tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42447019300982719752024-03-21T20:16:38.649-05:00Current Veterinary InfoVeterinary information for those who want answers based on scienceLouis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-84715900502948940022008-11-16T17:35:00.001-06:002008-11-16T17:37:15.369-06:00Low Cost Spay/Neuter ClinicsHere we go again….. In the last issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, there was a letter to the editor complaining about low cost spay and neuter clinics. I’m tired of defending myself and people who want to try and make a difference so I let it go. Someone did respond, though, and the original author got to respond as well. The response was even more offensive than the original letter so here we go again. Let’s get rid of some myths, shall we?<br /><br /> 1) Spay/neuter are bad medicine. There are no bad clinics, there are only bad people. We can use a ton of examples here. A knife can be used to kill someone or feed your family. A hammer can be used to build a house or end a fight. “Clinics” don’t decide to do surgery without pain medication, bad doctors do. Banning spay/neuter clinics is not the answer. Taking the license away from bad doctors is.<br /><br /> 2) Spay/neuter clinics perform subpar surgery. Really? I have a doctor here in my town that does surgery all day out of 1 surgery pack. This is fine unless he opens a low cost clinic? That’s crap. If your spay/neuter clinic is run by a bad doctor than you should file a complaint with your state board.<br /><br /> 3) Unless a surgery is performed under university hospital conditions, it’s unacceptable and dangerous. More crap. As long as you get a sterile surgical pack, pain management and a safe anesthetic protocol, you are getting an acceptable surgery. Think it’s wrong that the low cost clinic doesn’t put a catheter in every surgical patient? Go pay full price. The fact of the matter is, some people want a Timex, some want a Rolex. You can shop at Wal-Mart or Tiffany’s. But don’t tell people who are poor that they should go without a watch.<br /><br />So why does your veterinarian tell you that the low cost spay/neuter clinic is committing animal abuse?<br /><br /> 1) They are greedy. News flash: some veterinarians are bad people. They will abuse your trust to make sure that you only spend your money at their hospital. <br /><br /> 2) They are elitist. Some people think you should only own a pet if you can pay top dollar for “the best” care. This is wrong on two levels: first, maybe people who can’t afford pets and kids shouldn’t have they, but they do. The pet should not suffer just because people won’t take care of them. Second, ask them what happens when someone gets injured at their practice. EVERY veterinarian I know has sutured up a person. Why didn’t they pay for their staff to get “the best” care?<br /><br /> 3) They are bad doctors and business people. You need to remember that being a veterinarian means running your own business. If all you do is give “shots” and spay/neuter, then you are in a dying business. These guys are afraid to change. They can’t all of a sudden become doctors again, so they fight every threat to the status quo. Once it becomes proven that you don’t need to vaccinate your pet every year, these guys will go out of business.<br /><br />As hard as I‘ve been on low cost clinic detractors, let’s end on some of their valid points and hope that we can correct these problems to help make sure that less animals get put to sleep each year.<br /><br /> 1) Low cost clinics enable people to have more animals that they should have. Having worked in this field for more than 10 years I know this is true. I see people come to these clinics and the kids have no shoes, the parents need medical treatment themselves and you told them not to get any more pets last year. But without a low cost option would these people just not get any pets?<br /><br /> 2) People abuse the free spay/neuter clinics. Yes people lie, they make up fake names and they fake tax records. I’ve even seen some people show up with grandma and tell us she owned the 80lb pit bull. I always agree this is a problem. But is the fact that some people will abuse the system, a reason to deny everyone help? There would be NO social programs if we operated under that assumption.<br /><br /> 3) Lost cost clinics are cutting some corner. Yes, they are. Either your pet is going home shortly after surgery, your pet is not getting a catheter and fluids during surgery, or they are going to do 50 that day and no one will watch your pet wake up from anesthesia. It is NOT the same procedure you are getting at the full service hospital. Your veterinarian is not trying to screw you. Veterinary medicine is just like every other business; you get what you pay for. You have to decide if you want the Timex or the Rolex.<br /><br />So there it is, my rant on this topic…again. Here’s my recommendation for you if you believe that low cost clinics are eating your lunch. Spend more time telling people the difference between your clinic and the free clinic. Most of the people who go to the low cost clinic are there because they want to be there, not because they have to be there. They don’t value a full cost clinic’s services. Let them go and take better care of the people who want what you have to offer.<br /><br />If you’re considering a low cost clinic, ask questions. Ask the staff what you are getting. If you don’t like that answer call another clinic and ask why there is a price difference.Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-61269663326252648312008-07-30T07:04:00.000-05:002008-07-30T07:05:39.797-05:00Get Ready for an Emergency!Here's the homeland security's guide to caring for your pet during a major disaster:<br /><br />http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/pets.htmlLouis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-56881873913520008742008-05-27T21:12:00.003-05:002008-05-27T21:30:54.866-05:00Why Your Cat is FatLet's start with one of my favorite topics: fat pets. I was out this weekend and heard so many stories about how people's pets were fat, but there was nothing they could do about it. They tried giving pet food, but the pet wouldn't eat it. They tried exercise, but the pet just wouldn't do it. Diet food? Too expensive, but didn't work anyway. The only life the pet seemed to tolerate was people food and laying on the couch. Usually this story was presented to me by someone who was not in shape. <br /><br />However, this article was new to me: Inactivity, Not Dry Food, Leads to Diabetes in Cats. (It's a review of Indoor confinement and physical activity rather than proportion of dry food are risk factors in the development of feline type 2 diabetes mellitis. Singerland LI, et. al. VET J. Oct 2007.)<br /><br />I know that people blame all kinds of things on pet food, ranging from cancer to behavioral problems. However, this one takes the cake, pun intended. Please listen to me. I'll be as gentle as I can: It's your fault. Now, do some cat's have thyroid issues, sure. But, it's not that common. Is your cat diabetic? Maybe, but the research is clear: your cat was probably fat first, and the diabetes may go away if you get the weight off. Think I'm a jerk? Fine. Prove me wrong. Take your cat to the vet and get the blood tests run. If they all come back normal, odds are you will have no one to blame but yourself.<br /><br />Time for the good news: you can keep your cat around much longer if you get the weight off. First, ditch the "it's not my fault, he's big boned" attitude. Second, get some light cat food and some ear plugs. Put only the amount recommended by your veterinarian in the bowl and wait. If your cat eats all the food and cries, take the amount he's supposed to get for a day and split it up into 4 or 5 meals. Lastly, encourage the cat to move. Buy a toy or a harness. Pick the cat up from his favorite place in the middle of the day and take him to the opposite end of the house. <br /><br />This isn't going to be easy, for your or him, I'm sorry. But when is the easy way ever the best way to get something done?Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-72374894331258531072008-05-21T23:43:00.002-05:002008-05-21T23:52:01.881-05:00Books you can read with your dogThese books were suggested in an article by Susan Mayer MLIS in JAVMA, vol 232, No. 10, May 15, 2008: A librarian's guide to providing resources to pet owners. <br /><br />Most people don't go to the library anymore, which is a shame. At the University Of Tennessee we had a special library for the Vet School and a great staff that helped in so many ways I couldn't begin to state them all.<br /><br />Here are some books that will help you understand your pet better:<br /><br />The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care for Dogs, Darlene Arden<br /><br />The Pet Lover's Guide to First Aid & Emergencies, Thomas K. Day DVM<br /><br />Complete Care for your Aging Dog and Complete Care for your Aging Cat, Amy Shojai<br /><br />The Cat: It's Behavior Nutrition, and Health, Linda P. Case<br /><br />Grieving the Death of a Pet, Betty CarmackLouis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-450507646066773532008-05-13T15:54:00.002-05:002008-05-13T16:08:04.807-05:00Are you at risk?I know I've talked about zoonotic disease (diseases that pass from people to animals) before, but it's so important I thought we'd do it again. I get all kinds of calls about this because nobody talks about it. So here goes.....<br /><br /> Here are some questions you need to ask yourself, and be honest!<br /><br /> Do you have contact with animals?<br /><br /> Are those animals vaccinated for rabies?<br /> <br /> Do those animals have contact with other animals....Birds, raccoons, feral cats, loose dogs?<br /><br /> Are you young? Do you have a disease or on medication that suppresses your immune system? Are you an older adult?<br /><br /> Do you wash your hands after handling your pet, or their waste? (Really wash?)<br /><br /> Is your pet dewormed on a regular schedule?<br /><br /> Do you apply flea and tick medication to your pet?<br /><br /> Do you travel with your pet?<br /><br /> Do you use mosquito repellent on yourself?<br /><br /> Do you wear gloves when you garden?<br /><br /> Do you cover the children's sandbox when not in use, or cover pools that can collect water?<br /><br /> Do you feed your pet raw meat?<br /><br /> Do you clean your cat's litter box daily?<br /><br /> Are you overwhelmed? Don't be. The purpose of this list is not to scare you, it's not supposed to. The intent is for you to think about these things so that you don't take unnecessary risks. Now talk to your veterinarian about your specific risk. And if you have a medical condition, make sure your doctor knows what type of pets you have at home.Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-24592392512772246712008-05-12T18:10:00.002-05:002008-05-12T18:31:51.924-05:00Lyme Disease Facts: Dogs Are Not HumansOne of the jokes that is constant through veterinary school is that cats are not small dogs. As a student, you try to make as many similarities as possible between the two species because the volume of information can be overwhelming at times. It's also why most veterinarians own a shirt at some point in their careers that says "Real Doctors Treat More Than One Species".<br /><br /> Which brings me to today's topic: Lyme Disease. Many people know that ticks carry Lyme Disease, but they are only familiar with the human signs. And with good reason, it can be deadly in humans. However, some dogs may be carriers and show no or vague signs thus leaving a reservoir of risk right in their home.<br /><br />So here they are: Things You Need to Know About Lyme Disease:<br /><br />Dog's do not get the "Bull's eye" rash.<br /> It generally takes 60 days from the time of infection to time signs show up so there is no acute inflammation at the site of the tick bite.<br /><br />Clinical signs of Lyme Disease in the dog are vague and confusing.