Posted by leanne rumsey on Fri, Aug 27, 2010 @ 02:47 PM
Most people are familiar with Salmonella, especially since the recent (August 2010) egg recall that affected us here in San Diego. Most people know it is a type of "food poisoning" of bacterial origin. Salmonella infection can cause fever, diarrhea, and cramping that go away on their own, but in children, the elderly, and those with impaired immune systems, it can produce more severe disease.
It's what most people may not know that I'd like to discuss here. There are two syndromes associated with Salmonella; diarrhea and sepsis. The toxins secreted by the bacteria produce diarrhea that can be severe and even life threatening in the young. In addition, some Salmonella can produce an even more serious "part two". These bacteria are capable of invading the rest of the body through the damaged intestine. The young are more susceptible to more severe illness because they do not have mature immunity. The same is true with puppies and kittens. Adult animals, being larger, stronger, with a more mature immune system, are almost never seriously affected by a Salmonella infection. However, there is an important exception to the "Salmonella is rare in adult dogs" rule - and that is the case of dogs that are fed a raw food diet.
The raw food diet has become quite popular. While the idea behind the diet may seem logical; that a raw food diet more closely approximates the diet that the feline or canine body evolved to consume, and thus a raw diet should be healthier than commercially prepared dog and cat food. However, the veterinarians here at our animal hospital believe that the facts about the risks of this diet outweigh the perceived benefits. In fact, it is the process of the cooking of the food that is central to removing parasites, bacteria, and bacterial toxins. A study evaluating raw food diets found that 80% of food samples contained Salmonella bacteria and that 30% of the dogs in the study were shedding Salmonella bacteria in their stool.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC339295/?tool=pmcentrez
Adult dogs often show no signs or symptoms, but any infected animal, pet or person will shed the organism for at least six weeks. The infected animal is now a source of exposure to others. Salmonella organisms are very difficult to remove from the environment and easily survive three months in the soil. For this reason, pets should not be fed raw food diets. Special care and consideration should be exercised for dogs used for therapy around children or the elderly - these dogs should be cultured for the presence of Salmonella.
Here is a link to the CDC's FAQ page regarding Salmonella:
http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/salmonellosis/
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Posted by leanne rumsey on Mon, May 24, 2010 @ 11:28 AM
Foxtail Alert....San Diego, CA
Every year, from spring through late fall, we treat many pets with foxtail related injuries or illnesses. Foxtails are prevalent west of the Mississippi, and especially in the San Diego area. Here in Clairemont we have many canyons and sloping hills - our landscape coupled with the heavy rainfall over the past few months, makes for perfect foxtail growing grounds. Just driving around the Clairemont area, I've seen foxtails lining the streets. Fiesta Island is very popular with many of our clients and their dogs. Evidently, it is quite popular with foxtails, too. We've heard reports from our clients that this is by far the biggest crop of foxtails in several years. Pet owners should be aware of what foxtails are, how they are designed to propagate, how they can potentially harm your pet, symptoms to watch for and when it is necessary to take your pet to the veterinarian.
What is a foxtail?
Foxtail is a common name for a variety of natural grasses that produce seeds encased in a spiky or furry tuft (somewhat resembling the look of fox's tail). In early spring they are green and silky. As they dry out, they can turn golden, tan, or brown in color and the spiky growth breaks off. The spike design, along with fishhook type barbs, help the foxtail bury itself down into the soil to await next year's rain, and then sprout anew
How can a foxtail harm my pet?
Foxtails are spiky and sticky. They can attach themselves to your pet's fur, or lodge into an eye, ear or nostril of an innocent passer-by while still on the stalk. However, your pet is more likely to encounter foxtails on the ground - after they have dried and broken off the stalk. Dogs, especially, like to roll around on the ground, in the dirt, or weeds, or the grossest thing they can find to roll around in.
Foxtails can stick to your pet's fur coat, or lodge into eyes, ears, nose, mouth, skin, vagina, and even into the urethra (ouch!) The most common areas we've found foxtails are the ears, up the nose (because dogs sniff at everything) and in between the toes and paw pads.
The serious problems occur when the pet owners miss a hiding foxtail. By design, foxtails only go in, not out. We've seen pets come in to our veterinary hospital with abscesses on their limbs only to find that a foxtail had entered through the paw, migrated through the body, possibly caused tissue damage along the way, and finally became infected - leading to the abscess. More serious cases involved foxtails that migrated from the nasal passage up into the brain or down into lungs, and from the fur and skin usually around the armpit area - into the body cavity damaging internal organs or causing infections.
Symptoms to look for:
Nose: Sudden and continuous sneezing (with or without discharge), pawing at the nose, rubbing the side of the muzzle along the carpet / floor / ground.
Ear: Sudden onset head shaking, excessive scratching at ears, head tilt and rubbing side of head along the carpet / floor / ground.
Eyes: Squinting, excess watering, pawing at the face.
Paws: Limping, excessive chewing or licking, swelling or drainage between toes.
