Veterinary Wisdom® Café

Meet you at Blogpaws?

I'm taking a tip from Dr. V over at Pawcurious. She posted yesterday about the Blogpaws conference that is happening in Denver, CO NEXT Friday and Saturday. She is going to be there. Well, I am going to be there too!!

World by the Tail is headquartered in Fort Collins, CO, just a short drive away from Denver, where the conference is taking place. (I live in Oregon, so I'll be flying in to join the fun! Laurel will be driving down to be there too!) I am very excited about the classes that are being offered, and for the chance to meet many pet bloggers who will also be there!

Are you going to be at Blogpaws in Denver? Let us know! We'd love to meet you all in person!

--Tammy

(P.S. - we are taking the day off on Monday for the Labor Day holiday! Hope you have a great day off as well. We'll see you back here on Tuesday.)

"Katrina" Pets

There has been a lot of news coverage lately about the 5 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. It's hurricane season again and we have new storms brewing...

One of the perspectives on rescue work during natural disasters that I found interesting was an article in Best Friends magazine (Sept 2010, p. 52.) This article recounted memories about the people who came to pet shelters after the storm, wanting to adopt a "Katrina dog."  When the shelters said they didn't have any more dogs rescued from that particular storm, many people left without a new pet.

They wanted a hurricane pet or nothing!

Dr. Frank McMillan recounts this experience and comments on how much he admires the shelter workers who could have lied and said all the pets in the shelter were "Katrina" pets, but didn't.  They could have adopted out hundreds more animals, but truth and ethics won out.

When disaster strikes and we want to help, it's important to remember that adopting ANY animal from ANY shelter makes room for the animals who suddenly need care and the chance for a new home.  If there's no where to place these displaced pets, many must be euthanized.

I'd never thought of this angle on helping during a disaster before. 

Would you go ahead and adopt a "non-hurricane" (or "Michael Vick", or "earthquake'", etc.) pet if you were trying to help out? 

--Laurel

Miraculous Molly

I was sent a story the other day giving details about a very special soul with the heart of a giant...a pony named Molly. Molly survived Hurricane Katrina but then suffered horribly during its aftermath. Thanks to some kind and skilled veterinarians and other rescue workers, Molly now has a chance at life when it seemed impossible. Her story is an inspiration and I hope you will read it. Visit Molly's website at http://www.mollythepony.com/.

What are your thoughts about this incredible horse? I'm not a horse owner so I'm not as knowledgeable about horses and their needs. To all you horse lovers out there... Let's hear from you!

--Dana

School Blues

School is starting back all over the country. While there are a lot of tired parents out there who are relieved about this, there are probably a lot of pets going into mourning. It's a simple fact. Pets love summer...they love time at home with their humans and their "kids."

I have one friend who tells me that every start of the school year is very hard on their family dog saying "she mopes around the house acting all depressed and sad like she's doesn't know what to do." Do you think that pets get "depressed" when the children in the family go back to school? Are animals capable of this emotion?

At our house, I think my dogs are quite bummed that my kids are back in school. Now, they're stuck with just me and I can't even begin to match the energy level of my two healthy, active, and adventurous children! Oh well, they'll just have to settle with taking naps with me instead! (photo from bigstockphoto.com)

--Dana

Simon's Cat in a box

I have shared Simon's Cat videos with you before. There is a new one!! The artist just nails cat behavior, doesn't he? Enjoy!

What is your cat's favorite toy? Is it a "real" toy, or a milk ring, twist tie, some other "trash"?

--Tammy

Lion + Tiger = Liger

A private zoo in Taiwan may be in hot water. About a week or so ago, there were a couple of the cutest babies born there. The problem is - these are baby ligers. They are a cross between a tiger and a lion. The government of Taiwan forbids cross breeding of animals.

The keeper of this zoo said that the babies came as a complete surprise to him. The tigress and the lion have lived in the same cage since they were young but "nothing happened." According to the story at Discovery News, there are only about 10 surviving ligers in the world.

