The New American Christmas Tradition?



Did someone say presents?

The message in this blog came to us through an email. We have no idea where it began or where it is going, but we like the way this author thinks and thought we would add our own suggestion for those shoppers still looking for great gift ideas this year.  Here is our idea to add to the list:

• How about purchasing gift cards to locally owned full-service family veterinary hospitals? Not only does this help the pet owners on your list, it definitely helps sustain those neighborhood hospitals. This gift can facilitate a life-long relationship with a family veterinarian, which is where the real value lies, making it the best gift for the pets on your list too!

Yes, we really do like this idea of community.  Read this author's thoughts below and happy shopping!

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. 

This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

• Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
• Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
• Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
• Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plunking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
• There are bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
• How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck, or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?
• Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
• My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
• OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
• Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.
• Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy, or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

  

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS can be the new American Christmas tradition.

Winston the Wonder Dog - Miracle or Modern Medicine

Corrie & Dr. Bricker pose with Winston

shortly before he is released to go

home.

That silent communication between dog and owner came into play one Friday evening when Winston’s family brought him in to Circle City’s Emergency Hospital. Early testing revealed nothing dramatic, but intuition drove them and set them on a path where, faith, perseverance, and advanced medical treatment combined to save his life.

Winston was suffering from a septic abdomen, a deadly invasion of bacteria inside his abdominal cavity typically caused by a foreign body or traumatic injury. An ultrasound revealed diseased lymph nodes so emergency surgery to remove the tissue causing the infection was performed, and treatment to clear the infection began. Survival rates for septic abdomens are less than 50% but quick action to rid Winston of the deadly infection gave his doctors and family hope for a speedy recovery.

Winston, however, was plagued with all the complications you don’t want to happen and he spent the next week in critical care with his doctors fighting each new obstacle that came along. Once his biopsies came back it was clear that the underlying cause for his condition was cancer. At the time, veterinary oncologist, Dr. Childress, was available for consultation here and the needed cancer drugs on site so chemotherapy began immediately. Winston turned the corner in short order and was released from the hospital, returning only as an out-patient for continued chemotherapy.

Faced with such an uphill battle, everyone involved would have understood had Winston’s family decided to let him go, but somehow that wondrous non-verbal communion between dog and owner signaled them both to keep trying. Speaking with Winston’s family, and seeing how they interact with him, makes it clear that the human/animal bond enriches our world and encourages a belief in something greater.

Winston Home Again

Call it luck or divine coincidence, it is also clear that without the advanced medical treatment immediately and locally available, Winston’s chance of survival would have been slim to none. Winston was not stable enough to transfer to another facility and could not have survived further delays. He is almost finished with his chemotherapy now and enjoying life with his family for as long as he is meant to. With recent changes in Purdue University’s policy regarding outside consultations by their faculty, however, the opportunity to continue treatment for cancer patients closer to home has been interrupted. Because 15% to 20% of the cases referred into our Emergency & Critical Care Department are diagnosed with some form of cancer, we are committed to once again provide family veterinary hospitals and pet owners accessible options for treatment…and miracles.

Simple Dreams – An Engine of Ideas

Good ideas begin with simple dreams! An anonymous donation from a local Good Samaritan coupled with the creative minds and generous spirits of homegrown experts will be making a huge difference in the health and welfare of companion animals in Indianapolis! Our hats are off to Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, Elanco Companion Health, and several local, privately held, veterinary practices in Indianapolis! The creation, implementation, and participation in the Good Samaritan Endowment Program will help provide financial assistance for families who have been unable to afford good, thorough, veterinary care for their pets.


Purdue University’s Announcement Article talks about the “win-win” for all local participants and we couldn’t agree more! Numerous outside marketing messages minimize the ‘value’ of the family veterinarian, forcing this profession to compete as a ‘commodity’. There is an old, and scary, political maneuver that states if you tell the public a lie long enough, they will believe it. We hope this new program will bring back awareness and encourage pet owners to seek care for their pets in full-service general practices. In doing so, pet owners may once again see the advantages of developing that life-long bond with a family veterinarian who knows and values their pet beyond the quick examination and assembly line vaccinations.

We look forward to seeing this program in action!

Walking With Sunshine



"Now what?"

 Watching this one year old and hearing her story makes the heart want to sing, “I’m walking with Sunshine…” Bulldogs already risk potential health challenges but this little girl seemed to be cursed with more than her fair share. Sunshine’s first few weeks of life hold a dark history, but things began to turn around the minute Betty met her and saw a gentle, worthy soul, behind those physical handicaps.




"For me?"

