Dogs aren't the only family members at risk when it comes to consuming tasty tidbits from the table. Below are some foods to avoid for our feline friends:
Alcoholic Beverages: Can cause intoxication, coma and death.
Baby food: Can contain onion powder, which may be toxic to dogs. Can result in nutritional deficiencies if fed in large amounts.
Bones from poultry, fish or other meat sources: Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system
Canned tuna (for human consumption): Can lead to malnutrition as it lacks the proper levels of vitamins and minerals.
Dog Food: If fed repeatedly may result in malnutrition and heart disease.
Chocolate, coffee, tea and other caffeine: Contain caffeine, theobromine which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous system.
Citrus Oil Extracts: Can cause vomiting.
Fat Trimmings: Can lead to pancreatitis.
Grapes and Raisins: Contain an unknown toxin which may lead to kidney damage.
Human vitamin supplements containing iron: Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to other organs including the liver and kidneys.
Liver: Large amounts can cause Vitamin A toxicity which affects muscles and bones.
Macadamia Nuts: Contain an unknown toxin which can affect digestive and nervous systems and muscle. Can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs.
Milk and other dairy products: Some adult cats are lactose intolerant. Diarrhea may result if ingested. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.
Moldy or spoiled food: Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting, diarrhea and can affect other organs.
Mushrooms: Certain species of mushrooms can contain toxins which may affect multiple systems in the body causing shock and resulting in death.
Onions and Garlic (raw, cooked or powder): Can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.
Potato, rhubarb & tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems: Can affect the digestive, nervous and urinary systems. More of a problem in livestock.
Raw eggs: Decrease the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin) which can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Also may contain Salmonella.
Raw fish: Can result in a thiamine deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures and in severe cases, death. More common if fed regularly.
Salt: In large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalance.
Sugary Foods: Can lead to obesity, dental problems and possibly diabetes mellitus.
Table Scraps in large quantities: Not nutritionally balanced and may contain onion, garlic, mushrooms (see above).
Yeast dough: Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Food for thought: Foods to avoid for your dog!
The Holidays are no longer upon us but there are here! With all of the hustle and bustle of the Holidays it is not uncommon for our furry four-legged family members to pick up treats that they normally do not have. One of the most common questions I hear from clients is "Is it safe to feed my dog or cat people food?". The answer is always the same: It is highly discouraged to feed pets human food although, realistically, they are going to get things. It is important to me, as a veterinarian, that my patients eat their daily dog or cat food rations. While some foods can be fine in moderation, others can be fatal. It is important for pet owners to be aware of human food related hazards to know what to look for when ingestion occurs.
Foods to avoid for your dog:
Alcoholic Beverages: can cause intoxication, coma and death.
Avocado: The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark contain Persin. Large amounts may cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
Baby Food: Can contain onion powder, which may be toxic to dogs. Can result in nutritional deficiencies if fed in large amounts.
Bones from poultry, fish or other meat: Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.
Canned tuna: Can lead to malnutrition as it lacks the proper levels of vitamins and minerals.
Cat Food: Generally too high in protein and fats for dogs.
Chocolate, coffee, tea, caffeine: Contain caffeine, theobromine which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous system.
Citrus Oil Extracts: Can cause vomiting.
Fat trimmings: Can cause pancreatitis.
Grapes and Raisins: Contain an unknown toxin which may lead to kidney damage.
Hops: Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temp, seizures and death.
Human vitamin supplements containing iron: Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to other organs including the liver and kidneys.
Liver: Large amounts can cause Vitamin A toxicity which affects muscles and bones.
Macadamia Nuts, Walnuts: Contain an unknown toxin which can affect digestive and nervous systems and muscle. Can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs.
Milk and other dairy products: Some adult dogs are lactose intolerant. Diarrhea may result. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.
Mushrooms: Certain species of mushrooms can contain toxins which may affect multiple systems in the body causing shock and resulting in death.
Onions and Garlic (raw, cooked or powder): Can damage red blood cells and cause anemia, cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.
Potato, rhubarb & tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems: Can affect the digestive, nervous and urinary systems. More of a problem in livestock.
Raw eggs: Decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin) which can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Also may contain Salmonella.
Raw fish: Can result in a thiamine deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures and in severe cases, death. More common if fed regularly.
Salt: in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.
Sugary Foods: Can lead to obesity, dental problems and possibly diabetes mellitus.
Table scraps in large quantities: Not nutritionally balanced and may contain onion, garlic, mushrooms (see above).
Yeast dough: Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.
Foods to avoid for your dog:
Alcoholic Beverages: can cause intoxication, coma and death.
Avocado: The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark contain Persin. Large amounts may cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.
Baby Food: Can contain onion powder, which may be toxic to dogs. Can result in nutritional deficiencies if fed in large amounts.
Bones from poultry, fish or other meat: Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system.
Canned tuna: Can lead to malnutrition as it lacks the proper levels of vitamins and minerals.
Cat Food: Generally too high in protein and fats for dogs.
Chocolate, coffee, tea, caffeine: Contain caffeine, theobromine which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous system.
Citrus Oil Extracts: Can cause vomiting.
Fat trimmings: Can cause pancreatitis.
Grapes and Raisins: Contain an unknown toxin which may lead to kidney damage.
Hops: Unknown compound causes panting, increased heart rate, elevated temp, seizures and death.
Human vitamin supplements containing iron: Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to other organs including the liver and kidneys.
Liver: Large amounts can cause Vitamin A toxicity which affects muscles and bones.
Macadamia Nuts, Walnuts: Contain an unknown toxin which can affect digestive and nervous systems and muscle. Can cause weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs.
Milk and other dairy products: Some adult dogs are lactose intolerant. Diarrhea may result. Lactose-free milk products are available for pets.
Mushrooms: Certain species of mushrooms can contain toxins which may affect multiple systems in the body causing shock and resulting in death.
Onions and Garlic (raw, cooked or powder): Can damage red blood cells and cause anemia, cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions.
Potato, rhubarb & tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems: Can affect the digestive, nervous and urinary systems. More of a problem in livestock.
Raw eggs: Decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin) which can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Also may contain Salmonella.
Raw fish: Can result in a thiamine deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures and in severe cases, death. More common if fed regularly.
Salt: in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances.
