National Kids & Pets Day

Lisa Lambie

Started in 2005, National Kids & Pets Day is celebrated on April 26th. Colleen Paige’s goal of creating this day was simple. It is dedicated to celebrating the bond between children and animals. Furthermore, it helps bring awareness to the homeless animals in shelters all over the USA and educating people about safety between children and pets. 

Pets and children can learn a lot from each other. Children learn kindness and compassion toward all living creatures and this will hopefully make them tender and nurturing parents someday. They learn daily responsibility of taking care of, feeding, and giving quality time to a pet. This idea has expanded into reading programs across America. An otherwise shy and non-confident kid can go and read to an animal in a shelter and feel great in a non-judgmental environment. It boosts their ego a little and the dog learns something in return! Pets gain knowledge of how to interact with children and be in the presence of humans. 

 That being said, we as parents need to teach our children respect toward the pets in the home. Never leave a child unattended with any pet. Our children can be unintentionally harmed and most accidents including scratches during rough play or being knocked down can be avoided with proper supervision.

One more thing to remember is to research whether or not your family is ready and in a position to get and care for a pet properly. They can be a huge blessing and I hope that this year’s National Kids and Pets Day is fabulous!!

Children Help Get Shelter Dogs' Tails Wagging By Reading

Dog Bite Prevention Coloring Book 

Poison Prevention Week

Dr. Ronald Biese

Duke was rushed into our clinic because he was having severe difficulty walking.  The owners were very upset and crying, thinking the worst for their “baby” of only 3 years old.  Our team jumped into action to gather necessary history on Duke and a thorough exam.  The exam led us to certain diagnostic tests that revealed an answer that blew us away!  

He was suffering from rat poisoning which caused him to bleed into his spinal cord.  This presentation was extremely unusual and rare, but very real.  We started Vitamin K as the antidote to the chemical in rat poison and he made a full recovery. 

Dogs and even cats will eat almost anything! There are literally thousands of toxins in this world that are not an issue unless consumed.  Every year many pets die or become seriously ill from consuming something they shouldn’t have eaten.  So, as their care giver, the owner has to remain vigilant on the access they have to toxins.  

To keep our pets safe we must be mindful of what may harm our beloved furry friends:  

1.      Know what products can be used on your pet.  There are certain flea products, for instance, that can only be used on dogs and if put on a cat have serious consequences.

2.     Do NOT give a medication to your pet that hasn’t been prescribed by your veterinarian until you know it is safe and have the correct dosage.  Contact your veterinary clinic before giving any medication.  In that same vein, make sure all human medications are out of reach of your pets.  Make sure your pet doesn’t eat a human drug that may be dropped on the floor.  If you drop pills often, you may want to keep your pet out of the room until you are done taking your medication. 

3.     My advice on rat poison is DON’T USE IT, period!  There are so many times a pet owner will place rat poison in a “hidden” place.  The owner is so confident that their pet can’t get at it and they end up finding it and eating it.  What isn’t commonly known is mice will move the rat poison to their nesting place for food later in the winter.  The place they move it to is often very accessible to their pet.  Rat poison kills!!  Don’t use it!

4.     Plants tend to beautify a home.  It is wonderful to display plants in a house; however, many are toxic to pets.  Please contact your veterinarian or visit a reputable website to find which plants are toxic to your cat or dog.  Then simply don’t have those plants in your home. 

5.     There are plenty of every day foods that are toxic to a dog and/or cat.  Chocolate is the most known toxic food, but there are plenty of others that can do great harm to your pet.   The short list of most toxic foods includes chocolate, grapes/raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, garlic, any candy with xylitol (gums, breath fresheners, peanut butter, etc.), rhubarb leaves, mushrooms and others.  Avoid giving these foods to your pet, and don’t leave them accessible in any way.

