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)”

Here's to Timothy

Last week, Timothy, a 19 year old cat, quietly passed away at home in his owner’s arms. This call became a new ‘type’ of referral from a general practice hospital, one we cannot claim to ‘specialize’ in but, because we host a pet loss support group here monthly, are none the less honored to try. This time a family was referred to us strictly to provide support for their loss.


Over the course of our phone conversation I learned Timothy lived with a childless couple and littermate, Tabatha, in their modest studio apartment. Timothy and Tabatha were adored by this couple as if they were children. Timothy and Tabatha have their own Christmas tree. Timothy’s ornaments are on the tree this year again; it is a bittersweet remembrance of their loss.

As I tried to recall all I was taught about pet loss support (by the great mentor, Coleen Ellis), Timothy’s owner tearfully reflected intimate moments of joy, comfort, and sadness. As I offered suggestions, I quickly learned some must still rely on public libraries for computer or internet access; if not conservative you can run out of cell phone minutes, thus communication with the outside world; a trip across town is not as easy as jumping in a car and just driving to your destination; and friends to help you through the loss of a beloved pet are hard to come by.

I came to understand Timothy suffered from hyperthyroidism and his last year was difficult. I can make no assumptions about his veterinary care, or his family’s choices for him, even though in this profession we are conditioned to do so. What I do know is that our response to this family’s grief mattered a great deal to them. I was profoundly moved when I was told how much my call helped…a simple little returned call…from a stranger in a world far removed from their own… And then she said, “God bless you and Merry Christmas”.

So here is to Timothy who represents all the modest yet complex relationships that come with pet ownership. Life is not always fair. Some things ‘just are’. When we accept the limitations of science and time, however, and look to the nature of the heart, we discover that our opportunities to ‘make a positive difference’ are endless.

Circle City Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital wishes a very happy holiday season and prosperous new year to all.

NOVEMBER 2010 NEWSLETTER

Click on the link below for Circle City's November Newsletter
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-from-Circle-City-Veterinary-Specialty.html?soid=1102686630422&aid=tlryz9mM7BQ