Sugary Foods: Can lead to obesity, dental problems and possibly diabetes mellitus.
Table scraps in large quantities: Not nutritionally balanced and may contain onion, garlic, mushrooms (see above).
Yeast dough: Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Holiday Hazards #5: Ribbon and tinsel
These shiny strings are too tempting for cats to resist. Though they're not poisonous, when ingested these strings can result in a life-threatening linear foreign body, intestinal perforation, and septic peritonitis (infection in the abdominal cavity). A linear foreign body occurs when pets swallow something stringy, like ribbon, yarn, floss, or cassette-tape ribbon. The stringy item wraps around the base of the tongue or anchors in the stomach and is unable to pass through the intestines. As the intestines contract and move, this string slowly saws through the intestinal tissue, resulting in severe damage and possible rupture of the pet's intestinal tract. The treatment for linear foreign bodies involves complex and expensive abdominal surgery, hospitalization, antibiotics and pain management. Even after surgical removal, some pets may not survive.
If a pet does ingest a long piece of tinsel, ribbon, thread or string, advise the owner to immediately bring the animal into the clinic for an examination. Most importantly, if pet owners report they can see the string hanging from the pet's mouth or anus, tell them not to pull on it as doing so may result in further tissue damage. Only trained veterinary professionals should remove such strings.
If a pet does ingest a long piece of tinsel, ribbon, thread or string, advise the owner to immediately bring the animal into the clinic for an examination. Most importantly, if pet owners report they can see the string hanging from the pet's mouth or anus, tell them not to pull on it as doing so may result in further tissue damage. Only trained veterinary professionals should remove such strings.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Holiday Hazards #4: Holiday Plants
Curious pets often nibble on holiday plants. Though most are fairly safe, some can prove fatal, even with small ingestions.
Lillies: All flowers of the Lilium species, including Stargazer, Easter, Tiger, and other Asiatic lilies, are extremely poisonous to cats. (Lilies are not toxic to dogs, and only self-limiting vomiting is expected if a dog ingests them.) The ingestion of just one or two leaves or petals is enough to cause sudden kidney failure. Even the pollen from these flowers is toxic to cats. Signs of kidney failure due to lily ingestion include vomiting, reduced appetite, increased or decreased urination, and lethargy. Kidney failure will begin within a few days of a cat eating lilies and, if not treated, the cat often dies. Any cat ingesting even small pieces of a lily needs an immediate medical evaluation accompanied by intensive intravenous fluid therapy, blood work, and hospitalization.
In spite of their names, plants such as the Peace Lily, Lily of the Valley, and the Calla Lily are not true lilies. While they may cause other issues (like gastrointestinal distress, arrhythmias, etc.) for pets, they do not cause sudden kidney failure.
Poinsettias, Holly, and Mistletoe: Though traditionally thought of as quite toxic pets, the potential for poisoning from poinsettias is overhyped. The milky sap of poinsettias contains irritating saponin-like (or detergent-like) properties. While exposure to the sap may cause irritation to the skin and mouth, along with vomiting and diarrhea, serious or fatal poisoning is highly unlikely.
American mistletoe is commonly used in the U.S. as a Christmastime decoration, and is less toxic than its Eurpean counterpart. Ingestion of mistletoe most commonly causes self-limiting vomiting and mild neurologic depression. Rarely, diarrhea and hypotension (low blood pressure) may occur.
Holly is also less toxic than previously touted. The most likely problem caused by ingesting holly is irritation to the gastrointestinal tract from the saponins (similar to poinsettias) and physical damage to the stomach and intestinal tract from the spiny points of the leaves. Though holly also contains methylxanthines (also found in chocolate and caffeine) and cyanogens, these chemicals rarely lead to poisoning from small ingestions of the plant. Additionally, large ingestions of holly may also cause a bowel obstruction because the leaves are difficult to digest.
Lillies: All flowers of the Lilium species, including Stargazer, Easter, Tiger, and other Asiatic lilies, are extremely poisonous to cats. (Lilies are not toxic to dogs, and only self-limiting vomiting is expected if a dog ingests them.) The ingestion of just one or two leaves or petals is enough to cause sudden kidney failure. Even the pollen from these flowers is toxic to cats. Signs of kidney failure due to lily ingestion include vomiting, reduced appetite, increased or decreased urination, and lethargy. Kidney failure will begin within a few days of a cat eating lilies and, if not treated, the cat often dies. Any cat ingesting even small pieces of a lily needs an immediate medical evaluation accompanied by intensive intravenous fluid therapy, blood work, and hospitalization.
In spite of their names, plants such as the Peace Lily, Lily of the Valley, and the Calla Lily are not true lilies. While they may cause other issues (like gastrointestinal distress, arrhythmias, etc.) for pets, they do not cause sudden kidney failure.
Poinsettias, Holly, and Mistletoe: Though traditionally thought of as quite toxic pets, the potential for poisoning from poinsettias is overhyped. The milky sap of poinsettias contains irritating saponin-like (or detergent-like) properties. While exposure to the sap may cause irritation to the skin and mouth, along with vomiting and diarrhea, serious or fatal poisoning is highly unlikely.
American mistletoe is commonly used in the U.S. as a Christmastime decoration, and is less toxic than its Eurpean counterpart. Ingestion of mistletoe most commonly causes self-limiting vomiting and mild neurologic depression. Rarely, diarrhea and hypotension (low blood pressure) may occur.
Holly is also less toxic than previously touted. The most likely problem caused by ingesting holly is irritation to the gastrointestinal tract from the saponins (similar to poinsettias) and physical damage to the stomach and intestinal tract from the spiny points of the leaves. Though holly also contains methylxanthines (also found in chocolate and caffeine) and cyanogens, these chemicals rarely lead to poisoning from small ingestions of the plant. Additionally, large ingestions of holly may also cause a bowel obstruction because the leaves are difficult to digest.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Holiday Hazards #3: Chocolate
Particularly with the holidays, there is plenty of food out for pets to get into. One of the more common foods that pets (especially dogs) get into is chocolate. Many people are aware that chocolate is not good for dogs and do a good job of restricting access to it; however, dogs can be very determined and get to chocolate in the most well concealed places.
