The Office Roars

The other day, the staff was conversing in the general office.  My four year old son, Connor, was "assisting" us that day by telecasting the "Ghostbusters" movie for our entertainment pleasure since he had no daycare.  Taking a break from busting ghosts, he stood amongst the women while they chatted.

Kassy, one of my assistants, was standing behind Connor, and she began gently running her fingers through his soft red hair as the conversation continued. 

Connor rolls his eyes up as if trying to look at her fingers as they roll through his hair, and asks, "What are you doing?"

She responds, "I'm playing with your hair."

He turns, looks at her, and states matter of fact-ly,   "I am not a toy."

The roar of laughter emanating from the general office was deafening...




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The Dog That is No Longer Stoned...

Meet Waffles.

Waffles is a 3 year old female Pekingese.  She was already spayed when she was admitted into rescue.  She was surrendered by her owner because she was urinating in the house. 

She is just as sweet as pie, well behaved, and well trained otherwise, but when you tell a potential adopter that she was urinating in the house, that always makes people think twice about adopting...unless you can figure out why they are doing so.

We performed a urinalysis and discovered that she had a severe urinary tract infection.  We placed her on antibiotics and changed her diet to a special prescription diet to control the pH of her urine.  Controlling the pH of an animal's urine helps make the bladder's "environment" less appealing to bacteria so they do not thrive and as such the bladder becomes more resistent to infection.  Appropriate pH control helps to prevent crystal formation within the bladder.  Urine pH is predominantly controlled by proper diet and genetics.  When pH is not controlled well, animals may end up with recurrent urinary tract infections, microscopic crystalline formation within the bladder, and if left alone long enough, stone formation will occur within the urinary bladder.

This little girl responded fairly well to the initial medical treatment, but the blood within the urine never went completely away.  Once off the antibiotics, the blood in the urine resumed in full course.  It was time to take an x-ray.

In this x-ray, Waffles is laying on her back.  The pelvis bones and spine are evident.  Between the large bones of the pelvis are two large oval masses.

In this x-ray, Waffles is laying on her side.  The spine is on the top of the x-ray.  The two large oval masses are again easily seen within her belly.

There were two large oval masses in her belly.  These masses consist of two large bladder stones that are irritating her bladder walls and creating discomfort and infection.  Waffles needed surgery.  We opened this tiny 12 lb dog who was harboring these two giant stones in her bladder. 

Bladder stones from Waffles the Pekingese.  The coins are there for size comparison.

Her bladder, when visualized during surgery, was as thick as double layer corrugated cardboard due to severe and chronic inflamation.  A healthy bladder is almost paper thin when extended.  Even minor bladder inflamation will create a feeling of urgency.  If you have ever had a urinary tract infection, you are familiar with the sudden need to go to the bathroom because your bladder is screaming to your brain that it is full, yet, when you go, only a small amount comes out.  This urgency is the result of inflammation and the trigger it sets off to your brain.  Imagine months or possibly years of experiencing this urgent feeling.  I cannot imagine the discomfort created by the severity of Waffle's bladder inflamation, nor can i imagine the feeling of harboring these lovely pieces of anatomic artwork.  When you place the two stones back together into the position they held within the bladder, they form a mold of the interior of her bladder wall which was trying to shrink or expel them.



These stones consumed most of the interior of the bladder, leaving little room for urine to collect.   These stones started as microscopic, and grew slowly as a pearl grows within an oyster, one layer at a time.  As a result of that, Waffles urinated extremely often.  This urgency and frequency would cause her to have accidents in the house.

Now that the stones have been physically removed, if Waffles is kept on her special prescription diet, her bladder should settle down to almost normal size.  The diet should regulate the pH of her urine so that recurring infections, crystals, or stones are minimal or non-existent.  Without these problems, accidents in the house should be a non-issue since she appears housebroken in every other way.  Hopefully, Waffles will find herself a wonderful family to love and care for her.  If you are interested, go to http://www.jewellvetonline.com/ to apply for her adoption.  She will fit into your family like two peas in a pod, or two stones in a bladder!

