Healthy Paws

Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

In a followup to our last post, we will discuss below some of the different veterinary specialties and why we might refer to them.

To recap, many of our daily appointments consist of pets that are not feeling well for a variety of reasons. In many instances we can determine the problem and treat effectively by obtaining a thorough history, performing a comprehensive physical exam, perform in-office diagnostics or send lab work out to a reference laboratory, and dispensing appropriate medications or treatments.

However, in some instances, problems may be more complicated or require diagnostics beyond the scope of a general practice, and a veterinary specialist may be recommended.

Behaviorist: A veterinary behaviorist is sort of a mental health professional for dogs. For some dogs, anxiety is such a large issue that certain medications we prescribe are not enough to help and, unfortunately, some dogs will hurt themselves in their crates by chewing or scratching (think of it like a panic attack). In these extreme instances, utilizing a behaviorist can help narrow down certain triggers and they can also help prescribe different medications in conjunction with a training program to help resolve these issues. Behaviorists can also be invaluable in handling a pet with difficult aggression issues that may provide a safety concern if not handled appropriately.

Dentist: It’s safe to say that most of our veterinary patients have a varying degree of periodontal disease. A dental cleaning, complete with dental radiographs, and polishing/fluoride treatment, can be done with your primary veterinarian. Many extractions can also be done with your primary veterinarian. However, sometimes the pathology in the mouth is so severe that referral to a veterinary dentist is required. They are trained to perform root canals and other endodontic treatments, or even remove parts of a jaw if there are tumors or abnormalities within the jaw bones.

Dermatologist: Veterinary dermatologists are incredibly helpful in diagnosing a multitude of skin disorders that we see on a daily basis, including allergies. After trying many different types of therapies here at our clinic, sometimes the use of a dermatologist, who may have access to newer drug therapies or diagnostics, is the best way to help your pet find relief. They can also perform skin biopsies, intradermal skin allergy testing, and different skin cultures/cytologies, etc…

Ophthalmologist: Veterinary ophthalmologists examine and correct a variety of different ocular diseases – both within the eye and on the surface. Their expertise includes, but is not limited to, performing surgeries (such as cataract surgery or third eyelid/”cherry eye” correction), managing glaucoma and complicated corneal defects, treating inflammatory conditions of the eye, etc…They also have special equipment to look at ocular structures better than most general practices.

Radiologist: Sometimes our veterinary patients eat abnormal things, or have recurrent bouts of vomiting/diarrhea. Other times we may find something abnormal while we are palpating the abdomen during a routine physical exam. Radiographs (X-rays) are a useful tool for looking at the size and shape of organs and noting if anything appears abnormal.

However, if your pet ingested something soft and we are unable to see it on an X-ray, an abdominal ultrasound will look at the internal structure of organs and determine if this object is stuck. Ultrasounds can also find tumors on some organs that are not easily identifiable via X-ray, such as the adrenal glands. Radiologists also have additional training in reading X-rays, MRIs and CT scans which can help us pick up and find subtle changes that can help us with a diagnosis.

For cats with hyperthyroidism, a veterinarian in a specialty hospital with the capacity to handle radioactive material can also administer a highly regulated radioactive isotope that can treat hyperthyroidism in one injection (with several days in the hospital for monitoring afterwards) if it is indicated by your primary veterinarian. Sounds crazy, but it’s also the treatment of choice in people, as well.

Veterinary specialists are great resources for your pets when your primary care veterinarian thinks their expertise will be needed to help make your pet feel better, faster! We are fortunate to live in an area with numerous specialty-trained veterinarians to help us provide the best care for our pets.

Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

We all know the drill — new year, new commitment to healthier living, lifestyle and relationships!

From your pet’s point-of-view, here are a few:  

• I will resolve to limit myself to a strict calorie intake appropriate for my lean body weight — just like the rest of us, maintaining a lean body weight is the number one thing we can do for our pets to help them stay healthy! Unlike us, pets can’t count calories, so it’s up to us to be sure they are being fed an appropriate and balanced diet. It’s also important to be sure your pet is eating an age-appropriate diet — the AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) designates every food as appropriate for all life stages, maintenance, or growth and lactation.  

