for injuries, dog and cat are then reunited in the front lobby of the hospital. Upon seeing each other, dog walks over to cat, wags his tail, and starts licking the cat in the face. Cat responds by rubbing his face against the dogs and starts to purr loudly. Go figure.

For all of you who have both dogs and cats, what have been your experiences? Do you think that dogs and cats just instinctually "dislike" each other or is it more about socialization? I'd like to hear your stories! (photo from Dreamstime.com)

--Dana

 

Catching Up on Culture

Dr. Alice Villalobos, a leading pioneer in veterinary medicine around pet death, grief support, and hospice support has a standing column every month in Veterinary Practice News  called "The Bond and Beyond." Her October column was a real eye opener as to how cultural differences can affect our bonds with our pets.

Dr. Villalobos has traveled to Japan several times. In her trips and experiences, she has come to learn that many Japanese pet lovers believe that their pet's spirit remains in the home after death. Family members interact with their deceased pet's spirit by thinking about the pet and communicating their thoughts and emotions. They also believe that their pet's spirit would be offended if they were to welcome another into into their lives and home. Subsequently, many Japanese pet owners never adopt a new animal after their other pets have died even though they desparately want to. 

It's sad to hear about how a cultural belief or custom can create additional emotional pain to the experience of death and grief. Do any of you know of different cultural/religious beliefs about pet death, grief, and the after life? I'd be curious to learn more.

--Dana

Pain...It's No Game

The August 2010 edition of Veterinary Practice News contains an article advising veterinarians to use multi-modal approaches to pain relief. This is a hot button issue and just like in human medicine, pain management has become a new and progressive specialty that many practitioners refer to. At our hospital, good pain management is and always has, been the law of the land.

When Steve was in veterinary school at CSU, he was fortunate to be taught by one of the nation's premiere pain management specialists, Dr. James Gaynor (who now has a pain management specialty hospital here in Colorado Springs). Dr. Gaynor would always tell his students that there are 4 Laws or Principles of Pain Relief: (these are posted in our back treatment area right next to the controlled substances cabinet)

1. Use a multi-modal approach to pain management

2. Use pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative pain relief (before, during, and after)

3. NEVER make your patients prove to you that they need pain relief.

4. Good pain relief is good medicine and good business.

As a pet owner, what expectations do you have for your veterinarian about your pet's pain? Do you think veterinary medicine as a whole does a good job of addressing this issue? How do they compare with human medicine? Your thoughts?

--Dana

A Garage Sale Encounter

Colorado Springs police officer Grisa was born in Ramsdorf Germany and is a highly respected member of the National Explosives Detection Team since 2007. When he's not working, officer Grisa enjoys camping, hiking with his family, and most of all... a rousing game of fetch! Did I mention that officer Grisa was born Nov. 27th, 2005 and that he weighs 78 pounds? Yes, officer Grisa is a German Shepherd who works for the Colo. Springs Police Airport K-9 Unit.

I met Grisa in a very unusual place...my garage. Perhaps I should explain. A few weeks ago, I held a week-end garage sale (prompted by a temporary wave of insanity and pathological need to punish myself). So, here I was arranging my lovely display of 30 year old books and fake flowers when through the corner of my eye, I see a large dog strolling through my garage. Now, given that we own a pet hospital and are surrounded by animals almost all the time, this didn't really startle me. What grabbed my attention was the voice of Officer Clint Schumm (Grisa'a partner and "dad")."Grisa...come here" his booming voice commanded. In a split second, Grisa was standing right next to Officer Schumm holding himself in an absolutely perfect "sit/stay" command.

"Can I learn how to do that with my dogs?" I asked enviously. Grisa was the sweetest and friendliest dog you could ever meet and yet with one simple command by his partner, I had the feeling that he would become "not so friendly" in a big hurry. Since I have met only a few  K-9 police officers over the years, I pestered Officer Schumm with dozens of annoying questions (he probably wishes that he could have just bought my old Star Trek DVD's and made a clean escape).

What did I learn from my encounter? I was struck by how much Grisa resembled any other dog on the block when he was "off duty." He politely licked my son's fingers after being given a dog cookie and wiggled his butt and wagged his tail at a toddler strolling by him. Yet, I also knew that Grisa was clearly not just any "other dog" on the block (nor was the relationship he has with his partner). It was obvious to me that Grisa and Clint have a very special and profound bond that's probably hard to describe to other people. Not only do these two work and live together, but they watch each other's back and are always ready to protect each other if the need arises. To learn more about Grisa, you can link to www.springsgov.com/news.aspx?newsid=237. (See a photo of Grisa here.)

As it turns out, Grisa has built a distinguished career of bomb detection, but has needed a few orthopedic surgeries as a result of "on the job" injuries. Although doing well, it looks like Grisa will be retiring next year to become a regular family dog in Officer Schumm's home. I'm not worried though... by looking at Grisa and his human partner together, I get the feeling that both couldn't be more pleased.

Have you ever met an animal police officer? I've always thought that the horses used for crowd control were always so beautiful (if big). What do you think is different about the bond between an animal and owner who "work" together? Is there a difference? Your thoughts please!

--Dana

School Blues

School is starting back all over the country. While there are a lot of tired parents out there who are relieved about this, there are probably a lot of pets going into mourning. It's a simple fact. Pets love summer...they love time at home with their humans and their "kids."

I have one friend who tells me that every start of the school year is very hard on their family dog saying "she mopes around the house acting all depressed and sad like she's doesn't know what to do." Do you think that pets get "depressed" when the children in the family go back to school? Are animals capable of this emotion?

At our house, I think my dogs are quite bummed that my kids are back in school. Now, they're stuck with just me and I can't even begin to match the energy level of my two healthy, active, and adventurous children! Oh well, they'll just have to settle with taking naps with me instead! (photo from bigstockphoto.com)

--Dana

Kids Will Be Kids

As any parent knows...kids will be kids. A bit of childish mischief and larceny is expected. But what about our other "kids?" Yesterday, a friend asked me what types of problems are most commonly see at our hospital during the summer months. Snake bites and ticks, of course. Heart worm, ringworm, and other parasites...you know it. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and "sport injuries"...that too. But what do you think about  squabbles with your friends at summer camp? 

