How to be a Cool Cat on a Dog Day

Summer is in full swing nationwide, and we’re seeing a lot of days with soaring temperatures. In order to help your cat beat the heat, CATalyst Council, a national initiative comprised of animal health and welfare organizations working on behalf of cats, has the following suggestions for keeping your cat cool when temperatures rise:

1. Ensure your cat has access to fresh, cool water. “All animals need plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially when it is hot,” says Dr. Jane Brunt, executive director of CATalyst Council “Dehydration can occur very quickly and can be dangerous, leading to other complications. You may want to put out additional water bowls for your cat so that it’s easy for them to access in various parts of the house.”

2. Proper grooming is important. Brushing your cat can help reduce matting, which traps heat near the body and keeps the cat warmer than it would be otherwise. Grooming is also calming for many cats. If you have long haired cats, you may want to consider getting them a new “summer do,” and having their coats clipped shorter to help keep them cool.

3. Think twice before leaving your cat in your car. A study from Stanford University found that 80 percent of temperature rise in cars occurs within the first 30 minutes of leaving the car, and that even in cooler temperatures cars can quickly become very hot. For instance, at a 72 degree outdoor temperature, the interior of the car could become as hot as 117 degrees. The study also found that cracking the windows did very little to slow the temperature increase within the car. So, if you need to bring your cat with you while you are out and about, think twice before you leave it unattended in your car for even a brief period of time.

4. Keep your cat indoors. While cats have been described as desert animals, they don’t require the heat of hot summer months. By staying inside, not only will your cat enjoy an extended nap on the sofa, it will also enjoy having a safe environment while still enjoying the sunbeams. Keeping cats indoors also keeps them safe from predators, cars, parasites --which tend to be worse during warmer months-- and other dangers. “If you suspect that your cat is suffering from a heat-related illness, take it to your veterinarian immediately,” adds Dr. Brunt. Signs your cat may be overheated include panting, confusion, glazed eyes, agitation, vomiting or drooling, or staggering. Any of these signs should be treated as an emergency situation, and you go to your veterinarian immediately.

 Source: http://www.catalystcouncil.org/newsroom/?ID=155

Three Essential Summer Tips For Dogs

It's summertime and the living is easy, but summer fun also brings some inherent dangers to be aware of. Dog owners need to take extra responsibility to make sure their pup is safe when temperatures heat up and outdoor activity beckons. 

Everyone knows you should never leave a dog in a hot car, but it's also important to be aware that your pup can get heatstroke while they're outside.

Heat Hazards 

If your dog is outside on a hot day, make sure he has a shady spot to rest in. Doghouses are not good shelter during the summer as they can trap heat. You may want to fill a child's wading pool with fresh water for your dog to cool off in. Never leave your dog in a closed vehicle on a hot day. The temperature inside a car can rise to over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes. Always provide plenty of cool, fresh water. Avoid strenuous exercise on extremely hot days. Take walks in the early mornings or evenings, when the sun's heat is less intense. Try to avoid prolonged exposure to hot asphalt or sand, which can burn your dog's paws. Dogs that are brachycephalic (short-faced), such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Japanese Chins, and Pekingese, have an especially hard time in the heat because they do not pant as efficiently as longer-faced dogs. Keep your brachycephalic dog inside with air-conditioning. Lisa and I just got back from visiting our friends in Wilmington, N.C. where we were lucky enough to spend a few glorious days boating and going to the beach. You would be amazed at how many boating dogs there were, it seemed everywhere I looked there was a dog on a boat. While on the beach an endless number of dogs were running, playing, and splashing around. So, next I thought it would be a good idea to go over some safety tips for those planning on taking Fido to the beach. 

