The team at Mill Creek Animal Hospital encourages our clients to keep your pets current on their monthly heartworm, flea and tick control. We are proud to continue to extend prevention promotions to you and your pet, and pleased to encourage compliance in keeping pets up-to-date on preventatives at all times. After all, it’s one of the most important things you can do for your pet.

Why is Monthly Preventative So Important?

• Did you know that every time your dog goes outside, it’s exposed to intestinal worms such as hookworms and roundworms? These parasites can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and appetite loss, and can possibly be transferred to humans.
• Did you know that mosquitoes transmit heartworms that, without treatment, can cause death? The average cost of treatment can exceed $1200.
• Did you know that one adult flea on your dog or cat can lay 40 eggs per day, and that in less than a month you can end up with over 1500 fleas in your home? Fleas can also transmit dangerous disease such as Baronellosis (Cat Scratch Fever), mycoplasma infections, and tapeworms.
• Did you know that our greater Kansas City area is home to many tick species that are a threat even in the cold winter months? These ticks transmit disease to dogs as well as people. These diseases include Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and more.

Our Current Preventative Promotion

• Buy a 6 pack of Revolution and receive 2 free doses! That’s 8 doses for the price of 6, and an average retail value of $35 in free doses as well as a free Scalibor (6-month duration) tick repellant/killing collar worth $35 too!
• Buy a 6 pack of Bayer’s K-9 Advantix and receive 8 doses for the price of 6 with an average retail price of $40 in free doses.

Mill Creek Animal Hospital: Your Partner in Pet Care

Our team is dedicated to creating safe and cost-effective ways to promote and encourage pet owners to keep their pet protected. We stand behind three different methods of pest control, including topical Revolution combined with a Scalibor tick collar, Proheart6 injection combined with K-9 Advantix, or monthly oral Iverheart Plus combined with K-9 Advantix.

If you have questions about your pet’s care, or would like to schedule an appointment with our team, we encourage you to contact us today!

Christmas is fast approaching, and what a busy time of year it is! Shopping, baking, holiday parties and trips to see family and friends are all things that we enjoy about this time of year. It’s also a great time to enjoy with our pets. As we celebrate, its important to remember that some of the trimmings and trappings of the holidays, as well as some of the foods we prepare at this time of year, may be very dangerous for our pets.

Here is a link to an article from the American Animal Hospital Association discussing some of the holiday items and foods we should keep away from our pets.

http://www.healthypet.com/PetCare/PetCareArticle.aspx?title=Holiday_Pet_Hazards

As always, if you think your pet may have ingested something they shouldn’t have or if you have any concerns or questions about any aspect of his or her health, give your friends at Mill Creek Animal Hospital a call. Happy Holidays!

Petco has recently issued a recall on certain models of stainless steel bowls sold in its stores between May 31 and June 20 of this year. To learn more, click on the link below.

http://www.petco.com/petco_page_pc_stainlessbowlnotice.aspx?cm_mmc=redirect-_-stainlessbowlnotice-_-van-_-url

Maybe you’ve noticed some white in your dog’s muzzle. Maybe you’ve noticed your cat is sleeping even more than usual. Whatever the signs, you suddenly realize: my pet is getting older!

Pets are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. Major advances in disease prevention, nutrition, and wellness care have allowed animal lovers to enjoy many more years with their furry friends than was possible a generation ago. Along with this new lease on life comes a new set of challenges for you as a pet owner and Mill Creek Animal Hospital as your veterinary care team in making sure that those golden years are filled with health and happiness. The definition of a “senior pet” varies, but the average dog is considered a senior at 7 years of age, and the average cat at about 9 years of age.  In today’s article we will be discussing how to best care for your “senior” pet.

Senior Wellness Care: What’s the Difference?

Older pets have needs that are different from those of their younger counterparts. As they age, dogs and cats have a tendency to develop chronic health problems such as arthritis, kidney disease, heart disease, endocrine disease…….. the list goes on and on. The effects of these conditions are often difficult or even impossible to detect until they are at an advanced stage.  As you can imagine, these conditions are more easily and effectively managed with early detection. Simple adjustments such as a diet change or giving medication can be made to slow down or even halt the progression of chronic diseases, resulting in a longer, healthier life for your pet. Unfortunately, statistics show that this is not occurring as much as we would like. According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), only about 14% of animals undergo regular senior health screening.

Senior Health Screening: What’s It All About?

