To evaluate an animal’s health based solely on the numbers, namely weight, is a mistake. The best way to determine whether weight loss is necessary is to evaluate the animal as a whole by what we call “Body Condition Score” (BCS).  We use a nine point scale that is pretty simple to summarize.  Score 1/9 is emaciated; the animals bones are clearly visible.  Score 5/9 is ideal; we can see a slight tuck in the waist from the top and side and can easily feel (but not necessarily see) the ribs.  Any score higher than a 6/9 is considered overweight with 9/9 being “grossly obese”.  According to studies, dogs with an ideal BCS of 4 to 5 lived 15% longer than a dog of the same breed, in the same environment and eating the same diet but having a BCS or 6 or 7 (Ettinger Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 6th Edition).  As a pet owner, I feel that this statistic says it all!  That’s 1.5 years for a ten year old dog (and lets face it, we see more and more dogs 12 and over)!  I want my furry family members with me, in good health, for as long as possible and it seems that being a healthy weight is the first step in achieving that goal!

There are many options available for weight loss, and we like to tailor the program to each individual animals needs.  On the surface, it seems simple, cut calories and increase expenditure (exercise!) but we all know that’s easier said than done.  If you suspect that your pet might exceed the ideal 5/9 score, please set up a consultation with your friendly veterinarian to get advice on how to help your pet live the best life they can.  Please exercise caution when just cutting their regular food.  In the short term that is a fine option, however, in the longer term, cutting their normal maintenance food by 25% runs the risk of nutritional deficiency (vitamins, minerals) in addition to the calorie deficiency we are aiming for.  Good luck!

The drive across Kansas was uneventful and we pulled into the La Quinta Inn by the Denver airport late in the evening.  After a good night’s sleep, the morning started without incident until I asked my husband to take the dogs out to the giant field (we didn’t know truly how giant at this point) behind our hotel for a game of fetch before another 9 hours in the car. I had no sooner climbed out of the the shower then I got a phone call(7:46am, exactly). He said, ” I need you, asap”! I ran I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the clients of Central Animal Hospital and let you know how happy I am to be part of this wonderful team.  I’m Dr. Meghan Fincher and I moved to the Bay Area in June of 2011 from Leavenworth, Kansas (and prior to that Ohio, where I studied veterinary medicine at The Ohio State University).  Moving cross country with my family was no small feat and I’d like to share a little story with you about the trials and tribulations.  I have a wonderful husband for whom we moved to California and two boys, 2.5 years and 1 year.  Although we expected the opposite to be true, the human children turned out to be the easier of the Fincher kids to move.  The non-human children that made the cross country trek are Bentley, our 5 year old Australian Cattle Dog, and Nessa, our 3 year old Golden Retriever.  Luthien, a 5 year old out barefoot to find him leashing Bentley back up, tossing me the leash and saying, “Nessa took off, I need to catch her”. Our wimp of a dog had been terrified by a garbage truck picking up a dumpster.

Bentley and I jogged back into the hotel and I put shoes on, strapped our then 4 month old baby in the Baby Bjorn and the three of us headed back out to help with the search. After about an hour of traipsing through the old sunflower field fraught with pricklers (which latched onto Bentley’s feet and my clothes and skin) we re-grouped, still without our dumb blonde dog. Jeremy kept up the search and I returned to the hotel to give Bentley’s pads a break and start the process of putting out the word that our dog was missing.

Amidst my recurring tears (see, even veterinarians cry!), I called Home Again Microchip  who faxed a lost poster to all the animal organizations in a 20 mile radius, posted a Craig’s List ad, and used everyone’s top communication method, Facebook. Then it hit, I was finally experiencing that panic that pet owners feel when their beloved friends go missing. We committed to caring for her and should have kept her safe, but instead, she was, for all I knew, wandering the city of Denver alone and scared and, as Nessa always is, hungry.

To make a long story short, despite all our efforts, none of the networking efforts yielded results that day.  It was one last walk at dusk that revealed our dog hiding in a barn about a mile away.  However, I realized how important it is to have proper identification of your pets.  Had Nessa’s flight of terror led her out of the fields into a near-by neighborhood or the highway, I hope that the person that managed to coax her in would have read her collar and called us.  I learned several valuable lessons about proper identification for your pets that I will regularly share with my clients from now on.

