Bladder Stone Removal Via Cystoscopy

At Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod, our surgeons are fortunate enough to have the ability to use the endoscope for certain procedures.

In the x-ray of a miniature schnauzer below, three pea-sized stones can be seen in the bladder. 

Dr. Burns elected to use cystoscopy, and the procedure was a success. During this procedure, the scope is passed into the bladder through the urethra and the stones are retrieved. In most cases, the benefits of using the endoscope for this procedure (compared to the traditional surgical method) are huge:

• Anesthesia time is greatly reduced.
• There is no incision. This shortens recovery time for the patient, and virtually eliminates the risk of post surgical complications.
• There is less irritation to the bladder. This is especially beneficial to patients who are at risk for developing more stones and may require multiple procedures over their lifetime.

In the video below, you can see the surgeon's-eye-view of the bladder stone retrieval.

The x-ray below, taken after the procedure was completed, confirms that all of the stones were removed.

Project Samana June 2013

Here are a few pictures from Project Samana, which took place earlier this month. Thank you to all of the volunteers and the people of Samana!

Click the link below to see more pictures!

Puppy Socialization vs. Disease Risk

Socializing a puppy at an early age can help to decrease the chances of unwanted fearful behaviors like aggression. Unfortunately, the same time period that is optimal for socializing a puppy (6-14 weeks) is also a time when puppies are particularly at risk of contracting infectious diseases such as parvovirus or distemper virus.
Here are some simple precautions you can take to ensure that your puppy will grow into a healthy and well-adjusted adult dog:

• Visit the vet to keep up to date on all vaccinations and parasite prevention (including heartworm, intestinal parasites, fleas and ticks).
• Avoid bringing young puppies to the dog park where you don't know the health history of the other dogs. Instead, look for a local puppy socialization class where all the dogs have been recently examined by a veterinarian and have had at least their first vaccination.
• Always keep an eye on your puppy when he is socializing with new friends. If he shows signs of fear, illness, or aggression, remove him from the situation.
• Don't bring a sick dog to play with other dogs.
• Pick up your dog's stool right away, and don't allow your dog to investigate another dog's stool.
• Do not allow your dog to come into contact with wildlife.

 It is important for dogs to interact with other dogs. Luckily, it is easy to minimize the risk and keep your dog happy and healthy.

June is Adopt-a-Cat Month!

June is Adopt-a-Cat Month! Lots of kittens are born in the spring, so this time of year animal shelters are full of kittens (and adult cats) waiting to be adopted.
Here are some tips if you are considering adding a cat to your family:

• Two cats are better than one! If you can afford it, consider adopting two cats. They will keep each other company when you are not around.
• Cats live long lives. The average life expectancy of an indoor cat is 12-16 years. Here at VACC, we have seen cats as old as 23 years. Of course unforeseen circumstances can occur, but if you know you won't be able to have a cat in 2 or 3 years, it's not a good time to adopt one. 
• Not all cats are the same. Cats have personalities. Work with your local shelter to make sure you are adopting the right cat for you.
• Make sure a cat will fit into your budget. A new cat will need supplies like a litter box, food dish, and toys. A new kitten will require several visits to the vet for vaccines and health check-ups. Food, cat litter, and yearly trips to the vet can add up as well. Be sure you can afford to take care of a cat before you adopt one. VACC's Preventive Care Plans can save you money while giving your cat the very best care.
• Be prepared! Make sure everything is ready before you bring your new cat home. Food and water bowls, food, litter box with litter, and toys should all be waiting for your cat when she arrives.
• Go slow! It's a good idea to introduce your cat gradually to her new surroundings, family, and friends.

Click here for more tips on bringing home a new pet.

When Your Pet is Afraid of the Vet

As veterinary professionals, we see lots of fearful pets. For most of these animals, the veterinary office is associated with unpleasant events. For your pet, these unpleasant events can be invasive things like needles, rectal thermometers, or the dreaded nail trim, but they can also be less obvious situations like a crowded waiting room, a strange sound, or a new smell. Things that you may not notice can be very scary for your pet, especially if they spend most of their time in your home.
At VACC we do everything we can to make your pet's visit as comfortable as possible. All of our exam rooms have Feliway diffusers to soothe our feline friends, and an assortment of treats for our canine friends. We approach each of our patients as individuals, using the least amount of restraint possible, and doing our best to make their visit a positive one.
Here are some things you can do to help your pet's visit have more wags and purrs:

• Stop by for a treat. Technicians are always happy to shower your pet with love and cookies! This strategy works better before your pet has learned to be afraid of us, but can help those who are already fearful as well. If your pet is anxious before they even get inside the building, ask a staff member to bring a treat out to the parking lot. If your pet is afraid of getting on the scale (aren't we all?) come in for a quick weight check and a treat, then leave. The important thing to keep in mind is keep these visits short and happy. It's also a good idea to call ahead to make sure we are not very busy so you won't be waiting long.
• Teach your cat to love her carrier. Unfortunately for many cats, their visit to the vet begins with being rudely stuffed into the carrier. If your cat learns to associate the carrier with positive things, it will make trips to the vet much easier on you, your cat, and all of the veterinary staff!
• Play with your pet's ears and feet. Start with three sessions a day lasting five minutes each and use lots of treats. Before you know it, your pet will be looking forward to having these normally sensitive areas handled by you, and they won't mind so much when it happens at the vet visit.
• Keep calm. Your pet can sense more than you may realize, so if you are nervous they will likely be nervous as well.

Project Samana

2013 is the 20th year of Project Samana! Twice a year (in June and November) volunteers travel to the Dominican Republic to help the animals and people of the region. VACC's own Dr. Labdon has been involved with the project from the beginning. Thanks to Dr. Labdon and the more than 100 volunteers over the years, thousands of cats and dogs have been spayed and neutered, and hundreds of horses have been castrated. These volunteers also help the community of Samana by providing education on animal care and first aid. This June, VACC's Dr. Clayton will be offering his veterinary skills to the cause.

The mission of Project Samana is "to improve the health and lives of the animals and people of Samana and the surrounding area, and to provide training so that our intervention is welcome but not essential."
If you'd like to make a contribution to support Project Samana, click here.

The Preventive Care Plan- It's Not Insurance, It's Better!

Preventive Care Plans are now available at VACC! Preventive Care Plans are designed to provide your pets with the best preventative care while saving you considerable expense. These plans provide cutting edge proactive care, identifying health problems before they happen – making them easier and often less costly to treat.

Preventive health care is about much more than vaccinations. Proactive care means wellness checkups twice a year – after all – that's like you having a physical exam every two to three years! Even pets that appear totally normal may have underlying health problems that may only be detected with comprehensive physical examination and testing. For instance, the senior preventative care package offered at VACC identifies problems in more than 25% of our patients – pets that were considered completely healthy before testing.

Preventive care in the form of exams, consultations, vaccines, periodontal care and specialty diets helps expand our pet's quality of life. Advances in medicine, nutrition, and diagnostics have led to longer life spans for pets just as they have for us. Making sure your pet receives the exams, vaccinations, and testing they need on a scheduled basis is often key to avoiding costly and debilitating health problems later in life.
That's what makes the Preventative Care Plans so special. A simple monthly payment covers your pet's necessary exams, vaccinations, and if you wish, provides substantial savings on all services such as periodontal care or unforeseen procedures like an ultrasound. Every plan is tailored to the health needs of each individual pet, from 8 week old puppies to 20 year old cats, and everybody in between.

Give us a call at (508) 394-3566, visit our website, or ask at your next visit for more information.