The cornerstone of any health screening program for cats and dogs is regular physical examination by a veterinarian.  This allows us to thoroughly evaluate your pet from head to toe, from things as general as weight and body condition to very specific examinations of specific organs.  Just as important in this process is our conversation with you as the pet owner.  Your perceptions of things such as activity level, appetite, and overall demeanor, when coupled with a thorough physical exam, are critical in determining the overall health and well-being of your pet.

As a young adult, we  at Mill Creek Animal Hospital recommend that your dog or cat come in for a physical examination once a year.  This is usually done in conjunction with their annual vaccinations.  Once they enter the senior years, however, we recommend your pets come in for an examination twice a year.  The reason for this is very simple:  twice yearly examination allows us to detect signs chronic disease early, resulting in more effective treatment and a longer, healthier life for your pet.

Senior Lab Work: What’s Under the Surface?

The physical exam is an essential part of any senior health program.   There’s only so much it can tell us, however.  To gain a complete understanding of how your dog or cat’s body is functioning, we at Mill Creek Animal Hospital recommend once yearly baseline lab screening.  In both dogs and cats, this will consist of a comprehensive blood panel including chemistry, complete blood count (CBC), and thyroid hormone level, as well as a urinalysis and blood pressure screening.   With this lab screening we can evaluate everything that is going on in your pet’s body at that moment in  time:  kidney and liver function, blood sugar level, electrolyte and mineral levels and blood cell counts, just to name a few.  Getting a good baseline lab screening will allow us to establish that your dog or cat is in good health as she enters her senior years.  Repeating this once yearly will allow us to follow trends in your pet’s organ functions and detect early changes before they become major problems.  For example, a cat that is showing signs of chronic renal (kidney) failure such as poor appetite, weight loss and vomiting has already lost at least 2/3 of his kidney function and may need fluid therapy to maintain his hydration.  If that same cat had had twice yearly physical examinations and yearly lab screening, the chances are good that the more subtle signs of chronic renal failure, such as dilute urine and protein in the urine, would have been detected and simple adjustments to such things as the cat’s diet would have been made to slow (not stop, unfortunately) the progression of this disease.

Senior Wellness Screening:  Good Health for the Golden Years

We’d all love for our pets to live forever (or at least as long as we humans do!).  While we can’t provide our dogs and cats with immortality, we can ensure that their later years are healthy and filled with the happiness that comes from being part of your family.  The doctors and staff at Mill Creek Animal Hospital are well prepared to work with you and your senior pet to provide her with the utmost level of care, from a thorough physical exam to a comprehensive laboratory blood screening.  We know that this will help keep your dog wagging his tail and your cat purring contentedly for years to come!

Summer is such a wonderful time of year.  For me, there’s nothing better than firing up the grill, spending those warm nights outside and enjoying all that this great season has to offer.  This summer is set to be as warm as ever, leaving us plenty of opportunities to get out for some fun in the sun!

It’s a great time of year for our pets as well.  The warmer weather and longer days mean more walks, more playing fetch and more trips to the lake.  As we head out to play with our furry friends, it’s important to make sure that we’re protecting them from illnesses they can catch while enjoying the great outdoors.  Most pet owners are great at keeping up with our pets’ immunizations against such diseases as Rabies and Leptospirosis, but there is another threat to our pets’ health that we may not realize:  parasites!  According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council, less than 50% of pet owners administer parasite preventions to their pets as recommended by their veterinarian.  Today, I’d like to talk about why parasite prevention is important to the health of our pets.

Heartworms and Roundworms and Hookworms, Oh My!

The parasites that affect our dogs and cats fall into one of two categories:  internal parasites which live inside the body of your pet and external parasites which live on the surface of your pet’s skin. I’ll talk first about internal parasites such as heartworms and gastrointestinal worms such as roundworms, hookworms and whipworms.

Heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) are transmitted by mosquitoes which carry the heartworm larvae in their mouths, injecting them into the dog’s bloodstream when they feed.  Six months after this the larvae grow into adult heartworms, lodging in the right ventricle of the heart and the pulmonary artery, causing disruption of blood flow to the lungs.

