Top 10 Pet Myths

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:

Tonight, I will be revising my top 10 list of canine and feline myths with a different twist…I will put both dog and cat medical myths lumped into one top 10 list.  This will save air time in presenting both species in one episode, but will also allow be to prevent redundancy for myths that both dogs and cats share in common.

My top 10 lists are based on feedback I get from clients and colleagues throughout the year, making each new one unique as it reflects a new year’s misinformation.  There are likely to be some repeats as some myths refuse to die, but there will be several new ones as well.  In order to prepare you for this episode, here are the myths I will be debunking tonight:

1.)    Cancerous tumors in dogs and cats spread faster once they are exposed to air.

2.)    Spay should be delayed until a pet has one or two heats so that they can experience the hormones to develop properly mentally and physically.

3.)    It does not matter where I get my pet spayed or neutered…I mean, it’s just spays and neuters, right?  No big deal.

4.)    It does not matter where I get my pets’ shots…I mean, it’s just shots, right?

5.)    Garlic and brewers yeast are effective flea preventives.

6.)    My dog does not need heartworm preventive because he is primarily an indoor dog.

7.)    Grains are the root of most disease in dogs and cats.

8.)    My dog destroys things out of anger or spite when I leave the home

9.)    My pet will get fat if I spay/neuter him/her because these procedures slow the metabolism. 

10.)                        Human grade omega-3-fatty acid and joint health supplements are okay to use on my pets. 

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.

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.

Nature's Anti-Inflammatory

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

Airs Wed, May 2, 2012, 9PM EST. Listen to this podcast directly from my show page by CLICKING HERE.

Dear Listeners, Readers, and Viewers:


This evening I will be shedding light on an inexpensive, simple nutritional supplement that fights and reduces inflammation everywhere in the body.  Regardless of the tissue, whether gut, brain, skin, or joints, keeping your pet armed with this resource acan slow the onset of, and be an integral part of management of, any number of disease processes whose end result is inflammation.


In my talk I will reveal what this magic substance is, explain how and why it works, and explain the importance of selecting high quality forms of this nutritional supplement, as poor quality versions can actually make our pets sicker.


Plus, I will be addressing three listener e-mail questions, and please don't be shy to send me your e-mail questions/comments to comments@web-dvm.net.


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.

DNA Tests for Pets Help Us Understand Genetic Disease

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

For thousands of years, humans have selectively bred a variety of domesticated animals, creating many different breeds. While these historic breeders were focused on producing the highest quality of wool from sheep or the muscular build of a Rottweiler, they were unaware of other, more destructive traits that were passed on as well.

Genetics is the science of heredity and how specific physical traits are passed from generation to generation in any organism. Serious, life threatening diseases are also often governed by our genes and this holds true for pets and other animals as well.

Take Penny, for instance. She was a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a breed of dog known for excellent cattle herding skills. Sadly, these Corgis are also known for a genetic condition known as Degenerative Myelopathy, or DM. This disease essentially causes damage along the spinal cord, leading to progressively worsening weakness in the rear legs. Eventually, Penny was unable to move her rear legs due to paralysis. She was humanely euthanized after a long life with a family she adored.

DM is not a treatable disease, but scientists have now pinpointed the mutation responsible for this illness. Recent research has shown that only dogs who receive a copy of the mutated gene from both parents will develop the condition. This is known as a “recessive trait”.

Not all genetic diseases are this simple. Some are passed as dominant traits, some are linked to specific physical attributes and still others have multiple genes affecting the eventual outcome. Even the environment can influence the process of the disease or condition.

Dr. Gus Cothran, professor at Texas A & M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine says that genetic testing will continue to prove to be of great value to veterinarians and even pet owners. “Imagine doing blood tests to find animals that are carrying certain mutations that might lead to deleterious conditions or diseases. Now, we can remove these animals from breeding programs before they are bred and help reduce the incidence of some very serious problems in our domesticated animals.”

Tests for degenerative myelopathy in dogs and polycystic kidney disease in cats are just two of the dozens of genetic screenings that are now available. Facilities like Texas A&M’s Animal Genetics Lab and the University of California at Davis’ Veterinary Genetics Lab provide testing for animals ranging from our dogs and cats all the way up to horses, llamas, pigs and cattle.

While these tests may not remove the possibility of genetic disease, they still can be very valuable. Knowing the chance for disease exists can prompt pet owners and veterinarians to start intervention programs, such as swimming or increased exercise in the case of Corgis, which might delay the onset or progression of the condition.

Anyone interested in breeding domestic animals should familiarize themselves with the potential for genetic diseases. Your veterinarian can be very helpful in determining what kind of conditions are considered hereditary and even help you find the resources to test the animals you want to breed.

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.

Why cats should be kept indoors. Is anesthesia free dentistry for real?

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

Airs Wed, May 2, 2012, 9PM EST. Listen to this podcast directly from my show page by CLICKING HERE.

Dear Listeners, Viewers, and Readers: This evening, I will likely be peeving off some cat owners, as I will be discussing why I feel very strongly that cats should not be allowed free roam outside.   Even if you disagree with my stance, please tune in anyway, as everyone at least deserves a listen.  At any rate, after I offer my reasons on the air, if you still disagree with me, you can broadcast your disagreement for many to hear by posting an e-mail comment that I will read on the air next show, or all of you deserve a fair listen as well.   

I also will be delving into a new fad that has garnered some attention, anesthesia free dentistry for dogs and cat.  Can this really be done?  Tune in and find out.

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.

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.