While an all life stages food may seem appealing, this often may not be the best choice for a pet with underlying health conditions or that is overweight. Additionally, for some medical conditions (i.e. kidney disease, pancreatitis) a prescription diet may really help to prolong the health and well-being of the pet.  

• I will bug and pester my owners until they take me for at least two (preferably three to four) long walks a day, or engage in an appropriate play session with me — getting plenty of exercise is good not only for the waistline, but also for your pets. Exercise is critical for maintaining balanced behavior and reducing boredom in dogs and cats.

• I will be sure that my parents pay attention to those pesky reminders from the veterinarian letting them know when I need to get my vaccines updated, so that I stay protected from some of those icky diseases out there.  

• I promise to take my heart-worm and flea/tick prevention regularly and won’t spit it out — even though I sometimes resist, I know that these are good for me and are protecting me from lots of gross bugs and diseases! — in addition to preventing heart-worm disease, the monthly preventative pill also protects against hookworms and whipworms, which are intestinal parasites quite common in our area.

• I will get my owners involved in a new activity — I’ve even heard of activity-specific meet-up groups for other dog owners! 

• I will be cooperative for getting my teeth brushed, much as it pains me! — Daily (or a minimum frequency three days a week) teeth brushing is the single best (and least costly) way to maintain good oral health. Most dogs will get very comfortable with this once it becomes a routine — some even come to love brushing thanks to flavored toothpastes (cats too!)  

• I will work on my obedience during leash walking so I pay full attention to my owner and no other dogs on walks — Many dogs are leash reactive and this is a very common occurrence that is hard for some owners to pick up. Working with a certified trained dog trainer and daily “homework” on walks can help solve some leash aggression and can also help the dogs (and owners) anxiety!
• I will try to love when my owners play with my feet! — Many dogs and cats are scared of getting their nails cut. Petting their paws at home and getting them used to you feeling their nails and isolating each digit can actually help the anxiety that comes with nail trims, as this can de-sensitize them to the feeling of their nails being touched for the trims.

• I resolve to experiment with new serving equipment for my food. It’s out with the bowl and in with the puzzle toys for me! Traditional food bowls are unstimulating and allow for too fast meals. Puzzle toys and food toys for both dogs and cats increase mental activity and decrease regurgitation from rapid eating.

Happy 2017 to you and all your furry family members!

Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

In keeping with a tradition we started last year, and since shopping for our pets is a holiday highlight, here are some of the cool products we’ve come across in the past year:

The Odin — a durable toy to hide treats in, that also can be connected with another “unit” to make a larger toy.

Snooze Pal  — a hammock and box all in one — this is definitely on Tommy’s list!!    

No Bowl Feeding System — keep your cat entertained and help control feeding portions with this nifty feeding system that has your cat “hunting” around the house.

KoolCollar 4 Dogs — help keep your dog cool on those hot summer days (we especially like this for those smoosh-faced breeds).

IFetch Interactive Thrower — a must for that dog that refuses to let you stop playing fetch! And, also comes in smaller sizes for those little guys.  

Cat & Dog “Wine” — our personal pets have not yet tested this, but a clever idea so your pet can partake in cocktail hour too!  

CatAmazing puzzle toy — a cardboard box puzzle toy to keep your kitty entertained.

And, of course, please keep in mind those less fortunate pets out there who are still looking for homes and the wonderful shelters and rescue groups who do so much to help them:

Animal Welfare League of Arlington — online donations, donate from their wish list on Amazon or stop by on December 17th or 18th from 10am-4pm for gift-wrapping to support them.   

Homeward Trails Animal Rescue — online donations or add an item from their wish list on Amazon to your next order.

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue — we have a collection box (through New Years) in our lobby if you happen to pick up any extra goodies at the pet store while out shopping for your own pet.  

Lab Rescue of Potomac — monetary gifts are always appreciated!

Lu’s Labs — they have a holiday boutique and you can support them through the Combined Federal Campaign.

Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

Does your pet have chronic or intermittent diarrhea, but otherwise feels great? Does he or she itch and scratch constantly, have hair loss, repeated skin infections, ear infections or rashes? If you answered yes, read on, as your pet could possibly have a food allergy.

