Christmas Spirit 2013

Christmas 2013 unexpectedly became very spiritual for me yesterday afternoon.   

Mid-afternoon Christmas Eve, I was called by a client I had never met before regarding Champ a 16 year old horse, with a complaint of what sounded like acute laminitis.  Very unusual for me to take an emergency from a non-established client, but we had a great conversation on the phone and the horse was in obvious distress.

The horse owners were relieved at my arrival and poor old Champ was  stretched out, reluctant to move with a high heart rate, bounding digital pulses; very painful front feet.  I proceeded to quickly cut back some long toe, taped on "lili-pads" and administered IV pain-relievers.  Placing the pads on Champ's feet gave him almost instant relief and he began to move around his large enclosure, getting a drink of water and started eating.  The horse owners were quite satisfied at the progress we made in relieving Champ's pain and small talk ensued.

During our small talk Mrs. Client related to me she was the sister of one of my all-time favorite clients that had moved from my practice area 8 years ago.  Mr Favorite Client and his wife raised cutting horses and beef cattle, providing me many great veterinary practice memories; not only great clients, but great people.  In the 8 years since their departure, I find myself thinking of them often.  Mrs. Client informed me of health problems her brother was having and I said, "Ya know I ought to give him a call".  Mrs. Client ventured off to the house and returned with his cell phone number.  As I departed the farm I gave Mr. Favorite Client a call on my drive back home to check in.

Turns out Mr. Favorite Client suffers from a rare, terminal un-treatable form of kidney cancer.  We visited for 35 minutes on the phone, talking about many cases we worked on, remember this time, remember that time, etc.  We talked about the life and death struggle he's facing and we talked about life.  His words resonating with me this Christmas morning; "take nothing for granted, appreciate what you have, appreciate your good health while you have it, life can change 180 degrees in a heartbeat,".  All words of wisdom.  I had a most enjoyable, enlightening conversation with this man facing the battle of his life; I feel I received the gift of a lifetime!  

The most unusual turn of events leading to this Christmas phone call is quite remarkable.  Most people think, to be a veterinarian you love and enjoy working with animals.  That maybe true, but in the end it's the people, it truly is the people.  God speed Mr. Favorite Client, you've made this Christmas most humbling for this horse doctor.  Merry Christmas to you and yours, hold your family and friends close, you never know when your life may change in a heartbeat........ 

Equine First Aid Kit

Every horse owner should have a stocked first aid kit readily available in the stable and trailer.  What supplies should the first aid kit contain?  Let’s think about the most common emergencies our practice sees, these include; colic, lacerations and eye injuries.  Basic supplies to provide first aid care for these emergencies are appropriate for a horse owner’s first aid kit.  

Supplies we recommend your first aid kit contains include:

·         A digital or mercury thermometer

·         A stethoscope

·         Triple antibiotic eye ointment that doesn’t contain cortisone or dexamethasone

·         Two – 16” combine rolled bandages

·         Four rolls of 6” Kling bandage rolls.

·         Four rolls of 4” Vetrap

·         One roll or duct tape

·         24 - 4” x 4” cotton squares

·         Four ounces of dilute chlorhexidine wound cleansing solution

·         One tube of Banamine paste

·         Topical antibiotic ointment or antiseptic wound spray

When an emergency arises with your horse, contact your veterinarian for specific instructions.  Armed with these recommended supplies in your first aid kit, your veterinarian will be able to instruct you regarding specific first aid measures you can take to provide relief to your horse until your veterinarian can arrive to provide care.  

Healthy Hoof = Happy Horse!

Scott Spaulding, DVM

Imagine, an entire horse’s body weight supported by a hoof, a structure not dissimilar to a human finger nail!  Healthy hooves are vital to horse’s well-being, most horses experience some hoof problems in their lifetime.  The hoof and foot structures often are the culprit causing lameness.  Here are two of the most common hoof problems seen in our practice. 

