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Back to Vet School – Reconnecting 20 Years Later

September 1st, 2010

The title of this blog is “Vet Med Connect” which reflects my love of the many ways animal lovers and vets can connect online these days.  I graduated from veterinary school 20(!) years ago. No one had a laptop or cell phone in our class. We passed notes on paper and used regular phones. Then we graduated.

Most of us, even though we were inseparable for four years, went our separate ways and lost touch.

What Happened Since Then
We got married, divorced, started families, pursued internships, residencies, and long and short-lived jobs. We worked in private practice, academia, military, and corporate veterinary positions. One of us has grandkids. We are a very diverse class with lots of different personalities. What could be a dividing factor for some groups drew us together.

Even back then, we were known as “the fun class” and had lots of laughs to get us through the rigors of vet school. We watched out for each other – celebrating happy times and commiserating during sad times.

Getting Back Together – A Little Intimidating
I have never attended a reunion before. I wasn’t planning on starting any time soon either, but there I was, on the Reunion Planning Committee with my dear friend Cindy (who I have written about before) and Craig, an awesome classmate who was often the party planner back in the “old days.” It would be hard to bow out of this one.

We planned on a low-key pizza evening at our favorite haunt (still going strong 20+ years later!). Seemed easy enough, but Cindy and I were nervous to go on in. We braved it, and wow! everyone was so happy and excited to reconnect. One of our favorite professors stopped by. And surprise… we all pretty much looked the same. For real.

We did “20 words for 20 years” to reacquaint ourselves. Some of us had typed out the lists on iPhones or iPads, most of us scribbled down the 20 words on a piece of paper on the way (or, in some cases, as the pizza was served). We laughed, looked at old photos, laughed, met spouses and kids, laughed, and found out where the years have taken us.

Veterinary School Tour
One thing that had changed very much in our time away was our vet school. We entered in 1986 and graduated in 1990. We split our time between Oregon State and Washington State during those years, since OSU was a large animal only facility at that time. Now, OSU is a full-service large and small animal teaching hospital, with class sizes much larger than what ours was.

Two of our favorite professors played hosts / tour guides, and gave us a tour of the new OSU veterinary school. The tours were as much about what was the same as they were a tour of what’s new. We were impressed by all of the remodeling, additions and high-tech equipment.

Then we had a slide show. Photos from the school days mixed in with new ones. OK … I see that we have changed a little bit since then, but it’s all good.

Picnic in the Park
Next up was a picnic. This was great – a chance to relax and regroup without all of the nerves from the day before. Getting back into our old groove.  Cell phones doubled as mini-photo albums to show off important people and places in our lives. We all took tons of new photos. Maybe this time I will be better at keeping track of photos. I am much better on a computer than at scrapbooking.

No one wanted to leave; to break up the new connections. We started talking about our next reunion. Thinking we should have it much sooner, because time is speeding up as we are slowing down. We are talking about a cruise in 5 years.

… and Beyond
As it happens, the day after the reunion was the last day for team registration for the September Race for a Cure. This is noteworthy because Cindy, such an integral part of our class, is a breast cancer survivor – celebrating 3 years this year. I let the class know about our team and have been amazed (but not really) at the outpouring of support and team sign ups.

Our classmate Mary put it best: “This is just the cause to rally our class. It breaks my heart when I think of what Cindy has been through, and it reminds me of how lucky I am, and how short life is. We should make this our time to get together, and remember what is important in our lives.”

I think that sums it up just perfectly.

Be A Part of It:

• Of Bones and Breast Cancer
• Our Race for the Cure team web site
  

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Don’t worry – he’s friendly

August 25th, 2010

Where I live, most dogs run or walk freely with their people. We don’t have sidewalks or dog parks, and everyone knows the neighbor down the road. But when we travel, we take the dogs with us whenever we can. And, for not getting a lot of “practice,” both Sophie and Argos do very well with people, skateboarders, bikers and other dogs on busy city sidewalks.

