The Rainbow Bridge

Reggie was a happy-go-lucky golden doodle that brought smiles to everyone and everywhere he went. He was always a calming presence, and well known by the entire community. He had been a fantastic older dog-brother to “Henry", and they loved to go running on a trail with their family, not far from home.

The story about Henry joining Reggie’s family is a story in and of itself: Reggie’s family had a friend, a young girl, who had especially loved Reggie and his happy aura. She loved him so much so, that when she was tragically diagnosed with cancer, she asked Reggie's family if she could adopt a doodle just like him, and if they could care for him after she’s gone. They agreed and she went on to adopt Henry. Some time later this sweet girl sadly passed, and Henry moved in and Reggie became the best older brother to Henry. They played so well together and Reggie showed him all the ropes of being a good dog!

Months later, Reggie became ill and after a workup with his veterinarian, they discovered that he had cancer. Reggie was becoming progressively weak and painful, and the family knew it was time to help him. They gave us a call and I came out to their house to help Reggie cross The Rainbow Bridge...However, we did not stay at their house. His family had decided that it would be best if we went to Reggie’s favorite place, the trail that he had run on with his mom, dad, and Henry numerous times. We packed his favorite toys and blankets, and his family and I drove just a few minutes to the running trail.

This trail was a beautiful place - pink crushed gravel crunched underfoot, surrounded by green grasses and trees, and just a ways up the trail there was a wooden bridge with a stream underneath. This was the place. We laid out his blanket and toys as he sniffed around, gave him his favorite snack (chicken nuggets), and as Reggie became sleepy, one of his family read him a poem as the stream trickled in the background.

Reggie got to go to heaven in his favorite place, with his favorite people, and his favorite things. In the end, they commented on how the special girl with cancer that forever touched them, now lucked out as Reggie was with her. They were glad to know he already had a friend in heaven waiting for him.

Being a mobile vet and providing in-home care has allowed me to experience some very special moments. There are so many benefits of home euthanasia:

1. Pets are naturally most comfortable at home and their favorite places- with familiar sights, sounds, smells…There is nothing like home!

2. Bonded pets are able to be there for the pet that is crossing over. Time and time again we see firsthand how important it is for bonded pets to be there to say goodbye and get some closure when a family pet passes. Pets grieve and feel just like we do.

3. Being at home allows you to create meaningful surroundings for your pet and family, such as how Reggie’s family said goodbye on his favorite running path, with family by his side.

4. You and your family will be most comfortable at home too! Being at home, also allows you and your family have more privacy and time to say goodbye in the most meaningful way

5. In home euthanasia is painless. You won’t have to move or stress your aged, painful pet. We will come to you, give your beloved pet pain & sedative medications first, to ensure a comfortable, pain free passage.

I was inspired by this family and the thought they put into Reggie’s send-off. They thought of so many details of his favorite things and brought them all together for his Day. Reggie was undoubtedly a loved dog and I’m humbled to have been a part of his story.

We were featured in a recent article! Bow-Wow!

Check it out:

http://newnorthb2b.com/creature-comfort-care/

A Memorial to "Jasper": Rescued from a puppy mill in Arkansas...his story is a miracle!

󾬓 "Jasper" was rescued by a wonderful family, from the back hills of Arkansas where there was a huge puppy mill, and all the dogs lived in utter muck.  There was no human socialization, the dogs bred to each other and weekly carcasses and wonder bread were thrown over the fence to them.   "Jasper" and his fellow dog friends were in real trouble when a drought hit AK.  Many didn't make it and died, the rest of the dogs that did were stunted in growth due to malnourishment.  All were fearful of humans, not knowing humans can be loving.  Thankfully the authorities found out and did something to help.  

Here is his story as told by his family:

"Jasper was born on the bad end of town.  
His father died young.  His mother was drowned.

The boneyard were Jasper and other dog's lived on the puppy mill

Jasper sired babies year after year.  He lived back on a mountain with pain and in fear.  

When Jasper was rescued!

Jasper got rescued around about two.  He came to Wisconsin.  He ate, slept and grew.

He learned about loving and trusting and treats.  He ran in the fields.  He got walks down the streets.

Until he lost battles to cancer and age.  Then he howled in pain.

So we gave him a leg up to a place with relief.  Now he’s playing in heaven and resting in peace  󾀍
RIP little guy. We love you and miss you!"

