Interest and work in Physical Rehabilitation has been a fairly recent trend in veterinary medicine. Veterinary surgeons perform joint replacements, arthroscopic surgery, and general surgery on a routine basis. These procedures often require prolonged or extensive rehabilitation. The general public is aware of the merits of Physical Rehabilitation in humans and this awareness is fueling the quest and interest in physical rehabilitation for their animals.

Physical rehabilitation has been proven to be effective in treating dogs suffering the pain of back ache, arthritis, hip dysplasia, immobilization of a limb, and other debilitating joint and osteological disorders. In addition, there is ample interest in the “wellness” aspects of rehabilitation. There are many dogs that are overweight and deconditioned who can benefit from exercise and cardiovascular fitness programs. This attention to “wellness” complements the treatment of the whole dog when combined with nutrition and nutritional support, behavior and environment studies, acupuncture and other alternative medicine approaches.

Physical rehabilitation can include modalities such as heat/ice, ultrasound, electric stimulation, massage, joint range of motion, exercise programs, and hydrotherapy. Hydrotherapy is the use of therapeutic swimming, whirlpool, and/or underwater treadmill to increase muscle strength, increase circulation, joint movement and cardiovascular fitness. Physical rehabilitation has a useful role in modern veterinary practice. There is scientific data to support its usefulness. It is rapidly becoming a source of relief for our beloved friends.

WISDOM Panel MX detects these breeds in SIMONE:

Chow Chow

Collie

Dachshund

Is your dog one of a kind?

Atrium Animal Hospital now offers the WISDOM Panel MX.  The WISDOM Panel MX performs a complex genetic analysis to detect breeds in your dog’s family history, examining over 300 sites along your pet’s DNA, then comparing them to Mars Veterinary’s proprietary genetic database.

Your dog is special and knowing your dog’s breed mix is much more than a matter of curiosity.  The important genetic information provided by WISDOM Panel MX can help veterinarians develop a customized care plan specifically tailored to your dog’s individual needs.

WISDOM Panel MX results are provided in a comprehensive and customized report.  A detailed analysis of breeds detected in your dog and an explanation of which breeds have been detected at the highest level of certainty.  This includes a historical background of your pet along with physical traits and breed associated behaviors. 

To learn more about the WISDOM Panel MX call

Atrium Animal Hospital @ 704-542-2000

Heartworm disease is typically thought to be only a problem for dogs. Unfortunately, cats are also at risk. Feline heartworm disease (FHD) is relatively uncommon, but can be difficult to diagnose and may even be fatal. As with dogs, the disease is transmitted by mosquitoes. Although cats of any age or gender are susceptible, middle-aged male cats seem to be the most common victims. Also, both indoor and outdoor cats are at risk. The most prevalent symptoms are coughing and labored breathing. Vomiting, weight loss, decreased appetite, and lethargy are also often seen in cats with FHD. Unfortunately, treatment for cats with FHD is very limited. Most veterinarians agree that the best way to deal with FHD is to use heartworm preventative. Cat owners can find monthly feline heartworm preventative at most animal hospitals.

Similar to human medical programs, competition for acceptance into veterinary medical school is highly competitive. Only one out of three applicants was accepted to veterinary medical school in 2004. Veterinarians, in addition to a standard BS degree in premedical science, must complete between 45 and 90 hours of additional undergraduate coursework in science, math and biology PLUS four years of medical school.

There are 32 accredited schools of veterinary medicine in the USA and Canada, and almost 80% of the students are now female. This is significant considering, that 20 years ago only half of all graduates were women. There are now five female deans in North America.

While the profession dates back to 1800 B.C., Ontario Veterinary College is the oldest accredited veterinary school operating in North America. Elizabeth Stone, DVM, MPP, MS became dean of that college in 2005.

Veterinary medical school students graduate with Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degrees and must pass state and national examinations before practicing medicine. In addition to the private practice of veterinary medicine, veterinarians succeed in several professional fields including research, academia, business and public health. They influence national decisions that are made regarding public health to prevent animal diseases from infecting the general public.

Although Lyme disease is generally most common in northern parts of the United States, cases do occasionally occur in the southeast. It only takes a single tick to transmit the disease. Even though Lyme disease does have noticeable symptoms, it can be difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms mimic the signs of other health problems, like degenerative joint disease and autoimmune disease. Some of the symptoms of Lyme disease include shifting leg lameness, fever, lethargy, and swollen lymph nodes. In some cases, dogs suffering from the disease can even develop renal disorders and cardiac problems.