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Two Coats are Only Good When Painting...

All jobs have their ups and downs. I know that.  But there are times when I feel as though this job, the job that so many people have longed for yet not attained, is just too difficult for me.  At these times, I want to fill out an application at a retail establishment, and become employed stocking shelves, checking out customers, and trucking carts in from the parking lot.  I suspect that a bad day working there, while it could be stressful as the general public can be quite offensive at times, is quite different than a bad day wearing this white coat. 

When I am wearing my white coat (figuratively), it is part of my training to tell a client when their animal's body has reached its limits.  It is comforting for me to be able to look at them with confident eyes, and reassure them that the next step is giving their beloved furry family member its dignity back.  The decision is ultimately theirs to make, but I hope that having someone reassure them that the choice they are making is the right one, eases their pain in some sense.

But, I sit here now writing this story as a pet owner.  I sit here now writing this as a veterinarian who is a pet owner.  I sit here and I despise having to wear both coats at the same time.  I sit here and I wish I could look to another authoritative person, someone who knows more than I do or better than I do, someone with a coat whiter than mine, and trust that person to guide me through this difficult part of pet ownership.

Today, I am the proud owner of a 13 year old tortoiseshell cat.  I named her Petunia (Tuni) because she kept popping up in my garden.  She has been a companion of mine for 13 years of my life.  I have known her longer than I have known my own children.  Today, I discovered that she is dying.

I look at my cat sitting in a hospital cage and I wonder, "Do I put you to sleep today? Should I put you to sleep tomorrow?  Should I take you home and let you have one more night with me?  If I take you home, will you get hurt while being so weak?  How much time do I take, when medically I know you are not responding to treatment, and yet I am not ready to lose you?"

I will need to make this decision at some time in the next 24 hours, as I am certain her body cannot take much more than that.  I will be the one making the decision.  I will be the one administering the medications.  I will be the one placing the stethoscope to her chest, listening for her heartbeat to fade.  I will be the one caring for her body afterwards.  I will be with her, alone, holding her as she falls asleep for the last time.

Then tomorrow I will wonder, "Should I have tried one more thing?  Should I have waited one more day?" 
I know this, because this is not the first time I have had to wear two coats...

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The Ugly Goldfish

When I was a teenager, I worked for several years at a local pet store.  From this employment, I was blessed with all sorts of "special pets" which included fish with scoliosis of the spine, a blind canary with cataracts, and footless lizards just to name a few.

One day I went to work and it happened. I discovered the strangest goldfish I had ever seen swimming among the feeder fish in a large tank.  The feeder fish tank contained a large population of small "comet" goldfish that were intended to be purchased in large quantities to be fed to turtles, lizards, snakes, etc.  They were densely packed when the new shipments came in.

Feeder Fish Tank Image from LINK

Our weekly shipment had arrived.  Among this mass of golden shimmer, I could see a strange little creature.  He did not seem to fit in with the rest, and I was right.  His strange little body was different than the long and lean goldfish.  He did not fit in.  As a matter of fact, for a goldfish, he was quite ugly.
 
He was not a goldfish, and he was not ugly.  He was a tiny tadpole that would soon be a beautiful swan... I mean frog. Tadpoles occasionally joined the shipment of feeder fish.  The ponds where feeder fish were raised were apparently accessible to frogs.  I have no idea where these little guys originated, but here he was in the feeder tank...but he would not be there for long!
 
I had seen images of the evolution from tadpole to frog in my science books, but never in real life. 
 

Metamorphosis of a Frog Image from LINK

I took my new friend home and placed him in a small two and a half gallon filtered tank equipped with a lighted hood.  He resided there with some goldfish friends as I awaited his metamorphosis.  He progressed wonderfully!  I loved watching them swim around the tank!  The goldfish's movements were so smooth and artistic, while the tadpoles movements seemed mechanical and uncoordinated at times.