 Life was not easy for Sunshine even then. After months of intervention and several surgeries Sunshine was still unable to walk more than a few painful feet at a time. Most would have understood had Betty chosen to stop there. Some might even have considered it merciful to end Sunshine’s ‘suffering’. Something told Betty to keep trying, however, and that is where Circle City’s Veterinary Specialists come in. Kate Fitzwater, DVM, MS, DACVS, and Bobby Werbe, CCRP, began seeing Sunshine.  Determining that Sunshine would most likely be unable to walk any distance without assistance, they custom fit a wheelchair just for her!



"Look at me now!"

 The old saying, “Pictures are worth a thousand words”, rings true here. Look closely. Sunshine’s expression before her fitting clearly shows anxiety and hesitation, perfectly understandable after all she has been through. Once fitted comfortably in her wheelchair, however, her demeanor changes.  In the video below watch Sunshine experience what it is like to really walk for the first time in her life!

As of the publishing of this blog, Sunshine is active and happy, and can even walk longer distances without her wheelchair. 

 ”…oh yeah, and don’t it feel good!”

"BB's" Battle - They thought he was safe...

"BB" after his surgery

“BB’s” owners thought he was safe when they let him outside one night. No one had reason to suspect danger was lurking in the familiar shadows of their own back yard. That night quickly became a life and death struggle for “BB” and turned into days of anguish for his family when this tiny terrier was savagely attached by a coyote!  “BB’s” owners ran out to find him bleeding, in shock, and struggling to breath. They knew he was gravely injured and rushed him to our emergency hospital where he was stabilized and placed in an oxygen unit. Their quick action along with highly skilled emergency personnel and advanced equipment gave “BB” and his family a chance for hope.

It was soon understood, however, that “BB’s” battle was far from over when his radiographs revealed massive internal injuries. Dr. Fitzwater, our boarded veterinary surgeon, was called in and when she took him into surgery she discovered even more damage. The force of the attack had torn “BB’s” abdominal wall and his diaphragm so severely that his organs had herniated under his skin and into his chest cavity! Other nasty bites put his right kidney in jeopardy and pulled his skin, from head to tail, completely away from the connecting tissue and muscle!

 

"BB" 5 months after his attack

That coyote meant to kill “BB” and it almost succeeded, but with the necessary training and expertise for just this kind of scenario, Dr. Fitzwater put “BB” back together again. With supportive care around the clock for the next five days, “BB” improved and was released to his family. After several follow up visits, he was given the ‘all clear’ and today he is back to normal, enjoying the good life. 

“BB’s” coyote attack is not rare. Many cats and dogs have been attacked, and often killed, by wildlife in their own backyard. Coyotes are prominent throughout Indiana and not only in rural areas. Below are some tips posted by the DNR that may help discourage them from visiting your neighborhood.

• Feed pets indoors whenever possible; pick up leftovers if feeding outdoors and store pet and livestock feed where it’s inaccessible to wildlife
• Eliminate water bowls and other artificial water sources (if possible).
• Position bird feeders in a location that is less likely to attract small animals or bring the feeders in at night (to keep coyotes from feeding on the bird food or the other animals).
• Do not discard edible garbage where coyotes can get to it. Secure garbage containers
• Trim and clean shrubbery near ground level to reduce hiding cover for coyotes or their prey
• Do not allow pets to run free and provide secure nighttime housing for them
• If you start seeing coyotes around your home, discourage them by shouting, making loud noises or throwing rocks but NEVER corner a coyote – always give the coyote a free escape route.



What May Feel Sultry to Us Can Be Deadly to Them



Lincoln

Meet Lincoln. Typically Lincoln is a happy-go-lucky fellow who loves life and everybody in it! This picture depicts another side to Lincoln’s life, however, and reminds us that these hot summer months bring with it very real and scary risks for our pets. Lincoln first came to our emergency hospital last summer after overheating while boarding. He was just being himself, but his excitement, the heat, and the fact he is brachycephalic, (short-nosed), quickly put him in a life threatening state.



Truman

Lincoln, Truman (also pictured), Boxers, Boston Terriers, and Pugs are some of the breeds with a higher risk of overheating. Their skull bones are shortened in length, but their soft tissue structures are not proportionately reduced, resulting in narrowed air passages and a challenge to breath. This challenge jumps to critical when they cannot get sufficient air to help them stay cool. When an animal suffers from hyperthermia, heat stroke or exhaustion is a risk and there is little time before serious damage, or even death, can occur. It is important to remember that heat stroke can even occur on a mild day!

