Saying Goodbye

This is a topic none of us enjoy talking about, but we seem to have had to say goodbye to many friends this past week or two. That has led all of us at Holly Tree Animal Hospital to revisit our own experiences with euthanasia. The first thing to remember when the decision to help your friend pass more comfortably approaches is that this is a merciful decision you are making. That doesn't necessarily make it easier because you will experience emotions you may not be ready for. We try to help you in any way we can. At our hospital we discuss the impending decision as much as you wish, and we allow you to make as many decisions as possible. We place an intravenous catheter to make the actual injection more comfortable for you companion. You can visit as long as you wish before and after the passing of your family member. We offer cremation with or without the return of your pet's cremains, or you may take you friend home for a private burial. We also make a clay imprint of your companion's paw as a keepsake for you and your family.

We use Good Shepherd Pet Services as our cremation provider. We invite you to visit their website at www.goodshepherdpet.com. Here you will find a description of their full range of services and links to grief hotlines to help you with any emotional issues you are having difficulty handling alone. You may also post a memorial to your friend on their website.

Although the actual decision to end your pet's life is very difficult, it is one we feel honored to help you make. Helping a cherished family member pass with dignity and decreased suffering is a responsibility we take very seriously at Holly Tree Aniaml Hospital. Please call us if you have any questions about this topic.

How Hot is Too Hot?

Here's a good question as we battle through the early Dog Days of Summer. Well, the heat is definitely important, but if you're a dog it's the humidity that makes the biggest difference. Remember that a dog's most effective means of cooling down is through evaporative cooling from the lungs during panting. When the humidity increases this system becomes more inefficient. A combination of high temperatures and high humidity can quickly induce hyperhtermia, or heat stroke, in a dog. While young, active dogs can be most susceptible to heat stroke due to their enjoyment of play, older dogs who have chronic airway changes can also easily overheat. Even moderate temperatures on super muggy days can be dangerous.

What do you do when you suspect your dog is overheating? Get him wet as soon as possible and inside where it's air conditioned. Then have a veterinarian check him out soon. If the body temperature doesn't begin to return to normal within 20 minutes or so it can spiral out of control. This can lead to life threatening multiple organ failure. Prevention of heat stroke is much easier than treatment.

So keep an eye on the weather. Don't let your silly puppy get too crazy. And be smart with older dogs.

Itchy Dogs and Cats.... It's Allergy Season!

It's that time of year again: grass pollen season. This is one of the highest allergy seasons in the southeast for humans and animals. Dogs, and to a lesser degree cats, will show these allergies with itchy skin and/or ears. In more severe cases we will see hair loss and secondary skin infections with either bacteria or yeasts. These cases can be quite challenging because some of these dogs and cats are very itchy. They are begging for relief (just like me!). One simple thing you can do at home is simply bathe your pet twice weekly with a gentle, hypoallergenic shampoo that also conditions the skin. You can also use a number of over the counter antihistamines to help reduce some of the discomfort. Be sure to check with your veterinarian to determine an effective antihistamine and a safe dose for your pet, as well as a good shampoo recommendation. However, many of these pets require more therapy to relieve their discomfort. Check with your veterinarian to help your pets enjoy the summer as much as you do. You'll both get more rest as a result!
Dr. Shrum

Cats and NSAIDs

Did you think we'd forgotten about cats? Well we had a little guy named Calvin give us a good reason to write a blog about cats. Calvin decided to help his mom fix the dogs' breakfast one day last week by eating half of a Rimadyl tablet. Now this could have been pretty bad news. Cats are missing the enzyme system that the liver uses to metabolize nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. As a result of this inability to metabolize these drugs a very small dose can easily become toxic. These drugs, members of the aspirin class, cause stomach ulcers and kidney failure in high doses. Sounds a little like Dixie, the counter surfing dog from a previous blog, huh? Calvin required two days of intravenous fluids and close monitoring of his kidney values. He's doing great.



Now there are some NSAIDs that can be used with caution in cats. Always make sure you use these drugs only under the direction of your veterinarian. And be sure to report any lethargy, loss of appetite, or increased urination to your veterinarian if your cat is receiving one of these drugs. These signs may indiciate an adverse reaction to the medication. As with all toxicity problems early diagnosis and treatment are paramount to a full recovery.



