MY dog has fleas??

           As a veterinarian, one would think that I am on top of my game when it comes to my own pets.   Well you can imagine my shock and embarrassment 2 days ago when my boyfriend was petting my dog and said to me… “Cupcake has fleas.”  He saw one. Just one.  But a flea??  On my perfect little puppy?? (Ok, she might be around 12 years old).  And even though you only have seen one flea, that is just the tip of the iceberg in flea-land!  Impossible… I had been diligent about her flea and tick medication… hadn’t I?  -Time to think back-  It has been a busy few weeks.  I moved across the country and back to Southern California a week ago. The week before that I had just gotten back from my first trip to China.  I was in China for almost 3 weeks, and the last time I put medication on Cuppy was….. okay, so it’s been about 6 weeks! Eek!  No wonder the fleas were drawn right to the perfect host- she had no protection.  Fleas are found in the environment and wait for their hosts to walk near by, then they jump at the right moment and make themselves right at home.  Flea and tick medications should be applied every 4 weeks, or even every 3 weeks if they have gotten any baths (which her stinky-butt has), so she was long overdue.  So I hope sharing this story has taught you a few lessons:  1)  Nobody’s perfect  2) Fleas are still out there, so be diligent to protect your furry ones!  It’s an itchy world out there…  

 

Some advice on spaying and neutering...

Number 1: Please spay and neuter your animals.

Number 2: Please spay and neuter your animals.

Number 3: It’s spay and neuter, not spaded and nuttered.

Number 4: Dogs spayed before their first heat cycle (aka menstruation/aunt flow/period, puberty, etc) have 0.5% risk of developing mammary gland cancer when they get older.  Those spayed after their first heat cycle still only have an 8% risk compared to intact dogs (so it’s not too late).  In pups, the chances of mammary cancer being malignant are approximately 50%!  In cats, breast cancer is over 90% malignant!  (They tend to spread quickly) In males, it decreases their chances of getting testicular cancer… because there are no testesees.  But it also decreases chances of having problems with their prostate as well. 

Number 5: Intact females are at risk for developing severe and potentially fatal infections of the uterus known as “pyometra” (pyo = pus, metra = uterus… sorry, but you can vom now).  Treatment for pyometra involves emergency surgery to remove the uterus. (Hint: a routine spay is much more, extremely, ridiculously, cheaper, safer and controlled than emergency surgery in a sick, unstable patient with a pyometra.) 

Number 6:  Population control. Millions of animals are euthanized in shelters each year due to overpopulation.  That sucks. 

Number 7:  If you are thinking about breeding your pet and have never done it before, I suggest not doing it.  This is an undertaking that should be performed by experienced and responsible breeders.  There are significant health risks that can occur both before, during and after having pups/kittens.  So if you are thinking about breeding your pet (which is not really recommended, then educate yourself first, be prepared, seek veterinary care before undertaking such a task!) Plus see Number 6. 

Number 8: To close, pretty please spay and neuter your animals? 

Thanks in advance,

Dr. Chu (and all the aminals)

Ode to a cat lady

This is for the wonderful client sportin’ that cornflower blue, oversized tee shirt with a gigantic cat dome on it.  You can’t imagine how much I enjoy your visits.  You make an appointment for one pet and show up with three.  But its okay, we can squeeze you all in to a 20 minute appointment.  What’s that perfume you are wearing?  Eau de cigarettes and cat piss?  Just lovely.  And yes we know that when we say you have 6 cats at home with a cringed face, that really means you have 15.  No, no, of course we aren’t judging you… much.  But listen, we know that you want the best for your cats.  That’s why you decline every recommendation we make.  But I truly do cherish our time together, and can’t wait for my eye twitch to return the next time I see you on the scheduler.  Til next time! 

Hello again!

It’s been a loooooong time since my last post!  Five months (that’s 3 years in dog time) to be exact.  What’s the hold up?  Well, I guess a small factor could have been the fact that I was working 70+ hours a week as a slave… I mean intern… at a very busy small animal emergency and specialty practice.  But hooray!  It’s finished now and hopefully I’ll have more time to dedicate to this lovely little web/blog thingy that 2 people read :) (I might count as one).  The second reason why I haven’t written anything is the pressure! As an overachieving A student w/ asian parents (more panda dad than tiger mom style though) I am my own worst enemy of course.  I was trying to make every single entry perfect and 100% complete.  Well I decided to relax!  Like this little man below. I don’t think any further explanation is necessary, or interesting.  

 So, hopefully you’ll be hearing more from me in the future!  To close and to commemorate my new sense of zen I’d like to quote the Dalai Lama (or as my mother tried to pronounced his name today the Dama Mama): “Today, more than ever before, life must be characterized by a sense of Universal responsibility, not only nation to nation and human to human, but also human to other forms of life.” And that is my goal…  

"I'll do one!!" (Got a boozehound?)

