Doctor’s Corner

Dr. Whitcomb Featured on KWCH News!

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:22:50 -0600

On Wednesday, November 19, 2008, Dr. Whitcomb was interviewed by KWCH News regarding how the economy is affecting the health care of our pets.

CLICK HERE to watch the video from KWCH News!

Below is the transcript from the interview

Pets Feeling the Tough Economy

Posted: Nov 19, 2008 05:34 PM

by Alana Rocha

(WICHITA, Kan.)

We consider them part of the family. Caring for pets however, is getting tougher. Many Americans simply can't afford the costs. And area vets say they've noticed a change over the past few months.

"Okay. How's Alley doing?" Dr. Randy Whitcomb asks that question several times a day. He never gets a response from the pet. But he knows with area layoffs and a tough economy, more and more pet owners are not doing well. It's impacting the way they care for their animal.

"We are seeing some missed appointments - some people have not filled prescriptions that the pet needs for various illnesses because they can't afford it," Whitcomb said.

Putting off illnesses and medications makes it more difficult for the vet to get your animal to respond to treatment. That could mean more money out of your pocket in the long run.

Whitcomb says, "It's all just a matter of priorities. People do what they have to do."

The grooming side of the Wichita Dog and Cat Hospital has seen a slight drop. Pet Groomer Judy Whitcomb says a few clients do feel like they can go without.

"There's always still a number of people who are going to come and spend money on their animals regardless of what the economy is doing," she said.

Whether it's the essentials or the extras, Wichita pet owners are making it work.

"They're still worth it. They give a lot more than they take," Judy said.

Dr. Whitcomb says his boarding business is still booming. His kennels are booked solid through the holidays.

We called around and found the situation really depends on the part of town. Vets in northeast Wichita say they haven't noticed anything, but those in midtown are feeling the effects of a down economy.

Keep Your Pets Safe & Healthy This Thanksgiving

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:51:23 -0600

1. Don’t give your animal different food than they would normaly get. Feeding turkey to your dog or cat can cause him or her unwanted abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea, none of which are welcome during this festive weekend.

2. Discourage your family members and guests from indulging your pet with inappropriate snacks. Food high in sodium (especially peanuts and chips) and other fatty foods like poultry skin, beef or port fat can cause an inflammation of pancreas. Pancreatitis is potentially life-threatening condition.

3. Dispose of aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and wax paper from holiday foods. If your pet can get to it, he or she will lick the food off foils or wraps. The swallowing of such coverings can cause an intestinal obstruction.

4. Secure your garbage. It only takes a minute for your little scavenger to get into the garbage and wolf down whatever smells good-including the string used to tie the turkey.

5. Keep chocolate away from you dog. Chocolate, which contains theobromine and caffeine, can be harmful to your pooch. Rapid breathing and hyperactivity are signs of a bad reaction to chocolate.

6. Turkey bones are also dangerous for you pet. Any brittle, spiky bone could lodge in the esophagus or cause an irritation of his or her stomach or intestines.

7. Maintain his regular schedule for feeding and exercise. Minimizing the stress of animals means being aware of his daily routine and expectations. Pay as much attention to your pet as usual so that he will not feel neglected or insecure.

8. Keep your pet home and away from parade celebrations. With the large crowds, your pet can become stressed or even worse, can get lost in the crowd.

9. Make sure your furry friend has fresh water at all times. Frequently check your pet’s water bowl to make sure the supply is clean. Busy children and relatives may bump a bowl and spill the water.

10. Provide a quiet refuge for your animal. With all the of the fanfare of the holidays, your pet will need a “time out” from visiting friends and family. A comfortable crate is one solution; a room with a “Do Not Disturb” sign is another. Give your dog or cat time and space to settle down or take a nap.

11. Keep current registration and identification tags on you pet. With guests coming in and out of your home, it is very easy for a door to be left ajar and for your animal to wander off.

By being aware of these dangers to your pet, you can ensure both you and your pet the best possible holidays.

No Boo! Hoos: Treat Your Pets to a Safe Halloween

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 16:49:15 -0500

That parade of kids, adults—and yes, even pets—in funny outfits is due to arrive at your door next week, bringing all the sweet and scary joys of Halloween! But pet parents, as you carve the jack-o-lanterns and fill those bowls of candy, please be aware that your furry friends may stumble upon dangers you hadn’t thought of.

Many of our favorite Halloween traditions could pose a potential threat to our companion animals. As pet parents start to make plans for trick-or-treating or costumes, they should be aware of Halloween-related products and activities that can be potentially dangerous to pets.

The following are just a few precautions you should take:

No Chocolate: Even if your pet has a sweet tooth, ingesting chocolate—especially baker’s and dark chocolate—can be dangerous for dogs and cats, possibly causing vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity and even seizures.

No Sweets for the Sweet: Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures.

Dangerous Décor: Keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of reach. If chewed, your pet could experience damage to his mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

Don’t Play with Fire: Keep your pets away from jack-o-lanterns with lit candles inside—knocking the pumpkin over can easily cause a fire. And curious kittens can get burned or singed by candle flames.

Costume Caution: Please don't put your pet in a costume unless you know that he or she loves it. Costumes can cause skin irritations, obstruct a pet’s vision or impede his breathing.

