Broken Teeth

Like people, our pets are prone to dental disease. Pet Dental Month, in February, focuses on the importance of controlling and preventing dental disease in our cats and dogs. Untreated dental disease is associated with both infection and pain. Recent studies in people and dogs show that untreated infection in the mouth has also been linked to infections in other parts of their bodies.

Many pets present to the veterinarian with broken teeth. Traditionally, a veterinarian might say, “it’s not bothering the dog or cat so we’ll leave it alone.” If my own dentist told me that regarding one of my own teeth, I’d be looking for a new dentist.

Identifying the Issue
How do we know if a broken tooth is painful? Dogs and cats don’t have the ability to communicate that, but often their teeth hurt in the same way that our teeth can. There are several things we can do to access the viability of a tooth that has been broken. First, if there is obvious pulp exposure, then we know that tooth is dead or is dying, depending upon how long it’s been broken. Pulp is a combination of nerves and blood vessels that live within the center of a tooth. Once the pulp is exposed to the outside world, it rapidly becomes infected and that tooth will die over several weeks to months.

When an animal is under anesthesia, there are radiographic changes that may be seen in a non-vital (dead) tooth. As we age and our teeth mature, the body constantly produces new layers of dentin along the outer walls of the “pulp chamber.” As an animal ages, the pulp chamber diameter becomes smaller and smaller. A tooth with a dilated pulp chamber as seen on x-rays indicates that that particular tooth is non-vital. Also, over time, a dead tooth may develop changes around the root of the tooth seen on x-rays called a periapical lucency (see image on left). This is an area seen around the root tip that usually represents and infection from bacteria that has invaded into the pulp chamber of the tooth, or a cyst developing from inflammation associated with the dead pulp leaking into the bone around the root of the tooth.

Any teeth with pulp exposure, dilated pulp chambers or a periapical lucency should be treated and there is a likelihood that this tooth may be painful to a pet. There are multiple treatment options, although “leaving it alone,” is not in the pet’s best interest.

Saving the Tooth
The option to save the tooth involves endodontic or root canal therapy. First the tooth is evaluated to make sure there is no concurrent disease of the tooth. This includes periodontal disease, fractures below the gum line or advanced destruction of the tooth root. The tooth root must also be mature enough to be treated with endodontic therapy. Endodontic therapy involves cleaning out the pulp chamber of the tooth with a combination of filing and flushing with a disinfectant. Next the tooth is filled with a sealant to prevent the leakage of bacteria through the canal of the tooth. Finally, a filling, or “restoration,” is placed on the opening of the tooth to also prevent bacterial leakage into the pulp chamber. If performed correctly, endodontic therapy is highly effective at salvaging broken teeth with pulp exposure. Endodontic therapy does require follow up care with dental x-rays to make sure the therapy is successful and that the restorations remain intact.

If a fractured tooth is immature, the root is not fully developed, and the fracture is very recent, then a broken tooth may be treated with a procedure called a vital pulpotomy and direct pulp capping. The goal of this procedure is to keep the tooth alive long enough to allow the tooth to mature to a point where endodontic therapy can be performed. If the fracture is not very recent, then a procedure called apexogenesis may be performed to encourage enough maturation of the tooth root to perform endodontic therapy.

Extracting the Tooth
The other treatment option is extraction therapy. This involves removal of the affected tooth. This may be relatively simple or may involve surgery, depending upon which tooth is involved. After the extraction of broken or non-vital teeth, pets are often much happier than those with these teeth left in their mouths. Extraction therapy means the function of that tooth will be lost, but once the extraction site is healed, there should be no residual pain.

Making the Right Decision
The most important issue is that our pets do not need to live with painful teeth and/or broken teeth, and therefore these decisions should not be neglected. The decision whether to perform endodontic therapy or extraction therapy should be made in consultation with a veterinarian and is often based upon several factors including the overall health and age of the patient, the ability of the patient to safely undergo anesthesia, the extent of damage to the tooth, which tooth is involved and the cost of the procedures. Leaving a fractured tooth with pulp exposure in a pet’s mouth is not considered a humane option, however.

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About Stephen Riback, DVM
Dr. Riback received his veterinary degree from the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell in 1985. He was a general practitioner from 1985 until 1999 and owned the Oakdale Veterinary Hospital from 1989 until 1999. Dr. Riback has worked at the AMC since 1999, first in the Community Medicine dept. and then from 2003 in the Dentistry dept. where he studied dentistry under the mentorship of Dr. Dan Carmichael, who is the only board certified veterinary dentist in New York City.

The department of dentistry is the only full service veterinary dental practice in New York City and operates Monday through Friday at the AMC. Dr. Carmichael works on Mondays and Dr. Riback is in Tuesday through Friday. Dental procedures and oral surgeries are performed Monday through Friday.

Taking Better Care of Our Cats

It seems that cats are getting the short end of the stick when it comes to veterinary care. Research has shown that cat owners are taking their cats to the vet less often. Research sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association determined 83% of dogs see a veterinarian annually while only 64% of cats see a veterinarian annually.

Cats are medically underserved, in part because owners are unaware how sick their cat is. Cats, being the clever creatures that they are, can hide illness until it has reached catastrophic proportions.

The veterinarians at The AMC recommend annual examinations for all healthy younger cats and for senior cats (>7 years of age) twice annual examination. During the examination, your cat’s veterinarian will monitor your cat’s weight and body condition score as a measure of his/her overall health. The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends the minimum database in senior cats include a complete blood count, chemistry screen, and urinalysis.  Once cats pass their 10th birthday, testing thyroid function and blood pressure are recommended. Together, you and the veterinarians will discuss your cat’s lifestyle and decide on what preventive healthcare measures are required to keep you cat in tip top condition. The preventive measures include: vaccinations, parasite prevention, behavioral interventions and nutritional recommendations. Your cat’s veterinarian may suggest testing for occult infections such as feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus and feline heartworms.

People other than just those of us at The AMC are thinking about cats and cat health too. There is an interesting new cat website (www.kittytest.com).  This website displays the frequency of important cat diseases by geographic location. The information contained in this website will help the cat owner determine how often a disease is diagnosed in their county and open the door for a risk analysis for their cat with the family veterinarian. This website is similar to, but not the same as, a registry of disease for people like the governmental vital statistics bureau. The data shown on the website is compiled from the tests performed since 2000 by only one laboratory, but it will help cat owners to know how common these diseases are in their neighborhoods and give them some information with which to open a discussion with their veterinarian. Ultimately, any medical tests and treatments should be customized to the lifestyle issues of your cat.

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For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal health care, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts.  Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center, 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. For more information, visit www.amcny.org. To make an appointment, please call 212.838.7053.

New Year’s Resolutions for Pets

When you’re drawing up your New Year’s Resolutions for 2010 don’t forget to take your pet into account. The seven simple tips below from Dr. Ann Hohenhaus of The Animal Medical Center, New York City’s largest non-profit facility for veterinary care, research and education, will keep your dog or cat, and others in your community happy and healthy the whole year through!

1. Get your dog certified as a therapy dog and then start visiting hospitals, nursing homes or group living facilities. Organizations offering certification include: Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs, Therapy Dogs International and Delta Society.

2. Have your dog help a child learn to read! Join the R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) program at your library. This program improves children’s reading literacy using dogs as impartial listeners.

