Category: Wellness

128 Awesome October Wellness Bloodwork Specials

Every October, our reference laboratory, Idexx, gives us some fantastic discounts on wellness bloodwork bundles.   It usually included a CBC, some blood chemistries, Heartworm testing for dogs, fecal parasite check, urinalysis, and some extra testing like thyroid and new early detection kidney testing. We get different bundles for dogs and cats, young and old. These are 35-50% off regular prices, and are a great value.

I strongly believe in catching illnesses early so we have better chance to treat and cure diseases in ourselves and pets. Preventative care save so much money in the long run, and improves quality of life.

Last year in October, we picked up several cases of EARLY kidney disease, and several cases of EARLY heart disease. We found thyroid problems in both dogs and cats. Several dogs had asymptomatic urinary infections. Lots of dogs had some elevated liver enzymes. One dog even had leukemia! When we find an abnormality, sometimes there is medicine; sometimes there are more tests to run. Even if everything comes back in the normal range, there is peace of mind knowing all is well.

The bloodwork special is running the entire month October. I call it my “vampire” special because we collect a lot of blood. Plus it is easy to remember with Halloween coming up. If we have seen your pets recently, they don’t have to have an exam to have bloodwork. After we get the results, we will call you. We don’t make you come in to see the doctor(unlike some MDs). Some clients request an email with the results and interpretation, and we can do emails. Please call for an appointment to schedule the blood collection, and ideally bring in a fresh stool & urine sample.

124 Rebates on ProHeart 12 and Apoquel

Would you like to get money back after spending your hard earned cash during a vet visit? Now you can, if you spent it on select products made by Zoetis, specifically Apoquel tablets, new ProHeart 12 injection, and Convenia injection (long lasting antibiotic).

Zoetis has a rebate program called Zoetis Petcare Rewards that is easy to set up. You get on your mobile device, create an account with a password at zoetispetcare.com/rewards, and upload a photo of your vet receipt. Then wait for your reward.

Many dogs are taking Apoquel tablets to help manage their moderate to severe allergies, often long term. Plus this new medication is expensive. With the Rewards program, you can get back $5-37, depending on how many pills you purchased in the last 60 days.

The Reward for ProHeart 12 is even simpler. You get $20 back (200 points) after your dog gets the new simple twelve month heartworm prevention injection. I think of it as a rebate, like we have with many other heartworm prevention tablets.

The Convenia rewards depends on the dose based weight of the dog, starting at twenty pounds. The reward could be $10-30. And for cats, a box of Revolution Plus ( 6 doses) is worth $15.

The details are that you generate Reward Points based on their website, and the Reward Values are 10 point to $1. So the ProHeart 200 points = $20. The money is sent to you in the form of a debit Mastercard that you can only spend at any vet, good for your next purchase of the any product or service, for the next year.  Sounds better than Kohl’s cash.

122 New Heartworm Prevention 12 Month Injection

Heartworms in dogs aren’t new, but a 12 month prevention shot is! We have lots of great oral monthly preventatives, a few topical medications, but ProHeart Heartworm Injection is now approved to last 12 months. Imagine if your dog could get a “shot” when he had his annual exam and vaccines, and was protected against heartworms for a full 12 months! No pills to remember. I think a few clients would like to have another option.
ProHeart isn’t new, but it was previously labeled for 6 months, and has been in the US since 2008. The ProHeart 12 has been used in Australia since 2000 successfully and is the number one Heartworm prevention there. It is the number two Heartworm prevention worldwide.

I had decided previously to NOT use ProHeart 6 previously, but I will be offering ProHeart 12 when it becomes available in mid-August. My previous concern was the slightly less efficacy for intestinal parasites. ProHeart does control hookworms, but not roundworms or whipworms. Zoetis does offer to pay for any deworming treatments if dogs test + for hooks, rounds, or whips, just like other oral heartworm preventions. No preventative controls coccidia or giardia.  Two of my staff members have worked in clinics that used ProHeart 6, with great experiences.

How does it work? The active ingredient in ProHeart 12 is moxidectin, in tiny time release spherules, that slowly release the moxidectin, not all at once. It is a thick solution, and is injected under the skin just like vaccines, not deep in a muscle. Very few dogs have reactions, and it is safe enough to give to any healthy dog at the same time as vaccines, with a current heartworm test.

What is the cost? For most dogs, the cost is about the same as a year’s supply of oral heartworm prevention.