No bones about it...Osteosarcoma is a bad bone cancer :(

Meet Keres, this gorgeous 6 year old girl will steal your heart!   Here is her story, valiantly Battling Bone Cancer.

There is no way to sugar coat it… this cancer is very aggressive and, pun intended, Bad to the Bone.  As a veterinarian, I hate seeing this cancer, it has classical, recognizable manifestations, and it breaks my heart to give such bad news.  

Here are the characteristics: 

• Osteosarcoma tends to affect larger breed dogs
• It is very aggressive and painful
• It is a more common type of cancer affecting bones in the dog: accounting for ~85% of bone cancers
• It affects all ages; I’ve personally seen 2 year old dogs with it and 12 year old dogs.  When it is seen in younger dogs, it tends to be even more aggressive!

When Keres began limping on her right rear leg, her family thought she must have tweaked it.  After a few days, the limping persisted, so her family gave her an anti-inflammatory, and she improved.   However, after stopping the anti-inflammatory, the limp was back & to make matters worse, her leg was quite swollen. 

Its at this point that the family called to us to examine Keres.  This beautiful girl was perky & bright, but clearly not comfortable in her leg- she wasn’t able to place any weight on it and was even guarding it from the other pets in the home. Her knee was not only very swollen, but warm to the touch.  This was a dog-gone ouchy leg!

Normal knee 

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Very swollen knee (a different patient that Keres with bone cancer)

It can also affect the front legs, here are some pictures of the carpus (wrist area) with osteosarcoma:

Normal front leg carpus (wrist area) on a dog

Front leg carpus affected by osteosarcoma on a dog

Xrays were the next step in investigating what was going on with her knee. 

Normal dog knee and femur

Keres knee: The femur (bone in the upper half) has a fuzzy appearance around the bone with varying shades in the bone itself

Here are things to take notice of in the xrays:

• Often times, xrays are all that is needed to diagnose bone cancer
• The bone/s affected with cancer have a typical “moth eaten” or “sun burst” appearance
• The cortical bone- the white outer part is the strongest part of the bone (looks like a straight line in the normal bone).  In the cancer affected bone, we can see how the cortical bone has been affected, and it really affects the integrity of the bone, making it much easier to break (pathologic fracture)
• The osteosarcoma doesn’t not cross the joint space
• Usually the osteosarcoma is seen “away from the bones in the elbow area, but towards bones in the knee area.  It can also affect other bones, like those in the jaw, ribs, etc.

Once Keres’ had xrays, it was apparent that cancer was confirmed.  Osteosarcoma is presumed to be the type of cancer affecting her bones, at it is the most common bone tumor in dogs.  The way to be sure would be a bone biopsy (but this would further decrease the strength strength of the bone as we are taking out a chunk of it).  Or if amputation is chosen, the bone could be biopsied after that.

As important as what to do next, is how to control the intense pain caused by osteosarcoma.  Here are some common pain control options: 

• Keres, like most dogs with this type of cancer are extremely painful, despite pain relievers. 
• The best way to combat the pain is with several pain relievers, that work differently in the body, so as to create more comprehensive pain control.  Currenlty Keres is on tramadol, melixocam (an anti-inflammatory), and gabapentin.
• Another good options is to remove the source of cancer and affected bone: Amputation.  It may sound barbaric, but many dogs with bone cancer seem much more comfortable after removing that painful bone, and adjust quite well as a tripod.

Keres family elected amputation, but before considering amputation, it is a good idea to stage the cancer, or see if there is evidence of cancer elsewhere in the body.  Kere’s had xrays of her chest cavity and lungs, as well as rest of her body and bloodwork (to screen for organ dysfunction, evidence of cancer, etc).  Keres’ bloodwork was normal;  However elevations in ALKP have been found to have shorter survival times.  Thankfully Keres did NOT have evidence of cancer elsewhere in the body and her ALKP was normal!  Woo Hoo!  BUT, due to the aggressive nature of this cancer, it is common to have microscopic metastasis that may not be seen on X-rays.  She did well in surgery and immediately seemed more comfy with having that cancer-affected leg removed!

Keres day 1 post-amputation.  The family noticed her immediately more comfortable!

