Posts from June 2014
Independence Day is the epitome of all that is fun and worth celebrating in the summer...unless you are a dog afraid of loud noises! Even dogs without extreme fear tend to become anxious with the fireworks and storms at this time of year. Here are some tips to help your pets through this season. Please contact us for individualized help for your pets!
The Newest Weiland, Sparrow!
Noise Fear
Dogs in general are very sensitive to sound and in general love routine. The celebrations surrounding Independence Day are VERY loud and in Omaha follow an already loud storm season filled with pressure changes to which dogs are also very sensitive. Fireworks are also unpredictable and random – which adds to the scariness for dogs.
So that is noise fear. Annoying, but manageable, right?
Noise Phobia
Some dogs have noise phobia. This is more extreme. It is like the difference between someone preferring not to be around crowds or high in the air and a full-blown shutting-down crowd or height phobia.
Noise Fear, Noise Phobia and the Rare Unaffected Dog
Some dogs are not affected at all by the loud noises of storms and fireworks. If that is your dog, now is the time to be thankful! Some dogs – maybe most – are on a scale between unaffected and phobic – somewhat fearful of the noises associated with the holiday.
Wyatt Weiland!
Noise Fear and Phobia Tips:
For those of you with dogs who ARE fearful this time of year, remember…
Do whatever it takes to keep your pets safe and to keep them as comfortable and fear-free as possible through the upcoming holiday.
Safety first!
Make sure your dogs (and cats!) are indoors – maybe even in a small room or kennel, especially if people are in and out of the home or your pets are scared. If your pets are outdoors, make sure they are on a leash or in an enclosed area. The Fourth of July is the number one day for pets to be lost.
Whatever you do, do not let your pets near the fireworks. Burns are a very real possibility. Scared/curious/happy/unsure dogs will often try to bite lit fireworks. We NEVER want you and your dogs to go through the aftermath of that.
Comfort is a close second to safety!
A tired dog is often a calm dog. Spend the week BEFORE the Fourth of July exercising them well, taking long walks when it is cool out, going swimming, whatever it takes to get their nervous energy worked out as much as possible.
Keep calm…
If you are worried your pets will be scared, they may think you are worried about the bizarre explosions. If you are calm, they will pick up on that and often reflect your calm.
…and comfort your pets!
If your pets are nervous, PLEASE comfort them! Do whatever it takes – treats, play time, holding, petting - to get them through the week and especially the night of the Fourth.
You cannot ignore or scold your dog out of a phobia or use a phobic state as a training time or reason a dog out of a full on panic…You CAN and SHOULD love and comfort your dog through a hard time.
In a panic situation, your pet is not open to a training opportunity. They are scared and in need of reassurance. So go ahead and pick them up, pet them and tell them that it is going to be ok.
Medications and Natural Aids
If need be, discuss medication with our veterinary team, especially if your dogs’ fears are extreme.
Rescue Remedy is a natural calming product that may help with noise fears and phobias.
Thundershirts
Use a Thundershirt if it helps. (It probably will). We have Thundershirts available at all three Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital locations and at the Grooming Salon. We can help you choose the correct sizes for your dogs. If you bring your dogs in with you, we will custom fit them with their Thundershirts if you would like! Remember to use your Thundershirt at normal times too, and reward your pet with treats and play time when they are wearing their Thundershirt during these times.
Pheromone Sprays – Adaptil for Dogs and Feliway for Cats
Use Adaptil if it helps. (It probably will). We have seen great examples in many different situations of this product being very calming to dogs! We can help you decide what combination of this product – spray, collar and diffuser would best help your dogs. We also have sample wipes if you would like to see if Adaptil would be helpful for your dogs!
Music is Better Than Explosions
Play classical music. We love the music available from Through a Dog’s Ear.
Obsessing about Toys is Better Than Obsessing about Scary Things
Use a Kong with a soft treat inside or a treat puzzle to keep your dog distracted.
If I Can’t Hear It, It Can’t Scare Me
Consider doggy ear muffs – Do not laugh! We have noticed that many of our older patients lose their noise fears as their hearing becomes less acute – one of the blessings of age. Any way we can muffle the sound – distraction, music, ear muffs – can be very helpful!
Containment
Keeping your dogs kenneled for safety sake will often double as a comfort to them. Unless you are concerned they may ingest it, include a favorite blanket or stuffed animal or t-shirt.
