November
Wilson is an eight year old yellow Labrador Retriever and has been a patient at the Wellington Veterinary Clinic since 2004. On October 12th he was brought in because he was experiencing pain in his feet and was not weight bearing on his left hind leg after a weekend of hunting. A rapid onset of symptoms cause his owners to bring him in for immediate medical attention. Wilson had stopped eating and was not drinking much. He was experiencing a high fever and was drooling slightly which can be a sign of pain. Shaving his left hind foot revealed how serious the situation really was. His entire foot was swollen and red. No obvious wounds were found and the owners were unaware of a trauma that may have occurred. He was given fluids, medication for the pain, and antibiotics. He was then transferred to the Veterinary Emergency Hospital (VEH) in Fort Collins to be cared for overnight.Radiographs taken showed no evidence of a foreign body or broken bones. Wilson was sent home in the morning with instructions to follow-up with us and soak his food multiple times a day in epsom salt solution. From there our treatment plan became a series of bandage changes, laser treatments, acupuncture, and pain reducing medications. Laser therapy is a non-invasive way to treat pets with a variety of ailments. It can be used to help control arthritis pain, inflammation, and treat wounds or trauma cases. It works by encouraging blood flow, stimulating the immune system, and decreasing fluid build-up. Overall, it speeds up the body's natural healing process.
The cause of Wilson's condition is still unknown but we suspect that it was caused by some kind of bite from an insect or other animal he encountered on their hunting trip. Wilson's last bandage change occurred on Halloween. At that time he was fully weight bearing on all four limb and feeling great. His unsinkable spirit was still happy to see all of us every time through the entire ordeal! We are happy to report that this wonderful dog has made a full recovery and will be able to finish out the hunting season with his devoted family. For more information about laser therapy treatment visit http://raisinghealthydogs.com/laser-treatment-for-dogs-a-safe-effective-way-of-treating-inflammation.
October
Meet Diesel, a Local Heartworm Positive Case. Diesel is a four year old boxer who was rescued from a neglectful home in Texas and welcomed into his new loving home this past January. On August 4th he was brought in for a routine wellness exam. His owners decided to update all of his vaccinations and had us perform a heartworm test with the intention of getting him started on a heartworm prevention plan. Unfortunately, the heartworm test came back positive meaning there were adult heartworms living in Diesel's heart.Heartworm is a parasite that lives in the right side of the heart and lungs of dogs and cats. It is transmitted by mosquitoes. In the past heartworm has not been a huge concern for dogs living in Colorado but this is not the case anymore. The prevalence of heartworm in Colorado and surrounding states has been steadily rising. Diesel is not the only heartworm positive dog that has been discovered recently in our area.
Like Diesel, dogs may not show clinical signs of heartworm infection but if left untreated heart failure and death can occur. Treatment can be expensive and risky. To determine which treatment would be the most effective bloodwork, chest x-rays, and a urinalysis were performed. After initial testing, three injections of Immiticide over a thirty day period was determined the best course of action. These injections target and kill the heartworms. After the first injection was given it became extremely important that Diesel be kept as quiet as possible for at least four weeks. As the worms die they break loose and reduced activity level helps to minimize the complications that may arise due to migrating and dying microfiaria. The severity of heartworm disease is directly related to the activity level of the dog. He was restricted to leash walks only, no rough housing, and no playing. Remember, Diesel is a boxer so you can imagine how difficult those instructions were for his family! But because they were faced with a life or death situation his family had to comply with the doctors orders.
His last treatment was performed on September 19th and we are optimistic for a full recovery. He handled the treatments like a true gentleman, treated our staff with kindness, and was overwhelmingly thankful to see his family walk through the front doors each time to take him back to his wonderful home.
