Clones, Cat Nappers, and Cadavers

My muse, Wren.

There is not another human being on the planet that loves their pets more than I do, (OK, there might be a few of you out there, but you understand me)..add to that that I don't have any children other than my four cats, two dogs, and pet potbellied pig, and my pet-fanaticism is over the normal socially acceptable limit. (Yes, I do have a "crazy cat lady" coffee cup that I use proudly). I identify with the labels, I embrace the snickering, and there is nothing anyone can say or do to shame me into hiding it!

Oriole. In charge.

If I had to pick sides I would say that for as long as my feet are planted on this earth and my lungs draw breath I will have a cat beside me. They were my first pet and they will be my last.

Playing with Wren.

Because of my devotion to my kitties I read the latest press release from the University Of Georgia's Veterinary School about their second kidney transplant with great interest and contemplation.The University of Georgia continues to forge a path into the relatively new field of companion animal organ transplants. They  are now incorporating the use of stem cells to help the recipients body from rejecting the new kidney. This surgery was different from previous feline kidney transplants because it incorporated the pioneering approach of using harvested stem cells to help the recipient,  Arthur, the most recent kidney transplant patient, is a four year old Siamese cat who was dying of kidney failure. He had been diagnosed at age 3 and his only chance for long term survival was to find a donor and receive a new kidney via transplant. Stem cells were used because his body had not responded well to the more traditional anti-rejection medications used to help a donor accept a new organ. Arthur had been turned down for the surgery at two other teaching hospitals because of this. Without the use of stem cells Arthur would not have been a candidate for the surgery and he would have died from his kidney disease.

There are a few areas of Arthur's story that I find incredibly compelling and warranting further discussion.

First is the concept of organ transplant for pets. Next to cloning there isn't anything left that proves our affinity for our pets. Extending their lives with human equivalent medical and surgical options is a testament to our desire and ability to keep our pets with us for as long as possible.

The question has shifted from the impossible to obtain the service to the ethical of who is eligible?

This is how I watch tv every night;
Sharing the couch with a relaxed Magpie.

How close do our human medical and surgical options mirror our pets options? The line gets blurry and seems that the options are only now limited by our wallets.

Of comfort to my moral conscious is the fact that all kidney transplant donors are shelter cats. Those cats need to meet certain criteria to be donor eligible, but they must also be adopted into the family whose cat is receiving the kidney and remain a lifelong pet. The prince and the pauper are expected to be on equal footing after they share a kidney of the same origin.

Is every cat kidney transplant worthy? Yes, of course in my eyes. Every cat is capable of eliciting and demonstrating as much affection, improving the quality of their owners and families lives, and for that there is no dollar amount to prove a pet's worth and value.

Do I think that the majority of the public scoffs at the idea that I share my home with 4 cats who are given access to as much of my home as every other human inhabitant is? Yes.

Do I think that many people  lack the ability to understand why I am so crazy about my cats? Yes.

And, do I think that I would transplant an organ from one cat that I do not know, but would inevitably love as much as my others, to one of my resident kids? Well, yes, perhaps I would. I see my pets as my kids and it is my job and my responsibility to care for, protect, and provide what they need to live a happy healthy life.

Jitterbug, in a rare frozen pose state.

Here is where I hear my internal voice quibbling.

Where is my line?

Where is that point where I say this is too much? Having had a dog who underwent radiation therapy for a tumor that extended his life 6 months at considerable cost, I believe I would do that again. And for all of the difficulty Savannah's last year was, I would happily do that again. My dear old kitties had wonderful lives, even though saying goodbye was so terribly hard. For me, maybe there is truth in the knowing what the sadness for without that I would not know what the joy is. And for all of the many many pets whose lives I have been a part of, each pet and each story, whether they be long and thriving, or short and tragic there is always another chapter and often a sense of being a small part of a greater force in a mysterious universe.

Let me try to explain this.

Let's start with an easier topic to debate; Cloning. I have written about this before.

At some point there needs to be a long thought out discussion on not what is possible, but what is ethical.

Life isn't about cheating and stealing a way to live forever. Life is about learning to live and enjoy this time that you have. Don't wait until you are dying to realize that life was a precious gift. You get one shot, you know the old saying "life isn't a dress rehearsal," and the advice about doing the things on your bucket list now..well, there's truth in those words of wisdom.

Veterinarians know all to well that life is not fair. We watch puppies die of treatable and even avoidable disease and illness, (often because of just pure neglect and  poorly educated parents). We see 2 year olds die of cancer. Cats die from fleas, lack of resources, or just because they serve no perceived purpose to their owner. Many vets are asked, and required to euthanize routinely.