The main intoxicants in chocolate that cause problems are methylxanthines. These include things like caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. Various chocolate types have differing amounts of these products with cocoa powder and bakers chocolate having the highest amounts and milk and white chocolate having the lowest amounts.
With low doses, you will only see gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea or vomiting. Higher doses is where the major problems occur with complications like heart arrhythmias, muscle tremors, and high blood pressure developing. If not treated promptly or properly, these can lead to death. For a typical 30 lb dog, he/she would have to get into around 8-10 ounces (less than 1/2 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips) to start to see changes in their heart rate and rhythm.
So, what should you do if you find your pet in the pantry. First, I would try to figure out the maximum amount of chocolate and type of chocolate they could have gotten into. After that, contact your veterinarian. Many times they can calculate the amount of methylxanthines your pet could have gotten into and decide the proper treatment. With high doses, we would typically first try to make your pet vomit up whatever they ate. Whether we can be successful with this is determined by the amount of time it has been since they ate the food. Typically, if eaten within 2-4 hours, we will try to make them vomit.
After decontaminating the stomach, we would then likely give activated charcoal by mouth to help bind up any remaining toxins that entered the the intestines. The liver does a good job of recirculating the chocolate components between the liver and intestines, so multiple doses of activated charcoal over 12 hours may be performed. During this time, your pet will also likely receive intravenous fluids to help flush any toxins out of the body. The heart rate and rhythm will also be monitored and if any complications are discovered, medications can be given to combat these.
The good news is that with appropriate and timely care, a majority of pets recover fine. If no problems are encountered within 24 hours of ingestion, then your pet should be in the clear. As always, it is much easier to prevent a problem then to treat it, so if you have a pet with a propensity for eating things he shouldn't, please make sure to have all food properly put away.
Happy holidays!
The main intoxicants in chocolate that cause problems are methylxanthines. These include things like caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. Various chocolate types have differing amounts of these products with cocoa powder and bakers chocolate having the highest amounts and milk and white chocolate having the lowest amounts.
With low doses, you will only see gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea or vomiting. Higher doses is where the major problems occur with complications like heart arrhythmias, muscle tremors, and high blood pressure developing. If not treated promptly or properly, these can lead to death. For a typical 30 lb dog, he/she would have to get into around 8-10 ounces (less than 1/2 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips) to start to see changes in their heart rate and rhythm.
So, what should you do if you find your pet in the pantry. First, I would try to figure out the maximum amount of chocolate and type of chocolate they could have gotten into. After that, contact your veterinarian. Many times they can calculate the amount of methylxanthines your pet could have gotten into and decide the proper treatment. With high doses, we would typically first try to make your pet vomit up whatever they ate. Whether we can be successful with this is determined by the amount of time it has been since they ate the food. Typically, if eaten within 2-4 hours, we will try to make them vomit.
After decontaminating the stomach, we would then likely give activated charcoal by mouth to help bind up any remaining toxins that entered the the intestines. The liver does a good job of recirculating the chocolate components between the liver and intestines, so multiple doses of activated charcoal over 12 hours may be performed. During this time, your pet will also likely receive intravenous fluids to help flush any toxins out of the body. The heart rate and rhythm will also be monitored and if any complications are discovered, medications can be given to combat these.
The good news is that with appropriate and timely care, a majority of pets recover fine. If no problems are encountered within 24 hours of ingestion, then your pet should be in the clear. As always, it is much easier to prevent a problem then to treat it, so if you have a pet with a propensity for eating things he shouldn't, please make sure to have all food properly put away.
Happy holidays!
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Holiday Hazards #2: Raisin, Grape and Xylitol Toxicity
There are many different toxins that can affect our pets. Most of the toxins are also toxic to humans so we know to be careful with pet exposure. However, some agents are toxic to pets while being non-toxic to humans, and it is these agents that are dangerous as most people do not know they are pet toxins. The mose common example of this is chocolate, as some forms are highly toxic to pets.
A less known toxin for pets is raisins and grapes. Recently we were presented with a 15 week old puppy who may have been eating raisins and experienced kidney failure. The ASPCA Poison Control Center indicates that raisins and grapes may be toxic to some dogs. The ASPCA Poison Control Center managed 140 cases of raisin or grape toxicity in the last year. over 50 of these dogs developed symptoms ranging from vomiting to kidney failure, and 7 of these dogs died. The toxic principal causing these symptoms has yet to be identified. One specific case involved a 2 year old Australian shepherd that ingested 1 cup of raisins. The dog developed acute renal failure a few days later and died.
Another toxin the ASPCA is cautioning owners about is xylitol. Xylitol is a sweetener found in certain sugar-free chewing gums, candies, and other products. According to the ASPCA veterinarians, dogs ingesting significant amounts of gums and candies containing xylitol may develop a sudden drop in blood glucose level resulting in depression, loss of consciousness, and seizures. After known ingestion of this chemical, it is important to get your pet to a veterinarian immediately. Although it is possible cylitol causes liver failure in dogs, this has not been proven and the mechanism of toxicity is still not known. It is important to realize products safe for humans are not always safe for pets.
A less known toxin for pets is raisins and grapes. Recently we were presented with a 15 week old puppy who may have been eating raisins and experienced kidney failure. The ASPCA Poison Control Center indicates that raisins and grapes may be toxic to some dogs. The ASPCA Poison Control Center managed 140 cases of raisin or grape toxicity in the last year. over 50 of these dogs developed symptoms ranging from vomiting to kidney failure, and 7 of these dogs died. The toxic principal causing these symptoms has yet to be identified. One specific case involved a 2 year old Australian shepherd that ingested 1 cup of raisins. The dog developed acute renal failure a few days later and died.
Another toxin the ASPCA is cautioning owners about is xylitol. Xylitol is a sweetener found in certain sugar-free chewing gums, candies, and other products. According to the ASPCA veterinarians, dogs ingesting significant amounts of gums and candies containing xylitol may develop a sudden drop in blood glucose level resulting in depression, loss of consciousness, and seizures. After known ingestion of this chemical, it is important to get your pet to a veterinarian immediately. Although it is possible cylitol causes liver failure in dogs, this has not been proven and the mechanism of toxicity is still not known. It is important to realize products safe for humans are not always safe for pets.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Always something new...
