Senior Sensory Systems Function: Zero Defects

It is not unusual that as your dog ages, their senses might decline. Particularly their sight and/or hearing can deteriorate with age.

Jasmine is no doubt a senior dog. How are her senses holding up?

She could hear a pin drop on a subway.

Well, OK, I never tested that, nor I believe she'd care to listen for it. Here is what I do know, though.

While on the main floor, she can hear the difference between my putting on regular pants versus walking pants (jeans) upstairs.

By the sounds, she can tell the difference of a bathroom being prepped for hubby's or my shower, versus hers.

Every morning, she'd be listening to the sounds of hubby getting ready either for work, or for a trip to the farm. Certain sounds mean, “go back to sleep, no party today”, and certain sounds mean “party time!”

Even when it doesn't look like she is paying attention to the sounds, she is. You cannot tell as long as the sounds proceed in their proper order. However, change one sound, or change their order, and watch the perked-up ears and head tilt.

She can see like a hawk.

I really noticed that the other day. Out on the walk, I was breaking up a piece of jerky for her, and a tiny morsel broke off and fell to the ground. Believe me, it was tiny. I didn't really see it, I just noticed the movement. Jasmine saw it drop too! I saw her following it's path and then she reached for it at the exactly right spot.

That thing couldn't have been much bigger than a pin head.

And then she actually found it in the gravel.

And, of course, during a long boring ride, when desperate for something to bark at, she can see a Chihuahua from a mile away ...

Could she smell a sugar cube in a pool?

Probably, if she cared. She can certainly smell it when I try to sneak by her with a piece of cheese.

When during a walk hubby gets a bit ahead, and out of sight (because he has little appreciation for all those important things that need to be smelled along the way), she can track him down; it was quite amazing to watch. Even through terrain, she followed the exact path he took.

Trying to play hide and seek in the bushes? Forget it. She knows exactly where to find you.

One thing I love about winter time is that I can actually see what's she's sniffing. Yellow snow, little tracks … I enjoy that very much because I can see what she's seeing.

What about her six sense?

I am quite certain that she knows what we think even before we think it. Particularly when those thoughts are of interest to her, such as thinking that it might be time to go for walk.

Jasmine, you go baby! Sharp as a tack! There is no fooling you.

Related articles:
Jasmine's Mysterious Swelling And Another Experience With VetLiveThe Diagnosis Is In: Jasmine Has An Interdigital Cyst
Jasmine's Mysterious Swelling And Interdigital Cyst Update  
Is Crawling Under Things Some Kind Of Secret Physical Therapy?  
Is There No Place Safe? Jasmine's Acupuncture Session 

Jasmine's Acute Lameness
Jasmine Doesn't Like "Doing Time"
Our Of Jail Free Pass
When It's Looks Too Good To Be True … The Lameness Returns
The Day Of The Treatment
First Time For Everything: A Healing Crisis(?)  
From Zero To Sixty In Four Days: Stem Cells At Work
The Calm After The Storm 
If It Was Easy, It Wouldn't Be Jasmine
This Is What Jasmine's Episode Looks Like
Gotta Try Everything Once (Or Twice): On The Quest To Figure Out Jasmine's Episodes 

***
Meet Jasmine
I'm Still Standing! (Happy Birthday, Jasmine)
How Dogs Think (Well, Jasmine Anyway)
How The Oddysey Started: Jasmine's ACL Injury
Jasmine is Vet-Stem's poster child!
Rant About Quality Of Life Versus Quantity, And Differential Diagnoses
Jasmine Is Headed For Her Next Stem Cell Treatment
Jasmine's Stem Cells Are In
Arthritis? What Arthritis? 
Guess Who Is An Ever-Ready Bunny And Really Liking The Bit Of Snow We Got? 
Don't Knock It Until You Tried It: Animal Chiropractic 
Jasmine's Fur Analysis
Back At Chiropractic Care

Further reading:
Jasmine’s Story: Can Chronic Diarrhea and Soft Tissue Injuries be Normal?
Jasmine’s Story: An ACL Injury and a Cancer Scare
Jasmine’s Condition Deteriorates: Another ACL Injury and an Abdominal Abscess
Jasmine Recovers from Surgery and Jana Discovers TCVM
Who’s Minding Your Pet’s Health?
Pet Owner Perspective On Stem Cell Therapy
Difficult to Manage Lameness Treated with Physical Therapy
Our Journey to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine

Read More

Veterinary Highlights: Veterinary Electrocardiogram (ECG) Made Simple

An electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. It is used to detect and locate the source of heart problems.

An ECG shows how fast the heart is beating, the heart’s rhythm (steady or irregular), and it records the strength and timing of the electrical signals as they pass through each part of the heart. It also records the strength and timing of the electrical signals as they pass through each part of the heart.

San Francisco-based AliveCor,  originator of the  iPhone ECG, is going to the dogs.

The company is now marketing an iPhone-based veterinary heart monitor to veterinary health professionals and pet owners.