Cloning doesn't get you your pet back. It gets you a close representation of them. Your loss still needs to be addressed like everyone else's. Losing a pet that you love is really, really hard. But the memories are yours forever, and the difference that you made in taking care of them changes the world in which you live in, forever. Getting through grief is possible, and loving another pet is also possible. They will bring new joy to your life if you can open your heart and let them.

For as hard as it was to lose my dear cat DC and my Savannah, and all of the rest of them, I have a new set of rescues who are happily living a life of pampering and bliss in our home. I miss my departed pets, as I miss my departed friends. But I wouldn't ask to go back and re-incarnate them into the shell of what they used to be. What I miss is the spirit and the soul of who they were, that never can be replicated, duplicated, or re-born. That is the gift of life.

Life isn't fair, but it does go on.

My days at the clinic always include cat naps.

Find Arthur's Story Here.

Find more information on the University of Georgia's transplant program here.

For more information on stem cell use, research, and future use in medicine please see, Huffington Post here.

Or, See Pet Health Gazette and Jana Rade's blog here.

Previous blogs relating to this one;
Charlie Arrives
Pete The Vet, Blog On Cloning.
Savannah's Saga
How Many Sides Does Your Equation Have?

If you have a question about anything pet related you can ask a whole community of pet loving and dedicated professionals on Pawbly.com. Pawbly is free to use and open to everyone who loves pets.

You can also find me at the clinic, Jarrettsville Vet, or on Twitter @FreePetAdvice. 

The Pet Jerky Mystery Continues. What Is Safe For Your Spoiled Pups?

We all beg, 
and we all want to feel spoiled.

 It has been seven years of waiting and wondering for some kind of news and action to be taken to protect our pets from the mysterious Chinese exported pet jerky treat deaths. In that time over 1,000 dogs have died, and 5,000 have been sickened.

With little progress being made and businesses who sell these treats reluctant to respond to the hysteria many people took to the internet, message boards, and even the store shelves to try to alert other pet parents about the dangers. It was yet another reason so many people began to seek alternatives to the store bought food options. It is not a mere coincidence that the explosion in popularity of the RAW foods and boutique brands popped up over night, gained a foothold, and impacted the big food manufacturers people love their pets and people were worried. Add to the growing suspicion a reluctance to act and the mystery shrouds itself in questions of morality, ethics, and intent to not protect our family members at the expense of protecting their suppliers.

What started out as a few screams and pleas for attention of the many brands of chicken jerky treats who all shared a common origin, China, has finally turned into a call for customer comments, suggestions, and submission of samples by the FDA, has now turned into a self policed ban from the major big box stores like PetCo and PetSmart. Finally there appears to be both some recognition of the fears so many people have voiced, the deaths of so many pets, and an acknowledgement that even without an exact understanding of why it is happening, we are going to put our pets health first and protect others.

Although the exact cause of the illness is still unknown the vehicle that delivers it is finally getting benched and hopefully more pets will be spared.

For those of us who routinely provide incentives to our pets to remain either by our side, or are in need of reassurance that we are still as devoted to our pet as ever, there are some alternatives available to you to treat your pet.

Here are some of my favorite manufactured treats;

1. Bil-Jac treats have been around for a long while. They list two ingredients and are sourced from US product only.

 2. Stewart's Pro-Treat. Only one ingredient, beef liver, and procured and made in the US. Also they are small and easily broken into even smaller pieces.

3. Science Diet Jerky strips. Made in USA, easily broken into smaller pieces so one strip can be used as multiple treats.

4. Fruitables. Small pieces with calories per treat listed on the front. For the calorie conscious pets try the Skinny Minis at 3-1/2 calories per treat.

5. Make your own jerky. This blog was done by Jana Rade, who makes her own dog treats and shared her recipes and ideas on her blog, Making Your Own Dog Treats: Our Homemade Jerky Treat Production. Or, see Dr. V's video.

Still having trouble? And still worried about where your treats are from? Or what options you have? Go to Amazon.com and ask for "Pet Treats Made in the USA"

Still worried about what to feed your pet? Here's my advice on this;
We all live in a world and a society that is dependent on each other. Very few of us have the time, resources, or ability to live independently from the grocery store. The only way to be independent and in total control of the foods you and your pet consume are to raise your own livestock, grow your own vegetables and purify your own water. After that you have to store these ingredients to be able to prepare your own meals later. Add to this the dilemma of providing a safely storable balanced diet and the task is almost impossible if you have a job and a life outside of this task. That said, your best bet is to buy a commercially available high quality food from a well known, trusted, and long established manufacturer.

I am not usually a fan of big companies, and whenever possible I try to support local small businesses, but when it comes to my pets food I rely on the proven track record of a large company that has safely fed generations of pets from start to finish. I also have seen a few of these companies stand by their product in the face of fear and doubt. I have seen these companies assist clients in caring for their pets, reimburse them if the product was deemed inappropriate, or not palatable, and I have seen these companies stand by their internal quality control which is a cost most of the smaller companies cannot afford to do.

