All posts by Dr. Marty Becker

Our nation’s military dogs need your voice right now!

News

Friends, I need you to take action RIGHT NOW to help our nation’s military dogs!

After so many years of trying, the American Humane Association​ finally managed to get members of Congress to include language in the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) guaranteeing our military working dogs a ride home to U.S. soil after retirement and giving their handlers first rights of adoption.

For reasons not related to our military dogs, the bill has just been vetoed.

These brave dogs, who each save the lives of between 150-200 U.S. warriors during their careers, need you to help them by telling your member of Congress to uphold the 2016 NDAA.

Send a message loud and clear that we need to do right by these heroes and bring them home, where they can enjoy a well-deserved retirement and continue to save lives of veterans battling PTSD!

There is a simple form to help you make your voice heard here.

I almost never ask you to share things I post, but I am asking you now: Spread this as far as you can!

vet and dog

When a dog’s tail wound isn’t just a tail wound

Pet Connection, Veterinary Medicine

Darwin the dog developed an ulcer near his tail that was first diagnosed as a bacterial infection and treated with antibiotics.

When it got worse, his owner, Florida resident Efram Goldberg, did some research and became concerned that Darwin might have a rare, life-threatening tropical disease called pythiosis. He took Darwin to the University of Florida’s Small Animal Hospital emergency and critical care service.

After performing several biopsies, the veterinarians confirmed his suspicion. Veterinary surgeon J. Brad Case amputated Darwin’s tail and removed the ulcer on his hip. Goldberg is passionate now about raising awareness about the disease among pet owners and veterinarians.

“Most veterinarians see at most one case of pythiosis in their career,” says UF clinical assistant professor Justin Shmalberg, DVM.

Read more, including how to help pets with disabilities thrive, in this week’s Pet Connection!

 

Why becoming a veterinary nurse is a better idea every day

Veterinary Medicine,

My niece recently asked me if I thought it was a good idea to become a veterinary technician — or, as they’ll soon be known if the National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America has its way, a registered veterinary nurse.

I couldn’t think of anyone better positioned to answer her question than NAVTA executive director Julie Legred, CVT, or any better time to share it than now, during National Veterinary Technician Week.

Here’s what Julie had to say to my niece, reprinted here with her permission:

The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that the demand for our profession will grow by 30 percent by 2018. This is a bigger demand than the human healthcare side.

I will also tell you that the veterinary technology profession is very young and we are growing by leaps and bounds. The industry is starting to really get how much of an impact veterinary technicians have in the health and well being of animals, the efficiency they add to the practice, the education they provide to owners to help with compliance, and the bottom dollar they bring in, without even trying, because of the passion they have.

There are many more career paths and opportunities for veterinary technicians if they are looking outside of practices. Shelter medicine, research, specialty hospitals, pet insurance claims adjusters, USDA, large animal/production facilities management, laboratories, education/training, behavior, business ownership, corporate medicine headquarters, industry sales, non-profit leadership, marketing… the list goes on and on.

I have been in this profession for over 30 years and can honestly say I cannot think of any other profession I would rather be a part of. I love it and it can change as you go thru life changes with or without kids, with or without spouses, etc. I just love what I do!

People ask me why I didn’t become a veterinarian. I tell them that is never what I wanted to do!  All positions within the veterinary healthcare team need each other and play a very valuable role in keeping pets healthy and happy. No positions is more important than another, but you have to understand what makes you happy every day and pick the position that allows you to do that.

One last thing. This week is National Veterinary Technician Week. If you want to take a peek at the passion that technicians have, feel free to read some of the posts on our Facebook page, or visit our website at www.navta.net.

So if becoming a vet tech was on your mind, but you weren’t sure if the profession’s future was bright, it might be time to take a deeper look.

Save your sweaters: How to stop cats from wool-sucking

Pet Connection, Veterinary Medicine

Wool-sucking in cats can be a destructive quirk and a sign your pet is stressed. A reader asks what can be done to help their kitty kick the habit.

Q: My cat loves to suck on my wool sweaters, and it’s ruining them. Not to mention it can’t be good for her. Why does she do this, and how can I get her to stop?

A: This condition, unimaginatively called wool-sucking, isn’t all that unusual in cats, although Siamese and other Oriental breeds seem to be especially fond of doing it. The behavior is a misdirected attempt at nursing that may occur in cats who were weaned too early or who are responding to stress in their lives. In the same way you might suck on your hair or bite your fingernails when you’re nervous or distracted, your cat sucks on wool.

The easiest way to stop her is to keep your sweaters where she can’t get to them. If your cat only sucks on your sweaters at certain times, see if you can figure out what’s triggering the behavior so you can change it if possible.

If you do catch her sucking on one (or any other wool or acrylic item), distract her with an unusual sound. When she looks up from what she’s doing, remove the item and focus her attention on something else, such as a treat, being groomed or getting a favorite toy. Reward her with praise and a treat every time you see her sucking on a toy or some other acceptable item. This may help her to kick the habit.

Some experts believe that adding a little fiber to the cat’s diet may help. It can’t hurt to add a couple of teaspoons of plain canned pumpkin (no sugar or spices) to her meals. That has the bonus of also helping to reduce hairballs.

Be concerned if your cat is actually ingesting wool, because this can cause an intestinal obstruction. See your veterinarian if this is the case; your cat may need a prescription for medication to combat depression or anxiety.

Read more, including about hiking with your cat and playtime for dogs, in the weekly Pet Connection!

Don’t let human medical creams and sprays harm your pets

Pet Connection, Veterinary Medicine

Topical hormone products have been getting pets sick for years. Here’s what you need to do to make sure your pets stay safe!

Q: I noticed recently that my female dog’s private parts were swollen. After some detective work, my veterinarian figured out that it was a reaction to my hormone cream. How does that happen?
A: If your pet loves to lick, hormone products can make him sick. There have been reports for several years now that pets (and children) are inadvertently ingesting topical hormone sprays, creams and gels. Dogs and cats are affected when they lick or rub against the treated area or get petted after the product is applied by hand. Signs include fur loss, mammary or nipple enlargement, a shrunken penis in males and bloody discharge or a swollen vulva in females.

Estrogen and testosterone aren’t the only hormones that cause problems. A psoriasis cream called Dovonex, which contains a synthetic form of vitamin D (itself a hormone), can cause unusual thirst, appetite loss and severe vomiting or diarrhea if pets lick it off the skin or chew on the tube.

To protect pets, wear disposable gloves when applying gels or creams, and toss the gloves in an inaccessible trashcan when you’re through. The same goes for disposing of hormone patches. Apply creams or gels to areas your dog is unable or unlikely to lick, such as the inside of the thighs. If you’re using a spray, wear clothing that covers the treated area. Even if you wear gloves to apply the product, wash your hands with soap thoroughly — for as long as it takes you to sing “Happy Birthday” twice through — before touching pets, children or food, including pet food.

Before you apply any product, prescription or otherwise, read the label or package insert to make sure it’s not toxic to pets or children if ingested.

Read more in this week’s Pet Connection!