Cats are NOT small dogs

Like dogs, cats can become infected with heartworm disease. However, unlike dogs, cats are not the ideal host for heartworms, therefore some infections can clear on their own, although leaving behind permanent lung damage. Heartworms can also lead to significant lifelong problems in cats such as wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing -  some even speculate that cats affected with asthma were originally infected with heartworms thereby leading to the chronic airway inflammation characteristic of feline asthma.

While dogs become infected with >30-50 heartworms, most cats have 6 or fewer adult heartworms causing disease. Sometimes, even 1 single heartworm can infect a cat and cause disease. Unfortunately, unlike their canine counterparts, there is NO effect heartworm treatment for cats.  Most times, cats will clear the infection on their own however our job as veterinarians is to help treat them for the secondary respiratory damage created by the parasites. Often this means low doses of anti-inflammatories such as prednisolone and frequent monitoring via chest x-rays and lab-work.

Since there is no effective treatment for heartworm disease in cats, it is of utmost important that cat owners consider starting their feline friends on heartworm prevention - even if they are indoor only kitties. As mentioned in yesterday's post - even 1 single mosquito entering your home can be enough to expose and infect your kitty.

Shooo.....mosquito?

And the answer is....Mosquito! Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal disease of companion animals in North America. Spread by the mosquito, heartworms are parasitic worms that live in the heart, lungs and pulmonary vessels of dogs and cats. If left untreated, heartworm infection can lead to heart and liver failure as well as damage to other organ. Heartworm disease can affect dogs, cats, ferrets as well as foxes, coyotes, wolves, sea lions and even....HUMANS.

Mosquitoes play an integral part in the life-cycle of the heartworm - adult female heartworms living in a fox or dog produce microscopic babies (microfilaria) that circulate in the bloodstream. When a mosquito bites an infected host and takes a blood meal, the microfilaria are picked up as well. These baby worms then mature into larvae over the next 10-14 days. Then when that same mosquito bites its next victim (dog, cat or human) the infected larvae are deposited into the skin and enter the new host via the mosquito's bite wound. Once inside the host, it takes 6 months for the larvae to mature into adult heartworms. Once mature, adult heartworms can live up to 7 years in a dog or 3 years in a cat.

Each mosquito season means a risk to our companion animals due to the chance of becoming infected with heartworms. Even if a pet spends the majority of its lifetime inside, it is possible for an infected mosquito to gain access to the home and infect the animal. For this reason, we always recommend that our pets stay on heartworm prevention year-round

The Age-Old Adage

Everyone has heard the age-old adage, 'a dog ages 7 years for every 1 human year' and we all make assumptions based on that adage as to how old our pets are in 'human years'.  It is true that our pets age faster than we do and thus have a shorter life expectancy. It also means that we need to consider certain things as they age which means qualifying them as senior and geriatric earlier than we would their human counterparts.

Now, I'm not out here trying to put labels on your pets but I am advocating for them - why, you ask? As pets age, and since we have established that they age quicker than we do, certain organs start to change and certain diseases can become more apparent. While we might like to think that 5 year old Fido is still a spring chicken, the odds are that depending on his breed and body size, he may already be creeping into senior citizen status.

Since pets age faster than us and their life expectancy is shorter, a pet that is age 5-8 (or approximately 40-50 in human years) is already halfway through their lifespan . And in some cases, with large breed dogs for example, they are well beyond the halfway mark.

In veterinary medicine, it used to be that any pet over the age of  7 was considered a senior pet - that's just not the case anymore. Our smaller breed dogs and cats are not considered to be senior citizens until after the age of 9 however giant breed dogs reach senior status at age 6. While this may seem trivial, the age and rate at which our pets become adults, seniors and geriatrics affects the type of diagnostics we as doctors recommend as well as our expectations for their lifespan.

Just like in human medicine, as we age our doctors may recommend more advanced testing due to aging of our organs and body systems. The same holds true for our pets - a 1 year old Bichon may only require an annual exam, vaccinations and heartworm/fecal parasite checks; however a 10 year old cat will likely require bi-annual wellness visits,  vaccinations, annual labwork, thyroid monitoring, urinalysis, blood pressure checks and ideally some form of imaging (ultrasound preferably) to monitor her kidneys and intestines. It's the difference between taking my 4 year old to the doctor and my 40 year old self to the doctor - different expectations, different tests, different recommendations.