My cats would sit next to the tank watching them.  They would occasionally drink from behind the light on the tank, but they never violated the fish's space.  The tadpole went from tiny to robust in no time. 

Tadpole Image from LINK

Eventually he began to sprout his hind legs.

Tadpole Image from LINK

Soon his front legs began to sprout and I knew it was going to be time to provide him with a safe place to climb out of the water.  This would mean separating him from his fishy friends.  This was probably a good thing as soon these fishy friends might become his Sunday brunch!  I could not wait to see what type of frog would emerge from this fish-like body!

I planned on finding another small tank and adding a shallow amount of water.  A flattened rock with its top above water level would serve as his new amphibious resting spot.

One day I came home and I could see as I walked into my bedroom that the tank was cloudy, very cloudy.  From a distance, I could not tell if anything was swimming around in there or not.  I approached the tank wondering what on earth could have happened, dreading what I might find.  Did the filter quit working?  Did a cat grab at the tadpole or fish and kill him?  What could make the water so murky so quickly?

I was saddened to see that the inhabitants of the tank had indeed expired.  I was gladdened to see that none of the bodies in the tank had any signs of cat mischief.  The unfortunate truth was that one of the cats had gone to take a drink, and simply vomited into the tank.  The pollution was enough to stop my science experiment/friendship with my tadpole and his fishy friends.  Thank goodness that I am fully aware that all frogs go to heaven!

Angel Frog Image from LINK

I did love my job at the pet store, and as I stated in my previous blog, "A Zoo Unlike Any Other", I would do it all again in a heartbeat!  But I would do it just a little differently.
 
I have learned alot about domesticated animals, including captive exotics and pocket pets, in the past twenty years.  I know that their abundance is a danger to them.  They, like dogs and cats, are over-bred and you can find whatever species you are looking for, available in a local shelter or rescue group. There are many times when the 4-H kid has completed the rabbit program, and his or her rabbit sits in a cage alone outside or in a garage, forgotten.  This rabbit may find a new home if the owners are dedicated enough to persist at re-homing him, or he may sit lonely as potential adopters purchase newly bred bunnies from a pet store.  The pet store where I worked took in many small animals/pocket pets needing to be re-homed, and I am grateful for that.  Some pet stores sell only one gender of the small animals/pocket pets, and I applaud that as well.  But I would take it one step further.
 
My pet store would be different.  It would be a collaboration of qualified rescues helping to re-home those animals that have been outgrown, forgotten, lost and found.  I would request that the Iowa Parrot Rescue display their adoptable birds in my store. I would request that the Iowa Reptile Rescue display their adoptable snakes, turtles, lizards, etc in my store.  The animals would not be sold, but would be adopted after a counseling session with the interested parties so they fully understand the needs of the pets they are hoping to take home.  Our kittens would be from people who have brought the Momma and Poppa cats into our low cost spay neuter program that is run as often as it is needed in a clinic behind the store.  All the animals would be representatives of local shelters and rescues.  Profits would be from the pet supplies not from pet sales.  The rescue groups would still receive their adoption fees and their animals would be easily viewed in one place by many people during normal business hours.  What an ideal situation! 
 
Perhaps it is too ideal... idealistic?
 
I have the will, I just wish I had the way...


 
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A Zoo Unlike Any Other

When I was a teenager, I worked for years at a local pet store.  It was a relatively well known chain, but nothing like the Petco's and Petsmarts of today.  I loved it!  It was the best job I have ever had.  It had its ups and downs, like all jobs, but I learned new things daily, educated people about the pet they were considering BEFORE they bought it, worked with a great staff, and spent time caring for animals of all different makes and models. 

The most stressful parts of the day consisted of receiving a phone call from a customer, "I think my hamster has a tumor!" only to explain to them that the hamster was a "boy" and he would be just fine, or having concerned kids run up to the counter and exclaim, "The rabbits are wrestling! Are they going to hurt each other?"  I am going to have to be careful with this blog, as my former boss from the pet store reads it!  Let me know if I make any mistakes about these critters, Dave!