Thankfully, exposure to an infected tick does not ensure infection. However, it is a good idea to carefully check your dog after he or she is outside in wooded areas. In fact, the tick must be attached to the dog for about 48 hours for Lyme disease to be transmitted. Subsequently, early removal of an attached tick can be extremely beneficial. Just be careful whenever removing a tick because humans are also susceptible to Lyme disease.

Have you noticed your dog seems to be suffering from spinal discomfort? The problem may be that your dog has diskospondylitis. Diskospondylitis is a bacterial or fungal infection of the cushions between vertebrae. Unfortunately, this problem is not preventable. The good news is, there is treatment! Most cases of diskospondylitis can be successfully treated with the use of antibiotics, pain medication, and limited activity.

How do I know if my dog is at risk?

Recent studies have indicated that this type of infection is most commonly found in large and giant breeds. Furthermore, purebred dogs are more susceptible to diskospondylitis; Great Danes in particular.

What signs should I watch out for?

Most dogs affected by diskospondylitis will exhibit fever, lethargy, lack of coordination, and spinal pain. Your veterinarian can provide useful diagnostic services such as laboratory tests, scans and biopsies to determine if your pet has diskospondylitis.

There is no contest! Moist is better. Dry food is processed more than canned food and the protein quality is most dry food is low. Low quality protein causes the urine to be alkaline; a dog or cat fed a high quality, easily assimilated protein tends to have acidic urine. Acidic urine prevents the growth of germs and helps dissolve bladder stones and gravel.

Most veterinarians caution against a dry food diet. Dry food does not clean teeth. A diet of wholesome food makes the body stronger, including teeth and gum.

Moist food contains more water. A dog or cat's body is made up of 85% water. Out in the wild, they would consume prey (bird, mouse, lizard, rabbit) which provides necessary water to help hydrate the organs for maximum efficiency. Water is the single most important nutrient necessary to sustain normal function of all living cells. A number of studies have been conducted on cats regarding the intake of water and how it compared between canned and dry commercial foods. All studies indicate canned, moist food is better for water consumption. We also recommend that fresh, clean water be available at all times for your dogs, cats and you!

Heartworm disease is very prevalent in the Southern U.S., where mosquitoes abound and winters are often short and mild. Both dogs and cats are at risk for this disease, which is caused by a bite from a mosquito carrying the infective stage of the heartworm (aka Dirofilaria immitis). Heartworms can affect multiple body systems, including the heart (thickening of the heart wall, congestive heart failure in some), the lungs (hypertension, embolism, pneumonitis) and the kidneys (damage secondary to immune system reaction to heartworms). Common signs include exercise intolerance, cough, and difficulty breathing...the first sign in cats can be sudden death.

Monthly prevention is the best protection and is much and less costly when compared to treating heartworm infestation. We suggest using either Heartgard Plus or TriHeart, both of which are highly effective monthly preventive treatments given orally. They also provide protection against most gastrointestinal parasites. We also recommend a yearly heartworm test at the time of your dog's yearly exam.

We recommend monthly heartworm prevention for cats, also. Whether your cat is indoor only or goes outside regularly, the risk for mosquito exposure exists. While the prevalence of this disease is much lower in cats when compared to dogs, the clinical signs can be much more severe. We recommend heartworm testing for cats during yearly exams, and advise monthly preventative depending on the test results.

If your pet should get a swollen face or paw(s) from an insect sting or other hypersensitivity type of reaction, give an antihistamine such as Benadryl. The dose would be 1 milligram per pound, every 8 hours until swelling resolves. Example: give a 25 pound dog, 25 milligrams of Benadryl.

If you witness an insect sting on a paw you can soak your pet's paw in Alka Seltzer. This will neutralize the sting. If it is a bee sting, it is ideal if you can get the stinger out of the paw.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do not leave your pet in your car, not "even for a minute". The heat is lethal and a minute can turn into 5-10 minutes quickly. To quote the Piedmont Kennel Club, "preheat your oven to 350 degrees and jump in" is how this feel to your pet when you leave him/her in a parked car on a sunny day even for a few minutes. Please do not take your dog for a run or bike ride in the middle of the day. Dog's do not have the heat exchange mechanism that we do. They rely almost solely on evaporation from the tongue and paw pads to decrease their temperature and on a humid day this is greatly impaired.

Rabbits and hot weather do not get along! Keep your rabbits indoor in clean, cool areas. Rabbits succumb to heat very quickly. Also, rabbits housed outdoors are very likely to get infected with warbles which are grub like worms that grow under the skin after a fly has deposited its eggs there. Also, maggots can be a problem around the rectum and there is urine scald possibility from an unclean cage.

