Critter Tales

Welcome! My name is Elise and I am a technician here at the Animal Hospital of Waterford. We have created this blog to share with everyone some of our success stories that we experience here at the Animal Hospital of Waterford. Although not all stories end successfully, some pets have touched our hearts and we wish to share with you their story. We also wish to educate, inspire and motivate people to provide the best medical care available to their beloved pets. Check this blog often as I will update it often!

5-23-2011

It has been about two years since I have started work here at the Animal Hospital of Waterford and I still love the feeling I get when I walk in the door. Everyday I look forward to coming to the office to see my coworkers and experience helping people and their pets. There has been numerous positive outcomes, emotional triumphs and letdowns, tragic loses and countless valuable learning experiences. The most sensitive subject for me and many others here at the office is euthanasia. It is never easy to say goodbye to our pets who many consider a loving family member. It breaks my heart to see a family having to make the choice for their pet when all the options have run out or their bodies cannot handle the simple behaviors of life. I take pride in assisting people and their families during such an emotional and transitional point in their lives. I can feel their pain and sorrow when they have to say goodbye, I love you. Sometimes it is very hard for me to hold back my tears especially with pets that I have become well acquainted with and have encouraged good health and wellbeing. Many times offering a hug is enough to convey the message of empathy and love.

It amazes me the powerful and sometimes mysterious bond that humans and companion animals develop. It is a bond that has been evolving for thousands of years and today has credit in many roles in society. Working with animals has provided me with a meaning of life, a source of motivation and inspiration, and most importantly the opportunity to help pets and change the world one office visit at a time.

5-04-2011

I had an interesting experience happen to me recently and I would like to share it with you. Upon my most recent house/dog sitting experience I was faced with an emergency situation that required me to think fast, remain calm and get the treatment necessary to avoid surgery and further stress on the animal. The dog whom I was watching, which for this story I will call “Charlie”, was a peanut butter lover and would seek it out if and when possible. What better day to experience peanut butter chocolate than on Easter Sunday. That evening I had arrived at the residence and was organizing the mail when I noticed Charlie had something in his mouth. I went over to investigate and here he had gotten into my purse and was eating a large piece of a Romolos chocolate peanut butter egg that was in a plastic sandwich baggie. I immediately called Dr. Imbur asking for advice on what to do in this situation. While on the phone Charlie had gone back to my purse and ate the second solid chocolate bunny with the label and the plastic it was packaged in. I was shocked, frightened and worried about what to do! At that point I was worried about his health and wellbeing. Dr. Imbur suggested I give him hydrogen peroxide because when given to a dog orally it will cause an upset stomach and induce vomiting. I was not able to locate any in the house so I had to bring Charlie to the clinic to be examined and here we gave him hydrogen peroxide orally via a 60cc syringe. Within minutes he was feeling woozy and vomited up both bags with the chocolate melted inside. If I wouldn’t have noticed he had gotten into my purse and was eating chocolate as well as the plastic bags they were packaged in he would have become very ill within the next few days. At that point he may have required surgery to remove the plastic in his stomach because he would not have passed them on his own. It was a valuable learning experience which has prepared me to be able to handle this same type of situation in the future.

We strongly recommend having a pet first aid kit within the house and/or car for any type of emergency situation that may arise. We often have an emergency first aid kit for ourselves and family members but not often do we have one for our pets. Now is the time to put together a first aid kit for your pet. Check this webpage by the American Veterinary Medical Association for complete list of suggested first aid items and numbers: www.avma.org/firstaid/supplies.asp.

It is a proactive approach to having emergency items readily available and could be the difference between saving your pets life and being unprepared.

** Always consult with your veterinarian before inducing vomiting because there are few items which we do not recommend your dog vomit up.