Do I believe that the smaller, newer food companies have their heart and product mission statement based on a lofty admirable goal? Yes. But do they have the ability to do that from outsourcing to production to client coverage in the face of a disaster? No. I have yet to see one of them do so. The other point of contention that I have with the smaller food companies is their marketing strategy. Most of them are based on many of the same strategies and slanderous tactics that politicians use. Instead of touting your superior qualities they choose to instead use misleading, false, and emotionally manipulative verbiage and tactics that smear their opponent. I don't vote for someone based on the nasty things they say about the other candidate, and I feed my pets based on the knowledge of 4 years of vet school and 9 years in practice, and the many healthy pets I have seen pass through the clinic.

More information on these topics available here;

• Pet Product News International, Advertising Watchdog Rules Against Blue Buffalo.
• New Haven Register News, Battle Between Blue Buffalo and Purina Over Pet Food Ingredients Escalates.

And for the latest news on the pet jerky;

The Pet Jerky Mystery Continues.
Pet jerky treats, mostly imported from China, are now linked to more than 1,000 deaths in dogs, more than 4,800 complaints about animal illness, and, for the first time, sickness in three people who ate the products, federal health officials said Friday.

But Food and Drug Administration officials say they still can't identify a specific cause for the reported illnesses or deaths, despite seven years of testing and investigation.

“The agency continues to caution pet owners that jerky treats are not required for a balanced diet and encourage them to consult with their veterinarians, both prior to feeding treats and if they notice symptoms in their pets,” FDA said in a statement.

The humans who consumed the treats included two toddlers who ingested them accidentally and an adult who may have been snacking on the questionable products, which include chicken, duck or sweet potato jerky treats, an FDA official said.

“The agency continues to caution pet owners that jerky treats are not required for a balanced diet and encourage them to consult with their veterinarians."

One of the children was diagnosed with a salmonella infection, which can be spread by touching contaminated pet food and treats. The other child developed gastrointestinal illness and fever that mirrored the symptoms of dogs in the house that also ate the treats. The adult reported nausea and headache, said Siobhan DeLancey, an FDA spokeswoman.

The agency has received about 1,800 new reports of illnesses and deaths since its last update in October, some involving more than one pet. The numbers now include 5,600 dogs and 24 cats.
About 60 percent of the cases involve symptoms of gastrointestinal trouble and liver disease, 30 percent involve kidney disease and about 10 percent involve other complaints, including neurological and skin conditions, the FDA said. About 15 percent of the kidney or urinary cases also tested positive for Fanconi syndrome, a rare disease that has been associated with the treats.
Agency officials also said they were able to perform necropsies, or post-death examinations, on 26 dogs submitted by veterinarians from across the country. In half of those cases, the deaths did not appear to be associated with the treats. Of the remaining 13 cases, an association with eating jerky treats "could not be ruled out," FDA officials said.
The FDA plans to join with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to launch a study similar to epidemiological traceback investigations used with people, comparing foods eaten by sick dogs with foods eaten by pets that did not get sick.
Pet treats made by national manufacturers Nestle Purina Pet Care and Del Monte Foods Corp., now known as Big Heart Pet Brands, were returned to store shelves recently after a voluntary recall tied to the discovery of unapproved antibiotic residue in some products last year. FDA officials said they had received few reports of illness associated with those reformulated products and no Fanconi syndrome cases.
In response to consumer demand, Milo's Kitchen Chicken Grillers and other products are now made in the U.S. with U.S.-sourced meat, said Chrissy Trampedach, Big Heart's director of corporate communications.

Overall, the jerky treat illnesses and deaths have been associated with many different product brands, officials said.

In the new report, the FDA said it had detected the antiviral drug amantadine in some Chinese chicken jerky samples sold more than a year ago. Officials said they don't believe the drug contributed to the animal illnesses or deaths. However, the drug, which is used to treat Parkinson's disease and influenza in humans, should not be present in jerky treats, officials said. The FDA has warned Chinese and domestic suppliers that amantadine is considered an adulterant, which could be grounds for banning the treats for sale in the U.S.

The companies have consistently said that the treats are safe to feed as directed and they've emphasized that, despite extensive testing, no specific cause of illness has been linked to the products.
"It's quite sad when you see it dawn on the people that they're trying to reward their best buddy there and then now they're the ones who have been making them ill."

Pet owners and veterinarians have criticized the FDA for not finding the source of the contamination more quickly and for not issuing more far-reaching recalls. They say they're sure that the products are dangerous, and that the reported illnesses and deaths should be more than enough proof.

"Its really hard to look at the number of cases that come in, correlate them with what they're eating and then go away from that and say, no, it's not related," said Brett Levitzke, a Brooklyn, New York, veterinarian who has seen more than a dozen dogs since 2011 with Fanconi syndrome.

