Anesthesia

Is Anesthesia Safe?

One of the most common concerns clients have in regards to their pet’s safety deals with the risk of anesthesia. While there is always some risk of an unexpected adverse reaction from anesthesia, it is generally safe for most pets. Even pets that are ill can often be anesthetized safely if attention is paid to the anesthetic protocol used and the animal is monitored properly during anesthesia and throughout the recovery period.

A Thorough Exam should be performed the day of the scheduled procedure. 

Pre-Anesthetic Blood Testing should be done on all patients, not just the old or sick. In a healthy pet, the blood screen will most often be normal. However, it is not impossible to find unexpected abnormalities even in young healthy pets and it is always better to know about these abnormalities ahead of time. In some cases, if your pet’s blood screen is abnormal, postponing the surgery may be the best option. In others, abnormalities may trigger a change in your pet’s anesthetic protocol.

Pre-Anesthetic Electrocardiogram (EKG) will check the heart for abnormalities such as arrhythmias and enlargement.

 Pain Medications should be started prior to surgery and should be continued as needed after surgery. Preventing pain from occurring will make your pet’s recovery from anesthesia smoother and will speed healing afterward. 

Intravenous Fluids will help combat the decrease in blood pressure caused by many anesthetic drugs. In addition, if there are any adverse reactions under anesthesia, an intravenous catheter allows for immediate administration of emergency drugs.

A Warming System should be used to combat hypothermia. Anesthesia commonly induces hypothermia by inhibiting the patient’s ability to stay warm, reducing metabolic heat production, and hindering shivering. In addition, an open body cavity further exposes the patient to a cool environment. Hypothermia may potentially affect the central nerves, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal and metabolic systems. Decreased wound healing and increased infections have been reported as well.

An Endotracheal Tube (placed in your pet’s throat) will most likely be used. This will help administer anesthetic gas and oxygen during the procedure. It can also be used to help your pet breath if needed. 

  It is critical to Monitor the Patient’s Vital Signs while under anesthesia to ensure that the respiratory and cardiovascular systems are functioning well. This will also ensure that the patient is not under too lightly or too deeply. Parameters measured should include pulse rate, respiratory rate, EKG, pulse oximetry (the amount of oxygen in the blood), temperature and blood pressure. 

Anesthesia will never be completely risk-free. However, with proper attention to detail, complications can be minimized and anesthesia can be performed safely.

How To Photograph Your Pet

If only you could tell your pet to "freeze and smile" anytime you wanted to capture him/her in that perfect shot. But, more often than not, by the time you have your camera ready, he or she has moved on. Don't be discouraged. By applying a few simple methods - the same ones used by professional photographers - you should be able to capture the essence of your pet on film. 
Patience is probably the number one requirement in pet photography. Pure luck plays a part too. But with practice, you should be able to create those shots worth framing.

1) Start with your Pet’s Personality Spend some time observing your pet's everyday habits. If he or she loves to lie down in the sun, set up your photo shoot around that area. If you make a strange or puzzling noise, you may catch that cocked-head, quizzical look. If your pet loves to play, have your camera ready to catch him/her retrieving a thrown stick, leaping for a tossed ball or cat toy, or playing in the park.

2) Think About Content Choose a place where your pet will be comfortable and at ease. Also, consider familiarity of the location and the emotions that will evoke in you as the pet’s owner. For example, you might have a place that you and your pet have had some special moments together that will mean a lot in the future as you look back over your shots. When choosing, consider the background of your shots. Keep in mind, you don’t want your backgrounds to be distracting from your photo. Sometimes the best locations are the plainest ones such as green grass or on a carpet.

3) Get in Close Of course, this is not always easy, especially if you have a pet that likes to move around. But it's worth making the effort as the detail that can be gained and the personality that can be captured up close can really lift a photo to a new level.

4) Lighting Light makes any photograph what it is, and when it comes to pets it is especially important. In general, using a flash is not ideal. It distracts the pet and may cause 'blue eye', similar to 'red eye' in humans. Natural light is a much better option. However, very light pets may need to be positioned outside of direct sunlight and very dark pets may need a flash to enhance detail. Trial and error will let you know which works best.

5) Include People For a variety, include the special people in the life of the pet in the image. Shots with the owner or other family members interacting with your pet can make the images incredibly special for years to come. Both posed shots and candid shots work here.