3. Don’t equate love with food. Those extra treats don’t build your bond with your pet, they only build love handles on your pet. In 2010 resolve to base your relationship with your pet on fun, not food. For a treat throw a ball to your dog or scoot the laser pointer up and down the wall to entertain your cat. Remember that cats have short attention spans so vary the activities in each play session.

4. Help your pets lose the love handles they already have by feeding them healthy snacks such as carrots, apples or air popped popcorn. And make sure that only 10% of their daily calorie requirement is fed as snacks.

5. Quitting smoking may already be on your list of New Year’s resolutions, and you should follow through on it not just for you, but for your pet! Veterinary researchers have documented that dogs and cats living in a household with a smoker do passively inhale smoke because they have elevated levels of nicotine metabolites in their urine. In cats, second-hand smoke has been also been associated with a greater risk of developing lymphoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

6. In the New Year don’t skip routine preventive healthcare for your pets, especially your cat. Over the past few years, the average number of times a cat visits the veterinarian per year has decreased to less than once annually. Regular veterinary care will help keep your cat or dog healthy.

7. Resolve to spend your pet’s budgeted dollars wisely. When visiting the veterinarian, make a list of questions to keep your appointment on track to get all your questions answered. Evaluate the feasibility of pet insurance with coverage for routine healthcare. ___________________________________________
For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal health care, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts. Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center, 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. For more information, visit www.amcny.org. To make an appointment, please call 212.838.7053.

Holiday Safety Tips for Your Pets

The winter holidays should be a joyous time for people and pets alike. In the midst of your revelries and big family dinners, don’t let your home become a hazardous place for your dog or cat. Here are 10 tips on how to keep your pets safe this holiday season:

1. Fatty Foods Aren’t Good for Sparky Either
Who can resist gravy on roast beef or a cup of egg nog? Spills on the kitchen floor or overturned glasses and gravy boats are what your dog is wishing for this year. Lapping up these high fat treats puts him at risk for severe gastrointestinal upset. Delicious, but oily potato pancakes will do the same.

2. Other Holiday Foods on the Naughty List
Chocolate contains a caffeine-like substance which is toxic in animals, known to cause hyperactivity, seizures and heart arrhythmias (dry cocoa powder is the most dangerous). Onions can cause anemia in dogs and cats. Raisins are often found in many holiday baked goods and for an unknown reason, raisins and their hydrated relative, grapes, can cause kidney failure in dogs.

3. Trash Cans Become Holiday Buffets for Pets
Don’t forget about the trash can in your kitchen as you whiz about making final preparations for guests – it can become a dangerous buffet for your pet. If eaten, the string used to tie the meat and the discarded bones can lodge themselves in the digestive tract and require a surgical procedure to remove. Bones lodged in the esophagus can be fatal if it is severely damaged.

4. Raise Your Glasses!
Not to propose a toast, but do ask guests not to set glasses down on the floor or on a low coffee table where pets get easy access to those sweet, tasty, alcoholic holiday drinks. Pets will keep slurping and can become intoxicated and ill quickly.    

5. Wrapping Risks
The festive bows, twine, paper and tags of the holiday season can wrap your pet up in a heap of trouble if they’re ingested. Cats and puppies love to play with puffy bows and balled up wrapping, and may in fact swallow them. All animals will be tempted to eat through the pretty packaging surrounding gifts of food, so make sure to put them out of pets’ reach. The ingested wrapping can get stuck in the intestine and cause a blockage as well as damage the intestinal wall.

6. Christmas Tree Safety 101
The water in your Christmas tree stand is mighty inviting to a thirsty pet. Keep it covered so they can’t lap up water that has been tainted by pinesap and tree preservatives. Anchor your tree well and display it in a secure location to prevent pets from knocking it over. String the lights tightly and put the all dangling cords behind furniture to limit your pet’s interest in playing with, and possibly chewing on them. Severe electrical burns and electrocution can result. Cats especially have been known to nibble on the tree branches and sample the tinsel, both of which can be dangerous to their digestive tracts. Lastly, choose your ornaments carefully. Glass ornaments that shatter easily if knocked off the tree leave shards for your pet to step on and ingest. The best bet is to not let animals into the room where the tree is standing without human supervision.  

7. Let There Be Light (as long as your pets can’t get near it!)
Candles and lamps are a part of many holiday celebrations like Hanukah, Christmas, Divali and Kwanzaa. Your Menorah or Kinara should be in a place that is inaccessible to your pets and should not burn unattended. Your cat can easily light itself on fire by brushing its tail up against a burning candle or start a house fire by tipping it over.

8. Mistle-no’s
Colorful houseplants abound at holiday time but many are poisonous if nibbled on by your pets. Poinsettia, mistletoe, holly and Cyclamen’s tuberous roots are toxic to pets and lilies and amaryllis will cause kidney failure if eaten by your cat. It is best to be safe and not have these plants in your home if you share it with a pet.

9. Break out Star
With so many holiday guests coming and going, it is easy for pets to get agitated or escape out the door. Be sure your pets are crated or leashed when you expect guests to prevent them from running away. And with all of the new voices, music and loud noises holiday festivities often bring, even the calmest pet can get spooked. Keeping pets in a closed room will help minimize the anxiety.

10. Not a Good Surprise Present
Remember that a pet of any type does not make a good gift. No matter how much your neighbor or family member covets your beloved Fido or Whiskers, other families need to be prepared for the time and financial commitment a pet requires. A pet should never be a surprise gift anytime of the year.

If your pet has ingested any foods or materials that may be toxic, contact your veterinarian immediately or call Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, 24 hours a day. The Animal Medical Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency, routine and specialty care: (212) 838-8100.
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For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal health care, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts.  Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center, 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. For more information, visit www.amcny.org. To make an appointment, please call 212.838.7053.

Kitchen Catastrophes

New pet owners often ask their veterinarian, “What is the greatest danger to my pet?  Is it the dog park, the sidewalk or being cat-napped?”  It may come as a surprise to you, but your kitchen holds some of the greatest dangers for your pet.

Xylitol, a sweetener found in low-calorie foods, induces excessive insulin release in dogs.  No one knows why insulin production ramps up in response to xylitol, but the result can be a fatal low blood sugar in your dog.  Dogs consuming xylitol may experience vomiting, lethargy, lack of coordination progressing to seizures and liver failure.  If your dog eats food containing xylitol, see a veterinarian immediately.

Dogs have a bit of a sweet tooth and often find grapes and raisins tasty.  Tasty can turn into tragedy because some dogs develop kidney failure following consumption of even a few grapes or raisins.  The toxin has not been identified, but a quick trip to the veterinarian and a short hospital stay can help prevent long-term kidney damage.

Both cats and dogs have red blood cells which can be damaged by ingestion of onions, garlic or garlic powder.  Red blood cell damage can result in the need for a blood transfusion, so avoiding these ingredients in your pet’s diet is critical.  Typically dogs get into onions by snacking from the trash can.  On the other hand, cats may have problems if they are fed human foods flavored with garlic powder. 

Birds love human foods too, but bird owners should be cautious about avocados, which can cause respiratory distress and death.  Like in dogs and cats, the caffeine-like substance in chocolate can be dangerous for birds.  Baking chocolate contains the most of the caffeine-like substance, dark chocolate somewhat less and white chocolate the least.  Ingestion of the caffeine-like substance can cause hyperactivity, heart rhythm abnormalities and seizures.  Too much salt is bad for all of us including birds, so it is best to keep the salty snacks on your plate rather than your bird’s.