When clients call our office describing any of these symptoms, our staff will suggest an evaluation by a veterinarian ASAP. Foxtails only move in one direction - in. Our veterinarians determine, on a case by case basis, if the pet needs to be anesthetized or mildly sedated in order to safely remove the foxtails. There have been cases in the past in which the foxtail was easily removed without sedation. Again, your veterinarian will evaluate each pet as a separate case and present you with the appropriate treatment plan.
Prevention is the key. If possible, avoid foxtail-prone areas. If your dog has been around an area with foxtails, thoroughly check the eyes, ears, nostrils, paw pads, in between toes, all throughout the coat, and even in the mouth (gums and teeth). If you've been in a foxtail or weed-filled area - check your shoes, shoelaces, socks, and 
pants. You could accidentally bring home a foxtail that stuck to your shoes or clothing, it falls off of you and onto the kitchen floor, and like every dog I know, if something falls on the kitchen floor they are right there to investigate it.
Do you have any foxtail stories that you would like to share? Can you recommend a foxtail free dog park in San Diego? We'd love to hear from you.
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Posted by leanne rumsey on Mon, May 17, 2010 @ 11:25 AM
Deciding whether to bring your pets along on vacation or leave them in someone else's care can be a difficult decision. Especially if your pet is very young, very old, or has special needs. If your pet must stay behind, there are basically two options to consider; pet sitters and boarding kennels.
Pet-sitters offer a wide variety of services for a wide range of prices. While many will stay at your home, most will visit your home once or twice per day depending on the needs of your pet and the arrangements you've made.
Pet-sitters can be found in the phone book or on the Internet, but the best way to find a good pet-sitter is through a referral. Ask your family, friends, neighbors, veterinarian, and veterinary staff for referrals. Be sure to also inquire at local veterinary hospitals, as many vet assistants offer pet-sitting services on the side. Although they are not directly affiliated with hospital services, it is an added benefit to know that your pet-sitter may have more knowledge about animals than someone you found in the phone book.
Boarding Kennels have come a long way over the past several years. While many of us conjure our outdated images of small, cold, concrete slabs surrounded by chain link fencing - many pets in today's kennels are lounging on cushy couches in climate controlled condos and watching Animal Planet on t.v. Again, do your homework by asking local veterinarians, friends and family for referrals.
If you decide to go with a boarding kennel, narrow down your options to two or three facilities, then plan to visit each facility twice; first by appointment, then by surprise. During your visits, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Odor: Let's face it. When you get a large group of animals together, things can get stinky. Keep this in context as you tour the facility. Be wary of signs that feces or urine have been left standing for long periods of time.
Structural Concerns: Look at the floors, cages, and gates. The floors should offer some sort of anti-slip protection. The cages should be smooth and solid. There should not be any protruding parts that could injure a pet's eyes or skin. There should not be easy nose-to-nose contact with neighboring pets. Observe how the employees enter and exit the gated areas. There should be safety protocols in place.
Safety: Ask about smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinklers and if there is an overnight attendant on duty to put the pet's needs first in the case of an emergency. Ask about a secondary power supply should the power go out.
Infectious Disease Control: Ask about their standards of sanitation including cleaning, disinfecting, ventilation and vaccination protocols. The facility should be proud to boast about their strict protocols and clean record.
Special Needs: If your pet requires medication, a special diet/feeding requirements, or extra care of any kind, be sure to ask if that is something the employees are qualified to administer. Tour the area where the food and medication is stored. Is it clean and organized? Is there a system of checks and balances to ensure the right pet gets the right medication at the right time?
Finally, make your reservations well in advance. The best places book-up fast. If your first choices are already booked, ask to be placed on the waiting list. If you are told there is no waiting list, ask to speak with a manager to make sure they start one - and you will be #1 on the list.
Planning ahead is the key. This will ensure that your pet is vaccinated and is as healthy as possible before you leave. You will feel better about your trip knowing that you have provided the best care possible while you are away. Please call us here at Lifetime Animal Care Center if you have any questions. We've also provided a links page on our website for direct links to San Diego pet-sitters and boarding kennels that we've heard good reports about: 86288_Links.pml;jsessionid=w9miha28c0hf
Bon voyage!
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Posted by leanne rumsey on Tue, May 11, 2010 @ 11:26 PM
We bring animals into our homes for many logical reasons such as security, service, companionship, etc. Then, as time goes by, those logical reasons develop into something much more profound; the human-animal bond. Oftentimes this bond can be as strong, or stronger, than the bond with another person. Our pets offer unconditional love and remain nonjudgmental-no matter what. We tell them about our day at work, we confide in them with our deepest feelings, we trust them completely. In return, our pets trust us to meet their basic needs by providing shelter, food, water, healthcare and the kindest gift of all; a dignified passing. When the time comes to say goodbye, the feelings associated with grieving over the loss of a pet can be very similar to those of the loss of human life. It may help you to know what to expect, and that you are not alone.
When is it time to choose euthanasia?
Together with your vet, evaluate the pet's current condition, a reasonable treatment plan, and realistic chances for recovery, along with any possible side-effects, complications or long-term disabilities. If the costs/risks outweigh the benefits, it may be time to choose euthanasia. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, if your pet can no longer enjoy the activities that brought joy in the past, or no longer responds to you in the normal ways, or if there is more pain than pleasure, it may be time to consider humane euthanasia.
