Think About This Before Getting A Puppy

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Animal Lover | Permalink 0

Some people can get somewhat squeamish about having their composure ruffled by an overenthusiastic canine leaping up to meet them when they come home from work. Unfortunately –or fortunately- one of the best things about getting a puppy and having a dog is that it pulls one out of his or her comfort zone. Canine loyalty has been the stuff of movies, novels, and clichés, and for good reason. Once it bonds with its owner, a dog’s affection is wholehearted and complete. On the other hand though, owning a dog can be a messy, frustrating, and very tiring business. But it’s worth it. A dog will love its human without reservations, and studies have shown that owning a dog can improve a person’s overall health and wellbeing in many different ways. On the other hand though, getting a puppy is a big responsibility.

Click here to learn about how you can provide veterinary care for your new puppy too.

Getting a Puppy in the grass

image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelpasch/2569831822/

When one brings home a puppy, one isn’t just bringing home a pet; one is bringing home a commitment. Dogs generally live for as long as 10-15 years. That is a considerable amount of time to be saddled with an obligation if a person is not willing or prepared to accept. A dog will depend on its human for all of its needs; from feeding, to training, to medical attention, and one will have to be ready and able to attend to these needs as they arise. Many of the most tragic cases of animal cruelty are the result of simple laziness on their handlers’ part, so prospective dog-owners need to make sure that they are not only looking forward to reaping the benefits of pet ownership, but willing to take on the responsibilities they entail as well.

For first-time pet-owners, it is important to remember that a puppy is, foremost, an animal. It will not understand human speech or mannerisms, and while it may occasionally be able to pick up on moods, it most certainly cannot read a person’s mind. It will act according to its instincts, and it will react poorly to maltreatment and neglect. It will require training, it will require vaccinations, and it will require playtime. That being said, the most basic question that a prospective dog-owner has to ask him- or herself, is “Will I have the time and resources necessary to take care of a dog?”

A new puppy will generally need to be housetrained so that it will not soil its human’s floor and furniture. This means that aside from having to take the time and effort to teach it to do its business in the right place, its owner will also have to clean up after it. This entails putting in a bit of elbow grease and dealing with some very unpleasant smells and sensations. It will also need to be fed, and depending on the size of the dog, this can mean setting aside a considerable amount of money for dog food and treats. Aside from vaccinations, a puppy will likewise need veterinary attention if it gets sick or injured.

A puppy will also require discipline, so that it won’t chew on your possessions, destroy furniture, or terrorize any other pets. Putting one’s dog through obedience training can help curb any bad habits it may pick up, but it is also important to remember that even the best training in the world can only go so far. As a dog owner, one will need to follow up on the pooch’s training by staying consistent and enforcing what it has already learned. One will also need to keep it from developing bad habits in the first place, by establishing limitations and being clear to the dog about what it can or cannot do.

Most of all however, a dog-owner needs to show his or her pet the love and attention it deserves. Why?  Because, with the right care, a dog is so much more than just a pet, it is a true friend.

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Treating Heartworm In Dogs

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Animal Lover | Permalink 0

Treating a dog afflicted with heartworm can be an emotionally draining and expensive process. Heartworm infection is an extremely debilitating disease and, if allowed to go untreated, will almost certainly lead to a painful death.

There are three ways of treating heartworm in dogs: slow kill, fast kill, and the last resort, surgery. During the course of all these treatments, movement and exercise in the animal must be heavily restricted. In a successful heartworm treatment, worms will die within the patient’s heart and other internal organs—and this dead material will remain within the patient. Exercise can dislodge the dead material and move them to the patient’s lungs, which can then cause respiratory failure. In addition, studies have shown that exercise can increase the severity of a heartworm infection.

Contact your veterinarian in Delaware if you suspect your dog needs to be evaluated for heartworm infection.

