Don't Wait Until It's Too Late!
by
Dr. Gregg Townsley

 
Despite the Economy, our Pets Deserve the Best

Week after week we have people calling about pets that have been sick or ailing for long periods of time who inquire about at home euthanasia or are overly & erroneously concerned about huge medical bills. Many people neglect their pets needs and ignore clear symptoms of problems until it is too late! In response to this may I suggest:

1) Phone Calls Are Free -

Get good advice (I.e. not from your friend). We happily answer questions but do not diagnose over the telephone… Make an appointment!

2) A Little False Knowledge is Dangerous -
You are not a doctor and neither is your neighbor so ask someone who really knows. Our vets will get back to you to answer questions if the technicians can’t.

3) If You Don’t Know What is Available, Find Out! -

Call and ask questions and search reputable web sites.

4) Get a Second Opinion If -

Your pet is not diagnosed and improving within two visits to the doctor (depending on circumstance). Remember, not every doctor is a good diagnostician or clinician.

5) Don’t Play Worst Case Scenario -

Your own imagination may be your worst enemy. Just because Aunt Martha’s cat had similar symptoms doesn’t mean it was the same or will have the same out come. Many diseases share similar symptoms.

6) Many Conditions Respond to $20.00 Worth of Medicine and a Prescription Diet -

Is your pet worth finding out?

7) If You Allow Your Pet to become obese and under exercised it’s your fault if it cant walk or gets diabetes! -

Try balanced diets and exercise and portion control…it works.

8) Listen When Your Doctor Talks to You and Take Notes!!!! -

Most people just want to talk on about everything that they know and end up talking right over the doctor or nurse. Allow the doctor to talk and explain. We know what we are talking about. Take notes and listen closely!! You’ll come out ahead.

9) Do What The Doctor Tells You!!! -

Follow instructions to the tee and continue to follow through. Only feed what the doctor tells you.

10) If Things Aren’t Improving Steadily You Must Call Back in for Further Care -

It is your responsibility to communicate - It is your responsibility to make re-check appointments for your pet - It is your responsibility to report in and follow instructions on medications and monitor your pets progress.

Any time a pet is not improving we go to the next level of care which may mean more blood tests, x-rays, ultra sound, MRI’S or hospitalization. Seeing a specialist might be necessary for optimal results.

 Summer & Fall Allergies
by
Dr. Gregg Townsley

 
Seasonal Allergies 

Our furry friends are tons of fun but suffer from summer & fall Allergies just like people do except it affects mostly their skin and ears. Although asthma occurs in cats and dogs, 95% of their allergies involve the skin surfaces, especially where the skin is thin (armpits, groin, flanks, between toes, around the eyes and in the ear).

Most allergies are from inhaled pollen or contact allergies to grasses or bushes but we also see allergies to parasites (fleas, red ants, mites) and bacteria (staph hypersensitivity) and yeasts (malassezia allergy). Add to that allergies to foods, molds, wool, kapok etc. and you can start to understand what a problem this can be for your favorite furry friend. How do you tell if your pet has allergies ?

The most common symptoms that pet owners see their pet experiencing from allergies are:

Skin allergies may bring on secondary bacterial skin infections (staph etc.) or yeast infections. These must treated assertively first or alongside the allergy for an appropriate time (sometimes 3-8 weeks!) in order to gain successful control. Your doctor should always check a skin swab to do cytology to differentiate between bacterial and yeast infections. If your veterinarian doesn’t routinely do skin cultures, cytology, fungal cultures, skin biopsies etc. and your pets problem continues, relapses frequently, or gets worse then get a new doctor!!!

Do you know what they call a veterinarian or M.D. that graduated in the bottom 10% of their class??……….DOCTOR !!
Don't become a victim of poor veterinary care!

Underlying problems that commonly add to or cause skin problems include #1- hypothyroidism, diabetes, Cushings disease, and then certain inherited breed related conditions. Careful examination and history taking should point a good doctor in the right direction. All of these conditions require blood tests and urinalysis to pin point the diagnosis .

If your pet doesn’t make definite improvement by the 2^nd or 3^rd visit then get a second opinion or see a specialist. Our area has several board certified veterinary dermatologists that can find the answers to any on going skin conditions. What can you try at home first? If you catch the symptoms in the first several days then you could try Benadryl or Chlortrimeton (call your vet for doses - its all by body weight) an anti-allergy shampoo in cool water (oatmeal shampoos etc. from your vets office) and then keep your pet off of the grass (80% or more of our skin tests test positive for grasses). Additionally heppa air filters run indoors along with micro filters on heating/cooling systems will definitely help. The best outdoor surface for outdoor pets is an area of pea gravel 4-5 inches deep that gets watered down twice a week. Confinement from the grass during allergy season on to the pea gravel (very small smooth stones,- not decorative yard rock) works wonders !! We recommend all of these home improvements for our badly allergic patients and they are amazingly effective! Lastly, make sure you get rid of the tiny biting ants that are such a pain in the rear to our pets! Track em down and kill them … look for ant hills, ant trails, etc. and go after them. Indoors go after dust and dust mites and get it gone.

Ask your doctor about allergic skin tests, desensitization and skin biopsies if your pet is continuing to itch and scratch. 

 I hoped I helped you today!

Call for an Appointment 

We will be happy to help you !!

- Dr. Gregg Townsley