Like most summers, we've been seeing pets with injuries caused by fights with other animals (usually at a boarding facility, doggy camp, or some other "day care" center). This makes sense because the summer months are when most of us take family vacations. However, I've noticed something odd about this summer...so far we've seen almost DOUBLE the number of pets (mostly dogs) injured from fights than what we saw last year. I don't have an explanation. We've always provided emergency medical care for several "day care" facilities in our community but it seems like we've seen an explosion of fights these past few weeks.

The reasons...there's likely a bunch. Maybe dogs and cats get cranky on really hot days like we've been having. Maybe more and more facilities are allowing animals interact with each other but lack the proper training or knowledge to keep fights at a minimum. It would be interesting to know if other veterinary hospitals in town or other places have seen this same trend.

What do you think? Are there any other reasons you can think of to explain this increase? What kind of experiences have you had with your own pets at "day care" or a boarding facility? What do you look for with pet sitters? Would any of your own pets possibly cause a bit of mischief (or have they)? Let's talk about these naughty kids! (photo from bigstockphoto.com)

--Dana

Summertime Safety Part 2

We've talked about it before...the lazy days of summer. What a wonderful time for us and our pets. Yet, with increased activity and more time outdoors, our pets are also more vulnerable to harm. Last time, I gave you a list of potential toxins commonly found in "summer" products. Today, we're going to cover physical injuries often seen during the summer months. So away we go:

• Cuts, lacerations, and severed tendons on the paws caused by lawn edging
• Torn knee, leg, and joint ligaments from excessive jumping, running, or hiking 
• Broken bones from falls or accidents
• Rattlesnake bites and other venomous snakes and insects
• Other unfortunate encounters with wildlife such as porcupines, skunks, and predatory animals (particularly with small pets)
• Eye, nose, and ear injuries sustained from poking the head into bushes or holes
• Dehydration and heat stroke during very hot weather
• Health problems from parasites such as mosquitoes, heart worm, tics, and fleas (while these are not injuries, they still pose significant threats during the summer months)

So how do you keep your pet safe while still enjoying your summer? Let's go with what every mom in the universe has done for her own human children:

• Create a first aid kit: items such as ointments, gauze pads, styptic powder (stops bleeding from cut toenails), saline, isoprophyl alcohol, iodine, hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting), towels, tweezers, scissors, and muzzle

• Make a list of pet emergency contacts: these can include your own veterinarian, overnight emergency hospitals, the ASPCA Poison Control Center, and the local humane society in your area
  
• Make a list of pet emergency contacts: these can include your own veterinarian, overnight emergency care, the ASPCA Poison Control Center, and the local humane society in your area
  
• Signed authorization to permit emergency medical treatment at boarding facilities, pet sitters, and pet daycare "camps" 

Have I overlooked anything else? Just like before, I welcome any of your ideas and suggestions. Now let's all go out and have a wonderful summer with our pets. (photo from istockphoto.com)

--Dana

Summertime Safety

Summer is nearly upon us and that's good news for our companion animals. It means longer days, camping trips, hikes, playing  ball in the backyard, and generally enjoying the relaxing "dog days" of summer. However, summertime can also mean increased dangers to our pets. These dangers can include poisoning from toxic plants/flowers/insecticides, and poisoning from household products/foods.

Imagine this...I'm having a barbecue party with friends in my back yard. We're grilling burgers, playing croquet, and soaking up the summer weather. While I'm distracted with serving potato salad, I don't see one of my dogs munching on grapes that my kids accidentally dropped on our deck. "Uh Houston...we have a problem" (grapes are highly toxic and even a few can cause significant kidney damage).

Luckily, the ASPCA has made a list of the top 10 poisons dangerous to our pets: (www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control)

1.Human medications. Last year, over 45,000 calls were received by the ASPCA poison control center involving a pet accidentally ingesting a human medication (acetaminophen and cats for example...NOT a good scene).

2. Insecticides

3. "People" food such as grapes, raisins, avocados, baker's chocolate (or any food containing methylxanthines), and any food with the sugar substitute xylitol

4. Plants such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and Lilies

5. Misuse of veterinary medications

6. Rodenticides

7. Household cleaners including bleaches, detergents, and disinfectants

8. Heavy metals like lead, zinc, and mercury found in paint, linoleum, and lead dust

9 Garden products such as fertilizers and products that accelerate and enhance flower growth

10. Chemical hazards such as ethylene glycol (found in engine antifreeze/coolant), paint thinners, pool/spa chemicals, and drain cleaners. 

Can anyone think of some other possible toxins for our pets? I welcome your ideas and suggestions!

P.S. Hey folks, a few days after writing this post, I realized that the  list of "people food" hazards was incomplete. I also need to include:

• Leeks, onion, garlic, and chives (large amounts can cause red blood cell destruction
• Caffeine (it affects the animal's metabolism in damaging ways)
• Yeast  or any type of dough with yeast in it (the yeast grows in the stomach causing it to distend and sometimes twist...this is known as "GDV-" gastric dilitation and volvulas and can be fatal)
• Fatty foods like butter, meat scraps, and grease (can cause severe pancreatitis)
• Alcohol (animals have trouble metabolizing it)

Glad we got those in there...let's protect our pets!

(photo from Dreamstime.com)

--Dana

Celebrating Pet Parent Day!

So, we just found out that there's a holiday out there we thought you should know about and celebrate!

It seems that this Sunday, April 25 is national Pet Parent Day! It is a day to celebrate people who care for pets - mother's get a day, as do father's, so people who have pets should get a day too! I don't call my pets my children, but they really are (I don't have children, so kitties it is!) I'm going to see if I can get Henry, Ben, and Oscar to let me sleep in on Sunday!

We thought, in honor of Pet Parents, we would offer you, our blog readers, a weekend long sale! What better way to celebrate Pet Parenthood than treating yourself to something memorable from our pet parent website? Spend some time shopping - for yourself or for a friend, and take a 10% discount off of your entire order! You might pick up a pocket paw print stone or two, or start that scrapbook of your pet you've been thinking about! Or how about splurging on a handmade (limited edition) silver paw-in-hand pin?