Have you noticed recently that your pet has developed a… ahem… drinking problem?  Lately have they been hittin up the bowl so much that they are peeing in places they shouldn’t?  Like in the house when they used to be able to hold it? Or outside of the litter box?  

Well… the first step to fixing a problem is admitting determining for sure that there is a problem!  If you have noticed an increase in Pedro’s agua drinking then answer the following questions:

-Is it consistent and not associated with an increase in activity level or temperature outside?  (If your pet acts like every day is thirsty Thursday then this is a red flag!)

-Now, count how many times you have to refill the bowl in a day/week.  Has that number increased significantly from before?  (Many owners fail to identify or notice such changes in their pets habits so gold star for you.)

So now you must be thinking, why is this important and what does this meeeean??  What does this meeean??

Drinking a lot (polydipsia aka PD) and peeing an increased volume of urine (polyuria aka PU) can mean a lot of different things.  Some of the most common causes of PU/PD include- diabetes mellitus, renal disease, metabolic diseases, uterine infections (intact female dogs and cats only!) and even possibly (but don’t panic) cancer.  Some drugs can cause PU/PD too- two of the most common ones used include steroids (Prednisone) and the anti-seizure medication (Phenobarbital).  

http://thepetwiki.com/wiki/How_to_Toilet_Train_Your_Cat

So how do we figure out what the problem is?  Routine bloodwork and urine analysis can help rule out obvious causes of an excessively thirsty pet.  But more specialized blood tests, or imaging such as abdominal ultrasound may be necessary to look closer at organs in the body such as the liver, adrenal glands, or the kidneys.  

Treatment will entail addressing the cause of the PU/PD.  Owners should not withhold water from their pets in the hopes that they will stop urinating in the house.  This is cruel and can lead to dehydration!  This problem can be extremely frustrating (but it’s not their fault!) and the sooner the problem is identified, the sooner steps can be taken to manage the disease.  

So pay attention when Fido's had one too many... it can be a sign of other more serious and potentially treatable problems! 

http://www.tanmonkey.com/fun/dog-cat-overdose.php

Cheers!

Dr. Chu

More to love?

Finally convinced that Fluffy's got a badunkadunk?  Check out these tips on how to cut some calories. 

Step away from the beggin strips!

Lots of stores stock tons of fatty, high calorie pet treats.  Skip these (and save some $$$) by feeding healthy snacks you may already have around the house.  Crunchy green beans or fresh baby carrots are a favorite for some of my patients!  My pup will roll over 10 times for some steamed or boiled greens without added oil, spices or seasonings.  Remember- onions and garlic are toxic to pets’ red blood cells (hellooo anemia!) so keep these far away from those furry food monsters.  (nom! nom! nom!) Not sure which veggies are safe? Try some cooked broccoli, celery, sweet potatoes or even a bite or two of asparagus.  (No, I don’t know if it makes their pee smell funny…) A few small pieces of fruit are also a healthier snack alternative.  Good choices include apples and oranges (sans seeds), bananas, cantelope, and watermelon.  Of course steer clear or grapes and raisins as those can cause life threatening kidney failure! 

Just say no!

Make em work for it!

There are lots of products on the market that are made for encouraging activity or slowing down how fast your dogs and cats eat their food.  The basis behind these products are that pets use energy in order to play with a toy until treats pop out of them (yea, kinda sounds a little like torture, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.)  Premier brand has a line of Busy Buddy dog toys for dogs and cats that you can check out.  For bigger dogs with strong chompers a more durable Kong may be a better fit.  Slap a little low fat peanut butter inside of it and stick it in the freezer to keep your big bear entertained.  For those of you who are “frugal” (aka a low budget b*tch like my gal dana) try one of these DIY toys:  Clean out a plastic drink bottle and remove the cap and ring.  Place a few kibble or treats inside and let them play!  Be sure to keep a watchful eye and take it away if they start to chew holes or tear up the plastic.  If the kibble comes out too quickly you can also keep on the cap and drill a couple of holes slightly bigger than the kibble into the bottle.  This will make it much more challenging!

Ball? Where's the ball? Gotta get the ball.