What are the most common food allergies?

Contrary to all the pet-food company marketing, it is rarely grains! The vast, vast majority of the time, the allergy is to the animal protein source, with chicken being the most common, and then beef.

What’s the difference between a food allergy and a food sensitivity?

An allergy implies that the body’s immune system is involved in the symptoms; whereas food sensitivities can cause similar but often milder symptoms that are due to a local reaction in the GI tract (think lactose intolerance in people). A food sensitivity may improve simply with a diet change to a new brand or variety, whereas a food allergy is related to the body being sensitized via the immune system to a specific ingredient.

How is a food allergy diagnosed?

Unfortunately, a true food allergy can be difficult to definitively diagnose. There is no accurate blood test for food allergies (though Dr. Google may suggest otherwise), and the only way to really diagnose a food allergy is to do a STRICT trial with a hypoallergenic or hydrolyzed diet for 8-12 weeks. Because it can take days to weeks for an offending protein to fully be eliminated from the body, and also significant time for the GI tract to heal following insult, the full 8-12 weeks is vital to ensure we allow enough time to see clinical improvement if it is going to happen!

Not only that, in order to make a truly definitive diagnosis, at the conclusion of the food trial one must reintroduce the original food to see if the symptoms return! Understandably, many owners are reluctant to go this final step if their pet’s symptoms are significantly improved, but without it we do not know if improvement was just a coincidence (or perhaps due to some other treatments that may have been initiated at the same time or a changing of seasons).

Essentially, a food trial is a diagnostic test — but one that takes 8-12 weeks to get results.

What make a diet hypoallergenic?

A hypoallergenic diet is designed to be absent of the ingredients most likely to trigger a true allergic response. Again, protein sources are much more likely to be the culprit than grain or other ingredients. There are two ways to address this protein issue — one is with a “novel” protein — i.e. a protein that the patient has never been exposed to previously — and the other is with a “hydrolyzed” protein — i.e. a protein that is broken down into such small pieces during the manufacturing process that it is not recognized as foreign by the body.

A thorough dietary history is very important when figuring out which hypoallergenic diet route to go. If the pet has been exposed to a variety of protein sources throughout their life, a hydrolyzed diet may be a better option.

It is important to note that many of the over-the-counter (OTC) diets that may tout themselves as being lamb, bison, turkey, etc. actually do have chicken further down the ingredient list. OTC diets are frequently contaminated with minuscule amounts of non-ingredient proteins as well. Thus, for the purposes of a strict food trial, we are more apt to recommend a prescription diet that is strictly controlled in the manufacturing process and is guaranteed to be a single protein source. In a very sensitive pet, even having a trace of the offending protein (such as, may remain if there was not strict cleansing of the equipment between processing of different diet varieties) could be enough to trigger symptoms. There are a limited number of OTC options that may be viable alternatives to a prescription diet, but these should be discussed with and approved by your pet’s veterinarian prior to going to the effort of a full food trial with them, as in some cases they may not be sufficiently “hypoallergenic.”

This sounds hard!  

There’s no arguing that a strict food trial requires some restraint and diligence on the part of the owner! Treats play an important role in our relationship with our pets, and having to be really strict can be tough…but it important to remember that it’s for a relatively short period of time and that eventually you will be able to slowly reintroduce things into your pet’s diet.

It is also important that all members of the family be on board with a food trial before it’s initiated — again, all it takes is a single exposure to the offending protein to set things back to the beginning!

Good news — you finished the food trial and your pet’s symptoms are improved. Now what?

At this point, we’d typically recommend SLOWLY reintroducing things back into your pet’s diet, but still being sure to avoid the suspected offending protein — i.e. each week, add one new item back into the diet, monitoring for recurrence of the original symptoms.

Bad news — you finished the food trial and your pet’s symptoms are not improved. Now what?  

Fret not — all is not lost! You’ve still gleaned some very valuable information by ruling out a food allergy. In the case of skin symptoms, environmental allergies may be a factor and in the case of GI symptoms, a whole plethora of other possibilities remain. It will be important to work with your pet’s veterinarian to continue looking for the cause of chronic skin or GI symptoms.

Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

Have you ever heard your doctor or pet’s veterinarian rattle off a list of strange words that seem to make no sense? Most of these are derived from Latin roots and serve to concisely describe what otherwise may be a wordy description.

Borborygmi — of Greek origin, indicating a rumbling of the gastrointestinal tract as the small intestine contracts to move ingesta through

Brachycephalic — Greek for “short head,” or a “smooshed”-faced skull conformation — i.e. Pugs, Boxers, Boston terriers, Shih Tzus

Coprophagia — The eating of feces, derived from Greek copros – “feces” and phagia – “to eat.” This rather icky tendency, especially in dogs, is also typically behavioral in nature, rather than due to a nutritional deficiency. Though animals such as rabbits will do this to maintain gut bacterial populations.

Crepitus — Grinding, creaking, cracking, grating, crunching or popping that occurs when moving a joint; Latin for “rattle” or “crack,” most often appreciated in arthritic joints

Cryptorchid — A condition that occurs when one (or both) testicle does not descend into the scrotal sac

Dolicephalic — Greek for “long”-faced skull conformation — i.e. Collies, Greyhounds, many other sight-hound breeds

Emesis — Vomiting, from the Greek word emein, which means “to vomit.” We often prescribe antiemetics to control or stop vomiting in our patients.

Hematemesis — Blood in the vomit

Hematochezia — Blood in the stool

Hematuria — Blood in the urine

Idiopathic — A condition with unknown cause or spontaneous origin and derived from Greek idios – “one’s own” and pathos – “suffering.” Basically, a fancy way to say “we don’t know.”

Melena — of Greek origin. The passage of black, tar-like stools indicating the presence of digested blood (happens with gastric or small intestinal ulceration & bleeding).

Ovariohysterectomy — Removal of the ovaries and uterus (commonly referred to as a spay)

Orchiectomy — Removal of the testicles (commonly referred to as a neuter or castration)

Peristalsis — Muscle contractions that propel food throughout the gastrointestinal tract

Pica — The appetite for non-nutritive substances such as dirt, hair or paper. In dogs and cats, is more often due to behavioral or primary gastrointestinal tract disease — that results in inadequate absorption of nutrients — reasons rather than an inadequate diet. Derived from the Latin name of the magpie bird, who reportedly was willing to eat nearly anything.

Polydactyl — Quite literally, “extra fingers,” typically seen in cats that will have more than the typical five digits

Stomatitis — Inflammation of the mouth; from Greek work stoma for “mouth”

Tenesmus — Straining to defecate; via Greek teinesmos, “straining,” from teinein, “stretch, strain.”

And, even though this isn’t particularly relevant to us in veterinary medicine, this one is just too fun to not mention:

Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia — An “ice cream headache,” which is actually referred nerve pain at the sphenopalatine ganglion area of the brain caused by quick consumption of COLD beverages or foods

Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

So you want to run with your dog?

Running with your dog can be great exercise for both of you, especially since most pets don’t get the opportunity to really stretch their legs as much as they like living in the more urban environment that we do. We’ve put together a few tips to keep your pup safe, happy and healthy while engaging in an running regimen:

AGE — The first thing to take into consideration when considering running with your pet is the age of your pet. Dogs should be near skeletal maturity before any sort of serious running routine is started (this can be 9-12 months in a smaller breed dog, but not until closer to 18-24 months in a large/giant breed dog). Short, relaxed runs are okay starting at around 9 months for most breeds.

TRAINING — It is important that your dog has basic leash and obedience manners in order for you to safely run with them. If he/she is pulling and barking uncontrollably at every dog or person you pass, this will not likely lead to a safe, fun or efficient work-out for you.

ENDURANCE — Just as we need to work up our endurance, so do our pets! As a very general rule, we recommend starting with 10 minutes of exercise, and working up in 5 minute increments over the course of each week until you reach your desired time/distance. There is no exact formula for how much a dog can do, so it is important to watch for your dog for signs of exhaustion — these may include lagging behind, stopping to catch their breath, prolonged panting post-exercise, lameness associated with exercise, or coughing or labored breathing.