<br /> Signs include: painful joints, lameness, fever, loss of appetite.<br /><br />Dogs do not only show signs of Lyme Disease during the summer.<br /> Signs can take up to 6 month to show up.<br /><br />About 90% to 95% of dogs that acquire the disease will never show signs.<br /><br />Human Lyme disease has been reported in all 50 states.<br /> You do not live in an area that is free from Lyme Disease.<br /><br />A tick must feed for about 50 hours before they can transmit the disease.<br /> This means you can prevent most cases of this disease with a good tick product (Frontline, for example).<br /><br />Infected dogs may still carry the parasite after treatment.<br /> Treatment will help with clinical signs, but may not rid the dog of the parasite.<br /><br />There is a vaccine available.<br /> You should talk to your veterinarian to see if the vaccine is right for your dog.Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-74365972393701884362008-05-08T21:50:00.002-05:002008-05-08T22:27:41.347-05:00But Doc, It's his leg that's broken.....Most of the time when I have to see a dog or cat that has undergone major trauma the owners are concerned about the broken bones. They remind me of the first video they show you in Human First Aid. If you took the course you know the one. The little girl is in the pool and she drowning. The instructor then asks how many of you would jump into the pool. Of course, everybody in the class raises their hands. The camera then pans out and you see the electric pole that fell into the pool. You just jumped in to a pool filled with electricity. I missed the obvious by not assessing the situation first.<br /><br /> Before we get too far in, of course the pain needs to be dealt with. But we need to make sure the important functions are working. So I thought I would give everyone a short list of the way we assess a patient that has been presented after a major trauma. This should help you too in the unfortunate circumstance that you have to deal with a pet that has been in an accident.<br /><br /> In the field the first thing you should do is avoid getting yourself injured. Make sure the area is safe for you to approach. <br /><br /> Just like in the human field, the ABC's are the first area to assess (Airway, Breathing Circulation). However, in animals, we proceed very carefully with assessing the airway. Many of these animals are in pain and I'm not all that interested in putting my hands in a painful cats mouth.<br /><br /> Next, we assess the patients breathing. In the hospital, we have the aid of a stethoscope. But you can get a good read on a patient's respiratory status by just looking. First, look for obvious trauma to the chest wall. Next, you want to observe the rate, pattern and sounds.<br /><br /> Circulation can be the hardest part of the evaluation. The gums of a healthy dog should be pink. However, the shock of pain can make a dog's gums white. I usually use the tongue as my gauge. Painful dogs generally still have a pinkish tongue. Estimating blood loss can be difficult even for someone with training. A little blood on the ground always looks like a lot.<br /><br /> The next thing to look for is the animal's mental status. Does the dog know what's going on? Does she respond to you when you talk to her? Are her pupils even?<br /><br /> Finally, I'm looking at broken bones. Unlike people, dogs and cats don't die from complications of broken bones in the short-term. They need to be addressed for pain and future repair, but they are not usually life threatening.<br /><br /> For tips on how to move a dog or cat that has been traumatized the American Red Cross has a great website:<br /><br />http://www.redcross.org/news/hs/firstaid/010801petfirstaid.htmlLouis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-59233215916180892072008-05-07T11:43:00.003-05:002008-05-07T12:06:04.155-05:00For the BirdsI am not an exotic animal specialist, but I do see a fair amount of birds, reptiles, hamsters and guinea pigs. I have to. The other emergency clinics in Middle Tennessee won't touch a dieing exotic pet with a ten foot pole. I feel that I have some obligation to at least try to stabilize the patient until someone who knows what they are doing can fix the problem. That's not to say that I don't know what I'm doing. I pull blood feathers on birds, I've taken foreign bodies out of ferrets and I've treated hamsters with mites. But I do understand the other emergency clinics concern about treating these pets.<br /><br /> For starters, people who have never taken these pets to a veterinarian before demand a specialist at 3am. And in the age of litigation, I understand the that veterinarians are afraid they are going to do more harm than good and end up in a legal battle for their license just for trying to help. At my place we tell people when they call that I don't do exotics regularly, but I'm willing to try. If they want an expert they should keep calling around, I'm not their man.<br /><br /> With birds, most of the time there isn't much I can do. I know that people always say that "this just started today", but most of the time it didn't. Birds are very good at hiding illness so by the time you notice something is wrong, it's very late in the process. that's not to say that they can't be saved, but they need a bird doctor, not your dog and horse vet who took a weekend continuing education seminar on "Basic Bird Care". So, here is a list of things that I see on emergency that should have been addressed long before I got my hands on the case:<br /> <br /> 1) Lethargy for any more than 1 day. A bird that is not moving is food for some other animal. If they already are lethargic, they are in trouble.<br /><br /> 2) Burns. Birds fly into frying pans, or try to perch on hair irons and they need their feet to live. Plus, all the Neosporin in the world isn't going to pain that bird is in.<br /><br /> 3) Loss of appetite for more than 1 day. They have a very high metabolic rate and eat all the time.