A Class IV laser can be a therapeutic treatment for a variety of medical problems and issues. Most commonly, we are finding the laser to be beneficial for treatment of:

• chronic otitis externa (acute ear infections)
• abscesses
• anal gland infections
• arthritis
• degenerative joint disease
• back pain
• muscle, ligament and tendon injuries
• hip dysplasia
• neuromuscular disease
• open wounds
• ulcerations
• post-operative recovery
• soft tissue trauma
• dermatological problems

As an example, with pets who have chronic ear infections, their families may find it very difficult to administer the much-needed ear medications due to their pet’s pain and discomfort. The therapeutic laser has been found to reduce edema, swelling, pain, discharge and debris when used to treat these infections. This makes the pet feel much more comfortable, enabling families to apply medications to the ear canal.

Therapeutic laser treatments do NOT require sedation! Most pets actually enjoy the experience and find it comforting and relaxing….much like a good massage. All laser therapy treatments are scheduled at the Wellness Center on an out-patient basis with one of our highly skilled and trained Registered Veterinary Technicians, under the supervision of Dr. Elizabeth Murphy. Please call 317.726.2711 today for more information, or to schedule your pet.

A visit to the swimming pool, the local creek, or the ocean helps us stay cool during the “dog days” of summer.  But what about our canine companions – how do we keep them cool?

Mrs. Jones was frantic! Just an hour before, her dog Snickers was playing in the yard. Now he was listless and having trouble breathing.

Rushing him to the nearest veterinary clinic, a concerned veterinary technician informed her that Snickers’ temperature was over 106 degrees – he was suffering from heat stroke. Luckily for Snickers – and with the help of a quick thinking owner and veterinary technician – he recovered.

Every summer, in cities all over the country, hundreds of dogs find their way to the family veterinarian after spending just a few hours in the hot sun.

It’s important to remember dogs don’t sweat like we do. Cooling themselves by panting, dogs use the moisture evaporating off their tongue as a means to lower their body’s temperature. Anything overwhelming this natural cooling system leads to heat stroke. With more families away from home during the day, our dogs are often left outdoors where it may be difficult to find shady, cool places and water to drink.

Normally, a dog’s temperature ranges from 100 to 102.5 degrees. In cases of heat stroke, temperatures over 106 degrees are considered to be an emergency situation – temperatures over 110 degrees can be fatal in a matter of minutes.

This level of hyperthermia (higher than normal body temperature) can affect every major body system and it’s imperative you get your pet to a veterinarian as soon as you safely can.

Dogs who succumb to heat stroke often show the following symptoms:

• Vigorous panting
• Inability to stand, or weakness while standing
• Thick, ropy saliva, literally foaming at the mouth
• Bright red mucous membranes, although some dogs may show pale or even muddy gums.

Heat stroke can affect any dog, although dogs with short faces, such as Boston, Pugs, and Bulldogs may be at higher risk due their inability to effectively pant and cool themselves.

Many people believe that their pet will be fine outdoors. However, inadequate shade and/or water can affect even the most seasoned outdoor dog.

Interestingly, heat stroke in cats is very rare.   Most animal experts believe that cats are extremely good at finding the coolest spots to lay and also avoid the overly zealous exertions that many dogs seem to thrive on.

If you find your dog vigorously panting on a warm summer day, immediately move the pet out of the environment and into a cooler place.   Getting the pet into a shady area with a fan running on him can be very helpful. Using cool, not cold, tap water on the extremities and trunk can also help to effectively lower the body temperature, as well as rubbing alcohol placed on the skin of the stomach. Do not use ice or extremely cold water.  Although it seems logical, extreme cold will cause surface blood vessels to contract, forming an insulating area that traps heat in the body, delaying the cooling of the vital organs.

Attempting to force your pet to drink is also not advisable. If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, immediately load your pet carefully into a car and seek care from your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital. Under no circumstances should you leave your pet alone in the vehicle.

Without these life-saving steps, many dogs might lose their lives to the “dog-days” of summer. But, as Snickers will testify, quick thinking owners and veterinary professionals can help get them back on their feet in no time. If you have any questions, or need veterinary care for your pet, please call us at 317-257-5334.

