Posts About Our Practice

Healthy Mouth Water Additive

· Shawn Finch, DVM

Healthy Mouth Dental Water Additive

In the fall of 2012, two of our doctors, Dr. Miranda Thomassen and Dr. Adrienne Kanne, attended continuing education meetings in Colorado hosted by Veterinary Dental Specialist, Tony Woodword. 

We have since expanded our dental practice to include much more restorative work, including more dental sealants, dental treatment, more digital dental radiography (x-rays) and surgical extractions.  As much as all of the doctors and technicians have loved learning advanced dental information and techniques, we love most of all when we can prevent dental problems in your pets in the first place!

One of the changes we are most excited about in the dental care at Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals is the availability of a water additive called Healthy Mouth.

Healthy Mouth is a water additive for dogs and cats that slows the progression of dental disease.  Healthy Mouth aids in dissolving plaque before it hardens to tartar – that horrible hardened brownish yellow material on your pets’ teeth.  Healthy Mouth also contributes to gingival (gum) health.

Of course we would only offer this to you if we knew for sure that…

  • Healthy Mouth is safe.
  • Healthy Mouth does not taste gross.
  • Healthy Mouth actually works!

We knew already that the Healthy Mouth water additive is 100% SAFE, so we enlisted the help of our own pets and set out to prove that Healthy Mouth does not taste gross AND it actually works.

First we asked Noodle the Poodle…

Then we asked Max the Cat…

In fact, we asked 35 of our own dogs and 35 of our own cats, and they liked Healthy Mouth water as much as plain water.  Success.

Next, we wanted to see how well Healthy Mouth actually worked.  We took these same good-natured pets of ours and performed dental procedures on the ones who were due and continued using Healthy Mouth water additive afterwards in place of their normal water.

And…YES!  It does work as it should.

So now, we offer it to YOU, with the promise that, as always, we will only offer you treatments, procedures and products that are so great we would give them to our very own pets!

We recommend Healthy Mouth water additive for every dog and cat to slow the formation of tartar and slow the progression of dental disease.  Use it with regular tooth brushing, regular dental check ups (which your pet receives with every medical visit!) and regular dental care.

Here’s to continued excellent dental health for your pets and ours!  We want only the very best for them all!

Posted In: Our Practice

Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital has the BEST clients and patients in the world!  This is true across every one of our three locations in Omaha and our Grooming Salon.  We also have a very kind, compassionate and knowledgeable veterinary team.  Since you may not have gotten to meet our entire team, we would like to introduce them to you one at a time. 

Amanda Kenkel

Please meet another of our wonderful technicians, Amanda Kenkel!

Name:  Amanda Kenkel    

Position: Licensed Veterinary Technician

When did you join the Gentle Doctor team? 

On July 5, 2010, I joined the Gentle Doctor team as a Kennel Attendant. I graduated from Iowa Western in May of 2011 with an Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology degree. I took my board exam in August of 2011, and have been licensed as a Veterinary Technician since September 12, 2011.

Buddy Kenkel

Buddy

Tell us about the people and pets in your family.

I am originally from a small town just north of Omaha; Arlington, Nebraska and grew up in the same house my entire life. This  is currently where my parents reside. I have one brother, Jason, who got married last May to a wonderful women, Sara. They currently reside in Omaha.

Amanda, her Sister-in-Law Sara, her Brother Jason and her Parents on her Brother's Wedding Day last May

I will be getting married on April 11, 2015 to a wonderful man, Michael, and can't wait to start a new chapter of my life with him.

Amanda and Michael

I have one cat, Buddy, a gray long haired Maine Coon, who is currently living with my parents.

Buddy Kenkel

I fostered an orange tabby named Tigger for over a year who now has a permanent home with my aunt. 

Tigger and Buddy

Tigger and Buddy

I recently lost my other cat Charlie. I miss him dearly but I know that he is in a better place.

Charlie

Charlie

What do you like to do when you are not restoring and maintaining the health of pets?