Most pets spend the majority of their time loungin on the couch (lucky bastards).  Well, it's time to get that tail wagging and burn some calories!  Whether its encouraging playing patty cake, fetch, doing this, or just going for a brisk (and glorious in their eyes) walk while makin yellow snow, get active!  For some cats this can mean laser pointer mania, for others it can mean crazy dancing ribbon time. You know what I mean.  It doesn't matter how you do it, but encouraging play is not only good for them, it's good for us too and promotes bonding, exposure to fresh air and even neighborhood socializing. (so you get off ya booty too) 

Special diets

Think you’ve tried everything?  Well, it might be time to bust out the big guns!  And when I say big guns, I mean, a little trip to the vet to get a prescription (at their discretion of course).  While each food differs, in general, they are specially formulated to be lower in calories, sometimes higher in fiber (for dogs) and meant to keep pets fuller longer.  So they feel fuller longer and spend less time begging

 

There are many veterinary prescription diets from companies such as Purina, Royal Canin and Hills.  My favorite one for cats is actually meant for diabetic patients and is called Purina DM.  It's higher in protein and lower in carbohydrates, which is similar to their carnivorous eating habits.  For dog’s, diets such as Purina OM or Royal Canin Calorie Control, can help patients with those stubborn love handles!

Well, hopefully those tidbits help a little bit!  But always remember, when all else fails, YOU are the one who is in control of your pet’s fupa-liciousness (due to the whole no opposable thumbs thing).  Oh yah, and lay off the booze!  

"Bridgette" Terra and her night cap
(Do not try this at home) 

Til next time! 
Dr. (deniez meh cheezburger) Chu

a quick note on pet names

When it comes to pet names, I like cute, unique ones as much as the next animal lover.  But there is a fine line of acceptable things to call your pet.  I think I speak for almost all vets and pet nurses when I say that I do not necessarily enjoy walking around the waiting room calling "Pussykins" or "Boobers" into room 3.  Another one that makes me cringe a bit is "Skitters".  That seems like an innocent name, and most likely would be, if my friends hadn't already denoted it to mean having the runs.  So now it mostly elicits an involuntary facial cringe.  Sometimes when I get pets with longer names such as "Yum Yum Buttersnuff the Third" it really puts me in a dilemma, especially if its the first time we have met.  Should I be proper and call the patient by their full name?  Or just skip the formalities and address her as Yum Yum?  The last thing I want to do is be rude. 

So whats in a name? As you can see, maybe a little more than you'd think.  The next time I encounter any "special" nombres (switched it up on ya) I think I'll just take the safe road and say Sweetie...

Trust me, I've had my share of name issues ;)
Dr. Ah-Chu!

PS. Since I promised it wasn't all about bitching... here is a little shout out to a few great pet names:

-Pugasaurus Rex

-Oprah

-Cayenne

-Oh and this is Stella, she'd be amazingly adorable even if her name was Stinky.

What good names have you heard?   

"Stella" the Bulldog puppy

Buster's got back

So Dog Fancy says yo fat?  Well… I am down with that.  Your vet isn’t just picking on you when he says your pet is a little “big boned”.  We all love our pets and want to make them happy. So we give in with extra treats and bits of table food here and there.  I feel the same way when those big brown wishful eyes are looking up at me, and I have a little innocent morsel on my plate.  But these little scraps add up and so do the pounds and the next thing we know, we are tipping the scales at borderline obese! 

http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00389/fat_cat_384_389178a.jpg

"I don't think you're ready for this jelly... "
It has been estimated that approximately 50%(!!!) of cats and dogs in the US are overweight.  You might be thinking… what’s wrong with a little more to love?  But being overweight is not a cosmetic issue.  That extra weight can contribute to changes in behavior such as decreased energy, playing, and grooming.  But more importantly it can exacerbate serious health problems such as orthopedic (arthritis, torn ACL), respiratory (laryngeal paralysis, brachycephalic syndrome), metabolic (diabetes, fatty liver) and urinary issues to just name a few.  Sadly those extra calories have also been correlated with a shorter life span as well. 

Now I know you are thinking- “That’s nice but MY pet is not heavy.”  Are you sure about that?  In a survey of pet owners, the majority of them viewed their pets as ideal body weight whereas their pet’s Body Condition Score (I’ll review this in a bit) said otherwise.  So it miiight be possible that you just didn’t realize that Muffin was so voluptuous.  Well, here is how you can tell what a fine figure looks like:  Body Condition Score is a value from 1-9 (some vets use a 1-5 scale) with 5 being the ideal BCS, 1 is emaciation and 9 is morbid obesity.  It evaluates a few basic things: 

-Are the ribs easily felt with minimal fat covering?

-Is the waist easily noted when viewed from above?

-Does the tummy tuck up when viewed from the side?

Take a look at the following chart then grade your little fuzzies at home. 

http://www.purina.com/dog/weight-and-exercise/bodycondition.aspx

Here is the link for cat lovers

Finally coming around?  Well the challenge doesn’t stop here.  It’s not just hard for humans to shed the junk in the trunk; it can be very difficult for pets as well.  That’s why it’s best to consult with your veterinarian to formulate a weight loss plan to make sure (number 1) the pounds come off and (number 2) they come off safely and in an appropriate time frame.  (Drastically dropping the weight in dogs and cats can lead to serious problems as well.  Concurrent health problems may also change the recommendations of your vet.) 