Beach Tips 

Make sure your dog has a shady spot to rest in and plenty of fresh water. Dogs, especially those with short hair, white fur, and pink skin, can sunburn. Limit your dog's exposure during the day and apply sunblock to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside. Check with a lifeguard for daily water conditions. Dogs are easy targets for sea lice and jellyfish. Running on the sand is strenuous exercise. A dog that is out of shape can easily pull a tendon or ligament, so keep a check on your dog's activity. Do not let your dog drink seawater; the salt will make him sick. Salt and other minerals in ocean water can damage your dog's coat, so rinse him off at the end of the day. Not all beaches permit dogs; check local ordinances before heading out. Since we're talking about the beach this naturally leads us to our final tip, water safety. Remember, while you may enjoy swimming, your dog may not. For those that do, it's important they are not allowed to swim without supervision. It sounds obvious, but every year dogs drown due to owner negligence. 

Water Safety 

Most dogs enjoy swimming, but some cannot swim, and others may hate the water. Be conscious of your dog's preferences and skills before trying to make him swim. If you're swimming for the first time with your dog, start in shallow water and coax him in by calling his name. Encourage him with toys or treats. Or, let him follow another experienced dog he is friendly with. Never throw your dog into the water. If your dog begins to paddle with his front legs, lift his hind legs and help him float. He should quickly catch on and keep his back end up. Don't let your dog overdo it; swimming is very hard work and he may tire quickly. If swimming at the ocean, be careful of strong tides. If you have your own pool, make sure your dog knows where the stairs or ladder are located. Be sure that pool covers are firmly in place; dogs have been known to slip in under openings in the covers and drown. Never leave your dog unattended in water. 

Summer is the time when ticks and fleas are out in full force, it's important that your pets be treated. If you're not sure about what to use contact your veterinarian for advice. Dogs can also have more allergies in the summer so you need to be aware of the signs so you can seek proper treatment. Lastly, with more outdoor activities comes more accidents. Knowing how to care for your dog in case of an emergency can potentially save his or her life. 

 Source: http://www.dogster.com/the-scoop/three-essential-summer-tips-for-dogs 

Caring for pets during emergencies

Nothing says it better than the horror story from Hurricane Floyd: A man was leaving his flooded home when he noticed a neighbor’s dogs swimming in circles around the yard. Wondering why the dogs didn’t simply swim to safety, the man swam over to investigate. To his horror, he found that the dogs had been left chained to a stake in the yard and were swimming frantically just to stay alive. He was able to rescue the dogs, but stories such as this pointedly demonstrate the need for to you to have a good action plan in place in case a natural disaster strikes your home. In this case, the dogs’ owner most likely had been told to leave everything behind and flee as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, his dogs nearly lost their lives as a result.

In the event of an emergency, your life and your family’s lives are the first you should be concerned with. You should only look to save your animals once you are sure you and your family will be safe. But once you are safe, you most likely will want to ensure the safety of your pets. Are you prepared?

Consider your location

First things first. You can only be prepared with a plan of action if you know what you’re planning for, so take some time to think about the area you live in. Some areas are naturally prone to certain disasters California’s earthquakes, for example. Find out what types of disasters have previously struck your area hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, blizzards, etc. Contacting your local emergency management office or Red Cross will help you to identify what could affect your particular neighborhood. You should also plan for non-natural disasters fires, gas leaks, chemical spills, etc. If, for example, there’s a big chemical processing plant in your area, then you need to be aware of the possible dangers so that you can react if need be. No matter where you live, you’ve got your own special brand of disaster just around the corner, and it may strike at any time.

If You Leave, They Leave

In the event that you have to leave your home, take your pets with you. If it isn’t safe for you to be there, it isn’t safe for them either. Too often people rationalize that their pets’ instincts will kick in, and they’ll be okay. Even if your cat, who has spent the last six years of his life hunting only the fake mice you pull around on a string for him, does have the instincts to survive, it doesn’t mean that the conditions are survivable. No drinkable water for you means no drinkable water for him too. Of course, you have to have somewhere to take your four-legged friends--Red Cross disaster shelters cannot accept pets. Make a list of all the places with in a 100-mile radius of your home where you might be able to take your pet if the need arises, include boarding facilities, veterinarians with boarding capabilities, hotels that will accept pets (ask if they’ll allow pets during a disaster situation), and animal shelters. (Use animal shelters only as a last resort, as they will be overburdened with other animals whose owners did not plan for them). Also, you need to gather your critters inside the house as soon as you are aware that you may have to leave, so that you can easily get them when it’s time to go. Then, when you do leave, make sure you have your little friends under firm control--even the best behaved dog can become scared during an emergency, making his behavior less than predictable.

