Veterinary Wisdom® Café

Walgreens or an Animal Shelter?

Okay so this is not a real shocker...but the American Medical Association has officially prescribed "walking a dog" as a treatment for seniors with physical limitations, depression, and even boredom. We all know that animals can help improve our lives. This most recent recommendation from the AMA just convinces me more.

A study conducted at the University of Mississippi tested 87 seniors who reported having "mild health problems." Half of the seniors were given weekly counseling sessions with a nutritionist and a physical therapist while the other half took a dog for a walk every day. The results showed that those seniors who walked dogs had significantly less physical problems and lower depression rates. (I read about this study in my local newspaper, the Colorado Springs Gazette.)

Although this is just one study and the methodology is unclear, this finding only reinforces my belief that pets enrich our lives on multiple levels. They comfort us, offer unconditional love, and help us get the most of life. One of the researchers doing the study theorizes that seniors benefit physically because they are exercising every day and tend to walk longer and faster when walking with a dog than when walking by themselves.

Another wonderful outcome of this study is that all the dogs taken for daily walks were living in animal shelters. By taking them for a regular outings, their quality of life also improved and there was a decrease in their anxious behaviors such as whining, scratching, and crying. Wouldn't it be great if every animal shelter in the country partnered with senior centers for a project like this? What are your thoughts?

--Dana

Pet Health Insurance...A Good Idea?

According to the December, 2009 edition of Veterinary Practice News, more than nine out of 10 (94%) pet owners know that pet insurance exists but are likely to avoid buying plans because of cost concerns. An online survey conducted by the marketing firm LePoideven Rickinger Group, polled 800 veterinary professionals and 4,600 pet owners to determine their awareness of pet insurance.

One of the most significant findings was the relatively high number of veterinarians who had no opinion (or a low opinion) of the facts of pet insurance (40% of veterinarians surveyed do not recommend pet health insurance). Pet health insurance has gained popularity over the last few years, but it's still fairly uncommon and somewhat controversial.

Those who endorse pet insurance see it as a way to help save a pet's life by allowing the owner to avoid decisions based solely on "economic euthanasia." This sounds appealing, but there are also people who worry that the proliferation of pet health insurance would change veterinary medicine (and NOT for the better). Many  worry that health insurance would make veterinary costs sky-high and become out of control (just as in human medicine). Also, veterinarians worry about these insurance companies dictating for them what treatments they can provide for their patients.

I can see both sides of the pet health insurance debate. What about you? Do any of you have pet health insurance and if so, what are your opinions and experiences? Would you recommend it to other pet owners? What do you think?

--Dana

An Abuse of Authority?

One of the nurses at our pet hospital had a bad day last week...a very bad day. It seems like such an outrageous story that I felt I had to share it with all of you. Our nurse was driving through Denver (she lives here in Colorado Springs) to go visit some friends. Traveling with her in the car was her 10 month-old pit bull puppy that she had recently adopted. As she drove along the highway through Denver, a police officer pulled her over, made her get out of the car, and proceeded to do one of the most outrageous things I've ever heard.

As many of you know, Denver has a ban on pit bulls so that no one in the city limits are allowed to own or have a pit bull dog. Apparently, this law was enough for this officer to fine her $250.00 dollars for her "criminal activity" (she tried to explain that she did not live in Denver and was simply driving through but he would hear none of it). After treating her like a criminal and writing her a citation, he called the Denver Humane Society and violently dragged her terrified puppy out of her car (using a rabies pole no less). He then confiscated the dog and told her that she would have to pay an additional fine to get her dog back (after a minimum 3-day waiting period at the humane society). Mind you, this puppy was doing absolutely nothing but cowering in the back of the car (he wasn't barking or being threatening in any way).

After three days and several fines, she was finally able to get her dog back and brought him home here to the Springs. However, she still must appear in court and pay any court fees that may apply. I don't know about you, but this seems like such an outrageous abuse of authority. It's almost as if this officer decided to mess around with this woman just so that he could write her a ticket. I felt pretty upset after hearing her story and started thinking about the times when we've visited my Mother in Denver with our pit bull dog in the car. I don't see how driving through Denver with a mild-mannered puppy who isn't bothering a soul constitutes a serious crime.

What do all of you think? Have you ever heard about something like this before? What would you do in this situation and what should our employee do when she appears in court? I'm interested in your thoughts!

