Product Focus: Nexgard

There are a lot of products and medications available for your pets. How do you know what each one is for and if it is the right choice for your pet? The best way is to ask your veterinarian! We are also going to take a look at certain products and what the do and what possible side effects they may have. The more information you have, the better decisions you can make for your pet!

Nexgard is a monthly chewable that helps prevent fleas and ticks on your dog! (Image Source)

Today we are going to look at Nexgard!

As the weather is starting to warm up (we think!) it is time to starting thinking about flea prevention for your pet for the year. Nexgard is a wonderful new product that can help protect your pet from fleas and ticks.

Avoid fleas with this great (and delicious) monthly preventative (Image Source)

One of the most appealing aspects of this product, is that it takes the form of a delicious beef chew. Most pets think it is a treat and don't even notice they are getting medication. This makes remembering monthly flea prevention very easy. The company that manufactures this medication also makes Heartgard, so they two can be used together to have your dog fully covered for fleas, ticks AND heartworms. (Please note that it takes TWO separate products to cover all THREE of these preventatives. As of right now there is not a chewable product available that will prevent fleas, heartworms and ticks). Another great thing about Nexgard is you can give a bath anytime after (or before) administration. With topical medications, many times you need to coordinate the bathing schedule with the administration of the medication, however with Nexgard this is not an issue!

Most dogs love the taste, which makes giving it very easy! (Image Source)

While Nexgard is usually very well tolerated, as with any medication, there are a few side effects to watch out for. The most common includes vomiting or upset stomach. Nexgard does not have to be given with a meal, but sometimes giving the chewable after a meal will help prevent your pet from vomiting if they have a sensitive stomach. Several pets also seem to become a little sleepy after the medication is administered. This is usually temporary and they will be back to normal by the next day. Any time you are using a new product, it is always a good idea to observe your pet and let your veterinarian know right away if you have any concerns. For more information on the safety of Nexgard, you can visit the following website, here.

Who wouldn't want a delicious way to prevent fleas and ticks? (Image Source)

Nexgard (along with the Heartgard combination) has really made monthly flea prevention much easier. It is much more fun to give your pet something they enjoy eating and that will help protect them from pesky parasites. If you have any questions regarding this product, you can always talk to your veterinarian or visit the manufacturer's website here.

The Dangers of Waiting Too Long

Everyone does it.  You want to try things at home, try to solve the problem by yourself, maybe try to save a little cash; but sometimes the problem is just too big for home remedies, and a professional needs to be involved.  This is true in every aspect of our lives, from doing taxes, to fixing the plumbing, to your pets’ health.

Recently, I have seen a rash of these particular cases.  The potentially easily treatable cases that have now become medical nightmares.  These are some of the most feared cases to grace the veterinary appointment book.  We know you meant well, and that you were not trying to do any harm to your pet, but often some of these problems can get out of hand really quickly.

The skin case.  Regardless of the cause, skin cases can go from bad to worse over a small period of time.  Maybe you noticed a couple of spots of hair loss, or some mild itching originally.  First you invested in a lot of the over-the-counter products to see if you could manage the problem yourself.  Then those over-the-counter products helped just a little, just enough to give you the confidence that you had the problem well in hand, and then in the blink of an eye, a month has past, and your dog is covered in sores, or is bald.  Clients that may not have experienced this might laugh at this dramatic tale, but it really is something we, as veterinarians, will often face.  Unfortunately, by that point, the client is frustrated, and wants quick results, and the treatment and recovery time is so much more extensive.  Skin may seem like such a minor thing, but skin diseases can tailspin very quickly in our busy lives.

The urinating outside the box cat.  At first it doesn’t bother you.  Sometimes your cat pees outside the box, you use the cleaner, and you move on with your life.  But time and again, this problem becomes progressively worse, and you are really starting to resent the air that your cat is breathing.  You finally bring the cat to the veterinary office, dripping with scorn, with a sarcastic ultimatum of fix him or else.  Of course, we all love our pets, so we never get to that point, but you know where this is heading.  We promise, cats are never urinating outside the box out of spite.  Even if the veterinarian does not find a medical cause for this cat behavior, there are many other reasons for this concern, and we want you and your cat to live amicably together.  Its important in these cases not to let the frustration build to a terrifying level before you seek veterinary care for these cats.

