VetMDblog

2009-11-25T15:31:00.004-05:00

Pets Are Part Of The Family: Poll Results

2009-10-28T16:13:00.000-04:00

I was recently interviewed by Megan Scott of the Associated Press. The AP partnered in a recent poll on people's view toward pets and their role in the family. Many of us know this intrinsically, but about half of those polled believe animals are a full and essential part of the family. Below is a link to the article from my former hometown newspaper in Minneapolis. You will find some great statistics in this article from the STARTRIBUNE.

W3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl">http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/48854952.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4OW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUnciaec8O7EyUsl

Posted by Dr Kris Nelson

Interesting Info From Another Blog

2009-10-28T13:44:00.000-04:00

10/08/09

Morris Animal Foundation Studies Possible Cure for Feline Asthma

Dr. Eric Barchas, DVM

Feline asthma is a common syndrome in cats. It causes chronic coughing and wheezing in some individuals. Others may suffer from acute asthmatic crises that cause severe respiratory distress. These crises can be fatal.

Feline asthma historically has been challenging to treat. No cure is available. The mainstay of treatment has been oral steroids, but these medications are not universally effective and have the potential for serious side effects.

Inhalable asthma medications also may be of benefit to asthmatic cats, but special equipment is required to administer these drugs. Also, many cats do not tolerate the process of receiving nebulized (inhalable) medications.

Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) is an independent organization (although it has links to Hill’s) dedicated to research that benefits animals. I am pleased that the foundation has recently initiated a feline-specific emphasis in order to make up some of the discrepancy between medical care for dogs (who always seem to get the best that veterinary medicine has to offer) and cats (the second species of veterinary medicine).

MAF recently released news that they are investigating a potential cure for feline asthma. The treatment, called rush immunotherapy, is designed to attenuate or eliminate asthmatic cats’ excessive response to items that simulate the immune system. This excessive response is the cause of asthma. Rush immunotherapy may soon be available by injection or as a treatment that is introduced into the nose.

I hope it works. You can read more about the study here.

Why Dogs Don't Like HALLOWEEN!

2009-10-26T14:04:00.002-04:00

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You Have To Love Fall Foliage...

2009-10-26T13:35:00.002-04:00

Info From A Friend At DEP...

2009-10-26T12:43:00.003-04:00

Please read!!!

If you are an owner of a dog that belongs to a 'dangerous breed' category and you also have a child or a visiting small child please take this as a warning.

Don't leave your dog with a small child unattended under any circumstances!!!

Only one little moment was enough for the following to happen.

Birthday Dog

2009-10-25T10:34:00.003-04:00

Addie Mae turned 4 years old on Friday.

We caught sister Zoey giving her a birthday kiss!

POMERANIANS UNITE!

2009-10-06T14:11:00.004-04:00

Buddy John met Little Fella and family today. Little Fella is 3 years old.

2009-10-05T15:12:00.006-04:00

Do you know me????? I'm lost. I was found at the Middletown water plant near Newfield St.

I think I'm middle aged. I weigh 17 pounds. I'm definitely a big guy.

Please help me find my way home!

New Staff Edition

2009-10-05T13:57:00.000-04:00

Meet the newest member of our team at Middletown Vet!! This is Lt Dan, a five month old Lab mix puppy. He is a special needs little guy with some hind end difficulties. He runs and plays like every other puppy and is very loving and affectionate. Stop by and say hello to our technician Emily's new boy!

Space Shuttle Landing in Ft Worth

2008-12-17T14:29:00.002-05:00

ROAD TRIP WITH PEPPER

2008-10-07T13:10:00.000-04:00

One of our friends shared a weekend road trip with us...

We took the dogs on our fall foliage drive. The elk was their favorite tourist attraction and the shot after that is them barking at it as we drove away.

The last 2 pics are at an old marble quarry called Natural Bridge. The other shots of this didn't really come out well, but it's really a neat place! The melting glaciers made tunnels thru the marble.
There is also a dam made from the marble, and the waterfall going over it is gorgeous.

Special note: We're very happy that Pepper is doing so well after his treatment of cortizone shots and prednesone pills. He was nearly put to sleep a few weeks ago! He fell down the stairs in Aug. and hurt his spine.
He did more walking at the quarry park than he has in a couple of months. We were worried that he might be in pain the next day, but he didn't seem to be suffering at all.
He's spunky as ever, yelling at the other 2 dogs and chasing the cat! Yay, Pepper's king of the world again!

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2008-10-07T13:05:00.003-04:00

One of our friends shared a weekend road trip with us...

http://mail.google.com/a/middletownvethospital.com/?fs=1&tf=1&source=ig&view=cv&search=all&th=11cd378e5e49be1c

ADDIE MAY POSES

2008-09-11T11:30:00.002-04:00

TEST POST

2008-09-10T11:36:00.006-04:00

Do Pets Grieve? (Courtesy of the Doolittler blog)

2008-09-09T14:35:00.001-04:00

Do pets grieve? :: Vet News 9/03/08

At least once a month or so a client will call with questions about pets who seem to grieve for their lost companions. Sometimes it’s a human death at hand, but more often it’s about pets who “miss” their recently departed conspecific (typically another cat or dog):

What should I do to help her grieve?
Will he ever get over the loss?
Could grief be making her sick?

I’m not always sure how to handle the questions since sometimes it’s obvious that human grief may well be the overriding issue. So I have to wonder, is this just our human way of anthropomorphizing our pets…or is it something more real?

I had cause to rethink this issue after reading an article in The New York Times’ science section yesterday. It detailed the heartbreaking story of Gana, a gorilla in the Munich Zoo whose several month-old infant succumbed to a congenital cardiac ailment. After its death she carried the dead baby around for days in a not-atypical display of non-human primate “mourning” where mothers will refuse to relinquish their young until they’re well-decayed.

The article proceeded to question what death means for different species: “dinner” for lions (who eat their dead mates) and perhaps “remembrance” for elephants drawn to the bones of their lost ones. But is it really “grief”?

I couldn’t tell you with any certainty but it’s my belief that dogs and cats experience grief—albeit differently from the Elizabeth Kübler-Ross variety most of us are intimately aware of. In my personal experience, “pet grief” resembles more a confused, missing-you state of stress: Where did she go?

Pets closely bonded to the deceased may pace, appear to search for their lost companion, eat less or demonstrate changes to their sleep/wake cycles. Most owners interpret this as depression—and who’s to say they’re not right?

Detractors of the concept of grief in animals suggest that pets are merely picking up on our emotional cues. That animals are devoid of cognition when it comes to the past and are therefore incapable of understanding grief the way we do.

Yet even if that’s true, don’t they still experience the loss in some way? I think that’s undeniable. And isn’t the simple experience of loss a sort of grief, too?

Why the need to question animal emotion, anyway?

We no longer question whether basic human physiologic functions are experienced similarly in mammals. We intuit that they feel pain and can document behavioral and physiologic changes that accompany it, for example.

So why do we assume that basic emotions elude them simply because they cannot conceive what is happening to them the same way we do? Their limited cognition doesn't decrease pain after injury any, does it? Why, then, do we wonder whether or not animal emotions like grief convey biological advantages?

