Should I Get a Dog?

The short answer is, of course, yes! If you never had the fortune to grow up with dogs, or to know a friend who had a dog, you do not know the amazingly fun times you are missing! Depending on where you live and what kind of dog is right for you, you can take it swimming, hunting, walking around, on the bus, on a jog, or simply just to the dog park to meet other like-minded dog owners. While there are many considerations to go over as to whether a dog is right for you and your current situation (Do you have the space? Do you have the time?), dogs are scientifically proven to be good for the person who owns them and their family. So, if you have a house with a nice backyard and have a spare hour a day, get looking for a new sidekick! Following are some of the most impressive reasons that owning a dog isn't just a costly endeavor.

One good thing about owning a dog is that they will help you live longer. That's right! While pets provide their owners with the love and company they so desire, it is difficult to say exactly why people who own dogs live longer. There is evidence that dogs can help you reduce your blood pressure! This article probably does not have to tell you how fun it can be to play with your dog, cuddle with your dog, or just hang around and watch your dog experience new things. Well, owning a pet can lower your blood pressure as effectively as if you were to start eating a low-salt diet or restricting how much alcohol you drink. So get a dog, then grab a beer. This is why many hospitals and retirement community centers hire on a dog to come in and engage in "animal therapy" with the patients and residents: not only does it help old people by reducing their blood pressure and offering them a distraction from any worries or sad thoughts in their lives, but it also acts as a calming presence that eliminates loneliness. At this point in the article it is already clear that dogs are somewhat of a wonder cure for many of life's ills!

Studies by the US Department of Health have come to the conclusion that pets helped victims of heart attacks--the study reads that 28% of heart patients who also had pets survived "serious heart attacks", while only about 6% of people without pets made it through. If that's not enough, you can also measure how much good it does you to own a dog by measuring your before-and-after waistline. A recent study has concluded that pet owners had 2% lower cholesterol than those without pets, and those pet owners' chance of going through cardiac arrest was reduced by 4%.
Not only are dogs good for you, but they are good for your kids, too. You do not need to read studies to view the delight on children's faces as they play with dogs. But, just in case that was not enough evidence for you, a few studies have been done to prove how good it is for kids to own pets. A certain study showed that children who were in the vicinity of a dog during their physical examinations had reduced blood pressure, less behavioral problems or distress, and lower heart rates than when a dog was nowhere to be found.

In conclusion, a dog is sometimes hard work. If you've never owned a pet before, you may have to become accustomed to picking up the feces of your companion at the most inopportune times. The dog, depending on what type it is, may be aggressive or too timid, very easy or very hard to train, and may either be too smart for its own good or not live up to your standards of intelligence. These are the facts. However, if you give them love, they will return it with all of their energy--it is what they were bred to do and why the humans have let them stick around for the past thousands of years.



From http://pet-articles.blogspot.com/

Are you flying with a pet this holiday season?

 

• NEVER SEDATE an animal that is flying!
• INSPECT your carrier or crate before you go to the airport--check the security of all zippers, seams, locks, screws and connections.
• DO NOT REMOVE AN UNLEASHED PET IN AN OPEN AREA!  If security wants you to take your pet out of its carrier to be screened, ask to be placed with your pet in a secure room.
• If your pet is flying as checked baggage or cargo, USE ZIP TIES to latch the door shut.  Make sure the top and bottom of the carrier are held together with metal screws, and reinforce with additional zip ties.
• POST YOUR PET'S PICTURE & FLIGHT NUMBER(S) AND YOUR NAME & CELL PHONE NUMBER boldly on all sides of the crate, with instructions to contact you immediately for the handling of your pet.  Keep your cell phone on until the very last minute.
• TELL THE PILOT of your aircraft that you have a pet flying as checked baggage or cargo--the pilot controls the heat & cooling in the hold!
• DON'T BE SHY!  Ask questions.  Make people aware that you are flying with a pet.  Be assertive, but polite.  TAKE WHATEVER STEPS ARE NECESSARY TO INSURE YOUR PET IS HANDLED RESPECTFULLY & SAFELY.

 

Stem Cell Therapy for Osteoarthritis

A study was performed on 155 canines who suffered from moderate to severe osteoarthritis from four independent veterinarians across the country.  The canines were assessed and assigned a quantified score in the areas of pain, lameness and range of motion, using a standard scale on days 1, 30 and 60.  After 60 days, 98 percent of the subjects showed improvement in the pain category, with an average decrease in felt pain by 77 percent.

After 60 days, 95 percent of the subjects showed improvement in the lameness category with an average decrease of 65 percent.  After 60 days, 96 percent of the subjects observed had exhibited an improvement in the range of motion category, showing an increase of 51 percent.