Be prepared

Like a Boy Scout, you should always be prepared. This means having a disaster kit in your home as well as a smaller version in the trunk of your car if your pet routinely rides with you. Make sure that your pet’s kit is contained in something that is easy to pick up quickly and take out the door with you. You should replace this food and water every six months and rethink your pet’s needs for the kit once a year to make sure that the supplies meet your current needs the same collar that fits your new kitten is not likely to fit him a year later.

The kit should include a week’s supply of food and water in nonbreakable, airtight containers to ensure safety and freshness. If you pack canned food you’ll want to make sure you have a hand-held can opener too. And don’t forget a plastic dish that can double as a food and water dish. An extra collar and leash are also important things to have in your kit. You should also have a portable kennel for each of your critters handy. The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says that the official Red Cross policy is that there are no animals allowed in emergency shelters, but they have been known to make exceptions if the animal is securely confined. Pets such as birds will obviously have to have a carrier of some sort as they cannot be leashed. You will want to make certain that you have a well-stocked first-aid kit for your pet that includes tweezers, gauze bandages, first aid cream, antiseptic spray, and hydrogen peroxide. Ask your veterinarian about storing any medications that your pet may need to take regularly.

All the right papers

Many people have their home telephone numbers on their pets’ ID tags. You may want to have an extra set of tags made that list the number of a friend or family member outside the area so that if your phone lines are down, or you’ve been evacuated, your pets can still make it back to you. Another option is to simply include an out-of-area number on your pets’ everyday tag, which can be useful if you’re away on vacation too. And many people don’t have tags for their cats at all, even though they should. According to the 1996 National Council on Pet Population Study, out of one million dogs and 580,000 cats that were taken in as strays, only 17 percent of the dogs and two percent of the cats made it back to their owners. The American Humane Association strongly believes that tags are your pets’ ticket home. You may also want to consider having your pet microchipped or tattooed. And finally, don’t forget the paperwork. Have a copy of your pet’s recent vaccination records in your kit--some boarding facilities may require them before they will take your pet in. A recent picture of your pet may also come in handy if you should become separated and need to make "Lost" posters. Hopefully you won’t ever have to put them up, and hopefully you’ll never have to use your disaster plan. But if you do ever need it, you’ll be very thankful that you were prepared; it could make a trying time a bit easier for you and your faithful companion.

Source: http://www.aaha.org/pet_owner/pet_health_library/general_health_care/caring_for_pets_during_emergencies.aspx

When to Call the Veterinarian

Even the most attentive pet owners may find it challenging to identify signs of sickness in a dog or cat. Because sick pets are not able to verbalize their pain, we have the responsibility to watch for signs of illness in our four-legged friends. Paying close attention to your pet's normal behavior will help you better identify signs of illness when they occur. Sometimes, even the smallest changes in attitude or appetite may be caused by an underlying health problem.

Deciding when to schedule a visit the veterinarian can be also be a challenge. For example, vomiting is one of the most common symptoms of illness in pets, however, dogs and cats may vomit on occasion without actually being sick. So what symptoms warrant a trip to the veterinary clinic? When your pet displays lethargy or is not eating concurrent with vomiting or diarrhea or has reoccurring or bloody vomiting or diarrhea this is a sign that your pet needs veterinary care. Lethargy is also a sign of illness. If your pet has decreased energy or a lack of enthusiasm you should schedule an exam with the veterinarian. It is important to note if your pet tires more easily than usual or has unexplainable weakness. Pet owners should also contact the veterinary clinic if they notice poor appetite, lameness, frequent or abnormal urination, excessive scratching or licking, nasal discharge, constipation, an unusual bump or excessive thirst. 

