There are some things you shouldn't share.

A zoonotic disease is an infectious disease that can be transmitted from an animal to a human while the opposite, diseases transferred from a human to an animal, is classified as reverse zoonosis. While not all infectious diseases can be transmitted between species (pets to people, or vice versa), there are some that require special consideration.
Any person in contact with an infected animal may acquire a zoonotic disease, however, certain individuals are more at risk. People with compromised immune systems such as
pregnant women, the elderly, or people undergoing treatment for cancer are much more likely to contract the disease. Children are also more at risk due to immature immune systems and poor sanitary practices.
The following zoonotic diseases are just a few of the many that exist.

Roundworms: Nearly every puppy or kitten is born with roundworms contracted from its mother. These worms can be transmitted to people, especially children. Most infections in people are so mild as to cause no signs at all, but the potential for severe illness exists. Migrating worms may damage the liver, eyes or brain. As the eggs are found in an animal’s stool, sanitation is essential; feces should be removed and disposed of daily and everyone who handles the animal should wash their hands. 

This is especially important in young children, who often put their fingers in their mouths. Also remember to cover all sandboxes when not in use to prevent children from contacting contaminated feces. Protect yourself and your family from roundworms by having your veterinarian do a yearly test on a stool sample from your pet. Some veterinarians prescribe regular dewormings even in the face of negative stool tests because of these risks. 
A very effective way to protect your family from roundworms is to use year ‘round heartworm preventative that also treats intestinal worms. These tablets deworm your pet each month as well as providing protection against heartworms.
Rabies: Anyone who saw the movie "Old Yeller" knows that rabies is a zoonotic disease. Rabies is caused by a virus transmitted through animal saliva. In Iowa, the most common carrier of rabies is the skunk while the raccoon is the most common on the East coast. Signs of rabies include personality and behavioral changes, incoordination, difficulty swallowing, seizures, and death. Rabies is fatal -- there is no cure in man or animals. Protect yourself by not handling wild or stray animals and by having all your dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies. 
Bats are also a potential source of rabies infection. While most bats do not carry rabies, CDC guidelines recommend testing of any bat found in a room with a sleeping person, or someone unable to communicate whether they might have been bitten, such as an infant or an incapacitated adult. If you think you, or a member of your family might have been exposed to a bat under these circumstances, call your physician and explain the situation.
Toxoplasmosis: Toxoplasmosis is caused by a protozoan, a one-celled parasite. Hunting cats often contract this parasite by eating small rodents, and then shed the cysts in their stool. The parasite is also found in raw meat. Most cats and people show no signs of the disease, or have only mild flu-like symptoms. Those who have a weakened immune system may develop a much more serious infection. Fetal infection, especially during the first three months of pregnancy, can result in blindness, so pregnant women must take special precautions to avoid contacting toxoplasmosis cysts. Protect yourself by not letting your cat hunt and not feeding it raw meat. Pregnant women and persons with compromised immune systems should wear gloves when gardening, wash thoroughly after handling raw meat, and should not change litterboxes. 
Although the chances of getting a zoonotic disease from your pet are slim, you should be aware that it could happen. The most effective way to prevent zoonotic diseases and ensure your good health is to ensure good health for your pets. Contracting a pet-borne disease usually requires very close contact with animals or their excretions, so zoonotic diseases can be avoided with common sense, cleanliness and regular pet examinations and vaccinations. For more information on zoonotic diseases, talk to your veterinarian, your physician, the public health department, or search reputable internet sites such as the CDC Healthy Pets Healthy People.
Chad Smith, D.V.M.

December 2010 Pet of the Month - Chance Lighter

This is the amazing story of Chance. 

 At the beginning of summer, my husband and I wanted to plant some trees on our property. I went out one morning to buy the trees.  My initial plan was to go to Lowe's Garden Center, but for some reason, as I drove by, I was compelled to go to Farm & Fleet. When I arrived, the store was not to open for another 15 minutes. Again I felt compelled to sit and wait rather than just leaving.

I picked out my trees and waited for the girls who worked there to check me out, but they were distracted by something.... One of them reached down into a nursery pot full of rainwater from the night before, and picked up a tiny little 3 week old kitten that had been floating in the cold water. He appeared to be dead, and he smelled terrible, as the water was polluted and foul. There were no other cats or kittens around and it is a mystery why he was there.

"He's still alive!" said one of the girls, "But just barely..." I reached out and took him in my hands and could feel a slight heartbeat, but he was unconscious and cold, and so very tiny. He was so dehydrated that his eyes were sunken in. "I'll take him." I said as I wondered how this was going to work out. We already have quite a large family of cats but I was not about to walk away from this little soul who needed a chance to live.

At home, my husband was as concerned as I was that this little kitten might not survive. We cleaned him up, got him warm and began with drops of Pedialyte on his tongue to get some fluids in him. He remained only semiconscious for the better part of the day and I was sure he was going to die.

Drops of kitten formula were placed on his tongue one at a time and I held him and stayed up with him most of the night and he regained consciousness the next morning and began devouring the formula. Within a few more days he was gaining strength. The rest, as they say, is history.

As for his name, it was "chance" that I went to that particular store that day, "chance that I didn't leave before they opened, and "chance" that he was found at that moment, still barely alive. So his name had to be Chance.

Chance is a very affectionate, playful little guy and is interested in everything! He gets along with all the other cats and loves his teddy bear, which he slept with as a tiny kitten, in place of the mother cat.

Buddy Needs a Home - Can you Help?

Buddy’s owner recently died and he needs a new home. He is a 4-5 yr old Greyhound/hound mix male. Buddy is neutered and current on all shots and vet care. Buddy is social and gets along well with adults, kids, and other animals including other dogs and cats. He has been around kids from infants to teens, lived with a cat and another dog. Buddy is a dog that likes to be outside if his people aren’t home but wants to be inside with people when they are home. He is used to being outside during the day while his owner was at work. Buddy does not tolerate being crated – so do not plan on keeping him in any kind of crate. Buddy does take medication twice a day because he is anxious, though the medication is very inexpensive. If you are interested in providing Buddy a loving home, please contact Barb Lind at 319-504-1489. References will be checked to ensure Buddy goes to a good home. Buddy was much loved and needs a family to continue to give him the home and love he deserves!

