Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The grain free pet food craze...worth all the hype?


Listen to internet radio with Roger Welton DVM on Blog Talk Radio

Airs Wed November 30, 2011, 9PM EST. Listen to this podcast directly from my show page by CLICKING HERE.

Dear Readers, Viewers, and Listeners:

In the past few years, there has been movement among many pet industry professionals and even a good number of veterinarians to push for the feeding of grain free, preservative free, pet food.  And of course when there is a demand, there will be no shortage of companies happy to fill it...and often charge a rather high premium for this type of food.

The question is, is it really worth it?  Are grains really the root of all canine and feline disease as many proclaim?  In this episode, I breakdown some real benefits of these types of diets, versus claims that are fantastic and not really based in science and medicine.

As always, I invite you to post comments right here at the blog or submit e-mail comments/questions to be addressed by me on the air, by sending them to comments@web-dvm.net.

Thanks as always for caring about what I have to say!

Sincerely,

Roger Welton, DVM

Dr. Roger Welton is the President and chief veterinarian at Maybeck Animal Hospital in West Melbourne Florida, as well as CEO of the veterinary advice and health management website Web-DVM.net.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy, safe, Thanksgiving from Dr. Roger and The Web-DVM!



CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO AT MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Greetings Reader, Viewers and Listeners:

I will not be posting a new YouTube show today, as I have taken some time to spend with family and prepare for the big feast tomorrow.  In its place, please enjoy this repeat posting of our most popular video this season, "The cat who loves babies."  Since it showcases my angelic little baby Scarlett, I am quite pleased to know that it has been our most popular episode in the new season, and I am overjoyed to post it again!

I would like to take the opportunity to wish all of our fans a very special and safe Thanksgiving holiday, and know that one of the things I am most thankful for, is having a fan base that cares about what I have to say...which works out splendidly for me, as I always HAVE ALOT TO SAY!  I also wanted to remind everyone that Thanksgiving presents unique dangers to our pets, that are well summed up in this excerpt from an article from the wonderfully informative website, Petplace.com.  Click here to view the article directly at Petplace:


  • Prevent access to counter tops – some dogs and especially cats will jump up on to counters (cats) or pull thing off counters. This is so tempting to pets with the succulent smells of turkey and food. The hot stove and hot items on counters can cause severe burns. Hot burners can also cause tail and hair to catch on fire.
  • Safely dispose of the turkey string and foil– the string that wraps or ties turkey's legs is often haphazardly placed aside and found and eaten by dogs and cats. The same danger exists with the plastic turkey wrapper. Ingestion of these indigestible items can require life-saving surgery. Place string, aluminum foil, and turkey wrappers in a secure covered trashcan.
  • Take care with the fireplace – many times Thanksgiving is the first of the winter holidays and the first time the fireplace has been used. Take special care that pets stay away from the fire. It is a good idea to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home to ensure all heaters are adequately ventilated.
  • Careful with table scraps and food – some dogs and cats deal well with table scraps and others get stick. Small breed dogs can be especially sensitive and develop a disease called pancreatitis. This is especially true with high fat meals. Don't feed your pet the skins to get rid of them. If you feed anything – offer small amounts of vegetables or meat. Many deserts contain chocolate, which pets don't need. Don't feed your pets chocolate.
  • No Bones – bones can be dangerous to dogs. Don't feed your dog the bones. If you dispose of them in the trash – make sure the trash is secure from your pet.
  • Special care with candles – this is a wonderful occasion to light some beautiful candles. Only do this with the candles are supervised. Never leave the room with a burning candle. Pets can knock them over causing burns or house fires.
  • Beware liquid potpourri – this is another item that is commonly used during the holidays to give the home a wonderful aroma. The liquid potpourri can be very caustic to the gums and throat of ingested. Spray or plug in air fresheners may be a safer alternative.

  • I plan to return next week with a new episode of my podcast, Veterinary advice, animal news and views, when I will be talking about, The grain free, preservative free pet food craze, worth all the hype?  As always, I will also be addressing listener e-mails, which are abundant and passionate to say the least, given our last controversial topic about feline declaw, canine debarking, and other controversial procedures.  Please tune in and keep the e-mails coming.

    Again Happy Thanksgiving and God bless!

    Roger Welton, DVM

    Dr. Roger Welton is the President and chief veterinarian at Maybeck Animal Hospital in West Melbourne Florida, as well as CEO of the veterinary advice and health management website Web-DVM.net.

    Tuesday, November 15, 2011

    Declaw, debarking, tail docking, and ear cropping: justified or procedures that should be banned?


    Listen to internet radio with Roger Welton DVM on Blog Talk Radio

    Airs Wed November 16, 2011, 9PM EST.  Listen to this podcast directly from my show page by CLICKING HERE.

    Dear Readers, Viewers, and Listeners:

    This week, I will be talking about the very controversial and polarizing topics of declaw, debarking, tail docking, and ear dropping procedures.  I plan to present these procedures objectively based on medical and scientific facts, not rhetoric or passionate feelings one way or the other.  Of course, since I am here to offer my opinion, I plan to do that as well, but it does not mean that I expect you to necessarily agree with me.  I am sure this podcast is likely to draw lots of comments and I invite them, either posted here at the blog or sent by e-mail to be addressed on the air in my next podcast.  Your comments are welcome and encouraged, but I ask that despite the intense feelings these topics can conjure up, that you keep your posts civil and respectful. 

