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Calling all Cat Parents!

3/13/2016

Lillies are toxic!

Did you know that many varieties of lilies are toxic to our feline friends? If a cat eats the leaves, petals or pollen from a lily, they will become very sick. It doesn't take very much of the plant to kill a cat. Lilies cause kidney failure that is not reversible.

Signs of lily poisoning include:
-Vomiting
-Lethargy
-Excessive thirst or urination
-Weak or irregular pulses

If your cat shows these signs, or if you see them munching on a lily:
-Call the Veterinarian immediately
-Bring the plant with you to your appointment

What can you do to prevent lily toxicity?
-Don't have these plants in the house! This is especially important as Easter is coming.
-Tell your friends and families about the dangers of lily plants to our feline friends!

For you plant-savvy people, the following is a short list of some of the more common toxic lily plants:
1. Easter Lily
2. Japanese Snow Lily
3. Asiatic Lily
4. Tiger Lily
5. Day Lily
6. Rubrum lily
7. Stargazer lily
8. Red Lily
9. Western Lily
10. Wood Lily

Images in this posting are found at these original URLs:
http://www.encinavet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/lily.jpg
http://www.bunchesdirect.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/white-bulk-asiatic-lilies.jpg

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Continuing Education

3/6/2016

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You may notice some new faces in the office this week. We have a few skilled Veterinarians covering for me (Dr. Nollet) while I'm at a conference.

As Vets, we're required to take a certain amount of Continuing Education (CE) every year. Medicine and surgery are constantly changing and evolving and CE helps us stay current. Education doesn't stop after Vet school - one of the best parts of this career is the constant need for learning and developing. We read journals and speak to Vets all over the world on tough cases; when we can, we attend conferences with lectures and labs to improve our skills.

This week, I'm in Las Vegas attending 4 days of lectures with world-renowned specialists in everything from dentistry, animal behavior, medicine, surgery, pain management and infectious disease. After only the first day, I'm already excited about the information and new tools I'll be bringing back to improve our dental care. Tomorrow, I'll be spending more time in dentistry and also spending some time in advanced imaging and medicine. Who knows what Tuesday and Wednesday will bring!

CE helps us be better Veterinarians and take better care of you and your furry family members. I can't wait to share with you all what I've learned!

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February 19th, 2016

2/19/2016

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February is officially Pet Dental Month, but at BAH, we believe every month should be Pet Dental Month!

Did you know that by the age of 3, 80% of dogs have evidence of dental disease? More importantly, good oral health has been shown to increase your pet's life expectancy by 2 years! Dental disease is painful and can cause other problems as well. With dental disease, there is more bacteria in the mouth, and that bacteria can spread into the blood to the kidneys and heart. In fact, that bacteria can actually set up infections on the heart valves, a disease called endocarditis. The best way to prevent dental disease and support your pet's overall health is to have your pet's mouth checked out by a Veterinarian. This is especially true for cats, since they really hide it well when they're sick. One of our Vets would be happy to see your pet and help make recommendations based on YOUR pet's needs. Please call us for an appointment today.

In the meantime, check out the website www.vohc.org (Veterinary Oral Health Council). Look at the list of VOCH Approved Products. These are oral health products that are heavily researched and proven to be safe and effective and preventing dental disease. The list contains everything from special diets, chews, rinses and water additives. Take a look and see if there's anything there your pet would enjoy!

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Brand New Equipment!

1/28/2016

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It's been a very exciting week at Bayfield Animal Hospital! We try to stay very current in our medical knowledge, our surgical procedures and ultimately, our hospital equipment. This helps us provide the BEST possible care to you and your pets!

Our most recent newest additions are pictured, and we're very excited about them.

On the right, you can see our new Idexx diagnostic equipment. We are the proud owners of a new chemistry and CBC machine, an upgrade from our previous equipment. The new chemistry machine still allows us to perform many more tests in-house, saving you the time and expense of sending blood to an outside laboratory. In an emergency situation, it's very important to get reliable results as soon as we can. Our new CBC machine for blood counts gives us results faster than ever before - an important thing in an emergency!

On the left, you can see our brand new microscope. This microscope provides excellent detail and clear pictures to help us look at many different things:

Stool samples for parasites
Urine samples for infection or evidence of stones or inflammation
Blood for parasites or signs of bone marrow or immune disease
Masses to help guide treatment decisions - do we remove it or not?
Skin scrapes to look for mites and other parasites in itchy dogs

Here are a few examples from our new microscope this week!