Hanging out with my family and friends is my favorite things to do on my days away from work.

I also enjoy any kind of outdoor activities such as fishing. Additionally, I love finding new things to decorate the house; I like keeping things fresh and modern.

 

What do you like most about your career? 

Serving others and making a difference in the health of an animal that in turn helps the owner. I also enjoy the variety of being a veterinary technician, no two days are the same.

What is one of the more difficult aspects of your career?

Probably not a surprise to most, euthanasia is one of the more difficult aspects of being in the veterinary field. For many people their pet is not just their dog or cat, but part of the family. However usually it’s the right decision, and at least you know that they are no longer in pain and that they are now in a better place.

As an expert in your field, what advice would you give people about maintaining the health of their pets?

A lot can happen in one year, so coming to your vet once a year and every six months for those senior pets is important. At that time your animals can be examined and updated on vaccines if needed. This is the easiest way to maintain the health of your pets. Also, keeping your dogs and cats on preventatives (Heartgard, Frontline, etc.) is important. Heartworm disease is something that is preventable and usually deadly. It’s imperative that your dogs and even your cats are on a year round heartworm preventative.

What advice would you give someone looking into a career in veterinary medicine? 

It is one of the most rewarding fields, but also one of the most exhausting. It's not just playing with puppies and kittens; it is physically and mentally taxing at times, but the benefits of seeing an animal leaving the clinic happy and healthy is the best reward ever. 

Tell us about one of your favorite patients.

It’s hard to pick just one, but the first patient that comes to mind is a Goldendoodle named Izzy who moved out of state, and I no longer get to see her. She was a regular boarding patient, and I loved playing with her on her walks; there was just something about Izzy. I still miss her.

Amanda with her Fiancé, Michael

Posted In: Our Practice

Creating a Pet First Aid Kit

· Shawn Finch, DVM

Whenever you have a medical emergency, please call us or Animal Emergency Clinic and bring your pet in right away!  Here are some things we recommend having on hand to help in those first few minutes of a medical emergency…


  • Blankets – A blanket can be used for a stretcher for a large dog or to warm dogs and cats.
  • Kennel – Have a kennel available to transport small dogs and cats.
  • Leash – Have a leash on hand to lead dogs able to walk.
  • Towels – A towel can be used to warm dogs and cats and to control bleeding.
  • Bandage material – If bleeding is severe, a quick bandage for the ride to the veterinary hospital can be very helpful.
  • Bandage scissors – Have bandage scissors on hand for cutting bandage material. Kids’ safety scissors work well also.
  • Nail powder – Have nail powder on hand in case of a torn nail or a nail trimmed too short.
  • Triple antibiotic ointment – Triple antibiotic ointment is helpful for small wounds and burns – which should still be examined!
  • Muzzle – Even the nicest dog may bite if hurt! In a serious trauma, muzzle dogs before transporting them for your own safety.
  • Hemostats or tweezers – Hemostats or tweezers are helpful to have on hand to remove splinters or stingers.
  • Sterile saline eye wash – Any changes in eyes should be examined immediately. If a foreign substance has gotten into the eye, we may have you rinse the eye with sterile saline.
  • Diphenhydramine – Have diphenhydramine (the generic term for Benadryl) on hand, and call us if you think your pet may need it. Diphenhydramine is often used with acute allergic conditions such as bee sting reactions.
  • Important Phone Numbers – Have the numbers for Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals and Animal Emergency Clinic on hand so they can be accessed quickly.

Always call us at Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals before treating your pet with emergency care or medication, and we will walk you through any needed urgent treatment while you are on the way to the hospital!

Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals at 152nd and Maple (main location)

402-445-4400

Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals at 120th and Blondo

402-493-9650

Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals at 89th and Grant

402-397-4344

Animal Emergency Clinic

402-339-6232

What would you add to a pet first aid kit list?  What have been your experiences with pet emergencies?

Posted In: Our Practice

Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital has the BEST clients and patients in the world!  We also have a very kind, compassionate and knowledgeable veterinary team.  We would like to continue to introduce them to you!

