Acre View Pet Hospital & Laser Center of Edmond: News June 2001

We are pleased to announce a wonderful new addition to our staff, Dr. Angela Henzel...

Dr. Henzel is from Guthrie, OK and is a graduate of OSU School of Veterinary Medicine. After graduating in 1995, she worked in Tulsa with the Marina Animal Clinic until she returned to the OKC area in 1997. She became a relief veterinarian and also had a House Call Vaccination business for two years. She then worked with the OKC Animal Welfare Division with administrative and veterinary duties.

Stop by and meet Dr. Henzel. We think you will be impressed.

Beware of Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease is a tick-borne disease caused by a bacterium, Borelia burgdorferi, and most frequently occurs during the months of April through October.

The Disease results in arthritis in one to many joints in dogs, cattle, horses and humans, Other signs are anorexia, weight loss, lethargy, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. Lameness is a key sign and may be the only sign. Joints may be swollen, hot to the touch and very painful when moved.

To accurately diagnose the disease, blood must be tested for a serum titre (concentration of antibodies) and then tested again in two weeks to show an increase in titre. If a negative test is obtained we will retest for Lyme disease in one month and occasionally it is necessary to take joint fluid for testing

We normally begin treatment of any dog with clinical signs suggestive of Lyme disease while we are waiting to retest at 14-21 days to confirm the diagnosis. Prolonged antibiotic therapy is sometimes needed.

The good news is there is a vaccine to prevent Lyme disease in dogs that is very effective. It is best to try to reduce the risk of exposure to the tick by using "Prevent-Tick" collars, "Top Spot" or "Frontline Plus" products. Frequently check pets for ticks and promptly remove them, (using tweezers).

The 10 Laws of Cat Physics

Law of Cat Inertia - A cat at rest will tend to remain at rest, unless acted upon by some outside force, such as the opening of cat food or a nearby scurrying mouse.
Law of Cat Magnetism - All blue blazers and black sweaters attract cat hair in direct proportion to the darkness of the fabric.
Law of Cat Thermodynamics - Heat flows from a warmer to a cooler body, except in the case of a cat. In which case, all heat flows to the cat.
Law of Obedience Resistance - A cat's resistance varies in proportion to a human's desire for her to do something.
Law of Bag/Box Occupancy - All bags and boxes in a given room must contain a cat within the earliest possible nanosecond.
Law of Milk Consumption - A cat will drink his weight in milk, squared, just to show you he can.
Law of Furniture Replacement - A cat's desire to scratch furniture is directly proportional to the cost of the furniture.
Law of Cat Disinterest

Meet Our Staff: Glenda Callaway Kennel Supervisor

A little about Glenda...
I grew up in Cisco, Texas, a small town in north central Texas. I came to Oklahoma to attend college and stayed in this area. I worked fifteen years at Capitol Steel and Iron and three years at Robberson Steel in their accounting and engineering departments. When Robberson closed I decided I didn't want to work in an office anymore. I love animals so I chose grooming, but I was still inside and I didn't like standing in one place all day.

My solution -- working at Acre View. I'm outside when I walk dogs; I can still make animals look pretty when I do baths; and it's very rewarding when I get to help care for very sick animals and see them go home well. I will complete my fifth year here in August. My interests outside work are gardening and feeding the birds.

Danger Hot

As we move in to the warmer days of summer, I wanted to remind you about the danger to your pets of heat stroke. Heat stroke is a serious life-threatening medical emergency! it occurs when an animal's body temperature, that normally ranges somewhere between 99.5 and 103 degrees Fahrenheit for dogs and cats, increases in the 104 to 107 degrees and up range.

Probably the number one cause of heatstroke in pets is leaving them in an unattended car during the warm weather. Temperatures inside a car with the windows rolled up can quickly exceed 120 degrees and higher. The second most common cause is leaving pets, especially dogs, outside in the yard on excessively warm and humid days.

Certain breeds are even more susceptible to the heat because they have trouble moving enough air under normal conditions. These are what we call the "brachycephalic breeds" with smushed in noses such as Pugs, English Bulldogs, Shi Tzus, Lhasas, Pekingese, Persian Cats, etc. These animals absolutely cannot get overheated and do well!

If your pet is panting excessively, shows bright red tongue, lips and gums, and certainly if it is showing signs of weakness, loss of coordination or collapses, you should treat it as an emergency.

First -- grab an old towel or blanket and soak it quickly in cool water, wrap it around the pet and transport immediately to the pet hospital for treatment. While transporting the pet, it may help to leave the windows down to let more air blow across the wet towel and cool the animal on the way to the hospital. Rapid treatment may save its life.

You can help prevent heat stroke by leaving pets inside air-cooled spaces during the daytime. NEVER leave a pet unattended in the car during warm weather. If any normal healthy pet is left outside in the heat be sure they have plenty of fresh water and shade for shelter. Some long-haired, woolly dogs do better if shaved down in the summer but remember -- they can sunburn if shaved, so be very careful if they are kept outside.

When I Got My New Dog

I asked for strength that I might rear him perfectly;
I was given weakness that I might feed him more treats.

I asked for good health that I might rest easy;
I was given a "special needs" dog that I might know nurturing.

I asked for an obedient dog that I might feel proud;
I was given stubbornness that I might feel humble.

I asked for compliance that I might feel masterful;
I was given a clown that I might laugh.

I asked for a companion that I might not feel lonely;
I was given a best friend that I would feel loved.

I got nothing I asked for, but everything I needed.