Mosquitoes are the carrier of heartworm for dogs and cats.  Though your pet may just spend a small amount of time outdoors,  it takes just one infectious mosquito to transmit  disease such as heartworm or West Nile virus.  Some vector(insect) borne diseases may not be obvious to the pet owner during their initial phases but can result in serious illness if left undiagnosed.

Similarly ectoparasites such as ticks and fleas can also be responsible for many diseases, some which affect humans as well.  While fleas transmit Bartonella (commonly known as cat scratch disease in humans) ticks are responsible for infecting pets with Lyme disease and Anaplasma. This year, in particular, we have seen a rise in tick borne illnesses due to a mild winter that has been most favorable to the rapid increase in tick populations.  Lyme Disease, Ehrlichia and Anaplamosis are all diseases that can affect pets and clearly are on the rise.

What is the best approach in dealing with these issues?  A multifaceted one.  Initially make sure that your pet has been tested recently for the above mentioned diseases.  In some instances, such as Lyme disease and Bartonellosis in cats, a repeat evaluation is important if your dog or cat has tested positive in the past.  Next take preventative measures in your pet’s environment to ensure the insect population is controlled.  Keeping lawns cut and ensuring there is no standing water for mosquitoes are two important steps.  Finally if your pet has had parasites in the past, the use of any number of flea and  tick control products are advantageous. Since there are occasional reports of side effects associated with these  it is always best to consult your local vet.  Lastly, remember to always continue heartworm preventative medications for your pets throughout the year.

1. Does your pet receive regular dental attention?

2. Is the current problem preventing your pet from eating or living an acceptable quality of life?

3. Does your pet appear to posture in an unusual way or tilt his or her head when chewing?  Are food remnants dropping from the mouth while eating?

4. Is your local vet concerned that an abscessed tooth might be present?

5. Does there seem to be unidentifiable discomfort about the head or neck region?

These are a few of the points that must be considered when contemplating seeing a dental specialist for your pet. Some of these questions have easy answers while others require more sophisticated procedures to evaluate. Dental Radiography refers to taking x-rays of the various teeth in order to evaluate overall dental health.  If your local vet does not have dental radiology capabilities you will need to seek a practice, either dental or general, that does.

Last week in our practice we performed a dental prophylaxis on a 3 year old dog that appeared to have teeth missing.  The normal assumption would be that he had damaged and lost these teeth through normal activity.  However an x-ray examination revealed a canine or fang tooth that was bone impacted and had never erupted into the mouth.  This pet was at high risk to form a cyst in his jawbone that could weaken the jaw.  Similarly in another pet who was having no obvious discomfort but had minor gingivitis, an abscess was found (with dental radiology) that was likely resulting in some pain as well as increasing risk for other teeth and the jawbone. In both of these examples it would have been easy to overlook these apparently invisible problems.  Either condition causes pain as well as risking irreversible damage to the jaw and surrounding structures.

So in answer to the above title; while all pets certainly do not require routine dental x-rays, there are some instances, while not always obvious, in which dental radiography can prevent serious or even catastrophic problems.

A second example is the case of the arthritic patient.  In these cases anti inflammatory drugs may bring an initial relief but over time become reduced in their effectiveness.  At this point the pet may appear depressed or lethargic.  The question then becomes are these signs related to the illness or to the treatment.

The above is in  no way  intended to negate the potential beneficial effects of many pharmaceutical products. At the Brockton Animal Hospital we take an integrative approach utilizing both traditional Western medicine  as well as complementary alternative modalities.   However, it can become difficult to assess when symptoms are related to the disease condition or a side effect of the treatment.

It is important with  your pet’s care (as well as your own) that you follow a few guidelines in order to reduce the likelihood that treatment will make things worse.  First make sure that your veterinarian is   aware of any medications or supplements you are currently giving your pet.  Secondly stay informed about your pet’s treatment.  It is important that you understand what you doctor suggests in promoting health for your pet.  This way you are in a better position to work with your vet in accomplishing the goal of health for your dog or cat.  Thirdly even though you may think that all medications and treatments are clearly written in your pet’s medical file it can be  overlooked by your veterinarian in some circumstances.  If your pet is on chronic medications ensure each time that all the medications are still necessary and that your doctor is aware of exactly how you are dosing.  Finally be honest and communicative with your local vet in discussing what medications your are using and how compliant you are being with the dosage schedules.

No one knows your dog or cat as well as you do. If you think that something is not right with your pet’s health you are usually right.  We are fortunate to live in a world filled with diagnostic testing and medications that can treat and cure many disease conditions. However we must always observe the first and most basic medical directive; “Do no harm”.

At the Brockton Animal Hospital considering your pet’s presenting problem only begins the patient care. A consultation involves a complete physical exam keying on any abnormality present in addition to those brought to our attention. Continuing is a discussion of the pet’s environment and any changes that may have taken place upsetting the norm. What is the perception of the pet’s family as far as activity, appetite and overall “joie d’vivre”?

After any hospitalization we confer with you, the client, regarding dietary requirements, recovery expectations and social interaction with other pets and household residents. What should you as the client expect over the next several hours to days? How can you best effect a smooth and rapid recovery given the situation. Final discussion includes the circumstances under which you should call the hospital if recovery is not as expected.

The above is far from an exhaustive discussion of what constitutes Holistic Veterinary Care. However it touches on an urgent issue that pervades all aspects of medical care. In treating conditions whether  cancer or chronic urinary tract disease it is essential to note that they do not exist in a vacuum. Our lives and the lives of our pets are in a delicate balance. Treating disease without considering all other aspects of the patient’s life often dooms a treatment plan to failure. Can we expect an anorectic patient to recover quickly from illness without nourishment? If we confine an outdoor pet to the indoors how much additional stress does that bring to a recovering body? Restricting social interaction during recovery can lead to depression resulting in protracted recovery.

