Cats at Home in Caledon and Vaughan

As a companion animal veterinarian, I see a wide variety of pets, but mostly I look after dogs and cats.  Some dogs are nervous in a clinic setting but it is also not uncommon for them to be very happy to go to a clinic to see the veterinarian.  On the other hand, it is very rare to meet a cat who is happy to be at the vet’s office.  Many dogs are used to trips in the car and to experiencing new situations.  Cats, however, often spend all of their time in a small area and many never leave the house, except of course to visit the veterinarian.  


Now, I don’t know about you, but if I never left the house except to go somewhere where there are all kinds of unusual odours, barking dogs, other animals and someone was likely to stick me with a needle I don’t think that I would like the car or that silly carrier thing either.  No wonder people sometimes need to reschedule their appointments because they can’t get their cat in the carrier.  I have often thought that it must be terrifying for most cats.  It is not unusual for people to tell me that their cat has a totally different personality at home.  

Since I have started this house call business I have noted that this is definitely true.  I’m not going to lie and tell you that all of the cats I have seen in their own homes are totally stress free and happy to see me 100% of the time.  Some are though, and I have to say that I have never seen some of these feline patients so relaxed.  They will often purr and roll over for me to rub their bellies during an examination.  This would be extremely rare in the clinic setting.  

There are others however, who are still nervous.  They don’t like strangers and especially strangers who come specifically to see them.  My greatest reward comes with these cats.  Despite their stress, I have still managed to get them to come back to me after their exams are done and many will even take a treat!  When I worked in a clinic setting I had stopped trying to give treats to cats, because it was so rare that they would take them so it is definitely nice to see the cats willing to accept a peace offering from me before I go.  

"Lasagna Cat" resting comfortably.

I am so glad that I have been able to observe these pets in their natural environments and that they are less stressed being in their own homes.  I look forward to many more happy feline visits.  

Moving On

This week I have had the pleasure of visiting some older pets, whom I have known since they were babies.  I remember how small they were and how fast they grew.  I have been a part of their lives for about as long as their owners have.  I enjoy seeing these pets and watching the changes they make through life.  I love it when they are happy to see me and sit expectantly for the treat I invariably have in my pocket.  I like to think that they would still love me despite the treats however.   

I know which medications these pets are on and which ailments they have had through out their lives.  One such pet has “white coat anxiety” but is still happy to see me.  I believe that he realizes that I might have to give him a needle or some other such thing, but he trusts that I won’t really hurt him.  He still bounds to the door when I come by and  doesn’t leave my side the whole time.  Being in his own home has also helped to decrease his anxiety and he is happy to welcome me, while he begs for hugs.  I have been there through each of the ailments he has had since a puppy and I know which medications he is on long term, as well as periodically.  Together, with his owners we have worked through the years to keep him as healthy as possible.  

Since I have started my own business I am afraid that I will not get to see as many of these patients.  I am not allowed to tell my old clients that I am working on my own now and so most don’t know where I am.  It breaks my heart because I really have watched these patients grow.  Despite any efforts not to, I have become attached to each of them.  You see, I love my job. I love the science and the mystery of medicine; I love the technical advancements which have made my job both more complicated and more efficient.  I love making pets healthier and clients more educated about their pets, but most of all I love the relationships I have formed over the years.  I love watching that puppy or kitten grow into a lanky juvenile and then into a confident adult pet, and although I hate to see them get old, I have always been glad that I have been there for them through the bad times as well.  

Now, I am starting over.  There will be new puppies and kittens and I will walk through the stages of their lives with them and I will be more than happy to do so.  In fact, I can’t wait.  But part of me is a little sad that I may never see some of those very special pets with whom I have built relationships with over the past years.  

Facing Fears

As excited as I am about starting this new adventure and working as a house call veterinarian, I have to admit that I also experienced some trepidation.  Along with the usual apprehension that comes with opening a new business I was also concerned that people might not call, that they might not accept me into their homes or perhaps they wouldn't understand how the whole at home veterinary experience would work.  Among those fears was also the “Fear of the Aggressive Dog”.   For the most part, dogs are good and kind and happy to see me, even in a clinic environment.   There is however, that subpopulation which really would rather have nothing to do with me, or maybe even eat me if they could.  How am I to handle these dogs on my own, on their turf?  In a clinic setting we sometimes have to have all hands on deck just to look at some of these dogs.  