What is the downside/reactions? ProHeart must be administered by a veterinarian after an exam to make sure they are healthy, and is based on an accurate weight. They must be an adult dog, not a growing puppy. The needle is larger than regular vaccines and might hurt a little more than a regular infection due to size. Adverse events are rare, between 1-10 per 10,000 doses given. The most common adverse events are vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Less commonly mild injection site reactions (warmth, swelling) have been noted in some dogs. In a field study, ProHeart 12 had a similar adverse events profile to Heartgard® Plus.

120 Pet Portal

We have just launched a new website with a special new feature- a Patient Portal. This link allows you to set up your personal access to sign up for email reminders, text messaging, look up your pets vaccines, request medicine refills, and much more! Many clients have wished for multiple ways to receive reminders and request medicine refills, and this portal should allow that to happen.

You will have to go to the website, gardenridgevet.com, and click on the link at the bottom of the page for the Patient Portal. The link will ask for your client number, which should be on any receipt. You will have to create an account, add your email address, and password,  and then you have access to many features on each of your pets. I have already uploaded pictures of my dogs that will now become part of their database in my practice software! Plus now I can get text reminders or emails instead of post cards.

We chose a Portal company that is closely associated with our Practice Management Software, which I know and trust. I didn’t go with one of the big generic portal companies that do human medicine, dentistry, etc. This company just does vets. And they don’t share your data with other “big data” firms. Keeping your information and your pets information private and secure if very important to me.

This is new technology for us, but will can still do things the old fashioned way like answer the phone and talk with you. Even if you are “old school”, I invite you to check out the new Portal. It will open new doors for communication between us.

119 Update on Grain-free Diets and Heart Disease in Dogs

Last year, grain free diets were in the news because of an association with a rare heart disease, Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM), in dogs. The FDA just published a report this month with ongoing investigation. Many other University studies are underway to try to figure out WHY some dogs develop this heart disease, WHICH diets it is associated with, and WHAT can be done to fix this problem.

There seems to be more than one factor causing heart disease after a year of study. These as association with Grain-free, legume rich, “exotic meat”, or “boutique” dry foods.   This is sometimes called a BEG diet for  Boutique, Exotic, and Grain-free. We won’t debate the pros and cons of grain free dog foods, but if you take out the grain based carbs, something must be substituted, and the 2 most common ingredients are sweet potato or legumes (peas). Most dog foods have been based on chicken, beef or lamb for years, but new sources like kangaroo and pork are popping up. Some nutritionists theorize that legumes and/or these novel protein sources might not have all the taurine needed or too much of other nutrients. Another theory for the Golden Retriever breed may be that they simply require more taurine than other breeds, so normal levels in food just isn’t enough for this popular breed. University studies are underway, and hopefully soon we will have more information.

Whatever diet you feed your dogs, it is always a good idea to look for the AAFCO label on pet foods. This means the diet has been either tested by field trial to meet minimum standards, or lab tested to meet minimum standards. There is a difference between “minimum” and “optimum”levels. And some products pass AAFCO when manufactured, but fail after it has been shipped and stored in non-ideal conditions (Texas heat).

The veterinary cardiologist and nutrition group has pieced together a few brief guidelines to help pet-owners navigate this complex issue:

1. Evaluate the diet that you are feeding your pet. If the diet is boutique, contains exotic ingredients, or is grain free, you may consider a diet change to one without these properties. Talk to your veterinarian about the FDA announcement and what diet may be best for your dog.
2. If you are concerned about your dog based on what you are feeding, watch closely for signs of heart disease such as weakness, slowing down on walks, coughing, fainting or trouble breathing. Your veterinarian may also recognize early heart disease by hearing a heart murmur or abnormal heart rhythms. If you observe these things or your veterinarian is concerned, additional testing may be indicated such as x-rays, blood tests, EKG, or heart ultrasound (echocardiogram).
3. If your dog is diagnosed with DCM, particularly if eating a diet that meets the criteria listed above:
• Ask your veterinarian to test blood taurine levels.
• Report the findings to the FDA.
• Change your dog’s diet as directed by your veterinarian’s recommendations.
• Ask your veterinarian to help you identify a dose for taurine supplementation.
• Seek guidance from a veterinary cardiologist.
• Follow the instructions from your veterinarian or veterinary cardiologist as repeat evaluations and other medications may be needed. It can take multiple months to see improvement in many cases of diet-related DCM.
More info and a statement from Nutrition Support Services at UC Davis Veterinary Hospital here.

https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/12/questions-you-should-be-asking-about-your-pets-food/
https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/uc-davis-investigates-link-between-dog-diets-and-deadly-heart-disease

117 Why do Small Pets Chew?

This is straight off the Oxbow website. They are THE company for “munchkin” herbivorous pocket pets like rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and mice.
The continuously-growing or “open rooted” teeth of rabbits, guinea pigs, and chinchillas are designed to keep up with the continual wear caused by the natural, high fiber diet of small herbivores. In the wild, your animal would munch on grasses, branches, bark, and any number of other hard, fibrous materials throughout the day. In captivity, it’s essential to provide ample materials to satisfy this instinctual behavior and prevent dental overgrowth.

