Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice

Dry Eye In Dogs KCS

2012-02-27T22:27:00.000-05:00

DRY EYE IN DOGS

Dry eye, also known as Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS), is a relatively common condition of the cornea and conjunctiva caused by a deficiency in tear production. It is rare in cats. It is most common in smaller breed dogs including Westies, Lhasas, Pugs, Shih tzus, Yorkies, Pekes and American Cocker Spaniels.

Usually what owners notice is excessive sticky mucous production in one or both eyes, especially after the pet has been sleeping. A dog will often wake up with thick green mucous dried around the eye (see image below).

Photo Curtsey: www.animaleyecare.com

The sclera (white portion of the eye) may be red and irritated as well as the conjunctiva. In chronic cases brown pigmentation may start to cover the cornea, vessels may grow into the cornea or corneal ulcers may develop.

The most common cause is an immune mediated adenitis. It can also be a congenital condition where the lacrimal glands (tear ducts) are hypoplastic or aplastic (virtually non-existent). It can sometimes be caused by certain medications, infections or metabolic disorders.

Photo Curtsey: www.dogheirs.com

It is usually diagnosed based on clinical signs and a simple test called a Schirmer Tear Test where a small piece of paper is held in the eye for one minute (image 2) and the tear production is measured in millimeters. A normal dog has 15mm or more of tears; early or subclinical dogs have 11-14 mm, mild to moderate cases have 6-10 mm and severe cases have 5mm or less.

Treatment in most cases is life-long. It usually consists of using at minimum a tear substitute in the eye(s) such as Artificial Tears™ drops or ointments or some human over the counter products such as Genteal™ or Refresh™ drops. These need to be used several times each day. Other medications include lacrimostimulants, or medications that are supposed to help the eye start to produce more tears of its own. These include cyclosporine-A emulsions or tacrolimus drops. These medications usually have to be compounded at a pharmacy and used once or twice daily.

Blog by:

Jennifer Hawthorne, DVM

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and In-Home Euthanasia

www.lapoflove.com

www.facebook.com/lapoflove

Dr. Jennifer helps families in the Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Iredell counties including Charlotte, Concord, Kannapolis, Huntersville, Mooresville and more. Click here to read Dr. Jennifer's biography.

Lap of Love Pet Hospice Speaks at NAVC

2012-02-18T13:59:00.000-05:00

Lap of Love Presents at

North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC)

Close to 16,000 people attended NAVC January 14 - 18th 2012 - and some of those attendees were Lap of Love veterinarians!

It all started when Dr. Dani and I were asked in the Spring of 2011 if we would present at NAVC 2012... OF COURSE! The conference asked for 2 hours on vet hospice and 2 hours on pet euthanasia. This was a tall order, but if anyone could do it - we could!

However, we thought that this would also be a good opportunity to have an exhibit booth so that more veterinarians across the country would learn about Lap of Love and we would be able to teach them (one on one) about how to make end of life care better for their clients and patients.

Having a booth is no easy task!

First we arrived Saturday morning to a crazy 20,000 sq ft area with fork lifts zooming by and rugs covered in shrink wrap.

This is how our booth first looked (thanks Dr. Kim for modeling the table for us):

But with a little but of magic - we turned it into this:

I was ready to nap by the fire after setting this up

Drs Cherie and Kim

The other great thing about the conference - was that we got to spend time with some of our awesome Lap of Love vets!

Drs Tiffany and James Mosley

So how did the presentations go? First - check out the size of our room - it's massive and daunting:

Although we didn't fill the room up - we did have over 200 people in each session. Which is a lot - especially after lunch!

Dr. Dani McVety speaking on Veterinary Hospice

Once that was over - we were able to relax and enjoy the rest of the conference.

Dr. Mary Gardner gets a visit from her favorite Wildlife professors Dr. Darryl Heard

Dr. Dani takes a well deserved 20 mins in the massage chair (nice to have them in the booth next to us).

I don't know if they will invite us back next year?

Posted by:

Mary Gardner, DVM

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and In-Home Euthanasia

Florida - North Carolina - Tennessee

www.lapoflove.com

Pet Urine Staining and Odors by Laura Bacon

2012-02-16T22:30:00.000-05:00

Urine Staining and Odors

Let’s face it – life is messy! When the unexpected happens, and your canine or feline companion eliminates in the house, are you prepared?

Dr. Laura Bacon and her dogs

While I’d like to think my pets have never had an accident in the house, just between us, I will admit that it has happened (shh- don’t tell my husband). Between raising puppies, the occasional indiscriminate eating of who knows what from the yard, the periodic hairball, and living with my special Sydney dog who had chronic kidney failure – my house has taken a little beating over the years.

Because I am also a bit of a neat and clean freak, and now with having a baby and a toddler in our house, proper cleaning is essential to me. I want to remove the urine residue and help sanitize any areas where my pets may have had an accident. Without proper cleaning, it is very hard to remove pet urine odor from carpets, clothing and upholstery.

Cleaning hard surfaces is straight-forward – wipe up the mess, and then treat the area with an enzymatic product that will break down the urine. The product that I have had the most success with is Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover.

Here are a couple of links to it:
http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Miracle-Remover-Gallon-gallon/dp/B00008437W

http://www.petodorurineremover.com/

You can get it at many pet supply stores, at some veterinary clinics, or on-line from stores such as Amazon. You can also treat throw rugs and clothes with this by soaking them in the product and then washing well with a good detergent. (I also like Odor Mute C powder that you can mix up as strong as you need and use in laundry etc.)

Treat the hard surface as directed with the Nature’s Miracle. After this step, I like to follow with a good disinfectant, like Lysol, just to be on the safe side. Lysol does need to sit for several minutes in order to properly disinfect – again, read the instructions on your product.

It’s important, when using an enzymatic cleaner, that you use it FIRST, prior to using any type of detergent or cleaner. The detergents / soaps will inactivate the enzymes, rendering in useless. Residues in the carpet can also affect its performance.

For carpets – remove feces if present. If urine, blot up all you can. Then, place a stack of paper towels under something heavy, like a book, and leave over the area for several hours to absorb as much liquid as possible. Follow with your enzymatic cleaner as directed. It may need to be repeated. Use liberally.