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Today I had to face that fear.  Last week I received a call to see a dog, lets call him “Thor”, whom I had never met before.  The owner was unable to make it to his regular clinic and needed someone to come to him.  I was happy to help out.  I scheduled an appointment and phoned the regular clinic for any previous records.  The records came in and in each entry I noted that the dog was becoming more and more aggressive.   I read the words “lunge”, “sedate”.  Yikes!!!  My heart started pounding.  How could this possibly turn out good?  Still I decided to keep a positive attitude and ensured that I was  as prepared as possible to meet Thor and his family.  

When I entered the house, Thor was not there but when he did come to me, all 110lbs of him, his hackles were raised and he didn’t seem impressed.   I offered him treats and gradually he became my best friend.  He hopped onto my scale and sat like a statue.  He asked me to rub his ears and co-operated for a full examination.  He complained a little for a needle and needed restraint to trim his nails but once that was finished we were friends again.  Even when I ran out of treats he still stayed by my side and allowed me to pet him, without the slightest sign of dominance or aggression.  

I realize that not all my aggressive dog encounters will end so well, but for now I am happy to say that this one did.  I think that Thor and I both gained a little bit of confidence today!  

A New Venture in Caledon and Vaughan

Last week I opened my own practice.  Not a contemporary practice but rather, a mobile one.  A practice in the homes of my patients.  Caledon-Vaughan Veterinary House Call Services

I have been on a journey for the past 2 years which has finally led me to this spot.  I have always loved what I do.  I love the pets and the people I interact with everyday.  I enjoy the relationships I have built over the years and it always amazes me how strong these relationships can become when the human-animal bond plays a role.  I feel that this bond is so important in our society and I have made it my life's work to nurture this bond and keep it strong.  There is nothing else I would rather do as a career.

I have been practicing veterinary medicine for over 15 years now and it has been a very rewarding and fulfilling experience, but the past 2 years have seen a lot of changes for me and to tell the truth I felt a little lost.  I have been working relief work, and although I really enjoyed it, the relationships just weren't the same.  Although I was able to set the building blocks for relationships in an appointment or two, I didn't really get to know each patient and owner.  I liked the flexibility  and the newness of this type of work but something was missing.  I was missing the relationships I had built over so many years.  I missed watching puppies and kittens grow into adults and even further into their twilight and senior years.  That is where the magic really is in veterinary medicine.  

The more I know about a particular pet, the better able I am to help it.  Yes, that includes what type of food it eats and how often but it also includes things like the environment in the home.  How many other pets are there; how many kids and what are their ages?  What type of work do the pets parents do and how long is she/he home alone?  How much space does the pet have; how much exercise and where?   Of course I can ask these questions but it's not the same as living in the same community and really knowing the pets and people around me.  

I decided that this is how I wanted to practice again.  I wanted to be in my own community, I wanted to follow cases through and I wanted to do it in my own way.   I worked hard over the past few weeks to prepare everything and last week I opened my doors, so to speak.  I have started seeing patients in their own homes and I love it!  I have never seen pets so happy to see me and if I give them a treat, they are even more excited.  They didn't have to go on a scary car ride.  They didn't have to leave their homes where they are most comfortable and most themselves and there aren't any odours which are strange to them.  They are most themselves when I see them at home.  

Of course I can't do everything at the home.  I will not be able to perform surgery, x-rays or hospitalization, but I am working closely with a full-service hospital where I will be able to refer and transport my patients should it be necessary.  

It has only been a week but I see the beginning of a beautiful thing and can not wait for the weeks, and years to come.  I am looking forward to keeping pets at home and building relationships in their own environments.  

