The basics for spring.

HAPPY EASTER!!!!   Beware the lilies, candy, and fake grass.  They are either toxic, cause GI trauma, or just plain bad.  Don't forget to "child"-proof your pet during the holidays and activities.  Keep the rich food handouts to a minimum also, as these can cause the dread pancreatitis.  I usually invest in some new chew toys for the dogs to keep them busy during the egg hunts (yes they re-hide them multiple times) and other festivities.

Due to the wonderful weather, the musquitoes are early in my territory, so I've already started my dogs on their heartworm preventive.  Look around, if yours are out also, get the going.  The test is a single drop and done on dogs greater than 6 months old, the puppies under 6 months can just start on the preventive this year and worry about testing next year.  ( This is due to the life-cycle of the heartworm and the 6 month lag time between infection and positive test results.)

Don't forget to brush those teeth, doggy enzymatic toothpaste is still the best for all our pets, avoid anything with xylitol (the diabetic artificial sweetener is toxic to pets) and fluoride (they swallow it and mess up their bones).

Regular yearly vaccines (rabies and DAPP for most, though water dogs need lepto) keep the viruses away, but don't forget all the cool parasites they can pick up.  Colorado is slightly limited, but that doesn't mean we don't have roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, and etc in our environs.  If your pet hunts or visits moist areas where wildlife have been, they are at risk.  Also, use the tick repellants if you're planning on camping with the pets.  If you board them, don't forget the bordetella vaccine.  The influenza vaccine is available at some select locations, but I still don't have it at this time, ask me about it if you're interested.

Now that it's warmer, the plants are blooming, and so are allergies.  Allergies are additive, so the comfortable winter dog may suddenly scratch everywhere when the pollen rises.  Remember to dry out the ears after swimming, and just wipe them out with dry cotton (not cotton tip applicators) to check for smell and discharge.  Decreasing the symptoms of allergies, can make the whole dog more comfortable even when not completely controlled.  Cleaning the ears and keeping them dry, using hypoallergenic doggy shampoo for baths to soothe (yes there are also medicated ones), starting an antihistamine (ask before you try ANY, some aren't good for our pets), avoiding high pollen areas, double rinsing the bedding and decreasing the allergens tracked in from outside, filtering the inhalant allergens out of the air, etc are all great strategies for helping your pet feel better during this trying time.  If you have more pressing needs, don't forget to make an appointment and we can talk, or test, and treat.

Not forgetting the kitties, if they just can't keep their tootsies inside the house, institute door routines, add a micro-chip, and make sure they're current on their vaccines.  Having up-to-date pictures for emergencies doesn't hurt either, just in case all your best plans fail and they escape.  If you already have a chip in, recheck that all the information is correct on the websites.  Contact me for more info on that.  also, with the bugs and spiders active, some inquisitive minds and paws chase and capture not-so-nice critters.  Reactions can happen, rinse, call the vet, and watch for anything abnormal if no toxins were available.  If in doubt, testing may give you peace of mind if a toxin could have been found (outside, for instance).

That seems to be all the high points of questions at this time of year, so send more if you have them.

The newer vaccine clinics

 Sorry I've been away for so long, doesn't seem like time flew that fast.  The future clinics are as follows - CRM is Colorado Ranch Market at I-70 & Pecos  (North east corner)
64th and Simms is at Super Tees on the corner above the stoplight  (North west side)
Golden Mill is the upper parking lot on 10th and Ford in downtown Golden.  (upper parking lot)

 CRM  -  Apr 1 Sun 12-3p, Apr 2 Mon 12-4.
Apr 8 EASTER!!!
64th  -  Apr 15 Sun 12-3p,  Mon Apr 16,  12-4p.  Cancelled after this.
Golden - Apr 22, 3-6p,  Apr 23, 1-5p.        NEW TIMES!!!!
CRM - Apr 29, 12-3p, Apr 30, 2-6p.

I'm trying some new times to see if it helps anyone get in and do the vaccines or heartworm testing for spring.  Let me know if you hate or love it in an e-mail to petvetjune@gmail.com.
These dates and times do have some changes sometimes, but not often.  Call 303-279-2322 if you have any questions, or may run a little late.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hope everyone is having a great holiday.  We had over 20 inches of snow!  Will be having the first vaccine clinic after the new year on Jan 7-8.  We'll see you then.

Coping with the loss of a pet

Losing a pet is hard, they are the constant companion who listened without censure.  They are the comforter who stayed up with you all night, or when your human companions were ill/away.  They are with us for such a short time, but take up such a large part of our hearts.  Everyone feels differently about their pet and their grief, don't poo-poo anything.  If you're feeling it, it's real.  Take time to be honest about your emotions and validate they exist.  Denial, guilt, anger, and depression are all real reactions to the loss of a pet, and can be overwhelming.  Find an outlet for these feelings, either with good friends or with a professional who can help you work through the pain.  Don't stuff them inside, do activities, talk to pet loss counselors, find a support group, commemorate your pet, do waht it takes to work through waht you're dealing with.  Memorials, volunteering, etc can all help you as you decide where to go.  And don't forget to watch out for your other pets and children, they can grieve as much as you do.  Healthy coping mechanisms must be found for everyone.
The local veterinary group has an excellent pet-loss support group that meets weekly, contact the DAVMS for this info.  http://www.petlossdenver.org/
There are also excellent reading sources for children and adults alike, most are available through your local library.  The 10 best things about Barney is one of my favorites.  There were so many listed on the site when I searched, that I recommend doing the search and picking out the ones that interest you.  
Should you get another pet is one of the bigger questions I hear also.  The fact is, you can't replace the pet that passed on, but in time you may be ready to share your heart with a new bundle of joy.  Give yourself the time you need to heal, and when you're ready rescue a new best friend.  Then take the time to socialize and learn about this new pet.  Time will eventually heal your painful memories, so that the happy memories of the new good times can be shared.

