A Vet's Voice: The Southwest Voice

Critter Corner: Animals need pain relief too!

These days there are so many options in veterinary medicine offered by your vet when your animal is sick or needs surgery. Often I am asked by clients if their animals really need pain medication. The answer is a resounding YES. Ask yourself, if your abdomen (belly) was cut open and one of your body parts removed, should there be a debate about pain management?
Pain management and anti-inflammatory therapy is also important for simple procedures like laceration repairs, foxtail removals and wound treatments to decrease inflammation and pain to the tissues. This practice not only provides comfort but also makes stitches less likely to be licked or chewed out.
An old school of thought is that if they feel pain they are less likely to move around and become injured. However, it is well known that pain-free animals actually heal faster and with fewer complications.
So how do you know if your animal is getting pain medication while undergoing a procedure? Just ask. If you shop around to get the lowest spay or neuter price then you can guarantee your animal is not getting pain medication. This exclusion of pain medication is due to the extra expense in the cost, handling and storage of these medications. Pain management is usually offered verbally or on a surgical consent release. If it’s not offered, your veterinarian will be happy to make it available if you ask. Some veterinarians make pain medication mandatory and others per owner or client requests.
Other painful conditions such as soft tissue lameness (sprains), arthritis, hip dysplasia and musculoskeletal pain can usually be managed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ask your veterinarian about NSAIDs to provide relief for your animal’s discomfort. In many animals this makes life more comfortable and enjoyable.
A word of caution, adding NSAIDs to your animal’s daily intake does NOT include over the counter human medications like Tylenol and Ibuprofen. These drugs can be toxic and perhaps deadly to your animal. Dogs, cats and horses have animal-specific requirements based on their species and bodily ability to metabolize drugs and must be prescribed by your veterinarian. Additionally, when managing long term chronic pain with NSAIDs your veterinarian will also need to monitor blood work at least every six months to ensure liver and kidney health.
Pets are considered extended family members in our homes and they provide significant companionship and love. I believe it is our obligation to provide them the most comfortable lifestyle possible using the same state of the art medicine we provide for ourselves.

E-mail Darcie at: darcie_heyes@yahoo.com

Critter Corner: First case of equine West Nile

California had its first equine West Nile Virus case confirmed positive by U.C. Davis California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory in early July 2006 near Kern County in Tulare.
West Nile is a virus that is seasonal and can sometimes be fatal to horses, birds and humans. Infection presents as a neurologic disease, the most serious manifestation of WNV infection is fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
Cats and dogs are not affected by this virus, and no, you can’t get this from your horse, only from a mosquito bite.
Wild birds are the principle hosts, which means the virus is amplified in the bird population which infects mosquitoes when they take a blood meal. Mosquitoes then transmit WNV by biting horses and humans.
I personally diagnosed the case mentioned above and unfortunately the horse died of WNV. This was a 2 1/2-year-old quarter horse stallion that was not vaccinated.
There are preventative measures you can take to protect your horses.
First and most importantly, make sure your horse is vaccinated for WNV. If it’s your horse’s first WNV vaccine it will need its booster shot in four to six weeks and then again in six months. Horses need to be vaccinated every six months for WNV to keep them protected. If your horse has not been vaccinated, make an appointment immediately with your vet.
Second, mosquitoes that carry WNV breed in standing water, so if you eliminate the mosquito habitat you decrease the chance of being bitten by a local mosquito with WNV.
Recommendations include eliminating containers that collect water and keeping watering devices, especially automatic waters, clean. Potential collecting sites include discarded tires, unwashed bird baths, clogged rain gutters, stagnant water buckets, wheel barrows and unused swimming pools. Improving existing drainage and maintaining basic sanitation will help decrease the prevalence of WNV.
The Kern Mosquito and Vector Control District will provide you with mosquito fish for your water troughs and ponds that will eat mosquito larva. They can be contacted at 589-2744.
E-mail Darcie at:
darcie_heyes@yahoo.com