The Fleas.  We know, everyone knows about fleas, everyone knows what to do about them, and Veterinarians only sell those expensive products to make extra cash.  Well, we promise you, the reason we sell those “expensive products” is because we trust they’ll work.  We don’t want fleas on your pet or in your home any more than you do.  You are wasting your money on those flea shampoos and flea dips, and house bombs, and over the counter topicals.  You will spend way less on veterinary products, and experience way less frustration, in the end.

Patient Spotlight: Meet Fusilli

We are so lucky to have some amazing clients and patients. I'd like to take some time over the next few months to acknowledge some of them.

Next in line is Fusilli!

This is the face of a very happy dog!

Fusilli is a very special dog, and his owner really summed him up great when she described him as 'sweet, loyal, obedient, goofy and so darn cute!'  It has really been a joy to get to know him as a patient and to watch him change and grow in his new home.

His story did not start out quite as happy as it is now. Prior to his current home he had been adopted and re-homed four different times! He is currently in his fifth home! That is a lot of change and stress for one little pup! He was adopted but his current owner from Vermillion County Animal Shelter in Tilton, IL. She had originally gone to look at another dog that had interested her from their Facebook page. Upon meeting that dog, it just didn't seem like the right fit for her household. She was about to leave, but decided to look at the other dogs and see if anyone else might be the next addition to her home. There was Fusilli sitting quietly and calmly and just watching the people go by. She inquired about him at the front desk where she was assured that he was anything but calm and quiet. She asked to have her other three dogs meet him. The initial meeting went ok, so she started the adoption paper work. However the front desk staff made sure she read through all the previous adoption and relinquishment paperwork. After getting through all of that, she realized that Fusilli had just not been a good fit in those homes, but he might just be the right one for them.

It may have taken some time, but here is Fusilli with his housemates!

She saw right away that he was extremely smart and a born performer. He will do just about anything for a treat, but is also motivated by toys. New toys are one of his favorite things, especially if they make funny noises. Having three other dogs, Fusilli's owner knew that she was going to need to get him started in training classes to make sure everyone was on the same page in the household. He started training about the first week she got him, and he hasn't stopped since! Once he had the basics down, he moved on to agility, which he enjoyed, but his true passion is Barn Hunt! As a terrier he excels at finding little critters anywhere. In fact, he doesn't really enjoy going on walks unless there is something to chase! While her other dogs are content to stay at home and play or go on walks, Fusilli needs jobs or projects. These can include food puzzle toys, hiding toys and having him find them or digging small critters out of the yard or park. If you would like to see a video of Fusilli performing agility you can click here.

He also really enjoys going to the dog park with his housemate, Bow Tie. They are so fast they can run circles around the bigger dogs, which makes everyone stop and take notice of them.

Fusilli may have had to go through several homes, but all of those challenges have landed him in the perfect spot! While his owner admits there were definitely trying times when adding a fourth dog into her home, it has been so worth it. She has gone to great lengths to make sure everyone in the home has all their physical and mental needs taken care of. She has also spent time with a local veterinary behaviorist, Dr. Sally Foote, to work through a few of the more challenging aspects of owning multiple dogs with different personalities. Fusilli has really begun to flourish as he has been able to show his true personality and we are looking forward to seeing where his training and natural skills take him next!

Did You See This: Dog Eats 43 Socks!

view of x-ray showing 'foreign material' in stomach, then the socks that were removed from the stomach (Image Source)

Sometimes dogs can eat the craziest things! There was an article circulating online awhile ago that showed a dog that had eaten 43 socks! In this case it was not so much a crazy thing he ate but the crazy number of things he ate!! Fortunately according to the many internet articles the dog did fine after surgery and made a full recovery. You can find one version of the story here. 