You can use a carpet cleaner with plain hot water, also, to dilute out the urine and extract it from the rug.

I like to follow with my Shark steam mop with the carpet feature – blasting the area with steam to help sanitize.

If you are not sure where there might be urine staining, you may want to consider purchasing a black light (ultraviolet light) to help find any urine located in your home. It's a bit like the TV show CSI - you turn out the lights at night and use the black light to look around your home. Check the couch, the carpets, your bed and your clothes. If something glows it is probably animal urine – or who knows what – that should be cleaned.

Here are some links to black lights:
http://www.amazon.com/Stink-Stink-Finder-Ultra-Violet-Light-Flashlight/dp/B00008434W/ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_b

http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Solution-11350-Ultraviolet-Detector/dp/B0002XAIP2

Happy cleaning!

Post by:

Laura Devlin Bacon, DVM DABVP

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice & In Home Euthanasia

Knoxville, Tennessee

drlaura@lapoflove.com

www.lapoflove.com

(865) 309-5665

Dr. Bacon services the Greater Knoxville Area, including Farragut, Lenoir City, Oak Ridge, Clinton, Luttrell, Maryville, Sevierville, and Dandridge.

Lap of Love at Hollywood Dog Expo

2012-02-08T10:13:00.000-05:00

Lap of Love At Local Dog Event In South Florida

Although the day started with some rain... which turned to drizzle.. it did finally stop raining and Dr. Nicole Sabo was able to meet many dogs and families at the Dog Bowl 2012 on Saturday February 4th at TY Park in Hollywood, Florida!

The Dog Bowl 2012 was a doggie themed fundraiser benefiting Boxer Friends, Inc. a nonprofit South Florida dog rescue group.

Dr. Nicole was able to teach families about options for caring for their geriatric pets - especially when they are reaching the hospice phase. She was also able to spread the word about In Home Euthanasia options available in the Miami Dade - Broward and Palm Beach areas. Not enough people know about the option of saying goodbye to their friends at home.

And look who stopped by for a visit! Ms. Sydney! Looking so pretty and well behaved... lucky for her that her mom is also a dog trainer! :-)

Photo Courtesy: http://www.marnibellavia.com/

Thanks to all that stopped by! Next pet expo we will be at is Lighthouse Point Dog Day in the park on March 24th 2012 at Dan Witt Park!

Posted by:

Mary Gardner, DVM

www.lapoflove.com

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and In Home Euthanasia

Drs Dell, Sabo, Gardner, Golden and Simons help families in all Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties with dog and cat hospice and in home euthanasia.

Can Cats Be Vegetarians

2012-02-05T15:06:00.000-05:00

Can Cats Be Vegetarians?

In a word, no.

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that they must eat meat to meet their nutritional needs and to thrive. As a true carnivore, they lack the physiology to efficiently digest vegetable matter.

Cats are fueled by protein and fat - not carbohydrates. As a matter of fact, cats do not produce the enzymes necessary to digest carbs. In the wild, the only carbohydrates (vegetable matter) they eat are those already digested by their prey. When we feed our cats vegetables, it is mostly for fiber. Their bodies do absorb some vitamins and minerals from vegetables, but animal tissue is the true source for a cat's nutritional needs.

What about cat grass (wheat grass, barley grass and oat grass)? Cats love cat grass! Their bodies mostly use this to settle an upset stomach or simply as something tasty to chew on.

Grains are a big no-no for cats. They fill no nutritional need. Grains can lead to inflammation, which is the basis of most diseases. Grains can be a major factor in obesity, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, arthritis and more.

A cat's digestive tract (like all carnivores) is much different than a human's. They have sharp canine teeth for tearing skin and flesh, large stomachs with strong acids to quickly digest meat, bones and skin, and short intestines to process and eliminate waste. Humans have rounded canines for tearing fibers from vegetables and fruits, saliva that produces the enzyme amylase, which begins the breaking down of carbohydrates, small stomachs that break down foods and long intestines where most nutrients are absorbed into the body.

The protein in animal tissue has a complete amino acid profile. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Proteins derived from plants do not contain all the amino acids critical for the health of a cat. While humans have the physiological ability to turn plant proteins into the missing pieces needed for a complete amino acid profile, a cat's body is not equipped to do this.

One of the amino acids missing in plants is taurine. While humans and dogs create taurine in their bodies, cats can not. Taurine deficiency causes serious health problems in cats, including blindness and heart disease.

Taurine is found in animal muscle and organ meats, especially heart and liver. Some people feel it is okay to feed a cat a vegetarian diet and supplement with a taurine pill. This is like eating iceberg lettuce as your sole food source and then taking a synthetic multivitamin to make up the difference. It simply won’t work. Supplements are just well, supplementation. They are in addition to, not instead of.

It is also important to feed your cat proteins with a high biological value. That means muscle and organ meat, not feet and beaks, which is what many commercial cat foods pass off as meat. Just because the first ingredient on a label says 'chicken,' it doesn't mean that it is sourced from muscle or organ meat. Look for words like ‘white breast meat’ or ‘thigh meat’ on the label.

As a vegetarian, I understand that it is not right for me to push my eating philosophy on any other species - especially ones that are obligate carnivores. Dr. Karen Becker, DVM, offers advice to those wishing to feed their pet a vegetarian diet - keep a vegetarian pet, not a carnivore!

Posted By:
Jodi Ziskin
Lap of Love's Pet Nutrition Specialist
www.lapoflove.com

Jodi offers Skype/Phone consultations with pet parents across the country seeking guidance with their geriatric or terminally ill dog or cat. She will help formulate a diet that not only meets each pet's unique nutritional needs, but their human's schedule as well. For those living in South Florida, Jodi is available for in-home consultations.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Feline Hyperthyroidism Cherie Buisson

2012-02-04T22:04:00.000-05:00

What's The Skinny on Feline Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is a fairly common disease in older cats. It occurs when a (usually) benign tumor forms on one or both thyroid glands in the neck region. These tumors cause the gland to produce much more thyroid hormone than is necessary. The bad news about hyperthyroidism is that it can be very dangerous - spikes in blood pressure and heart problems caused by too much hormone can be fatal. The good news is, hyperthyroidism is treatable! And if it is treated properly, it doesn't shorten your cat's life.

