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!

Why would they do this? Why would they not play with their toys, or better yet each other? The answer is simple…they’re dogs. Digging is a normal dog behavior where the dog is motivated to dig for a few reasons:

1. Entertainment: Humans are busy, and at times, lazy. We like the convenience of simply putting the dog outside to “exercise” as if he is running laps and doing push-ups. This lack of supervision and enrichment often leads to a bored dog discovering the joys of digging.
2. Comfort: Some dogs become stressed when they are alone and will dig as a way of seeking their owners. Unsupervised dogs could also be stressed by a neighbor’s dog, or neighborhood noises and dig as a way of finding a way out of stressful situation.
3. Hunting Small Animals: If your dog is digging paths in the yard or holes in specific areas, you may have a small animal such as a rabbit in your yard. Some breeds such as terriers were bred to “go to ground” and dig out game.

How do we decrease our dog’s digging habits?

• Walk/Jog our dogs more frequently, rather than leaving them outside unsupervised. A lack of exercise is a leading cause of problem behaviors.
• Offer your dogs more enrichment opportunities while they are outside such as playing fetch, tug, or foraging for food in the grass.
• Teach your dogs a few commands or tricks. Practice these every day for two to three minutes.
• Offer interactive, interesting toys in the yard to keep your dogs busy when you’re not around. Kong®-type toys filled with treats or Tricky Treat balls work especially well. Rotate the toys to keep things interesting.
• Remove burrowed animals.
• Train your dogs to dig in the designated “digging zone”.
• Provide them with the comfort they seek by keeping them indoors with you.
• Supervise dogs and do not leave them outside unattended to get into mischief.

It is extremely frustrating to find your dog covered in mud and your flowers pulled up. Punishing your dog after the fact will not address the cause of the behavior, and it will worsen any digging that’s motivated by fear or anxiety. As dog owners we have to supervise our dogs and offer adequate exercise and enriched environments to ensure they are learning what we want them to know. This is especially important for puppies and adolescent dogs.

If you have more questions or need assistance with your dog’s bad habits, you can email Brad at b.phifer@bracpet.com, or call the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic and Wellness Center at 317-257-5334 to schedule an appointment with Brad.

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.

What’s On The Tree:

• Pretty tinsel, ribbons and garlands make pretty decorations for our trees, but make convenient, yet possibly dangerous, toys for our pets – cats especially love to eat string-like objects, which unfortunately can get struck in one part of the intestinal tract, and cause an obstruction which could require surgery.

• Breakable glass ornaments should be hung well out of reach – cats find them fun to bat off the tree, and dogs love to eat them!  Be careful to pick up any pieces of broken glass if an ornament does break, but also be aware of the hangers and small metal fastenings that may become separated from the ornament itself – these can be swallowed or stepped on by your pet.

• Signs of ingestion of a foreign object can vary – they depend on the type of foreign object ingested and whether or not it gets stuck or can pass through the intestinal tract. The symptoms can range from lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

• Holiday lights are another dangerous temptation – pets may chew on them, causing injury from electrical shock.  Inspect your light for defects, such as loose or frayed wires, as well as signs of previous illicit indulgences by your pet, such as bite marks.  Be careful also about the wires’ proximity to the tree’s water supply.

• Electrical shock can cause burns, difficulty breathing, abnormal heart rhythm, loss of consciousness, and even death.

What’s Under The Tree:

• Any new source of water can be tempting, so your cat or dog may suddenly prefer to drink the water under your Christmas tree – this is not a problem unless you add chemicals to the water to keep your tree fresh.  Read the additive’s label to see if it is safe for pets.

• Pretty gifts are lovely under the tree, but make sure they are not decorated with the kinds of ribbons, decorative twine, bells or toys that might lure your pet to play, unravel or eat them. Be careful what’s inside the boxes, too – any type of food item can be detected by the sensitive nose of your pet – most things are OK for your pet to eat, but any type of food that is out of the ordinary for your pet can cause stomach upset and diarrhea.  One type of popular holiday gift is definitely NOT OK for your pet to eat is chocolate.