<br /><br /> 4) Sitting on to bottom of the cage. There a reason he's there and watching him for a day or two isn't going to alter that reason.<br /><br /> 5) Blood anywhere. They don't have much of a blood volume and small amounts of blood loss can be lethal.<br /><br /> Which leads me to my last piece of advice: find a veterinarian that deals with birds as soon as you get a bird. Most veterinarians who deal with exotics have an emergency plan for established clients. (and I don't blame them for turning away non-established clients. Who wants to get up at 3 am to hear, "I only paid $5 for this bird, why should I pay you $70 for an exam!" and then get stiffed?) <br /><br /> Like with the rest of life, a little bit of preparation may prevent a whole lot of heartache.Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-64308067632118820722008-05-04T22:28:00.002-05:002008-05-04T22:31:05.914-05:00Why you should wash your hands after playing with turtles.When I was a kid, my mother was constantly telling me to wash my hands before eating. Most of the time, I tried to get around it. Now that I'm older I wonder how I got this far. It turns out that many kids get Salmonella from playing with turtles. So many, in fact, that the CDC put out a report on it:<br /><br />http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5703a3.htm<br /><br />Who knew?Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-13848503800738680112008-05-04T22:21:00.002-05:002008-05-04T22:24:27.505-05:00Your Kid Can Be A Veterinarian Too!It's estimated that by 2050 we will need more than 26,000 more veterinarians than we have right now. Here are some tools to help teach kids about what veterinarians do: http://www.avma.org/educators/ I don't know if your kid wants to inspect meat or watch pigs grow, but this would be a great place to find out!Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-1579807422886984772008-04-29T14:31:00.004-05:002008-04-29T15:07:42.735-05:00Cat FightsSometimes my job can be a real pain in the butt. I work for a humane society that provides free spay/neuter to certain groups of people and my hospital performs low cost spay/neuter to anyone who has $40. Yet, some people just can't seem to get there. I mean they make appointments and just don't show up. It's not just that they don't care about their animals, they take up a spot from someone who might actually show up. At the humane society we get about 50% of the appointments to show up. I love the people we call only to wake them up. It's free and they can't even be bothered to get out of bed!<br /> Alright, that rant was brought on by an article in JAVMA Vol. 232. No. 8 page 1152 on Feline Leukemia (FELV), Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and cats presented for being in a cat fight. So let's discuss the viruses first.<br /> FELV and FIV are common retroviruses found in cats. The viruses are acquired by direct contact with infected body fluids, and are not contagious to humans. However, like the most widely known retrovirus HIV, there is no cure in cats, it can be difficult to detect in the cat and some cats may be carriers with no apparent clinical signs. Unlike HIV, there are vaccines for both FELV and FIV. <br /> The study involved almost 1000 cats that were presented to a veterinary hospital for treatment of an abscess or bite wound. At presentation, about 20% of the cats were positive for FELV, FIV or both. Cats that were negative for both were told that retesting in 6 months was necessary to make sure that the cats didn't acquire a virus during the current episode. Only 5% of the owners returned to have the cats retested. Here's the kicker: the clients were paid to get the tests run on their pets! Didn't get that? Let me quote the article, "Financial incentives were provided to veterinarians and clients to promote compliance."<br /><br />So let's summarize this article:<br /> FELV and FIV and deadly diseases that are completely avoidable by keeping you cat inside, or current on his vaccinations.<br /><br /> People and their cats were enrolled in a study to see how many cats that got into a fight had contracted either FELV or FIV.<br /><br /> Even though the clients were being paid to do what was right for their cat, 95% couldn't bother.<br /><br /> Like I said some days my job is a pain in the butt.<br /><br /><br /> It's not all bad news: Here are the AVMA's current recommendations on vaccinating your cat against this common killer.<br /><br />http://www.avma.org/vafstf/rbbroch.aspLouis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-88085820585295304422008-04-28T21:36:00.002-05:002008-04-28T21:39:53.941-05:00Cat Vitamin RecallHartz recently recalled two batches of cat vitamins for potential Salmonella contamination. There have been no reported cases of sickness, in cats or in humans. The lot numbers affected are: SZ-16371 and SZ-22771. If you have any questions about the products you should call Hartz at 800-275-1414.Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-42049266602450199652008-04-28T21:30:00.002-05:002008-04-28T21:36:15.839-05:00Lyme DiseaseWe have a lot of people who come into my clinic and find a tick on their dog, only to pull it off and ask me for some place to throw it out. I always have to fight the urge to cringe. I know it's pretty rare for a human to catch a disease this way, but ticks transmit a bunch of diseases you never want to catch. Which brings us to today's topic: Lyme Disease. It's a nasty little bug that can cause arthritis, kidney disease and even death, in both you and your pet. There is a vaccine available for dogs, and the maker of the vaccine has chosen April, the start of tick season in most areas, as Lyme Disease Prevention month. The website is www.LymePrevention. com. <br /> Yeah, it's a website commercial, but it's got some good information.Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-65690685499955702852008-04-23T09:54:00.002-05:002008-04-23T10:00:35.790-05:00RabiesA couple of weeks ago we actually had a rabid dog at our clinic. It was a major fiasco. The state veterinarian told us there was no point in getting my staff treated for the exposure. physicians had any clue about what they needed to do for my staff. And nobody was willing to offer an opinion because they were afraid of the liability. This was very frustrating for all of us. Rabies is a deadly disease and all I got were people covering their own asses! It turns out my experience may have been typical:<br /><br />Date: Wed 9 Apr 2008<br />Source: PostStar.com [edited]<br /><http://www.poststar.com/articles/2008/04/09/news/latest/doc47fd5f5879b6d714087234.txt><br /> <br /> <br />Man bitten in attack by rabid fox<br />---------------------------------<br />A Lake George man was bitten and scratched by a rabid fox Monday <br />night [7 Apr 2008] as he attempted to fend off repeated attacks while <br />he and his fiancee walked up the steps to their 2nd-floor apartment. <br />Later that night, the fox repeatedly bit the right front tire of an <br />SUV driven by a responding officer with the state Department of <br />Environmental Conservation. It was the 1st confirmed case this year <br />[2008] of a rabid animal attack in Warren County.<br /> <br />The couple, both 23, had exited their car behind their garage <br />apartment on state Route 9, between Warrensburg and the village of <br />Lake George, at about 10 p.m., with the woman walking ahead of the <br />man up the 10 steps of the back stairs. "We both heard something. We <br />turned around. Right behind our back tire was a fox, not even 5 feet <br />away," she said Wednesday [9 Apr 2008]. "I started screaming really, <br />really loud. [My fiance] started kicking to get him to go away," she <br />said. "It just kept coming back and attacking him. It seemed like <br />forever, but in reality it was probably 3 minutes."<br /> <br />The man was bitten and scratched on the left ankle as he tried to <br />keep the advancing animal away from his fiancee. At 1st, he said, he <br />thought the attacking gray fox was a cat and he kept pushing the <br />animal back down the stairs with his feet and yelling to his fiance <br />to get inside. "It didn't really hurt," Bishop said. "I still think I <br />won that fight. I just kept kicking him in the face. He got up and <br />ran back. I wasn't kicking him that hard, though. I'm not a mean person."<br /> <br />Once in the apartment, the couple closed the door and peered through <br />a nearby window to see the animal. "When we slammed the door, you <br />could see the fox trying to get in," the man said. His mother, who <br />had earlier walked to the apartment from her home next door to take <br />care of the couple's 2-year-old daughter, called 9-1-1. About 25 <br />minutes later, the couple had another close call when they decided to <br />open the door to see if it was safe for the mother to walk home. An <br />outdoor floodlight, which goes on when there is movement in the yard, <br />had turned off, and he said they believed the animal had left the <br />area. But it hadn't.<br /> <br />"Right when we opened the door, the fox ran up the stairs again," she <br />said. She went to close the door, but a loose shoe kept the door from <br />closing and allowed the fox to stick its snout through the opening <br />before the door could be shut all the way.<br /> <br />The woman said the attack left blood and scratches on the door. "It <br />felt like we were being hunted," she said. When Environmental <br />Conservation Officer George LaPoint arrived on the scene at about <br />11:20 p.m., the fox ran down the apartment stairs toward his vehicle. <br />LaPoint estimated that the animal attacked one tire on his SUV <br />between 7 and 10 times, apparently biting it each time. LaPoint drove <br />back and forth in the driveway and tried to use his handgun to shoot <br />the fox from the driver's side window. But the fox remained elusive <br />and kept darting between the vehicle, the stairs and the woods, he <br />said. Eventually, the fox was hit and killed by the SUV's <br />undercarriage. But the animal's brain, which is used in rabies <br />testing, remained intact. LaPoint said the fox was the most <br />aggressive animal he has encountered in his 9 years as a conservation <br />officer. "This was a 4- or 5-pound animal attacking a 3000-pound <br />vehicle," he said.<br /> <br />The Warren County Department of Public Health expedited testing of <br />the fox in a state lab in Albany on Tuesday [8 Apr 2008], said <br />Ginelle Jones, the department's assistant director. Health officials <br />notified the man later Tuesday that the animal had tested positive <br />for rabies. That same day, he began treatment for the disease, which <br />involves a series of shots administered in his ankle, arms and upper <br />hip in 5 sessions over a 25-day period.<br /> <br />[Byline: Bob Condon]<br /> <br />--<br />Communicated by:<br />ProMED-mail<br /><promed@promedmail.org><br /> <br />*****<br />[2]<br />Date: Wed 9 Apr 3009<br />Source: todaysthv.com [edited]<br /><http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=63720><br /> <br /> <br />A Polk County family's dog has been confirmed to be infected with rabies<br />------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The family, living on Highway 71 near Hatfield, says the dog became <br />ill around 1 or 2 Apr 2008 and was aggressive and biting. It <br />progressively became worse until it was euthanized and submitted for <br />rabies testing on Fri 4 Apr 2008.<br /> <br />Anyone who was bitten by a dog in the area should contact the Polk <br />Co. Health Unit in Mena at (479) 394-2707. The dog ran free and was <br />unvaccinated. The dog had killed a skunk several weeks earlier. <br />Authorities say that skunk undoubtedly was rabid and was the source <br />of rabies to the dog. Other dogs, cats, horses, cattle in the area <br />could also have been bitten by the rabid skunk.