"Hot Spots" Are Great For Computers and Cell Phones But Not Your Dog!

 Meet "Bear":

"Bear", a canine boarder at Burke Animal Clinic.

Poor “Bear” developed a hot spot while boarding.  “Bear” was rolling around in his bed having a little scratch here, a little shake there, normal behavior for a dog.   

"Bear" was just hanging out with his brother and had a single itch.

However, an hour later when he was going out for a walk an astute veterinary assistant noticed an irritated area on the side of “Bear’s” face.  “Bear” must have continued scratching at his face until his walk. 

An hour later a canine hot spot had developed on the side of "Bear's" face due to scratching.  He wears a muzzle for staff safety.

Canine hot spots are warm moist irritated areas of inflamed and infected skin that occur on dogs.  Usually we see the problem in warmer weather on thick coated dogs or those with droopy ears or skin folds that don’t permit good air circulation over the skin.  This pup has both a thick coat and floppy ears.  Another contributing factor is that it is Spring time; Bear is shedding and his thicker Winter coat hasn’t dropped yet.  We don’t know what started “Bear’s” scratching, but it becomes a vicious cycle of itching and scratching that needs to be broken for the problem to be resolved.  The problem worsens very quickly.  Thanks to one of our attentive veterinary assistants, "Bear's" problem was noticed before he scratched through the skin on his face.

Some pets experience one episode, possibly caused by an insect bite, and after it clears up the problem is gone.  Other pets have underlying problems such as seasonal or food allergies, or are irritated by certain products like shampoos or cleaners in the home.  It is important in these situations to get to the root of the irritation to keep the problem from recurring.  BICOM is one of the therapies used in these difficult cases to figure out the offending substance so hopefully it can be avoided in the future.  It is better to treat the problem, not just manage the symptoms over and over again.

Hot spots are very tender.  Many times sedation is needed to properly clean and treat the affected area.  Our staff caught “Bear’s” hot spot very early in the process so sedation was not necessary.  “Bear” wears a muzzle just for staff safety during the treatment process; he really is a sweet guy.  The hair is clipped to allow good air circulation.  The skin was scrubbed with a surgical scrub and treated topically with a soothing lotion.  Dr. Herrity gave a steroid injection to settle down the inflammatory process and "Bear" was started on an oral antibiotic.  It takes some time for the irritation to settle down so “Bear” will wear an Elizabethan collar to prevent him from causing further harm to himself.

Burke Animal Clinic patient, "Bear", wearing an Elizabethan collar.

Some things you can do to help your dog avoid hot spots in the upcoming warm/hot months is to keep your pet brushed out to permit good air flow in his coat and dry him well after getting wet, particularly in skin fold areas.  If  a problem does develop, please don't delay treatment.  If you can't schedule an outpatient appointment due to work, make a drop-off appointment. 

Get Well Soon "Bear"!

Burke Animal Clinic Veterinarians Help Their Dogs With A Homemade Remedy

Doctors Herrity and Marsh Use a Homemade Skunk Spray Remover with Success

 

Dr. John Herrity with his dog, Bradley, a Burke Animal Clinic stemcell patient.

One of the joys of living in Northern Virginia is our suburban locale. We are close to some larger cities, but still have a bit of wildlife in our surroundings. That same wildlife, that is joy to watch, can also be a drawback when your dog gets sprayed by a skunk. Right now the temperatures have cooled a bit, so some of the wildlife is a bit more active. More skunks wandering around increases the chance your dog will encounter one.
 

Three weeks ago around 11:30 p.m. Dr. Herrity let his Labradoodle, Bradley, out into the yard for a final trip outside before bed. While outside, Bradley was sprayed by a skunk. Dr. Herrity was tired and chose to wash Bradley up in the morning. Dr. Herrity needed to see appointments in the morning so Bradley needed an early bath. Not having any product in the house to cut the smell, Dr. Herrity turned to the internet for a solution. He found a homemade remedy that worked pretty well.
 

This week he got to try the solution again as both his dogs, Bradley and Rosie, were skunk sprayed. This time he used the solution immediately, while the skunk spray was still wet, and the solution worked much better.
 

Dr. Marsh has a farm in the Blacksburg, VA area where his dogs get to run around. He too has used the homemade remedy with success four different times. Runa has been sprayed 3 times in the past and Ara was just recently sprayed. Then there's Joey, I don't know how many times he's been skunked.
 

Burke Animal Clinic can't vouch for any commercial skunk spray removers, but both veterinarians have had success with a recipe you can quickly mix-up at home. The one below is used by Dr. Marsh.

1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (use a fresh unopened bottle for best results)
1/4 cup of Baking Soda
1 teaspoon of dish soap (something like Dawn)

Apply the solution right away (it will still improve the situation if it's later, it's just not as effective)then rinse the coat thoroughly with water.

Burke Animal Clinic, in Burke, Virginia, is a Local Blood Donation Center for the Blue Ridge Veterinary Blood Bank

Local Canine Blood Drives Give Your Dog a Chance to be Another Dog’s Hero

On May 1, 2012 Burke Animal Clinic, in cooperation with the Blue Ridge Veterinary Blood Bank, held its first canine blood drive.  This was not a single event, but rather the first of an ongoing partnership.  The clinic provides space for the blood bank staff to come in and accept blood donations from local dogs.  The blood bank makes their own donor appointments and provides their own staff and supplies for the collection service. 