Poor Petiquette
What continually surprises me (but shouldn’t) are the number of dogs running freely and out of range of their human’s grasp or recall. Dogs of all ages and sizes run full speed up to my two, and while the other person yells “oh, don’t worry – he’s friendly!” I grapple with leashes, poop bags, and dogs sniffing around and around each other and me. I am now the Dog Grinch, with my dogs leashed, and the other dogs having way more fun. How could I be so stodgy?

I do allow Sophie off-leash when appropriate, but she has a horrible tendency to sneak snacks quicker than I can keep track of. And on the beach there are lots of snacks. ugh. I love it when my dogs get to meet-and-greet just like the next person, but this dog-running-up-to-us-at-full-speed scenario always irritates me. I want to say “hello my dogs aren’t friendly, so beware!”

This doesn’t work of course – my dogs are friendly, but… Sophie is my alert dog and she has raised her hackles a few times until she gets things figured out. What if she decided to snap out? Argos, on the other hand, is very docile, but… as a retired racing Greyhound, he was trained since he was a pup to go after small moving items. The small yapping dogs circling around him put him on hyper-alert, and I have to pay attention and hold him back. If he was off-leash and innocently decided to give chase, I am afraid he would be all over the small dog before I could do a thing. (shudder)

And sometimes the rushing dogs aren’t friendly. Sophie was outright attacked last year, with me perilously in the middle of lots of teeth and lots of leash. That person must have known that her dog had this tendency, because she started running toward us, grabbed her dog, mumbled a “sorry” and quickly departed. But why was the dog off leash, running up to other dogs and people in the first place?

It’s Not All Bad
Then there are the people who ask first if they can pet your dog. The people who keep their dog nearby and ask if the dogs can meet. The people who notice that at least one of my dogs is leashed (Argos has to be), so they should take a little extra precaution when approaching. We have made some great friends this way. The dogs recognize each other at a distance, and we do let them off-leash to zoom up and say hello on repeat visits. A much more fun way to interact.

Playing It Safe
I’ll continue to be the Dog Grinch. I have treated many dog fight victims and it isn’t pretty. Humans get hurt, too. Things happen quickly and its scary. And -hard to believe- not everyone likes dogs. (gasp!) I keep my dogs near me out of respect for those who don’t appreciate a wet stinky dog running up to them, tongue lolling. People who want to pet Sophie and Argos always let us know, sometimes they even ask to take their photo. Kids reaching out, sticky with bits of food, are a bonus.

More About Dog Bites

• Any Dog Can Bite – bite prevention brouchure from the AVMA
• Dog Bite Prevention – statistics and tips from the CDC

For more (and better) tips on dog training, please visit:

• The Positively Well-Behaved Dog Blog by K9Cuisine’s own Susan McCollough

Related: Sophie and Argos – Beach Duty

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Yay – Let’s All Go To… The Vet’s!

August 17th, 2010

I realize that this post’s title is probably way more cheery than pets or people ever think about a vet visit, but August 16-22, 2010 is National Take Your Cat To The Vet Week.

Wait. What about the dogs? Why is this week just focused on cats? Two reasons: number one is that this event was founded by Feline Pine cat litter. Reason number two is the simple fact that pet cats don’t visit the vet as often as their canine counterparts. Even though pet cats outnumber dogs by over 15 million in the US.

Dogs, Cats and Vet Visits – Let’s Compare

• Our dogs often accompany us in the car – to the park, on vacations and other dog-friendly errands (although should never be left in a parked car on a warm day!).
  Cats do not.
• Most dogs love a chance to meet and greet other dogs and humans, sniff stuff, and get treats from friendly veterinary hospital receptionists.
  Cats do not.
• Dogs often let us know when something hurts, their stomach is upset, or they aren’t their normal perky self.
  Cats do not.
• While some dogs may be nervous at the veterinary office, many of them (not all) overcome that apprehension with treats, lots of pets from friendly staff, or finally being able to walk out the front door. Living in the moment, blessed with short memories.
  Cats do not.