Pets can definitely get into trouble when left unattdended. It is hard to tell who did it, as they both look pretty guilty here! (Image Source)

This story could have had a very different ending if the family that owned the dog had ignored his symptoms. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to KNOW our pet got into something, but sometimes we do not even notice anything is missing. I can't even count the number of times I have lost a sock during the laundry process! In this case, the dog started vomiting and was taken to the veterinarian. They recommended x-rays and while they did not know what specifically was in the stomach, they knew something that was not supposed to be in there was there, and a lot of it! Surgery was recommended and thankfully was successful. When all was said and done 43 (and 1/2) socks were removed from the stomach. 

Those turned into some very expensive socks! (Image Source)

In this case, it was very good that the socks had not traveled further down the gastro-intestinal tract. The stomach is in most cases easier to operate on and much more quick to heal when compared to the intestinal tract. 

All that mischief would make any one tired! (Image Source)

Another thing this story points out is that even the most trustworthy of dogs can get into trouble when left unattended. While it is unclear when exactly this particular dog ate the socks, many pets find their way into all sorts of sticky situations when they are roaming the house. Whenever possible it is a good idea to keep your pets confined to a small space or kennel when you are not at home. This decreases the risk of things they could get into that could lead to problems. 

Sometimes the best option is to keep your pet confined to make sure they are safe while you are away! (Image Source)

Having said that, I definitely had a beagle growing up that was a Houdini, and could get out of any small space we confined her too and the list of things she ate in her life time was long (and strange). If your pet does get into something it shouldn't, the best thing to do is to call your veterinarian to know if immediate action should be taken. While socks are not toxic, they could lead to an obstruction which can lead to other problems. There are also many household items that could be hazardous to our pet. So whenever possible keep them confined when unsupervised and if an accident does happen call your veterinarian right away! 

Product Focus: Heartgard

There are a lot of products and medications available for your pets. How do you know what each one is for and if it is the right choice for your pet? The best way is to ask your veterinarian! We are also going to take a look at certain products and what the do and what possible side effects they may have. The more information you have, the better decisions you can make for your pet!

(Image Source)

First up is Heartgard! This is a heartworm preventative that is cleverly disguised as a treat. It is given monthly. The good news is that because it is beef flavored most pets love it! It is very easy to get them to take this medication. One thing to remember is that although it is delicious it is still a medication and therefore has a job to do.

(Image Source)

Heartworm disease is on the rise throughout the country. The American Heartworm Society (website) recommends year round prevention. It is much safer (and cheaper) to prevent heartworm disease, then it is to treat it! Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes and travel through the blood supply and the adults end up living in the heart and lungs. This is a very serious disease but fortunately, there are products like Heartgard that can help prevent it from happening.

Roundworms are found in the stool. Typically we look for the eggs under the microscope. (Image Source)

Heartgard also helps prevent roundworms and hookworms. These are intestinal parasite that many dog will pick up from the environment. Typically pets will ingest the eggs from the environment and they will travel through the digestive track where they will live. Hookworms and roundworms can be found on routine fecal screenings and do not require a blood test like heartworms do.

Good news for cat owners! They make heartworm preventatives for them too! (Image Source)

As with any medication, there are a few potential side effects to be aware of when using Heartgard. The active ingredient that prevents heartworm is called ivermectin. This is an anti-parasitic drug that has been known to cause (rarely) sedation, depression and neurological signs, meaning your pet may appear as though it is drunk or extremely sleepy. The doses used in Heartgard are VERY low, which makes these side effects unlikely, but they can happen. There are certain breeds that also have to be careful with this medication. The reason for this issue is linked to a gene called the MDR-1 gene which is multi-drug resistant gene. This leads to the pet being unable to metabolize certain drugs, which causes them to build up in their system, making it very likely to see the neurological side effects. Collies are the primary breed that may have an issue with Heartgard, but several of the other herding dogs may be affected as well. You can find a full description of the possible side effects here.

