March 2009 Newsletter
Beware! Garden Hazards
You may not be the only one to succumb to the aroma of this chocolate scented garden mulch. The smell may also prove too tempting to our unsuspecting four legged friends. Cocoa Mulch contains Theobromine and Caffeine, two ingredients which could pose a serious health risk to dogs and other pets who may ingest it.
By Diane Capece
For more information please visit this site: www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/cocoamulch.asp.
Giving Your Pet Improper Medication Can Cause Death and Heartbreak
Although safe for most of us, some human medications can be lethal to your pet. Some well meaning pet owners have medicated their pets with human over-the-counter and even prescription medications in an attempt to alleviate pain or treat minor cold symptoms. Even medications prescribed by your veterinarian for FiFi may not be appropriate for Max.
If you suspect your pet is ill, injured or painful, please call Woodhaven to schedule an appointment. If your pet has gotten into a medication not intended for him/her, immediately call Woodhaven Veterinary Clinic at 206 546-5164 or The Poison Center at 206 526-2121 or 800 222-1222.
It is our sincere hope that you never have to face this kind of preventable tragedy.
By Diane Capece
A Big Thank You!
To all of our wonderful clients who have taken the time to fill out our on-line satisfaction survey, we say, “Thank You!” As you may know, for each survey submitted, a donation is made to PAWS. As we strive for excellence, your feedback and kind comments are greatly appreciated! The survey is available by visiting our website: www.woodhavenvet.com and clicking on the “Take Survey” link at the bottom of our homepage. Enter clinic code: 102080
Fun Facts
- Which of our staff members has spent five days living with the Chukchi Tribe in the Arctic Tundra (Siberia)? Dr. Julia Bent (one of our regular relief veterinarians)
- What breed of dog is rumored to be President Obama and the First Family’s pick? Portuguese Water Dog
- What staff member visited the remote and buggy Mididi National Park in the Bolivian Amazon? Dr. Jennifer Creason
- Which of our veterinarians played in her high school marching band? Dr. Ann Brudvik
- How many of our staff members are participating in the 2009 Danskin Triathlon? Four
- Who said, “The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”? Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)
Congratulations to Summer Polonsky
for passing the Washington State Veterinary Technician test;
she is now a Licensed Veterinary Technician!
Good Job Summer, We’re Proud of You!
Zeke
 He had his nest knocked out from under him one early spring day. His body was barely covered in soft brown fur and his eyes were still tightly shut. He and his siblings were brought into the Stamford Museum & Nature Center by the utility folks who had taken down the pole upon which his nest was built.
I was lucky enough to bring this infant squirrel home with me and named him Zeke. I fed him frequently with a baby bottle throughout the following days. He spent time with my family and quickly learned how to climb our legs to get to our shoulders. He slept in my room and I quickly found that squirrels are early risers and also love the warmth of an under-the-covers den for themselves. Zeke was quite frequently wrenched from the bottom of my covers and tossed out to make his bed elsewhere in the room when he became too active at too early an hour!
When Zeke was able to live outside, I built him a little house in case he wanted more substantial shelter. When he wanted to come inside he would go from window to window looking for us, following our voices as we moved from room to room. With his insistent and unique voice he would demand to be let inside. We always complied!
One funny memory was when I was outside one morning with my mother who was still wearing her nightgown. Zeke decided to go for her shoulders and zipped up her legs…underneath her nightgown! The shrieks from my mother and the laughter from the rest of us filled the morning air!
Zeke lived for many years in the trees and yard outside our Connecticut home. He would still greet my parents when he saw them, eat birdseed from the feeders, but fortunately, he never again ran up my mother’s legs.
By Anne Gowing
Disclaimer: Please Do Not Try This At Home!
Your pet can’t talk – but Bloodwork can!
Because of our strong commitment to providing the best medicine that we can for your pet, we believe that regular blood testing is important in helping your pet achieve a long and happy life. A thorough physical examination alone may not be capable of detecting all possible health problems. Blood work gives us a means of checking your pet’s internal functions in a non-invasive manner.
Many clinical signs of disease do not develop until late in the disease process. Pets have an instinct to protect themselves, and for many animals this includes ‘hiding’ their illness. A good example of this situation is a cat with kidney disease. This patient may be afflicted with kidney disease for months or years before developing physical signs of disease. Up to 75% of kidney function can be lost before clinical signs develop. Performing blood work will detect early changes in kidney enzymes and allow us to manage this disease process properly and thus allow the patient to live a longer and healthier life.