The above list is oversimplified, but the point is that cats, cars and veterinary visits are not high up on many people’s list of Fun Things To Do With Your Cat. The sad thing is, many cats are quite good at “hiding” illnesses. Are they less active? That may be hard to tell when they don’t go for daily walks and sleep a lot of the day anyway. I wrote about veterinary reasons why you should take your cat to the vet on About.com with tips for finding a vet that will work with your cats. Now some fun stuff.

The Fun Stuff

As part of the Take Your Cat To The Vet Week awareness campaign, there are are couple of fun ways to be involved and help spread the word.

1) Funny Cat Stories: In honor of National Take Your Cat to the Vet Week, Feline Pine is asking people to submit their funniest vet stories via the contest tab on Feline Pine’s Facebook page.

There are prizes, too! Five selected winners (one chosen each day, August 16-22, 2010) will receive six months of Feline Pine cat litter and a $75 Visa gift card, good towards their next vet visit.

2) Romeo The Cat’s Survey Results: Romeo is one of my all-time favorite felines. To date, he and his human “staff” Caroline Golon have raised over $32,000 since Februrary 2009.Wow – a serious amount of money to help animals in shelters and rescues all over the US.

Romeo has a very funny blog and the “Wake Up Tactic” posts are not to be missed. In honor of Take Your Cat to the Vet Week, Romeo conducted a survey of cats and vets.

When going to the vet, please describe your cat’s behavior (you may choose more than one)

Somehow knows what’s up and runs to hide before we even leave – 43%
Won’t get into the cat carrier – 60.2%
Won’t come out of the cat carrier once at the V-E-T – 44.3%
Yowls and complains the whole way to the V-E-T – 67%
No problem, my cat loves the V-E-T – 10.2%

What does the staff at the vet’s office usually say about your cat?

What a loverboy/lovergirl! 31%
Hi Handsome/Beautiful 76.2%
I better get some back up 17.9%
We had to sedate him/her 8.3%
I’ve never seen such a ______________cat! 28.6%

Funny answers: Interesting, fat, feisty, big, neurotic, relaxed (actually paralyzed with
fear), vocal, chubby, unique, loving, exotic, interestingly named, well dressed, terrified,
pitiful, crazy.

Read more: Quick survey of Romeo’s cat staff friends

Photo: On the way to the vet office by Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM

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Dogs In Hot Cars – Your Calls Count

August 12th, 2010

It seems obvious… sit in a car, even on a moderately warm day, and only crack the windows one inch. Too hot! And we can wear cool clothes and sweat. Still too hot. For dogs, add to that barking, excitement and stress, and it’s even hotter. For overweight, senior, and short-nosed dogs, even more risks due to increased temperatures.

In the news daily
Pets, mostly dogs, are still dying in parked cars. So sad. Such a preventable death. I write about this every year on about.com and feel like a broken record on this subject. Getting the word out about this very common and real danger was my “Blog The Change” project for July. Dogs still die. Even if the errand is “just a few minutes.” Heatstroke can kill in minutes.

Not just cars
From this newspaper article:

“While hot cars are the most extreme mistreatment, but owners can also be cited for leaving pets tied up in the backyard without access to water or shade, or in the back of a pickup truck where the truck bed can heat up, causing second and third-degree burns on paw pads.”

Increased  awareness helps
Progress seems slow, but I have seen a turn in the last few years. That turn is “bystander awareness” – people stepping up to notify store employees or animal control to report animals in distress. And animal control officials getting the word out via TV news, newspapers and radio ads. They want to be alerted.

DrV of pawcurious posted a comment on my “Blog The Change” post that included a link to the Sonoma Humane Car interior Temperature – a web site that shows the “live” temperature outside and in a car.

More people are taking action
Getting the word out has helped. My friends have called in animals that have been locked in cars. Calls that might not have been made before. More people are putting in their local animal control numbers in their cell phones. Cell phone photos help, too.