It is an animal's instinct to hide symptoms of sickness because in the wild, sick animals appear weak to predators or may be shunned by their own kind. Domesticated dogs and cats have this same wild instinct which makes identifying illness especially difficult. Maple Knoll Veterinary Clinic encourages proactive and preventative health care rather than waiting until your pet displays symptoms of illness. If you are unsure whether an appointment with the veterinarian is necessary, please call Maple Knoll Veterinary Clinic to discuss your questions with our staff.  

Welcome Lorraine!

If you have been in to Maple Knoll in that last couple of weeks, you may have seen a new friendly face helping out with appointments. 

This is Lorraine! 

Lorraine is Veterinary Technician in training at Madison Area Technical College (MATC) and she is spending her part of her summer gaining valuable experiences interning at Maple Knoll. Lorraine can be seen around the clinic helping out with things like 4dx tests, holding pets during their physical exams, observing surgeries, preparing and reading lab samples, and much more. Lorraine currently has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Edgewood College and will be graduating from MATC as a Certified Veterinary Technician in May 2015. Lorraine and her fiancé have two kitties that she lovingly refers to as “My boys.” In order to get to know Lorraine a little better, we sat her down for a fun and quirky interview.

Q. If you could be on any T.V. show, what would it be and why?

A. “Switched at Birth because I have always wanted to learn how to do sign language.”

Q. Where is your ultimate vacation spot?

A. “Australia”

Q. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

A. “Super Strength because I am not very strong”

Q. If you were immortal for a day, what would you do?

A. “Skydiving… and bungee jumping”

Q. If you were reincarnated, what animal would you come back as?

A. “Dolphin”

Q. At which store are you most likely to max-out a credit card?

 A. “Best Buy”

In her free time, this fun-loving 24 year old woman enjoys reading romance novels and relaxing with her purrrfect little family. She is looking forward to the 4^th of July holiday when her parents will be at her house to visit. The staff at Maple Knoll Veterinary Clinic has enjoyed teaching Lorraine the tricks of the trade and we wish her luck and happiness with her future schooling and career.  

  

What’s “bugging” your pets? And what can you do about it?

Preventing parasites from “bugging” your pet and infesting your house and lawn is important for all pet owners.  Parasite preventatives can do just that--keep those nasty critters from bugging your four-legged friends.  They also help prevent an infestation which can start when those pesky bugs try to take a free ride on your cat or dog into your home.  For many, keeping bugs out of the house and off of your pets is reason enough to use parasite preventatives.  However, the issues go much deeper than the cleanliness and comfort of a home.  Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, flies, lice and mites are not just pesky, they also cause and transmit serious, and sometimes life threatening diseases.  The list of diseases carried by the previously mentioned parasites includes Lyme disease, heartworm disease, Anaplasmosis, Cat Scratch Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and tapeworms just to name a few.  Here is the worst part; your pets are not the only ones at risk of contracting these diseases.  Many of the diseases listed above, and many more not mentioned, can be transmitted from your pet to you!  According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 75% of recently emerging infectious diseases affecting humans are diseases of animal origin and 60% of all human pathogens are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between species.

So what does all this mean?  It means that Fido is not the only one who benefits from parasite preventatives.  You, your children, your neighbors, and your friends are all at risk when your pet is not protected from parasites.  Your pet needs protection all year long; and this can be achieved with once-a-month treatments.  Cold weather is not a good reason to stop using preventatives on your pet.  Biting parasites, including fleas, ticks and mosquitoes can survive through the fall and winter months.  Last winter, despite the cold weather, our clinic saw pets every month with fleas—including January and February.  Even if your pet only rarely goes outside, anyone who has been outside on a hot July day in Wisconsin knows that it only takes seconds before a mosquito takes a lunch break on your arm.  Within only a few minutes of being outside, your pet is exposed to a wide variety of the disease carrying parasites.    