Chewing Checklist for Your Small Pet
High Fiber Hay
Satisfying your pet’s chewing instincts starts with hay. Every small herbivore should have unlimited access to fresh, high fiber hay each day. Hay is the primary source of fiber in your pet’s diet; in addition to providing essential dental wear, the fiber in hay is responsible for keeping your pet’s digestive system healthy and moving. Without this constant motion, your pet’s digestive system can quickly fall into a dangerous state called gastrointestinal stasis.
Safe, Natural Chews
Hay is great, but it’s essential to provide additional fun chewing options to keep your pet mentally stimulated and engaged. To accomplish this, provide a variety of safe, natural chews each day. Place these items in various locations throughout the habitat, rotating chews regularly to keep your pet mentally stimulated. Ideal materials for chews include untreated wood, hay, natural fibers such as sisal, jute, and vegetable-based dyes.
Woven-Hay Hideouts
In addition to their chewing instinct, all prey animals are wired to hide away to escape stressors throughout the day. Every habitat should include at least one hide space to support this instinct. Choose a woven-hay hideout such as Oxbow’s Timothy CLUB Bungalow to make this experience even more enriching. In addition to a safe space to hide, Timothy Club Bungalows provide an ample supply of all-natural chewing materials.

Tips for Chew-Proofing Your Home
Wires and cords
Electrical wires and cords pose a serious threat to the health of chew-happy animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. Take special care to keep these items out of your pet’s reach. Exercise pen fencing makes a great barrier to areas where cords and wires might be present. Plastic split-length tubing is available at most hardware stores and makes a great protective cover for cords in areas where it might not be possible to eliminate your pet’s access.
Houseplants
By nature, your small pet will instinctively want to forage on any green, leafy material available, including houseplants. Some houseplants can be poisonous to small pets, so make sure to keep all plants elevated and out of reach. If you are concerned about whether any of your plants might be poisonous, be sure to check with your veterinarian.
Furniture, Carpet, Etc.
For rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small pets allowed to roam the house, it can be very difficult and frustrating to prevent damage to furniture, carpet, and other “tempting to chew” elements of home décor. The best way to prevent this type of damage is to offer better, more interesting options. Provide a variety of all-natural chews, toys, and play centers throughout your pet’s living space to help prevent destructive chewing behaviors.

Benefits of Chewing Include:
• Provides essential, beneficial dental wear
• Offers mental stimulation throughout the day
• Promotes play and activity that help prevent obesity
• Prevents boredom-based behaviors
• Helps build your bond with your pet

Check out Oxbow’s new line of toys- Enriched Life- the video is very cute.
https://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/blog/all-about-chewing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk6v3qljUkM&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv3zr7bhtRc&feature=youtu.be

115 New Kidney Test

We are now able to run the new kidney function test, symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), in house instead of sending it out. The new renal biomarker identifies the onset of kidney disease months or even years earlier than traditional methods. Last year, SMDA was included in our October senior bloodwork special that we sent out to Idexx, our reference laboratory.

In a recent clinical study, Oregon State University researchers showed that SDMA identified disease much earlier in the disease progression, when the kidney had suffered far less damage that results in permanent loss of function—up to four years earlier in at least one animal. Typically, a diagnosis is made when 75% of kidney function has been irreversibly lost, at which point, the prognosis can be poor. However, on average, SDMA detected kidney disease when only 40% of function had been lost and, in some cases, 25% of function.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a leading cause of suffering and death in cats and dogs. In time, one in three cats and one in 10 dogs will develop some form of the disease. Certain risk factors might make pets more likely to develop kidney disease, such as Lyme disease, kidney stones, infections, toxins, injuries, genetic abnormalities, cancer and others. Warning sign might be very subtle like drinking more, urinating more, weight loss, vomiting, and bad breath. Early diagnosis can be a key in identifying the base cause of kidney disease. This provides more time to treat the underlying cause or to slow progression of the disease. It may also help your pet feel well for as long as possible.