Initially, dogs infected with heartworms may show no signs of illness at all.  As the disease progresses, your dog may show some very subtle signs such as reluctance to exercise and a mild cough.  As time goes on, damage is done to the heart and lung tissue.  Some severely affected dogs will develop Caval Syndrome, in which the sheer number of heartworms (we’re talking hundreds here!) result in near blockage of not only the pulmonary artery, but also the vena cava, the largest vein in the body.  Dogs with Caval Syndrome are invariably in severe cardiac and respiratory distress and are often in liver failure as well, resulting in a very guarded to poor prognosis.  Thankfully, heartworm disease is treatable.  However, the treatment is quite expensive and not without risk.  Dogs being treated for heartworm disease must be watched very closely and restricted from vigorous exercise throughout the course of treatment and for at least 6 weeks after.  This is because the dying heartworms must be broken down by the body.  Vigorous exercise can result in the formation of emboli (clusters of dead heartworms) which can partially or completely occlude the pulmonary arteries, which is often fatal to the dog.  Cats are also affected by heartworms, though their disease results in chronic asthma-like syndrome rather than the progressively worsening disease we see in dogs.  Another important difference:  no effective treatment for heartworms in cats exists, resulting in a disease that requires lifetime management.  As you can see, it is far better to prevent heartworm disease than it is to treat it.

Intestinal worms such as hookworms, roundworms and whipworms are extremely common, particularly in warm, humid areas.  Pets are generally infected with these parasites by ingesting their eggs, which are passed into the soil via the feces of infected animals.  In the space of a few weeks these eggs hatch into larvae, and the larvae grow into adult worms that attach to the intestinal wall of its host, feeding on its blood.  Female worms release their eggs into the stool, which are passed into the environment, beginning the cycle all over again.  Dogs and cats that are infected with intestinal worms may show no signs at all, or may have diarrhea, poor appetite, or vomiting.  Severely affected pets may have weight loss, anemia, severe diarrhea resulting in dehydration, and extreme lethargy.  In very young animals and those with weak immune systems, intestinal parasite infections can even be fatal.  What is even more concerning about intestinal parasites to us as pet owners (particularly those of us with young children) is that some of them are zoonotic, meaning that they can be passed from animals to people.  Roundworms, for example, cause diarrhea and weight loss in people, as well as a syndrome called Visceral Larval Migrans, in which roundworm larvae migrate throughout the body, often causing damage to the liver, lungs and eyes.  Hookworms can also cause diarrhea and weight loss, as well as a syndrome called Cutaneous Larval Migrans, in which hookworm larvae migrate under the skin, causing a painful rash.

Fleas and Ticks Make Your Pet’s Skin Crawl!

Our focus now turns to external parasites, which are not only a source of irritation to us and our pets, but can also be involved in the transmission of more severe disease.  We’ve all heard of fleas, for example.  The most common flea found in dogs and cats is the Cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis).  They are a nuisance to dogs and cats the world over, particularly in warm, humid parts of the world.  It seems like they’re everywhere, doesn’t it?  That’s because of their ability to reproduce quickly and in great numbers.  In fact, if you see an adult flea on your pet, here’s a sobering fact:  it represents just 1% of the total flea population on your pet and in your house.  Just think:  for every flea that you see, there are hundreds of his friends that you can’t see, each with dozens of offspring just waiting to wreak havoc!   A female flea produces 20-50 eggs at a time, totaling 500 throughout her life.  These eggs are laid on the host then fall into the environment.  They can survive outdoors in the grass, and indoors in carpeted areas.  With the proper temperature and humidity, it will take about 12 days for that egg to hatch into a larva.  In 7-14 days, the larva will form a cocoon (pupae).  The adult flea will emerge from its cocoon in as little as 7 days with the proper temperature and humidity.  They then attach to a host and begin to feed on its blood.  It is this that causes your pet to itch.  Some pets are even allergic to flea saliva, causing a severe condition known as Flea Allergy Dermatitis, a syndrome in which pets are so severely itchy that they will often chew their skin raw, causing secondary bacterial infections.  While flea infestations generally do not cause severe illness, they can cause severe anemia and even death in very young animals as well as those with pre-existing illness.

Another important external parasite in dogs and cats is the tick.  There are hundreds of species of ticks, but those most commonly found in the Kansas City area are the American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis), the Brown Dog Tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus, right), the Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum, left), and the Blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis). Ticks are generally found in highly wooded areas and fields with a great deal of brush.Most species of tick will go through four stages in its life cycle:  egg, larva, nymph, and adult.  During each life stage after hatching from the egg, the tick must feed on blood to survive.  Most ticks will feed on a different host at each life stage, dropping off each host to move on to the next life stage and then seeking out another host when that metamorphosis is complete.  In contrast to fleas, which complete their life cycle in as little as three weeks,  ticks can take up to three years to complete their life cycle, with most of them dying due to a lack of ability to find a host.  This is why ticks tend to be found in specific environments (areas with a lot of plant and tree life with an abundance of hosts such as squirrels, deer and the like) whereas fleas can be found anywhere there is a warm, humid environment.   Despite this, ticks are most certainly a threat to our pets’ health as well as our own.  Most concerning is the tick’s ability to transmit infectious diseases to our pets, such as Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  These infections can cause a myriad of serious and potentially deadly complications, including bleeding disorders, hemolytic anemia, kidney failure, heart failure and immune mediated arthritis.  Of even greater concern is the notion that these diseases (particularly Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) are transmissible to people, causing much the same medical problems.

