Our hard working staff

Our dedicated staff got a chance to gather for the annual Christmas party in mid December. Then it was back to work for the holidays. Thank you to all of the doctors and staff that missed spending the holidays with their family!

Bad news for us all:

Northeast bat toll hits 90%

White-nose syndrome has claimed the lives of more than 1 million insect-eating bats over the past two winters due to premature loss of fat reserves, starvation and possibly an undetected pathogen, experts say.

Read More Here

From the Los Angeles Times: New York dog becomes nation's 1st confirmed to be carrying swine flu

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) — A dog in suburban New York is the first in the nation confirmed to be carrying the same strain of swine flu that is infecting humans, experts said Tuesday.

The 13-year-old mixed breed male, which is recovering, apparently caught the virus from his owner. But Michael San Filippo, a spokesman for the American Veterinary Medical Association, said there's no evidence that the flu strain can be transmitted from a pet to a person.

"In theory it could happen, but so far it's really looking like a dead end in pets," he said.

Dr. Anne Schuchat of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday that animals can carry and spread flu viruses, but such cases are rare and people should not be afraid to enjoy their pets.

The CDC says swine flu is waning among humans. It said infections were widespread in 11 states, down from 48 in late October.

San Filippo said the diagnosis of the 2009 H1N1 virus was confirmed at two labs, including Iowa State University's.

The dog, suffering breathing problems, was taken to the Katonah Bedford Veterinary Center in Bedford Hills, N.Y., on Dec. 13.

The medical director there, David Sachs, said he had the dog tested for swine flu because its owner previously had the virus. The practice would not identify the owner or give the dog's name and Sachs said the owner had decided against speaking with reporters.

The dog came in for a checkup Tuesday and is "getting back to his old self" but has not fully recovered, said veterinarian Julie Steffens.

Among pets, cats and ferrets have previously been found to catch the swine flu strains from humans, and at least one cat and one ferret have died, San Filippo said.

He said the veterinary association is recommending that people with ailing pets wash their hands often. If swine flu is suspected in either owner or pet, he said, "isolate yourselves from each other, which we realize is only possible to some degree."

Ann Hohenhaus, spokeswoman for the Animal Medical Center in New York, said if a pet or an owner is sick, "Don't play kissyface with your dog or your cat or your ferret. You wouldn't with your kids if you were sick, so don't do it with your pet."

Source

125 pilot whales die on NZ beaches, 43 saved

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – Some 125 pilot whales died in New Zealand after stranding on beaches over the weekend — but vacationers and conservation workers managed to coax 43 others back out to sea.

Rescuers monitored the survivors as they swam away from Colville Beach on North Island's Coromandel peninsula, and by Monday morning they were reported well out to sea.

Department of Conservation workers and hundreds of volunteers helped re-float the 43 whales at high tide. The volunteers covered the stranded mammals in sheets and kept them wet through the day.

"Some 63 pilot whales stranded ... but it looks pretty good, we've got 43 live ones," Department of Conservation ranger Steve Bolten said as the pod swam out to sea.

Bolten said one of the whales may have been sick, or their sonar may have led them into the shallow harbor and they couldn't find their way out again.

Meanwhile on South Island, 105 long-finned pilot whales that stranded died Saturday, conservation officials said Monday.

Golden Bay biodiversity program manager Hans Stoffregen said they were discovered by a tourist plane pilot and only 30 were alive when conservation workers arrived.

"They were in bad shape. By the time we got there two-thirds of them had already died. We had to euthanize the rest," he said.

The whales had been out of the water for a long time.

"It has been quite hot and they were very distressed. You could see the pain and suffering in their eyes," he was quoted telling the Southland Times newspaper

Because the site is part of a nature reserve, the 105 whale carcasses were left to decompose where they stranded, Stoffregen said.

Large numbers of whales become stranded on New Zealand's beaches each summer as they pass by on their way to breeding grounds from Antarctic waters. Scientists so far have been unable to explain why whales become stranded.

Source

It's a special Christmas present!

In Asheville, NC:

Woman's Christmas gift is special cat lost 12 years ago

In the news...

Do you know your carbon footprint?

In the News......

Arlington officials seize thousands of exotic animals at business

If experts cannot ID dog breeds, how can cities?

So You Want to Work with Animals?

Couple hopes dog’s pain makes other pets safer

UNC says dogs, hogs won't cause trouble

It's Cold Out There!