This summer when Lincoln came into our emergency hospital with heat exhaustion, he had been at home…and inside the house! True to his nature he was playing and having a great time until his respiration became stressed. Soon he fell into a vicious cycle – the harder he worked to breath, the hotter he became – the hotter he became, the harder it was for him to breath. With supportive medical care, Lincoln recovered again, but his family wanted to lower his risk of repeated episodes and elected to have surgery. Lincoln had his nares (front part of his nose) opened up a little wider, his soft palate resected (shortened) and his laryngeal saccules (fine membrane in the larynx) removed. This gave him more room for air to pass so he can better control his body temperature.

Lincoln and his fellow short-nosed breeds need special consideration during the summer, but all of our pets can suffer hyperthermia. Avoid any type of outdoor exercise on a hot day and make sure pets have access to ample fresh, cool water and shade. Never leave your pet alone in a car on a warm day, regardless of whether or not the windows are open. Signs of heat stroke include: panting or difficulty breathing, dark red and dry gums, thick saliva with excessive drool, disorientation, lying down with an unwillingness to rise, collapse, seizures, elevated rectal temperature, and increased heart rate.

If you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, remove him/her from the source of the heat and place him/her in front of a fan or in air conditioning, contact your veterinarian and make plans for transport immediately. You can begin cooling your pet with luke warm to cool wet rags, concentrating your cooling efforts on the head and feet. DO NOT use ice or cold water – extreme cold will cause blood vessels in the skin to constrict, preventing the body’s core from cooling. Cooling measures will be continued at the veterinary clinic where IV fluids, oxygen therapy and testing will be performed. A long hospital stay with repeat testing to check organ function is often necessary.

COURAGE DOESN'T ALWAYS ROAR...

We are pleased to announce that Bobbie Werbe, RVT, BS, CCRP, CERP joined our Surgery and Physical Rehabilitation Departments this month and brings with her just about as much knowledge and expertise as you can get in this field! The list of credentials behind Bobbie’s name gives you a good sense of her dedication to the world of veterinary physical rehabilitation!

Bobbie received her BS in Veterinary Technology from Purdue University and went on to become a ‘Certified Practitioner’ in both Canine and Equine Rehabilitation at the University of Tennessee. She is also pursuing a Vet-Stem Certification, is a published author, and has traveled the country to participate in symposiums on veterinary rehabilitation and physical therapy. What motivates Bobbie to achieve this level of proficiency? Could it be a little ten pound Dachshund named Billie?

Bobbie’s interest in rehabilitation began when, as a competitive runner, she injured her ankle and was told her running days were all but over. That challenge, combined with her love for animals, paved her way to explore and contribute to this emerging veterinary specialty.

She and Billie crossed paths in 2006 after Billie suffered a herniated disc, leaving her paralyzed and without a place to call home. Two weeks after Billie’s surgery, she was fitted with a wheel chair and Bobbie began rehabilitation with her twice a day, every day. Although there are no set rules for how long it takes a patient to regain mobility, Billie’s condition was not showing significant signs of improvement. Bobbie did not give up on her, however, and began taking daily activities and developing them into therapeutic exercises. Bobbie credits Billie, saying it was her little dog’s brave heart that motivated them both to continue. A year later, Billie took her first independent steps and went on to become a certified therapy dog through HABIT (Human Animal Bond Initiative in Tennessee). In 2009 she suffered a second herniated disc. This time Bobbie began rehabilitation just twelve hours after surgery and within three days, Billie was back in the underwater treadmill and walking on her own! Soon she and Bobbie were again visiting hospitals and bringing hope to others.

Today Bobbie is still a competitive runner and she and Billie share their home with a second rescued Dachshund named Winnie. She intends to enlist both the ‘girls’ in a pet visitation and therapy program here in Indiana once they have settled in. Bobbie admits she has ‘fallen’ for this breed, admiring their tenacity and courageous spirit. Hmmmmm…might this describe Bobbie as well?

...SOMETIMES COURAGE IS THAT QUIET VOICE AT THE END OF THE DAY SAYING, "I WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW".