Another great resource is MyDogIsCool.com. One of my favorite sites, you will find lots of information here about just how quickly cars heat up, what you can do to help, and print out free flyers to promote awareness.

Have you helped?
I have had people say “mind your own business,” “I know what’s best for my dog,” and “it was only a few minutes, it isn’t that hot out” and more. But I’ll take that if it saves even one dog. Please share your story and tips for promoting awareness about dogs left in cars.

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What’s In Your First Aid Kit?

August 4th, 2010

I have been interested in first aid since I was given my first “doctor kit” when I was 5. I bandaged up toy animals (and patient real ones) to practice my craft. Later on, I took swimming lessons in lifesaving and CPR classes in college. More recently, my colleague and I taught “wilderness first aid for pets” classes at an outdoor gear store. Will all of that, I should have a perfectly assembled, everything-in-its-place first aid kit; ready to assist whoever, whenever.

Ha. I wish.

I have tried. I have assembled various kits over the years, the contents becoming outdated or misplaced over time. I now have a loosely assembled “dog bag” with medical stuff that will do for many situations, but it isn’t a true first aid kit. I have been trying to get myself more organized. Just in case.

Many of the items in a pet first aid kit will work for all pets – scissors, antiseptics, bandages, tape, and so on. It is important to realize that each pet should have their own specialized part of the first aid kit as needed. For example, traveling with my Greyhound Argos has prioritized the need for probiotics (stress gut) and bandaging materials just in case. (Greyhounds have thin skin and sometimes-too-quick reflexes.) As Sophie has inched up in years, I travel with some anti-inflammatory pain relief to use as needed after long hikes. The Thundershirt, while not typical “first aid,” also travels with us when some calm is called for.

First Aid Kits For Pets
There are many, many choices for first aid kits for pets, as seen in this Google search. What kit is the “right” kit for your pet? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Look for ones that contain most of what you are looking for and add to it. Or build your own. I always add sterile eye wash (not the contact lens cleaner and not medicated in any way), just in case of a foreign body or liquid contamination of they eye. Nail clippers are handy if dealing with a torn toenail. Your veterinarian will also be able to provide pet-specific advice if you have questions.

It is also a good idea to check into pet first aid classes. Having a spiffy new first aid kit is no good if you don’t know how to use it. Check your local veterinary clinics, Red Cross, or retailers such as Petco, now offering online pet first aid classes. You can even learn first aid tips and techniques on your phone.

A Good Thing To Have In The Car
An all-purpose first aid kit is good to have in the car in case you find an injured animal on the road or witness an accident. A muzzle is a necessary kit item (or make one) when dealing with injured and frightened animals.

Do You Have A Pet First Aid Kit?
Did you purchase or make your kit? Please share your tips for making and using a pet first aid kit.

Photo: First Aid Kit by marvinxsteadfast on Flickr

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Why Is Vet Care So Expensive?

July 29th, 2010

This question has probably been around since the first vets started charging for their services. The topic of veterinary care costs has been the subject of many conversations, debates, and even sparked some arguments. We have answers to this question, but sometimes this question just leads to … more questions.

When Anthony Holloway asked me about vet care costs recently, I chuckled a little. After all, he is the  accountant type, not me.  I realize that this is a multi-faceted question though, and the answer (if there is one) depends on your perspective.

I know that for me, I wanted to be a vet before I had any concept of what a salary was or even about money in general. I think I can speak for many vets when I say that the love of animals, principles of medicine and surgery, and the human-animal bond were what drove us into this profession, not huge earning potentials.

Deciding what to charge is complicated, with many factors to consider. Let’s take a look at a few.

The Cost Of Practicing Veterinary Medicine
Just like any business, a veterinary practice needs the basics. Here are a few things that a veterinary practice must have:

• A physical location or, if a mobile vet, an equipped vehicle
• Equipment – office, medical, laboratory, surgical, cages and kennels
• Employees – hourly wages, health care and tax costs
• Recurring costs – phone/Internet, advertising, outside laboratory fees
• Supplies – pet foods, drugs, surgical and laboratory disposables

These items add up quickly. We want the best for our pets – the quickest and most accurate diagnosis, the most effective drugs, surgical and dental techniques, and so on. Who wouldn’t?  I want that for myself, too. Next, and I think this is where the costs/expenses/fees get hard to compare, are the special tools, equipment and services that each practice elects to offer.

