Kaukauna Veterinary Clinic Celebrates World Pet Memorial Day

Dr. David Gagnon

June 12^th is World Pet Memorial Day.  Being pet owners, we’re lucky enough to have enjoyed the company, companionship, and love from a pet.  Of course the more typical pets, such as dogs and cats, are commonplace in American homes.  Many people have other animals they consider pets, whether horses, chinchillas, birds, or anything in between.  Regardless of the kind of animal, our pets are often a significant source of joy in our lives.  Being a veterinarian, my interest in pets began at a young age, and this unraveled into a lifetime dedicated to the prevention and relief of animal suffering.

As any pet owner knows, or will come to know, nobody lives forever.  Most of our companion animals don’t live much longer than a decade or two, and some unfortunately leave us far sooner than that.  As difficult as it is to say goodbye to our pets, providing the service of euthanasia is a responsibility that I take seriously and I consider myself fortunate enough to perform.  Euthanasia, though never easy, allows our pets to pass away peacefully and with dignity.

June 12^th is a day dedicated to the memory of our lost pets.  I’ve found that my memories of past pets tend to be very good.  My last moments with them were spent in times of old age, illness, or suffering, though my thoughts never really go back to those last minutes together.  The beauty of a long life filled with experiences and memories, is that those good times are what I recall.  My first dog Holly, a black lab mix who joined my family when I was just a tot, was one of the sweetest girls around.  She would never devour her rawhide treats, but rather just hold onto them and enjoy her new treasure.  Ella, on the other hand, was a little stinker who would chirp rather loudly at us when she had to go outside to do her business.  My very first memory of her was when she came home with us, only weeks old.  Then came Louis.  What a stud.  He had the nose of a true bird dog, and would run hard all weekend long until his feet nearly bled, all with the goal to sniff up birds.  Then there was Maggie.  What a sweetheart.  She wanted nothing more than to snuggle up next to our feet.  Some of these dogs lived to ripe old ages of 14 or 16, while others developed problems much younger at the age of 6 or 9.  All were loved, and none will be forgotten.

Now I have Solomon.  He’s almost 3 years old, and we’ve already shared joys and frustrations together.  Really the frustration was during puppy hood, but now he’s outgrown some of those immature behaviors and we’ve become best friends.  We cuddle at home, go for car rides, hunt, camp, and hike together.  He’s my shadow.  I realize his time on earth is limited, and I hope the time to say goodbye will only come several years from now, but his memory will live on leaving nothing but a smile on my face.

Solomon

 

This is a day to think back on the good times with your best friend.  Perhaps look at some old photos, share stories, or just crack a smile recalling some funny little behavior, like when she would always hop around when you made a bag of popcorn.  This is why we get pets.  They’re a huge source of happiness, and it’s a wonderful honor to spend our time with them while we can.

June is Adopt-a-Cat Month

Dr. Ronald Biese

For families that wanted a pet cat 20 years ago or more, often obtained them from a family or friend that lived on a farm.  The typical barn kitten that came to the veterinarian was full of fleas, worms and often Ringworm (a fungal infection on the skin).  Nearly all of these barn cats had an upper respiratory infection causing frequent sneezing and a very goopy nose.  Tincture of time and some medications usually turned them into healthy cats.  Occasionally they would die of a serious, irreversible viral infection.  

Today is very different when it comes to obtaining a family kitten or adult cat.  Most are acquired via a rescue or humane society.  June is National Adopt-a-Cat Month.  There are hundreds of animal shelters in our country that work tirelessly to help our four-legged friends.  Many of the people at such facilities actually volunteer their time to help care for sheltered animals.  Many shelters now have veterinarians on staff or work closely with local veterinarians to put sound medical protocols in place to keep these animals free of disease.  This involves treating them with medicine for upper respiratory diseases they still get today, deworming them, and treating any wounds, etc. 

Rescues/shelters also minimize stress as much as possible which can lead to disease.  This is done by housing them differently than they used to.  They are often in comfortable rooms versus a stainless steel cage.  The theory is to keep them as comfortable as possible to make them a good pet, and to minimize diseases they can get from stress.  This approach has worked very well. 