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can include: weight loss, ravenous appetite (although I have seen many cats lose their appetite due to nausea), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, excessive vocalization (howling), restlessness, behavior changes, blindness (associated with high blood pressure and retinal detachment), and poor coat quality. Sometimes the increase in appetite can be amazing - I've had patients get caught jumping INTO AN OVEN to steal food or stealing things like vegetables from babies sitting on the floor! These poor cats are typically hungry all the time and lose significant amounts of weight.

Hyperthyroidism (or HT4) can be diagnosed with simple blood tests. A total thyroid hormone (T4) test is the screening test used. If the thyroid hormone is in the normal range but above a certain level, another test called a Free T4 is recommended to confirm hyperthyroidism. I have a sibling pair of 13 year old cats that I diagnosed with HT4 within the same year. My boy, Sinner, had a T4 level of 8.3 (normal is up to 4.0 at our lab). His sister, Saint, had a T4 level of 2.7 (above 2.5 is a concern in older cats), so I ran a Free T4. Sure enough, it was elevated. Both are receiving treatment and doing well.

There is an exciting new treatment for HT4. Hills recently released Prescription Diet y/d. This is a diet that is low in iodine. The thyroid gland requires iodine to produce thyroid hormone. Hills has had spectacular results with cats who eat this diet exclusively. Unfortunately, my two mischievous monkeys found ways to steal their housemates' food, so it wasn't an option for us. http://www.hillsvet.com/pd-feline-yd-dry.pdf

Methimazole is a drug that treats hyperthyroidism. It is required every day to keep thyroid levels normal. Frequent bloodwork is needed to make sure the drug isn't causing bone marrow problems and is controlling the thyroid. This is the option I chose for my two cats. They each take methimazole twice daily in Pill Pockets Duck flavored treats http://www.greenies.com/en_US/Products/felinepillpockets.aspx. Methimazole can also be made into a liquid, treat, or even a gel that you rub on the cat's ear (for those naughty beastables who don't take oral medication well).

If it is available in your area, radiation therapy is an excellent option for HT4. I131 therapy is offered at many specialty practices. Your kitty will need to stay in the hospital for a few days after the treatment. This is curative for HT4 in the majority of cases.

Surgery is another option for HT4. The affected thyroid gland is removed. However, it is important to note that if only one gland is removed, the other often begins producing too much thyroid hormone within a year. Another risk is that the parathyroid gland (responsible for calcium regulation) sits on top of the thyroid glands. The surgeon must be careful not to damage or accidentally remove these glands. If both thyroid glands are removed, then your cat will need to be on a supplement for life.

HT4 can be dangerous, but with regular screening it is easy to catch early and treat. It is one of those diseases that makes taking your older cat to the vet once or twice yearly well worth it. In feline practice, we recommend a full bloodwork screening yearly and a mid-year examination with weight check. If your kitty's weight has dropped unexpectedly, bloodwork for thyroid problems is recommended. Cats 7 years of age and older are at risk for HT4. And your kitty doesn't have to be skinny to have a problem.....even fat cats can lose dramatic amounts of weight and still appear hefty. If your cat is 7 or older and hasn't been to the vet in awhile, please take them in and have them screened. You could ensure a longer, happier life for them!

Photos: Sinner and Saint sporting their summer cuts!

Posted by:

Dr. Cherie Buisson (Click here for Dr. B's full bio)

drb@lapoflove.com

Dr. Buisson services all towns in and around Pinellas County including St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, Seminole, Largo, Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, and the beaches.

Please explore our website www.lapoflove.com or contact your local Lap of Love veterinarian to ask any questions you may have about hospice and euthanasia.

Click the states below for a list of veterinarians near you:
North Carolina
Florida
Tennessee

Should other pets be present during a euthanasia?

2012-02-04T00:26:00.000-05:00

Should Other Dogs or Cats Be Present
During Another Pet Euthanasia?

Putting a dog or cat to sleep is not only difficult on the human family members but can be upsetting to the other furry family members as well. We are often asked if other pets should be present during the euthanasia appointment.

It is our experience that other household pets absolutely need time to say goodbye, as long as they are not disruptive to their sick housemate or other family members.

"Boots" saying goodbye to "Powder" (Dr. Dani McVety)
Photo curtsey of DVM News Magazine

If needed, other pets can be placed in another room, then allowed to come say goodbye after their friend has passed. They may act depressed or mope around for a day or so after, but it seems there is much more closure when they are able to see and smell the body of their friend. Dogs and cats have been known to search the house for days when not allowed closure.

Sometimes, other pets in the house will appear to ignore their friend who has passed. Rest assured, they have taken in the situation and understand despite their lack of reaction. Other pets may shake or cry.

Many of the euthanasia appointments I have done with other pets present have been really nice for everyone involved. Even the 'sassiest' of housemates seem to relax a little during the process. It always amazes me how well our pets can pick up on the vibe in the room.

Make sure you pay extra attention to remaining pets to reassure them that everything is ok. You will need the closeness as much as they do!

Posted by:
Mary Gardner, DVM
(Broward County Florida)
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and In Home Euthanasia
www.lapoflove.com

For more answers to frequently asked questions regarding pet euthanasia - please follow this link: http://www.lapoflove.com/default.aspx?sid=18

Dani McVety on Talking Animals

2012-01-29T16:30:00.000-05:00

Dr. Dani McVety on 'Talking Animals' WMNF 88.5 FM

Our very own Dr. Dani McVety was live in the radio studio on January 25th as the guest speaker on WMNF 88.5 FM's show "Talking Animals" (Tampa/St. Pete Florida area).

She spoke about the growing trend in veterinary medicine, pet hospice... and helping families with their geriatric or terminally ill pet. Dr. Dani also discussed end-of-life options and answered a few callers' questions!

If you missed it - go to this link below and click the link "Click Here To Listen Again" :
http://www.wmnf.org/program_specials/680

Posted by:
Mary Gardner, DVM
Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice and In-Home Euthanasia
www.lapoflove.com

Do Dogs and Cats Grieve

2012-01-27T23:59:00.001-05:00

Do Dogs and Cats Grieve when they lose a furry friend?