Hoof Abscesses are a common cause of lameness in our practice.  Abscesses occur when bacteria gain access to soft tissue structures immediately under the sole, usually through separation at the white line, in association with a bruise or due to penetrating wounds.  Bacteria rapidly multiply in the warm, moist conditions, bacterial exudate produced combined with the body’s immune system attempting to fight off infection produces intense inflammatory responses resulting in reluctance to bear weight on the affected hoof. 

We typically diagnose abscesses by evaluating the affected foot’s digital pulse and applying hoof testers to the sole to identify areas of discomfort.  Occasionally, an abscess, following the path of least resistance, will rupture at the coronary band.  Treatment typically consists of paring back the sole, identifying the infected area and establishing drainage.  A poultice bandage is routinely used ensuring all infected tissue is cleaned from the abscess.  In the event a horse is diagnosed with a foot abscess ensure the horse received tetanus vaccination recently.

Heel Soreness is commonly caused by long toes and low heels.  We diagnose by evaluating hoof conformation, sensitivity to hoof testers when applied across the heels, positive response to palmar digital nerve desensitization and radiographic evaluation of hoof conformation.  Treatment includes farrier work to achieve optimum hoof balance, usually a combination of shortening the toe to move the break-over point back, increasing heel support and using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. 

There are many opportunities for horse owners to prevent these conditions.  Most importantly, assembling a veterinarian-farrier team to work together identifying and treating problems early on.  Other actions include scheduling routine appointments with a highly trained, competent farrier, regular hoof cleaning, maintaining the horse in a clean, dry environment, regular exercise and optimum nutrition all aid your horse’s healthy hoof maintenance.

Body Condition Scoring

Body Condition Scoring (BCS) of your horse is a quantitative method of estimating the amount and distribution of fat on a horse’s body.  This system, developed in the late 1970’s by Dr. Don Henneke at Texas A&M University, provides a standard scoring system for the industry which can be used across breeds and by all horse people.

The system assigns a score to a particular body condition as opposed to vague words such as “good,” “fair,” “bad,” or “poor,” which leave differences of interpretation to the eye of the beholder. The score ranges from 1 – 9, with 1 representing an emaciated horse and 9 representing an obese horse. 

The horse’s body condition measures the balance between intake and expenditure of energy. Body condition can be affected by a variety of factors such as: food availability, reproductive activities, weather, performance or work activities, parasites, dental problems, and feeding practices. The actual body condition of a horse can also affect its reproductive capability, performance ability, work function, health status, and endocrine status. 

Our practice, Badger Veterinary Hospital, assigns BCS to every horse as part of every wellness examination.  This information, along with a body weight estimate, taken by measuring the heart girth, is valuable information for us to assess your horse’s nutritional status and the many factors affecting it. 

This link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq0ZXnSlsNQ, provides a great example of the factors considered in assigning BCS to horses.

Please contact Badger Veterinary Hospital  (608.754.1888 or 608.423.3555), we’d be happy to provide with a reference guide to aid you in determining your horse’s BCS.

Protect Your Pet, Protect Your Family - Vaccinate the non-vaccinated!

Rock CountyRabies Awareness Week

Join us the week of April 21, 2013, 

in promoting Rock County Rabies Prevention Awareness.  

Let’s work together to make rabies history!

Rabies threatens all family members, including pets.  The Rock County Health Department estimates as many as 60,000 dogs and cats in Rock County Wisconsin, human population of 160,000, are not vaccinated for rabies.  What!? 60,000 animals!? 

Why is this alarming? 

Rabies is a, nearly always fatal, viral disease of mammals most often transmitted through the bite of another rabid animal. The devastating disease can be prevented almost 100% of the time with appropriate vaccination.  This underscores the critical need for community members to take appropriate steps to prevent and control rabies.

