POISONOUS HOUSEHOLD PLANTS
posted by Dr. Deb on July 4th, 2010 in Cats, Dogs, Exotics, Other
The ASPCA has compiled this List of Poisonous Household Plants, complete with pictures!
Glucoasamine/ Chondroitin- cheaper isn’t worth it
posted by Dr. Deb on June 9th, 2010 in Dogs
Osteoarthritis afflicts at least 2 in 10 dogs– either because of congenital diseases like hip dysplasia, injuries such as cruciate ligament rupture, or age related degenerative joint disease. As pet medicine has progressed, we have developed lots of new therapies for managing canine arthritis medically. In early stages, supplements, including Glucosamine/ Chondroitin preparations, are commonly recommended.
There are hundreds or thousands of different over the counter Glucosamine/ Chondroitin preparations available. How do you know which one to get? It’s tempting to just buy the least expensive one on the shelf. But cheaper is not better when it comes to Glucosamine/ Chondroitin supplements.
First, Glucosamine and Chondroitin should always be given together as they are both constituents of normal cartilage. And, the idea behind usng them in the first place is to provide the body with the building blocks of cartilage in the hopes of allowing the cartilage to heal. There is a lot of debate as to whether eating your cartilage building blocks, sending them through your digestive tract, ever gets them to inflamed joints. This is because Glucosamine and Chondroitin are both very large molecules that are mostly digested, not absorbed, as they pass through the GI tract. So, most of the Glucosamine and Chondroitin eaten is eliminated– in the backyard, in the case of our dog patients.
Very few companies go to the trouble of specially processing the Glucosamine and Chondroitin, cleaving off superfluous portions of the molecules, to make the Glucosamine and Chondroitin more highly absorbable– more “Bioavailable” — because the process is very expensive. Furthermore, as Glucosamine and Chondroitin are nutritional supplements, sometimes called Neutraceuticals, there is no agency (like the FDA) so supervise the processing, or even label claims on the products sold over the counter.
Most veterinarians agree that there is one company, NutraMax, that provides a superior, highly bioavailable Glucosamine/ Chondroitin
product. This high bioavailablility is what sets their product line apart from all the rest. The company has gone to the trouble and expense to carefully process the molecules. They have gone to the expense of performing clinical studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of their product as well. Other companies haven’t done that.
This quality assurance and effectiveness assurance to make for a more expensive product than you can buy at the drug store. Only you can decide if you want to pay more for a product that is most likely to work the best, or pay less for a product that make work somewhat, with much of it ending up. literally, in the dirt. This is not always an easy choice, given the over all expense of treating a large breed dog with osteoarthritis for life with usually more than one nutritional supplement and maybe pain medications.
An open discussion with your veterinarian will help you determine the best Glucosamine/ Chondroitin supplement for both you and your dog!
Omega 3 Fatty Acid Supplementation- the low down
posted by Dr. Deb on May 15th, 2010 in Cats, Dogs
- Itching often means Allergies!
Omega 3 Fatty Acids are all the rage, now. Nutritionists, Dermatologists and Internal Medicine Specialists, Gerontologists are all recommending Omega 3 Fatty Acids to treat everything from skin conditions to heart disease, arthritis and senility. Omega 3 Fatty Acids are just as helpful for our pets!
We Americans, people and pets, don’t get a lot of Omega 3’s in our diets, owing to the lack of fatty sea food in most of our diets. Our diets are over-loaded in pro-inflammatory Omega 6 Fatty Acids. The body’s cells will use whatever Fatty Acids are present to build new tissue and repair damaged tissues. If Omega 6’s are predominantly available, they will be used, putting all tissues in a state of relative inflammation. If, however, we eat a higher proportion of Omega 3 Fatty Acids, those will be used to repair and rebuild our tissues. These Omega 3 – rich tissues will be less prone to inflammation. This process of replacing pro-inflammatory cells with anti-inflammatory cells takes time as the body naturally turns over old cells, so Omega 3 Fatty Acid supplementation is a life-long investment in better health (for people and pets!).