The AliveCor Veterinary Heart Monitor is a plastic case with two metal electrodes that snaps onto the back of an iPhone 4 or 4S. It takes single-lead ECG waveforms for canine, feline and equine patients, either in a clinic or at home.



The corresponding app the displays the waveform, allowing to add notes to the graph. All data is then automatically uploaded to an AliveCor cloud server.

Pretty cool stuff.

With Jasmine's episodes, some type of arrhythmia was considered a number of times. How cool would it be to get a reading right during an episode?

Source article: AliveCor introduces veterinary ECG for iPhone

Read More

Dog Nutrition: Vegan Diet For Dogs?

"Sometimes we get so focused on whether we could, that we don't stop to think whether we should."
—Jurassic Park

A friend of mine, over from Canis bonus, recently asked me about my opinion on vegan diets for dogs. Shen then wrote quite an awesome post Dog: Vegan Dog or Raw Meat? She did a great job, the article is worth reading.

My answer was, "if you want to feed vegan, get a rabbit".

She went right ahead and quoted me on that.

I also asked Jasmine, what she thought, and her answer was, "put down the cauliflower and nobody gets hurt".

All kidding aside, I believe, that with perhaps some exceptions, dogs need animal protein in their diet.

It is one thing to argue whether dogs are carnivores or omnivores, but turning them into herbivores? Seriously?

I asked my veterinary friends what were their thoughts on the subject.

"Dogs are omnivores. I've seen dogs survive on little more than luncheon loaf and socks. So which protein source you choose (vegan protein vs. cooked animal protein vs. treated raw animal protein) matters little to me. As long as the diet is balanced, and free of pathogenic bacteria or parasites, and most importantly, the dog does well on it, I'm content."
Greg Magnusson, DVM (Leo's Daddy), Leo's Pet Care

***

"I think a vegan dog diet can be done well, but it would be difficult to balance well. Get your veterinarian's blessing, and involve a veterinary nutrition specialist and go for it!"
Dr. Shawn M. Finch, DVM, Riley & James

*** 

"The answer, of course, as in so many questions in veterinary medicine is, it depends.

If we have a patient with uric acid bladder stones which is related to problems with purine metabolism, then protein from vegetables can help reduce the problem.

If we have a patient with allergy to animal based proteins, then vegetable proteins can help.

If we have a patient that requires a specific urine pH that only a vegetarian diet seems to provide for that patient, a vegetarian diet would help. 

Apart from patients in those categories, I cannot remember any of my patients that otherwise would have benefited from a vegetarian diet.

Challenges facing vegetarian diets are mostly technical in nature. It takes a pretty good nutritionist and a competent food company to formulate a diet that is balanced down to the amino acid levels using only plant based sources. It can be done, and it is done, but make sure any vegetarian diet used has been subjected to feeding trials to confirm it does work in the real world with real dogs, and not just on the computer. (Actually good advice for any food selection) Plant based proteins tend to be less digestible as a group, and that needs to be allowed for. 

In the absence of any disease issues, that a vegetarian diet may help control, households making the choice to use vegetarian over animal based proteins, are making a philosophical decision and not a scientific one. Dogs do not make philosophical decisions, which makes them  so easy to love."
Dr. Rae Worden, DVM , Fergus Veterinary Hospital

***  

"I don't feel that vegan diets are the appropriate sole food choice for dogs.  Dogs are omnivores that lean towards the carnivorous end of this eating scale, so they are able to survive on a variety of nutrients, originating from either plants or animals.  In the wild, dogs would scavenge on whatever food sources are available. This may be blades of green nutrient-rich grass, a rotting animal carcass, raw eggs discovered in a nest, or a live caught field mouse.

Incorporating whole food based, fresh vegetarian ingredients (fruits, vegetables, legumes, etc.) in a dogs diet can have many health benefits.  This is especially true for pets that consume processed dry or canned commercial dog or cat food, which is cooked at high heat (which typically deactivates vital amino acids and enzymes) and is often devoid of nutrients as nature intends food to contain."
Dr. Patrick Mahaney, VMD CVA, Patrick Mahaney.com

*** 

"Vegan wouldn't be my first choice of diet for a dog because I think they do better on animal proteins than plants. However, that being said, some dogs can do okay on a vegan diet and some actually do better than on other diets. In short, in many cases, it depends on the dog.

You didn't mention cats but I'm going to say it anyway. Vegan diets are never appropriate for cats!"
Dr. Lorie Huston, DVM, Pet Health Care Gazette

Dr. Lorie wrote an article on the subject, Vegan Diets for Dogs and Cats and also referenced a CNN article about vegan dog diets, Vegan diet for dogs: A question of thriving vs. surviving.

***  

A carnivores' digestive system is not designed for efficiently digesting plant material. 

Our dogs are carnivores, they are not strict carnivores and can eat vegetables, however just because dogs fed plant-based diets can stay alive does not make it the best for them. 

