Each week we blog about diseases, but this week I decided to make it a bit more personal. Let me introduce myself, my name is Lisa. I have been an RVT here at this hospital since 1994 ( long time now !). I absolutely love the nursing aspect but have a particular interest in anesthesia. In 2009 I flew down to chicago and became a veterinary technician specialist in Anesthesia. Although it was hard work it was very rewarding! Dr. Lechten Anita and I also went t o Jamaica and volunteered at a stray (non kill) shelter and spayed and neutered Jamaican dogs. A definate highlight of my career! Ok enough about me, let's move on. Over the years we have done many wonderful things here at our hospital like complimentary client education seminars, pet fairs, open houses, BBQ's, golf tournaments, and more! If there are any topics that you would like to see on our blog please do not hestitate to contact me here at the hospital or email me at lisa.allandale.vet@on.aibn.com.
I will be keeping you informed as to our new hospital. We are all very excited to move to a new building that will be a state of the art facility. It will be well equipped with many more exam rooms! Yeah! We also will have a rehab area as well, with a hydrotherapy pool for pets. Our boarding area will also be upgraded to many more spaces, as well as "luxury" boarding which will include private themed rooms! We are looking for ideas on the themes and we will likely run a contest in the near future. Stay tuned.
Our facebook site is up and running and we have had an enormous response to it! Right now we running a "Like Us" contest and giving away some fantastic gift certificates! Congrats to our recent winners! Gift certificates will be able for pick up after Mar 31st.
Welcome! Voted Best Hospital of Barrie for 2018 by the Reader Choice Award (Barrie Advance newspaper), and Winner of the Vet Economics Hospital of the Year 2013! You will find new information about our staff, hospital or information about pets! Please feel free to become a follower of our blog. Enjoy reading!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Ear's to you!
Otitis externa, commonly referred to as an "ear infection", is an ear condition characterized by inflammation of the external ear canal. It is particularly prevalent in dogs with long, floppy ears. Ear infections represent one of the top 10 reasons dogs present to veterinarians and may affect up to 20 percent of dogs.
Infections are caused by fungus, bacteria or parasites. Laboratory tests can help to determine the underlying cause of the infection.
Several factors may predispose dogs to ear infections, including:
Infections are caused by fungus, bacteria or parasites. Laboratory tests can help to determine the underlying cause of the infection.
Several factors may predispose dogs to ear infections, including:
Ear infections can occur in dogs of any age breed or sex.
Dogs predisposed to otitis externa include those with genetic predispositions to abnormal ear canals, such as the Chinese shar-pei chow chows and English bulldogs; breeds with hair in the ears like poodles and terriers; dogs with pendulous pinnae such as the cocker spaniel and Springer spaniels; or outside and working dogs that are exposed to water or foreign bodies. Infections are most common in humid environments or during the summer months.
What to Watch For
Common signs of an infection include:
What to Watch For
Common signs of an infection include:
Treatment
Treatments for otitis externa may include the following:
Treatments for otitis externa may include the following:
Home Care and Prevention
Optimal treatment requires a combination of home and professional veterinary care. Be sure to have your veterinarian or his/her staff show you how to place medication into your pet's ears.
At home special care of your pet's ears can help to maintain healthy ears. Dry the ears after bathing or swimming and check ears for foreign matter.
Also, at the first sign of scratching, head shaking, pain, swelling, odor, or discharge, have your pet's ears checked by your veterinarian.
Friday, February 25, 2011
The scoop on "scooting"...
What Are the Anal Glands?
The anal glands (also called anal sacs) are two glands that secrete a pungent fluid. The fluid travels through small ducts that open into the anus. Typically, this fluid is released during defecation or territorial marking.
Where Are the Anal Glands Located?
The anal glands are located on either side of the anus, just under the skin, at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions. The glands are embedded in the muscle of the anal sphincter and are not readily visible.
What Is the General Structure of the Anal Glands?
The anal glands are small oval shaped sacs lined with tiny glands. The sacs range in size from that of a pea to a hazel nut. Each tiny gland in the sac produces a fluid that passes through a multitude of small ducts and eventually collects in the sac. As feces pass through the anus, the glands are squeezed, and the fluid is released through a small opening in the duct of the sac.
The anal glands (also called anal sacs) are two glands that secrete a pungent fluid. The fluid travels through small ducts that open into the anus. Typically, this fluid is released during defecation or territorial marking.
Where Are the Anal Glands Located?
The anal glands are located on either side of the anus, just under the skin, at the 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions. The glands are embedded in the muscle of the anal sphincter and are not readily visible.
