WRVC NEWSLETTER
 Fall 2007 Newsletter 16

Global Warming-Who Cares?
(A commentary)
 

Liver Disease in Dogs and Cats
 

Liver diseases are relatively common in companion animals.  There are a wide variety of disease conditions that can cause liver disorders.  Diagnosing a diseased liver is not difficult by using basic blood testing to detect abnormally high levels of liver enzymes in the blood stream.  What can be difficult is diagnosing the specific cause of a liver problem, which can involve advanced diagnostics, including ultrasounds, nuclear imaging, and biopsies.

The treatment for liver diseases are as varied as the causes.  Often times, supportive care is essential in the form of meeting specific nutritional needs to support the liver while it tries to heal and recover from an insult.

At best, liver problems are a challenge.  The initial symptoms are usually vague, and the progression of the disease is often unpredictable.  Diagnosing a problem can be difficult, and treatments can be lengthy and involved.  Amongst the many diseases we see, liver problems are one that require a great deal of owner commitment.

If a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

A Good Dog: by Jon Katz
Book Review
 

I have always enjoyed Jon Katz as an author.  Anyone who loves animals (especially dogs) will find his books about experiences living with dogs enjoyable and entertaining.  In “A Good Dog” he describes how his relationship with dogs (one in particular) impacted his own personal evolution in life.  The book will have you laughing out loud as he describes his attempts at sheep herding, and then crying as he goes through the loss of a beloved pet.  Katz has a lot of in sight into our relationships with animals, as well as life in general, and he produced a classic book for almost anyone-pet owner or not.

New Product Review-Reconcile®

Reconcile®  has recently entered the pet product  market for help with behavior problems in dogs.  Reconcile® contains the same active ingredient (fluoxetine) as Prozac®  The use of this medication in cats and dogs is not  anything new.   The human products have been used for years, but now we have an FDA approved product which will not be considered “extra-label” usage.

Basically, this medication has been used for a wide variety  of behavioral problems-aggression, anxiety, inappropriate urination, etc.  While many drugs used for behavioral concerns (there are many) have been successful, they also fail to help in many cases, too.  The reasons for this are many-the magnitude of the problem, failure to change environmental factors, failure to incorporate behavior modification techniques, and simply failures for no apparent reason.

Medical intervention for  a behavior problem is never a first choice.  While it can be part of a program, other things must be addressed and resolved first.  Consulting with a veterinarian or a behaviorist early on when a problem presents itself is essential.

Reconcile® will be a tool, but it will not be a miracle medication in any capacity.
 

Why Laser Surgery for Pets?

A Less Painful Alternative for your Pet

We are proud to offer laser surgery as a progressive new option for our clients who want the safest and least painful treatment for their pets. Long used in human healthcare, laser technology   is a proven service with multiple applications. Only recently have veterinarians turned to laser surgery, and we are proud to be on the leading edge of advanced animal care. In many cases, laser surgery can be extremely beneficial over traditional surgery.

The Benefits

Less Pain - The laser seals nerve endings as it moves through tissue. Your pet will feel less pain after surgery.

Less Bleeding - The laser seals small blood vessels during surgery, resulting in less bleeding and quicker procedures.

Less Swelling - With laser technology, only light comes into contact with the tissue, causing minimal swelling.

Extreme Precision - The laser enables your surgeon to only affect or remove the target tissue, leaving the healthy surrounding tissue untouched.

Reduced Risk of Infection - The high heat of laser energy kills bacteria and microorganisms as it moves through diseased areas, reducing the chance of infection.

How it Works

A laser is an intense beam of light. Using an instrument that allows it to be precisely controlled, the laser beam replaces the traditional scalpel.  Laser energy instantly vaporizes the water found in tissues, allowing it to “cut” or essentially remove an extremely small area of tissue. The energy seals nerve endings and blood vessels as it moves through the tissue, resulting in less bleeding, less pain and virtually no trauma to surrounding tissue.

Recommended Procedures for Laser Surgery

Quotable Quotes

S.A.F.E.

S.A.F.E. (Stray Animal Fund Endeavor) is a program within the Wolf River Veterinary clinic which cares for the areas stray cats and dogs.  The clinic provides safe, comfortable housing for strays until they are either claimed by their owners, or, if unclaimed, placed into our adoption program.  Adopted pets are spayed, neutered, vaccinated, checked for any potential health problems, and their personalities are assessed prior to their placement in a new home.  It is the goal of S.A.F.E. to do the best we can to give every life a chance.  (See Pets for Adoption page)

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