Many parasite preventatives will only kill the parasite after they have taken their first bite of your pet.  Unfortunately, it only takes one bite for your pet to be infected by a disease carrying parasite.  The best type of preventative will not only kill parasites that land on your pets, but they will repel parasites as well. The veterinarians at Maple Knoll Veterinary Clinic, along with the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) and the CDC recommend routine use of monthly heartworm and intestinal parasite preventative as well as flea and tick control year-round for the safety, happiness, and health of your pets, your family, and our entire community.      

Tori's Bad Day

When Tori's owner came home the other day, she came home to an awful mess.  Tori was in her kennel.  There was foul smelling blood all over the inside of the kennel and all over Tori.

Tori had been feeling a little off for a few days—not eating as much, lethargic and drinking and urinating more than normal.

Tori’s owner brought her to the clinic right away where Dr. Julie performed a physical examination noting some pus coming from Tori's vulva.  Dr. Julie confirmed the diagnosis of uterus infection (also called pyometra) with an ultrasound which also allowed her to confirm that the uterus had not ruptured (which could have made the prognosis much worse).  Blood tests were also completed in order to ensure safe anesthesia since Tori now needed surgery.  Treatment of pyometra is an emergency surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries.  The surgery poses some special risks including rupture of the uterus during surgery and bleeding into the abdomen from the greatly enlarged blood vessels of the uterus and ovaries. 

However, without surgery, pyometra is life-threating.  The uterus may rupture and release its infected contents into the abdomen or bleed into the abdomen.   Luckily, Tori’s uterus had not yet ruptured and both her ovaries and her pus-filled uterus were safely removed. Within just 24 hours, Tori was no longer lethargic, eating some food, and feeling much better. Tori is expected to make a full recovery.

Dog Safety Tips for Memorial Day

Like many Americans, you may be planning a festive Memorial Day, complete with barbecue and fireworks. It’s important to remember, fireworks and dogs don't mix.

Unlike people, dogs won’t associate the noise, flashes, and burning smell of pyrotechnics with a celebration. Fireworks will often cause panic and anxiety in dogs. It’s important to remember that dogs panic at the sound of fireworks and flee into the night, often winding up lost, injured, or killed.

1.      Keep your pet indoors at all times, if possible.

2.      Use Pet Friendly Repellent.

3.      Don’t give your pet table food.

Source: http://tiny.cc/4x14ex

Waupun Area Animal Shelter and MKVC Collaboration

The veterinarians and staff at Maple Knoll Veterinary Clinic have worked closely with the Waupun Area Animal Shelter (WAAS) since the planning stages more than a year before the shelter opened in 2005. Now, each week one of the doctors from Maple Knoll goes to the WAAS and spends time examining cats and dogs and performing minor procedures on the shelter animals.  Both Dr. Bev Martens and Dr. Julie Johnson have served on the shelter board.  Dr. Bev Martens volunteers her time as the Treasurer on the board of directors at the WAAS.  Dr. Julie has been the secretary of the board.  The staff at Maple Knoll perform laboratory tests for the shelter animals, such as intestinal parasite exams and heartworm tests.  The shelter also brings cats and dogs to our clinic for surgeries and other procedures that need to be done in a clinic such as spays, neuters, tooth extractions and cleanings and other things to ensure the health and happiness of our furry shelter friends.  Maple Knoll offers generous discounts to the animal shelter for all services used and inventory purchased.  In the year 2013 alone, Maple Knoll Veterinary Clinic donated over $4,700 worth of goods and services for the medical care of the animals at the shelter.

Maple Knoll Veterinary Clinic and the Waupun Area Animal Shelter have similar goals which allows for an excellent collaboration between all the wonderful volunteers at the animal shelter and the veterinarians and staff at a Maple Knoll. Both the WAAS and Maple Knoll believe that pets deserve long, happy, and healthy lives and seek to promote responsible pet ownership. One way we work to accomplish these goals is by spaying and neutering all the cats and dogs that come to the animal shelter. Maple Knoll provides the animal shelter with a 100% discount on all cat neuters and a discount on all other surgeries.  Maple Knoll performed 20 cat neuters for absolutely free and nearly 60 spays and neuters total in 2013.  In addition, over 55 ear cleanings and nail trims were done free of charge for shelter animals who visited the clinic..