Commercial mulch products that contain cocoa bean shells are popular in many areas. It is known for its fine texture and sweet aroma, but that sweet smell translates into a dangerous temptation for dogs. Cocoa mulch contains two ingredients also found in chocolate: theobromine and caffeine. These ingredients can make your pet very ill, displaying symptoms such as: upset stomach, bouts of diarrhea, acting jittery, or even beginning to display seizure activity. Theobromine is toxic to dogs, if ingested in a large enough quantity.

Dogs and puppies are naturally curious, and some are known to eat just about anything! If you notice your dog eating mulch, make sure you intervene and check the ingredients, if available. When purchasing mulch, please be aware of these risks and always read the labels for ingredients and written warnings for dangers to pets. If your pet displays any of the symptoms listed, and you suspect ingestion of a foreign material, please contact your veterinarian immediately, or call the Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.

My most vivid memory of the Delta Society Pet Partner^® testing session with my golden retriever mix, Gracie, was asking her to obey the simple command, “Come”.  This particular portion of the test required that she ignore the attention she was receiving from the evaluator (a belly rub, in this case) and actually listen to my command.  I knew I was in trouble when I said the word and Gracie, all four paws in the air, lolled her head toward with me with a look in her eyes that said, “Yeah right, and leave this??”  Much to my surprise, after a few missed beats, Gracie made a slow-motion rise to her feet and reluctant saunter my way.  The remainder of the evaluation, which included dealing with loud noises and visual distractions, basic obedience, and handling, was a breeze.  Gracie particularly loved the test during which a group of 6 people were petting her vigorously at the same time – heaven!

In the end, we passed the entire evaluation, and were approved as a registered Pet Partner^® team.   I was a proud mom and, although it might be my imagination, I think Gracie looks pretty darn proud of herself in our post-evaluation picture.  With our new title, we visited nursing homes and library reading programs.  Gracie loved the attention and chance to meet new people.  I enjoyed the special time I was spending with her and also liked the satisfaction that comes with volunteerism.  Above all, these short visits clearly made an impact on those we visited, giving them a chance to tell stories about their beloved pets, families, or anything else on their mind.  Some said nothing, but would just reach out to pet Gracie’s soft coat or receive a friendly kiss from her.

Many types of domesticated animals can be registered as part of a Delta Society Pet Partner^® team, including dogs, cats, llamas, birds, guinea pigs, and more.  Visit www.deltasociety.org for more information.  Another option for getting started – the American Kennel Club (AKC) certifies dogs as a Canine Good Citizen^® after testing to ensure that your handling skills are up to snuff and that your dog displays good manners and passes basic obedience tests.  Information for this program can be found at www.akc.org/events/cgc/.  If you have a sweet pet that is controllable, predictable, and reliable, and you have a desire to work as a team with that animal, consider volunteering with your furry or feathered friend as a service/therapy animal.

Already registered as a Pet Partner^® team or Canine Good Citizen^® and interested in taking the next step?  Call Bark Tutor at 317.259.8336 to inquire about their 8-week training program for therapy dogs.

You should take one step at a time, and complete three successful interactions at each step before moving on to the next step:

1. Begin by holding your pet on your lap or on the floor. Offer your pets treats to keep him or her calm. Repeat until pet appears calm and comfortable.
2. Offer treats and handle your pet’s foot at the same time. Remove treat and stop handling foot at the same time. Repeat with all feet until pet appears calm and comfortable with handling.
3. Offer treats and touch foot with nail trimmers at the same time. Remove treat and nail trimmers at the same time. Repeat with all feet until pet appears calm and comfortable.
4. Offer treats and hold nail trimmers over toenail without clipping at the same time. Remove treat and nail trimmers at the same time. Repeat with all toes until pet appears calm and comfortable.
5. Offer treats while clipping one toenail at the same time. Remove treat and nail trimmers at the same time. Repeat with all toenails. You may need to clip nails on one foot, then give your dog a break and repeat with another foot at a later time. Repeat until all nails have been trimmed.

Keep in mind that patience and consistency are the keys to success. For a demonstration of this process, call us at 317-257-5334 and one of our Technicians will be happy to schedule a time to help you. For a video demonstration, click here to see Dr. Sophia Yin.

Why does your dog bark?

*Dogs bark to warn other dogs of their territory.

*Dogs may bark when separated from their family.