This is a picture of a needle aspirate of a new mass on a dog's belly. The red cells are red blood cells. The purple cells are fairly round with a dark circular center. They have dark pink to purple dots inside the cells. Some of these dark dots have leaked out and are in the areas around the cells. These dots are little pockets of histamine. These cells are mast cells, and the tumor is a mast cell tumor. We recommend removing these types of tumor as soon as possible because although many are cured with surgery, some can be very aggressive.

This is a microscope view of stained urine. Look the clear, box-like object (arrow). That is a struvite crystal. These crystals can be seen with infection and inflammation. They may also indicate a very common type of bladder stone. These crystals can settle out of some urine if it sits too long, which is why we always ask for a fresh sample if possible!

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December 21st, 2015

12/21/2015

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It's that time of year again! The tree is up, stockings are hung, cookies are baking, and your pets are just looking for trouble... wait, what?

Thanksgiving through Christmas is often the busiest time of year for us seeing sick pets. Dogs and cats can't help but find trouble with all the goodies around. Decorations, baked goods, fancy dinners, family visiting...it all adds up to a potential Vet visit. What are the most common issues we see? Check out this numbered list, then go puppy and cat-proof your home in time for the holidays!

Common Hazards
1. The Christmas Tree - this symbol of Christmas is often a huge source of trouble for pets.

Cats will drink tree water (in the case of live trees). This can make them very sick
We've removed MANY pine needles from curious dog's stomachs. There's no predicting what a dog may decide is tasty, and if he eats too many pine needles, he may need surgery to remove them!
Tinsel. Tinsel tinsel tinsel. Cats love tinsel - it's shiny, it moves, it reflects light. Unfortunately, if eaten, it can cause an intestinal blockage that can be fatal!
Glass ornaments. Yes, dogs will eat and chew these (Dr. Nollet speaks from personal experience here)

2. Flowers

Poinsettias - although mildly toxic, this will cause vomiting, diarrhea and skin irritation if eaten by your cat or dog
Holly - this will cause severe stomach upset and may require hospitalization to treat
Lillies - even a bite or two of the wrong lilly can cause acute (sudden) severe kidney failure in cats. Pro-tip: When in doubt, bring the flower in with you to your appointment.
Mistletoe - this will cause stomach upset, but if enough is eaten, can also cause seizures, coma and death!

The truth is, if you have a cat, you're better off not having any flower arrangements around! They're stealthy critters, and it's better to be safe than sorry!

3. Delicious Holiday Treats

Chocolate - most folks know this one, but did you know that even an ounce of dark or baking chocolate can kill a dog? A good rule of thumb is - if the chocolate is out, the dog will find it!
Nuts - many types of nuts used in baking are toxic to dogs and cats. Keep the nuts out of reach and the dogs out of the kitchen while you're baking!
Grapes - that tasty stuffing everyone loves so much? Keep an eye out for grapes and raisins. While not toxic to all dogs, some dogs can have a reaction to even a single grape that causes kidney failure. There's no way to predict which dog will react, so it's best to avoid them all together!
Human medications - okay, so it's not a delicious holiday treat, but if you've got family visiting, they're probably bringing their medications. Make sure everybody keeps their meds (human and animal) well out of reach because even a small dose of the wrong medication could make your pet very sick.
Turkey skin, butter, bacon and ham - It's delicious, and your dog thinks so too. Unfortunately, rich foods like this can cause a very severe disease called pancreatitis. We see a lot of pancreatitis during the holidays, and it almost always requires hospitalization. Severe pancreatitis can be deadly! To spoil your dog on the holidays, try offering some canned dog food or low-sodium chicken broth in his dog food as a special treat.

Lastly, keep in mind that pets sometimes find company stressful. Make your your cat or dog has a quiet place they can "escape" to if the fun gets to be too much!

Happy holidays from all of us at Bayfield Animal Hospital! We hope your holiday season is uneventful, and we'll see you in the New Year!

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What is that "Office Visit" charge?

8/30/2015

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Recently, one of my horses became very sick. I've focused most of my education and training in recent years on small animals, so when something goes very wrong in the pasture, I call a horse Veterinarian. My horse Vet is fantastic and I trust his medical skills and judgement. It's still no fun paying the bill though!

I lead with that to say that sometimes, we're clients too. We understand first-hand that money is tight and Veterinary care can be expensive. We want the best for your pets and ours, and that means providing the safest anesthesia, staying current on medications and treatments, constantly taking Continuing Education to stay up on new diseases or diagnostics, and treating your pet as if it was our own.   When I look at my farm bill, one of the most foggy charges is the "Farm Visit," or in our case, the "Office Visit." Everything else is listed in detail - drugs, route given (injectable, oral, etc), x-rays, blood work...but not the "Farm Visit." It's often the most expensive part of the whole day!

