Dr. Primm's Warm and Fuzzies

So, my clients all know that I frown on giving people food to pets. But I have pets and I know how it is.  We love them and we want to include them on the festivities.  I am going to tell you how to include them and NOT see me in the following days with vomiting/diarrhea and a variety of symptoms known as "dietary indiscretion". 
Choose wisely. If you kind of think that you shouldn't eat it, don't give it to your pet and there are, of course, ingredients that need to be avoided for pets specifically that are alright for people.
Examples might include:
Highly fatty foods, like ground beef or bacon can cause severe disease in some pets, like emergency pancreatitis. Thanksgiving morning brunch with eggs and sausage is not dog friendly!
Chocolate is never a great idea for pets, nor do I give my animals onions,garlic, grapes, raisins or bones. I personally avoid highly processed foods, like breads and pastries for my dogs (and myself).
Remember "all things in moderation". Never give dogs all the leftover mashed potatoes or clean out the fridge on Black Friday dumping all of it on the dog!
Good choices might include giving a green bean or two or maybe a carrot.  Dessert for your dog could be a piece of melon.  My dogs are grateful to be included and are very excited about anything that I give them.  They never stop and look at me like I should have given them something tastier!
Most pets are just happy to have all the excitement and visitors and the treats are secondary.  Pets show us what being thankful is all about and I am thankful for them!

Comments (2)     

The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) recently published a press release (http://www.avma.org/press/releases/111031_zombie-apocalypse.asp) entitled "5 reasons you want a veterinarian on your team in a zombie apocalypse". The idea was to draw some attention on Halloween inspired by the addition of a veterinarian to AMC's zombie series, The Walking Dead.  The post has received over 20,000 views and has become a bit of a sensation, both positive and negative.  Here is my 2 cents worth: If a little bit of fun and a catch word like "zombie" causes even one person to read about how to be prepared in the event of a catastrophe, then HOORAY for all.
There are preparedness lists easily accessible on CDC Emergency page.  http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/disasters/. Use common sense.
We are trying to do our part to microchip (permanently identify) pets so that in the event of emergency, they can be returned to their families. Knowledge is power.  The more you know and have thought about what you might do, the more prepared you will be.
And if you happen to develop a new respect for your veterinarian when you are reading about all the things he or she has had to learn and do...all the better!

Comments (0)     

Our big event, F.E.S.H. 'n CHIPS Pet Adoption and Microchip Day was a big success.  Because it was the first annual, we learned a lot about how to make it even better.  I was amazed at how many clients and friends turned out to help and support us.  We were able to place some "hard to place" dog, but no cats.  We permanently identified a LOT of pets also and it is my honor to be able to insure that they will always be returned home in the event of loss. Thank you for the support and letting us all know that you appreciate what we do!

Comments (0)     

I very often hear people say that their dog or cat is retaliating by urinating in the house or on a personal item. They say that "he ran and hid when he saw me because he knew what he did was wrong".  But having treated and studied animals for most of my life, I would suggest that your dog or cat is survivalistically dependent on his or her ability to read subtle body language cues. When you come in the door and see the urine spot, you tense up, you sound angry and you move subtlety different than usual.  So the pet runs and hides.  Animals lack the higher brain functions necessary to link a behavior that happened hours before to the present.  If your pet was previously litter or house trained and now is not, I would strongly suggest seeing a veterinarian for some diagnostic testing.  There are many medical reasons for inappropriate elimination and your veterinarian is trained to help you get to the bottom of this frustrating issue.  If your pet has a medical reason for this behavior, don't you want to help?  Of course you do. Please do not be too quick to diagnose your pet with a behavior problem.  Let your vet make the diagnosis and use his/her expertise.  Whatever the cause, your vet is there with you to be a healthcare team for your pet.

Comments (0)     

Very often I get calls from pet owners saying that the groomer told them  that their dog has ear mites.  I applaud the groomers for noticing the discomfort of the pet's ears and bringing it to the owner's notice, but caution them against making a diagnosis (which is what saying "ear mites" is). 
I have been in practice for a very long time and I have seen ear mites in a dog only ONE time.  This was a tiny Yorkie puppy that slept with an infected kitten every night.  It does not occur commonly at all. Is it possible? Yes, it is possible. But then again I once heard a story about an eccentric veterinarian who placed live ear mites into his own ear because he was curious if they could survive.  It might be veterinary legend, but the story goes that the mites flourished inside his ear and he required medical treatment himself.  Can you imagine having tiny bugs crawling inside your ear canal? And it was your own fault? YIKES!
So, it the groomer tells you that your dog has ear mites, you need to call a veterinarian for a real exam and diagnosis right away.  If there is enough discomfort and discharge from the ear to alert the groomer, then medical treatment is warranted and a veterinary professional can choose the appropriate diagnostics to find the cause and treat accordingly.
Did I make your ears itch with my story??? :)

Comments (1)