Take a look at this article for great tips on protecting your pets from the winter cold!

Dr Grafinger gets his picture in the paper!

Take a look at our article in the Durham Herald!

From our friends at Pet Poison Helpline

Holiday Toxins: Tips from Pet Poison Helpline to Help Keep Your Pet Safe!

Tips on holiday foods, plants and decorations that can put your pet at risk.

By Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC

The holidays are stressful enough without having to worry about a potentially poisoned pet. Below is a list of holiday-related decorations, plants and food items that the veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline recommend keeping away from pets.

Holiday Ornaments: When decorating for the season, consider your pets. Holiday decorations such as old-fashioned bubble lights may contain poisonous chemicals. If your pet chews on them, the liquid inside could be dangerous to their health. Methylene chloride, the chemical in bubble lights, can result in depression, aspiration pneumonia and irritation to the eyes, skin and gastrointestinal tract.

Tinsel: Another holiday ornament to avoid is tinsel. If you own a cat, toss the tinsel! What looks like a shiny toy to your cat can prove deadly if ingested. While tinsel itself is not “poisonous,” it can result in a severe linear foreign body if ingested. A linear foreign body occurs when your pet swallows something “stringy” (like ribbon, yarn, tinsel, cassette tape, etc.), which wraps around the base of the tongue or anchors itself in the stomach, rendering it unable to pass through the intestines. As the intestines contract and move, this string or linear foreign body can slowly saw through the tissue, resulting in severe damage to your pet’s intestinal tract. Ultimately, pets run the risk of severe injury to, or rupture of their intestines and treatment involves expensive abdominal surgery. Save your holiday bonus for yourself instead of your pet’s surgery, and keep tinsel, ribbon, yarn, thread, fabric, etc. out of reach!

Antifreeze: During this time of the year, it’s important to make sure your pet isn’t ingesting any radiator coolant! Antifreeze can be found in numerous sources. Here in Minnesota, a lot of people put antifreeze into their cabin’s toilet to prevent it from freezing during the winter, and we see a lot of toxicities here at Pet Poison Helpline from dogs running into cabins and drinking out of the toilet. Finally, there are rumors of small amounts of antifreeze in holiday ornaments such as imported snow globes. Recently, some were found to contain antifreeze (ethylene glycol) in the liquid. If a snow globe falls off the table and cracks open, and your pet licks up the contents of the snow globe, there is the risk of antifreeze poisoning. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze when ingested by a cat or a tablespoon or two for a dog (depending on their size), can be fatal. Signs of early poisoning include acting drunk or uncoordinated, excessive thirst, and lethargy. While signs may seem to improve after eight to twelve hours, internal damage is actually worsening, and crystals develop in the kidneys resulting in acute kidney failure. Immediate treatment with an antidote (fomepizole or ethanol) is vital. As the antidote only works if given within the first 3 hours for cats and 8-12 hours for dogs, it’s imperative that you seek veterinary care immediately for blood testing for antifreeze poisoning (including an ethylene glycol test and venous blood gas test).

Plants: Though they have a bad rap, poinsettia plants are only mildly toxic. Far more worrisome are holiday bouquets containing lilies, holly or mistletoe. Even bouquets brought into the house by holiday guests should be thoroughly inspected, as lilies are the #1 flower often used by florists. Just one or two bites from a lily can result in severe acute kidney failure in cats – even the pollen is thought to be poisonous! When in doubt, don’t let these bouquets in a cat-loving household!

Other yuletide plants such as holly berries, mistletoe, and rosemary can also be toxic to pets. When Christmas or English holly is ingested, it can result in severe gastrointestinal upset thanks to the spiny leaves and the potentially toxic substances (including saponins, methylxanthines, and cyanogens). If ingested, most pets lip smack, drool, and head shake excessively due to the mechanical injury from the spiny leaves. As for mistletoe, most of us hang it high enough so it’s out of reach of our pets – nevertheless, it can also be toxic if ingested. Thankfully, American mistletoe is less toxic than the European varieties of it. Mild signs of gastrointestinal irritation are seen, although if ingested in large amounts, collapse, hypotension, ataxia (walking drunk), seizures and death have also been reported.

Recently, florists have started to use Japanese Yew to make wreaths – all parts of this evergreen (including the succulent, red berries) are very poisonous, as they contain taxines, biofavonoids and cyanogenic glycosides. If ingested, this Taxus species can result in dizziness, abnormal heart rate (initially elevated, then slowed), hypotension, dilated pupils, coma, and death! As horses are very susceptible to Yew poisoning, make sure not to have this around the barn or pasture!

