While passing through Arlington Animal Clinic, you may have seen a majestic white cat strutting his stuff in the hallway.  His name was Ice, and he was our friend.  Diagnosed with Lymphoma 4 years ago, he managed to beat the odds, and finally succumbed to the disease on February 9th, 2012. 

It was almost 10 years to the day that he was left at our door.  We gathered in the office to be with him during his last moments, he was sprawled on the couch as he usually was.  We passed stories of his exploits and adventures, we smiled, we cried.

I would like to take a moment to share some of our memories with you:

Ice epitomized what it meant to be a cat.  He walked where he pleased, with a look on his face … you could just tell how proud of himself he always was.  He wanted what he wanted … exactly when he wanted it!  We always made sure that never went wanting for anything, as much food, treats, toys as he could handle.  Still often times we would see him in the kennel, reaching his arm into someone else’s cage … stealing their food.  It must have somehow tasted better when it wasn’t his … he would steal our lunches if we looked away for long enough.  He tried to make off with bread and butter on several occasions.  During his chemotherapy, his appetite was down and one of the nurses started cooking little tiny cubes of chicken for him.   He became so demanding of this chicken, he would actually chase us around asking for it.  If we ignored his request, he’d take swipes at our legs or use them as his personal scratching post.  He made us laugh!  He knew we were there to take care of him, and he tried to take care of us whenever he could.  It’s no secret that some cats are so fearful at the vet, that they exercise their flight or fight response mechanisms, and while we usually emerge with all 5 fingers and toes on each hand and foot, sometimes they’re a little mangled.  When these “caution” cats would come into the clinic, we not only had to secure the cat but also the room.  If we did not … sure enough Ice would come running to our aid.  When he would get through our barricades, he would attempt to defend us from the wild beasts.  Not a very good idea, we realize, but there he would be pleased as punch with himself for defending our honor.

Ice, we are thankful for the time you spend here on earth.  We will think of you often, and remember you always.  In loving memory, “Ice” Brown 1997-2012.

According to a Nov. 18th 2011 update, there has been an increase in the number of complaints fron dog owners and veterinarieans alike regarding jerkey correlated illnesses associated with jerkey products coming out of China.  The agency urges consumers to who feed chicken jerkey products in particular to watch for any of the following signs of illness:

• a decrease in appetite
• a decrease in activity
• vomiting and/or diarrhea (bloody vomiting and/or diarrhea)
• an increase in water consumption and/or urination

If signs of illness develop, or persist for a period longer than 24hrs. dog owners should consult their veterinarian.  Although most dogs appear to recover, there are existing reports to the FDA involving dogs that have died.

The FDA and several other U.S. animal health diagnostic laboratores are working on a cause for why these products are causing associated illnesses in dogs.  They have not identified any contaminants as of yet.

Another great idea is to combine your own resolution with your pet’s.  If you’re vowing to get more exercise, for example, make sure to increase your pet’s exercise as well!  Does your pet need to drop a couple pounds?  Resolve to improve your pet’s diet in addition to your own and you have an automatic diet partner.

Check out more ideas below and please let us know your own suggestions!

• Care2
• Celebrities in the Boston Globe
• VetMedicine
• WebMD

Leptospirosis is definitively in our area!   There has been an unexpected surge in the number of Lepto cases reported in the last 3 months.   We are encouraging all dog owners and dog walkers to please use caution if walking in or around public parks, specifically bodies of water, in our area such as  Menotomy Rocks Park in Arlington, any of The Fells locations, the Mystic River Path system, Spy Pond, and many more.  Also, please under no circumstances allow any dogs off leash in the vicinity.

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION!!!

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection (contagious to humans and animal companions alike) that is widely spread through the infected urine of wildlife.  In acute infections a fever of 103-104°, shivering, and muscle tenderness are the first notable signs. The animal usually develops a fever, anorexia, vomiting, dehydration, and increased thirst. The dog may be reluctant to move due to muscle or kidney pain. Animals with liver involvement may develop icterus (a yellowing of the skin pigment most easily viewed on gingiva, eyes, ears). Then vomiting and rapid dehydration may develop. Severely infected dogs may develop hypothermia and become depressed and succumb to the infection before kidney or liver failure has a chance to develop.

