Top 10 2013 Pet Resolutions; Final Thoughts 2012

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Dear Listeners, Viewers, and Readers,

Thank you for another great year helping me fulfill my dream of bringing my vision and message to pet owners all over the world.  It is beyond amazing to me that what started as a pipe dream to act on my extroverted and opinionated demeanor to start talking and see if anyone would listen - starting with just under 50 listens/views per episode the first year - could lead to attracting an audience of 2000-3000 listeners per episode by BlogTalkRadio podcast/15,000-20,000 views per episode by YouTube webcast and growing each week.  It is such a privilege to talk to you week in and week out.

Tonight will be my last broadcast of 2012, an episode where I will share with you my top ten list of things pet owners should strrive for in their day to day lives with their pets.  This list is based on my experiences and lessons learned throughout the year that may serve to provide insight into how you may better your relationship with your pets, feed and care for them, maximize your mutual enjoyment and companionship, and avert unnecessary injury, illness, and even tragedy.  

Always bear in mind that we "practice" the science and art of veterinary medicine, not master it, because our knowledge is always changing based on insights that research, scientific advances, technology, and personal experience brings us.  We need to always be learning and evolving, and for veterinarians that begin to refuse to evolve or allow themselves to stay in modes of practice and philosophy that are dated and archaic...it is time to hang up the stethoscope, retire, and move on to other pursuits. 

In case you haven't noticed, I am far from that point in my career and look forward to coming to you week in and week out to share what I learn for a long time to come...11 years of practice has gone by like a flash, and I feel like I am just getting started.

Enjoy tonight's episode, have a happy holidays, and may God bless you and your families (furry ones too!).  I'll be with you again in early January 2013!

Sincerely,

Dr. Roger

Top 10 2013 Pet Reslutions:

10.) Increase exercise, curb portions, minimize table foods, and be judicious with treats to prevent OBESITY.

9.)  Keep up with regular wellness visits.

8.)  Avoid discount spay/neuter clinics and SHOT WAGONS.  :(

7.)  Do not get duped by anesthesia free dentistry and the unlicensed charlatans that offer it,

6.)  Resist becoming a "cornphobic."

5.)  Choose your trusted veterinarian - not internet pet forumsm groomers, and breeders - for nutrition advice for your pet.

4.) Engage in regular senior wellness screening starting at 5 years for large to giant breed dogs, 7 years for cats and small/medium dog breeds.

3.)  Give to local rescue organizations: money, volunteering, opening your home to foster care.

2.)  Take dentistry seriously as an integral component to pet health and wellness.

1.)  Carry reputable pet insurance or engage in $50 rule (having a health care account where $50 per pet is faithfully desposited monthly) to be financially prepared for costly unexpected serious injury or illness.

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. 

Disease preventive nutrition

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Dear Listeners, Readers, and Viewers:

Tonight I will be talking about an important - and way overdue - trend in veterinary medicine, disease preventive nutrition.  To segue into this topic, I have made my best effort in recent episodes to dispel myths about certain unsubstantiated notions about diets in pets, that grain free, preservative free, and expensive does not necessarily translate to a well balanced, species appropriate, and life stage appropriate diet (see my Looking for the Right Pet food episode) and that corn is not the root of all disease in dogs and cats (see my Cornphobia episode).   Once pet owners are able to let go of these erroneous but frustratingly prevalent notions about pet nutrition and accept an approach to pet nutrition that is based in intensive scientific research and quantifiable and closely scrutinized feeding trials, then they will be poised to really digest what I have to offer  them in this episode.  To the rest that reject a practicing veterinarian's views on pet nutrition and quantifiable scientific research with strict oversight, in lieu of pet forum fodder and unsubstantiated claims made my people with no animal medical background, there is no amount of convincing I can do to change their minds.  Despite high powered telescopes clearly showing footprints, the lunar rover, and a planted American flag on the Moon, there are still those that insist on believing that the Moon landing was faked.  :(

For those of you ready to feed diets that are geared toward preventing the 5 most common health concerns of dogs and cats, this may be the most important episode of your pets' lives.  So please tune in so that you can be poised to start 2013 by putting your pets on the path of wellness through nutrition. 

