Fleas? We Can Help!
We are seeing lots of fleas, and this started in January! This year is different from any we’ve ever seen.There are two reasons. One is that it is warm – the fleas were not killed because it hardly froze at all. The other is complacency. Too many people didn’t use a preventive last year. But, don’t panic. We can get your pet on a flea program really fast. You can call the hospital or watch the video below for information. Dr. Louise Janes D.V.M. & Dr. Jeff Grognet D.V.M. Mid-Isle Veterinary Hospital 5-161 Fern Road West Qualicum Beach, BC Tel (250)...
Read MoreSeparation Anxiety
Dogs can experience fear and anxiety in many different ways. Because dogs form strong bonds with the people with whom they live, separation from people is one of the most common behavioral problems we struggle with. This is also one of the most common problems seen in shelter dogs. For the most part, a well-adjusted dog can cope with separation from family members or caregivers for a few hours at a time with no problems. However, some dogs feel stressed and anxious when left alone for even just a few minutes. These are the dogs that most likely suffer from canine separation anxiety. It could...
Read MoreControlling Seizures
A seizure is a series of uncontrolled muscle spasms. It is triggered by a defect in the brain, which in turn is caused by an array of disorders both in the brain and the body. In some patients, seizure activity can be eliminated by correcting the underlying problem. In others, owners must make a lifelong commitment to their canine friends to keep seizures to a minimum with daily medication. In a healthy brain filled with millions of neurons (brain cells), electrical impulses are generated and precisely organized, allowing not only thought, but also initiation of events in the body, including...
Read MoreBe Aware of Christmas Hazards
Christmas is a hazardous time for dogs. And, though you may think the possibility of a problem is remote, it isn’t. Veterinarians see many dogs that succumb to conditions that could have been avoided. By being aware of the risks, you can take precautions. Chocolate is the most common poisoning at this time of year. A miniature Dachshund I saw had discovered and eaten two bars of 70 percent cocoa wrapped under the tree. Within 30 minutes, his muscles started twitching. It then progressed to convulsions. By this time, Baron was at my hospital. I gave Baron an injection of Valium to stop the...
Read MoreWorking With Hyperactive Dogs
We routinely see hyperactive dogs. Though these dogs are difficult to work with and train, it can be done and made easier if we look at the many possible causes, and implement solutions. Many hyperactivity problems stem from the dog’s boredom and a lack of stimulation. In order to address these issues, you have to assess the way you are interacting with a dog and the kind of activity your dog gets on a daily basis. Because dogs seek attention from you, paying attention to the hyperactive dog during outbursts only reinforces the behavior that you’re trying to eliminate. The...
Read MoreWhen or Should We Neuter?
This is a recent study done at the University of California (Davis). If you are thinking about neutering your dog, you might want to take a look. AbstractOur recent study on the effects of neutering (including spaying) in Golden Retrievers in markedly increasing the incidence of two joint disorders and three cancers prompted this study and a comparison of Golden and Labrador Retrievers. Veterinary hospital records were examined over a 13-year period for the effects of neutering during specified age ranges: before 6 mo., and during 6–11 mo., year 1 or years 2 through 8. The joint disorders...
Read MoreHealing Laser for Pets
We are doing research on the use of the laser, and there are so many things it can help. The following is an except of a paper we recently published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Case Report 1: Retroperitoneal Mass: Soft Tissue Sarcoma A nine year old, castrated male Labradoodle was presented for a general examination following an unusual episode of aggression towards another dog. He exhibited sensitivity with palpation of the epaxial muscles of the lumbar spine, but more importantly, a mass was detected in his caudal dorsal abdomen. The mass could not be...
Read MoreFeline Body Language
Cats hide their emotions well and we are often surprised by how they react to things. This is because we are not reading their body language very well. By body language, we’re talking about their tail carriage, ear position, where their paws are, and their body posture, combined with vocalizations and movements. If you can pick up on these signs of communications, you can determine what cats are trying to say to you. This isn’t a skill you can learn by reading about it (like here). You have to watch cats, all kinds of cats, in all kinds of situations. Once you can appreciate their...
