First of all, what is canned food?  I hate to break it to you, but most of the time, it is not actual slices of meat or pieces of vegetables.  Most brands of pet food take a formulation that is pretty much the same as their dry food formula and add water to it.  Then the food is shaped into a “slice” or a “meaty chunk”.  There are a number of brands out there that do have actual vegetables and chunks of meat in their food, so I’m not saying anyone is lying.  I’m just saying that the companies know they’re marketing to the owners, not the pets J

To me, it’s good news that many wet food diets are similar to their dry food counterparts.  Most dry foods are balanced diets as established by an organization called AAFCO (The Association of American Feed Control Officials).  To me, the first and most important step is to make sure that whatever food you select is a balanced diet as established by AAFCO.  Look on the side of the bad near where the ingredients are listed.  There should be an AAFCO feeding statement that reads, “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that ABC Dog (Cat) Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for (appropriate life stage).”  When a company does an animal feeding test, they must feed their food exclusively to a group of animals for 6 months.  The animals in the trial are examined by veterinarians and also have blood samples taken.  I think it’s important that a company invests enough in its food to be certain that it is nutritionally balanced.

So, if you’re feeding a balanced canned food, is it worse for your pet than the dry food is?  Let’s take dogs first.  The most common reason most people cite for using dry food is that it’s better for pets’ teeth.  This is true for some foods, but not others.  See www.vohc.com for a listing of foods that do help prevent dental disease.  Otherwise, the food may or may not help the teeth.  In those cases, there are other options, such as chew toys to help keep teeth clean.  We may choose to use wet food in a case such as an overweight pet who needs to lose weight.  Canned food is less calorie-dense than dry food, so it helps pets feel fuller even if they eat fewer  calories.  These are just a couple of examples of how either type of food might be better for your dog.

What about cats?  There is a growing body of evidence that canned food is actually better than dry food for cats.   Cats are pretty strict carnivores, they hardly have any carbs in their diet if they live outdoors.  Picture a mouse as a staple of cat’s diet.  Any time a dry food is created, it must contain a fair percentage of carbs in order to be baked.  Many feline nutritionists think that canned food prevents feline health issues such as obesity, diabetes and urinary tract disease. 

What is the take home message?  Canned food is not bad for your dog or your cat, as long as it is a balanced diet.  Canned food might even be good for your pet.  I think introducing dry and canned food to dogs and cats is a good idea.  That way, they don’t get stuck on one thing.  Ultimately, as I’ve said before, nutrition is an individual choice.  Talk to your veterinarian about what food is best for your pet.

Basically, vestibular disease is like a sudden attack of vertigo.  The vestibular nerve is the nerve that is responsible for balance.  It runs near the inner ear, which is why middle or inner ear infections can affect balance.  I can’t ask a dog, but I assume that they feel similar to a human who has vertigo:  dizzy.  What owners usually report is that their old dog is suddenly uncoordinated or falling over.  Their head may tilt to one side.  They may also have nystagmus, which is a horizontal movement of the eyes.  Some dogs feel so dizzy that they can’t eat or drink.

How do we know if this is vestibular disease and not something else?  One clue is if the rest of the physical exam is normal.  I usually at least check a blood panel to be sure there is not an issue with one of the internal organs.  I also often check xrays.  This helps us rule out any kind of cancers.  If all of those things are normal, then I usually treat symptomatically with some motion sickness medication.  If the dog isn’t able to eat or drink, we may give them IV fluids until they can eat on their own. 

What causes Old Dog (or Idiopathic) Vestibular Disease?  No one really knows.  Some suspect a virus, but that wouldn’t change our treatment.   Why should you see your vet if your dog is having these symptoms?  Like I said, ear infections can cause similar signs.  Also, other issues with the nerves or brain can cause incoordination and head tilt.  It is important to make sure that one of those other things isn’t going on so that we’re actually treating the real issue. 

The good news is that most dogs recover from this condition.  Many get back to 100% normal.  Some may have some residual signs.  One of our patients has a little bit of a permanent head tilt after his vestibular episode.  Once the room stops spinning, they can get back to life as usual.

On December 10^th, my husband got a text from his friend Rafael saying that he found an old Cocker Spaniel wandering around in Cordova.  The dog was dirty and matted and he had a tumor on his hindquarters. Rafael thought he was going to have to take the dog to the shelter because he already has 2 dogs.  I told Raf that he could just bring the dog in to us when we were open on Monday and I’d take a look at him and scan him for a microchip.  If he was really bad off, then we could put him to sleep or, if not, I thought maybe Mid South Cocker Rescue might be able to help me find him a home. 