While identifying disease as early as possible is the primary goal of blood work, a normal result on blood work is also very helpful. These results now provide a baseline for your pet by telling us what is normal for your pet. If future blood work reveals changes, then we can tell how long the problem has been going on. Normal blood work results give us peace of mind that your pet is doing well and establishes a baseline for your pet’s health.
Here are some of the tests that can be performed with a teaspoon size sample of your pet’s blood:
Complete Blood Cell Count (CBC): A CBC gives information on hydration status, anemia, infection, blood parasites, inflammation, the blood’s clotting ability, and the ability of the immune system to respond.
Comprehensive Serum Blood Chemistry: These tests evaluate organ function, electrolyte status, and hormone levels. They also give barometers of adrenal function and other diseases. Blood Chemistry panels can include some or all of the following:
- BUN, Creatinine and Phosphorous: Kidney function
- ALT, Alkaline Phosphate, and Bilirubin: Liver function
- Albumin: Liver and kidney function
- Total Protein and Globulin: Immune system function, dehydration
- Glucose: Diabetes, insulin levels, tumors
- Cholesterol: Hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, and pancreatitis
- Electrolytes: Calcium, Sodium, Chloride, Potassium and Bicarbonate Endocrine diseases, kidney function, GI tract health and dehydration
- Thyroid: Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
By Rebecca Metheny
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Which dog is right for you? Here are a few things to consider as you begin your quest of choosing a breed that matches your personality, family and life-style:
- How much exercise will he/she require? How active are you?
- Is he/she a dominant breed? Are you willing and able to take on the “alpha” role?
- What kind of coat does he/she have? Do you have the time and inclination to groom regularly?
- Does he/she drool, shed, or drawn to water, including mud puddles? Are you a neat-nick?
- How quickly and easily is this breed house-trained? Do you have the time and patience?
- Do you want a guard dog or a dog that will show them where the silverware is?
- Do you want a dog that excels in obedience class? Are you able to be consistent?
- Do you want to purchase a puppy or give a homeless pooch a second chance at life by adopting from a local shelter?
Depending on what breed you pick, generally speaking, you are making a ten to fifteen year commitment. For a happy ending, please choose wisely.
For a helpful resource, visit www.justdogbreeds.com or connect by going to our home page and clicking on the Links tab. If you prefer a book, The Right Dog For You by Daniel F. Tortora, Ph.D.
By Diane Capece
Raw Food
Recently, the popularity of “raw” food for dogs and cats has prompted both debate and questions in the veterinary community. Specifically, the recent pet-food recall made many dog and cat owners question the origin and content of pet food in an effort to select a safe alternative to commercially prepared options. Many have elected to use a raw-food diet based on internet research under the auspices of a more “natural” approach for our dogs and cats, both carnivores of wild descent.
The Veterinarians at Woodhaven DO NOT recommend raw diets. Our primary concerns are based on the current veterinary research that demonstrates a lack of evidence that raw food is naturally superior to cooked diets, a concern for quality control at the manufacturing level, nutritional imbalances and deficiencies that are the result of a primarily skeletal meat diet and, most importantly, a legitimate fear of transmission of infectious diseases to both animal and humans.
Uncooked meat can harbor organisms such as e-coli and salmonella that can easily be transferred directly to a pet or (on an owner’s hands, countertops and utensils) to children and adults. Raw-food diets continue to be highly controversial among pet owners and veterinarians. If you are among those who feed (and feel strongly about) a raw diet, we encourage you to sear the foods, as 90% of pathogens can be found on the food’s exterior.
An alternative to raw diets is a home-prepared diet which includes a proper ration of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. The proteins in these diets are cooked. The advantages of balanced commercially prepared diets remain cost and convenience. These factors have to be considered when making this important decision – and, of course, the personal preferences of your furry friend.
By Dr. Jennifer Creason
To consult with Veterinary Nutritionist Dr. Rebecca Remillard, visit www.petdiets.com
Please note: There is a fee for this service – all details are on their website
For more information on the potential hazards of raw food visit www.petsandparasites.org or connect by going to our home page and clicking on the Links tab.
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