The AMC recommends you check with your veterinarian before feeding your pets any human food.  Keep these foods out of your pet’s reach and ensure that your garbage is not easily accessible by them as well.  If your pet has ingested any foods that may be toxic you should contact your veterinarian immediately or call Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, 24 hours a day.
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For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal health care, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts.  Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center, 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. For more information, visit www.amcny.org. To make an appointment, please call 212.838.7053.

Pedigree vs. Muttigree

Being a New Yorker, I read the New York Times and being a veterinarian, I read about pets. So when the New York Times started a new online column, “The Puppy Diaries,” I was compelled to read it. “The Puppy Diaries” is a weekly series about the challenges and satisfactions of raising a puppy through its first year of life.

The puppy star of “The Puppy Diaries” is Scout, a Golden Retriever. The first column generated over 100 reader comments, many criticizing the author’s decision to purchase a purebred dog rather than rescue a mixed breed mutt or adopt a dog from a shelter. Being a lover of dogs in general, and no breed in particular, this criticism swirled in my mind since the first column. I couldn’t decide who was right, the supporters of purebred dogs or the supporters of mutts. Both would bring happiness, companionship and challenges to their family.

I cannot think of an exact parallel, but I did think of some similar situations. Take for example, blue jeans. One can purchase wildly expensive designer jeans or much cheaper no-name jeans. Both types provide coverage and comfort, but owners of the designer jeans swear they are better and those with no-name jeans would never think of spending a large sum on blue jeans. The same is true for other apparel, such as shoes, scarves and handbags. Possibly a better example is children. Some families have children of their own and complete their family by adopting even when they could have more children of their own. Some families adopt, because they want to provide a good home for a child without one.

Similar reasoning may explain prospective dog owner’s choices. Some families, like Scout’s family, want the experience of raising a puppy and other families prefer to skip the puppy stage and adopt an older dog. Because of the dependable characteristics (size, personality and coat) of purebred dogs, selection of a particular purebred dog may be required. (Think Obama here, whose children required a hypoallergenic dog.) A mutt may fit better into a family wanting to share life with a canine companion.

Be it shoes, children or dogs, it is all about what you like, what is best for your family and how you chose to spend your money.

In the end, I think the two sides, mutts and purebreds, will need to agree to disagree on this topic. But in our disagreement, let’s not lose sight of what’s important. All pets should have a loving home, nutritious food, quality healthcare and an education so they become good members of society. Hey, but isn’t that true for humans and canines, alike?

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For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal health care, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts.  Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center, 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. For more information, visit www.amcny.org. To make an appointment, please call 212.838.7053.

Does Getting Older Mean Getting Slower?

Oftentimes the owners of my older patients dismiss changes in their pet’s behavior by saying, “Well, you know he is 13.” I would like to caution all of us to think critically about the changes we are seeing in our older pets and examine the potential causes of these changes.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners classifies a senior cat as one that is older than 11 years of age and the American Animal Hospital Association defines a senior dog as one older than 6 or 7 years of age. There is great variability in the expected lifespan of dogs compared to cats and your veterinarian may not consider your dog to be senior until 9 or 10 years of age, depending on the breed. Panels of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the American Animal Hospital Association recommend the senior pet be seen biannually.

Weight Gain
Older pets tend to pack on the pounds as they age. Your Dalmatian may be sluggish because she is carrying around too much weight for her slender frame.  Pet owners who are successful with a weight loss plan often comment on how much more active their pets are after they reach an ideal body weight. Veterinarians can help you to design a safe weight loss program which includes both diet and exercise for your pet. Obesity not only slows your pet down, but is a risk factor for diabetes, arthritis, respiratory disease, urinary tract disease and, worst of all, a shortened lifespan.

Arthritis
Slowing down may be a clinical sign of arthritis. Arthritis brings to mind the limping Lhasa or the achy Afghan, but did you know arthritis is commonly under-diagnosed in cats? Diet change, weight loss and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, specifically developed and tested in pets, can completely revert your arthritic pet’s personality back to normal.

Dental Problems
Tooth problems can also slow your pet down too. When a pet experiences pain, it often causes a pet to be quieter than usual and dental pain is no different. An oral examination should be part of a complete physical examination. Removal of plaque build up, extraction of diseased teeth and treatment with antibiotics may be necessary to bring your Persian with a pout back to its usual vigorous self.

Cancer
When some types of cancer occur in a senior pet, the only clinical sign seen by the pet owner is a general decrease in activity. The decrease in activity may be due to pain or may be due to the growth of the cancer. Internal cancers, such as those of abdominal organs, lungs or nasal passages are types that can progress undetected, with the only sign being general malaise in your pet. Your veterinarian my recommend diagnostic imaging, such as x-rays, an ultrasound or CT scan to detect a possible cancer.

So remember, age is not a disease. Be sure to have your senior pet checked on a regular schedule and whenever your Abyssinian is apathetic.

To make an appointment for your pet, please call The Animal Medical Center’s appointment desk at 212.838.7053.
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For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal health care, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts.  Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. For more information, visit www.amcny.org. To make an appointment, please call 212.838.7053.

Traveling Internationally with Your Pet

By Deirdre Chiaramonte, DVM, DACVIM, The Animal Medical Center

The key to successful international travel is to start planning early. First, review the pet policies of your foreign destination and call the consulate at least a year in advance to determine what vaccinations, blood tests and paperwork are required for your pet to successfully enter a foreign country. Regulations change unexpectedly and you should check with the consulate frequently to prevent a last minute rule change from thwarting your carefully planned trip.

For example, prior to 2002, travel to the United Kingdom was prohibited unless your dog was quarantined for 6 months! Quarantine is no longer required, but travelers should anticipate an involved process requiring multiple trips to the vet for vaccinations, blood tests, microchips and deworming. A useful website for UK travel information is http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm. There is also a helpful brochure to download called “Protecting the welfare of pet dogs and cats during journeys.” 

If you are thinking of traveling to a different hemisphere, there may be other requirements. For example, if you are traveling to Australia you need to apply for an AQIS import permit. Additionally, many countries use a ‘Pet Passport’ to facilitate pet travel. For more information, visit http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/qanda_en.htm.

Which pets should travel?
Not all pets should travel internationally. It is much safer if your dog or cat can travel under seat with you than in cargo for those long transoceanic flights. Besides geriatric dogs and dogs with chronic diseases – brachycephalic dogs, dogs with behavior issues (separation anxiety) and dogs with arthritis (staying in same position for long hours is hard on joints), also epileptic dogs should not travel  in cargo.

How to get there?
If traveling by sea, some ships have kennels, but most do not permit pets in the staterooms. Airline websites usually have their own section on pet travel rules and regulations and these sites will detail what crates they will approve for travel. Choose direct flights if possible and try to avoid the hottest or coldest part of the day to travel.

Label the crate (in English and the native language of the country to which you are traveling) with all identification and medical information in case you are separated from your pet due to unforeseen circumstances. Secure a photo of the pet to the crate, a copy of the medical record and some of the pet’s food so airline personnel can feed your pet in the event of an emergency. A large sticker saying LIVE ANIMALS should be placed on the crate as well. Animals should be familiar, comfortable and acclimated in their crates long before embarking on a trip. Supply your pet with a non-spill bowl for water inside the crate and line the bottom of the crate with absorbent paper.