So, have a happy holiday season from everyone at the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic and Wellness Center, and we hope this helps your pet have a safe, and therefore, happy, holiday season as well!

What does this mean? Many veterinarians treat both dogs and cats, and by demonstrating advanced expertise through a rigorous credentialing and examination process, approximately 400 have become Canine and Feline Practice Specialists. Dr. Neumann made the choice a few years ago to begin studying again and sat for his examination in November 2011. His motivation was quite simply…..excellence. The BRAC philosophy has always been about doing our very best to fix and care for cats and dogs, and Dr. Neumann wanted to excel at the job he was doing as a veterinarian, and as the Medical Director of our two locations.

Please join us in congratulating and recognizing Dr. Neumann for his achievement! You can reach Dr. Neumann directly at w.neumann.dvm@bracpet.com

As humans we expect a lot from our dogs. We expect them to guard us against a burglar but not the mailman. We expect them to realize it is ok to jump up on Saturday afternoon when we are in garden clothes, but not ok Monday morning when we are in a suit. Many parents expect the dog to tolerate being jumped on, hit and/or poked with a toy without ever lifting a lip or growling to say leave me alone. While many dogs may be tolerant this kind of behavior from children, most will not and should not be expected to do so.

Lifting of the lip and growling are all early warning signs your dog is uncomfortable. These warnings may also be indications of impending aggression. If you see either of these behaviors, do not punish your dog. Take note of the situation and remove your dog to his room, crate or bed. Once everyone has relaxed, take the opportunity to teach the kids healthy ways to interact with the dog. Parents who encourage polite petting, fun games such as fetch, and training new skills like shake or roll over will begin to see less inappropriate behavior directed towards the dog and a better relationship formed.

Punishing the early warning signs will only teach your dog that A.) you will not advocate for him, and B.) he should not give advance warning. If he doesn’t warn you, he will simply respond with a snap and/or bite.

There are many types of arthritis that can occur in people and in pets, but the type that most people are referring to when they use the word arthritis, is osteoarthritis.  This type of arthritis occurs over many months to years in response to some type of physical problem with that specific joint. In most cases, this physical problem is caused by acute trauma (think football ACL tear), prolonged repeated excessive strain on a joint, or some type of inherited joint malformation such as dog hip dysplasia.

If there is a trauma to the joint such as an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear or if an inherited disease can be corrected, surgery is always the best choice to prevent or minimize the arthritis from developing. Many times, we are left with managing the arthritis and the pain associated with it after it develops.  Thankfully, there are many different options to treat and in some cases reverse the effects of arthritis in dogs and cats.

The initial standard treatments include two nutritional treatments – glucosamine and fatty acids (fish oils).  As with all nutritional supplements, it is important that we use a high quality product from a reputable company.  In general, the veterinary products did very well in this category when tested and compared to some pharmacy generics.

If these nutritional treatments don’t work, or if the arthritis progresses and more help is needed, many times a pain killing anti-inflammatory is used.

Other alternative treatments can be tried at any point or time.  Some success can be achieved with acupuncture, herbal treatments, therapeutic laser treatments, massage, and maintaining a healthy weight with controlled regular low impact exercises.

A final alternative option is to use the dogs’ own stem cells harvested from the fat of the afflicted dog or cat.  This treatment is the only one of the above that can actually reverse some the arthritis that has already formed.

In general, there is no “one size fits all” treatment for arthritis, but in each individual there is a combination of many treatments that will allow that individual to maintain a comfortable life. If you have questions about your arthritic pet, please call us at 317-257-5334 or email Dr. Neumann directly at w.neumann.dvm@bracpet.com

In veterinary school, I was told that roughly 70% of dogs that have ruptured one of their anterior cruciate ligaments (called a cranial cruciate ligament, or CCL, in a dog) will rupture the other one within a year.  Unfortunately, my dog, Staley fell right in line with that statistic.  While I was still studying to become a veterinarian, Staley tore his right CCL and had surgery to repair it.  Eight months later, we were repairing the left as well.  That personal experience with my own dog helped jumpstart my interest in CCL disease in dogs and orthopedic disease in general.