Thanks as always for caring about what I have to say. :)

Sincerely,

Roger Welton, DVM 

Episode talking points:

1)   Pet wellness and health all starts with nutrition.
2.)  The Hills Corporation has identified the 5 most prevalent health concerns in dogs and cats, and formulated diets to address these concerns before they arise.
3/)  This new approach to pet nutrition is known as disease preventive nutrition.
4.)  The diet is a veterinary exclusive line of diet called Science Diet Healthy Advantage.
5.)  Healthy Advantage for cats supports optimal health with regard to teeth, immune system, GI, skin and hair coat, and urinary tract.
6.)  Health Advantage for dogs supports optimal health with regard to teeth, immune system, GI, skin and hair coat, and mobility (joint health). 

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.

   

What NOT to give (pet owners) this holiday season

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Dear Readers, Listeners, and Viewers 

The winter holiday season is a great time to give pet enthusiasts a little something special to pamper their beloved pets...but, there are some things you really should steer clear of purchasing stated furry companions, otherwise risk injury, illness, or worse.  I know I may have missed the boat with some of you Black Friday and Cyber Monday crowd, but tonight, I will highlight Dr. Roger's top ten list of pet holiday gift no-nos this holiday season.

 

In addition, we have 2 listener/viewer e-mail comments to address this evening.  If you wish to e-mail your questions/comments to be addressed on the air, you may do so any time at comments@web-dvm.net.  We are also taking live calls, so feel free to call me during the broadcast if you are a live listener/viewer.

 

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.

Post Script

You will note that I did not include talking points in this archive, as I really prefer you watch or listen to this particular episode.  However, I will include my Number 1 WRONG gift to give pet owners or ANYBODY for that matter, since the majority of it got cut off from the video at the end (but not he podcast):

DO NOT GIVE ANYBODY A PET OF ANY KIND AS A GIFT FOR ANY HOLIDAY OR OCCASSION, WITH NO EXCEPTIONS! 

Folks, this is the reason that we see a spike in shelter turn ins this time of year, because people are given pets as gifts that they did not want, are ill prepared for, or simply cannot accomodate.  A pet is not a piece of property to be traded, bartered, passed around, or discarded...it is a living, emotional being that derseves better than to be handed a life a neglect, hardship, or even euthanasia only because some jackass thought it would be cute or fun to bestow it as a gift.

Sorry the last couple of minutes got cut off from teh video...I did not realize I went beyond my 30 minute video limit. :-( 

 

Cornphobia

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Dear Listeners, Viewers and Readers:

 In case you are curious about the title of tonight's episode, please allow me to elaborate.  The definition of Cornphobia (my definition, that is, as you will not find it in Websters Dictionary or Wikipedia) is:

 

The general fear among certain pet owners that the feeding of corn as an integral component to most pet foods is the root of most diseases in dogs and cats.  This assertion in most cases comes, not from a veterinarian, but from correspondence with groomers, breeders, and "homeopathic" gurus either in person or, most commonly, through internet forums.  This notion often takes precedence in the minds of affected pet owners to the opinion of licensed veterinarians, even in circumstances where disease specific nutrition is medically necessary to maintain the health and quality of life of a patient, and stated prescription diet is shunned or even dismissed because it contains corn.
 

You may note that my definition carries a bit of a facetious tone to it because, as you may have guessed my position as a doctor is that, for the lion’s share of pets, cornphobia has no medical relevance and is often engaged in to the detriment of the patient.  This detriment is clearly evident when aforementioned disease specific nutrition is ignored over corn based ingredients, but also from a general standpoint when owners would be willing to choose any diet out there simply because of its lack of corn, not taking into account that the nutrient breakdown may not be species appropriate, and that such diets often do not come with the AFCO, a certification attainable only for diets that meet the minimum standards of pet nutrition and all claims have been substantiated by actual feeding trials. 

 

This all stated, however, it would be wrong to completely dismiss cornphobia, as most urban myths/legends have some root in reality.  As such, I will discuss how cornphobia likely originated, how it so effectively permeated pet owner culture, and how this all realistically pertains to you pets.  So please tune in and feel free to offer your comments/concerns by e-mail or live call in (listener/viewer e-mail address is comments@web-dvm.net).

 

Thanks as always, for caring about what I have to say. J

 

Sincerely,

 

Roger Welton, DVM  

Episode talking points:

1)    There is a growing number of pet owners that feel corn is not good for dogs and cats to eat as a nutrient source that is present in most pet foods. 

2.)    Many pet owners go so far as to link the root of many major diseases in dogs and cats, to the feeding of pet food with corn ingredients.

3.)    Many pet owners will go so far as to dismiss disease specific nutrition because a prescription disease specific diet may have corn in its ingredients.