The basics: Do pets receive IV fluids and pain medications with each surgery? What type of monitoring does each dental patient receive? Going beyond the basics, today pets are implanted with artificial limbs and pacemakers and a host of other amazing treatments and diagnostics. Sometimes these treatments are borrowed from human medicine, and sometimes pets pave the way for new technologies to be used in human medicine.

Getting What You Pay For
It is all great news for our pet’s health and longevity, but it comes at a cost. Practices want to have available what people are seeking for their pets and to be successful as a business (to pay employees, buy supplies and maintain equipment). The definition of “good medicine” varies with who you talk to. The definition of low-cost “basic care” also varies with who you talk to. The lines between what a general practice and a specialty practice offer are sometimes blurry.

So What Is The Answer?
I think that there are many answers. My answer is to shop around for a veterinary practice that “fits.” There is a need and a place for each type of veterinary practice, just as there are many types of veterinary clients. Some practices focus on the latest treatments and diagnostics, some focus on more common maintenance care. Some clients can afford the latest treatments, some cannot.

We all love our pets and want to provide the best possible care for them. However, pets incur costs. Sometimes emergencies happen and sometimes we adopt a pet in need when it may not be the “best” time for us. Finding a practice that resonates with your pet care philosophy (i.e. high tech hospital or home-based care), listens to and understands your concerns (about pets and finances) and will work with you to ensure a long and healthy life for your pet is the first step.

Related Reading:

• Tips to Save Money on Pet Care and Vet Bills
• Share your favorite cost-cutting tips for pet and vet care

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Do Microchips Cause Cancer?

July 21st, 2010

The pet microchips and cancer question has surfaced and re-surfaced over the years, causing worry for those who have had their pets microchipped. Is there a risk? Are microchips worth it? Let’s look at the pros and cons.

The Pros

• Millions of dogs, cats, horses, llamas and other animals have been microchipped without any reported problems. (A few people have been microchipped too.)
• Thousands of animals have been reunited with their people after becoming lost or stolen. According to one microchip manufacturer, 10,000 pets are reunited with their people each month thanks to their microchips.
• Microchips work even after collars break or tags fall off.
• AAHA has created the Universal Pet Microchip Lookup site to assist vets, shelters and pet owners in microchip lookup and reuniting pets and their people.

The Cons

• Potential for injury or infection with implantation.
• On rare occasion, microchips have migrated to other areas of the body other than the shoulder area.
• Some animals have been reported to have tumors at the microchip location. Was the tumor caused by the chip? The exact cause has not been proven at this time.

Related: More about microchips

Microchips are a hot topic
From reading various veterinary abstracts, articles and blog postings, I have learned a few things. Mainly, that microchipping is a much-debated topic; ranging from health discussions to the government to possible extraterrestrial involvement. Until now,  my focus was simply on animals finding their way back home, unassisted by E.T. or Big Brother.

The main cancer studies cited have involved mice, who don’t share the same biological system as dogs and cats. It is unknown if it was the chip material itself or the process of the body dealing with foreign material in the mice studies.

Interestingly, some studies have shown that, like other cancers, certain genetic lines of animals seem to be more susceptible to developing a soft tissue cancer after an injection, implant, trauma or other foreign material is introduced under the skin. Is this microchip-specific sensitivity or predisposition for this type of cancer? The answer remains unknown.

At this time, cases of cancer or other adverse reactions to microchips are self-reported. This means that the veterinarian or pet owner must report the a negative microchip reaction, there isn’t a central organization that regulates microchips. Learn more about adverse event reporting.

