Once again, it is time to celebrate National Pet Wellness Month.  During the month of October, veterinarians and technicians are focusing efforts on educating clients about the importance of wellness exams.  This month, we are highlighting one of our success stories!

      Paolo is a 10 year old male neutered Welsh Corgi who visited us in June for a regularly scheduled check-up.  Paolo was doing great at home, showing no signs of illness.  On physical exam, our veterinarian palpated a mass in Paolo’s abdomen.  Bloodwork revealed that he was a little anemic and that he had low protein in his blood.  Radiographs (x-rays) showed us that the mass we palpated was on Paolo’s spleen.  That same day, Paolo was taken to surgery and his spleen was removed.  Biopsy revealed the mass to be a histiocytic sarcoma and that surgery should cure his cancer.  Follow-up with an oncologist confirmed that we had removed Paolo’s entire tumor, and that he was expected to make a full recovery.  Months later, Paolo is doing great - he is in good spirits, his bloodwork is back to normal, and he is as happy as can be!  Paolo’s wellness exam helped us locate illness before he had a chance to become sick and we were able to cure him of cancer!

          In previous newsletters, you may have read about a few of our patients who have begun weight loss programs with our hospital.  This month, we would like to highlight another dog who is doing great and losing weight with the help of Slentrol®, the first approved weight loss medication for dogs.

            Buddy is a 7 year old beagle whose extra pounds were weighing him down.  A lack of exercise and too many treats had caused him to gain so much weight that he couldn’t make it up the stairs to sleep by his family.  He could not play or go on walks anymore.  In April, we started Buddy on a weight loss program.  We replaced his unhealthy snacks with healthy alternatives such as baby carrots and green vegetables.  We started to measure carefully the amount of food Buddy was allowed to eat in a given day.  Finally, we started him on Slentrol® to suppress his over-eager appetite.  In the first month alone, Buddy lost 4 pounds!  He was starting to play again and was able to run up the stairs for the first time in months.  After 4 months, Buddy is down from 47 to 39 pounds, on his way to his target weight of 25 pounds.  Buddy comes to the hospital for monthly weigh-ins to track his progress.  We are starting to exercise him again, which will help him build muscle and lose fat.  We are so proud of Buddy and his family for doing such a great job!

Thinking about starting your pet on Raritan ’s weight loss program? The following tips will help make your pet’s weight loss successful:

1) Get the whole family involved! One member sneaking unhealthy snacks to your pup can add up to a

lot of bad calories!

2) Start to exercise your dog.  Even if you can’t take your pet for a long walk, start with short distances and gradually increase the time and distance of the walk.

3) Replace unhealthy, high calorie treats with healthy, low calorie snacks. 

4) Come in for your monthly weigh-in appointments.  This will help us make dose adjustments as

necessary.

If you are interested in learning more about our weight loss program, please call our office for a consultation!  If you are interested in learning more about pet obesity, please feel free to visit www.petobesityprevention.com.

       Of all the animals we see as pets, reptiles can be some of the most difficult to keep healthy.  Whether a lizard, snake or turtle, each species has individual needs that require attention in order for them to live a long, happy life.  Seeing your veterinarian on an annual basis is important toward achieving that goal.

        Whenever you purchase or obtain a new reptile, be sure to schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians.  Your pet will receive a thorough health check up which includes an oral exam, auscultation of the heart and lungs, palpation of the ceolomic cavity, and an examination of the scales or shell.  Bring a fecal sample with you so that we can look for gastrointestinal parasites as reptiles can harbor many parasites that can make their owners sick!  The doctor will also discuss with you the specific needs for your pet in terms of the proper temperature gradient, diet, and light sources. 

         Reptiles in general will often only show very subtle signs of illness.  Be attentive to your pet’s routine.  Any change, no matter how small can be a sign that they are not well.  If your pet stops eating, basking or defecating, give us a call right away.  For most sick reptiles, blood work is often necessary to help pinpoint the problem.  The doctor may also recommend radiographs as part of their diagnostic plan.  Treatment may span from antibiotics to even surgery depending on the diagnosis.

         Remember that your reptile’s body temperature depends on his surroundings.  If you need to bring him in for an office visit, especially during the winter, take extra steps to keep him warm during transport.  We look forward to seeing our scaly friends and working to give them long, healthy lives

           Diabetes is a disease that every pet owner has heard of, but seldom do they know its implications in the pet world until it is diagnosed in their own cat or dog.  Diabetes mellitus is caused by either a deficiency in insulin secretion by the cells of the pancreas, or insulin resistance in other tissues of the body. Insulin is required by cells to uptake and use glucose (sugar) for energy. With the body unable to utilize glucose properly, its levels build in the bloodstream, resulting in hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Without glucose, the body’s cells become starved and are unable to function properly. Diabetes usually occurs in middle-aged cats and dogs. Age and obesity can predispose a pet to diabetes.  Other factors such as long term use of corticosteroids can also increase the dangers of development as well.

            Diagnosis of diabetes often occurs when the body is already exhibiting notable symptoms of the disease, such as increased thirst and appetite, increased urination, lethargy, and weight loss. In some cases, patients are also afflicted by other complicating conditions such as urinary tract infections, pancreatitis, and a neuropathy brought about by the disease. However, diagnosis can be made before symptoms become severe through the help of regular wellness bloodwork. Early detection of diabetes can make treatment and maintenance of the disease less complicated for both the pet owner and the veterinarian.