It’s not too late to improve your pet’s quality of life.  There was a study in patients with severe hip osteoarthritis who lost weight over the course of 6 months.  They started showing progress within a few weeks and by the end of the 6 months there was marked improvement in the ability to get around/decreased limping/pain.  The same can be applied to other conditions. 

OK, so hopefully it’s understood why that extra jiggle isn’t so cute.  I know I sound harsh but it’s only because I see the consequences every day in the hospital!  So you might be thinking, now what do I do?  Well step one is speaking with your vet directly as they know your pets best, but my next entry will include some pointers. 

So stay tuned… and lay off the snausages!

Dr. Chu

Business time

When it comes to trying to diagnose your sick pet with…. bathroom issues, one of the most frustrating things owners can do is be a poor historian.  Now I know the whole poop issue is kind of gross, but it’s important!  For those of you who take your dogs on leashed walks and do the scoopin, it’s easy.  I’m talking about the types that open the back door, let them do their bidness and run back in.  We are all busy but a little info can go a long way during the vet visit.  So don’t be shy- its ok to invade Skippy’s PBT (or personal bathroom time -as my best friend calls it).  

http://dogs.icanhascheezburger.com/2007/12/20/cant-poop-wif-you-watchin/

 

(This next section is not for those currently eating dinner or with a weak stomach.  You’ve been warned.) 

If you can’t be bothered to keep an eye on your pet’s “eliminations” then at least try to pay attention the next time they aren’t feeling so hot.  Some highlights your vet may ask about your pet going number two include:  Is there straining?  blood?  loose stools?  mucus?  scooting?  more/less than usual?  These are important points which help us differentiate the types of problems that can cause a rumblin in the tummy.  Other pertinent history includes any recent diet changes, medications they have received, any toys/raw hides that have gone missing recently and/or travel history.  There is an endless list of diseases that can cause loose stools that range from diet changes, parasites, and food allergies to more serious problems such as inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, or enzyme deficiencies. 

(OK, it’s safe to read again)

Another pet peeve of vets is that it drives us crazy when we cannot speak with the pet’s owner.  If you are the mom/dad and have all the information and your significant other/pet sitter/hobo you met on the street brings Max to the vet, then the first point is moot.  Please be present or at least reachable.  We and your pet thank you in advance. 

Before I close, I just want to mention that there is NO anti-diarrhea injection!  Many clients come into the hospital wanting a magical shot to stop potty problems.  This does not exist.  To help calm the bowels you need to either find the source of the problem and correct/manage that, or treat supportively with diet or medications to decrease inflammation or to decrease the risk of bacterial translocation (bacteria moving from the GI tract into the blood stream).  If your pet is very sick then hospitalization with fluid therapy may also be necessary. 

To summarize, my main points of the day include:

1)      Keep a watchful eye on your pets “gifts”  

2)      Doo be able to actually relay the information to the doctor

Ya hearrrrrd????

http://www.zastavki.com/eng/Animals/Dogs/wallpaper-13707-16.htm

With a complete history, physical exam and maybe even bringing in a "donation" from your pet, you can help us to do our jobs better.  (Depending on the problems we are seeing, additional tests may be suggested such as a fecal exam, bloodwork or radiographs. But lets take things step by step.) 

Take care and good poops for all!

Dr. Chu

(BTW, did you like how many synonyms I used for the word poop?)

Its not ALL about b*tching…

Writing a blog is probably one of the last things I'd imagined I would be doing as an intern.  First of all, who has the time?  I work 10-12 hour days- then have barely enough time to eat, sleep or do a load of laundry.  Second of all, I am not nearly literate enough to write something worth publishing. Lastly, believe it or not, I am somewhat of a private person.  Never one to share my innermost thoughts with people I do not know; let alone where the public can access it!  Despite these nagging thoughts, I was able to rationalize against them with the following arguments: 

• Blogs have no deadlines- so I can write whenever I want aka keep my eyes open past 9pm. 
• It is likely that I’d find an audience that is more forgiving of my ADD literary style - engrish majors please bite your tongues…  
• The last and most important reason why I decided to just go for it is that there are just too many jewels that I have gained through my experiences and from working in an emergency room to not share it with others!  Plus, so few veterinarians speak their minds (publicly), about many things, especially things that we wished owners did (which helps us do our jobs better, but it helps keep their pets healthy as well). 

So here is my chance to share (and maybe b*tch just a little bit) and here is your chance to sneak a peek into the life of a small animal veterinarian.  I hope other people (as well as myself) are able to gain something from this experiment... either that or at least be slightly entertained!