Kris (as we started calling the dog) showed up here on the 13^th of December.  I guessed that he was about 10 years old.  His coat was in good shape since Rafael had him groomed over the weekend.  He had a really bad ear infection, a tumor on his hindquarters and no microchip.  He was such a sweet boy.  Anytime we got him out of his kennel, he just wanted to lay his head on us and snuggle.  I emailed Stephanie at Mid South Cocker Rescue to see if she knew anyone who might want to let him live out his days at their house.  Stephanie said she’d look into it.

I didn’t hear from Stephanie for a few days, which didn’t exactly surprise me.  It’s hard to find a home for an old dog with health issues.  I got an email from Stephanie on the 19^th that said that she was at the Memphis Animal Shelter over the weekend and overheard someone talking about an old Cocker Spaniel that they had lost.  I thought it sounded a little promising, but a lot of these leads don’t pan out.  Stephanie promised she would go find the application when the shelter opened on Tuesday.

Tuesday morning, we got a call here at the office from Teresa, who maintains the “Greater Memphis Area Found Pets” page on Facebook.  Stephanie and Teresa had teamed up and found Brandon’s owners, who arrived at Utopia about 20 minutes later.  Brandon’s family was so happy to see him and grateful for all of the help that he received.  Brandon, who had been a pretty quiet dog the week he stayed with us, came to life as soon as he saw his family. 

I’m not one to go around calling everything a miracle, but I do think this whole situation was miraculous!  Many thanks to all who helped Brandon get home to his family.

The whiskers function mainly as sensors.  They are very sensitive and even small changes in the air can be sensed with the whiskers.  Cats use their whiskers to judge how wide a space is to see if they can fit inside.  Generally, they can be used to sense the size and presence of other objects.  Whiskers also help protect the eyes by triggering the blink reflex.  Just a soft touch to the whiskers will cause an animal to blink. 

There are a number of “urban legends” about whiskers:

• If you trim a cat’s whiskers, it will keep them from wandering off.
• Pets can’t walk around in the dark without their whiskers.
• Pets will lose their balance without whiskers.

While the whiskers are useful, pets can get along without them.  In some breeds of dogs, it is customary to trim the whiskers.  Whiskers can be accidentally trimmed (usually by kids) or sometimes they need to be shaved for surgical procedures.  While our pets don’t quite look themselves and their sensation is probably not quite right with short whiskers, they do survive just fine.  Fortunately for us, most of our parts are designed to grow back >^..^<

 The second thing is totally unrelated, but also fun.  Our Utopia staff member Heather, has a 6 year old daughter named Emma.  Emma watches the show “Must Love Cats” on Animal Planet.  Apparently, last week they did an interview with Julie Jackson, creator of Kitty Wigs.  Yes, you read it right, wigs for cats.  Each wig comes in its own metal box on a form with a special pin for the humans and a special mouse toy for the kitties.  Maybe this will be the Christmas gift of the season!  They are only $60. You can see the different options on www.kittywigs.com.  Also, there are some funny videos on youtube if you type in “kitty wigs”. 

If you’re not quite up for putting a wig on your cat, then you can buy Glamourpuss:  The Enchanting World of Kitty Wigs.  Julie partnered with photographer Jill Johnson to make a book filled with photos of kitties in wigs.  I have to admit, I am intrigued, but I’m not sure I’d drop $60 on the wig.  Plus, who would wear such a wig?  Beau is definitely not a dress-up kind of kitty.  Maybe Marty?  I think the electric blue kitty wig might be right up his alley.

As we prepare for the holidays, let’s keep in mind that some of the things we humans enjoy are not always safe for our pets.  Here are a few pointers to keep pets safe this holiday season:

• Lilies, Christmas Cactus and Christmas Holly can be toxic to pets.  The safest thing is to keep these plants out of the home.  If you have them in your house, keep them out of reach of the pets.
• Don’t worry so much about Pointsettias and American Mistletoe.  These plants are thought of as toxic, but generally only cause mild issues.
• Watch your pets around liquid potpourri.  Ingestion can cause fevers, respiratory issues and tremors in dogs and cats.
• The most dangerous foods that we commonly have around during the holidays are chocolates, cocoa, fatty meats, sugarless gum/candies containing Xylitol and yeast bread dough. 
• Fruit cake can also be dangerous because it contains raisins, which can cause kidney failure.  Also, fruit cake can be soaked in liquor, which can cause rapid changes in blood sugar and body temperature.
• Keep a close eye on your decorations.  Stringy decorations such as tinsel can become a dangerous object in any pet’s intestines.  Keep items like this out of the reach of your pets, especially cats.