Adopt-a-Shelter Dog!

Tue, 7 Oct 2008 21:36:18 -0500

Have you considered adopting a dog from the animal shelter? If so, why not consider an older dog! Check out the top ten reasons below why adopting an older dog is the way to go!

Top 10 Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog

1. What You See Is What You Get
Older dogs are open books—from the start, you’ll know important things like their full-grown size, personality and grooming requirements. All this information makes it easier to pick the right dog and forge that instant love connection that will last a lifetime. If you’re not so into surprises, an older dog is for you!

2. Easy to Train
Think you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Hogwash! Older dogs are great at focusing on you—and on the task at hand—because they’re calmer than youngsters. Plus, all those years of experience reading humans can help them quickly figure out how to do what you’re asking.

3. Seniors are Super-Loving
The stories you submitted about your senior dogs were wonderfully varied, but they all contained beautiful, heartfelt descriptions of the love your dogs give you—and those of you who adopted older dogs told us how devoted and grateful they are. It's an instant bond that cannot be topped!

4. They’re Not a 24-7 Job
Grownup dogs don’t require the constant monitoring puppies do, leaving you with more freedom to do your own thing. If you have young children, or just value your “me time,” this is definitely a bonus.

5. They Settle in Quickly
Older dogs have been around the block and already learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack. They’ll be part of the family in no time!

6. Fewer Messes
Your floors, shoes and furniture will thank you for adopting a senior pooch! Older dogs are likely to already be housetrained—and even if they’re not, they have the physical and mental abilities to pick it up really fast (unlike puppies). With their teething years far behind them, seniors also are much less likely to be destructive chewers.

7. You Won’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew
There are those who yearn for a doggie friend of their own, but hold back because they worry what might happen in their lives in the years to come. And they are wise to do so—a puppy or young dog can be anywhere from an eight- to 20-year responsibility, which is not appropriate for the very elderly or those with certain long-term future plans. Providing a loving home for a dog in her golden years is not a less serious commitment, but it can be a shorter one.

8. They Enjoy Easy Livin’
Couch potato, know thyself! Please consider a canine retiree rather than a high-energy young dog who will run you ragged. Not that older dogs don’t require any exercise—they do—but they’re not going to need, or want, to run a marathon every day.

9. Save a Life, Be a Hero
Older dogs are often the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized at shelters. Saving an animal’s life offers an unparalleled emotional return on your investment, and you’ll feel the rewards every day you spend together. There’s nothing like that twinkling in an older dog’s eyes when he finally gets adopted and realizes that after a lifetime of searching, he’s home.

10. They’re CUTE!
Need we say more? For proof, check out our new photo feature In Praise of Older Dogs!

Dr. Whitcomb Featured on KAKE News!

Fri, 8 Aug 2008 13:32:11 -0500

On Thursday, August 7, 2008, Dr. Whitcomb was interviewed by KAKE News regarding animal health during the extreme heat.

CLICK HERE to link to the KAKE website to watch the interview.

Below is the transcript from that interview:

Posted: 10:42 PM Aug 7, 2008
Last Updated: 10:42 PM Aug 7, 2008
Email Address: natasha.trelfa@kake.com

Thursday's cool down was certainly appreciated, but local hospital officials say they've seen dozens of heat illness cases in recent days.

The City of Wichita is planning to open up more pools this weekend to help people cool down. Even local veterinarians said they're seeing a few patients struggling with the heat.

"Listen to what your body is telling you," explains Shelia Rupp, the pediatric trauma coordinator at Wesley Medical Center.

Muscle aches, head aches, feeling faint: Those are just a few of the troubling symptoms local emergency room workers say they've seen a lot of in the past week.

"It starts out with the muscle cramps, feeling week, profuse sweating," Rupp says. "From there it goes into your body trying to cool down and your skin gets a little cooler and you start having head aches, nausea, and vomiting."

Thanks to a string of scorching days, doctors at St. Francis and Wesley said they've seen dozens of people, mostly children and elderly, showing up with heat related injuries.

"Often we'll have to cool them down, get them re-hydrated in order to get them feeling better," says Brian Katan, an emergency room doctor at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita.

"We're faced with playing catch up with fluid replacement," said Rupp.

But it's not just your fellow man doctors say you need to keep an eye on when the heat is on. Local veterinarians say they're seeing more animals coming in also struggling with the heat.

"I always see some in the summer time," said Randy Whitcomb, a Wichita veterinarian, "I think the biggest mistake is leaving dogs out in the sun, in the heat of the day, without proper shade and water."

Randy Whitcomb said it's a simple concept: Our pets are similar to us when it comes to the dangers of the heat. He said pet owners need to be pro-active in keeping their animals cool and work fast if they think their pet is in trouble.

"If people suspect they're overheated, they probably need to just spray them with water like a water hose, to get he animal soaking wet," said Whitcomb.

With the heat expected to make a come back in the coming days, doctors say whether it's you or your pet hitting the outdoors, keep the cool water handy and get into the shade, especially if you've already battled with the sun.

"Once you've had a heat related injury in the past, you're more prone to it again," said Katan.

Local pools are also trying to help people beat the heat the city plans to open three additional pools for the next two weekends because of recent extreme heat.