You may be wondering, what is the prognosis & options for treatment for dogs like Keres?   I always recommend a consult after a cancer diagnosis with a veterinary oncologist- they have the most up to date info on potential new therapies.  Here are some stats and options:

• The average survival for dogs who do not receive chemotherapy is 4-5 months from the initial diagnosis reagardless of amputation (but as noted earlier, it usually makes pets so much more comfortable living without that painful leg)
• Younger dogs affected with this type of cancer tend to have shorter survival times and more aggressive cancer.  Keres is 6 years old, so right in the middle.
• Chemotherapy is really the only way to significantly lengthen the life expectancy.  The chemo tends to be at intervals, and ~ 8 days in total; the protocols for pets don’t usually create as dramatic of side effects as what we see in people and hair loss is not seen. 
• There are potentially “limb sparing” options, which are more complicated-- where the affected (tumorous) bone in the leg is removed and replaced with a a bone graft or osteogenesis; these options work best for front leg tumors.
• Radiation can be helpful for pain control and noticeably helps with 2/3 of cases. 

Some veterinary schools have funding available to study trials.  Keres family is considering enrolling her in a clinical research study (http://uwveterinarycare.wisc.edu/clinical-studies/oncology/) 

Keres family is also trying some homeopathic options, including flaxseed and molasses.  None have been proven to help with osteosarcoma, but Keres family does think they are helping!  

Complications are so important to consider with this type of cancer as they can be tragic... I’ve seen both of these first hand…

• Pathologic bone fractures can occur.  I have seen pets break bones falling down stairs or tripping-- this makes them so much more painful!
• Excessive licking of the affected bones or even self mutilation (it really hurts!)

As I write this, Keres is still doing well.  We send lots of love and hugs out to Keres and any other dogs going through this!    If you have any more questions, please feel welcome to contact Dr. Christina.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM), An UN-Nerving Disease. Here is Oliver's story:

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Here is bright-eyed & still-spry super senior 12 year old “Oliver”.  Nearly a year ago, he was diagnosed with Degenerative myelopathy (AKA DM). 

DM is a slowly progressive, neurodegenerative disease that affects the spinal cord and thus a dog's ability to walk.  Although not exactly the same as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, it has similar manifestations.  It is caused by a DNA mutation and there is a DNA saliva test to screen for this mutated gene.  On a structural level, myelin, which surrounds the nerve fibers & carries signals to the muscles of the body, degenerates and this results in a lack of coordination and communication so the nerve’s signals to move are not “heard” by the muscles.  It typically begins in the mid to lower spinal cord, and progresses up.  Visually, progressive weakness & lack of coordination of the hind legs is noticed first: toe scuffing when walking (wearing of the toe nail tops), dragging rear feet, unsteady gait, etc.  In time, muscle atrophy (weakness), and paralysis of the hindlegs occurs.  Many pets also become incontinent.  It will eventually move upwards along the spinal cord can eventually affect the muscles that innervate the chest cavity and thereby affects breathing and front limb muscles.  Most pets are euthanatized before this occurs, and most within by 12 months of initial diagnosis-- but Oliver is defying the majority...and hopefully your pet will too!

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Oliver’s timeline of DM Progression:  Here is Oliver’s progression, but keep in mind each situation is different, based upon rate of progression and where the degeneration first began. 

-11 months ago: Oliver was showing signs of hind leg weakness, it seemed like the Left rear leg was weaker than the Right in general

-8 months ago: Oliver became paralyzed in his hindlegs.  He would still “push” or paddle with his back paws occasionally

-7 months ago: Oliver’s family began acupuncture and chiropractic therapy- doing 2 sessions of each monthly

-6 weeks ago: Oliver began defacating more in the house, right now it is a few times a week that he will have an accident.  He has only had a few urinary accidents.

-2 weeks ago: Oliver’s family decided to get him a cart- it is currently being made.  He stills wants to run and be active, so hopefully the wheelchair will be a great way for him to continue to do the things he loves!

Oliver still loves to be engaged mentally- he loves his treats and chasing bunnies outside.  His family supports him with a sling and tries to encourage him to use his legs as much as possible.  He loves massage & his mom gently does range of motion on his legs.  He still goes for walks daily, and is known to pull his mom (as she holds his back legs up in a sling) as he chases after bunnies!

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Fortunately, dogs with DM do not appear to be in pain, however because there is weakness in muscle groups, it can cause strain on the healthy muscles and joints, so joint supplements and arthritic pain control, as well as massage & chiropractice care may be helpful. 

Unfortunately no treatment has been shown to reverse the signs, but one study concluded:

“affected dogs which received physiotherapy remained ambulatory longer than did animals that did not receive physical treatment.” 