What is your take on this issue? It sounds to me like negligence on the part of the zookeeper may be part of the story. I do think it's also possible he tried to have these babies born... It also sounds to me that these are not a good cross, as they aren't in the wild naturally! They are cute babies though! (Discovery story here, photo from AP)

--Tammy

Eloquent Support

It's always hard to know what to write in a condolence card.

I'm asked about it all the time.  What do I say?

Somehow, writing down our attempts to convey wisdom or sympathy seems more intimidating than taking action...stopping by with lasagne for dinner, offering to care for young children.

But, writing a note can be so comforting.  Words can be rediscovered later, when you most need them again.

Written words preserve the love and understanding you wanted to pass on when someone you care about need then the most.

I ran across a card this weekend that a friend sent us when my husband's mother died last January.  It helped me then and it helped me all over again when I read it yesterday.

There was one phrase, one suggestion my friend made that felt so right to me.  She wrote...

"I know your missing her will be great and heavy at times; and, in the next breath, I trust you will remember her and be touched always by the Grace of her beautiful and vibrant gifts." 

It's the phrase..."and, in the next breath..." that resonated so much with me.  That's how grief can and should be....we should feel it deeply, allow it to be heavy and sad, but then, in the next breath, let it go, turning our thoughts and attention to what remains.

And remembering how grateful we feel that we had such a special love in our lives.

A love that truly never dies...

Let's all try this ourselves as we process our losses.  Feel deeply and, in the next breath, remember the love and gifts we were given.

--Laurel

Cats on an exercise wheel

This video never ceases to amaze me! First, I think, "I want one of these for our cats!" Then immediately after that, "Henry would hurt himself on one of these!" Enjoy these amazing cats in action!

Would your cats like to have one of these wheels?

--Tammy

Something Little Packs a Punch

Do you ever have days when you're in a bad mood and then all of a sudden, something little happens and changes your whole attitude? It's a nice little treat, isn't it? This week has been the start of school so we've had some increased stress in our household. Today, after school ended, I walked up to meet my son feeling cranky and grouching about the afternoon heat.

But on the walk home, a little boy approached me just bubbling over with excitement about how his dog's behavior problems are "all fixed." I knew this boy immediately (his family and their pets come regularly to the pet hospital). This particular family is so conscientious they could be a walking poster child for what an ideal and responsible pet owner should be.  Unfortunately, they have had some very serious behavior issues with one of their dogs...so much so, that they've even had to consider relinquishing this dog (which was agonizing, devastating and horribly painful for them to even consider).

Hearing this good news about the dog lightened my mood almost instantly (I had spoken to the mother a few months ago and had recommended her to Bark Busters--the well-known dog training program). I was thrilled to hear that the referral worked and the happy sparkle in this little boy's face just completely made my day (and week).

Behavior problems are a huge issue for pet owners and many clients at our hospital will ask for advice and guidance. We do the very best that we can, but I always end up wondering how the "story" ended. Have any of your pets had serious behavior problems? How did it affect your life, family, and your mood? What role do you think the veterinary profession should play in all of this?

--Dana

Kitten therapy

Those are words I like to hear! I think all kittens offer humans some therapy! But, there is some proof that kittens actually provide beneficial therapy for humans with cerebral palsy.

The Washington Humane Society's Therapy Live-In Cats (TLC) are working with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Washington DC and Northern Virginia to provide therapy assistance animals for people with cerebral palsy.  From the TLC website:  Foster kittens residing at UCP locations provide individuals with regular opportunity for sensory enhancement and reaching exercises. The live-in situation helps provide a sense of normalcy and connectedness to the outside world.

Benefits of this program do go both ways! The people benefit from having the kittens to look after, and the kittens receive additional socialization and care.

Have you ever heard of a program like this? I hadn't, and I really love the idea. These kittens from a humane society get the love and care and socialization they need, while helping people who also need it! (photo from istockphoto.com)

--Tammy

Motorcycling dog

This is truly just about the cutest thing ever!

Smudge, the Jack Russell terrier, is a motorcycle veteran. She has been riding with her owner, Rob Fuller, since she was three months old. They've racked up around 11,000 miles together on the motorcycle.