Alcohol: Most people know not to give alcoholic drinks to their pets; however alcohol poisoning in pets is more common than you think! This is because alcohol can be found in surprising places! Rum-soaked fruitcake or unbaked dough that contains yeast result in alcohol poisoning and other problems. Dough will expand in the warm, moist environment of the stomach and can result in a bloat, which can then progress to a GDV or gastric-dilitation volvulus (twisted stomach). Signs of this include vomiting, non-productive retching, a distended stomach, an elevated heart rate, and weakness or collapse. Secondly, alcohol from the fermenting yeast is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and affects pets quickly. Ingestion of alcohol can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar, blood pressure and body temperature. Intoxicated animals can experience seizures and respiratory failure.

Holiday Foods: With the holiday season comes a delightful variety of baked goods, chocolate confections and other rich, fattening foods. However, it is not wise (and in some cases is quite dangerous) to share these treats with your pets. Keep your pet on his or her regular diet over the holidays and do not let family and friends sneak in treats. Foods that can present problems:

• Foods containing grapes, raisins and currents (such as fruit cakes) can result in kidney failure in dogs.
• Chocolate and cocoa contain theobromine, a chemical highly toxic to dogs and cats. Ingestion in small amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhea but large amounts can cause seizures and heart arrhythmias.
• Many sugarless gums and candies contain xylitol, a sweetener which is toxic to dogs. It causes a life-threatening drop in blood sugar and liver failure.
• Leftover, fatty meat scraps can produce severe inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) leading to abdominal pain, vomiting and bloody diarrhea.

Liquid Potpourri: Filling your house with the smell of nutmeg or pine for the holidays may seem inviting—but if you’re partial to heating your scented oils in a simmer pot, know that they can cause serious harm to your cat; even a few licks can result in severe chemical burns in the mouth, fever, difficulty breathing, and tremors. Dogs aren’t as sensitive, but it’s still better to be safe than sorry—so scent your home with a non-toxic candle kept safely out of kitty’s reach.

When it comes to the holidays, the best thing a pet owner can do is get educated on common household toxins and pet-proof your home accordingly. If you think your pet has been poisoned, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 with any questions or concerns.

Resources: Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) is an Animal Poison Control that provides treatment advice and recommendations relating to exposures to potential dangerous plants, products, medications, and substances, to veterinarians, veterinary staff and pet owners 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please be aware there is a $35.00/per case consultation fee. Pet Poison Helpline is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Helpline number is 1-800-213-6680.

For further information regarding services, visit the PPH website at www.petpoisonhelpline.com.

What do they do home alone all day?

Do you think you know what your cat does all day while you're at work? Nestle Purina PetCare's Friskies researchers arranged for 50 pet cats to wear cameras on their collars and take a photo every 15 minutes.

Surprisingly, only 6 percent of their time was spent sleeping. The cats spent 22 percent of their time looking out of windows, 12 percent interacting with other pets, 8 percent climbing on furniture. Cats spent about 6 percent of their day looking at TV or computers, and 6 percent hanging out under tables. They spent about 5 percent for playing with toys and 4 percent eating.

Surprised?

Source

Cat food recalled over thiamine deficiency Select bags of Premium Edge could lead to gastrointestinal problems

WASHINGTON - Diamond Pet Foods recalled select bags of dry cat food Tuesday after 21 reports of health problems in cats.

Select bags of Premium Edge Finicky Adult Cat and Premium Edge Hairball could lead to gastrointestinal or neurological problems for cats, because they do not contain enough thiamine, an essential nutrient for cats.

If cats fed these foods have no other source of nutrition, they could develop thiamine deficiency. If untreated, this disorder could result in death.

Initial symptoms of thiamine deficiency include decreased appetite, salivation, vomiting and weight loss. Later, neurological problems could develop including, bending the neck toward the floor, wobbly walking, circling, falling and seizures.

The company has confirmed 21 cases of thiamine deficiency in New York and Pennsylvania.

The recalled bags of food were distributed in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

For a full refund, consumers can return the recalled cat food to the place it was purchased. For more information call 800-977-8797

Source

It's happening all over the country....

ELKHART, Ind.—

Each day at five, staff members of the Humane Society of Elkhart County close the animal shelter and hold a meeting. And each day, like clockwork, they begin hearing a “thump, thump, thump” from outside.