Now that my pet is gone, what do I do next?
Here at Lifetime Animal Care Center, we've partnered with San Diego Pet Memorial Park. You have the choice of a communal or private cremation. A private cremation ensures only your pet's ashes are returned to you. Discuss the details with your vet ahead of time, so you don't have to try to make this decision during an emotional moment.
What should I tell my children?
Parents, you are the best people to answer this question as you know your own children better than anyone else. Children of different ages and emotional intelligence should be considered-one child at a time. However, we have learned that it's best to be honest. Fabricated stories about the pet being lost or running away can cause children to agonize over the pet's return, or worry that their pet is all alone, hurt or in danger. According to the AVMA, these decisions should be discussed openly and honestly. Even if you have already reached the decision in your mind, it is important that all family members, especially children, have their feeling considered. Children respect straightforward, truthful, simple answers. If prepared adequately, children are usually able to accept their pets passing.
What should I expect? Is it normal to feel grief about the loss of a pet?
Although this is specific to each person's relationship with the pet, and the dynamics of the situation, it is reasonable to expect to feel emotions similar to those of losing a person. According to Lorri A Greene, Ph.D., a pet bereavement specialist, "it is completely normal to experience grief over the loss of a beloved pet."
What is the grieving process?
Dr. Greene states, "The grieving process is not a linear process. By that I mean that people experience different feelings at different times and may have to repeat the feelings (stages) many times. According to Dr. Kubler-Ross, there are 5 stages of the process, I would add a 6th when speaking about pet loss:
DENIAL or DISBELIEF. In this stage, the person cannot accept that their pet is gone. They may even see or hear their pet within the first few days. Denial is a psychological mechanism that helps us cope with difficult situations. Think of it as a time-released cold capsule giving medicine over a period of time so that the body gets it throughout the day. Denial is like that. It is the psyche's way of coping.
ANGER is often the next stage. This anger can be directed in many ways and to many people. Some people blame the veterinarian or staff. Some blame God. Some are angry with themselves or even their pet. It is normal to feel angry. It is also a good idea to remind yourself that there is constructive and destructive anger.
BARGAINING is another stage, although more often seen in human loss, where a person may say something to God like ‘I will go to church every Sunday if you just let Fido live.'
GUILT is a stage that Dr. Kubler-Ross does not discuss , but I believe is prevalent in pet loss, particularly over the issue of euthanasia. Euthanasia in Greek means painless death. I believe it is the last humane thing we can sometimes do for our companion animals. However, it does not come without a price. That price is we often feel guilt. We ask ourselves, ‘what if I had done this or that?' or ‘what if I had more money?' and other such questions. To handle this feeling, it is sometimes helpful to remember that we did this for them, not for us. It is truly a selfless act, and as I previously stated, the last humane thing we can do for our pets.
DEPRESSION In this stage, a feeling of sadness overwhelms us once we realize that our beloved pet is truly gone. We may sleep or eat more or less than before; become irritable; cry a lot; have difficulty concentrating; or even have physical symptoms such as headaches. If these symptoms persist for more than one month, it might be a good idea to go to your doctor or mental health professional.
Finally, there is ACCEPTANCE. This does not mean you ever forget your beloved pet, it just means that you think of the wonderful things you learned from them and have a feeling of joy, instead of pain, in your heart."
Is there anything I can do, or anyone I can talk to about my feelings?
Yes, there is. Dr Greene offers counseling and has written a book titled Saying Good-Bye To The Pet You Love. The San Diego Humane Society offers support groups, and there are many websites and chat rooms offering help. Please visit the LINKS page of our website (www.lifetimeanimalcare.com) or ask a staff member for our list of some of the wonderful pet-loss related groups, counselors, books, websites, etc. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone.
Resources:
Lorri A. Greene, Ph.D. (760) 436-6798
San Diego Humane Society's Pet Loss Support Group (619) 299-7012
AVMA.org-American Veterinary Medical Association's website.
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Posted by leanne rumsey on Fri, May 07, 2010 @ 12:24 PM
We are so pleased to announce the addition of Emily Wilkinson, DVM to the Lifetime Animal Care Center family.
Dr. Wilkinson joined us in February 2010 and she has already gained quite a following with our clients. In addition, the veterinarians and staff at Lifetime Animal Care Center already know she is the perfect fit at our high quality animal hospital.
Here is a little more information about Dr. Wilkinson. If you'd like to learn more, please click here to visit the Our Veterinarians page of our website.
Degrees and Memberships:
B.S. Ecology and Systematic Biology, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo 1999
D.V.M. Louisiana State University 2005
Member - San Diego County Veterinary Medical Association
Member - American Veterinary Medical Association
In her own words:
"As an integral member of the Lifetime Animal Care Center team, I will treat every person and every animal with as much respect and care as I would to a family member. Outside of my own immediate family, these are the people and pets I spend the most time with."
Emily Wilkinson, DVM
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Posted by Corey Beale on Tue, May 04, 2010 @ 11:05 AM
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