--Dana

Cars For Fido and Fluffy

Four paws up for Honda automakers! It appears that Honda has created a new model designed specifically for animal lovers. Among other things, this car is equipped with an array of pet friendly accessories (such as a rear kennel, a pet bed, a spill resistant water bowl, and even an electric fan)!

This new Honda, the "Element EX" is now being advertised at select car companies across the country and Honda executives expect this car to sell well (see DVM360 for more details). 

What do you all think about this idea? Would you spend extra money for a car that has pet friendly features? If so, what kind of features would you like to have? Let's share your ideas!

--Dana

Breathing Easier

I've certainly had cats on my mind lately and I've got some great news! I just finished reading an article about a possible cure for feline asthma in one of the latest online veterinary journals (AAHA NewStat 10/28/09). Apparently, 1%-5% of all cats suffer from feline asthma (that translates into 4.1 million cats!) This can be a very serious disease and is potentially fatal so it's good to hear about the progress they're making.

The funding for this research comes from the Morris Animal Foundation. They provide essential funding to veterinary schools all over the country for the advancement of animal medicine. This latest study conducted by Carol Reinero, DVM, DACVM, PhD looks to be quite promising.

Have any of you had cats afflicted with feline asthma? If so, how did it affect your relationships with them and their quality of life? Once again, I ask you cat lovers to send us your thoughts!

--Dana

Lost and Found

If you were to look at the nightstand by my bed, you'd see a messy pile of magazines, books, newspapers, other articles, and chocolate bar wrappers (my kids affectionately refer to it as "Mom's Mess'). Well...I was skimming through "Mom's Mess" the other day and found an article about advances in returning lost animals to their owners using microchip technology.

The November edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) gives details about how the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is launching a startup company that will help reunite lost animals with their families. Many of us are already familiar with the process of micro chipping and the companies which provide these services (American Kennel Club's Companion Animal Recovery, Intervet/Schering-Plough's HomeAgain, Bayer's resQ, and Datamars' PetLink.)

Although this micro chipping process has certainly helped reunite many lost pets with their owners, the system is far from perfect. Data bases can be incomplete, and many of them are not updated on a regular basis. Currently, microchip providers in the U.S. offer about half a dozen major registries in which pet owners can enter information. What AAHA wants to do is establish one single source for recovering information from microchip registries. The hope is that this will create many more happy endings for reuniting pets and their families.

What are your thoughts about using microchips for our pets? Do many of you have your animals micro-chipped and do you think it gives people a false sense of security? I'm interested in your thoughts.

--Dana

*If you're interested in learning more about this issue, you can visit AAHA's website: www.petmicrochiplookup.org. You can also learn more by visiting www.checkthechip.com.  

Viral Vexations

Ah yes...the H1N1 Flu virus...a topic that is practically impossible to ignore. No matter where you look, everyone and every place is concerned about it. Well, we now need to add veterinary medicine in the group. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) confirmed that last week, a cat in Iowa tested positive for the H1N1 virus. While it's been known that the virus can live in other animals like pigs, birds, and ferrets, this is the first anyone has heard of a cat being afflicted. Supposedly, the cat is doing well and the prognosis is excellent, but the story is creating a bit of a panic (as this virus tends to do).

Kimberly May, (DMV, MS, DACVS) at the AVMA has confirmed "it is possible for the virus to spread to other animals and possibly to other people." However, she encourages people to "not panic" since it's still much more more likely to contract the virus from another person rather than from an animal.

Has anyone else heard about other animals (such as dogs) having the virus? What do you think this means for us pet lovers? Let's talk!

--Dana

P.S. I've also heard that some ferrets in Oregon have tested positive for H1N1 this week. So, stay away from the ferrets in your neighborhood Tammy!

Safety Versus Freedom

Snakes are in the news! Is it a crime to own a dangerous reptile or poisonous snake? The October online edition of the American Animal Hospital Association's Newstat says that this could soon be the case. A new proposal is being sent to congress to ban the ownership of "venomous reptiles and other animals of concern" (such as snakes).

Personally, I believe that animals like rattlesnakes, cobras, and poisonous salamanders should NOT be living in someone's home anyway. Over the years, we've had a few people call our hospital wanting us to treat their rattlesnakes and other poisonous pets (one man even wanted us to examine his scorpion). We always refer these people to a veterinary zoologist, but I worry about their safety in having such a pet in the first place.