Have We Seen Your Cat Lately?

The majority of cats are not receiving the medical attention they deserve. Though cats outnumber dogs as pets in the U.S., fewer cats receive annual veterinary exams. Feline visits fell from 70.8 million in 2001 to 63.3 million in 2006, even as the number of cat-owning households increased.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommend a minimum of one wellness exam per year for cats and more frequent exams for those cats with medical or behavioral issues. Cats don’t always display signs of illness to their owners, and wellness exams and routine blood work can help detect concerns before they become life-threatening problems. Progression of medical conditions like kidney disease or heart disease can be slowed with proper medical treatment resulting in a longer, happier life for your cat.
Of cats that visit the vet at least once a year, only 22% receive vaccinations for any disease other than rabies. With vaccines available to help keep our cats safe and healthy, why take the risk of them getting feline leukemia or distemper? Without a current rabies vaccination, your cat is at risk for contracting this fatal disease from a bat that may find its way into your home. After a potential rabies exposure, your cat may need to be quarantined or even euthanized depending on the circumstances.
Even if your cat is a strictly indoor cat, they can still pick up various parasites such as fleas and intestinal worms. Some of these parasites can then be passed onto the human members of your family. An annual exam and stool sample analysis will help to catch the infestations early and minimize illness to you and your cat.
One reason cats are taken to the vet less often than dogs may be that pet owners feel that traveling is more stressful to a cat. This can be remedied in a number of ways. Start by using a top-loading carrier so the cat can be easily placed into and removed from it. Create a comfortable environment inside the carrier with a favorite blanket and toy. Withhold food before the trip to reduce motion sickness and drape a blanket or towel over the carrier to minimize stress.
It can be very tempting to trivialize the importance of an exam, blood work, vaccinations, and stool sample analysis, but would you consider doing these things to allow your cat to live a longer, healthier life? On behalf of your cat, schedule an annual wellness visit today.
Chad Smith, D.V.M.

Pet of the Month - November 2010 - K8 Rastetter

K8 Rastetter was born on March 14, 2007 in the kitchen of Mark and Donna Rastetter. She was one of 9 puppies that were well loved, even rocked and sang to when they were young. The rest of her siblings were adopted by other families, but K8 worked her way into Mark and Donna’s heart. She loves playing with her tennis ball, and needs her daily walks to use up some of her unending energy. She recently graduated from P.E.T.P.A.L.S. and now is able to provide companionship and therapy to many who need companionship from a pet. P.E.T.P.A.L.S. is a non-profit organization that that has been in operation for 27 years which serves Black Hawk county. They provide volunteer opportunities for animal and human interaction by visiting local nursing homes, hospitals, group homes, schools, and other facilities with approved pets. K8 visited Friendship Village this past month for the first time and loved the attention she received from those she visited. K8 is a special dog who will use her love to impact many lives.

To learn more about P.E.T.P.A.L.S. contact Rachelle Yousefi 277-7418.

Pet of the Month - October 2010 - Rocky Petrucelli

Our first guinea pig pet of the month is Rocky Petrucelli.  He was adopted by Vicki on April 21^st, 2010.  Guinea pigs make amazing pets.  Rocky loves to be held and cuddled.  One of his favorite places to sit is on the shoulder of a trusted person.  He will occasionally get the chance to be out of his cage and run but he would rather spend time being held and played with.  He is able to keep his sleep/awake schedule in sync with Vicki’s, he is usually awake when she is.  Guinea pigs eat many different things, but the staple in their diets is hay.  Rocky also loves green leaf lettuce, kale, parsley and carrots. He will occasionally get some apple for a treat.  One of Vicki’s favorite things about Rocky is all the vocalizations that he makes.  Guinea pigs purr when they are content and happy, can make loud noises when they are hungry or hurt, and other noises when they are scared or nervous.  “Popcorning”, or little jumps in the air, is what Rocky does when he gets excited.  If you haven’t ever had a guinea pig as a pet, give them a chance.  Their personality and love cannot be duplicated. 

MRSA, MRSA, MRSA!



MRSA colonies



There always seems to be one topic that sticks with you and haunts you after attending an informative continuing education meeting. After the fall Iowa Veterinary Medical Association meeting last week in Ames, MRSA was the bug that really had me bugged after the meeting. MRSA stands for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This nasty bacteria has acquired a gene that reduces the ability of our most common antibiotics, penicillins and cephalosporins, to attach to it. This bacteria can roam around and reproduce quite happily and most antibiotics have little or no effect on it! Not only that, but as many as 1 in 3 people are what are referred to as colonized. This means folks with no clinical signs or evidence of disease what-so-ever are carrying this bacteria and can spread it to others. Those people who have active MRSA infections have fever, wounds, high white blood cell counts and a whole host of other severe problems that stem from a bacterial infection gone wild.

Drug resistant bacterial infections seem to come from two main sources or situations.
1.) Bacteria found in the environment, either in a hospital or in the community.
2.) Bacteria that stems from a patient’s own normal flora ( the normal good bacteria that all people and pets have which normally helps to fight off the bad kinds of bacteria) that over populates because of increased and/or inappropriate antibiotic use.
Risk factors for community acquired MRSA, or drug-related resistant infections, are young age, kids participating in contact sports, sharing towels or athletic equipment, having a weakened immune system, living in crowded or unsanitary conditions, and association with healthcare workers. Risk factors for hospital acquired infections are current or recent hospitalization, living in a long term care facility, invasive devices such as catheters, and recent antibiotic use.
What’s the human - animal connection? The most important multi-drug resistant organisms are MRSA as we described earlier, enterococcus species, enterobacter species, and pseudomonas species bacteria. Colonized animals are a concern due to their potential for future development of infection ( especially if they are scheduled for surgery) and the potential for transmission of these drug resistant bacteria to humans. If an animal or human in a household develops illness, it may be very difficult to tell which way the infection was transmitted because it could pass from human to animal or from animal to human. There has been no evidence to show that giving antibiotics to a colonized individual is a good idea. This would just likely make the resistant bacteria smarter and even more resistant to the next antibiotic chosen.
To quote Dr. Jo Ann Morrison, Senior Clinician and Internal Medicine Service Chief at Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, broad, non-targeted antibiotic therapy has caused the following:

• Increased pathogen exposure to antibiotics
• Enhanced the resistance mechanisms of bacteria
• Increased levels and rates of resistance in pathogen populations
• Decreased the effectiveness of medications
• Limited future therapy options
• Favored emergence of resistance by eliminating competing normal flora ( the good bacteria that fights off the bad bacteria)



Ruptured MRSA infection



All that being said, what are we to do. Do what your mother always has told you. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Students should never share water bottles or towels in the locker room. Parents need to make their teenagers aware of MRSA and the population of colonized individuals that they are very likely in contact with every day. Disinfecting locker rooms and bathrooms on a regular basis as well as door knobs, locker handles and water fountains is very important. Households should clean bathroom counter and sink surfaces well too. Store toothbrushes upright and away from other toothbrushes and send them through the sanitize cycle in the dishwasher often.

For more information on good disinfecting protocols go to Disinfection protocol.
MRSA Manual I included this just as an example of a management protocol for MRSA because we have used Techni-care at the veterinary hospital for several years with excellent results, but there are many other examples of disinfecting protocol online.
Dr. Elizabeth Bixby

Hermit Crabs

Fall is here and it is back to school time. One of the fun things about going to school is the class pet. Students are enjoying learning about the care and responsibility of all sorts of pets in the classroom. One pet who is becoming a big hit is the land hermit crab. These little crabs are very entertaining for kids and adults alike and are relatively easy to care for with a few instructions.
Hermit crabs need a home, which can be simply an inexpensive ten-gallon aquarium. The aquarium must have a substrate covering the floor. This can be clean sand or coconut fiber or better yet something called Calci-sand which has calcium carbonate to strengthen the exoskeleton. The substrate needs to be deep enough to cover the crab because they enjoy digging and burrowing.  The hermit crab needs a shallow water dish;  if the water is too deep the crab will drown.  It needs to be wide enough to fit the whole crab, as he will drag his whole shell into the dish.  Hermit crabs enjoy their toys.  Put toys for climbing inside the aquarium.  Another item for the aquarium is a large sponge.  The sponge adds humidity to the air and keeps the crabs gills moist.  (Hermit crabs use gills to breath, not lungs like humans do.)

Hermit crabs can be fed a commercial hermit crab food.  If it is in pellet form it must be crushed for them to be able to pick it up.  Crabs also like a large variety of foods for treats such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, raisins, applesauce and peanut butter.  Do not feed hermit crabs dairy products because their systems cannot tolerate dairy at all. 

Hermit crabs need water to drink.  It is important to give crabs non-chlorinated water and keep food and water dishes very clean and remove any uneaten portions daily.  One thing to remember about hermit crabs is that they will molt or shed their exoskeleton as they grow.  They outgrow one skeleton and have to grow a new one.  The crab will need you to provide a new shell about one -third bigger than the old one.  Molting takes about two weeks and during this time you must make an effort to keep the crab extra moist by misting with a squirt bottle and feeding a diet higher in calcium to help make a new skeleton. 

One final note to remember is that hermit crabs do pinch.  When they first come home they may pinch a lot because they are hungry and mishandled.  Children may need to handle them with gloves at first.  Kids should handle the crabs over a soft surface like a bed so that if the child drops the crab, it won't be injured.  Generally it is recommended to pick up the hermit crab by the shell, but use caution because they can still reach around to pinch.  Once the hermit crab is acccustomed to being hand fed and handled the incidence of being pinched does become less and less.  They are interesting to watch and a great way to teach kids about crustaceans.

Elizabeth Bixby, DVM

Pet of the Month - September 2010 - Wrigley Hess

Wrigley Hess (named, of course, because of the Cubs) is a 4 year old German Shorthaired Pointer. His proud parents are Derrick and Lindsay Hess who adopted him when he was a puppy. Wrigley was a bit shy at first, but now he is a dog who loves people and being with his owners. Wrigley can sit, shake hands, lay down, and if you put a treat on his nose, he can flick it off and catch it in his mouth. He is learning how to give high fives as well. Wrigley loves cheese, carrots and any other dog treat. He has found his place to sleep in Derrick and Lindsay's bed and is truly a part of their family. He even tries to join in conversation, when someone talks to him, he will make weird dog noises in response. Wrigley is thrilled that his parents got married in August and has loved "helping" pack the boxes as they move into a new home. He is a very lovable, well-behaved, and smart dog that makes the Hess family complete.

Instructions for Giving your Kitty a Pill (Joke)

From time to time your little feline friend gets sick and the Vet will prescribe some pills, tablets or capsules as a remedy. Use the following directions for administering them:
1)Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cat's cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens it's mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.
2)Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.
3)Retrieve cat from bedroom and throw soggy pill away.
4)Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to the back of the mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.
5)Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse in from the garden.
6)Kneel on the floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold cat's head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.
7) Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered antique china cups from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.
8) Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat's mouth open with pencil and blow pill down drinking straw.
9)Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.
10)Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door on neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.
11)Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.
12)Phone fire department to retrieve cat from tree across the street. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil-wrap.
13)Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table. Find heavy duty pruning gloves in shed, force cat's mouth open with tongs. Push pill injto mouth followed by a large piece of hamburger. Hold cat's head verticallyand pour a pint of water down the throat to wash pill down.
14)Get spouse to drive you to the emerency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches finger and forearm and removes pill remnants from your right eye. Stop at furniture shop on the way home to order a new table.
15)Take cat to vet to get more pills.