This disease is of grave consequence to both humans and animals alike.  It is reportable to the CDC (Center for Disease Control).  We encourage everyone to please get educated and protected as best you can. There are canine vaccines available against leptospirosis. Please contact us for more information.

Please have a safe and HAPPY holiday season.

Promo Code: ARLINGTON     EXP: 1/1/12

Fleas Navidad Nibblers:                                                                   

Bakes 16 festive holidog muffins

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 3/4 cups water
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/8teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
• 4 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a bowl, mix together honey, water, applesauce, vanilla and egg.  In a separate bowl, mix peanuts, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir, mixing well.  Spoon into a greased muffin tin, filling each cup 2/3 full.  Bake for 35 minutes.  Cool and store in a sealed container.

Yappy New Year Yum Yums:

Makes 12 scrumptions snacks

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 3/4 cups water
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce                                               
• 1/8 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• 4 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1 cup dried apple chips
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a bowl, mix together honey, water, applesauce, vanilla and egg.  Combine flour, apple chips, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg in a separate bowl and mix thoroughly.  Add wet ingredients to dry and mix well, scraping sides and bottom of bowl to be sure no dry mixture is left.  Spoon into greased muffin pans so that each cup is 3/4 full and bake for approximately 1 hour.  Cool and store in a sealed container.

Hanukkah Noshers:

Makes 30 chewish Jewish delights (great for those who love to really chew)

• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter                                                                               
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 4 cups whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup quick-cook oats
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, combine applesauce, egg, peanut butter, vanilla and water.  In a second bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, oats and peanuts.  Add dry ingredients to wet and mix well.  Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until thoroughly mixed together.  Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut out shapes.  Place on a greased baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes.  Store in a sealed container.

* These recipes have been reprinted by permission from the Three Dog Bakery Cookbook by Dan Dye and Mark Beckloff.  Fore more tasty treats, please visit www.threedog.com.

The holiday season is fast approaching again!  Unfortunately, the statistics show that with the holidays, there is a corresponding increase in the number of pet hospitalizations due to easily avoidable holiday hazards.  Unexpected veterinary expenses can add up very quickly, and this can place undue stress on finances at an already crucial time of year.  Keep the holidays festive and avoid seasonal pet emergencies with a couple of tips from our friends at VPI® Pet Insurance:

Top 5 Most Dangerous Holiday Pet Hazards

Keep the holiday decorations out of reach, especially glass, metal, ribbons, tinsel and artificial snow.  If ingested, these items can cause anything from mouth trauma, to more severe/life threatening situations where surgical intervention is needed.

Beware of cold weather hazards.  Keep chemicals like rock salt out of reach.  Just one lick of antifreeze can be enough to kill!  Also, wiping your pets paws and undercarriage to remove harmful chemical residue after walks is important.  This is one time you don’t want them to clean up after themselves.

Keep table scraps … ON THE TABLE!  There is a reason your dog eats dog food … and your cat eats cat food.  Pet foods are specifically formulated to aid digestion.  Human foods are not processed to a level that they are used to.  Some human foods such as chocolate, uncooked raisins/grapes, onion, and avocado are toxic if ingested.  Yeast dough (raw) is very dangerous.  If ingested it will actually rise and ferment in the stomach possibly causing bloat and/or GDV.  GDV (gastric dilatation volvulus) is a condition that requires surgical correction, otherwise prognosis is grave.  Other foods such as Macadamia nuts, and alcohol while less lethal can cause major discomfort, dysphoria, diarrhea and can put a serious damper on festivities.  If you suspect that your pet has ingested any of these products, call your veterinarian immediately, because there may be limited time to deal with the situation.  Fatty foods and foreign proteins (like turkey) can cause stomach problems as severe as pancreatitis.    This condition can lead to hospitalization and … very large vet bills!  Dispose of your bones properly … poultry bones in particular are dangerous because they splinter when chewed, and are famous for causing choking incidents, and or obstructions in the digestive tract.  Any of these things can lead to hospitalization and … very large vet bills!