Is it simply because we can't understand how that might work? Or is it maybe because if we know animals are capable of more complex emotions like grief we'll have even more cause to question how we treat them...?

We Love Border Collies

2008-09-09T14:00:00.002-04:00

Shadow is 4 months old, he comes from a long line of "working" dogs. His folks had another BC named Yukon. They loved him dearly.

Sadie shown below was our beloved "chief of staff"

A Huge Cat!

2008-09-09T12:58:00.004-04:00

This shot was taken recently in Brooklyn Ct. The photo was taken through a screen, hence the poor image quality. She's a large Bobcat. She was 30 feet away from the house, the photographer actually saw a "kitten" of hers in the brush behind her. Very impressive!

Dwarfed By A Toy...

2008-09-09T09:59:00.002-04:00

NEW HOME NEEDED!!!

2008-09-09T09:53:00.003-04:00

She's a very sweet cat that is very lonely. This poor cat was dropped off at our front door recently. She's negative for FELV/AIDS, current on vaccs, wormed, spayed and declawed.
She must live as an inside cat.

Let us know if you might be interested!

Tucker The Bernese Mountain Dog

2008-09-06T16:14:00.003-04:00

He's a handsome devil. In the last week his weight increased by 20%!
He's very alert, doesn't miss a trick!
Here's an interesting site dedicated to this great breed Berners

Ryan's New Puppy

2008-03-10T13:44:00.004-04:00

Ryan's new best friend is Miya. She's 12 weeks old. Her markings are stunning!

Cameron Has Two Best Friends!

2008-03-10T13:40:00.000-04:00

She's been caring for them for over a year now. Jake and Jordan.

Sometimes they aren't always aware of their size!

What Is A Veterinary Radiologist???

2008-03-08T09:46:00.002-05:00

A veterinary radiologist is a veterinarian who has a veterinary degree, a year of internship, and a three or four year residency in radiology under their belt. Veterinary school is hard enough to get into, and attracts the best and the brightest. Those who want to specialize in radiology have to undergo another round of competitive applications, and years of training to attain specialist status. Someone who is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Radiology or the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging has had intensive training by other veterinary radiologists. Disciplines include radiology, ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CAT scan or CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR or MRI), and nuclear medicine. A specialist also has to pass an intensive written and oral exam to become board certified. Veterinary Radiologists have extensive experience in obtaining and interpreting images of all types.

Are You A Pet Owner Or A Guardian?

2008-03-06T07:54:00.003-05:00

A debate has been raging for years over the proper terminology to use when describing the relationship of a person to his or her pet. Historically, animals have been regarded as property in the eyes of the law. Therefore, people with pets have been called pet owners.

However, a growing number of people feel that the word “owner” does not do justice to the relationship between a person and a pet. Adherents to this school of thought often prefer the word “guardian.” They argue, quite reasonably, that people form intense emotional bonds with their pets, and that this relationship deserves a unique title. They point out that most people love their pets. Nobody I know would say that love their dishwasher or their sofa.

Members of the owner camp retort that calling oneself a pet guardian may have unintended consequences for people and pets. They point to the example of adults who are guardians of children, and claim that guardianship carries responsibilities that ownership does not. For instance, the owners of a sick pet can refuse veterinary treatment if they cannot afford it. The guardian of a child would go to prison if he declined medical treatment for the same reason.

Proponents of pet ownership ask what would happen in these circumstances if pet owners became pet guardians? And how would the change in terminology affect the availability of procedures such as spaying, neutering, and euthanasia? They point out that a child’s guardian cannot have him sterilized or put to sleep. Would an animal’s guardian be able to do these things?

As a veterinarian, this issue is a minefield for me. Pet guardians are offended if I call them owners. Owners think I am crazy if I call them guardians. I try to avoid both terms.

For now, the proponents of pet ownership hold sway in most quarters. But the guardian camp is gaining momentum. The guardians make some valid points, and I suspect that in the long run, if they can resolve the issues listed above, they will carry the day. Only time will tell.

(Written by Dr Eric Barchas)

Lilly The Cocker Spaniel Pup

2008-03-05T16:50:00.002-05:00

Lilly was here for a check up. She's 4 months old. She was fine, just had a little wax in her ears.

An Old Dog Story...

2008-03-05T16:33:00.000-05:00

An old tired-looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his collar and belly that he belonged somewhere. He followed me into the house, plopped down in a corner, and fell asleep. An hour later he went to the door and I let him out.

The next day he was back, resumed his position, and slept for an hour. This continued for several weeks until, curious, I pinned a note to his collar: “Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.”

The next day he arrived with a different note: “He lives in a house with eight children. He’s exhausted. Can I come with him tomorrow?”

Submitted by a friend...

Zoey

2008-03-05T16:26:00.003-05:00

She's an 8 week old German Shepard pup. Her folks searched all over for a high quality shepard. They picked her out at 2 weeks of age. Her eyes had barely opened! Her new owners visited her practically every week until she was old enough to go to her new home.

She has big paw prints to fill!

Two Beagles With A New Roomate

2008-03-05T09:40:00.004-05:00

Daisy and Lilly are soon to be blessed with a new baby in the house. The human kind that is. Vance Nicholas was born on Tuesday and will be brought home later today. Dad reports he is 8 pounds 15 ounces and very healthy.

POWERFUL STUFF...

2008-03-03T15:24:00.001-05:00

A last speech, well worth the click.

Hope you listen to it all.

Mugsy And His Teddy Bear

2008-03-03T13:34:00.004-05:00

Mugsy was dropped off by his Dad one morning last week. He's just a baby all of 1 year old. Naturally he brought his teddy bear with him.
Mugsy probably didn't realize why he and his bear were checked in for the day...seems like poor Teddy was missing an eye. Mugsy had something to do with that.
We induced vomiting, the missing eye and its attachment were soon brought up.
Given Mugsy's small size we were worried that his small intestine could become obstructed.

More info re obstructions click HERE

A Sniffling Pug Puppy

2008-03-03T10:09:00.001-05:00

Dakota is just 4.6 pounds. They don't get much cuter than this!

Buddy and Kelsey

2008-03-03T10:06:00.001-05:00

These 2 cats are litter mates. Hard to believe that they are almost 13 years old. They are definitely aging gracefully.

Brandee

2008-03-03T10:03:00.003-05:00

She's a 4 month old, 26.4 pound puppy. She has an older sister Zadie at home.
Brandee was in for vaccs and to have a micro chip implanted. She currently shares the same dose of Heartgard with her older sister...but not for long. She's growing by leaps and bounds!

Jasmine Joins Baron...

2008-03-03T09:56:00.002-05:00

Jasmine is just 10 weeks old. She joins her older brother Baron who is a 9 month old German shepard.

Bandit On The Prowl...

2008-02-28T13:25:00.004-05:00

Bandit the Bengal cat...
He's 9 years old and has a mind of his own. He's a very interesting guy. Bandit was out of sorts with an upper respiratory infection. Hopefully he is on the mend.

Another view as requested...

Cooper The Airedale

2008-02-28T13:03:00.004-05:00

Cooper is a very friendly guy. He's a little over a year old. You can see how bright he is by just admiring that intense expression. Airedales are great dogs! I wish we saw more of them.