4.)    The truth is that corn is a very valuable and inexpensive source of nutrients, such as amino acids, beta carotene, B complex vitamins, fiber, and carbohydrates.

5.)    We will be celebrating an upcoming holiday commemorating Native Americans coming to the aid of sick and starving European settlers, by offering them the means to grow and harvest corn, a crop that was the staple of Native American nutrition and a key to their health and ability to feed their people. 

6.)    Bonafide corn allergies do exist in dogs and cats, but they are rare, with corn rating higher than 25 on most food allergy statistics. 

7.)    Many of the corn free diets are not properly nutrient balanced for species and life stages.

8.)    Many corn free diets do not have the AAFCO seal of approval, an organization that provides its seal only by a diet meeting minimum standards of pet nutrition and evidence of label claims being substantiated by actual feeding trials.    

 

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.
 

Don't let your pets suffer from pancreatitis

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Dear Listeners, Viewers, and Readers:

Every holiday season brings with it, unique inherent dangers for our pets.  Tonight, I will be talking about one such danger, a potentially deadly disease known as pancreatitis.

While this is not an uncommon disease to encounter in veterinary practice, the veterinary profession sees a significant spike in these cases every holiday season.

Tune in this evening to find out why this is the case, and what steps you can take to prevent your pets from becoming afflicted with pancreatitis, not only this holiday season, but at any time in their lives.

We also have one e-mail question to address this evening, and let's not forget that in our new live format, we are also taking live calls.  Please direct all e-mail comments/questions to comments@web-dvm.net.  

Thanks for all your support and for caring about what I have to say! :)

Sincerely,

Roger Welton, DVM

Episode talking points:

1) Each year during the holidays, veterinarians will see many more cases of vomiting dogs than normal. These pets are often suffering from a potentially fatal disease called pancreatitis.

2) Pancreatitis is a painful condition caused by inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ responsible for providing digestive enzymes as well as insulin in our pets.

3) Typically, the digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas are stored in an inactive form that is released into the intestines. Once outside of the pancreas, the enzymes are activated and begin the process of breaking down proteins, fats and carbohydrates.

4) For reasons that are not understood, occasionally the enzymes are triggered early and start damaging the pancreas and surrounding tissues. Veterinarians recognize that this can appear suddenly (acute pancreatitis) or develop slowly over time (chronic pancreatitis).

5) The two things to remember about acute pancreatitis are that it commonly occurs around the holidays and that it is VERY painful for the pet. This disease is more often seen in dogs than in cats.

6) Pet lovers often want to share some of the holiday dinner with their four legged friends, but it is believed that the fatty nature of the foods prompts the disease.

7) Pets with pancreatitis will seem to act “off” and then proceed to a painful abdomen. Diarrhea often develops and the hallmark symptom is vomiting.

8) Cats are more often afflicted with chronic pancreatitis. This is a result of long-standing inflammation and leads to irreversible damage.

9) Pets that are obese or who recently consumed a high fat meal are at highest risk for pancreatitis. Many of these pets have eaten greasy turkey, ham trimmings or even the holiday gravy.

10) Pancreatitis can also develop concurrently with other diseases like Cushing’s disease or diabetes or can occur due to some drugs, toxins or bacterial/viral infections.

11) Without treatment, pets may become dehydrated and suffer life-threatening heart arrhythmias or blood clotting issues.

12) Although there is no clear cut sign or test for pancreatitis, veterinarians may perform blood tests and x-rays in order to rule out other problems. Obstruction of the GI tract and kidney or liver disease are possible alternative causes for the clinical signs.

13) Sadly, there is no direct treatment for pancreatitis. The mainstay of treatment is to control pain and other symptoms. The pancreas can heal itself, but it is important that the affected pet avoid any food or water by mouth for several days.

14) Hospitalization is indicated along with IV fluids and other medications. Proper pain control is vital.

15) Some pets seem to get recurring bouts of pancreatitis. This could be due to a predisposition to eating the wrong things, genetic factors or even other concurrent diseases.

16) Pet owners should avoid the temptation to feed the pet from the table, especially leftover turkey or ham. Also, be aware of any changes in your pet’s stance or eating behavior. These could be early signs of pancreatitis.

17) Call your veterinarian immediately if any of these symptoms are noted…it could save your pet’s life!

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.
 