4-11-11

Spring has arrived and everyone is becoming more active and enjoying the fresh air after the long cold winter. The snow has melted and new plants are sprouting as well as the hatching of many eggs within the environment. Amongst the eggs to be hatched include roundworms, hookworms and whipworms. These are considered intestinal parasites that feed and live off of a host, i.e. your pet. It is very easy for your pet to become a host of these creepy crawly worms. The soil often contains worm eggs and eating any type of wild animal can place a worm into the digestive tract of your pet. Not only can your pet have intestinal parasites but people can also become infected with intestinal parasites. Zoonosis is an infectious disease in animals that can be transmitted to people (http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11282). People and their pets can transmit these intestinal worms indirectly to one another. Most people don’t know when their pets are infected unless it reaches a high infestation level in which then the owner notices worms coming out of the rectum. A fecal analysis can be performed to screen your pet to see if they have intestinal worms. We recommend monthly deworming for those who are indoor/outdoor pets and quarterly deworming for strictly indoor pets. Disposing of pet feces on a regular basis can help remove potentially infective worm eggs before they become distributed in the environment and are picked up or ingested by pets or humans. Parasites can infect your pet any time of year so be conscious of the fact and take the appropriate actions to keep your pet and your family parasite free!

3-14-2011

We recently lost a very special patient of ours. I want to take the time to recognize our client and her eternal dedication towards her pet. It can be frustrating; time consuming and costly to care for a geriatric pet that needs daily medical attention and treatments, but our client never hesitated to give her pet what he needed. Not only did she give her best efforts with her pet, but she made the effort to show us how grateful and thankful she was. He will be missed by all the staff here at the office.

Many of our clients will go above and beyond for their pets and we truly appreciate the trust placed in our staff to provide the best care. I enjoy working with a group of people who are compassionate and dedicated to their work.

3-9-2011

It can be very frustrating when you lose or misplace valuable items, but losing your pet can be devastating. On a weekly basis we have concerned people calling to inform us that they have lost their pet, and on the contrary we have people who call saying they have found someone's pet too. Indoor pets get curious about the world outside their home and if they can they will venture outside to see what it’s all about. Even outdoor pets can find themselves miles away from home. This week someone brought in a dog they found wandering around their property. As a protocol we scan each pet that is found for a microchip which is a form of permanent identification located under the skin near the withers. If a microchip is detected we are able to trace the owner through our records. In this situation the dog did scan for a microchip and the owner was identified and called. Unfortunately not all lost and found pets find their way back home, but having identification tags or a form of permanent identification such as a microchip helps increase the odds of reuniting the pet back to their owner.

We offer the AVID microchip here at the animal hospital which can be done at any age but we usually implant it at the time of spay or neuter. Commonly dogs are micro chipped but cats too can have a microchip. If you have any questions about the AVID microchip call our office at 814-796-6115.

2-22-2011

Young lambs are very fragile creatures which often have to learn to adapt to life with their long legs. Stumbling around the pen during their first week of life can be dangerous but also helps build the muscle structure and mobility to live a healthy long life. Unfortunately accidents happen! Last evening a young female lamb came into the clinic with a broken tibia and fibula right above her hock. Surprisingly she was calm and allowed the doctor to examine her leg. Because of her age a splint was placed on her leg to help heal the break. A cast was not an ideal option due to the rapid growth rate of her bones and would require a weekly cast change. Luckily she should heal rather quickly and be back to her happy, rambunctious self!

I have broken a few bones throughout my life and can understand the pain involved. Whether you’re human, canine, feline, or any other species, a broken limb can halt you in your tracks and requires strength and perseverance to make it through. I truly adore working with and helping young animals and the Animal Hospital of Waterford allows for that opportunity on a regular basis. Everyday is a new experience and I feel blessed to help those animals in need.

2-15-2011

Valentine’s Day was very busy here at the animal hospital but it was exciting and rewarding. The morning was going as scheduled when an owner called about her goat that was pregnant and due to give birth at any time, but was experiencing difficulty and breathing heavily. After an examination Dr. Bell suggested we perform an emergency c-section to get the young kids out of the mother’s belly to prevent further harm to both mother and babies. Quickly we were able to anesthetize the goat and prepare her for the surgical procedure. It was a team effort involving Dr. Bell and numerous staff to help get the young kids out and clean them up. The baby goats required lots of attention involving stimulation, clearing of the airways, removal of placental fluids and drying them off. It was great to hear them blatting and becoming more lively as the time passed. She had three healthy baby goats that were ready to nurse and lively! It makes me smile to know that we were able to help and there was a certain feeling of joy that filled the air afterward. To be there for the first breaths of life and help them into the world was an experience I will never forget.