Pets with osteoarthritis, skin allergies, hypothyroidism, pancreatitis and other fat metabolism problems, liver and kidney disease all benefit from high doses of The Omega 3 Fatty Acid fraction “EPA” (Eicosapentaenoic Acid). Twenty milligrams per pound (20 mg/ lb) of body weight is a rough dosage for EPA to achieve an anti-inflammatory dose. This dosing can be achieved by giving your pet Fish Oil capsules. ** Read the label on the product your choose: All Fish Oil supplements have different amounts of EPA and DHA and Omega 6 Fatty Acids! Avoid fish oil supplements made with mercury containing mackerel and tuna oil. Veterinarians often carry safe, convenient pump-on-the-food forms of High Potency Omega 3 Fatty Acid supplements just for pets.
“DHA” (Docosahexaenoic Acid) is the best Omega 3 Fatty Acid fraction for pets with senility and heart disease (just like people). The same product that provides an anti-inflammatory dose of EPA
PUmp-on, High potency Omega 3's for pets
will also have a good dose of DHA for the heart and brain cells. And, what senile older dog couldn’t also use some help with arthritic joints or organ dysfunction?
Omega 3 Fatty Acid supplementation is fast becoming known in the human and veterinary medicine fields as the best, most efficient, all-around Awesome nutritional supplement that we can use.
Help your pet live a more comfortable, longer, happier life with Omega 3 Fatty Acid supplementation.
RATTLESNAKES WAKING SOON! Get Protection Now
posted by Dr. Deb on February 24th, 2010 in Other
Rattlesnake Season is upon us. Our venemous desert vipers will soon be stirring for their first post-hibernation meals– hungry, cranky, and with full venom glands. Our curious pets are at highest risk for the most severe bites in the spring months when most bites are venemous and snakes have the meanest tempers and the fullest venom glands (saved up since their last meal in the Fall)!
Rattlesnake bites are extremely painful! Pets that are bitten will usually develop obvious swelling in the bitten area– usually the face or a paw. If you find oozing puncture wounds, you know your pet has been bitten, but often those punctures are hidden in the swollen tissue. As the venom penetrates the tissues, it causes tissue necrosis, or death and sloughing. The venom also leeches into the blood stream, affecting other organs. Rattlesnake venom can cause death by kidney failure or spontaneous destruction of blood cells in the vessels. All rattlesnake bites to pets are a veterinary emergency!
There is no First Aid treatment for rattlesnake bites in pets except to keep themn quiet, move the affected area as little as possible and get to your Vet or an Emergency Vet immediately. Once there, your Veterinarian can determine the best treatment for your pet, based on his condition. Standard treatment includes IV fluids and treatment for shock. Your veterinarian will probably recommend antivenin. Pain and infection will be addressed as well. At Cimarron Animal Hospital, we can offer Cold Laser Therapy to the affected area to immediately help reduce swelling and pain and significantly reduce the amount of tissue loss as well!
RATTLESNAKE VACCINE for dogs helps reduce the severity of rattlesnake bites caused by most of our desesrt species! The vaccine induces an immunity that inactivates the venom, minimizing pain, swelling and the risk of organ failure and intravascular hemolysis. Dogs still need to be seen immediately by their veterinarian for treatment of the post-bite infection (snakes have dreadful bacteria in their mouths!), and any residual venom effects not completely counteracted by the vaccine immunity, but the treatment should be less intensive and less expensive!
PREVENT snake bites by keeping your dog on a leash while walking in the desert. Stay alert to the sound of rattles on the side of the path and slowly walk away. Avoid leaving your dog in open desert areas as much as possible.
For those dogs at risk because they live in desert yards, frequent parks and washes or hunt with their masters, PROTECT them with Rattlesnake Vaccine. Pets receiving Rattlesnake vaccine for the first time will need two vaccines 4 weeks apart. The vaccine is protective for 6 months, so boosters every 6 months are important for continuous protection. If the boosters are not given every 6 months, the maufacturer recommends the double series be given once a year, 1 month prior to Rattlesnake Season.
For more info about the vaccine, http://rattlesnakevaccinefordogs.com/
Contact Us if you have any questions about rattlesnake vaccine or would like to schedule your pet’s vaccines. 886- 1125 info@cimarronah.com
We’re AAHA Accredited- what that means for you
posted by Dr. Deb on February 4th, 2010 in Other
The American Animal Hospital Association defines excellence in veterinary medicine. AAHA provides over 900 standards for quality medicine as well as client and patient service. A Veterinary practice can only be accredited by AAHA after completing a rigorous physical evaluation of its premises, practices, equipment, records, and management protocols. You canbe assured that your pet is getting the absolute best in medical protocols when you come to an AAHA hospital.