By keeping the nerves stimulated & maintaining muscle mass as much as possible, progression may be slowed & quality of life maintained.  In Oliver's situation, and as a veterinarian, I am impressed with how much quality of life, muscle tone, and function he has maintained.  Here is a list of helpful ideas:                                                      

1. Exercise such as walking and swimming should be encouraged
2.  Keep your pet mentally engaged as much as possible & learn to play interactive games with them
3. Gentle passive range of motion exercises can be so helpful in keeping the joints lubricated
4. Easy, partially or completely supported balance drills:  This can be done on grass or other soft surface, with a slight deviation in the ground surface to encourage balance (a treat to focus on with these exercises is a great way to encourage participation from your furry friend!)
5. Booties over the toes may be helpful to prevent them from further scuffing
6. Acupuncture, which encourages stimulation of the nerves, has been shown to help slow down progression
7. Use carpet runners, ramps, etc to allow for extra grip on slippery floors
8. Make sure soft bedding is available, and that you are rotating your pet frequently to stave off pressure sores
9. Urine leaking and bowel control are common as paralysis sets in, close attention to this & aiding in cleaning your pet is important
10. Once the dog reaches the non-ambulatory state, pressure sores, urine leaking, and loss of bowel control are likely to occur—so close attention to cleaning the surroundings and your pet are needed

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Breast Cancer Awareness: Important to Examine Dogs and Cats too!

"Po" and "Dro", 15 year old furry sisters, rocking their pink do's in honor of breast cancer awareness month!

Meet 15 year old sisters “Po” and “Dro”!  These furry gals have died their locks for Breast Cancer Awarness.  Their mom knew the pink fur would be a great conversation starter, whether out on a walk or in the nursing home doing therapy for senior citizens.  Po and Dro’s mom is a breast cancer survivor herself.  Although we often think of human’s with breast cancer, this is a great time to remember that pets can also be afflicted with this type of cancer.  My first patient with it, was actually a MALE cat (by the way, male humans can also get breast cancer).  Its important to get your furry loved one for lump, including those along the mammary glands- there are 8-10 mammary glands on cats and dogs (males and females).   If you feel a lump, talk to your vet about it and have it examined & to see if testing is warranted.  On average, ~ 50% of mammary tumors are malignant (Cancerous) in dogs while approximately 90% are malignant in cats.  Prevention is always best- an easy way to decrease the risk of breast cancer in dogs or cats is to spay females at an early age, preferably before their first heat cycle.  With people and with pets, early detection is key to a successful outcome, and thats something to HOOOWWWWLLLLLL & Meow about 😊

Kids & Pet Loss

10 year old Skylar with her beloved “Boo Bear”, a picture from when she was younger.

“Love begins at home and its not how much we do…but how much love we put in that action”

— Mother Teresa

Most adults have been through the loss of a pet before, or other experiences with death and dying.  But for many children, the loss of a beloved pet may be their first experience with death.   Their experience will likely forever shape and affect them, making this experience very important.    

We may want to protect kids from this painful experience but that may actually do more harm that good.  Kids will look to us, in word and action, for guidance and support in understanding and mourning the loss of a special pet.  Think about your past experiences with losing a pet- those experiences truly stay with us forever!  Was there something you wish was done differently?  Do you carry any resentment about it?  It is never too late to develop skills and healthy approaches for yourself—this will also enhance your child’s ability to deal with this kind of deep loss.

My best friend growing up was my dog, “Tinker”.  Tinker was the best!  She was a small mini-schnauzer, with a big personality!  Her presence and company filled so many memories of my childhood.  When Tinker died, it was one of the hardest things I remember about my childhood.  I was in 2nd grade at the time, and to this day, it brings tears to my eyes.  Tinker died naturally at home.  I don’t remember many of the details of her passing, but I vividly remember afterwards: Wrapping her in the most beautiful garment we had, digging a hole, covering her body with flowers from the backyard, and planting a peony over her grave site.   The initial days that followed were full of grief.  I remember crying so hard that I could hardly breathe and my face was so puffy and red.   My mom let me stay home from school on one of the days, which was unheard of for my sister and I.  To this day, those memories are raw and I have sometimes feel slightly guilty for feeling more emotion over missing my dog than other passed on relatives, but it is a reflection of the closeness of the relationship I had with Tinker.

This is a beautiful picture made by Keagan in honor of his pet “Opie”.  He is on the left of the picture, the heart in the middle is his love for Opie, and Opie is on the right side.  The top image is of me (Dr. Christina) in my vehicle as I came to his home to help Opie peacefully pass on at home.