1-27-2011

February is known as National Pet Dental Month and your pets oral hygiene is important to us. I remember my mother telling me while growing up that I must take good care of my teeth because you only get one set and the same applies to your pet. Although pets cannot brush their own teeth, as a pet owner you can help provide alternative options. Finger tooth brushes are available paired with toothpaste designed for your cat or dog as well as certain prescription diets. Hills T/D diet for both canines and felines uses longer fibers within the food so that when chewed it scraps the teeth and helps keep them clean. Also you can use C.E.T chews which are a specially formulated treat that contains enzymes which help break down plague and tarter build up on the tooth. There are many preventive options to consider, but it is to be noted that if your pet already has a significant amount of plague and tarter buildup these options will not fully clean the teeth. A dental cleaning and polish is recommended to fully clean your pets teeth and to be followed with a special diet or supplemental treats. Not all dogs and cats develop bad tarter and plague buildup but others do and we are here to help keep your pets mouth clean! During February when you schedule a dental cleaning you will receive: discounted anesthesia, discounted presurgical bloodwork, discount on the cleaning and polish, free sample of Hills T/D diet, free finger tooth brush and toothpaste and a free oravet treatment in office!

1-14-2011

Many owners and their dogs like to participate in winter activities together and it can be a wonderful way to pass the time on the weekends. Activities such as going for walks, cross country skiing, sled riding, snow shoeing and sitting inside are all ideas of fun for the family. This week a dog arrived at the clinic with a severely broken front leg. He had been running with his owners while they were cross country skiing and fell off an embankment about 30 feet. His radius and ulna were fractured in half and he was in need of surgery to repair the broken bones. This dog was so sweet and barely seemed bothered by the fact his leg was broken and bruised. He was a pleasure to work with because he remained calmed and allowed the doctors and staff to help him as necessary. Dr. Bell was able to surgically repair his leg using pins to hold the bones in place to allow them to heal properly. The surgery took about 4.5 hours. He awoke from the anesthesia and still seemed happy and ready to run as if he hadn’t even been through such a painful injury. He is doing well and will come back to the office next week for a follow up assessment. It could take up to 8-12 weeks to determine how successful the procedure was and we hope the bones heal nicely.

1-7-2011

Driving is a task of everyday life and there are always unexpected critters who find themselves in the street. In the Waterford area many residents have had that close encounter of hitting a deer but often times there are encounters with pets too. HBC (hit by car) is a common phrase we use when any pet has been hit or struck by a car. Unfortunately we deal with hit by car accidents on a monthly basis and not all animals survive.

We recently had a concerned client call who had found their dog near a ravine, unable to walk and covered in snow and ice. Immediately he was brought to the hospital where the doctor did a physical and discovered he was very painful in his hips and was unable to stand. After taking x-rays the diagnosis was a fractured pelvis. Not just a single fracture but three separate fractures. With an injury like this the type of treatment is bed rest and restricted activity for weeks paired with pain medication. In some situations surgery is required. The after care and special attention he will need for the next couple of weeks will require patience and support. We are following up on his recovery on a weekly basis and we wish him the best!

12-22-2010

We are proud to announce that our first annual Help for the Holidays Food Drive was a big success. The animal hospital was taking donations from clients and the community to donate to the Waterford Food Pantry on December 20, 2010. Our clients brought in over 400 lbs of canned goods and pet supplies! We received a variety of soup and fruit canned goods as well as numerous bags of dog and cat foods and treats. We thank everyone for their generous donations and for helping to provide for our community during this holiday season. We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

12-6-2010

Unique critters often come through our doors with interesting stories and require unique medical attention. Recently a young pot bellied pig was spotted by a local visitor on Presque Isle! The park ranger was notified and a trap was set to catch the young piglet. After about a week they finally captured the pig and a concerned family who had been following the chase, decided to adopt him. As the doctors here at the hospital take interest in both large and small animals, Dr. Wellejus examined the young pig and provided the necessary care to allow him a healthy life. The treatment included deworming, vaccinations, and a castration. Today he is happy, healthy and enjoying life with his new family.

11-23-10

As a technician here at the hospital we constantly see pets that come in because they have eaten something they shouldn’t have! There are many holiday hazards around the house that can be harmful to your pets health. During the holidays your pet has access to foods that they ordinarily do not and owners are often tempted to feed table scraps. These foods can cause severe gastrointestinal upset or even a blockage that requires surgery for removal. Vomiting, hyperactivity, an increase in thirst and urination, tremors, and seizures are all signs that should raise a red flag letting you know something is not right. Here are some items your pet should avoid: chocolate, coffee, raisins, onions, alcohol, macadamia nuts, milk, yeast dough, garlic, chives, raw meat and meat bones. Not only can foods be dangerous but certain plants such as mistletoe, holly, box berry, amaryllis, and Christmas rose contain toxins which are harmful to your pet.

