Of all the routine surgeries that veterinarians do, none are as controversial as the declawing of cats. The Humane Society of the United States takes a firm stand against declawing under any circumstances. At the same time many house cats are declawed to prevent them from doing damage to an owners’ household. While many cats will focus on a designated scratching post, many will not, and will damage a variety of items in a house.

There are also alternatives to declawing, such as applying nail caps, keeping the claws trimmed at all times, or electing for an alternative surgery such as a tendonectomey, a less painful procedure. Most clients, however, find these alternatives less acceptable since all require ongoing care.

Done at a young age, along with the use of pre- and post-operative pain killers, most cats will make a complete and rapid recovery from the surgery. While it is certainly good to consider alternatives to declawing, if the procedure is what will make the pet an acceptable member of the household, then it is well worth it.  It is sad to see cats abandoned because they were destructive with their claws - a problem that could have been avoided.

If you have questions or concerns about the declawing procedure, please feel free to discuss them with a veterinarian. Every client needs to feel comfortable with the decisions they make for their pets.

It was with great sadness that I recently had to say good bye to my thirteen year old chocolate lab mix, Callie. I adopted Callie as a stray from the clinic. She was a dog with a number of health and behavior issues, but she was my best friend for years,

accompanying me to work every day. I helped Callie through a lot of bad times, and in return she gave me unlimited love and companionship. As difficult as it was to say good bye to her, I am grateful that she was a part of my life for so many years.

Some say that keeping pets is a luxury. I say that it is a necessity. Callie provided for that necessity by being a soul mate in ways only dogs can do. I will miss her forever.

Dr. Ziegler
 

Dogs are quite susceptible to ear infections for a variety of reasons. The breeds with large heavy ears

(cocker spaniels, basset hounds, etc.), often have moist ears due to the lack of air flow in the ear canal. Out door dogs, particularly those that swim, are more prone to infections. Similarly, dogs with allergies will often manifest them with repeated ear infections. The list of causes is extensive.

Pets with ear infections typically show obvious signs. The ear canal is frequently dirty, inflamed and malodorous. Owners often observe head shaking, pawing or scratching at the ear, and possibly even a slight head tilt. The ear is frequently painful, too.

The cause of an ear infection needs to be identified (mites, bacteria, years, etc.). The infected ear or ears must be thoroughly cleaned to remove all of the wax and debris prior to treatment. Treatments typically involve topical lotions or ointment, but oral medication is sometimes also prescribed depending on the severity of the infection.

Untreated ear infections can cause permanent damage to the ear canal. If you think that your pet has an ear problem have it attended to promptly.

One of the most common orthopedic injuries that veterinarians see are injuries to the cranial cruciate ligament - a major stabilizing ligament in the knee. When the ligament tears, the bones of the knee slide abnormally across each other causing pain and potentially injuring other structures in the joint. The diagnosis of a cruciate tear is straight forward in the case of a complete tear, but may be somewhat challenging in the case of an incomplete tear.

The treatment for this condition is always surgical, except perhaps in very small dogs. There are different surgeries available for correcting this problem. Factors involved in deciding which technique is most appropriate include the age of the pet, the pets activity level, pre-existing factors such as arthritis, cost, etc. The best decision can only be arrived at with consultation with a veterinarian.

If your pet shows a persistent lameness involving a hind leg, there is potential for a cruciate injury. If this occurs, have the pet examined promptly to provide the best outcome possible.

I used an aged answering machine for my emergency services after hours. The machine, at times, had a mind of its own. One night I played the messages back and heard the frantic voice of a client requesting a call back A.S.A.P. regarding her sick dog. Aiming to please, I called the client immediately. When I identified myself and told her I was calling regarding her sick dog, she exclaimed “You have to be kidding me - that was two weeks ago!” Somehow the answering machine sequestered the recording for that length of time.

Embarrassed beyond belief, I quickly apologized, and hung up.

I never heard from the client again and the answering machine never received another call. Both of us were guilty of not providing a good service.
 

S.A.F.E.(Stray Animal Fund Endeavor)

If you are thinking about adopting a pet, or know someone who is, please consider our clinic adoption program. We have had a lot of very nice dogs come through the clinic in the past year. The number of dogs that we have is often sporadic, whereas we always seem to have a wide variety of cats. Again, the majority of our cats have wonderful personalities looking for for a good home.