Visit the store at www.veterinarywisdomforpetparents.com/store.htm. When you are ready to checkout, use the coupon code PP100423 to take your discount! (There is a box on the cart page to fill in the code.) And once you're done shopping, enjoy the celebration of Pet Parent Day! You care for your pets every day all year, so celebrate that bond this weekend! (The coupon is good all weekend, starting today, so go shop before it expires at the end of the day on Sunday!)

(photo from bigstockphoto.com)

--Laurel, Tammy, Dana, and everyone at World by the Tail, Inc.

AWAREness Is The Key

As many of you know, I write frequently about on-line pharmacies and the potential dangers they pose to the health of our pets if they are unsupervised or mismanaged. Well, I'm happy to tell you that the U.S. FDA has now created a brochure for pet owners outlining the safe and appropriate use of online pharmacies.

This brochure contains excellent suggestions for pet owners wanting to purchase medications online (and I'm sure will help veterinary practice owners sleep better at night). They encourage the following guidelines using the acronym A W A R E:

Ask your veterinarian what he/she thinks about a particular on-line pharmacy before buying medications there. While it's true that purchasing some medications online can save you time and money, your pet's health should always be the number one priority. If you work together with your veterinarian, your pet will benefit. Be careful with pharmacy sites that do not require a prescription or will continue to refill medications even when the prescribing veterinarian has declined the refill. For certain medications, there's an important medical reason to decline the refill (the pet's health status must be evaluated periodically by physical exams or blood panels). Most veterinarians will allow refills for up to  6 months (although there are exceptions for many drugs). Also, beware of sites that have no physical address or are not located in the U.S.

Watch for red flags. Things to look for include: pharmacies that send unusual looking, broken, or previously opened bottles; medications with a different name than the one prescribed; and any other things that seem unusual.

Ask about the pharmacy's accreditation. Before purchasing, check to see if the pharmacy follows the guidelines for accreditation. They must be accredited by Vet Vipps (Veterinary Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites).

Report any problems with a medication and any suspicious behavior to the FDA. Accredited online pharmacies are required to follow certain protocols and this includes monitoring a medicine's side effects or other problems.

Educate yourself about online pharmacies. The good news is that by reading this blog, you've already done just that! Do any of you have other ideas or things to look for? I'm curious.

Obviously, following these guidelines won't eliminate all potential dangers completely but it's certainly a giant step in the right direction. Isn't it great when you can let go of some of your stress and worry (even a small amount)? Whew!.... I feel better already!

--Dana

The Power of Pee

Is anyone out there in the mood to talk about pee with me? I know....it's probably not a topic you discuss on a daily basis (unless you're 3 years old). However, pee is really important when it comes to our pet's health. By analyzing a dog or cat's urine, the veterinarian can learn all sorts of important information. It can be a vital part of good preventative medicine and helps the doctors keep your pet healthy as long as possible. The tricky part comes when we need to convey this and educate our pet owners about pee (we call it the "Pee Talk").

Here is one time when thinking about one's own medical care helps us to educate pet owners. We use the medical model because most of us have had their urine tested at some point in our life (for all sorts of things) so we understand the importance and we can all relate.

A recent AAHA newsbrief contains a terrific description of the value of urine and the many different ways to collect it. If we can educate an owner about the power of pee, we are much more likely to catch a medical problem early on which always makes the prognosis that much better. If you're interested, you can visit the following link. Feeling hesitant? You can do it...simply remind yourself that testing pee is good veterinary medicine. I'm curious, what do all of you out there think about this "pee stuff?"

--Dana

The Wow Factor

Yes, it's true...American Idol has started it's new season. That's good news at our household as we always enjoy "family time" when we watch the show. As always, the first few weeks of the show highlight the auditions (where you can also observe a cornucopia of mental illnesses). For those with actual talent, I would imagine that the audition process is intimidating and quite overwhelming.

These contestants have a mere 5 minutes or so to make a positive impression on the judges. How do you "wow" someone in 5 minutes? You've got to have a good voice of course, but what else can you do to get noticed or be remembered (other than walking around naked)? It suddenly dawned on me that we also must "wow" clients coming to our hospital in a very short time span. Studies show that first impressions are powerful. If the first encounter is rough, it's very hard to get a second one. So...how do you make the most of those first few minutes?

There are the obvious things...a clean, uncluttered lobby, a warm environment, and friendly people, but I wonder what else pet owners look for in choosing a veterinarian? Most of the time, a client's first impression of us occurs before they even meet the doctor. Those precious few minutes are important (especially in our city where veterinary hospitals are practically tripping over each other).

My question to you is: how do you impress a pet owner in just a few minutes? What kinds of things should be done to stand out? I welcome your ideas (now is your chance to be Simon Cowell)!

--Dana

Walgreens or an Animal Shelter?

Okay so this is not a real shocker...but the American Medical Association has officially prescribed "walking a dog" as a treatment for seniors with physical limitations, depression, and even boredom. We all know that animals can help improve our lives. This most recent recommendation from the AMA just convinces me more.

A study conducted at the University of Mississippi tested 87 seniors who reported having "mild health problems." Half of the seniors were given weekly counseling sessions with a nutritionist and a physical therapist while the other half took a dog for a walk every day. The results showed that those seniors who walked dogs had significantly less physical problems and lower depression rates. (I read about this study in my local newspaper, the Colorado Springs Gazette.)

Although this is just one study and the methodology is unclear, this finding only reinforces my belief that pets enrich our lives on multiple levels. They comfort us, offer unconditional love, and help us get the most of life. One of the researchers doing the study theorizes that seniors benefit physically because they are exercising every day and tend to walk longer and faster when walking with a dog than when walking by themselves.

Another wonderful outcome of this study is that all the dogs taken for daily walks were living in animal shelters. By taking them for a regular outings, their quality of life also improved and there was a decrease in their anxious behaviors such as whining, scratching, and crying. Wouldn't it be great if every animal shelter in the country partnered with senior centers for a project like this? What are your thoughts?

--Dana

Pet Health Insurance...A Good Idea?

According to the December, 2009 edition of Veterinary Practice News, more than nine out of 10 (94%) pet owners know that pet insurance exists but are likely to avoid buying plans because of cost concerns. An online survey conducted by the marketing firm LePoideven Rickinger Group, polled 800 veterinary professionals and 4,600 pet owners to determine their awareness of pet insurance.

