Spring is in the air and Fleas are in your yard, and on your dog, and on your cat, and in your home ...

I knew I should put this photo at the top of the post just to get your attention. Yup, this little monster is a flea. Look how big and ugly he is. Doesn't even fit into the frame of the picture. Just waiting to jump onto your dog, or cat, or even you and bite you over and over again, taking blood meals until he or she finds either she or he, mate and lay eggs in your brand new sofa, or plush carpeting, or even the cracks of your hardwood floor, infesting your house and making you spend millions of dollars eradicating a plague like one not seen since the days of the Exodus from
Egypt. (OK, sorry, but passover is on my mind).

Fleas don't care if your dog or cat is a mixed breed or a pure breed. They don't care if it is old or young. They don't care about anything but biting someone over and over again causing all sorts of discomfort and spreading diseases. Fleas spread the black plague in europe, they spread bubonic plague in the south west, they spread cat scratch diseae everywhere. (and you thought that was a cat problem).

And just for those that thought, oh my little pookie won't get fleas, this next photo is of fleas on skin. Now, I shamelessly lifted this photo from elsewhere but I can tell you that with my limited experience in lifting photos with or without shame, this one looks like it is of a person with fleas.

EWWWWWW !

And this is all before I get started on ticks. Here is my homage to ticks. These disgusting little guys are embedded in a dog. While it is an old wives tale that they burrow so deep that they disappear into the pet, they do attach, take a large blood meal, and then drop off. But often not before spreading diseases like Rocky Spotted Mountain Fever or Lyme Disease. They will attach to people and do the same nasty things.

So, if all of this is so gross and dangerous, what can we do about it? The answer is easy. Short of wrapping your pets and yourself in a plastic bag, or moving to antarctica, the key is using a safe and effective product to control fleas and ticks.

But wait you say, You heard that all of these products are dangerous poisens that will kill your pet and turn your home into a superfund toxic waste site. Really, get a grip. There are products that are not safe. There are products that don't work, but there are products that are safe and effective. The EPA report last fall did find that as a group, some of these products did have adverse reactions when used in pets. Unfortunately, they did not discriminate between products, just condemed the entire group of treatments. They did not differentiate between products used with veterinary supervision or with out. Did not try to determine if the dose was correct, or if the product was even appropriate for the species of pet it was used on.

Now come on, this is Dr. Keith talking to you. Would I let you hurt your pet? My clients know that I'm not going to recommend something that doesn't have the research behind it. I'm not going to tell you to use a product or give a vaccine or medication if your pet doesn't need it. We're talking about disease prevention here.

Talk to your veterinarian. Get a recommendation for something to use to prevent disease. Be a responsible pet owner and buy the product he or she says is best for you. If they don't have it, you can probably get it from an on-line source. Frontline plus for dogs and cats as well as K9 Advantix for dogs (DOGS ONLY) are both excellent products and you can get them from this web site, delivered directly to your home, no shipping charges or anything. Just do it now, the bugs are getting ready to pounce.

Keith Niesenbaum

www.CrawfordDogandCatHospital.com

www.TheVetsChoice.com

ps. Look for me at the NYC 1/2 Marathon this weekend. I'll be somewhere in the back of the pack and will need all the encouragement I can get.

A needle in a Haystack.

I've decided that I can't continue to keep some things to myself. No I'm not talking about another rant as in some previous posts. (see 8/25/09). I just can't believe some of the things that my patients eat. I'm not talking about edible items. I'm not talking about semi edible, or even quasi edible items such as the Turkey Carcass of Thanksgiving '92. although the turkey story is one of my wife's all time favorites, I'll leave that for another time. Noooo, I'm talking about totally inedible, possibly toxic, straight up dangerous, will kill your pet meals.



Now, sometimes we get lucky, like the kitty whose radiograph is below.










Lucky you might ask, How so? Lucky because the owner actually saw this cat eat that needle. In fact she tried to grab it out of the kitty's mouth, risking her own digits in the process. Unfortunately, a second too slow and the needle was just coated in enough cat drool to make it tough to hold onto and zoop, it was gone.