The thing I love about veterinary medicine is that you go into the day not knowing what will happen. Last week, I got two surprises in one day. The first was with a puppy exam. I go into most puppy exams assuming that the pet is nice and healthy, especially when nothing is mentioned over the phone about the puppy being sick.
Well, I walk into the exam room and immediately know something is going on. The pup was nice and energetic, but had a lot of hair loss with some crusting around the eyes and legs. I am a big fan of dermatology issues, so immediately suspected Demodex mites as the problem. These are organisms that normally live in the skin, but typically it is a symbiotic relationship where the dog isn't bothered by them. Occasionally (maybe because of genetics or other sickness), the mites can overgrow and cause hair loss, secondary skin infections, and just general misery in puppies. We did a quick skin scraping and found the most mites I have ever seen on a scraping. Fortunately, we have a few options for treatment and started the puppy on treatment right away. Usually we treat for a couple of months.
Well, I walk into the exam room and immediately know something is going on. The pup was nice and energetic, but had a lot of hair loss with some crusting around the eyes and legs. I am a big fan of dermatology issues, so immediately suspected Demodex mites as the problem. These are organisms that normally live in the skin, but typically it is a symbiotic relationship where the dog isn't bothered by them. Occasionally (maybe because of genetics or other sickness), the mites can overgrow and cause hair loss, secondary skin infections, and just general misery in puppies. We did a quick skin scraping and found the most mites I have ever seen on a scraping. Fortunately, we have a few options for treatment and started the puppy on treatment right away. Usually we treat for a couple of months.
The second surprise was a younger dog who was not feeling well. This dog had surgery around a month prior for a corn cob that became lodged in its intestine. He recovered well and had been doing fine until that morning where he was lethargic and not himself. We took some radiographs and noticed some distended loops of intestines, so determined we needed to go to surgery to determine the cause. Well, we get in there and find that a 2 foot portion of small intestine had made its way through a small hole in the omentum (the structure associated with the intestine responsible for blood supply). It was essentially strangling its blood supply causing that section to die. Fortunately, there was plenty of healthy intestine left, so we performed a resection and anastomosis (removed the dead tissue and sutured the healthy tissue back together) and crossed our fingers.
I saw both of the patients back this morning and am happy to say that both are doing very well. We will see what this afternoon has in store for us.
I saw both of the patients back this morning and am happy to say that both are doing very well. We will see what this afternoon has in store for us.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Holiday Hazard #1: Potpourri
The Holidays are upon us and there are a few hazards to be mindful of during the holidays to keep your pets happy, safe and joyful.
Liquid Potpourri: While scents of simmering potpourri can be delightful, ingestion can prove deadly, especially for cats. While any pet might be burned by heated oils, cats are particularly sensitive to the components called cationic detergents that are found in such products. If eaten, severe burns to the mouth, esophagus, and stomach may occur. Liquid potpourri may also be washed with liquid hand-washing soap until all traces of the oily residue are removed.
Because it's difficult to determine exactly how much cationic detergent is in liquid potpourris it is best to avoid using them. For those who insist on scenting their homes, safer options include reed diffusers, plug-in air fresheners or scented candles.
Finally, be sure to alert bird owners to the potential dangers of any scented aerosolized products. Birds' air sacs and anatomy mean their respiratory tracts are highly sensitive, particularly to any airborne fragrance or product. Pet Poison Helpline advises bird owners to avoid using all liquid potpourris, air fresheners, and other aerosolized products.
Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) is a service available 24 hours, seven days a week for pet owners, veterinarians, and veterinary support staff the require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. The staff can provide treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals, and exotic species. PPH's $35 per-incident fee includes follow-up consultation for the duration of the poison case. PPH is available in North America by calling 1-800-213-6680. For additional information, visit www.petpoisonhelpline.com.
Liquid Potpourri: While scents of simmering potpourri can be delightful, ingestion can prove deadly, especially for cats. While any pet might be burned by heated oils, cats are particularly sensitive to the components called cationic detergents that are found in such products. If eaten, severe burns to the mouth, esophagus, and stomach may occur. Liquid potpourri may also be washed with liquid hand-washing soap until all traces of the oily residue are removed.
Because it's difficult to determine exactly how much cationic detergent is in liquid potpourris it is best to avoid using them. For those who insist on scenting their homes, safer options include reed diffusers, plug-in air fresheners or scented candles.
Finally, be sure to alert bird owners to the potential dangers of any scented aerosolized products. Birds' air sacs and anatomy mean their respiratory tracts are highly sensitive, particularly to any airborne fragrance or product. Pet Poison Helpline advises bird owners to avoid using all liquid potpourris, air fresheners, and other aerosolized products.
Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) is a service available 24 hours, seven days a week for pet owners, veterinarians, and veterinary support staff the require assistance treating a potentially poisoned pet. The staff can provide treatment advice for poisoning cases of all species, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, large animals, and exotic species. PPH's $35 per-incident fee includes follow-up consultation for the duration of the poison case. PPH is available in North America by calling 1-800-213-6680. For additional information, visit www.petpoisonhelpline.com.
Friday, October 14, 2011
The Minds of 1st Graders
A couple weeks back I went to Stratton Elementry School to visit with a small group of 1st graders and speak about veterinary medicine. My wife is a middle school teacher, so I am familiar with the school system, but was amazed at how bright and interactive the kids were.
Their teacher had asked them to come up with two questions to ask me. Fortunately, the teacher had deciphered the questions before I came (the kids handwriting wasn't the greatest) and after a brief introduction we got to the questions. Many of them pertained to how you become a veterinarian, but there were a variety of other thought-provoking questions.
The best was when we opened the floor up to the kids to ask other questions that they had not written down. Of course I got many stories about the children's pets and how many of them had animals that were sick and brought to the veterinarian. Since most 1st graders don't have filters, sometimes I heard more than I probably should have, but it was an enjoyable experience.
I think the highlight of the visit for the kids was seeing the cat skeleton and listening to their hearts with the stethoscope. Overall, I think it was a success and I hope to be asked back at some point to speak again.
Their teacher had asked them to come up with two questions to ask me. Fortunately, the teacher had deciphered the questions before I came (the kids handwriting wasn't the greatest) and after a brief introduction we got to the questions. Many of them pertained to how you become a veterinarian, but there were a variety of other thought-provoking questions.