Holiday plants can be extremely toxic and can cause wide ranging conditions from ulceration in the mouth to death!  Keep your holiday plants such as holly, mistletoe, poinsettia, and lilies high off the ground.  Christmas tree water can also be toxic if ingested.

Please have a safe and very happy holiday season, from all of us here at Arlington Animal Clinic, and VPI® Pet Insurance!

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What's surgery?!

Proper home care after any surgery is extremely important and can positively improve your pet’s experience.  Here are a few things you can expect when your pet returns from a surgical procedure.

Routine Surgery Recovery Takes 2-3 Days

It’s essential to remember that normal surgery recovery time is anywhere between 1-3 days; during this time, you may see your animal eating and drinking less than usual, especially during the 24 hours post surgery.  This should be expected and is not cause for alarm.  If your pet is not interested in eating at all, you may offer a small amount of bland diet to help your pet along.

Sleep is Good

Some pets will return home from surgery and sleep for most of the next 24 hours.  During this time, you should make sure your pet has a safe and quiet spot to call his own that’s separate from any commotion and other animals.  Sleep helps your pet to recover from the anesthesia and also prevents injuries by keeping your pet stationary until normal coordination occurs.

Expect Urination

Some owners get nervous about dehydration when they see their pet urinating before he or she is drinking water.  Fluids are given during surgery to help support the system, so unless you see something serious, such as blood in the urine, this is also to be expected and isn’t cause for alarm.

Listen to Your Veterinarian

Following your veterinarian’s instructions, both before and after surgery, may trim both recovery time and stress for your animal.  Make sure to restrict food and water for 12 hours prior to surgery as this will reduce stress on your pet’s system so he or she can focus on recovering.

The 9/11 rescue dogs: Portraits of the last surviving animals who scoured Ground Zero one decade on

During the chaos of the 9/11 attacks, where almost 3,000 people died, nearly 100 loyal search and rescue dogs and their brave owners scoured Ground Zero for survivors.

Now, ten years on, just 12 of these heroic canines survive, and they have been commemorated in a touching series of portraits entitled ‘Retrieved’.

The dogs worked tirelessly to search for anyone trapped alive in the rubble, along with countless emergency service workers and members of the public.

Moxie, 13, from Winthrop, Massachusetts, arrived with her handler, Mark Aliberti, at the World Trade Center on the evening of September 11 and searched the site for eight days

Tara, 16, from Ipswich, Massachusetts, arrived at the World Trade Center on the night of the 11th. The dog and her handler Lee Prentiss were there for eight days

Kaiser, 12, pictured at home in Indianapolis, Indiana, was deployed to the World Trade Center on September 11 and searched tirelessly for people in the rubble

Travelling across nine states in the U.S. from Texas to Maryland, Dutch photographer Charlotte Dumas, 34, captured the remaining dogs in their twilight years in their homes where they still live with their handlers, a full decade on from 9/11.

Their stories have now been compiled in a book, called Retrieved, which is published on Friday, the tenth anniversary of the attacks.

Noted for her touching portraits of animals, especially dogs, Charlotte wanted ‘Retrieved’ to mark not only the anniversary of the September 2001 attacks, but also as recognition for some of the first responders and their dogs.

‘I felt this was a turning point, especially for the dogs, who although are not forgotten, are not as prominent as the human stories involved,’ explained Charlotte, who splits her time between New York and Amsterdam.

‘They speak to us as a different species and animals are greatly important for our sense of empathy and to put things into perspective.’

Bretagne and his owner Denise Corliss from Cypress, Texas, arrived at the site in New York on September 17, remaining there for ten days

Bretagne takes a break from work at the 9/11 site with his handler Denise

Guinness, 15, from Highland, California, started work at the site with Sheila McKee on the morning of September 13 and was deployed at the site for 11 days

Merlyn and his handler Matt Claussen were deployed to Ground Zero on September 24, working the night shift for five days

Most of the search and rescue dogs are Labradors or Golden Retrievers and Charlotte feels that the title works across many aspects of the story.