WEATHER — Again, just as for us, the time of day/year is important to take into consideration. As a general rule of thumb, if it is a hot day outside, place your hand directly on the cement. If you cannot keep your hand on the cement for 5 full seconds, then it is too hot for a dog’s paws. It is also preferred to run early in the morning or later in the evening, when the sun has gone down when it is >75 degrees outside. Humidity also plays a huge role for dogs as they do not get rid of body heat in any significant fashion through sweating. Sweating is important for evaporative cooling — but since they really only sweat in their feet and most of their evaporative cooling is done through panting — they are working with a really small surface area to get rid of heat. When it is very humid out — that evaporative cooling mechanism doesn’t work well at all — which means heat transfer doesn’t work well. This is why in the DC summers, even in the air conditioning, dogs tend to act hot (panting, wanting to sit near fans, etc…). It’s cooler inside, but the humidity is still much higher than in the winter at similar temperatures and so they have a harder time staying cool.

INJURIES — The weekend warrior or rare/intermittent/poor training is, similar to us, one of the main causes of musculoskeletal injuries in our dogs. We can’t expect a dog with little training to up and run without minimally being sore afterward. Other injuries we can see from a lack of training and conditioning are cruciate injuries (i.e. ACL tears), meniscal injuries, as well as any number of muscle, ligament and tendon sprains and strains.

In addition to the musculoskeletal system — we can see dogs injure their foot pads from running on rough/abrasive surfaces; or even burn their pads from running on hot surfaces. These injuries tend to hurt the worst a few hours after the happen and can lead to significant pain as well as secondary infection.

Just like you or I, dogs also need to be kept hydrated. Dehydration and overheating are two of the most common non-orthopedic problems that we see dogs present for when they are not appropriately conditioned for their run, when they are pushed too hard or when they are run in high heat or humidity.

Individual health concerns to consider are health issues (such as heart disease, kidney disease and breed type). Dogs with underlying medical conditions often need to go at a slower pace and go shorter distances. Brachycephalic breeds (i.e. “smoosh-faced”) physically cannot get the same amount of oxygen through their nose/mouth and into their lungs as a dog with normal conformation and are at risk of overheating, fainting or developing significant respiratory problems if they are pushed too hard.

INDIVIDUAL TEMPERAMENT/DRIVE — this may seem a little silly because we’re talking about dogs, right? Don’t they all want to run? Well, actually…No. Some dogs just won’t ever be good running buddies, and that’s okay. Some dogs will be on the other side of the spectrum and will be so devoted to you and the run that they will end up pushing themselves to significant injury. Know your pet and their individual drive and respect that when training.

Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

One of the most common questions we discuss with new dog and cat owners is when to spay or neuter their pet.

Backing up just a bit, the word “neutering” refers to a surgical procedure that renders the animal sterile, both male and female. “Neutering,” however, has come to be associated more with the procedure in male dogs (i.e. castration) rather than female dogs; “spaying,” on the other hand, refers to sterilization by removal of the reproductive tract in female dogs. For our purposes, we will use “neutering” to refer to the procedure in males dogs and “spaying” for female dogs.

Traditionally, most veterinarians in the U.S. have been taught that early spaying and neutering is the best medicine for our canine and feline patients. However, this has recently become a controversial topic in veterinary medicine.

“Early” has typically referred to younger than six months, or pre-puberty, though often dogs and cats are spayed or neutered as young as seven to eight weeks.  The advantage of early sterilization have been touted as:

• Fewer unplanned pregnancies and therefore fewer unwanted and homeless pets. This is a VERY important reason for sterilization.
• Decreased risk of prostatitis (infection or inflammation of the prostate).
• Decreased risk of mammary cancer in female dogs and cats. After the first heat cycle in a female dog, the risk of mammary cancer goes up to 8 percent, after two heat cycles it increases to 26 percent. (Most mammary cancers in cats are malignant and about half of mammary cancers in dogs are malignant.)
• Eliminate risk of uterine, ovarian, vaginal or testicular cancers.
• Eliminate risk of pyometra (a hormonally influenced, severe and often life-threatening uterine infection) in female dogs and cats.
• Decreased risk for perianal adenomas (a benign skin tumor around the anus).
• Less roaming, especially among male dogs. This is specific to an individual’s containment set-up. However, the No. 1 risk factor for a dog to be hit by a car is to be an intact male.
• Improved behavior/less aggression. Spaying or neutering can decrease some behavioral habits or aggressive tendencies, especially when inter-dog related. However, most cases of behavioral and aggression problems are not due to sex hormones.
• Less marking behavior in male dogs and cats. There may be some truth to this, especially with cats, though often marking is a behavior issue in dogs and not dominated by sex hormones.
• Spayed and neutered dogs live longer.