Until today, kidney disease has been routinely diagnosed in part by measuring blood creatinine. However, creatinine alone cannot detect kidney disease until late in the disease process, limiting the opportunity to extend the life of the pet through treatment options. This new SDMA kidney test may help us to identify chronic kidney disease in cats and dogs months or even years earlier than before.

For more information, pethealthnetwork.com

108 Car vs Cat (or dog) Anatomy Lesson

Many of you know that my husband and I “do” old cars, specifically Model A Fords. Built by Henry Ford in 1928, 29, 30, &31, they are classic, fun to drive, and so simple to work on. And we work on them a lot. So I know a little bit about “car anatomy” of these classic cars, which are way less complicated than today’s computerized monstrosities. As a result of this hobby, I find myself using car analogies when I talk to clients about their pets. For example, for lameness, I look at the toe nails like I would tire tread to look for odd wear patterns.

Body systems of Cars and Animals:

Dermal system– This is obviously the painted sheet metal. Some car owners get really fussy about their paint job. Others just want it not to rust too badly. We even call rust spots “cancer”. So it needs some care like washing and waxing. “Wax on, wax off”, kind of like a cat licking itself or bathing a dog. Fortunately for pets, their skin heals on its own. Hail damage or a dented sheet metal doesn’t heal itself. Fortunately for cars, there aren’t “car fleas”. I think of the tires like feet with sneakers on, or maybe more like stiletto heels when we use those skinny tires with tubes. And if the tires aren’t aligned right, we call it “toeing in “or “toeing out”. Imagine the way a bull dog walks “toe in”, or a dachshund with crooked legs walks “toe out”.

Skeletal system– The frame (or chassis) is like an animal’s bones which support the rest of the car body (unlike today’s “unibody” cars). The “joints” of a car are very like out joints- they need lubrication and can wear out. Car joints can be replaced, but then so can some dog joints. We give the cars a shot of grease when they get creaky and we give pain medicine to arthritic dog. And the steering and braking were all mechanical back in the 30s, so you have to really stomp on those brakes, and your arms can get tired after fighting that steering wheel after a long day’s drive. Fatigued and broken metal frames can be welded instead of pinned or cast in plaster. Actually, many Model A bodies are partially wood instead of all metal.

Circulatory system (heart & blood)– This would be the engine with oil and coolant. The radiator would be like the capillaries & sweat glands in the skin to help cooling, (dogs and cat don’t really “sweat” through their skin), but they do pant or radiate on their foot pads, nose & ears. Standard Model As do not have a pressurized coolant system, and you can actually read the engine temp on the thermometer that looks like hood ornament on the radiator cap. I wish cats had a pop out thermometer so I wouldn’t have to take it rectally. Sometimes when I see an anemic dog, I say they are a “quart low. “ And I often compare a spleen to an oil filter, because it filters blood.

Respiratory system– The nose would be like intake manifold, the lungs are like the carburetors because Model As are air-aspirated (no fuel injection back in 1930). The carburetor mixes the air with the gasoline and feeds it to the engine. This is really important when we go into the mountains where the air is thinner. At least we can manually” adjust” the carburetor, unlike a dog or cat. They just breathe harder until their bodies adjust to the altitude. One different is a dog bark or cat meow is air driven, while the famous “ahooga” horn is purely electrical. Low voltage car, sad sounding horn.

Gastrointestinal system– This is where the fuel goes, but gas instead of kibble. Buy crummy gas, have poor running car. So I guess the muffler is “you know what”. I don’t know of any “prescription” fuels, but they definitely come in different grades based on Octane. My husband, in the petroleum industry, swears all “gasoline” is the same, but the additive packages in different brands make a huge difference on the lifetime of an engine, which makes him a gas “snob”, just like some pet owners are with pet food labels. Back in 1930, these cars could run on just about anything, even moonshine. Some dogs and cats seem to get by with low quality food, where others need the expensive stuff.