What do you all think? Should people be forbidden to own dangerous animals and if so, is it appropriate for the the government to make it a crime? What about the people who own wolf hybrids? What are your thoughts about the line between freedom of choice and public safety?

--Dana

A Good Dose Of Job Security

In today's economic climate, almost every business in the country is experiencing difficult times. I was happy then to read about an economic study conducted by "Packaged Facts: a unit of Market Research Group in New York.* According to this study, the overall US market for pet care services will grow annually by about 9 percent and exceed 34 billion by 2013.

That growth is faster than the annual 7 percent rate in the past five years during which the market grew from 17.1 billion in 2004 to 22.7 billion in 2008. The study also says that veterinary services account for 75 percent of the overall pet care services market and is expected to lead growth in the overall market.

This seems logical since veterinary care is the most essential type of service compared to services such as grooming, training, and boarding. I wonder though if the improvement of emotional support in veterinary care is also a reason for this good news? When money is tight, people are probably willing to pay for a service as long as they believe that service is of good quality medically and emotionally.

What kinds of things do you predict for the field of veterinary medicine economically and otherwise? Do you think good communication makes or breaks a business in a slow economy? Let's hear from you!

--Dana

*Source (Veterinary Practice News, September 2009, Page 5).

Hedgehog Happenings

Last week, the Clarion Hotel in Colorado Springs was the place to be if you are in to quills. Yes indeed, The Rocky Mountain Hedgehog Show was held with over 50 people in attendance. I've written about hedgehogs before...they are favorite pets of children and very interesting animals. Obviously, children aren't the only ones who love these curious little creatures.

The Hedgehog show featured the same things you would find at a dog or cat show. There was a costume contest, agility contest, best in appearance, and at the end of the day, a ceremony for hedgehogs that have died (which is very cool in my opinion). My one question though...how do you test for agility in a hedgehog?

What do you all think about hedgehogs in general. Have any of you had hedgehogs as pets and what were your experiences? I've never had a hedgehog so I would love to hear from all the hedgehog enthusiasts out there!

--Dana

All in the Family

I recently saw an article in the newspaper that predicted in 20-30 years, small veterinary practices will be a thing of the past (presumably swallowed up by the big companies like Veterinary Centers of America). Obviously, as co-owner of a small practice, this prediction is worrisome. However, even if you take the monetary issues out of the eequation, I wonder if these massive veterinary hospitals can offer the same type of personal touch a local veterinarian does.

With human medical care, the notion of a "family doctor" already seems to be dying out in today's world of specialists and insurance requirements. Some people welcome the change, but I wonder how losing your neighborhood veterinarian would affect pet owners and their pets? We always talk about how relationships are the key to a successful businesses, but it can be pretty hard to develop a personal relationship with a practice that has 50 doctors on staff.

How do you think human medical care has changed now that family doctors are few and far between? You can certainly make the argument that the larger, more specialized hospitals can provide the most advanced services, but can't the family doctor provide this too? What about the benefit gained from the doctor knowing his/her patient's medical/life history? It's an interesting question. Does successful medical care require a good relationship with the doctor? I'm curious to know your thoughts.

--Dana

A Skunk In The House

Many veterinarians will tell you that one of the best parts about their job is that they get to see a variety of animals. Over the last 10 years since we've owned our veterinary practice, we've made of list of the most unusual patients we have seen (our list includes snakes, lizards, various types of rodents, and even a squirrel)!

Well, we can now add skunk to the list! I know that this is not earth shattering news...there are quite a few people out there who own skunks...we've just never seen one at our hospital. If you can take away the odor problem and the potential for rabies, it sounds like skunks can make very nice pets but I have some doubts I think it's wonderful when people have connections with animals, but I'm not quite sure how to draw the line with wild animals.

I'm curious about your thoughts...what is an acceptable pet and what isn't? Is there such a thing? Is the size of the animal the determining factor? Over the years, I've known people who have owned bears, wolves, chinchillas, and wild cats (tigers and lions). Should people own these types of animals and what issues are created? Let's hear you. (Photo from metro.co.uk)

--Dana

"Dr." Groomer

Let me start out right now telling you that groomers as a whole, are terrific people and work hard at what they do. They care about their clients and their pets. However, we occasionally have difficult days when a groomer has "diagnosed" a problem with a pet and the owner comes in telling us what treatment must be done.

