PetTales

P
e
MESSENGER POST MEDIA

AUTUMN EDITION

Advertising supplement for September 22, 2016

2 PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

Gizmos Tail of Hope

PROVIDED BY ROCHESTER HOPE FOR PETS

Meet Gizmothe cat with a true rags-to-riches story!

Gizmo was adopted from a local rescue
and unfortunately escaped shortly
after being adopted. One summer
evening, he was found by a couple of
young children and their very caring
mother.
Gizmo had a fractured leg and was
frail from being on the run for about a
month. His rescuers took him to the vet
who determined he had a microchip!
Unfortunately, the family that was
registered on his chip were unable to
take him back. So, the family that found
him decided they wanted to help.
Gizmo met with several surgeons

who decided that amputating his

leg was the best option. With a grant
from Rochester Hope for Pets, and
fundraising efforts of their own, this
family was able to get Gizmo the
surgery that he needed! Surgery was
performed and Gizmo began to heal
soon after.
His story doesnt end there, though
Gizmo captured the hearts of the
members of this family and they
decided to make him a permanent
member of their home! He is getting
stronger every day with the love of his
new fur-ever family!

Rochester Hope for Pets is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 2008 with the mission
to improve the quality of life for companion animals in the greater Rochester area. Through their
award process, they offer financial assistance toward veterinary care costs to pet owners during
times of need. Through Duncans Fund for Education, they provide continuing education courses,
upgraded equipment and technology, and the most current reference literature for veterinary
health professionals who practice in Monroe and surrounding counties. This training and knowledge
serves to enhance the care and treatment of pets at facilities in our region. Rochester Hope for Pets
also partners with other local nonprofits to improve the welfare of animals.

Rochester Hope for Pets 524 White Spruce Blvd. Rochester, NY 14623 585-271-2733 x189 RochesterHopeForPets@gmail.com

FUN FACTS about PETS!

Some species of parrots try to discover how to speak
all by themselves. You may find your parrot trying to
mimic sounds its hearing throughout the course of
the day. This means your attempts at training your
bird to speak will be much easier.
The Papillon
historically was
owned by royal
courts and aristocrats
and was considered a
popular adornment
for higher
members of
society. This dog
was sensitive
to sounds
which provided
their owners a faster
warning sign
of upcoming
threat or danger.

Female cats tend to be right pawed while

males are usually left pawed. While 90% of humans
are right handed, the remaining
10% of lefties also tend to be male.
Armadillos have four babies at a time and
they are always all the same sex. Armadillos
are also the only animal besides humans that can get
leprosy.
A dog demonstrates fear by lowering
his body or posture, putting his tail
down or underside, turning his head
while showing the whites of their
eyes and having enlarged pupils.
When dogs are restrained, cooped up or
in tight spot, they often bark out of fear.
The term dog days of summer was coined
by the ancient Greeks and Romans to
describe the hottest days of summer which
coincided with the rising of the Dog Star,
Sirius.

The little glassy-eyed creatures may look cute and

harmless, but small turtles can make people very ill.
Turtles commonly carry bacteria called Salmonella
on their outer skin and shell surfaces. People can get
Salmonella by coming in contact with turtles or their
habitats.
The oldest known dog bones were found in
Asia and date as far back as 10,000 B.C. The
first identifiable dog breed appeared
about 9000 B.C. and was probably a type
of Greyhound dog used for hunting.
Unlike dogs, cats dont have a sweet
tooth. Scientists believe this is due to a
mutation in a key taste receptor.
The little tufts of hair in a cats
ear help keep dirt out.
They also direct sounds into
the ear and insulate them.
These little tufts are called
ear furnishings.

PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

Do you have a CHUBBY CAT

or a PUDGY POOCH?
BY COURTNEY KLEIN | MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER | MONROE VETERINARY ASSOCIATES

Chances are that you might.

The majority of our four-legged
friends are overweight, and most
pet owners arent aware of the
problem. In fact, 58% of U.S. cats
and 53% of dogs were overweight
according to Association for Pet
Obesity Prevention (APOP).
For cats and dogs, being even
slightly overweight can put them at
risk for developing serious medical
conditions. When a dog or cat is
overweight, additional stress is
placed on the animals heart, lungs
and joints, which can lead to many
weight-related disorders including:
Arthritis
Diabetes
Pancreatitis
Heart and respiratory disease
ACL injury
Kidney disease
High blood pressure
Various forms of cancer
Decreased life expectancy (up to 2.5 years)
APOP found that more than 90 percent of owners of overweight cats and dogs
incorrectly identified their pet as a normal weight.

So, how can you tell if your pet is overweight?

In our hospital, we utilize the Body Condition System (BCS), which assesses a pets
frame size independent of its weight, Dr. Todd Wihlen, director of Pittsford Animal
Hospital said. Pretty good indications that your pet is overweight are if you cannot
feel his/her ribs, his/her belly is rounded when viewed from the side and you cant
see his/her waist when viewed from above.
To protect your pets health, Dr. Wihlen weighs in with his advice to help your pet

achieve weight loss:

1. Feeding 2-3 meals a day burns
more calories and can reduce
begging since food is in your pets
stomach more often.
2. For cats, divide meals into
small quantities and place them
in different locations around the
house to encourage hunting.
Consider purchasing a toy that rolls
around and slowly releases food,
encouraging pets to work for
their meal.
3. Make a treat bag that contains
only the daily allotted amount of
snack calories for your pet. When
the bag is empty, your pet should
not receive any more treats that
day. Be sure to involve the whole
family!
4. For cats, use interactive toys
that require effort (such as laser
pointers), toys that roll, or crumpled
paper. Try throwing toys or treats upstairs so your cat is required to climb and
retrieve them.
5. Exercise is as important for pets as it is for people, so get your pets moving.
If your pet is new to exercising, start slowly and work up to 30 minutes of brisk
exercise (walking, running, etc.) daily to help aid in weight loss. Its great for you
and your pet!
If you believe your pet may be overweight, talk to your veterinarian about proper
weight management.
Courtney Klein is the marketing and communications manager for Monroe Veterinary
Associates. She has more than 15 years of marketing and communications experience,
eight of which have been in the animal-care industry. While she doesnt currently
have any pets, she spends her time chasing after her very active two-year-old son.

