Doctor’s Corner

Cold Weather Tips

Sat, 6 Feb 2010 21:42:50 -0600

Brrrr…it’s cold outside! The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.

1. Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.

2. During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

3. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm—dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.

4. Thoroughly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.

5. Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear.

6. Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.

7. Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

8. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him—and his fur—in tip-top shape.

9. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

Courtesy of www.aspca.org

A New Addition to the Family!

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:20:24 -0500

Hi, my name is Jaxx and I just joined the family of Wichita Dog and Cat Hospital 4 months ago; aren't I stunning? I am a Golden Retriever and weigh 82 pounds. I was rescued from a Golden Retriever foster home in Kansas City, after waiting for a new family for a whole year!
As a result of being in a foster home for a year, I developed a few bad habits.
My mom says I am a "carb junkie," as I like to steal food from the table; this is probably the worst habit I have. Mom decided that I needed lots of training and took me to Wag‘en Tail Ranch for a basic obedience. That basic class turned out to be not enough so she enrolled me in Therapy Dog Class. (What was she thinking?) However, in June, I got my TDI license and became an official therapy dog!
I am ready to go visiting and plan to provide emotional
support at the Children's Home in hopes of becoming a Reading Dog.
A Reading Dog listens to children read and in return, I will help them by being non-judgmental. We hope to find a teacher who needs my services, at no charge, of course. If you know anyone who needs us, please call the office.
Are you wondering how I got my name?. Well, Jaxx is a famous soap
opera star on General Hospital who is quite handsome and gives good
kisses. He looks pretty huggable too. I know I am!
I am at the office most mornings so come by and say hello. I
want to shake your hand and show you my many tricks. I know we'll be
great friends.

Hugs and kisses,

Jaxx

Prevent Heat Stroke

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:14:39 -0500

Pets and parents alike look forward to spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors, but being overeager in hot weather can spell danger, warn ASPCA experts.

“Even the healthiest pets can suffer from dehydration, heat stroke and sunburn if overexposed to the heat,” says Dr. Lila Miller, ASPCA Vice President of Veterinary Outreach, “and heat stroke can be fatal if not treated promptly.”

Watch out for the following symptoms of overheating in pets: excessive panting or difficulty breathing, drooling, mild weakness, stupor and even collapse. Pets can also suffer from seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.

Take these simple precautions, provided by ASPCA experts, to help prevent your pet from overheating. And if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, get help from your veterinarian immediately.

* Avoid dehydration by always having fresh, clean water available and lots of shady places where pets can cool off. When the weather’s extremely hot, keep your pets indoors.

* Give your dog a light summer haircut to help prevent overheating. Shave the hair to a one-inch length, but never down to the skin, as fur offers protection from the sun. Brushing your cat more often than usual can also help prevent problems caused by excessive heat.

* When using sunscreen or insect repellent, be sure the product is labeled specifically for use on animals.

* Never leave an animal alone in a parked vehicle. “On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time—even with the windows open—which could lead to fatal heat stroke,” says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital.

Please visit ASPCA.org for our complete list of hot weather safety tips!

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

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

This Thanksgiving

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.