That is the sound of pets being abandoned by owners who either do not want them or cannot care for them anymore.

Among the recent arrivals left in “drop boxes” — kennels that are accessible through doors on the outside of the facility — are Sweet Pea, a Chihuahua being nursed back to health from near starvation, a cocker spaniel named Cookie and a “family” of three pets left together — a dog, a cat and rat.

These animals add to the usual traffic of strays, rabid raccoons and animals rescued from abuse. When the drop boxes are full, the Humane Society finds pets tied up at the door, or — as was the case with a domesticated ferret — running around in the parking lot. Recently a whole litter of kittens was left in the Humane Society dumpster.

With as many as 600 or 700 animals arriving each month — sometimes 30 animals in a single day — the facility, which has space for only 266, is in crisis mode.

'Unsavory position'
The numbers are “staggering” and resources are stretched, said Anne Reel, the Humane Society of Elkhart County’s executive director.

“Since the economy has been like this, even rescuers have been down,” she said, referring to nonprofits that provide temporary homes until animals can be adopted. “(Now) we’re in the unsavory position of having to euthanize because we just can’t turn animals around fast enough.”

In one month alone, the shelter had to euthanize 600 animals, she said.

Carissa Ray/msnbc.com

Jack O'Lantern, an orange tabby cat, was thrown from a car in front of the Humane Society of Elkhart County's shelter over Halloween weekend.

The Humane Society staff believes the poor economy is behind the high rate of abandonment — forcing people to give up pets when they run out of money to feed them or lose their homes and move into apartments or in with relatives. It’s impossible to know for sure because many people drop off their pets anonymously in the drop boxes and don’t fill out the forms that would help the Humane Society staff understand the animal’s health background and breeding. Since October 2008, the shelter has handled 5,783 animals, 42 percent of which were abandoned anonymously.

“For the most part, people just cram the animal in the door, get in their car and speed away as fast as possible,” said Reel. “Occasionally we have someone walk through the front door and say ‘I’ve been laid off my job, we’re moving into an apartment, we can’t find anyone to take them,’ and do it responsibly.”

Looming cuts?
The number of cats dropped off is especially high, perhaps because people have been reluctant to spend money to spay or neuter their cats under current economic conditions.

The Humane Society is struggling to meet the increased demand. Its budget for free spaying and neutering of cats was shot by April. The pet assistance program, which provides free pet food to help owners who are struggling financially, had 444 requests this year, about two-thirds of them first-time requests. This program is important because it keeps pets with their owners, avoiding unnecessary abandonment.

About half of the Humane Society’s $700,000 annual budget is provided by the county and cities, under a contract for animal control. But the organization is anticipating cuts in the next round of government budgets and, like many nonprofits, is casting about for new fundraising ideas, and trying to expand its donor base.

Carissa Ray/msnbc.com

A dog sits quietly at the Humane Society of Elkhart County while awaiting adoption.

Meanwhile, Reel brought in a fatigue specialist to work with the staff of 16.

“We are overwhelmed in trying to decide who stays and who will have to be eliminated,” she said, referring to animals that have to be euthanized. “It takes a toll on our staff. It is not a pleasant job. “

The staff also grapple with a year caring for and cleaning up after all these creatures — many which are in terrible condition by the time they are dropped off, with severe such maladies as ringworm, fleas and mange. That requires careful handling, and a lot of bleach to prevent the spread of disease.

When people ask Reel, “How can I help?” she tells them to “adopt, donate or send bleach.”

Source

H1N1 virus in reported in cats

From the AVMA:

"2009 H1N1 influenza virus confirmed in Iowa cat

November 4, 2009 – A 13-year old cat in Iowa developed signs of a respiratory infection after several people in the household were ill. Preliminary testing was positive for 2009 H1N1 on October 29, and the results were confirmed on November 2. This is the first report of a cat infected with H1N1. The cat has recovered from its illness.

To date, this is the first cat confirmed infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus. Two ferrets, one in Oregon and one in Nebraska, have also recently been confirmed infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus. The Nebraska ferret died, but the Oregon ferret has recovered. To date, there is no evidence that the ferrets or the cat passed the virus to people." (Emphasis added)

"The American Veterinary Medical Association and American Association of Feline Practitioners are reminding pet owners that many viruses can pass between people and animals, so this was not an altogether unexpected event. We are advising pet owners to monitor their pets’ health very closely, no matter what type of animal, and visit a veterinarian if there are any signs of illness.
For more information, view the AVMA’s press release on the Iowa case or visit the AVMA’s H1N1 resources Web page."