6.     Chemicals such as household cleaners and antifreeze can be very toxic to your pet.  Keep all of them in a cabinet that can’t be “broken into”.  If your car leaks antifreeze, clean it up immediately.  It doesn’t take much antifreeze to kill a dog within 24 hours. 

7.     Non-food household items can pose a problem if your pet eats them.  For instance, yarn or string can get stuck in your cat’s intestines and cause serious problems.  Coins and jewelry are often eaten by dogs, because they have alluring oils from human hands.  Moth balls smell terrible, but dogs have been known to eat them and they are very toxic to animals.  It is amazing what a dog will eat that would seem impossible for them to even get into their mouths and swallow!

With the above list, it may sound daunting to keep all of the toxic things in this world away from your beloved four-legged friend, but with some common sense and being familiar with what may harm them, you can keep your pet safe.   As always, contact your veterinarian if you have any questions about anything you think may be toxic to your pet.   

For more information click on the links below

Pet Poison Help iPhone App         Fox Valley Animal Referral Center

Toxic Plant Guide 

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

Dr. David Gagnon

Another winter, another trip up north for sled dog races.  This year’s John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon in northern Minnesota was an interesting one.  The veterinary team was comprised of ten veterinarians, six veterinary technicians, and one vet student.

The race started on a warm Sunday morning, with temperatures in the mid-upper 30s, which was warm and comfortable for all the people involved, but unfortunately warm for the dogs.  Their preferred racing temperatures are typically in the single digits above or below zero.  I expected several dogs to need fluids shortly into the race, but their mushers are so much better than I gave them credit for.  The dogs ran well, and they did get warm, but the mushers kept their pace in check to protect them from overheating and becoming dehydrated.

Naturally, there are always dogs that are dropped from teams due to minor soreness or muscle breakdown.  But this year, there was nothing major.  I was bored.  Boredom for the vet team, while unfortunate for those of us who experience it, is great for the dogs and testament to their health and conditioning.  The healthier the dogs, the less I have to intervene and provide specialized care.  In fact, the more significant injuries in this year’s Beargrease happened to humans.  One was an EMT who tags along with the veterinary team, who wiped out on some ice and injured her hip.  The other was a musher who fell on the trail onto her shoulder.  This musher, Beckie Hacker, is a good friend of mine who used to be on the vet team (she’s a certified veterinary technician).  She ended up finishing in last place, earning the coveted Red Lantern Award.

It wouldn’t be a sled dog race without a lack of sleep.  By the end of the race, we (the vet team, other volunteers, mushers, and dog handlers) were all pretty sleep-deprived.  We all gathered at the finish line in Duluth to celebrate, share stories, and eagerly go back to our respective beds to catch up on some much-needed sleep. 

Every year, the veterinary team rewards one musher a prize recognizing extraordinary dog care.  This year’s “best kept team” award went to Carl Rauthier and his handlers, a team from Quebec.  His dogs were the only ones to come into and go out of the final checkpoint of the race (at approximately mile 350) with tails wagging and a pep in their step.  He rested his dogs longer than required, whenever necessary.  They were well-fed and well-hydrated.  And they were wonderfully friendly dogs and people, besides.  Carl’s acceptance of this award brought the vet team to tears, though perhaps it’s partially due to our lack of sleep.

Many of us come from many different backgrounds: veterinarians from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Arizona, and Ontario; mushers from Minnesota, Michigan, Ontario, and Quebec.  Regardless of our differing ages, locations, and professional backgrounds, we do share one common thing: we love these dogs.  Sled dogs are incredible in their energy, enthusiasm, drive, and perseverance.  It’s truly inspiring.  You should check it out sometime.

John Beargrease Website

Check out Beargrease on Facebook

Corn & Grains In Pet Foods

Dr. David Gagnon

Kaukauna Veterinary Clinic is AAHA accredited, which means we adhere to the guidelines set forth by the American Animal Hospital Association.  For accreditation, we are measured against approximately 900 rigorous standards in the veterinary industry and we provide outstanding medical care and client service.  AAHA publishes a monthly magazine for veterinary professionals called AAHA Trends.