"It's quite sad when you see it dawn on the people that they're trying to reward their best buddy there and then now they're the ones who have been making them ill," he told NBC News.

Original Article found here.

Charlie being gentle with his treat acquisition.

And Jekyll, a bit more eager, but still so adorable!

If you have a pet question about food, treats, training, behavior, or anything pet related, you can ask me, and the other pet lovers on Pawbly.com. Pawbly is dedicated to helping people take care of their pets and is always Free to use.

Or find me at the clinic, Jarrettsville Veterinary Center, in Jarrettsville Maryland.

Or on Twitter @FreePetAdvice.

Be safe, be kind, and always spoil those you love.

Pawbly Question."Based on the latest research, at what age would you recommend to spay a German Shepherd?"

This is CC, who was spayed last week.
She is a 6 month old shepherd (and lots of other stuff) mix.

Pawbly has been aflutter with questions lately..here's one I haven't talked much about.. 

"at what age do I recommend spaying?"

Always a smile..

Ready for surgery.

 Here is my answer;

There have been a few studies done that have altered our old perceptions of "ideal time to spay."

Certainly some breeds of dogs seem to be predisposed to some diseases, so we looked for ways to alter the statistics of incidence to see if anything (other than diluting out the gene pool,,a subject for another debate), might influence the incidence of disease. Of note is the study done on Golden Retrievers and a lower incidence of many diseases like hip dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament tears, and even cancer IF the age of neutering was delayed. This study sent shock waves through the veterinary community who is now re-thinking our previously held belief that ALL dogs should be spayed/neutered at 6 months old.

Unfortunately, the decision is not so simple. As awful as watching a pet suffer from one of these diseases is, it is even more awful to deal with the other end of the spectrum of this debate. It has been decades of trying to convince pet parents to spay and neuter their pets in an effort to curb the unwanted pet population. In this country alone we euthanize upwards of 10 million pets a year. And we are sometimes forced to euthanize puppies and kittens because we do not have homes for them.

If my clients did not spay/neuter this number would be larger. Most of my clients do not want to have an unwanted pregnancy, or deal with a pet that goes into heat so they spay at about 6 months old.

The other thing I have seen all too often is aggression. I see more anxiety, fear, and aggression related problems in un-spayed/neutered dogs than those that are fixed. Of all of the breeds of dogs that have the worst fear aggression and most devastating consequences German Shepherds have been the most horrible cases.

No one wants to admit it but medicine is all about statistics. I know that statistically as a population GSD suffer from aggression, fear, hip dysplasia, allergies, and immune mediated diseases. Whatever I can do to help avoid these I will do..But starting your dog on the best path can only be done by understanding the client, their abilities, restrictions, lifestyle, the pets bloodlines, genetic markers, parental diagnostics, and then deciding with as much information as possible what age is best to spay.

If I have to give an age without knowing any of these I say 6 months old, (before the first heat cycle).

I hope this helps..As always every pet is a unique individual who should be treated as such. After that the rest of the guidelines are based on statistics, they are the best guide we have to go on for now.

Surgery is done,, cleaning up the incision.

Waking up.

To find the Golden Retriever study please visit;
AVMA JAVMA News.

A little snack before heading home with dad.

If you have a question about anything pet related you can ask the community on Pawbly.com. Pawbly is dedicated to providing a safe, credible place to help people and pets the wide world over. Pawbly is free for everyone to use. We are also on Facebook..

You can also find me at the clinic, Jarrettsville Vet, or on Twitter @FreePetAdvice.

Thanks to Jana Rade for this question. Jana is the amazing woman behind Dawg Business, a blog to help people take care of their dogs, dedicated to the memory of her Rottweiler, Jasmine. 

Happy Spring Everyone!

Guest Blog, Dawg Business Mini Survey, Heartworm Disease and Prevention

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Veterinarians Answer: Heartworm Disease And Prevention

Do you think your dog might be at risk of contracting heartworm disease? Do you think it's something to worry about or not so much? Is your dog on preventative or do you think they don't need one?

I asked my veterinary friends.

Question: Have you been seeing heartworm positive dogs in your area? Do you feel that dog owners underestimate the seriousness of the issue?

***

Yes, we do see heartworm positive dogs in our area. 

Some of them are rescues coming up from the south but some are residents of Rhode Island.

I do feel that many owners underestimate the seriousness of this issue and I believe that internet sites that advise people that their dogs don't need heartworm or that the preventive medication is dangerous are a big part of the problem.

I believe it is irresponsible as a blogger or writer to be giving that type of advice.