‘I found the dogs, I retrieved them, they were there to retrieve the victims, it is nicely rounded,’ explained Charlotte whose work is being exhibited at the Julie Saul Gallery NYC opening on September 8, in time for the anniversary.

After working on a project about police canines and other working dogs, she was inspired to concentrate on the animals that played such a huge part in seeking survivors.

Contacting the NYPD, the New York Fire Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Charlotte discovered that out of the nearly 100 dogs among the first responders deployed by FEMA, there were in fact only 15 still alive last year.

Red, 11, from Annapolis, Maryland, went with Heather Roche to the Pentagon from September 16 until the 27 as part of the Bay Area Recovery Canines

Abigail, left, was deployed on the evening of September 17, searching for 10 days while Tuff arrived in New York at 11:00 pm on the day of attack to start working early the next day

Scout and another unknown dog lie among the rubble at Ground Zero, just two of nearly 100 search and rescue animals who helped to search for survivors

‘They were there for the first few weeks, they were trained to find people alive, although that is ultimately not what happened,’ said Charlotte, who will hold a fundraiser for the First Responder Alliance at Clic Bookstore in New York on September 29.

‘I traveled across the United States to meet with the owners and portray the dogs. They are all retired and I spent time with each of their handlers learning about their experiences.

‘It was moving talking to Denise Corliss, who is the handler and owner of Bretagne, one of the Golden Retrievers.

‘She told me a touching story of one fireman who was there in the rubble, and how taken he was with Bretagne who comforted him as he sat down to catch his breath.

Handler Julie Noyes and Hoke were deployed to the World Trade Center from their home in Denver on September 24 and searched for five days

Searching for survivors: The dogs worked around the clock in the vain hope of finding anyone still alive at the World Trade Center site

‘Years later at a Remembrance Ceremony, the same fireman recognised Bretagne and her handler and they had a touching reunion.

‘It developed that even though the dogs couldn’t find people still alive, they could provide comfort for the brave firemen and rescue workers of the emergency services.’

Wishing to tell the other side of heroism from 9/11, each of Charlotte’s encounters with dogs such as Gabriel and Orion and Scout stayed with her.

‘The dogs are now old and they will soon pass away. Even during the time it has taken since my first work on the ‘Retrieved’ portraits to now, three of the final 15 have died,’ said Charlotte.

‘These portraits are about how time passes, and how these dogs and their portraits are offering us a way to deal with the things that happened as well as relying on them for comfort.’

“For seniors, prevention and early detection lead to early intervention and, therefore, improved treatment success. “        Fred Metzger, DVM, DABVP

Idexx Reference Laboratories has offered us special pricing on select senior panels for the month of September ONLY!  We would like to pass the savings on to you!                                                                

Senior Screen – regularly $199.50 THIS MONTH ONLY $169

This includes a comprehensive CBC (complete blood count) to analyze individual blood cells, a chemistry profile that analyzes total organ health, a T4 that assesses thyroid function and a urinalysis to help further evaluate kidney function.

Geriatric Screen – regularly $225 THIS MONTH ONLY $199

This includes a comprehensive CBC (complete blood count) to analyze individual blood cells, a chemistry profile that analyzes total organ health, a T4 that assesses thyroid function, Free T4 that measures that amount of thyroxine that is not bound to proteins, and that which is usable, and a urinalysis to help further evaluate kidney function.

Senior Profile with 4DX and Fecal – regularly $215 THIS MONTH ONLY $189

This includes a comprehensive CBC (complete blood count) to analyze individual blood cells, a chemistry profile that analyzes total organ health, a T4 that assesses thyroid function,a  urinalysis to help further evaluate kidney function, a 4DX that tests for heartworm disease and 3 other regional tick borne diseases, and a fecal O&P that looks for intestinal parasites (recommended at least once yearly throughout your dogs life)

Call to make an appointment with your veterinarian or with a veterinary technician, no office exam necessary for existing clients.  Remember, this special pricing will only be offered throughout the month of September.  Please take advantage of the savings … Your animal’s health may depend on it!