The significance of this story is a simple one. Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitoes from dog to dog. We have mosquitoes in Colorado as well as heartworm positive dogs. There is heartworm in Colorado. Because even treatment can result in fatalities the best thing you can do for your dog is have them tested and administer a heartworm prevention monthly. We recommend Interceptor which is not only a heartworm preventative but it also protects against roundworms, whipworms, and hookworms. For more information about heartworm testing and heartworm prevention contact the Wellington Veterinary Clinic at 970-568-7387.
September
Charly is a three year old heeler mix that has been a patient with us most of his adult life. Charly was current on a wellness exam, all vaccinations, is on monthly heartworm/deworming medication, and his owners give dental chews. On paper everything looked great but earlier this month Charly did not.His owners noticed a change in his behavior and brought him in for an exam on August 8th. Charly had not been eating any food or drinking any water for about two days. His energy level was poor which is extremely unusual for this young fellow. The fact that he had stopped eating, drinking, and defecating all indicated there was something wrong. The owners also stated he has been known to eat anything that is thrown in the yard, loves to steal socks, and has gone through the garbage in the past. Concerned there may be an obstruction (a block) in his gastrointestinal tract Dr. Jensen suggested taking radiographs of the abdomen and his owners concurred. Radiographs suggested something was in Charly's stomach that was not supposed to be there. Owners opted to wait one more night to see if Charly could work out the problem on his own and he was given fluids to reverse the dehydration he was experiencing from not drinking.
The next morning Charly had not improved. A specialist was called in to perform an ultrasound. The ultrasound confirmed a potential foreign body was present in Charly's stomach. Exploratoy surgery was determined to be necessary. A large mass of rope material, leaves, and grass were removed from Charly's stomach. Charly had eaten one of his toys. During Charly's recovery at the clinic his owners visited every couple of hours to hand feed him and make sure he was doing okay. Was he ever excited when they were able to bring him home! We are happy to report Charly has made a full recovery and is looking forward to a long life full of love with his family.
This does not mean that you should not give your pets toys. Toys are wonderful ways to exercise, stimulate, and bond with your pets. It is however good to keep in mind that they can be harmful at the same time. Regular inspection of toys can help prevent future problems. Toys should be taken away immediately if they are broken into parts small enough that your pet may swallow them. Rawhides should only be given during times when you can supervise your pets as they can create a choking hazard once broken. If you have any questions or concerns about toys or treats please do not hesitate to call the Wellington Veterinary Clinic at 970-568-7387 or just stop by. It's all fun and games until someone eats their toy. IN the future we look forward to a happy, healthy, and playful Charly enjoying the dog park or on vacation in boarding with us!
August
Sadie is a five year old Labrador retriever who was adopted into her new loving family just a few months ago. During her initial wellness exam it was determined that Sadie was (cover her ears) mildly obese. Weighing in at 105 pounds our staff recommended a low calorie diet and increased exercise to get Sadie back to where she ideally should be. Obesity in dogs and cats is often an underestimated health problem. Obese animals are at high risk of developing arthritis, difficulty breathing and diabetes. On average, dogs at a healthy weight live 1.8 years longer, have delayed chronic diseases by 3 years, develop less graying of the muzzle at older ages, and have lower blood pressures and heart rates. Just like with people it is easier to prevent weight gain than it is to lose weight.There are a few things you can do as a pet owner to ensure your pet is at their correct weight. First, identify if they are over weight. In general you should be able to feel (but not see) their ribs, see a defined waist, and their abdomen should hang higher than their rib cage. Second, have a purposeful feeding plan. In Sadie's case we started her off with receiving two measured cups of reduced fat food each day. Measuring their food at every meal will help you manage their weight better than free feeding or eye-balling it. Third, be mindful of the amount and kinds of treats you are giving. One cheese cube given to a 20 pound dog is the equivalent of a person eating 2.5 hamburgers or 1.5 chocolate bars! Likewise, one cup of milk given to a 10 pound cat is the equivalent of a person eating 4.5 hamburgers or 5 chocolate bars! In Sadie's case we recommended only giving limited quantities or low fat treats and low calorie vegetables such as carrots. Lastly, just like for people, exercise is key to weight loss.