—Dr. Lorie Huston, DVM, Rhode Island, Pet Health Care Gazette
    Dr. Lorie on Facebook and Twitter

***

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes.  This means thatheartworm disease is a regional issue which correlates to climate. When I lived in central Pennsylvania, I saw very few cases of heartworm disease.  I now live on the coast of South Carolina, where the locals joke that the mosquito is our state bird.  Unfortunately, our practice has seen 10 heartworm positive dogs this year.

A few of those dogs were from shelters, presumably not on preventative, but the rest were beloved companions, whose owners were sporadic in administering preventative, or had stopped giving it through the winter months.  Their owners, like most, underestimated the seriousness of the issue.

Treating heartworm disease is neither simple nor benign.  Treatment involves killing adult worms (which can be up to 14 inches long) residing in the dog’s heart and pulmonary arteries. It expensive for the client and painful for the dog, not to mention that the dog must be very strictly confined for one month following the final treatment.  Thankfully, prevention is simple, safe, and comparatively inexpensive!

—Dr. Julie Buzby, South Carolina, ToeGrips
    Dr. Julie on Facebook and on Twitter

***

I think that in light of the last few years of a struggling economy and many people being squeezed so tightly to try to make ends meet among a long list of demands from all sides thatheartworm disease has become more prevalent.

I have spoken to many clients who have had to choose between "ideal care" for their pet which included flea & tick prevention, heartworm prevention, all recommended vaccines and high end food. For many of my clients their concerns about feeding their family and keeping a roof over their heads meant foregoing the recommendations of me, their veterinarian. I saw heartworm prevention sales decrease, and routine visits followed. I also saw an increase in advanced illness because many people took a "watch and wait approach" which in some cases caused more advanced, expensive, and more difficult to resolve diseases and illnesses.

Between the decrease in available funds for pets due to the economy and a false sense of safety about the prevalence and consequences of heartworm disease I have seen more dogs test positive for heartworm disease in the last few years.

I do think that many people do not understand how easily and unknowingly the disease is spread, how simply and economically it can be prevented, and the expense and danger treating this disease poses to their pet.

It seems that no matter how many times I tell clients about this potentially life threatening disease, the danger and expense of treating it, and the advances of modern medicine in being able to prevent it so effectively, I still see dogs that test positive.

One mention of advice (my hashtag is after all "FreePetAdvice), Please buy your heartworm prevention from your veterinarian. If you do your dog is protected by the heartworm manufacturers guarantee, IF you give it monthly (as prescribed). And please test your dog yearly. If your pet tests positive you need to know ASAP.

—Dr. Krista Magnifico, DVM, Pennsylvania,  Diary of a Real-Life Veterinarian,
    www.pawbly.com
    Dr. Krista on Twitter 

 ***

We saw three dogs with heart worm disease last year.

 I don't think that dog owners realize that the NY metro area is seeing an increase in heart worm disease due to a number of factors.

1. The natural spread of this parasite over the years
2. The importation of infected dogs by rescue groups tat mean well but don't test dogs before bringing them north
3. Potential resistant strains of the parasite emerging in the south.
4. Mild winters increasing the numbers of insect vectors

All dogs in endemic areas are at risk, even if they do not go out, as mosquitoes will come in. And cats are at ink as well, but that is another question for another time

—Dr. Keith Niesenbaum, VMD, New York, Crawford Dog and Cat Hospital
    Dr. Keith on Facebook and on Twitter

***

To first quote the OVMA website " How prevalent is heartworm in Ontario? Do I really need to worry about it in my pet?

The actual number of heartworm positive pets in Ontario varies from year to year.

While there is currently no system in place to track every case of heartworm in the province, a survey conducted in 2010 found thatthe number of dogs with heartworm in Ontario increased by 60% between 2002 and 2010.

Of the dogs that tested positive for heartworm in Canada, nine per cent of them were confirmed as having been imported from the Southern United States (Katrina dogs) and 12 per cent had been imported from other parts of the United States or other countries. Fifty-one per cent had never left their local area.

The take home message is that Ontario pets are vulnerable from a variety of sources, and prevention is the best approach."

Now the best information resource for this information is one's local veterinarian.

On the internet one can find opinions and information from around the world. The problem with parasites is; they behave differently depending on the local climate, and density of the hosts available to them.

Within my practice the risk of heartworm is measurably greater 10 miles away than outside my front door.  Go another 10 miles it increases again, and go 60 miles and the risk is now as close to 100 % as mother nature allows us to get.

Dog owners that have lost a dog to heartworm stay on top of testing and prevention. Those that have not been that unlucky may feel it is not a concern and under estimate the impact. The science and epidemiological information is there for heartworm, humans pay attention to things they feel are of importance to them and ignore those things they feel are not important.


—Dr. Rae Worden, DVM, Ontario,  Fergus Veterinary Hospital
    Dr. Rae on Facebook and Twitter 

***

Most of my clients understand heartworms are bad news. 

They also understand there is easy monthly prevention. The only problem we ever get into is this business of "you can skip giving heartworm and flea prevention in the winter" that some clients have been raised with.

