April 2012

You are currently browsing the monthly archive for April 2012.

Question of the week: How different is human medicine to animal medicine?

April 27, 2012 in Client Education, Question of the week by Lisa

The variations between treatment approaches in the areas of human and animal medicine have as many similarities as they do differences. It can be tempting to apply what works for us as humans in dealing with our animals, but is not always advisable.

One of the best examples of this is the seemingly benign aspirin. This common over-the-counter medicine is a staple in bathroom medicine cabinets everywhere. While a great option for our own aches and pains, this drug can be harmful to our pets. Aspirin and ibuprofen can result in stomach ulcers and gastric bleeding. In cats it can cause tissue swelling and excessive salivation and in some cases, death.

In some instances our doctors will advise clients to use human over-the-counter medications to treat their pets. Occasionally, human medications can be quite effective for things such as allergies or nutritional support. That said, it is always better to do so under the supervision of your veterinarian. Avoid the temptation to use your own medications on your pet. It may seem like a good way to save time and money but an unexpected trip to the the emergency room may create an even bigger dent in your schedule and your pocket book!

Campus Critter of the Month: April

April 25, 2012 in Campus Critter of The Month by Lisa

Alfie Holzman-WhiteThis month we are spotlighting one of the most handsome gents this clinic has ever seen. Alfie sports a sleek and shiny black coat while hypnotizing unsuspecting victims with his emerald eyes. His humans, Sarah and Matt, tell us about how they all met.

“We adopted Alfie about 5 years ago from Animal Care and Control in San Francisco. We chose him because he was very noisy and quite the meower and because he was BIG and we’ve always had big boy cats in the past. His shelter name was Brad Pitt, which was fitting because he’s so handsome, but we decided to call him Alfie instead.

Alfie the sophisticateHe has since settled right into our home. He sleeps at our feet every night, but is far from being a lap cat. He sits on our laps about 20 minutes a year. He comes inside exactly two hours before dinner-time every night to begin what we call “The Vigil.”

Alfie is quite the hunter. He loves catching large rodents and small birds and bringing them into the house (often alive!). He recently “survived” a one-month at-home-quarantine, as mandated by the City of Berkeley after he caught two bats in one week (even though he was fully vaccinated).

We don’t really know how old he is (our best guess is 8), but he still acts like a frisky kitten and shows no signs of slowing down! Although Alfie is the most independent and stereotypically aloof cat we’ve lived with (one of his 200 nicknames is “Aloofie”), he is our most favorite cat of all time and we love him dearly. He’s meowing at me as I write this, and his kitten-like plaintive mews (coming from an almost 17lb bruiser) melt my heart!”

Likes: hunting, Mexican food (he was found in SF’s Mission District and we like to think he liked to go dumpster diving outside Mexican restaurants in his stray cat days), independence.

Dislikes: Rain, the flute (meows when his human plays high notes), being stuck inside.

Question of the week: Is my pet too fat?

April 21, 2012 in Client Education, Question of the week by Lisa

One of the most common issues we deal with here at the clinic is animal obesity. Sometimes the truth hurts but our vets are very serious about educating our clients about the seriousness of this issue. Excess weight carries with it the risk of creating all kinds of other health problems including lack of mobility, skin issues, arthritis and diabetes amongst others problems.

So what are some things to look for when making this determination? First of all, you should be able to feel the ribs easily despite the fat layer that lies over them. You should also be able see a tuck around the waist when looking from above and the sides.

Even if your pet has a restricted diet and/or exercises regularly, weight may still be an issue. What works for one pet may not work for the other. Weight management plans must cater to the individual animal (just like in humans). It can be a challenge, but our doctors are happy working with you to figure out just the right balance of diet and exercise that will enable a healthy weight. Don’t get discouraged! We can always advise you on additional steps you can take to reach your pet’s goal weight.

Purina has a great chart for dogs and cats that you can use as a visual aid in determining if your pet is where they should be weight-wise. Too often we see obesity in pets as cute or amusing but as veterinary bills escalate as a result the joke is on us as pet owners.

Should my dog’s nose be wet?

April 7, 2012 in Client Education, Question of the week by Lisa

Woman Rubbing Noses with PuppyThe wetness of a dog’s nose is often cited as an indicator of their health. This is not a reliable sign of whether your pooch is sick or running a temperature.

Dogs have a layer of mucus on their noses that not only aids their sense of smell, but additionally assists with temperature regulation. This can vary from dog to dog.

You may notice that if your dog is actively sniffing and awake, the nose is wetter. When at rest, their nose may appear dryer. The mucus on the nose is able absorb environmental chemicals. When the dog licks it’s own nose they are transferred to the olfactory sense organs in the mouth. It makes sense then, that if your dog is running around the park versus snoozing at home there will be a difference in how wet the snout is.

Whether the nose is dry can vary from dog to dog. Most likely you know your dog better than anyone else and what is normal for them. If you notice a prolonged change in the temperature, pigment or dampness of the nose you should contact your veterinarian.

Questions? Email us at moc.y1369000653ranir1369000653etevs1369000653upmac1369000653@ofni1369000653