6) Freeze the Action Many pets present a challenge to photographers because they are active and always on the move. The key with any subject that is on the move is to freeze the action by using a fast shutter speed. If your camera does not have this feature, using the 'sports' mode will mean your camera will select the fastest shutter possible for your situation. If they are a  fast mover, you might also want to consider shooting in continuous mode (burst mode) to take a quick series in a row. This can also lead to a wonderful sequence of shots that work well together.

7) Have Fun By making your photo shoot a fun experience for both you and your pet, your shots are likely to reflect it. 

Buyer Beware VS Buyer Be Sure!

The care and well-being of your pet is our top priority. The treatment plan developed specifically for your pet is part of that care. If medications are prescribed, we recommend you purchase them through us so that you can be assured of the safety and efficacy of any medications dispensed for your pet. These medications are guaranteed by the pharmaceutical companies with whom we do business.

Products obtained through internet and catalog pharmacies are not regulated by federal or state agencies or well monitored. Because internet pharmacies and some catalog companies often purchase their products from unregulated sources, (including unauthorized or foreign dealers) the pharmaceutical companies will not stand behind these purchases for safety or efficacy.

Internet pharmacies have been repeatedly challenged by state Pharmacy Boards (whose mission is to protect the public) for numerous pharmacy law violations.

When you purchase products from us, you are provided with the information you need to use these medications properly. Some medications require patient testing before use and monitoring during use. We can discuss alternative methods of administration and can help with questions that arise during treatment. Refilling prescriptions through a veterinarian affords an opportunity to review your pet's medical history to be sure that the medication, dosage and route of administration are appropriate for your pet's medical condition.

The attention-grabbing, money-saving claims on the internet can be hard to resist. However, promotional free doses for many flea and tick preventatives are offered only through veterinary hospitals, making the products cost the same, if not cheaper.

Please feel free to talk with us. This information is intended to help you make an informed decision about your pet's health needs.

We know you want what is best for your pet. We are committed to the continued health and well being of your pet and we thank you for placing your trust in our practice.

Cancer in Pets

(a licensed veterinary technician prepares chemotherapy drugs for treatment in a dog)

Cancer In Pets

Cells naturally divide and increase in numbers in a process called mitosis. Normal cells divide to replace those lost or injured and then stop. Cancer cells are abnormal in that they continuously multiply uncontrollably, and may grow into adjacent tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. The accumulation of these cells eventually become large enough to produce lumps, masses, or tumors that can be detected. The tumor can be benign or malignant.

Benign tumors are not cancerous and can usually be removed. The majority of these do not return, nor do they spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant tumors are cancerous. They can also be removed but can invade nearby tissues and organs and can metastasize. Metastasis is when the cells break away from the tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system to form secondary tumors at different locations.

*** It is important to realize that if your pet has been diagnosed with some form of malignant cancer, it does not necessarily mean the end of his or her life. Many pets can be cured or go into remission for months or years.

Once we have a complete understanding of your pet's health and type of cancer, we can design an appropriate treatment plan.

Cancer Therapy

Cancer therapy in pets includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. One or a combination of these treatments may be used and is tailored to your pet individually. Whether a treatment or therapy is appropriate for your pet with cancer depends upon:

1. The type of cancer (based upon biopsy or cytology)
2. The grade or stage of cancer (how aggressive or fast moving it is)
3. The location of the growth

Surgery:

Surgery may be warranted in cancer treatment for many reasons including:

• Surgery to remove or destroy cancerous tissue including the removal of some tissue around the tumor and/or nearby lymph nodes.
• Surgery to remove samples of the tissue from a suspicious area for testing and evaluation to confirm a diagnosis or identify the type of cancer.

Chemotherapy:

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer drugs to treat cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is used at Georgetown Animal Clinic as a treatment for non-operable cancer involving more than one part of the body or post-surgical if the cancer is one that is likely to metastasize. The goal when using chemotherapy is to control the cancer and prolong survival while still maintaining a good to excellent quality of life for the patient. It is very important to understand the difference between complete remission and a cure.
For example, the majority of dogs with lymphoma (a cancer of the lymphoid tissue) will enjoy a rapid and complete remission following initiation of chemotherapy. Lymphoma, however, will ultimately relapse. A cure means the cancer is totally gone and will not likely return.

Radiation Therapy:

Radiation therapy is the treatment of cancer and other diseases with ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation deposits energy that injures or destroys cells in the area being treated (the target tissue) by damaging their genetic material making it impossible for these cells to continue to grow. Although radiation destroys both cancer cells and normal cells, the normal cells are able to repair themselves and function properly. Radiation therapy is generally used to treat localized solid tumors. Radiation therapy is performed at a facility specialized in this technique.