There are lots of pet-friendly ways to treat our furry loved ones.  As your vet or stop by your local pet store for some recommendations.  If you happen to be in Memphis, the great folks at Hollywood Feed can give you a plethora of holiday treat recommendations for your pets. 

We at Utopia wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

This conversation is a good illustration of the fact that our feline patients are often overlooked in the area of veterinary care.  There are many reasons for it:  stress to the cat, stress to the owner or the perception that cats don’t really need to be seen by a vet, just to name a few.

It used to be that the main reason any of us brought our pets to the vet was for “shots”.  And they all got all their shots every year.  While we don’t give vaccinations every year any more, the vaccines are important.  I don’t see as many vaccine-preventable illnesses in cats as in dogs, but they are out there.  Panleukopenia is the feline version of Parvo and it is just as nasty.  I think it is important to keep cats up to date on Rabies as well, especially in indoor/outdoor cats.  Cats who roam more freely than dogs are much more likely to encounter wildlife, which is the main place to get Rabies.  Your cat’s habits will help you and your vet choose an appropriate vaccination protocol. 

Vaccines aside, the benefit of an annual physical exam is immeasurable.  Anyone who has had a sick cat knows that they don’t tend to show us signs of illness until they are REALLY sick.  A physical exam can be brief, even less than a minute, and still yield lots of information.  We can track your cat’s weight, which can be one of the first signs of illness.  We can also thoroughly evaluate skin, eyes, ears, mouth, teeth, heart, and abdomen.  And we can talk about how your cat is doing.  It is helpful if you know how your cat’s appetite is; if he is having vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or sneezing; if there is any change in drinking or urinating; and how his energy level is.  All of these can be clues to a health issue.

I hate getting my cat in a carrier as much as the next person.  BUT, I know he has to come in at least once a year.  With planning, we can get him out, examine him and do anything we need to do (vaccines, bloodwork) within a few minutes.  That way, he has as little stress as possible.  It always gives me peace of mind to know that Beau’s had a real checkup. 

So, yes, cats do need vaccines.  And routine healthcare, just like any other patient, canine or human.  Give your cat a treat and bring him in for a checkup.  You’ll help him live a longer life.

For those who haven’t heard, the move to the new Memphis Animal Shelter starts Friday.  I wanted to share the press release with those who read my blog.  I would also like to point out a few important items and dispel some misconceptions that seem to be out there.  

• The Friends of the Memphis Animal Shelter are looking for as many foster homes as they can find for the adoptable animals.  Be sure to message them on Facebook or call Tracy Dunlap at MAS (362-5310) if you can help. 
• All animals at the old shelter are being moved to the new shelter, unless they go to a foster home.  There are no “convenience” euthanasias happening. 
• While the security cameras at the new facility are no longer going to be available for viewing on the web, they are not going to be eliminated.  Instead, they will be able to be monitored by the Memphis Police Department at the Real Time Crime Center.

 I was lucky enough to see the new shelter a couple of weeks ago.  It is fabulous!  It has pieces of equipment that I wish we had here J  The complexity of moving that number of animals from one place to another is mind-boggling (at least for me).  Let’s give the workers of the Shelter our support during this exciting transition!!!

NEW MAS FACILITY TO OPEN NOVEMBER 22ND

Current facility on Tchulahoma will begin limited operations November 4th

MEMPHIS, TN – Beginning this week, Memphis Animal Services (MAS) will start its transition from the current facility on Tchulahoma to its new home at 2350 Appling City Cove.

The move will kick off with Last Call Yappy Hour Thursday, November 3rd, from 4 – 7 p.m.; all animals available for adoption will be $10 during that time.

As MAS moves into its new, state-of-the-art facility, they ask for the public’s patience during the transition.

Friends of MAS are currently looking for foster homes for the shelter’s adoptable animals. Interested parties should contact Friends of MAS on Facebook or call Tracy Dunlap, Senior Animal Care Technician for MAS, at 362-5310.

Beginning Friday, November 4th, and continuing until the new facility opens to the public, MAS will have limited hours of operation:

• On Friday, November 4th, and Saturday, November 5th, it will be open from 1 – 5 p.m. solely for owner reclamations and owner surrenders.
• The shelter will be closed to the public on Sunday, November 6th, and Monday, November 7th, as usual.
• Tuesday, November 8th, through Thursday, November 10th, the shelter’s volunteers will be handling owner reclamations only from 2 to 5 p.m.
• The Tchulahoma facility will be closed to the public beginning Friday, November 11th.