An optimal biologically appropriate diet for a carnivore is to have a meat based diet. An optimal biologically appropriate diet allows the dog to thrive not just survive. It provides them with the nutrients needed for a healthy immune system and a solid base for a long healthy life."
Dr. Daniel Beatty, DVM, Dog Kinetics

Dr. Dan also wrote an article on the subject, Carnivores are not vegans.

***  

"If domestic dogs lived in a zoo, they would be fed fresh meat and bones with the rest of the carnivores."
 This is a quote from a video series What Do Dogs Eat by Dr. Conor Brady, Dogs First

*** 

"From a purely veterinary perspective, you’ll find very few veterinarians who’d recommend a vegetarian diet for a dog or cat, and even fewer who’d describe it as optimal nutrition for these pets."

 Dr. Marty Becker, VetSTREET

***

What do you feed your dog and why? Is your decision based on their best interest or your philosophy?

Read More

Dog Cartoon Of The Week: Nice Costume!

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Dog Cartoon of the Week is brought to you by Andertoons. Check out the website for more great cartoons.


Cartoonist Mark Anderson lives in the Chicago area with his wife, their children, two cats, a dog and several dust bunnies. You might have seen his cartoons in a number of publications including Reader's Digest, The Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping, Forbes, Barrons, Woman's World, Harvard Business Review, Saturday Evening Post, American Legion Magazine, Funny Times.

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Something You Wouldn't Think Cold Laser Could Be Good For: Snake Bite

This story was posted by Dr. Patrick Mahaney as part of FlexPet's Summertime Pet Safety Series. The story is based on a case report by Dr. Yukiko Kuwahara, DVM, who treated a nasty snake bite with Multi Radiance Medical Laser.

According to my friend, animal physical therapist, Susan E. Davis, lasers are one of the most underutilized treatment modalities that we have to offer animals in the veterinary world. 

A cold laser it is one of the safest and most effective devices to utilize.

The treatment increases healing, decreases pain, reduces  unwanted scar tissue, decreases bacterial counts, reduces inflammation, etc. Jasmine is getting cold laser along with her physical therapy but when she had the foot infection, got that lasered too.

Could cold laser be also used to treat a snake bite?

A bite by a venomous snake needs to be treated quickly and aggressively. The severity depends on how much venom was injected by the snake.

What will snake venom do to the dog? 

Snake venom contains enzymes and other proteins that target the nervous system and the blood cells and cause tissue death. Venomous snake bites also cause severe pain.

***

The dog in this story got bitten on the mouth and needed help fast.

The front desk receptionist yells out, “Snake bite, STAT!!!”, and here she comes flying into the rear treatment area, being tugged by a blur of an out-of-control black Irish setter. 

Trying to maintain her balance, she yells out over the howls of the dog, “this dog has been bitten by a snake and needs help fast!”.

Both his top and bottom lips were swelling rapidly. The hospital doesn't stock anti-venom and they had to decided very soon whether this patient needed to be transferred to a trauma and emergency hospital.

The dog was put on standard IV treatment. The staff was waiting to see whether the treatment was having an effect or if the dog was headed for a transfer.

The goal of treatment is to minimize and reverse the effects of the venom as well as pain management.

Meanwhile, the swelling was getting worse.

Dr. Kuwahara decided to laser the dog's lips, to see if it would reduce the swelling. And, indeed, the swelling started to go down. Encouraged, Dr. Kuwahara kept on with the treatment.

By the end of the treatment, both lips had decreased in size tremendously.

The dog was not acting like a typical snake bite victim. There was no apparent pain or sloughing necrotic tissue. Instead, he was presenting symptoms more typical of a bee, spider, scorpion, or other insect bite.

Within four hours the dog was sent home with no need for transfer to an emergency hospital.

***

Read the full story at Dr. Mahaney's blog: Cold Laser Therapy Helps a Snake Bite Victim

Related articles:
Photon Power: Can Laser Therapy Help Your Dog?
Protect Your Dog From Snake Bites 
From The Case Files: From A Swelling To Necrosis In Days 
The Assumption Trap: Tosha's Snake Bite
Spider Bites Dog

Read More

Adoption Monday: Faith, Rottweiler Mix, Dewitt, NY

Faith is a 1 year old Rottie mix who has been very neglected. She arrived at the shelter with abrasions on her body, very long nails, extremely thin, and filthy!

But that doesn't stop this sweetheart from loving everybody she meets!  

Faith loves a good belly scratch and she behaved like a perfect lady for her vet exam.  

Faith also behaved perfectly in the bathtub.  She has had her first bath and her nails trimmed.  She is also on medication and vitamins to help her get back into tip top condition.

This beautiful girl is ready and waiting for a second chance with a responsible, loving family.  

Obedience training classes will be a must for this great dog and her new best friend.  Faith will need to meet any potential canine companions or new family members prior to adoption.  She will need to be spayed as soon as possible.

***

DeWitt Animal Hospital has been the shelter for the stray dogs from the City of Syracuse for over 10 years. If you are missing your pet or are looking for a new addition to the family, please call or stop in during our viewing hours as we do not post all animals at the shelter. 