Read MoreUrban Legends
Can the Swiffer WetJet poison dogs? According to an Internet rumour that started circulating in early 2004, it can. The following landed in this author’s inbox in September 2004 … I recently had a neighbor who had to have their 5-year old German Shepherd dog put down due to liver failure. The dog was completely healthy until a few weeks ago, so they had a necropsy done to see what the cause was. The liver levels were unbelievable, as if the dog had ingested poison of some kind. The dog is kept inside, and when he’s outside, someone’s with him, so the idea of him getting into...
Read MoreRecognize Shock in your Pet
Many emergency conditions cause a severe and sudden drop in blood pressure, which triggers shock. Blood loss from internal or external bleeding, severe dehydration, allergic reactions that cause blood pooling in internal organs, toxins, and even intense pain can induce shock. The body’s first response to falling blood pressure is to increase the heart rate so that more blood can be pumped per minute. Next, the blood vessels that supply the extremities (feet and ears) constrict so that blood is shunted to the interior of the body where it can nourish the vital organs. This is why the...
Read MoreCombat Canine Obesity
If your dog is 10 percent over his ideal body weight, he is overweight. If he’s more than 30 percent over his optimal weight, we call him obese. Unbelievably, obesity strikes more than 30 percent of dogs and the incidence is rising. Look at the pictures below. Which one is fat and which one is just right? Obesity is partly due to ignorance – owners not making the right choices about diet and exercise for their canine friends. However, even owners that recognize their dogs are obese often do not think it is an issue. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Fat isn’t just a layer under...
Read MoreA Frustrating Disease
Acral lick dermatitis (ALD), also known as a lick granuloma, is a frustrating disease. Typically, these skin lesions appear on the front of the foreleg, close to the carpus. Though ALD was historically considered to be a boredom and stress induced disease, a wide array of inciting causes are now recognized. ALD is a disease of older, large-breed dogs. Most cases occur in Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Boxers, although ALD has also been reported in other breeds. The hallmark of ALD is an area of thickened, hairless skin, eroded on...
Read MoreChristmas Hazards
For those of you who are taking time during this busy season to read this column, we send wishes for a happy and safe festive season for both you and your four-leggeds. Though the holidays are fraught with potential hazards for your furry kids, you can easily keep them safe with an ounce of common sense. The most common holiday ailment is the simplest one to prevent. Overeating disease only occurs if you let it. You have to remember that dogs are creatures of habit. Because many dogs eat the same thing every day, their digestive tracts are not prepared for the Christmas food assault. If you...
Read MoreChocolate: A sweet poison
Christmas (and Halloween) is a hazardous time for dogs. Kids get the sugary treats and some of them are chocolate. Most of you know that chocolate can be toxic, but do you know why? First, chocolate contains caffeine. This drives dogs into a hyperactive state (think of you with far too much coffee). They pace for hours, but the effect eventually wears off. Second, chocolate can cause indigestion. Vomiting and diarrhea is just the price paid for too much of a good thing. But, there is something far more serious. Chocolate also contains theobromine. This chemical causes muscle twitching,...
Read MoreCats Suffer in Silence
Cats rarely get abscessed teeth that need removal like dogs. Instead, they have their own disease – feline resorptive lesions. The problem is that it goes undetected until it is too late and we have already lost the tooth. Let’s see what causes it and what we can do. Tooth resorption occurs in an incredible number of cats. Estimates vary between 20% and 75% of cats. Many cats silently suffer from this painful disease and they are never diagnosed. The first thing you see is a bit of red gum at the bottom of the tooth. Any tooth can be affected, but the most common one is the tooth...
Read MoreBecoming a Veterinary Assistant
A new website has been launched, designed to help veterinary assistants find the education they need. The following is a sample of the first lesson of Veterinary Assistant 1: Becoming a Veterinary Assistant. Your Role at the Hospital The attitude and abilities of the veterinary staff can make or break a practice just as easily as the behavior and knowledge of a veterinarian can. I believe that a well-informed, personable veterinary team member who can advise clients correctly is a true asset to every veterinary hospital, and this is what my course is all about. You may be wondering what role...
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