August 2010 Pet of the Month - Meika Olsen

Jodi Olsen has always loved animals, but has never owned a cat before. Her family have always been "dog people." When she recently bought her first house she decided she was going to jump feet first into cat ownership. On her way home from vacation in Chicago on July 4th, she stopped at a friend's farm near Jesup and picked up Meika. Meika was born on May 1, 2010. Jodi's sister also became a cat owner that day with another kitten named Coco. The other names Jodi's friends wanted to call her were Optimus Prime and Bella but as Jodi was boating one day the name Meika popped into her head. She loves running laps around the house and racing up and down the recliner. She is still very curious and likes to peek into everything. Meika makes friends easily when people come to visit. She will cuddle on your lap or sit next to you on the couch to keep you company. Meika has come in to visit Dr. Smith a few times to make sure she stays healthy and has an active, long life. She has converted Jodi into being a "dog AND cat person!"

Skunks Don't Make Good Pets

This comes from the Iowa Department of Public Health. Read and pass along!
Several weeks ago, a Northwest Iowa family decided to adopt a baby skunk that they had found in their yard. When the skunk became ill last weekend, a vet was called; the skunk was tested and found to be rabid. The skunk was likely infected with rabies before it was brought into the home. Because of this:
~All five family members are receiving the rabies vaccine and rabies immune globulin;
~Approximately 20 other family members and friends who came in contact with the skunk are being assessed for exposure to rabies and at least 6 others are receiving rabies shots;
~The unvaccinated family dog will have to be put into quarantine for six months, or euthanized.
Lessons to be learned:
~Avoid contact with all wild animals, especially skunks and bats since these animals are the reservoir for the rabies virus in Iowa.
~Vaccinate all pets against rabies.
~Do not keep any wild animals as pets. Special licenses are needed in Iowa to keep wild animals.

Taken from the EPI Update for Friday July 23, 2010
Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE)
Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH)

Mosquitoes, Mosquitoes, Everywhere!

One of the hot topics of neighborly discussion this summer is, "How about those mosquitoes? They are terrible at my house." "Yes, they are the worst I've seen!" Sound familiar? With all the rain this summer the radio and television are full of stories regarding the resulting huge mosquito population.

West Nile Virus and Heartworm Disease are both passed on to dogs by mosquitoes. However, West Nile Virus poses minimal threat of disease where deadly heartworm disease is common among unprotected dogs. According to the Animal Poison Control Center, there has only been one confirmed case of West Nile Virus in a dog in the past year and a half. In 2001, there were 120 confirmed heartworm positive cases in Black Hawk county alone.

Given the burgeoning mosquito population this year we want to urge all dog owners to make the extra effort to have your dog's blood tested for heartworm and then follow with the preventative medication. This not only protects your pets, but it helps assure that we don't get an enormous outbreak of heartworm disease that moves out of control when there is such an opportunity for the spread of disease with the increased mosquito population.

As for West Nile protection, the same concepts you use to protect yourself apply to your dog. Stay inside at times of greatest exposure which seems to be at dawn and dusk. Eliminate all standing, stagnant water sources. Use a mosquito repellant on yourself and on your dog. The sprays vary, a pyrethrin product may be safer for your dog than DEET. All sprays should be used with care, especially around the face and eyes. The repellant wipes may be easier to apply. If you have more questions about heartowm disease, West Nile virus or mosquito repellent, please call us... we would be glad to answer your questions.

Elizabeth Bixby, DVM

July 2010 Pet of the Month - Velvet Austin

Velvet Austin is a black Lionhead rabbit that was born in the late fall of 2009. She was adopted by Megan from the Cedar Valley Humane society in Cedar Rapids and named for the song "Black Velvet." Her middle name is Lulu, which is Native American for rabbit. Her first visit to Taylor Veterinary Hospital was a busy one at the hospital when another rabbit had a c-section to deliver her bunnies. It was one hopping day there!

Velvet loves any kind of veggies and greens (especially parsley and cilantro). She is very active and runs around both her cage and the house. She doesn't really like to be held for very long, but does love to be petted, especially along the bridge of her nose. One of her new favorite activities is to explore outside with her new harness. She found that she loves clover and has a "cousin" Zoey the poodle who like to spend time together. They are an unlikely pair, but Velvet will even sit still long enough for Zoey to sniff and lick her. Velvet is usually a pretty independent bunny so new visitors and friends have to slowly introduce themselves to her. Velvet will soon be moving to a new home with more room to run and explore. She is one of Taylor Vet's many rabbit friends.

Choosing the Perfect Dog

Thinking about adding a new puppy or dog to your family? Congratulations! Dog ownership is one of life's most rewarding experiences. Dogs make wonderful companions and friends and can add a great deal of love and joy to your home and family. Before you begin your search for a canine companion, it is very important to do your homework to ensure that the dog breed you choose is a good match for your lifestyle and family. If you're thinking of a mix, it will make your search much easier if you have in mind "something like a lab" or "some kind of terrier."

In finding the perfect dog, a number of questions should be addressed. What is your previous experience with dogs? There are some breeds that are not recommended for first-time owners. How much time and/or money are you willing to spend on grooming to keep a long soft coat free of tangles and mats? Children and dogs can make a wonderful mix... or a very bad one. If you have children, are you prepared to spend time training both the dog and the children to treat each other appropriately?

What size dog is right, how much space do you have and how much exercise can you give your dog are all related questions. Even though large dogs can take up a lot of floor space, they can be quite happy if allowed to expend their energy outside. Some large breeds do not require a lot of exercise and are content lying on the rug in a small apartment. Some small breed dogs only require short walks, while others can be extremely active and a large house may not be enough space to contain their exuberance.

What do you plan to do with your dog? Do you want a loyal couch potato, a jogging partner, or a good watchdog? Keep in mind that only a few breeds were originally designed to be pets. Most dogs were bred to be hunters, herders, guards or some other job which might be contradictory to what you want from a pet.

There are a number of ways to find out "the scoop" on your favorite breeds. A veterinarian is an excellent soruce of information. Talk with people you know about dogs they have had or go to a dog park where you can meet dogs and ask the owners questions. Breed books are available and there are some very good resources on the internet. AAHA's website, http://www.healthypet.com/, is a great place to start. Click on "Find A Pet" to see breed information or take a short quiz to find out the right pet for you. Never buy a dog just because you like how it looks.

If you are thinking about buying a dog for a present, make sure you or the potential owners are ready. You should not get a dog for someone that isn't expecting one or buy one on impulse. Getting a dog is a long-term commitment and should be planned for accordingly.

