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Pre-anesthetic Bloodwork

10/30/2012

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When you go to the doctor (especially after a certain age) what is one thing it seems they always want to do?  Bloodwork.  Before any procedure, if you aren't feeling well, and sometimes just because it has been a year.  Well, your pets are no different.  Labwork helps us identify anything that may be out of the ordinary on the INside of your pet.  We can check liver function, kidney function, electrolyte balance, protein levels, number of red blood cells and white blood cells, just to name a few.  What we especially like to know, is if there is anything we need to know BEFORE we anesthetize your pet for any procedure.  We offer bloodwork in our clinic, and can usually have the results in about 30 minutes.  We can do this the morning of surgery or dental cleaning, and have the results before we even sedate your dog or cat.  This helps us know if anything in our protocols should be changed, or maybe even cancelled due to abnormalities in your pet's internal systems.  I can think of 2 specific incidences where there was a vastly different outcome because of knowing lab results prior to anesthesia.
    The first was about 14 years ago while practicing in Arizona.  The clinic had a young white purebred puppy come in to be neutered.  He was anesthetized and his surgery seemed to go fine.  He was sent home that afternoon still a little groggy.  The owners called the next day and he was not feeling well and was vomiting.  They were told it was likely the anesthesia making him naseous and to keep an eye on him.  The next day was no better, and he returned to the clinic.  He was treated with fluids to help rehydrate him, and sent home.  Finally a few days later he seemed to be feeling better.  One month down the road he ate something he shouldn't have, and vomiting had to be induced.  At the time, salt was recommended, and he vomited up the offending candy.  For the next several days he vomited off and on and felt terrible.  Finally he seemed to turn the corner and improve.  Two weeks later the owners brought him back to the clinic because he was laying around all the time and drinking and peeing a lot.  Bloodwork was done then, and that 7 month old puppy was in kidney failure!!  He lived about one more month and then had to be euthanized.
    The second case was just a couple months ago.  A young female mixed breed dog came in to be spayed.  We did some pre-anesthetic labwork and found very elevated liver enzymes.  This little dog's liver was working too hard and had something wrong with it.  Instead of going ahead with the spay, we performed some additional bloodwork that we sent into the lab.  She went home just as happy and perky as when she came in, and all we did that day was draw blood. 
    The biggest difference between these two cases was the labwork that was or was not done before the surgery.   In the first case, we went ahead with anesthesia which compromised the already ailing kidneys and in all liklihood hastened the progression of his kidney failure.  The second case has yet to play out to the end, but by knowing what was going on inside, we avoided doing any harm to the puppy.  Pre-anesthetic labwork is an amazing and valuable tool to the pet, the owner, and the veterinarian.  That is why we recommend it with any surgery.
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Allergies in Pets