Overall, 99 percent of the canines in this study showed improvement in at least one of the three categories, thus showing that stem cell therapy is an effective treatment for canines who suffer from moderate to severe osteoarthritis.

It is no secret that stem cell therapy is rapidly growing into one of the largest alternatives for regenerative medicine in veterinary science.  It is being used to improve the lives of animals that suffer from osteoarthritis as well as tendon and ligament damage, joint injuries and fractured bones.

Osteoarthritis is a disease affecting millions of animals nationwide that involves the deterioration of cartilage and smooth muscle tissue lining the joints—which generally leads to chronic pain, loss of range of motion, lameness and joint inflammation.

While traditional treatment methods of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have proven to be therapeutic at best, this only temporarily masks a more severe problem.

Stem cells, found in bone marrow and adipose tissue, but also in liver tissue, blood vessels and neurons, are the body’s personalized repair cells.  They have the ability to both divide and differentiate into numerous cell types—depending on what is necessary for repair by the recipient.

Adipose tissue yields a high concentration of adult mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs).  And while high yield is essential to therapies based on regenerative medicine, adipose-derived ASCs present several more advantages in comparison to other sources.  Adipose tissue is abundant, excision is minimally invasive, and ASCs are easily and rapidly isolated.

A team of four independent veterinarians from across the country conducted a case study on 155 canines that suffered from moderate to severe osteoarthritis.  The dogs’ ages range from 1 to 17 with an average age of 9.

The average weight of the dogs was 78.05 pounds with an average Body Condition Score (BCS) of 3.60—using the following scale: 1) Emaciated, 2) Underweight, 3) Ideal, 4) Overweight, 5) Obese.

Based on the average BCS score of 3.60, our case study purports that the majority of the canines included were between ideal and overweight.  This suggests that the sample consisted of healthy canines with arthritic difficulties stemming from something other than weight factors.

Figure 1 shows the breeds represented in this case study.  The breeds were characterized using the same categories as the Westminster Kennel Club.

On Day 1 of the study, the average pain score reported was 4.1.  By Day 30, the average pain score had dropped to 1.4—a decrease of 66 percent.  On Day 60, the pain score dropped to 0.93.  From Day 1 to Day 60, the pain that the canines felt decreased by 77 percent.

Across the board, the dogs in this study showed a significant decrease in their pain level after both 30 and 60 days from participating in stem cell therapy.

Lameness was assessed and quantified using a scale of 0-5, with 0 being no lameness in the affected area and 5 being complete lameness in the affected joint.

Figure 4 shows that the canines experienced an increase in the range of motion of the affected joint after both 30 and 60 days of participating in stem cell therapy.  After 30 days, participants saw an average increase of 45 percent and a 51 percent average increase after 60 days.

Based on these figures, participants experienced the majority of their improvement within their first 30 days of treatment, while continuing to show improvement between 30 and 60 days.

After 60 days, pain and lameness had decreased by averages of 77 percent and 65 percent, respectively, while range of motion increased by an average of 51 percent.

Of the canines in this study, 99 percent benefitted or showed improvement in each of the three categories studied—which would suggest that stem cell therapy is extremely effective in not only alleviating pain, but serving as a template for repair in pets experiencing osteoarthritic and joint deterioration issues.

Further studies are needed to ascertain how long these improvements last.

From "Veterinary Practice News"

Techs Give Thumbs-up To Laser Therapy

This educational series on veterinary applications of Class IV laser therapy has explored its scientific and clinical aspects, along with safety and practice management considerations.  But what do veterinary technicians have to say about Class IV laser therapy?

After all, they are the ones at the front lines—delivering the treatments and educating the clients about conditions that can be treated, how it works, and what to expect from a course of treatment.  For this article we interviewed five veterinary technicians:

-Shayna Rodrigues, CVT, CCRP, of Newtown Veterinary Hospital in Newtown, Pa.

-Stacy Bender of Great Bridge Veterinary Hospital in Chesapeake, Va.

-Alicia Brand of Andalusia Road Veterinary Centre Ltd. In Milan, Ill.

-Lorraine Kendall of the Animal Hospital of North Asheville in Asheville, N.C.

-Kendrah Jensen of La Zoetry Pet Clinic in Cheyenne, Wyo.

A common first reaction to laser therapy was skepticism.  Since it was a new modality for all five, they were unsure of the safety or efficacy of the treatments.  “Are we really going to use it, or will it just sit around like other things we have tried to bring in?” Brand asked.  Jensen wondered, “Does this really work?”