As a result of this job, I had the most amazing collection of animals!  I don't think anyone could match their uniqueness.

I had a pair of Haitian Anoles.  The world's cutest lizard!  They are way cuter than the Geico guy, although I don't recall if they had an accent.  If we did not live so far from a store that sells their food, I would have these little guys again! 

Haitian Anole Image from  LINK 

My pair of anoles were each missing one foot.  They were shipped in boxes with screen on the sides.  Their little feet would sometimes protrude from that screen as the box was slid across the floor or stacked against another, and their feet were literally shaved off.  My anoles did not seem to notice that they had a handicap.  They still climbed the wood and the plants with which I decorated their vivarium.  They still ate their food, and they were still fun to watch for me and for the cats. The general public does not want to see a footless lizard in a store, so I was able to make them my own!  Free lizards, but then I had to invest in their new housing! 

I had also adopted a small Crested Canary from the store.  She was so cute.  At least I think she was a girl.  She did not sing at all, and only male canaries sing.  They say they have a "crest" atop their little heads.  I liked to think of it as more of a toupee!  I had never really seen this type of canary prior to working in the pet store.

Crested Canary Image from LINK

She was adorable, but she also came with her own issues.  She was blind.  She had mature cataracts in both eyes.  Cataracts make the normally clear lenses in the eyes milky white so they can not see through them.  She may have been like this from birth, but I have no way of knowing.  She fluttered around in her cage just fine memorizing the location of the perches and bowls.  I had to pay particular attention while cleaning her cage, being sure to place items back where they were so she did not have to relocate them.

Milky Cataract in a Bird Image from LINK

Then came the fish tank!  I started with a ten gallon tank, and eventually progressed to a 20 gallon high.  I  loved having a fish tank, and miss having one today.  Along with this fish tank, came the rare finds that I housed from the heart.  I took in any fish that had "odd" characteristics, fish that people would likely not choose to purchase.  The fish I remember specifically are the Zebra Danios.  Zebra Danios have vivid stripes making them beautiful, but they are basically just fish-shaped fish...usually.

Zebra Danio Image from LINK

Within my tank, were housed Zebra Danios and other fish that had scoliosis of the spine.   

Scoliosis Image from LINK

These fish also thrived despite their handicap.  They swam, they ate, they held their own with the other fish in my tank.  I was happy to have them.

One day I went to work and it happened.  I discovered the strangest goldfish I had ever seen...

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Jojo's DNA Final Results #3: Heritage Canine DNA Results

If you have been following this blog, then you know that we had a sweet little puppy for adoption at South Hamilton Animal Alliance whose "breed" make-up was in question. She was just 20 lbs, and sweet as pie.
Her name is Jojo and she has since been adopted into a wonderful new home in Massachusetts.

We had submitted her DNA samples to three different laboratories who specialize in canine breed DNA tests. As we waited patiently with baited puppy breath, her test results arrived one by one, and here is the final test result.

Our Sweet Jojo

Jojo's Story Part 1-5: Please read for more information and previous test results...

Part 1 http://vetrescue.blogspot.com/2010/10/jojo-vicious-pit-bull-or-beagle-or.html
Part 2 http://vetrescue.blogspot.com/2010/10/doggie-dna-testing-of-tests.html
Part 3 http://vetrescue.blogspot.com/2010/10/update-1-doggie-dna-testing-of-tests.html
Part 4 http://vetrescue.blogspot.com/2010/10/jojos-dna-test-results-1.html
Part 5 http://vetrescue.blogspot.com/2010/10/jojos-canine-dna-test-results-2-mars.html

All three tests were submitted to their respective labs on October 8th, 2010.  The slowest and final of the three results has finally arrived.  The results are postmarked December 8th, 2010.

Heritage claims to send reports within 4-6 weeks, but this test did take a bit longer than expected, eight weeks, and significantly longer than the other two tests from Mars and DDC testing labs.  Both DDC and Mars Wisdom Panel results were returned within the month of October.