Authentic Pet Portraits

products for your

Looking for someone to draw an

authentic portrait of your pet? Local
artist, Jackie Powley uses mixed
media to draw accurate professional
portraits of beloved pets past or
present. And, its as easy as sending
a photo of your pets favorite pose
to jackiepowley@gmail.com or call
585-820-8453. The cost is $200
for the first pet and $100 for each
additional pet. Mat and frame are
free! Great gift idea for any occasion!

4 PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

Mom has her

suitcase on the bed
again, which only
means one thing ...

WERE GOING
ON VACATION!
Well, more specifically, Im going on vacation to a special doggie
resort. Im not sure what Mom does ... She probably stays inside all day
because she doesnt have me to guide her around the neighborhood or
return the ball she accidentally tosses into the yard. I should make sure
someone takes her on a walk while Im away!
Anyway, I love the dog resort where I vacation. My mom calls it
boarding, but I dont know why because Im never bored there.
They have plenty of amenities that keep me busy. I think this time Ill
schedule a bath and manicure with one of the human attendants at
their dog day spa. The day spa is my favorite. After my last vacation
Mom couldnt stop telling me how nice my fur and my paws looked.
Speaking of my sleek-looking fur, thats another great thing about this
resort, there arent any fleas. They have a strict no fleas allowed policy
and look over all the dogs as they check-in. Even if one of the dogs has
a little pest problem, I still dont have to worry because the attendants
will just give that dog a dose of Capstar and voila! No more fleas! No
fleas is my favorite. My fur will stay in pristine condition, even while Im
playing outside.
I forgot about playing outside!
Playing outside is my favorite. Every time I go on vacation my Mom
makes sure that I have time to play outside with the other resort guests
or with one of the attendants. Sometimes well play inside, thats my
favorite. Every day Ill go for walks with one of the attendants, thats my
favorite too. I love spending time with the other dogs. Ive even gotten
to know a few of them during our outdoor excursions.
This is where I met Levi, my best friend, hes my favorite. Hes a yellow
lab, just like me. Mom has a lot of pictures of Levi and me playing while
on vacation. When she picks me up at the end of my stay, the attendants
give her a report card and a picture of how much fun I had. The report
card usually talks about the mischief Levi and I got into together. He
loves to vacation at the resort too. He likes it here because he has
diabetes and needs shots every day. Luckily, there are veterinarians and
Licensed Veterinary Technicians on staff that make sure hes okay and
getting his medicine on time. Even if you dont need medicine like Levi,
you can still get procedures done during your stay, like an annual exam
or an anal gland expression (which is not my favorite, but I smell better
afterwards).

I cant wait to see all my dog and human friends! I should start packing my bag now. Mom
always sends me with my favorite food and treats I even get to bring Leonard, my stuffed
animal who looks just like me! Leonards my favorite. Even though Ill miss Mom and the
house, Ill have my food and Leonard to keep me company at my home away from home!
Our boarding facilities offer select amenities depending on location. For more information
please contact:
COMPANION
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
2800 West Henrietta Road
Rochester, NY 14623
585.424.2900
companionvethosp.com

PERINTON
VETERINARY HOSPITAL
11 LaSalle Parkway
Victor, NY 14564
585.248.5566
perintonvet.com

FAIRVIEW
VETERINARY HOSPITAL
6735 Pittsford Palmyra Road
Fairport, NY 14450
585.223.0940
fairviewvet.com

PITTSFORD
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
2816 Monroe Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618
585.271.7700
pittsfordvet.com

IRONDEQUOIT
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
2150 Hudson Avenue
Rochester, NY 14617
585.266.8020
irondequoitanimalhospital.com

STONE RIDGE
VETERINARY HOSPITAL
550 Center Place Drive
Rochester, NY 14615
585.227.4990
stoneridgevethosp.com

PENFIELD
VETERINARY HOSPITAL
1672 Penfield Road
Rochester, NY 14625
585.381.2441
penfieldvet.com

SUBURBAN
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
2495 East Henrietta Road
Rochester, NY 14623
585.334.4230
suburbanvet.com

Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out

and your dog would go in. Mark Twain

PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

My pet is having difficulty breathing, NOW WHAT?

Behind the scenes of common respiratory emergencies

Difficulty breathing in dogs
and cats is a true emergency
that requires immediate
attention. Many owners
will recognize a change
in the sound of their pets
breathing or recognize an
increase in the amount of
Rylea Nicholls, DVM effort it takes their pet to
Veterinary Specialists
breathe. Common symptoms
& Emergency Services
of difficulty breathing can
Monroe Veterinary Associates
include:
The belly moving with the chest when inhaling, and
your pet seems to be spending lots of energy inhaling
Breathing with an open mouth especially cats
The elbows may be sticking out to the sides,
away from the body
Head and neck are stretched out
Noisy breathing
Once you recognize that your pet is in respiratory distress,
bring it to the emergency hospital. Your pet will be triaged
as a high priority patient and brought directly to the
treatment room.

What happens next?