Almost invariably, that logic causes a gap in prevention that begins innocently enough as a plan to skip December, January and February. Yet somehow, it always seems that May rolls around, the snowmen are all melted, Christmas is long forgotten, the flowers are blooming, the dog is swarming with mosquitoes, crawling with fleas, and has no heartworm or flea prevention on board because the owner was so busy enjoying spring that he forgot to protect his furry loved ones. Then we get to spend the rest of the year fighting nasty fleas that could have been easily prevented, and worrying if Fido is growing heartworms inside until that six month post-exposure recheck heartworm test.

I realize prevention is a hassle, and can get expensive. The alternative is worse.

Train yourself to a habit of giving your dogs their monthly flea and heartworm stuff on the same day every month forever, and you'll prevent a world of hurt.

—Dr. Greg Magnusson, DVM (Leo's Daddy), Indiana, Leo's Pet Care
    Dr. Greg on Facebook and Twitter 

***

No, I have not been seeing (an increase in numbers of) heartworm positive dogs in my area of veterinary practice in southern California (Los Angeles).

There was only one occasion when I diagnosed a dog as being a positive in my seven years of SoCA practice.  This occurred in a dog that was brought to Los Angeles from Louisiana (where heartworm disease runs rampant) after being rescued from the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

As our desert-adjacent climate is typically sees very little rain and is generally quite arid, the conditions that support the lifecycle of the mosquito are not as available as other parts of the country

Yet, such conditions do exist and mosquitoes can prosper.

Plus, wild populations of changes (coyotes, etc.) have been reported by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to carry heartworm disease and could be a vector for transmission into our domesticated companion canines (and other species).

 —Dr. Patrick Mahaney, Los Angeles, The Daily Vet
     Dr. Patrick on Facebook and Twitter 


***

No, we don't see it on our area. As for prevention in endemic areas, yes, owners to underestimate the issue.

Heartworm disease doesn't show itself until the dog is quite sick.

It is easy for owners to ignore prevention and most owners don't realize the seriousness of the disease and how risky it is to treat it once it is diagnosed. All those things lead owners to underestimate the disease.

—Dr. Karel Carnohan, British Columbia, Animal Nutrition and Wellness Services
    Dr. Karel and Facebook and Twitter

Did these answers change your mind regarding heartworm prevention?  

Dawg Business Mini Survery, Heartworm Disease and Prevention

Medical Terms That Sound Like A Diagnosis, But Really Aren't, Guest Post by Jana Rade, Dawg Business

Medical Terms That Sound Like A Diagnosis But Really Are Not (Part I)

“Diagnosis that offers neither a solution
or an explanation is not a diagnosis.”
—Gregory House, MD

What really is a diagnosis?

According to wikipedia, a diagnosis (from an ancient Greek word that stands for discernment) is the identification of the nature and cause of [an illness].

In other words, getting to the bottom of a problem.

Why is this important?

A good diagnoses answers not only the question of what, but also the question of why.

The why is where the true solution lies.

I spent several days trying to come up with a good way to illustrate my point. And then the right story fell into my lap.

Recently, my mom got a fish tank with a few fish.

About a week ago she mentioned that it seemed that couple of the fish were not eating. She did go the the pet store she got the fish from, but the owner wasn't there, and the clerk told her that they definitely must be eating. Well, perhaps.

The other day she noticed that one of those two fish broke out with some kind of rash.

She took the fish out of the tank, put it in a glass and went to the pet store again. This time the owner was there.

He checked out the fish and told mom to take it back home; he was going to come over that afternoon.

He showed up equipped with an arsenal of vials and diagnostic thingies. He scrutinized the other fish, the tank, and the water chemistry.

Apparently, nitrate levels were off the charts!

Then he interrogated mom and found out that—with best intentions—she was overfeeding the fish! That's what led to the high nitrate levels, which then led to the fish getting sick.

He did treat the water with a liquid from one of his vials. He also treated the water with the sick fish, which he then took with him to see if he can bring it back to health. Then he gave mom detailed feeding and tank care instructions.

I am not an expert on fish, but I assume that the fish probably had ichthyophtirius, or something like that.

What is the point of this story?

Ichthyophtirius certainly sounds like a diagnosis, doesn't it? He could have easily stopped there, couldn't he?

But would that address the REAL problem?

Not for long.

*** 

The mother of all lame diagnoses is idiopathic “one-thing-or-another.”

Such a diagnosis admits three things:

1. we know that there should be a discernible cause for whatever is wrong (otherwise there would be no need for the qualifying adjective)
2. we have no idea what the cause is
3. we gave up trying to figure it out

“Idiopathic, from the Latin word idiot; meaning we're idiots cause we can't figure out what's causing it.”
—Gregory House, MD

Such a diagnosis really is an admission of defeat. 