1. It’s best to have a cell phone number listed on your dog’s tag, so if you’re out searching, or have life as normal to get on with (though it seems impossible at the time), you can be reached.

2. The microchip companies can be a great resource for getting the word out there and making sure all the shelters in the area will know who to contact in the event your pet arrives.  The microchip procedure is relatively quick and painless and can pay for itself a million times over if you find yourself in the situation.

3. Finally, networking.  Don’t underestimate the power of animal lovers!  I found myself genuinely touched by how strangers came out of the woodwork, or long lost acquaintances who stepped up to offer help where they could.

I look forward to serving you and the community and please keep me in mind as a resource if you ever have the unfortunate luck of finding yourself in the situation I did in Denver.

]]> http://www.petcentralvets.com/2012/04/11/introducing-dr-meghan-fincher/feed/ 2 http://www.petcentralvets.com/2011/09/02/how-to-care-of-your-aging-dog/ http://www.petcentralvets.com/2011/09/02/how-to-care-of-your-aging-dog/#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:46:38 +0000 LizHeinen http://www.petcentralvets.com/?p=145 Continue reading →]]> A dog who is 7 years or older is considered middle to senior aged. Like humans, when dogs reach
their ‘golden years’, their movements and metabolism start to slow. Their bodies have difficulty absorbing
nutrients, and also joints and muscles become weaker. They will also start graying around the face
and their eyes become cloudy. They become more prone to diseases such as arthritis, diabetes heart
disease, kidney failure and even cancer.

The best way to take care of them is to consult with one of our excellent doctors at Central Animal Hospital
in order to determine the best health care maintenance program for senior dogs. Even if you think that
your dog is healthy it is still advisable to visit us at least twice a year.  Senior dogs have different medical and diagnostic needs such as comprehensive blood tests, urinalysis tests, chest and/or abdominal x-rays. Furthermore, like young dogs, old dogs need regular vaccinations – the kind of
vaccine which is appropriate for the dog’s age and health status.

You should also be extra careful about what you feed your dog. In order for older dogs to become
healthy, they need a special diet. Their food must be low in calories and rich in proteins, fatty acids,
vitamins, and mineral. If you’re not sure what to feed your dog, better ask a doctor what’s  the best diet that will
keep your dogs happy and healthy.

You should also be wary about your dog’s dental care. Having healthy teeth and gums is very important.
Dental diseases are not only painful but also dangerous. Dental diseases can lead to infection in their
hearts and kidney. Brush your dog’s teeth and also have them checked by a doctor regularly. Plaque, tartar
and bacteria are very dangerous and must be removed.

Although, your dog is starting to slowdown, they still need exercise. A daily walk in the morning is good for
your dog. If you see your dog having difficulty standing up or walking, this may be an indication that he
or she is experiencing pain. If you dog is experiencing pain, please make an appointment to see us right
away.

The most common of these is Periodontitis. When tartar starts to build up; the tissues around the tooth and its root become irritated. This cause bad breath and gingivitis – reddening and bleeding of the gums. Bleeding gums allow bacteria to enter the bloodstream, and then circulate throughout the body and will eventually affect internal organs.

Feline Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (FORLs) is another common condition in cats. This can cause the tooth to erode, exposing the pulp to infection or causing the tooth to break.

If you notice problems in your cats like bad breath, drooling, or difficulty eating, he / she should be examined right away. If your doctor sees signs of gingivitis or tartar accumulation during the exam, he will recommend a professional cleaning to prevent diseases. It is recommended that your cat is seen at Central Animal Hospital for regular physical and dental examinations at least twice a year.

Oral hygiene is important. Brush your cat’s teeth. It may be difficult at first, but your cat will gradually get used to it. Never use toothpaste designed for people the ingredients may irritate your cat’s mouth and cause an upset stomach. There are also treats, chews, and other dental product that you can use to clean your cat’s teeth.  It’s still advisable that you consult us before giving your cat any dental product. . Remember, if the dental problem is identified earlier, it will be a lot easier to be treated. Before it’s too late, ask us preventive measures.

‘TAKE A WHIFF’–a sour smell isoften the first indication of Otitis.  Also, shaking and scratching at the ears with associated redness.

Not sure?  email us at centralanimalhospital@gmail.com with your questions  or make an appointment with us.

