What to Tell Your Clients About the Rumor of Ice Water & DogsJuly 9, 2014Have you been getting a lot of questions from clients and friends asking if ice water is lethal to dogs? It’s a rumor that’s circulating the Internet and worrying dog owners. The cautionary tale (titled "NO ICE WATER FOR DOGS...PLEASE READ ASAP”) was written in 2010, but the rumor has been circulating since 2007. It centers on a dog named Baran, and his owner who unthinkingly added ice cubes to the dog’s water bowl to help him cool off on a hot day. Shortly after, Baran appears to be in distress and is rushed to the animal hospital. The veterinarian tells the owner that the ice water caused the dog to experience violent muscle spasms in his stomach, which led to bloating. Bloat — also known as gastric dilation-volvulus—is a life-threatening condition in dogs. If worried clients come to you about this myth, take the time to educate them about the dangers of ice, heat stroke and bloating. What To Tell Your Clients About Ice Although eating ice technically is safe for dogs, ensure owners are aware that eating ice can pose a few dangers. Dogs that munch on ice can potentially damage or break their teeth, …
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How To Extract Teeth In CatsJune 20, 2014 I recently had an opportunity to help a referring veterinarian with her surgical extraction technique. Extracting teeth in cats was causing her much grief, so we discussed tips to transform the act of extracting firmly rooted feline teeth from a dreaded task to a satisfying part of veterinary practice. First, let’s discuss the decision-making approach based on dental radiographs and clinical exams in the context of one of the most common dental problems in cats that create challenging extractions: tooth resorption. Dental Rads First! Feline extractions should not be attempted without preoperative dental radiographs. Tooth resorption may occur in varied manifestations, and the approach to treatment depends on the radiographic appearance of the affected tooth. Tooth resorption in cats is commonly external tooth resorption starting on the root surface, resulting in focal tooth resorption where the crown meets the root, often referred to as Type 1 resorption. Teeth affected by Type 1 resorption require extraction, and these extractions can be challenging because in some areas, the tooth may be “spot welded” to the surrounding alveolar bone. Type 2 external resorption is seen on radiographs as root replacement resorption, in which the radiographic density of …
"I Hate Cats," Veterinarian ConfessesJune 10, 2014 Follow Veterinary Practice News on Twitter at @vetpetnews. Years ago, a medium who went by the name of Madam Moutjoy entered the office of a young veterinarian called Malcolm Welshman. She advised him that her cat, Antac, who she had brought in for grooming, was angry with him and had revealed to her that he thought Welshman was "a very bad vet,” according to The Daily Mail. The spirits of Welshman’s other feline patients were sharing their dislike for him with Antac, according to Madam Moutjoy. Welshman became uncomfortable, but continued grooming Antac. He may have been new to the profession, but he had never harmed a cat. There was something to the medium's words, however, and Antac had seemingly picked up on it. The sour-faced cat was somehow aware of Welshman’s dark secret. Even though he was a veterinarian, Welshman did not love all animals, namely cats. In fact, as he revealed to The Daily Mail, he "absolutely detest[s] the creatures.” It is a fear and loathing that Welshman believes may have stemmed from a childhood incident with his own pet cat, Sooty. His mother, who was busy trying to prepare for …
Step-by-Step Dental ImplantsJune 9, 2014Before one embarks on surgically placing and restoring a dental endosseous implant, a thorough and rigorous treatment planning process has to be performed. A detailed history should be taken especially looking for the etiology of the tooth fracture or loss. Pets that have habits that can lead to tooth abrasion and tooth fracture, or pets with underlying malocclusions, including tooth attrition, may not be suitable candidates for implants unless the underlying problem or habit can be modified or rectified. Pets with periodontitis may not be candidates for implants unless the periodontal disease is mild and is well controlled. The monetary outlay for an implant motor and surgical kits can be prohibitive for practitioners interested in placing and restoring implants. Other treatment options should be offered that may be more suitable or practical for the patient and the owner. PHOTO COURTESY OF DRS. CAIAFA AND MELE Placement of implant. A prognosis should be given for each option. Other treatment options may include root canal therapy, extraction and possible bridging of the edentulous space or simply extraction and no further treatment. Ethical considerations when dealing with hypodontia in breeding or show animals also need to be considered. Owners need …
New Dog Bone Cancer ResearchJune 9, 2014Follow Veterinary Practice News on Twitter at @vetpetnews. The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation recently awarded $118,848 in grant money to Bruce Smith, VMD, PhD. Dr. Smith, Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer director, will spend two years testing a new bone cancer treatment for dogs. According to the Auburn University Office of Communications & Marketing, the “treatment consists of a virus normally used as a hepatitis vaccine in dogs that has been modified to only make copies of itself inside bone cancer cells. The virus ruptures the cancer cells, releasing thousands of copies of the virus from the tumor cells, killing them.” The hope is that the research Dr. Smith is conducting will expand to other cancers, and perhaps to cancer in humans. Want more veterinarian videos? Click here.