Pets that arrive in respiratory distress are handled carefully
to minimize stress. The veterinarian performs a brief and
targeted physical exam and begins administering the
appropriate treatments as quickly as possible. At the same
time, a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT) collects your
pets vital information. This includes heart rate, respiratory
rate and rectal temperature. All patients who come into
the clinic in respiratory distress receive oxygen. Depending
on what your pet will tolerate, they may have a mask
placed over their nose and mouth, or an LVT or Animal Care
Attendant (ACA) will hold a tube in front of their nose and
mouth dispensing concentrated oxygen; this is referred to
as flow-by oxygen.
Your pet may be anxious because they are not able to move
enough oxygen into their lungs. This is similar to a person
having a panic attack and hyperventilating. Sometimes
the veterinarian will give your pet sedation to help calm
them down and allow them to breathe easier. If your pet
has a high temperature from exerting themselves trying
to breathe or heat stroke induced respiratory distress, ACAs
will cover your pet in cool, wet towels and direct a high

powered fan towards your pet. The veterinarian

will look in your pets mouth, if possible, to
determine the color of their gums and tongue.
Normal gums are pink but pets in distress may
have blue, white or gray gums.
The veterinarian will then listen to your pets
heart and airways with a stethoscope. They are
listening to the lungs and airways to help them
understand why your pet is in respiratory distress.
The veterinarian is listening for several things:
Air moving through the lungs in all areas
of the chest
Lack of lung sounds near the spine when your
pet is lying on its stomach, which may indicate
air between the lung and the chest wall
Lack of breathing sounds near the bottom of
the chest, which may indicate fluid in the chest
Crackles or wheezes when listening to the
chest may indicate fluid in the lungs or
inflammation in the lungs from heart
disease or asthma
Sounds in the lungs echoing down from the
throat and upper airways, which may
indicate a dysfunction or swelling of the
tissues in the throat.
While your veterinarian is listening to your pet,

an LVT will place an intravenous catheter in

your pet which gives hospital staff access to give
intravenous drugs.
The veterinarian and hospital staff will work to
help your pet breathe easier. This may include
draining air or fluid from your pets chest, giving
steroids to reduce inflammation or sedating and
intubating your pet to establish an airway. When
your pet is more stable, they will be placed in
an oxygen tank or given flow-by oxygen. The
veterinarian will come talk to you about what
happened, discuss what they think is going on and
recommend further courses of treatment.
Respiratory distress is a true emergency and
multiple staff members and the veterinarian
work diligently together to help your pet breathe
comfortably again.
Dr. Rylea Nicholls is a staff doctor at Veterinary
Specialists & Emergency Services. She graduated
from the University of Guelph with a Bachelor
of Science Honours Degree in 2012. She received
her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from
Ontario Veterinary College in 2016. Her professional
interests include emergency medicine. One day she
would like to pursue a residency in emergency and
critical care. Dr. Nicholls has a Catahoula dog named
Frank.

Cats do not have to be shown how to have a good time,

for they are unfailing ingenious in that respect. James Mason

6 PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

ENHANCING YOUR
PETS LIFE
with laser therapy

BY PAMELA PAVIA, LVT | PITTSFORD ANIMAL HOSPITAL

What do you do when pain medication doesnt help? This is a question I was asking
myself and my veterinarian a few months ago.
Lacey, my eight-year-old German shepherd, was diagnosed with spondilosis (a
fusion of vertebrae) about three years ago, but it had never affected her everyday
activities. Three months ago Lacey started walking up and down the stairs slower
than normal, which I attributed to her age.
But over the span of a weekend I noticed her getting worse. One morning she cried
out in pain when I hooked her up to her leash. I immediately thought it was her
neck and started feeling up and down her spine so I could figure out where the
pain was. She did not cry at any point, but she did sit down whenever I touched
her backend.
I made an appointment with her veterinarian, but an exact cause of the pain could
not be determined. Lacey was prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication to use
for a week. It did not help, in fact Laceys condition worsened. Another medication
was prescribed to help with nerve pain, but still no improvement. Lacey was now
in worse shape than ever before and in more pain than I had ever seen her. It was
at this point that our veterinarian recommended laser therapy.
I was willing to try anything to ease Laceys pain. But, laser therapy? I had a lot of
questions. What I learned is that laser therapy uses specific wavelengths of light
to create a therapeutic effect. These effects include improved healing time, pain
reduction, increased circulation and decreased inflammation. And, it was a sterile,
pain-free, surgery-free and drug-free treatment option.
I called and made an appointment at Perinton Veterinary Hospital, which is where
my veterinarian referred Lacey for laser therapy. After an exam was performed,
Dr. Ken Scheider agreed that laser therapy was definitely an option for Lacey. Lacey
started treatment that day, and was also prescribed pain medication and a muscle
relaxant. Dr. Scheider explained that Lacey was not only in a lot of pain in her hips,
but also all along her spine, tail and groin area.
The initial treatment plan that was developed for her was six sessions over a three
week period: three sessions (about every other day) the first week, two sessions in
the second week and one session the third week.

products for your

After just the initial visit, I was able to notice a difference! Lacey was very tired
when we got home and a little sore, but Dr. Scheider told me that was to be
expected. She was also less apprehensive to get up, walk around and go up
and down the stairs. By the end of the first week she was almost back to her
normal self. By the end of the second week, Lacey was only taking the antiinflammatory medication. She no longer needed the pain medication and
muscle relaxers. After the third week she was back to her normal, running,
playful self.
Since then, Lacey has continued to receive laser therapy about once a month.
This treatment was amazing and without it I dont know what I would have
done because medication alone did not work. I would recommend laser
therapy to any pet owner whose pet is in pain or suffering from a number of
conditions. Ive seen firsthand how much it has enhanced Laceys quality of
life.
For more information about laser therapy or Perinton Veterinary Hospital, please
visit perintonvet.com or call them at (585) 248-5566.
Pamela Pavia also owns a 16-year-old cat named Wicked and a 20-year-old box
Turtle named Earl. In addition to being an animal lover, she has also worked with
them since the age of 16. Pamela started her career in the animal-care industry as
a kennel attendant working her way up to animal care assistant before going to
Medaille College in Buffalo to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). She
is currently an LVT at Pittsford Animal Hospital.