So How Do I Keep These Bugs Away?

We’ve talked a lot about some scary parasites in this article.  Obviously these are pests that we want to keep far away from our pets and homes!  Well, I’m glad to tell you that advances in our understanding of parasite biology in the past 20 years have given way to the development of exquisitely effective, yet very safe, medicines that do just that.  We at Mill Creek Animal Hospital recommend year-round administration of external and internal parasite prevention to all dogs and cats, whether they reside primarily indoors or outdoors.  Your options for doing this are numerous and diverse, and we’re here to help you make an informed decision as to what will be best for you and your pet.  After performing a physical examination of your pet and talking with you about his/her environment and lifestyle, we can tailor a parasite prevention program specific to your needs.  This may entail using the traditional monthly tablets for internal parasites, all-in-one topicals for internal parasites and fleas (pictured at left), or the new injectable heartworm prevention that lasts six months (pictured at below).  We at Mill Creek are passionate about keeping your pet free of parasites, allowing you to go enjoy the best that spring and summer have to offer.  So get out there and play:  we’ve got you covered!

What Can I Do to Prevent Periodontal Disease in my pet?

Periodontal disease is the most common disease found in our pets.  It’s painful, expensive to treat, and has serious implications for your pet’s overall health.  What is most encouraging is this simple fact:  it’s entirely preventable!

There are numerous things you can do at home to help prevent periodontal disease in your pet.  We all know that plaque continually forms on our pets’ teeth; there’s nothing we can do about that.  What we can do is remove that plaque as often as possible to prevent it from forming calculus and starting the downward spiral that leads to periodontal disease.  The most effective way to remove plaque from our pets’ teeth is the same as for our own teeth:  brushing them as often as possible, preferably daily.  There are a wide variety of tooth brushes for pets on the market today, most of which are very safe and effective.  The key is to find one that is easy for you to use and well tolerated by your pet.

This is an example of a very safe, user friendly dental kit.  As you can see, there is a tube of flavored toothpaste, a “regular” toothbrush, and a toothbrush that you can slide over your finger.  While every pet and every pet owner will have their own preference, most of our clients report that the finger toothbrush is less of an irritant to the pet, and therefore easiest to use.

Before even reaching for the toothbrush, it’s a good idea to get your pet used to the notion of having something in their mouth first.  This is easily done by simply rubbing your index finger along your pet’s teeth and gums.  Once she has shown that she can handle this, go ahead and use the toothbrush with a pea-sized drop of toothpaste on it, rubbing the teeth and gums in small circular motions, just like when brushing your own teeth.  Don’t worry about opening your pet’s mouth and attempting to brush the horizontal surfaces of the teeth; this often times results in an accidental bite.  Most of the plaque is going to form on the side of the teeth facing the cheek (also known as the buccal surface).  Spend about 30-45 seconds (or as long as your pet will let you) brushing all the teeth evenly.  When you’re done, make sure to praise your pet and perhaps give him a treat.  Pets respond very well to positive reinforcement!  Below is a picture illustrating how to brush your pet’s teeth using a finger toothbrush.

As plaque forms on the teeth constantly, it is best to brush our pets’ teeth every day. That being said, most of us live in a world of demanding jobs, soccer practices, PTO meetings and other commitments, so it’s not always possible to brush those teeth every day. If you’re not able to brush your pet’s teeth every day, don’t give up on it. Brushing the teeth even two or three times a week will remove plaque and help cut down on the formation of tartar.

While brushing the teeth is by far the most effective way to remove plaque and prevent tartar formation, providing something for your pet to chew on can also be very helpful. At Mill Creek Animal Hospital, we recommend CET Chews. These chews combine an abrasive texture with an oral antiseptic called chlorhexidine to remove plaque and slow tartar buildup. They have a nice chicken flavor that dogs love, so they make a very nice treat. As you can see below, there are many different sizes of CET Chews, making it easy to find one that your dog will love.