Waupun Area Animal Shelter and Maple Knoll work hand in hand to improve the welfare of Waupun and the surrounding communities. We look forward to continuing to support the animal shelter's mission for many years to come.

http://www.waupunareaanimalshelter.org/

Client Highlight: Tiffany Rose

 It is often risky for Chihuahuas to deliver puppies due to their small size.  This was the case with Tiffany Rose.

She was bred in December and went into active labor on February 19th, 2014. Her owner called on the morning Tiffany Rose went into labor with concerns because she had been in hard labor for more than five hours but had not yet delivered her puppy.

Tiffany Rose came into the clinic and after examination and an ultrasound to verify that the puppy was alive, the veterinarian and veterinary technicians began to prepare for a Cesarean section.  But then, just minutes before Tiffany Rose was to be prepared and sedated for the surgery, she was able to push the pup so that it was within reach.

Now, with some assistance from Dr. Julie and Abby, a technician, the puppy was delivered without surgery.  It was fortunate that assistance was immediately available because the puppy became lodged in the birth canal.

There were no other pups to deliver.  Tiffany and her pup were able to return home with the owners not long after the delivery.  It was a very exciting day for Tiffany Rose's family!

Patient Highlight: REMI

We got the chance to meet Remi when she was only 2 months old, she was a sweet and boisterous yellow lab puppy. We got to watch Remi grow up, when she was seven years old, she came in for her annual exam in August, her owner mentioned that Remi had a lump that the veterinarian should take a look at. An in-house test determined that Remi's lump contained mast cells. Mast cell tumors are the most common malignant (cancerous) skin tumors in dogs.

A few days later, Remi was back at the clinic for the surgical removal of the mass. Upon further testing, it was determined that although the tumor was completely removed it would likely reoccur. Because of Remi’s diagnosis, we referred her to the oncology (the study of cancer) department at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine.

Through careful collaboration with the veterinary school, the doctors and staff at Maple Knoll Veterinary Clinic treated Remi with 6 rounds of chemotherapy. After the chemotherapy treatments were complete, it was determined that…. Remi’s cancer was in remission. Remi will continue to be monitored for any future problems but we couldn’t be happier for Remi and her family.

Veterinary Olympics

Veterinary Olympics break up the long cold winter for employees of local business.

On Tuesday, Maple Knoll Veterinary Clinic and Waupun Veterinary Services held their own Olympics.  Games included a sleeping dog carry on a stretcher, slalom through the large animal lobby and a mini heptathalon (seven mini events).  Employees of the two clinics were combined into three teams.  With the long cold winter, the games were intended to bring a little fun, teamwork and competition for the employees.  The winners received $25 each.  Abby Wilkins, Carrie Kohn and Brittney Rigby were on the winning team which was called “The Mitochondriacs” named after the energy producing part of a cell.

February is Pet Dental Health Month

February is National Dental Health Month

after

before

February is National Dental Health Month! Your pet’s oral health is linked to their overall health.   During your pet’s annual physical exam, an minimal oral exam is usually performed that allows the doctor to determine the need for a more extensive Oral Assessment and Treatment Plan (ATP).

The Oral ATP is more than just looking at the teeth. It involves looking at the tooth face for any asymmetry, swelling, discharge, or masses. We look at tartar on the teeth, tooth alignment,  tooth color, and for the presence of extra teeth or if any teeth are missing, chipped or cracked.  We look at the gums, inside of the cheeks, and check the palate for color, swelling,  gum recession, and sensitivity. We also check for odor. Although many pets tolerate the minimal oral exam while they are awake, anesthesia is always necessary to safely perform thorough Oral ATP.