It’s estimated that every year in Rock county approximately 400 people are bitten by animals and require attention from health care providers and follow up by the Health Department to verify the risk of rabies exposure. In 2012, at least four (4) people in Rock County were referred to health care providers for rabies vaccination resulting from animal bites.  Since 2000, three (3) people have died of rabies in Wisconsin.

Although the majority of rabies cases occur in wildlife, most humans are exposed to the virus as a result of an encounter with an infected domestic animal. Keeping pets, including cats and dogs, up-to-date on vaccinations, is a primary means of helping to prevent rabies in humans and domestic animals.

In association with Rabies Awareness Week, the Rock County Board of Health, Friends of Noah and Badger Veterinarian Hospital are sponsoring a low fee rabies vaccination clinic for cats and dogs at the Rock County Fairgrounds on Saturday April 27^th from 1 to 4 pm. People with un-vaccinated cats and dogs are invited to attend.  The fee is $10 cash only. Dogs must be on leashes and cats confined to carriers.  A limited number of leashes and carriers will be available. Animal owners are responsible for keeping their pets under control.  Vaccinations are good for one year.  If an owner can provide proper documentation of a prior rabies vaccination, their dog or cat can receive a three year vaccination.  Animal health care will be limited to the rabies vaccination. 

Low Fee Rabies Vaccination Clinic

Saturday, April 27th from 1 - 4 PM

Rock County Fairgrounds

$10 (Cash Only)

What Is Your Cat Telling You?

During veterinary school I believe I intentionally limited my feline exposure.  During clinical rotations a Siamese cat, owned by the family of jazz great Al Jarreau, was referred to the Veterinary School with an incredibly high white blood cell count. The diagnosis was peritonitis caused by an ingested wood splinter perforating his intestine.  Surgery and antibiotics were curative.  This cat was my case.  Was someone trying to tell me something? 

I'm a dog guy.  A German Shepherd aficionado.  Nancy and I have had them living with us since 1981.  In my mind, big dogs and cats don't reside simultaneously in the same household!  My daughter Sara was always asking "Dad, when can I have a kitten?"  My typical response?  "It wouldn't be fair to raise a kitten in a household of German Shepherds."

That was then.  Fast forward to April 2010 on a warm spring evening.  Nancy and I were strolling around the yard inspecting winter's wrath and out scrambled a kitten from underneath the air conditioner.  In spite of my oblivion, this 6 week feline made me his project.  He followed me (of all people) as we continued our stroll.  Shortly after, Nancy found a second kitten under the air conditioner.  I was faced with the inevitable.  Two abandoned, skinny, hungry and flea infested kittens that focused on me.  With hope in their hearts and voices, Nancy and Sara demanded an immediate response: "we're going to keep them, aren't we?" My thought was, how am I going to wriggle from this predicament? In the blink of an eye the words preceded my thoughts, I relented, YES!

Feline rescue mission immediately elevated to DEFCON 1, our highest state of alert!  The kittens were boxed and transported to the practice.  Flea dips ensued with numbers of dropped fleas beyond your wildest nightmare! The younger kitten, eyes not even open yet, was fostered with the area rescue organization; Friends of Noah.  The other became the first feline family member in the Spaulding house-hold.

As we settled at home we observed until his name evolved.  Indy racing was the first thought as this kitten raced around the house and slid across the wood floors.  Andretti it was!

Qira, our young German Shepherd bonded immediately with power maternal instincts.  Jeck, our slightly older Shepherd was much less enthusiastic about the addition.  Jeck's mission for the first few weeks was Andretti eradication.  Slowly, his surrender set in and from then on, Jeck and Andretti have learned a healthy respect and tolerance for each other.

Understandably, Andretti adopted many traits characteristic of the German Shepherd breed.  At the sound of a doorbell a race to the door, barking to alert all who need to know and hair standing on end.  Although he doesn't bark, Andretti is in the race; hair standing erect.