As the “adult”, how can we help our younger ones?  Here are some pointers: 

- Talk through what they will likely see and feel & Show your feelings.  Your children will look up to you to model grief, and it is helpful for them to see they are not grieving alone.  Understand that you will feel a pleuthra of emotions, and so will your child.   Be available for this to discuss their questions and feeling.  This pertains to everything from natural death, the decision to euthanatize, as well as the grief they will experience afterwards.  Don’t expect your veterinarian to do this, or place blame on your veterinarian (or animal caretaker) for your pet’s condition.  Your vet can help with explaining the process but your children will likely have more questions and will need your guidance.   

-       Choose your words carefully and make sure your child understands what “dying” means.  Explain that the pet’s body “stopped working” & make sure your child knows the pet has died and is not coming back.  The general concept of death is likely not new for kids, but they may not understand the finality of it. For children, usually by 10 years they understand that death is final and all living things eventually die, but for younger children, they may not understand this concept.  Depending on your beliefs, it may be helpful to discuss the concept of a soul & what you believe will happen after.  Use words like Death and Dying, not “putting him to sleep” or “the pet went away”.  If there is misunderstanding, children may look for the pet lifelong, have a fear of sleeping, or grow in resentment as they eventually discover what happened.

-       Give your children the option to be present and say goodbye. One of my mentors told me that kids “dose themselves” with grief.  I have found this to be absolutely true, and really a wonderfully helpful tactic.   Some children may want to be present, others not.  Many kids will choose to be present to some of the experience, and quickly drift off to some other activity, and likely return again.  I find this to be an important concept in the grieveing process for adults too- they emotions may be so strong that sometimes its helpful to take a mental siesta if that feels right, and you can’t force emotions.  Children may have a lot of question and curiosity as well, and it may even feel disturbing to some extent to answer all of them, but it is important to do so.  You may not have the answers to all of their questions, and it is ok to tell them this. 

Skylar with her beloved “Boo Bear”, showing some of her favorite pictures of him that she put in a memory book before he passed on.

-       Make sure your child knows this was not their fault.  Many children will wonder if the pet’s illness and death would have been avoided if they had done something better.  

-       Expect that your child will likely act differently as they grieve.  Appetite, sleep habits, participation in activities, ability to focus, irritability level, etc are all common changes.  Kids will look up to us as role models for how to respond. 

-       Let kids participate in a ritual after the pet has passed, to help them cope with the loss.  This may be as simple as holding a ceremony for the pet, drawing a picture, writing a poem, making a memory book, planting something for the pet, taking time to remember special memories, etc.  Have books and resources on hand to help them if needed.

-       Children need support from others: Tell those that work closely with your children about the loss.  This includes teachers, day care providers, other caregivers, family, parents of close friends, etc.  Often children will act differently after the loss of a pet (just like we do!), and this will help explain the change in behavior.

Skylar write “Boo we love you” 10 times, along with flowers and a memory book on a special table made for “Boo” as he was nearing the end of life.  Upon asking her about the significance of 10 times, she says “because it is the 10th day of the month” J

After Boo Bear’s passing, Skylar told me “Boo is on his way to Heaven and is going to watch over us, and tell us he loves us”.  I often feel I have much to learn from kids!  They look to us so much for modeling how to grieve and for support, but often they offer such innocence and wisdom.  Untainted by life, some of the most profound words come from the breath of a child.   Dr. Suess once said “Adults are just outdated children”, what a good reminder for to us for our mindset in dealing with our pets and kids!

What have your experiences been?  

“Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.

”

— Charles R. Swindoll

Is it beneficial to have other pets present during euthanasia?

"Louie" the puggle and "Jake" were the best of friends and often slept together.  Here "Louie" lays next to "Jake", right after he passed on.

Many families ask me if their other pets should be present for the process of euthanasia.  As a housecall veterinarian, I have experienced first hand how compassionate euthanasia can be (euthanasia means “good death”) for the pet that is ailing, but also how intimate time is for the family and companion pets. 

In most situations, companion pets should be allowed to be present during the process of euthanasia.  Furthermore, companion pets should ALWAYS be allowed to be present AFTER the ailing pet has passed on. 

I often tell families that companion pets’ grieve uniquely, like people do.  Some companion pets want to be present, some don’t.  Some companion pets want to come and go throughout the process- this is ok too.  Some companion pets will need more TLC after the other pet has passed.  What is important is that you give them the freedom to be there (if appropriate) and that you understand that they will grieve too.  It really does help give them closure, just like it does for us!