This is a question that many Lap of Love vets are asked often. And I personally do think that some pets grieve depending on the situation. That is why performing the euthanasia at home not only makes the pet that is passing more peaceful - but it helps the other family members (2 or 4 legged) say goodbye and be apart of the process.

Dr. Dani allowing time for goodbyes

Dr. Lisa Rodasto (boarded in veterinary behavior) recently wrote a great article on this subject that I wanted to share with everyone. CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE!

Even if you have to put a pet to sleep in the clinic, ask the veterinarian if you can bring the 'sibling' to the appointment so they can be there for their friend.

Posted by:

Mary Gardner, DVM

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice

www.lapoflove.com

Lap of Love helps families in the following areas:
Florida: Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, Ft. Myers/Tampa, Jacksonville, Broward/Palm Beach counties, Miami, and Gaineville

North Carolina: Fayettville, Raleigh/Durham, Charolette

Tennessee: Knoxville

Mary Gardner and Annie Golden at Pet Expo

2012-01-23T20:55:00.000-05:00

3rd Annual Coconut Creek Dog Expo

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice

Dr Annie Golden goofing off with our give-aways!

It was a PERFECT Saturday afternoon on January 21st to be at an outdoor Dog Expo in Florida!

Dr. Annie Golden & a sweet golden

The 3rd Annual Event was awesome! Drs. Mary Gardner and Annie Golden chatted with dozens of Broward County residents about geriatric pet care, veterinary hospice and in home euthanasia which they both offer in South Florida. Sure - some people were a little weary to come to the booth, others wished they knew about the services sooner but in the end, more people now know about their options.

It was held at: Windmill Dog Park (NW 45th Ave - Coconut Creek, FL 33066) - a great little park with a dog area! Definitely check it out if you live in South Florida!

I have to say that it was probably one of the most well run events that I've been to and I can't wait to go again next year!


Drs Mary Gardner and Annie Golden

Posted by:
Mary Gardner, DVM
www.lapoflove.com
In Home Hospice and Pet Euthanasia in Florida, NC, TN and soon in Massachusetts!

Pet Nutrition Consultation - Home Cooking

2012-01-09T21:59:00.000-05:00

Want to Home Cook for your pet or get

advice about your pet's nutrition?

You are in the right spot!

Neo waiting to eat his chicken dinner

As a pet parent who cared for a dog going through a terminal illness last year, I know first hand the struggle one goes through to get one's pet to eat - and eat right when they are not feeling well.

Neo went from eating his typical diet to only wanting wet food.... then he wanted some cat food mixed in.... then I started to home cook for him (he loved his scrambled eggs) but towards the end - he only wanted rotisserie chicken.

I felt frustrated and powerless against the disease that made my boy inappetent. Plus, I knew he needed the right balance of nutrients to help his immune system fight a good battle.

Two months after Neo passed, we rescued another Doberman who we named Duncan. My fiancé and I wanted to make sure Duncan was fed the best food possible - and we were committed to cooking it ourselves. The problem was that we didn't know much about making homemade, nutritiously complete pet food. Most of what I learned in veterinary school was what ingredients were in the bags of pet foods!

Jodi and Obi

Through a friend, we found Jodi Ziskin - (Jodi is a Holistic Nutrition and Wellness Specialist for cats and dogs who has a Master of Science in Holistic Nutrition with a concentration in animal companion studies and is a Certified Pet Nutrition Consultant).

She helped us formulate a home cooked diet that was not only nutritious and yummy for Duncan, but also easily fit into our lifestyle. I'm not going to sugarcoat it - cooking for a 105 pound dog takes some work - but we found a great diet plan that works! We cook three days worth of food at a time. Duncan loves his food and I feel good knowing that I am providing the best diet possible.

Working with Jodi was great. I wish I knew her when Neo was sick. This is what encouraged Lap of Love to invite Jodi to join us in our goal: to empower and educated families on ALL the things they can do to help their furry loved ones enjoy the best quality of life possible. Even if our time with them is shortened by disease or simply 'old age,' it is important to make sure we meet their nutritional needs.

Once an appointment is scheduled, we will send you an electronic form to fill out that contains questions about your pet's ailment, current diet and more. Jodi will use this information to prepare for your personalized consult. After your consultation, she will provide you with a written report that you can follow long-term.

For more information - visit her page: CLICK HERE!

Posted by:

Vet Mary Gardner

www.lapoflove.com

Mary Gardner and Dani McVety Speakers at NAVC

2012-01-05T22:18:00.000-05:00

Lap of Love founders speaking at

North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC)

January 14th - 18th 2012

NAVC is one of the largest veterinary continuing education events in the world! It holds hundreds of educational sessions, hands-on labs, round table discussions and an exhibit hall containing 'all things vet/pet related'!

Dr. Dani and Stoli

Drs. Mary Gardner and Dani McVety have been asked to speak at NAVC to help spread the word about Hospice care for geriatric and terminally ill pets. They have also been asked to educate veterinarians on how to make the euthanasia process less stressful for pets and parents. Having helped thousands of families in the South East, Lap of Love is one of the leaders in providing At-Home Pet Hospice and Euthanasia services.

Dr. Mary and Herbie

"Our goal is to spread awareness among the vet community about the importance of Hospice care, how to educate parents about terminal diseases and teach families how to properly gauge Quality of Life." Dr. Gardner says.

To add to the excitement - many of the Lap of Love veterinarians will be attending the conference and getting together as a 'family' for the first time! We will be sure to update all of our friends with pictures and information about the conference!

About Lap of Love:

Lap of Love is a group of compassionate veterinarians that provide peaceful veterinary hospice and euthanasia in the home. We empower owners to help care for their geriatric or terminally ill pets in an environment most comfortable for them - home.

Animal Life Enrichment Stories - Robyn Kesnow

2012-01-03T16:36:00.000-05:00

Thank you Robyn Kesnow, RVT for offering a look at Animal Enrichment for our pets in the "Paw Print - Lap of Love Newsletter January 2012".

