PALS to all domestic violence victimsNovember 15, 2018PALS Place will be the first-ever domestic violence shelter of its size in the country specifically designed and outfitted for survivor-pet cohabitation, providing a place where up to 100 survivors, whether individuals or families, can heal together in safety with their pets.
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Elevate patient care—even on crazy daysNovember 13, 2018Most busy practices have days where (wo)manpower, or lack thereof, may limit the care provided. Regardless of your love of animals, it’s easy to miss the “little things” when you have trouble carving out a minute to use the restroom or eat lunch. Here is a list of 20 little things we tend to overlook. Focus on them to elevate patient care, even on the craziest day.
Rare salivary gland conditionsNovember 13, 2018Last month, I discussed surgical approaches to sialoceles. In this month’s column, I’ll tackle rare salivary gland conditions that are treated medically rather than surgically. Let’s start with some definitions. Sialadenosis refers to noninflammatory, nonneoplastic enlargement of the salivary glands, which tends to not be painful. Sialadenitis is inflammation of a salivary gland (synonym: sialoadenitis). Necrotizing sialometaplasia is squamous metaplasia of salivary gland lobules and ducts with ischemic necrosis of the salivary gland lobules (a histopathological distinction).
Nutrition's role in cancer patientsNovember 5, 2018Nutrition is always important in helping a sick pet get better, and it can be an essential element of care for cancer patients and for pets recovering from debilitating illnesses or surgery. Cancer and its treatments may alter the body’s ability to tolerate particular foods or use certain nutrients; moreover, clients often have a firm belief in nutrition as good medicine and may ask about or even insist on special diets or supplements for pets undergoing cancer treatments or otherwise in need of tender loving care.
Food allergy: Fact versus fictionNovember 5, 2018Day in and day out, we as veterinarians, and particularly as veterinary dermatologists, are asked, “What should I feed my pet?” It’s such a loaded question, given all the misinformation available about canine and feline diets. The most reputable source should be the veterinarian, yet clients take to pet food blogs, pet store employees, or their neighbors for “information.”
Conservative treatment options for partial and complete CCL tears in dogsNovember 1, 2018Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) insufficiency is the most common cause of hind limb lameness in dogs. In 2003 alone, dog owners in the U.S. spent $1.32 billion for the treatment of CCL injuries in their pets. As an important stabilizer of the stifle joint, the CCL’s three main functions are to prevent hyperextension of the stifle, internal rotation of the tibia, and most importantly to prevent tibial thrust in relation to the femur. Once torn, the damaged CCL leaves the stifle unstable and results in chronic, progressive lameness, predisposition to meniscal tearing, and ultimately, the formation of osteoarthritis.
Cats need to hunt, forage for meals, says AAFPNovember 1, 2018Medical, social, and emotional problems resulting from the way most cats are currently fed and the best methods to appropriately feed them, are the principal topics addressed in Feline Feeding Programs: Addressing Behavioral Needs to Improve Feline Health and Wellbeing, the American Association of Feline Practitioners’ (AAFP’s) newly released consensus statement.
Clinical trial shows possible longer life for dogs with osteosarcomaNovember 1, 2018Fifteen dogs diagnosed with osteosarcoma survived a median time of 415 days after completing canine osteosarcoma immunotherapy, according to a clinical trial by ELIAS Animal Health.
Top 10 reasons why pets see a veterinarianOctober 25, 2018Skin and stomach issues took the number one and two spot, respectively, as reasons why dog and cat owners take their pet to see a veterinarian.
Nonsurgical perspectives on CCL diseaseOctober 24, 2018Part one of this series discussed managing owner expectations, strategies to protect the sound cruciate, diagnosing ligament and meniscal damage, and joint irrigation/visualization. In this continuing series on nonsurgical management of the injured cruciate, I will begin by discussing joint injectates.