Like the press release says, this isn't really all that unexpected, but it is interesting and important for cats, their owners and veterinarians. For now at least, all of the animals seem to have contracted the disease from people, rather than the other way around.

Alert for owners of diabetic pets

FDA-CVM Issues Alert About Problems with Vetsulin® Porcine Insulin Zinc Suspension

November 3, 2009 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, in cooperation with Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, has announced that Vetsulin® may have varying amounts of crystalline zinc insulin, the active ingredient, in the formula. As a result, use of the product could result in a delay in action of the drug as well as prolonged action, which could cause difficulty in managing diabetic pets. Get more information on the AVMA web site, AVMA.org: http://www.avma.org/aa/vetsulin_091102.asp

Happy News!

82 healthy sea turtles hatch at San Diego SeaWorld!

Source

Chocolate toxicity

A few notes from Dr Grafinger:

Chocolate toxicity usually occurs during the holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter) when pets are exposed or fed a variety of chocolate containing products. It is among the 20 most common toxicities which occur in veterinary medicine. The toxicity occurs more commonly in dogs and almost never in our feline companions. Cats are more particular about what they eat. Dogs tend to consume large quantities of unusual foods quickly.

Common products containing cocoa include: candy, cakes, cookies, brownies, baking supplies, and cocoa bean mulches.

In general the lighter colored chocolate products (e.g. White chocolate) are less toxic, and darker products are more toxic (e.g. Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate). The toxic compounds in chocolate are methylxanthine alkaloids which include caffeine and theobromine. White chocolate contains 0.05 g/kg of theobromine, and baking chocolate contains 16 g/kg theobromine. Many chocolate products have a high fat content which can precipitate pancreatitis as well.

Toxic doses according to ASPCA Animal Control Center are as follows:
Mild signs occur in dogs ingesting 20 mg/kg.
Severe signs are seen with ingestion of 40-50 mg/kg
Seizures can occur with a dose of 60mg/kg
Death can occur with 100-200 mg/kg

Big news for cat rescue groups

Raleigh man leaves nearly $1.7 million estate to cat charities
Emil Campbell

Posted: Oct. 28 11:02 p.m.
Updated: Today at 5:20 a.m.

Raleigh, N.C. — A Raleigh cat-lover has left his nearly $1.7 million estate to area feline charities.

“He was very fond of cats and animals,” attorney Bobby Khot, with Wills Trusts and Estates, said of client Emil Campbell.

Khot said Campbell, who died suddenly last month, designated four cat charities to share his estate.

“It was like a gift from heaven,” said Lynn Jernigan, with Snowflake Animal Rescue. “I couldn't believe it. I opened the letter and I had to read it twice.”

Jernigan said her rescue group gets less than $6,000 a year in donations. The volunteer organization doesn’t even have a building of its own. However, the generous gift from Campbell could change that.

“We could certainly become a much larger rescue group if we had the facility,” Jernigan said.

“It's going to make a pretty big difference across the board, hopefully in the community here, especially,” said Carol De Olloqui, with Marley's Cat Tales.

Marley's Cat Tales, another group that provides health care and homes for cats, was also named a benefactor of Campbell's estate.

“A donation like this will allow us to spay or neuter as many animals as possible and make a difference in alleviating the problem of overpopulation,” Olloqui said.

SAFE Haven for Cats will also get a share of the money from Campbell.

In addition to the three main beneficiaries, Campbell also left money to Second Chance Pet Adoptions. The rescue group wasn’t aware yet of how much money it would receive, but said any amount was greatly appreciated.

“(He was) very frugal. He didn't work a job that paid him a lot of money, but he pinched his pennies and he saved his money,” Khot said of Campbell.

Campbell had one surviving daughter. Khot said she was not thrilled with the will, but a family friend said Campbell took care of his daughter outside of his estate.

Source

People aren't the only ones facing the flu

First identified in 2003 in Florida, a canine influenza identified as H3N8 is now widespread, with documented occurrences in 30 states and the District of Columbia. Because this is a newly emerging pathogen, all dogs, regardless of breed or age, are susceptible to infection and have no naturally acquired or vaccine-induced immunity when first exposed to the virus. The good news is that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has approved a new vaccine. Be sure to ask your regular veterinarian for more information.