Veterinary Technicians - Trusted Partners in your Pets' Care

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Dear Listeners, Viewers, and Readers:

Tonight, in honor of last week's veterinary technician week, we are showcasing the unsung hero of veterinary medicine, the veterinary technician.  Like their RN human medical counterparts, veterinary technicians are the work-horse of the veterinary hospital, in charge of client communication, administration of treatments, laboratory procedures and diagnostics, rehabilitation, nad much more.  Unlike their RN counterparts, veterinary technicians must be educated and proficient in multiple areas of medicine, including orthopedics, clinical pathology, internal medicine, rehabilitation, radiology, and dentistry...essentially, like the veterinarian that takes on multple areas of expertise, the veterinary technician must also be able to navigate through multiple branches of medicine. 

 

Below are the talking points for tonight's episode.  Remember, we are back to live broadcasting by both video and audio streams, so in addition to e-mailing us (comments@web-dvm.net) questions and comments to be addressed on the air, you may call in live as well.

Thanks for all your support and for caring about what I have to say!

Sincerely,

Roger Welton, DVM

 

 

Episode talking points:
 

1) Veterinary Technicians and veterinary assistants are an essential part of many successful veterinary practices. Their primary goal is to assist the veterinarian to ensure the best possible outcome for each and every patient.

2) In helping the doctor, technicians and assistants are called upon to be a nurse, laboratory technician, radiology technician, anesthetist, surgical nurse, grief counselor, patient comforter and client educator.

3) Veterinary technicians can also be found in research laboratories, educational centers, zoos, the military and pharmaceutical companies.

4) The first Veterinary Technology program was actually started by the Air Force in 1951.

5) A Certified, Licensed or Registered Veterinary Technician has completed a minimum of two years of schooling at one of the more than 160 accredited veterinary technology programs across the United States. A Veterinary Technologist has completed a four year, bachelor’s degree program.

6) In both cases, state veterinary practice acts require take and pass a credentialing examination. This ensures the veterinarian and the public that the student has entry level knowledge of the tasks they will be asked to perform in the hospital.

7) Veterinary assistants are also highly skilled individuals in the veterinary practice. They may receive their training through online courses, high school programs or even through a college certificate program. Many experienced veterinary assistants are simply trained “on the job”.

8) Veterinary technicians can also become specialists in areas such as dentistry, anesthesiology, emergency and critical care, behavior, equine medicine, surgery, nutrition and even internal medicine.

9) Each year, the second week in October is recognized as National Veterinary Technician Week. This week celebrates the commitment that veterinary technicians and assistants give to veterinary medicine and the hard work that they do each and every day.
 

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.

Are our cats plotting against us?

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Dear Listeners, Reader, and Viewers,

I am very excited about this episode, as I will be returning to my live format, BUT, in addition to addressing you live and taking live calls again, we are adding live video streaming to the mix. 

As many of you are aware, I have another YouTube based show called The Web-DVM that was embedded here in addition to my podcast, where I posted scripted video news stories every other week.  As many of you also have correctly observed, I have not done many of those as of late.

The truth is, I really did not enjoy that venue very much...I do not really like reading off of a teleprompter, I am not very good at it, and as many who know me well have observed, nothing of my real personality comes through that style of media.  As a close friend of many years simply and bluntly put it, that show made me come off looking like I was constipated.  :)

At any rate, while I have a great podcast following, I also have a very substantial video following that I must recognize.  Some prefer to listen, while others are more visually stimulated, preferring to see the speaker's body language and expressions to put the words in a better context for them.  With the live streaming, I intend to reach both my podcast fans AND video fans all in one shot, with one broadcast.

For those that prefer to listen or watch by archive (and there are many of you) since you can catch the show at your convenience, that will not change...both video and podcast episodes will still be archived within one hour of wrap for your convenience.  While this blog is the easiest place to catch either or, you may also catch the archived video webcasts and podcasts at BlogTalkRadio.com/RWDVM, and BlogTV.com/People/RWDVM, respectively.

Regarding the topic of this upcoming show, I leave that to your imagination given the cryptic title, so tune in to find out!  

As always, thank you for always caring about what I have to say. :)

Sincerely,

Roger Welton, DVM 

Episode Talking Points:  

1) Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite the can infect almost all mammals and birds. Experts in zoonotic diseases estimate that about 50% of humans worldwide have this parasite.

2) The parasite is considered to be a significant concern because of its zoonotic potential. A recent study that links the presence of toxoplasma to a greater suicide risk in women has alarmed many people.