Treating Heartworm In Dogs

In a slow kill treatment, the patient is given a monthly dose of a medication called Heartgard, which is generally used as a heartworm preventative. The goal is to kill off the younger heartworms, and weaken the adult heartworms, to slow the damage being done to the patient. The adult heartworms will still be in their host actively causing damage, but will eventually die off. The Heartgard weakens the adult heartworms, which will die off in a period of 1-2 years as opposed to the usual 5 year lifespan. This method of treatment has some benefits, as it is gentler than fast kill and causes less immediate pain. Unfortunately, this method also allows the worms to continue to damage the patient for the duration of the treatment. Slow-kill treatment is often done when the patient is deemed too weak to survive fast kill treatment, or when financial issues prevent the patient’s owner from investing in fast kill treatment. While fast kill treatment is preferable, slow kill is still by far the better option than no treatment at all.

In a fast kill treatment, the patient is given a series of two or three shots of Immiticide, an arsenic-based compound which kills off both juvenile and adult heartworms. Often, the patient will be given Heartgard both before the procedure, to kill off juvenile heartworms in advance, and after the procedure to kill off any young heartworms that might have been missed. The schedule of these shots varies with the veterinarian practice. Often, there will be a schedule of one shot, followed by a 24 hour waiting period and a second shot.  After a month has passed, there will be a third follow up shot to kill any remaining organisms. Some practices only do two shots, scheduled a month apart, or some might switch to a two shot regimen in cases of very light heartworm infection. Regardless of the shot schedule, after the course of treatment is complete the patient will have their blood retested for the presence of heartworm. While fast kill treatment is the best treatment option available, it is also expensive and extremely painful for the patient.

The final, and most extreme, treatment option is surgery, in which the veterinary surgeon will manually remove the heartworms from the animal’s internal organs. This is the most intensive treatment option and is generally only used in very severe infections when there is simply no other recourse.

Treating heartworm is an extremely lengthy, dangerous, and often painful process. By contrast, preventing heartworm is as simple as a single pill a month. It is important to note that even if you are conscientious about your pet’s medication, it is still important to get your dog regularly tested for heartworm disease. Even heartworm preventatives cannot be completely effective, and the success of heartworm treatment is highly dependent on the speed at which you identify the infection.

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What To Do if You Need an Animal Vet While Traveling

Posted on March 13, 2012 by Animal Lover | Permalink 0

Preparing for a trip with your pet can be exciting and stressful at the same time. On the one hand, it’s a blessing to be able take your furry friend on the road with you. On the other hand, no one wants to think about what he’ll do if his beloved pet falls ill while traveling. The good news is that finding a mobile vet clinic isn’t particularly difficult, especially if you do a little bit of homework in advance.

Pet Travel Concerns

You might be thinking, at this point, that your pet never gets sick. Illnesses are one concern, for sure, but you also have to worry about your pet becoming injured. While your pet may not have any problems in your home or in the local park – environments he’s familiar with – new spaces like your hotel, a camp ground, or an otherwise unfamiliar area can be dangerous.

So what should you be watching out for? If you’re in an outdoor environment you’ll need to pay special attention to the presence of other animals – not just other dogs but snakes, wild animals, and ticks. You’ll also want to keep your eyes open for plants your pet might try to ingest. All of these things can cause injury or poisoning.

Another concern many pet owners don’t consider is the possibility of a car accident while traveling. Many pet owners allow their dogs to move freely in the car, which can be very dangerous. Cats should be in carriers that are properly buckled to the seats while dogs should either be in carriers or cages or buckled into the seat with the appropriate harness. Not only will these devices prevent injury, but they can also prevent your dog from running away if he gets loose and becomes scared.

Finding a Vet While on the Road

If your dog does become sick or injured, you’ll want to find a vet clinic as soon as possible. There are a few things you can do to make the process a little less stressful.

Those planning an extended stay in a vacation destination should consider searching for a vet clinic in advance. Call a few vets in the area where you’ll be spending the most time and ask if they have procedures for out of town visitors. They’ll either let you know they’re routines or they’ll give you the information you need to reach the nearest local emergency animal hospitals.