Maddox And Our Webmaster Gurus!

2008-02-28T12:49:00.005-05:00

Maddox is one of two treasured dogs that this couple adores. He's 2.5 years old and tips the scales at 64 pounds. His little brother Cole can be seen on the home page here. He's 9 months old and weighs 42 pounds.

Jerry and Jen are part of the talented Lifetiled web design team. They work with Andy and Mike. Many thanks guys!

Sisters

2008-02-28T12:43:00.004-05:00

Roxie and Trixie are sisters. Not quite identical twins, but they are practically inseparable. These girls are 2 years and 9 months old. They stopped in for routine vaccines.

"What's going on with that camera???" Their shared mannerisms are remarkable.

Bella...A New Friend

2008-02-28T12:35:00.004-05:00

This is Bella, she's 9 weeks old and just recently adopted.

Bella is VERY intelligent, her other canine family member is Cujo. He may sound frightening, but he's a great little dog. They are enjoying each others company greatly.

Mindy ...

2008-02-28T12:30:00.004-05:00

Doesn't she look cute in her sweater. She's such a tiny little girl that happens to be very lean. She needs that sweater to stay warm in this weather. Mindy is 3 years old, she was visiting for a pre surgical exam.

Jake The Beagle

2008-02-28T12:27:00.003-05:00

Jake is a 2o month old male beagle, his expression looks kind of serious but he's actually a very playful little guy! He was in for some routine lab work.

Murray...A New Patient With The "Sniffles"

2008-02-28T12:18:00.002-05:00

Murray is a very handsome cat! He's 8 years old, lately he has been suffering from a stuffy nose and nasal congestion. We hope that he responds quickly to his meds.

He looks a little sheepish in this pic as we check his weight!

Bailey The Coughing Boxer

2008-02-22T16:08:00.003-05:00

Bailey is the 4th boxer dog his family has enjoyed, he's almost 5 years old. He currently lives with his sister Trini a slightly older pet, she's 12 years old.

Bailey has been coughing a lot as of late. Radiographs showed a moderate bronchitis. He should do well with antibiotic therapy.

Spatz...The Barn Dog Drop Off

2008-02-22T16:01:00.003-05:00

Spatz is a cute little guy, just a tad over 3 years of age. He literally was "dropped off" at a horse barn. The poor guy was feeling just miserable as he had contracted sarcoptic mange. His new owners were diligent and nursed him back to good health.

Here he is with his equestrian "savior" He truly is adored by his entire family.

Axel The Dachsund

2008-02-22T15:56:00.002-05:00

Axel is one month shy of his 15th birthday! He has a bit of a startled look in this pic, we kind of caught him off guard.

Whoopsy Daisy

2008-02-20T12:55:00.002-05:00

Daisy looks more than just a little nervous in this shot. Perhaps because she had just been medicated for an upper respiratory infection.

Daisy was given to her owner Joan by a friend. You should see Joan's face light up just talking about her pup! Daisy is only 4.4 pounds.

Ollie The Pet Therapy Dog

2008-02-19T14:47:00.004-05:00

Ollie is almost 2 years old. He's an extremely friendly guy. Ollie is another Southern rescue dog, you just can't beat the personality!

His owner Julie is admirably planning to have him certified as a pet therapist. He will then be allowed to visit folks in hospital or convalescent homes. He was visiting us yesterday as part of his certification process for a general health exam.

All Dogs...Large And Small

2008-02-19T14:42:00.007-05:00

Here's Sampson a 6 year old Saint Bernard, he tips the scale at 121 pounds!

His friend below is Josie, a 4 year old Yorkshire Terrier. She's a petite 5.4 pound girl.

Our light weight of the day is appropriately named Little One. There's nothing too her. She's 3.4 pounds. Somehow the camera appears to have added a few pounds on her.

Free Willy's Quest For Freedom...

2008-02-19T13:46:00.003-05:00

Here's Free Willy in profile. He's an absolutely stunning 8 year old DSH.
His family loves him...and he knows it. He's staying with us for a few days as he has a lingering illness.

Looks like we caught him considering escape to freedom.

Animal "Innards"

2008-02-19T13:04:00.001-05:00

This is a digital radiographic image of Free Willy's abdomen. He had a very distended colon, fortunately he is now on the mend!

Digital radiography provides outstanding clarity and detail, this web based shot unfortunately cannot convey the actual clarity.

When required DR also allows us to e mail images to specialists for fast consultation.

Floyd The Wonder Dog

2008-02-15T15:55:00.007-05:00

This picture was shot at Floyd's official first birthday party. As you can see he's a real party animal.

Floyd is the second of 2 great labs in the family.

And we thought Floyd was the only party animal in the family...guess again!

It's an entire family of party animals...here"s 11 year old Winston as Frankenstein

And Winston's best buddy, the late Zeke...what a great dog. RIP

Ember Post Op After Surgery

2008-02-15T10:26:00.005-05:00

Ember was spayed earlier this week. Here she looks a little bleary eyed as she recovers.

A dog spay entails complete removal of the reproductive tract. This not only ensures she will not have puppies, it also prevents a serious uterine disease. Pyometra. Her incision was fairly small.

Sutures are typically removed in 10 days.

New Westminster Dog Show Champion

2008-02-13T09:17:00.002-05:00

How appropriately named...Numero Uno took best in show. This is the first beagle to ever take that title.

Uno is Number One at Westminster

Uno the underdog beagle first captured the hearts of the crowd at the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and then he won the affection of the judge, becoming the first beagle to win Best in Show Tuesday night. He's Numero Uno now.

"He's the most perfect beagle I've ever seen," judge J. Donald Jones said. "The standard of perfection for the beagle is very clear. It describes him."

"If you saw him go around the ring, you saw a perfectly smooth locomotion," Jones said. "Not one muscle went the wrong way. ... And look at his face, you just melt right down."

Uno defeated a toy poodle named Vikki, the nation's No.1 dog last year; a Sealyham terrier named Charmin; a standard poodle named Remy; an Australian shepherd named Deuce; a Weimaraner named Marge; and an Akita named Macey, the No.2 dog last year.

Expect Uno to be one of the most popular Westminster winners, says the longtime TV host of Westminster, David Frei, given that a beagle is an all-American dog and one of the most popular breeds in the country.

"He's the people's dog," handler Aaron Wilkerson said. "He's exactly what a beagle is supposed to be, a merry little hound." Besides, he's awfully cute.

With dreamy brown eyes and a continually wagging tail, Uno was clearly a crowd pleaser at Madison Square Garden. Even during quiet moments, fans shouted "Uno!" as if this was a football game and not a dog show full of tuxedoed and sequined fans. When Jones picked Uno, the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

But he's more than just a pretty face and a fan favorite. He's also one accomplished hound. Almost 3, Uno, who is officially named K-Run's Park Me in First, was the No.6-ranked dog in the country and ended last year as the No.1 beagle and No.1 hound. He won the hound group at the prestigious AKC/Eukanuba national championship in December.