On the day of travel, feed only a light meal a few hours before departing. Water can be frozen so it will thaw slowly and spill less or you can teach your pet to drink from a special water dispensing bottle attached to the inside of the crate. Veterinarians at The Animal Medical Center do not recommend sedatives due to possible adverse reactions and inability to react to certain situations such as take-off and landing.

Research Required
Once you have determined the travel regulations for your pet, the real research begins. You need to find pet-friendly hotels and a veterinarian who can handle emergencies at your destination. You will also need to plan for any changes in weather might affect your pet as well as determine the pooper-scooper laws at your destination.

Carry health and vaccine records, extra food, medication refills and extra copies of paper prescriptions, microchip information, extra leashes and collars and photos of the pet. You may elect to purchase a personal microchip reader to facilitate entry through customs.

Helpful websites:
www.pettravel.com
www.pettravelcenter.com
www.aphis.usda.gov

You may want to seek additional advice about international travel from a USDA accredited veterinarian. Ask your veterinarian if they hold this certification. If not, you may contact The Animal Medical Center for assistance. To make an appointment at The AMC, please call 212 838-7053.
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For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal health care, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts.  Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. For more information, visit www.amcny.org. To make an appointment, please call 212.838.7053.

Summer Travel with Your Pet Made Easy

To quote George Gershwin, “Summertime and the livin’ is easy,” but travelin’ with your pet requires more than just hopping in the car with your furry family member and heading off on a road trip. Here are some tips about travel for the pet-owning family.

Which pets should travel?
Travel is not for every pet. If you are going to be gone only a few days or less, it maybe better for your pet to stay home with a pet sitter, especially if you have a large dog and the trip involves air travel as cargo. (Read more on air travel in the “How to get there” section.) Geriatric animals may not be the best travelers either. Just like grandma, changes in schedule, water and nap time may not be the older pet’s idea of fun. Pets with chronic health conditions such as kidney disease or heart disease may decompensate from travel stress, so check with your veterinarian about the feasibility of traveling with your older pet.

How to get there
Pet owners are limited to travel by car or airplane since long distance trains and buses typically do not allow pets. Local buses and trains may allow small pets if they are confined in a carrier.

Car – If you are traveling by car, your pet needs to be restrained to protect your pet if you stop quickly and to protect you from being distracted by their antics. Seatbelts can attach to a special harness or you can use the existing seatbelts to curtail any movements of the pet carrier during quick stops.

Air – An excellent resource for the pet owner planning an airline trip is PetFlight.com. This site has travel tips, airline information and travel alerts. Each airline has its own rules about pets on flights, so be sure to check with your carrier well before your planned trip. Make sure your pet and its carrier meet the airline’ regulations, and you have the appropriate travel certificate from your veterinarian.

New to the world of pet travel is Pet Airways the only airline focused on transporting your pet as a passenger, not as cargo. The airline launched July 14, with flights between New York, Denver, Los Angles, Chicago and Washington, D.C.

What to pack
Although bulky, taking your pet’s regular food is likely to prevent a serious case of stomach upset and save you from having to find an emergency clinic and a new source of your pet’s regular food. Abrupt changes in food often set off a bout of vomiting and diarrhea. Litter is bulky too, but a necessity if you are traveling with a cat. Be sure to carry a copy of your pet’s most recent vaccinations. If your pet has health problems, ask your veterinarian for a summary letter explaining your pet’s condition in case you need veterinary care when your regular veterinarian’s office is closed. Be sure the letter lists your pet’s current prescriptions and most recent blood test results.

In addition to packing your pet’s medical information and food and bowls, you need to pack a leash/harness/collar and a backup set all with current ID tags. If your pet has not been microchipped, have your veterinarian implant one so your pet can be identified if it slips its collar.

If you will be staying in one location for more than a week, you might want to ask your veterinarian for a recommendation of a veterinarian in that area. You could also identify a veterinarian using the American Animal Hospital Association’s accredited hospital locator. Finding a veterinarian in advance will save time in an emergency.

Where to stay: finding a pet friendly hotel
The American Automobile Association has an advanced hotel option which allows you to search for hotels which allow pets. The website DogFriendly.com is also a good resource for all things dog friendly. If national parks are your destination this year, the website www.nps.gov can serve as your resource guide for parks and park lodging friendly to your pet.

Always follow good “petiquette” when staying in hotels with your pet. Cover the furniture with a sheet or blanket to protect it from hair. Crate your pet if you leave it alone in the hotel room while dining out and put the “do not disturb” sign on the door so hotel staff will not inadvertently open the door and let your pet escape. When walking your pet, keep away from the building and be sure to pack enough plastic bags to properly dispose of waste. Cats present a different set of problems in a hotel room. Picture yourself trying to get your “scaredy” cat out from underneath the hotel bed. Cats might be better confined in the hotel bathroom or in their travel crate.

While traveling with a pet may present some challenges, being well prepared can help to alleviate stress on you and your pet. ______________________________
For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal health care, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts. Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. For more information, visit www.amcny.org.

Big News in Cancer Treatment for Dogs!

Just last month, veterinary oncology had a first and as a board certified veterinary oncologist, this news just made my day. Until now, all chemotherapy agents administered to dogs were human drugs adapted for use by veterinarians. In June, the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine approved the use of Palladia® (toceranib phosphate) which was specifically developed for use in dogs and has safety and efficacy data from canine studies backing its use. Palladia is licensed for the treatment of recurrent mast cell tumors.

Veterinary oncologists have effective therapies for some dogs with mast cell tumors.  These treatments include surgery, human chemotherapy agents and radiation therapy.  But not all dogs have tumors amenable to surgical removal, not all tumors are in a location where radiation therapy can be safely administered and currently available chemotherapy agents do not cure every dog. So the first drug specifically developed for canine mast cell tumors is big news. 

Mast cell tumors are one of the most common skin tumors in dogs and are one of the most important cancers veterinary oncologists treat. Some dogs are unlucky enough to have multiple mast cell tumors or a mast cell tumor that keeps coming back in the same location. So a drug to help manage this common tumor is big news, redux.

Palladia belongs to a class of drugs known as tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The presence of abnormal tyrosine kinases in tumors results in the proliferation of tumor cells and the growth of new blood vessels to the tumor. These blood vessels provide nutrients to the growing tumor. Inhibition of tyrosine kinases by drugs like Pallada (or for humans, Gleevec®, another tyrosine kinase inhibitor) stops both cell proliferation and new blood vessel growth. Without nutrients and without cell proliferation the tumor shrinks. More big news.

Pfizer Animal Health is working with veterinary specialists to help them use Palladia effectively and safely. It is currently available from board certified veterinary specialists in oncology, internal medicine and dermatology. To find the specialist nearest you go to http://www.acvim.org/ for oncologists and internists and at http://www.acvd.org/ for dermatologists. Pricing for Palladia has not yet been announced.

Click here to download an information sheet about Palladia from The AMC.