In the interview with the Daily Mail, Rob says, "She loves watching the farm animals as we bike through open fields and you can see she's happy because she is always looking out at cows and sheep grazing." Also noted in the story... Smudge lets Rob know when she needs to have a break. She taps on his arm to let him know she needs to go to the bathroom.

While I've never seen a dog riding on a motorcycle with its owner, I have seen dogs riding on bicycles with people fairly often here on the Oregon coast. I think it's pretty fun to see. I would love to see a dog riding like Smudge does! What do you  think? Would you ever suit up your dog to ride with you? There is a video at the full story you can watch that shows how Smudge is harnessed in and safe with her owner.

--Tammy

4-Hers and Grief

Every year at this time, there are articles in our newspaper about  the 4-H kids who raise livestock as club projects.  If you're not familiar with 4-H, for an entire year, these children feed, groom, name, and bond with a sheep, pig, cow, or rabbit.  Then, they take their animal to the county (and sometimes State) fair and sell them at auction---to people who eat them.

There are always quotes from the kids about how much they wanted to cry when they had to say a final good-bye to these animals.  But, the kids report, they hold back their tears because they've been instructed to do so.

"My mom told me she'd better not see me crying," an 11-year-old girl said in the newspaper article I read this year, "so, I went in the bathroom until I was done."

I apologize to you if you're a 4-H kid or a supporter.  I want you to know that I do understand the farm business mentality and reality.  I grew up in Iowa and my father was the county extension agent while I was in school.  I HAD to be in 4-H---it was a requirement for membership in our family.

But, I refused to raise an animal.  I knew I could never give one up.

My first job as a faculty member at Colorado State University, a land-grant college, was with the Cooperative Extension Service.  I tried to get the Extension agents in Colorado to agree to establish grief support and grief education programs for the 4-H kids, but they didn't seem interested.  I got the impression that they didn't want to "stir up a hornet's nest" by actually acknowledging the children's pain.  And, they frankly thought I was a bit weird to even suggest such a thing.

It just always breaks my heart to read about these little children who are grieving and sobbing alone in a public restroom because the adults refuse---or don't understant how important it is---to help them deal with their emotions.

Were you in 4-H?  Am I being way too sentimental about livestock here? (Photo is friends of Tammy's. Real 4-H kids with their kids [goats]).

--Laurel

Dog days of summer

As summer is starting to wrap up and kids head back to school, I thought it appropriate to share a very interesting idea I read about!

Synonymous with summer days were ice cream trucks. I remember as a kid getting excited to hear the music of the local truck working its way up your street. Well, now the ice cream truck is for dogs, not kids. (Wait... didn't I just write about a restaurant for dogs. What is going on here?!) A truck in London, near Regent's Park, is specifically geared toward summer treats for dogs!

A team of scientists checked out the treats and determined that the treats were great for animals, and safe. The flavors are "Dog eat hog world" - gammon (pork) and chicken sorbet topped with a biscuit. Or canine cookie crunch - mixed dog biscuits and ice cream.

Oh! And instead of the more traditional ice cream van tunes? This one plays the tune of Scooby Doo. Fitting, no? Also, the profits from the sales of these doggie treats are going to a good cause.  Berkshire Search and Rescue Dogs will benefit.

Would you buy a dog ice cream treat for your buddy? I like the idea, and I would certainly buy a treat, especially knowing that the money is going to a good cause! (full story and photos here.)

--Tammy

Guilty As Charged

There's been a whole lot of stress at the Iams pet food company these past few weeks (as well as at scores of veterinary hospitals all over the country). As many of you know, on August 4th, Iams had to recall some 22 of its veterinary diets resulting from a concern over Salmonella. It was the necessary and ethical thing to do but boy did it cause a whole lot of worry to thousands of pet owners. (See the Iams site for a list of the recalled foods.)

At our own pet hospital, the phone was ringing off the hook for almost an entire day. It can be very difficult to reassure someone who is feeling anxious, worried, and even angry all at the same time. Though the problem originated at the Iams company, it's probably hard for the average pet owner to make a distinction between Iams and the veterinary profession (after all, it is usually a veterinarian who ends up prescribing these special diets in the first place). It becomes a case of guilt by association. How do you think veterinarians should have handled this situation and what would you want to hear from your own veterinarian?