Below are some wonderful stories about Pet Life Enrichment:

Bella

Bella is a border collie-ish girl that lived on a sprawling estate and vineyard. Bella's main joy and task in life was to patrol the property and keep away and would be animal-intruders. As Bella aged, she gradually adjusted her perimeter from the whole property to eventually just the main house. Bella's mobility became inconsistent and potentially unsafe, especially around the home's fountains and pool. Bella's people made the decision that her perimeter patrol was such an integral part of who she was, rather than sequester her to a safe room in the house, they brought in help. Between friends, neighbors, the family and the occasional pet sitter, Bella was able to circle the home to her heart's content. There was always someone with her during the day so she could make her rounds safely. The community our pets can create for us may surprise you.

Ashby

Ashby is a rescued cattle dog from a shelter at 14 years old. Not knowing him well, his new family relied on dog training basics to find what would motivate this dear deaf boy. Many trainers will note the basic drives used to motivate or reward a dog for desired behavior: Pack, Prey, Fight and Food. Some believe all dogs have the 4 drives, and there are usually 2 that are the highest and most likely to be rewarding to an individual dog. After consulting with a trainer and observing Ashby in his new environment for a couple weeks, food drive and pack drive seem to be his motivators. Armed with this information, Ashby now eats all his meals from a Aikiou bowl and has daily one on one cuddle rituals with his people before bedtime. A little observation and honoring of him with a game, ritual and added value at meal time give this young pup a great second chance for life.

Toby

Toby is an incredibly active dog with a great family. At 3 years old Toby experienced and injury and knee surgery. While his situation was not permanent, his mobility and lifestyle were dramatically altered as he recovered. The trainer found an overwhelming pack drive, to the extent the 2 human family members had to enter the home separately. Entering at the same time and without Toby able to greet them as usually, he was going to seriously re-injure himself. After a consultation with a more experienced trainer, the family was able to increase his food drive and interested him in Kong and chew toys in a new way by using the pack drive to build food drive. The family also learned a safe quiet way to play tug lying down. If Toby got up or got too aggressive, the game was over. Toby quickly learned his new rules and his family was able to support him and even help him enjoy his recovery time.

Semie

Semie is a wonderful 18 year old cat. Semie's been healthy her whole life and she and her person have enjoyed each others companionship for all of her years. When Semie found herself on medication, Semie's person got creative. Semie didn't want to take pills, shoved down her throat; and Semie's person wasn't interested in risking their great relationship for any pill. They tried mixing it in with food, with treats, in pill pockets, compounding to liquid, injectable, this pair tried every trick known to every pet care provider and crazy cat lady with access to internet. Finally, originally being a student of animal behavior, Semie's person considered the drives and how Semie may feel about the different areas of her cat life. It occurred to her that outside of their bond, Semie loved to chase. After much experimentation, Semie now gets her pills stuccoed to the side of a hard Greenie treat with about 1/4 of a pill pocket. Her person sets her up with an 'are you ready' cue and Semie lines up on the carpet and looks back, waiting eagerly for the treat to be thrown.

Reference:

Aikiou bowl: http://aikiou.com/

Kong: http://www.kongcompany.com/

Greenies and Pill Pockets: http://greenies.com/

ABOUT ANIMAL RN & ROBYN KESNOW:

Animal RN was founded by Robyn Kesnow, a Registered Veterinary Technician. Seeing the need for skilled, in-home pet care Animal RN has come to be a valued service to the community of Santa Rosa California.

Our pets are now more than property; they are our friends and our family. Animal RN strives to provide a quality of service suitable for our own pets.

For our special needs pets, Robyn works with you and your veterinarian to be sure all protocols are followed strictly. Whether you need regular insulin dosages or temporary help while recovering from a surgery or illness, you will have complete confidence that your friends are in good hands.

For more information:

Website: www.animalrn.com

Email: info@animalrn.com

Phone: 707 695 2500

Robyn and a patient playing modified ball

When should you bring home a new pet after losing one

2012-01-03T11:47:00.000-05:00

When to bring home a new pet after losing one?

After the loss of a pet - many people question when to get a new addition to the family. Maybe other pets in the house miss their friend and owners want another companion for them or pet owners miss the bond they had with the pet they lost and long for that again. However - many people are also emotionally torn and feel like they are 'cheating' on the pet that they lost.

This is a very personal decision and every situation and family is different. A client of mine recently asked for me to post a blog about this to get other people's opinions to help her in the decision that she is facing. Here is what she wrote:

"I'd like to hear about other people's experiences with grieving the loss of one pet and the decision to bring a new one home. Dr. Mary, thanks so much for "e-listening" to me today on this topic and I appreciate your feedback. I'm curious how other people have dealt with this issue and if they found themselves feeling guilty or in conflict with themselves over it. I also am curious if anyone has brought home a new pet that resulted in a bad emotional experience after a hard loss or if most people found it healing. I'd be interested to hear stories from other people who have had this same struggle. I'm curious also, if people have found it easier to choose a pet that reminds them of their lost pet or if its better to choose a pet that is completely different. I'm feeling the need to find a dog that reminds me of Solomon. But that seems awful. I don't know. See why i need this blog topic? Thanks, Dr. Mary!!!"

Solomon

So please post your comments/stories below as it will not only help Solomon's mom but many others!

Thanks in advance!

Dr. Mary Gardner

www.lapoflove.com

Veterinary Oncology Consulations - Lap of Love

2012-01-02T18:28:00.000-05:00

Dr. Miller and Annie

Lap of Love announces its new offering of Skype/Phone Consultations with Board Certified Veterinary Oncologist - Dr. Karri Miller

Most people are surprised to learn that dogs and cats are susceptible to the same types of cancer as humans are. Cancer is the number one reason for death in our companion animals. Some common types of cancer in dogs and cats are lymphoma, osteosarcoma, melanoma, mast cell cancer, prostate cancer and mammary cancer.

Emily getting chemotherapy

If you have a pet that has been diagnosed with a type of cancer - you will probably feel a multitude of emotions ranging from anger, helplessness, confusion, and sadness. One of the best things you can do is get properly educated on your pet's disease - so that you know what options you have and what to expect. Many families are nervous about oncology because they relate it directly to human cancer and chemotherapy. Luckily, therapies for our pets are extremely well tolerated and pets have great quality of lives during treatment.

Bringing your pet to an Oncologist (a doctor that specialized in cancer) is always the best thing you can do to understand and get fully informed about the disease your pet has. However, you may not have an oncologist in your immediate area or you simply would like some more information before proceeding to that step.