All adoptable strays are put up for adoption after a holding period of 5 days. Each animal is provided veterinary care prior to adoption, including (but not limited to) Distemper/Parvo vaccinated, Bordetella (Kennel cough) vaccinated, Rabies vaccinated, Heartworm Tested and Microchipped (registration included). Young puppies are also dewormed. 
 

Read More

Treating Minor Skin Infections Without Antibiotics

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Degenerative Myelopathy (DM): Top 10 Management Suggestions (Part II)

by Susan E. Davis

Last time I introduced Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) and the associated challenges. The following is a list of my top 10 suggestions for management of DM:

1.Specialty Regional Veterinary hospitals can be considered  to provide  inpatient care, diagnostic tests and rehabilitation services to initially “maximize” the dog’s condition and formulate a home treatment plan, order equipment, etc.
 
2. If inpatient care is too expensive or not available, many veterinary facilities now offer rehabilitation services as an outpatient. 

There are also independent canine rehab practitioners/Physical Therapists, who offer care in their offices or in your home.

Rehab should include an evaluation, intervention using range of motion, stretching, massage, gentle strengthening using resisted bands, physiorolls, rocker boards, sensory input techniques, sling-assisted walking, etc. Some physical modalities such as electrical stimulation may be used.

Aquatic therapy is also very helpful and important in maintaining mobility via canine swimming pool programs or underwater treadmills.  

Water buoyancy can benefit walking, standing and swimming should be done in short bouts.

Underwater treadmill at Jasmine's rehabilitation center, Woodcock Veterinary Services

3. Your vet can help you learn about bowel and bladder management,  manual bladder expression,  keeping a schedule, cleaning your dog,  checking for soiling or urine “scalding”.  

Sometimes shaving the region is used to prevent infections.

4. Consider using a padded and possibly elevated dog bed for comfort and ease of on/off.  

Help your dog with frequent turning to avoid pressure sores.

5. Bring the dog outdoors and keep them moving but avoid over exertion, heat and limit their exposure to sun.

6. Slings and harnesses assist the dog transferring from lying to sitting, to standing, during walking, and while turning.

Help’EmUp Harness

7. Identify and avoid barriers in the home such as stairs or uneven floors and reduce slippery surfaces by adding carpet runners or non-skid mats.

8. Routinely check the dog’s skin for scrapes or sores, infections, abnormal wear of nails, pads. 

Booties are available for foot protection when the hind limbs drag and also offer anti-slip control.  Consult your vet, PT and groomer for suggestions.

9. Ask the vet or other pet expert about proper nutrition, protein consumption, hydration, and weight management. 

Help with the dog’s ability to use food and water bowls by positioning close, on a non-skid pad and at proper height.

10. Wheeled carts can be helpful for your dog’s mobility.  

Standard rear-wheeled carts are fine if the fore limbs are strong.  If the rear legs show “knuckling”, the feet and hocks need to be supported by a sling or stirrup in the back of the cart.  In many other cases, especially where the trunk and fore limbs become weakened, a “counter balanced” cart is more effective, starting with neutral and progressing to full counter balancing (this refers to a forward shift in the axel position).

The Standard Rear Wheel Cart

Some companies offer a variable axle, which can be adjusted by the dog owner.  Engineering, quality and workmanship are so important when choosing a company to make the cart and I highly recommend Eddie’s Wheels, in Massachusetts, USA.

***
Susan E. Davis (Sue) is a licensed Physical Therapist with over 30 years of practice in the human field, who transitioned into the animal world after taking courses at the UT Canine Rehabilitation program.  She is located in Red Bank, New Jersey.

She has been providing PT services to dogs and other animals through her entity Joycare Onsite, LLC in pet’s homes and in vet clinics since 2008.

She also provides pro bono services each week to a shelter and sanctuary for neglected and abused animals.  Sue is the proud “dog mommy” to Penelope, a miniature Dachshund with “attitude”.  For more information see her website www.joycareonsite.com , or follow on Twitter @animalPTsue.

Further reading: 

Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs 

Degenerative Myelopathy on Pet Surgery

Resources:
Doggie Essentials/Quality Sanitary Products
Scout's House/Non-Slip Pet Socks
Eddie's Wheels
Help'Em Up Harness

Articles by Susan E. Davis:
Functional Strengthening Exercises: the What, Why and How
One Thing Leads To Another: Why The Second ACL Often Goes Too
Compensation: An Attempt To Restore Harmony
Paring Down to the Canine Core
Canine Massage: Every Dog ‘Kneads’ It”
Photon Power: Can Laser Therapy Help Your Dog?  
Physical Therapy in the Veterinary World  
Reiki: Is it real? 
Dog Lessons: Cooper  
The Essentials Of Canine Injury Prevention: 7 Tips For Keeping Your Dog Safer 

The Challenge Of Degenerative Myelopathy (DM): Knowledge Is Power (Part I)

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Veterinary Highlights: Arresting Canine Epileptic Seizures

This is a great tip that I discovered on Dog Dish Diet Facebook page. It's not really new but if you haven't heard of it yet, and have a dog with seizures, it might come in handy.