*Dogs sometimes bark when anxious, afraid or frustrated.

*Medical problems, especially as your dog ages could also contribute to barking.

In many cases, we inadvertently make our barking dog problem worse, by yelling or constantly telling them to be quiet when this happens. There are several ways to prevent a barking problem, as well as methods to correct unwanted barking.

Prevention

Socialization, socialization, socialization! By exposing your young dog to a variety of people, animals, places, unfamiliar situations and other dogs early in life, you can prevent anxiety and fear from taking control later in life. Frequenting dog parks, play groups, meeting neighbors, or utilizing training programs that focus on socialization are great ways to accomplish this.

The trainers at Bark Tutor know how valuable socialization can be in preventing problems. They frequently dress-up in costumes, employ the use of canes, strollers, walkers and other objects to expose their students to a variety of situations. Their play groups also focus on controlled socialization so that no one gets “bullied”.

Correction

There are several methods for working on correcting your dog’s barking problem. The key to all of them is consistency and patience. It is important to always redirect your dog’s attention to what you want them to do, rather than bring attention to what you don’t want them to continue doing. Using a doorbell to trigger the barking behavior, with treat in hand, offer the treat to “sniff” when the dog barks. Dogs can’t bark and smell at the same time, so when your dog “quiets” to smell the treat, praise them for being quiet and reward them when they remain quiet for a few seconds. Continue this pattern, alternating different “barking triggers” until you get longer and longer periods of “quiet”. It’s also important to be very quiet and calm yourself in your praises. You want your dog to understand you are looking for “quiet and calm”.

If you have an out-of-control barking problem, you may need expert assistance. Our Director of Pet Behavior Services, Brad Phifer has extensive experience with the “barking dog blues”. Give him a call at 317-257-5334 or email him at b.phifer@bracpet.com for real solutions!

Dr. Elizabeth Murphy

by Dr. Elizabeth Murphy

When your dog or cat was very young, it probably seemed as if there were huge changes in size and development every day or every week.  Once adulthood arrived, you may have even breathed a sigh of relief that life with your pet was more peaceful and predictable.  The “senior” years and their changes may have arrived so gradually that you didn’t even notice, but changes can begin to occur in the later stages of life at the same fast pace that you noticed at the beginning. Watching for these changes can help you not only to understand what is going on with your pet, but also to be proactive about medical problems that commonly occur as pets age.  Please keep an eye on this blog in the coming weeks – several articles will be posted that will help you anticipate the good things that come with age as well as plan for the some of the inevitable difficulties.

The most common aging change that people notice about their pets is a decrease in hearing. This is a change that involves sensorineural deafness – which is a decrease in the ability of the nerves to transmit sound signals from the hearing apparatus in the ears to the brain, where sound is perceived and interpreted. We humans tend to listen to loud music at concerts or have jobs that expose us to loud noises, and we usually have age-related hearing loss related to damage in the hearing apparatus in our ears as well as to aging changes in our nerves. People expect to experience hearing loss as we age and usually recognize it without surprise when it occurs. But think about how a loss of hearing may be experienced by your pet – cats and dogs tend to live for the here and now, react to things as they happen (or not) and don’t reflect upon life very much. If your dog doesn’t hear you moving around in the next room, or banging pots in the kitchen, he may just assume you are not even in the house.  If your cat is asleep, and has a decrease in her hearing-related alerting mechanisms that would keep her aware of approaching predators in the wild she may not hear your keys jingling in the lock and no longer greet you at the door.  Your cat or dog may appear not to care if you are home – but are more likely to just not be aware of your presence.

Understanding this helps you not to take this personally, and should help you to change some of your behaviors to make it easier for your pets to know that you are there, even if they can’t hear you. Some pets get startled when they are touched, and  some even lash out in fear or may bite. Stomping on the floor as you come in the door may alert your dog to your presence and wake him so he can greet you as usual, or making sure you approach your cat from the front, so she can see you before your touch her, may keep you from getting scratched.

Another thing to keep in mind is that your pet may no longer hear you say “No” and then may take this as permission to do anything he wants!  You may want to take a proactive approach while your pet still hears well and teach your dog (or even your cat) some hand signals for such commands as “No”, “Come”, “Off” and “Drop It”.