Groomers, animal behaviorists, trainers, and animal care specialists certainly have experience working with animals and have knowledge that exceeds the average person. They can alert an owner about a change in their animal's coat or other problems. But...it is a bad situation when a client comes to us saying that the groomer has decided her dog has cardiac problems (this happened just last week). ???? How would the groomer come by that conclusion? That's a pretty bold statement and seems out of bounds to me. What's worse is that the client often believes the groomer even to the point where they argue with the veterinarian about the diagnosis. I'm sorry, but this makes about enough sense as it does for me to consult my hairstylist about my cancer treatment. It just seems weird but it happens more frequently than you think.

Because owners are loyal to their groomers, it can be very difficult to convince clients that their groomer is incorrect about advice they've given (especially with dermatological problems). It's also frustrating because the pet is the one who suffers the most. It would be so much easier and save a lot of time and heartache if groomers refrained from diagnosing medical problems all together.

Opinions everyone...what are your thoughts about this? If there are any professional groomers or animal care specialists out there to lend us your opinions? I welcome your ideas and feedback! (photo from bigstockphoto.com)

--Dana

A Rock And A Hard Place

Anyone who has ever owned or worked at a veterinary hospital has faced this dilemma...

We have a client who is very kind, conscientious, and cares deeply for her dog. Unfortunately, her dog is outrageously aggressive with anyone besides her so it's very stressful when she brings the dog in to see us. We've tried many times to explain to her the gravity and seriousness of the situation, but she just doesn't seem to want to hear it. We try to remind her that if she were to get scratched, bitten, or injured by her dog during a veterinary exam, we would be the ones held responsible...not her. We've tried many strategies and plans with this dog to keep everyone safe, (certain restraint techniques, behavioral interventions, distraction, the client coming into the treatment area with us, etc., but nothing works very well). The only thing that we've found to be effective is sedating the dog ahead of time.

I understand why someone wouldn't want to sedate his/her dog unless it's absolutely necessary. However, in this case it IS necessary and we can't seem to get through to her. Sometimes she will even acknowledge the potential dangers to herself, but it's very hard to get her to think about the dangers to our staff as well. Just because we work with animals and know about their aggressive behaviors, it doesn't mean that we're safe from the harm caused by that aggression. Our staff depends on us to provide a safe work environment and we simply can't risk safety to accommodate one client and one patient. Unfortunately, we've had to set a boundary with her where we won't see her dog unless it is mildly sedated. This is such an uncommon thing, and it feels just horrible to put a pet owner into a situation like this. The worst part of all of this is that this dog is not receiving adequate medical care as a result.

My question to all of you...how would you approach this client if your were in our shoes? We've tried many ways to explain the issues to her, but so far not much luck. It's almost as if she doesn't want to realize how dangerous her dog can be. It's so hard to tell someone this, and we end up being the bad guy. Because of her frustration, this client calls us frequently wanting veterinary "advice" via the phone since she won't agree to sedate the dog for an examination. Once again, we're the bad guy having to tell her that we can't make a diagnosis over the phone; we need to examine the dog; and only then can we provide appropriate treatment.

I can't remember when I've felt this "stuck" with a client. Help me out here folks...am I missing something? I want your ideas!

--Dana

Weight Watchers in Paws

Body weight...it's a national obsession. It's difficult to avoid the topic in today's media. We're too skinny, too fat, too lumpy, too tiny, too whatever. Having the perfect weight is highly valued and people spend lots of money trying to achieve it. Apparently, this is also becoming true for our pets. The recent issue of DVM Newsmagazine published the results of a study conducted by The American Pet Products Association (APPA). In this 2009 study, they found that veterinarians consider 13% of their dog patients and 21% of cat patients to be obese and have put them on some type of weight loss regimen. (I guess Kitty needs to hit the gym)!

This study further shows that at least 60% of pet owners are willing to spend more money for food if it can make their pet's weight healthy. That seems like a pretty impressive amount. I don't know the percentage of people who are willing to spend money for their own weight issues, but I would guess the percentages are pretty close to that of our pets. It makes sense when you consider that so many pets are considered family members

I find it ironic that some pet owners at our hospital are quite vigilant about their pet's healthy weight but don't seem to worry about their own weight in general. It's also interesting to look at a pet's weight in comparison to the owner's weight. Do you think these are related? Do owners who feed healthy food to their pets do the same for themselves? What's your opinion about this?