Pets are for a lifetime; Not for gifts

As the holidays approach, the streets are full of hustle and bustle, as everyone searches for the perfect gifts to give their loved ones.   Sometimes it can be so difficult to find that unique gift;  the one you know will be treasured for a lifetime.  Sometimes you think that you've found it, the perfect one, but it can end up being oh, so totally wrong.  Come on, you’ve all been there.  You’ve opened a much anticipated gift, ready to be wowed.  Then you open the package, and your only thought is: “What were they thinking?”   Well, this can be the case if you are thinking about giving a pet as a gift.  I want to remind everyone that this is NOT a good idea.  Pets are a commitment for their entire life and purchasing or adopting a pet as a gift can often lead to heart break.  I have seen many well intentioned people adopt pets for someone who wasn’t ready for a pet.  Pets are a lot of work.  They need to be cared for and loved.  They all need to be fed, and cleaned up after, many need to be groomed and exercised and of course they need your time and love.  The decision to get a pet is one that requires a great deal of thought and consideration.  It shouldn’t be a decision made for someone else, such as your parents, an aunt or a friend.  I have seen too many pets abandoned or looking for new homes after the holidays in cases such as this.

Even if you have given pet ownership a great deal of thought, it is still not a good idea to give a pet as a gift.  Maybe you have been considering a family pet and you think that giving a pet to your child(ren) would make the perfect holiday or birthday gift.  You have researched the right type of pet for your family and your lifestyle; you know exactly what you want and you are prepared to make the commitment.  You think that your family would be thrilled to receive a pet as a gift.  This might be true but it can be extremely stressful for the new addition.  At the best and most calm times it is stressful for a pet to come into a family.  They are introduced to a new environment with new people and a new routine, all while becoming the center of attention.  They have left behind the people and other animals they have become attached to.  For young pets these have been the only other living beings they have ever known.  All of these things can result in a great deal of stress.  It is not unusual for us to see physiological signs of this stress in pets as they settle into a new home.  Now imagine adding the excitement and stress of the holidays to all of these other stressors and you can see why the holidays are not the best time to add a new pet to your family.  There are also many hazards that are unique to the holidays and introducing a new pet at this time can make them more vulnerable.  (For a full length webinar see Keeping the Holidays Merry:  Common hazards to avoid with your pet over the holidays). 

If you have decided that your family is ready for a new pet, it is better to adopt your pet well prior to the holidays or to wait until the excitement has diminished and the house has been cleaned up.  You can purchase items for the new pet as gifts, so that you can still surprise your family during the holidays without creating an adverse situation for the pet.  For example you can purchase a leash and bowls for a dog; bowls, toys and a litterbox for a cat; an aquarium for reptiles; or cages for small rodents.  In this way your family gets to feel the excitement during the holidays and is well prepared when the new addition finally makes its arrival.  Everyone is happy and you are all prepared to start the journey of pet ownership together. 

            
With this reminder, I wish you and your furry friends a very happy and safe holiday season. 

Heat Stroke in Pets.

Today is a scorcher!  I wanted to take my dog to the park today but it is much too hot, so instead we will stay in and play.   We will reschedule our walk for later this evening when it cools down.  Most people are aware that leaving a dog in a parked car can result in devastating effects including death but did you know that dogs can develop these same effects outside in hot weather?  A stationary car heats up very quickly, even with the windowsw open.  When this temperature becomes too hot (which is a matter of minutes), it can result in heat stroke.  

Heat stroke is when the body temperature rises too high.  This will result in hypertehermia and changes to organ function.  In some instances the organs will actually shut down, resulting in death.  The first signs that your dog is becoming too hot include weakness and panting, followed by collapse, vomiting and diarrhea, but sometimes the symptoms set in so fast that it can be too late by the time you realize that something is wrong.  

These same effects can even occur outside.  If your pet exercises in hot weather or even stays out in the sun for an extended period he can develop heat stroke. 

On days like today when the temperature soars, pets should be kept indoors in temperature controlled environments.  If you are unable to provide a temperature controlled environment, keep your pet cool with water play and fans.  Stay in the shade as much as possible and provide plenty of fresh water. 

Schedule walks in the early morning or the evening when the temperatures are not so hot and be sure that your pet is well hydrated.    If you must walk during the day, decrease the length of your walks and be sure to provide fresh water before, during and after.  Also it is a good idea to stop for breaks in cool shady areas. 

If you are at all concerned that your pet may be experiencing heat stroke, proceed to your veterinarian right away.  Don't wait, as it can be fatal!