Dr. Karri Miller has teamed with Lap of Love to provide Skype and Phone consultations to families across the United States whose pets have been diagnosed with cancer. As a Board Certified Oncologist, she will be able to provide your family with information about cancer, treatment options, and expectations.

Bessie with Dr. Miller after treatment

Dr. Miller received a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science in 2000 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2003. While in veterinary school at UF, Dr. Miller found that her true passion in veterinary medicine was medical oncology. She loved that you could extend a pet’s lifespan, while maintaining a very good quality of life.

Lily & Duchess with their favorite Oncologist

After completing veterinary school, Dr. Miller went on to complete a medical and surgical internship at Texas A&M University and an oncology internship at Regional Veterinary Referral Center outside of Washington DC.

Dr. Miller then returned to the University of Florida in 2005 to pursue a Masters in Veterinary Science with a focus on veterinary oncology. She received her Masters degree while starting her medical oncology residency at UF’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Miller completed her residency in July 2009 and became a board certified member of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine at that time.

To learn more about Dr. Miller and to schedule a consultation - please click here!

Child Safety With Dogs

2011-12-27T09:58:00.000-05:00

My What Big Teeth You Have!

(And How Can I Avoid Them?)

courtesy of invisiblefence.com

How do you avoid getting bit by a dog?
Young children should always be supervised with a dog, even the family dog. Experts agree that no child under school age should be left alone with any dog for even one moment, no matter how gentle the child or the dog.

Is it safe for a child to be the one who walks the dog?
It puts the child at risk of getting injured when another dog attacks the dog being walked. Children should not walk the family dog unsupervised until they are adult sized, and using good judgment.

courtesy of invisiblefence.com

An essential safety rule for children with any dog is to ask the responsible adult for permission before approaching or touching the dog. If there is no adult to ask, leave that dog alone.

Many dogs instinctively protect territory. This can include a car the dog is sitting in, a yard the dog is confined in (this includes electric fenced yards-which a child can wander in very easily) or when the dog is on a walk with the owner. Never approach an unfamiliar dog, especially if it is tied up or in its yard. A dog who doesn't know you may see you as a threat. Never turn your back to a dog and run away. A dog's instinct will be to chase you down and catch you, just like it would do with its prey.

courtesy of safedogobedienceadvice.com

The same dog might be safe for a child to pet when the dog is on a leash but not in its yard, or vice-versa. Some children make the problem worse by deciding that a dog is a mean dog (the dog next door who barks at everything, Grandma’s little lap dog who barks when the kids run around the house, etc.) and they taunt it. Soon the dog is particularly protective against children in that situation. The child who gets bitten may be another child, not the one who did the teasing.

Don't disturb a dog, even if you know the dog, while it’s sleeping, eating, or playing with a toy, especially if it’s a flavored chew toy, which in its mind equals food. Always ask an adult if you can play with the dog with its toys.

Don’t disturb a momma dog with her puppies. She might try to protect them from you.

And when you do pet a dog, let him see and sniff you first. Offer a closed hand from below the chin, not a hovering hand over the dog’s head. An overhead gesture can frighten a fearful dog and he may try to protect himself. Don’t wiggle your fingers in a dog’s face or yank your hand away either. The dog may bite your fingers in play, thinking your fingers are prey.

What to do if you think a dog may attack?

If you are approached by a dog who may attack you, follow these steps: Remain motionless, and avoid eye contact with the dog. Attempt to slowly back away from the dog to safety. Resist the urge to scream and run away. If the dog does attack, in a firm voice, say, “NO!” and offer him your purse, grocery bag, jacket, glove, shoe, bicycle, or anything that you can distract the dog with. If you are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball tucking your face into your knees, and try to cover the back of your neck and ears/cheeks with your arms. Stay as still as possible. Try not to scream or roll around.

What to do if I you bitten by a dog?
If you are bitten by a dog, as soon as you can safely get away, immediately wash the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water, and then seek medical care. Report the bite to your local animal control agency. Tell the animal control officer what the dog looked like, and if you know his owner's name and/or address. If the dog is a stray, tell the officer where you encountered the dog, and in which direction he went.

What about cats?

courtesy of petstyle.com

Do not tease a cat with your fingers. Do not pick up a cat against its will. Do not touch a cat outdoors that you come across unless the owner is present and says that it is safe to do so.

How to interpret cat language: a cat swishing its tail, a cat hissing or growling, a cat with big pupils, a cat with its ears flat to its head, or a cat who has its back hunched: these are cats that are saying, “back off!” The same guidelines apply if you get bitten by a cat as by a dog.

Blog by:

Dr. Dana Lewis

drdana@lapoflove.com

www.LapofLove.com

Click here to learn more about Dr. Dana

Dr. Dana assists families with Pet Hospice and In Home Euthanasia in the Raleigh North Carolina area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and the greater Triangle, as well as Wake, Durham, Orange, and Chatham counties. Special arrangements can be made for other surrounding counties, and for the Triad area.)

Reverse Sneezing in Dogs

2011-12-20T21:48:00.010-05:00

Reverse Sneezing

Does your dog suffer from this condition? CLICK HERE

Reverse sneezing, or pharyngeal gag reflex, is a spasm caused by an irritation of the wall of the pharynx. It is similar to a sneeze, which is caused by an irritation to the nasal passages. While the reverse sneeze can look quite alarming, no treatment is needed, and episodes are self-limiting.

Reverse sneezing can have many causes. Common causes can include allergies, nasal mites, foreign bodies (such as a blade of grass or seed), viruses, masses or infections.

Reverse sneezing episodes can also occur when a dog is sniffing, excited, or pulling on a leash. Exposure to pollen, dust, smoke, perfumes, aerosols, or other allergens or respiratory irritants may also lead to reverse sneezing in some dogs.

Dental disease and oral infections can worsen irritation of throat and pharynx / larynx, and may predispose some pets to reverse sneezing.

