Archive for the ‘Educational Handout’ Category

by Dr. Steve Nichols, CVA

Clients may become interested in optional approaches to their pet’s health for many different reasons. Even with the tremendous advancements in “Western” medicine over the last 50 years, there are those patients that present with conditions for which we have no therapy or at least not a good one. As veterinarians we are often challenged by cases that don’t adhere to the “textbooks.” These cases may appear to be straightforward, however they do not improve with conventional intervention. Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. Christine Heinz

Giardia is a common intestinal parasite seen in dogs and cats.  It is a microscopic organism that can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea, but can also be carried by pets not showing any symptoms.  There are several different types of giardia, some of which can possibly be transmitted from animals to humans.  it can be very difficult by standard methods to tell the types apart, so precautions should always be taken to prevent transmission. Read the rest of this entry »

by Brad Phifer, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA

This spring, like many springs before, I had my backyard landscaped—new pots of flowers, fresh green sod with no mud holes or urine burns, and a large deck was built to entertain friends. The yard looks amazing! I feel completely at peace when I am sitting outside with a glass of wine, while my dogs happily run through the yard and soak up the sun while lounging on the deck.

I find it extremely convenient, as do most dog owners, to open my back door and allow the dogs to come in and out freely. I am also prone to leaving the dogs outside for brief periods while I am working inside the house. The majority of the time, this isn’t a problem, however, less than a month after the yard was landscaped and the flowers were planted, I walked out to find my youngest dog happily digging her way to China, while her sister was standing in the flower pot eating the ornamental grasses.

Like any calm, cool, experienced dog trainer would do, I began screaming and yelling while the dogs looked at me like I was crazy. They have plenty of toys and bones available outside, yet they still chose to turn their attention to the new landscaping. Needless to say, I was mad! Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. Lori Fruit

When we think of toxic substances, we tend to think of chemicals, cleaners, and medications. However, there are common items you might find around any household that most people don’t realize can be toxic to their beloved pets. Here are four common items, you should take precautions with, if you have a cat or dog in your household:

Read the rest of this entry »

What happens when you have an incredibly mild winter, followed by an early and warmer than usual spring? Indiana is about to find out! Unfortunately, so are our pets.

Every year, veterinarians discuss the importance of flea and tick control, along with heartworm disease prevention. You’ve probably heard it every year and according to our medical records, only about half of our pet owners use some type of prevention for about six months out of the year. The question is, are we doing enough to protect our cats and dogs, and ultimately our families? Read the rest of this entry »

by Bill Neumann, DVM, DABVP (Canine and Feline Specialist)

What is the purpose of vaccination?  It is to safely protect our pets from scores of debilitating and deadly diseases.  Taking your dog or cat to the veterinarian for vaccinations, though, is not as simple or as straightforward as you would think it should be.

First of all, vaccines need to be individually tailored to each pet.  Some vaccines are needed while others may not need to be given.  Some should be given every 6 mos. while others every 3 years.  Others are in between.  To iron this out, you should begin in our office with a consultation on what would be best for you, your pet, and your lifestyle. Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. Christine Heinz

Veterinary orthopedic manipulation (VOM) is a therapy similar to chiropractic adjustments.  It is geared towards resetting nerves from the spinal cord that may be misfiring (called subluxations) causing problems with the muscles or organs that they innervate.  These resulting problems can be either acute in nature or can be more chronic and insidious. Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. David Lee

Dental x-rays are a very important part of oral care for our pets. They are an integral step in the Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) plan that is performed when your pet goes under anesthesia for oral care. In addition to dental x-rays, this COHAT plan includes full cleaning above and below the gum line, careful probing and charting of the teeth and teeth structures, assessment of the tongue, gums, and soft tissues of the mouth, and often photography to document your pet’s oral health. This process is very similar to a visit to our human dentists. Read the rest of this entry »

by Dr. Elizabeth Murphy

Christmas trees set the tone for a festive holiday decor, but can pose a danger to curious cats and dogs.  Here’s what to watch for so you can protect your pets:

The Tree:

• Pine needles smell wonderful to us humans but, for some reason, are tasty to some cats and dogs.  Pine needles are not in themselves toxic to pets, but can be very irritating to the pet’s stomach, causing vomiting and a poor appetite.  Keep sweeping up those pine needles as they dry up and drop onto the floor over the next several weeks!

• Anchor your tree securely so that climbing cats and tail-wagging dogs will not knock it over. Read the rest of this entry »

Feline acne usually presents as crusty, scabby sores with or without accompanying whiteheads or blackheads on your cat’s muzzle and chin.  Often the chin and muzzle can be swollen and quite painful to the touch.  While it is usually not contagious, more than one cat can be affected in the household.  The signs of feline acne can wax and wane, depending on the underlying cause.  Most of the time there is a bacterial infection but this is usually secondary. Read the rest of this entry »