I have heard countless stories from families on having the companion pets present has been a positive experience and how conversely, not allowing them to be present can result in unsettling behavioral changes.   One family described how their bonded pet looked for the deceased pet for literally 5 years.  “Dill” and “Pickles” were a sibling pair of cats, adopted as kittens from the shelter.  When “Pickles” became too ill to bear, the family took him to the vet clinic, without his brother “Dill”, the family witnessed “Dill” calling for “Pickles” every day “on a daily basis he would walk the home, meowing at the top of his lungs, it was awful”.   Not only were they grieving, but so was the companion pet, “Dill”, and unfortunately he did not have the closure of knowing what happened to “Pickles”.  This situation is not uncommon when other pets are not able to be present during the process.

What are some reasons not to have companion pets present?  Foremost, if they don’t want to be present, don’t force them.   Another reason is if he companion pet is disruptive—often times, I see this with a younger pet, that really just wants to play or have all your attention, or mine as the new person in the home.  In these instances, the other pet should be left in another room until the euthanasia process is over, then let them have some time to smell and be with the deceased pet. 

The other element to remember is that the companion pets likely new their friend was ill, perhaps even before you or your family may have know.  I’m always amazed at how keenly aware pets are- in tune with our emotions and needs.  Pets often hide signs of pain or illness and display subtle behavior changes (which may go unnoticed by us humans for a period of time).  Make no doubt that your companion pets probably knew about these changes long before we did.  Many times too, they may act differently towards a pet ailing and towards the end of their life, and may even give the ailing pet more space.  Do not ignore these signs.

What are your experiences?  We would love hear about them.   I find it so helpful to share experiences with others and encourage you to do so.   Most experiences are unique and are always beneficial to others going thru the same process.  You will probably be helping others who may be going through a difficult time.

Acupuncture Therapy- Before and After

Cirrus is a beautiful boy, who has gotten to enjoy lots of activity & competition throughout his life.  His spirit to run and play is still strong, however he has some elbow arthritis that really gets in the way!   Here is Cirrus before and after acupuncture.  Big thanks to his family, Jody Hergert-Andresen from Pawsitive Directions for documenting this!

Al is Ticked off! Its time for a Timely talk about Ticks

As I write this blog, it is a balmy 43 degrees outside.  The snow finally all melted just a few days ago, birds are starting to chirp again, and the grass is starting to change from completely brown in color to signs intermittent shades of green.   All this to say: Spring is finally here!...and so are the bugs :(

Al, one of Dr. Christina's favorite K9 friends & Creature Comfort Care LLC mascot, was unfortunately kissed by multiple ticks yesterday.  And if you know anything about ticks, when they "kiss", they literally attach to the pet.  They lay down a cement- like substance that adheres to the top layers of the skin.  They don't like to let go until they've sucked out enough blood to engorge themselves like a plump raisin: YUCK!  

As if that weren't bad enough, ticks can transmit lots of bad diseases thru their saliva, such as Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, and more!   When the vampire- like tick attaches to a pet, it sucks blood; As the tick gets full, it often regurgitates and some of its' saliva into the pet and this is how ticks can transmit diseases.  

As a veterinarian, I've seen multiple pets die painfully from tick bourne diseases and the ramifications from them.  So get apply tick preventative (most are monthly, topical treatments) now, and go thru December or when we have a  hard freeze.  If you know you have a high incidence of ticks by where you live or if you like to go up North with your pups, it is best to get them vaccinated for Lyme disease.  

If your dog has a tick an embedded tick, best to get some gloves on before handling the nasty bug.  Next, clean the area with rubbing alcohol and use tweezers to get as close to the skin as possible.  Pull up and out with even pressure; don't squeeze of twist the tick, as doing this may "tick off the tick" and cause it to regurgitate saliva, or the head of the tick may fall off all together and be left behind in the pet.   

If your pet has been bitten by a tick, it is best to tell your veterinarian- they will likely recommend a blood test to screen for tick transmitted diseases.  Lyme disease, one of the most well know tick transmitted diseases can causing joint soreness, fever, kidney damage, and all around causes pets' to feel painful and "Bla".  

Tired of ticks already!

One of the embedded ticks on Al's neck 

Al taking a ride in the Creature Comfort mobile!

Full Moon FEVER!