The best was when we opened the floor up to the kids to ask other questions that they had not written down. Of course I got many stories about the children's pets and how many of them had animals that were sick and brought to the veterinarian. Since most 1st graders don't have filters, sometimes I heard more than I probably should have, but it was an enjoyable experience.
I think the highlight of the visit for the kids was seeing the cat skeleton and listening to their hearts with the stethoscope. Overall, I think it was a success and I hope to be asked back at some point to speak again.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Try, Try Again
It sometimes amazes me how adamant dogs can be about getting to things they shouldn't. As Dr. Johnson pointed out in an earlier blog, he had a dog who would pretty much eat anything in sight, including razor blades. Well, my problem these last couple of weeks has been trying to keep a dog from chewing on a part of herself.
It all started with a young puppy who had hit its tail on something and split it open. The owners tried to manage it at home, but to no avail. They brought her in and by the time I saw it, there was a small piece of bone sticking out. At this point the best possible treatment was to amputate a portion of the tail. It was a big dog and had a long tail, so we decided only about 3-4 cm had to come off. It was a quick and simple procedure and the pup went home the following day.
I saw her back around 5 days post surgery for bandage removal and everything was healing great. I sent her on her way for the weekend with instructions to have the sutures removed 1 week later. Monday morning, the phone rings and the puppy had gotten to the stitches and chewed down the tail again. I saw her later that morning and again some bone was exposed. We had a long conversation with the owners and we elected to amputate the tail higher up and then watch her very closely to prevent her from chewing at the tail. Everything was going well with this surgery later in the week, but then again on Monday morning we get the phone call, "She got at the tail again and busted the sutures."
Well, we didn't have much tail left to take at this point, but it was pretty much our only option (especially since the tail tip looked like it might be infected). We performed the surgery earlier in the week and left about 2-3 cm of tail. We saw the tail today and things are healing well. So far, so good.
You sometimes wonder what is going on in these dog's head. Does it feel better chewing at the tail? Are they just bored? I am hoping that the puppy has learned its lesson and will leave the tail alone. I am slightly dreading Monday morning...
It all started with a young puppy who had hit its tail on something and split it open. The owners tried to manage it at home, but to no avail. They brought her in and by the time I saw it, there was a small piece of bone sticking out. At this point the best possible treatment was to amputate a portion of the tail. It was a big dog and had a long tail, so we decided only about 3-4 cm had to come off. It was a quick and simple procedure and the pup went home the following day.
I saw her back around 5 days post surgery for bandage removal and everything was healing great. I sent her on her way for the weekend with instructions to have the sutures removed 1 week later. Monday morning, the phone rings and the puppy had gotten to the stitches and chewed down the tail again. I saw her later that morning and again some bone was exposed. We had a long conversation with the owners and we elected to amputate the tail higher up and then watch her very closely to prevent her from chewing at the tail. Everything was going well with this surgery later in the week, but then again on Monday morning we get the phone call, "She got at the tail again and busted the sutures."
Well, we didn't have much tail left to take at this point, but it was pretty much our only option (especially since the tail tip looked like it might be infected). We performed the surgery earlier in the week and left about 2-3 cm of tail. We saw the tail today and things are healing well. So far, so good.
You sometimes wonder what is going on in these dog's head. Does it feel better chewing at the tail? Are they just bored? I am hoping that the puppy has learned its lesson and will leave the tail alone. I am slightly dreading Monday morning...
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
What do I do about all of these fleas???
Of all client questions answered during the course of the day. The most common, by far, this time of year is..."Doc, What do I do about all of these fleas? Is there an answer? Does anything really work? The products recommended by your office are not working! What do I do now?".
So, here is the skinny on fleas...
First it is imperative that one understands the life cycle of the flea. The complete life cycle consists of the flea eggs, larvae, pupae and the adult.
Only 5% of the flea population consists of adult fleas. Adult fleas live their entire life cycle on the pet. They may bite humans but will quickly jump off as humans are not a natural host. The adults eat, breed, LAY EGGS and die on the body of the pet.
Population check: Adults 5% and survive 50 days, Eggs 45% and survive 10 days, Larvae 35% and survive 12 days, Pupae 10% survive 8-9 days or upto 4-5 months.
While most of the focus ends up being on the fact that there are live fleas crawling everywhere, the true problem is in the egg population.
To accomplish flea control pet owners must attack three areas:
1.) Treat the pet
2.) Treat the house
3.) Treat the yard
Flea preventatives like Frontline, Advantage, Advantix, etc. that are sold by veterinarians and over the counter are PREVENTATIVES and work very well but all of the above areas MUST be addressed appropriately.
Treat the pet:
See your veterinarian immediately for advice. Often times there are other conditions that go along with flea infestation such as Flea Allergy Dermatitis and Tapeworms just to name two. Your veterinarian is equipped to get the fleas off your pet very quickly and easily without toxic dips and baths. If underlying conditions with the pet are not addressed flea preventatives may not work properly and the prevention will fail. If the listed areas above are not addressed properly the preventative plan will fail.
Treat the house:
Forget messy bombs and foggers. What a mess! Instead focus on getting the eggs out of the house! See your veterinarian for recommendations for in-house area treatments and focus on the baseboards. Vacuum or dry mop like you have never before. Get the eggs out! Get the eggs out! If you have a disposable vacuum bag throw it out each time. If you have a canister clean the canister each time. Throw away or launder dry mop heads immediately. Treat the baseboards with a high quality, veterinary recommended area treatment. Don't neglect the high traffic areas but don't focus heavily on them either. Think of the eggs as hair. On a hardwood floor where does the hair end up at the end of the day? Around the edges of the rooms and piled in corners. Retreat monthly until the problem has resolved. Keep up on the pet's prevention. The fleas will not magically disappear in days or weeks. Often severe flea infestations take months to recover and maintain.
Treat the yard:
Either have an exterminator treat the yard for you or treat it yourself but make sure it gets treated! I usually recommend treatment at the beginning of the summer, again mid summer and again in the fall. Keep the grass trimmed short, collect grass clippings and rake any leaves and debris.