Whatever breed or mix you choose, remember that no breed is perfect, but researching positive and negative attributes before you get a dog will help ensure the best match possible. A well-behaved, housebroken, quiet, loyal dog doesn't come from any breed, but can be found in any breed, if the owner is willing to work at developing that relationship.

Chad Smith D.V.M.

June 2010 Pet of the Month - Atreyu and Moon Dalbey

The Dalbey family loves animals and wanted to add a pet. Unfortunately one of the children has allergies to most cats and dogs. Glenn, the father, decided to do some research and found out that Bengal cats do not have as many allergens as other cats. On February 12th, Empress Moon Child (Moon for short) joined the Dalbey family. Soon after Atreyu was also adopted from Iowa Bengal Babyz. They were named after the characters in the “Never Ending Story.” Bengals typically have temperaments more like dogs, according to Glenn, they come when you call, walk on a leash and love to be outside with the family. They are very active, but also love to curl up in your lap and snuggle. They love kids and are very vocal when they want your attention.
Moon and Atreyu love chicken and will eat other meats, except pork. They won’t touch cat treats. Bengal cats continue to get more coloration until they are about 2 years old. They typically have spots kind of like a tiger. They can do amazing jumps, Atreyu can jump about 4 ½ feet straight in the air without running first. As they get older they will be able to jump closer to 6 feet! Moon and Atreyu love to play with anything that has a feather. Their favorite toy is a stick with a feather attached to the end of it. The Dalby family is thrilled with their pets and amazingly enough these Bengal cats are not causing any allergy problems with the family. They are a perfect fit!

New Tests to Keep Your Dog Healthy

The SNAP 4Dx test is our newest diagnostic tool to help identify and treat diseases before they cause irreversible damage to your dog. It is a simple blood test that can be run in less than 10 minutes and can determine if your dog is positive for heartworm disease or if your dog has been exposed to three

Image via Wikipedia

tick-borne diseases: Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis.

As the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and that holds true in veterinary medicine. Preventing heartworms can be as simple as giving a pill once a month. As heartworms are transmitted from dog-to-dog through a mosquito bite, using a product like Vectra as a mosquito repellent will help. Vectra also repels and kills fleas and ticks which will minimize disease transmission. Vaccinating your dog for Lyme disease is one more step to help prevent infection.

If your pet is diagnosed with heartworms or a tick-borne disease, early treatment will help minimize any long-term damage.

The Ending of Go Fetch Fitness for 2010

Today is May 21, 2010, the last day of Go Fetch Fitness for 2010! We had such a tremendous group this year and each week was just packed with fun and learning. Our last two weeks, week five and six, were so exciting! In week five our special guest was Mary McInnis Meyer who has a yoga studio (Field of Yoga) right across the street from the veterinary hospital in downtown Cedar Falls. Mary is a wonderful speaker and she opened her studio up to all of our dogs and us for the first ever DOGA class in Cedar Falls. (That's dogs plus yoga = Doga!) We had a blast and really came away from this experience with a new understanding and appreciation for the health benefits of yoga. You can see pictures from this class at the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier Website.
Week Six, our last week together, brought some glorious weather as we really pushed our way through our last three days together. This week was all about the exercise and we did our stretch out exercises and then immediately hit the trail. Our goal was a solid 45 minutes of walking which we accomplished along the beautiful Cedar Valley Trail system excending from Taylor Veterinary Hospital to Big Woods Lake and back!!

Team 2, the K-9 kids, were our big winners this year losing a total sum of 22.7 pounds! Wow! Congratulations! These determined walkers will be receiving a year supply of FREE dog food from Hill's Science Diet Pet Foods! Our individual with the most outstanding weight loss is no stranger to Go FEtch Fitness. J. Schmitz and his dog Blue have been through the Go Fetch Fitness program three times. J. is extremely committed to the program once he starts and this year he lost 14 pounds. For his tremendous effort, he received a 6-month FREE membership to the Family YMCA of Black Hawk County.

We have had so many opportunities to learn about our health in the past six weeks. We are all truly blessed to live in a community where we have access to such wonderful professionals to help us stay on the road to good health! Tyson Burton at Snap Fitness, the nurses at the Allen HeartAware program, Merriam Lake and her staff at Wheaton Fransciscan Healthcare, Mary McInnis Meyer our local yoga instructor at Field of Yoga and the Family YMCA of Black Hwk County are all right here and offer a huge variety of styles of health and fitness opportunities. It is our hope that you will take advantage of one or several of these means of improving or maintaining your health.

By taking care of yourself, you do take care of your whole family, even the furry four legged members! They depend on you to be healthy so that you can continue to make good choices for them as well!

Elizabeth Bixby, DVM

Heartworms: Is Your Dog Infected?

Heartworms are worms found in the heart and large blood vessels of infected dogs They

Image via Wikipedia

are found in most regions of the United States and may cause life-threatening problems if not detected and treated quickly.
The mosquito plays an integral role in the transmission of heartworms. A female mosquito bites an infected dog and ingests microfilaria (immature heartworms). The microfilaria grow in the mosquito and when the mosquito bites a healthy dog, she transmits the microfilaria. It takes five to seven months for the microfilaria to mature into adult heartworms in the dog. At this time, the adult heartworms start producing microfilaria and the cycle continues.
Most dogs act normally and do not demonstrate any signs of heartworm disease for up to two years after infection. Unfortunately, by that time, irreversible damage has already been done. The worms interfere with the function of the heart leading to heart failure and subsequent damage to other organs. The signs of heartworm disease include a dry cough, weakness, shortness of breath, and exercise intolerance. Some dogs may even die suddenly during exercise or excitement.
A diagnosis of heartworm disease can be made early with the proper tests. Your veterinarian can run a simple blood test to determine if your dog is infected. This should be done on a regular basis to detect heartworms before extensive damage is done. If detected, heartworms can be treated, though treatment is expensive and requires hospitalization. The treatment consists of drugs administered at proper doses and time intervals to kill the adult heartworms and microfilaria. Rest is also a key factor in recovery. The success rate is high and even higher if the disease is caught early. As in many instances, the best solution to heartworm disease is prevention. Prevention is as easy as a pill given every month. With simple and affordable heartworm preventives available, no dog should have to worry about this potentially fatal disease. Talk to your veterinarian today.
Chad Smith, D.V.M