The radiograph confirmed that it was in the stomach, along with enough cat food to feel a feral colony in Queens. (no colony specifically comes to mind but this is a good time to give a shout out to the groups in Whitestone that are doing a great job caring for their colonies). More on trap, neuter and release programs at a later date.

Of course, the full stomach posed a dilemma. If I waited for the food to pass, who knows where this needle would go. If I jumped in and did surgery, we risk complications from regurgitation, or even worse from peritonitis when the food leaks into the abdomen. Now you know this probably goes well if I'm posting it but hey, sometimes I might throw in a real tear jerker just to see if you're paying attention.

We anaesthetised the cat and I made a large (really large) incision so I could exteriorize the stomach. I didn't include any bloody intraoperative photos, sorry. The stomach was full but after a bit of searching, I was able to feel the needle and push the eye end up against the gastric wall. A small stab incision with a #11 blade and voila, no more needle. Quick 2 layer repair and kitty was home in a day, looking for more mischief to get into.

The thing is, the owner was aware that the cat might eat the needle and thread so she put it up on a counter, away from where the cat usually goes. That's the cool thing about cats. There is no place that they don't usually go. She saw the kitty jump up on the counter and scarf the needle like it was an anchovy waiting to meet it's maker. The rest, as they say is history.

Why don't you guys let me know some of the things that your pets have eaten and we can see who has the strangest tail to tell. If need be, I'll post the turkey carcass story, you know how I hate to be out done.

Keith Niesenbaum, VMD

http://www.thevetschoice.com/

http://www.crawforddogandcathospital.com/

Welcome to our blog

So, with the passage of time, we have developed several on line presences and they are scattered all over the internet. I have been advised by some who know far more than I do that I should integrate these, you know, pull them all together in one place. I tried to do that with our web page at http://www.crawforddogandcathospital.com/ but not everyone knew about that.

I tried to do it with our facebook fan page , Crawford Dog and Cat Hospital /Black Forest Kennels. Check it out and become a fan for updates. It will let you know when I post here on this blog, or somewhere else. I even use the same logo for all of our sites. (Shout out to Justin for his design).

You can follow me on twitter, www.twitter.com/knvet. Those posts tend to be the most frequent and are not always animal related. (They can also be a bit more snarky as up until now no one really knew that it was me)

I have a rather extensive network of business contacts on Linkedin. Check that out at http://www.linkedin.com/pub/keith-niesenbaum/4/617/a0a.

There are also a couple of other places that you can find us on the web. I am an independent distributor of an excellent, holistic dog and cat food line called Life's Abundance and information can be found at http://www.thevetschoice.com/ It's the food that I feed Cookie, my intrepid Shih Tzu and many of my clients think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread. You can sign up for a newsletter on the web site, no obligation. Give it a try, you can always cancel by unsubscribing. (like anyone ever unsubscribes to anything)

We also have an online store that is currently selling veterinary theraputic diets shipped directly to your home. It is your source for Hills Science Diet, Purina, Royal Canin, and Eukanuba veterinary diets. Check it out at http://www.petsneedfood.com/. (you'll recognize the logo, I just got tired of posting the same picture on the blog time and time again.

So there it is in a nutshell. Most of the places you can find me on line. Check them out and stay in touch. Oh, and feel free to comment so that I don't feel like I'm blogging into empty outer space. Vets need feed back too.

Come Fly with Fifi

Spring may be in the air, but even before we all pull up stakes and head out for spring break, many pet owners have been traveling with their dogs and cats to escape the harsh winter we have been having here in the Northeast. This is not a new phenomenon, but it seems that more people have smaller dogs and they want to travel with them. There are a couple of things that they should be aware of.

First, dogs can fly in cargo, that is under the plane, or in the cabin if they are small enough to fit under the seats. Check with your airline far in advance as they may limit the number of pets that can fly in the cabin. In fact, a recent article in the NY Times highlighted the concerns of the Canadian Medical Association that pets in the cabin may be a risk to human passengers and are recommending that no pets be allowed in the cabin. Hmmm, that would certainly crimp the vacation plans for a lot of pampered pets that I know.