So, what is an "Office Visit?"

In short, the office visit covers the Doctor's time to examine your pet, discuss your questions and if needed, make a plan moving forward for diagnostics or treatment.

In detail, the exam covers:
1. Mental attitude - is your pet aware and bright? Or is your pet more subdued than usual, or less responsive than normal?
2.   Body Condition Score - is your pet thinner than before? Were you trying to help him lose weight or has this slowly happened despite no changes at home? Is your pet getting dangerously heavy?
3. Coat quality - sometimes changes in coat can indicate underlying diseases such as kidney disease, thyroid disease, adrenal disease or diabetes.
4.   Heart and lungs - is there a new heart murmur or arrhythmia present? Has an old murmur changed? Do the lungs sound normal, or are there changes?
5.   Eyes, ears, nose and throat - we spend a lot of time here. We look at the back of the eyes to make sure the retina looks normal (no evidence of high blood pressure, cancer, vision loss), we make sure the lens looks normal (no cataracts or old age changes) and we look for corneal changes that could make your pet uncomfortable. We check ears for infection, debris or inflammation. We look in the mouth for dental disease, and to make sure there aren't any oral tumors. We check to make sure both nostrils have even air flow and that the nose appears normal, since we see a lot of autoimmune disease that attacks the nose first.
6. Abdomen - is the abdomen relaxed and not painful? Are there any organs that feel larger or smaller than normal, or any tumors?
7. Lymph nodes - do any lymph nodes feel large or hard? This can indicate an infection somewhere, or the early stages of lymphoma.
8. Musculoskeletal - is your dog "slowing down" with age, or is your dog slowing down because his joints hurt? We check range of motion and palpate joints and bones to make sure pain isn't a daily part of your pet's day.
9. Urogenital - is your pet urinating and defecating normally? If not, why? This part of the exam (sometimes including a rectal examination) evaluates these systems for abnormalities such as tumors or infection.
10. Integument (skin) - Does your pet have any areas of thinning hair or dandruff? Sometimes this can be an early sign of an underlying hormonal issue.
11. Behavior - is your pet pacing at night? Having accidents in the house? Afraid of the vacuum? Destructive when you leave him alone? Are you having a new baby and worried your pet won't adjust? These are all things we're here to help with!

After we've done a full exam ("Office Visit"), we may recommend diagnostics such as blood work or x-rays to get more information about a problem and to plan treatment. We're always happy to provide an estimate for the cost of these, and to help you choose the best path for your family.

Though expensive, my most recent "Farm Visit" found a problem in my horse's mouth, treated it and made her as good as new! We love helping your pets have the same experience, so please, don't hesitate to ask us about any aspect of your visit! We're happy to answer questions and work with you to take care of your furry family member.

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It's Springtime in Colorado!

3/10/2015

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It's time for spring cleaning, hiking and outdoor adventures. While you're working through your spring checklist, keep in mind a few "To Do's" for your furry friends...

1. Heartworm, heartworm, heartworm!
Here at BAH, this is our number one priority this time of year. Heartworm disease is here and it is infecting our pets. At our clinic, we had several dogs test positive in the last couple of years; all had to undergo treatment for the infection. Heartworm is a potentially fatal and always devastating parasite infection that is spread by mosquitoes. A dog can be infected by just one bug bite! Heartworm is easy to prevent. Call our office today to see what your dog needs to stay safe this season!

2. Outdoor parasites - fleas and ticks
With the warm weather, the prairie dogs have returned. With the return of the little critters, the fleas are back too. It's important to have any of your cats or dogs who spend any time outside be on a flea and tick preventative. We recommend Frontline Plus because it's safe and effective.

The most important thing to remember about flea/tick preventatives are that many of the prescription AND over-the-counter types can be deadly to cats. Cats aren't just small dogs, and their systems handle drugs very differently. Always check the label carefully before applying any flea medication - we've seen a fair amount of bad drug reactions to over-the-counter flea/tick preventatives given to cats. These reactions can be anything from a bad skin reaction to seizures and even death. When in doubt, call us - we're always happy to help!

Also, always keep in mind that flea preventative is especially important in our area! Fleas carry bubonic plague, which CAN be transmitted to humans. We do see plague in our area. The best way to protect yourself is to protect your pets!

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The Cone of Shame...

2/5/2015

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After surgery, it's very important that your pet not be allowed to lick the incision. This can cause infections or can cause the wound to open up! For this reason, we'll often send home an Elizabethan Collar (E-Collar), also known as the Cone of Shame.