Did you know that there is a pet food that can remove plaque and tartar from your pets’ teeth?  It’s true!  Hill’s Prescription Diet T/D has been shown to reduce plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth.  T/D food is composed of a fiber matrix that, when chewed, does not crumble but rather scrapes the surface of the tooth, removing plaque.  Feeding a diet like this is an easy way to keep the teeth clean; all you have to do is put it in the bowl!  It has the same carbohydrate and protein content as regular adult maintenance pet food, so you can be sure that your pet will be getting all the nutrients it needs.  As with any prescription diet, your veterinarian will help determine if T/D is the right food for your pet.  At Mill Creek Animal Hospital, look for the bags of food pictured below.

What Role Does My Vet Play in Preventing Periodontal Disease?

Even though we brush our teeth twice a day, we still need to go to the dentist every six months for a cleaning. Our pets are no different. We recommend that the average pet have a dental cleaning under a light gas anesthesia once yearly. Every pet is different: some will need dental cleanings more often, others will need it less often. Your veterinarian will help make that determination by examining your pet’s teeth and gums at his yearly wellness evaluation.

A typical dental cleaning at Mill Creek Animal Hospital usually involves a daylong stay (though not overnight). We will usually ask that you withhold food from your pet the morning of the procedure (it’s always best to have anesthesia on an empty stomach), and drop her off early in the morning. This gives us plenty of time to do a thorough pre-anesthetic evaluation as well as a blood cell count and chemistry profile to ensure that your pet’s organs are functioning appropriately prior to anesthesia. About 30 minutes prior to the procedure, your pet is given preanesthetic medications to help him relax as well as any needed pain medication. At the time of the procedure your pet is gently and safely put under anesthesia, a breathing tube is placed, and anesthesia is maintained using a gas called Isoflurane (the safest veterinary anesthetic gas available). Now it’s time to clean those teeth!

First, all the teeth are examined closely by your veterinarian. Any abnormalities such as gum recession, loose teeth, or broken teeth are noted. If necessary, x-rays of the teeth may be taken and any problems addressed. Once this happens, a skilled veterinary technician cleans the teeth using an ultrasonic scaler to remove tartar both above and below the gum line. Cleaning under the gum line is important because this is where periodontal disease gets started. After every surface of the tooth has been cleaned with the scaler, the technician will then polish those surfaces. This is important for more reasons than just to provide sparkly teeth. Polishing the surface of the tooth smooths out the rough areas that result from everyday chewing, resulting in a surface to which bacteria cannot adhere. This reduces the formation of future plaque and tartar, making a dental cleaning important not just to get rid of tartar, but to keep it from coming back.

Here is a great picture showing just how much better your pet’s teeth will look

after a thorough dental cleaning.  And just imagine how much better his breath

will smell too!

After the dental cleaning and polishing are done, the anesthetic gas is turned off. Once your pet is awake to show a swallowing reflex, the breathing tube is pulled and she is place in a cage where she can recover from anesthesia in peace and comfort. Most animals are awake and sitting up within 30 minutes of the procedure, and all go home the same day able to walk and interact with their families (though admittedly a little groggy).

Good dental periodontal health is essential for our pets. It is good not only for the mouth, but also the rest of the body. Unfortunately, periodontal disease causes pain, suffering, and even organ damage in a vast majority of pets. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be this way. Your friends at Mill Creek Animal Hospital are committed to helping you prevent periodontal disease in your best friend, providing a lifetime of smiles and puppy kisses!

Have you noticed a foul odor in the air whenever your cat is around? When your dog tries to greet you with a kiss at the end of the day, does your stomach turn? Bad breath is an indicator of the most common disease in our pets: periodontal disease. And bad breath may just be the tip of a far more problematic iceberg.
A Quick Lesson in Dental Anatomy
Our pets’ teeth, just like our own, are composed of three layers: 1. The enamel, which is the hard, white surface of the crown (the part of the tooth you can see) of the tooth, 2.The dentin, which is a softer layer of mineral that surrounds the neck and roots of the tooth, and 3.The pulp cavity, which is the inner part of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. The roots of a tooth are surrounded by bone (the maxillary bone for upper teeth, the mandible for lower teeth) and are held in place by the periodontal ligament. The gingiva, or gums, surround the neck of the tooth and provide a barrier between the bacteria of the mouth and the root of the tooth as well as the surrounding bone and periodontal ligament.