The original article, A Simple, Effective Technique for Arresting Canine Epileptic Seizures, was published in the Journal of American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association in 2004.

So is it simple? It couldn't get any simpler.

It involves placing an ice pack on your dog's back. That's it!

How effective could it be?

Fifty-one epileptic canine patients were successfully treated during an epileptic seizure with a technique involving the application of ice on the back (T10 to L4). This technique was found to be effective in aborting or shortening the duration of the seizure.
Source: Journal of American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association January 2004;22(4):19-20

The Dog Dish Diet Facebook page also includes a testimonial from one of their blog readers.

They applied this technique to their epileptic dog at the onset of signs of an impending seizure. The seizure never happened.

For epileptic canines experiencing a seizure event, the technique described herein proved effective in terminating or abbreviating the epileptic seizure.
Source: Journal of American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association January 2004;22(4):19-20

If I had a dog suffering from seizures, I'd try it.

Have you ever try this? Did it work for you?

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Book Review: Labrador Retrievers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend

"A dog is the only family member you get to choose."

So you're thinking about getting a Labrador Retriever?

Make sure that your choice is right both for you and your dog.

Let me ask you this. How much effort did you invest into choosing your car or your plasma TV? You should give at least as much thought to getting a dog.

But where do you start?

Labrador Retrievers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend by Lorie Huston, DVM is a great guide to lead you through such decision.

I love that this book starts with a quiz. The quiz has two parts through which you'll find out whether you can be your dog's best friend, and, whether you can be a Labrador Retriever's best friend.

This is very important. 

It will help you reflect on your expectations from your dog. Owning a stick shift is cool, but only if you know how to drive it.

Getting an inteligent, active dog is awesome, but not if you're a couch potato.

Is a Labrador Retriever a good match for you and your family?

Best find out before you get one.

Labrador Retrievers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend then goes on with the history and overview of the breed.

Now, that you're sure a Labrador Retriever is the perfect breed for you, how do you go about getting one?

What do you do when you bring your new dog home? How do you train him? What do you feed him? How do you care for his health? How do you tell if your dog gets sick and needs a veterinarian? What are the diseases typical for Labs you should watch out for? Should you get a pet health insurance?

When we got Jasmine, I had all these questions and I had to research a number of resources to get the answers. Now, with Labrador Retrievers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend, you have all the answers in one easy-to-use book. I wish I had one like that on Rottweilers back in the day.

So before you get a Labrador Retriever, get Labrador Retrievers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend.

It is false expectations that make divorce lawyers rich. It is false expectations that are filling the shelters.

Yes, a Labrador Retriever will be a loving and loyal friend. No, a Labrador Retriever won't spend his life sitting pretty on a couch. Yes, a Labrador Retriever is great with kids and eager to please. No, a Labrador Retriever won't go AROUND that muddy puddle.

I love some of the questions in the quiz, such as "How important is a clean house to you?"

Think about it. We live with two Rottweilers. They are pretty clean; even if they do get into some mud, when it dries it comes right off. But they do shed. And they do get sloppy. And they do come home with muddy paws sometimes. And they do throw up sometimes. And right now we have carpet full of yellow stains from Jasmine's betadine foot spray.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

But what are you listening to me for? Go get Labrador Retrievers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend. All the information you need when getting a Labrador Retriever.

***

Lorie Huston, DVM currently blogs at Pet Health Care Gazette. She specializes in providing pet health care information to pet owners to assist them in making educated decisions about their pet's health. Her work has been published in many venues both online and in print.

Huston is a practicing veterinarian and works in a busy animal hospital in Rhode Island. She holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska.

Read More

Dog Cartoon Of The Week: If I Take Your Case

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Dog Cartoon of the Week is brought to you by Andertoons. Check out the website for more great cartoons.


Cartoonist Mark Anderson lives in the Chicago area with his wife, their children, two cats, a dog and several dust bunnies. You might have seen his cartoons in a number of publications including Reader's Digest, The Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping, Forbes, Barrons, Woman's World, Harvard Business Review, Saturday Evening Post, American Legion Magazine, Funny Times.

Read More

Is There No Place Safe? Jasmine's Acupuncture Session

Finally I get to write about Jasmine's acupuncture session, which by now there actually have been two.

There are always some challenges to deal with; Jasmine likes to keep us occupied.

There are always challenges hanging in the air as well. For example, a recent porcupine sighting at the friends' farm, where the guys spend almost every weekend, does not make me happy. For a good reason—today, one of the horses got a nose full of quills.

I didn't even know we had any up here. We really didn't have any to speak of, except now they seem to be migrating this way. I'm not a happy camper; just something else to worry about.

Anyway, back to the acupuncture topic.

After Jasmine's last stem cell treatment, her joints got happy, however her iliopsoa muscles were not following suit. 