3) T. gondii has a life cycle that involves two hosts. First, wild and domestic cats are the definitive host, meaning that the parasite reproduces and is shed into the environment only through felines.

4) Cats originally become infected after eating a prey animal already infected with toxoplasma. An interesting note is that the majority of cats will only shed the oocysts (eggs) of the parasite into the environment for a short (8-21 day) period of time.

5) However, cats that are under-nourished, infected with other parasites or under stress can reshed these oocysts at later times. This makes the feral cat population a concern for the spread of this parasite.

6) Other mammals and birds can become infected from ingesting the infective oocysts. The parasite then travel via blood and lymph vessels to other tissues, such as the brain and large muscles. Here, the parasite becomes a cyst and can cause significant health problems for immune-compromised people or pregnant women.

7) Once shed into the environment, the oocysts require about 24 hours to become infective. This is important because daily cleaning of a cat’s litter box along with routine hand washing can greatly reduce any risk of contracting the parasite.

8) Although our domestic cats are often implicated in the transmission of toxoplasma, people can also become infected through eating inadequately washed raw fruits or vegetables, eating raw or undercooked meats and shellfish or even through contamination while working in the garden.

9) The study about female suicide risk did not appear to address how the women may have been infected with toxoplasma, only that antibodies to toxoplasma were present.

10) It should also be noted that many people have antibodies to toxo but don’t have any sort of active disease or suicidal tendencies.

11) The important thing to remember is that although this is a very concerning disease, there are a few simple steps that cat owners can take to minimize the risk.

12) First, keeping cats indoors will greatly decrease the potential for infection. Since cats generally obtain the parasite through their carnivorous activities, indoor cats that don’t hunt are at lower risk.

13) Next, as mentioned above, clean the litter box at least once daily. The oocyst of the parasite requires 24 hours to become infective so a daily scooping of the litter will decrease your risk AND also make your cat happier with a cleaner box!

14) Finally, follow good hygiene practices…wash your hands after handling your cat and/or the litter box and relegate the cleaning duties to someone who is generally healthy. Immuno-compromised individuals (young children, the elderly, pregnant women, etc) will be at higher risk for contracting toxoplasma and develop more severe symptoms.

15) It is NOT necessary to get rid of your cat based on this one study. Ask your veterinarian for more details about toxo and steps you can take to help prevent the disease. He or she is well-trained in understanding zoonotic diseases and will help you understand the risks.

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.

Jerky Treats for Pets Continue to Cause Problems

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Dear Listeners, Reader, and Viewers,

Tonight (9 PM EST), I will be discussing ongoing problems with the ever favorite jerky type meat treats available for pets.  Despite their pupoluarity, since 2007, they continue to be linked to serious pet illness and even cases of death.  I also will be announcing my return to live podcasting with a new twist, so please be certain to tune in and find out what exciting new changes are in store for this new season's shows. 

To offer a bit of background for this episode, please refer to the talking points below.  In addition to this list of talking points for tonight's episode, there are important links available that are relevent to this evening's topic:

1) Pet owners and veterinarians are increasingly concerned about an on-going issue with types of dog treats. Chicken jerky treats have been implicated in severe illnesses and even deaths of some pets.

2) People like these sorts of treats for their pets because of their limited ingredient list and the fact that dogs seem to absolutely love them!

3) From 2007 to date, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received more than 2200 reports of sickness in dogs, including approximately 360 deaths. Although a single brand is not to blame, almost all reports are associated with products that are made in China.

4) Symptoms of illness include: vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Increased water consumption and increased urination are also noted in many cases.
5) Despite many warnings to the public, the treats are still available for sale and pet owners are often unaware of the dangers.

6) These treats are still on store shelves because, despite rigorous testing, a contaminant has not been found. FDA labs have ruled out bacteria, molds, heavy metals and even adulterated ingredients as the problem. Without knowing what is causing the sicknesses, the FDA cannot compel the manufacturers to recall the products.

7) Pet owners are becoming more and more vocal through social media about their concerns. Additionally, several lawsuits have been filed and the US Congress has expressed their interest in finding a resolution to this matter.

8) As with any illness, if your pet is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, please contact your family veterinarian for advice and treatment. They are your best source for factual information and are well-equipped to help make sure that your dog will receive the highest level of medical care.

9) An unfortunate fact in all of this is that many of the reports sent to the FDA are from people who have never taken their pet to the veterinarian. This is not only potentially disastrous for the dog, but also makes it difficult to truly pinpoint the problems.

