Meet Our Staff
By: Kathleen Nehring
We are excited to introduce Amanda Simons our newest receptionist. Amanda lives here in our community with her family, along with their two Beta fish, Moo Moo and Lucky. Amanda and her family enjoy spending time playing at the park, camping, and listening to music. She has been a pleasant addition and we are happy she has joined our staff.
Thank You
By: James Ziegler
No winter newsletter would be complete without recognizing the holiday season. Everyone looks at the holidays differently, and I tend to look at them as a time to reflect and be grateful for my many good fortunes and blessings.
This year was a busy year at the clinic. We all worked hard. Not every clinic in our area experienced that. That fact that we continue to grow is a reflection of the commitment our clients have towards their companion pets. It is a strong testimony of commitment to have owners provide for their cats and dogs during bleak economic times. Everyone who walks through our front door is sending a message of caring, concern, and compassion. This is a lot to be grateful for.
As we head into the holiday season and a new year of uncertainty, I find it important to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to all of our clients for your loyal support, and also to wish you the absolute best for the future. May your pets continue to bring joy into your life and may they help you give you the insights we need to be better people, which will lead to a better world.
We wish you all, and your furry companions, all of the good health and joy that you deserve. Happy Holidays!
Idiopathic Cystitis in Cats
By: James Ziegler
Idiopathic cystitis is an easy term to explain. The word cystitis means inflammation of the bladder. Idiopathic is a fancy word meaning that we do not know the cause. Together, they mean that there is inflammation of the bladder for no known cause.
A common problem with cats are urinary issues or urinating out of the litter pan (which can be behavioral or medical), straining to urinate, urinating frequently, and/or having blood in the urine. This is a very common presentation and owner concern.
There are many common problems which can cause these symptoms– urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and crystal formation in the urine being the main ones. However, sometimes there is evidence of bladder irritation and symptoms of such without any real diagnosis– these are our idiopathic cases.
No on really knows for sure what causes idiopathic cystitis in cats. Stress is thought to play a large roll. Diet may also be involved. There are likely other factors yet to be identified. The good news is that most cases will be transient, and will resolve on their own. Some cats will be chronically troubled by the problem, and others may be susceptible to occasional flare ups.
There is no real treatment for the problem. Many things have been tried-antibiotics, moist food, urinary acidifiers, anti-inflammatory, and even behavioral drugs to reduce anxiety. Sometimes they seem to work– probably because the problem tended to resolve on its own concurrent with the treatment. It is difficult to know for sure.
Idiopathic cystitis is often—a diagnosis made by ruling everything else out. Therefore, these cases need a full workup, including a full urinalysis, urine cultures, x-rays, and often more. It can be a lot only to be told that your cat will likely get better on its own. It is important to get as specific of a diagnosis as possible, though, and these things are essential.
Cats have a variety of “mystery diseases” that the veterinary profession has not fully figured out. Idiopathic Cystitis is one of them.
Vestibular Disease in Our Dogs
By: James Ziegler
Dogs, as well as humans, have a very delicate structure in the inner ear called the vestibular apparatus. There is one in each ear canal, and they act as a balance mechanism. When we are off balance, our vestibular system alerts the body and we make corrections to keep from falling. The fact that we can walk a straight line with our head and shoulders held evenly is due to a normally functioning vestibular system. It is a wondrous thing that we take for granted until it goes wrong.
Old dogs are susceptible to vestibular disorders. While head trauma, deep ear infections, or tumors, can cause a vestibular problem, in old dogs it seems to be a spontaneous thing with no known cause. The typical scenario we are faced with is an older dog who suddenly develops a head tilt to the right or left side, circles and falls over to the side of the head tilt, and frequently develops nystagmus– a rhythmic twitching of the eyes. Some dogs become so bad that they cannot even stand and may even develop nausea and vomiting.
The symptoms of old dog vestibular disease come on quickly without warning. Many people misinterpret the symptoms as that of a stroke (which can produce similar symptoms). Many owners are so upset by the sudden change that they feel a euthanasia is essential to “relieve suffering”. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most cases of old dog vestibular disease will gradually get better on their own. This can take sometime and may involve some nursing care, but the symptoms typically subside with time. In most dogs, they resolve completely. Some will retain a permanent head tilt, but almost all will become “functional” and capable of living a normal life despite a few deficiencies.
If your old dog develops sudden neurological symptoms, it may be a case of a resolvable problem. Do not jump to conclusions that may not be in the favor of your pet. Consult with your veterinarian and do what you can for them. They deserve it.
It Will Be O.K
By: James Ziegler
I have spent the last several weeks at work dealing with a lot of turmoil and stress. It have always said that health care is inherently stressful, but recent events have been pushing the limits. While I am not a person prone to feelings of anxiety, I have to admit that my nights of restful sleep have been few and far between lately.
I recently escaped for a long weekend to the place I grew up. A place, as they say, near and dear to me– Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, where we still maintain the family home on 180 acres of woods, fields and streams. A lot of my personal development and values developed as a young man as I spent endless hours bonding with the land and the lessons mother nature offered me as I struggled to conquer those early years. I return to the area when I can to visit my mom, currently in a nursing home in the area, but also to refresh and celebrate my bond with the peninsula. This recent trip was well timed and much needed as I struggled with a variety of problems.
On the first morning, I went out early for a walk through the woods and fields. It was a cold morning with a strong, biting southeast wind. As I trudged along with the wind coursing through the grasses of the field, bending the boughs of the pines, and challenging the last leaves of the poplar trees, I suddenly felt an incredible sense of peace and contentment. I felt as if my place in life, at that moment, was secure and not without reason. I froze in one place, overcome by the feelings of being in such a peaceful and perfect place. I knew that despite my recent challenges, all was going to be o.k. I knew that I had the strength to confront my troubles and see them through to a good resolution. It was the most peace I had experienced in weeks.