Critter Corner: How to choose safe pet plants

Are your animals safe in your own home and garden?
Do you have any plants that may be toxic or even lead to serious illness of your pet?
Do lilies, sago palms, Rhododendron and oleander sound familiar?
If your answer is either, “I am not sure” or “Yes,” then this article is a must read.
As an emergency veterinarian, it is too often that we treat critically ill animals who were exposed to plant toxicities. My goal in writing this article is to help you prevent unnecessary poisoning caused by plant ingestion in your pets.
Plant labels often give sun, water and feeding suggestions, but safety labels –– if chewed or ingested — are seldom available for pets. I suggest doing an Internet search before purchasing plants for the home and garden. The Cornell University Toxic Plant Index has lists of plants by common and scientific names, as well as photographs of what toxic plants look like.
Symptoms of plant poisoning can be a swollen tongue; refusal of food; pale gums or tongue; abdominal pain (belly pain); convulsions/seizures; diarrhea and severe or persistent vomiting.
Please note the emphasis on “severe and persistent.” It can be normal for an animal to vomit after eating or chewing grass.
These symptoms can also be signs of many other diseases not including plant toxicity. If you notice any of these, contact your veterinarian or emergency veterinarian immediately.
You can also contact the National Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. There is a charge of $45 per case and follow-up calls can be made for no additional charge by dialing 1-888-299-2973.
When presenting your animal for treatment, it is also helpful if you grab a sample or bring the plant in for identification.
The following is a partial list of common household and garden varieties that may be toxic to your pet: Mushrooms (amanita species); onion (Allium species); tomato (non-fruit parts); avocado (fruit and pit); marijuana; tobacco; azalea (Rhododendron); dumb cane; oleander; Philodendron; Pothos; St. Johnswort; iris and tulips.
Stay away from any type of lily, most are very toxic and can cause symptoms from swollen tongue to kidney failure. Sago palms are very popular in gardens, however they can cause severe illness and even death of your pet. Most fruit seeds/pits are toxic, including but not limited to: almonds, avocados, grapes, peaches, cherries, apples and prunes.
Everyone loves to decorate their home and garden with lush green and colorful plants. There are less lush alternatives like silk and plastic, however, most prefer the real thing.
For those of you who say real plants are a must-have, your plants can safely be displayed out of reach by hanging them from the ceiling using a hook and decorative plant hanger or a wall bracket.
As much as we love poinsettias and mistletoe during the holidays, beware if you don’t keep them out of reach of your pets, or you may be spending Christmas at your nearest emergency and critical care animal hospital.
For cats that insist on digging into plants that are on the ground in planters on the patio and porch, try sticking double-sided sticky tape across the opening of the pot and you will find that the irritating experience of the tape stuck to their fur will keep them out of your plants.
Give your cats a special treat by planting pet grasses that are safe. I recommend catnip, catmint, oat, barley and wheat grasses. These can be planted in shallow containers and placed near the cat bowl feeder.
Many pets love the taste of fresh grass, and it can also aid in digestion. Some pets may initially eat too much of their new treat, which may cause them to become sick and can cause vomiting. If this occurs, watch them closely. If they do not appear to get better in an hour or two, contact your veterinarian or emergency veterinarian.
Pet-friendly grasses can be purchased at many pet shops and home improvement stores.
Your pets will be less likely to need emergency services due to plant toxicosis by following a few steps:
1. Keep plants out of reach.
2. Choose safe pet plants by doing research.
3. Watch your animals closely when outside.
4. Place protective barriers around known toxic plants.
Moreover, if your pet has ingested a plant, call your veterinarian immediately. If in need of emergency services in Bakersfield for small animals and exotics, Animal Emergency and Urgent Care is available at 4300 Easton Drive, 322-6019.
My next column for The Southwest Voice will focus on the dangers of using rat and snail bait to prevent pesky varmints in the home and garden and pet-safe alternatives.
E-mail Dr. Heyes at: darcie_heyes@yahoo.com with small and large animal questions.
Dr. Darcie Heyes writes a regular veterinary column for The Southwest Voice.

Critter Corner: Responsible pet care

My name is Dr. Darcie Heyes.

At home, I share my life with my beautiful 11-year-old daughter, Kayla, my fiancé, Patrick, six horses, including an AQHA/APHA Cremello Stallion, two perfect cats, and one beloved Doberman named Lacey.

I have pursued a diverse path in attaining my goal to become a well-rounded mixed animal practitioner.

I entered my first year at Oregon State University School of Veterinary Medicine with a degree in agribusiness from Arizona State University. I went on to two years at St. George’s University School of Veterinary Medicine in Grenada, which offered extensive surgical experience and exposure to public health. I then finished my fourth year of clinical rotations at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine.

This wide-ranging education gave me unparalleled exposure to domestic and international perspectives on the transmission of local infectious diseases; and on many occasions has facilitated diagnoses that ordinarily are not identified in California.

When I first moved to Bakersfield from Southern California, I practiced as a mixed animal practitioner at San Joaquin Veterinary Hospital.

Now I have found myself working in a more specialized field: at night as an Emergency Veterinarian at Animal Emergency and Urgent Care on Easton Drive. This kind of work has been very rewarding, and leaves me the feeling I have made a difference in an animal’s life each night.

In addition to working as an emergency practitioner, on my off days I make farm calls as a mobile unit veterinarian. My mobile unit primarily focuses on equine medicine and reproduction, as well as canine and feline general practice.

The most enjoyable aspect of working side-by-side with pets and owners is that the animals are more at ease in their own environment. Working in this fashion leaves ample time to explain procedures and to develop a step-by-step plan for aftercare.

When on a farm call, you may also meet one of my two leading veterinary technicians, Julie Popplewell and Lenny Kushman, CNMT. Julie and her husband, Tim, owners of Sioux City Ranch Boarding Stable, have a special interest in equine reproduction. Lenny’s expertise comes from a strong background in 4H, as well as being a human nuclear medicine and CAT scan technician.

I plan to use my career as a veterinarian not only for the immediate care of my patients, but as a long-term platform for educating future generations of the need for responsible pet care. Over time, I hope to teach readers to care for their animals proactively, and be involved in their animal’s health.

Combining preventative care with proper vaccinations and annual exam recommendations will ultimately lead to healthier lives for our animals.

I am excited about this column and look forward to your questions and comments both via e-mail and online at www.swvoice.com. My goal is to offer readers advice on pet health and preventative medicine for your animals.

Are your animals safe in your own home and garden? Do you have any plants that may be toxic or even lead to the death of your pet? Do lilies, sago palms and oleander sound familiar? If they do, make sure you read the April 19 issue for advice on safe pet plants for the home and garden.

Ask Dr. Heyes a question at: darcie_heyes@yahoo.com