--Dana

Simple Gestures and Peace of Mind

Here in Colorado Springs, we have several veterinary specialty practices (surgeons, internal medicine specialists, oncologists, and even a veterinary dentist)! I've recently had dealings with the surgery center since my own dog Chance had two surgeries on his knee.

On the day of his surgery when we were leaving the hospital, I noticed a small, pretty basket on the front counter that was filled with paw print stones. The stones had little notes attached to them saying "please take one of these stones to keep you close to your pet." Wow...I've known about this innovative product for quite awhile, but I had not experienced the reassurance first hand.

I immediately felt more at ease with leaving my dog in their care, and I felt secure in the knowledge that they were "good people" who I could trust. All of this from one sensitive gesture...it was powerful.

World By The Tail Inc. educates veterinarians about the importance of acknowledging the human animal bond. If veterinarians show clients how much they care, clients will also believe that they will cure. It's amazing how important this perception is.

What does your veterinary hospital do to demonstrate a sense of caring? Do they use any of World By The Tail's products to convey this care? I'm interested in hearing from you!

--Dana

"Grey's Anatomy, D.V.M?"

The other day, I watched television with my kids and within a 30 minute time period, we saw commercials for at least 7 medical dramas. Shows like Grey's Anatomy, ER, House, Scrubs, and all the other new ones this summer are everywhere on cable and the networks. I can see their appeal...medical drama means human drama. The plot lines are endless and the emotions involved are very complex.

Later in the day, my kids both asked me why there are not many TV shows about veterinary medicine. I hadn't really thought about it much before but they are right. Outside of Animal Planet's "Emergency Vets" there are few shows that dramatize veterinary medicine.

The human-animal bond in our society is stronger than it's ever been. When it comes to stories about pets and people, the public can't get enough (the success of "Marley and Me" is a perfect example). But what about the drama involved with pets getting injured or sick and veterinarians working to heal them? Why is topic so scarce in the entertainment industry?

What are your thoughts? Do you think a TV show about a veterinary hospital could be successful? What kinds of stories do you think people would want to see? If you believe such a show would work, who would you cast as your major characters? Let's get the creative juices flowing! (photo from dreamstime.com)

--Dana

P.S. If any of you end up creating a smash hit TV show...I want copyrights on the idea!

Understanding Fluffy and Fido

It happens at least once a week. It's the client who needs help with his/her pet's behavior problems. We do the best that we can, but there are situations when the problem requires someone with specific expertise on this issue.

We are lucky at our hospital because we can refer our clients to Dr. Dan Estep, and Dr. Suzanne Hetts at Animal Behavior Associates. They are excellent animal behaviorists and have helped many of our clients with some very complex behavior problems. We also refer clients to Bark Busters (a service for dogs only).

I'm realizing that knowledge about animal behavior is instrumental in  helping pet owners and nurturing the human-animal bond. Some veterinary school teach behavior classes but some do not. What is your opinion about this?  Do you think that veterinarians should have more training in animal behavior? Should the state licensing boards require that veterinarians have advanced knowledge about common problems seen in dogs and cats? Is that placing too much of a burden on the veterinarian? Let's hear your thoughts!

--Dana

Media Mania

There are times at our pet hospital when time is very tight. When talking to clients about surgeries or other complicated procedures, it is very helpful to have written material the client can take home. What do you think about taking a video home?

More and more, veterinary hospitals are using DVDs to help explain procedures and surgeries. This can be very powerful since we all know how "seeing is believing." For example, some veterinary oncologists use DVDs to educate pet owners about chemotherapy. At our pet hospital, we use DVD's for various issues such as behavior problems and specific surgeries.

I'm realizing that using DVDs can be a very helpful tool for educating pet owners. I am now working on making videos for even standard procedures (such as a spay or neuter which of course, is NOT standard for the pet owner. I also want to make a video about euthanasia (what to expect, what will happen, the drugs involved, etc). When Laurel Lagoni directed the Argus Institute at Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital, she and her colleagues made videos about euthanasia and pet loss (sponsored by AAHA). These videos yielded positive comments and helped many pet owners.

