Chewer Beware!!!

Like toddlers, pets have a tendency to chew and ingest various objects. This becomes a serious and potentially life threatening problem if the objects become lodged in the intestines or stomach. An animal who has ingested string or ribbon can develop a linear foreign body which is even more dangerous.

When objects are too large to pass, they usually obstruct at the stomach outflow or within the small intestine itself. With linear foreign bodies, the continual movement of the intestinal tract can literally bunch the intestines into an accordion-like mass.

Most patients with digestive foreign bodies exhibit vomiting. If the object has not fully clogged the intestinal tract the vomiting may be intermittent. With a complete blockage the dog or cat will not be able to keep anything down. The longer the blockage lasts the more critical the patients condition will become.

When the foreign body is a sharp object the risk of it perforating through the intestines or stomach is high. In the case the patients condition will become critical and fatal fast with infection.

This week two of our patients came in with these typical symptoms and upon radiographic evaluation the issue was very clear. Both dogs had ingested a foreign body.

The first patient a standard poodle, had clearly ingested a sewing needle and other questionable objects were noticed as well.

An emergency abdominal explore was immediately preformed and Dr. Zarif removed not one but 4 foreign objects! 2 socks, a wad of paper and the sewing needle.

Our second foreign body surgery was a little Jack Russel who ate a large screw. Radiographs were taken and it was clear another emergency exploratory surgery was necessary. During the surgery Dr. Burns retrieved not only the screw that had perforated through the intestinal wall. In the picture a rope toy was wrapped around the screw and a little yellow rubber toy.

We are happy to report that both patients doing well and recovering from their surgeries. Hopefully this wont be a reoccurring issue for either of them.

Laparoscopic Spay

What is a Laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive technique for viewing the internal structures of the abdomen. A laparoscope (camera) inserted through a small incision in the abdomen magnifies internal structures of the abdomen on a TV monitor for a more thorough examination. Additional small incisions are made to facilitate the use of surgical instruments. The most common application of the laparoscopy is biopsy. In recent years, laparscopy has been adopted as a less traumatic and less painful alternative to traditional spays.

Traditions Spays

In a traditional spay a 2" to 3" or larger incision is made in the abdomen through which the ovarian ligament is blindly torn from the abdominal wall. This tearing may cause bruising and post-operative pain. Traditional spays require significant tension on the ovaries and uterus which may cause trauma and bleeding. Traditional spays are typically performed as in-patient surgeries which require an overnight stay.

Laparoscopic Spays

When preforming a laparoscopic spay, the procedure is done through two or three tiny incisions in the abdomen, typically 3/16" in size. The procedure is performed with magnified views of the organs allowing for greater precision. The ovarian ligament is carefully cut and cauterized, rather than torn. Laparoscpoic spays offer patients up to 65% less pain, minimal recovery time and less trauma than traditional spays.

Advantages of Laparoscopic Spays over Traditional Surgery

• A recent study concluded laparoscopic spays caused less surgical stress and up to 65% less post-operative pain than a traditional open surgery.
  
• The entire surgery is performed through a few tiny incisions rather than a larger abdominal opening. Smaller incisions are less painful and reduce recovery time.


• Usually performed as an outpatient procedure so your pet recovers at home. Traditional open spays typically require an overnight stay.


• Laparoscopy allows for better visualization of abdominal organs.


• Controlled incisions eliminate pain and bruising caused by the tearing of the tissue associated with traditional spays.


• In larger breed dogs gastropexy can be performed at the time of spay.

Happy Holidays!

Food to avoid giving your pets during the holidays

• Alcoholic Beverage


• Chocolate (highly toxic to pets)


• Coffee


• Moldy or spoiled foods


• Salt


• Chicken and Turkey bones (they can splinter)
  
  Avoid giving your pet any leftovers, this can cause diarrhea or pancreatitis. Also keep your pet away from cooked bones, they can splinter or get lodged in their throat or intestines causing servere damage to the intestinal tract.
  

Christmas Tree Hazards

• Christmas tree needles are very sharp and can easily get stuck in your pets paws or throat. Sweep up tree needles regularly or fence off your christmas tree to separate your pets from the tree.


• Do not hang chocolates from your christmas tree: they are highly toxic and your pet will be tempted if he can see and smell them.


• Cover up electric cords or loose lights to keep your pets from chewing them.


• Ornaments are potential hazards in many different ways. Pet may be interested in playing with them, and they could injury themselves on broken pieces or ingest them.


• Make sure your tree is well anchored so your pet can't pull it over.


• Tinsel and ribbon pose a huge threat, if ingested may cause an obstruction or twist in the intestions.
  

Other Christmas Hazards

• Holly, Mistletoe, Lilies, and Yew tree are posionous to pets and must be kept well out of reach.


• Remove Christmas wrapping paper and toys to aviod your pet chewing or swallowing them.
  

Contact your Local Veterinary office if you think you pet has run into any holiday hazards!

Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving Day Hazards

The holidays bring so much fun for family and friends. Even our furry family members are often excited with all the commotion and treats. Many pet owner and their friends are unaware of the deadly consequences for animals during the holidays. Some of the hazards include seasonal decoration, ornamental lighting, ingestion of inappropriate or toxic items, excessive consumption of rich or harmful foods, candle flames and many others.