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The Oncology Team at The Animal Medical Center

At The Animal Medical Center, specialists certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in the sub-specialty of Oncology and the American College of Veterinary Radiology in the sub-specialty of Radiation Oncology provide dedicated care for pets with cancer Monday through Saturday.  We take a team approach to cancer care, collaborating with specialists in the fields of diagnostic imaging, pathology, surgery and internal medicine to create a customized plan for the care of your pets .

You can reach The AMC Oncology staff by email or phone:

• Ann Hohenhaus, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology, Small Animal Internal Medicine)    
(212) 329-8612, Ann.Hohenhaus@amcny.org   
• Nicole Leibman, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
(212) 329-8696, Nicole.Leibman@amcny.org   
• John Farrelly, DVM, DACVR (Radiation Oncology), DACVIM (Oncology)
(212) 329-8794, John.Farrelly@amcny.org  
• Andrea Flory, DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)
(212) 329-8687, Andrea.Flory@amcny.org

MRSA Infections in Pets

The evening news and the morning papers often carry stories about the scary “super bug” Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. These stories can be so frightening as reporters describe patients who have succumbed to overwhelming infections unresponsive to antibiotics. 

To make matters worse, MRSA was recently in the news again. This time, researchers are suggesting our pets may be to blame for infecting human family members. Needless to say, these articles are causing alarm in many households where pets reside.

Hopefully the following information will help pet owners understand more about how this super bug is transmitted and what you should ask your veterinarian if you have concerns. 

First of all, MRSA is an uncommon bacteria. However, when transmission does occur, it happens on one of two ways. If the bacteria causes disease in animals or humans it is called infection. Infections usually occur in a surgical incision, a wound and occasionally without a prior injury. People and pets may also be “colonized,” meaning the MRSA is present, but not causing disease. Both forms of MRSA have been reported in dogs and cats. 

The potential for colonization of pets has been known for many years and most often occurs via transmission by infected humans or from environmental contamination. Pets are innocent bystanders in cases of colonization. In a recent study of dogs involved in animal assisted programs (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, June 2009), the nostrils and feces of 200 dogs were screened for MRSA at baseline and none were found to be colonized or infected. Of the 116 dogs that were exposed to health care facilities as part of their animal assisted program, 7 dogs tested positive for MRSA during the course of the study, while only 2 of the 78 dogs not exposed to health care facilities tested positive for MRSA. Clearly, dogs exposed to human healthcare facilities are at risk for MRSA colonization.

MRSA infection has been documented in pets, typically following orthopedic surgery or as a result of a pet’s skin allergy. Infectious disease experts have expressed concern that pets infected or colonized with MRSA could transmit the infection to their family members. Pets may serve as a reservoir for MRSA and facilitate recurrent infections in the human members of the household. Another potential route of MRSA infectious may be through bite injury. Two recent publications, one from the human side (The Lancet, Infectious Diseases, July 2009) and one from the veterinary side (Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, February 2009) have highlighted the risks of bite injuries from pets. At this time, bite injury transmission of MRSA has not been documented.

Is my pet is at risk for MRSA?

1.  If your pet has had an infection at the site of a surgery or developed an infection from a wound, ask your veterinarian to do a culture to identify the type of bacteria so that the appropriate antibiotic therapy can be prescribed.

2. If a human household member has been infected with MRSA, ask your veterinarian to culture the nostrils and feces of the pet or pets residing in the household. Pets and humans with positive cultures should be treated to eliminate colonization and break the transmission cycle. 

3. If your pet is a therapy cat or dog who often visit nursing homes, hospitals or children’s centers, have your vet conduct a thorough examination and develop a preventive healthcare program, with an emphasis on preventing diseases which may be transmitted to humans. For example, it is important for therapy pets to receive treatments for parasite prevention, rabies vaccination and screening nasal swabs and fecal cultures for MRSA. Pets eating a raw food diet may be at greater risk for shedding Salmonella and E. coli in the feces, which could present a hazard to humans participating in animal assisted therapy.

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For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal health care, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts.  Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. For more information, visit www.amcny.org. To make an appointment, please call 212.838.7053.

Dog Bone Safety

During these tough economic times, we all want to give to those less fortunate. These days the gifts may not be dollars, they may be gently used items or something we can’t use ourselves. The folks at Momofuku Noodle Bar in New York City are doing just that, they are donating the pork bones used to make noodle broth to dogs in local shelters.

While the spirit of the gift is admirable, the gift may not be exactly right. From a veterinarian’s perspective, cooked or raw, these bones are dangerous, and potentially deadly. The veterinarians at AMC are frequently called on to remove bones stuck in the esophagus of dogs.

In 2007, the veterinarians at at The AMC published a review of 60 dogs with foreign objects lodged in the esophagus in the Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. All 60 dogs were seen at AMC and 46 of them had bones lodged in their esophagus. The other 14 had various toys, food objects and plastic lodged in their esophagus. Six of the dogs studied suffered from permanent esophageal damage and 3 additional dogs died from complications attributed to the esophageal obstruction.

Raw bones carry the additional animal and public health concerns. Any raw meat diet contains some risk of bacterial contamination with dangerous organisms. Salmonella, Cryptosporidium and E. coli found in raw meat may make the dog eating the food sick or may contaminate the kitchen of those preparing the raw bones for dogs and result in human illness. Dogs eating raw food diets are more likely to shed E. coli and Salmonella in their feces and contaminate the environment.

The AMC dentistry service recommends dog chew toys with tooth safety in mind. On the no-no list are hard nylon chew toys, furry tennis balls (the fur is very abrasive to the teeth), hoof chews and compressed rawhide. They say yes to hard rubber chew toys and non-furry balls like handballs.

So hats off to everyone stepping up to help shelter animals; just be sure your gift is a safe one.
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For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal health care, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts. Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. For more information, visit www.amcny.org. To make an appointment, please call 212.838.7053.

Flea & Tick Treatments: Are They Safe or Not?

You may have heard or read recent media reports about pet owners who believe their animals have experienced harmful side effects from the use of “spot on” or “top spot” flea and tick preventatives. In fact, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal states that “the number of incidents reported to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the agency which regulates these pet treatments has increased 53% over the past year.”

This statistic came from a statement issued on April 16, 2009 by the Environmental Protection Agency announcing an increase in adverse event reports associated with application of EPA approved spot on flea and tick preventatives. The statement suggests that  The EPA will be intensifying its evaluation of all approved spot on products and issued an consumer advisory.

Does this mean you should stop administering the preventative to your dog or cat? Not at all, but it does mean you need to do some legwork to be your pet’s best healthcare advocate.

First, scrutinize the data. If product A has 100 adverse events reported and product B has ten adverse events reported, does that mean product A is ten times more likely to cause an adverse event than product B? Not necessarily.  The answer depends on how many doses of both products have been administered. If 100,000 doses of product A have been administered, it has an adverse reaction rate of 0.1%. If 10,000 doses of product B have been administered, it has an equal adverse reaction rate of 0.1%. 

Second, talk to your veterinarian. Have a conversation about the risks in your community of fleas and ticks carrying an infection. An urban, apartment-dwelling pet is not very likely to get ticks, but fleas can easily be transmitted in a carpeted apartment building hallway.  During this discussion, you and your veterinarian can choose the preventative for the pests most likely to affect your pet.  Your veterinarian will also know which flea and tick preventatives work best in your neighborhood. 