Animal Vet While Traveling

Emergency animal hospitals cost more to visit, especially during the evening hours, but knowing where those are located will help you to find the care you need if you have an urgent situation as well. Take note of the hospitals located along the routes you’ll be taking both to and from your destination.

Check the web for information about mobile vet clinics as well. The stress of a strange environment will already be stressful for your beloved pet, and taking him to a strange vet’s office will make things even worse. A mobile vet can come to you wherever you’re located, making it easier for you to keep your pet calm.

Take extra care when preparing for a trip with your pets. While it would break your heart to leave them in a kennel or home with a sitter, you’ll feel even worse if your pal falls ill while you’re on the road and you can’t find a vet clinic to get him care. Plan properly and prepare for a great trip!

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Veterinary Hospice Care

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Animal Lover | Permalink 0

A large part of my mobile veterinarian practice comes at the end of an animal’s life.  I get a call because someone has just gotten some bad health news about their pet and they want to start thinking about pet euthanasia.  I take an intense interest in all of my clients, but the time near the end of life is a very important part of a pet’s life.  What is often surprising to pet owners is how much I can offer to enhance the quality of a pet’s life in their last months, weeks, and days.

Veterinary Hospice Care

image courtesy of: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellenjo/5462392819/

Veterinary hospice care is a growing field of study.  We’ve learned some important things about the importance of multi-modal pain control (pain approached through different mechanisms).  This can often make a pet better even when the owners don’t realize the depth of the pain.   Lack of pain can allow normal behaviors to re-emerge.

The pain control can change over time to accommodate growing pain and discomfort.  At some point, there will be an end-point, where pain medication does not adequately control pain.  Normally, this can buy precious quality time.

Hydration is a vital part of feeling healthy.  If you pet is not able to retain fluid (kidney problems are often a key factor here) or drink adequately, hydration can be a simple way to make your pet feel better.  Force feeding water is never recommended due to the risk of causing your pet to choke and the risk of water getting into the lungs.  The mechanism we prefer is subcutaneous administration.  Fluid bags are relatively easy to handle and I can teach you to give your pet fluid as regularly as necessary.  Administering fluid at home is a way we can help your pet feel her best together for as long as possible.

We have a variety of special, tempting diets up our sleeves to encourage eating and simply warming food can make it more palatable.

The point of all this – we can deal with anything which comes up together.  In the final months of a pet’s life, it is my joy and my job to help you both live the happiest lives possible together.  And when the time comes when the pain or lack of mobility or inability to perform basic functions makes euthanasia an option, I ensure that it’s painless and in the comfort of your own home.

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Knowing When It’s Time for Pet Euthanasia

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Animal Lover | Permalink 1

Your pets are a part of your life – they’re a part of your family, loved and cared for as much as anyone else you know. The unfortunate truth, however, is that human beings are likely to outlive their pets. As your pets grow older and become ill, you may one day be faced with a difficult decision that no mobile veterinarian clinic or doctor can make for you – whether or not to euthanize.

Signs it May Be Time to Say Goodbye

Chico's owner brought him to the shelter requesting euthanasia due to his being "too old"

Our pets can grow ill, just as we humans do, but they lack the ability to tell us what is wrong or what type of pain they are in. While we can obviously take them to the vet, have tests run, and subject them to surgery, there are times when the medical process is just too much for them. Here are some examples of times when it would be reasonable to consider euthanasia:

  • Your pet has a terminal illness and is in pain. While human beings can deal with terminal illness with medication, your pet will only suffer. You may not need to have your pet put down upon diagnosis, but you’ll need to be conscious of when the illness is becoming painful or disabling.
  • Treating your pets illness will cause significant suffering. Some illnesses are treatable but the treatment methods are likely to cause unreasonable amounts of pain and stress, especially if hospital stays become frequent.
  • Your pet cannot handle the emotional stress of constant treatments and medications for a chronic illness. While you may technically be able to prolong your pet’s life, doing so will only cause him to become aggressive as he tries to fight treatment.
  • Your pet’s quality of life is suffering. You are the only one who can define the quality of life for your pet, but animals who can no longer walk or go to the bathroom unaided are surely suffering.
  • You can no longer afford treatment. There are arguments for and against euthanasia due to financial concerns, but the truth is that life-threatening diseases can cost thousands upon thousands of dollars to treat. In many cases, treatment will not change the inevitable outcome – only prolong it.