10) The bottom line is that you should avoid using these treats for your pets. Try substituting carrots, green beans or even pieces of kibble from their normal diet. You can also find recipes for making your own jerky treats online.

11) In addition, veterinarians and pet owners should report any suspect cases to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints..

12) For up to date and accurate pet health information, visit the Veterinary News Network (www.MyVNN.com) and VetNewsOnline (www.VetNewsOnline.com) on Facebook.

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.

The Dangerous, Even Deadly, Consequences of Self Treating Pets

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Dear Listeners, Viewers, and Readers,

Thanks for all of your patience ladies and gentlemen, as it has been 3 weeks since my last podcast.  Other projects have kept me away from the mic, but tonight I am back, and poised to speak to you about this very important topic.

I actually had another topic prepared to discuss this evening, but a recent incident with a canine patient, brought this subject to the forefront, and I must get this off my chest.

We are a little light on the listener e-mail questions with only one this evening, probably because it has been so long since my last podcast.  Please feel free to send me questions or comments to be addressed in the next upcoming episode to comments@web-dvm.net, which I promise, will not be 3 weeks from now! :) 

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.

Looking For The Right Pet Food

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Dear Listeners, Viewers, and Readers,

With all of the new pet foods coming out each and every day, with so many people with (often strong) opinions about which brands are good or bad, how does a dog or cat owner sift through all of the advertisements, advice, and "opinions" about pet food and select the right one for his/her pet? 

Tonight, I define what some of the branding terminology really means, and concrete ways that pet owners may be able to discern which foods are reputable, appropriate for life stage of one's pet (s), and having been tested appropriately and under scrutiny prior to being put out on the pet food market.  In this part of our industry that lacks any real oversight, this is information stands to help you make perhaps the most important decision about your pet's health, and feel confident about your choice of food for your dogs and cats.

I caution you to not be tempted to dismiss my talk tonight, because you may have heard the unfounded and completely untrue notion that veterinarians like me are ignorant with regard to nutritional matters, that somehow the vet schools omit teaching us this most basic determinant of optimal or poor health.  This may be popular rhetoric among Internet pet chat forums, but it could not be further from the truth.  Animal Nutrition comprised an entire semester of first year course work, with a mid term and final examination and everything.  Later in second year physiology and medicine course work, these general nutrition premises are taken a step further with disease specific nutrition. 

So trust me when I tell you, your veterinarian is and always will be the best source of information when it comes to your pets' nutritional needs.  Enjoy the show, and feel free to send me questions or comments to be addressed in the next upcoming episode 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.

Does Spay/Neuter Increase Obesity Risk in Pets?

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Dear Listeners, Readers, and Viewers:

The topic for this evening's podcast  was conceived in response to the common sentiment among pet owners that sterilization procedures (ovarohysterectomy or spay in females dogs and cats; orhiectomy or neuter in male dogs and cats) predispose pets to obesity.  The notion that sterilized dogs and cats tend to have a higher tendency to become obese is not one that pet owners pulled out of thin air, but comes from their own general observations...and their observations are correct.  Statistically, sterilized pets clearly have a tendency to become obese than their unsterilized counterparts.

The question is, is there a direct physiological connection of sterilizing pets to their tendency to become obese, or are there other factors that contribute to this?  For example, for a pet owner to have a pet spayed or neutered pet indicates a certain commitment to pet care, which in turn increases the likelihood of that pet being living a pampered, perhaps overindulgent lifestyle.  How much of a factor may this play if at all?

Like most topics I discuss on the air, the answer is not that simple, however, this topic has actually been heavily studied at the veterinary university level, helping us to gain clear insights into this phenomenon.  Tune in to learn more. :)

We also have 2 listener e-mail questions to address this evening.  I remind you that all are welcome to submit you own questions or comments by e-mailing them to comments@web-dvm.net.  As always, I thank you all 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.
   

The Shot-Wagon: The bottom of the veterinary barrel.

