WRVC NEWSLETTER
Vol 2, issue 2 - Winter 2003

FOOD ALLERGIES
Food allergies are not an uncommon problem in veterinary medicine.  Food allergies can occur at almost any age, and involve an allergic reaction to some component of the diet.  In general, the symptoms are centered around the skin and can include itching, scratching, hair loss, foot chewing, reoccurring ear infections, etc.  Occasionally, the digestive tract can be involved, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea. 

One of the problems with food allergies is that they can be difficult to diagnose.  There is no lab test that can accurately identify a food reaction.  The only way to diagnose the problem is to feed a 'hypoallergenic' diet or a 'novel protein' diet for 2-4 months and see if the symptoms resolve.  These low allergy diets basically contain proteins and carbohydrates that are unique, or novel, to the pet.  For example, if a dog eats a diet that is beef and corn based, a novel diet may be something like a fish and potato diet or a lamb and rice diet.

Once a diet is switched, the owners have to discipline themselves to feed only the new diet.  Table scraps and treats are not allowed unless they are consistent with the new diet. 

A person must also be very careful when selecting a new diet.  All of the ingredients in the new food must be scrutinized.  For instance, a food may be labeled as lamb and rice, but the ingredients may include poultry products or beef tallow.

Many skin conditions warrant a food trial, but this must be done properly and with a great deal of commitment if the results are to be accurate.

CHIROPRACTIC MEDICINE
Mark Baetke, DVM
Chiropractic medicine is based on the fact that the body has an innate ability to heal and maintain itself.  Its basis is that all functions of the body are organized and directed by the nervous system.  In a healthy body there is free flowing nervous impulses or energy between the body and the brain.  This keeps it aware of any problems.  Without this flow of nervous impulses the body can not recognize and defend itself against disease.

The brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body control these functions.  The skull protects the brain.  The bones of the spine protect the spinal cord.  The spine, of course, is not a rigid structure but one that is very mobile due to the large amount of joints in it.  This also makes it prone to having those joints become misaligned or subluxated.  The nerves that go from the spinal cord to the body exit near the joints of the spine.  If there is a loss of normal motion or positioning of the joints of the spine the nervous system can be impaired.  This can inhibit the nervous system from keeping the body in its natural state of health.

The use of chiropractic aims to remove the interferences in the nervous system allowing the body to bring itself to a natural state of health.  To do this the doctor feels for any decrease in the motion of the joints.  This can mean one that is stuck in a fixed position or one that does not move through its full range.  When on of these problems is found the doctor will do an adjustment.  An adjustment is a quick thrust at a specific angle to the joint in order to restore the full range of motion in that joint.  This also restores the free flow of information along the nervous system. 

THE PROBLEM WITH RAT POISON
Jim Ziegler, DVM
One of the most common poisonings we see is with rat/mouse poisons.  They cause blood clotting and bleeding problems in dogs and cats.  We see an increase incidence of these cases in the fall and early winter, coinciding with peoples increase in using the products.

On occasion, an owner may know that their pet ingested a mouse poison.  If this is so, we can then induce vomiting immediately and the problem can be solved.  However, in many cases, the owner is unaware that their pet consumed the poison and symptoms won't be evident until days later when internal bleeding can make a pet anemic and weak.

This type of toxicity cannot be taken lightly.  Animals can easily die from such a poisoning, and the treatment can be intensive and expensive.

Personally, I don't think that any pet owner should use these products.  Even if they are kept out of a pet's reach, mice will carry off and stockpile pellets - possibly in an area that is accessible to your pet.  Prevention is the best method in dealing with this problem.

TIPS ON BUYING A PET
Many pet owners looking to acquire a new pet will do so through a breeder.  Should this be the case, there are many things to consider.  First of all, a pet should never be purchased for looks alone.  Second, you should not price shop for a breed.  A good quality, well-bred animal costs more, but it is worth it in the long run.  A well bred pet tends to have less medical problems, and can be more 'maintenance-free' than a poorly bred animal.  Most importantly, the size and personality of a pet must match the owners lifestyle.  For example, a sedentary lifestyle is a poor match for a herding dog, such as a Border Collie.  A large breed dog can be a problem in a small house with no yard, etc.

A 'good' breeder will be honest and open with you.  They will discuss the genetics of the puppy or kitten, introduce you to the parents, show you how the puppies or kittens have been raised, and provide you will all of the needed health records for health care and registration.  If, at any time, a breeder balks at providing relevant information, including references, it's time to walk away.

Acquiring a new pet is a huge commitment and should not be taken lightly,  Whether you are content or disappointed with a new puppy or kitten may depend on your patience and willingness to do some research before you decide to buy a pet.

WHY SPAY OR NEUTER A PET?
-A cat or dog is euthanized every 2-3 seconds year round in the United States!!!  Mostly because they are unwanted. This does not include those that die of starvation, injury or illness.
-Statistics indicate that only 1 of 4 kittens live to adulthood.
-Intact pets can develop serous medical problems which can be life threatening.

WHAT LEVEL OF COMMITMENT?
Jim Ziegler, DVM
I always emphasize to people that they need to decide what level of commitment they are willing to go to in order to provide for a pet's well being before they acquire a pet.  All too often we have owners who face an unexpected medical or surgical problem with their pet, only to consider euthanasia when there are better options.  In all reality, such a decision should be made before that pet was even in the house.  I have always felt that a  pet should only be acquired if an owner is willing to commit to good care, even if an unexpected crisis arises.

I recently found myself in such a situation when my old dog was badly injured after wandering off and getting hit by a car.  Her health has been declining due to old age, and some mental confusion has been evident.  When she was found she was in shock and had a badly fractured hind leg.

This was obviously a situation where a serious decision had to be made, and yet, at the same time there was no decision, because I knew I had to do whatever it would take to save her.  Extensive surgery and months of after care was the only option.  Even if I knew that she only had a short time to live, I would still have done the surgery.  She has been a loyal friend for years and I couldn't for see doing anything other than giving her a chance.

Some people would argue that because I am a veterinarian, it was an easy, practical decision for me.  There is no doubt that it is easier and less expensive for me to take care of my own pets but had her injuries been bad enough it warrant a referral to a specialist, I was still prepared to do so.

I encourage anyone who wants to acquire a new pet to first ask yourself, 'What level of commitment am I going to give this animal?' If you cannot commit to a lifetime of good care, you need to re-evaluate your desire to have a pet.

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