For those of us who are natives to the tri-state area we all understand the threats of winter and the cold weather that comes with this time of year. Some pets love the outdoors during the winter time but keep in mind that frostbite is possible on the paws, ear tips and nose. Nowadays you can buy sweaters, scarves, jackets, socks, and other winter accessories (mainly advertised towards smaller breeds) for your pet.

This year we are having a Holiday Help Donation Box located in the lobby accepting canned goods, non perishables and pet foods and supplies. On December 20, 2010 we will be giving the goods that were donated to the Waterford Food Pantry to help support the local community. Together we can reach out to help those who struggle through the holiday season. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

11-8-10

Congratulations to our costume contest winner Candy D'Allesandro!! Thank you to all the participants who entered photos and made our first annual costume contest a success. We look forward to seeing what next years contest brings!

11-5-2010

As the holiday season approaches with family parties, good foods and fun, it can be a very stressful time for our pets. Cats tend to develop behavioral issues due to changes in their environment, traumatic events and/or moving to a new home. Certain events can be the starting point for behavioral problems such as urine marking, scratch marking and aggression. Providing a stable and secure environment with safe areas to eat, sleep and play will help reduce stress during this busy holiday season.

Have you ever noticed your cat rubbing their head along furniture or other household objects mainly from their chin to their ears? This is the signature mark of your cat claiming their territory and labeling it as a “safe place” with their facial pheromones. They will recognize this scent again later when they return back to the area. This behavior is common and I’m sure all cat owners can say they have had their cat place their pheromones onto them! But don’t be worried, this is an action that reassures your cat of their environment and is a sign of affection. A new product called Feliway is a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone which helps mimic or create the familiar feelings of safety and security in the cats environment. Moving to a new home, bringing a new cat into the household and other stressful events can be supplemented with this product to help reduce behavioral problems. It comes in two forms: a spray and diffuser. The spray can be applied to surfaces, carpet, toys, etc and the diffuser is plugged into an outlet and is released into the environment. This is a safe and natural way to help reduce unwanted behaviors in your household. If you have any questions or are interested in this product you can check the website at www.feliway.com, or ask one of our doctors here at the office.

10-22-10

Epulis, it's an interesting word to say and describes a type of mass that is found most often in the mouths of dogs. Epulis growths may range in size and location within the mouth but nonetheless can be classified as either cancerous or non cancerous. Often they need removed due to pain, irritation, tooth displacement, excessive salivation, weight loss and changes in eating habits. This morning we had a very healthy and beautiful husky mix come in with a small epulis on the gum tissue of her upper jaw. Her owner stated she was eating slower and wanted the doctor to take a look at what was causing this change. After the examination, the doctor concluded this was indeed an epulis that needed removed because it was displacing her front teeth and causing root exposure and pain. The owner scheduled for the removal of the epulis and a dental cleaning, periodontal probing and polish. A piece of the tissue removed will be sent to a pathologist for further examination to determine the make up of this mass as to whether it is cancerous or not.

* Don't forget to submit your pictures for the costume contest ! *

10-4-10

October is an exciting month in the world of pets and animals. Today marks the Blessing of Animals by St. Francis of Assisi. This is a special catholic ceremony that is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. Across the world in Franciscan churches a friar will sprinkle holy water on pets whose owners have brought them forth to be blessed. On this day every creature is important and loved. I would like to acknowledge the pets of our clients here at the Animal Hospital of Waterford, the staff and many people alike, we wish you and your pets a loving and healthy life! The love that we give and receive from our pets is most basic and is like no other relationship. Be thankful for the loving pets you have had in your life, both past and present, for they are here to bring love into our hearts.