One of the most significant findings was the relatively high number of veterinarians who had no opinion (or a low opinion) of the facts of pet insurance (40% of veterinarians surveyed do not recommend pet health insurance). Pet health insurance has gained popularity over the last few years, but it's still fairly uncommon and somewhat controversial.

Those who endorse pet insurance see it as a way to help save a pet's life by allowing the owner to avoid decisions based solely on "economic euthanasia." This sounds appealing, but there are also people who worry that the proliferation of pet health insurance would change veterinary medicine (and NOT for the better). Many  worry that health insurance would make veterinary costs sky-high and become out of control (just as in human medicine). Also, veterinarians worry about these insurance companies dictating for them what treatments they can provide for their patients.

I can see both sides of the pet health insurance debate. What about you? Do any of you have pet health insurance and if so, what are your opinions and experiences? Would you recommend it to other pet owners? What do you think?

--Dana

An Abuse of Authority?

One of the nurses at our pet hospital had a bad day last week...a very bad day. It seems like such an outrageous story that I felt I had to share it with all of you. Our nurse was driving through Denver (she lives here in Colorado Springs) to go visit some friends. Traveling with her in the car was her 10 month-old pit bull puppy that she had recently adopted. As she drove along the highway through Denver, a police officer pulled her over, made her get out of the car, and proceeded to do one of the most outrageous things I've ever heard.

As many of you know, Denver has a ban on pit bulls so that no one in the city limits are allowed to own or have a pit bull dog. Apparently, this law was enough for this officer to fine her $250.00 dollars for her "criminal activity" (she tried to explain that she did not live in Denver and was simply driving through but he would hear none of it). After treating her like a criminal and writing her a citation, he called the Denver Humane Society and violently dragged her terrified puppy out of her car (using a rabies pole no less). He then confiscated the dog and told her that she would have to pay an additional fine to get her dog back (after a minimum 3-day waiting period at the humane society). Mind you, this puppy was doing absolutely nothing but cowering in the back of the car (he wasn't barking or being threatening in any way).

After three days and several fines, she was finally able to get her dog back and brought him home here to the Springs. However, she still must appear in court and pay any court fees that may apply. I don't know about you, but this seems like such an outrageous abuse of authority. It's almost as if this officer decided to mess around with this woman just so that he could write her a ticket. I felt pretty upset after hearing her story and started thinking about the times when we've visited my Mother in Denver with our pit bull dog in the car. I don't see how driving through Denver with a mild-mannered puppy who isn't bothering a soul constitutes a serious crime.

What do all of you think? Have you ever heard about something like this before? What would you do in this situation and what should our employee do when she appears in court? I'm interested in your thoughts!

--Dana

Cars For Fido and Fluffy

Four paws up for Honda automakers! It appears that Honda has created a new model designed specifically for animal lovers. Among other things, this car is equipped with an array of pet friendly accessories (such as a rear kennel, a pet bed, a spill resistant water bowl, and even an electric fan)!

This new Honda, the "Element EX" is now being advertised at select car companies across the country and Honda executives expect this car to sell well (see DVM360 for more details). 

What do you all think about this idea? Would you spend extra money for a car that has pet friendly features? If so, what kind of features would you like to have? Let's share your ideas!

--Dana

Breathing Easier

I've certainly had cats on my mind lately and I've got some great news! I just finished reading an article about a possible cure for feline asthma in one of the latest online veterinary journals (AAHA NewStat 10/28/09). Apparently, 1%-5% of all cats suffer from feline asthma (that translates into 4.1 million cats!) This can be a very serious disease and is potentially fatal so it's good to hear about the progress they're making.

The funding for this research comes from the Morris Animal Foundation. They provide essential funding to veterinary schools all over the country for the advancement of animal medicine. This latest study conducted by Carol Reinero, DVM, DACVM, PhD looks to be quite promising.

Have any of you had cats afflicted with feline asthma? If so, how did it affect your relationships with them and their quality of life? Once again, I ask you cat lovers to send us your thoughts!

--Dana

Lost and Found

If you were to look at the nightstand by my bed, you'd see a messy pile of magazines, books, newspapers, other articles, and chocolate bar wrappers (my kids affectionately refer to it as "Mom's Mess'). Well...I was skimming through "Mom's Mess" the other day and found an article about advances in returning lost animals to their owners using microchip technology.

The November edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) gives details about how the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is launching a startup company that will help reunite lost animals with their families. Many of us are already familiar with the process of micro chipping and the companies which provide these services (American Kennel Club's Companion Animal Recovery, Intervet/Schering-Plough's HomeAgain, Bayer's resQ, and Datamars' PetLink.)

Although this micro chipping process has certainly helped reunite many lost pets with their owners, the system is far from perfect. Data bases can be incomplete, and many of them are not updated on a regular basis. Currently, microchip providers in the U.S. offer about half a dozen major registries in which pet owners can enter information. What AAHA wants to do is establish one single source for recovering information from microchip registries. The hope is that this will create many more happy endings for reuniting pets and their families.

What are your thoughts about using microchips for our pets? Do many of you have your animals micro-chipped and do you think it gives people a false sense of security? I'm interested in your thoughts.

--Dana

*If you're interested in learning more about this issue, you can visit AAHA's website: www.petmicrochiplookup.org. You can also learn more by visiting www.checkthechip.com.  

Viral Vexations

Ah yes...the H1N1 Flu virus...a topic that is practically impossible to ignore. No matter where you look, everyone and every place is concerned about it. Well, we now need to add veterinary medicine in the group. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) confirmed that last week, a cat in Iowa tested positive for the H1N1 virus. While it's been known that the virus can live in other animals like pigs, birds, and ferrets, this is the first anyone has heard of a cat being afflicted. Supposedly, the cat is doing well and the prognosis is excellent, but the story is creating a bit of a panic (as this virus tends to do).

Kimberly May, (DMV, MS, DACVS) at the AVMA has confirmed "it is possible for the virus to spread to other animals and possibly to other people." However, she encourages people to "not panic" since it's still much more more likely to contract the virus from another person rather than from an animal.