More information

Butterfly ears?

A new study about how butterfly ears work!

CPR?

Fifty-eight percent of pet owners — 63 percent of dog owners and 53 percent of cat owners — would be at least somewhat likely to perform CPR on their pet in the event of a medical emergency, according to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll.

Source

For more information on pet first aid, check out the Red Cross website.

Where does the blood come from?

Has your pet had an illness that required a transfusion? Have you ever wondered where the blood comes from? Have you wondered what's involved in the cost?

Canine blood products are commercially available from organizations that maintain colonies of donor dogs that have been carefully screened for diseases that can transmitted through blood products:

• Canine brucellosis
• Borrelia burgdoferi (Lyme Disease)
• Dirofilaria immitus (heartworm disease)
• Ehrlichia canis
• Rocky Mountain spotted fever
• Coccidioides immitus
• Babesia canis
• Babesia gibsoni
• Plasma levels of von Willebrand factor

Cat blood is not readily available commercially, so any cat blood given at our facility has been collected in our "in-house" blood bank. Members of our staff have volunteered their own pets for donation, and after a through health screening, they are placed on a "donation rotation".
To meet donation requirements, cats:

• Must be fairly friendly and like to be around people
• Must weigh over 10 pounds (without being overweight)
• Must be current on vaccinations
• Must be healthy and not receiving any medications other than heartworm, flea, and tick preventive
• Must be indoor-only, and all companion housemate cats must be indoor and negative for feline leukemia or kitty FIV
• Cannot be exposed to any other cats (no fostering or pet-sitting of other cats)
• Cannot have a heart murmur
• Must be between 2 years and 6 years old when entering the program
• Must have never received a blood transfusion nor been pregnant

If they meet these standards, then further tests are run:

• Chemistry panel
• Complete blood count
• Feline leukemia virus
• Feline immunosuppressive virus
• Hemobartonella
• Toxoplasma
• Blood type
• Thyroid panel

When it has been determined that your pet requires a transfusion, it must them be typed and cross matched. The donor blood is delivered to your pet through an IV pump that has been approved for blood products, through a line that includes a filter, and then through a catheter that has been placed in the pet. A carefully calculated volume of blood is delivered at a carefully calculated rate, and during the process and for hours later, the patient is observed closely for any type of transfusion reaction.

As you can see, blood transfusions are an involved but often life saving tool in our arsenal. Triangle Veterinary Emergency Clinic would like to acknowledge and thank the staff members who have volunteered their pets to undergo this process for the good of our patients!

Too much waste?

Have you ever wondered what to do with your pet waste? Here and here are great sites for information on pet waste composting!

Tax breaks for pet owners?

Take a look at NPR's story about Republican Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan sponsoring a bill that would allow pet owners to deduct animal care expenses from their taxes.

Submit your photos!

It's that time again - time to embarrass your pets!

Send in your Halloween pet photos and we'll help with the public humiliation by posting them on our blog. Be sure to include your pets name and any other information that you'd like included. Our e-mail address is Trianglevec@yahoo.com.

And don't forget, keep the chocolate far away from the four legged kids!

Upsetting our world view!

Christopher Meehan of Villanova University in Pennsylvania has discovered a species of spider that eats acacia leaves. This is the first confirmed example of a spider that feeds primarily on plant matter.

Acacia plants have a fascinating mutually beneficial relationship with ants - resident ants will fiercely attack any potential marauders (such as caterpillars and browsers) that may harm the plant. In return, the plant supplies a home in large, hollow thorns and uses specialized glands to produce a sugary food for the ants.

This amazing spider has not only developed the ability to survive off of plant matter, he must also avoid these "vicious, biting ants". What an amazing world!

October 11-17 is National Veterinary Technician Week

Veterinary Technicians are a vital part of your pet's health care team. Read here and here for information about what they do and how much they care.

From our friends at Pet Poison Helpline

Pet Poison Helpline Offers List of Fall Toxins to Keep Pets Safe: Tips on seasonal foods and common household items that can put your pet at risk

The start of fall brings new seasonal household items that pose a threat to the safety of our pets. These common household items can cause serious problems if ingested by animals. Here is the list of seasonal products that the veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline recommend keeping away from pets.