--Dana

This Restaurant is for the Dogs

Don't worry - I haven't turned food critic on you overnight! This new restaurant is for the dogs!

In Sydney, Australia, Chew Chew has opened its doors and it is a meeting place for dogs and their owners. The menu is just for canines and felines only! Humans can join their pets in the cafe, but they have to bring their own food/drink. (There is a human cafe next door.)

The pet friendly menu includes such delicacies as beef steak and mushrooms, fish soup, goat's yogurt jelly, and lamb bones. (They do carry-out orders too!) The owner and chef says she had always dreamed of having a pet restaurant. Her menus are based on Japanese nutritional principals.

What do you think of this idea? Would you take a pet to a restaurant exclusively for them? I have to say I find this to be a rather odd idea, if a very enterprising one! I don't know if I would do this with my cats, but I'd definitely be more tempted if I had a dog. Though, I think it might be more tempting yet if it had both a pet and a human menu! (full story and photo here.)

--Tammy

Hero Dachsund

This amazing little dog, Missy, is a hero. She is an eleven year old dachsund and she helped to save her owner's life!

Her owner, Charlie Burdon, collapsed in his house on Tuesday morning. Missy took it upon herself to run to the neighbor's house to alert them. The neighbor knew something was up because Missy never left the yard on her own. She was always close to her owner!

The neighbor tried to send Missy home, but instead went with her when she wouldn't leave. Missy barked at her front door until the neighbor went in to check on Charlie when he didn't come to the door.  Charlie had open heart surgery in June and had suffered an attack of vertigo and collapsed to the floor.  He was able to make a phone call and alert his wife.

Between the call to his wife, his neighbor and Missy, Charlie got the help he needed. Paramedics arrived and took him to the hospital. He was released the next day and he's doing OK now. Charlie's wife, Junia, is thankful for Missy! They've had her since she was 4 weeks old and Junia says she's more like a child than a pet.

Have you ever had a pet help out in an emergency situation? Missy certainly saved the day for Charlie! (full story and photo here.)

--Tammy

When You Need to Think Ahead

This week's blog entry for me may be viewed as shameless promotion, but I'd really like you all to check out the new referral website we just completed for pet parents.

The site is designed to help veterinary teams who want to help their clients when they must begin to plan for their pet's deaths.  Our intention is to provide credible information, based on our experiences working side-by-side with veterinarians for twenty years, about the decisions and plans you can make BEFORE your pet dies.

We know from research and clinical experience that, even though it's emotionally challenging to think ahead to this sad event, it can be of tremendous help.

Why?

Because it can help ensure that your pet gets the kind of good-bye he or she deserves

It can help minimize the regrets you may have later if you can't do or say the things you want to say or do for your pet because you get caught off guard and are unprepared to say the kind of good-bye you want to say

It can help you understand what your veterinarian is and is not able to provide for you during euthanasia or even post-death support and counseling

It can help you be prepared to support your children, other relatives, neighbors, pet sitters, people you visit if your pet is a therapy animal, etc.  If you don't think ahead, these folks may not have a chance to say good-bye in ways that are meaningful for them

Because planning ahead can spur you to gather the items that may make a huge difference for you in dealing with your own grief...that wonderful poem you want to read at your pet's memorial gathering, but can't lay your hands on...the "container" (casket, urn, or even an acceptable box of some sort) that you won't be able to locate when you need it most...

I think you get the idea.

When I talk with people who are anticipating the loss of their dear pet, I find they actually feel better when they can feel they are taking some action for their pet and for themselves that will be comforting in the long run.

And, as sad and anxious as the pre-death time may be for pet parents, it's actually a bit easier to think straight and make plans BEFORE a loss occurs.  After the death of a pet, grief hits like a ton of bricks and your brain feels fuzzy and your energy often ebbs away just when you have lots of details and decisions to attend to...

Visit www.veterinarywisdomforpetparents.com and get a feel for what you might do now to help you and your family cope just a little bit better later...We Care and we're here to help. (photo from istockphoto.com)

--Laurel

Do tigers like catnip?