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

Dear Listeners, Viewers, and Readers,

Tonight I will be discussing a troubling trend I have seen spreading in the field of veterinary medicine, a paradigm of wellness veterinary care that has exploded exponentially with the tough economic reality that has gripped our country the past several years: the shot-wagon. Since this is a relatively short topic, I also plan to talk about breed specific legislation and an organized group that is poised to fight against this recent trend that they deem unfair and unsubstantiated. They are still in the process of building their website, but here is their Facebook link, with already 6000 + likes:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/473470059348352/

They are a new group that reached out to me recently. Although this evening I plan to highlight why I am strongly opposed to breed specific legislation, I do not know allot about this group at this point, so I invite you all to draw your own conclusions. I am encouraged to see that there is an organized movement to push back against breed specific legislation, so I certainly hope they turn out to be an effective, yet professional and respectful organization that reflects well on their cause.

There are 2 listener e-mail questions this to address on the air this episode. Please keep the e-mails coming, as listener participation is one of the best parts of the show. Send you questions/comments 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. 

Combating Zoonoses (diseases transmissible to us)

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

Dear Listeners, Viewers, and Readers:


I do some online consultation as part of my rather varied career repertoire - as if I don't have enough to do :) .  A couple of days ago, I was absolutely floored by one particular consultation that involved a man and his dog, both suffering from a parasitic disease that comes from raccoons.  The likely mode of transmission was his dog having sniffed, ate, or otherwise contacted raccoon feces, then through casual contact with his human owner, passed it along to him.  Both are now very sick, and treatment thus far has been frustratingly unsuccessful, which is what prompted him to pursue my online consultation service.


This gentleman's and his dog's experience inspired me to dedicate this episode to deadly zoonosis, a branch of infectious disease medicine that includes diseases that can be transmitted from our pets to us and our families.  Our children, the elderly, and the immune suppressed (e.g., cancer patients, HIV patients, or otherwise immune compromised people), are especially susceptible to some of these very dangerous diseases, so be sure to tune in and learn to prevent these diseases from affecting not only your pets, but your precious human family as well!


Also, we have one listener e-mail questions to address this evening.  We encourage all of our listeners to participate in our program by contributing your questions or comments at comments@web-dvm.net.


Thank you again, 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.

Myths About Our Pets’ Foods

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

Asking someone about their preferences in pet foods can be as polarizing as if you asked about their political affiliation. Many pet owners have very strong opinions and beliefs when it comes to the type of food they choose for their four-legged companions, however, there are a few myths about pet foods or pet food ingredients that need some clarification.

First, a very common assertion in online discussions, and even in veterinary waiting rooms, is that corn is a bad ingredient and our pets cannot digest it. In fact, some people will outright refuse any pet food that contains any corn in the formulation.

But, looking more closely at ingredient labels, pet owners will see that the “corn” present in many pet foods is actually corn meal or even corn gluten meal. These processed ingredients provide a very high quality carbohydrate source and a very digestible source of amino acids. An important fact to remember is that nutrients are the most important part of a pet’s diet, not the specific ingredients!

Despite the numerous myths circulating, corn is no more allergenic that any other protein source and actually has been shown to be less allergenic than beef, soy, wheat and dairy proteins.

The next myth has to do with an unfortunate naming convention. Almost everyone has seen pet food commercials showing paid actors pretending to be disgusted by the pet food ingredient called “meat by products”. Again, the confusion and misunderstandings happen because of what humans have decided to name particular parts of the meat producing animals.

In reality, by-products include highly digestible and nutritious organs, such as the liver and lungs and do NOT include things like hair, horns or hooves, as advertising gimmicks would have you believe.

Finally, many people believe that veterinarians are not instructed in any sort of nutrition basics during their intense schooling. This is actually a big fallacy as almost all veterinarians will have at least a semester devoted to nutrition and many may have completed undergraduate nutrition courses before applying to veterinary school. Continuing education opportunities that discuss nutrition are also popular lectures for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

What you feed your pet will be a decision you make based on a variety of factors. But, don’t fall victim to Internet fads promoted by individuals without scientific training or who will profit when you purchase their brand of food. It’s also important to review a variety of information sources before you reach any conclusion about how good, or bad, a particular ingredient might be.

Whether you choose to use a “grain-free” diet, an “organic” pet food or the cheapest food you can find, it’s important to discuss your pet’s nutrition with your veterinarian. He or she can help you understand what the pet food labels really mean and help you make a sound decision based on the needs of your pet.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.

Walmart and Target are Now in the Pet Medication Business

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

Dear Readers, Listeners, and Viewers,

My podcast this evening focuses the new reality of veterinary medicine, superstore giants have turned their sites on our industry, and not only are they here to stay, they are going to exert more influence and eat up a larger portion of the pet veterinary industry as time goes on. 