Chart showing normal dental anatomy

How does a pet develop periodontal disease?
A perfectly smooth, dry tooth enamel is necessary to prevent the attachment of bacteria that live in the mouth to the tooth. Unfortunately, this is impossible. Mere contact of the tooth with saliva causes the laying down of a proteinaceous film to which bacteria can attach, forming plaque. In fact, 24 hours after a tooth is cleaned, the entire surface of the tooth is covered in plaque. As the plaque bacteria multiply, it becomes thicker and stickier, allowing even more bacteria to attach. As the plaque thickens, it begins to work its way under the gum line.
If the plaque is not removed, eventually it mineralizes to form calculus (that yellowish-brown stuff that you see on the tooth surface). It forms on the part of the tooth you can see (known as supragingival calculus), as well as under the gum line (known as subgingival calculus). Calculus provides an even stickier surface onto which the bacteria can attach. Eventually this accumulation of bacteria begins to irritate the overlying gingiva, resulting in gingivitis. It’s probably at this point that you start to notice that your dog’s breath smells bad; that’s the result of millions of those bacteria growing in the mouth.
As this process continues, bacteria work their way into the gingival sulcus (where the gingiva attaches to the tooth) and into the deeper supportive structures of the tooth, namely the bone and the periodontal ligament. When this happens, infection of the bone and periodontal ligament occurs, and these structures are eventually destroyed. In some cases, a tooth root abscess can form. As you can imagine, this is a quite painful process, and one that can have only one result: the eventual loss of the tooth.
Below is a picture showing just how devastating periodontal disease can be. Look at the second tooth from the right. That long, black and brown part of the tooth is the root, over which the entire bone and gum tissue has been lost.

Here is a radiograph of a tooth undergoing severe bone destruction because of periodontal disease. The yellow line that you see is how far up the bone SHOULD be. All that bone has been destroyed by bacteria from the mouth. The area surrounded by the red circle is indicative of a tooth root abscess.

Perhaps even more concerning than this is the effect that periodontal disease has on the rest of the body. When bacteria infect the supportive structures of teeth, especially the underlying bone, they can gain access to the bloodstream and travel to all parts of the body. Over the long term, consistent bombardment of organs such as the kidneys, liver and heart with bacteria from the mouth can result in damage to these organs. Primary periodontal disease is often linked to kidney, liver and heart failure in our pets.
Even though periodontal disease is so common in our pets and so awful for their health and well-being, there is some good news. It’s 100% preventable! Stay tuned to the blog, where next time we will discuss how you and your friends at Mill Creek Animal Hospital can work together to prevent periodontal disease and ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles.

AAHA Certification: A Higher Standard

On August 25th, Mill Creek Animal Hospital received AAHA accreditation for the fifth time in its history. What does that mean? Are we connoisseurs of one-hit-wonder 80’s bands (“Take On Me”…anyone)? All kidding aside, the answer goes to the very heart of what we strive to achieve each day here at Mill Creek.

AAHA is short for American Animal Hospital Association (http://www.aahanet.org). Established in 1933, AAHA is an organization dedicated to the continual improvement of companion animal veterinary medicine. Fewer than 15% of all veterinary hospitals in the U.S. earn accreditation. Mill Creek Animal Hospital, accredited since 1996, is proud to be the only member hospital in Shawnee and one of only 10 in all of Johnson County.

AAHA is among the leading organizations in developing industry benchmarks and business practice standards for companion animal veterinary facilities. They also offer educational opportunities to companion animal veterinarians by providing publications such as textbooks and scientific journals, as well as providing the opportunity to hear from leading veterinary clinicians and scientists at its various seminars.

Without question, AAHA’s most important activity in promoting excellence in veterinary medicine is its accreditation process. This is the method by which the organization determines which practices will receive its endorsement as being of the highest quality. You know that 100 point inspection a new car goes through before being put on the showroom floor? AAHA accreditation is a little more rigorous than that. To achieve accreditation, a veterinary practice is evaluated by an AAHA certified practice evaluator on over 600 individual standards involving all aspects of day-to-day veterinary practice, including surgery, anesthesia, client service, facilities, patient care, and many, many more. If the practice fails to meet the standard in any one category, it will not be granted accreditation until its deficiencies are corrected. Even when accreditation is achieved, the practice evaluator will meet with practice staff to discuss ways in which its everyday practices and policies can be improved to provide an even higher level of customer and patient care.

AAHA accredited practices can’t rest on their laurels, either. The evaluation process is repeated every three years, and the standards are continually being updated: some are changed, and new ones are added in order to ensure that the standards reflect the constantly evolving nature of the veterinary profession.