Before you sit down for the feast you should feed your pet to reduce the risk of begging or stealing. You should also use a gate to seperate them from temptation, leaving them nearby, but with a safety barrier. Purchase a special treat that they can be entertained with while you eat. This is a perfect oportunity to fill a kong with peanut butter or give them a new toy you know they will enjoy.

Be sure to warn your guests of the hazards of feeding sad puppy dog eyes. Many friends and family may not understand that the turkey bone will can spinter and cause detremental damage to your pet if ingested.

The Biggest Turkey Day Hazards:

• Rich, fatty foods (Turkey skin, gravy, ect.) can contribute to pancreatitis, inflamation of this digestive gland is very painful and requires emergency veterinary care.


• Cooked bones can splinter and cause tears or obstructions in your pets digestive tract.


• Baking string, if digested.


• Onions can lead to canine anemia.
  
• Sage and other herbs contain essential oils that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression in your pet.


• Raw bread dough, when heated up by a pup's body, often expands, causing vomiting, servere abdominal cramping and bloating which can become a life-threatening emergency.


• Grape and raisin toxicin can cause kidney failure in dogs.


• Chocolate is toxic to your dog.


• Caffine and alcohol are also toxic.
  

Preventive measures are the key to avoid these dangers. After you enjoy your feast of turkey, and delicous pies. And you still can't avoid the temptation of involving your pet...add a little bone free turkey, or some veggies to there meal.

Happy Holidays!

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy applied with the Companion therapy laser system provides a sterile, pain-free, Surgery-free, drug-free treatment which is used to treat a variety of injuries, wounds, fractures, neurological conditions, numerous dermatological problems, and pain. Whether your pet is rehabilitating from trauma or injury, healing from wounds, or simply aging, your companion will benefit from this revolutionary new approach to Veterinary medicine.

Laser therapy is the only course of treatment that actually stimulates the body within. Non-Thermal photons of light are administered to the body and absorbed by the injured cells. The cells are then stimulated and respond with a higher rate of metabolism. This results in increased circulation from the body, an anti-inflammatory reaction, relief from pain and acceleration of the healing process.

The Companion Therapy Laser allows your pet to heal faster after surgery or any traumatic injury.

Everyday disorders such as lick granulomas and chronic ear infections, that cause severe pain and discomfort are instantaneously relieved.

Disorders that respond best to the Companion Laser Therapy:

• Pain Relief
• Wound Healing
• Arthritic Conditions
• Intervertebral Disc Disease
• Pyotraumatic Dermatitis
• Post Surgical Pain Relief
• Degenerative Joint Disease
• Lick Granulomas
• Degloving Injuries
• Dermatological Conditions
• Peridontal Disease
• Gingivitis
• Otitis
• And More....
  

Your Veterinarian is now offering the lastest technology in health care for your pet. This FDA cleared, deep penetrating light allows relief of pain through the release of endorphins and stimulates the injured cells to heal at a faster rate. Call to schedule an appointment for an evaluation.

The Bald and Beautiful!

Sphynx, Als0 know as the Canadian Hairless, is a breed of cat characterized by having little to no hair on their bodies. Sphynx have a genetic mutation in the gene that causes hair growth, thus they have very little to no hair. Typically a Sphynx has a light down-like hair on their nose, back of their ears and tops of their feet. Because they are hairless on their bodies the oil their skin produces accumulates and Sphynx's need to be bathed with a mild cat shampoo weekly. Wax can accumulate in their ears and they also need to be cleaned weekly with a cleaner from your vet.

Sphynx need to be kept warmer than other cats because they don't have a natural coat! They can wear a small dog shirt and love to snuggle under a fleece blanket. Sphynx come in all the same colors as household cats come in.

They have the same lifespan as a domestic cat and require the same diet and veterinary care. They can get a genetic disease know as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or HCM, where the walls of their heart become thickened and can not pump effectively. Yearly checkups at your regular vet as well as an ultrasound of the heart know as an electrocardiogram should be done by the cardiologist. The onset of HCM is usually 4-8 years of age.

Halloween Safety For Your Pets

Halloween is a fun and exciting time of year for both adults and children. Sometimes overwhelming or scary for our pets

• Try to walk your dog earlier in the day. Even friendly dogs may become fearful or aggressive with crowds or children in costumes. Keep your pets inside during trick or treating hours, some children may be agitating towards your pets.




• Keep cats inside.




• make sure pets can't reach candles, jack-o-lanterns, decorations, or ornaments.




• Keep your dogs away from the candy bowl. Dispose of candy wrappers before your pet gets into them, since the wrappers can cause chocking or intestinal obstruction. Make sure your dogs can not get into the trash. note: Chocolate contains theobromine, which can cause nerve damage or even death in dogs. The darker the chocolate the more concentrated it is-- and the smaller the lethal the dose.




• Be sure to inform your family especially children the dangers of leaving treats out where your pets can get into it. Also be sure to caution them about leaving wrappers on the floor.




• When dressing your pet for halloween be sure the costumes is not irritating or stressful for your pet. Make sure your pet can breath, see, and hear while wearing a custom. Also be sure the custom is flame retardant. remove any rubber band which can cut off circulation or become imbedded in your pets skin. Remove small or dangling accessories that could be chewed or swallowed.




• If you think your pet is exhibbiting sign or potential chocolate toxity call your veterinarian immediately.