These are some examples of the reasons you may have for putting your pet down and you may encounter others. Unfortunately, while there may be a good reason for euthanasia, you may still have difficulty determining when it should be done.

When Pet Euthanasia is Appropriate

Some situations are very simple to gauge – such as if a pet is seriously injured in an accident or comes down with a sudden terminal illness. Others, unfortunately, may take more time and you’ll have to be consciously aware of when it is appropriate to end your loved one’s suffering.

Start by having a serious conversation with your veterinarian. Because he or she is not as emotionally attached, your vet can offer you an objective perspective and can be very honest with you about what your pet is going through in terms of pain and suffering. Your vet may suggest you take a couple of days to say goodbye or he may suggest you simply start keeping a pet diary so that you can track the way your pet behaves and responds as his illness progresses.

The fact that you are even thinking about pet euthanasia is a sign that your pet may be nearing the end of his life. Take some time to talk to your family members, call in your mobile vet clinic for a consultation, and prepare yourself mentally and emotionally. No matter what you choose, know that you’re doing what is best for your pet in his time of need.

At Home Pet Vet Care
Wilmington, DE 19809
302-764-5174

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Domestic Pet Support

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Animal Lover | Permalink 1

Taking care of your pets can be taxing – walks, feeding, veterinarian care, grooming.  But, the most important part of keeping your pets healthy is by keeping yourself healthy!  I’m not going to give you instructions on human wellness, you know how to do that.  I am going to tell you that you can find support for pet ownership!

If you have advanced directives for you health, you should also have advanced directives for your pet.  If you must be hospitalized or need to receive care, you may not be able to care for your pet.  The following is a list of resources to call upon.

Most home health agencies will be able to provide support when they are in your home – changing litterboxes, cleaning food bowls, counting or measuring out medication or food alotments for the next few days.

Dog walkMore intensive help is also available – dog walking, pet grooming, giving medication, or even boarding.  There are a variety of pet sitting services in the area and if you’ve already gotten to know a provider, you can make feel more comfortable calling them in last minute.  Some even may offer transportation to grooming or your vet if your pet needs services.

Don’t forget your other resources.  Neighbors (especially money-hungry teenagers!) may be happy to step in to assist in pet ownership!  Again, this is a situation where having a trial run – perhaps first having a walk together or a weekly assistance time can make the transition smoother if you need to call in support.  Your veterinarian may have advice on local pet sitting services or even recommend a veterinary technician or assistant who can help with grooming, medication, or even pet sitting.

My best advice, make a list of what your pet needs each day and keep it with family or a neighbor for reference.  Build a relationship with a business or person who can be responsible for your pets’ needs if you can’t be there or need a little extra help!

– Dr. Sandra J. Platt is a veterinarian with At Home Pet Vet Care, a house calll practice in Northern Delaware.  She frequently calls in her back-up plans to help care for her herd of cats and dog, and enjoys supporting her neighbors and friends when they need pet support.  At Home Pet Vet Care also supports owners who need extra help and enjoys a creative problem solving to lower owner stress.

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What’s In Your Pet’s Medicine Cabinet?