Check out what these creative pet owners in the internet world did with their pet's cones!
http://pulptastic.com/22-pets-got-best-cone-shame-makeovers-ever/

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Fun Animal Facts

1/20/2015

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With the snow and the cold weather, I thought we'd spend some time with a fun facts post. Enjoy!

Did ya' know.....?

1. Wombat poop is cube shaped. Their feces act as territorial markers and the distinct shape helps it stay put on tricky locations.

2. Giraffes have the same number of cervical vertebrae (bones in that very very long neck) as humans! They have 7 and so do we.

3. Manatees and sloths are the only mammals who have a different number of cervical vertebrae. Manatees and two toed sloths have 6, three toed sloths have 9.

4. A single litter of kittens can have multiple fathers

5. Cats purr when they're happy, but also when they're sick or scared.

6. Cats are missing a liver enzyme that dogs and humans have. Because of this, they are very sensitive to some common drugs and can be killed by just a single dose. Always ask a Vet before giving your cat medication!

7. Sweden has a rabbit show-jumping competition called Kaninhoppning.

8. Dog's noseprints are as unique as human fingerprints - no two dogs are the same!

9. A pack of kittens is called a kindle. A group of adult cats is called a chowder.

10. A female cat won't ovulate unless mated. They are 'induced ovulators.' This dramatically increases the liklihood that a female cat gets pregnant with just one mating and is part of the reason there is such a cat overpopulation problem.

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Walking in a Winter Wonderland!

1/9/2015

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Happy New Year!

I asked my techs what they thought would be a good topic for our January discussion. One recommended talking about January. Winter. The cold, the ice, the snow...and the issues we see this time of year.

Basically, what January comes down to for Bayfield Animal Hospital is an increase in paw pad injuries. January is cold. We get more snow. With warm daytime temperatures, sometimes we get some melting and then an icy layer. Pups are excited about the cooler weather, people get out and snow shoe and cross country ski.

Unfortunately, what we see a lot of in the clinic are limping dogs from paw pad injuries - cuts on the ice or even frostbite! Sometimes, we see torn toenails from tearing around in the winter wonderland. So, before you head out on a nice snowshoe trip, take a look at a few tips to make it safe for Fido too!

Winter Pet Safety Tips
1. If it's too cold for you, it's too cold for Fido. Dogs and cats can get frostbite and hypothermia too. A good rule of thumb is, if it's too cold for you to enjoy being outside, it's too cold for your pet. Bring them into a well insulated kennel or the garage for the night, and avoid long hikes. Also, make sure they have access to fresh, unfrozen water!

2. Prevent the snowballs on paws and feathers. Snowballs have to be the most frustrating part about winter for my dog, Gordy. They gather between his toes and on his hind end, and are very uncomfortable. We prevent snowballs by having his groomer shave his feet through the winter to remove as much extra hair as possible. I also apply a LOT of Vaseline to his feet (between his toes) before we hike and I spray his back end and belly with Pam Cooking Spray. For paw pads, Musher's Secret and sled dog booties also work weel. He thinks I'm crazy, but so far it's worked well! Remember, salt on sidewalks can be very irritating to sensitive feet too!

3. Watch out for the deep snow! Bounding through deep snow is my dog's favorite thing about winter. However, I try to keep it to a minimum as much as I can, because dogs can tear ACL's and have other orthopedic injuries in the deep snow. Make sure that if your dog starts to look tired, you bring him back onto the trail for a rest.

4. If you're going for a long hike, bring a winter doggie first aid kit! We'll talk about first aid kits more in the spring, but in the winter, always make sure you've got a bag with the following for your pet:

Fresh water (just like in humans, eating snow doesn't count as re-hydration after a long hike!)
Nail clippers
Bandage material. Even a roll of gauze and Vet Wrap (available at any farm supply store) can go a long way in a pinch. Just be VERY careful not to wrap too tight, and make sure you get to a vet's office as soon as you're off the mountain! A too-tight bandage can result in tissue death, infection and in very bad cases, surgery.
A snack. It's always a good idea to have a ziplock baggie with a lunch for Fido, or some snacks to re-energize while running through the snow. Plus, just like for us, if you get caught unexpectedly in the backcountry overnight, your pup has the energy he needs to make it through the night!

Stay safe and enjoy the snow!

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Calling all Cat Parents!

Continuing Education

February 19th, 2016

Brand New Equipment!

December 21st, 2015

What is that "Office Visit" charge?

It's Springtime in Colorado!

The Cone of Shame...

Fun Animal Facts

Walking in a Winter Wonderland!

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