I'm often asked about Reverse Sneezing by my clients - What to do when it occurs, and how can it be prevented. I advise my clients of the following:

If mild and self-limiting, no treatment or prevention is necessary. If the pet is reverse sneezing, and you want to do something that may be helpful, sometimes rubbing the nose or throat can help to end an attack.
If episodes are more chronic or frequent, you may want to evaluate your pet's environment for potential irritants, and look for ways to minimize your pet's exposure to dust, allergens, and other respiratory irritants. You may also wish to consider an antihistamine trial, which may help reduce symptoms of allergies.
For severe and recurring reverse sneezing, I recommend a thorough examination of the pet's throat and oral / nasal cavities using a small endoscope.

Written by:

Laura Devlin Bacon, DVM DABVP

Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice

Knoxville, Tennessee

drlaura@lapoflove.com

www.lapoflove.com

Dr. Bacon services the Greater Knoxville Area, including Farragut, Lenoir City, Oak Ridge, Clinton, Luttrell, Maryville, Sevierville, and Dandridge.

Kidney Failure in Dogs and Cats

2011-12-16T06:16:00.000-05:00

Almost Everything You Need to Know About
Chronic Renal Failure

But Might Be Afraid to Ask

First - let's get some definitions down:

Chronic: long term.
Renal: kidney. (we use them interchangeably)
Failure: the inability to perform a task adequately.

Chronic renal failure (CRF), also called chronic kidney failure, refers to the situation where the kidneys have not been able to perform at least one of their many tasks adequately for some time (months to years). Many doctors opt for the term chronic renal insufficiency, as many cases can be treated successfully and can look forward to months or often years of quality life, while failure connotes negativity. In addition, at this time we do not usually do dialysis with pets, but there are some programs for kidney transplants available in cats.

Kidneys: two bean-shaped organs present in our abdominal cavity that make urine and a whole lot more! The kidneys are made of thousands of tiny filtration units called nephrons. Once a nephron is destroyed by a disease, it is not replaced; the number of nephrons we have has to last a lifetime (or at least quite a few need to last a lifetime-we do have extras).

Many people have no idea what our kidneys do for us beyond that they have something to do with urine production. In fact, the kidneys are involved in conservation of water, stimulating red blood cell production, regulating blood pressure, balancing salts, activating Vitamin D, and more. Any of these functions may be failing in the renal failure patient.

The kidneys remove toxic wastes from our bodies and when these substances cannot be adequately removed, we develop excess thirst, nausea, pain, weakness, appetite loss, intestinal bleeding, even seizures. Our goal in early stage patients is to postpone or even fully prevent the development of uremia. Our goal in later stage patients is to resolve the uremia and bring the patient back to an earlier stage of disease.

If the pet is still making plenty of urine, how can there be kidney failure?
In chronic kidney failure, urine is usually produced in excessive quantities. What the kidneys are failing to do is conserve water and they fail to make concentrated urine. The body produces numerous toxins as it goes through its daily tasks. These toxins circulate to the kidneys where they are filtered out and urinated away. An efficient kidney can make highly-concentrated urine so that a large amount of toxin can be excreted in a relatively small amount of water.

When the kidneys fail, they lose their ability to concentrate urine and more water is required to excrete the same amount of toxin. This usually starts to happen when about 2/3 of the nephrons are no longer working. The animal will begin to drink more and more to provide the failing kidneys with enough water. Eventually, the animal cannot drink enough and toxin levels begin to rise. At first owners might notice only that they are filling the water bowl more often, or the litter box is wetter, or that the dog has to go out more often or is having accidents. Later the pet owner might notice weight loss, listlessness, nausea, constipation, and poor appetite.
Fortunately, we have many extra nephrons, so many extra that overall kidney function does not fall behind until we are down to about 1/4 of our original number of nephrons.

Nephrons can be destroyed quickly or slowly. Usually, by the time less than 1/4 of our original nephrons are left, whatever the inciting disease process was is long gone and there is no way to tell what happened. All we can do is make the kidney workload easier by making up for the kidney’s inadequate performance with medication or supplements. Hopefully, we can also slow the progression of the failure. Therapy is highly individual depending on which jobs the kidneys are having trouble doing.

Azotemia: the condition where toxins have built up in the bloodstream and lab tests are definitely abnormal. It does not necessarily mean the patient is experiencing reduced life quality as a result of these abnormal lab findings.

Uremia means that the patient is experiencing uremic poisoning. In other words, not only are the tests abnormal but the patient is feeling the effects of the toxic build up.

Therapy: Our goal in treatment is to prevent, postpone, or resolve uremia. Resolving azotemia may not be realistic. In most cases, by the time the diagnosis of kidney failure has been made, the initial disease that started the kidneys on their path to failure is long gone, leaving a progressive loss of function to march unrelentingly onward. Our goal is to stop that march, and get to a stage where the patient does not feel the consequences of the disease. We cannot make failed kidneys become normal again, but we may be able to re-balance our patient’s metabolism so that he or she feels as though we did. What makes a case hopeless or hopeful depends on the patient’s ability to respond to therapy nearly as much as it depends on the stage at which the condition is discovered. See suggestions after each of the lab parameters we monitor.

Lessons in Lab Work:

Let’s begin with some of the relevant lab values that come up in the course of screening a pet’s kidney function. Your veterinarian may also recommend other tests besides these, such as urine sediment and/or culture if there is a chance that there is a urinary tract infection present as well. It is helpful to familiarize yourself with these terms so you can understand what your veterinarian is monitoring:

Urine Specific Gravity: One of the kidney’s most important jobs is the conservation of the body’s water. The kidney must excrete the toxic by-products created by the body’s metabolism but it will want to do so in the least amount of water possible. The healthy kidney is able to make very concentrated urine.

When we analyze a urine sample, one of the most important parameters is the specific gravity. This is a measure of how concentrated a urine sample is. Water has a specific gravity of 1.000. A dilute urine sample has a specific gravity less that 1.020. A concentrated urine sample would have a specific gravity over 1.030 (dogs) or 1.040 (cats). A failing kidney by definition cannot make concentrated urine and the patient must drink excessively to get enough water to excrete the day’s toxic load. At certain times of the day our urine is more concentrated than others-our first morning urine tends to be our most concentrated of the day since we usually don’t drink much at night if we are in good shape, but if we just had a big drink, our next urine will be more dilute.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): This is a protein metabolite excreted by the kidney (it is one of the toxins we are concerned about, though it may be more of a marker for other toxins that are less easily measured). In a normal animal, the BUN is around 25 mg/dl (milligram per deciliter). Often at the time of diagnosis, BUN is well over 150, 200, or even 300. We’d like to keep the BUN no more than 60 to 80 mg/dl. BUN is influenced by dietary protein (including the patient’s own blood that has bled into the intestine).