Rhea Lukehart, LVT

Please meet another of our wonderful teammates, Rhea Lukehart!

Name:  Rhea Lukehart

Position:  Licensed Veterinary Technician

When did you join the Gentle Doctor team?  October 2004

Rhea and Copper Tubing! 

Tell us about the people and pets in your family.  

I have 2 older sisters, 8 nephews and nieces and 6 great nephews and nieces.  I have one dog, Copper, the love of my life, who is a Dachshund mix.  She turned 12 years old in March 2014.

Copper Dog

What do you like to do when you are not restoring and maintaining the health of pets? 

I like to go fishing and camping and to sit around campfires and to socialize with my friends.  Most of all I love hanging out with my dog Copper and taking her on walks or to the lake.

 Copper and her Bestie, Dr. Belfiore's Charlie Dog

What do you like most about your career? 

I like hanging out with animals all day and working with all of my friends.

Copper and Charlie Belfiore

What is one of the more difficult aspects of your career? 

Euthanasias.  I get so attached to our patients and clients that it is always a very emotional and difficult process for me.

As an expert in your field, what advice would you give people about maintaining the health of their pets? 

I would emphasize the importance of dental health and the effects that it has on all the other organs as animals mature.

Copper During her Acupuncture Appointment with Mom

What advice would you give someone looking into a career in veterinary medicine? 

Be aware that it is not just playing with animals all day, it is not a very glorious job at times, and it is extremely demanding but also very rewarding.

Copper's Ninth Birthday 3 Years Ago!

Tell us about one of your favorite patients. 

My very favorite patient is a Dachshund.  She is adorable and has a huge toy duck that she carries around and waddles thru treatment.  She is always wagging her tail and wanting us to play fetch with her!!  The cutest part is the duck is as big as she is!!

Posted In: Our Practice

Heartworm Prevention for Pets in Omaha

· Shawn Finch, DVM

Heartworm disease is a devastating and potentially fatal disease of dogs, cats, ferrets and other mammals.  Of all our pets, dogs are the most susceptible to heartworm disease. 

Copper and Charlie

Vet Tech Rhea's Copper and Dr. Belfiore's Charlie Paying Attention!

Heartworm disease is completely preventable.

We recommend every dog and every cat in Omaha be on Heartgard or Revolution monthly year round and that every dog be tested for heartworm yearly.

What is your heartworm prevention plan for your pets?

Do your pets like their heartworm preventative medication?

What has been your experience with heartworm disease?


Link to American Heartworm Society Website for More Information on Heartworm Disease and Prevention

More Information on Heartworm Disease and Prevention from Dr. Finch - When Was the Last Time You Saved a Life?

Posted In: Our Practice

Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital has the BEST clients and patients in the world! This is true across every one of our three locations in Omaha and our Grooming Salon. We also have a very kind, compassionate and knowledgeable veterinary team.  

Please meet another of our wonderful technicians, Brooke Campbell!

Brooke and Noodle

Brooke Doing Dental Work on Dr. Finch's Noodle the Poodle While He is Under Anesthesia

Name:  Brooke Campbell

Position:  Licensed Veterinary Technician

When did you join the Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals team?

I joined the Gentle Doctor family in July of 2012, for my externship in school. I was asked to officially join the family in September 2012 when my externship concluded.

Tell us about the people and pets in your family.

My husband and I have been together since 1997, when we were both in high school. We have two beautiful daughters, Nicole who is 15 and Chloe who is 10. We have 2 cats, Bubba and Lucky, who are 12 year old brothers. We also have 3 dogs, Coal who is 7, Bella, 3 and Kash, 2. We have 9 chickens who run around the farm.

Kash, Bella and Coal Campbell

Kash, Bella and Coal Campbell

What do you like to do when you are not restoring and maintaining the health of pets?

In my free time from work, I like to play volleyball. I love to be outdoors, hunting, fishing, camping, and spending as much time with my family as I can. I also rehabilitate a wide variety of animals to be released back into the wild.