Using monthly heartworm prevention is a very important part of keeping our pets happy and healthy! (Image Source)

Overall, Heartgard is a great product because it is effective and most pets LOVE eating it. That makes it much easier to keep up on it every month. If Heartgard doesn't sound like the right fit for your pet, don't worry there are other options available, the most important thing is that we make sure you pet is receiving year round heartworm prevention. If you would like more information on Heartgard you can visit their website here.

Patient Spotlight: Meet Stella

We are so lucky to have some amazing clients and patients. I'd like to take some time over the next few months to acknowledge some of them.

First up, is Stella!

Stella was welcomed into her very loving home in July of 2014. Her people found her at an adoption event put on by Wish Bone Canine Rescue based out of Bloomington, IL. They were immediately drawn to her because of her beautiful eyes, and who could blame them! They also loved how patiently she was waiting in her kennel. Not much is known about her history prior to the shelter, only that she was dropped off at a different kill shelter with a litter of puppies she had just had. Fortunately, Wishbone Canine Rescue was able to get her into foster care and place her up for adoption when she was ready. She joined two cat friends, Jasmine and Mr. Pockets, in her new home and everyone settled into a new routine.

Stella is a very active dog and LOVES her daily walks and wrestling with Cooper. He is another rescue pup from Wish Bone Canine Rescue that was added to the family not too long ago.

It became obvious pretty soon after adopting Stella that she was a very smart girl. They immediately entered her into training classes at Jodie Vee's dog training facility. She quickly passed her AKC Canine Good Citizen test and the Canine Good Citizen Advanced test. From there she started agility, which was another area she excelled.

When Jodie Vee's started talking about a new sport called Barn Hunt, they thought it would be something new and exciting for Stella to try. Not only did she rise to this challenge but she has truly exceeded everyone's expectations! Barn Hunt is a fun  new sport where rats are SAFELY kept in PVC piping and dogs must correctly identify which pipe contains the rat, while avoiding the decoys that include litter or nothing in them at all. They must also complete a series of tasks that are dependent on the skill level. (For more information on Barn Hunt, you can find it here) Stella did so well in practice runs, her people decided to start her in some competitions. She has competed twice and already has two first place ribbons, a second place ribbon and a best in class. She earned her title of RATN (novice) title and is currently working towards RATO (open) title. With each new title come more challenging tasks.

There is really no limit to what Stella can do and thanks to her wonderful owners she has the opportunity to achieve great things! We cannot wait to see what she will do next!

Did You See This: Dog Bandits 1/2 Marathon Race

She sure can run! (Image Source)

Everyone once in awhile pets make the news in very amusing ways. One such story caught my attention of the last couple of weeks.

Runner's World reported that there was a dog in Alabama that was let outside to go to the bathroom. Unbeknownst to the owner, she wandered off and ended up completing a 1/2 Marathon.

She is happy to be participating! (Image Source)

According to the Runner's World article (which you can read here) This is not the first time the young dog has wandered off, but it is the first time she has become a race bandit. Runner's on the course said she stayed with them most of the way.

I wonder how far she can go and still keep a smile on her face! (Image Source)

While this story definitely brought a smile to my face, it did make me a little nervous. The good news is the pup is safe and no runner's were harmed by her impromptu entry. In the article it does say that since this is a small town everyone knows her owner, but what if they didn't. She could have been lost or picked up by animal control. While accidents do happen it makes me a little nervous when dogs are roaming unsupervised. I always recommend that they are leashed and have proper identification. This helps reduce the chance of them becoming lost. Again, sometimes despite our best efforts things can go wrong, however this is not the first time she roamed the town, I would just be worried that one time something serious could happen to her.

She definitely earned her medal! (Image Source)

All the publicity she has received has been very beneficial to this inaugural race as well as the town. Which is really good news. I think it is also great to encourage people and their pets to get exercise. There are not many dogs that could just go run 13.1 miles, then also wander home. Most of the time we would recommend gradually working yourself and your pet up to more strenuous exercise.

I really did love this story, it was definitely light-hearted and showed that this is an amazingly fit and social dog! I just hope that her future wanderings are limited so she stays nice and safe and can someday OFFICIALLY enter the race!