Today, a client called in a panic because her dog ate a bluebird and she was concerned that the dog would get rabies. "Birds don't get rabies," we told her. "Oh," she said. Then, hopefully, "Distemper?" Dogs are, at the end of the day, dogs, and one of the imperatives of dog-dom is eating stuff they're not supposed to, including dead things, things with eyeballs, and entrails. While there are specific instances that cause concern- a dog playing with a dead bat, say, or eating a rat that ... Read more »
Archives for October 2010
Health
Weekly Weigh-In
Koa held steady this week at 75 pounds. I'm just happy she didn't gain weight in her inactive state. This morning, she chased Brody around the yard for a good 5 minutes after their morning ablutions, which is pretty much unheard of for her. In addition to her recovery, I wonder if her sarcoma was causing her some discomfort that is now alleviated. I took her staples out on Sunday, so I no longer have to see her and think Frankenpup, which is good since it made me feel guilty every time. ... Read more »
Be careful where you’re rubbing that thing
I absolutely, positively adore the Veterinary Information Network. It is a subscription-based website open to veterinarians with a whole wealth of specialists, bulletin boards, news bits, and resources. I can check the dosing on a rarely-used medication, see the prognosis of a particular type of cancer, or ask my colleagues for an opinion on an odd case, all without leaving the treatment area. In an office where I am by myself 99% of the time, it gives me real-time access to a group of like ... Read more »
Help! My lab ate an M&M!
It's Halloween time, and that means one thing: everyone stuffing their cabinet with chocolate under the guise of "just stocking up for Halloween." Except then you have to open the bag for inspection, just to check that it didn't melt or anything on the way home from the store, and that no one put razor blades in it. Safety first, after all. So by October 20th, you've exhausted that first bag, and then you have to get a couple more; can't wait until the last day, since of course the stores ... Read more »
The numbers game
Owners have very high expectations of one's ability to diagnose a condition based on their description, what they read on the internet, and (to a lesser extent) my physical examination. Don't get me wrong- taking an accurate history and doing a physical examination are instrumental skills. But they are not 100%. "What is it, doc?" the owner asks as I poke at a lump. I can give you some guesses with a good amount of accuracy based on its appearance, how it moves on or under the skin, that sort ... Read more »
Never never never
Several years ago I was sitting in an exam room with a man who was about to euthanize his cat. "Is he going to wave his legs around?" he asked. "That's pretty uncommon," I said. "No seizures?" he asked. "No." His shoulders relaxed. "That's good," he told me. "Because when I was a kid and we euthanized our cat, I took him home to bury him, and the next morning I found him halfway out of the grave." He took a breath. "When we called the vet, he told us sometimes the pet can have some ... Read more »
I like big mutts and I cannot lie
I am just so happy to get an excuse to use that line. :) Koa is big, compared to, say, a teacup chihuahua, but we are inching ever closer to that ideal body weight that will make her happier and healthier. She has a pretty large lipoma on her left shoulder. I can't tell if it is growing, or if it simply seems more apparent now that she has less fat covering it. Either way, it will be coming off in the near future. I am, for reasons that should be obvious, pretty gun shy about taking ... Read more »
I must have missed this kit at Michael’s
I will clarify and agree regarding yesterday's post that I am looking for web sites that help owners understand a vet's diagnosis and treatment plan, NOT ones that claim to make a diagnosis themselves. For every great site out there, there are four or five of these sort, which I link to only because it's the kind of thing that explains my awful teeth grinding habit: HOME PARVO TREATMENT, courtesy of the "Thrifty Fun" website. Yes, alongside articles about turning used toilet paper rolls ... Read more »
Behold the power of the internet
I love the internet. Trust me, I do. I find nothing wrong with a client who goes and pokes all over the net in search of information about their pet, because I do the same thing for myself. The internet is nothing short of miraculous in helping people become empowered. But. But.... (fade to black) The scene: A typical exam room, inhabited by a typical patient: a labrador with an ear infection. Me: Has Freddy had ear infections before? Client: Off and on for most of his life, ... Read more »