What do you like most about your career?

The thing that I like most about my career is the fact that it is never the same day at work. There are always new and different patients with different concerns and problems. I love the fact that it is never boring at work.

What is one of the more difficult aspects of your career?

One of the more difficult aspects of my career is that we are not able to save every patient every time. There are problems that arise that we are unable to fix. We have to be understanding when sometimes we don't agree with decisions being made.

As an expert in your field, what advice would you give people about maintaining the health of their pets?

Please, please, please use preventatives. I believe strongly in using Heartgard and Frontline and brushing your pets’ teeth regularly. These preventative measures are less expensive than the treatment of the problems that arise from not using them. If I had to pick one - USE HEARTGARD!!!

What advice would you give someone looking into a career in veterinary medicine?

It is not glamorous. You have to be able to be urinated and defecated on without freaking out. It is a lot of hard work for patients who can not say "thank you" or "I feel better now." Some of the time they try to bite and scratch you. It is a lot of tears cried for patients we have met and loved along the way.

Tell us about one of your favorite patients.

I happen to have 2 favorite patients, and they both are mine.

Kash was just a puppy when I fell in love with him. He was dropped off at the Nebraska Humane Society after his previous owner could not afford to repair both of his knees, after excessive training at a very young age. Gentle Doctor did his surgery and fixed both of his legs. He has been in our family since the day after surgery, and I can't imagine life any different. 

Brooke and Kash - Love at First Sight!

Brooke and Kash, Love at First Sight!

Bella, my 3 year old yellow lab, is also another of my favorite patients.  She was hit by a car in April 2014. She has had many different surgeries to help her.  She is slowly recovering and is getting stronger every day. It makes my heart melt when I see how far she has come. 

Bella

Bella Recovering

Bella Girl

Bella and Kash

Is there anything else you would like readers to know about you or veterinary medicine?

When you take one of your pets to the veterinarian’s office, please remember that we are there to help!

Posted In: Our Practice

Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital has the BEST clients and patients in the world! We also have a very kind, compassionate and knowledgeable veterinary team. We would like to continue to introduce them to you one at a time.

Please meet another of our wonderful teammates, Whitney McKee!

Name:  Whitney McKee

Position:  Director of Support Services

When did you join the Gentle Doctor team?  May 2008

Tell us about the people and pets in your family.

My husband and I have been married since 2005. He has been the man of my dreams since I was 13 years old!

Whitney and Clayton McKee

We have a daughter named Harper who was born in May of 2011. She is the spitting image of her father. We love her to pieces!

Husker Harper!

McKee Family

We have 2 dogs, Titan and Sheeba. They are both Huskies and are shedding MACHINES!

Harper and Titan

Harper and Titan

Harper and Sheeba

We also have one cat, Clark Kent who we started "fostering" at 2 weeks of age. Needless to say, after hours and months of getting up for feedings, we fell in love and could not give him up!

What do you like to do when you are not restoring and maintaining the health of pets?

We spend a lot of time with our friends and families. During the summer we spend a lot of time at my husband's farm in Franklin, Nebraska  4 wheeling and riding our dirk bike or swimming at the lake. Harper loves the water.   

Harper and the Dirt Bike 

What do you like most about your career?

Hmmm…Hard question...I love so many things about my job. I love working with patients and educating clients. I love that I get to help animals every day. Some days are very sad, but the good days always outweigh the bad.

What is one of the more difficult aspects of your career?

Euthanasia. I have been doing this job since 2005, and I still cry at every euthanasia. I have been in our clients shoes, and I know how much hurt and pain making that decision brings. It is one of the hardest, most selfless choices you can make for your pet, and it is never an easy one.

As an expert in your field, what advice would you give people about maintaining the health of their pets?

Weight control. As a mother of two formerly overweight Huskies - Titan is down 12 pounds and Sheeba is down 20 pounds - I know the importance of keeping them at a healthy weight. They are so much happier, move more and just feel better!  But it does take work and self control on your part. I always feel bad because I know they could eat more.