    As always, you can submit e-mail comments/questions to be address by me on the air, by sending them to comments@web-dvm.net.

    Thanks as always for caring about what I have to say!

    Sincerely,

    Roger Welton, DVM

    Dr. Roger Welton is the President and chief veterinarian at Maybeck Animal Hospital in West Melbourne Florida, as well as CEO of the veterinary advice and health management website Web-DVM.net.

    Thursday, November 10, 2011

    Say no to extender dog leashes!


    CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO AT MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL


    Transcript from this week's episode of The Web-DVM:



    My report this evening concerns from my view, one of the most abysmal inventions in the history of pet products: the extender leash.  Oddly, too many pet owners do not agree, and much to the dismay of those that have fallen victim to the shortcomings of these leashes, many continue to use them, and for some odd reason, even like them.  For those not familiar with the extender leash, it is a type of leash that has a loaded spring/cartridge handle that allows the leash to be as short as 3 feet, or as long as 15 feet, some even extending to 20 feet.  It can lock in place at whatever length the dog owner wishes it to be.  Sounds convenient, right?  WRONG!


    The first problem we see with this kind of leash, is that once it is extended, if a dog needs to be reeled in for whatever reason, it cannot be.  So here you are, a car or another dog is approaching, perhaps it is cyclist or a small child you do not want your dog to scare or boulder into.  Well good luck with an excited dog with 20 feet of slack you cannot reign in!  What’s more, after the first few feet, the leash narrows from a nylon strap to a thin braided nylon rope, perfect for getting the pet owner, approaching cyclist, other dog, or small child tangled up in and riddled with painful rope burns.


    This is even more fun when the pet owner thinks that the lock mechanism is place, but it is not; or when the dog is about to take off and the pet owner tries to engage the lock too late, the dog is already pulling too hard and it will not lock down, giving the dog 15 – 20 feet of freedom, with a dangerous, taught rope in between.   Yes, this is a most wonderful surprise for all parties involved.

    Just 2 days ago, a client had her Chihuahua in my waiting room on one of these genius devices.  She had forgotten to engage the lock mechanism and her Chihuahua, like many others of her breed that rarely see another dog they do not want to attack, went after a boxer sitting across the room.  The boxer and his owner were minding their own business, boxer kept at bay with a short leash, when along comes an angry Chihuahua bounding across the waiting room poised to attack.  The boxer outweighs the Chihuahua by 60 pounds, so naturally, the Chihuahua’s owner is mortified.  Left with no other recourse, she grabs and pulls on the thin, braided extender portion of the leash, trying to reign in her determined, angry little dog, meanwhile suffering rope burns on her hands.  Another client, an innocent bystander who had simply come in to pick up medication, ended up tangled in the leash as the Chihuahua circled around her, gifting her with rope burns on her legs – it’s shorts weather year round here in Florida.  My waiting room descended into utter chaos.  Luckily for the Chihuahua, the boxer was a gentle soul and despite being provoked, did not retaliate.  Folks, this is not an uncommon consequence of these horrible leashes.


    From a training perspective, a dog walked with one of these leashes, never learns leash manners.  Teaching a dog to walk along with the owner on a short leash at his side, makes the walk pleasant and productive for both dog and owner.  Giving the dog 15-20 feet of slack to take off, jump out into the road, go after squirrels, meanwhile tangling up the owner and other poor souls that may pass by, teaches the dog no walk discipline.
    The vast majority of pet professionals whether on the health care side, grooming, or training, detest these kinds or leashes.  I am sure that I speak for most when I urge all of you to say no to extender leashes. 


    This is Roger Welton reporting, for The Web-DVM.

    Dr. Roger Welton is the President and chief veterinarian at Maybeck Animal Hospital in West Melbourne Florida, as well as CEO of the veterinary advice and health management website Web-DVM.net.

    Wednesday, November 2, 2011

    Cats often overlooked for vet care.


    Listen to internet radio with Roger Welton DVM on Blog Talk Radio

    Listen to this podcast directly from my show page by CLICKING HERE.

    Podcast airs Wednesday, November 2, 2011, 9 PM EST

    Greetings loyal viewers, listeners and readers,

    On this week's podcast, I discuss the interesting dichotomy of cats representing a much larger percentage of household pet ownership, yet are far more often left out in the cold when it comes to receiving regular veterinary care when compared to their canine counterparts.  In fact, felines are 30% less likely to receive regular wellness veterinary care than dogs.  I get into the core reasons for this discrepancy.  You will learn that it is not lack of love, but the result of cat owners' erroneous assumptions and observations that give them a different personal perspective about cats and wellness care as opposed to dogs.

    Plus, as always I will be addressing listener e-mail comments throughout the broadcast, so please tune in, keep the e-mails coming, and thank you as always for caring about what I have to say.

    Sincerely,

    Roger Welton, DVM

    Dr. Roger Welton is the President and chief veterinarian at Maybeck Animal Hospital in West Melbourne Florida, as well as CEO of the veterinary advice and health management website Web-DVM.net.