Safety First! Rat Poison, Second.

Hi Guys,

Libby here.

A few months ago, I told the story of a brave doggie named Rosie who had the unfortunate mishap of consuming large amounts of chocolate. Now class, what did we learn from this? All together now: Chocolate is bad for dogs. Good boys (and girls).

Today, we have a similar tale to tell. Recently, a sick kitty was brought into the PPAC with a history of vomiting and not eating for three days (and if you're a pet owner-which presumably most of you are-then you know how uncommon it is for an animal to not be into their daily meals!)

Anyway, when Dr. Holloway took a look at him, she found that he was a bit dehydrated and lethargic (tired in layman's speak!)

As a precautionary measure, they decided to hospitalize the cat for observation.
The next day, symptoms had not changed and when vomiting persisted, Dr. H. ran some barium (a liquid that would help outline any foreign objects in an X-ray) through the cat's digestive tract, to see if the young cat had eaten anything he was not supposed to.

Something appeared to be in the stomach so exploratory surgery was planned and the kitty was given fluids under his skin for support. The following day (the day of the surgery), the kitty was bleeding from many orifices, including the place where he had been stuck to receive fluids.

Based on these symptoms, Dr. H. thought it might be rat poison and so began treating with vitamin K (the antidote), and submitted blood tests to look for coagulation disorder (blood clotting). After a couple of days, the cat began to feel better and was released to his home with continued vitamin K treatment.

The moral of the story is, if you have dogs or cats, make sure to leave rat poisons (or any other poison or chemicals) in places where they cannot find them or come in contact with them. As much as you may be trying to keep your house rat free, you want to make sure that the animals you do want to live with you, can continue to do so healthily!

Til' next time!

Libby.

And Then There Were Three

Hi All,

Libby here.

It may seem like I am #trending tales of woe. But I'm not- it's more par for the course what with the whole doctor's office thing. Sometimes, sad things happen. And I write about them. So shoot me.


Anyway, this week I have a story about a kitty who came in to the PPAC with a bump on her head. Now at first, it seemed like the type of bump incurred by being dropped on your head as a baby (har har...imagine that with the whole scruff carrying thing). Just to confirm that nothing was amiss however, Dr. S took an X-ray of the bumpy cat and saw that the bump was not eating away at any bone—the possibility of cancer seemed low.

Fast forward a few months and the owners brought the same kitty back in because the bump appeared to be growing.

This time, when a biopsy was taken, the bump turned out to be malignant. The poor gal had cancer :( The owners however couldn't bear the thought of their beloved pet suffering through chemotherapy or radiation and decided to offer different sorts of treatments to make the cat feel comfortable.

Fast forward another five months or so and mom and dad brought their cat in for a check up only to find out that the condition had continued to worsen. At this point, Dr. S. offered euthanasia because the kitty seemed to be in pain. The owners agreed to putting their furry friend out of her misery.

Now, if you've ever lost a pet, you know how devastating it can be and what a hole it can make in the chink of your family's armor. But, there's always tons of pets looking for homes out there so, in an uncharacteristic attempt to find the silver lining, let's think of a pets passing as the closing of one door and the opening of another.

So...after their mourning period was over, the pet parents decided to adopt Ducky! Remember that huge orange furball of a cat? Who was sooo sweet and who was featured in my 'adoption post' a few weeks back? Well, now he lives with this family.

You know what that means...one down, three loving kitties still looking for homes!

Til' next time,

Libby

Taking Care of Business (And Your Pet's Mouth)

Hi All,

Libby here. You've probably seen the Orbit campaign extolling the virtues of clean mouths.

Ok so maybe those commercials are not the most realistic representations of dental hygiene but, they do have a good take away message- take care of your teeth (that is the message, right? anyway...)

Well beloved pet parents, it's just as important for you to take care of your pet's mouths as it is to take care of your own.

I raise this very important issue because a kitty was recently brought in to the PPAC with one of the worst cases of dental neglect I've ever seen! This poor guy came in with a swollen lower jaw and a fever of 104.When Dr. S. anesthetized him, it turned out that one of the kitty's beloved 'fang teeth' otherwise known as canine teeth, (yes, I have grasped the irony) had a root that was eroded. The erosion was so bad that it had also eaten away at the surrounding bone, causing his jaw to break. Although the offending tooth was subsequently removed, this whole situation could have been avoided!

Unfortunately, oral hygiene in cats and dogs is often overlooked as an unimportant factor in a pet's overall health. Since cats and dogs can't exactly be masters of their own destiny when it comes to taking care of their teeth and gums, the onus falls on you to make sure they have healthy mouths.

I mean think about it, when you are leaning in to get a kiss from your honey, what's a big turnoff? Smelly breath, right?

So why do people seem to not care all that much about their pets' stinky breaths? It's not easy meeting a pet soulmate out here. Much less so when we open our mouths to make a move and out comes a foul smelling, fish-esque stench.

The good news is, there is a way to take care of this bad breath epidemic.

Regular oral hygiene and annual visits for cleanings will leave your pets' mouths in much better shape.

So do us all a favor...take care of your pet's dental hygiene. I promise you. Everyone will be happier as a result.

Til' next time,

Libby

Barbecues, Dog Tags and Days Off

Hi All,

Libby here.