As our pets age it is often easy to overlook some of the subtle symptoms of disease - we often think that these things happen due to 'old age'. But is it old age? What if we were screening for these things earlier and could catch diseases sooner? Could Fluffy have more years with our family? When you are bringing your pet into the vet its important to start thinking about their behavior at home - some examples include, are they sleeping all night long or are they waking up to go outside? Have you noticed any bathroom accidents in the home? Do they seem to be experiencing some vision issues? Is your cat not grooming herself like she used to? Does Fido take longer to greet you at the door or perhaps he doesn't even realize you have come home? Maybe Scout is having trouble going up and down steps or Callie is drinking more water? If you think it's important, tell us! Even if you don't think it's important! Because old age is not a disease, but there are diseases linked to aging - so let's get on top of them sooner and maybe Fido will live to be 110!

Spring is coming....are you ready?

The warm weather is starting - it's one of my favorite times of year. It feels like everyone is waking up and getting outside. People just seem happier. Our pets are happier too - the days of being stuck indoors or going out for short walks are coming to an end. This past weekend my dogs enjoyed spending time out on the patio as I enjoyed a nice evening fire, food and music with friends. Springtime also means reemergence of pesky pests - namely fleas and ticks. These pesky insects are not only annoying but can carry some pretty scary diseases that can affect not only your pets but also you. Scary words like Lyme Disease, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Cytauxzoon and Babesia come to mind when we think of flea and tick borne diseases. As medical professionals, and pet owners, we want to minimize our patients' risks of contracting some of these diseases. And as pet parents, we know you want to keep your pets protected and comfortable!

There are many options to choose from when trying to keep your pets protected from fleas and ticks - there are topical options, over the counter medications, sprays, powders, tablets, collars....its enough to make even the most educated person scratch their head (hopefully not from fleas tho!).  We know that it is confusing and all the options can seem similar. At Chestnut Arbor Veterinary Hospital we have looked at all the options and chosen the ones that we feel provide the best protection for you in the shortest amount of time after application or ingestion and are the best value for your money. We also take into account the lifestyle of your pet as well as any other factors such as tiny humans or other pets in the home for which some products may not be safe.

At our office we narrow our selection down - we have 2 oral tablets for our canine friends as well as a collar for larger patients. Our feline friends have 1 option. No guess work here - we will help you decide which is best for your pet and we stand behind the choices we have made. Looking for something we don't keep in stock? No worries - you can find it on our online pharmacy and have it shipped right to you.

We want to make sure all our pets are protected and comfortable as the weather warms up - during the month of March we are offering a special discount on our flea and tick products when purchased as 3 or 6 month supplies. Check with us today to see what option is best for your pet and keep them pest free!

Chestnut Arbor Animal Hospital Tour by Love and Kisses Pet Sitting

Chestnut Arbor Veterinary Hospital's Top 10 List

We keep promoting that our office is Fear Free - but many people don't know what that means...so I have compiled the list of the 10 things we do as a Fear Free clinic to make you and your pets more comfortable. So here is the top 10 list of what you can expect when you visit us at Chestnut Arbor Veterinary Hospital:

10 - Emotional Notecard- We note that your pet's emotional response is when they visit us - and we notate what works and what doesn't work for your pet. This means on your pet's medical chart it will state - 'likes peanut butter' or 'does well when mom holds in her lap'. We take notice so we can make future visits better.

9- Just say Yes - to pre-visit drugs that is - Drugs are not a bad word in our hospital - often pets need a little something to reduce anxiety before a visit - we can help with that. Whether it be a natural hormone (like milk hormone) or a stronger pharmaceutical like Trazodone - we can prescribe the right medication to alleviate any anxiety your pet may have

8 - No trips to the "BACK" - We keep you and your fur-baby together as much as we can during your visit. This means procedures will be done with you in the exam room unless you request otherwise or an extenuating circumstance requires us to separate you from your pet. If we need to use any particular equipment located in our treatment area, often we will suggest you accompany us and your fur-baby.

7 - Distraction is key - In order to facilitate procedures being done in a fear free way, often our team members will use toys to distract your pet. That means you can bring Fluffy's favorite stuffed animal to her visit!

6 - No white coats here - The white-coat phenomenon is a real thing in both human and veterinary medicine - therefore our staff does not wear white coats (sidenote, I have never really liked wearing one so this was an easy transition for me!). Most often our team is in scrubs or casual attire to help your pet feel more at home.