Check out these links to find out more information
Heartworms in Dogs: Facts and Myths
Heartworm Disease in Dogs and Cats
Heartworm FAQ

A Message from Melissa, one of our technicians who's serving with the Army Reserve in Haiti:

I thought I'd write a little update. One more week to go! It's been going really well. We have treated over 2000 animals so far. Mainly we've seen goats, equine, and cattle. We (two vets and myself) are doing a lot of deworming. Many animals are very bloated and skinny. There's been a few treatments on wounds that have been infested by flies. Overall they are taking good care of their animals. Understandable considering they use them for many things. They have appreciated the care for both animal and human. They haven't had anyone help with healthcare for 10 years and the last time an animal clinic came through, they charged for vaccinations. We are vaccinating birds against New Castle and swine against a Swine Fever. Then all the goats, cattle, and equine are getting an anthrax vaccine. Not too many cats are seen here. I guess they are a delicacy for Haitians. (and especially for alcoholics according to our interpreter). Interesting story. It's been pretty hot here. In the sun it's measured at 120 degrees. I've been wearing plenty of sunscreen."

May 2010 Pets of the Month

February 25th, 2010 was a big day for Deja Frank. She was 5 ½ years old and about to have her first litter of puppies. After visiting Dr. Smith, it was decided that she needed to have a C-Section in order to deliver safely. Roxy, Bella and Mailia Frank came into the world at Taylor Veterinary Hospital. As Deja was waking up from anesthesia, she had no interest in her new puppies, but by the time they were home an hour later, she was licking them, feeding them and taking care of all their needs. Maison, the father of the puppies who’s 1st birthday was the day before the puppies were born, is a very active dad. If Deja was not in the box with the puppies, he was. He is very playful and loves to be with his pups. This family of Pomeranian is taken care of by Mike and Kimberly Frank. Two of the three puppies have already found new homes with extended family. Bella is sticking close to home for now.

Go Fetch Fitness Week 3

Welcome to another update of Go Fetch Fitness. It is hard to believe that we are already half way though our 2010 program! Our happy pups have really gotten into the swing of coming to Go Fetch to meet up with their new buddies. Our participants give daily accounts of their dogs getting really excited as they approach the clinic. Going to the vet was never something to look forward to before, but now we have so much fun walking and sniffing that these dogs can't wait to come back. It is so fun to watch the transformation from trepidation to anticipation and joy as they scamper in the front door each day.
Monday was weigh-in day. Thanks to our good friends at Novartis, each of our participants received a gift certificate. We had gift cards to Subway, Target, Hy-Vee and Walmart to share with everyone
!
Our speakers were sent to us by Merriam Lake, the Healthy Promotion Facilitator for Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Wellness Services. Kelsey and Zach are seniors at UNI majoring in exercise science. It was great to have these young, enthusiastic students with us to share information about a topic they are so passionate about. Kelsey and Zach spent the week discussing the benefits of strength training and how strength training affects our metabolism. Kelsey and Zach were very prepared with outlines for everyone, exercises to demonstrate some resistance training as well as helping us by leading our pre-walk stretching exercises each day.
Did you know that according to a 1992 study, middle aged people, especially women, who do not strength train, lost 7 lbs of muscle every ten years, which decreased their metabolism by about 350 calories per day? Did you know that strength training leads to decreased arthritis pain, increased bone density, decreased blood pressure and improved glucose levels? Did you know it is impossible to actually turn muscle into fat or fat into muscle?

If you had been here to listen to Kelsey and Zach this week you would have learned all this and much more about strength training and your metabolism. Plus you would have walked for 90 minutes (30 minutes each Monday, Wednesday and Friday) giving you and your dog 90 out of the recommended 150 minutes of aerobic exercise each week! Plus you would have had FUN!
Elizabeth Bixby, DVM

Go Fetch Fitness Day 6

Day 6 brought us another very experienced speaker in the area of fitness and the physiology of exercise. Paulette Herold is a Registered Nurse Practitioner and has received her MA in Cardiac Rehab and Exercise Physiology from UNI. Paulette has worked in Occupational Health for 14 years. She taught at Allen College, worked in the Vascular Lab and in Cardiac Rehab.
On Friday April 23rd, Paulette discussed the health benefits of walking your dog and of regular exercise in general. Paulette discussed Type 2 diabetes and how regular exercise helps to stabilize blood sugar. This is true for humans and for dogs. So if you or your dog are overweight and are prone to diabetes or already have diabetes, regular exercise a the same time each day will be very beneficial for both of you.
In addition to exercise, keeping a close eye on our sugar intake is important. Watching sugar intake before diabetes is even a concern, helps train our bodies in how to utilize sugar and how to produce insulin. Choosing low sugar, high fiber and roughage type snacks helps keep our insulin production from occuring in great surges and swings and maintains a more even level production. This protects the organ that produces the inuslin, the pancreas.
I appreciated Paulette's suggestion for low-sugar snacks, especially for kids. Cut up veggies with low or no fat ranch dressing, peanut butter, mozzarella cheese sticks, wheat think crackers, yogurt, fruit and Kashi cereals and granola were great suggestions. I have tried these with my own kids with great success!
The common nutrition message that we have been receiving from all of our speakers so far this Go Fetch Fitness season is to avoid processed foods and foods made with bleached or unbleached white flour and foods with hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. these so called foods, either have no value to us or have a negative impact on our health. They either raise our cholesterol or drive us toward diabetes.
Again, the theme for Go Fetch Fitness is that by exercising with our dogs, we help thwart off the major debilitating diseases that occur in Americans and American dogs such as diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. If we can consistantly watch our diet and exercise, we can live longer with a better quality of life with the ones we love.
Elizabeth Bixby, DVM