Living World Pedi-Perch

The Living World Pedi-Perch helps your birds to trim and cut their nails and beak. The perch has a wavy
surface and a multi-grip that can promote circulation in your birds feet, preventing atrophy and arthritis.
The perch is made up of cement and has a smooth surface on which birds can comfortably sit and self groom.
The perch easily fastens onto the cage door or can be installed anywhere that is comfortable for your bird.
For birds of all ages. Small, medium and large from $4.49 - $11.99, www.wag.com.

PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

HEARTWORM DISEASE is still a concern in fall

Its the fall season! That means
two-fold. One is yearly testing for
hayrides, apple picking, corn mazes
the disease and two is year-round
and mosquitoes?! Thats right!
monthly preventative medication.
Even though mosquitoes prefer
Remember that it takes at least
warm, moist environments, in New
six months for a dog that has been
York State the mosquito season
infected with heartworm disease
lasts from early summer into late
to test positive. Puppies less than
fall. And as most pet owners know,
seven months old should be placed
mosquitoes can transmit heartworm
on monthly preventative and then
disease to dogs and cats. Heartworms
tested six and twelve months later,
are spread by mosquitoes that are
and then annually. Dogs greater
infected with immature or baby
than seven months old that are on
heartworms when they bite an
preventative medication should
infected dog and ingest its blood.
be tested annually. Annual testing
The baby heartworms mature
is necessary, even when dogs are
in the mosquito and when the
on heartworm prevention yearmosquito bites another dog or cat
round. If you miss just one dose of
the heartworms they ingest migrate
a monthly medication it can leave
through the skin of their new host
your dog unprotected. Additionally
and enter their blood stream. Adult
your dog may spit out or vomit a
heartworms can live more than five
pill, or rub off a topical medication.
years in a dog and most commonly
Please consult your veterinarian
end up in the pulmonary vessels of the
about the myriad of monthly
heart, which can cause excessive damage to the heart and lungs.
preventative medications that are available.
These adult worms then mate and produce baby worms, which can
What about cats? It was once believed that cats were resistant
be picked up by mosquitoes again when they bite a dog and these
to heartworm infection but we know now that this is untrue. The
mosquitoes are ready to infect another dog or cat. Heartworm
disease is different than in dogs; cats infected with heartworm will
infection is found throughout the U.S., in all 50 states. Heartworm
only have very few adult worms or may have no adult worms at
disease is found in dogs of all ages, shapes, sizes and breeds.
all. However, even immature worms in cats can cause significant
In the early stages of the disease, many dogs show few symptoms
damage to the lungs. Clinical signs of heartworm disease in
or none at all. As the infection progresses and the number of
cats may be subtle however. Symptoms may include coughing,
worms increase, symptoms can become more apparent. Signs of
asthma-like events, vomiting, lack of appetite and weight loss.
heartworm disease may include a mild persistent cough, exercise
Unfortunately sudden death may also occur. Heartworm infection
Mark Pessin, DVM is harder to diagnosis in cats because of the limited number of
fatigue, lack of appetite and weight loss. Signs can progress to
excess fluid in the abdomen, liver disease and even sudden death Fairview Veterinary Hospital adult worms present. Your veterinarian will know which tests are
Monroe Veterinary Associates appropriate to make the diagnosis. There is no approved treatment
due to blockage of heart vessels.
for heartworm infection in cats, so prevention is critical and the
The diagnosis of heartworm disease is based on accurate history
only
means
of
protection.
taking, symptoms and diagnostic testing. Diagnostic testing includes specific
blood tests for heartworm disease as well as complete blood counts and blood Originally from New Jersey, Hospital Director Dr. Mark Pessin has cared for pets at
chemistry analysis. Additional testing includes urinalysis and imaging such as Fairview Veterinary Hospital as a general practitioner since 2000.
x-rays and ultrasound. Once the diagnosis is made, treatments must be initiated. Dr. Pessin attended Muhlenberg College and received his Bachelors Degree in Biology
The goal of treatment is to kill the heartworms without harming the patient. in 1977. He also holds a Masters Degree in Wildlife Studies from North Dakota State
The most important part of treatment is to minimize the harmful effects of the University. Dr. Pessin continued at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary
drugs and reduce any complications produced by the dying heartworms. Your Medicine and was awarded his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. Following
veterinarian will work with you to determine the best treatment options and veterinary school, Dr. Pessin accepted an internship position at the Animal Hospital
how to reduce any risks or complications. The fact is however that treatment can of Pittsford. After completing his internship in 1989, he remained with Monroe
be expensive, labor intensive and not without risks. The goal should always be Veterinary Associates, caring for pets as a general practitioner for Irondequoit
prevention rather than treatment.
Animal Hospital from 1990 to 1996. He then served as the director of Companion
The old expression an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is never Animal Hospital from 1995 until 2000, when he joined the Fairview medical team.
more appropriate then when talking about heartworm disease. Prevention is

Dogs are our link to paradise. They dont know evil or jealousy or discontent.
To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden,
where doing nothing was not boring ... it was peace. Milan Kundera