Clinical Trials Prove Beneficial to Suffering Patients

A series of Pfizer clinical trials conducted in Circle City’s Dermatology Department have benefited several patients who otherwise would have little choice but to suffer through chronic pruritus (itching) and infection caused by allergic skin disease (atopic dermatitis). Pictured here is “Cal”, a patient and participant in this detailed 3-part trial that concluded recently. Cal is one of the select few who have been approved by Pfizer and the FDA to continue use of this experimental drug under ‘compassionate care’ guidelines. Many patients were involved in these trials and responded positively. Cal has been given special permission to stay on the drug while it continues through the FDA approval process because he failed to show adequate response to other conventional forms of treatment. If Cal was not allowed to stay on this experimental medication, he would most likely revert back to his suffering with little hope of success. Cal’s owners, Christy and Michael, are relieved that he has been approved for compassionate use of the test article. Christy stated Cal was, “…running out of options. Since he has been on this medication his hair has returned, he is back to his old self, and leading a normal life again.” Sixteen patients who participated in this trial have preliminary approval from the FDA to continue under a compassionate care agreement. Three are currently enrolled and the rest are in the final stages of this rigorous application process.

Circle City’s practice owner and head of the Dermatology Department, Terry Grieshaber, DVM, Diplomate, ACVD, has been involved with this clinical trial since the beginning. Pfizer’s site monitoring and compliance leaders have recognized Dr. Grieshaber and his support staff for their attention to detail, compliance with study guidelines, and professional standards and have utilized Circle City as a training site for their team members. Because of this success, Pfizer has asked them to participate in additional trials evaluating new alternative modalities for the treatment of Atopic Dermatitis.

A 4th ‘discovery’ trial is now in the process of closing and a completely new trial is tentatively scheduled to begin in June. The details of this 5th trial remain sketchy; however Dr. Grieshaber has been advised that training for his team should occur in the middle of May. Details will be provided as they become available. As with previous trials, clients will be compensated for their participation. Interested parties should call Circle City’s office and ask to speak with Shawna Zeilstra.

FDA Warns Pet Owners about Xylitol

On a regular basis we see dogs in our Emergency Room that have found or been given what looks and smells like a wonderful goodie, but can be a serious health threat to them. We are pleased to pass along the recent Food and Drug Administration's warning to pet owners about the risks from accidental consumption of xylitol by dogs and ferrets.

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener found in many sugar-free candies, oral hygiene products, and chewing gum. It is also found in many over-the-counter drugs like chewable vitamins and throat lozenges. In addition, Xylitol is now available in packaging for home baking.

Although perfectly safe for humans, xylitol can be very harmful to dogs and ferrets, causing a sudden drop in blood sugar, seizures, and liver failure. Symptoms such as depression, loss of coordination, or vomiting can occur quickly or appear several days later.

Keep all items not meant for your dog or ferret in an area where curious critters have no access, read all labels carefully, and if you suspect one of them has ingested xylitol, contact us or your family veterinarian immediately.

Canine Rehabilitation – We are back up and running!

Rehabilitation has increased in popularity in the veterinary world over the past 10 years. The goal of rehabilitation is to restore, maintain and promote optimal function, fitness, wellness, and quality of life to the patient. The potential candidates for rehabilitation are numerous and include: pre-surgical conditioning, post-surgical orthopedic patients (femoral head and neck ostectomy, lateral suture, TPLO, fractures, etc.), post-surgical neurologic patients (hemilaminectomy, ventral slot, etc.), non-surgical neurologic patients (FCE, degenerative myelopathy, etc.), chronic osteoarthritic or soft tissue injury patients, athletic patients for conditioning and also overweight patients. It is important  prior to starting a patient in rehabilitation that they have an accurate diagnosis and complete physical, including both orthopedic and neurologic examinations.

We are pleased to announce Dr. Kate Fitzwater, our surgeon, has taken over the head role for rehabilitation at Circle City Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital.  She was involved with an intensive rehabilitation program both at North Carolina State University and Ohio State University during her surgical training. New initial appointments, which are 2 hours long, are now available on Monday and Wednesday afternoons.   One hour long conditioning appointments are also available on those same days.   

Rehabilitation modalities we currently offer include:

• Complete physical examination including orthopedic and neurologic evaluations
• Massage
• Moist heat
• Cryotherapy
• Stretching
• Balance training
• Endurance training
• Underwater treadmill therapy
• Underwater jet massage therapy

If you have any questions or have a case/pet you would like to discuss with Dr. Fitzwater, please feel free to make an appointment or you can email her at kfitzwater@circlecityvets.com.

Do We REALLY Have to Sedate for This Procedure?

Many pet owners express concern when their pet faces sedation or anesthesia for a medical procedure. The primary reason animals require sedation is the need to remain absolutely still while the procedure is being performed. Movement at the wrong time can cause harm to the patient and prevent successful completion of the procedure.