Posted on January 13, 2012 by Animal Lover | Permalink 1

People ask me what’s in my dog and cat’s medicine cabinet and if I have any “easy fixes” up my sleeve.  This may not come as a surprise to any of you, but I’ll briefly go through the list of what I keep around for the pets!
pet peeve

  1.  A monthly flea and tick product.  I use this all year round on dogs and cats!
  2. A monthly heartworm preventative.  I also use this all year around.  Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes and mosquitoes have been known to over-winter in apartments and houses.  I use this on both my dogs and cats as well.
  3. Neosporin for those pesky cuts and scrapes.  It can be toxic when ingested.
  4. Tea tree oil also for scrapes and cuts.  It can be toxic when ingested.
  5. Pepto Bismol for diarrhea.  It is given orally (just like in people), but it turns stool black (beware).
  6. Hydrogen peroxide can be given by mouth to induce vomiting (use 1 tablespoon at a time).  DO NOT get your pet to vomit if it ate something sharp or caustic that may irritate or injure the lining of the stomach and esophagus.
  7. Saline eye drops for those allergic eyes which happen occasionally (my Lab gets seasonal allergies).
  8. Important for skin health is regular grooming – specifically brushing!  I have brushes for my long-haired cat and a metal flee comb which she enjoys (start with their head to get them used to brushing – then move on to the rest of my body).  My short-haired cats are also regularly brushed.  Brushing cats reduces hairballs, reduces formation of mats which can lead to skin irritation and inability to keep the skin clean.  My short-haired dog also has a brush, which she hates.
  9. Vitamin E crème for noses when the weather gets dry.
  10. Nail trimmers for dogs and cats and quick-stop in case I mistakenly hit the quick of any nails (which causes them to bleed for a short time, the quick-stop helps them clot quickly).
  11. Tooth paste (chicken flavored) for my dog with a doggy tooth brush.  She’s food-motivated so the tasty toothpaste is just perfect.  No, I don’t manage to do the teeth of my cats, although I really should just rub the outside of their teeth with a light, moist towel.  I feel guilty about this, as dental infection is a big problem for feline health.

 

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Animal Vet 2012 Welcome!

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Animal Lover | Permalink 0

Happy New Year from Your Animal Vet – Welcome 2012!

2011 was a banner year for At Home Pet Vet Care – because we didn’t exist beforehand!  At Home Pet Vet was founded to provide high-quality home-based care to our pets in Northern Delaware.  As of midnight, we have expanded to Delaware, Chester, and Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania!

This year will bring new skills to this venture – by the end of 2012 Dr. Platt (me) will be certified in Acupuncture through the Chi Institute of Veterinary Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.  This means I’ll be looking for guinea pigs for free acupuncture sessions in September (to practice my skillset) and ready to open the floodgates for clients in 2013.

On a personal note, I am gratified by the relationships that we have built together and all the animals I have met and served.  I’ve met some at the beginning of their life and some at the end, but I value each interaction.  Thank you for letting me help you in caring for your friends and family.

My own life now looks drastically different than it did a year ago – including the introduction of Roxy.  Roxy is a 4 ½ year-old Labrador who adopted me at Delaware Humane Association and creates constant chaos for myself and my four cat companions.  It’s a good thing we enjoy the unexpected!

From my family to yours, wishes for a healthy, prosperous, and joyful new year!

Dr. Sandra (the vet)
Ling-Hsing
Lemmy
Valentine
Roxy
& BB

Animal Pet Services

Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Animal Lover | Permalink 1

I have to make an admission…my dog eats poop.  Roxy is coprophagic (a feces eater).  This raises a few questions for any dog owner.  First and foremost, why does my dog eat poop?

dog-eats-his-own-poop-2
My Roxy is a Labrador who believes that all substances that can potentially be eaten should be eaten immediately.  She is a compulsive eater.  For many Labradors, this is their “normal” behavior…but this behavior is not benign.   Many compulsive eaters may end up ingesting objects their bodies can’t handle and require surgery.  I’m grateful that my dog does not seem to eat such objects.

Still, beware of any dog behavior changes that you notice since this could help you address health problems related to eating poop.

Cat feces is actually relatively high in protein due to the high protein diet of the obligate carnivore (animal who must eat meat).   Dogs tend to find it delicious, because they also enjoy protein.  And in many homes it’s readily available.  In my home, I have set up multiple barriers to stop this behavior – not because it’s bad for Roxy’s health to eat cat feces, but because my felines deserve peace when they urinate and defecate.  Lack of a quiet, safe place to use the litter box can stress felines and lead to urinating and defecating in places other than the litter box.