Has anyone else heard about other animals (such as dogs) having the virus? What do you think this means for us pet lovers? Let's talk!

--Dana

P.S. I've also heard that some ferrets in Oregon have tested positive for H1N1 this week. So, stay away from the ferrets in your neighborhood Tammy!

Safety Versus Freedom

Snakes are in the news! Is it a crime to own a dangerous reptile or poisonous snake? The October online edition of the American Animal Hospital Association's Newstat says that this could soon be the case. A new proposal is being sent to congress to ban the ownership of "venomous reptiles and other animals of concern" (such as snakes).

Personally, I believe that animals like rattlesnakes, cobras, and poisonous salamanders should NOT be living in someone's home anyway. Over the years, we've had a few people call our hospital wanting us to treat their rattlesnakes and other poisonous pets (one man even wanted us to examine his scorpion). We always refer these people to a veterinary zoologist, but I worry about their safety in having such a pet in the first place.

What do you all think? Should people be forbidden to own dangerous animals and if so, is it appropriate for the the government to make it a crime? What about the people who own wolf hybrids? What are your thoughts about the line between freedom of choice and public safety?

--Dana

A Good Dose Of Job Security

In today's economic climate, almost every business in the country is experiencing difficult times. I was happy then to read about an economic study conducted by "Packaged Facts: a unit of Market Research Group in New York.* According to this study, the overall US market for pet care services will grow annually by about 9 percent and exceed 34 billion by 2013.

That growth is faster than the annual 7 percent rate in the past five years during which the market grew from 17.1 billion in 2004 to 22.7 billion in 2008. The study also says that veterinary services account for 75 percent of the overall pet care services market and is expected to lead growth in the overall market.

This seems logical since veterinary care is the most essential type of service compared to services such as grooming, training, and boarding. I wonder though if the improvement of emotional support in veterinary care is also a reason for this good news? When money is tight, people are probably willing to pay for a service as long as they believe that service is of good quality medically and emotionally.

What kinds of things do you predict for the field of veterinary medicine economically and otherwise? Do you think good communication makes or breaks a business in a slow economy? Let's hear from you!

--Dana

*Source (Veterinary Practice News, September 2009, Page 5).

Hedgehog Happenings

Last week, the Clarion Hotel in Colorado Springs was the place to be if you are in to quills. Yes indeed, The Rocky Mountain Hedgehog Show was held with over 50 people in attendance. I've written about hedgehogs before...they are favorite pets of children and very interesting animals. Obviously, children aren't the only ones who love these curious little creatures.

The Hedgehog show featured the same things you would find at a dog or cat show. There was a costume contest, agility contest, best in appearance, and at the end of the day, a ceremony for hedgehogs that have died (which is very cool in my opinion). My one question though...how do you test for agility in a hedgehog?

What do you all think about hedgehogs in general. Have any of you had hedgehogs as pets and what were your experiences? I've never had a hedgehog so I would love to hear from all the hedgehog enthusiasts out there!

--Dana

All in the Family

I recently saw an article in the newspaper that predicted in 20-30 years, small veterinary practices will be a thing of the past (presumably swallowed up by the big companies like Veterinary Centers of America). Obviously, as co-owner of a small practice, this prediction is worrisome. However, even if you take the monetary issues out of the eequation, I wonder if these massive veterinary hospitals can offer the same type of personal touch a local veterinarian does.

With human medical care, the notion of a "family doctor" already seems to be dying out in today's world of specialists and insurance requirements. Some people welcome the change, but I wonder how losing your neighborhood veterinarian would affect pet owners and their pets? We always talk about how relationships are the key to a successful businesses, but it can be pretty hard to develop a personal relationship with a practice that has 50 doctors on staff.

How do you think human medical care has changed now that family doctors are few and far between? You can certainly make the argument that the larger, more specialized hospitals can provide the most advanced services, but can't the family doctor provide this too? What about the benefit gained from the doctor knowing his/her patient's medical/life history? It's an interesting question. Does successful medical care require a good relationship with the doctor? I'm curious to know your thoughts.

--Dana

A Skunk In The House

Many veterinarians will tell you that one of the best parts about their job is that they get to see a variety of animals. Over the last 10 years since we've owned our veterinary practice, we've made of list of the most unusual patients we have seen (our list includes snakes, lizards, various types of rodents, and even a squirrel)!

Well, we can now add skunk to the list! I know that this is not earth shattering news...there are quite a few people out there who own skunks...we've just never seen one at our hospital. If you can take away the odor problem and the potential for rabies, it sounds like skunks can make very nice pets but I have some doubts I think it's wonderful when people have connections with animals, but I'm not quite sure how to draw the line with wild animals.

I'm curious about your thoughts...what is an acceptable pet and what isn't? Is there such a thing? Is the size of the animal the determining factor? Over the years, I've known people who have owned bears, wolves, chinchillas, and wild cats (tigers and lions). Should people own these types of animals and what issues are created? Let's hear you. (Photo from metro.co.uk)

--Dana

"Dr." Groomer

Let me start out right now telling you that groomers as a whole, are terrific people and work hard at what they do. They care about their clients and their pets. However, we occasionally have difficult days when a groomer has "diagnosed" a problem with a pet and the owner comes in telling us what treatment must be done.

Groomers, animal behaviorists, trainers, and animal care specialists certainly have experience working with animals and have knowledge that exceeds the average person. They can alert an owner about a change in their animal's coat or other problems. But...it is a bad situation when a client comes to us saying that the groomer has decided her dog has cardiac problems (this happened just last week). ???? How would the groomer come by that conclusion? That's a pretty bold statement and seems out of bounds to me. What's worse is that the client often believes the groomer even to the point where they argue with the veterinarian about the diagnosis. I'm sorry, but this makes about enough sense as it does for me to consult my hairstylist about my cancer treatment. It just seems weird but it happens more frequently than you think.

Because owners are loyal to their groomers, it can be very difficult to convince clients that their groomer is incorrect about advice they've given (especially with dermatological problems). It's also frustrating because the pet is the one who suffers the most. It would be so much easier and save a lot of time and heartache if groomers refrained from diagnosing medical problems all together.