Laser therapy companies should do more than just sell equipment: they are duty-bound to provide proper training and implementation support—which should be included in the purchase price and not listed as an add-on to the sale.  Asked about the learning curve involved for delivering effective treatments, Kendall commented, “We had a lot of questions in the beginning, but the staff of the laser company was so helpful!  They are very easy to get a hold of and can make laser very understandable.”

“It is somewhat intimidating at first, maybe because of the word ‘laser,’ but after doing the (company-supplied) training it becomes like second nature,” Jensen said. 

What was the initial client reaction to laser therapy?  All five technicians responded with enthusiasm.

“Our clients have been so excited to try the laser therapy and are very impressed with the results.  They even take time out of their day to call us and let us know how happy they are with the treatment,” said Jensen.  “We have had patients carried in on a stretcher thinking it was the end for them.  By the third visit they are walking again,” Kendall reported.

And Brand simply stated, “They love it!”

Many animals can be nervous when it comes time for their first laser therapy treatment.  But our surveyed technicians all reported that their patients have responded very favorably to the addition of laser therapy.

“I even think coming to the clinic to get laser therapy has eased their minds from associating the clinic with irritating poking and prodding,” Jensen said, to which Kendall added that animals can be nervous on the first treatment, but on subsequent visits they get excited, run in and flop down on the bed ready for treatment.

What are the top three applications for Class IV laser therapy in their clinics?  The technicians responded with an impressive list: post-dental, post-surgical, wound healing, hot spots, snake bites, osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc disease, stifles and acupuncture points.  Rodriguez emphasized, “My patients have greatly benefited from our use of Class IV laser therapy.”

Since most treatments are performed by technicians, the modality adds an important role to their responsibilities in the clinic, along with a lot of interactive time with clients.  This increases the opportunity to not only educate clients about laser therapy, but on other services offered by the clinic, such as dental work or preventive exams.

“I love using the laser and continually push for its use on every animal we see,” said Rodriguez.  Brand agreed and added, “I enjoy being able to go in and treat an animal and just talk with the owners rather than always having to get the history and lab work and the doctor does the rest.”

“I love doing laser because I know the pain and misery that the patient is enduring will be relieved and the owner worry will also be relieved,” Kendall said.

“The Class IV laser adds a whole new facet to our jobs at the clinic,” Jensen noted.  “I am so happy to be able to offer a non-invasive, medication-free way to reduce our patients’ pain.  Getting the word out and letting clients know how excited we are about this has really helped our clinic grow.”

What message would they pass on to other veterinary practices considering purchasing a therapy laser?  Kendall said, “Please, for the well-being and comfort of your patients and relief for the owners, try laser.  You will wonder where this has been all your life/career.”

Jensen wholeheartedly agreed: “Class IV laser therapy is an essential tool in getting the patient back to normal as quickly as possible, whether it be surgery, an ongoing condition, or a one-time wound.  It benefits everyone—the patients benefit with less down time and pain, the client is pleased with results and cost effectiveness, and the clinic is happy to have been able to help.”

From "Veterinary Practice News"

Dental Care for Pets

 

Bad breath in pets, particularly dogs, is often joked about, but it is not a laughing matter. Dental disease affects up to 80% of pets over the age of three, and just like humans, there can be serious consequences of poor dental health.

How many teeth do dogs and cats have, anyway?
Dogs start out with 28 deciduous (baby) teeth, cats start out with 26 deciduous teeth. By six months of age, these baby teeth fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth, 42 in the dog and 30 in the cat.

Will I find the deciduous teeth, and what happens when they don't fall out on their own?
You may or may not find the teeth as they fall out. As dogs play and chew on toys, you might see a tooth. Likewise, as a cat grooms, you may find a tooth in the fur. If the deciduous teeth don't fall out and the permanent teeth erupt under them, this can lead to problems, such as increased tartar formation, malocclusion problems, and gingival (gum) irritation.

When should dental care start with my pet?
The earlier the better. With the help of your veterinarian, be on the lookout for retained deciduous teeth and malocclusion (bad bite) problems. Your veterinarian can teach you how to care for your pet's teeth and gums early on.

How can I tell if my pet has dental problem?
Bad breath is often a first indicator of dental disease. Gently lift the lips and check for tartar, inflamed gums, or missing/broken teeth. Cats may exhibit increased drooling. Both cats and dogs can exhibit reluctance to eat or play with toys, "chattering" of the teeth when trying to eat, lethargy, bleeding gums, eroded teeth, and failing to groom (cats). Dental disease progresses in stages -- if caught early, you can prevent further damage and save as many teeth as possible.