A related drug is acetaminophen, or Tylenol. This is very dangerous to cats. Never administer any product containing this drug to any cat. In case of accidental exposure seek veterinary care immediately. A very small amount of acetaminophen can be fatal in cats.

Dr. Shrum

Diabetes in Dogs

We saw a patient today who is dealing with diabetes. I'll talk about diabetes in the dog first. We'll save cats for another blog. Now dogs only get Type I diabetes which is known as juvenile diabetes in humans. This type of diabetes appears when the pancreas has stopped producing insulin, and insulin replacement is necessary for these patients. The clinical signs include excessive drinking and urination, weight loss, poor appetite, and cataract formation. We can diagnose diabetes pretty easily with a urine sample and blood glucose measurement. Most dogs come into control if there are no complicating factors such as hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease), hypothyroidism, or uncontrolled infections. Control of diabetes includes daily insulin injections and a low calorie, high fiber diet. With some dedication from the family many dogs can live relatively enjoyable lives with this disease. Early detection and treatment, as well as close monitoring for any changes in control, are very important.

We start our insulin therapy at a conservative book dose. Within 7 to 10 days we perform a glucose curve by checking blood glucose levels every 2 hours during the day. If necessary, we will adjust the dose and repeat this curve every 7 to 10 days with appropriate dose changes until we have the correct insulin dose. We then check a fructosamine level quarterly or if any clinical signs recur. Fructosamine levels help gauge the average glucose levels over the previous week.

Diabetes can be a difficult disease for some families, but we have a pretty good success rate with most of our canine patients. We'll discuss cats at another time. Don't forget to email us with any questions.

Dr. Shrum

Veterinarian of the Year!

Holly Tree Animal Hospital is proud to announce that our clinic owner, Dr. Steven Shrum, has been voted the Veterinarian of the Year by the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians (SCAV).

This award is bestowed on veterinarians who have served SCAV, the community, and their fellow veterinarians in such a way as to exemplify the highest ideals of the profession.

The entire staff of Holly Tree is delighted to congratulate Dr. Shrum on the highest honor the state of South Carolina has to offer a veterinarian! We are so proud of you!

Dr. Storm

Watch those counter surfing dogs!

I have a slightly embarrassing story to relate concerning our black Lab, Dixie. We returned home Saturday evening to find a nicely chewed up full bottle of children's ibuprofen on the kitchen floor. After calculating the maximum dose either dog could have ingested I decided it was a moderate amount and should cause only mild stomach ulceration. We treated the two dogs for possible stomach ulcers over the weekend. Dixie was eating fine but would vomit her food a couple of hours later. This is typical of mild stomach ulcers in dogs. Savannah, Miss Iron Gullet, was fine. On Monday we took Dixie to work to check her over and discovered some mild kidney issues, a possible consequence of this class of drugs. We treated her with fluids for a couple of days and she has recovered well. We will recheck her blood work and urine sample next week to see if she may have any lingering effects.

So here are some lessons I've revisited. Don't underestimate a counter surfing dog's ability to eat a plastic bottle of medicine. My fault! Be aware of all organ systems involved with each toxic insult and remember that each pet can be individually sensitive to any toxic substance. If you have any concerns about a possible toxic exposure in your pet, check out the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website at www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control. You'll find loads of excellent information here about all kinds of animal toxins. Their hot line is manned by board certified veterinary toxicologists who will work with your veterinarian on each case.

And don't forget that veterinarians are people, and pet lovers, too!

Dr. Shrum

Thought we'd forgotten?

Did you think we'd already forgotten to post on the blog? Well, sort of. Dr. Shrum was visiting a very cold Mickey Mouse last week which meant Dr. Powell and Dr. Storm were extra busy. So I'm back now (and warmer, believe it or not)and figured I'd better get something posted. So guess what the most common illness I've seen in my 3 days back has been? Skin allergies. In the dead of winter!