Prior to anesthesia, a compressive physical exam, a blood test and an ecg are performed to help us decide the best course of anesthesia.  An IV is placed through which fluids are administered before, during and after the procedure to ensure your pet is stable.  A patient monitor, similar to those used in a human hospital, is used to monitor the vital signs. After the oral assessment, the tartar is removed ultrasonically with our state-of-the-art scaler which does not damage the tooth enamel. Next, the teeth are polished with a polisher similar to that used by your own dentist. Finally, fluoride is applied to help strengthen teeth and prevent future tartar buildup.


Loose, broken or infected teeth may need removal. Oral radiographs are often helpful in determining the status of a tooth, because more than half of a tooth can be beneath the gum line. We can perform simple and surgical extractions here are Maple Knoll, when needed.  Pain relief and antibiotics are administered by injection and some are also sent home for your pet's safety and comfort.

Follow up home care is recommended to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.  Dogs and cats need tooth brushing daily and most need an Oral ATP once or twice per year starting at age six or seven, some even earlier. For the entire month of February, in honor of National Dental Health Month, Maple Knoll Veterinary Clinic is giving away a free gift to all patients who have Oral ATPs performed. Call today to schedule your pet's appointment!

National Senior Pet Month

November is National Senior Pet Month. Whether you have a senior pet or have plans to adopt one, we can provide you with information on how best to care of your senior pet.

Corky Highlight

Corky is a seven year old Bichon / Shih Tzu mix who came to our clinic feeling and acting unusual for the three days prior to her appointment. Some of Corky’s symptoms included anxiety when left alone, not eating or drinking, and an unusual odor around her face. During the physical exam, Corky showed signs of pain near her mouth. After a quick peak inside, it was clear that there was a wound and possible infection inside Corky’s mouth. To get a better look, Dr. Julie sedated Corky using a short-lasting sedative. Upon further inspection we saw a ¾” piece of wood lodged between two of Corky’s back teeth. The wood sliver was protruding from her teeth and rubbing against Corky’s tongue causing a large irritation and infection. In a matter of minutes, Dr. Julie was able to remove all traces of the wood from Corky’s mouth. She was able to go home, along with some antibiotic and pain management, right after the procedure. 

Laser Therapy at Maple Knoll Veterinary Clinic

Maple Knoll Veterinary Clinic is so excited to be able to offer your pet Companion Laser Therapy!  It is a safe, noninvasive, pain-free, drug-free treatment that is soothing and less stressful than many other treatments. Laser Therapy is used to reduce pain and discomfort, speed healing, increase mobility and motion in joints, and reduce swelling.

So how does it work? Photons of laser light penetrate deep into tissue and these photons are absorbed into the cells which initiates a photo-chemical response. This response in the cells blocks nerve impulses, accelerates tissue repair, increases circulation, and reduces swelling.

If your pet is in pain, has inflammation, or has a wound, laser therapy can be beneficial. This includes patients that have the aches and pains of old age, who have just had a surgical procedure, or who have an open wound or recent injury. Laser Therapy can be used for arthritis, wounds, hip dysplasia, dental procedures, ear infections, skin infections, sprains and strains, fractures, bruising and swelling, and can speed the healing process after surgeries.

Laser Therapy can be used in conjunction with other treatment programs to enhance results, shorten healing time, and reduce your pet’s discomfort. Many conditions readily respond to this noninvasive therapy, making it an ideal a “first step” in the treatment process. The Laser Therapy program is unique to each pet; the number and frequency of treatments will be determined by one of our veterinarians based on your pet’s medical condition and needs. Finally, the best part is that most treatment sessions take only a matter of minutes! 

Austin

Milo

Here’s a cat who loves his bath time!

Laser Therapy Patient Highlight: Rooney

Rooney is a sweet, eight year old, Keeshond who frequents Maple Knoll Veterinary Clinic. In May, Rooney was diagnosed with a torn cruciate ligament in both back legs. Dr. Julie performed Rooney's first cruciate repair surgery on June 12th on his right leg, which was the worse of the two. Currently, Rooney is recuperating from the surgery and preparing to undergo a second cruciate repair surgery on his rear left leg.