Finally, successful use of any medication requires you to follow the manufacturers guidelines and flea and tick preventatives are no different. In fact, the EPA reports the majority of adverse event occur because the pet owner does not follow the manufacturer’s guideline for use of the products. These guidelines are developed with your pet’s health and safety in mind.

This announcement involves only the spot on flea and tick preventatives under the jurisdiction of the EPA. Some flea and tick products are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. For additional information and a list of EPA regulated products, visit these sites:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/prodname-reg.pdf
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/flea-tick-control.html

The EPA suggests the following resources:
• The National Pesticide Information Center has collated information for consumers in the Least Toxic Pest Control Guide
• Less-Toxic Product List, a resource guide by Our Water, Our World

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For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal health care, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts.  Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. For more information, visit www.amcny.org. To make an appointment, please call 212.838.7053.

Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritic Pets

Arthritis is an important disease in geriatric dogs and is also becoming more widely recognized in cats. Estimates indicate as many as one in five dogs will suffer from arthritis as they age. This is the second in a two-part series on arthritis. The first blog covered the standard therapies for treatment of arthritis. This blog features expert information from Dr. Pamela Schwartz, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgery, of The AMC’s Surgery Department. She has an interest in the use of stem cells for the treatment of canine arthritis.

Stem cells are purified mesenchymal stem cells harvested from subcutaneous (under the skin) fat in dogs. These stem cells are not the controversial embryonic stem cells we hear about on the evening news, but they do possess the ability to develop into any cell in the body. In animal models, researchers have shown these stem cells have the ability to develop into cartilage cells if they are injected into the appropriate environment. Once they are injected into an inflamed, arthritic joint, they will turn into new cartilage cells to help repair the damage caused by osteoarthritis. 

Every dog is not a candidate for stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy is currently indicated for osteoarthritis and is not considered applicable to other chronic medical or neurological conditions. Dogs with cancer are not good candidates for this treatment. If there is a surgically repairable disease (i.e., ligament tear), we recommend surgery and reserve the use of stem cells for the future. 

Owners interested in having their dog evaluated for stem cell therapy must have a consultation with a stem cell credentialed veterinarian (The AMC currently has five stem cell credentialed doctors, including Dr. Schwartz). The evaluation includes a physical examination, blood work and chest radiographs.

If the dog is found to be a good candidate for stem cell therapy, an outpatient “fat harvest” will be scheduled. During the harvest, a small incision is made in either the groin, behind the shoulder blade, or into the abdomen. The dog is discharged from the hospital the same evening and the harvested fat is shipped overnight for processing. Forty-eight hours later, when the stem cells arrive back at AMC, the stem cells are injected into the affected joints while the dog is under sedation. Multiple joints may be injected on the same day and we’ve seen good results in arthritis of the hips, knees and elbows. 

Following stem cell therapy, the degree of lameness is reevaluated 30, 60 and 90 days after the injection. During these visits, both the owners and the vets will evaluate the degree of lameness to assess the dog’s improvement. We are pleased with the results we have seen in the patients we have treated with stem cells. They can go for longer walks, jump on and off the bed again and have a more comfortable life. 

For further information about stem cell therapy at The AMC or to schedule a consultation, please call Dr. Pamela Schwartz at 212.329.8756.

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The Department of Surgery at The AMC
The surgeons at The AMC, who are certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgery, provide seven-day-per-week expertise, state-of-the-art surgical techniques and emergency surgical care.  We also offer specialty services such as veterinary dentistry, rehabilitation and pet fitness services, orthopedics and soft-tissue surgery.  Our surgeons work closely with internal medicine, oncology, radiology, critical care and pathology specialists to coordinate testing and to determine the least invasive and effective procedures necessary to optimize patient outcomes.

Orthopedic Surgery
• Marc E. Havig, DVM, DACVS
212.329.8709
marc.havig@amcny.org
• Pamela Schwartz, DVM, DACVS
212.329.8756
pamela.schwartz@amcny.org
• Jason Syrcle, DVM
212.329.8809
jason.syrcle@amcny.org

Soft Tissue Surgery
• Janet Kovak McClaran, DVM, DACVS
212.329.8710
janet.kovak@amcny.org
• Pamela Schwartz, DVM, DACVS
212.329.8756
pamela.schwartz@amcny.org
• Jason Syrcle, DVM
212.329.8809
jason.syrcle@amcny.org

Arthritis in Your Pet

What is arthritis?
Arthritis is “doctor speak” for inflammation of one or more joints. It can be caused by infections such as Lyme disease or other tick borne organisms.  Uncommonly, aberrant responses of the immune system to medications, or unknown factors also causes arthritis in multiple joints at the same time. By far the most common cause of arthritis in dogs is due to injury to the cranial cruciate ligament (the cause of football knee in humans) or as a result of the developmental abnormality known as hip dysplasia. These forms of arthritis are often referred to as osteoarthritis. Most dog owners are aware of the possibility of osteoarthritis in their pets; however, veterinarians are just now beginning to diagnose osteroarthritis in older cats.

How is arthritis diagnosed?
You may be the first to suspect a diagnosis of arthritis in your pet. You may notice she is not moving around as much as usual or he is not racing to the door to greet a returning family member. Your dog may cut short her favorite walk or your cat may develop a limp. A routine annual physical examination by your veterinarian will give additional clues to the diagnosis.  He may detect a swollen joint, elicit pain during examination and feel crunching when the joints are manipulated. An x-ray will confirm the diagnosis.

How can arthritis be treated?
The main management strategy for osteoarthritis is exercise, diet and administration of analgesic medications and your veterinarians can determine if some or all of these interventions are right for your dog.

Exercise has a dual purpose in the management of arthritis. First, it facilitates weight loss. Overweight pets suffer more from arthritis than pets of an ideal body weight. Second, exercise will strengthen muscles which have become weak due to the inactivity resulting from the pain of arthritis. Your veterinarian may recommend rehabilitation therapy to strengthen muscles around the affected joint to improve function. Never undertake an exercise program in your pet without first consulting with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian can check the AMC website for posters which contain examples of exercises for both cats and dogs.

Diet also plays a dual role in the management of arthritis.  Certain pet foods have been formulated to support joint health. These foods contain glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate to promote improved joint function. They also contain optimized ratios of fatty acids which help to decrease inflammation in arthritis joints. If your veterinarian determines your pet is overweight, she may recommend a diet formulated to promote weight loss, which will improve your pet’s ability to get around. 

As recently as 10 years ago, there were very few medications on the market to control the pain of arthritis in dogs and cats. Today, there are multiple non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) available by prescription from your veterinarian. These medications are similar to drugs like ibuprofen and piroxicam for the treatment of arthritis in humans. These have been developed specifically for pets and overcome the toxicity problems with administering human arthritis medications to dogs and cats. These products are available as tablets, chewable pills, liquids and injections to meet the needs of every pet. Pet owners should never administer human arthritis medications to their pet as they can be toxic and result in serious life-threatening illness.

Finally, in some cases where the osteoarthritis is severe, surgery may be of benefit. Damaged ligaments in the joint may result in joint instability and surgical repair of the ligament may improve joint function, slow the progression or arthritis and eliminate pain. Removal of damaged bone may decrease pain and improve joint function, especially in small pets.  Replacement of the hip or knee joint is an option in the severely affected pet.