A Word About Cats…
Cats too become frightened – and much of this might apply to them, so take what you need and apply it to your poor scaredy cat too. However, cats have been practicing all year for this time – if you have set up your home to be cat friendly, each cat should have at least one high perch and one low hiding place to which to retreat if need be.
Feliway is the cat specific calming pheromone that may help cats as Adaptil helps dogs.
Feliway’s Secret Cat Message – “This is not scary. I’ve been here before.”
Adaptil’s Secret Dog Message – “This is not scary. It reminds me of when I was a nursing puppy.”
Adaptil is available as a spray and a diffuser and a collar. Feliway is available as a spray and a diffuser. We also have sample wipes if you would like to see these products would be helpful for your pets!
This Too Shall Pass
When all is said and done, reward your pets for their bravery or attempted bravery, and remind them that this celebration comes only once a year!
Griffin Weiland!
For Next Year and Beyond…
You cannot start training, Thundershirts, music and medications on July 1 and expect them to be 100% effective…You CAN and SHOULD do all of these things anyways – at least the ones that seem to help.
Do not feel bad if you have not spent the past two months preparing for this week! Dogs with phobias are often completely normal between episodes. Often dogs with noise phobias have no panic attacks between July and July, thank goodness.
Use the upcoming year to learn as much as you can so that next year storm season and Independence Day will at the worst be tolerable, and at best be boring or even enjoyable for you and your dogs.
Work with a trainer or behaviorist on counter-conditioning and desensitization. We have recommendations if you would like!
If you are independently researching trainers, be very overprotective of your pet. Do not use any methods that scare your pet, or put him or her in a panic situation of any kind. Even if your trainer does not use the word “flooding” and even if he is very charismatic and has his own TV show, if you think your pet is not enjoying training, pick him up and run home. Then call us for recommendations on a trainer or behaviorist who works solely with up to date, humane, positive-reinforcement based training methods. They are available in our area, and they are wonderful!
You may already KNOW all the things, and it is just as good as it is going to be for your dog. Think how hard it would be if he or she did NOT have you! You are doing a good job, and being near you and having you help them through firework season IS comforting.
Rumor Weiland!
Happy Independence Day!
God Bless America!
A Great Resource about Noise Phobias:
Thunderphobia by Eric Goebelbecker on Pawcurious, June 15, 2010
Some of these tips were first published on Life with Dogs, July 2, 2012, Getting Through the Fireworks, by Shawn Finch, DVM
Some of these tips were first published on Riley and James, July 1, 2013, Happy Hide Under the Bed Day, and May 31, 2010, Scared on the Fourth of July by Shawn Finch, DVM
Thank you to Alicia Weiland for the pictures of your family's great dogs!
Thank you to Kelly Turley, Licenced Veterinary Technician for your help with this post!
Five Important Facts about Leptospirosis and Dogs in Omaha
1
Lepto – What?
Leptospirosis is a bacteria that thrives in standing water. Leptospirosis is transmitted mainly through the urine of infected mammals. Infection with leptospirosis causes kidney and liver problems, abdominal pain and sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. Leptospirosis is a danger to many mammals including humans, dogs, rats, raccoons and skunks.
2
Leptospirosis is in Omaha
Leptospirosis is a fairly common disease in Omaha. We have seen cases in many of our canine patients at Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals.
3
Leptospirosis is a Concern in People and Dogs
Not only can leptospirosis make our canine friends very sick, it is also a danger to people. We can contract leptospirosis directly from urine or through exposure to the same water as our dogs.
4
Cats and Leptospirosis
Cats are not susceptible to the effects of leptospirosis and do not need to be vaccinated against leptospirosis.
5
Leptospirosis is Preventable
Leptospirosis disease is treatable, but it has the potential to cause painful and debilitating symptoms, can be dangerous to other dogs and humans and can even be fatal. Effective vaccines are available to prevent leptospirosis in dogs. We recommend that all of our canine patients who can safely be vaccinated receive the leptospirosis vaccine.
Have you dealt with leptospirosis with your pets? Are your dogs up to date on their leptospirosis vaccinations? If you live beyond Omaha, is leptospirosis a concern in your area?
Dr. Finch's husband Russ with their lab mix, Joy the Puppy
Meet Our Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals Veterinary Team!
Our Featured Team Member:
Becky Christ, Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT)
Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital has the BEST clients and patients in the world! We also have a very kind, compassionate and knowledgeable veterinary team!