When Wilkerson, who lives with Uno in Columbia, S.C., was asked in the news conference about Uno's personality, Uno woofed as if on cue. He also grabbed a hold of a fuzzy microphone boom on the end of a TV camera a few times as if it was his favorite duck toy. Of course, he barked throughout, which sounds more like ahh-rooo.

After making the rounds of the TV morning shows, Uno will spend the rest of today being feted at various luncheons. He will also eat steak on a silver platter at Sardi's Restaurant in Manhattan, as is the custom for the winner. He has even been asked to ring the opening bell on Wall Street on Friday. And it's only just beginning.

Farewell, Vikki: Vikki, the all-time winningest toy poodle, is headed on a plane to Japan to begin retirement with her breeders.

Which is why Tuesday was difficult for her handler, Kaz Hosaka, who has lived with Vikki the last 21/2 years in Greenwood, Del. It will be so emotional that Hosaka said he can't drive her to the airport. "The sad thing is she doesn't even know she's leaving," Hosaka said.

"I will miss her, and she will miss me," Hosaka said as he snipped Vikki's pompons. "And she will miss dog shows." (Vikki, officially known as Ch. Smash JP Win A Victory, has 108 Best in Show wins.)

Pop Quiz...

2008-02-12T14:37:00.000-05:00

Name the 10 most popular pure bred dogs according to the AKC.

Click here for the ANSWER

Murphy's Birthday is Sunday

2008-02-10T17:42:00.000-05:00

He's reached the tender age of 1 year. Poor Murphy was the product of a deplorable background. He has adapted and matured very nicely over the last 6 months. He's so affectionate.

He LOVES his Mom!

If you've seen him in the hospital you know he yaps a bit, but he means well!

Twin Brothers???

2008-02-10T17:34:00.000-05:00

Not exactly, but they certainly appear to be. Both guys are from Lab rescue. Bo is 13 months, Dakota is 18 months.

Adopting a rescue dog truly means a life saved. These boys, as many others we've shown are from the southern states. Save a life! Enjoy their gratitude. It's truly amazing...

Chocolate Labs

2008-02-10T17:24:00.000-05:00

The big guy is Bear, he's 8 months old. This family's newest addition is Eli. He's just 8 weeks old. They are brothers of sorts, in the dog world. Same Mom but different Dad's.

2008-02-03T15:18:00.001-05:00

Wesley is on the left, He's 13. Angelica is an active 9 year old . They're both great dogs with lots of energy!

"Mutt and Jeff" Of Rescue Dogs

2008-02-03T15:08:00.000-05:00

Actually it's Bella the 12 pound Schnauzer and Trinity a 70 pound Boxer cross. Both are almost 3 years old. They get along very well together.

A Family Picture

2008-02-03T14:54:00.001-05:00

Here's Inga, a fun loving lab!

They recently sent us a picture of baby's first Christmas, of course Inga was with the family.

Angus Is a Working Dog

2008-02-03T14:04:00.000-05:00

He's a 3 year old black lab that has been specially trained to devote his life to helping his owner. He retrieves dropped items, picks up his own leash, he even gets specific items from the freezer. Angus retrieves small packages from UPS etc. His vocabulary is quite extensive.

You'll note that in the picture he has no interest in that tennis ball. His job is to help his owner, how admirable!

He does enjoy a good romp in his free time and has a wonderful life. When he's told "to get dressed", ie his vest is put on; he's all business.

Here's A Fairly Unique Breed

2008-02-01T14:49:00.000-05:00

This is Papillona, she's a 9 month old Papillon. She stayed with us awhile as she had an upset GI tract. She'll be going home later in the day. She's very intelligent and full of energy.
We often see her running at full speed in doggy day care.

2008-02-01T14:41:00.001-05:00

This is Daisy, she's just a baby. This condition developed almost over night. It's called in lay terms a Cherry Eye. We are treating her with topical medications to reduce the protruding membrane. Hopefully it will resolve, if not there's a simple surgical solution.

Here's some additional info

Cherry Eye... Third Eyelid Eversion In The Dog

Cherry Eye in the dog is a picturesque term for Everted Third Eyelid. The Third Eyelid is also known as the Nictitating Membrane. It serves as added protection for the eye through an interesting ability to close upward and over the dog's eyeball. The canine is able to retract the entire eyeball backward into the eye socket, and coupled with this retraction is the Third Eyelid's ability to slide up and over the retracted globe.

On the underside of the Third Eyelid is a small gland. It secretes about 30 percent of the eye's tear production. Some surgeons prefer to preserve this gland at the time of surgery to correct Cherry Eye, with the thought in mind that if the other tear producing apparatus ever fail due to infection, trauma, or autoimmune disorders, the gland of the Third Eyelid will be of benefit to the eye.

Once the tear production of an eye fails, a chronic dryness ensues and adversely impacts the health of the eye surfaces. This "dry eye" is called Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) or "dry eye" describes the changes in the eye which result from lack of tear production. To understand "dry eye" it is helpful to know how tears help keep the cornea healthy. The cornea is the optically clear portion of the eye that allows entry of light into the eye. Like all living tissue, the cornea requires a supply of oxygen and energy to remain healthy. Oxygen and nutrients are supplied to most tissues by the blood that moves through the area in blood vessels. The healthy cornea has no blood vessels, if it did it wouldn't be clear, so the oxygen and nutrients are supplied through the three-layered 'tear film.'

The images below of CHERRY EYE can be clicked on for a close-up look in a new window.
They are fairly large sized images and will take a moment to

SURGERY TO REPAIR AN EVERTED THIRD EYELID

The thumbnail images below should be clicked on to reveal full sized images of one surgical method of correcting an everted Third Eyelid. In this case the surgeon has elected to remove the thin strip of cartilage that has weakened and bent backward along with the gland of the Third Eyelid. Generally there is little bleeding and care is taken not to cut through the entire eyelid. It is seldom a good idea to remove the entire Third Eyelid. By removing the weakened and bent strip of cartilage and the gland the eyelid is able to retract into its normal position in the nasal corner of the eye.... allowing less irritation and decreased potential damage to the cornea.

Click on an image to enlarge... click on ZOOM for a close up


This view displays an everted Third Eyelid and adjacent structures. ZOOM	Alligator forceps are used to stabilize the Third Eyelid so the surgeon can have a good look at the underside of the lid.	Just below the inside edge of the lid the scissors begins to incise parallel to the lid margin. ZOOM	The thin cartilage strip is cut through and the gland is undermined and pulled away from its attachment to the inner surface of the lid.

The deep attachment of the gland and the cartilage strip are incised. This view is looking from beneath the separated gland of the Third Eyelid. ZOOM	This view shows the surface of the gland of the Third Eyelid as the scissors completes the removal of the offending tissue. ZOOM	Immediate post op view of the relaxed Third Eyelid after the gland and bent cartilage have been removed. Healing is complete in just a few days.	A close-up of the excised gland of the Third Eyelid. The thin strip of cartilage is barely visible in the center of the specimen.

A Fine Accessory

2008-02-01T14:37:00.001-05:00

Pippy is quite comfortable zipped into her carrier. She's almost 7 years old, a very pretty calico cat.

Misty On A Rainy Morning

2008-02-01T14:30:00.000-05:00

Misty is 13 months old, she's very affectionate. These folks have been springer spaniel fans for a long time.