How is the rest of the body affected by bad teeth?
Infected gums and teeth aren't just a problem in the mouth -- the heart, kidneys, intestinal tract, and joints may also be infected. The tartar and any infected areas of the mouth contain a multitude of bacteria than can 'seed' to other parts of the body. With regular dental care, you can prevent some of these more serious side effects.

Where should I start?
With a new puppy or kitten, talk to your veterinarian at the vaccination appointments on how to initiate a good dental care program at home. Most veterinarians are happy to provide brushing lessons, and many carry brushes and toothpaste specifically for dogs and cats. (NOTE: do not use human toothpaste on your pet!)

If your pet is an adult over 3 years of age, it would be wise to schedule a dental check up with your veterinarian. If a dental cleaning is necessary, it is advisable to do pre-anesthesia blood work to make sure your pet does not have any underlying problems.

My pet needs a dental cleaning -- what is involved with that?
As mentioned above, pre-dental blood work is recommended. This is a check on the overall health of the pet to make sure that liver, kidneys, and blood counts are within normal ranges and to reduce any risks possible prior to the anesthesia. Many pets with bad teeth will be put on an antibiotic a few days prior to the dental to calm the infection and reduce possibility of complications.

Your pet will be fasted from the evening before for the anesthesia. The dental itself is similar to a human dental cleaning - tartar removal, checking for cavities, gingival (gum) pockets, loose teeth, any growths on the gums or palate, removal of diseased teeth, and finally, polishing. The polishing is to smooth the tooth after tartar removal, as the tartar pits the tooth. A smooth tooth will not encourage tartar formation as easily as a roughened tooth.

With good dental care, your pet can enjoy a long and healthy life.



For more information, visit www.northbayanimalhospital.com.
 

From http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/diseasesall/a/dentalcare.htm

Should I Get a Dog?

The short answer is, of course, yes! If you never had the fortune to grow up with dogs, or to know a friend who had a dog, you do not know the amazingly fun times you are missing! Depending on where you live and what kind of dog is right for you, you can take it swimming, hunting, walking around, on the bus, on a jog, or simply just to the dog park to meet other like-minded dog owners. While there are many considerations to go over as to whether a dog is right for you and your current situation (Do you have the space? Do you have the time?), dogs are scientifically proven to be good for the person who owns them and their family. So, if you have a house with a nice backyard and have a spare hour a day, get looking for a new sidekick! Following are some of the most impressive reasons that owning a dog isn't just a costly endeavor.

One good thing about owning a dog is that they will help you live longer. That's right! While pets provide their owners with the love and company they so desire, it is difficult to say exactly why people who own dogs live longer. There is evidence that dogs can help you reduce your blood pressure! This article probably does not have to tell you how fun it can be to play with your dog, cuddle with your dog, or just hang around and watch your dog experience new things. Well, owning a pet can lower your blood pressure as effectively as if you were to start eating a low-salt diet or restricting how much alcohol you drink. So get a dog, then grab a beer. This is why many hospitals and retirement community centers hire on a dog to come in and engage in "animal therapy" with the patients and residents: not only does it help old people by reducing their blood pressure and offering them a distraction from any worries or sad thoughts in their lives, but it also acts as a calming presence that eliminates loneliness. At this point in the article it is already clear that dogs are somewhat of a wonder cure for many of life's ills!

Studies by the US Department of Health have come to the conclusion that pets helped victims of heart attacks--the study reads that 28% of heart patients who also had pets survived "serious heart attacks", while only about 6% of people without pets made it through. If that's not enough, you can also measure how much good it does you to own a dog by measuring your before-and-after waistline. A recent study has concluded that pet owners had 2% lower cholesterol than those without pets, and those pet owners' chance of going through cardiac arrest was reduced by 4%.

Not only are dogs good for you, but they are good for your kids, too. You do not need to read studies to view the delight on children's faces as they play with dogs. But, just in case that was not enough evidence for you, a few studies have been done to prove how good it is for kids to own pets. A certain study showed that children who were in the vicinity of a dog during their physical examinations had reduced blood pressure, less behavioral problems or distress, and lower heart rates than when a dog was nowhere to be found.

In conclusion, a dog is sometimes hard work. If you've never owned a pet before, you may have to become accustomed to picking up the feces of your companion at the most inopportune times. The dog, depending on what type it is, may be aggressive or too timid, very easy or very hard to train, and may either be too smart for its own good or not live up to your standards of intelligence. These are the facts. However, if you give them love, they will return it with all of their energy--it is what they were bred to do and why the humans have let them stick around for the past thousands of years.


For more information, visit www.northbayanimalhospital.com.


From http://pet-articles.blogspot.com/

Getting Your Cat to the Veterinarian

What Type of Carriers are Best?