I firmly believe that in the unwritten rule of what I like to call “Full Moon Fever”:  Weird things happen on full moons.   The calls typically increase and overall the clinic (or house call service) is consistently busier.  Furthermore, usually there is an increase of oddities—including pet behavior and medical cases.  In fact, I plan my vacations around avoiding full moons!  I spoke with a fellow colleague in the animal industry and she said her friend, whom is a dispatcher with the local police, staffs heavier around full moons.  ALL of my friends and colleagues also agree that this is an epidemic phenomenon. 

There is a big, beautiful, full moon out tonight.  This week has been a very busy one, supporting my theory of “full moon fever”.  This got me thinking…is there any research supporting this? 

In 2007, an 11-year retrospective study by Colorado State University (1992-2002) Veterinary Medical Center supported an increase in veterinary visits on full moons: 23 percent higher for cats, and 28 percent higher for dogs.   Another study published in the British Medical Journal cites twice as many people visited emergency rooms with animal bites during full moons.

“Tawana (Animal caregiver and Medical Coordinator at the Oshkosh Humane Society, right lower) and her dog “Matilda” wear makeshift hats to reflect the full moon luminosity in hopes of avoiding any of it effects.”

Unfortunately, the exact reason why the “full moon effect” is still unknown.  Some researchers think pet behavior may be more precarious during a full moon because it is brighter outside and they are simply spending more time outside or awake at night when the moon is brighter.

Beyond out pets, nature and wild animals have demonstrated documented changes during full moons.  For example, a species of coral has a light-sensitive gene, becomes more active during full moons. A study done in 2006 discovered that prey animals are more apt to stay in a safe place during full moons because the increased amount of light makes it easier for predators to see them. Wild wolves are also less active during a full moon, probably because there are less prey animals moving around to hunt.

This leads to the question of “Why do animals act differently during a full moon?”  I believe this answer may have cross over to the human species as well.  Here are a few possible answers:  Increased Light, Activity, and communication by pet’s when there is a Full Moon: 

Many families acknowledge that their dogs’ bark more during a full moon—I suspect it is because there is more light. More light means they see more aware in general, of their surroundings—and your pet may notice more things, and want to alert you to it, such as a mouse outside scurrying away.  Beyond this, sometimes that increase in light alters our sleep pattern (I can personally attest to this!), and our pets’ may be affected as we. 

Even though the jury is still debating on supplying the research and establishing the cause on the “Full Moon Effect”, I’m going to closely adhere to my experience and will try to leave extra time open on my busy schedule to take more calls during a full moon.  Sometimes I even feel like howling…”HOOOOWWWWWLLLLLLL!” 

 Wells RJ, Gionfriddo JR, Hackett TB, et al. Canine and feline emergency room visits and the lunar cycle: 11,940 cases (1992-2002). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2007;231(2):251-253.

Becoming "AWARE": Recognizing Pain in Pets

Once I had a house call to a family whose dog could no longer get up, and hadn't been up for several days.  The family told me that they didn't think he was in pain because he still wagged his tail and wasn't yelping or whining in pain.  When I went over there, I found a sweet old labrador retriever, who wagged, but was in terribly rough shape  With towels around him, the strong smell of urine made it difficult to breathe, and it was clear he had not been moved from this spot for several days.  When I lifted his skinny rear legs (skinny because he had bad arthritis for a long time and the muscles had atrophied from not using them much) that was moist from urine, he winced, and he had such bad sores on his leg that there was bone exposure over his hip.  This immediately brought tears to my eyes.  This dog was definitely in pain- and had been for a long time.  

Unfortunately this experience is not unique, but thankfully most cases are not this severe.  It is nearly on a daily basis, however, that I find great pets owners missing obvious signs of pain.  Furthermore, our pets often HIDE signs of pain, and often that tail continues to wag because they love us so incredibly much.  The question remains: Why is it so difficult to recognize in our beloved pets?  

I believe the answer to this question is multifactorial-- Although most of us spend more time with our pets than our bestest of friends, the truth is that it can be difficult to recognize pain, after all they don't speak English, and come to terms with the fact that our pets may be in pain.  