Two New CHS Kittens

2008-01-31T17:27:00.000-05:00

These guys were adopted from th Ct Humane Society. They are 4 and 5 months old and full of energy. CHS is a great place to adopt a pet from. There are SO many in need of homes.

Microchip ID For Pets

2008-01-29T14:57:00.000-05:00

Joan loves her 6.5 year old Schnoodle Nellie. This little Schnauzer/Poodle cross is very devoted to her Mom. Nellie was here today to have a microchip implanted under the skin to permanently identify her. Below is the scanner itself that identifies the chip, the syringe pack with chip included, and a sample chip in the small rectangular container. The chip is rice grain sized. This info will be registered for lifetime in a national data base.

A Sleepy Greyhound

2008-01-29T14:21:00.000-05:00

Pearl is an 8 year old spayed female adopted through a greyhound rescue group. Her teeth were not in the best shape due to the diet fed at the race track. She has a super home now, in fact her mom is a PA that watches her closely. Here she is being monitored by Dr Rodriguez as she is beginning her recovery. Greyhounds and other "sight hound" breeds require special anaesthesia protocols.

Riker From Bella Blaze Kennels

2008-01-29T14:14:00.000-05:00

He's a very large German bred German Shepard. He and his folks were checking out the Dog Cabin for a doggy day care visit. He's even better looking in person.

A Slightly Groggy Kitty

2008-01-29T14:07:00.000-05:00

Roxy, a 6 month old female tiger cat was spayed earlier today. She's recovering from anaesthesia and will go home later today. Right now she is still seeing double, but in several hours she will be much more alert.

Not a Red Pom...

2008-01-29T13:55:00.000-05:00

Here's Charcoal, a black Pomeranian. Charcoal is recovering from a mild case of pancreatitis.

What Can Brown Do For You???

2008-01-29T13:46:00.001-05:00

Zoey will tell you, quite a lot. Our UPS guy knows all 6 "staff" dogs by name. He hands out milk bones every time he comes in. He's definitely a preferred visitor in their book.

Two Very Neat New Puppies This AM!

2008-01-29T11:08:00.000-05:00

Our first new addition is Tanner. He's a very handsome Australian Cattle Dog just 7 weeks old. Tanner is the newest addition to several prior Aussies with this family. For info about Cattle dogs click HERE

The second baby is Bailey. He's a 4.5 month old Cocker spaniel puppy with a great personality. He's also smart as a whip, He's already doing puppy agility classes!

Both of these families have been personal friends of mine for years.

A Lumpy Dog

2008-01-28T17:34:00.000-05:00

Another Labradoodle, this one had a firm swelling on its lower back. The swelling was diminishing and coincidentally was at the site of a prior injected area. These occur infrequently after certain meds are injected. Bella will be just fine!

Mr Pomeranian Goes To A Loving Family!

2008-01-28T17:14:00.000-05:00

Talk about word of mouth...a friend of a friend's hairdresser put these nice folks in touch with us. They drove 45 minutes to visit and took him home this pm. He will have a new brother as well named Ior who is also a Pom. Hopefully we'll have Ior's picture soon.

Here's the newly named Pooh Bear with sisters Colleen and Melanie.

Another Rescue Dog

2008-01-27T15:20:00.001-05:00

He's an energetic fun loving Pomeranian.

Dixie Is Recovered After 4 Days!!!!

2008-01-27T15:11:00.000-05:00

Dixie is home again with her new owners. Many thanks to all who helped get the word out. Details are sketchy at this point. We do know she was found in Berlin and returned via the Berlin animal control officer.
We spoke with her Mom this AM. Since she is such a jewel, from here forth she will be again called Diamond.

SAD NEWS RE DIXIE

2008-01-24T16:40:00.000-05:00

Please help. Dixie ran off after her new owner slipped on ice. She was last seen in the Westfield section of Middletown. She's 35 pounds and has a shaved abdomen after recent surgery. She may be wearing a pink collar.
NOTE: Her original name was DIAMOND. (She may respond better to that) If you have any information please call us 346-2256 or 704-8080
Her new owners are devastated. There is of course a substantial reward.

Dixie Is Still Looking For Her New Owner...

2008-01-20T14:41:00.000-05:00

She's so sweet. A trial adoption is feasible as well. Feel free to call the hospital or the Dog Cabin.

My Current Desk Top

2008-01-20T14:25:00.000-05:00

A bridge in the Twin Cities

The prior desk top was also taken in Minneapolis.

HELP!!!! LABRADOODLE NEEDS A NEW HOME!!

2008-01-20T14:20:00.000-05:00

Dixie is a 3 year old sweetly natured Labradoodle that needs a new home.
She was saved by Nellie Reed at the Dog Cabin. Nellie, an RN that makes home visits; discovered Dixie living in a less than perfect environment.

Dixie is adorable and very loving. We have updated her vaccines and spayed her. Blood profiles and other lab work are all perfectly normal. She is house trained.

All she needs is a good family to care for her and enjoy her!

Jack Has It Made, After A Horrific Start In Life

2008-01-20T13:44:00.000-05:00

Jack is shown here with Dr Vilma after being examined at the hospital. He's a great guy that has no idea yet how lucky he is. His new parents are dyed in the wool pet lovers.

PLAINVILLE, Conn. -- A 4-month-old puppy who authorities said was malnourished and neglected is getting a second chance at life.Plainville Animal Control officials told Eyewitness News on Wednesday that a woman from Portland who has many pets of her own -- including a pit bull and four cats -- adopted the puppy.
Video: Abused Pup Greets Portland Woman With Kisses
On Friday, the pup met his new owner, Debbie Sheehan."Kiss, kiss, kiss; lick, lick, lick -- no aggression, just little puppy love," Sheehan said while the pup licked her face. "We do have a pit bull, Lucy, I have a cocker spaniel, Nicky, and four cats."The pound in Plainville was flooded with requests to adopt the dog. After very careful consideration, a thorough interview and background checks, officials chose Sheehan.The pup spent the past week in the pound after Plainville Animal Control Officer Ann Aliano discovered him with another pit bull who had been drilled in the head with a power drill."When I first brought him in on Sunday night, he was terrified," Aliano said.The puppy was found in the home of Saverino Cruz, 32, on Monday. Police arrested Cruz on accusations that he drilled holes in the pit bull's head after it bit his 8-year-old son in the arm."This was inhumane. It was an attack on an animal," Sheehan said. Man Accused Of Drilling Dog's Head (WARNING: Explicit Pictures)The injured dog had to be put down, and authorities put the puppy up for adoption."I called immediately to adopt it. Definitely have a good home, he really will," Sheehan said.The pup headed home in style: A local pet salon pampered him while he was in the pound.The Sheehans plan to stay home all weekend to help acclimate their new dog to his new home. Animal officials said the pup was getting more social at the pound as the week progressed.
Previous Stories:

* January 16, 2008: Pup Found With Abused Dog Adopted
* January 14, 2008: Police: Man Drills Into Dog's Head

Channel 3 Eyewitness news
For more info click HERE

Sarah Had A Belly Ache

2008-01-20T13:29:00.000-05:00

Sarah is a very pretty Cocker Spaniel. She recently spent several days at the hospital with some nasty GI problems. This picture was taken after her bath as she was ready to be discharged. Her coat is accented with striking black high lights.