Are microchips worth the risk?
Other safety devices – seat belts, baby gates, even dog leashes – have had reports of animal injuries or deaths from accidents or improper use. Considering that millions of pets have been microchipped without incident, thousands of lives saved, and the cancer findings (related or not) represent a very small fraction of one percent of the total pets microchipped, I feel that the benefit outweighs any potential risks. I will keep an eye out for new data and developments on this topic.

What’s your opinion: Is your dog or cat microchipped?

Related Reading:
Frequently asked questions about microchipping of animals – from the AVMA

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Top 8 Pet Picnic Poisons

July 15th, 2010

Summer is here and that means lots of picnics, barbecues and other food-related gatherings. I love the impromtu-ness of summer!

We have pets. So do our friends. This means that picnic parties often involve our pets. And, even though my friends know me and “the rules,” sometimes part of a potato chip is sneaked in answer to the woeful eyes of Sophie or Argos.

One little potato chip isn’t going to hurt them, but there are plenty of other human foods that can. With the help of Ahna Brutlag DVM and Justine A. Lee DVM DACVEC, veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline, here are some treats to avoid, all year round.

8 foods that must be kept away from pets

1) Grapes, Raisins and Currants
These fruits are delicious, and many pets like them. They are also found in many baked goods, such as breads, rolls and cookies – and pets usually love those kinds of foods.

• These fruits cause acute kidney failure in dogs and may cause kidney failure in
  cats and ferrets as well.
• While not all dogs or cats will develop kidney failure after eating grapes
  or raisins, it’s impossible to know which pets will be sensitive to this fruit.
• Therefore, all pets (especially dogs) that ingest grapes, raisins or currants should
  be monitored closely and treated appropriately.
• If a small dog eats just a small number of grapes or raisins, this is considered an emergency.

More about: Grape and Raisin Toxicity | Case report of a raisin toxicity in a dog

2) Caffeine – coffee, tea and sodas

• Caffeine is most commonly found in coffee, coffee grounds, tea, used tea bags, soda, energy drinks and diet pills. Theobromine, a cousin chemical to caffeine, is also found chocolate (see chocolate toxicity).
• Threat to pets: Pets are more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than people are.
• While 1-2 laps of coffee, tea or soda will not contain enough caffeine to cause poisoning in most pets, the ingestion of moderate amounts of coffee grounds, tea bags or 1-2 diet pills can easily cause death in small dogs or cats.

3) Chocolate and Cocoa
When it comes to chocolate, it’s imperative to remember this fact: Dark = dangerous! The darker the chocolate, the larger the amount of theobromine, a cousin chemical to caffeine, that it contains. Thus, baker’s chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, cocoa powder and gourmet dark chocolates are more dangerous than milk chocolate.

• White chocolate has very little theobromine and will not cause chocolate poisoning in pets.
• It’s the dose that makes the poison! Pets that ingest a few M&Ms or 1-2 bites of a chocolate chip cookie are unlikely to develop chocolate poisoning.
• Due to the large amount of fat in chocolate, some pets may develop pancreatitis after eating chocolate or baked goods containing chocolate (see pancreatitis).

How much is too much? Chocolate toxicity calculator

4) Xylitol
Xylitol is a common sugar-substitute used in sugar-free chewing gum, breath mints, candies, and baked goods. It is also found in some smoking-cessation products like nicotine gum. It has dental plaque fighting properties and also found (in non-toxic amounts) in pet mouth wash and oral rinse.

• Xylitol may cause a life-threatening drop in blood sugar as well as causing liver damage to dogs. Cats and people do not experience this problem.
• Chewing gums and breath mints typically contain 0.22-1.0 gram of xylitol per piece of gum or per mint. Thus, to achieve a potentially toxic dose, a 10 pound dog would only have to eat one piece of gum!