As part of Rooney's recovery, he is receiving Companion Laser Therapy treatments two to three times per week. Not only does the laser therapy help Rooney recover more quickly by reducing pain and inflammation, it also stimulates hair growth so the fur that was removed for surgical sanitation is growing back very quickly!

Time to Clean Your Pet's Ears?

Veterinarians see a lot of patients with ear infections. In fact, it's the second most common reason for a client visit, according to pet health insurer, VPI Pet Insurance. With ear problems prompting so many trips to the vet, should ear cleaning be a necessary part of grooming your pet?

Generally, cleaning a dog's ears on a routine basis is not necessary, according to Leonard Jonas, DVM, MS, DACVIM, a veterinarian with Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colo. That's because animals have a naturally occurring self-cleansing process.

"I've had pets my whole life," Jonas said. "I don't remember ever routinely cleaning out their ears."

However, that doesn't mean pet owners should never take notice of their dog's ears. Certain breeds, lifestyles and physical characteristics will make a dog more prone to what Jonas calls "abnormal situations," in which the pet's normal homeostasis is disrupted. This is when something, either systemically or locally in the ear, interferes with the normal surface barrier defense system and the normal cleaning process that keeps bacteria and yeast under control.

There are signs to watch for if your pet is having an issue with its ears. These, according to Jonas, include:

• Shaking its head
• Flapping its ears
• Rubbing at its ears, either with a paw or by rubbing against furniture or carpet
• Self-massaging the ear to ease itch, pain or irritation
• Debris and/or redness inside the ear
• Sores inside the ear
• Odor in the ear due to abnormal oils and bacteria

"If you [the pet owner] look in the ear, you can see sometimes a lot of debris," said Jonas, explaining what an ear with an infection or problem may look like. "Then [you] see redness on the ear flaps (inside) or sores developing. And then there's also odor that occurs when you have an abnormal ear."

Breeds to watch
There are certain breeds of dogs—such as Shar Peis, bulldogs and poodles—that have narrow ear canals and have a higher chance of incurring ear issues. Poodles, especially, have more hair in the canals, Jonas explained. "The hair itself is not a problem, but if they've got something abnormal with their whole defense system, all that extra hair in there makes it difficult."

Cocker spaniels are notorious for ear problems, Jonas added.

When to clean your pet's ears
According to Jonas, it's best to consult your veterinarian before going forward with an ear-cleaning regimen. Unlike cleaning the teeth, cleaning the ears does not need be done regularly. If a pet owner suspects that something may be wrong with the ear, it's advised to visit the veterinarian and establish whether the dog's ear needs to be cleaned by the owner either routinely or for an instructed period of time.

Cleaning the dog's ears without first seeing a veterinarian is not a good idea, Jonas said, "because you don't know what's going on inside. You don't know if there has been a ruptured ear drum; you don't know if there's a stick or a stone or something stuck down inside the ear that needs to be fished out by a veterinarian."

A veterinarian can diagnose the problem and make the proper recommendations, which may be cleaning and/or medication.

Typically, there are two situations for which a dog's ears would need to be cleaned regularly. The first is when a veterinarian instructs for it to be done, and the second is when the dog is frequently in water. "Water in their ears disrupts the normal defense barrier system in that ear, and can make them prone to getting infections and irritation and inflammation," Jonas said.

If there needs to be ear cleaning
A veterinarian should show the owner how to properly clean the dog's ears because "there are a lot of different techniques, and it depends on what the problem is," Jonas advised.

There are a couple of precautions to always remember, according to Jonas. First, never use a Q-tip, because it tends to push the wax and debris further into the ear. Second, be sure a groomer does not pluck the hair out of the dog's ears, unless that hair is contributing to an ear problem; Jonas believes that doing so may cause irritation.

One thing pet owners should also consider is that if the dog has an ear infection, it could be very painful for them. Forcing the dog to get its ears cleaned or putting medication in them can be a dangerous situation for the owner and the dog.

"If your pet doesn't want you to do it, don't, because it hurts," Jonas said. "You're just going to create a problem, and you need to look to alternatives."

Originally published by Healthy Pet.