Physical restraint of patients causes fear and anxiety. Animals don’t understand it is for their own good. What they see is that their owners have handed them over to strangers who are causing them more pain and discomfort! Sedation helps control this anxiety so they can relax and the doctor can perform a more thorough exam. It is also important to understand that when animals are painful, it is a normal, “Survival of the fittest”, behavior to hide what hurts. That natural instinct can make it more difficult to diagnose the true problem. Pain medications are part of almost every sedation protocol. This allows the doctor to do the necessary exam without causing further pain.

When sedation or anesthesia is in order, our veterinarians take every precaution to make sure a procedure is completed as safely as possible. Most drugs are broken down and excreted by the liver and kidneys. Blood work before sedation or anesthesia helps identify any problems with these organs and the drug protocol can be modified to account for any abnormalities.

Once a pet is sedated or anesthetized he or she is monitored continuously by one or more highly trained technicians. Monitoring equipment usually includes continuous ECG, blood pressure, temperature, oxygen, and carbon dioxide levels. Even when the procedure is over, someone is watching over the patient until he/she is fully recovered from the effects of the sedation or anesthesia.

Procedures that usually require sedation: radiographs, orthopedic examination, oral examination, minor laceration repair, minor wound care, arthrocentesis (joint taps), skin biopsies, intradermal skin test for allergies, ultrasounds, and some bandage changes.

Procedures that require general anesthesia: invasive or painful procedures like extensive wound debridement, oral surgery (dental extractions, root canals, and dental radiographs), tumor removal, orthopedic surgeries (fractured bones, stifle/knee surgery), and exploratory surgeries

Sedation or anesthesia is recommended to help facilitate the best care possible for your pet. We want both you and your pet to have a positive experience while in our care, which includes controlling pain, discomfort, and anxiety in our patients. Every doctor at Circle City Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Hospital is happy to talk with you about the benefits and risk of anesthesia before a procedure is performed. Please do not hesitate to ask.

Promising Clinical Trials Continue at Circle City Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital

In 2009 and 2010 our Veterinary Dermatology Department, under the leadership of Dr. Terry Grieshaber, DACVD, participated in three clinical trials to evaluate a new compound, developed by Pfizer, to treat Atopic dermatitis in the dog. These trials were conducted nation wide with Circle City among those clinics that enrolled the highest number of evaluable cases in each trial.


We are flattered to announce that Pfizer has once again invited Dr. Grieshaber and Circle City’s Dermatology Team to participate in two additional clinical trials in 2011. These trials are designed to evaluate two additional new drugs that again were developed to treat Atopic dermatitis in the dog.

Training for the first of these two trials will begin the end of January. Although we currently have scant details about what these trials will entail, based on previous experience, requirements will likely include that Atopic dermatitis has been confirmed by history and/or allergy testing and that dietary allergies have either been ruled out or controlled. In previous trials those clients who participated were generously compensated.

Please keep this option in mind as you see your Atopic patients and perhaps develop a list of clients that may be interested. Additional information will be provided as we receive it.

Humble Heros...

January 5, 2011

Bas and his handler came to see our Boarded Veterinary Dentist and Oral Surgeon, Dr. Matt Lemmons, a while back. Bas, a police dog, had several fractured teeth and his handler wanted to keep Bas on the force. With permission from Officer Sam, we are sharing a note he wrote to Dr. Lemmons (below) regarding Bas’ celebrated return to active service.

We are always touched by the gratitude we receive from pet owners and rejoice with them when the animal they cherish can once again experience ‘the good life’. With Sam and Bas, living ‘the good life’ means they are risking their lives every day to keep us safe!

So…Officers Sam and Bas, we thank you for the great honor of serving two very special local heroes…

December 23, 2010

“Dr. Lemmons,

I hope that this email finds you well and having a good holiday. I just wanted to thank you again almost a year and a half after Bas' surgeries. The quality of your work has never stopped amazing me.


We have had a great year. We have participated in some amazing training throughout the year including one where I got over my fear of putting Bas back on the bite suit. I had trainers from all over the country telling me how great Bas is and I have you to thank for keeping him in service.


I remember being so scared that I would be forced to retire him but now we are going strong. As recently as last weekend we had two patrol bite apprehensions on shift and all of his teeth/your work was intact. My K-9 supervisor claims that Bas is one of the best dogs that he has ever seen and again, all of it would not be possible if it weren't for you and the dedicated care Bas received while he was with you and your staff.


I couldn't see myself with any other dog than Bas. He is my partner, friend, and brother knight in arms. Perhaps someday I will be able to fully thank you for what you did for us.


I hope you and your family have a great holiday season.


Take care,
Sam and Bas


(He told me to send the photos-he was proud)”