The general term otitis refers to inflammation of the ear. The ear consists of three regions: the outer ear, the middle ear,and the inner ear. Inflammation of these specific areas is termed otitis externa, otitis media, and otitis interna respectively. Of these three, otitis externa is by far the most common and treatable.

Inflammation of any of the regions (otitis) can predispose a pet to developing an earinfection. The outer ear is also the most commonly infected region of the ear.The ear canal can become colonized and infected with bacteria, yeast, or both.This infection, in turn, can increase inflammation and the clinical signs of otitis. This vicious cycle, if left untreated, can lead to significant pain,scarring, and loss of the normal ear canal anatomy and hearing.

IMPORTANT FACTS:

Inflammation of the outer ear canal, or otitis externa, ranked as the second most common disease affecting dogs and cats.

Since 2006, otitis externa increased 34 percent in cats and 9.4 percent in dogs

Last year, 15.8 percent of dogs and 7.4 percent of cats were diagnosed with otitis externa.

Some pure bred dogs predisposed to the disease include the basset hound, beagle,American and English bulldog, golden retriever, Labrador retriever, Lhasa apso,all sizes of poodle, pug, Shar-Pei, and English springer spaniel.

Maintaining your pet at a healthy weight helps prevent or minimize a variety of health risks including arthritis, joint problems, diabetes, heart disease, and breathing problems.

Healthy weight is achieved and maintained through a balanced diet and exercise. If your pet is overweight, our veterinarians can create a weight-loss plan specific to your pet’s individual needs. In addition to reducing food and increasing exercise, we have other options such as prescription diet foods and weight-loss medication.

Joint care

Older pets frequently suffer from arthritis and joint pain. Proper joint care can increase your pet’s quality of life. In addition to maintaining a healthy weight, we offer several supplements for joint health. We also have prescription diet foods to help keep joints healthy.

Please consult your veterinarian about optimal weight, exercise, nutrition, and possible medications for your pet’s needs.

Preventive care

When early tartar buildup is diagnosed, we can offer some preventive care. This might include one or more of the following:

• A dental diet designed to prevent tartar buildup
• A liquid that can be added to drinking water and has an enzymatic action to slow down tartar buildup
• Toothbrush and toothpaste kits
• Other products that help keep the teeth clean

Once tartar has noticeably accumulated on the surface of the teeth, the next step is a professional dental cleaning. Even the most obedient pets won’t lie back and keep their mouths open, so this procedure needs to be done under general anesthesia. This means your pet will get to spend the day with us and go home late that afternoon with sweet-smelling breath and clean, healthy teeth and gums.

Delaying or abstaining from dental cleanings can have drastic implications on your pet’s overall health. As tartar builds up, abscesses may form along the gum line causing infection. Left unattended, the infection can enter the blood stream, leading to health problems and potentially prove fatal.

When you consider that pets age roughly seven years for every one year people age, bringing your pet in for
an exam twice a year would be equivalent to you seeing your doctor once every 3 1/2 years.

About our exams

What we are screening for, in addition to general good health, is the early detection and treatment of diseases
and disorders such as hypothyroidism (too little production of thyroid hormone) or hyperthyroidism (excess
production of thyroid hormone), early kidney or liver disease, presence of dental disease, etc.

The earlier we catch these or other problems, the better the chances are that your pet will live a longer,
healthier life.

Despite the availability of effective treatments, parasites remain a common fact of life for dogs and cats. Most companion animals have the potential for contact with parasites multiple times a day, all year long.

Since some of the parasites that infect your pet may also infect people, you have the opportunity to maintain both the health of your pet and your family by taking simple preventive measures. By following the recommendations of your veterinarian, you can prevent unnecessary suffering for your pet as well as potential health concerns for your family.

The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) believes that the relationship between humans and animals is a special bond, and that the ongoing responsibilities in caring for our animals are often among life’s most rewarding experiences. CAPC is dedicated to fostering the human-animal relationship by enhancing the pet care you and your veterinarian provide.

CAPC has developed its Web site as an information resource and starting point for your discussions with your veterinarian. To keep your pets healthy and your family safe, talk to your veterinarian about how you can prevent parasites year-round.

Visit the Companion Animal Parasite Council website for additional important information.

E mail us at Central@pawsforward.com for specific recommendations about keeping your 4- legged family member healthy. Or call us at (408) 377-4043.