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 »
Health
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 »
Nulo Challenge: Skinny Jeans
I don't really know what the dog equivalent is of fitting in a pair of skinny jeans. They aren't vain that way. They lack the human tendencies to feel shame, thus have no issues with muffin top fear or the like. Either way, Koa has lost enough weight that people are starting to notice- which although she doesn't know it is a big milestone. Pets reap the benefits as much as anyone else of a healthy weight. Yesterday, I was watching Koa and Brody standing together and noticed how she is ... Read more »
Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels
Well, that's what we tell ourselves anyway. I hope Koa agrees. She has lost one more pound this week, putting her at 77 pounds. She ate some lettuce yesterday, leftover from my lunch salad. It was a piece of arugula with a light balsamic vinaigrette. I was amazed she actually swallowed it- Brody is a champion vegetable spitter outter. I wouldn't say she was exceptionally enthused about it, but beggars can't be choosers. She even got a little treat this weekend- I made some dog biscuits for ... Read more »
The Koa Chronicles: a pain in the rear
We are well into the second month on the Nulo Challenge and Kekoa is happily settled into her routine. I've also brought Brody into the fold for the month to see how he does on Nulo. He gets a bit more than she does, but he also eats a lot faster than she so it pretty much balances out. Koa's always had a shiny coat, but now it's glossy. Luminous, even. I'm going to feature her in my Adopt a Seriously Adoptable Pet Week post next week so I'm glad to report she will be extra-beautiful for her ... Read more »
The Koa Chronicles: Life on a Diet
We're coming up on almost a month now of Koa's Weight Loss Diaries. Time flies when you're enjoying life! She has lost another half pound on Nulo this week. Not bad for a dog on a 'diet'! If you've ever put a pet on a prescription weight loss food, you are probably familiar with the drill. Yes, they get a decent amount of food, but the ingredient list leaves something to be desired. I was actually unable to put Mulan on any of the prescription diets because of her food allergy ... Read more »
Vaccinations for Your Dog: A Complex Issue, by Nancy Kay, DVM
Today I am delighted to have a guest post from Dr. Nancy Kay, a veterinary internist and author of the must-have guide for being a good health advocate for your pet, Speaking for Spot. In today's post, Dr. Kay gives some tips for how to wade through the complex issue of pet vaccination and what you can do to make the decisions that are right for you and your pet. Thank you so much Dr. Kay! During my last year of veterinary school, I recall how scary it was when a new canine ... Read more »
National Drag Your Cat to the Vet Week
We now interrupt my special vacation guest postings for a regularly scheduled posting- but it's for a good reason. August 16th-22nd marksNational Take your Cat to the Vet Week, a reminder to all us cat owners that despite what your cat may tell you, they really should get a vet checkup at least once a year. Cats are masters of disguise, which is something I repeat regularly to owners who just can't figure out how the cat who was acting normal last month now has raging diabetes or a thyroid ... Read more »
The Biggest Loser- Dog Edition!
When I was in my senior year of vet school, a beagle presented to the orthopedics service for a surgery consultation. The complaint: My dog can't walk. The door opened, and in walked a person, dragging a little red wagon behind her. Splayed out inside was the most obese pet I have seen in my life: a 68 pound beagle. His eyes, nearly buried in layers of fat, peeked out sadly as he huffed and puffed, pleading: help. The surgeons rolled that dog right on out of the room and down the hall to ... Read more »
Vets get jealous too
This one's for my fellow toilers in this profession. One of the great things about not owning a practice is that I don't have to worry about a lot of the things an owner would. Payroll, for example. Sick technicians. FMLA. Leases. That sort of thing. One of the bummers about not owning a practice makes itself apparent whenever I find myself at a continuing education conference, walking through booths of shiny bright tools and pieces of equipment I can't buy. The sales rep turns to me with ... Read more »
Let’s play a game
I like this game. It's harder than it looks. You'll get a series of hints. Slam the buzzer when you know the answer. An owner calls and says his dog is itchy. BUZZ! FLEA ALLERGIES! Ah yes, very good guess, but you haven't even seen the dog yet. The dog is not on flea control. BUZZ! IT'S TOTALLY FLEA ALLERGIES! Look, I get that is a reasonable assumption, but we need a little more information to make an accurate diagnosis. ... Read more »
Thunderphobia!
I live in Southern California. We don't have thunder. We have earthquakes. In fact, we just had one 5 minutes ago. It was a 5.9. I'm still shaking. My point is, while I can tell you all about how to handle earthquakes (freeze and pray), thunderstorm phobia is really not my area of expertise. Fortunately for all of you, as we stand on the cusp of thunder season (so I hear), I have the pleasure of having guest blogger and trainer extraordinaire Eric Goebelbecker from Dog Spelled Forward, one ... Read more »
I’ll get you, my pretty! And your little warts too!
Today, I decided little Kekoa might enjoy a day at doggie daycare. Why not? I had a reservation I wasn't going to be able to use for Brody anyway. Why is that, do you ask? Poor Brody is persona non grata at doggie daycare. You see, he has warts. Canine viral papillomas, to be more specific- a common affliction in dogs, seen most often in young pups who go to dog parks, or, erm, doggie daycares. So no matter that this very place is the most likely reason he got it in the first place, until ... Read more »