What Is the General Structure of the Anal Glands?
The anal glands are small oval shaped sacs lined with tiny glands. The sacs range in size from that of a pea to a hazel nut. Each tiny gland in the sac produces a fluid that passes through a multitude of small ducts and eventually collects in the sac. As feces pass through the anus, the glands are squeezed, and the fluid is released through a small opening in the duct of the sac.
What Is the Function of the Anal Glands?
The only known function of the anal glands is to produce small amounts of secretions, ranging in color from yellow brown to gray. The fluid is watery to pasty in consistency. It is thought that these secretions are used as a way to mark territory and identify the dog to other dogs. The secretions from these glands are very pungent and may also be expressed when the animal is frightened or alarmed.
What Are Common Diseases of the Anal Glands?
Many dogs never develop problems with these glands, and most people are unaware of their presence. In a some dogs, anal gland impactions, infections, abscesses, ruptures and tumors occur. Diseases of the anal glands vary in severity in the signs they produce. Common symptoms of anal gland disease include "scooting" (dragging the rear end across the floor), a foul odor near the anus, and pain, licking or biting at the rectal area. If these problems are persistent then surgical removal of the glands is often a solution.
Anal gland impactions are the most common disorder associated with the anal glands in dogs. For unknown reasons, the fluid produced in the glands becomes too thick to be expressed naturally through the opening of the ducts into the anus. The fluid continues to be produced, resulting in an enlargement of the gland, secondary irritation, and possibly infection.
Anal gland infections are typically bacterial infections that cause local irritation and inflammation. Abscesses develop when an infection worsens and a significant accumulation of pus occurs within the anal gland. The anal gland may be impacted at the same time. The abscess may continue to enlarge until it ruptures through the skin, causing a small draining hole to develop near the anus. Pus may drain from this small hole.
Anal gland tumors in the dog are often malignant and are classified as adenocarcinomas. Sometimes anal gland tumors result in elevated blood calcium levels, which can cause significant organ damage, including kidney failure.
What Types of Diagnostic Tests Are Used to Evaluate the Anal Glands?
Physical examination and rectal palpation are the primary methods of evaluating the anal glands. Rectal palpation is performed by inserting a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the gland. Radiographs (x-ray) and blood work are not typically used to evaluate the anal glands, but blood tests may sometimes suggest the presence of infection, which prompts further examination of these glands. Tumors of the anal glands are confirmed with a biopsy.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Importance of Cat Grooming!
Believe it or not, most cats need a little help with their grooming – and owners should pay attention to their cats' eyes, ears and coat.
Whether purebred or mixed breed, a key to good grooming lies in the length of a cat's coat. A cat with a very short, single coat similar to the Siamese, Burmese and Cornish Rex needs very little grooming. The dense-coated shorthaired cats like American shorthairs, British shorthairs and Scottish folds require regular grooming sessions. Semi-longhaired cats resembling Maine coons should be combed and bathed even more regularly. Cats with long, flowing coats resembling the Persian should be combed and have their faces cleaned at least every other day and dematted (removing dead hair) at least twice a year.
The dreaded mat can form on even the most well-groomed cats, especially during seasonal shedding. If you find these clumps of dried, tangled hair in your cat's fur, never try to cut them out because you could slip and cut your cat's skin. It also hurts the cat with the matts pulling on their skin, which can cause sores.
Sometimes greasy coats, allergies and plain old dirt require a cat to have a good bath. This can be tricky because cats usually don't like water. It is best to introduce a cat to bathing as a kitten so that baths become less stressful with time.
It can be much easier to bring your cat to us, and let us take care of grooming needs. After a physical exam done by a veterinarian,teh technician will simply use gas anesthesia (less stress on your feline) and will groom and bath with no stress at all. Call us today for a quote or appointment!
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| A "lion cut" being done here at AVH |
Whether purebred or mixed breed, a key to good grooming lies in the length of a cat's coat. A cat with a very short, single coat similar to the Siamese, Burmese and Cornish Rex needs very little grooming. The dense-coated shorthaired cats like American shorthairs, British shorthairs and Scottish folds require regular grooming sessions. Semi-longhaired cats resembling Maine coons should be combed and bathed even more regularly. Cats with long, flowing coats resembling the Persian should be combed and have their faces cleaned at least every other day and dematted (removing dead hair) at least twice a year.