Common symptoms of a CCL injury are limping that worsens with exercise or over time, difficulty jumping or getting up, sitting with the injured leg out to the side, or stiffness in the injured leg.  If you suspect your dog has a CCL injury, your veterinarian will most likely look for swelling in the joint, pain or resistance on range of motion, positive tibial thrust or cranial drawer tests and possibly medial buttress.  Both the tibial thrust and cranial drawer tests demonstrate instability in the joint indicating that the CCL is not intact and holding the joint in place.  Medial buttress is scar tissue that forms on the inside of the knee in response to the instability as the body’s way of trying to hold the joint together.

Cranial cruciate ligament ruptures are one of the most common orthopedic injuries that we see in dogs.  Unlike humans, a CCL rupture in a dog is usually not a traumatic injury.  CCL ruptures are typically a degenerative process involving inflammation in the joint leading to weakening and then finally rupturing of the ligament.  Once the ligament has ruptured, the joint becomes unstable which leads to pain and further degenerative changes or arthritis in the knee.  While repairing the rupture does not completely “cure” the patient, it will greatly decrease pain as well as dramatically slow the progression of arthritis in the joint.

Currently, there are four common surgeries available to treat a ruptured CCL -

1. TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy)
2. TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement)
3. Lateral Fabellar Suture
4. Tightrope

The first two procedures involve cutting and changing the tibia; the latter two attempt to mimic the torn knee ligament by placing some sort of a suture material in the knee.  Prior to any of the four procedures, radiographs of the joint should be taken to assess the degree of degenerative changes due to the ruptured ligament, look for any other concurrent problems with the joint, as well as assess anatomical factors that would possibly dictate which surgery could be done to best repair the joint.  Because there are so many factors that play into a CCL tear in a dog, there is no “best” surgery overall, but your veterinarian can help you to decide which one may be best for you and your dog based on individual factors.

The Tightrope procedure uses an implant that is made of a very strong braided suture material with two small titanium anchors.  Small tunnels are drilled through the femur and the tibia in positions that closely mimic the anchors of the cruciate ligament itself.  The implant is passed through the bone tunnels and tied using the titanium anchors to hold it in place.  The implant stabilizes the joint and restores the function.

After surgery, a bandage is placed on the leg for the first 24 hours to minimize swelling.  Pain medication and anti-inflammatories are used to help with any discomfort. For the first 2 weeks, exercise is restricted to “potty breaks” only to allow the joint to heal.  After that, slow return to activity with simple rehabilitation exercises is started to try to minimize loss of muscle and encourage return of the function of the limb.   Uncontrolled exercise during the recovery period could cause problems with healing or possibly break the implant.  Other complications can include infection or loosening of the implant.

The Tightrope is less traumatic than the bone-cutting techniques.  It is a very strong repair  and can be performed on medium to large and giant breed dogs.  While there are certain limitations, it is a great addition to our battle against CCL disease. If you have any questions about the tightrope procedure or would like to have your dog evaluated by Dr. Heinz, please call the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic at 317-257-5334.

As a direct result of many, many suggestions and requests to lengthen our hours and offer some level of emergency service, we are launching a new “Technician-On-Call” service beginning Tuesday, July 5, 2011. This new service is free to all our BRACpets and their families! We recognize that in many cases, you are unsure as to whether your pet needs to be seen at an emergency clinic, or if an issue can wait until the next morning. Our hope is to offer guidance and support to you in these cases, until 10:00pm most evenings.

Beginning this week, Monday-Friday we will have a BRAC Registered Veterinary Technician “on-call” for you from the time our switchboard closes (at 7:30pm, Mon-Thurs, and at 5:30pm on Fridays) until 10:00pm. This will allow you to personally speak with one of our highly trained Technicians about your pet’s medical condition after hours. The Technician will work with you to determine if you should seek immediate emergency care for your pet, or schedule a time for your pet to be seen the next morning at BRAC.