Unfortunately, such a diagnosis often means that present medical science doesn't have the tools to get to the root of the problem.

What if sometimes the answer is hiding in plain sight?

This silly joke comes to my mind:
Patient: “My eye hurts when I drink coffee.”
Doctor: “Next time try taking out the spoon.”

Of course one could attempt to treat the eye somehow or manage the pain .. taking out the spoon, however, is much better solution, don't you think?

That's why getting to the bottom of things is so important.

In defense of idiopathic “one-thing-or-another” diagnoses, I have to say that I met with much worse.

As with Jasmine's chronic diarrhea, where the conclusion—as we were told then—was. that she has a delicate system. Or just recently, when my friend's dog was diagnosed with very sick intestines.

To top it off, both of these conditions got treated!

Quite often, though, you might encounter a medical term that truly does sound like a diagnosis.

Dermatitis, uveitis, otitis … just for a couple of examples. They do indeed describe the problem; in this case inflammation of the skin, eye or ear, respectively.

What do you think, are these final diagnoses?

It's your dog's health,
Jana

Related articles:
Medical Terms That Sound Like A Diagnosis But Really Are Not: One-thing-or-anotheritis

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Symptoms: Recognition, Acknowledgement And Denial, Guest Blogger Jana Rade

Today's blog is from my fellow blogger, and dog health expert, Jana Rade.

Symptoms: Recognition, Acknowledgement And Denial

symptom n. an abnormality caused by a disease that is observable in a sick animal 
Source: Dictionary of Veterinary Terms: Vet-speak Deciphered for the Non-veterinarian

The above definition points out two important things. A symptom is an abnormality that can be observed.

As far as your dog's health is concerned, this is the most important part of your job. 

You're the one who needs to pick up on such things. Well, of course you know that, that is a no-brainer, isn't it? You would be surprised how often it is not.

Observing doesn't necessarily mean understanding

Roxanne Hawn of Champion of My Heart wrote a great heartfelt article on the subject,Fearful Dog's and Medical Warning Signs. Sometimes we get so used to certain existing abnormalities, such as fear, that it is very easy to miss their medical significance.

If you had a confident dog, who suddenly became fearful, you're likely to take notice. But what if your dog is already fearful?

Your dog might be fearful, he might be quiet, he might be reactive … it is knowing what isnormal for your dog that is important.

Knowing what is normal

Knowing what is normal requires truly knowing your dog. Nobody else can do this for you.

Some symptoms are hard to miss because the hit you right in the face. Explosive diarrhea,vomiting, bleeding, severe itchiness...

But symptoms are not always as obvious. That doesn't mean that they are any less important.

As in Lilly's case, there was increase in fearfulness. But things like summertime increase in fears is normal for Lilly. Then there was some decrease in activity and stamina. Hiding behavior and change in elimination habits. Hair loss...

Beware of racionalizations

I think it is our tendency to nurture denial. Decrease in activity and stamina is easily attributed to weather, being tired from _______ (fill in your racionalization), or simple aging. “He just matured and slowed down.” There is no such thing in dogs, my friend! Dogs don't slow down because they matured, they slow down because being active had become difficult and/or accompanied by pain.

Even pain is sometimes considered normal in a senior dog!

When I joined hubby and our guys at the friend's farm recently, it was just couple days after Jasmine started favoring her front left leg again. I was upset about it and we had an appointment scheduled with her chiropractor.

The friend was complimenting on how great Jasmine was looking (and she was) and how well she was doing. I agreed but noted I was concerned about her front left leg.

“Well, she's eight years old,” the friend said.
Yes, she is, but she was eight ears old three days ago too and was pain free!

Just because a dog gets older it doesn't mean they won a frequent-flyer-pain-card!

Pain is not normal at any age! Pain is a symptom and needs to be addressed. Slowing down, not wanting to jump up on the couch, reluctance to play ... are not signs of maturity, they are symptoms of pain.

JD's buddy at the farm, Griffin, used to be his play buddy since JD was a pup. They'd play and play all day until they'd drop. Griffin is a Labradoodle and he is 6 years old now. He suddenly doesn't want to play with JD any more (which is breaking JD's heart).

What do you think? Had Griffin became too mature for silly play or should he be examined for signs of arthritis or other health problem?

The frog in boiling water

Gradual changes are the hardest to notice. Because they happen a little bit at the time they kind of became the new normal. Just like the frog placed in cold water that is slowly heated will not jump out. It doesn't work out so great for the frog!

Any signs that could be attributed to aging should be examined.

I think using what your dog was like when they were younger can serve as a good baseline. Symptoms of arthritis, Cushing's disease … are all too often contributed to aging.