Go Fetch Fitness Day 5

On the fifth day of Go Fetch Fitness, we turned the focus from what we can do for the outside of our bodies to what is going on inside. Heidi DuCharme from Allen Hospital's HeartAware program came to the clinic to perform cholesterol and glucose tests for all of the participants who wanted to have a check. Teresa Elverum, an Allen home health nurse came to perform blood pressure checks for everyone as well. Heidi came back to class and explained just what all the numbers meant. She reminded us that the HDL or high density lipoprotein is the good cholesterol that actually helps clean the cholesterol out of our arteries. The bad cholesterol is reflected in the LDL or low density lipoprotein that tends to clog up our arteries. Heidi reminded us that some factors that contribute to high cholesterol are age, gender and genetics. We cannot change these factors, but she also pointed out the factors we can change such as smoking, obesity and poor diet choices. Exercising with your dog qualifies as a cholesterol fighting tool!! It is recommended that we get 45-60 minutes of exercise 5-7 days a week. This can be split into two 25 minute sessions if that works better for your schedule. Increasing your activity level is reported to increase the good cholesterol (HDL).
Heidi had so much information to share, it is impossible to report it all to you today. I encourage you to go to allenhospital.org to take the HeartAware questionnaire and seek out the information on this website or consult with the nurses in this program.
We have many more tremendous speakers that we will be reporting to you about this Go Fetch Fitness season. To extend the quality time that we have with our families - both two legged and four, is the goal of Go Fetch Fitness. Watch for more upcoming articles as we keep you informed about the journey this courageous group is taking together with their furry friends!!
Elizabeth Bixby, DVM

Go Fetch Fitness

Image by Skwishy via Flickr

We are enjoying a great start to Go~Fetch~Fitness this year! Week one was absolutely packed with information for all of us - two legged and four!! On day one we calculated the daily energy requirement for each dog. This helped our owners determine the exact amount to feed their pets according to their body condition scores and their activity level. We will be increasing our walking time by five minutes each week. For the first week we started out at 20 minutes with about five minutes of warm up stretching before the walk.

On day 2 we special guest who volunteered to join us from Des Moines! Nicole Schumate is a representative from the Delta Society. She explained that the Delta Society helps prepare pets to become service dogs. These service dogs help in nursing homes, hospitals, physical therapy and in school reading programs. This is a national society and because of this status, when a pet becomes a Delta Society dog, the dog is insured with liability insurance through the Delta Society when they are performing their service activities.
Tyson Burton was our special guest on day 3 and continued to day 4. Tyson is the General Manager of our local Snap Fitness gym. Tyson has a Masters Degree in exercise science and has worked with athletes at all levels, from high school through the professional level! We are so lucky to have him with us as he and his associate calculated the body composition scores for all of our participants and took us step by step through a discussion of the Five Elements of Fitness: Nutrition, Cardiovascular Fitness, Supplementation, Resistance Training, and Personal Assistance.

A Pet's Ten Commandments

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.........


1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.


2. Give me time to understand what you want of me


3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.


4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.


5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.


6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.


7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.


8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.


9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.


10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Using Internet for Pet Information

The internet can be a very valuable resource when trying to find information regarding pets. However, because anyone can post anything he or she wants, not all websites contain accurate information. Books and journals, on the other hand, have frequently been peer-reviewed and edited by scholars and publishers to assure that each article is credible and based on fact.
On the World Wide Web, there is no similar filter. When researching, it is important to develop skills that will help determine which websites contain reliable content.
Consider the following:
• Is an author listed? What are his/her credentials on the subject?
• Is there contact information available for the author or site creator?
• Is a publisher noted? A publisher would have screened and verified the content.
• Look for signs that the site is academic or scholarly, such as organization name and logo, headers/footers, or a watermark.
• What is the point of view used throughout the site? If it seems opinionated or argumentative, it may not be factual.
• Does a “last updated” date show that the content is current?
Care must also be taken when ordering products from internet sites such as online pharmacies. Some claim to provide information about pet prescriptions and deliver pet medications at a lower cost than veterinarians, and even go so far as to say that you can ‘avoid a trip to the veterinarians’ office’. The facts are that a veterinarian can’t legally or ethically prescribe medication for a pet he or she hasn’t seen recently for the specific condition, or alternately, is not familiar with the care and keeping of the pet. Online prices might be lower because they are very close to expiration date or are coming off the gray market. Or, in some cases, they’re actually no lower. Most medications need to be in a temperature-controlled environment and there is no proof that the online pharmacy is following these regulations, especially since temperature can vary as products are shipped through the mail. Also, because most animal health care companies do not sell to online pharmacies, they will not guarantee medications purchased thru those pharmacies. At least one prominent online pharmacy will not disclose where their products come from, meaning that they could be made to the regulations of a country other than the United States or could be coming from the gray market. As you can imagine, it is easy to get false information from sites like this.
There are a number of credible sites available to pet owners that provide helpful information on a variety of topics. American Animal Hospital Association (www.healthypet.com), American Veterinary Medical Association (www.avma.org), Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (www.iowavma.org), Pfizer Animal Health (www.pfizerah.com), Merck (www.merckvetmanual.com), and Bayer Health Care (www.petparents.com) are just a few animal health companies and organizations that have pet care libraries available. Veterinary Hospitals may also have websites that provide useful information as well as features that help make your pet’s health care more convenient, such as online scheduling and links to current issues. Our website, www.TaylorVet.com, provides our clients with a variety of current pet health topics, links to other useful sources, online scheduling, prescription refill requests, behavior forum, links to past “Pet Talk” articles and many other great features. Google your veterinarian today!
Sam Dugan, Accounting Intern - written in 2008

Bogey Wyborney - Pet of the Month - April 2010

Bogey was a stray who arrived in the coldest part of winter in early 2009. It had been below zero for days and Bogey was yowling from beneath my car, eager for food, milk and attention. When he squeezed out from beneath my car, he was drooling and so bloated I thought it was a pregnant cat. I took him to see Dr. Smith expecting that he was too sick to treat, but to my surprise, every test came back negative. The good news that he was not suffering from anything untreatable meant Bogey could join our household. Unfortunately this was far from the last word on his health concerns. He suffers from a rare gum disease that caused him to lose all his teeth. He had frost bite which claimed both ear tips, hair and whisker loss, a heart murmur, a benign (non-cancerous) tumor in his ear, and diabetes. His whiskers (when he had some) and his fur are brittle and sharp like porcupine quills. In spite of all his troubles, he is a very happy cat and very thankful to be inside, warm and well-taken care of. He doesn't even mind his insulin shots!