Nervous system (brain & spinal nerves)– the electrical system. Now in the stock Model A, you find a 6 V system instead of 12V. Many of us have upgraded to a more standard and more powerful 12V, so we have brighter lights, modern batteries and alternators. No computers or fancy sensors back in 1930. You get a mechanical “speedo” with odometer, a fuel gauge that floats in the tank and points vaguely to your level (located just behind the engine basically over your lap), and a dash light bulb that you have to turn on to use. Does that make the headlights like eyes? I often compare the eye’s cornea to a windshield and the eyelids to windshield washers. Model A don’t have windshield washing systems, with solutions. We get out and wash them by hand, and use a lot of Rainex.
For electrical things to work right, those wires have to be intact, no electrical shorts. Kind of like a dachshund that is down in the back. And if you pull the master fuse on a Model A, it is like a dog fainting. No signals going anywhere. I don’t think cars “seizure”, but when they sputter, it sure feels like it.
Cars can “store” electrical energy in the battery. Dogs and cats store biochemical energy in their fat. Some store a lot more than others.

Endocrine and Immune systems– I read in on a woman’s auto repair site, that modern on-board computers and sensors are the like endocrine and immune systems. I am sure glad dogs and cats have them, but there is nothing like that in an old Model A. We rely on traveling in groups to help when we have “unscheduled roadside seminars” (aka breakdowns). Imagine a hyperactive Cabriolet with hyperthyroidism, or a sluggish Phaeton with hypothryoidism! A diabetic Woody Station Wagon? What about a moody Coupe “in heat”? But it sure would be handy to leave two cars in the garage together, and come back to find a little baby Roadster!

Come out the Pate Car Swap Meet this weekend (April 25-17, 2019) at Texas Motor Speedway to see the shrine of the rusty old car part and classic automobile. Admission is free, but parking is $5. And yes, my husband will be there, working for the Model A Club. AAhhooogggaaaa!
See you down the road.

105 Heartworm Awareness Month Specials

April is National Heartworm Awareness Month again, and we have decided to kick it off a monthly special to help save you money on your dog’s heartworm testing and medicines.

For the month of April, 2019, we are offering a FREE Heartworm test (regular value $25) with the purchase of 12 months of heartworm prevention here. We carry both Interceptor (which gets heartworms and intestinal worms), and Trifexis (which gets fleas, heartworms, and intestinal worms). Plus the manufacturer, Elanco, is also offering a rebate on each product ($15 on Interceptor, and $40 for Trifexis), so you get more money back from Elanco after the purchase. We do need to have a current exam on file, and the special only goes until the end of April.

Our online pharmacy, VetSource, is also offering some manufacturer rebates at different weeks in April, which might help if you shop online for many different brands of heartworm preventions. We do need to have a current (< 12 month) heartworm test before we will approve online heartworm medicines, but we are trying to give many options. There are even TOPICAL heartworm preventions that you can get online, and we are looking into 6 month heartworm injections (no more pills). Remember that heartworms are transmitted by mosquitos, so all dogs are affected.

Goodness knows we get mosquitos, and they will be out if larger numbers soon.

https://www.heartwormsociety.org/pet-owner-resources/incidence-maps https://www.elancorebates.com/

100 My Grass Fed Beef

Many of my clients know that my husband and I have a small ranch in East Texas with cows and bees. I know have much honey yet, but we will be “graduating” 3 black Brangus steers to the freezer in late spring. We don’t sell individual cuts of meat, but we do sell “half a cow”, or 2 families may split “half a cow”. These two year old steers were born on own ranch, grass fed on pastures that haven’t had any herbicides or pesticides in over 20 years (as long as the previous owner was managing it). They have been vaccinated and deworm by me personally, and we have not used hormone injections. They will be fattened up on spring hay by graduation day, but they look pretty good right now.

We are taking orders now for interested families. When the “graduation” day comes, we haul the steer to a processing facility in Sulphur Springs, and the butcher turns him into steaks, roasts, and hamburger. Some people even want the liver, tail, tongue, etc. After a few days of cold aging, the thickly sealed packaged up portions are ready to pick up. Typical cow weight has been #1000-1300, “dressed out” 60% to #600-700 of meat. So “half a cow” is #300 -#350. We are asking $6 a pound, and you pick up the meat. You will need a BIG FREEZER to store #300 of beef, but it will last you a long time since it is properly packaged. We are still eating some hamburger from my husband’s favorite cow that never got pregnant, and she graduated 24 months ago.

If you have never had grass fed beef, the fat looks different than feed lot beef. The fat is slightly yellow from grass pigments, not snowy white from GMO corn. You can’t see the lack or hormones or chemical residues, and you can’t taste it, but they aren’t there.

Some people wonder how I can raise an animal for food. That’s what they are raised for, but we do it so they have a have a wonderful cow life, and one bad day. And they taste great!

https://www.health.com/nutrition/grass-fed-beef-tips
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/grass-fed-vs-grain-fed-beef#section5