Opinions everyone...what are your thoughts about this? If there are any professional groomers or animal care specialists out there to lend us your opinions? I welcome your ideas and feedback! (photo from bigstockphoto.com)

--Dana

A Rock And A Hard Place

Anyone who has ever owned or worked at a veterinary hospital has faced this dilemma...

We have a client who is very kind, conscientious, and cares deeply for her dog. Unfortunately, her dog is outrageously aggressive with anyone besides her so it's very stressful when she brings the dog in to see us. We've tried many times to explain to her the gravity and seriousness of the situation, but she just doesn't seem to want to hear it. We try to remind her that if she were to get scratched, bitten, or injured by her dog during a veterinary exam, we would be the ones held responsible...not her. We've tried many strategies and plans with this dog to keep everyone safe, (certain restraint techniques, behavioral interventions, distraction, the client coming into the treatment area with us, etc., but nothing works very well). The only thing that we've found to be effective is sedating the dog ahead of time.

I understand why someone wouldn't want to sedate his/her dog unless it's absolutely necessary. However, in this case it IS necessary and we can't seem to get through to her. Sometimes she will even acknowledge the potential dangers to herself, but it's very hard to get her to think about the dangers to our staff as well. Just because we work with animals and know about their aggressive behaviors, it doesn't mean that we're safe from the harm caused by that aggression. Our staff depends on us to provide a safe work environment and we simply can't risk safety to accommodate one client and one patient. Unfortunately, we've had to set a boundary with her where we won't see her dog unless it is mildly sedated. This is such an uncommon thing, and it feels just horrible to put a pet owner into a situation like this. The worst part of all of this is that this dog is not receiving adequate medical care as a result.

My question to all of you...how would you approach this client if your were in our shoes? We've tried many ways to explain the issues to her, but so far not much luck. It's almost as if she doesn't want to realize how dangerous her dog can be. It's so hard to tell someone this, and we end up being the bad guy. Because of her frustration, this client calls us frequently wanting veterinary "advice" via the phone since she won't agree to sedate the dog for an examination. Once again, we're the bad guy having to tell her that we can't make a diagnosis over the phone; we need to examine the dog; and only then can we provide appropriate treatment.

I can't remember when I've felt this "stuck" with a client. Help me out here folks...am I missing something? I want your ideas!

--Dana

Weight Watchers in Paws

Body weight...it's a national obsession. It's difficult to avoid the topic in today's media. We're too skinny, too fat, too lumpy, too tiny, too whatever. Having the perfect weight is highly valued and people spend lots of money trying to achieve it. Apparently, this is also becoming true for our pets. The recent issue of DVM Newsmagazine published the results of a study conducted by The American Pet Products Association (APPA). In this 2009 study, they found that veterinarians consider 13% of their dog patients and 21% of cat patients to be obese and have put them on some type of weight loss regimen. (I guess Kitty needs to hit the gym)!

This study further shows that at least 60% of pet owners are willing to spend more money for food if it can make their pet's weight healthy. That seems like a pretty impressive amount. I don't know the percentage of people who are willing to spend money for their own weight issues, but I would guess the percentages are pretty close to that of our pets. It makes sense when you consider that so many pets are considered family members

I find it ironic that some pet owners at our hospital are quite vigilant about their pet's healthy weight but don't seem to worry about their own weight in general. It's also interesting to look at a pet's weight in comparison to the owner's weight. Do you think these are related? Do owners who feed healthy food to their pets do the same for themselves? What's your opinion about this?

--Dana

Simple Gestures and Peace of Mind

Here in Colorado Springs, we have several veterinary specialty practices (surgeons, internal medicine specialists, oncologists, and even a veterinary dentist)! I've recently had dealings with the surgery center since my own dog Chance had two surgeries on his knee.

On the day of his surgery when we were leaving the hospital, I noticed a small, pretty basket on the front counter that was filled with paw print stones. The stones had little notes attached to them saying "please take one of these stones to keep you close to your pet." Wow...I've known about this innovative product for quite awhile, but I had not experienced the reassurance first hand.

I immediately felt more at ease with leaving my dog in their care, and I felt secure in the knowledge that they were "good people" who I could trust. All of this from one sensitive gesture...it was powerful.

World By The Tail Inc. educates veterinarians about the importance of acknowledging the human animal bond. If veterinarians show clients how much they care, clients will also believe that they will cure. It's amazing how important this perception is.

What does your veterinary hospital do to demonstrate a sense of caring? Do they use any of World By The Tail's products to convey this care? I'm interested in hearing from you!

--Dana

"Grey's Anatomy, D.V.M?"

The other day, I watched television with my kids and within a 30 minute time period, we saw commercials for at least 7 medical dramas. Shows like Grey's Anatomy, ER, House, Scrubs, and all the other new ones this summer are everywhere on cable and the networks. I can see their appeal...medical drama means human drama. The plot lines are endless and the emotions involved are very complex.

Later in the day, my kids both asked me why there are not many TV shows about veterinary medicine. I hadn't really thought about it much before but they are right. Outside of Animal Planet's "Emergency Vets" there are few shows that dramatize veterinary medicine.

The human-animal bond in our society is stronger than it's ever been. When it comes to stories about pets and people, the public can't get enough (the success of "Marley and Me" is a perfect example). But what about the drama involved with pets getting injured or sick and veterinarians working to heal them? Why is topic so scarce in the entertainment industry?

What are your thoughts? Do you think a TV show about a veterinary hospital could be successful? What kinds of stories do you think people would want to see? If you believe such a show would work, who would you cast as your major characters? Let's get the creative juices flowing! (photo from dreamstime.com)

--Dana

P.S. If any of you end up creating a smash hit TV show...I want copyrights on the idea!

Understanding Fluffy and Fido

It happens at least once a week. It's the client who needs help with his/her pet's behavior problems. We do the best that we can, but there are situations when the problem requires someone with specific expertise on this issue.

We are lucky at our hospital because we can refer our clients to Dr. Dan Estep, and Dr. Suzanne Hetts at Animal Behavior Associates. They are excellent animal behaviorists and have helped many of our clients with some very complex behavior problems. We also refer clients to Bark Busters (a service for dogs only).