Our cats LOVE catnip. They are picky though - they prefer Cosmic Catnip to any other brand. This is my Oscar - enjoying the empty carton. (Doesn't this look like it could be an ad for Cosmic?!)   

Have you ever wondered if the big cats like catnip as much as our domesticated pals do? Well, I ran across a video that shows proof.

The answer is Yes! Enjoy the video - it's quite entertaining!

--Tammy

Kids Will Be Kids

As any parent knows...kids will be kids. A bit of childish mischief and larceny is expected. But what about our other "kids?" Yesterday, a friend asked me what types of problems are most commonly see at our hospital during the summer months. Snake bites and ticks, of course. Heart worm, ringworm, and other parasites...you know it. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and "sport injuries"...that too. But what do you think about  squabbles with your friends at summer camp? 

Like most summers, we've been seeing pets with injuries caused by fights with other animals (usually at a boarding facility, doggy camp, or some other "day care" center). This makes sense because the summer months are when most of us take family vacations. However, I've noticed something odd about this summer...so far we've seen almost DOUBLE the number of pets (mostly dogs) injured from fights than what we saw last year. I don't have an explanation. We've always provided emergency medical care for several "day care" facilities in our community but it seems like we've seen an explosion of fights these past few weeks.

The reasons...there's likely a bunch. Maybe dogs and cats get cranky on really hot days like we've been having. Maybe more and more facilities are allowing animals interact with each other but lack the proper training or knowledge to keep fights at a minimum. It would be interesting to know if other veterinary hospitals in town or other places have seen this same trend.

What do you think? Are there any other reasons you can think of to explain this increase? What kind of experiences have you had with your own pets at "day care" or a boarding facility? What do you look for with pet sitters? Would any of your own pets possibly cause a bit of mischief (or have they)? Let's talk about these naughty kids! (photo from bigstockphoto.com)

--Dana

Gina the dog has PTSD

Gina is a veteran of the Iraq war. She is also a dog. She is a German Shepherd who was trained as a bomb-sniffing dog. She helped conduct door-to-door searches, and witnessed many noisy explosions.

After returning home, Gina has changed. She left for Iraq as a playful, happy dog. She returned home cowering and fearful. She resists being taken into buildings. She hides and tucks her tail, and cowers.

Turns out, her veterinarian thinks she has PTSD - post-traumatic stress disorder. "She showed all the symptoms and she had all the signs," said Master Sgt. Eric Haynes, the kennel master at Peterson Air Force Base. "She was terrified of everybody and it was obviously a condition that led her down that road." Apparently PTSD can affect dogs similarly to how it can affect humans.

PTSD has been a well documented problem for military members of the human variety. But it isn't seen (or at least not documented) in the animals that go to war as well. It seems that veterinarians are reticent to apply the term to animals as it might be considered demeaning to the humans who are also diagnosed with PTSD.

What do you think of this situation? Are you offended by dogs being diagnosed with PTSD, or think it's demeaning to humans? I personally don't understand that attitude. I think animals react much the same to trauma as humans do, and I think it makes a lot of sense that Gina suffers from PTSD based on her experiences. War is not pretty. For the humans, or the animals, serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, or beyond.

I was glad to read that Gina has started improving since being home and is starting to come out of her shell. Read more about her here.

--Tammy

Service iguana?

So, we all know about service dogs. But have you ever heard of a service iguana?

A man in Ocean City, Maryland was told he could not bring his pet iguana on the boardwalk with him anymore. There is a town ordinance that prohibits undomesticated animals in public. Wayne Short was upset by this, and he went about finding a way that he could have his iguana, Hillary, with him anyway.

He had her registered on the National Service Animal Registry. This declares animals as protected under the American Disabilities Act. Short has a card showing that Hillary is registered and he can now, legally, have her with him on the boardwalk. She wears a harness and leash and calmly sits with Short.

The mayor of Ocean City wonders, "What service does Hillary perform?" Short won't reveal his disability, but says that Hillary calms him, like a cat might for another person. The mayor says that "... if this is a legal document, and Hillary is fully registered under the proper authority as a service animal, then I guess this gentleman has the right to take Hillary with him everywhere he goes... If Hillary doesn't cause any problems and everybody is happy, we can continue on with the summer of 2010."