As you can see, AAHA accreditation is much like the “Good Housekeeping Seal” for veterinary practices. When you walk into an accredited practice with your pet, you can rest assured that practice is committed to providing you and your pet with the most current veterinary medical and surgical techniques, compassionate care, and quality customer service possible.

We at Mill Creek Animal hospital are very proud of our previous and continued AAHA accreditation. Our hope is that you see it as an assurance that we will always strive to exceed your expectations in every way, each time you walk through the door.

Remember the first day you brought home that cuddly little kitten or roly-poly little puppy? It seems like only yesterday doesn’t it? The years have flown by and you and your beloved companion have made countless memories together. Maybe you’re seeing a little gray in your dog’s muzzle. Maybe you’re noticing your cat taking even more naps than he used to. Whatever it is, for every pet owner there comes a day when she realizes: my pet’s getting older!

When is my pet considered “old?”

It depends on your pet, as large dogs tend to experience age associated problems at an earlier age than small dogs and cats do. Small dogs (less than 20 lbs) and cats tend to be considered “senior pets” between the ages of 8 and 10 years. Medium to large breed dogs (21-90 lbs) are considered to be in their golden years at 7 to 9 years of age. Giant breed dogs (over 90 lbs) are considered geriatric between the ages of 6 and 8 years.

What kind of problems might my senior pet have?

Older pets tend to endure the same trials and tribulations as we humans do as we age. Arthritis (particularly in large and giant breed dogs), dental disease, eyesight problems, metabolic and endocrine diseases, and “brain aging” are just a few of the many potential challenges our pets face as they age. These problems most often develop over a period of many months or even a few years, and so their signs are very subtle.

How can I tell if my dog is having age related problems?

While the signs of age-related problems are subtle, there are a few things you can look for. For example, if your dog is having trouble going up and down stairs or seems to have more trouble getting up and moving around after a nap, she may be showing early signs of arthritis. In cats, arthritis is often even more subtle: if your cat seems to be having trouble jumping up on the bed, or difficulty using the litter box in his later years, he may also be suffering from arthritis.
Changes in eating and drinking patterns in older pets can also be significant. Consistently decreased eating and drinking can be indicative of a wide range of problems, from kidney and liver dysfunction to cancer.

While many pet owners are aware of the significance of decreased eating and drinking, it’s also important to watch for an increase in appetite and thirst. These signs can be indicative of serious endocrine diseases such as Cushing’s disease in dogs, hyperthyroidism in cats, and diabetes in both dogs and cats. Rapid weight losses or weight gains are also signs of potential problems.

Observing your dog or cat interact with his environment can also provide clues to age-related problems. If your pet becomes easily confused or disoriented, she may be showing signs of cognitive dysfunction, a recently defined clinical syndrome that is much like Alzheimer’s disease in people. These pets may also be having problems related to vision loss. Disorders such as cataracts, retinal detachment and glaucoma can cause rapid loss of vision in our pets, or they may be more gradual. Observe your pet closely for signs of disorientation such as walking into objects, reacting to non-existent stimuli (for example, a dog “barking at nothing” or a cat who vocalizes much more than previously), and startling easily. These signs are often more pronounced in the dark.

What can I do to alleviate or even prevent age-related problems?

There’s an old saying that we’ve all heard: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Truer words have never been spoken when it comes to age-related problems in pets. Have your pets spayed or neutered at an early age (4-6 months) to prevent testicular cancer and prostate problems in male pets, mammary cancer and uterine infections in female pets. Yearly physical exams in adult pets will allow your veterinarian to detect subtle health problems in your pet, as well as discuss a myriad of ways in which you can keep him healthy for life.

For example, part of every annual wellness evaluation at Mill Creek Animal Hospital includes an assessment of your pet’s current weight as well as her weight trend (i.e. Is she gaining or losing weight). Your veterinarian will make dietary recommendations based on this information. This is very important, as maintaining a healthy weight goes a long way toward reducing the incidence of such problems as arthritis, diabetes, and liver problems (particularly in cats). Another aspect of the annual wellness evaluation is the assessment of dental health.

Your veterinarian will closely examine your pet’s teeth and gums, teach you preventive dental care techniques, and alert you to the presence of tartar, gingivitis and other dental conditions that require treatment. This is important because an unhealthy mouth is also bad for the heart, kidneys and liver as bacteria and the inflammatory cascade from infected teeth and gums can damage these organs as well.
When your pet reaches the “senior years,” the early detection of problems becomes even more important.