Once all three areas have been tackled and the flea problem has resolved it is important to continue flea prevention monthly all year around to avoid future outbreaks. Do not stop when winter comes. Flea eggs can stay dormant in your nice comfortable 68 degree home for up to 2 years. Never take them for granted. They will return and re-infest if you are not careful. If you know you have had problems treat the pet year around, treat the yard through the summer and treat the house when problems arise.
There is not one flea regime that works for all pets and all geographic areas. It is important to speak with your veterinarian to get advice on the best flea program for you and your area. It will save you hundreds of dollars and long time frustration. We have a multitude of wonderful flea products on the market today. There is no reason to have flea infestations today.
Feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns regarding your worst nightmare: FLEAS!
So, here is the skinny on fleas...
First it is imperative that one understands the life cycle of the flea. The complete life cycle consists of the flea eggs, larvae, pupae and the adult.
Only 5% of the flea population consists of adult fleas. Adult fleas live their entire life cycle on the pet. They may bite humans but will quickly jump off as humans are not a natural host. The adults eat, breed, LAY EGGS and die on the body of the pet.
Population check: Adults 5% and survive 50 days, Eggs 45% and survive 10 days, Larvae 35% and survive 12 days, Pupae 10% survive 8-9 days or upto 4-5 months.
While most of the focus ends up being on the fact that there are live fleas crawling everywhere, the true problem is in the egg population.
To accomplish flea control pet owners must attack three areas:
1.) Treat the pet
2.) Treat the house
3.) Treat the yard
Flea preventatives like Frontline, Advantage, Advantix, etc. that are sold by veterinarians and over the counter are PREVENTATIVES and work very well but all of the above areas MUST be addressed appropriately.
Treat the pet:
See your veterinarian immediately for advice. Often times there are other conditions that go along with flea infestation such as Flea Allergy Dermatitis and Tapeworms just to name two. Your veterinarian is equipped to get the fleas off your pet very quickly and easily without toxic dips and baths. If underlying conditions with the pet are not addressed flea preventatives may not work properly and the prevention will fail. If the listed areas above are not addressed properly the preventative plan will fail.
Treat the house:
Forget messy bombs and foggers. What a mess! Instead focus on getting the eggs out of the house! See your veterinarian for recommendations for in-house area treatments and focus on the baseboards. Vacuum or dry mop like you have never before. Get the eggs out! Get the eggs out! If you have a disposable vacuum bag throw it out each time. If you have a canister clean the canister each time. Throw away or launder dry mop heads immediately. Treat the baseboards with a high quality, veterinary recommended area treatment. Don't neglect the high traffic areas but don't focus heavily on them either. Think of the eggs as hair. On a hardwood floor where does the hair end up at the end of the day? Around the edges of the rooms and piled in corners. Retreat monthly until the problem has resolved. Keep up on the pet's prevention. The fleas will not magically disappear in days or weeks. Often severe flea infestations take months to recover and maintain.
Treat the yard:
Either have an exterminator treat the yard for you or treat it yourself but make sure it gets treated! I usually recommend treatment at the beginning of the summer, again mid summer and again in the fall. Keep the grass trimmed short, collect grass clippings and rake any leaves and debris.
Once all three areas have been tackled and the flea problem has resolved it is important to continue flea prevention monthly all year around to avoid future outbreaks. Do not stop when winter comes. Flea eggs can stay dormant in your nice comfortable 68 degree home for up to 2 years. Never take them for granted. They will return and re-infest if you are not careful. If you know you have had problems treat the pet year around, treat the yard through the summer and treat the house when problems arise.
There is not one flea regime that works for all pets and all geographic areas. It is important to speak with your veterinarian to get advice on the best flea program for you and your area. It will save you hundreds of dollars and long time frustration. We have a multitude of wonderful flea products on the market today. There is no reason to have flea infestations today.
Feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns regarding your worst nightmare: FLEAS!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Tularemia in Urbana
There was recently a report on the news about 3 cats that were diagnosed with Tularemia in Eastern Savoy. These cats were found in 2 separate households near each other. Although it is good to be diligent about monitoring serious diseases, I do not think that this is something to be overly worried about.
For a little background on the disease. The disease is caused by a bacteria named Francisella tularensis. The main animal that carries this disease is the domestic rabbit, but it can be spread to other animals including cats via tick and fly bites or through direct contact while hunting. As it is spread by rabbits, only cats who are outdoors and hunt are particularly at risk for the disease. It is a fairly uncommon disease to see Tularemia in cats, which is why having 3 cats come down with it in such a short period is a concern; however, it tends to have a higher presence in hot weather (so with this summer, I can see why we had a few more cases).
Symptoms to look for in cats include inappetence, fever, mouth ulcers, enlarged lymph nodes and lethargy. Again, if your cat is indoors only, you shouldn't worry too much about this. If Tularemia is suspected, there are ways to test for it including blood tests or culturing the oral ulcers. It can be a fairly aggressive disease and can be fatal, so early detection and treatment is needed.
Now, the reason that finding Tularemia in these cats is a concern is that it can also be spread to humans and can be fatal. Although there have been reports of cats transmitting it to people, the vast majority of the cases where humans contract the disease is due to transmission while a person is trapping rabbits or through tick bites. A few tips to prevent contracting the disease is to use insect repellent when camping, wearing gloves if handling dead animals (particularly rabbits), and avoid mowing over dead animals.
Again, I don't think Tularemia is something to be overly worried about, but I have received a few calls about the disease, so wanted to write a little about it.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to comment.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
What goes in must come out....
8am
Here we are today waiting, with the utmost anxiety, for our poor fellow to poop! Mug of warm coffee in hand, I am happily greeted by a wide eyed technician, smiling from ear to ear and holding a cardboard collection container. He anxiously points out several small plastic pieces, remnants of a metal blade and a bar code.
Where did the bar code come from?!? Yes, I like organization but, No, we do not bar code and organize our stool samples...yet.
With wonderful joy we anxiously get him on the x-ray table for another picture of his stomach to evaluate where the remainder of the pieces have ended. Joy! Joy! Joy! Some have passed and the remainder have dislodged from the bottom pits of the stomach and are encased in food.
I spoke to the owner and he was overjoyed. What do we do now? Well...we wait. We wait for the rest to pass and monitor him carefully. We agreed to discharge this patient after 2:00PM when the owner is off work. We will send the remainder of the high fiber diet for consumption over the weekend. The owner will monitor for the remainder of the pieces in his stool and return at the beginning of the week for another x-ray to evaluate our progression. All set. Since we have been holding his food this morning for the x-ray we give the green light for him to have his breakfast.