I am tempted to say that I did this alone, but I did not, as I had my four dogs with me. Young Gracie was running crazy everywhere with Newton and Doolie in tow, trying to herd her. Aging Maizey was enjoying exploring the smells of rocks and stumps, and ingesting a constant buffet line of deer poop. They were all in their element, and I could see the pleasure on their faces. That night, we all slept well– tired and content.
I recently read an article discussing how Americans are suffering from “nature deficit disorder”. Our busy lives centered around computers, cell phones, television, etc have absorbed us to the point where we do not spend any time outdoors. We spend no time experiencing nature. We spend no time alone. And there is a price tag on it all. The sad thing is that no on realizes it. Whether it be adults or kids, we go blindly forward ignoring the serious implications of life without nature. We all suffer, and we do it with ignorance and glee.
Seeing the pleasure on my dogs faces as they charge through the outdoors, picking up every scent and investigating every nook. I wonder how many dogs suffer from “nature deficit disorder”. I have always believed that many “misbehaviors” of our pets are the result of them not having enough stimulus and exercise in their life. At the end of the day, are they tired and content, or are hyped up and ready to go?
This has also been a debate for cats. We are told that a cat should never, ever be left outside. At the same time, studies have shown that cats exposed to the outdoors (safely so) and “fresh air” are much less likely to have unacceptable behavior problems. This does not mean that they should be left out to hunt and roam. The goal is to provide a positive stimulus under safe, controlled circumstances.
I feel a great sense of gratitude that I grew up having the opportunity to bond with the outdoors. I am thankful that I can still enjoy the opportunities and resources to continue a life long bond with our natural world. Unlike the dogs, who live for the moment and then move on, I carry the memories of my experiences in the outdoors with me always. When times get tough, all I need is to stand alone, perhaps watching a sunset, and feeling the wind in my face, and I will have the security and confidence to say “It will all be o.k.”
Bernice
By: Kathleen Nehring
I think I am like everyone else when it comes to the holidays. I like to remember past celebrations and events, sometimes these memories make me laugh, cry or leave me feeling nostalgic. One of my more interesting experiences around the holiday season has to do with one of my favorite dogs, Bernice. In the spring of 2007 I adopted a 6-year old Bernese mountain dog, she was beautiful. She did however come with her own set of issues, she needed to be housebroken, she would eat just about anything she could find (including her own stool), and she was a nervous Nelly. We worked on improving her issues as we incorporated her into our family. She did learn that the outside was the place she was supposed to go the bathroom and as long as we were faster than she was she did not eat her stool. She also learned to become more self-confident, she learned how to walk on a leash, run around the yard off leash and learned that we loved her. She had come along way, we were proud. And time went by quickly and pretty soon it was snowing, her favorite season, and it was Christmastime. After church one Sunday between Christmas and New Year our church gave away the poinsettias that were on display and of course we took one home. Days went by and my schedule returned to normal, work, home, work, home, etc. One day I happened to notice Bernice’s appetite was not normal and she looked particularly lethargic and sad, so I took her into the clinic. I discussed with Dr. Ziegler her symptoms and we decided to take an X-ray, the results of the X-ray were very mind- boggling, she had something in her intestines and it resembled a wiry type foreign body. After much discussion at home we could not figure out we she could have possibly eaten that was wiry, we just didn’t have anything that was match that description around our house. Either way Bernice needed surgery, so Dr. Ziegler went ahead with the surgery and I watched eagerly, I couldn’t wait to figure out this mystery. (You see I’ve had other pets with foreign bodies before). Lo and behold he removed a long, thin piece of wire; something used in crafts, perhaps a bow, maybe even a bow that would be placed in a poinsettia plant that was “free” from church. Looking back after her surgery I vaguely remember cleaning up some dirt and plant pieces, the cats of course knocked the plant off the fireplace mantel, but I never realized there was a bow in the planter. Well, Bernice turned out just fine and we learned to pick up all of our stuff and be wary of what the cats have access to. Bernice went on to enjoy two more wonderful Christmases with our family. Now you know just one of the memories I will be cherishing this holiday season.
SAFE Pet Adoption - Pet of the Month
"Feb Pet of the Month-Lexy"
Many times, when we recognize a pet of the month, we are, in fact, recognizing an owner who has shown an unusual level of commitment to their pet. I have always said that dogs and cats do not walk into the clinic alone. It takes a caring owner for them to receive the care they need.
This month I would like to recognize Lexi and her owners. Lexi is a thirteen year old Pomeranian who was diagnosed with diabetes awhile back. Lexi did not respond to insulin at all, and it was discovered that she had another hormonal disorder called Cushings disease. This makes it almost impossible to regulate a diabetic on insulin. Not giving up, the owners treated the Cushings, Lexi regulated well on insulin, and all was fine for awhile.
Lexi got very ill one weekend, however, and it was discovered that she was anemic, had a severe reproductive infection, a urinary tract infection, bladder stones and kidney stones. At her age, few owners would have been willing to invest a lot in her care, but her owners were not deterred. Lexi had emergency surgery to spay her and remove the bladder stones. She was treated with antibiotics, hospitalized on IV fluids, and ultimately received a blood transfusion. Being a tough little dog, she gradually rebounded, and was sent home where she continues to do well.
Lexi is a nice little dog whom we all enjoy. Her opportunity at life, however, is the result of a great deal of love and care on the part of her owners. My hat goes off to them all.