I'm realizing that knowledge about animal behavior is instrumental in  helping pet owners and nurturing the human-animal bond. Some veterinary school teach behavior classes but some do not. What is your opinion about this?  Do you think that veterinarians should have more training in animal behavior? Should the state licensing boards require that veterinarians have advanced knowledge about common problems seen in dogs and cats? Is that placing too much of a burden on the veterinarian? Let's hear your thoughts!

--Dana

Media Mania

There are times at our pet hospital when time is very tight. When talking to clients about surgeries or other complicated procedures, it is very helpful to have written material the client can take home. What do you think about taking a video home?

More and more, veterinary hospitals are using DVDs to help explain procedures and surgeries. This can be very powerful since we all know how "seeing is believing." For example, some veterinary oncologists use DVDs to educate pet owners about chemotherapy. At our pet hospital, we use DVD's for various issues such as behavior problems and specific surgeries.

I'm realizing that using DVDs can be a very helpful tool for educating pet owners. I am now working on making videos for even standard procedures (such as a spay or neuter which of course, is NOT standard for the pet owner. I also want to make a video about euthanasia (what to expect, what will happen, the drugs involved, etc). When Laurel Lagoni directed the Argus Institute at Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital, she and her colleagues made videos about euthanasia and pet loss (sponsored by AAHA). These videos yielded positive comments and helped many pet owners.

What about you? Has your veterinarian ever offered a video that explains medical procedures? If so, was it helpful? Some veterinarians worry that using videos might negatively affect the personal connection he/she has with the client. What do you all think?

--Dana

"Thank You For Holding..."

The other day I spent two whole hours on the phone trying to contact someone at my insurance company about my medical bills. I finally got my answer but by the time the call was over, I was angry, frustrated, and completely annoyed.

Putting clients on hold is a fact of life in service businesses. There are times at our hospital when we need to put callers on hold in order to help clients that have scheduled appointments. We've all heard it before....the standard phrase, "may I put you on hold for a minute?" but I'm wondering if this is a good way to lose a client. One thing that people prefer about their veterinarians is that they provide superior service compared to that of human doctors. I know that from personal experience that putting clients "on hold" can communicate a very bad message and be interpreted as quite rude.

I always stress that if employees must put someone on hold, they should do it very politely and never make them hold for more than a few minutes. When the call resumes, I tell the employee to thank the client for their patience. Most of our clients are very understanding and tolerant of this.

What do you think is an "acceptable" amount of time for someone to put you "on hold?"At what point does it make you angry and what should the person do to address your frustration? If you're kept on hold for a long time, what should be said to acknowledge your anger?

By the way...I don't mind waiting "on hold" for people to to this question!(photo from bigstockphoto.com)

--Dana

Canine Chemotherapy

In June, the Associated Press reported that a new drug will soon be released to help fight cancer specifically in dogs. Up to now, most cancer drugs used in veterinary medicine were developed for use in humans and weren't specifically approved for animals. That's about to change with the new drug "Palladia" (manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health, Inc).

According to the Food and Drug Administration, this drug has been approved to treat a specific type of skin cancer (canine cutaneous mast cell tumors). These tumors can appear small and insignificant initially. While some are quite easily removed, others can be life threatening.

This is an important "first" for veterinary medicine. It shows that people are willing to spend money and time on cancer treatment just for animals alone. Of course, clinical trials with Palladia are just now starting so it will take some time before we know this particular drug's efficacy. Like most veterinarians, we'll need to hear from respected veterinary oncologists (who are not on Pfizer's payroll) before we consider treating patients with it.

What do you all think? Is this a good use of research money and time? Is it right to focus on just one type of cancer that doesn't even involve humans? We are all aware of the power of the human-animal bond...is this just a logical consequence of that bond?

--Dana

A Different Type of Intelligence

Most everyone familiar with pop psychology knows about the concept of Emotional Intellegence (EI). Originally developed by John Mayer and Peter Salovey, EI has become a wildly popular topic ever since Daniel Goleman's groundbreaking book in 1995.

Over the years, the term EI has become very broad and far reaching. Pure EI theorists (such as Mayer and Salovey) think the term is being diluted from over-exposure. Initially, EI referred to a person's capacity to "recognize, understand, and manage emotions." People with a high degree of EI can recognize emotions as signals, and know what the signals mean over time.

I have a hunch that many people in the veterinary profession have a fairly high degree of EI. In fact, people who interact with pets in general, are probably more skilled with emotions than some others. What do you all think? Which other professions require a high degree of EI? Do you think that people in those particular fields really are emotionally intelligent? What about human medicine? I'm interested in your thoughts.

--Dana

A new website!

Yesterday was a momentous day at World by the Tail, Inc. headquarters! We have been working on, for quite some time, a second website. Yesterday, that website "went live"!!

If you visit our homepage - www.veterinarywisdom.com, you will see your two choices. On the left - the choice to go to the site for animal care business teams (veterinarians, technicians, crematories, and anyone else who works in the animal care field.) On the right - the choice to go to the new site specifically for Pet Parents!

At the new pet parent site, you'll find our high quality products (like ClayPaws® Kits, decorating accessories, books, and much more!) You'll also find our support center for pet parents. There you will find links to recommended resources, reading, our support service (grief counseling options by telephone appointment), and even ClayPaws® print repair services!

There are also articles for you pet parents - on topics such as children and grief, decision-making, and how to build the bond with your pets.

We will be adding articles over the months to come. We hope you'll use and enjoy this new resource!! Please let us know if you have any input, comments, or suggestions for the new pet parent site! (Email me at webmaster@wbtt.com or leave a comment here on the blog.)

Enjoy looking around!

--Tammy

Weather Worries

Here in Colorado Springs, we have many afternoon thunderstorms in the summer. These storms can be very scary and difficult for certain pets (as can fireworks). It's always sad when we see an animal at the pet hospital who got injured from trying to hide or escape from their yard during a thunderstorm. They just don't understand what's going on.

Do any of you have pets that are scared of certain types of weather? Any fears about other sounds (such as the sound of the vacuum)? How do you help your pet in these situations? (photo from dreamstime.com)

--Dana

"I'll Spend $1,000.00 and Not a Penny More!"