• Mothballs: While you may think these white balls are benign, they are not. Mothballs typically contain either paradichlorobenzene or naphthalene. While the old fashioned mothballs (naphthalene) are often considered more toxic, both can be deadly. Symptoms include vomiting, severe abdominal pain, tremors, weakness, possible kidney or liver failure, and severe abnormality of your pet’s red blood cells.

• Mushrooms: While most mushrooms are generally non-toxic, certain types can be very dangerous. One of the most dangerous is the Amanita phalloides or death cap mushroom which is found throughout the United States. The proper identification of mushrooms is extremely difficult and often only done by experts. Therefore, it is wise to consider all ingestions of unidentified mushrooms as toxic until proven otherwise. Depending on what type of mushroom is ingested, symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, depression, tremors, and seizures, with liver and kidney damage occurring later. Pet owners should scour their yard frequently to get rid of any mushrooms.

• Antifreeze: As people prepare their boats, cars or cabins for winter, pets may inadvertently be exposed to antifreeze. As little as one teaspoon in a cat or a tablespoon or two for dogs, depending on the size of animal, can be fatal. Signs of early poisoning include acting drunk or uncoordinated, excessive thirst, and lethargy. While signs may seem to improve after eight to twelve hours, internal damage is actually worsening, and crystals develop in the kidneys, which result in acute kidney failure. Immediate treatment with an antidote is vital.

• Mouse and rat poisons (rodenticides): As you prepare to winterize your garage, cabin, or house, make sure to place poisonous baits in areas where your pet cannot reach them (i.e., high up on shelves, hidden behind work spaces, etc.). “Rodenticides also pose the potential for relay toxicity,” said Dr. Ahna Brutlag, assistant director of veterinary services at Pet Poison Helpline. “In other words, if your dog eats a bunch of dead mice poisoned by rodenticides, they can experience secondary effects.” Because there are several different types of chemicals in mouse and rat poisons, all with different active ingredients and types of action, it is imperative to keep your pets away from all of these potentially dangerous poisons.
  

• Compost bins or piles: Piles of decomposing and decaying organic matter and molding food products in your backyard compost pile have the potential to contain ‘tremorgenic mycotoxins’, meaning molds which cause tremors. Even small amounts ingested can result in tremors or seizures within 30 minutes to several hours.

• Red maple leaves: Horse lovers, beware. As little as one pound of dried maple leaves blowing into your horse’s pasture can be toxic. When ingested, these leaves result in a severe hemolytic anemia – it causes red blood cells to rupture, causing weakness, pale gums, an elevated heart rate and shock.

The best thing any pet owner can do is to be educated on common household toxins, and to make sure you pet-proof your house appropriately. Make sure to keep all these products in labeled, tightly-sealed containers out of your pet’s reach. When in doubt, if you think your pet has been poisoned, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 with any questions or concerns.

About Pet Poison Helpline
Pet Poison Helpline is a service available 24 hours, seven days a week for pet owners, veterinarians and vet techs that require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. Staff can provide treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals and exotic species. As the most cost-effective option for animal poison control care, Pet Poison Helpline’s fee of $35 per incident includes follow-up consultation for the duration of the poison case. Pet Poison Helpline is available in North America by calling 800-213-6680.

Home

About Us

Events

Pet Poison Helpline © 2009

Do you think they're spoiled?

Think you spoil your pets? Check out these pet mansions!

What's the matter, cat got your tongue?

Let me introduce you to Bernice, a thirteen year old cat that was referred by her regular veterinarian to my care this summer. As a veterinary specialist, I often see cases that need specialized diagnostic tests (ultrasound, endoscopy) and critical care. Bernice was not eating, and she was vomiting and swallowing in an exaggerated manner. And, oh by the way, Bernice had lost her meow. She would open her mouth and try to meow, but nothing came out. Quite the opposite of the old saying – cat’s got your tongue. Something was wrong with Bernice and she needed help. Her owner was concerned that something might be stuck in her throat, which was a definite possibility given the sudden onset of her concerns. We also had to consider that there might be a tumor or other abnormal growth in her throat.

Basic x-rays of her neck and chest did not reveal any problems. She was sedated and an endoscope (a small camera used to examine various areas of the body) was used to look in the dark recesses of her mouth, windpipe and throat. Lo and behold, just above the roof of her mouth, was a blade of grass. Bernice, being a cat who loved going outside for her daily constitutionals, had eaten some grass and apparently vomited the grass, as animals will do. Unfortunately for Bernice, a large blade of grass had lodged itself above the roof of her mouth and caused her distress. She had lost her voice and appetite because of this one piece of grass. Within minutes of discovery, the blade of grass was extracted. No damage to her throat was noted. She recovered well from anesthesia and she is back home, meowing again and hopefully avoiding grass as part of her diet.