The newest treatment for arthritis in dogs is stem cell therapy. Your dog’s own stem cells are harvested from surgically collected fat.  The tissue is specially processed to allow the stem cells to be injected back into your dog. Our next blog will feature information from Dr. Pamela Schwartz, AMC veterinary surgeon, who will discuss her experience with stem cell therapy for arthritis.

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For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal health care, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts.  Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. For more information, visit www.amcny.org.

To make an appointment at The AMC, please call 212.838.7053.

How to Prevent Dog Bites

May 17-23 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week and The Animal Medical Center (AMC) is kicking it off on Saturday May 16th with “Don’t Be Ruff,” a dog safety fair at Asphalt Green on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. This event, sponsored by the Veterinary Medical Association of New York City, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Asphalt Green, Ada Nieves and Prima Dog, DoDo, and , Dick Flanagan-State Farm Insurance , is being held from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and is free! The event will be educational and fun for all age groups.

Dog bite injuries are a serious issue and comprise one percent of all emergency room visits. The good news is that dog bites are a preventable health concern. Prevention of dog bite injuries requires education about risk factors and avoidance strategies. These two issues will be the target of Saturday’s “Don’t Be Ruff” event, with educational information developed by AMC staff veterinarians. Friendly well trained dogs will be at the event to allow children to practice safe dog interactions.

Fortunately, due to research by veterinarians and physicians, we have identified easily modifiable risk factors associated with dog bite injuries. Those at greatest risk for being bitten are children between five and nine years of age. Most bite injuries in children are inflicted by a dog known to them, either the family dog or a neighbor’s dog. Postmen, home health care workers and meter readers are also at increased risk. Entering a dog’s “space,” interacting with a dog while it is eating or surprising a sleeping dog can provoke even a gentle dog to bite.

Certain dogs are more likely to be involved in bite injuries. Intact (not neutered) male dogs are three times more likely to be involved in dog bite injuries. Dogs that are kept tied up outdoors can be territorial, making them more prone to biting. Dogs with medical conditions are more likely to bite than dogs that are healthy.

Additionally, more bite injuries occur in the summer months, perhaps because children and dogs are frequently together outdoors or perhaps dogs are cranky, just like the rest of us are when it is hot and sticky outside.

The veterinarians at The Animal Medical Center recommend proper care and training of the family dog to help prevent bite injuries because behavior is a reflection of both emotional and physical health. The AMC suggests every dog see its veterinarian annually to spot any correctable health problems early. Due to their increased risk for biting, all male dogs should be neutered at about six months of age. Spaying is done in female dogs at the same age, but for different health benefits. Obedience training teaches dogs to politely interact with humans and other dogs and will make a dog less likely to bite.

Several simple steps can help protect family members from dog bite injuries. All children should be taught the steps of safely interacting with dogs and coached to ask a dog owner if he/she can pet a dog they meet. Parents should be extra vigilant about dog safety in the summer, since most dog bite injuries occur in the warmer months. All interactions between children and the family dog should be supervised. Playing with your dog is important, but the games you play should not be tug of war or chasing games which could get out of control and lead to an inadvertent bite. When walking your dog, it should be under your control on a leash to allow you to prevent an unwanted interaction with a stranger or strange dog.

Following these guidelines can help keep you and your dog safe. Join us next Saturday, May 16th at “Don’t Be Ruff” and find out how to play it safe with your beloved pets. For additional information about this event, please contact Courtney Rabb at 212.329.8666 or courtney.rabb@amcny.org or visit www.amcny.org.

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For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal healthcare, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts. Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center, 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. Visit www.amcny.org for more information.

Celebrate National Pet Week, May 3-9, 2009

This week is National Pet Week, but for some of us, every day is “Love Our Pet Day.” These days, many caring  pet owners are being faced with difficult economic decisions. During these tough economic times, pet owners may be tempted to delay or even skip preventive healthcare for their pets, but this could prove to be “pennywise and pound foolish.” The staff of The Animal Medical Center recommends routine visits to your veterinarian to allow early identification of medical issues before they become extensive and expensive problems.

To make the most of your visit with the veterinarian, advance preparation is required. Doing your homework will help you to readily answer your veterinarian’s questions, focus your veterinarian’s attention on potential problems you have identified and decrease the need for return visits to deliver additional samples or have procedures performed. Below are The Animal Medical Center’s suggestions to make the most of your veterinary healthcare dollars.

Before visiting your veterinarian:
• Create a list of pet’s current medications, diet and dietary supplements to bring with you to the visit. 
• Write down a list of questions to ask your veterinarian regarding diet, exercise or other health concerns.
• If your pet has skin bumps and lumps you want evaluated, be sure you know where they are located so you do not waste your appointment time hunting for them. In light colored pets, a permanent magic marker can be used to color the overlying fur to make the lump easier to find. In dark coated pets, you make want to make a drawing to indicate where the mass is.
• The night before the visit, take up any food bowls and the morning of the visit, skip your pet’s breakfast. An empty stomach makes sedation safer, if sedation is required for a minor procedure. Blood tests are easier to interpret in a fasted pet.
• On the morning of the visit, collect a urine sample and a fecal sample.  Having these available at the time of the visit may save you another trip to the veterinarian to drop them off. If they are not needed, the samples can easily be disposed of in the trash.

While at the veterinarian’s office:
• Restrain the pet properly in the waiting area with a collar and leash or a sturdy carrier. A waiting room altercation with another anxious patient will distract you and your pet from the task at hand.
• During the examination, don’t be afraid to ask the veterinarian to muzzle or sedate your pet if it is very fearful and may injure itself or the clinic staff.

When visiting a new veterinarian or bringing a new pet to your current veterinarian:
• Have all your pet’s medical records with you at the time of the visit.
• The day before the visit, confirm the directions to the veterinary hospital, double check the date and time of the appointment and investigate parking options so you arrive on time and prepared to focus on your conversation with the veterinarian.

After the visit as been completed:
• Have a nutritious, low-calorie snack ready to reward your pet for a job well done.
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For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal healthcare, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts.  Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center, 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. Visit www.amcny.org for more information.

Celebrating Our Veterinarians

Saturday, April 25th was World Veterinary Day, celebrating the contributions veterinarians have made to society. The 2009 theme was “Veterinarians and Livestock Farmers, a Winning Partnership.” Livestock veterinarians care for food and fiber producing animals and are responsible not only for the health of those animals but the safety of our food supply as well. 

Although this year World Veterinary Day focused on the livestock facet of veterinary medicine, the profession has much more to offer its members and society as a whole. The diversity of career options is endless. Veterinarians provide healthcare for dogs and cats and livestock, but also laboratory and zoo animals. There are shortages of food animal veterinarians and veterinarians involved in research. The government employs veterinarians who protect the food supply and protect humans and our animal companions from infectious diseases. Some veterinarians are teachers who train the next generation of animal caregivers. 

Society recognizes the importance of veterinarians and ranks veterinary medicine as one of the most respected professions. Seventy one percent of respondents to a 2006 Gallup poll ranked veterinarians as having a high or very high regard for honesty and ethical standards. Members of the veterinary profession find it a satisfying profession. A member survey sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association, found veterinarians scored 3.55 in job satisfaction. This data was compared to similar data on job satisfaction from the Nation Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, where clergy scored 3.79, teachers 3.61 and physicians 3.47. Overall, for all surveyed professions, the average score was 3.33 which places veterinarians well above average in happiness and job satisfaction. 