Sadie's owners took our suggestions and concerns to heart and immediately started working hard at getting her to shed the pounds. They bring her in regularly for “weigh ins” which is free and available to any dog owners during clinic hours. In less than 4 months they successfully got Sadie down to a much healthier weight. Her last weigh in showed her at just 84 pounds! By doing this they have significantly increased her chances for a long, active life. If you have any questions about how to evaluate your pets body condition or what your pet's nutritional plan should be please call the Wellington Veterinary Clinic at 970-568-PETS.
July
This month the Wellington Veterinary Clinic would like to introduce Peaches as our Pet of The Month. Although she is small in size her battle with periodontal disease provides a big message for all pet owners. Periodontal disease is disease of the mouth and occurs when plaque and bacteria build up over time. It is the most common disease among dogs and cats. More than 85% of adult dogs are effected by periodontal disease. Not only does periodontal disease cause halitosis (bad breath) which can be unpleasant for owners, but it also leads to serious health risks for your pet. Periodontal disease is evaluated in stages. The first stage is called gingivitis. In this stage plaque covers the teeth and gum irritation begins to occur. The second stage is called Early Peridontitis. In this stage halitosis is detectable. Also, the gums become inflamed and swollen causing pain in the animal's mouth. The third stage is referred to as Moderate Periodontitis. In this stage the patients mouth becomes so sore that changes in eating behavior tend to occur. The gums suffer severe damage which will cause them to appear bright red and bleeding can occur. The final stage is referred to as Advanced Peridontitis. In this stage not only does gum tissue continue to be destroyed but the disease starts to destroy the teeth and bone as well. The bacteria count from plaque becomes so great that it can enter the bloodstream and cause damage to the patient's kidneys, liver and heart.The great news is that periodontal disease can be prevented and reversed if caught in the earlier stages. Peaches is a perfect example of this. Peaches owner noticed a change in her eating habits and overall enthusiasm so she brought her by for our complimentary dental evaluation. During this free consultation our nurses evaluate the stage of periodontal disease the patient may be experiencing. From there a course of action is recommended. Clients also learn about dental care and products that can start to prevent or reverse plaque build up. In Peaches case oral surgery was recommended. Ultimately Peaches had 15 of her diseased teeth extracted.
Peaches owner reported an immediate change for the better in Peaches after her surgery. Now that her mouth does not hurt her she is eating a lot better and she has a new spring in her step. Even friends of the family noticed she was friendlier and had a lot more energy after her surgery. We are happy we could help restore joy to Peaches and her owner. If you would like to have your pet's dental health evaluated please call the Wellington Veterinary Clinic at 970-568-7387 for your free consultation.
June
Molly is a 10 year old Labrador Retriever who came to us after emergency care from the Veterinary Emergency Hospital (VEH). Molly had been diagnosed with pyometra.Pyometra is a relatively common condition which can occur in female dogs and cats who are not spayed. Pyometra means "infected uterus." Symptoms come on quickly and produce fatal results if left untreated. Symptoms can include discharge from the reproductive tract, vomiting, depression, loss of appetite, increased drinking and increased urination. Although it is more commonly seen in older unspayed female dogs it can occur in unspayed females of any age and regardless if they are breeding females or not. Bacteria causes this disease after it enters the uterus and multiplies. This results in fluid build up in the uterus which causes extreme discomfort for the dog and may cause the animal to go into shock. Molly's owner, like many pet owners, had never heard of pyometra and had no idea this serious, potentially fatal condition could happen. She also didn't know this disease could have been prevented by having Molly spayed.