Cimarron Animal Hospital has been AAHA accredited since 1985. Dr. Bohnke has decided to maintain that accreditation because she wants to be able to give you the same confidence in the quality of medicine that your pet receives here as your child would receive at his or her pediatrician/ dentist/ surgeon’s office.
What are some of the specific features of an AAHA accredited hospital that you may not find at other Veterinary hospitals?
1) Pain management is a part of every patient’s evaluation. Pain medications are given preemptively, before a painful procedure is even begun. This helps prevent central nervous system “wind-up”, a phenomenon that causes a patient to perceive pain more intensely than it is because they have been in pain for some time already. Many forms of pain relief may be provided to minimize discomfort, depending on a patient’s needs.
All team members (including receptionists!) are trained to recognize the signs and severity of pain in various animal species so that effective medication can be administered promptly. All surgical patients receive pain medication.
2) Intensive Anesthetic Monitoring. All patients undergoing general anesthesia receive:
* Intravenous catheter and fluids. IV fluid administration protects against the depression of blood pressure and heart function that occurs every time a patient is anesthetized. Depression of these functions can threaten the future health of other vital organs like kidneys and brain. Having an IV catheter also provides an immediate venous access for drug administration in case there is a crisis during an anesthetic procedure.
* Endotracheal Tube in Place. Even if the procedure is very short or gas anesthetics are not used, an endotracheal breathing tube is placed. This tube, placed in the airway, ensures that the patient’s airway stays open, allowing for easy breathing throughout the procedure. It is also another route that can be used for emergency drug administration in case of emergency.
* EKG machine, Pulse oximeter, Blood pressure monitor, Core Temperature and endotracheal stethoscope monitoring. These monitors provide general oversight of the patient’s heart health, oxygen levels, and blood pressure while anesthetized.
* Certified Veterinary Technician as anesthesiologist. (many clinics utilize trained lay staff in this position). The CVT constantly monitors the patient physically throughout surgery, ensuring adequate anesthesia to remain pain free, yet not too much anesthesia as to be at risk. The CVT also monitors and records the patient’s vital statistics and electronic monitor readings every 15 minutes. This highly trained and experienced CVT is with your pet every moment from pre-surgical prep, through surgery and recovery.
3) All team members are trained in animal CPR ( At Cimarron, even our Business Administrator is trained!). This training is updated and reviewed every 6 months to ensure everyone stays current with latest recommendations.
4) Training in Emergency Shock Treatment so that Veterinary Assistants and CVT’s can begin life sustaining treatment as soon as possible, even in the absence of the Veterinarian.
5) Separate Isolation Ward from the main hospital ward to protect healthy pets from contagious disease. (Not all hospitals do this!)
6) All dental instruments are steam sterilized, not just disinfected, between patients to prevent disease transfer during dental procedures.
7) Hospitalized patients are given thorough physical exams, performed by the Veterinarian, twice daily. The Vet on duty does not rely soley on reports of the Veterinary Assistants and Technicians to determine medical therapy.
Veterinary Technicians are all formally trained in animal restraint. Team members must pass a critical evaluation before being allowed to handle pets. All Team members are trained to use the least amount of restraint possible while still being able to perform a procedure. This ensures that your pet will be handled in the gentlest way possible, maximizing safety to your pet, you, and your veterinary team.
9) All adverse drug/ treatment reactions must be reported to the appropriate oversight government agency (FDA, DEA, EPA, etc) within 2 days of our knowledge of the event. This helps us to prevent needless similar adverse reactions in the future as well as providing oversight into the safety of pet health products for everyone. (Most veterinary clinics do not report minor adverse events at all.)
AAHA Hospitals are for the devoted pet owner who wants their pet treated like a member of the family. There are always less expensive options, but there is no place that provides the kind of love, kindness, consideration, medical expertise, cleanliness, dedication, and committment to you and your pet that an AAHA Hospital like Cimarron Animal Hospital does.
For More Information about AAHA Accreditation, see HealthyPet.com About Accreditation
Because Pets and their People are Our Passion!