Image Ostrich Head In Sand

Straight out denial

denial n. refusal to admit the truth or reality
Source: Merriam-Webster

Nobody wants bad things happen to their dog. Denial is really hoping that what you're seeing isn't what you fear it might be.

The first time Jasmine got up and was limping on her rear left leg, both hubby and I hoped her leg just fell asleep. Maybe her leg just fell asleep. Maybe she just laid wrong. Maybe she's just a little stiff. Hubby, eternal optimist, God bless his soul, is always trying to offer one of these explanations. But experience taught me otherwise.

Beware of “maybe it's just” explanations for what you're seeing

Maybe it's just heat was the first thought of Duncan's parents when he became lethargic and listless. Three days later he collapsed upon arrival to the emergency hospital and was diagnosed with Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA).

Our neighbor's though it was just the heat when their dog collapsed. He died at the emergency hospital of heart failure.

Even just the heat can be deadly for your dog!

Know what is normal for your dog!

Know what is normal for your dog. Note and acknowledge any deviations from it. Noticing and addressing early symptoms can make a world of difference, and, in some cases, it can mean the difference between life and death.

Resist denial and racionalizations. The only way to deal with a problem is by facing it. And if by some chance you do end up in the veterinarian's office with a false alarm, trust me, it's the better alternative.

It's your dog's health,
Jana

For more information or to read more of Jana's articles you can find her at; Jana Rade

Veterinarians Are People First

A guest post from fellow Pawbly advisor, Dawg Business writer, founder, and dog lover Jana Rade. 

Veterinarians Are People First

I am working on a guest post about choosing a veterinarian. It made me reflect on all the veterinarians we've worked with—and it had been quite a few.

There are some important objective criteria to consider when choosing a veterinarian for your dog.

However, veterinarians are not machines—they are people. Each of them is a unique individual. Michelangelo, Einstein … it was not their education or their affiliations what made them who they were.

Every veterinarian is a person first, then a veterinarian.

What kind of person is your veterinarian?

Their education might be the same, the information out there is available equally to all of them—it is what they do with it what makes the difference.

Do you prefer an experienced old-timer or a young vet who won't have that much experience but is more likely to be up to date with all the new treatments and techniques?

Well, I can tell you that it is not as simple as that. 

Jasmine's present vet is an old-timer and he is on top of all the latest research and treatments. I haven't stumped him yet, and, believe me, I ask all kinds of questions.

Jasmine's earlier vet was a young one and couldn't care less. He was the type who believed that since he's made it through the vet school he now knows everything.

Jasmine's first vet was an experienced practitioner, working in a reputable clinic. 

He seemed to know his stuff. Yet he failed to recognize Jasmine's food allergies.

We started looking for a new one because we felt that our frequent vet visits were fruitless. More importantly, we felt that it became just business for him; there was no indication that he actually cared about his patients.

The vet we switched to came with great recommendation from our friends.

As we heard all the stories about how wonderful he was, we were very excited to get him as Jasmine's new vet.

He did seem to care about Jasmine and was very nice. And yet he became a source of great disappointment.

Our friends thought he was as amazing as they come.

At the beginning we did too. But he didn't listen to what we were telling him and his effort to keep things price-friendly for the clients led to cutting corners where they shouldn't have been cut.

Priorities are important.

What is your prospective vets' main priority? Is it an academic interest? Is it personal success and image? Is it their ego? Is it looking good in front of the clients? Is it just business? Or is it well-being of their patient? We've met them all.

It all comes down to attitude.

Intellect, education, those are all important things. Experience is great, but it can work both for or against your dog. Attitude, however, is what will make the difference when it really matters.

If your vet really cares about his patients, they will keep up with newest research and treatments. They will listen to what you're saying. They will take your dog's symptoms seriously. They will discuss things with you. They will consider what you came up with during your research. They will seek a second opinion when unsure.

They will have the drive to do everything that needs to be done to make your dog well.

We dealt with vets who lost the motivation to work their way to a diagnosis in a complicated case and were satisfied merely dealing with the symptom(s). We dealt with vets who made up their minds about things before hearing out what we observed in our dog. We dealt with vets who knew it all and nobody, particularly not dumb owners, could tell them anything. We dealt with vets to whom their professional pride meant more than their patient. We dealt with vets who'd jump out of their skin at the notion of looking for a second opinion.

At the end, attitude is what can make it or break it.

We love and cherish Jasmine's present vet. Do we agree on everything? No, we don't. Is he infallible? No, he isn't. But I know he will bend over backward for Jasmine's benefit.

Aptitude is important. But aptitude without attitude is useless.

When looking for a vet for you dog, consider all the objective criteria. But don't forget to look for attitude.

It's your dog's health!
Jana

If you would like to read Jana's other articles you can find them at the following links;

Dawg Business

dvm's daily

If you would like to ask Jana a question about dogs, dog health, or any other dog issue please visit Jana at pawbly