Now some of these dogs have had fleas. If a dog or cat is allergic to flea saliva, a condition we call flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), a single flea bite will make the entire animal itch for up to 2 weeks. These animals require consistant, effective flea control to keep this condition under wraps. Come see us or send an email for the products we have found to work the best for most FAD pets. Many of these dogs have had seasonal allergies, a condition called atopy. Atopy will trigger itchy skin or ears and frequently leads to secondary skin and ear infections. Dogs may scratch or lick and chew themselves or shake their ears repeatedly. The list of treatments is too involved for this blog, but it does require quite a bit of commitment on the owner's part to keep the clinical signs at a minimum and the patient comfortable. Most atopy dogs with problems in the winter are allergic to dust mites in the house. I would venture a guess that the excessive rainfall we've had the past couple of months has led to a healthy mold spore population and that may be making this year an especially difficult year for some dogs. Trust me, it's been a bad itchy skin year! The next group of itchy dogs have food allergies. Again, a difficult topic for a blog but suffice it say that success lies in eliminating EVERY protein a dog may be allergic to and keeping it out of their diet. That's not as easy as it sounds.

Most of these dogs will receive steroids to help relieve their itch. Steroids are wonderful drugs IF they are used correctly. That means in the lowest effective doses for the shortest amount of time. That's not always so easy either. We always add other treatment modalities to reduce or eliminate steroid usage. These may include a combination of antihistamines, omega fatty acids, antibiotics or antifungals for secondary infections, topical sprays, and therapeutic baths. We can even test your dog or cat for their specific allergies and start hyposensitization injections. The trick is to find what works for each individual patient. You might get to know your veterinarian quite well!

So, are you glad I got a new post up? Quite a topic for a cold rainy weekend, huh? If you have any friends you think would be interested in this blog be sure to pass the address along. And if you want to be alerted to new postings as they're posted, you can become a "follower" of the blog. Read the instructions though.... I'm not the most high-tech computer geek. I prefer the cuddly critters best!

Dr. Shrum

How cold is too cold?

We are often asked, "What temperature is too cold for my outdoor dog?". That is a very good question. The most important protection an outdoor dog needs is shelter from wind and rain. If he can remain dry and stay out of the wind he will usually be fine in cold weather. We usually recommend moving your dogs into the house if the temperature approaches the 20's. Now many dogs will be OK at these temperatures, especially those with thick coats who are acclimated to cold weather. But they will definitely be uncomfortable when the temperature drops below freezing. It certainly helps to keep clean, dry bedding in the dog house. If you use a heat lamp or heated bed make sure to use one specifically designed for that purpose. Follow all of the manufacturer's recommendations to prevent harm to your dog and insure peak performance.

If your dogs are outdoors in the winter, don't forget to check the water bowl daily to make sure it isn't frozen. Most dogs won't need any dietary adjustments in the winter unless they are underweight. Don't hesitate to contact us if we can answer any questions on this subject.

New Year, New Blog!

It has been 3 1/2 years since we did anything with the blog. It's WAY past time to change that! The doctors and staff of Holly Tree Animal Hospital are committed to keeping this blog updated with helpful health tips for your pets, reviews of intersting cases we see, discussions of new and emerging diseases or treatment and diagnostic procedures, and recent news about our staff, hospital, and community. If you check us out and find we're getting slack, send Dr. Shrum an email to hollytreeah@hotmail.com and tell him to get moving!

We feel that 2010 promises to be an exciting year at Holly Tree Animal Hospital. We realize that 2009 was quite challenging for many of our clients as we all struggled to cope with the uncertainties of a slow economy. Unfortunately, many clients were forced to approach the care of their beloved pets with a closer eye on financial constraints. While it pains us to see finances play a major part in pet healthcare decisions, we are a small business at our core and must also keep a watchful eye on financial issues. We have derived our fee schedule based on the costs associated with providing the quality of veterinary care you have come to expect from Holly Tree Animal Hospital over the last 16 years. If you have concerns about the costs of your pet's health care we hope you will not hesitate to discuss it with us.

Having said that, look for lower overall prices for grade 1 dental cleanings as we try to focus our attention on helping improve oral health at the most effective time for dogs and cats. We will also have significant savings for heartworm and flea products on our website compared to in-hospital costs. This powerful tool, powered by Vetcentric, will also allow you to select for these products to be shipped to you automatically when you need them with no shipping costs. No more forgotten heartworm doses! We will also pay much closer attention to you, our treasured clients, in an all out effort to prove we can provide the highest quality veterinary care AND client service available in the Upstate. Don't hesitate to tell us how we're doing... whether we do or don't meet your expectations.

So welcome to 2010! We're glad you've decided to enjoy this year with us. We hope to see you soon!