What about you? Has your veterinarian ever offered a video that explains medical procedures? If so, was it helpful? Some veterinarians worry that using videos might negatively affect the personal connection he/she has with the client. What do you all think?

--Dana

"Thank You For Holding..."

The other day I spent two whole hours on the phone trying to contact someone at my insurance company about my medical bills. I finally got my answer but by the time the call was over, I was angry, frustrated, and completely annoyed.

Putting clients on hold is a fact of life in service businesses. There are times at our hospital when we need to put callers on hold in order to help clients that have scheduled appointments. We've all heard it before....the standard phrase, "may I put you on hold for a minute?" but I'm wondering if this is a good way to lose a client. One thing that people prefer about their veterinarians is that they provide superior service compared to that of human doctors. I know that from personal experience that putting clients "on hold" can communicate a very bad message and be interpreted as quite rude.

I always stress that if employees must put someone on hold, they should do it very politely and never make them hold for more than a few minutes. When the call resumes, I tell the employee to thank the client for their patience. Most of our clients are very understanding and tolerant of this.

What do you think is an "acceptable" amount of time for someone to put you "on hold?"At what point does it make you angry and what should the person do to address your frustration? If you're kept on hold for a long time, what should be said to acknowledge your anger?

By the way...I don't mind waiting "on hold" for people to to this question!(photo from bigstockphoto.com)

--Dana

Canine Chemotherapy

In June, the Associated Press reported that a new drug will soon be released to help fight cancer specifically in dogs. Up to now, most cancer drugs used in veterinary medicine were developed for use in humans and weren't specifically approved for animals. That's about to change with the new drug "Palladia" (manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health, Inc).

According to the Food and Drug Administration, this drug has been approved to treat a specific type of skin cancer (canine cutaneous mast cell tumors). These tumors can appear small and insignificant initially. While some are quite easily removed, others can be life threatening.

This is an important "first" for veterinary medicine. It shows that people are willing to spend money and time on cancer treatment just for animals alone. Of course, clinical trials with Palladia are just now starting so it will take some time before we know this particular drug's efficacy. Like most veterinarians, we'll need to hear from respected veterinary oncologists (who are not on Pfizer's payroll) before we consider treating patients with it.

What do you all think? Is this a good use of research money and time? Is it right to focus on just one type of cancer that doesn't even involve humans? We are all aware of the power of the human-animal bond...is this just a logical consequence of that bond?

--Dana

A Different Type of Intelligence

Most everyone familiar with pop psychology knows about the concept of Emotional Intellegence (EI). Originally developed by John Mayer and Peter Salovey, EI has become a wildly popular topic ever since Daniel Goleman's groundbreaking book in 1995.

Over the years, the term EI has become very broad and far reaching. Pure EI theorists (such as Mayer and Salovey) think the term is being diluted from over-exposure. Initially, EI referred to a person's capacity to "recognize, understand, and manage emotions." People with a high degree of EI can recognize emotions as signals, and know what the signals mean over time.

I have a hunch that many people in the veterinary profession have a fairly high degree of EI. In fact, people who interact with pets in general, are probably more skilled with emotions than some others. What do you all think? Which other professions require a high degree of EI? Do you think that people in those particular fields really are emotionally intelligent? What about human medicine? I'm interested in your thoughts.

--Dana

A new website!

Yesterday was a momentous day at World by the Tail, Inc. headquarters! We have been working on, for quite some time, a second website. Yesterday, that website "went live"!!

If you visit our homepage - www.veterinarywisdom.com, you will see your two choices. On the left - the choice to go to the site for animal care business teams (veterinarians, technicians, crematories, and anyone else who works in the animal care field.) On the right - the choice to go to the new site specifically for Pet Parents!

At the new pet parent site, you'll find our high quality products (like ClayPaws® Kits, decorating accessories, books, and much more!) You'll also find our support center for pet parents. There you will find links to recommended resources, reading, our support service (grief counseling options by telephone appointment), and even ClayPaws® print repair services!

There are also articles for you pet parents - on topics such as children and grief, decision-making, and how to build the bond with your pets.

We will be adding articles over the months to come. We hope you'll use and enjoy this new resource!! Please let us know if you have any input, comments, or suggestions for the new pet parent site! (Email me at webmaster@wbtt.com or leave a comment here on the blog.)