Like many kittens, Andretti had issues urinating outside the litter box.  This was going on far too long for this farm boy.  I was at my wit's end.  A urinalysis revealed urine crystals, urging frequent urination.  A dietary change to a prescribed Royal Canin's crystal reducing diet and fresh water  through a water fountain brought resolution.  A farm boy who tolerated cats as a necessary evil, clearly this level of care is a sure sign that this 12 pound wonder cat was finding his way to my heart!

A proven survivor, Andretti does whatever it takes to make his mark in life.  I've always respected the self-reliant and this cat proved himself.  He acquired German Shepherd behavior, which scored many brownie points with me and I kid you not, he even plays fetch!  Another trait I admire; he's not your typical lap cat, 30 seconds in your lap and it's time to move on.  Leash training remains a challenge!

Much to our dismay, this past Christmas, Andretti's inappropriate urination behavior returned.  Urinalysis was clean and blood work normal.  The bond that Andretti has created with us let to a physical exam.  Excessive tarter on his teeth was noted and routine dental prophylaxis was performed.

During dental cleaning and examination, Dr. Reed discovered a fractured premolar - OUCH! The tooth was extracted, Andretti made a speedy recovery and his inappropriate urination ceased.  We were a happy family once again!

Who would have thought a dental issue cased him to urinate in the house? Not me, that's for sure!  This lesson in cat care has been a learning experience for this Wisconsin farm boy!  The importance of routine dental care for pets can't be over-emphasized!

I wonder how many cats are discarded because of inappropriate urination.  How many cats have relatively minor health conditions that can be easily treated?  How many cats have never or very seldom have routine dental care?

Andretti was suffering such pain and the only way he knew to get our attention was to urinate outside of his box.  I'm grateful my eyes were open! What is your cat telling you?

February is dental month, have your pets teeth examined!  Make an appointment now!

911...WE ARE READY...ARE YOU?

If you own animals long enough, sooner or later you'll confront an emergency health crisis.  Prior to being consumed by the hustle and bustle of any Holiday Season; we urge you to prepare for a medical emergency affecting your dog, cat or horse.

You must know how to recognize serious problems and promptly take the appropriate action.  Preparation is vital when confronted with a medical emergency.  No matter what situation may face, mentally rehearse the steps you'll take to avoid letting panic take control.  

Follow Badger Veterinary Hospital's guidelines to help you prepare for a medical emergency.

• Keep your veterinarian's number by each phone, including how the practice can be reached after hours.  
• Do you have a first aid kit? Consult with your veterinarian regarding preparation of a species appropriate kit. First aid kits can be simnple or elaborate.  Regardless, make sure family members know where the kit is.
• Many veterinary practices provide after-hours emergency care only to established clients; others don't provide after-hours emergency care and you may be referred to an emergency clinic in a distant location.  Ensure you clearly understand your veterinary practice's policy regarding emergency care prior to confronting an emergency health crisis with your animal.  
• Consult with your veterinarian regarding a back-up veterinary practice in case your regular veterinarian cannot be reached quickly enough.
• Record the names and contact numbers of nearby friends and neighbors who can assist in the event of an emergency. For exapmle, if your horse requires transport to a critical care facility and you are unable to haul the horse, have an alternate arrangement.

Badger Veterinary Hospital is a full-service practice, providing 24 hour emergency care, having provided emergency assistance to nearly 150 patients in the past 12 months.  Naturally, we strongly recommend establishing a relationship with our practice prior to a crisis.  We strive to provide routine health care and diagnostic screenings to minimize the occurrence of late-night emergencies!

Quick action can minimize the consequences of an injury or illness and as a Badger Veterinary Hospital client, you have the peace of mind knowing no matter what time of day your crisis occurs, our staff is here for you and your animals!

We are... Dedicated to the life and love of your pet!

Scott Spaulding, DVM    Steve Servantez, DVM    Kevin Kreier, DVM
BVH Owner                   BVH Owner                    BVH Owner