Treatment protocols for cancer is determined based upon:

• The pet's overall health and medical history
  
• The extent of the disease
• Expectations for the course of the disease
• AND MOST IMPORTANT, informed decision

FLEA CONTROL

Why is it so hard to control flea infestation?

Controlling fleas is a challenge because the adult fleas cause the clinical signs, yet the majority of the flea population (eggs, larvae and pupae) are found off the pet in and around the home. By the time a flea is seen on an animal, the life cycle has already begun.

THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE FLEA

Eggs: Eggs are laid in the hair coat and are designed to fall off the host.

Larvae: Larvae develop in the host’s environment and feed on adult flea feces (digested blood) that fall out of the hair coat of the pet. Larvae eventually spin cocoons (often within carpet fibers) called pupae.

Pupae: Pupae are resistant to freezing, desiccation, and insecticides. Pupae can lie dormant for many months; they are stimulated to hatch into adults by vibration, warming and increased carbon dioxide.

Flea: Fleas are fairly mobile and can survive a few days without a host, if in a suitable environment. New fleas begin feeding within hours of finding a dog or cat. Most fleas do not survive 72 hours on an animal, but because of its Life Cycle, flea infestation has already begun by the time you see fleas on your pet.

What is the best flea control?

The best flea control is always FLEA PREVENTION!

For cats, Revolution is the preferred product of choice because it also prevents heartworms, mites and intestinal parasites.

For dogs we recommend Sentinel, Frontline Plus, Revolution, Comfortis or Advantage Multi depending on the household, the severity of the problem and what other parasites we are trying to control.

If my pet does have fleas, how long do I need to treat him/her?

Animals should be treated for 6 months consecutively from the time of infection or treated preventatively from May to November every year in Buffalo.

Do fleas carry other diseases?

Yes. Most notably they carry Tapeworms. Dogs and cats get the Tapeworms by eating the fleas while grooming themselves.

Can I just go online to buy my flea prevention?

We cannot endorse going online to buy flea prevention. The FDA has found some companies sell unapproved pet drugs and counterfeit pet products, make fraudulent claims and sell expired drugs. Most recently we treated a dog that had been given a heartworm/flea prevention that was bought online, and found to have been manufactured in another country and not regulated by the FDA. If you would like home delivery, we recommend going to www.vetcentric.com

Heartworm Disease in Dogs

What is heartworm disease?

Heartworm disease is caused by a worm that lives in the heart.

How is it transmitted?

Heartworm disease is transmitted from dog to dog by a mosquito. It MUST go through a mosquito and can NOT go directly from dog to dog. EVEN INDOOR DOGS can get heartworm disease.

Do we have it in Western New York?

Yes. Absolutely. Anywhere there are mosquitos, there is heartworm disease.

What signs will my dog show when it gets infected?

Dogs will initially show NO signs. Once bitten by an infected mosquito, it takes 6 months for the parasite to grow up and migrate to the heart. After that the worms can live for months to years before a dog will show any signs of illness. Eventually the animal will go into heart failure and shows signs such as coughing, lethargy, exercise intolerance, weight loss, poor appetite, etc.

Is it fatal?

If left untreated, heartworm disease in dogs is fatal.

Can people get it? What about cats?

People can not get heartworm disease. Cats can get it but the disease differs from dogs. It is not as common in cats as dogs.

How do you test for heartworm disease?

An annual blood test is recommended for ALL dogs in this area. We test the blood for a protein that is produced by the worm. It is a very sensitive test.

Do I have to test every year?

Yes. AAHA and the AVMA standards of care recommend annual testing. The sooner we know about the infection, the easier it is to treat.

How do you prevent heartworm disease?

Monthly prophylactic medications include Revolution, Advantage Multi, Sentinel and Interceptor will prevent heartworm disease.

Are the preventative medications safe?

Yes they are very safe. Advantage Multi and Revolution are often used every two weeks for other parasites. Interceptor can be used at three times the monthly dose on a DAILY basis for mange for months at a time (this is about 90x the regular dose).

Can’t I just give the preventatives to my dog if/when the test comes back positive?

No. The monthly preventatives will kill any “baby” heartworms (within 6 weeks of being infected by the mosquito) but once they become adults they are no longer susceptible to these mild, well tolerated medications.

What is involved in treatment of the disease?

First an animal must be staged to find out how far the disease has progressed. This involves blood work and chest x-rays and can be costly. Then the animal is treated with a series of injections that may have numerous side effects and requires hospitalization.