Cindy Stubbs, DVM, MS, DACVIM

The irrepressible nature of cats!

National Geographic Program

Airing this weekend, National Geographic's program on unlikely animal bonds.

An Interview with Dr. Frank

Dr. Paul Frank is a Board Certified Veterinary Radiologist, and has been with TVEC since September 2008. Recently we sat down for a conversation with Dr. Frank.

So, tell us, what exactly is a Veterinary Radiologist?

Well, the easiest answer is that I do the same job as a human Radiologist, I just work with different species. The long answer is that a Radiologist helps other veterinarians determine which imaging studies are most appropriate for their patients, helps acquire the images (in some cases), and interprets the images for the other veterinarians. We work with x-rays (radiology), ultrasound, MRI, CT (‘CAT scan’), and nuclear medicine as ways to image the patient. Each modality has its own pros and cons, and radiologists are trained to use them on all different types of species. The American College of Veterinary Radiology (ACVR) has a good website that explains this in more detail. Currently at TVEC, radiology and ultrasound are available in house, and MRI is available off-site.

Wow! I didn’t even know that there was such a thing as “specialists” in veterinary medicine, not to mention Veterinary Radiologists.

Yep, we exist! In reality there are only about 300 Board Certified Veterinary Radiologists in the ACVR (and not all of those are in this country). But there are also Internists, Surgeons, Dermatologists, Ophthalmologists, Oncologists, and on and on. If a medical procedure/test/therapy can be done for people, chances are it can be done for animals. And since many people these days are asking for the same quality of care for their pets as they get for themselves, it only makes sense that there are Veterinary Specialists to help provide that level of care.

When my pet gets x-rays made at my local veterinarian’s office, do they get interpreted by a Radiologist?

Probably not. Considering there are about 52,000 veterinarians who do some form of small animal practice in the USA, and only about 300 radiologists, it’s not really feasible for a Radiologist to review every case. And, General Practitioners are trained in proper ways of obtaining and interpreting x-rays, so it may not even be necessary in many cases. But for those cases that are challenging, or need a second opinion, a radiologist can be consulted. Just ask your veterinarian to submit the images to TVEC and they’ll usually get an answer the day the images arrive, with a written report to follow the next business day. Some veterinarians chose to submit all cases to a Radiologist, similar to the situation in human medicine, because they want the best possible care for their patients. And with the recent growth of the digital imaging in veterinary medicine, many vets can send their digital images to me via the internet (teleradiology), and get an answer sometimes in minutes!

What’s the most interesting species you’ve worked on in the past?

Probably the beluga whales. An aquarium asked me to help them get radiographs (x-rays) of their whales. It was quite an experience. My part was extremely limited, but watching the staff expertly pull-off this complicated procedure (they did much more than just get x-rays) was amazing. Of course, I had never seen any other beluga whale radiographs, so it was hard to really know what was ‘normal,’ but I think we helped the patient a great deal in any case. I’ve also worked with just about everything else imaginable. Birds, huge snakes, fish, lizards, ferrets, rats, all types of barnyard creatures. But my real passion is dogs and cats, and I’m fortunate to be able to really concentrate all of my energies on those two species here at TVEC.

Any interesting cases recently?

Really, people get into radiology for a variety of reasons, but one of the common things is that we like helping other veterinarians. It’s really rewarding to be able to help them make the pets feel better. So the recent case that sticks out in my mind isn’t really all that ‘amazing’ or ‘gee-whiz’, but it’s interesting to me. It was an 11-month-old Golden Retriever who was limping. The local veterinarian didn’t see anything on the x-rays and asked me for a second opinion. I was able to help them find that the pet had panosteitis, a relatively harmless and self-limiting, but painful, condition. As far as the ‘gee-whiz’ factor, it always comes down to ‘animals eat the craziest things.’ It's always fun to try and figure out how much the coinage in a stomach is worth, and I remember one cat that had a big stomach full of the owner’s hair bands. What are they thinking!?

Above, the original image showing a coin in the stomach.

Above, the same image, manipulated to show the details. It's a dime!

Kitty with a stomach full of hair ties/bands.

Thanks Dr. Frank!