An Itchy Dog May Mean Allergies...

Just like people, dogs may have allergies to trees, grasses, weeds, molds, dust, and many other

Image via Wikipedia - House Dust Mite

Image via Wikipedia - dog's allergy skin test

things. Allergies can present seasonally, Spring and Fall, or year-round depending on the allergen. While a few dogs show the typical runny eyes, runny nose, and sneezing like a person with “hay fever,” most dogs will just itch. The dog may rub its face and ears, lick its feet or groin area, or scratch its armpits. Allergies are common in all breeds of dogs and usually manifest themselves when a dog is between one and three years of age. Diagnosis is based on the presence of clinical signs and by ruling out other causes of itching. There are two types of allergy testing that also may be used for diagnosis. The traditional allergy test is called an intra-dermal test and is done by injecting small amounts of allergens into the skin and observing for reactions. The second test uses a blood sample to detect the presence of immune cells against specific allergens. Once diagnosed, allergies can be treated a number of ways. Antihistamines and corticosteroids can be used to relieve itching, but do not solve the underlying allergy. Medicated shampoos and certain omega fatty acids may also help to control clinical signs. “Allergy injections” are based on allergy testing results and can be given at specific intervals in an attempt at desensitization. Desensitization is designed to reduce or eliminate the body’s response to an allergen and may provide a “cure” for your dog’s allergies. If your dog seems a little more “itchy” than usual, help may be available. Talk to your veterinarian today.
~Chad Smith, D.V.M.

Think Spring, Think Parasite Protection

As we begin to see the light at end of the long tunnel of winter lots of
sleeping creatures awake. Many of these creatures are very tiny and are
just waiting to hitch a ride on or in your pet’s body for a nice summer
vacation. Of course, we are reminding you about pet parasites. Now is the
time of year to start thinking about them and how you will best protect your
pet and your home against these little freeloaders.
There are three classes of parasites we have to address each year.
Those parasites that live on your pet are called ectoparasites. Those that
live inside your pet are called endoparasites. The endoparasites are broken
down into two groups; some actually live in the blood and some that live in
the intestinal tract.
Your veterinarian can help you detect or test for each type of
parasite. The parasites on the skin can be found during a physical exam.
The doctor may just comb through your pet thoroughly to find them, may swab the ears or may need to do what is called a skin scraping to find them. Intestinal parasites are detected by evaluating a stool sample for the worm eggs or the actual worm may be seen on the stool or around the anal area.
Parasites in the blood such as heartworm are found by testing a blood
sample.
Preventing parasites from hitching a ride on your pet and into your home has never been easier. The veterinary products used today do a very thorough job of protecting your pet and are easy to use. The days of baths and dips and fogging your home are all but gone except in very extreme cases. Protecting your pet and preventing a big infestation can be as easy as a once a month tablet or pouring a few drops of liquid on the skin once a month. The important thing is to find a quality veterinary product and to follow through with your veterinarian’s instructions carefully to achieve maximum protection. Don’t be fooled by imitation discount products, as you
are guaranteed to regret using them by August!
If you have questions, just call your veterinarian.
Elizabeth Bixby, DVM

When a Dog Becomes a Scaredy Cat

When a Dog Becomes a Scaredy Cat

Image via Wikipedia

If your dog dives under the bed, crawls into the bathtub, or refuses to leave your side when a storm approaches, there is a reason. Storm phobias are one of the most common behavioral problems dog owners face. Some owners are willing to simply put up with symptoms like hiding, trembling, whining, drooling, and pacing, but in more severe cases, panicked dogs may chew furniture, tear drapes, and even break windows during a thunderstorm. In either case, the behaviors displayed are signs of a terrified, unhappy dog.

Behaviorists are not yet sure what part of the storm frightens dogs the most. It may be that they are reacting to lightning flashes, the sound of thunder, wind blowing around the house, or the sound of rain on the roof. Some dogs even start to pace and whine half an hour or more before a storm. They may be acting in response to a rapidly falling barometric pressure or the electrical charge of the air.

An article in the July/August 2001 issue of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association describes an Internet survey of the owners of storm-phobic dogs. The authors discovered that some breeds may be predisposed to a fear of storms. Herding dogs, such as collies and German shepherds, and hounds, such as beagles and basset hounds, seem to be more likely to develop a storm phobia than other dogs. The phobia is also common in sporting and working breeds. The study also showed that rescued dogs (dogs adopted from shelters or rescue organizations) may also be more likely to develop storm phobias.

The first step in helping your dog overcome a storm phobia is to talk to your veterinarian. He or she can help you develop a program to gradually retrain your dog by using the behavior modification techniques of desensitization and counter conditioning. These techniques work by exposing the storm-phobic dog to some gentle reminders of a thunderstorm, such as a very soft tape recording of thunder or a flashing light, and then rewarding the dog with lots of treats, attention, and other positive reinforcement only if there's no evidence of anxiety. Over time, the intensity of the stimulus is increased, and it is important to remember that only calm behavior is rewarded. You should get professional guidance, either from a veterinarian or a veterinary behavior specialist, before you begin this process as introducing frightening stimuli too quickly or not recognizing fear in your dog could make the phobia worse.

If behavior modification alone doesn't solve the problem, there are some medications that can help. Your veterinarian can prescribe one of several anti-anxiety or antidepressant medications to help your dog remain calm during storms. It is also beneficial to have a “safe place” for your dog to retreat to when the weather gets scary. This could be a crate or a certain room in the house where your dog feels protected.

The most important thing to remember is to treat your dog gently and kindly when he is afraid. Don't cuddle and reassure him though, because that will reward his “panicked” behavior, but definitely don't punish him for it either. Instead, just be calm and provide him with a safe, familiar place where he can feel secure and ride out the storm.

Chad Smith, D.V.M.