Now this has many veterinarians scared, depressed, angry...name your negative emotion.  For pet medication revenue for the past 15-20 years has served to improve the quality of our profession with the ability to afford the best equipment and technology, attract the the best employees, and keep the cost of services much lower than our human medical counterparts.  That ship has now sailed, yet despite that revenue loss, we are still mandated to provide a high level of care and services that our customers are accustom to, keep up with new technology, pay our employees well and offer them benefits, and continue to pay our taxes and other operational costs.  I can see why many a veterinarian may be losing sleep over this.   

This veterinarian, however, is not concerned.  I will explain why I have little concerns about Target, Walmart, and any other big business trying to snare their share of the veterinary industry.  I will also explain why the entry of these corporate giants into this industry may seem good for pet owners on the surface with lower pricing for pet medications, but I will remind you that not all is as peachy as it may seem.  There is no such thing as a free lunch, and this circumstance will be no different.  Be forewarned that there will be negative consequences as a result of this new reality, so tune in to find out!

Also, we have 3 listener e-mail questions to address tonight.  Feel free to submit your questions/comments to be addressed on the air by e-mailing 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.

What Quiet Killer is Stalking Our Cats?

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

Almost everyone knows a friend or acquaintance who is diabetic. What most people may not realize is that diabetes may be present in their own home, possibly in a feline friend. Diabetes is a group of diseases that result from either inadequate insulin production or the inability of cells to respond to this hormone.

The main characteristic of diabetes is the presence of high levels of glucose in the blood…this is known as hyperglycemia. In humans, one type of this disease is known as Type I or insulin-dependent diabetes. This illness results from the body’s immune system destroying the cells that make insulin. This is the predominant form of diabetes in our canine companions and there is no known way to prevent it. Type II, or non-insulin dependent diabetes, accounts for 90-95% of diabetes in people and 85-90% of cases in cats. In this instance, the beta cells of the pancreas that produce insulin either become exhausted or they fail to respond to signals to produce the hormone. The important aspect of this to remember is that it is possible for treatment to lead to a remission of the disease.

Although the true incidence of feline diabetes is not precisely known, estimates for North America show that about 1 in every 200-400 cats develop this disease. What is important to remember is that as our cats have developed a tendency towards obesity, diabetes cases have risen rapidly.

Cats with diabetes often go extended periods of time with no real sign that anything is wrong. When signs do appear, the first indications are a cat who needs to use the litter box more frequently and who is drinking greater amounts of water. Unfortunately, cat owners are not always aware of these signs, especially if their kitty often goes outdoors. This means that many cats aren’t diagnosed for months after the onset of diabetes. Without diagnosis and treatment, diabetes will eventually cause a metabolic condition known as ketoacidosis. This leads to dangerous changes in the blood chemistry, dehydration and eventually, death.

When cats are seen by a veterinarian, this disease is often diagnosed with a simple blood test. Hyperglycemia or any glucose in the urine (glucosuria) is often indicative of diabetes. Unlike diabetic dogs who will be on insulin replacement for the rest of their lives, it is possible to treat cats and allow for remission.

The goal of treatment in cats is to restore the functionality of the beta cells and their ability to produce insulin. In fact, new evidence is now showing that high protein, low carbohydrate diets are instrumental in helping cats defeat diabetes. In short, although your feline friend may need insulin initially, you might be able to reduce or even eliminate this medication as you help the cat lose weight. As with any medical condition, the very best source of information will be your veterinarian. He or she can steer you through the diagnosis and treatment process and then help you with monitoring your pet’s progress and potential recovery.

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.

Everything you need to know about heartworm disease in dogs and cats

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

Airs Friday, June 1, 2012, 9PM EST. Listen to this podcast directly from my show page by CLICKING HERE

Dear Listeners, Viewers, and Readers:

I like to update coverage of heartworm disease at least yearly not only to keep up with current preventive and treatment modalities, but because of so much lack of general knowledge about the disease among pet owners.  Such a common disease in dogs, and rising in cats, it always surprises me how little the average pet owner knows about heartworm disease.  So this evening, I will explain heartworm disease, from transmission to clinical infection, to advanced and end stage disease, to treatment, to prevention.  I will discuss its relevance in both canine and feline species, as well as briefly review the major heartworm prevention options available (there seems to be a new one out on the market every time I turn my head). 

We have 3 excellent listeners e-mail questions to address this evening, and 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.

Thank you as always for caring about what I have to say!

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.