What advice would you give someone looking into a career in veterinary medicine?

You learn something new every day! Veterinary medicine is always changing and growing. You are always learning. It is also a very emotionally trying job. You fall in love with pets every day, and sometimes, no matter how much we do, we can't save their lives. But there is no greater reward then helping an animal or client in need. Like I said, there are more good days than bad.

Tell us about some of your favorite patients.

Hmm...I have so many. 

My first one that comes to mind is actually in heaven now. She was this AMAZING Black Lab. She was always happy and excited to see you. As she got older, we saw her at least once a week for many different things. Every time, she was so happy and always brought a smile to your face. Her mom is one of the sweetest women in the world, and loves her dogs very much. They day she went to heaven was a hard day for all of us here at the clinic. She was a very LOVED girl!

Another one of my favorites that comes to mind is an American Eskimo. At first he was very snippy, scared and timid. But I spent a lot of time with this one. And every time he comes in now he is the most excited dog, and he truly is one of the sweetest dogs EVER!!!! He always brings a smile to my face.

The last one I will talk about is a Chow Chow. There are some dogs that just steal your heart. He was one of them. He would growl when you walked by his kennel, but on the inside he was so sweet! He would let you do anything to him - trim his nails, brush him, clean his ears - and he would just lay there. I was always excited to see him. He passed away recently, and he is dearly missed.

Posted In: Our Practice

Doris Day Animal Foundation Needs Our Help!

· Shawn Finch, DVM

The Doris Day Animal Foundation is in the home stretch--only four days to go! 

The Shop for Your Cause Voting Challenge

Please help The Doris Day Animal Foundation win $1,000 for the animals in the Shop for Your Cause Voting Challenge!  Visit SHOP FOR YOUR CAUSE to vote.

Please vote EVERY DAY and spread the word to your friends.

Doris Day

Doris Day

Doris Day is one of America's best known leading actresses and a living national treasure! She is also a huge animal advocate. Her foundation, The Doris Day Animal Foundation, has saved and enhanced the lives of countless pets in need. Both Drs. Bashara serve on the board of the Doris Day Animal Foundation, and Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital is a big supporter of Doris Day and her wonderful team of Pet Savers!

We are so impressed by all Doris Day has done in her career and even more so by all of the help she has provided to animals in need.

Winning the Challenge

If The Doris Day Animal Foundation wins the Shop for Your Cause Voting Challenge, they will win $1000 to help animals who need them!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

You can vote every day through July 2014.

Thank you so much for your help!


Posted In: Our Practice

Meet Our Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals Veterinary Team!

Our Featured Team Member:

Kelly Turley

Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital has the BEST clients and patients in the world! We also have a very kind, compassionate and knowledgeable veterinary team. We will continue to introduce them to you one at a time. 

Kelly and Dr. Jones at a Continuing Education Meeting at the Zoo

Kelly and Dr. Jones at a Continuing Education Meeting at Henry Doorly Zoo 

Please meet another of our wonderful technicians, Kelly Turley!

Name:  Kelly Turley

Position: Licensed Veterinary Technician

When did you join the Gentle Doctor team?

October 2002

Tell us about the people and pets in your family.

The Turley Family

The Turley Family

I married my best friend Bill, and we have two children, Will who was born in May 2010 and Teagan born in February of 2013!

Kelly Turley, Licensed Veterinary Technician

Abe and Teagan

Our four legged children include a Boxer named Abe, a Vizsla name Shelby, two cats, Spot and Stripe, and two horses, Legacy a four year old blind Quarter Horse and Pablo an 18 year old Quarter Horse, a 1 year old Guine Pig Nilla, and 2 Betta fish named Bruce and Blue.

Bruce the Betta

Bruce lives at the 120th and Blondo Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals where Kelly mainly works. Bruce is over 3 years old!

What do you like to do when you are not restoring and maintaining the health of pets?