I hope you all are having fabulous Memorial Day Weekends. Gotta love any excuse for a day off, right?

I want to take this opportunity to pour one out for my homies. My fallen comrades. My late great buddies.

Although I am specifically talking about each and every feline (and doggy) currently resting in perpetuity, I am speaking more broadly about the foreign soldiers who we commemorate on this Memorial Day.

The connection between these two groups of individuals? Well, you've heard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, right? Well, kitties and doggies sadly have those too. Each and every one of us has likely heard the sad tale of a stray animal who passed away without any identification.

It's funny. I feel like most people don't really think about what Memorial Day is all about. We view it as a chance to barbecue, hang out at the beach, go to people's country houses, and chill out.

And don't get me wrong. It's definitely about that to some extent. But it's also really about honoring those who are no longer in our lives. People (and animals) who's memories we want to preserve and honor.

So there's a little patriotism from yours truly. And some love and honor for those animals who have gone to meet the big kitty/doggy in the sky. Coz what's memorial day without a bit of memorializing, right?

As always, this wouldn't be a real 'Libby Post' without a good natured bit of griping. So I leave you with this question. Why do they call them 'Dog Tags?'

Chew on that.

Til next time,

Libby

One Stray, Two Stray, Red Stray, Blue Stray

Hi All,

Libby here!

Have you been outside? It's GORGEOUS out. Not that I'd really know...i'm more of an inside- cat type.

But, based on the slightly flushed faces and semi-sweaty bodies continually gracing the Prospect Park Animal Clinic, I can tell it's getting warm out.

And, it just looks downright pretty outside the window in the exam room where I like to perch sometimes.

With beautiful weather comes barbecues, pool parties, concerts in the park and opportunities for growth. And by growth, I don't mean flowers blooming,

I do mean adding to your family!

Not having children, sillly!...That's not really my business now is it?

Nooo I mean adding some furry friends to your family. Seems to be the season for stray cats because right now, the PPAC has not one, not two, not three but FOUR cats up for adoption.

Four adorable little punums looking for love.

We have Melody, a sweet, striped little lady, Ducky, a big orange cat with gorgeous golden eyes, the famous Lindsay Lohan who has long black hair and is super soft and, we musn't forget our latest addition-a pretty little tabby female currently named Twenty who's missing a tooth but is the absolute sweetest thing. She was rescued from Prospect Park during The Great Googa Mooga Festival! So you know this one's special!

Anyway, point is, if you've been thinking about adopting lately, now is a great time to get on it!

Pop by to see if any of these little kitties speak to you. Because we all need love, especially the furry guys.

Hope to see you around soon!

Til Next Time,

Libby

Melody

Ducky

Lindsay Lohan

Twenty

Mamma Mia, Here I Go Again

Hi All.

Libby here.

In light of yesterday’s festivities, I want to dedicate this post to mothers everywere.

I want to wish all the mommas and all the momma’s mommas and all of the mommas momma’s mommas and even all of the baby mommas a Happy Mothers’ Day, on behalf of myself and the Prospect Park Animal Clinic.

I have to say, out of all the holidays that Hallmark has created and all of the commercial opportunities established because people just want an excuse to celebrate something, Mother’s Day is one of the few that really makes sense to me.

I mean…we owe a lot to these ladies. And bear in mind, I'm speaking as a kitty whose momma used to carry her around by the scruff of her neck (sometimes taking a little nip in the process.) But even though she may have been tough sometimes, I love my momma.

These strong, beautiful, sometimes willful ladies brought us into this world, nurtured us and helped raise us. They picked us up when we were down and were first to lick (or for the human folk- kiss) a booboo the moment one appeared.

These ladies mean business. I’m getting teary just writing this post, thinking about my momma who passed away a few years ago.

All I’m trying to say is, cherish these special women. They are one in a million and they love you. So be good to them. And remember to wish your mom a Happy Mother’s Day.

Libby

Stash Your Stash!

Hi All,

Libby here.

This week, we're going to talk about something a little naughty.

Not 'I peed on the couch' naughty but more like 'I left my marijuana stash lying around the house and my dog ate it' naughty.

It's OK. Most of us have been there before (present company excluded of course, seeing as I am a cat and therefore unlikely to be getting high).

But many adults indulge in marijuana usage. No judgements here. I get it. 

I'm not condoning it per-se but I'm also not telling anyone what to do.

So anyway, last week this dog comes into the office. His pupils are dilated, he's slobbering like crazy and he's super wobbly.

I'm thinking to myself: 'What's with this guy?'? Why is he freaking out? 

Anyway, so Dr. Silverman brings the crazy dog into his exam room and does his thing.

Dr. S has seen this sort of thing before so, with a knowing look, he asks the dog's owner if the dog has eaten anything. 

The owner sheepishly admits that he thinks he may have left out a plastic baggie filled with weed and that Fido here may have eaten it.

Ever the epitome of discretion, the good Dr. simply told the frantic man not to worry and that he would recommend leaving the pooch in the office overnight for observation, administering supportive care with fluids and appropriate medications.

Ladies and gents, this happens far more often than you might think but you should never let a fear of being judged hinder you from taking care of your pet!

Their health is paramount and the truth is, the PPAC doctors have other things to worry about without judging you for your recreational drug usage!

Til next time, If you're going to smoke, make sure to hide your stash when you're done!

Libby