Enjoy looking around!

--Tammy

Weather Worries

Here in Colorado Springs, we have many afternoon thunderstorms in the summer. These storms can be very scary and difficult for certain pets (as can fireworks). It's always sad when we see an animal at the pet hospital who got injured from trying to hide or escape from their yard during a thunderstorm. They just don't understand what's going on.

Do any of you have pets that are scared of certain types of weather? Any fears about other sounds (such as the sound of the vacuum)? How do you help your pet in these situations? (photo from dreamstime.com)

--Dana

"I'll Spend $1,000.00 and Not a Penny More!"

The March, 2009, DVM Newsmagazine ran an article about the impact of the current economic situation on the purchase of veterinary care.  It seems that, on average, people are spending up to $1,407.00 on treatment for a pet before deciding to "throw in the towel."  That's a 3% decline from 2006, the last time veterinarians were asked to estimate the average dollar amount spent before clients opted to stop treatment.  In contrast, a report from the AVMA says the average pet owner spends only $356.00 per year on veterinary services (routine and annual care).

Some veterinary practices report pet owners declining to spend money on diagnostic tests and just treating symptoms.  The problem with that, they say, is refusing to spend $300 at your regular vet's can often lead to spending 10 times that amount at an emergency practice as disease etc. progresses, and even more if euthanasia is then elected.

Some vets interviewed for the DVM article said even they believe costs of surgeries have gotten too high and that chemo and radiation for animals is unnecessary.

What do you think?  What's your stop treatment point?

--Laurel

Love Thy Neighbor?

Q:  I find I'm having a problem with how to react to my neighbors ailing dog. Her dog has been ill for quite some time and has not had a good "quality of life". Now my neighbor and her husband are going on a three week vacation to Europe. Their grown son will watch their dog for them while they are gone, but he has a young dog of his own which stresses the sick one. My neighbor can't come to grips with euthansia. She says she is waiting for her dog to die naturally. From my own personal experience, we took a week long vacation when I knew that my dog was ailing and wouldn't be around much longer. In retrospect, I resent and regret that we took that vacation at that time.

I don't know what to say to her when she talks about her plans, as I don't agree with how she is handling things. However, she has not asked for my advice and I know it is strictly her business. How can I keep from saying the wrong thing??   ---

willthepill, CO

A:  Thanks for making this comment, willthepill, as it is so common. Parenting animals, particularly sick ones, is so individual, just like parenting children. It's a time when you really see our differences in values, sense of responsibility, etc.

From my own personal and professional experience with this issue, I've found that there are two things you can do:

1) Tell your neighbor that you understand how difficult it is to face a decision about euthanasia and ask her if she realizes the true advances that have been made regarding how euthanasia is performed. Does she understand that she can be there, that the process is painless and actually comforting to witness, etc. Some people have had negative experiences with euthanasia in the past and assume that it is still a medical procedure that causes great emotional distress for owners.

2) Since you have no control over her ultimate decision, you might want to ask if you could visit her dog while she's gone, just to reassure yourself that the dog isn't in pain or suffering in some way. I often try to get others to take an action I want them to take just so I can relax and not worry about it! I realize that's not fair to expect, so the alternative is to arrange a way for me to calm my own anxiety about a situation.

Other than those two alternatives, you're right. Your neighbor probably won't make the decision you'd like her to make, but ultimately it's her dog and her emotional life and all you can do is figure out how you can comfort your own anxiety about the circumstances.

Good luck and let us know what happens. (photo from Dreamstime.com)

--Laurel

Vegan pets?

I read an interesting article last week. It was about people who are choosing to feed their pets totally vegan diets, rather than typical pet foods, which include meats.

Vegan is different than vegetarian. Vegans do not eat anything that comes from animals. This includes eggs and dairy products. The article profiled several vegan pet-owners who had decided that they could not ethically feed their animals meat and animal products since they, themselves, would not eat these things. They believe that "their cats' and dogs' diets should reflect their own beliefs about the treatment of animals and environmentally sustainable diets".

In the story, veterinarians talked about whether feeding pets a vegan diet could be healthy. One veterinarian said that it is possible to do this in a healthy way for the pet, but it isn't a simple process. He urged pet-owners to really consider the work involved before making a switch to a vegan pet diet. Also, apparently a vegan diet would be easier for a dog to adapt to than a cat. Cats apparently have stricter diet requirements and if offered a vegan diet will probably try to supplement the protein they need by hunting on their own!