<br /> <br />Rabies is a virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord and is a <br />fatal disease. It is most often seen in animals such as skunks, bats, <br />and foxes. Cats, dogs, ferrets and livestock can also develop rabies, <br />especially if they are not vaccinated.<br /> <br />In 2007, Arkansas had 33 rabies positive animals, including 23 <br />skunks, 7 bats, one cow, one fox and one dog. So far in 2008, the <br />state has had 8 skunks, one bat, one goat, and now 2 dogs test <br />positive for rabies. One of the skunks also was in Polk Co. but in Mena.<br /> <br />The 1st sign of rabies in an animal is usually a change in behavior. <br />Rabid animals may attack people or other animals for no reason, or <br />they may lose their fear of people and seem unnaturally friendly. <br />Staggering, convulsions, choking, frothing at the mouth and paralysis <br />are often present.<br /> <br />Skunks may be seen out in daylight, which is an unusual behavior for <br />them, or they may get into a dog pen or under a house. Many animals <br />have a marked change in voice pitch, such as a muted or off-key tone. <br />An animal usually dies within one week of demonstrating signs of <br />rabies. Not all rabid animals act in these ways, however, so you <br />should avoid all wild animals, especially skunks, bats and stray cats and dogs.<br /> <br />If you think you have become exposed to an animal with rabies wash <br />your wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention <br />immediately. Contact your physician and county health unit <br />immediately and report the incident. The animal in question should be <br />captured, if possible, without damaging its head or risking further exposure.<br /> <br />All dogs and cats in Arkansas are required to be vaccinated against <br />rabies yearly by a licensed veterinarian. This not only protects the <br />animal, but also acts as a barrier between the wildlife exposures of <br />rabies and people, as our pets are more likely to be exposed to a <br />rabid skunk directly than we are. Children especially should be <br />reminded not to touch wild animals and to stay away from stray pets.<br /> <br />If an apparently healthy domesticated dog or cat bites a person, it <br />must be captured, confined and observed daily for 10 days following <br />the bite. If the animal remains healthy during this period of time, <br />it did not transmit rabies at the time of the bite. The brain tissue <br />of all wild animals must be tested for rabies if human exposure has occurred.<br /> <br />What can we do to protect ourselves against rabies?<br />- Be sure your dogs, cats and ferrets are up-to-date on their rabies <br />vaccinations<br />- Do not feed, touch or adopt wild animals<br />- Keep family pets indoors at night<br />- Bat-proof your home or summer camp in the fall or winter (The <br />majority of human rabies cases are caused by bat bites.)<br />- Encourage children to immediately tell an adult if any animal bites them<br />- Teach children to avoid wildlife, strays, and all other animals <br />they do not know well<br /> <br />Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to the Polk <br />County Local Health Unit. Do not let any animal escape that has <br />possibly exposed someone to rabies. Depending on the species, an <br />animal can be observed or tested for rabies in order to avoid the <br />need for rabies treatment.<br /> <br />[Byline: Arkansas Dept. of Health]<br /> <br />--<br />Communicated by:<br />ProMED-mail<br /><promed@promedmail.org><br /> <br />******<br />[3]<br />Datw: Thu 10 Apr 2008<br />Source: TriValleyCentral.com [edited]<br /><http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19465418&BRD=1817&PAG=461&dept_id=222089&rfi=6><br /> <br /> <br />Pinal issues county-wide rabies advisory<br />----------------------------------------<br />The Pinal County Public Health Services District is issuing an <br />advisory for animal rabies to all residents of Pinal County. On 31 <br />Mar 2008, a bobcat bagged in the Peppersauce campgrounds near Oracle <br />tested positive for rabies at the Arizona State Public Health <br />Laboratory. The bobcat attacked and exposed at least 2 individuals at <br />the campsite. Both individuals are currently receiving a series of <br />shots to prevent contracting the rabies virus.<br /> <br />Anyone who has been at this campsite recently and had physical <br />contact with a bobcat should contact the Pinal County Public Health <br />Services District at (520) 866-7347 immediately to determine whether <br />treatment is needed.<br /> <br />This is the 5th animal to test positive in Pinal County in 2008. The <br />identification of rabid animals statewide serves as a reminder of the <br />potential for rabies in wild animals in Arizona. Rabies is an <br />infectious disease that affects the nervous system, including the <br />brain and spinal cord of animals and humans. It is caused by a virus <br />present in the saliva of infected animals and is transmitted to <br />humans through contact with the live virus. Rabies is fatal to humans <br />once symptoms appear. There has not been a documented case of human <br />rabies in Pinal County for decades.<br /> <br />While human exposures to rabid animals are rare, family pets are more <br />often exposed to wild animals, including wild animals that are rabid. <br />Vaccination against rabies is available through your veterinarian or <br />Pinal County Animal Care and Control. This will prevent them from <br />getting rabies if exposed to a rabid animal. If unvaccinated <br />household pets come in contact with a rabid animal, the pet must be <br />put to sleep to eliminate risk to humans or other animals.<br /> <br />"When the family dog gets into a fight with a skunk or the cat brings <br />a bat home, that family pet is at risk of getting rabies," said Pinal <br />County Public Health Director Tom Schryer. "We need to consider this <br />risk in public health. If it is possible that the family pet could <br />get rabies and give it to a family member, animal care andcontrol <br />agencies have no choice but to remove that pet from the home. <br />Unfortunately, the majority of household pets identified with <br />exposures to rabid animals in 2007 were not vaccinated and needed to <br />be put to sleep. A simple shot at the vet's office could have <br />protected both these animals from rabies."