So why is being a veterinarian such a great job? Maybe it’s the unlimited opportunities the profession offers. But a recent study published in the British Medical Journal suggests another reason. This study found that happiness is contagious. This phenomenon of “social network contagion” may be reflected in the veterinary profession where one happy and satisfied veterinarian befriends a co-worker and spreads his/her good mood to colleagues.

Whatever the reason, shortly after children go through the “I want to be a policeman” phase, they go through the “I want to be a veterinarian” phase. Perhaps because we all find the idea of helping sick animals so appealing.  Which one of us didn’t want to save that baby squirrel using a doll bottle or hand raise the fledgling robin in a shoebox? Some of us never got out of that phase and are very happy we didn’t.

Happy World Veterinary Day to all!
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For nearly a century, The Animal Medical Center has been a national leader in animal healthcare, known for its expertise, innovation and success in providing routine, specialty and emergency medical care for companion animals. Thanks in part to the enduring generosity of donors, The AMC is also known for its outstanding teaching, research and compassionate community funds. Please help us to continue these efforts. Send your contribution to: The Animal Medical Center, 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065. For more information, visit www.amcny.org.

Microchipping Your Pet

April 19-25 is National Pet ID Week!

New York City is a walking city.  Although there is good public transportation, New Yorkers walk around our neighborhoods doing errands at the grocery store, the drug store or the dry cleaner. We walk around other people’s neighborhoods to visit friends and go to good restaurants.  Children walk to school and adults walk to work.

Everywhere you go in New York City, you’ll find people walking, many times with their dogs. In New York City, you can find dogs everywhere. Dogs are often found patiently waiting outside the bagel shop, getting a bite or two from the brunch table at an outdoor restaurant or playing with their families in the park. Lucky dogs walk to work, spend the day in the office and walk home again at night. 

I was out walking to school the other day and saw something that upset me terribly, a dog out for its morning stroll off-leash and without a collar at the intersection of two busy New York City streets. What if that dog had been spooked by a car and ran into the street? Without a leash, the owner had no ability to control the dog’s actions. Worse, what if the dog had run away?  How could the dog have been reunited with its owner if it didn’t have its collar and ID tags?

The news is full of stories of pets that travel hundreds of miles to reunite with their families, but in reality less than ¾ of lost dogs are returned to their owners. Pet owners can be proactive about pet identification to give their pet the best chance at being returned to them if they get lost.  All pets should have a microchip implanted under the skin. This device is smaller than a rice grain but contains vital information if you and your pet should become separated. The microchip is read with a handheld device which displays a number linked to your contact information in a database. Animal shelters, rescue groups and veterinarians typically have these devices to help determine the identity of a stray pet.  

A recent study about the return of lost dogs to their owners, published in the Journal of the Veterinary Medical Association, has 2 important take home messages about pet identification. First, not enough dogs have microchips, only about 10% of dogs in this study were chipped. Second, dogs with ID tags were more quickly returned to their families because the dog did not have to be transported to a facility for the microchip to be read. So before you walk your dog make sure to have both a microchip and an ID tag so your dog will be with you for its walk tomorrow. Don’t forget to microchip your cat too!  Cats can often escape from our homes and be mistaken for strays, so microchipping is important for them as well. Microchipping your pet is done quickly and easily and can be a lifesaver is your pet ever becomes lost.

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About Dr. Ann E. Hohenhaus
A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Dr. Hohenhaus is certified in both Oncology and Small Animal Internal Medicine. She is a 1985 graduate of Cornell University and has over 20 years of experience as a practicing veterinary oncologist. Her postgraduate training was conducted at The Animal Medical Center in New York City, which provides veterinary postgraduate education, conducts clinical research and provides health care to over 30,000 individual pets annually.  Currently, Dr. Hohenhaus serves as the Senior Medical Advisor at The AMC.  She has lectured nationally and internationally, most recently throughout Japan as part of the Japanese Animal Hospital Association’s 30th Anniversary celebration. Her areas of research are vaccine associated sarcomas, transfusion medicine and canine mast cell tumors.

For more information about The Animal Medical Center or to make a donation, visit www.amcny.org.

Holistic Rehabilitation Therapies for Pets

As the acceptance and demand for holistic therapies in humans increases, many pet owners are seeking similar therapies for their pets as well. As a result of this increased demand, the American Veterinary Medical Association has established guidelines for veterinary acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathic and holistic treatment.

The Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation and Fitness Service at The Animal Medical Center (AMC) offers a wide array of therapies for pets, including holistic approaches such as acupressure, acupuncture and Reiki.

Acupressure
Acupressure is an ancient healing art using the fingers and other parts of the body to skillfully press key points (see image, right), which stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. Acupressure uses gentle to firm pressure and integrates body work therapies, therapeutic touch, somatic work, healing imagery, energy psychology and massage therapy techniques. The goal of practicing acupressure is to restore and maintain the natural balance needed in the body to create optimal health and well-being. Some benefits of acupressure include strengthening muscles, joints and bones, increasing blood flow and reducing swelling and inflammation.

Acupuncture
The word acupuncture comes from the Latin acus (needle) and pungere (to prick). Traditional Chinese acupuncture points are situated on meridians along which qi, the vital energy, flows. When these trigger points are stimulated, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body’s life force energy to aid healing. Acupuncture involves inserting fine, sterile, disposable needles into specific body parts. When these trigger points are stimulated, they release muscular tension and promote circulation of blood and the body’s life force energy to aid healing.

Acupuncture and acupressure use the same pressure points and meridians, but acupuncture employs the use of needles. Many conditions may benefit from acupuncture treatments, including orthopedic and neurological conditions. Acupuncture also stimulates the release of certain neurotransmitters like endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killers, and smaller amounts of cortisal, an anti-inflammatory steroid.

Reiki
Reiki is a gentle, noninvasive, holistic energy healing system that yields powerful results for body, mind and spirit. Reiki is a wonderful healing tool for pain relief following surgery, easing symptoms of chronic conditions and calming an animal’s anxiety and fear.

The Rehabilitation and Fitness service offers Reiki sessions to both inpatients and outpatients. Reiki can be offered in conjunction with rehabilitation or as individual Reiki sessions.

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The Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation and Fitness Service at
The Animal Medical Center
The only facility of its kind in New York City, The AMC’s Rehabilitation and Fitness Service provides innovative and state-of-the-art therapies for cats, dogs, birds and exotic animals. The Service specializes in non-invasive therapies to prevent the need for surgery, and in cases where surgery has been performed, it helps to accelerate and achieve a more complete recovery. Therapies offered include hydrotherapy, treadmills and deep-tissue ultrasound, as well as holistic therapies such as Reiki, Acupuncture and Acupressure.

The Service is directed by a team of professionals who are experts in the rehabilitative care of companion animals, including New York City’s only Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioners and Therapists.

The Rehabilitation and Fitness Service Staff
Deirdre Chiaramonte, DVM, DACVIM
Renee Shumway, LVT, CCRP
Taisha Gonzalez, LMT, LVT, CCRP
Shawna Sheridan, LVT

To reach the Rehabilitation and Fitness Service, call 212.329.8610 or email rehab.fitness@amcny.org.

For more information about The Animal Medical Center or to make a donation, visit www.amcny.org.