With this in mind, the doctors and staff at Mill Creek Animal Hospital advocate twice-annual physical exams, for pets aged 8 and over. A year between physical exams for our pets is like seven years between physical exams for humans, and much can change in that time. A physical exam every 6 months can allow your veterinarian to more closely follow trends in weight gain or loss, activity level and appetite. In addition, important changes such as heart murmurs, skin lumps or bumps, or dental disease can be detected and treated early, increasing the chances of a successful treatment outcome.

In addition to twice yearly physical exams, we at Mill Creek Animal Hospital recommend yearly blood and urine screening tests, what we term our “internal physical exam”. The results of these tests aid us in the early detection of problems such as kidney and liver disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, overactive thyroid, and ocular problems. Your veterinarian will tailor a senior wellness program specific to your pet’s special needs. Early detection and intervention are the keys to a better and less expensive outcome.

We all get older, and our pets are no exception to the rule. While we can’t make him a puppy or kitten again, together we can help your senior pet keep that youthful energy! The doctors and staff at Mill Creek Animal Hospital are here to help you to help your pet stay happy and healthy throughout his golden years. Through diligent preventive care and the early detection and treatment of problems, we can help ensure a better quality of life and a longer lived life for you and your pet to enjoy together.

Summertime is finally here, and we all know what that means: barbecues, trips to the lake, and all manner of activities designed to get out and have some fun in the sun. This is a great time of year to get out and spend some quality time with your dog. Regular exercise is fabulous for your best friend’s health, and he/she will love experiencing the great outdoors with you!

As you head outside with your dog, it’s important to remember that dogs are much more affected by summer’s heat than we humans. Dogs lack the ability to cool themselves off by sweating (not to mention that fur coat they’re always wearing!). Because of this, what seems like a fairly hot day to us may be downright dangerous for our dogs. Short faced dogs (such as Bulldogs and Shih Tzus) and older pets are even more prone to problems with heat. Excessive exposure to heat and humidity can overwhelm his /her body’s ability to regulate its temperature, causing it to rise, resulting in a condition known as heat stroke. A body temperature of over 107 degrees Fahrenheit causes damage to the kidneys, liver, heart, and central nervous system. Untreated, this damage is always fatal. Even with treatment, this damage may be permanent, adversely affecting your dog’s health for life.

How can I tell if my dog has heatstroke?
Early signs of heatstroke include severe lethargy, rapid and shallow breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration (as indicated by dry gums). Any of these signs in a dog that has been in the heat for any length of time are cause for concern and should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Signs of advanced heat stroke include severe respiratory distress, cyanotic (blue to purple) gums, collapse, seizures, and coma, most often resulting in death.

What can I do if I think my dog has heatstroke?
The most important thing you can do is to take your dog to your veterinarian immediately. The effects of heatstroke take place quite rapidly, are potentially irreversible, and perhaps even fatal. Initiating treatment promptly is absolutely critical to ensuring a good outcome.  If your veterinarian’s office is more than a few minutes away, it will be very important for you to try to cool your dog down. You can do this by immersing your dog in a tub of cool water or using a garden hose to apply cool water to his/her skin. DO NOT USE ICE WATER, as this will cause blood vessels in the skin to constrict, reducing the loss of heat from the body. Using a fan will also help reduce your dog’s body temperature. Once this is done, transport your dog to your veterinarian for further treatment.

How can I prevent my dog from getting heatstroke?
The best way to prevent heatstroke is to prevent exposure to extreme heat. The easiest way to do this is to keep your dog in a cool environment (preferably indoors with air conditioning) during the hottest parts of the day (generally the afternoon to early evening). With this in mind, it is best not to house your dog outside on hot days. Also, do not under any circumstances leave your dog unattended in a car for any length of time. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, on a hot day the temperature within a locked car can increase from 78 degrees to 100 degrees within 3 minutes, rising to 125 degrees within 6-8 minutes. A dog can easily develop heatstroke in a short period of time under these conditions.

When exercising with your dog, do so during the coolest parts of the day, which are generally early in the morning and in the late evening. If you are out with your dog in the hottest parts of the day, be sure to take frequent breaks in the shade and provide plenty of clean, fresh water for your dog to drink. If you notice your dog panting more excessively than usual or losing energy, it’s best to head inside for him/her to cool down, drink some water and rest before more serious problems occur.  Summertime is a great time to get outside and enjoy some quality time with your dog. Being prepared to help your best friend stay cool on a hot summer day will help you both enjoy the great outdoors without worry.

As always, the doctors and staff at Mill Creek Animal Hospital are available to help you keep your dog happy and healthy, whatever the weather!