5 - Food is the way to their heart - Bring your pets hungry! Not only does fasting ensure better lab results but our goal is to offer your pets 60-100 treats during their visit. That's right - we totally and intentionally want to spoil them and bribe them to love us! And what better way then thru yummy treats. In fact you will be presented with a species specific menu to choose from and let our staff know what kinds of yummy foods your pet likes. Dietary restrictions ??? - no problem, we have hypoallergenic alternatives OR even better, you can bring their food/treats from home!

4 -  We look YOU in the eye - eye contact is stressful for pets so you will notice when our staff enters an exam room, we will make eye contact with you but not your fur-baby. Often we will even seem like we are ignoring your baby at first - in reality we are giving them a chance to check us out before we engage them. This gives them a sense of relief and calm, and allows us to get to know you as well!

3 - What's that smell? - Our rooms are equipped with pheromone diffusers - you won't be able to smell them but your pets do! Pheromones are pet-friendly substances that are detected by the central nervous system and help calm your pet. We even spray ourselves with them before entering a room

2- No slippery signs here - Exam room tables, slippery floors, metal scales - these all induce fear and stress in our pets. You will notice that we use yoga mats, blankets and do our procedures/exams on the floor where pets are most comfortable. For those that prefer to be up high we will create a comfortable environment for them on an elevated surface.

And the #1 thing - No waiting here! - Once you enter our office you will be greeted, by name, and placed directly into an exam room so your pet, and you, can relax. The rooms are designed with you and your pet in mind - comfy chairs, relaxing dog beds, cat perches and trees, and calming music greet you in our exam rooms and hopefully make you feel at home.

So there you have it - there is our top 10 list of what we do as a Fear Free Hospital to make you and your fur-baby feel at home. Check out our facebook page (www.facebook.com/chestnutarborvet) for more information.

Find the passion in vet med

There comes a point in every vet's career when they think - 'is this it?'. Is this what I went to school for - is that what I will do forever?  For some it is a fleeting and passing thought but for others, I think it is a turning point. Some people opt to leave the field and find something else to do, some people get out of clinical practice and go into industry or sales and others have to find their passion for this career again.

When I became director of a local ER department I thought I had reached the pinnacle of my career. I was working at a highly regarded hospital, with awesome staff and amongst a group of highly talented and educated doctors. I was getting a chance to see cases I had never seen before and getting to perform procedures weekly that some doctors only perform once in their entire career. I was helping to educate and train new graduate veterinarians and inexperienced technical staff. I was living the dream - or so I thought.

I loved ER - the rush of it all, the fun of not knowing what was coming in the door and the excitement when you saved a life and helped a client. ER has its darkness as well (and not just because we worked at night). Many of my cases ended in sadness - either due to the medical issues of the pet or lack of finances of the owner. Sometimes my cases ended before they started and more often than I care to recall, patients were presented to me solely for euthanasia. Those cases wear on you - emotionally, mentally, physically....and I fell victim to compassion fatigue and burnout. I regret to say that by the time I left my position as a full time ER doctor I had become cold and hardened and frankly I didn't care. I knew something had to change - I thought going back to day practice where I would have a more normal schedule and could see my daughter on weekends and holidays would help. And getting some regular sleep and doses of vitamin D on a daily basis did help, but I still found myself wondering - 'is this really the career I longed for when I was 5 years old'. I just didn't feel the passion and the sense of fulfillment that I once did. I knew it was possible to still be excited about this field - but I needed to find something to reignite my love for what I did.

When I decided to open my own practice, I also made the committment to make it Fear Free - and that is where I found my passion again. Part of my desire to open my own hospital was so that I could practice medicine 'my way'. I knew there had to be a better way to do things - a way that clients could see the value in the experience and a way that pets were happy to come to the veterinary office and a way that gave me that inner satisfaction that I longed for. Becoming Fear Free Certified reinstilled my passion and reignited my desire for this career. I began using techniques at the practice I was working at before I opened Chestnut Arbor Veterinary Hospital, and I could begin to see the difference it made for both the pets and the owners. I knew that this was it - this was  what I needed to make me feel fulfilled again as a doctor and even more so as a practice owner. I knew it would take time to adjust and create the type of practice where clients see the value in this type of approach.  So our practice moves a little slower - we take our time getting to know clients and patients. We spend time allowing pets to get to know us and we don't force them to do anything they don't want to do. And this is an adjustment for everyone - clients, nurses, even myself as a doctor. But seeing a pet who was scared to visit us, now come in wagging its tail and allow us to examine it while it eats some yummy snacks - that is worth it.

When someone asks why we are Fear Free - I say, why would someone not want to be Fear Free?