This was a really interesting view of a vegan diet for me. I'd never really thought about how pet food might affect someone who doesn't eat any animal products. Knowing that there are animal products in your pet's food could really cause some ethical concerns if you are truly strict, as a vegan diet is.

What do you all think? Would you be concerned about feeding your pet animal products if you didn't eat them yourself? Or would you be OK with them having animal products? Do any of you already feed a vegan diet to your pets? How do you make sure that it is healthy and balanced for them?

(Photo from Dreamstime.com/Matthias Nordmeyer)

--Tammy

My Boyfriend Hates My Cat

"My boyfriend complains about my cat all the time. He hates the smell of the cat food, the mess from the litter box, and the fur all over the couch. It's getting to the point where I'm wondering if I should keep the cat and get rid of the boyfriend. Is that weird?" --Maya S., Tucson, AZ

Why is it that some men just don't like cats? Maya, are you sure this boyfriend isn't inadvertently revealing a deep-seated animosity towards women through a dislike of your cat? (Hey! Don't roll your eyes! Cats have long been associated with witches and "the feminine arts" and some people don't even realize that they mistrust both women and felines based on that cultural conditioning!)

Anyway, assuming your boyfriend is not a woman-hater, it may be time for you and he to sit down and have a heart-to-heart talk about cat keeping and house-cleaning. It's not unusual for one person in a relationship to be more sensitive than the other to the dirt, clutter, and smells that accumulate in a home. That said, a working compromise may be in order so you both get what you want from your environment. For instance, can you agree to feed your cat and keep his litter box in a space away from the rooms your boyfriend spends the most time in? Even more, can you clean the bowl and the litter box at least once a day so the mess and stink are kept minimal? And, can you buy some cat perches or sheepskin beds and place them where your cat usually naps? Then, you can easily remove them (and the fur) when your boyfriend wants to sit down.

On his part, can he stop complaining and guilt-tripping you about your cat as long as your agreed-on standard of cat care is met? And, will he even go so far as to greet the cat and pet the cat once in awhile so you will feel he at least likes him and accepts him as an important part of your life?

The conversation and care agreement I'm talking about isn't about 'controlling' one another or about seeking power in the relationship. It's about coming from a place of mutual respect in order to fine tune your communication. In other words, stop arguing and becoming defensive with one another about 'the cat.' It's not really about the cat. It's about how you are each feeling discounted by the other and not 'heard.' Start listening. It'll be good for you and good for your cat!

--Laurel

No more pets?!

Sarah R. in Des Moines, IA writes:

"My husband is much more of a 'people person' than an animal lover. We're down to one old dog after raising a family that included three dogs, two cats, and two children. We're set to retire next year and my husband is adamant that, after my beloved Samson dies, we will not adopt more pets. I disagree! I always want a cat and a dog in my life. How do I convince my husband?"

Sarah, this one hits close to home! My husband and I are in much the same situation (except we had four dogs!) My husband is a kind, caring man and has always supported my daughters' and my need to live with animals, but now that the kids are grown, he's ready to be pet-less, too!

I've finally come to realize that it's not really the animals Pete objects to -- it's the burden of responsibility they represent. Pete doesn't reap the true enjoyment of having pets. He doesn't walk or play with them, doesn't find comfort in snuggling with one on the couch. He mostly sees the 'down side' of pet parenting -- vet and pet-sitter bills, fur-laden furniture, chewed on sprinkler heads, and demands on his time.

We've come to an uneasy truce about this topic. Basically, I've agreed to a one-year period of being pet-less after all of our current pets have passed on (we still have five of them who are very much alive!) During that year, we'll both have a chance to weigh the pros and cons of bringing no more than one (only one!) cat and one (only one, I swear!) dog into our lives. Then, together, we'll make the decision, knowing full well that, if we adopt more animals, we are committing several thousand dollars and many hours of time over the next 15 or so years to pet care.

And, I know that battle will really come down to being about adopting a dog because they simply require more time and attention than a cat. I think I can easily make a case for one, small, very well-behaved, perfectly healthy cat, don't you?

Are pets causing disagreements between you and your significant other? Join the conversation and tell us how you're solving your arguments!

--Laurel