8 PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

does
fi
do
need a f lu shot?
Steven Smith, DVM

Canandaigua Animal Hospital

Monroe Veterinary Associates

Its officially fall and that means

its the start of flu season. Not
only do you need to worry about
getting the flu, you also need
to worry about your faithful
companion.
Canine influenza (CIV) is a highly
contagious virus that spreads
quickly among dogs and cases
of it have been popping up all
over the country. In fact, canine influenza has impacted dogs in more than half
the country since March 2015.
Currently there are two main canine influenza virus strains, H3N8 and H3N2.
Influenza viruses can cause canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRD) and
dogs that are infected will spread the virus whether or not they appear to be sick.
Over the past two years, the H3N8 variant has become less active and there have
been no reported new cases in our region. The new flu strain H3N2 has been
reported in multiple states, but there has been no outbreak in our region yet,
however flu can spread rapidly.
Because CIV is so contagious, infection can spread quickly among social dogs.
Influenza transmission can occur from direct contact with an infected dog or, its
secretions and the virus can persist on toys, bowls, collars, leashes, floors and
walls for several days.

Protecting Your Pooch

Canine influenza vaccines can reduce the chance of infection for their specific strain,
should reduce the clinical signs if a dog does become infected and can decrease
the time that a dog remains contagious.
Learning from the previous influenza outbreak and the current spread of the new
strain, we recommend vaccinating your dog for the H3N2 canine influenza vaccine
if you take your dog to any place where dogs unknown to you gather in large
numbers. Areas that we recommend vaccinating for are:

Boarding kennels
Dog shows
Dog parks
Performance competitions
Group training classes
Doggie daycare
Groomers
We also recommend the
vaccine if your dog has a
medical condition that
increases complications
with respiratory diseases
or suppresses the immune
system (i.e. cancer, cardiac
disease, cor ticosteroid
use, etc). The H3N2 canine
influenza vaccine requires
an initial two vaccine series
given 3-4 weeks apart and
a yearly booster to maintain
effectiveness.
Both canine influenza strains
are being monitored and
adjustments to vaccine recommendations may occur.

What if your dog is sick?

If your dog has symptoms, contact your veterinarian for an appointment and let
them know your dog has respiratory signs. Symptoms of CIV include:
Fever
Lethargy
Coughing
Gagging
Hacking
Nasal discharge
When you arrive for your appointment either call us or leave your dog in the car.
A member of our staff will bring your dog into the hospital to help minimize the
possibility of contamination in the facility. If you think your dog may be at risk,
talk to your veterinarian about vaccination.
Dr. Steven Smith is the hospital director of Canandaigua Veterinary Hospital. Dr. Smith
joined the Canandaigua medical team in 2008. He previously practiced medicine as
an associate veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of Pittsford from 2005 to 2008.
A native of Pittsburgh, Dr. Smith attended Hobart College and received his Bachelors
Degree in Biology in 1998. He continued his education at the Michigan State University
College of Veterinary Medicine and he was awarded his Doctorate of Veterinary
Medicine in 2002. Surgery, dentistry, wellness and preventive medicine are among
his many professional interests.

PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

My pet is sick! WHY XRAYS?

When rushing your pet to a veterinary
emergency hospital, it can be very stressful
and it may seem like the veterinarian wants
to do a ton of tests. Each diagnostic test has
a specific purpose in aiding the veterinarian
in determining what is making your pet
sick. Blood work, urinalysis and x-rays are
frequently offered, but why do they need so
many tests?
During an emergency exam, your pet
receives a thorough physical examination
by a veterinarian. Most of the time, physical
examinations will give the veterinarian
clues but not an answer as to what is
wrong. Veterinarians need x-ray vision!
There are many different ways to evaluate
the internal organs and bones of our pets,
but veterinarians will often start with
x-rays or radiographs. All veterinarians are
trained to read radiographs. There are some
veterinarians that go on to specialize in
diagnostic imaging and become veterinary
radiologists, which requires three to four
more years of study after veterinary school.
Radiographs, ultrasound, CT scan and MRI
are non-invasive and a good first line of
testing to determine the origin of illness in
addition to blood work. Although imaging
is non-invasive, it usually requires mild
sedation so that the pet holds still; this is
important in capturing the best quality
image. CT scans and MRI require general
anesthesia because your pet must remain
completely still for these procedures. Your
veterinarian will assess the health of your
pet to undergo sedation and/or anesthesia
and advise you accordingly.

What can X-rays (Radiographs)

tell me about my pet?

becomes a surgical emergency once the pet is stable enough to undergo anesthesia.

What about Ultrasound?

Frances Hinkle, DVM

Veterinary Specialists
& Emergency Services
Monroe Veterinary Associates

Radiographs are usually recommended in pet medical emergencies that

involve possible broken bones, ingestion of abnormal items (foreign
bodies) and respiratory issues. Radiographs are composed of a gray
scale in which metal appears brightest and air appears black. Soft
tissue structures such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, kidneys, spleen
and bladder appear as shades of gray that sometimes blend together.
Radiographs are very useful in cases involving broken bones and
ingestion of certain foreign bodies (pieces that are metal, corn cobs,
etc). Unfortunately, since many of the organs can blend together in the
abdomen, the GI tract can sometimes be challenging to evaluate. In
foreign body ingestion cases, your veterinarian may see foreign material
in the GI tract and face a challenge in determining if the material may
be able to pass through your pets system. Your veterinarian may advise
you to leave your pet for monitoring and re-do radiographs in 12 hours
to see if the foreign material has moved. Other times it is apparent that
the material is completely stuck and obstructing your pets GI tract, which

Ultrasound, or sonogram, is an excellent imaging technique that is used frequently in

emergency situations. Veterinarians are able to use ultrasound to see if there is any
fluid in your pets chest, belly and/or around his or her heart. Accumulation of fluid
in these places is abnormal and will cause your pet to feel ill, but with ultrasound a
veterinarian can guide a needle into the fluid to drain it. Removal of the fluid will provide
relief to your pet, although it is usually temporary since fluid accumulation is caused by
an underlying disease that needs to be determined. Outside of emergency situations,
veterinary radiologists commonly perform ultrasounds to evaluate the internal organs,
such as the liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, gallbladder and GI tract.