Just around 12:45PM the ward attendant reports that our patient has vomited his breakfast and voila...the remainder of the razor blade pieces. Around 1:00PM the owner arrived to pick up his Labrador and they happily went home. No more razor blade.
Where did the bar code come from? Well.....remember...he's a lab. It could have come from anywhere.
Here we are today waiting, with the utmost anxiety, for our poor fellow to poop! Mug of warm coffee in hand, I am happily greeted by a wide eyed technician, smiling from ear to ear and holding a cardboard collection container. He anxiously points out several small plastic pieces, remnants of a metal blade and a bar code.
Where did the bar code come from?!? Yes, I like organization but, No, we do not bar code and organize our stool samples...yet.
With wonderful joy we anxiously get him on the x-ray table for another picture of his stomach to evaluate where the remainder of the pieces have ended. Joy! Joy! Joy! Some have passed and the remainder have dislodged from the bottom pits of the stomach and are encased in food.
I spoke to the owner and he was overjoyed. What do we do now? Well...we wait. We wait for the rest to pass and monitor him carefully. We agreed to discharge this patient after 2:00PM when the owner is off work. We will send the remainder of the high fiber diet for consumption over the weekend. The owner will monitor for the remainder of the pieces in his stool and return at the beginning of the week for another x-ray to evaluate our progression. All set. Since we have been holding his food this morning for the x-ray we give the green light for him to have his breakfast.
Just around 12:45PM the ward attendant reports that our patient has vomited his breakfast and voila...the remainder of the razor blade pieces. Around 1:00PM the owner arrived to pick up his Labrador and they happily went home. No more razor blade.
Where did the bar code come from? Well.....remember...he's a lab. It could have come from anywhere.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Success but still waiting!
So we are here waiting for the poor dog to pass razor blade pieces and he has! Lots of small plastic pieces and two pieces of blade that were nicely enveloped in the remnants of what used to be his food. Yes...we had to dig them out!
Unfortunately there are still two or three small metallic pieces still in his stomach. After a long discussion with the owner we have decided to wait another day since the dog is not affected to this point. If it does not pass or at least move we'll have to go in and get them. We'll see what happens.
Unfortunately there are still two or three small metallic pieces still in his stomach. After a long discussion with the owner we have decided to wait another day since the dog is not affected to this point. If it does not pass or at least move we'll have to go in and get them. We'll see what happens.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Why do Labradors' eat things????
First call right after lunch..."I need to talk to a veterinarian immediately...my dog at a disposable razor at 8am this morning".
Calmly speaking to this poor, distraught client we deduce that there are two Labradors in the house and we are not certain which one ate the razor. It is most likely the one that ate the bottle of Advil last month. In addition, just like all good labs, he ate everything BUT the handle...we think!?
Within the hour we have a beautiful radiograph. Several small pieces of plastic razor present and one or two small slivers of what is believed to be blade material in his stomach.
Two choices: immediate gastrotomy (open the stomach) and remove the pieces or feed him a large quantity of fiber that will form around the pieces and help them move through.
After a bit of discussion and carefully weighing the options we opt to feed him a bulk of fiber and re-shoot the radiograph in the morning. If it does not move through or is causing issues surgery will be the only option.
So here we are picking through poo and waiting patiently in beautiful Peoria!
Calmly speaking to this poor, distraught client we deduce that there are two Labradors in the house and we are not certain which one ate the razor. It is most likely the one that ate the bottle of Advil last month. In addition, just like all good labs, he ate everything BUT the handle...we think!?
Within the hour we have a beautiful radiograph. Several small pieces of plastic razor present and one or two small slivers of what is believed to be blade material in his stomach.
Two choices: immediate gastrotomy (open the stomach) and remove the pieces or feed him a large quantity of fiber that will form around the pieces and help them move through.
After a bit of discussion and carefully weighing the options we opt to feed him a bulk of fiber and re-shoot the radiograph in the morning. If it does not move through or is causing issues surgery will be the only option.
So here we are picking through poo and waiting patiently in beautiful Peoria!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Hello from the river city!
Hello! I am Dr. Johnson from Peoria's Mt. Hawley Animal Clinic! I'm really excited about this Blog! What an excellent vehicle to bring a lot of people together and share interests, laughs, concerns and discuss my favorite topic...Veterinary medicine!
I am a native of Metamora and graduated from Metamora High School. After High School I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science at the University of Illionois at Champaign-Urbana. It was here that the concept of the Human-Animal bond was first introduced in a class instructed by Linda Case.
While attending college i worked as a Veterinary Assistant for Dr. Beaumont at Country View Veterinary Clinic in Champaign. i not only gained invaluable hands-on experience but learned of Ross University from Dr. Beaumont. Thanks Kurt!!!
Upon completion of my Bachelor's Degree I moved to the beautiful island of St. Kitts in the West Indies and began studying Veterinary medicine at Ross University. What an amazing experience! I lived and studied in paradise for three years!
I then returned to reality and completed a year of evaluated clinical study at the University of Missouri at Columbia. It was here that I really began to understand the Human-Animal Bond. I was introduced to many wonderful people and experienced and learned invaluable skills. At Mizzou one concept remained a common thread...Client-Patient care and the idea of the Human-Animal Bond. This is where I realized the impact the Human-Animal Bond can have and the importance of listening to clients.
After a year, which seemed like a week, it was time to return home. I embarked on one year of evaluated practice at Country View Veterinary Clinic in Champaign. It was finally nice to be home. I them moved back to the Peoria area to work for Dr. Beaumont at Mt. Hawley Animal Clinic. After three years I felt the call to leave and serve those who had a difficult or impossible time getting to the clinic and started building a house call clientele. What an amazing, overwhelming experience. Now we're talking Human-Animal Bond! After three years I re-joined forces with Dr. Beaumont at Mt. Hawley Animal Clinic and currently focus on House calls.
In practice I primarily focus on general internal medicine and surgery. I obviously have a special interest in the Human-Animal bond. I also have a passion for Practice Building techniques involving team building and education. My focus is developing and utilizing practice building techniques to build long lasting client relationships that I view as friendships.