My love of animals continues outside of work. Our family owns a horse boarding facility where we own horses and care for just around 50. When we are not working our horses, both my husband and I spend time at the Bennington Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department where we are both firefighters and emergency medical technicians. Being a part of the medical field and helping those in need – animals and people - have always been large parts of my life. This is something that we hope to share with our children. We also love to play sports, dance and sing.

What do you like most about your career?

I love educating pet owners about medical and behavioral problems. 

As an expert in your field, what advice would you give people about maintaining the health of their pets?

Never be afraid to call and ask questions. If we don’t have an answer, we will find it. There are no bad questions.

Kelly and Mary Review a Case

Kelly and Mary Review a Case Together

What advice would you give someone looking into a career in veterinary medicine?

I love my job! I love helping keep pets healthy and taking care of them when they are sick. Every day is different; every pet is special.

Kelly Prepares Bratty Rat for Surgery

Kelly Prepares Bratty Rat for Surgery

Kelly with Groomer Amy's Macaw Nephew!

Kelly Assisting with a Wellness Exam on Groomer Amy's Macaw Nephew

Tell us about one of your favorite patients.

This is a very tough question because after being here for so  many years I have grown to care about so many patients that I can’t just pick one. Every pet that walks though our door is like an extension of my own family, from the smallest bird to the tallest Great Dane. I love them all, and know most of them on a personal level.

Nicole and Kelly with Great Dane Sloan

Nicole and Kelly with Great Dane Sloan

Kelly Turley, Bennington Fire and Rescue, saves Yellow Lab, April 2014, KMTV - http://www.jrn.com/kmtv/news/Fire-fighters-Save-Dog-From-Burning-Home-256914861.html

Kelly and Nigel Discuss a Case

Kelly and Nigel Reviewing a Case Together

Do you have a story about a time Kelly has helped your pet? Do you have a story about working with Kelly? Thank you Kelly for allowing us to tell your story!

Posted In: Our Practice

Your Pet's Wellness Exam

· Shawn Finch, DVM

Mona Lisa loves coming to the vet!

Mona Lisa is very excited to be at the vet's! 

Do you ever wonder what goes into your pet’s physical examination when you bring your pet to Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals for wellness care? It may appear as though we pet your dog or cat…listen to his or her heart for a moment, perform whatever vaccinations or other care is needed and move on. In actuality, much more observation and interpretation goes into that examination than you may have realized…until now!

Lucy the Kitten loves coming to the vet!

Lucy Kitten contemplates. Photo courtesy of Shelby Thomas

Obtaining a Thorough History of Your Pet

We start by spending time talking with you, because…we like you! And we are honored you have brought your pet to Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals! The technician or veterinary assistant obtains a thorough history of your pet – lifestyle, diet, exercise, housemates - anything that could help us as a team provide your pet with the best possible care.

Lucy Finch loves coming to the vet!

Lucy does not mind coming to the vet if it involves picking out a toy!

The Examination Before the Examination – Spying on Your Pet 

While we discuss your pet with you, we try to not make eye contact with them, cute as they are, and we get down on his or her level (dogs) or let him or her sit in the open bottom half of the kennel (cats) and allow them to greet us. Even if we know each other, but especially if we do not, these few moments are crucial in setting a positive and non-threatening tone for your pet.

Charlie loves coming to the vet!

Charlie decided being at the vet's is actually quite fun.

Before the examination officially even starts, the veterinarian is gauging your pet’s neurological and orthopedic status – how they sit, stand and walk and how they interact with their environment.

It is All About Your Pet! Fear Free Practice at its Finest...

Next, we gauge your pet’s mood and stress level. Will an exam be less scary on the floor or the table? Will it take more time to earn trust? Should we be playful or gentle? Does your pet want to be talked to and doted on or do they want the visit over as quickly as possible?

Reese has come to love being at the vet's!

Reese and her family have done much work to make things like vet exams less scary!

Next, we will either sit on the floor or gently lift your pet onto the exam table.

Well That is a Strange Way to Pet a Pet!