Tell me more about MRI or CT scan

MRI and CT scans are rarely done in an emergency situation since your pet has to be stable
enough to undergo general anesthesia. One of the few times that MRI is performed in an
emergency involves cases of spinal cord damage, because to prevent further damage the
pet may require immediate surgery. The best way to evaluate the spinal cord is MRI, since
only the vertebrae, or the bones of the back, appear on x-rays. Commonly, pets that have
spinal cord disease have trouble walking. Spinal cord diseases include intervertebral disk
disease (slipped disk), vascular injury or compression from masses growing next to or
from the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries are very case dependent and the veterinarian
will advise you on the best course of action needed for your pet.
Dr. Frances Hinkle is a staff doctor at Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Services. She
attended Texas A&M University where she studied biomedical sciences before starting
work on her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, which she obtained in 2015. While in
veterinary school she received the Houston Livestock and Rodeo Scholarship and the Texas
Veterinary Medical Association Legends Scholarship. She recently completed an equine
internship in Lexington, Ky. Her professional interests include diagnostic imaging, sports
medicine and emergency medicine. Dr. Hinkle has a six-year-old Schnauzer mix named
Poppy. In her free time, she enjoys polo, photography, cooking and traveling.

10 PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

HOW DOES ARTHRITIS OCCUR?

Arthritis occurs when there is
mechanical stress on the joint,
which releases enzymes from
the cartilage cells that normally
overlay and protect the bone.

These enzymes alter the production

of collagen, which compromises
the cartilage. This causes a release
of inflammatory enzymes.

These inflammatory enzymes release

nitric oxide, a toxic gas which causes
the cartilage to weaken and leads
to chronic inflammation.

This inflammation increases

the thickness, or viscosity, of
the fluid within the joints.

This cascade of negative effects

causes an overall hardening of
the underlying bone as well as
an overall loss of cartilage.

PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

11

Bad to the bone: ARTHRITIS AND YOUR PETS

The signs of arthritis that you see
Non-steroidal antiat home can range from being very
inflammatory drugs, such
subtle to severe. Walks may become
as Rimadyl and Deramaxx.
shorter, jumps may be fewer and
Joint health supplements,
stairs may be insurmountable.
such as Dasuquin and GlycoFlex.
Your furry friend may have hot,
Acupuncture, the goal of which
swollen joints, instability and
is to promote the body to heal
they may have a change to their
itself and involves the insertion
normal gait. There may be a
of needles into specific points in
decreased range of motion of
the body to cause desired
their joints or a crunching feel to
healing effects.
the joints with motion. When you
Laser therapy, a surgery-free,
visit your veterinarian with these
drug-free, noninvasive treatment
described signs, they may suggest
to reduce pain, speed healing and
further diagnostics such as x-rays,
reduce inflammation.
since many times there are some
detectable bony changes to aid in
Surgical intervention may
the diagnosis.
be recommended for your
pet and may consist of a joint
Arthritis can be defined as
replacement or partial removal
the progressive or permanent
of the joint.
deterioration of the cartilage of
the joints over time. It is caused by
Overall, arthritis in your furry friend
mechanical stresses, such as trauma, instability of the joints as
is a slowly progressive disease. Depending on the stage and
they degrade, abnormal joint formation and abnormal activity.
severity, there are medical and surgical options that can allow
It has been shown that about 20 percent of dogs over one year
for a good quality of life and a happy pet. Early identification
of age are affected with this progressive condition and about 90
of the disease can help reduce the progression; this is why it is
percent of cats over 12 years of age show evidence of arthritic
so important to address your concerns with your veterinarian at
changes. Arthritis is undoubtedly proven to be more prevalent
the initial onset. Moreover, this is why it is essential to maintain
in senior and/or overweight pets.
our pets at a healthy weight and with a healthy exercise-driven
lifestyle. Arthritis is a condition that occurs in the majority of our
The single most important aspect of treatment for arthritis is
pets and cannot be cured, but correct intervention can delay the
weight management, which we, as owners are responsible for.
progression and aid in comfort.
Although we just want to make our pets happy, we need to be
careful to not overindulge them. If your pet is overweight and
Sara Erlichman, DVM
Dr. Sara Erlichman is a staff doctor at Veterinary Specialists &
has been diagnosed with arthritis, once inflammation is under
Veterinary Specialists
Emergency Services. She graduated from Siena College in 2012
control, exercise should take place to maintain muscle strength
& Emergency Services
with a bachelors degree in chemistry. Dr. Erlichman received
Monroe Veterinary Associates
and flexibility. There are many types of physical therapy and
her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University
rehabilitation exercises such as cold/heat therapy, passive range
in 2016, graduating summa cum laude. Her professional
of motion exercises, massage, swimming and treadmill exercises.
interests include veterinary ophthalmology. She has received several certifications,
Many veterinarians will also recommend medications and alternative treatment including the USDA National Veterinary CertificationCategory 1, the FAMACHA
Certification and the Clinical Small Animal Dentistry Certification. Dr. Erlichman has
methods to aid in comfort for your dog or cat, such as:
two Samoyeds, a twelve-year-old named Misty and a four-year-old named Tundra.