Why are we doing this?  We know canine blood products can save pets lives.  We are part of the local community and should find ways to give back to the community making it better for all.  This program permits us to help care for pets and makes it more convenient for people living in the Burke area (the BRVBB is out in Purcellville) to participate; it’s a win-win arrangement.  Also, the dogs that are donating receive some veterinary care benefits for their participation. 

www.BRVBB.com / Donor Information Pages

Burke Animal Clinic’s vet assistant, Cassi, is acting as the clinic coordinator for the program.  If you have questions you may contact the blood bank directly (540-338-7387) or call the clinic (703-569-6900) and ask for Cassi.  Alternatively, you may e-mail the clinic, Attention: Cassi   mypets@burkeanimal.com

Check out the link above and decide if the program is right for you and your dog.  If it is, please give us a call.

When Should Your Pet Get a Dental Cleaning?

When they need it, is the short answer.  There is no magic number of months elapsed that applies to all pets.  There are many variables:  the pet’s diet, breed, other health concerns, previous dental problems, injury to the mouth.  

Clean Teeth Post Dental



The pet’s mouth is the best indicator of when a cleaning is necessary.  Brushing will help keep the crowns of the teeth cleaner longer, but does not reach very far below the gum line.  When the sticky substance plaque is not removed from the teeth it reacts with the oral bacteria and forms a hard substance called calculus.  Calculus is irritating to the gums, leading to inflammation, or gingivitis.  Some of the early signs of gingivitis are:  redness of the gums, gums that bleed easily, foul breath.  These signs are then followed by a visible build-up of calculus on the teeth, not wanting to chew hard food or play with a ball or chew toy.  Dental disease is progressive if professional cleanings are not performed.  Pockets start to form at the tooth-gum margins and infection settles into those areas.  When pockets start to form, the disease has progressed to periodontitis.  This is the stage where the attachment of the tooth starts to weaken. We want to perform a cleaning before the condition has progressed to this point.   

Not sure if your pet needs a cleaning?  Come in for an outpatient appointment prior to scheduling a cleaning.  During the appointment one of our veterinarians can assess your pet’s oral health, as well as his overall health.  At the appointment you’ll discuss a treatment plan and be provided an estimate if you desire.  The Vet can make sure your pet is up-to-date on the recommended services prior to the drop off for a dental procedure.

This link shows the different stages of dental disease.  They are medical images and may not be for everyone.  This is provided for those who would like to know more about pet dental care.

 http://www.dentalvet.com/Encyclopedia/M04973.htm  





Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! This is our first post of the New Year. We are going to try and cover some different topics throughout the year. We like our clients to be able to make informed decisions about their pet’s care. So, check back frequently to see what’s new and maybe learn something in the process.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has designated February 2012 as pet dental health month. Your pet’s oral health is always important, but we thought this topic would be a good place to start. The campaign gives us a great opportunity to educate the public about this issue. You’ve probably heard the saying: You are what you eat. Well, what your pet eats passes through his mouth.

Without proper oral care your pet’s health may suffer. Most cats and dogs have some degree of dental disease; gingivitis and calculus build-up on the tooth surfaces are common. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gingiva, the surfaces that surround the teeth. This condition may cause irritation and bleeding that would provide a pathway for the oral bacteria to invade your pet’s bloodstream and be carried to other organs within his body. The bacteria would then cause changes in the locations where they lodge. The process proceeds like a cascade of dominoes. A professional dental exam and cleaning help break the downward spiral.

The oral exam looks for problems in the mouth and allows the veterinarian to devise a treatment plan for your pet’s needs. The cleaning helps to restore a healthy environment in the mouth. A healthier mouth causes less stress on your pet’s immune system.

Information on Burke Animal Clinic website:
Dental Care

Burke Animal Clinic has chosen to participate in this campaign and is offering a special on dental services.
Check it out!

Some of the sponsors of Dental Health Month have informative websites for owners to explore.
AVMA site, you can upload your pet's picture!
Great Resource on Pet Dental Care
American Veterinary Dental College

We Love Your Pets!

We’re passionate about keeping your pets healthy.  Thanksgiving in many families is a grand celebration.  Mouth watering foods appear at on the table; guests visit from near and far.  Excitement fills the house.  Most pets have a daily routine and all the excitement may cause disruption in their routine.  To try and keep your pet safe and healthy this season:

ö  Keep pets on their regular diet, don’t feed table scraps.  Many pets get into trouble while dinner is going on; they sneak into the kitchen and get access to the tempting food or even the trash.  Some foods can be dangerous; grapes and raisins may cause toxicity in dogs and chewed bones may cause digestive problems.

ö  Give pets a place to retreat from strangers.  It could be a quiet room or out on a dog run; you know what your pet prefers.  When pets withdraw from the crowd don’t pursue them. 

ö  Let visiting children know the dog’s toys are for the dog, unless he brings them the toy, let him play by himself.

ö  Some guests arrive with medications.  Pill vials, with their exciting rattle, and ointment tubes are no match for canine teeth; they need to be secured where pets cannot reach them.  A single pill dropped and left on the floor could cause a life threatening emergency if your pet ingests it.

ö  When traveling, secure pets in a travel crate or make sure they are harnessed and leashed, before the car door opens at rest stops.  A blast of a truck’s air brakes or the honk of a horn may be all your pet needs to get spooked and run into traffic or get lost in an unfamiliar area.

ö  Make sure your pet has identification.  A microchipped pet or a pet with an identification collar has a better chance of being returned to its family should it slip out the front door with arriving guests.

These are just a few tips to help you keep your pet healthy and secure during this holiday.  We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.