The January, 2016 issue of AAHA Trends contains an article titled “Myth Busters: Corn Edition!” by Kelly Smith.  This article goes into some of the myths regarding corn and grains in pet foods.  Here are some myths and other excerpts, as listed in the article; these are quotes from board-certified veterinary nutritionists and studies they cited.

Myth #1: Dogs and cats did not evolve eating grains and therefore cannot digest grains

·        “…three genes responsible for the digestion of dietary starch were expressed 7-12 fold higher levels in the dog compared with the wolf.” (Rebecca Remillard, PhD, DVM, DACVN)

·        “…both dogs and cats digest better than 95 percent of the starch in a properly cooked diet containing 50 percent corn or rice.” (Remillard)

Myth #2: Grains are allergenic

·        “At this time, there is no evidence to support that animals on grain-free diets have less incidence of food allergies than animals on conventional diets.  Food allergies in general are uncommon [in pets].” (Martha G. Cline, DVM, DACVN)

Myth #3: One can evaluate the “quality” of a pet food by reading the ingredient list

·        “…the ingredient list according to AAFCO [the Association of American Feed Control Officials] should not impart any information regarding the quality, nutritional balance, or digestibility of the pet food product.” (Remillard)

AAFCO evaluates whether a food has the components necessary for a complete diet.  You should not strictly feed a diet that is not AAFCO approved (e.g. feeding treats or table scraps as the main diet).  The ingredients in pet food are listed in order of weight.

Myth #4: Corns/grains are non-nutritive “fillers”

·        “I’ve heard concerns about them [grains] being ‘filler,’ which is nonsense…. They are added because they contribute energy and other essential nutrients, as well as very useful dietary components, such as fiber” (Jennifer Larson, DVM, PhD, DACVN)

It is difficult for consumers to know which pet foods are high quality and which are not.  A food’s claim to be grain-free or not doesn’t reveal anything about its quality.  A food that is known to be high quality may work well with some pets, while it may disagree with others.  The pet food world is a confusing place.  Even employees at pet stores are often misinformed when it comes to certain things, such as corn/grains.

If you have any questions or concerns about pet foods, don’t rely on television commercials or online articles.  Sometimes these are reliable, but oftentimes these are based on marketing or they play off the experiences of a select few individuals.  Please look to your veterinarian as the first source for reliable information regarding your pet’s nutrition.

November is National Pet Diabetes Month

Dr. David Gagnon

 

 

November is National Pet Diabetes Month.  People are becoming increasingly familiar with diabetes, as it is a growing health problem in our society, and there are countless medical advertisements on TV.

Our pets get diabetes too.  So what do uncontrolled diabetics look like?  We (yes, we... I am diabetic too) drink a lot of water, and then out it comes as urine.  Since the body isn’t able to utilize the glucose it receives from food, the body believes it’s in starvation mode, so appetite initially goes up too.  For the same reason, diabetics lose weight.  This last fact is sometimes confusing to people, because we often associate diabetes as happening in overweight people or animals.  This is true, as being overweight or obese is a risk factor, but once diabetes sets in, those animals then lose weight.

In some dogs, diabetes happens along with another hormonal condition, such as Cushing’s disease.  Cushing’s disease causes the body to produce too much steroid hormone, and steroids can cause insulin resistance, thus leading to diabetes.  Cushing’s disease, diabetes, and other metabolic or hormonal disorders, can look very similar, so we initially recommend full bloodwork to make sure that there’s nothing more going on.

Now that we have a diagnosis of diabetes, how do we treat?  Almost always, it requires insulin injections.  Dietary changes can help avoid drastic swings in blood sugar levels too.  Pets do require routine blood sugar checks to be sure that the insulin dose is appropriate.  With adequate treatment, most animals have a very good prognosis!