We spoke with her folks this morning, she's back to her old self.

Ragdolls Anyone????

2008-01-20T13:26:00.000-05:00

Here's Chloe and Cora with their Mom. They are adorable litter mates that are just 6 months old. Each has her own distinct personality!

Lola Needed A Dentist!

2008-01-20T13:06:00.001-05:00

Lola presented at our hospital for a different minor problem. Her bad breath prompted a quick oral exam. She had 2 bad teeth that required extractions, while under anesthesia the rest of her teeth were cleaned, polished, and buffed with fluoride. She was discharged with an rx for antibiotics for a week.

These are the 2 teeth that went AWOL.

The roots were actually disintegrating in the gum tissue.
We recommend routine home dental care.

Her gum tissue will heal rapidly.

Sadie...a very lucky dog

2008-01-20T12:54:00.000-05:00

Sadie is a very sweet 18 month old Labradoodle. Her family adores her and considers her to be their best dog ever.

Sadie was diagnosed with an unusual adrenal gland problem. She truly was near death. Her family rallied to care for her and today she lives a perfectly normal life. Sadie visits us once a month for a quick injection that keeps her healthy.

Sadie suffers from Addison's disease. For more about that condition, click HERE.

Paddy...A True Gentleman

2008-01-16T14:20:00.000-05:00

He's a 5 year old black retriever dog with a very noble expression and wonderful personality. Paddy will be 5 on March 17th. He was easy to name!

Good Hips & Bad Hips

2008-01-15T14:11:00.000-05:00

This image was produced on our digital imaging system to evaluate a potential breeding mom's conformation.
These are good quality hips.

This poor pup has hip dysplasia.

Airborne Aussies!!!

2008-01-15T13:54:00.000-05:00

These girls fly!

Gum Disease

2008-01-15T12:12:00.000-05:00

This large German Shepard had abnormal gum tissue growing over his right canine tooth or fang. It was removed and biopsied. This is a benign condition called an epilus.

Harry The Hospital Cat

2008-01-15T11:39:00.001-05:00

Harry is a 12 year old Maine Coon cat that lives at the hospital. He may look serious but in fact he's very playful.
Nothing intimidates Harry!

Another ACL Case

2008-01-15T11:11:00.000-05:00

Shilo is a 4 year old beagle dog that is the 4th child in his human family. He injured himself while out running. Now 1 month post op he's doing extremely well. He's beginning to confidently bear weight at times. His family's toughest job now is continuing to restrict his exercise.
Note how rapidly his coat is regrowing.

A New Puppy, A Happy Owner

2008-01-14T17:14:00.000-05:00

Kevin is enjoying his new pup Sparky. Sparky is an 11 week old labradoodle with a great personality!

Some Info On Feline Nutrition

2008-01-13T16:16:00.000-05:00

Our wonderful life-supporting planet is home to a remarkably diverse and complex spectrum of living organisms. And although all living things do share some common traits and similar biochemical pathways and cellular functions, there are many notable differences that make each creature stand out from the crowd. So even with the thread of sameness joining all the planets’ life forms, diversity and difference makes us take note of each creature’s uniqueness. Maybe that’s why the cat is America’s favorite housepet . . .cats are different!

This extraordinary four-legged feline has, for all of recorded time, evoked wonder and surprise, superstition and affection, damnation and deification. From pharaohs to philosophers to paupers, the companionship of and affection for cats has been a result of the cat’s unique ability to make us humans gaze in awe and admiration.

Eons of special environmental circumstances have forced the cat to evolve some interesting and individualized biochemical activities. Let’s take a peek at how unique the cat is inside, in that mysterious universe of liver and kidneys and glands and fluids where a million chemical reactions are going about their biological business in silent obscurity. And to make our little peek at the inner workings of the cat more interesting, let’s contrast a few of the cat’s biological activities to those of our next most favorite companion the dog.

In so many obvious ways, cats look, act, react, and respond differently than dogs. You never see a cat happily wag its tail; a dog’s reflexes are quick, a cat’s reflexes are incredible; dogs are doers, cats are watchers. These differences are easily noted by simple observation. Now let’s explore some of the unseen microscopic world of the cat – the invisible world of metabolism and chemistry that is just as real as those traits we can see with our eyes.

To begin with we must get a good grip on two terms . . . carnivore and omnivore. The cat is considered by scientists to be a strict carnivore and the dog is considered to be an omnivore. Both species are in the Class Mammalia and the Order Carnivora, but here’s the difference: The cat cannot sustain its life unless it consumes meat in some form. Dogs, however, are able to survive on plant material alone; they do not have to consume meat. But always keep in mind that dogs do best and by nature are primarily meat-eaters. Just because by definition they are omnivores (can digest and utilize plant and animal food sources) does not mean that plant material alone makes a good source of nutrition for the dog. Far too many dogs have been undernourished by those cheap grain-based dog foods. And grain-based cat foods are even worse!

So a good way to think of it is that cats are carnivores, dogs are omnivores, but they both have evolved as hunters of other animals in keeping with their nature as meat-eaters.

There are numerous chemical substances that are required for a cat to remain alive. These substances, some very complex chemical molecules and some very basic and simple, must be provided along the internal chemical reaction pathways at all times. Like other living plants and animals, the cat can manufacture most of its own required substances within its own body’s chemical factory. For example, Vitamin C is a requirement for life sustaining processes for us Mammalia, and dogs and cats make plenty of their own within their body’s chemical factory – the liver. We humans don’t make enough within our body chemical factory... so to keep ourselves alive we have to find some Vitamin C already made (preformed) somewhere in our environment, gather or capture it, then eat it. Without the Vitamin C, we’d die.

Dogs and cats don’t have to worry about gathering, capturing, and eating other preformed Vitamin C. They don’t care where their next grapefruit will come from because they make all the Vitamin C they need inside their own personal chemical factory.

On the other hand, there are numerous nutrients and chemicals that cats need that they can only acquire if they eat animal-derived tissues. That is, they need to prey on other living creatures that do make the essential chemicals that cats don’t! Out of necessity, the cat has evolved ways to hunt down, capture and eat this prey in order to "borrow" the prey's nutrients.

Outlined below are just a few of the unseen, but still very real biochemical differences between cats and dogs. Look these over and you will be even more convinced that cats are different!

Vitamin A... Also called retinol, is required at the cellular level by both cats and dogs.
Cats – Process little or no enzymes that will break down the plant-produced carotenoids. Must eat preformed active Vitamin A (that is, Vitamin A that already has been converted from carotenoids to its active form by some other creature such as a mouse or rabbit). Here’s a good example of why cats are called strict carnivores . . . they need to eat some other animal in order to "borrow" its active Vitamin A!
Dogs – Have enzymes in the lining of the intestine that can break down plant carotenoids and convert these into active Vitamin A.