Xylitol, a sweetener found in certain sugar-free chewing gums and candies, can cause serious or life-threatening problems for pets, according to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Dogs that ingest significant amounts of candies made with the sweetener can develop a sudden drop in blood sugar, which could result in depression, loss of coordination and seizures, says Dr. Eric Dunayer, consulting veterinarian in clinical toxicology for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. "These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product," he says. Some data appears to point to a possible link between xylitol ingestions and the development of liver failure in dogs, Dr. Dunayer says, but no firm conclusion can be made at this time.

September 2010

Alert:  New No-Calorie Sweetener contains Xylitol which is toxic to dogs.

Please don’t let your dog eat anything made with these products. If your pet does accidentally eat something made with Xylitol, contact us immediately.

Dental problems are a frequent abnormality found on a pet's yearly physical exam. Often, an owner may notice foul breath, unsightly tartar, and sometimes even pain while chewing. The most common dental problems we encounter include: 1) dental calculus and tartar composed of bacteria and salivary proteins 2) gingivitis or inflammation of gums 3) broken and/or abscessed teeth 4) recessed gum lines around devitalized teeth. About 80% of pets over 3 years old will have some degree of gingivitis, and there is a higher prevalence earlier in life in toy breeds. Risk factors for dental disease include age, head shape and dental conformation, lack of oral care, and certain metabolic diseases.

Routine dental cleanings are done safely under general anesthesia. Canine and feline teeth are cleaned with instruments very similar to those used in human dentistry. First, tartar is cleaned away thoroughly and the teeth are assessed for fractures/breaks, overall vitality, and pockets along the gum line. Teeth are polished and rinsed, and a periodontal treatment is applied topically to the gums if deep pockets are present. Occasionally, it is necessary to pull one or more teeth if they are very loose or devitalized. If tartar/calculus is severe, we use oral antibiotics starting prior to the dental cleaning and continue them for a few days after - this is to help prevent bacterial release into the bloodstream as tartar is being cleaned away.

It is important to perform oral care at home for your pets. This can include brushing the teeth or simply massaging the teeth and gums with a piece of gauze or a small piece of pantyhose to prevent tartar build-up. Other ways to improve dental health is by providing special chew toys/bones to help clean teeth, as well as treating your pets with fresh fruits, veggies and organic plain yogurt daily.

CHOCOLATE...it can only be a good thing, right? Not always – in cats and dogs, chocolate poisoning is among the twenty most common poisonings reported in recent literature. Not surprisingly, this problem is more common during the holidays, when candy is readily available in most homes. Dogs are usually more commonly affected, since they’re liable to consume large amounts of unusual foods very quickly. And as we all know, chocolate is highly palatable and attractive...and can often be sniffed out easily in homes and kitchens. Excess chocolate intake can cause gastrointestinal, neurological, and cardiac problems. Toxicity is usually due to ingestion of processed chocolate used for candies and baking. The following products are listed from highest to lowest risk:

1. Cocao bean

2. Baker’s chocolate

3. Semisweet chocolate

4. Milk chocolate

5. Hot chocolate

6. White chocolate

Signs associated with toxicity include vomiting and diarrhea, restlessness, excess urination, and can even lead to excitement and seizures. Also, keep size in mind: a small dog that has eaten baker’s chocolate is more likely to be affected than a large dog that has ingested a lot of milk chocolate. If your pet ingests a low risk chocolate type, monitor them at home for any signs of illness. If your pet eats a high-risk chocolate product and is feeling ill, please consult a veterinarian for treatment. Be sure to keep all unsuitable foods, including candy, in an inaccessible place.

Have a great fall, and happy trick-or-treating!

Allergies wow! Where do we begin? There are 3 basic categories of allergies. Atopy, which are inhalant allergies, are the most common. Contact allergies which usually cause a skin reaction on the paws and belly due to contact with grass, pine straw, new carpet, etc... are another type. Food allergies are the third category. This allergy is most common to a particular protein source, but it can also be caused by preservatives, dyes, or any particular component of the food.

There is usually a genetic predisposition to allergies, but there are many natural approaches we can offer to keep our pets under that “itch and scratch” threshold.

The key factor in controlling allergies is nutrition. The balance of Omega 3 fatty acids to Omega 6 fatty acids, foods free of artificial preservatives and dyes, and protein sources free of antibiotics and various growth hormones all play an important part in preventing allergies. The addition of herbal pet therapy or homeopathic combinations may be needed to get our itchy pets through a particular season or allergy crisis.