More about: Xylitol Toxicity

5) Onions, garlic, chives and leeks (Allium. species)
The small amount of garlic sometimes found in dog treats is unlikely to be harmful to dogs. However, if cats or dogs ingest a tasty pan of sautéed onions, garlic, or leeks, poisoning may result. The ingestion of large numbers of garlic pills or powder may also cause poising. Garlic was once thought of as a “home remedy” for flea infestations; however, it has been shown to be ineffective and is not recommended by Pet Poison Helpline.

• These vegetables can cause red blood cell destruction (specifically, Heinz body formation) and result in anemia.
• Ingestions of onions or garlic of > 0.5% of dog’s body weight are potentially toxic. For example, this would equate to a 30 lb dog ingesting about 2.5 ounces of onion or garlic.
• Cats and Japanese breeds of dogs (Akita, Shiba Inu, etc) are even more sensitive.

6) Yeast-bread dough
Homemade and store bought unbaked dough that contains yeast (used for bread, dinner rolls, etc). Unbaked yeast containing dough can result in multiple problems if a pet ingests it.

More about: yeast dough toxicity.

7) Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks aside, alcohol can be found in some surprising places. Rum-soaked cakes or other unbaked deserts containing alcohol may contain alcohol to cause poisoning in pets. Alcohol is also a major byproduct of ingested yeast dough (see yeast-bread dough).

Even small amounts of alcohol, especially in small dogs and cats, can cause life-threatening toxicity.

Fatty foods and meat scraps
Fatty foods such as butter, oils, meat drippings/grease, chocolate and meat scraps may cause pancreatitis when ingested, especially by dogs. Certain breeds, miniature Schnauzers in particular, are more likely to develop pancreatitis than other breeds.

And… one more food hazard to add: corn cobs
While not toxic, they are tempting and tasty to pets. Corn cobs are dangerous though, as they may not make it all they way through the intestinal tract, causing a potentially life-threatening obstruction.

Pet-safe people food

It’s not all gloom and doom for the pets who picnic with us, here are some healthy human food treat ideas from Pet Poison Helpline.

• Apples
• Peas
• Green beans
• Popcorn (Hold the butter and salt!)
• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Zucchini and summer squash
• Winter squash
• Ice chips (Freeze cubes of diluted beef or chicken broth for a real frozen treat!)
• Lettuces
• Blueberries

Thank you Pet Poison Helpline, for your assistance with this article.
Photo: School Picnic Lunch by Edenpictures on Flickr.

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Blogpaws West – Vet Track

July 8th, 2010

First there was Blogpaws. It was there that idea for the Blogpaws Vet Track idea was born. I have been working with the Blogpaws team on this first ever vet track, and we are excited!

This will be a gathering of vets on the web and web-curious vets to network, learn how and why they should have a web site, and how to get involved on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Our speaker team consists of veterinarians and an attorney to cover the educational, legal and fun aspects of interacting with clients, pet lovers and veterinary professionals on the web.

Vet Track Speakers and Panelists

Each session will be 1 – 1.5 hours in length with ample breaks (50 min talk, 30 min Q&A)

• Geoff Tucker DVM (@EquinePractice) – web site
  “Why a practice should have a web site and be involved in social media”
  Dr. Tucker will be speaking on building your practice by connecting with clients (current and potential) via the web, Twitter and Facebook. He has successfully built his practice around the country and Canada by reaching out with information about equine dentistry.
• Nancy Kay DVM DACVIM (@SpeakingForSpot) web site – “The Internet and the Vet:  How Expectations are Changing Between Veterinarians and Their Clients”
  Dr. Kay will address how the Internet has changed the doctor-client relationship, covering such topics as pet health care Internet research, the ability to communicate electronically with the DVM and hospital staff members, purchasing prescriptions off site (Costco, Walgreens, online pharmacies), and information about pet health insurance.
• Douglas C. Jack, Solicitor web site – Mr. Jack is an attorney specializing in veterinary law. He will cover client confidentiality online, diagnosing/recommending on the web, and monitoring your practice (brand) online – both from a client perspective and former employees.
• Round  table with a cross section web-vets:

Jessica Vogelsang DVM (DrV) of pawcurious (@pawcurious) – Blogging as a veterinarian, mom and animal lover. web site
Lorie A Huston DVM (@LorieAHuston) – writing for the web and SEO tips web site
Dr Young DVM ABVP (@DrYoung) – Connecting with clients on Facebook
Cathy King DVM PhD (@WorldVets) – Vets CEO – Outreach, volunteerism and using Facebook to reach a larger audience. web site
Larry McDaniel DVM – corporate blogging web site

Additional offerings

• As part of the web focus, we plan to have a booklet for attendees that highlights the many varied free online CE opportunities available to veterinarians and techs.
• We plan to apply for RACE credit for some CE hours for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Are you ready?

Blogpaws West will be September 9-11, 2010 in Denver. Please visit the Blogpaws site for more info and to register for the Vet Track.

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Fireworks and Rockets Red Glare

July 1st, 2010

If you are in the US, it’s that time of year again, fireworks. Thunder too, depending on your local weather. Fireworks are bright, colorful, loud and fun. I love a good thunderstorm too. It’s all in good fun until you live with a noise phobic dog (or cat). Then you just want the loud ‘fun’ to end. Now!

Signs of noise phobias
Dogs that have noise phobias may show a variety of clinical signs. Here are a few of the common ones, from mild to severe.

• Pacing, trembling
• Panting, drooling
• Whining, barking
• Hiding under beds, desks, in closets
• Refusal to go outside to relieve themselves (be sure to have a restroom break before the fireworks start)
• Diarrhea or loose stools
• Chewing, digging, scratching or bursting their way out of fences, through doors, out of crates and breaking through windows.

Don’t underestimate your dog’s fear
Pets often harm themselves in these attempts, and if successful, they run, run, run and end up being lost or hit by a car. July 5th is one of the biggest days at local shelters for lost pets, some of them injured as a result of their escape.

Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety often have noise phobias as well. If your dog suffers from separation anxiety, be aware of this potential. These reactions to noise are not something they can control. Disciplining them or becoming angry doesn’t help and further complicates the situation and your pet’s fear.

I have particular interest in this condition, because I have lived with several noise-phobic dogs in my life. For a full range of resources and tips of how to help your dog or cat, please see the Fireworks and Thunder resource page.

Fireworks – one thing I haven’t written about, or even thought of
I received a press release from Justine A. Lee DVM DACVEC of Pet Poison Helpline today about pets who eat fireworks. Now, this might seem odd, but you know how much I enjoy reading about icky things pets eat. And… true story… Argos was oddly very interested in a similar item last week.

My son’s class did a rocket unit in school just before let out. He was quite excited about rockets, and my husband was quite happy to oblige. So they have built a few rockets and tracked the height, projectile, etc. The spent “engines” are kind of like fireworks, and my son wanted to save them as souvenirs. Argos, my Greyhound, would not leave them alone! Sniff, sniff, sniff and -whoosh- that was the end of that. I couldn’t risk a toxicity or obstruction.

Here is the information about firework toxicity from Pet Poison Helpline:

How Fireworks Can Harm Your Pet
Most fireworks are toxic to pets. They contain hazardous chemicals such as potassium nitrate, which is an oxidizing agent. They can also contain charcoal or sulfur and coloring agents, which are potentially dangerous heavy metals.

When ingested, pets can develop gastrointestinal issues like vomiting, a painful abdomen, and bloody diarrhea. The severity of pet health issues resulting from ingestion will depend on the type of fireworks and the amount that was ingested.

Pets ingesting large amounts can suffer tremors or seizures, along with acute kidney failure, bone marrow changes, shallow breathing and jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin.

Exposure to lit fireworks can result in burns to the nose, face, lips, or inside of the mouth, as well as eye irritation and conjunctivitis.

Thanks, Pet Poison Helpline! Keeping pets home where it is safe and (relatively) quiet is the safest option. And be sure to dispose of all fireworks left in the yard or driveway, just in case.

Photo: Micro Fireworks by Pixel Addict on Flickr

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