Petstages Twin Pull Dog Toy

products for your

Watch your dogs eyes light up at the sight

of this toy! Sounds, movement and textures
capture their attention. The toy
consists of two textured rubber balls
with fabric ties and rattles,
an easy to grab dumbbell
shape and it bounces
unpredictably. The options
are endless and the fun never
ends! $4.47 at petsmart.com.

12 PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

OLDER, WISER and

DEFINITELY JUST AS CUTE:
WHY ADOPTING A SENIOR PET MAY BE RIGHT FOR YOU
BY ASHLEY ZEH | COMMUNICATIONS AND SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
LOLLYPOP FARM, HUMANE SOCIETY OF GREATER ROCHESTER

Whether they are kittens, puppies or bunnies, its hard to argue that
baby animals are not among the cutest life has to offer. With their
bounding enthusiasm for life and innocent mischief, they can fill
a familys home with joy and laughter. However, senior pets have
just as much love to offer. They can often get overlooked in favor of
their smaller counter parts, but there are some compelling reasons a
senior dog or cat may be the perfect pet for you.

Many senior pets are already trained.

While puppies may be cute, they require a lot of work. Without any
basic manners, youre starting from scratch. Theyll need you to teach
them how to sit, stay, and walk nicely on a leash. Many older pets
have already lived in a home where they learned some of these skills,
and despite what you may have heard, are still ready to learn more.
Not to mention they may already been house broken!

Just as much love to give.

Just because a cat is older, doesnt mean theyll want less cuddles
and affection. In fact, they may even want more. Many older pets
have already spent their lives with a previous family and may crave
human companionship. They dont have as much energy to let out as
their kitten counterparts. So, while everyones kittens are climbing
the curtains, youll be cuddling on the couch with your senior.

Less surprises.
Adopting an older pet means that youll likely know some of the
personality traits they have already acquired. Youll have an idea of
the amount of exercise they need and whether they get along well
with other dogs. Knowing what to expect gives you the opportunity
to find the perfect match for your lifestyle and family.

Potentially less cost for adoption.

Since older dogs and cats are often overlooked at the shelter, they

Lost and Found: True tales

of love and rescue from
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
by Battersea Dogs & Cats Home

tend to wait longer at the shelter than their younger counterparts. For this reason, there may
be possible discounts for senior pet adoptions. And when by choosing a senior pet youll not
only be providing a home for your new friend, youll be providing the space needed for the
next pet looking for a loving home.
So, the next time youre on the search for a new furry companion dont rule out a senior pet.
They have a lot of love left to give and may be the perfect addition to your home.

In this heart-warming book, you will discover tales from

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home that celebrates the power
of animals to transform peoples lives. Hear from a young
boy whose Battersea dog helped him deal with a serious
autoimmune disease; meet a couple who were brought
together by a Battersea dog; a man who took on a threelegged kitten which changed his life; and a former Battersea
hound who became a search and rescue dog. Battersea Dogs &
Cats Home is the UKs oldest and most famous home for dogs
and cats that aims never to turn away an animal in need of
help, reuniting lost dogs and cats with their owners or caring
for them until new homes can be found. Battersea also works
to educate the public about responsible pet ownership. Every
year they care for over 9,000 lost, abandoned and neglected
dogs and cats, 2015 marked its 155th anniversary.

PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

13

Ask a Vet...
Help, please help! Does anyone know if eating
peanut better is fatal for dogs? I recently heard from
a friend that peanut butter was the cause of death
for a dog owned by our mutual friend! I was shocked

Cat have
you curious?

Pooch have
you puzzled?
Want answers to your questions?
Email your questions to
marketingmva@yahoo.com!

to learn this because Ive always used peanut butter to

trick my dogs into taking their medications. Now I feel
like the worlds worst pet parent! Please tell me this is
a vicious rumor and Im not a terrible dog owner.
A hopefully misinformed
peanut butter loving pet owner
Im sorry to say that the answer to your question is both
yes and no! Generally speaking, most peanut better is
not fatal for dogs if ingested. There are several peanut
butter products on the market that arent quite like the
jar of traditional peanut butter sitting in most kitchen
cabinets. These products use an artificial sweetener called
xylitol. Dogs can develop serious, even life-threatening
signs, from Xylitol ingestion. In dogs, Xylitol causes a
rapid release of insulin. This excessive insulin release
causes normal blood sugar levels to drop rapidly and
severely (called hypoglycemia). Signs of low blood sugar
can be weakness, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, loss
of coordination (like your pet is drunk), seizures, liver
failure and even death. It is important that pet owners
seek veterinary treatment immediately if xylitol ingestion
is suspected. Traditional peanut butter is still safe to give
your dog in moderation, but always be sure to check the
ingredients before allowing your dog to eat it.
Janine Ashton, DVM
Pittsford Animal Hospital, Monroe Veterinary Associates

10/07/2016
6pm-10pm

Music, Tastings &

Silent Auction

(585)
271-2733
ext.ext.
189 189
(585)
271-2733

www.rochesterhopeforpets.org
www.rochesterhopeforpets.org

14 PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

Portraits ofLove

Each week, Lollypop Farm receives letters and emails filled with
happy endings for animals who have been adopted from our shelter.
Pictures help to tell these wonderful stories.