Creatinine: This is another protein metabolite (though this one is less dependent on dietary protein intake than is BUN). A normal creatinine is less than 1.4 mg/dl, certainly less than 2.0. Patients begin to feel sick when values meet or exceed 5.0 so we try to keep the value at 4.5 or less. BUN and creatinine will be tracked (as will several other parameters) over time and in response to different treatments.

Therapy to address fluid loss and azotemia (elevated BUN and Creatinine):

First, is giving fluids to help keep the pet hydrated, to optimize blood flow to the kidneys, and to help flush out toxins from the blood stream. Also, we institute dietary management to give the body proteins that it can utilize best and to decrease excess protein metabolites. Additionally, we use gastrointestinal medications such as stomach acid blockers of various kinds, appetite stimulants, and anti-nausea medications since kidney failure leads to excess stomach acid secretion, and nausea.

Phosphorus: The calcium/phosphorus balance becomes deranged in kidney failure due to hormone changes as well as the inability of the failing kidney to excrete phosphorus. If calcium and phosphorus levels become too high, the soft tissues of the animal's body will become more like bone with deposits of mineral in them that are inflammatory, uncomfortable, and often cause intestinal bleeding. The bones will weaken as well, in some cases actually becoming rubbery. Keeping phosphorus levels in the low normal range has been correlated with improved survival.

Therapy for excess phosphorous: Phosphorous binders added to the diet, and if we can get the phosphorous and calcium down low enough (so that if you multiply the numbers you get for each mineral the answer should be less than 60), a medication called calcitriol may slow further kidney decline.

Potassium: The failing kidney is unable to conserve potassium efficiently and supplementation may be needed. The sign of hypokalemia (the scientific name for low blood potassium) is weakness, especially drooping of the head and neck.

Therapy for low potassium is a potassium supplement.

Packed Cell Volume / Hematocrit: This is a measure of red blood cell amount. More literally it represents the percentage of the blood made up by red blood cells. The hormone which stimulates the production of red blood cells is made by the kidney. The failing kidney does not make this hormone in normal amounts leading to a reduction in red blood cells (anemia), in turn leading to weakness, poor appetite, and overall poor life quality.

Therapy for anemia in kidney failure is using an injectable form of the hormone that stimulates bone marrow to make red blood cells.

Blood Pressure: Blood pressure is important to monitor in kidney patients as there is a tendency for hypertension (high blood pressure) to develop in kidney failure.

Therapy consists of medication to lower blood pressure and certain medications work better in certain species.

Thyroid Hormone: In our cat patients, it is important to screen thyroid hormone level as hyperthyroidism can lead to high blood pressure and kidney damage.

Therapy involves stopping excess thyroid hormone production via one of several ways: a medication usually given orally, dietary management, surgery to remove the overactive tissue, or radioactive iodine treatment.

Urinary Protein: One of the functions of the kidney is to prevent loss of the body’s blood proteins. The kidney’s filtering mechanism that enables it to remove toxins is designed to leave larger molecules (such as proteins) inside the body where they belong. But if holes develop in the filter, protein can be lost. If this complication cannot be controlled, survival time is dramatically shortened.

Therapy consists of using a medication that is used in heart disease, called an ACE inhibitor. These medications also reduce blood pressure somewhat and decrease protein excretion in some patients.

REMEMBER, While all of this information may seem overwhelming and insurmountable, remember that many cases of kidney failure can be treated successfully and patients can look forward to months or often years of quality life with management!

Blog by:

Dr. Dana Lewis

drdana@lapoflove.com

www.LapofLove.com

Click here to learn more about Dr. Dana

Knoxville Mobile Pet Euthanasia Laura Bacon

2011-12-12T10:17:00.000-05:00

Veterinary Spotlight

Dr. Laura Devlin Bacon

Our next veterinary spotlight shines on Dr. Laura Bacon from Knoxville, Tennessee (our first vet in Tennessee).

Dr. Laura and Gracie

Dr. Laura was born and raised on a large farm with a marina in Hancock's Bridge, New Jersey. She now resides in Knoxville with her hubby and two boys ages 2.5 yrs and 6 months.

She also has some furry children.

Gracie - An Exuberant Black Labrador Retriever who loves life!
Calaloo - An independent Black and White cat
Yellow Cat - a Cat who thinks he's a Dog

Yellow Cat

She earned her undergrad degree from Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA and went to vet school at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine.

Her favorite breeds are medium and large breed retriever mixes - pound pups. And if she could own an exotic animal - it would be exotic chickens!

Dr. Bacon enjoys Spending time with family, competitive cycling, running, hiking, reading, gardening, and travel.

The favorite part of being a vet for Dr. Bacon is the simple act of helping an animal in need. "My job is my life's purpose - to be an advocate for those creatures who do not have a voice of their own." she says.

Dr. Bacon has always wanted to be a vet, but if she could be something else.... maybe a professional athlete....or a world traveler.... a wildlife photographer or a Dolphin and Manatee Veterinarian!

FUN FACTS:

When Dr. Bacon was young, she spent time with her Grandfather helping him make a living through crabbing and fishing, and worked on the family farm.
The oddest animals she has fostered include a turkey vulture and Fred the opossum.
She has a certificate in microvascular surgery from Emory Medical School.
She worked for a biotech company in Atlanta preparing human tissue for transplant for two years before attending veterinary school.
She love manatees and the beach
She is crazy about her husband and two boys and our furry animal babies.
She met Betty White when she was a Ballard Scholar for Morris Animal Foundation.
She loves chocolate!
Dr. Laura and Sydney (her yellow lab mix and best friend who passed last year) spent a summer out west together, and even hiked Pike's Peak.
In the midst of collecting National Park Patches for our sons, and hopes to visit all the US National Parks before they are 18.
She loves to read
She'd like to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail and bike across the US in the future.