We then check from head to tail, feeling for healthy skin and coat, any bumps or painful areas or other abnormalities. We check body condition – whether your pet is at an appropriate weight and how developed or atrophied the muscles are.

Dr. Jones and Max Page

Dr. Jones and Max Page share a sweet moment after acupuncture.

We feel over the neck, back, shoulders and hips, some of the more common areas for arthritis and injury, checking for pain and the ability to move well.

We pet the forehead back to check the whites of the eyes and pet the lips back to check the mouth.

Who Knew There Was So Much to be Learned from a Veterinary Oral Exam?

We inspect all the teeth, feeling for tender areas, gauging the amount of tartar present, and looking for fractured teeth, discoloration and tooth root exposure. We examine the color of the gums and gently press them to see how quickly they turn white and then turn back pink again and whether they are moist or dry. On a puppy or kitten, we check the progression of baby tooth development and replacement by adult teeth and check for a cleft palate. 

Those are some beautiful teeth Beau!

Beau being silly! Photo courtesy of Allie Scamardo

Well That’s a Cute Face…and Healthy!

We examine the rest of the face – Are the eyes clear? Is there discharge from the eyes or nose? Can they breathe well through the nose? Is everything symmetrical?

Stella the Baby Bulldog!

Stella being spoiled at the vet's. What's not to love?

We pet under the openings of both ears. If an ear infection is brewing or present, the vertical canal will almost always be tender. We turn the ear flaps inside out one at a time. We smell the ears and look for redness, discharge and excess hair. We look at the skin on the underside of the ear flap and feel if the flap itself is thicker than it should be.

Dixie Kitten has fun at the vet!

Dixie thinks the veterinary hospital is the most fun playground ever!

Moving Methodically Towards the Tail…

We feel five paired sets of external lymph nodes, mainly to see if they are bigger than they should be. The ones we routinely check are under the jaw, in front of the shoulders, in the armpits, in the inguinal area (on the inner side of the back legs near the abdomen) and behind the knees. On a cat, we will also check for abnormalities of the thyroid gland, which is a paired gland on the underside of the neck.

What a beautiful Golden!

Gracie Blisser loves being at the vet's!

We feel the abdomen to make sure organs are the right size and check for abnormal lumps or pain. We gently lift and drop the skin over the scruff to check for adequate hydration.

On a young pet, we will check the belly button and inguinal area for hernias. On a baby boy, we will check for the presence of one or both testicles in the scrotum.

Oh hi Dr. Munger's Baby Cavalier!

Dr. Munger's sweet Sophie as a pup. Photo courtesy of Greg Munger, DVM

We check the nails to make sure they are healthy and an appropriate length and check between the toes for moisture or redness.

We look at the tummy and armpits and groin area for redness or itchiness.  We pet the fur “backwards” over the head and back and sides to look for parasites (fleas, ticks or lice) and any skin abnormalities.

Stop, Look and Listen…

We listen to the cranial and caudal lung fields on both sides. We count the breaths per minute and make sure the breathing is even and clear.

We listen to the heart on the right side and the left side. We count the heartbeats per minute and determine if the rhythm is normal or abnormal and if there is a murmur and if so, what kind of murmur and how pronounced it is.

Your Pet is Perfect!

Vet Tech Becky and Loki celebrate Loki's clean bill of health!

Veterinary technician Becky and receptionist Jan's sweet Loki

Then we say “Your pet is perfect!” or “Your pet is perfect, and these abnormalities need to be addressed…” and we go from there. If need be, we continue the examination, focusing on any areas - ears, eyes, joints or whatever else - that need more attention. Only then will we take the next steps of any needed testing and treatment.

Celebrating Wellness

As your pet’s family, it is good for you to know what all goes into examining your friend. In health, but even in disease, every detail of wellness – every positive exam finding – is a detail to be celebrated.

Yay health!

Comic courtesy of "When I Grow Up, I Want to be a Vet"

This article was first published on Life with Dogs, March 26, 2012

Posted In: Our Practice
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