Recently there has been talk among veterinary professionals about whether early spay/neuter is all it’s cracked up to be — and that perhaps there are even some risks associated with the early spay and neuter of dogs (i.e. before sexual maturity and generally considered less than 6 months of age). The potential risks of early spay and neuter include:

• Increased propensity to obesity
• Increased risk of cranial cruciate ligament disease (the dog version of an ACL tear) in large and giant breed dogs.
• Increased risk of hip dysplasia in large and giant breed dogs
  Increased risk of urinary incontinence, especially in female dogs.
• Increased risk of some types of cancer, including:
  • Lymphoma — a cancer of a specific type of white blood cell.
  • Hemangiosarcoma — a highly malignant cancer of blood vessels.
  • Mast cell tumors — a potentially malignant cancer of the skin.
  • Osteosarcoma — a highly malignant cancer of bone.
  • Transitional cell carcinoma — an aggressive cancer of the bladder or urinary tract.

There is little research reviewing the risks of pediatric spay/neuter in cats. However, cats sexually and skeletally mature at a younger age than most dogs which may be why there are few documented concerns with risks of early spay/neuter. Observationally, we see an increase in propensity for male cats to develop urethral obstruction (they can’t pee) if they were neutered well before sexually maturity and have an underdeveloped (small, with a very small urethral opening) penis.

When a pet is sterilized, the sex hormones, such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone, are removed as well. It is well-documented that removal of these hormones slows metabolism, leading to the propensity for obesity. Removal of these hormones is also thought to speed bone growth (the sex hormones have an inhibitory or slowing effect on bone growth and joint development) in young animals, leading to increased cruciate ligament injury and hip dysplasia. The increased risks of some cancers are also thought to be related to lack of these sex hormones, which likely have an inhibitory effect on certain types of cancer.

As you can already see, it’s certainly not a clear-cut decision and population control is a very real and needed thing. Additionally, to further confound things, scientific studies in veterinary medicine are not nearly as robust as those on the human side. We are lucky if there are 200 dogs in a study, and often is it much fewer. Many of the studies looking at the risks were done using purebred large and giant breed dogs — so we have to take all of the results with a grain of salt.

Fortunately, there is a large study in golden retrievers underway, being conducted by the Morris Animal Foundation, looking at more than 2,000 dogs over the course of the lifetime. This should provide us with an abundance of information not only about the benefits and risks of early spaying and neutering, but of spaying and neutering in general.

So, what is the best protocol? The answer depends on the breed/size, sex and species of your pet, and what your intended plans are for your pet. For example, a 20 pounds Shih Zhu, who is not nearly as at risk for CCL injury or hip dysplasia, nor several of the aforementioned cancers, would be a good candidate for neutering between 6 to 9 months of age, or spaying around 6 to 7 months of age. Whereas, a great Dane puppy who may reach 140 pounds or more as an adult and is much more prone to orthopedic issues would be a better candidate for neutering at 12-18 months of age (near or after skeletal maturity) and spaying at 9 to 12 months of age (after the first heat cycle, but before the second).

Additionally, many localities within the state of Virginia have a legal requirements for all pets adopted from shelters/rescue groups be sterilized or a signed agreement for sterilization within a specific time frame.

There is no one protocol that suits each and every pet and owner, so it is important to discuss thoroughly with your veterinarian. We also have to remember that even with all the information we have and are still gathering. So many other individual conditions, environmental factors, dietary factors, genetic predispositions and on and on and on, will influence an individual’s outcomes to a very large degree, and likely much more than the age of sterilization.

Editor’s Note: Healthy Paws is a column sponsored and written by the owners of Clarendon Animal Care, a full-service, general practice veterinary clinic. The clinic is located 3000 10th Street N., Suite B. and can be reached at 703-997-9776.