The best carriers are inexpensive hard-sided carriers that open from the top and the front, and can also be taken apart in the middle. An easily removable top allows a cat which is fearful, anxious or in pain to stay in the bottom half of the carrier for exams. Your veterinarian can often do the exam in the bottom of a well-designed carrier. Avoid carriers that require a cat to be pulled from or dumped out for an exam. Choose carriers that are sturdy, secure and stable for the cat, as well as easy for you to carry. Carriers should be seat-belted into the car to keep your cat safer and to reduce the bumpiness of the ride. Some cats like to see out, whereas others are less anxious when the carrier is covered with a blanket or towel to prevent seeing the unfamiliar.

You are an important member of your cat’s healthcare team. You can be instrumental in helping your cat have more relaxed veterinary visits and improved healthcare.

Providing good health care, especially preventive health care, can allow your cats to have longer, more comfortable lives. However, this cannot happen unless they see the veterinarian for needed care. Many cats dislike going to the veterinarian, and that starts with the difficulty of getting the cat into the carrier. If we can make this step easier, the entire veterinary visit is usually less stressful.

The following tips will help make veterinary visits easier for you and your cat.

Understanding your Cat’s Behavior

• Cats are most comfortable with the familiar, and need time to adjust to the unfamiliar. The visit to the veterinarian is often difficult because the carrier, car, and the veterinary hospital are usually unfamiliar. Respect your cat’s need for time to become familiar with new situations, people and places.

• Stay calm. Cats can sense our anxiety or frustrations, which may cause them to become fearful or anxious.

• Cats do not learn from punishment or force. Give rewards to encourage positive behavior. For example, if your cat is sitting calmly in or near a carrier, give a treat. Likewise, rewards can be given to help your cat become familiar with the type of handling that may be encountered at the veterinarian (e.g., handling paws, ears and mouth). A treat is what is highly desirable to your cat, which may be in the form of food, play or affection. Be persistent and reward every time.

Helping Your Cat Become Comfortable with the Carrier

The goal is for your cat to learn to associate the carrier with positive experiences and routinely enter voluntarily.

• Make the carrier a familiar place at home by leaving it in a room where your cat spends a lot of time.

• Place familiar soft bedding inside the carrier. Bedding or clothing with your scent can make them feel more secure.

• Place treats, catnip or toys inside the carrier to encourage the cat to enter at home. Often, you will first see that treats are removed from the carrier during the night.

• It may take days or weeks before your cat starts to trust the carrier. Remain calm, patient and reward desired behaviors.

• If you still have trouble, you may need to assess the carrier itself.

Getting an Unwilling Cat into the Carrier

If your cat needs to go to the veterinarian right away, and is not yet accustomed to the carrier, the following may help:

• Start by putting the carrier in a small room with few hiding places. Bring the cat into the room and close the door. Move slowly and calmly. Do not chase the cat to get it into the carrier. Encourage the cat with treats or toys to walk into the carrier.

• If your cat will not walk into the carrier, and your carrier has an opening on the top, gently cradle your cat and lower it into the carrier. Another option is to remove the top half of your carrier while getting the cat to go into the bottom half, and then calmly replace the top as pictured above.

• Use familiar bedding inside the carrier. Consider use of synthetic feline facial pheromone (Feliway) analog spray in the carrier at least 30 minutes prior to transport to help calm the cat.

Coming Home – Keeping the Peace in a Multi-cat Household

Cats are very sensitive to smells, and unfamiliar smells can result in one cat no longer recognizing another. Aggressive behavior can occur when one cat senses another as a stranger. These suggestions can help avoid problems between cats following a veterinary visit:

• Leave the returning cat in the carrier for a few minutes to see how all of your cats react.

• If all cats appear calm and peaceful, let the returning cat out of the carrier.

• If you sense tension between the cats, or if previous home-comings have resulted in conflict, keep the cat in the carrier and take it to a separate room to avoid potential injury from an upset cat. Provide food, water and litter box for a minimum of 24 hours while it regains the more familiar smell of home.

• If there is still stress after this time, contact your veterinarian for more advice on slower introduction or medication to help the process.

• A synthetic feline pheromone (Feliway) can help provide the sense of familiarity.

• For future visits:

– Use familiar bedding or clothing with your scent, as it retains the smell of home and helps with reintroduction.

– Use a synthetic feline pheromone (Feliway).

– Bring both cats to the veterinary practice together. This can prevent future conflict as both cats will carry the scent of the clinic.

For more information, visit www.northbayanimalhospital.com.

From http://www.fabcats.org/publications/2011_Feline__FriendlyClient_Handout.pdf