poison info from the ASPCA website - PLANTS and FOODS; winter, etc

www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants.aspx
www.aspca.org/pet-care/ask-the-expert/ask-the-expert-poison-control/people-foods.aspx
These 2 spots list the variety of plants and foods that our pets cannot get into without sometimes severe consequences.  Most people know some things such as lilies and chocolate, but these lists include sago palms and raisins and other weird stuff.
Fall is also the time for more problems from anti-freeze.   Either because more people are adding it in, or because the spills are the only available "water" the animals can find.  This toxin doesn't take much to destroy the kidneys of animals, so be sure to clean up and get rid of any spills you find.
With winter around the corner, I also need to mention te "salts" used for snow/ice removal.  Be sure to get a pet friendly type, and stay away from any you don't know.  I usually recommend booties to decrease contact, then wash their feet when you get home.  Leave your boots and shoes with toxins on the soles outside/ in the mudroom, or in closed closets also.  Even residues on the carpet can make a pet sick over time, so why take the chance?
Heartworm is off our minds since the musquitoes are decreasing, but don't stop that preventive!!!  The musquitoes have the ability to hibernate, so any that awaken, even in winter, can be infective.  Once an infected source is available, the problems just continues to spread.  We're dry, but we do have musquitoes, and unfortunately some positive dogs.  The preventive is so much easier than the treatment, and so much less expensive too.
Our outdoor water still contains giardia, leptospirosis, as well as some other less common nasties.  Not all water has all infectious diseases, but why take the chance at all.  Pack in water for you and your pets, and get the vaccine for lepto if your dog just can't help himself.  This important zoonotic disease is ugly, so get your dog vaccinated and keep them that way.
Spring is Canine influenze season, the vaccine is available at some area vets, I'm not carrying this one at this time due to the extremely rare prevalence in this geographic area at this time.

Arthritis - a partial overview

The hills of ones youth are all mountains.  Mari Sandoz American writere

     With arthritis, the opposite is also true, it's really hard to physically do the simple things that one enjoys when everything hurts.  A great resource for the basics of arthritis can be found on the AAHA Healthy pet.com website.  They even have printable brochures.  Their article on cats and arthritis shows just how far we've come in the recognition of our companions needs. 
     So what can we do for the arthritic pet, and how can we slow down the degradation of the joints so they can continue for many years to enjoy their time with us?  First off, start now.  If you're feeding too much and they are tending to overweight, cut back and maintain them at a healthy weight.  The wear and tear of extra weight on any joints is bad, but it also effects the heart and body in other ways, so it's a serious issue to address.  What to feed?  A good quality, name brand, well-known food like Science diet, Royal canin, ProPlan, Nutro, etc.  Don't go for bulk, store brands, or local fad brands, if the track record is unknown, your pet is the guinea pig.  For pets with clinical symptoms of arthritis, clinical trials have shown Science Diet J/D (joint diet) to ease the pain.  The food has more than some supplements can do, so if it's an option I recommend it.
     As for supplements that actually help, I swear by chondroitin/glucosamine and omega fatty acids (like fish oil).  Some of these supplements also contain MSM or antioxidants, which have been proven to not hurt, and possibly help.  As with any new addition to the diet, watch for a response (usually >3 weeks to see), and allergic reactions (vomition, hives, itchy).  These are all things that are safe in younger dogs, all the way through their golden years.   Recently I've seen a few people advocating vegetables as anti-inflammatories.  I don't see anything wrong with eating vegies, and they can make a dog feel full without eating a lot of calorie-dense food, but be sure to avoid toxins (grapes comes to mind immediately) and only feed well washed samples.  I prefer the frozen kind just because they're easier for me.
     Mild gentle exercise is best all the way around, something like walks or swimming, but if your dog is a sporter, make sure to have him on good surfaces that encourage strong landings without damage.  Wet surfaces that are slick, hills, hard uneven surfaces, and other hazards play havoc on their joints just as they do on ours.
      A good egg-crate bed decreases the pressure points when your pet is sleeping.  There are several models available, though my dog just uses my old ones, and sometimes the new one on my bed as well.
     Medications are a last resort before unconventional methods of pain control associated with arthritis.  I use the weaker NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) at low doses until a stronger dose is required or the pet proves the drug is incompatible with them.  for a run-down on the NSAIDs available, teh fda.gov site has an animalveterinary/resourcesfor you section that outlines them all.  NSAIDs are strongly discouraged in cats, as they develop life-threatening diseases from them, so we usually still use steroids.  Ketoprofen does work but tastes awful, and robenacoxib is still in the research stage as far as I can see.  Some sources are using tramadol, and that does seem to provide effective and safe pain control in some cats.  I use the tramadol more for it's synergystic effect with the NSAIDs in dogs.  This allows me to use a lower dose of both to achieve longer use of lower doses, resulting in less side effects from the medications (vomition, kidney and liver disease, GI upset). 
     Acupuncture (veterinary certified), laser, massage, ultrasound, stem cell treatments (from fat no less), surgery, and braces are all out there.   Each of these is used in specific spaces and places, and should be on the recommendation of your veterinarian.  They are important in some cases, but not in all, so should be approached with a discerning eye.  I've worked with a few really great acupuncturists over the years, and the dogs (and cats) being treated really seemed to enjoy it.
     This isn't a comprehensive overview of everything available, but hits the most common and most promising available modalities for pain control and arthritis control.  Keeping dental disease, and for that matter any whole body diseases that lead to inflammation, can also help decrease the pain from arthritis.  If you have questions, or wish for an evaluation, give me a call.  303-279-2322

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