Have you ever gotten the dreaded email reminder from your pet’s veterinary office that your pet is due for his or her yearly checkup and vaccines, and shuddered at the thought of having to take them into the office, even though you know it’s necessary. Stress not — you are not alone, and there is recent good news on this front.

The Fear Free Initiative was created by Dr. Marty Becker, a well-known small animal veterinarian, in order to reduce fear and stress in pets in the veterinary environment — to “take the ‘pet’ out of petrified.” This program provides educational resources to veterinary team members, emphasizing stress-free handling and calming techniques in order to provide the most positive experience for pets (and their owners too — since it’s stressful to us as owners to see our pets anxious or stressed).

Fear-Free certified professionals have undergone a series of training programs emphasizing calming techniques, low-stress handling, recognition of symptoms of FAS, as they refer to the trifecta of fear, anxiety and stress, and the use of pharmacologic aids when indicated.

Stress can have deleterious physiological effects such as delayed wound healing, increased blood pressure and even hypersensitivity to other stimuli such as pain. Additionally, a fearful, anxious and/or stressed animal is more likely to accidentally injure themselves, their owner or the veterinary team working with them.

Knowing how to read an animal’s body language, and understanding what physical signs of fear or stress look like is important for both pet owners and veterinary staff. Animals who are stressed will often start panting, licking their lips, yawning, turning away or avoiding you, trying to hide or sometimes “freezing,” or becoming very still. Most of these behaviors are quite subtle, and they do not always outwardly seem to be signs of fear, but they are all signs of stress.

The best approach when dealing with a stressed pet in a veterinary hospital setting (as well as a grooming, training or any other type of handling situation) is often to temporarily stop and reevaluate the immediate need for the procedure being done — do we “need” to do this, or just “want” to do this procedure? For example, blood work in a sick patient may be a “need,” whereas a nail trim in a healthy patient is a “want.” In some cases, it’s as simple as giving the patient a minute to relax, or increasing the desirability of the food reward being offered as a distraction; other times, the patient may already be so wound-up with fear, anxiety and/or stress, that no matter what type of gentle handling techniques are employed the procedure will not be able to be safely performed. In these cases, the suggestion may be made to reschedule the visit.

If rescheduling is recommended, it is important to ask ourselves what can be done differently for the next visit. In many cases, a low dose of an anti-anxiety or mild sedative drug given several hours prior to the visit can have a significant effect in relaxing the patient — making the veterinary visit much more relaxed and safe for all involved. Other things that can help ease fear, anxiety and stress include acclimating your dog to the car (preferably with some type of safety restraint), and your cat to the carrier. Any music played in the car should be soothing; and, since our pets pick up very easily on our own emotions, the less rushed and anxious you are the more that will carry over to your pet. There are also calming pheromones (we especially like Feliway for cats, and Dog Appeasing Pheromone for dogs) that can be sprayed on carriers, towels and beds prior to the visit.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, some patient just aren’t able to get to a point where they are calm enough for us to safely work with them. In that case, rather than cause further stress, it is often best to more heavily sedate them (with injectable drugs), enabling us to do an exam, draw blood and perform small procedures without causing a major meltdown. This is safer (and less traumatic) for both the pet, owner and veterinary staff.

Food is an extremely powerful motivator for most dogs, so we try to use it as often as possible in during exams and treatments. If your pet has a known food allergy, be sure to bring their own tasty treats to their appointment, so the staff has something to offer them! Using high value treats like cheese or hot dogs can sometimes help keep their attention better than regular kibble or dry treats. (Our personal favorite are cans of EZ-Cheese, which we keep stocked in every exam room — cats and dogs BOTH love it!) Because treats are such a great distracting and calming agent, we recommend bringing your pet in on an empty or semi-empty stomach.

Lastly, we recommend asking your veterinarian to make notes in your pet’s chart about which handling techniques work best and which treats they like best. And, if you know your pet likes certain veterinary staff, don’t hesitate to request them when you make your appointment!

To find a Fear-Free certified professional near you, click here!

For a refresher on general tips for a successful veterinary visit, check out our previous post from earlier this year, “10 Tips for a Successful Veterinary Visit.”