In dealing holistically with illness  we must address all aspects of our patients’ lives.   Diet, exercise, environmental enhancement, social interactions and home environment all play an important role in recovery.  Only when we consider these areas of well being can we begin to approach an acceptable level of patient care.  In the meantime, my recovery progresses well.

Supportive care is the act of providing the pet with the care required to continue a meaningful, comfortable life while allowing the pet owner to enjoy that special relationship we all have with our pets. This care is not directed at curing the condition but rather allowing the pet to retain a status quo and a good quality of existence.  Many illustrative examples come to mind when discussing supportive care.  A cat with chronic kidney disease is perhaps one of the most common examples in feline medicine.  Although chronic kidney disease is not  reversible, in many instances supportive care will provide longevity and meaning in the pet and pet owner’s life.  Supportive care in this instance may include special diets, daily or occasional  subcutaneous administration of fluids and/or medications by you the pet’s guardian or a sporadic hospitalization in the event of a setback. Although it is unlikely that this pet will enjoy a cure from the condition, continued supportive care can significantly extend a good quality of life for the patient.

An apparent simpler but actually complex condition in the dog that could qualify for supportive care is osteoarthritis.  There are a myriad of options available in pursuit of maintaining a viable and fulfilling life for the pet and his family.  Although we are dealing with a non-curable disease, supportive care may allow us to continue or relationship with this pet for many years.  Options that are available to achieve this goal include diet, medications and a host of Complimentary Alternative Treatments.

In seeking out supportive care for your pet with an acute or chronic medical condition it is imperative that you and the health care provider form a relationship in understanding the mutual goals.  What may be reasonable in one person’s mind in the pursuit of supportive care may seem excessive in the eyes of another. The converse may also be true. This approach in the treatment of long term conditions is not just confined to older pets.  Your pet could suffer from hip dysplasia or kidney disease at a very young age. It is important to continually reasess your pet’s condition, quality of life and your own mindset.  Pet care is a continually evolving process and the lines of communications between the pet care provider and the family must always be open.

In keeping with our goals of providing the maximal amount of high quality veterinary care possible the Brockton Animal Hospital  recently completed the construction of a dedicated veterinary dental suite within our facility.  This procedure room houses state of the art high speed dental equipment, a dentistry procedure tub as well as digital intra oral x-ray unit.  Oxygen is piped into the suite so that anesthesia can be easily performed and any procedures such as root canal, dental cleanings and extractions  can all be accomplished without need to leave the suite.  Since some dental procedures can take one to two hours to complete the presence of the dental suite allows for increased flexibility when scheduling specialized dental procedures.

Dr. V. Morgan Hurley, a graduate of Michigan State College of Veterinary Medicine joined the Brockton Animal Hospital in June of 2011. Dr. Hurley focused on dentistry during her formal education.   Since graduation she has continued to expand her knowlege of veterinary dentistry.  Dr. Hurley has completed a dental externship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital as well as attending multiple educational meetings.  We are fortunate to have her expertise and dedication to the field of veterinary dentistry in our facility.

Please feel free to contact our hospital at any time with any questions you may have relative to dental care for your pet.

As noted in the previous posts make sure they are kept out of harm’s way given the excitement of the season. If it should occur that things do not seem quite right seek urgent care immediately.  The old adage “a stitch in time” is never truer than when dealing with our four legged companion’s health.  There is a tendency to “see if he/she  is better in the morning”.  This is a dangerous position as many conditions that occur can be rapidly progressive.  Dietary indiscretions, foreign material ingestion, accidental injuries can all be  dealt with nuch more easily when handled immediately.

So enjoy your pets this holiday season.  Give thanks to the companionship they provide and the unique roles they play in our lives.  They are truly one of the greatest blessings we have been given.   Remember it is up to us as pet owners (and we as medical care providers) to keep them safe and happy for a long time to come.  Happy Holidays.

Similarly inflammatory bowel disease is one condition of dogs which exacerbates with increased stress in their lives.  Dietary indiscretions, hyperactivity in households as well as upset exercise schedules can undo the delicate balance of our canine friend’s lives. Most living things are creatures of habit.  Certainly holiday time is one of the most “out of the ordinary” times of year as far as schedules are concerned.

What can we do to take care of our canine and feline friends during this potentially stressful time?  First make every effort possible to ensure that our four legged friends’ schedules stays consistent.  That includes feeding times, exercise schedules, waking hours and even litter box cleaning.  Secondly, if you know that there is going to be a lot of activity in your household and one or more pets don’t tolerate this well, then consider having your pet confined to another part of the house during the activity.  If your pet does not respond to children well then ensure that they are isolated from any behavior that they may find upsetting.  Finally be very aware of any abnormalities in your pet’s behavior during these times.  Inappropriate urination, fecal accidents, episodes of aggression may all be related to an increasing stress level in your home.  If you should observe any suspicious signs of illness, seek urgent veterinary care immediately.  Don’t ignore symptoms because you think they may pass or because “he is just upset”.  Stress related illnesses are very definitely serious.  A trip to your local vet for a thorough physical exam may be all that is needed to put your mind to rest.  Laboratory evaluations may also be indicated if the signs are of a more varied nature.  But above all remember that holiday time for you may be anything but  a happy time for your pet.  Take precautiions to ensure their safety and long life.