MAS will also have limited field operations from Monday, November 7th, to Monday, November 14th. During that time, ACOs will only be responding to Memphis Police Department calls. ACOs will resume responding to loose/stray calls beginning Tuesday, November 15th.

Any animals impounded by MAS during that week will be held until the new facility opens, and MAS will waive any fees or additional costs associated with housing the animals during that time.

Additionally, all animals housed at the facility on Tchulahoma during that time will be transferred to Appling City Cove unless the Medical Director determines that the animal has a medical condition that would prevent its transfer.

“MAS’ primary focus during this time of transition is the safety and well-being of the animals,” said Public Services and Neighborhoods Director Janet Hooks.

All operations, including owner reclamations, owner surrenders, and adoptions, will resume Tuesday, November 15th at the new facility at 2350 Appling City Cove, and a grand opening will be held Tuesday, November 22nd.

I went to a number of lectures while I was at the conference.  Many of the lectures were related to Family Practice subjects:  the association between human and animal abuse, introducing your pet and your baby, and a lecture on compassion fatigue.  I also attended some sessions on stem cell therapy. 

Aside from the lectures, I spent a number of hours working on the Family Practice Credential Course.  What is this course, you ask?  Well, this is a course that will soon be available for veterinarians, technicians and other para-professionals in the veterinary world.  It will have an online component and an in-person component.   This course will focus on the importance of practicing medicine with relationship in mind.  We call it ‘relationship-centered veterinary care’.  Why is this important?  A client may have limitations that affect the way they can care for their pet.  Some examples are arthritis that makes giving pills difficult, financial limitations, time limitations or inability to handle a pet (like a feral pet).  All of these examples will potentially change the choice of medications that we use or how we use them.  Relationship-centered care also intensely focuses on communication.  In order for me, as the veterinarian, to discern the relationship of the pet with his humans, I have to listen to the client.  In order for the client to understand a disease process or treatment plan, I have to clearly explain them and listen for questions.  You get the idea. 

I was fortunate enough to take the first Veterinary Family Practice Credential Course in 2009 at UC Davis.  Changes in funding have made UC Davis unable to offer this course any longer.  That’s where our group comes in.  The Academy of Veterinary Family Practice, formed with the 15 original Credential recipients, is re-creating the course.  We will cover topics such as nutrition, behavior and pain management (to name a few) from a Family Practice point of view.  We will have in-person modules teach us how to communicate by using simulated clients.  I thought that part sounded cheesy, but it was an incredible experience.  This course is meant to be a foundation for further training in Veterinary Family Practice.

And that brings up my other point.  Eventually, the Academy will establish criteria for Board Certification of Veterinary Family Practitioners.  I hope to be one of the first specialists!  We will begin by developing a specialty for veterinarians, then technicians and, finally, para-professionals.  Ultimately, we can train veterinary teams to create the kind of environment that clients and patients desire—an environment where they are heard and included as a part of their pet’s examination and treatment plan.  It’s a big job, but we have an excellent group dedicated to the task.  And I am grateful to be a part of it.

For those who don’t know the difference between technicians and assistants, I can give you a quick overview.  Licensed, Registered or Certified Veterinary Technicians have completed two years of schooling at an accredited Technician program.  They spend their time studying anatomy, physiology, nutrition, hematology and a horde of other veterinary topics.  They gain skills in collecting and examining laboratory samples, anesthesia monitoring, radiology and nursing care.  Veterinary assistants gain many of these skills as well, though not usually with as much detail.  Some assistants may gain their skills from formal schooling. Many learn from on-the-job training.     

Veterinary Technicians and Assistants are responsible for pretty much everything that happens in a vet clinic, excepting the doctor’s tasks of examining, diagnosing, formulating treatment plans for patients and performing surgery.   Take, for example, a patient who is being dropped off for an annual examination and vaccines.  The Technicians examine the chart, check with the doctor and draw up the appropriate vaccinations.  They obtain blood and stool samples and then analyze the samples.  They restrain the patient for examination.  They also might enter the charges for the visit. I could pretty much spend all day listing the tasks Technicians perform.  I could never do my job without my staff of excellent Technicians and Assistants.  I am truly grateful for their dedication and love of their jobs.

If you get a chance next week, be sure to thank the Technicians and Assistants at your veterinarian’s practice.  Sometimes, the vet gets all of the thank. It’s important to remember that there is an entire team supporting that vet.  It is that team that provides excellent care for your pet.