10 Ways To Improve Post-Op CareMay 30, 2014Just because a patient is out of the operating room doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods. In fact, most deaths occur after, not during surgery: 50 percent of canine and 60 percent of feline deaths occur in the postop period. It is important to avoid becoming complacent, despite the busyness of the day. Here are 10 steps to improve the care given to your postop patients. 1. Extubation The proper time to extubate is often based on a widespread misconception, sometimes called the “two swallow” rule. This is a very unfortunate urban legend that can lead patients to serious trouble. “Two swallows” may not mean that the patient is alert enough to continue swallowing and breathing efficiently on its own. The more appropriate time to extubate is when a patient is alert, preferably has lifted its head up at least once, and begins to chew. The next challenge it to pull the tube before the patient chews it in half. Ideally, each patient recovering from anesthesia and/or surgery should be under direct supervision of a technician until extubation. We still need to remain alert afterward: Being extubated doesn’t mean that recovery is over. It is just one step of …
Dog And Cat Allergies DemystifiedMarch 19, 2014 Natures Variety - Dog and Cat Allergies Demystified brightcove.createExperiences(); 1/3/2012 12:49 PM
Additive Manufacturing—or 3D Printing—helps Create new Knee Joint for a CatMarch 13, 2014 For quite some time, Mr. Cyrano L. Catte II, an orange and white cat, had the perfect life. He had a nice home in Upperville, Va., more than adequate food and owners who loved him very much. Then, in 2012 at age of 9, he got bone cancer in his left hind leg. Cyrano’s owners spared no expense or effort. They took him to the University of Colorado, where he became the first cat to receive stereotactic radiation (focused beams aimed at the tumor) therapy. Two sets of radiation cured his cancer—full remission—but one of the side effects was bone deterioration of his distal femur and some on the upper end of the tibia, as well. The normal procedure for such a condition would be to amputate the leg. In Cyrano’s case, that was not recommended: He weighed 26 pounds and movement on three legs would be difficult. One potential alternative would be total knee arthroplasty (TKA), complete replacement of the cat’s knee (stifle) with an artificial one. To explore this option—a first in the U.S. for cats—Cyrano’s intrepid owners took him to the veterinary facility at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Once …
Non-Healing Facial Wounds: A Tale of Two TerriersMarch 13, 2014Endodontic disease has long been known as a common cause of a non-healing facial wound.1 The most common manifestation of this is the slab fracture of the maxillary fourth premolar tooth, which often results in pulp exposure, endodontic infection and a draining cutaneous tract below the medial canthus of the ipsilateral eye. This column compares two persistent cases I’ve seen recently that presented with similar problems but different etiologies. Jasper the Westie Case No. 1: Jasper, a 5-year-old male neutered West Highland white terrier, was presented to me with a three-month history of a non-healing wound beneath his left eye. The wound resolved when the primary care veterinarian placed Jasper on antibiotics, but recurred once antibiotics were discontinued. One year earlier, Jasper had received a dental cleaning and extraction of the left maxillary first molar due to severe periodontal disease. Jasper was presented to me for evaluation of any other dental issues that might be causing the non-healing sinus tract and scabbing beneath the left ventral eyelid. On conscious examination, Jasper was reluctant to allow for a good evaluation of the left maxillary quadrant, but I determined that the left maxillary fourth premolar (tooth 208) was present and did …
A Disaster Turns Into A Happy StoryMarch 13, 2014 Daisy, a 9-year-old diabetic miniature Schnauzer was diagnosed with a mucocele. Four months prior, Daisy had been seen for a splenic mass. We performed a c. Sadly, the biopsy revealed malignant histiocytosis. She recovered well from this procedure, but never 100 percent, according to the owner. She returned for an abdominal ultrasound after the referring veterinarian noticed an enlarged liver on palpation. In addition, the owner complained of Daisy's abdominal discomfort, decreased appetite and abnormal demeanor. Ultrasound confirmed hepatomegaly. The gallbladder was mildly distended and a small amount of free fluid was noticed around the liver. Blood work was supportive of liver disease with gallbladder involvement. Among others, she had an elevated bilirubin and high liver enzymes: alkaline phosphatase (alk. phos.), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Exploratory surgery was recommended for what was considered by the ultrasonographer to be an early mucocele. A standard laparotomy and cholecystectomy were performed. Patency of the common bile duct was reestablished through a duodenotomy. All other abdominal organs appeared within normal limits. After lavage of the abdomen, closure was standard. Daisy recovered uneventfully and went home the next day. It was that simple. Overall …