Dogs frequently eat the feces of herbivores, humans, and other dogs.  While I can’t say Roxy has ever had the chance to eat human feces, I’m pretty sure she would not be adverse to trying it.  I know she enjoys the feces of herbivores and other dogs.  A study of village dogs in Zimbabwe revealed that feces made up about 25% of the dogs’ overall diet, with human feces making up a large part of that percentage.

There is some feeling that dogs who eat their own feces or the feces of other dogs may be lacking some key nutrient in their diet, but this has never been proven.  Or this may be a means of cleaning up the environment – to hide their presence from other carnivores.  Maybe they even get some information about other dogs from eating dog feces.  Bottom line, we just do not know why some dogs eat the feces of other dogs.  They’re at high risk for GI parasites as a result, but the practice is not either directly beneficial or directly (very) harmful in any way we currently understand.

There are many ways to attempt to stop the behavior, and excluding the removal of all feces from the environment, none is very effective.  When Roxy was staying with her grandfather, he attempted to dissuade her by seasoning her feces with cayenne pepper.  Not surprisingly, this did nothing to dissuade her, but did make her extremely thirsty.

I can’t say I’m comfortable with the coprophagia, but I’ve come to accept it.  And the looks of longing every time I scoop out the litter boxes.

- Dr. Sandra J. Platt has a Masters of Divinity in addition to her animal veterinary degree, which helps her with accepting that she lives with a poop-eater.  She has 4 feline poop producers (who show no interested in eating poop) and one Labrador who is always hungry, despite being fed a high-quality, organic diet.

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How Your Animal Veterinarian Helps Your Pets During The Holidays

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Animal Lover | Permalink 0

Fewer times in the year are as potent in evoking memories than the winter holidays.  Whether you celebrate Chanuka, Christmas, Kwaanza, or Solistice, these holidays help us mark time.  Sometimes changes in ourselves or our loved ones are only obvious when the passage of time is marked – years or decades.  Often we notice creeping, age-related changes in our pets at the holidays as well.  Suddenly, it seems, your cat’s fur is more matted than you remember and he may not cuddle as much or your dog is unable to walk up the stairs by himself or dribbles urine whenever she lays down.

animal veterinarian

The signs of aging and disease progression in our pets are often covert.  Their instincts push them to hide illness – so animal veterinarians are bit like detectives.  We follow leads from very minor signs to find major illnesses.  Simple observations such as a lack of grooming, a decrease in play activity, or inability to retain urine can mean a big threat to animal health.

For an animal veterinarian, the winter holidays are a time when problems come to the surface.  This season of memories often pushes owners to notice the health changes in their pets.  Unfortunately, this may be too late.  Preventative care, examining new behaviors, and taking basic blood work before your pet shows signs of illness can help you avoid these surprises.  As veterinarians, we really enjoy those chances to intervene and cut off problems.  Major and common problems in aging pets include metabolic disorders (think thyroid and adrenal gland, kidneys and liver), neoplasia (both malignant and nonmalignant cancers), and tooth and skin problems.

 

Not surprisingly, the holidays are hectic times complete with obligation, reminiscence, and joy.  Don’t forget to plan for your pet – variation in plans or household activity (guests, unusual cleaning, change walk schedules) can be stressful.  Try to keep your schedule as consistent as possible.  Stress can lead to accidents, confusion, escapes, and even exacerbation of medical conditions.  Update the information on your pet’s collars and microchips, get your house sitting lined up, get your emergency numbers onto your fridge, even get your vet’s holiday schedule.  Planning can help this time of year be less stressful for everyone!

 

Dr. Sandra J. Platt is one of a few house call veterinarians in Delaware who is grateful her pets usually respond to the changes in her schedule with aplomb – and sometimes misbehavior.  Her four cats all have up-to-date microchips and her dog has a new microchip and collar tags.  She enjoys planning, but revels in the creativity that comes along with the unexpected.  Sandra’s kitties have very firm plans, please don’t tell them about the dentals scheduled for later this month.

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