Winter newsletter 

It has been a while since the last newsletter.  The winter is going by fast. I am sure that makes many happy but I do love the snow as do the kids. 

The usual hazards of the winter months are ever present.  We had quite a few dogs “indulge” in Valentine’s Day chocolates.  We also have to be mindful of those extra pounds that can build up due to lack of exercise!  Do try to get out and trudge in the snow! 

Tick reminder

Although they are less common in these winter months, please do be advised that ticks are present ALL year round!  You may be able to skip a few months of tick control but don’t stop checking your pets for ticks.  We recommend K9Advantix for dogs and Frontline for cats for monthly tick control.  Just because you find a tick on your pet, it does not mean that your pet will get any signs of illness.  It is best to remove the tick and dispose of it.  Monitor for any abnormalities and call the office if you have concerns.

What does holistic mean?

We have had a lot of  inquiries recently into what our holistic approach means for our patients.  If you google what holistic means in the dictionary, you find it means "Emphasizing the importance of the whole and the interdependence of its parts." (www.dictionary.com) 

In our holistic approach for our patients, it means that we look at the pet, their signs/symptoms as well as their diet, their environment and past history.  For the treatment plan, we don't just pick the same treatment for everyone.  Instead, we try to educate the owners and give them options. 

We look at different types of diagnostics, from the simple, thorough physical exam to procedures such as blood testing, ultrasounds, and MRIs.  These are based on the history of the patient, physical exam findings, prognosis and the client’s expectations of outcome. 

The holistic approach is to be as inclusive as possible in regards to the "whole" situation.  A very simple example is a cat with elimination issues (won't use the litter box).  During the physical exam, we find out that the owners just got a new dog and the cat had never even met a dog.  Ends up that the litter box is next to the dog's bed.  Dog chases cat every time it sees it approach the litter box because the dog thinks it is going to it;s bed . Need to change the litter box location, not punish the cat.  But if we ignored the cat's environment, the cat may have been recommended to be treated with drugs. 

Another example is bile reflux in small dogs.  In this condition, the dogs tend to have longer than 12 hours between dinner and breakfast.  Many dogs will then have stomach growling (borborygmus) and may even vomit. Then they are ready to eat right after.  Many cases may need some medical intervention with pepcid for the short term but many times, a simple adjustment in feeding schedule and  probiotics will do the trick rather than daily medication.

Homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic are different medical modalities that are considered holistic because of their approach to whole patient.  In humans, this is often defined as emotional, spiritual, and physical.  For our pets, we may recommend one of these modalities to treat the patient as part of our holistic approach.

It is important to try to get to the root of the problem and know what we are treating so that expectations are based on that solid information.

Project WISE

On March 11, Dr. Ricketts was once again able to participate in Project WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) sponsored by Salem State College. The program was developed to introduce eighth grade girls to careers in the math and sciences. With the help of her dog, Jenny, Dr. Ricketts showed the girls what a day in the life of a veterinarian is like. Dr. Ricketts states "It truly is a wonderful profession and I hope some future veterinarians were inspired by the workshops!"