Blog Has New Home

Hello everyone.  My blog has a new look and new location, please click the link below to visit:

 

The Web-DVM TV, RADIO, AND BLOG

Top 10 2013 Pet Resolutions; Final Thoughts 2012

Watch via live or archived streaming video

Listen via live or archived streaming podcast

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

Watch via live or archived streaming video

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

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

Watch via live or archived streaming video

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

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

Watch via live or archived video stream

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

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

Watch via live or archived video stream

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

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

Watch via live video stream

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

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.