Niacin... An essential B vitamin (essential means must be eaten, can’t be made inside the body’s chemical factory.)
Cats – Can obtain Niacin only by eating the preformed vitamin. Cannot convert Tryptophan to niacin.
Dogs – Obtain Niacin in two ways. One is by converting a dietary amino acid call Tryptophan into Niacin and the other way is by eating preformed Niacin.

Arginine... Is a building block for proteins, called an amino acid. Arginine is vital to many of the animal’s internal chemical factory’s functions. No Arginine and the entire factory goes on strike!
Cats – Are extremely sensitive to even a single meal deficient in Arginine and are unable to make their own Arginine within their chemical factory. Cats need lots of protein, and Arginine is involved in aiding the elimination of the protein waste products so the wastes don’t pollute the whole factory!
Dogs - Are not very sensitive to low levels of Arginine in their diets and produce enzymes internally that can aid production of Arginine.

Taurine... An amino acid that is not built into proteins, but is distributed throughout most body tissues. Taurine is important for healthy functioning of the heart, retina, bile fluid and certain aspects of reproduction.
Cats – Must eat preformed Taurine and since Taurine is not found in plant tissues, cats must consume meat to obtain Taurine. Cats can’t make their own, therefore, Taurine is essential in the diets of cats. Here again, meat has to be supplied to the factory so the Taurine can be extracted for its many uses.
Dogs – Make their own in their internal chemical factory.

Felinine... Is a compound made from a sulfur amino acid (SAA) called Cysteine.
Cats – Have a much higher requirement for SAA than other Mammalia and are the only creatures to manufacture the Felinine chemical. Felinine’s role in the overall function of the chemical factory is unknown, but like most factories whose wastes generate offensive odors, any Felinine present in the male cat’s urine alerts the neighbors that the factory is up and runnin’!
Dogs – Don’t know and don’t care what this stuff is.

Dietary Protein...
Cats – If fed a perfectly balanced and 100% digestible protein in a diet, the cat will use 20% of that protein for growth metabolism and 12% for maintenance. Here’s any easy way to say it . . . cats need more protein in their diets than dogs do.
Dogs – If fed a perfectly balanced and 100% digestible protein in a diet, the dog will use 12% of that protein for growth metabolism and only 4% of that protein for maintenance. Here's an easy way to say this...dogs need less protein in their diets than cats.

Arachidonic Acid... An essential fatty acid that plays a vital role in fat utilization and energy production.
Cats – Cannot make their own Arachidonic Acid even in the presence of adequate linoleic acid. The reason cats can’t make Arachidonic Acid from linoleic acid is because the cat’s chemical factory (liver) contains no delta-6-desaturase enzyme to convert linoleic to Arachidonic. Tell your cat owning friends about this one. Tell ‘em about the cat’s lack of liver delta-6-desaturase enzyme and they’ll think you’ve got a Ph.D. in biochemistry!
Dogs – Can make their own Arachidonic Acid if they consume enough linoleic acid by eating proper fats. Therefore, we can say that Arachidonic Acid is not an essential fatty acid for dogs.

Fasting and Starvation...
Cats – Do not mobilize fat reserves for energy very efficiently and, in fact, break down non-fatty body tissues for energy. This upsets the internal chemical factory and can lead to a very dangerous feline disorder called hepatic lipidosis. Never put a fat cat on a starvation diet, it might just put the entire factory out of business. (I’ve had occasion to relate this personal fact to my wife!)
Dogs – Can tolerate prolonged fasts and utilize fat reserves for energy.

So, there you have an insight into some of the invisible goings-on in our friend the cat. It should be obvious that a high quality, meat-based diet is imperative to a cat's wellness. There are no vegetarian diets for cats! And feeding your cat a homemade concoction of meat may be a disaster. There are a few good quality meat-based diets available to cat owners. Commercial diets based on corn, wheat, rice and other grains are not a good choice for our meat-eating felines.

The next time you admire a cat's unique personality and behavior, and watch the way they egocentrically carry themselves for anyone to see, remember...hidden beneath that furry skin is another unique and vast universe. There is a veritable chemical cosmos inside your cat that's just as wondrous and magnificent as the cosmos above. You can't see it, but it's there, silently following the rules of nature to sustain our unique and valued feline friends. And it's that complex chemical cosmos, working it's fantastic magic, that prompts us cat lovers to say, truly...cats are different!

Courtesy of TJ Dunn,Jr,DVM


		S

House Training Your New Pup

2008-01-13T16:09:00.000-05:00

Housetraining 101! The following information relates to housetraining a puppy but the same information applies to housetraining an adult dog. The best strategy is to teach her that she should only eliminate outside and not in the house. With this in mind, puppy pads and paper training probably should be avoided since this actually allows her to eliminate in the house. Instead, opt for a combination of close supervision, encouragement and some type of confinement such as crate training.

The size of the crate is very important. It should be big enough for her to stand up and turn around in, even as an adult. Portable dog kennels work great for crate training and they come in a variety of sizes. They can also be used for travel (i.e. on an airplane, etc). Other dogs prefer a larger area such as an exercise pen or small room. A crate can become a positive place to be if the pup is conditioned to the crate with such things as treats and toys. It is also a positive place to be if it is not placed in an isolated area such as a laundry room or garage. Instead place it in a frequented area of the house such as the kitchen or den since dogs are social animals. She should be in her crate whenever you are not able to watch her such as when you are sleeping, at work, or even when you are too busy around the house to watch her closely. A puppy should not be expected to spend more than about four hours in the crate, however. If you are unable to let her out of the crate after about four hours to eliminate outside and get some exercise, then a larger confinement area is necessary. This way she can eliminate if necessary and be allowed to rest away from any soiled area.

When she is let out of her crate, she should be taken directly outside to eliminate if needed. Make it fun to be outside, not a punishment. A puppy should also be allowed to eliminate just prior to being placed in her crate. When she is out of the crate, you will need to watch her VERY closely so that you can take her outside every hour or two or if you notice any body language which might indicate that she is about to eliminate in the house. Such body language includes sniffing the ground, turning in a circle, starting to squat, sniffing at the outside door, looking at the outside door, etc. All dogs are different so you will have to learn what her cues are. There are critical times when a dog should be taken outside and these include immediately after waking (even if just from a nap), after playing, and within 15-30 minutes of eating.

She can be taught “where” to eliminate outside by taking the pup to the desired location and staying with the pup, verbally encouraging it to eliminate with a code word such as “hurry up” or “go potty”, etc. Don't actually play with her outside until after she eliminates. Business first and then pleasure! A cheerful praise session is in order after the pup eliminates outside as well as during playtime. If you catch her starting to eliminate in the house, it is best not to scold but, instead, to startle her with a clap of the hands, or shaking a soda can filled with coins or small rocks, or a stomp of your foot in order to stop her from eliminating and then quickly place your hand under her belly and scoot her to the same door used every time she exits from your house. Now she'll learn that she is supposed to go to that door whenever she needs to eliminate and you can respond by letting her out. It is OK to say "no" with a stern voice but try not to frighten her. We don't want the pup to fear you. Then praise her when she finishes the job outside. If you find a mistake on the floor but didn't catch her "in the act", just clean it up. Don't scold the dog or push her nose into it because it is too late for her to understand the association between the mistake and the punishment. Scolding would have needed to be done within 2 seconds for a pup or dog to understand the association. Any mistakes in the house should be cleaned up thoroughly and the area treated with an odor-neutralizing product so that the pup is not drawn back to the location by smell.