We had only 4 doses of stem cells left at that time, so we injected the joints, hoping that the muscles will sort themselves out. Well, other than during the time on Jasmine's ranch, they did not.

For a number of reasons I am not a fan of drugs.

Originally I wanted to try massage therapy but as it turns out, that there are no animal massage therapists around here. Chiropractic helped Jasmine with many things but not with these muscles. These muscles are very hard to deal with. So we decided to turn to acupuncture.

The vet we turned to, does house calls.

That was a new experience for us, as well as for Jasmine. “Is there no place safe?” she wondered when she figured out what was going on. It's one thing to go to the vet's office—you expect some abuse. But now they're invading her safe place too? It's one thing to get your own visitor … But as soon as you turn around they stick you up with a bunch of needles? What's up with that?

Eventually, though, Jasmine decided that having everybody hovering over her and paying attention is perhaps worth it.

Note: this time I couldn't resist and I wanted to know how much those needles actually hurt or not.  I can testify that it does not hurt at all.

The vet is very personable and I like her attitude and philosophy. 

Jasmine likes her too, because it turns out she's a big softy and easy to wrap around one's paw. Of course, when she [the vet] gets distracted and starts playing with her laptop, that is not acceptable. So Jasmine will flop over on the couch beside her and throw her head on top of the vet's keyboard. “I thought you're supposed to pay attention to ME.”

What we found quite interesting is that this vet chose completely different acupuncture points than the vet in the past. 

Granted, this time the idea was to treat the muscles, but with acupuncture it is about treating the whole body. Before, Jasmine was getting the needles in exactly the same places every time. But they couldn't have been more different from the locations this vet chose.

We were discussing acupuncture with one of my friends and she said her mind was not made up about it, as it seems to work for some but not for all.

Here is what I think. Every tool is only as good as the one using it. 

With a pill it's simple. One location (down the throat) and one purpose. With acupuncture, there are so many criteria to consider, so many acupuncture points to choose from—not so simple at all. And not only you have to choose the right points, then you still have to get the needles in them right. I am not sure how wide the margin of error is but I imagine the further from the actually point you get the needle in, the less likely it is to work.

With acupressure, getting close is apparently referred to as fudging. But one's fingertip certainly covers bigger area than the tip of the needle. How much fudging in acupuncture would still be effective?

So the jury is still out to see whether this vet's expertise matches her personability.

That said, though, apart from the secret physical therapy of crawling in and out from under the trailer at Jasmine's ranch, the muscles do seem to be happier than they used to. Most days they don't seem to bother her at all now, only when she does something too crazy during the day.

So we're sticking with this in good faith.

Related articles:
Acupuncture Is Not Voodoo 
What Acupuncture Did For Intervertebral Disk Disease (IVDD) 
The Many Faces Of Arthritis: Viva Has Spondylosis
Alternative Treatment Of Arthritis: Viva's Update
Veterinary Highlights: Acupuncture At A Vet School


Jasmine's Mysterious Swelling And Another Experience With VetLive
The Diagnosis Is In: Jasmine Has An Interdigital Cyst
Jasmine's Mysterious Swelling And Interdigital Cyst Update  
Is Crawling Under Things Some Kind Of Secret Physical Therapy? 

Jasmine's Acute Lameness
Jasmine Doesn't Like "Doing Time"
Our Of Jail Free Pass
When It's Looks Too Good To Be True … The Lameness Returns
The Day Of The Treatment
First Time For Everything: A Healing Crisis(?)  
From Zero To Sixty In Four Days: Stem Cells At Work
The Calm After The Storm 
If It Was Easy, It Wouldn't Be Jasmine
This Is What Jasmine's Episode Looks Like
Gotta Try Everything Once (Or Twice): On The Quest To Figure Out Jasmine's Episodes 

***
Meet Jasmine
I'm Still Standing! (Happy Birthday, Jasmine)
How Dogs Think (Well, Jasmine Anyway)
How The Oddysey Started: Jasmine's ACL Injury
Jasmine is Vet-Stem's poster child!
Rant About Quality Of Life Versus Quantity, And Differential Diagnoses
Jasmine Is Headed For Her Next Stem Cell Treatment
Jasmine's Stem Cells Are In
Arthritis? What Arthritis? 
Guess Who Is An Ever-Ready Bunny And Really Liking The Bit Of Snow We Got? 
Don't Knock It Until You Tried It: Animal Chiropractic 
Jasmine's Fur Analysis
Back At Chiropractic Care

Further reading:
Jasmine’s Story: Can Chronic Diarrhea and Soft Tissue Injuries be Normal?
Jasmine’s Story: An ACL Injury and a Cancer Scare
Jasmine’s Condition Deteriorates: Another ACL Injury and an Abdominal Abscess
Jasmine Recovers from Surgery and Jana Discovers TCVM
Who’s Minding Your Pet’s Health?
Pet Owner Perspective On Stem Cell Therapy
Difficult to Manage Lameness Treated with Physical Therapy
Our Journey to Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine

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Adoption Monday: Charlie, Boxer/Labrador Retriever Mix, Deerfield, NH

Check out this beautiful boy at Mary's Dogs Rescue & Adoption!