How does it work? You can reach the Tech-On-Call by calling our direct office line at 317-257-5334. If the switchboard is closed, you will be given the option to be directly transferred to the Tech-On-Call, if it’s before 10:00pm; or directly to Circle City Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital if it’s after 10:00pm or the weekend.

You can also call the Tech-On-Call directly at 317-840-3241 until 10:00pm Monday-Friday. If you receive the voice mail option when you call, and it is after we have closed, but before 10:00pm Monday-Friday, please leave a message, as the Tech-On-Call may be on the line with another caller. You should receive a return call within 10 minutes, if your message is left between these hours. If you feel you need to speak with someone immediately, please call Circle City Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital directly at 317-872-8387.

We hope to continue to develop more services in the coming year to offer you and your family peace of mind when it comes to your pet’s medical care, no matter what time of day it might be! We hope our new Technician-On-Call service is the first successful step in this direction. If you have any questions or suggestions about this new service, please feel free to leave a reply (see below) or call us directly at the main clinic location, 317-257-5334 or the Wellness Center location, 317-726-2711. We look forward to hearing from you!

The current practice actually sits on the third location in the past thirty years, with an “extension” of sorts in a fourth location. Today’s version of Broad Ripple Animal Clinic can actually be described as a “campus”, with no fewer than 5 buildings making up this organization that cares for people and their pets in north central Indianapolis.

The main clinic is located at 6225 N. Broadway, in the heart of Broad Ripple, near the Westfield & College intersection. In a building of just over 4,000 square feet, the main clinic is the heart of the practice. With nine examination rooms, and a full-service hospital, there’s not much this team of seven veterinarians and more than 40 support staff can’t do! From surgery, to endoscopy, laparoscopy and tight-rope procedures, our team of highly skilled veterinary surgeons care for your pets daily each week. Our full-service veterinary hospital is enhanced by additional services such as stem cell therapy, reproductive services, advanced dental care, as well as ultrasound and radiography (with the assistance of an on-site specialist in this particular area).

Three years ago, Dr. Brunner opened the Broad Ripple Animal Wellness Center at the corner of Kessler and College avenues after a full year of renovations to the building and grounds. Only half a mile from the main practice, the Wellness Center functions as an out-patient Wellness facility, addressing the preventative care needs of pets of all ages. Additionally, Dr. Elizabeth Murphy sees an aging pet population here and addresses their senior care needs in a calm, zen-like environment. On Fridays, Dr. Steven Nichols can be found delivering acupuncture and herbal therapy to the pets of Broad Ripple. Additional out-patient therapies provided by the Wellness Center includes laser therapy for pain management and wound healing, as well as behavior counseling!

Speaking of pet behavior, Dr. Brunner saw a need for a full-service training facility that enhanced the relationships between dogs and their families. Out of that vision, Bark Tutor School for Dogs was developed more than three years ago.

Located at 2122 Broad Ripple Avenue, Bark Tutor works with veterinarians in the Indianapolis community to offer a high-quality, comprehensive day school training program, in addition to evening group classes. The day school curriculum was developed by our very own Director of Pet Behavior Services, Brad Phifer, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA. When Brad’s not at Bark Tutor, he can be found seeing Responsible Pet Partnership appointments at the main clinic, or private behavior appointments at the Wellness Center.

That’s only three of the five mentioned buildings…what are the other two? When we expanded the main clinic to include nine exam rooms instead of six, our offices and staff break room were “displaced”. We found a new home for them, along with space to conduct our weekly team meetings across the street in a bungalow that had been functioning as a doctor’s office over the years. Our fifth building is home to our state licensed, private Employee daycare facility. Dr. Brunner has always been a big believer in investing in his team, and he has seen many valued staff leave the practice over the years as they started their families. The creation of BRAC Buddies has enabled veterinarians and several team members to return to work, with their children just steps away from the office.

In thirty years, a single veterinarian has managed to develop a state-of-the-art veterinary practice that has grown with the Indianapolis community. Providing the latest technology, paired with more than 140 years of combined veterinary experience, knowledge and expertise, you can count on the BRACpet group to continue to serve the north central Indianapolis areas for at least another thirty years to come!