Please meet another one of our wonderful technicians, Becky Christ!
Becky with Receptionist Jan's Loki Dog
Name: Becky Ann Christ
Position: Licensed Veterinary Technician
When did you join the Gentle Doctor team? I joined the Gentle Doctor team in 2008. I have been a veterinary technician since 1999.
Tell us about the people and pets in your family.
I have a six year old daughter, Hailey Marita. I am married to Buck. We have been together for twenty-two years! We have 3 cats, Lucas (Luke), Hommie and Ching Ching. We are also fostering to adopt a Taysia Blue Siberian Husky Rescue dog, Savannah.
Savannah of Taysia Blue Siberian Husky Rescue
What do you like to do when you are not restoring and maintaining the health of pets?
I enjoy spending time with my family and animals, fishing, reading with my daughter and watching movies. Spring is here so we will get to do some gardening now.
Becky with Memphis of Taysia Blue Siberian Husky Rescue
What do you like most about your career?
Everything! I am most passionate about end of life care.
I worked at the Nebraska Humane Society when I was just starting out in my career, and I think it has made me appreciate that human - animal bond in a different way.
Being there for a family and their beloved pet that is going to be crossing the Rainbow Bridge is so important to me for so many reasons. Empathy is a strong trait of mine, and I feel that though I can not always make this time easier, I can be there with the family and pet to walk through this final good-bye.
What are some more difficult aspects of your career?
One of the more difficult aspects of my career is working with aggressive animals that do not understand that we are trying to help them. Once we have bonded with an animal when they are scared, it makes a world of difference.
Another difficult aspect of my career is when people are not able to afford treatment for their pets’ care, medications and preventatives. I understand what this feels like, and my heart goes out to clients in this situation.
As an expert in your field, what advice would you give people about maintaining the health of their pets?
Wellness examinations are essential. Catching a developing issue before it becomes a serious problem can be life saving. Trying to reverse illness or dental disease is much more difficult than preventing it. The veterinary staff is there to help you to maintain the good health of your pet. We have the resources that an owner needs to prevent many illnesses, and can guide a family through different issues that may arise.
What advice would you give someone looking into a career in veterinary medicine?
Do it because you love it, not because you want to be wealthy. This is my passion, what I have wanted to do since I can remember. Even though life has thrown me obstacles along the way, I am still loving what I do and wouldn't give it up for anything.
Tell us about a few of your favorite patients.
My own cat Hommie is one of my favorite patients! Hommie has feline asthma that is well controlled with medication. He also had extensive dental work done here at Gentle Doctor last year because of severe stomatitis, which is common in cats, though not usually as extreme as Hommie's case! He ended up having a full mouth extraction and even a feeding tube at one time during his illness. He recovered wonderfully and is pain free and doing great!
Becky's Cat Hommie
TJ Hannah is one of my very favorite patients, and I dearly love his Mom. TJ always gives me hugs and enjoys seeing me no matter what his appointment is for - usually anal glands!
Another of my favorite patients has recently passed away, Taysia, the founding dog of Taysia Blue Siberian Husky Rescue. She was a tough ol’ gal, full of spirit, the boss in her pack. What she stood for was amazing, and the legacy that she leaves behind is something for the story books. Her family loved her so much, and she had become a staple in our community. I hope she is running with the pack over the Rainbow Bridge.
Taysia Blue
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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 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 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.
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.
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!
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.
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
Every month at Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals we choose a breed to highlight online. Sometimes we choose the breed of the month based on rescue groups we love, sometimes we choose the breed of the month based on the pets we have in our own families and sometimes we choose the breed of the month because, in our professional opinions, the breed we have chosen to celebrate is just a great breed!
Meet Mrs. Brisby, our inspiration for our Breed of the Month this month!
Mrs. Brisby is a one year old spayed female calico Scottish Fold Cat. She is the sweetest and most beautiful thing we have ever known in a several way tie. Last summer Mrs. Brisby broke her leg and had to wear an external splint while it healed. She has recovered quite nicely.
Joining the Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals Breed of the Month Online Conversation:
Make sure to join us on whatever online forum you like best –
or right here on our blog in the comment section of this post. What questions do you have about Scottish Fold Cats? What do YOU love about Scottish Folds? Let us know why YOUR Scottish Fold is great! Send us your pictures, your health questions and your stories. We are looking forward to this month with you!