Observing, understanding, and anticipating aging changes in your pet can lead to a better quality of life for both of you, and hopefully, a better quantity of life for your pet as you will detect health problems early.  Keep checking this blog for more tips about how to help your pet age gracefully. Or for more information, feel free to call us at 317-257-5334.

This change is probably part of a plan to make the boarding process more efficient. The fact of the matter is that if you are crossing state lines with your pet, within the continental United States, you must carry proper documentation. The legal requirement for documentation when traveling from one state to another is a valid health certificate and a certificate of rabies vaccination. Both certificates must be signed by a veterinarian.

What is a valid health certificate?

It is recommended that your pet be examined prior to any type of travel to assure there are no medical problems present. In order for a health certificate to be “valid” for travel, the pet must have been seen and the certificate signed within 10 days of your departure, whether you are flying or driving. It is the responsibility of the pet owner to have their documentation in place, which is why the airlines aren’t necessarily checking your documentation. This doesn’t mean you don’t need it—the opposite is true, in that the responsibility falls completely on the owner of the pet.

To schedule a health certificate appointment, call us at 317.257.5334 or 317.726.2711. In most cases, we can schedule you the same day or next day with one of the veterinarians. In addition to a valid health certificate, we’ll also be happy to provide you with a signed rabies certificate, in case you’ve misplaced your original. Safe travels!

One American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) member veterinarian is chosen each year in recognition for their outstanding efforts to positively influence the lives of animals and people. This year, Dr. Heinz was nominated by one of her clients. This nomination was supported by two more client essays, telling the stories of their relationships with Dr. Heinz over the past few years.

Dr. Christine Heinz received her DVM degree from the University of Illlinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. Before becoming an Illini, Dr. Heinz was a proud Spartan, earning a B.S. in Animal Science and graduating with honors in 2002 from Michigan State University- Go Green!

Christine is a native of suburban Chicago, where her immediate family and most of her extended family still reside. While she greatly misses deep-dish pizza, Christine is very happy to call Indianapolis her home. She lives in the Broad Ripple area, not too far from BRAC, with her husband, Aaron, and their two dogs, Kodie and Staley. Kodie was a blood donor dog at the teaching hospital at Michigan State before Christine was lucky enough to be able to take him home. Staley came from the Indianapolis Humane Society and became a wonderful addition to the family and is a great “brother” to Kodie. Christine loves to be outdoors with Aaron and their dogs, will jump on the chance to do a little downhill skiing, and enjoys cooking and trying different ethnic cuisines.

Dr. Heinz’s philosophy of veterinary care: ” I love talking to people about their pets! I want people to understand what is going on with the health of their pet, so that they can feel secure in the decisions they make regarding their little ones. I think that everyone has a different and unique bond with their pets and it’s my job to treat not only their pets, but also their owners with the care, commitment, and compassion that they deserve.”

Dr. Heinz will be recognized at the AAHA Long Beach 2010 Conference in March 2010. She would like to thank everyone who supports her, and entrusts their pets’ care to her as a veterinarian.

Despite all the fun, we can’t let down our guard when it comes to our pets’ health. Halloween candy can pose a serious health risk to cats and dogs alike. Dr. David Lee, of Broad Ripple Animal Clinic and Wellness Center says, “If your pet gets into your Halloween candy, contact your veterinarian immediately.”

In most cases, accidental ingestion of candy causes an upset stomach and perhaps bouts of diarrhea. But there are a number of other things to keep in mind.

• Chocolate can be toxic if eaten by your pet. Depending on the amount consumed, your veterinarian may need to induce vomiting with activated charcoal, hospitalize and observe your pet while offering supportive care. Dark chocolate is MORE toxic than equal amounts of milk chocolate.
• Some types of candy, especially suckers and lollipops can be quite dangerous. Your dog may eat the stick (or handle) of the sucker, causing a foreign body obstruction. In these cases, x-rays are in order, with a possibility for surgery to remove the stick.

Chocolate contains caffeine, so your dog may be displaying the same symptoms you might expect of a person who has consumed too much caffeine. They may act jittery, have tremors, or even begin to have seizure activity. If you see any of these warning signs in your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The Doctors and Staff at Broad Ripple Animal Clinic and Wellness Center wish you and your pets a safe and Happy Halloween!