<br /> <br />Feel free to contact Pinal County Animal Care and Control for more <br />information concerning rabies vaccination for pets and vaccination <br />clinic times and locations at (520) 509-3555 or toll free at (888) <br />431-1311. While rabies can occur in animals anywhere in the county, <br />in the last few years the southern and eastern portions of the county <br />have had the most activity. Rabies is found mainly in wild animals <br />such as bats, skunks, foxes, raccoons, bobcats and coyotes. <br />Unvaccinated cats, dogs and livestock can also become infected with <br />rabies if they are bitten by rabid wild animals. Rodents such as <br />rats, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs and squirrels are not likely to be <br />infected with rabies. Wild animals exhibiting unusual behavior should <br />be reported to local animal control officials. The best way to <br />protect yourself and your family is to avoid touching, handling, or <br />adopting wild or stray animals.<br /> <br />The 1st sign of rabies is usually a change in the animal's behavior. <br />Animals may act more aggressive or more tame than usual. Animals <br />usually active at night such as skunks, foxes and bats may be out <br />during the day. Rabid animals may appear agitated and excited or <br />paralyzed and frightened. Sometimes, rabid animals do not show any <br />signs of illness before death from rabies. That is why contact with <br />wild animals should always be avoided.<br /> <br />Pinal County Public Health Officials recommend the following <br />precautions: Keep people and pets away from wild animals. Do not pick <br />up, touch or feed wild or unfamiliar animals, especially sick or <br />wounded ones. If someone has been bitten or scratched, or has had <br />contact with the animal, report it immediately to animal control or <br />health officials. Do not "rescue" seemingly abandoned young wild <br />animals. Usually, the mother will return. If the mother is dead or <br />has not returned in many hours, call the Arizona Game and Fish Department.<br /> <br />Vaccinate all dogs and cats against rabies. Pets should be kept in a <br />fenced yard. Take precautions when camping, hunting or fishing. Avoid <br />sleeping on the open ground without the protection of a closed tent <br />or camper. Keep pets on a leash and do not allow them to wander.<br /> <br />Do not disturb roosting bats. If you find a bat on the ground, don't <br />touch it. Report the bat and its location to your local animal <br />control officer or health department. Place a box over the bat to <br />contain it. Be careful not to damage the bat in any way since it must <br />be intact for rabies testing.<br /> <br />For more information about rabies, call the Pinal County Public <br />Health Services District at (520) 866-7347, or the Arizona Department <br />of Health Services at (602) 364-4562.<br /> <br />--<br />Communicated by:<br />ProMED-mail<br /><promed@promedmail.org><br /> <br />*****<br />[4]<br />Date: Thu 10 Apr 2008<br />Source: Chattanooga Times Free Press onllne [edited]<br /><http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2008/apr/03/fox-attack-shows-need-prevent-rabies/><br /> <br /> <br />Fox attack shows need to prevent rabies<br />---------------------------------------<br />A bite from a rabid fox in Whitfield County, GA, underscores the need <br />to aggressively combat the deadly disease, officials in Georgia and <br />Tennessee say. Chad Mulkey, environmental county manager in Whitfield <br />for the North Georgia Health District, said the attack illustrates <br />how development crowds wild animals and humans closer together. Mr. <br />Mulkey wasn't surprised Jimmy Cooper encountered a fox near his home <br />last week [31 Mar - 4 Apr 2008]. "Up there where this bite occurred, <br />I'd say the habitat being destroyed is what pushed this fox out," Mr. <br />Mulkey said. He said raccoons, skunks and bats also are primary <br />carriers of rabies.<br /> <br />Whitfield County wasn't included last fall [2007] when vaccine-laden <br />baits were put out in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia to <br />battle the spread of rabies in wild animals. "Baits are typically <br />used to create a buffer between a population that has rabies and a <br />population that doesn't have rabies," Mr. Mulkey said.<br /> <br />Tennessee Public Health veterinarian John Dunn said the raccoon <br />strain of rabies, which can be transmitted to other species and <br />appears to be moving west, "is the reason for the baiting." Oral <br />vaccine baits scattered by hand and dropped from planes last fall <br />targeted raccoons and skunks, according to USDA Wildlife Services <br />reports. The program started in Tennessee in 2002 and Georgia in <br />2003. In Southeast Tennessee, 340 345 baits were dropped in the <br />10-county area, according to National Rabies Management Program <br />reports. In Northwest Georgia counties west of Whitfield, 89 560 <br />baits were dropped, reports state.<br /> <br />The disease usually is spread to humans through the bite of a rabid <br />animal, but is occasionally transmitted by infected material such as <br />saliva, officials said. Mr. Dunn said bats are a special case because <br />their teeth are so small a bite might not be noticed. "Most of the <br />human cases we've had over the last 20 years have been associated <br />with bat rabies," he said, noting pets can be infected just as <br />easily. Pets that are vaccinated create another barrier between wild <br />animals and humans, because rabid pets are certain to come in contact <br />with their owners, he said.