Treatment is individualized to each pet. But, in all cases, added sources of Omega 3 fatty acids are ideal for anti-inflammatory. Sources of Omega 3’s are found in cod liver oil, flaxseed, any of the cold water fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and yellow fin tuna.

For atopy (inhalant) allergies you can desensitize your pet to local allergens by feeding them a teaspoon of local made raw honey daily. It may take 3-4 months to desensitize, but it is effective. It is essential to have a healthy digestive tract to ensure absorption of these good nutrients. For this purpose, plain or vanilla, no-fat, organic yogurt can be helpful. The yogurt is good for colonizing the digestive tract with healthy bacterial flora necessary for proper digestion.

We place great emphasis on providing excellent customer service and medical care to both you and your animal companion.  As our Atrium team and clientele continues to grow, we feel that staff training and weekly hospital meetings are of the utmost importance to continue providing our clients and patients with service that make Atrium Animal Hospital unique. 

Our office will be closing for staff training and hospital meetings every Thursday of each month from 1:00 p.m - 2:00 p.m.

It is not the heat alone, but the heat and humidity that set the stage for heat stress.  A quick method to calculate heat stress is to add the environmental temperature (in F) to the percent of humidity.  If this number is greater than 150, watch your dog for signs of heat stress.  If the number is 180 or greater, this is a RED ALERT and your dog risks heat exhaustion or heatstroke.  In humans, heat stroke may follow the day after heat exhaustion and is referred to as the "1-2 punch".

Does your pet have stinky breath?  Do you wonder what germs you’re getting when she licks you?  Do you notice that your pets’ gums are red and irritated–looking?  Are his teeth discolored?  Does your pet drop food, or chew only on one side of his mouth?  Has your pet lost some “pep” recently?  All of these can be symptoms of dental disease, which is a preventable and treatable condition affecting the majority of pets in the United States.

At Atrium Animal Hospital, we take dental disease seriously.  We realize that dental disease can cause pain and even organ damage.  We strive to offer the best dental treatment available, and to educate our clients about the importance of dental care.  Here’s a sample of what your pet will experience when he or she gets a dental assessment and treatment at Atrium:

Pre-anesthetic physical exam (including dental exam) and pre-anesthetic blood tests – to make sure that your pet is healthy enough for anesthesia, and to plan what care your pet will need.

IV catheter and fluids – To provide blood pressure support while your pet is anesthetized, and easy access to a vein should it be necessary.

General anesthesia with a trained anesthetic assistant – this person is not in charge of your pets’ teeth; her only responsibility is keeping your pet safe under anesthesia.  While your pet is under anesthesia, we monitor blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen levels, carbon dioxide levels, and temperature.  We also provide thermal support.

Dental scaling – both above and below the gumline with an ultrasonic scaler.  This gets the teeth clean.

Dental polish – This smoothes the tooth surface and makes it difficult for bacteria to re-attach.

Dental probing and charting – we explore every tooth in your pet’s mouth and chart any abnormalities.  This allows us to plan any additional treatment efficiently.

Oravet sealant – this makes the tooth surface even more slippery, which helps to prevent plaque.

Monitored recovery – in a heated cage.

And, if your pet needs it, we also offer:

Dental radiography (X-rays) – these allow us to see disease under the gumline and at the root tips.

Perioceutic – this helps periodontal pockets to heal and re-attach.

Oral surgery – for tooth extractions, tumor removal, excess gum tissue removal, and fistula repair.  Any resulting defects can be filled with synthetic bone graft if necessary.

*Watch a video on how to brush your pet's teeth.* 

http://www.virbacvet.com/cet/focus/

We are honored to care for your animal companion while you are away for home!  We strive to provide the best accommodations and full attention required to keep everyone happy and healthy.  We are please to offer further service by offering Sunday pickup.  Please read these guidelines to familiarize yourself with our Sunday pickup policies:

• Sunday Pickup must be Prearranged and Prepaid

• Sunday Pickup is for Boarding, Boarding with bath or Boarding with nail trim only.  We cannot provide Sunday pickup for any animal companion who requires or has had requested an exam, dispensing of medications, recheck exams, and/or any medical procedure while boarding.

• Sunday Pickup is between 5:30-6:30 PM only!  Our staffing allows for an additional person to be here at that time to assist you with pickup.  This allows remaining staff to continue to focus on caring for our guest who will be staying longer.

• When arriving for Sunday pickup, please go to the back gate and press the doorbell located on the left hand side of the gate.  The gate will be locked, as staff will be walking other guests.  A staff member will greet you, gather your companion and belongings and meet you at the back gate.