What do you think of this? Is having an iguana registered as a service animal a stretch? Or do you think it's legitimate? I have a bit of a beef with "service animals" right at the moment, personally. We live in an apartment complex that is supposedly dog free. However, there are all of a sudden, a LOT of barking dogs around. Turns out, our apartment manager cannot turn a renter away if they have a "service" dog. So... I guess all these little, yappy dogs are service animals. Sure doesn't seem like it to me. I like dogs, but I really liked our quiet complex too. I don't know what the answer is here. Seems like some people are using "service animal" as a rule-bender. What's your take? (full story and photo here.)

--Tammy

How soon should you adopt again?

"Didn't you always feel better when your pet was around? Didn't your pet always seem to be saying, 'Hey, what's with the glum face? Let's do something right now to take care of that bad mood of yours!'"

--pet parent participating in a pet loss support group advising
another member to "get out there" and adopt a new pet

When a pet dies, it's quite common for people to believe that "starting over" immediately is the best way to deal with grief. As the quote above illustrates, pets have a way of cheering us up. Doesn't it follow, then, that a new pet would be the best remedy for our feelings of grief?

I have my own thoughts -- and personal experiences -- with this topic, but I'd love to hear what you all think about getting a new pet after a beloved pet dies.  How soon is too soon?

--Laurel

Should a dog receive communion?

A dog in Toronto made headlines recently when he was allowed to receive communion in St. Peter's Anglican Church. The Reverend at the service was an interim reverend and made the gesture spontaneously to make the parishioner and dog feel welcome on their first visit to the church.

It seems that at least one parishioner of the church was offended and filed a complaint. He filed the complaint and also left the church. The area bishop who received the complaint wrote back to the complainant. He said, "I wrote back to the parishioner that it is not the policy of the Anglican Church to give communion to animals. I can see why people would be offended. It is a strange and shocking thing, and I have never heard of it happening before."

The Reverend who allowed the dog to take communion is apparently quite embarassed and has refused to comment. Other parishioners have commented that they didn't think it was a big deal. The Reverend has apologized and she assured that she wouldn't do it again.

What do you think of this issue? Is it an issue, or a non-issue? Without getting into my own views on religion - I have to say I personally like that the Reverend did this! As the man with the dog, I would have felt extremely welcomed and it probably would have made me think about returning. (full story here.)

--Tammy

Doctor....Do Dead Pets Watch Over Us?

I've been reading a terrific book by a famous and well-known medium named Concetta Bertoldi (she consults regularly with members of Britain's royal family as well as with american celebrities and politicians). Her book, "Do Dead People Watch You Shower?" is a fascinating compilation of all the questions she's been asked over the years about life after death, and what she has said in reply.

One of the questions posed to her involved pets. Question: " Are our pets waiting for us on the other the side?" Her response was very interesting to me so I'd like to paraphrase it here..."Of course our pets are waiting for us. Pets give us the nearest thing to unconditional love we can ever know on this side. Often, when I'm doing a reading, someone on the other side will tell me to tell my client, "your dog is here or Whiskers can hardly wait to see you again." Sometimes a pet doesn't even wait for you to cross, they come back and visit you on this side in various ways. People who dream about their pets or claim to see them for brief glimpses are probably being visited by that beloved pet who is checking to see if you are all right."

What do you all think? During times of pet death or euthanasia at our hospital, we often will get questions like this about pet souls, what happens to them after death, and if we will ever see them again. As a veterinary professional, it can get really tricky when a client asks these types of questions. You don't want to risk upsetting your client if their beliefs are very different from your own and yet it's nice to be able to express what you truly believe.

How about you? Would you like your veterinarian (veterinary hospital) to give you his/her honest opinions about pet death, pet souls, and the after-life? I'd like to hear your opinions.

--Dana

Porcupine puppy

Nope, it's not a typo! This video is just the cutest thing ever! This porcupine acts like a puppy! It is too fun to watch! He is a 6-year-old porcupine who lives at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Snickers came to the center after being a pet! (Can you imagine?! Yikes!) Enjoy the video!

--Tammy