Charlie is about 2 years old Lab mix. 

He came to Mary's Dogs Rescue & Adoption very thing but he is putting weight on  now. They are thrilled with his progress.

Charlie is a very friendly dog with lots of energy. 

He gets along with other dogs, and people. Charlie wants to have a bed to call his own in a nice home.

He wants someone to give all of his love to. Is that you? 

Charlie would be a great running/walking/hiking partner for a young couple, or an active family.
[Note from Jana] Did you notice I usually feature black dogs? That's because black dogs rule!

Want more info on Charlie? Call Mary's Dogs: 603.370.7750 or send along an email: marysdogsrescue@gmail.com

Ready to bring Charlie home? Tell us about yourself and your interest in Charlie in our adoption questionnaire. Check out all the wonderful dogs on Mary's Dogs Facebook Fan Page.

***

Mary’s Dogs rescues and re-homes dogs and puppies from Aiken County Animal Shelter, a high-kill shelter in South Carolina, USA. They also serve as a resource to communities in Southern New Hampshire and pet owners nationwide by providing education and information on responsible pet ownership, including the importance of spay/neuter, positive behavior training, and good nutrition.

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Training Your Dog For Medical Treatment

Training your dog to accept medical treatments before they need them is a great idea. The most important thing is to teach your dog to feel OK about these things. This, although kind of lengthy, video features useful tips on getting your dog accept medical treatment they might need.

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The Challenge Of Degenerative Myelopathy (DM): Knowledge Is Power (Part I)

by Susan E. Davis

When faced with a particularly difficult challenge in life, I have always felt the best weapon of combat is knowledge. Along with that is keeping a positive attitude. 

As a physical therapist, dealing with canine patients diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy is both rewarding and heart wrenching. 

Keeping dog parents informed and equipped with management tools is essential to optimization of the condition.

Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a PAINLESS, chronic, slowly progressive weakening starting in the hind limbs and lumbar region. 

There is diffuse muscle atrophy (wasting), the paws begin to “knuckle under”, the legs drag with a loss of coordination, and walking becomes very difficult. It tends to progress over 5-6 months. It is most common in certain breeds of dogs such a German Shepherds, Welsh Corgis, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Boxers, Collies, and Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Typically appears at 7-14 years of age. 

The diagnosis is “by exclusion” in ruling out other causes. 

Radiographs (x-rays) will be negative for dysplasia, IVDD, arthritis, tumors. In the near future, the diagnosis may be more definitive through the emergence of a blood test that detects genetic markers for the condition. OFA may be able to provide some DNA testing information for you, your breeder and Veterinarian.

DM is quite similar to multiple sclerosis in human beings 

Some dogs experience a form of it similar to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) that includes loss of function of the cranial nerves which control swallowing, facial movements, etc.. 

The cause is unknown although recent research has found a possible genetic link through a mutated gene. The mechanism is non-inflammatory and “demyelinating” (stripping) of the nerves in the spinal cord. 

DM is thought to be auto-immune in origin whereby the immune system attacks the myelin sheath. 

This is the outer covering of nerves, like insulation over electrical wires, so when it is stripped or covered in plaques; the nerve communication is decreased (similar to when your computer slows down because of ‘noise “on your cable).

The bad news is that at the present time there is no cure for DM. 

The good news is that the disease is not painful for the dog and is generally harder on the dog parents than the dog. 

There are many decisions that have to be made at various stages of the disease regarding the dog’s’ and the family’s maximum quality of life. If the family stays involved in the decision process, and can provide the best possible canine care, the dog will generally stay content and happy. 

I can’t stress enough the importance of a commitment from the family. 

Because DM is a difficult condition to manage, it is best shared by various family members who form a” care-giving team”. For older members, it can provide a routine and fulfillment. For younger family and kids, it can build responsibility. If everyone pitches in, the workload will be less and the dog will feel like a superstar. The family will also need a reality check as to goals, and be prepared to face regression.

***
Susan E. Davis (Sue) is a licensed Physical Therapist with over 30 years of practice in the human field, who transitioned into the animal world after taking courses at the UT Canine Rehabilitation program.  She is located in Red Bank, New Jersey.

She has been providing PT services to dogs and other animals through her entity Joycare Onsite, LLC in pet’s homes and in vet clinics since 2008.

She also provides pro bono services each week to a shelter and sanctuary for neglected and abused animals.  Sue is the proud “dog mommy” to Penelope, a miniature Dachshund with “attitude”.  For more information see her website www.joycareonsite.com , or follow on Twitter @animalPTsue.