• There is a $15.00 charge for Sunday pickup which will be prepaid at time arrangements are made.  If you arrange for Sunday pickup and do not show, the $15.00 will not be refunded and an additional Sunday night of boarding will be added.

• Sunday pickup will not be available the Sunday before or after the following major holiday:  Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day or Fourth of July due to the sheer volume of guest we are accommodating during those festive times!!

The decision to assist a beloved pet thru euthanasia may be one of life’s most difficult decisions.  We understand this delicate time and offer these suggestions and information to answer questions and help you through this emotional time.

When is it time?

This may be the hardest question. We look for signs and indicators to help us know.  The first step is to discuss your animal’s condition with your veterinarian.  The Doctor will be able to medically assess your animal’s health and give you a prognosis. Does your animal still show pleasure and contentment with your appearance and the sound of your voice?  Are they still interested in good food even if not as much or as often?  Keep in mind that there will be physical changes in the transition process. There is a gradual slowing and decline of various physical capabilities.  This is the natural transitioning process.  This will put more reliance on you from your animal companion to provide care for their physical needs.  However, we willingly and lovingly provide this for our beloved long-time companions.  If your animal friend is content and comfortable in this transition, we encourage you to support them in this and not prematurely intervene.  The only indication for euthanasia is to relieve irreversible suffering and anguish of your animal companion.  Trust your observations and your relationship with your animal friend.  No one else can assess this like you.  Be cautious in taking the advice of others outside of your close human-animal bond.  No one knows your animal friend like you do.  Listen to your heart.

There are occasions when we need to  allow life to follow its natural course and our assistance takes the form of keeping our animal comfortable and close and allowing them to pass on their own. Your veterinarian can help guide you thru this process.

Should I be present?

We strongly encourage you to be present for your beloved animal’s final passing. Your animal will find comfort in your presence and you will feel a part of this time.  It provides closure and respect for the full circle of life.  You may want to have family members and friends present to honor your animal. 

What is the process?

A staff member will bring you into a quiet room.  We will ask you to sign a consent form before the procedure begins. We will also provide you with options and details of group or individual cremation or city burial.  A staff member will oversee the payment transaction prior to the procedure so you may stay with your animal until you are ready to leave.  The procedure involves an injection into the vein of euthanasia solution which is a bright pink color so it can not be mistaken for any other medication.  The animal gently passes into death, much like falling asleep.  The process is generally quick and peaceful.  Sometimes an anesthetic injection is given before the euthanasia solution to facilitate a smooth transition.  We encourage you to stay as long as you need for your goodbyes. After the last goodbyes and caresses, you may simply leave the room and the hospital staff will take over.

What to expect?

When your animal passes, it is as smooth and gentle as if they are falling asleep.  There is a wonderful peacefulness to their transition.  Some things to be aware of with this procedure are:  your animal will probably not close his eyes, there may be a final twitch or gasp, or possibly urination.  This is all part of the normal process of the body closing down.

Grieving

Grief is a natural emotion of loss and has predictable stages.  Feel free to express all your emotions over the loss of your animal.  Our animals are beloved family members and play an important role in our lives.  Tears are helpful and healing. 

If you feel you would like some assistance in your grieving process, there are many resources available. 

For support dealing with the loss of a pet, including information on meeting the emotional needs of children at the time of a pet’s death, please call ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline at (877) GRIEF-10.

Charlotte Pet Grief Support Group:  www.petgriefsupportgroup.com

Please ask our staff for further resources online, written publications and groups.

Please visit the website below for information on private and group cremation services.

www.faithfulcompanion.com

Vaccination is the most common veterinary preventive measure in history.  It's a safe and effective way to protect pets and people from serious disease.

It's common for your pets to experience mild side effect from vaccination.  Typically starting within hours of vaccination, any symptoms are most often mild and usually do not persist for more than a few days.  This is a normal response by your pet's immune system during the process of developing protective immunity. 

Common symptoms your pet may experience

• Mild fever
• Decrease in social behavior
• Diminished appetite or activity
• Sneezing or other respiratory signs with intranasal vaccines
• Discomfort or mild swelling at the injection site

Rare side effects, such as an allergic reaction, may occur.  Your pet may experience symptoms of a more serious reaction to the vaccine within minutes or hours of the vaccination. 

Rare symptoms could include

• Swelling to face and legs
• Repeated vomiting or diarrhea
• Whole body itching
• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse

If your pet experiences any of these rare symptoms, you should contact a veterinarian immediately, as your pet may require additional medical treatment.

Article provided by Boehringer Ingelheim