My wife, Lara, is my best friend and soul mate. She has put up with me for seven years and we have a six year old son named Brendan who is a wonderful gift that we enjoy on a daily basis. We currently enjoy life with our five year old German Shepherd, Fritz, our ten year old calico cat, Fey, and our nineteen year old lovebird named Bogie.
In my spare time I enjoy working in the yard, cooking and creating healthy, great tasting meals and spending time with my family.
I enjoy learning and sharing knowledge about veterinary medicine. Providing the highest quality of medicine with compassion and convenience is my goal. Our clients are our friends. Feel free to come by or contact me at Mt. Hawley Animal Clinic in Peoria.
I am a native of Metamora and graduated from Metamora High School. After High School I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science at the University of Illionois at Champaign-Urbana. It was here that the concept of the Human-Animal bond was first introduced in a class instructed by Linda Case.
While attending college i worked as a Veterinary Assistant for Dr. Beaumont at Country View Veterinary Clinic in Champaign. i not only gained invaluable hands-on experience but learned of Ross University from Dr. Beaumont. Thanks Kurt!!!
Upon completion of my Bachelor's Degree I moved to the beautiful island of St. Kitts in the West Indies and began studying Veterinary medicine at Ross University. What an amazing experience! I lived and studied in paradise for three years!
I then returned to reality and completed a year of evaluated clinical study at the University of Missouri at Columbia. It was here that I really began to understand the Human-Animal Bond. I was introduced to many wonderful people and experienced and learned invaluable skills. At Mizzou one concept remained a common thread...Client-Patient care and the idea of the Human-Animal Bond. This is where I realized the impact the Human-Animal Bond can have and the importance of listening to clients.
After a year, which seemed like a week, it was time to return home. I embarked on one year of evaluated practice at Country View Veterinary Clinic in Champaign. It was finally nice to be home. I them moved back to the Peoria area to work for Dr. Beaumont at Mt. Hawley Animal Clinic. After three years I felt the call to leave and serve those who had a difficult or impossible time getting to the clinic and started building a house call clientele. What an amazing, overwhelming experience. Now we're talking Human-Animal Bond! After three years I re-joined forces with Dr. Beaumont at Mt. Hawley Animal Clinic and currently focus on House calls.
In practice I primarily focus on general internal medicine and surgery. I obviously have a special interest in the Human-Animal bond. I also have a passion for Practice Building techniques involving team building and education. My focus is developing and utilizing practice building techniques to build long lasting client relationships that I view as friendships.
My wife, Lara, is my best friend and soul mate. She has put up with me for seven years and we have a six year old son named Brendan who is a wonderful gift that we enjoy on a daily basis. We currently enjoy life with our five year old German Shepherd, Fritz, our ten year old calico cat, Fey, and our nineteen year old lovebird named Bogie.
In my spare time I enjoy working in the yard, cooking and creating healthy, great tasting meals and spending time with my family.
I enjoy learning and sharing knowledge about veterinary medicine. Providing the highest quality of medicine with compassion and convenience is my goal. Our clients are our friends. Feel free to come by or contact me at Mt. Hawley Animal Clinic in Peoria.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Meet Dr. Cappa
As one of the contributors to the blog, I wanted to introduce myself. First, from an educational and job perspective. I graduated veterinary school from the University of Illinois in 2006. I then did a year long small animal rotating internship at Texas A&M University. During this time I rotated between different specialities at the hospital including time in cardiology, surgery, internal medicine, emergency medicine, and ophthalmology. After my year in Texas, I came back to Champaign and spent 1.5 years in the pathology department at the U of I.
Then, starting in January 2009 I started working for Dr. Beaumont at the Village Pet Doctor in Tolono, IL. I currently split my time between Village Pet Doctor and Southside Veterinary Clinic in Savoy, IL. Please click the links on the right to visit the website for both clinics. I am interested in all aspects of small animal medicine, but have a particular interest in surgery and ophthalmology.
On a personal note, I am happily married to a wonderful woman named Jill who is a teacher at one of the local middle schools. We have two wonderful children named Macy (3) and Tyler (1) and a dog named Ellie (8). Between the kids and dog we stay plenty busy, but in the free time I do have I enjoy running, reading, and if time permits sleeping.
I enjoy meeting new people and animals, so if you are in the process of looking for a veterinarian, please don't hesitate to contact either Southside Veterinary Clinic or the Village Pet Doctor.
Then, starting in January 2009 I started working for Dr. Beaumont at the Village Pet Doctor in Tolono, IL. I currently split my time between Village Pet Doctor and Southside Veterinary Clinic in Savoy, IL. Please click the links on the right to visit the website for both clinics. I am interested in all aspects of small animal medicine, but have a particular interest in surgery and ophthalmology.
On a personal note, I am happily married to a wonderful woman named Jill who is a teacher at one of the local middle schools. We have two wonderful children named Macy (3) and Tyler (1) and a dog named Ellie (8). Between the kids and dog we stay plenty busy, but in the free time I do have I enjoy running, reading, and if time permits sleeping.
I enjoy meeting new people and animals, so if you are in the process of looking for a veterinarian, please don't hesitate to contact either Southside Veterinary Clinic or the Village Pet Doctor.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Welcome to Our Blog
I wanted to welcome you to our new blog. This blog is meant to share pet health information, doctor and staff thoughts, funny animal stories, and much more. Contributors are spread in clinics across the Champaign-Urbana area and Peoria. Please see the links to the right to get more information about our clinics.
Our clinics are full service companion animal hospitals that are committed to providing quality veterinary care throughout the life of your pet. Our services and facilities are designed to assist in routine preventive care for young, healthy pets; early detection and treatment of disease as your pet ages; and complete medical and surgical care as necessary during his or her lifetime.
Please feel free to comment on any of our blogs and we hope to hear from you with any pet health care needs.
Our clinics are full service companion animal hospitals that are committed to providing quality veterinary care throughout the life of your pet. Our services and facilities are designed to assist in routine preventive care for young, healthy pets; early detection and treatment of disease as your pet ages; and complete medical and surgical care as necessary during his or her lifetime.
Please feel free to comment on any of our blogs and we hope to hear from you with any pet health care needs.
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