The dreaded mat can form on even the most well-groomed cats, especially during seasonal shedding. If you find these clumps of dried, tangled hair in your cat's fur, never try to cut them out because you could slip and cut your cat's skin. It also hurts the cat with the matts pulling on their skin, which can cause sores.
Sometimes greasy coats, allergies and plain old dirt require a cat to have a good bath. This can be tricky because cats usually don't like water. It is best to introduce a cat to bathing as a kitten so that baths become less stressful with time.
It can be much easier to bring your cat to us, and let us take care of grooming needs. After a physical exam done by a veterinarian,teh technician will simply use gas anesthesia (less stress on your feline) and will groom and bath with no stress at all. Call us today for a quote or appointment!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The most unusual names for 2010...
According tp the Veterinary Pet Insurance company the most popular pet names last year were latched to the "Twilight" series. Bella ranked the most popular name for a dog and Max was the most popular for cats.
Other top dog names were;
Max, Lecy, Buddy, Maggie, Daisy, Charlie, and Sophie.
Top cat names were;
Chloe, Oliver, Lucky, Gizmo, Bandit, and Charlie. The previous top names like Tiger and Tigger fell to the bottom of the list.
Some of the most unusual names noted were;
Pickle Von Corndog, Badonkadonk, Dog Vader, Purr Diem, Bing Clawsby, Chairman meow, Optimus Pants, and Admiral Pancake.
Go figure?
Other top dog names were;
Max, Lecy, Buddy, Maggie, Daisy, Charlie, and Sophie.
Top cat names were;
Chloe, Oliver, Lucky, Gizmo, Bandit, and Charlie. The previous top names like Tiger and Tigger fell to the bottom of the list.
Some of the most unusual names noted were;
Pickle Von Corndog, Badonkadonk, Dog Vader, Purr Diem, Bing Clawsby, Chairman meow, Optimus Pants, and Admiral Pancake.
Go figure?
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Preparing for Pet Emergencies! The First Aid Kit...
Hopefully your pet will not have cause for emergency medical treatment but "just in-case" here are some ways to be prepared. The purpose of your pet first aid kit is to stabilize your animal in an emergency for further treatment by a veterinarian. Treatment at home should never replace the assessment and treatment by a trained professional in an animal hospital. We DO NOT advise the administration of tylenol or aspirin to your pet as it can be toxic, cause stomach ulcers and/or cannot be combined with certain drugs that are commonly prescribed by the veterinarian.
- Know what is normal for your pet.
-Keep the veterinarians's phone number on hand and the Huronia Veterinary Emergency number as well
-Learn how to handle and transport a sick or injured pet.
-Do not administer any home remedies without first checking with your veterinarian.
- Don't panic.
Assembling a basic first aid kit;
Select a storage container that will allow you to organize your supplies neatly. A tackle box or tool organizer works well. Keep the kit out of reach of children and check it reguarlarly for expired or depleted supplies.
Numbers for the Animal Poison Hotline & Poison Control for Pets (800/548-2423 or 900/680-0000 both numbers charge a fee). The National Poison Control Hotlines for humans should also be included
Contents:
* muzzle
*protective gloves
*rubbing alcohol
*digital or rectal thermometer
*gauze roll/squares
*vasoline jelly
*hydrogen peroxide
*antibacterial soap
*cotton roll
*non stick wound dressing
*small flashlight
*blanket for transport
*corn syrup
*tweezers
*bandage scissors
*instant hot and cold compress
*Sock or stocking
*leash
*current pet first aid book
*syringe to feed
*latex gloves
- Know what is normal for your pet.
-Keep the veterinarians's phone number on hand and the Huronia Veterinary Emergency number as well
-Learn how to handle and transport a sick or injured pet.
-Do not administer any home remedies without first checking with your veterinarian.
- Don't panic.
Assembling a basic first aid kit;
Select a storage container that will allow you to organize your supplies neatly. A tackle box or tool organizer works well. Keep the kit out of reach of children and check it reguarlarly for expired or depleted supplies.
Numbers for the Animal Poison Hotline & Poison Control for Pets (800/548-2423 or 900/680-0000 both numbers charge a fee). The National Poison Control Hotlines for humans should also be included
Contents:
* muzzle
*protective gloves
*rubbing alcohol
*digital or rectal thermometer
*gauze roll/squares
*vasoline jelly
*hydrogen peroxide
*antibacterial soap
*cotton roll
*non stick wound dressing
*small flashlight
*blanket for transport
*corn syrup
*tweezers
*bandage scissors
*instant hot and cold compress
*Sock or stocking
*leash
*current pet first aid book
*syringe to feed
*latex gloves
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