In the state of Indiana, there are thousands of veterinary clinics and hospitals. Each practice sees an average of 26-50 positive cases of heartworm disease each year. If you think your pet is safe because they are indoors “most of the time”…think again! We’ve all seen mosquitos in our homes in the summer months, and that’s how pets are exposed to this deadly disease….through mosquito bites.

The agent that causes heartworm disease, Dirofilaria immitis, is transmitted by infected mosquitoes when the larvae are transferred to a healthy dog. The early stages of this infection has no obvious clinical signs. Later, if left undetected, your pet may experience the following symptoms:

• Mild, persistent cough
• Lethargy
• Exercise intolerance
• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss
• Advanced infections may result in death

The good news is that this deadly parasite is completely preventable! The bad news?….despite availability of monthly preventatives, positive rates of heartworm disease has remained consistent on a nationwide basis. So, what is a pet lover to do?

1. Have your pet examined by a veterinarian twice-a-year. Twice-a-year exams catch diseases and illnesses sooner, rather than later. Since pets age at a rate much faster than people, seeing a veterinarian twice-a-year is the same as if you were to see your doctor once every three years.
2. Have your pet tested for heartworm once-a-year for life! Annual testing is peace of mind for those infrequent times where you forget to give your pet his prevention each month….or maybe your pet didn’t swallow his medication, and you didn’t know it at the time!
3. Keep your pet on heartworm prevention all year long, every year! Heartworm prevention is available in oral and topical formulations, so you can choose the prevention method that’s easiest for your and your pet.

For more information about heartworm disease, please call us at 317-257-5334 or visit our online pharmacy to order your BRACpet’s supply of heartworm prevention now!

The study of dog behavior and training is continuously evolving. Dog training, like parenting, looks different today than it did 10 or 15 years ago. As a pet parent, it is important for you to find a professional dog trainer you feel comfortable with, as well as one who has the necessary skills to meet the needs of you and your dog.

With no certification or licensing requirements, professional dog trainers and behavior consultants come into the field from a variety of backgrounds. Many professional dog trainers will advertise themselves as a “certified trainer”. Certification, while not required, does imply a trainer is serious about his career and is committed to continued education and professional growth. You should note, not all certifications are the same. There are numerous schools and training programs that certify dog trainers based on their educational program and methodologies.

The Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT) is the only independent certifying body for professional dog trainers and canine behavior consultants. The CCPDT offers comprehensive, psychometrically sound examinations that test a trainer’s body of knowledge in the field of animal behavior and training. Not affiliated with any particular school or educational program, the CCPDT offers two certifications: the Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and the Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA). Both programs also require one to meet extensive eligibility requirements and fulfill continuing education quotas before the credential may be renewed.

The professional dog trainer checklist:

• Is a member of a professional organization such as the Association of Pet Dog Trainers or International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
• Carries the CPDT-KA or the CBCC-KA credential
• Can knowledgeably answer your questions regarding dog behavior
• Is patient and motivates both his/her clients and students
• Is open about his/her training methodology and encourages you to observe classes prior to enrolling
• Doesn’t use force-based methods when training new behaviors

Questions to ask before you hire a dog trainer:

1. How long have you been training dogs?
2. Are you a member of any professional organization(s)?
3. Do you have any education or certification relevant to dog training?
4. Can I observe a training class?
5. Do you have experience training dogs of my breed?
6. Have you worked with clients who have similar goals as mine?
7. What training techniques do you employ?

Hiring a professional dog trainer is a necessary step for many pet parents. If you are seeking assistance teaching basic skills such as “come when called” and “loose leash walking,” look for the CPDT-KA credential when hiring a professional dog trainer. If you are experiencing more serious behavior problems such as aggression, fears, or phobias, you will want to find a behavior consultant with the CBCC-KA credential to assist you and your veterinarian in modifying your dog’s behavior. For more information, you can contact Brad at the Broad Ripple Animal Wellness Center at 317-726-2711 or by email at b.phifer@bracpet.com.