It is so important to become pain AWARE.  This is an acronym that I came up with to help decode signs that may indicate pain:

• A: Any behavior change or daily pattern.  Changes in appetite, anxiety, aggression, sleeping patterns, responses to other pets/ people, are all things to take notice of and not ignore.  
• W: Weight shifting, Signs of limping or lameness. These are all signs of pain, even though you may not hear wincing or yelping- if your pet were not in pain, they would not be limping.  
• A: Activity level changes, including reluctance to move, or sleeping more (especially seen in cats).
• R: Restlessness.  Difficulty sleeping, difficulty getting in a comfortable position, etc. 
• E: Expression & Appearance.  Watch for signs like panting, trembling, shaking, facial expressions (dilated or constricted pupils), excessive licking, or vocalization.

New Year's Advice from Dr. Christina's pet's and family pets

Journey on carefully…you never know who might be out on the road!

Everybody gets upset sometimes...try to control your anger and frustration 

Try not to pig out everyday...but INDULGE once in a while!

Remember to get plenty of exercise

...And water

Cozy Up!  ...better yet, with Someone you Love

Don't fret over a bad haircut...

...or Bad Day.   Sometimes it really is best to go Incognito

Even on the worst of days, Your purr-sonality will light up the room if you let it! 

Above all else, remember life is precious & sweet!  Stop to smell those roses and bask in the sun! 

Thanksgiving: Thankfullness and Safety Tips

Luger, our family dog, enjoying the snow!

I'm so thankful for You and Your Critters!  I have been so touched by you all- blessed to know you and your pets.  In thinking about this week week and some of the things I’m thankful for, many things come to mind- here is a short list

• ♥ Every day, every moment is special & significant, not to be taken for granted.  Whether with your pet, other people or alone, these moments are a gift
• ♥  How special the love of a pet: Always there, always listening, loving us so unconditionally…what a blessing & example for us
• ♥  Take time for the simple things & enjoy them: Going for a walk, a new treat, company, a meal,  a family member coming home- our pets are so excited for these things-  and I think so should we

Kitty kisses from my Oliver cat while gardening this summer

Turkey Day Ettiquette for Your Pet

That big bird and all the goodies that adorn it are so inviting to us AND our pets, making it hard resist mischief!  I will admit…I’ve tried some of the goodies before they make it to the table to “make sure they’re ok” :-)

Prepping for a good time:  Getting Ready to Graze

In addition to stolen nibbles, it’s also possible that in the frenzy of food prep things could drip/ trip over/ splat on your furry friend—causing injury, oil burn, etc… oh my!  Best to try to keep Rover out of the kitchen during this time.  The smell of food cooking is an underestimated treat. 

Gobblin’ Time!  Finally time to get to business! 

Thank Uncle Gene for not feeding Fido just ANYTHING- Fido has a refined palate and tummy, and is also watching that furry waistline!   Here are some good treats for your faithful friend:

• Carrots – Cats prefer them cooked, dogs love them raw or cooked
• Green beans – Full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber; serve plain
• Cranberries – Serve the homemade sauce and not the canned or jellied variety to provide urinary tract support and lots of vitamins for both cats and dogs
• Sweet Potatoes – Nicely steamed or mashed, dogs primarily fancy this nutritious treat
• Brussels sprouts – Chock full of healthy stuff, cook and serve plain for pets
• The Gobbler-  A little goes a long way! Cooked, boneless, skinless.

Dining Don'ts:  No No's for your pet!

• Alcohol

• Bread dough (cooked is fine, but the yeast in uncooked doughs can rise in your pet’s digestive tract, resulting in dire consequences)
• Cooked turkey bones that can crack, splinter, or tear causing pain and damage for your pet
• Turkey skin
• Anything cooked with raisins, currants, etc.
• Grapes
• Macadamia nuts
• Stuffing (sage, garlic, and onion will wreak havoc on your pet)
• Xylitol (found as a sugar substitute in lots of treats like pumpkin pie)
• Any rich or fatty foods
• Chocolate

 Clever Clean Up

The post-feast and kitchen clean-up trash is one of the biggest threats to your pets- don’t make let your pets be at risk of dining on the trash.  Make sure garbage is out of the way from Fido feasting on it. Seal leftovers properly and store them in the refrigerator.

Take a few moments to check in with your pet and contact your vet if you notice any of the following: 

• Gagging or difficulty breathing
• Vomiting or Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite         
•  Fever

Work off that Mega Meal!

Like us, a little fresh air after an amazing meal is great pets too.  A little exercise goes a long aiding digestion and preventing an upset tummy.   Don’t dive into sternous exercise right away though- some pets are at risk of bloating with this.  Animals thrive on attention from their families, and this may be the best gesture of all!