And without further adieu, drum roll please...
The results are:

Primary: "This category is intended to help owners recognize when their pet’s DNA contains a majority of a specific breed (i.e. 50% or greater). If your dog has a strong match to one of our validated breeds, then it is categorized as primary. Most mixed breed dogs will not usually have a breed in this category unless one or both of their parents are purebred."

No primary breed


Secondary: "This category reports breeds that are easily recognizable within your dog. While these breeds may have a strong influence on your pet, each breed listed makes up less than the majority of your dog’s DNA."

Miniature Schnauzer

Skip is a Schnauzer for adoption at Mini Schnauzer Rescue of Houston, TX

In the Mix: "This final category identifies breeds that have the least amount of influence on your pet’s composition, however, they still appear, at a low and measurable amount, in your pet’s DNA."

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Tinker is available for adoption at League for Animal Protection of Huntington, NY

and Siberian Husky

Mabel is for adoption at Minnesota's Unwanted Siberian Husky Rescue, Minneapolis, MN

Let us have a quick review:

Test 1: DDC Vet Lab

Italian Greyhound, Miniature Pinscher, German Shorthaired Pointer, Greyhound, American Staffordshire Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog

Test 2: Mars Wisdom Panel

American Staffordshire Terrier, English Bulldog

Test 3: Heritage DNA

Miniature Schnauzer, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Siberian Husky

DNA testing for breed identification is a fun idea if used for curiosity sake alone, but don't expect to get out of any breed specific laws by showing a judge your DNA certificate that says your pit bull mix is a standard poodle and chihuahua mix.  (As a vet, I would be more afraid of the chihuahua than the pit bull!)

The waiting is exciting, and the arrival of the test results can be a celebratory event for some.  In some cases, the results are sure to be quite humorous!  I really don't see much Siberian Husky or Sheltie in Jojo, but genes can do remarkable things.

While I do believe DNA testing can confirm that one dog is a parent of another dog, just as it can determine that a man is the father of a particular child, I do not believe that we yet have the knowledge to determine breed make up successfully with DNA testing.  I do give credit that each lab detected a bully breed of sorts within Jojo's makeup, but the other results were inconsistent.

With each test that is run, more knowledge is gained, and perhaps someday we can get more consistent, more specific, more accurate results.  For now, it is a fun idea to satisfy a person's curiosity.

But let us consider the important part of pet ownership, or I would prefer the term pet companionship.  Your dog, regardless of its breed, loves you.  Your dog relies on you for its well being throughout its lifetime.  The breed of your dog does not matter.  Words on a piece of paper do not matter.  What does matter is that you are committed to that dog for the lifetime of that dog, whether it fits into your purse, or barely fits into your car.  That dog will certainly commit to you until its last breath.  No certificate or paper can or should change that.  FURiendship is fur a lifetime. 

If you have performed DNA testing on a pet of yours, please share your results here, even if it doesn't matter. 

I am curious to know, what is your opinion of the three test results?

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Rattie Reality?

I spent a good deal of time the other day, upset about the way a woman was listing a rat terrier and her pup for adoption because she did not want the dog to get pregnant by her male dog again.  I was proud of the blog and it was quite therapeutic to share my feelings, thoughts, and concerns about it.

Here is the blog http://vetrescue.blogspot.com/2011/01/right-home-or-next-home.html

The same day that I published the blog, I received an email from a reader. 

It stated, "actually, the gal was referring to a pet RAT..."

When I read that, I could NOT STOP LAUGHING!  The first thing that came to my mind viewing that listing with the word "rattie" was of course rat terriers.  To think I just gave a lecture about rat over population!  LOL!

To the person who posted the listing, my apologies for misinterpreting your ad.  I suspect that perhaps I was not the only one who did misinterpret it.  Have you considered getting another cage?  They sell them on craigslist!  LOL!

I am still proud of the blog, but let's all pretend it is about two rat terriers when we read it, and not two rats!

I will write another blog... as soon as I can stop laughing about this one!






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