            Diabetes is diagnosed when patients display persistently elevated glucose levels in conjunction with glucose in the urine.  In some cases with borderline results, a blood fructosamine level can be evaluated, which allows the veterinarian to evaluate a pet’s average blood glucose control over the prior 2-3 week period. If the fructosamine level is high, diagnosis of diabetes is confirmed. Because diabetes is a condition that affects the body’s functioning as a whole, it is not unusual for there to be other abnormalities in the bloodwork. Diabetic patients who are recently diagnosed are often in a state of dehydration and as such may exhibit electrolyte imbalances as well as elevated kidney and liver values.

            Treatment of diabetes is something that must be tailored to each individual patient. It is often initiated by performing an analysis called a glucose curve. This process involves hospitalization of the diagnosed patient so that insulin therapy can be initiated and monitored closely in order to determine a safe dose for the patient. Insulin therapy for pets has changed over the years and there is now insulin being manufactured specifically for the veterinary field. PZI was the first feline-specific insulin developed for use in cats.  Shortly afterwards, Vetsulin was developed for use in dogs.  Vetsulin has recently been approved for use in cats as well, and consequently PZI’s production has been discontinued.  If your cat is currently on PZI insulin, your veterinarian will be changing his or her type of insulin within the next 6-8 months.  In addition to these veterinary specific insulins, there are also some human insulins that can prove helpful in the treatment of diabetic cats. The most useful to date is a long acting human insulin called Glargine.

            Once insulin is chosen and treatment initiated, it is important for the pet owner to understand that diabetes may take several weeks to regulate. Even well-controlled diabetics may need periodic adjustments to their daily dosing. The introduction of diabetic veterinary diets may also prove helpful in the regulation of diabetes. Just as important is making sure diabetic patients are on a timed and regulated feeding schedule in conjunction with the administration of their insulin. When insulin is administered to a pet without a meal it can elicit a hypoglycemic response by the body. Hypoglycemia is defined as low blood glucose. Hypoglycemia can be severe and as such must be treated as a medical emergency. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include weakness, disorientation, acute collapse, and even seizures. Keeping Karo syrup, a high-sugar syrup, at home is helpful as it can quickly elevate glucose levels in a hypoglycemic diabetic patient.  Should your diabetic pet experience a hypoglycemic episode, rub Karo syrup on your pet’s gums and call your veterinarian immediately.

            When poorly managed or left unregulated, diabetes can develop into a life threatening condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This condition is brought about by constant elevated blood glucose levels, which leads to a build-up of metabolic acids (ketones) in the blood. Symptoms of DKA include vomiting, anorexia, and lethargy. Patients in DKA require hospitalization and fluid therapy to flush the bloodstream of these excess levels as well as to combat dehydration. When stable the patient can then begin to re-establish a regulated state of diabetes.

            Diabetes is a disease that requires commitment by the pet owner. Proper care and management can allow for diabetic pets to live a full life. Medical management and cost of care for pets diagnosed with diabetes is directly related to the management of their condition. Poor management of the disease will increase the likelihood of secondary complications. It is therefore not only crucial for pet owner to be committed to their pet’s health needs when diagnosed with a disease such as diabetes but to also take the steps necessary to prevent such conditions.  This argument is strongest for the many pets today that are overweight and therefore suffering the threats of living an unhealthy lifestyle. Talk to our veterinarians today if you think your pet may be exhibiting signs of diabetes and discuss what steps you can take to prevent the risk of your pet from developing this condition.

     Raritan Animal Hospital would like to welcome the newest additions to our staff!  Linda McDevitt and Evelyn Chang have joined our technician staff.  Also, Carrie Hoffmann, Kelli Foderaro,  and Kylie Morin are the newest additions to our receptionist staff!

     We would also like to welcome Patti Mergel, who has recently joined our Oak Tree Animal Clinic staff.

     If you are interested in becoming a member of our team

Click Below!

       The mother cat is about 1-2 years of age and a real sweetheart. She's quite affectionate and always purring. Her kittens are about 8 weeks of age. They were all found on the streets in Philadelphia and brought to the shelter. They were rescued from euthanasia and nursed back to health. They are thriving and extremely playful and loving. They love to be held and cuddled. Mom and kittens are in need of homes where they can be loved and well cared for. The adoption fee is $40 and that included the cost of: spaying/neutering, first round of vaccinations and deworming, as well as flea preventative.

 
                              Mother-Adopted                                                    Female-Adopted
 
                               Male-Adopted                                                            Male-Adopted

                                                                It has officially been a year since we launched our hospital’s new website. We would like to thank all our clients, old and new, who have helped to make the website a success. We hope you will continue to participate in the fun of our online photo gallery as well as utilize the information provided by our quarterly newsletters. Don’t forget to access our online client forms making appointment and boarding check-in a breeze!  Please let us know what other useful features we can add to the site for future use. For those clients who have not yet visited us online we hope you will look us up soon and enjoy all our site has to offer!

Don't forget to take advantage of our online pharmacy. Visit us there today and have your pet's medications conveniently mailed to your home!

www.epharmacyrah.com