The Animal Hospital of Waterford is hosting a Halloween pet costume contest! We would like to see your cats and dogs, guinea pigs, rats, mice, birds, chickens, horses, sheep, pigs etc, in costume to celebrate the ghoulish and frightening holiday. We will have three separate categories as follows: cats, dogs and others. You can bring in your pet to have its photo taken, or you can send us a photo via mail, or email at the following address: animalhospitalofwaterford@gmail.com

Winners will be selected from each category and one prize will be given to the overall best costume from all three categories and their picture will be posted on our website. Good Luck!

9/23/2010

Often times an owner will call because they notice a lump on their cat or dog. This should raise concern if you do find an unusual growth that was not there previously, is growing in size slowly or rapidly, changing in color or has an odor. Many growths can be examined by the doctor and aspirated, meaning a needle is probed into the growth and the contents are put onto a slide to be looked at under the microscope. We see many lipomas (image to the right), which are just fatty growths under the skin, but there are cancerous growths as well. Doctors recommend having a growth removed if they are suspicious of it being cancerous or if it is interfering with the animal’s mobility and comfort. You can never be too cautious when it comes to your pets health and do not hesitate to call the office if you notice any lumps or growths.

There are always interesting and exciting situations that walk in the doors here at the hospital, and yesterday we had a male goat arrive who was having problems urinating. After taking x-rays the Doctors discovered he had numerous bladder stones which were blocking his urethra therefore not allowing urine to leave the bladder and exit the body. Dr. Bell had to perform an emergency surgery titled bladder marsupialization. Marsupialization is the surgical technique of cutting a slit into a cyst (in this case, the bladder) and suturing the edges of the slit to form a continuous surface from the exterior to the interior of the bladder. Sutured in this fashion, the bladder remains open and can drain freely (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsupialization). For the rest of the goats life he will have an open slit in his abdomen so his bladder can continuously drain urine out of the body, and no longer urinate through his urethra.

9/7/2010

This weeks focus is on one of the routine procedures performed here at the Animal Hospital of Waterford known as an ovariohysterectomy, or spaying. Some of the reasons we recommend having your female pet spayed are to prevent unwanted or complicated pregnancies, pyometra (uterus infection), mammary gland cancer, and often stressful heat cycles. The recommended age to spay your pet is 6 months and preferably before their first heat cycle. A complication of not having your animal spayed is unwanted pregnancy and possibly an emergency caesarian section. We had two female dogs arrive this week that were in active labor and needed emergency surgery to remove the pups. These two dogs were a result of accidental breeding, meaning the owner did not intend to have their female dog bred by a male. Thankfully due to the hard work and dedication of the staff both dogs successful survived the surgery and so did their pups.

We also had a unique critter come into the office for a routine procedure. I came into the office on a Friday morning to discover a young female Skunk. She was full of energy and very playful, and it was a delight to spend the morning with her. The owners brought her in to be spayed because it is believed that spaying a skunk will help lower the tendency for aggression later in their life. The procedure was successful and she recovered well.

Although many procedures performed here at the hospital are labeled routine, no surgery and animal are the same. Every situation is different and unique which keeps our job interesting and challenging. Even though a spay may seem costly, the unexpected costs of a unintended pregnancy that can result in an emergency caesarian section is far more expensive and stressful to owner and dog alike.

8/21/2010

This weeks topic focuses on the importance of garbage accessibility in your home. Every year, the United States generates approximately 230 million tons of "trash"-- about 4.6 pounds per person per day (www.learner.org). For some of our pets trash provokes curiosity, an appetite and often a trip to the veterinary hospital. This week the Animal Hospital of Waterford had a fatality due to bathroom trash consumption.

I would like to stress the importance of keeping your garbage from the kitchen, bathroom, and all other sources in a safe and secure place. Place garbage bins in a cupboard below the sink or with a lid for containment to prevent your pet from digging and finding items which they should not consume. Toxins can develop from bacteria on rotting food that can be fatal by poisoning your pet (vs. causing a blockage) especially in compost piles. You can also empty your garbage bins on a daily basis to help keep your pets safe. Some garbage items which animals have been known to consume range from dental floss, feminine hygiene products, bones from meat products, and paper/plastic items. Don’t forget your recyclable items as many plastic containers can be hazardous to your pet as well as the surrounding wildlife.

It is never easy to say goodbye to a loved one, especially those who have touched your heart and have made a positive impact in your life. Our pets can teach us many valuable lessons and we must do our best to provide the safest environment possible. Please take into consideration your garbage containers and their accessibility to your pets.

Critter Tales