What happens if your diabetic pet goes untreated, or if it’s not well-controlled?  He will continue to lose weight and become increasingly lethargic.  He is also at a greater risk for urinary tract infections, pancreatitis, and peripheral neuropathies.  The most common long-term complication in dogs is irreversible cataract formation in the eyes, but this is not true for cats.  There’s a risk for developing diabetic ketoacidosis, in which animals’ electrolytes and acidity level of the blood can become altered and potentially life threatening.

If you notice your pet’s energy level is decreasing, or if he spends more time at his water dish or having to go outside more than usual (or if he’s having urinary accidents inside), call your veterinarian right away.  This may be due to diabetes, and treatment could give him – and you – a much happier life!  If we catch it and treat it early enough in cats, there’s a chance for remission, thus eliminating the need for insulin treatment.  I love it when that happens!

                                                         Pet Diabetes Risk Assessment

                                                                 Pet Owner Resources

October is Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month

Ern “the man”

There was no doubt in my head when it was time to add another pet to our family that I would adopt. I had adopted a dog and 2 cats before and had GREAT experiences.

So there I was, on Petfinder.com looking at all the adoptable dogs. I didn’t really have too many requirements other than I wanted to go a little smaller, if possible. I had had 2 mixed breeds, both about 65# and thought I might like a smaller dog. I knew I needed something “sturdy” though. I have a big family and a busy household and I just did not want a dog that would get hurt or not adjust well to my kids. So I was looking at all the closest Humane Societies and rescues to see what they had available. Then it happened! I came upon a picture of what looked to be a pug mix. “I’ve always wanted a pug-looking dog,” I said to myself. I will set up an appointment to meet this dog.

I filled out my application and e-mailed it to the rescue right away. Shortly thereafter, I got a reply that he was part of a litter of 3 and they wanted to know if I wanted to meet all 3. “Is this even a real question,” I thought? “Of course I do!” I told the rescue.

         So, the day came and I was in the room with all 3 little babies and of course they were ALL adorable. How will I choose? Good thing I had brought someone along to help me with this hard decision. The little pug looking baby was completely awesome. He was feisty though. He pushed the other two out of the way a lot. So, I started to pay more attention to the other two to see if I could get an idea of their personalities. The little girl was cute but the gal from the rescue said she had a potential adopter already so, I thought I’d set my sights on the boys. The last puppy was a little boy. He was very charming and, of course, a little cutie. He looked to be a terrier mix of some sort. He had wiry hair and reminded me of a black and tan Schnauzery looking dog. He would come up to me and cuddle but he wasn’t an “in your face” kind of dog. He really seemed like he would be a good fit. “Terriers are sturdy”, I said to myself. But, what about the pug-like dog I had always wanted? I liked them both! How do I choose? The friend that was with me offered no help either. “I think either one would be great,” she said. So……I went home with no one. I spent the night thinking about which one I liked better and for what reasons I liked them. The next morning it was as clear as the day that had just started. The little terrier was the one. I called immediately!

 I was very excited to bring him home and start loving him. He has made it very easy! We named him “Ernie” and he’s been with us 4 ½ years now. He’s been a great addition and he’s so smart. Smarter than us I think sometimes. I had him in agility class for a while and he was GREAT at it. My schedule, however, prevented us from continuing. Maybe someday we’ll go back to it. Ernie has brought our entire family so much joy over the years and I have NEVER regretted choosing him. He has a habit of eating desserts off the counter. We’ve had to induce vomiting a few times after he’s gotten food off the counter, and I still have not figured out how a 25# dog gets up there to get it. I may have to set up a trail-cam but until then, all food stays behind doors! Despite this bad habit, he makes me laugh; his personality is one of a kind and he’s great to snuggle with. I love him to pieces and I hope to have him a long, long time! He’s my little Ern ”the man” and I wouldn’t trade him for anything.

Lisa Lambie