Each airline has different requirements for pets on domestic flights and they change regularly so you will need to check with them. Don't expect your veterinarian to be current on each airline's policy. My head would explode if that were part of my daily routine. International flights are a bigger problem and you should check with the consulate in the destination country for the current regulations.

Some pets travel really well, like some people I guess. Others, not so well. We generally do not like to sedate animals for travel, especially those traveling in cargo. Nothing like a poor reaction to a tranqulizer at 30,000 feet to ruin a trip. For dogs that are very anxious, speak with your veterinarian. There are some medications that might work with minimal risk to your pet. In some cases it might be best to leave Fido at home with a firend or, heaven forbid, at a kennel. (Note tongue in cheek sarcasm here as I do own a kennel and the dogs really do very well here while you are off galivanting about. Just remember to buy them a t-shirt so they feel loved).

Whatever your decision, make sure that you canine companion is up to date on vaccines and if you are headed south (and I hope you are) make sure that he or she is taking heartworm prevention and that you are using something for fleas.

Stay safe and have a great travel season.

Keith Niesenbaum, VMD
Check out our Face Book Fan Page, Crawford Dog and Cat Hospital/Black Forest Kennels.

Chocolate is for Easter Bunnies

We usually think of chocolate overdose in dogs as a problem around Easter or even Valentines Day. I have to tell you that today was our first chocolate ingestion of the Christmas season. In this case, a 40 pound dog ate an 8 oz bag of Hershey's Kisses. Now I like chocolate as much as the next guy, possibly even more than the next guy, but at least I pause to unwrap them before I scarf down the entire bag.

Sometimes we eat chocolate plain. Sometimes we eat it baked into cakes, mixed into ice cream, etc. The first problem with these sweets is the fat. A sudden high fat meal (such as the above bag of Kisses) can create a lethal metabolic disease in pets called pancreatitis. Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are just the beginning of this disaster. Remember, in the case of pancreatitis, it is the fat that causes the problem more than the chocolate itself.

The fat and sugar in the chocolate can create an unpleasant but temporary upset stomach. This is what happens in most chocolate ingestion cases. This was certainly the case in our patient today. The amount of chocolate that he ate was not enough to cause serious neurologic signs

Chocolate can be, however, directly toxic because of the theobromine. The more chocolate liquor there is in a product, the more theobromine is present. This makes baking chocolate the worst for pets, followed by semisweet and dark chocolate, followed by milk chocolate, followed by chocolate flavored cakes or cookies. Theobromine causes:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Hyperactivity
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Racing heart rhythm progressing to abnormal rhythms
• Death in severe cases

Toxic doses of theobromine are 9 mg per pound of dog for mild signs, up to 18 mg per pound of dog for severe signs. Milk chocolate contains 44 mg / ounce of theobromine while semisweet chocolate contains 150 mg per ounce, and baking chocolate contains 390 mg per ounce.

Number of OUNCES of CHOCOLATE a Pet Would Need to Ingest for TOXICITY
Weight of Pet in Pounds	5	10	15	20	25	30	40
Milk Chocolate (ounces)	2	4	6	8.2	10.2	12.3	16.4
Dark Chocolate (ounces)	0.7	1.4	2.1	2.8	3.5	4.2	5.5
Baking Chocolate (ounces)	0.23	0.5	0.7	0.9	1.2	1.4	1.9

50	60	70	80	90	100
20.5	24.5	28.6	32.7	36.8	41
6.9	8.3	9.7	11	12.5	13.8
2.3	2.8	3.2	3.7	4.1	4.6

(I appologize for the screwed up graphics, but my technical ability is less than medical talents)

As you can see, smaller dogs are at a greater risk of toxicity because of their size. It is much more likely that a small dog will get their paws on a few ounces of chocolate than a big dog will find a pound of the stuff lying around.

GI upset can occur at much lower doses.

It takes nearly 4 days for the effects of chocolate to work its way out of a dog’s system. If the chocolate was only just eaten, it is possible to induce vomiting; otherwise, hospitalization and support are needed until the chocolate has worked its way out of the system.