It is also handy to have a set feeding schedule for a puppy such as two or three times per day since this helps to regulate the bowels and makes it easier for you to predict when the puppy will have to eliminate. Leave enough time for the puppy to eliminate before being placed back in to a crate or confinement area and be sure to feed the last meal three to five hours before bedtime. Being consistent, rewarding appropriate behavior, and close observation will help ensure timely housetraining.

Courtesy of Dr Barbara Brack

Addie's Litter Mates

2008-01-13T15:40:00.000-05:00

We visited Zoey's siblings hoping to bring home a new pup...somehow we came home with three pups.
Here's Nellie, Addie,Lucy.
We had planned on the possibility of 2 pups from the out start. Lucie, aka Loveable Lucy; is a special needs kind of girl. She is hearing impaired and visual in just one eye. No one has told her she has infirmities. She's as sweet as the day is long! Her sister Nellie has a special bond with her and keeps her out of any trouble she might not be aware of.
Nelly and Lucy are Jane's kids.

Does Your Dog Have Different Hobbies?

2008-01-13T15:23:00.000-05:00

Buddy borrows a Harley from time to time.

Tysons Siblings

2008-01-13T15:19:00.000-05:00

Ozzie, Tyson, Callie

Tyson's Recovery

2008-01-13T15:04:00.000-05:00

Tyson, a staff member of our affiliate the Dog Cabin is recovering from a recent ACL surgery. This painful injury was recently diagnosed and repaired at this hospital by our consulting board certified surgical specialist last week.
Tyson is a 3 year old playful large boxer. Kevin and Nelly Reed, Tyson's parents are nursing him back to health. He's a real trooper and is convalescing well. Feel free to pay him a visit at the Dog Cabin. Flowers are not necessary, but a milk bone might be well received. Here is some info about canine ACL injuries.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Repair In The Dog

ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) surgery in dogs is a commonly done surgical procedure in veterinary practice. When the anterior cruciate ligament is torn or stretched, instead of moving like a hinge, the knee joint will actually make a sliding motion. This abnormal motion and instability creates trauma within the joint that leads to wearing of cartilage, increased synovial fluid production and inflammation. Eventually, DJD... degenerative joint disease... results.

A torn cruciate ligament can occur in any dog if just the right (or wrong!) forces impact the knee joint. Most commonly seen in larger breeds of dogs and in dogs that are overweight, the ACL surgical procedure does not actually repair the torn ligament but rather replaces the ligament with artificial material that takes over the function of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament. In the case presented below, nylon strands of 80 pound tensile strength are utilized to restabilize the knee (stifle) joint.

The veterinarian may tell the dog's owners that the dog has a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament and one of the best ways to get him back to full function would be to do a surgical procedure where an artificial ligament is placed along the side of the knee joint; we don't try to fix the torn ligament because that particular one just won't heal properly. So we fool the knee into thinking that there is a ligament. After a few weeks of confinement, and then controlled activity, the fibrous connective tissue buildup along the artificial strands implanted along the knee joint stabilize the joint during activity. Then your dog can begin using the leg properly.

Another procedure is called the TIBEAL PLATEAU LEVELING OSTEOTOMY or TPLO surgery. This requires specialized instruction, special bone saws and metal implants. This procedure can be particularly useful when working with large breeds of dogs where forces on the knee and surgical sutures are high. There will be more about the TPLO procedure presented here soon.

In the case presented here the patient had a stretched cruciate ligament for a number of weeks before the ligament finally tore. Even though originally the limping was not severe, degenerative changes were going on in the knee joint. Even a slight stretching of the ACL can lead to joint instability... which then promotes arthritic changes. The photos below reveal the substantial degeneration in the patellar groove under the knee cap and cartilage buildup along the condyles. Once the intra-articular (inside the joint space) surgery is completed, where the ligament remnants are removed, loose meniscus is excised, and cartilaginous overgrowth is shaved away, the joint is then closed. Next the surgeon places the nylon sutures that will stabilize the joint just as if the anterior cruciate ligament was still present.

Click on a photo to enlarge in a new window	Surgery To Repair a Torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament		Click on (Zoom view) to magnify

An incision is made in the lateral side of the right knee extending from above the Fabella down to just below the tibial tuberosity.	(Zoom view) The tibial tuberosity is located below the patellar tendon (just under the surgeon's thumb) so that a hole can be drilled through the tuberosity.	Below the knee joint at the top of the tibia where the patellar tendon inserts on the tibia, a hole is drilled through the bone.	This hole is used as an anchor point where heavy nylon strands are passed through the hole so that tension can be applied to keep the upper part of the knee joint (the Femur) from sliding backward.

(Zoom view) An incision is made into the joint capsule slightly rearward of the patella. The incision is long enough to allow the kneecap to be moved aside for close inspection of the stifle joint.	(Zoom view) The Trochlea, also called the Patellar Groove, is rough, pitted and has cartilage deposits. The Trochlear ridges on either side of the groove have extensive arthritic buildup.	(Zoom view) The surgeon is looking for any other damage such as a torn meniscus which can create further arthritis. Pain and reduced motion result from these arthritic deposits.	In this view of the opened knee joint the arrow points to the remnant of the torn anterior cruciate ligament. Degenerative joint disease has affected all surfaces of the joint tissues.

(Zoom view) The surgeon uses a scalpel to slice away any exuberant cartilaginous buildups and to smooth the Trochlear groove so that the Patella can slide freely over the groove. New cartilage will regrow and assist in a smoother action under the knee cap.	(Zoom view) A bone chisel is used to remove the bony and cartilaginous buildups along the Trochlear ridges. This will allow smoother movement of the Patella and greatly reduce the dog's discomfort and increase mobility. The joint capsule is closed and the deeper tissues are sutured together.	Now, on the outside of the joint, a large needle is passed behind a small bone (called a Fabella) above and behind the knee. The fabella is one anchor point for the nylon suture material that takes the place of the original cruciate ligament.	(Zoom view) Here the needle and nylon suture material has just been passed through the hole in the front of the tibia bone. The heavy suture material will serve as a new ligament and stabilize the knee.

(Zoom view) In this view we see the heavy suture material being drawn tight and a tool is used to crimp the nylon suture. This suture will act as a new ligament, essentially fooling the knee into thinking there is still an original ligament present.	(Zoom view) Two strands of 80# test nylon are used on this large dog. Now the knee is stable again and there is much less risk of additional arthritis. Then the skin is closed and the incision area is cleaned up.	This image shows the basic crimping materials and the nylon strands that are used an "artificial" ligament. There is surprisingly little bleeding in this procedure. Skin sutures are removed in 8 to 10 days.	(Zoom view) These images show some of the exuberant cartilaginous and calcified material that builds up along joint surfaces whenever arthritis is present. Remodeling the joint to approach more normal anatomy will benefit the patient and promote normal joint use.
Return to the SURGERY ROOM	See another ACL Surgery	Learn about Arthritis Supplements	Go to the RADIOLOGY DEPARTMENT

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