The March, 2009, DVM Newsmagazine ran an article about the impact of the current economic situation on the purchase of veterinary care.  It seems that, on average, people are spending up to $1,407.00 on treatment for a pet before deciding to "throw in the towel."  That's a 3% decline from 2006, the last time veterinarians were asked to estimate the average dollar amount spent before clients opted to stop treatment.  In contrast, a report from the AVMA says the average pet owner spends only $356.00 per year on veterinary services (routine and annual care).

Some veterinary practices report pet owners declining to spend money on diagnostic tests and just treating symptoms.  The problem with that, they say, is refusing to spend $300 at your regular vet's can often lead to spending 10 times that amount at an emergency practice as disease etc. progresses, and even more if euthanasia is then elected.

Some vets interviewed for the DVM article said even they believe costs of surgeries have gotten too high and that chemo and radiation for animals is unnecessary.

What do you think?  What's your stop treatment point?

--Laurel

Love Thy Neighbor?

Q:  I find I'm having a problem with how to react to my neighbors ailing dog. Her dog has been ill for quite some time and has not had a good "quality of life". Now my neighbor and her husband are going on a three week vacation to Europe. Their grown son will watch their dog for them while they are gone, but he has a young dog of his own which stresses the sick one. My neighbor can't come to grips with euthansia. She says she is waiting for her dog to die naturally. From my own personal experience, we took a week long vacation when I knew that my dog was ailing and wouldn't be around much longer. In retrospect, I resent and regret that we took that vacation at that time.

I don't know what to say to her when she talks about her plans, as I don't agree with how she is handling things. However, she has not asked for my advice and I know it is strictly her business. How can I keep from saying the wrong thing??   ---

willthepill, CO

A:  Thanks for making this comment, willthepill, as it is so common. Parenting animals, particularly sick ones, is so individual, just like parenting children. It's a time when you really see our differences in values, sense of responsibility, etc.

From my own personal and professional experience with this issue, I've found that there are two things you can do:

1) Tell your neighbor that you understand how difficult it is to face a decision about euthanasia and ask her if she realizes the true advances that have been made regarding how euthanasia is performed. Does she understand that she can be there, that the process is painless and actually comforting to witness, etc. Some people have had negative experiences with euthanasia in the past and assume that it is still a medical procedure that causes great emotional distress for owners.

2) Since you have no control over her ultimate decision, you might want to ask if you could visit her dog while she's gone, just to reassure yourself that the dog isn't in pain or suffering in some way. I often try to get others to take an action I want them to take just so I can relax and not worry about it! I realize that's not fair to expect, so the alternative is to arrange a way for me to calm my own anxiety about a situation.

Other than those two alternatives, you're right. Your neighbor probably won't make the decision you'd like her to make, but ultimately it's her dog and her emotional life and all you can do is figure out how you can comfort your own anxiety about the circumstances.

Good luck and let us know what happens. (photo from Dreamstime.com)

--Laurel

Vegan pets?

I read an interesting article last week. It was about people who are choosing to feed their pets totally vegan diets, rather than typical pet foods, which include meats.

Vegan is different than vegetarian. Vegans do not eat anything that comes from animals. This includes eggs and dairy products. The article profiled several vegan pet-owners who had decided that they could not ethically feed their animals meat and animal products since they, themselves, would not eat these things. They believe that "their cats' and dogs' diets should reflect their own beliefs about the treatment of animals and environmentally sustainable diets".

In the story, veterinarians talked about whether feeding pets a vegan diet could be healthy. One veterinarian said that it is possible to do this in a healthy way for the pet, but it isn't a simple process. He urged pet-owners to really consider the work involved before making a switch to a vegan pet diet. Also, apparently a vegan diet would be easier for a dog to adapt to than a cat. Cats apparently have stricter diet requirements and if offered a vegan diet will probably try to supplement the protein they need by hunting on their own!

This was a really interesting view of a vegan diet for me. I'd never really thought about how pet food might affect someone who doesn't eat any animal products. Knowing that there are animal products in your pet's food could really cause some ethical concerns if you are truly strict, as a vegan diet is.

What do you all think? Would you be concerned about feeding your pet animal products if you didn't eat them yourself? Or would you be OK with them having animal products? Do any of you already feed a vegan diet to your pets? How do you make sure that it is healthy and balanced for them?

(Photo from Dreamstime.com/Matthias Nordmeyer)

--Tammy

My Boyfriend Hates My Cat

"My boyfriend complains about my cat all the time. He hates the smell of the cat food, the mess from the litter box, and the fur all over the couch. It's getting to the point where I'm wondering if I should keep the cat and get rid of the boyfriend. Is that weird?" --Maya S., Tucson, AZ

Why is it that some men just don't like cats? Maya, are you sure this boyfriend isn't inadvertently revealing a deep-seated animosity towards women through a dislike of your cat? (Hey! Don't roll your eyes! Cats have long been associated with witches and "the feminine arts" and some people don't even realize that they mistrust both women and felines based on that cultural conditioning!)

Anyway, assuming your boyfriend is not a woman-hater, it may be time for you and he to sit down and have a heart-to-heart talk about cat keeping and house-cleaning. It's not unusual for one person in a relationship to be more sensitive than the other to the dirt, clutter, and smells that accumulate in a home. That said, a working compromise may be in order so you both get what you want from your environment. For instance, can you agree to feed your cat and keep his litter box in a space away from the rooms your boyfriend spends the most time in? Even more, can you clean the bowl and the litter box at least once a day so the mess and stink are kept minimal? And, can you buy some cat perches or sheepskin beds and place them where your cat usually naps? Then, you can easily remove them (and the fur) when your boyfriend wants to sit down.

On his part, can he stop complaining and guilt-tripping you about your cat as long as your agreed-on standard of cat care is met? And, will he even go so far as to greet the cat and pet the cat once in awhile so you will feel he at least likes him and accepts him as an important part of your life?

The conversation and care agreement I'm talking about isn't about 'controlling' one another or about seeking power in the relationship. It's about coming from a place of mutual respect in order to fine tune your communication. In other words, stop arguing and becoming defensive with one another about 'the cat.' It's not really about the cat. It's about how you are each feeling discounted by the other and not 'heard.' Start listening. It'll be good for you and good for your cat!

--Laurel