Further reading: 

Degenerative Myelopathy

Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs 

Degenerative Myelopathy on Pet Surgery

Resources:
Doggie Essentials/Quality Sanitary Products
Scout's House/Non-Slip Pet Socks
Eddie's Wheels
Help'Em Up Harness

Articles by Susan E. Davis:
Functional Strengthening Exercises: the What, Why and How
One Thing Leads To Another: Why The Second ACL Often Goes Too
Compensation: An Attempt To Restore Harmony
Paring Down to the Canine Core
Canine Massage: Every Dog ‘Kneads’ It”
Photon Power: Can Laser Therapy Help Your Dog?  
Physical Therapy in the Veterinary World  
Reiki: Is it real? 
Dog Lessons: Cooper  
The Essentials Of Canine Injury Prevention: 7 Tips For Keeping Your Dog Safer 

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Veterinary Highlights: Were All Stem Cell Treatments Created Equal?

Stem cell treatment is gaining popularity. When we were considering it for Jasmine few years ago, it was hard to find much information or a veterinarian who had any experience with it.

Today, every other veterinary clinic in town has a big sign promoting stem cell treatment.

Jasmine had her treatments done through Vet-Stem, who have pioneered the treatment for dogs. Today, in-house kits are available to veterinarians.

Were all stem cell treatments created equal?

A study performed as independent research by INCELL indicates that perhaps not.

The study shows that incorrect counting of adipose derived SVF cells and the subset of regenerative stem cells can subsequently result in inaccurate dosing. Does that matter?

Overestimated cell numbers can have negative impact on the efficacy of the treatment.

Simply put, inadequate stem cell count, inadequate result. Dosage matters in any type of treatment. The study evaluated various cell counting methods and their potential shortcomings.

The authors of the study caution that great care must be taken when using kits and automated cell counting for stem cell dosing and cryobanking of cells intended for clinical use.

The study showed that the manual hemocytometer-DAPI method is the most accurate, but requires a highly experienced cell biologist or technician to make accurate counts and is not suitable for routine clinical use. In this study the most inaccurate counting came from the Cellometer.

If I'm going to go through the trouble and expense of stem cell treatment for my dog, I certainly want the treatment to work the way it should.

I'd want to know what cell counting method is used.

Full study:
Stem Cell Counting Methods Can Lead to Inaccurate Dosing

Related articles:
In The Beginning There Was Fat: From Vanity To Revolutionary Therapy 
Digging Deeper: The Science Behind Adipose Derived Stem Cell Therapy
Stem Cells for Dogs? Oh yeah, baby!
Interview with Dr. Robert J. Harman, D.V.M., M.P.V.M. - CEO and founder of Vet-Stem
Jasmine is Vet-Stem's poster child! 
Zeus Gets Stem Cell Treatment 
Jasmine Is Headed For Her Next Stem Cell Treatment 
Jasmine's Stem Cells Are In 
Running With The Wind: Trago's Elbow Dysplasia Surgery And Stem Cell Treatment

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Just When You Thought You Knew Everything About Hip Dysplasia

Last time Jasmine was at her chiropractor's, she met a young Rottie girl. They really liked each other and both wanted to play really badly. They could not.

Her new friend had hip dysplasia so bad, her back end had to be carried around.

A friend of mine from Kenzo the Hovawart found this research, the results of which might come as a surprise. It does not surprise me that much; it has been my observation that what has been written in stone one day, is no longer true the next.

There was a time when we believed that the Earth was flat and that margarine was good for us.

Randi I. Kronveit, from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, made some interesting discoveries regarding the effect of environmental factors on hip dysplasia in dogs.

Randi followed the development of HD in 500 dogs from 4 different breeds, the Newfoundland, the Labrador, the Leonberger and the Irish Wolfhound.

Rapid growth does not increase the risk of HD

Findings from previous experiments and studies from other countries have indicated that rapid growth and a high body weight are factors that increase the likelihood of developing HD.

But Randi thinks this is not true:

"On the contrary, we found that the breed that had the slowest growth rate – the Newfoundland – had the highest incidence of HD (36%). The Irish Wolfhound had the lowest incidence of HD (10%), yet had the fastest rate of growth."

Daily exercise in the first 3 months prevents HD

Puppies born in spring or summer time, either on farms or with other ample opportunity to exercise during the first three months of their life, had a lower risk of developing HD. But moving up and down stairs is bad. Randi says:

"Overall, it would appear that daily exercise out in gently undulating terrain up until the age of three months gives a good prognosis when it comes to preventing HD."

Based on the findings of this doctoral research, preventive measures through exercise during the first 3 months have a huge impact on how HD will develop and how severe it will become. If HD in its most serious forms can be prevented, the quality of life for dogs with HD can be improved tremendously.

Randi I. Krontveit defended her doctoral research on 13^th March 2012 at The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science (NVH) with a thesis entitled: “Canine hip dysplasia in a prospective cohort study – incidence, risk factors and long-term effects in four large breeds.”

This is certainly pretty interesting. I wonder what we're going to learn next.

Further reading:
A number of environmental factors can affect the incidence of hip dysplasia in dogs

Related articles:
Indy’s Struggle with Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia Prevention And Treatment Options
Hip And Elbow Dysplasia: Are They The Same Thing?
From The Case Files: Hunter's Hip Dysplasia Was Nearly A Death Sentence 

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