If you are in the market for a cat, check out many of the local rescues or the humane societies, and you will be sure to find the right cat or kitten that fits your family.  Cats and kittens can be very entertaining in the home. 

National Specially-abled Pets Day

Diane, LVT

The doctors and staff of Kaukauna Veterinary Clinic would like to take a moment to discuss the significance of this day.  

Disabilities in pets (as in people) come in many forms. The definition of disabled according to Webster’s dictionary is: having a physical (or mental) disability; being unable to perform one or more activities (such as walking or running) because of injury or illness (or congenital defect).

Disabilities can present in many forms. Pet animals qualify for the term disabled due to: blindness, deafness, spinal cord injuries (paralysis), missing limb, and/or oral (mouth) issues (fractured jaw, or loss of all or part of a jaw due to surgical removal due to cancer).

As pet parents, we are bound to care for our pets, to the best of our abilities, throughout their lives. When you adopt a pet with a disability, you know going into that relationship that your pet will have ongoing special needs. Should your pet be injured or become a victim of some sort of disease process, the disability will be a new endeavor for you.  In the event of loss of sight or hearing at some point in life, that situation may cause stress until you realize how to work through it. 

We will now briefly address some of the potential disabilities. 

Loss of a limb through amputation or spinal cord disease or injuries often result in partial or complete paralysis of one or more limbs. There are many products and devices available to aid with mobility in pets. These products include specially made splints, braces, or boots to help keep the leg/foot in a normal position. There are harnesses and slings to help support the body weight to help your pet move about the house and/or yard for elimination purposes. In the event of paralysis, there are companies that can make a custom made wheelchair or cart to help your pet move about more independently. Believe it or not, most dogs adapt quite readily to being on wheels! There is a joy that accompanies those pets when they can get around once again and become more mobile. Some paralyzed pets may need diapers or belly wraps to help with incontinence issues that occasionally occur with loss of function. For additional help with dogs with limited motor skills, you can purchase (or make) stairs or ramps to help dogs get in/out of the house, car, or even onto beds and couches! Dogs with missing limbs or some degree of paralysis can live a full life but you are required to provide an additional amount of commitment.

Blind dogs, including dogs who start out in life blind or those who lose their sight at some point later in life, can also live a full life. Dogs especially adapt very well to their dark world, but they do require a strong bond with their families to have the trust they need to live day to day. Obviously, do not change the furniture layout in your house too frequently – they will learn how to cope and get around the house just fine using their other senses.

Dogs born deaf or those who lose their hearing later in life can also do very well. Most dogs can be taught many commands through the use of sign language. They are also good at detecting your presence through vibrations and scent. As always – a good rule of thumb for blind or deaf pets – be sure everyone who encounters your pets knows of the special circumstances and does not approach or touch the pet abruptly; that could trigger a fear – bite response in them, which could set them (and you) up for legal/insurance troubles. 

Dogs who have sustained an oral (mouth) injury or disease can also do quite well with specialized support. Oral fractures may require the mouth to be wired shut for a few weeks of healing. Those dogs must be fed a liquid diet, possibly through a feeding tube.  If cancer dictates the removal of part of a jaw, feeding support can include liquid diets initially, but most of them can switch to a commercially prepared canned or possibly dry food once the healing process is complete. As horrifying as it sounds, loss of part or all of a jaw does not warrant loss of life. These dogs do very well and are so adaptable – they will find a way to eat! 

Keeping disabled pets mentally and physically healthy can be a challenge for you as a pet owner, but there are many resources available to help you along the way. As an owner of any disabled pet, you do have to remember that they will require more love and attention from you (and at times, more financial resources) than pets without disabilities. But with appropriate care, love, and attention, these pets can live out their remaining days relatively healthy and happy. Caring for a disabled pet will make you feel an even greater bond with your pet and you will always remember the special feeling you get from preserving that special life. Please remember it takes a very special person to be able to care for any pet with a disability and to applaud yourself for being able to go that extra mile.

On May 3^rd (and always), celebrate your special needs pet with some special one on one bonding time or a special treat, extra petting, etc.

Handicapped Pets Website

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