Initial treatment involves IV fluids and antibiotics which help prevent the condition from escalating further. After that there are a couple of ways this disease is treated. First, an emergency ovariohysterectomy (spay) can be performed to remove the infected organ. This procedure is preferred but costly and not without risks. Second, if the cervix is open there is an option to administer drugs that will cause the uterus to contract which will flush the infection out of the reproductive tract. This second option was chosen to treat Molly. She was given Lutalyse injections for ten days during which time she miraculously pulled through. We are happy to report that Molly has returned to fetching, running, and playing with her loving owner. She is now ready for her routine spay, which is necessary or she will develop the infection again on her next heat.
From this we can appreciate the importance of having our female pets spayed at an early age. Molly was lucky to have enough fight in her and enough support from her owner and our staff to be able to survive this disease. Unfortunately the prognosis for many pyometra cases is not good, therefore, all female dogs should be spayed. If you choose not to have your pet spayed we hope you will remember Molly and know what symptoms to look for. Seek immediate veterinary attention if you suspect your dog has a pyometra. If you intend on breeding your female dog she should be spayed as soon as possible following her last litter. Stop by the Wellington Veterinary Clinic or call 568-PETS any time with questions.
May
Life was going well for seven year old Yellow Labrador Retriever named Jessie Lee. She spent the winter in a cozy house with her loving family and was enjoying the warming spring weather. However, at the beginning of April things suddenly changed for the worse. On the evening of April 4th Jessie's family noticed that Jessie did not seem like her normal, playful self. The very next morning they brought her into our clinic to be seen by our staff. Her family reported symptoms including limping, lethargy, loss of appetite, and a sore abdominal area. She was admitted into our hospital that day for diagnosis and treatment. Jessie was found to be in a great deal of pain and to have a very high fever. After a localized shave of the abdominal area the cause of Jessie's distress became very clear. She was suffering from a severe abscess. Abscesses are infections that occur in animals for a number of reasons; they can be created by insect bites or if a foreign object embeds itself into an animal's body. Although it is often difficult to pin-point the initial cause the important thing is early detection and treatment. If left unnoticed animals will experience extreme discomfort, severe infections, and even death.Because Jessie's owners paid close attention to her behavior and cared enough about her well being to bring her in as soon as they noticed a change we were able to treat Jessie quickly and successfully. At her last follow up appointment Jessie burst through our front door more excited than a young puppy, tail wagging so hard we could barely get our scale to read her weight. The Lee family is a perfect example of how close observation and quick response to a behavioral change can ensure the best life for our furry friends
The Lee family knew something was wrong, but they did not know it was THIS bad.
15 Days after diagnosis & treatment
April
Bailey is a very sweet, but anxious, 11 year old german shepherd. Piglet is a 11 year old black lab, both dogs have been patients of ours for many years and have a very similar stories. Over the last couple of years Bailey and Piglet have developed arthritis and Bailey has developed decreased sensation in her back legs.
March
Jezebel is a very sweet golden retriever puppy that was adopted by the Torres family. The Torres family brought Jezebel in to meet us to make sure she was healthy and up to date on her puppy vaccinations. When Jezebel was 6 months old, she was mature and healthy enough to have an Ovariectomy procedure done. This procedure is similar to an Ovariohysterectomy which is commonly called a spay. The Ovariectomy procedure removes only the ovaries of the patient and not the uterus. This procedure for spaying female animals has become more favorable in the last few years because of the benefits for the patient. The Ovariectomy procedure can shorten anesthesia time, shorten the length of the inscion, and make for a quicker and less painful recovery time. The Ovariohysterectomy procedure removes both the uterus and the ovaries. This procedure can have a longer anesthesia time and can be slightly more painful for the patient. Both the Ovariectomy and Ovariohysterectomy are safe procedures that are monitored closely by doctors and technicians when being preformed. Jezebel was one of the first patients that had an Ovariectomy done at our clinic and she recovered swiftly, with little pain and was back to being her playful self in no time. The Ovariectomy is a great procedure to consider if you have a household pet that is not used for breeding.