10/16/2012

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   Frequent are the days we get questions about certain behaviors in dogs and cats that we nod about and think, ahh... allergies.    The signs of allergies in pets are different than they are in people, but if you know what to look for they definitely have signs!  Most contact allergies(like to plants, pollens, dust mites) are displayed by your pet scratching at his ears, licking his feet, or scooting on his bottom.  Sometimes they may develop rashes on the abdomen or inside of the legs.  Ear infections are common in pets with allergies, as are discolored feet from all the licking going on.  
     Allergies can be seasonal in pets, just like people.  When this is the case, we know it is an environmental allergy.  Dogs' allergies typically get worse with age, and may progress from seasonal to year-round. 
    Allergies are the result of an overactive immune system, which is responding to things which are normal in the environment.  This response leads to inflammation, which causes the signs mentioned above.  Because this is an immune system related issue, it can be genetic, and be passed on from parents to offspring.  We also see an increased incidence of allergies in certain breeds, typically those breeds that are or have been quite popular and were bred in great numbers at the height of popularity.  Golden Retrievers are one of the breeds with an increased rate of allergies.
    Sometimes other health problems can look like allergies.  For instance, dogs with hypothyroidism are much more likely to display signs that appear allergy related, because of the effects of thyroid hormone on skin.  Correcting the underlying problem and then re-evaluating the allergies is the best way to go
.  This is why a thorough checkover is important before a diagnosis can be made.
     Pets can also have food allergies, which are a bit harder to pinpoint.  Oftentimes this will present as vomiting frequently, a poor hair coat, diarrhea or soft stools, or maybe just a thin animal.  Sometimes owners will change the food and the signs will stop for awhile, and then start again after the pet has been on the new food for some time. 
    In the past few years there have been great advances in the field of allergy testing.  Now we can send in a blood sample and get a pretty good idea of what your pet is allergic to.  Especially with food allergies, this test is quite accurate. 
Once we have the results from the allergy test, we can proceed in a couple different ways.  If it is an environmental allergy, hyposensitization therapy is answer.  This is a form of treatment where a solution is made of the allergens your pet reacted to, and it is given as an injection over a period of time.  Typically at the start of treatment the injections are more frequent, and then taper off somewhat as the treatment continues.  Most animals respond very well to this treatment, and within a couple months the signs of allergies lessen and disappear.   If the allergy test results show a food allergy, we have a different route of treatment.  Depending on what exactly your pet is allergic to, there are several different foods available.  There are limited ingredient foods, like duck and potato or venison and pea, where the idea is to avoid the specific ingredients your pet has problems with.  And then there are some animals that are allergic to most ingredients and need a food where all the proteins are broken down to such a small size that the body cannot recognize them.  These are called hydrolized protein diets, and are not allergenic at all.
    Allergies can take many different forms and your pet may give you a variety of clues.  If you have hayfever, keep an eye on your pet for some of these signs.  If you see them, it is probably time for a visit to the vet!
    Interestingly, when we used to do skin testing, about 1/3 of dogs were allergic to human dander.  Hmmm...
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Choosing a puppy

10/1/2012

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When deciding on a new puppy for you or your family, there are many factors to take into consideration.  The first is the role the new dog will play in your life.  Will it be a working dog?  A companion?  A kid's dog?  Will it be indoors or out?  What size dog do you want- small, medium, large?  How about hair coat- short hair, long, shedder or not?  Will it need to be groomed or brushed, and who is going to do that?  How active do you want your new pet to be- chasing cows, a running partner, or a couch partner to watch TV?  These are important factors to take into consideration before deciding on a breed of dog.  If it is going to be a working dog, that narrows it down a bit based on the job you expect it to do, but chances are you will still have multiple breeds to choose from.  If you are just looking for a buddy, breed won't be as important, and you could check your local shelter.  If you plan on getting the puppy from a breeder, there is a whole new set of  questions to ask!  As a rule, breeders charge more money for the puppies, and you expect a more consistent puppy.  It is ideal to be able to meet the parents of the litter, and if that is possible, take the opportunity.  You will also want to know if the parents have had any certifications- like for eyes, hips or other joints.  These are great indicators of how likely the puppy is of developing certain problems like hip dysplasia or retinal blindness.   Certain breeds have a higher incidence of certain problems than others, so it is important to do some breed research.  Unless you plan to show your new dog, you don't necessarily need registration papers.  And don't assume registered dogs equal quality dogs, the AKC (American Kennel Club) has breed standards that may not be based on the health of the animal.  The temperament of the parents and the puppy is important, based on your plans for the new dog.  If you want a good hunter or herding dog, you wouldn't want to pick a timid puppy.  If there are children in the house, bring them with you to meet the puppies and make sure the puppy is interested in the kids and not afraid of them.  Another factor to consider is the longevity of the dog.  Smaller dogs and certain breeds tend to live to a ripe old age, and it pays to consider where you plan on being in 10, even 15 or more years from now. 
    All this time and planning before hand will definitely pay off in the future, as you bond with your new puppy and forge a new life together.  You will be glad you took the time to find the right dog to fit in your life!
    Here are some resources to help narrow your choices:  The Eukanuba Breedmatch,  The Animal Planet dog breed selector,  Select Smart, and the Dog Breed Info Center.

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