So, while you are curled up on the couch drinking your hot cocoa this winter, make sure to keep the candy out of your pet's reach.

Have a safe and happy holiday season

Keith Niesenbaum

www.PetsNeedFood.com

www.TheVetsChoice.com

Holiday Time and We all Need to Watch our Waists

So the holidays are upon us and not a moment too soon for those of us that love to gorge on the mounds of baked goods that arrive at the office, interspersed with gooey chocolates and the occasional fruit basket. Unfortunately for the staff as well as our patients, too much of a good thing is ... well, too much. While we are watching the scales (well I am watching the scales) trying not to undo all of the good that I did training last year, our patients are not always so vigilant.

First up was the post Thanksgiving turkey toxicity rush. You know, all the dogs ( and some cats) that were able to con their owners with plaintiff looks and whines, into forking over way too much in the way of table food. These guys and gals were in all week after the holiday with vomiting, diarrhea, and the occasional more serious case of pancreatits. I must say, quite the mess.

It's not that I'm against treats in moderation, but pets that are eating a particular diet should not get rich treats from the table. Owners don't seem to realize that their pets don't know what is best for them and will eat whatever we put into their bowls or toss them from the tables. Don't do it! You know who you are.

This is also the time of year that we try to emphasize weight loss to our clients for thier pets. It is difficlut to get them out to exercise because it is getting colder and the streets can be slick. However, this is the time it is the most necessary. Since I know that you all aren't going to listen to my about not feeding treats (Oh, I know it is always the spouse/kids/parent/in law), you must work on the other side of the equation, that is calories burned. Get out for a walk with your dog twice a day. Start with 15 or 20 minutes and build from there. If it is cold and your dog seem chilled, get a sweater or a coat for your pet.

Cut out the treats, or at least cut back. Try a low calorie, but high quality diet and feed according to the label. Here is a good place to start as the site has a weight loss diet and some low fat treats. Or ask your veterinarian for specific dietary recommendations.

Remember, weight put on now is tougher to take off than weight never gained. I guess I will never have a career in platitude writing.

Stay halthy and have a happy holiday season.

With Every Season ....

OK, although Labor Day weekend is not technically the end of summer and autumn is still a bit away, we all think of it as the time to pack away our white pants and leashes, and pull out our more earthy toned garb.

This September is the first time in a while that I don't have any races on the fall schedule so I took the opportunity to take a leisurely run across the George Washington Bridge to NJ and back. Too late for it to be really hot. One week to early to see the ships sail up the Hudson. Still not foliage change. Seems like I blew it, except that it was really cool. I would have taken pictures but alas and alack, no camera, no blackberry, just me, nature, some bike riders and about a thousand cars, hanging out above the river. The view was great, you'll just have to take my word for it. Cookie, bless her heart, stayed back in Washington Heights with her sister. Didn't think her little legs were up to the trip, although she would have been game for at least part of the journey.

Next weekend, it's off to the Catskills. Yes it is still too early to see the leaves change color, and no, there is still no race on my calender. However, it is the inaugural weekend of Canine Club Getaway. A weekend vacation for people and their dogs. I'm going to be the camp doctor and my wife is coming along for moral support. It should be interesting at the very least. I'm giving a lecture on canine first aid and running a fitness evaluation clinic. We will also be doing a microchip clinic and screening for Heartworm, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Lyme disease. These are all insect borne diseases that we see hear on long Island.

Heartworm is spread my mosquitoes. I don't need to tell you what the wet spring meant for mosquito populations in our neck of the woods. Heck, they are bigger than some of the dogs I saw in the office today.

The others are tick borne, also a pest that seems to have enjoyed a growth explosion, exploiting what ever weather change it is that they like.

Anyway, I will be micro blogging on twitter all weekend with plenty of photos. Follow me at www.twitter.com/knvet for up to the minute details. Next week, I'll post a detailed synopsis of what went on, complete with 8 x 10 color photographs with descriptions of each on.

Keith Nisenbaum, VMD
www.CrawfordDogandCatHospital.com
wwwTheVetsChoice.com