Kane
Kane was adopted by the RANGER FAMILY in 2016

Mimi
LAMBEAU
was adopted
by CATHY in 2007

Lambeau
MIMI was adopted
by GINGER in 2016

Pet trends and spends

BY MELISSA | MORE CONTENT NOW

mericans love their pets, and spending on

animals is growing. MarketResearch.com
published a SlideShare focusing on statistics and
facts that are changing the pet products and services
market. Some of the trends are:
Pet food sales are expected to reach
$33 billion by 2018.
Pet owners will spend over $11,000 per pet
during its lifetime.
There are also many stats on consumer behavior
with their pets: 32 percent of dog owners take
their pets with them if they are going away for
two or more nights. On average for all pets,
25 percent are bought as Christmas gifts.

More treats, please!

grooming, boarding, training, day care and spa days

saw the highest level of growth last year. Pet owners
Pet treats are the gravy of the pet-food market.
spent the most on food, $22.26 billion, followed by
According to a January 2015 Packaged Facts pet
supplies and over-the-counter medications, $13.75
owner survey, 75 percent of dog owners buy regular
billion, and veterinarian services, $15.04 billion.
dog treats, and nearly a quarter buy pet treats with
special nutritional formulation. According to Simmons Pets need homes
National Consumer Survey data from Experian While some pets enjoy doggie day care and spa days,
Marketing Services, cat-treat purchasing rates notched DoSomething.org shines a light on pet homelessness.
up from 40 percent in 2006 to 53 percent in 2013.
Only one out of every 10 dogs born will find a
permanent home. Homeless animals outnumber
What were spending on
homeless people five to one. Each year, about 2.7
At the 2015 Global Pet Expo, the American Pet Products
million dogs and cats are killed because shelters are
Association announced industry spending numbers:
too full and there arent enough adoptive homes.
2014 was a banner year for the pet industry, with
overall spending exceeding $58 billion. Pet services like

PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

PetTales
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We provide kind,
compassionate care,
when you need it the most.

www.monroevets.com
Thank you to Pet Tales
major sponsor!
Monroe Veterinary Associates (MVA) was
founded in 1969 as a single hospital and has
grown to include 14 full-service veterinary
hospitals, a 24-hour emergency and
specialty practice, and a full-service reference
laboratory, all of which are located in or
around Rochester.
MVA contributes actively to the community
in a variety of ways. MVA provides financial
support to Rochester Hope for Pets, Rochester
Animal Services, the Seneca Park Zoo and
the Humane Society at Lollypop Farm. MVA
veterinarians and staff members volunteer
countless hours toward helping animals in
the community. For example, veterinarians
donate their time to Friends of Ferals,
which works to help decrease the feral cat
population in the Rochester area. Also, MVAs
personnel are active in local educational
initiatives, including classroom presentations,
student shadow programs and student
externships.
Find out more about the many services that
Monroe Veterinary Associates offers or to find
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Monroe Veterinary Associates

BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Income-Qualified
Spay/Neuter
Surgeries and
Out-Patient Clinic
ROCHESTER
COMMUNITY
ANIMAL CLINIC
985 Bay Street
Rochester, NY 14609
585.288.0600
rochestercommunity
animalclinic.com

24 Hour
Emergency
Services

VETERINARY
SPECIALISTS &
EMERGENCY
SERVICES
825 White Spruce Blvd.
Rochester, NY 14623
585.424.1277
vsesrochester.com

Veterinary
Hospitals
Offering
Boarding

FAIRVIEW
VETERINARY
HOSPITAL
6735 Pittsford Palmyra Road
Fairport, NY 14450
585.223.0940
fairviewvet.com

CANANDAIGUA
VETERINARY
HOSPITAL
4410 County Road 50
Canandaigua, NY 14424
585.394.3340
canandaiguavet.com

IRONDEQUOIT
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
2150 Hudson Avenue
Rochester, NY 14617
585.266.8020
irondequoitanimalhospital.com

CATS & CRITTERS

32 Somerton Street
Rochester, NY 14607
585.442.4373
catsandcritters.com

PENFIELD
VETERINARY
HOSPITAL
1672 Penfield Road
Rochester, NY 14625
585.381.2441
penfieldvet.com
PERINTON
VETERINARY
HOSPITAL
11 LaSalle Parkway
Victor, NY 14564
585.248.5566
perintonvet.com

ANIMAL HOSPITAL
OF PITTSFORD
2816 Monroe Avenue
Rochester, NY 14618
585.271.7700
pittsfordvet.com

STONE RIDGE
VETERINARY
HOSPITAL
550 Center Place Drive
Rochester, NY 14615
585.227.4990
stoneridgevethosp.com

COMPANION
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
2800 West Henrietta Road
Rochester, NY 14623
585.424.2900
companionvethosp.com

SUBURBAN
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
2495 East Henrietta Road
Rochester, NY 14623
585.334.4230
suburbanvet.com

Veterinary
Hospitals

BAYVIEW
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
1217 Bay Road, Suite #1A
Webster, NY 14580
585.671.3120
bayviewanimalhosp.com

EAST RIVER
VETERINARY
HOSPITAL
5152 East River Road
West Henrietta, NY 14586
585.334.3110
eastrivervet.com
GREECE
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
3180 Latta Road, Suite 800
Rochester, NY 14612
585.227.7100
greecenanimalhospital.com
PALMYRA
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
1215 Canandaigua Road
Palmyra, NY 14522
315.597.4567
palmyravet.com
VETERINARY
SPECIALISTS &
EMERGENCY
SERVICES
825 White Spruce Blvd.
Rochester, NY 14623
585.424.1277
vsesrochester.com
All Monroe Veterinary
Associates hospitals
are on Facebook.
Find and
like us today!

16 PET TALES AUTUMN EDITION 2016

Offering the best care...

for your best friend.