<br /> <br />Mr. Dunn said while skunks are a common carrier, larger animals such <br />as raccoons and foxes are more dangerous when they get rabies because <br />they are more aggressive and have little fear of people or pets. Mr. <br />Cooper, a retired salvage yard owner who lives near the <br />Whitfield-Murray county line at the Tennessee border, said his <br />neighbor called him last week saying a fox was trying to jump through <br />their screen door. "It was jumping up at them, trying to bite them <br />through the door," he said. The fox retreated under the porch before <br />Mr. Cooper got there, then "came out trying to bite me in the face," <br />he said. "I got back up kicking at it, and kicked it a couple of <br />licks. Finally, it jumped up and bit me right above the belt line." <br />Mr. Cooper got a gun from his house, shot the animal and turned it <br />over to authorities. Now he is taking a series of injections, which <br />he says are not painful, to stave off the disease. Rabies is nearly <br />always fatal once symptoms develop, officials said. Mr. Cooper said <br />he never worried about wild animals before.<br /> <br />Mr. Mulkey said Whitfield, like many counties, offers low-cost rabies <br />vaccine clinics every year to keep pets safe and to remove them as a <br />link in spreading the disease. And a vaccinated pet doesn't have to <br />be killed for testing if it bites someone, he said. Vaccinated pets <br />can be held for 10 days so officials can watch for rabies symptoms, he said.<br /> <br />Rabies poses a serious health risk that's easily preventable, Mr. <br />Mulkey said. "People sometimes don't take it seriously enough," he <br />said. "It's an ounce of prevention kind of thing."<br /> <br />Some rabies facts:<br />- Exposure occurs from direct contact with infected central nervous <br />system tissue or saliva.<br />- Rabies virus can't penetrate unbroken skin or survive on an animal's fur.<br />- A pet exposed to rabies does not become a danger to its owners <br />until it becomes ill.<br />- Bats can bite unnoticed. Anyone exposed to an infected bat should <br />see a doctor.<br /> <br />[Source: Georgia Division of Public Health. N.B. A list of the number <br />of baits applied in each county has been omitted from this <br />transcript. - Mod.CP]Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-12809458979609994722008-04-21T21:45:00.002-05:002008-04-21T21:50:38.295-05:00Armadillos and LeprosyI used to work at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI with a great guy named Dan. He knew how every animal in the zoo would kill me. It made me a real kill-joy when I go to zoos with my wife. I was explaining this character flaw to some friends this weekend, when I was describing why I stay away from wild animals now. This lead to a conversation on wild animal brought into veterinary clinics. Nobody would believe me that Armadillos carry leprosy, so I had to do some research:<br /><br />http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a990219.html<br /><br /> You can read all about why you should stay away from random animals found on the side of the road!Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-36514472862734721652008-04-21T21:43:00.000-05:002008-04-21T21:44:37.586-05:00Grand Bahamas HS Press releaseHumane Society of Grand Bahama<br />MEDIA RELEASE<br />April 21, 2008<br /><br />West End Spay & Neuter Clinic<br /><br /> The Humane Society of Grand Bahama, in partnership with The Kohn Foundation, is pleased to report their third successful field spay/neuter clinic, which was held in West End from April 14 – 18, 2008. This clinic had a few new challenges, which included a mad scramble at the eleventh hour for a clinic venue, and the distance from Freeport. All were overcome in the end and the clinic ran very smoothly. <br /><br /> The clinic was held in the Burrows Investment building on the back road of West End; in what was formerly a small grocery store. It was a bit smaller than our previous venues but it worked out very well. The HSGB thanks the Garvey-Burrows family for making the space available and supporting this project. <br /><br /> A total of 189 dogs and 25 cats were sterilized during the week, for a total of 214 animals. 222 were checked in, 8 were either previously spayed or too sick for surgery (but treated and HSGB will follow up for future surgery). 3 dogs were treated for transmissible venereal tumours. One little dog was successfully treated for a horrendous abscess on his side, which required daily treatments and care all week. Numerous eye and skin ailments were also treated. One dog had a badly injured paw; two of her toes were amputated. She will be able to get around just fine; left untreated, she might have faced leg amputation or even death. <br /><br /> All the dogs and cats received flea/tick preventative, vaccines if needed and deworming, which should lead to a healthier overall pet population. They also had their nails trimmed and ears cleaned while in recovery. Pet owners received educational information on how to better care for their pets. <br /><br /> 15 dogs and 40 puppies were surrendered to the HSGB during the clinic. 8 dogs were euthanized, which were too sick, or too feral or aggressive to potentially rehabilitate or re-home. The rest are at our shelter. 12 puppies are going to Florida Tuesday, April 22, to a rescue group that has been standing by ready to assist. More puppies will be going to Florida and New York in the next week or two. The HSGB is pleased to have the support of several rescues and shelters that are willing to help save these puppies while we work very hard to eliminate the surplus through this project. Local residents who have been thinking about adopting a dog or puppy; we have never before had such a variety of gorgeous puppies so please come in and have a look. <br /><br /> The total of 269 animals either sterilized or relinquished means that we have (conservatively) prevented at least a thousand unwanted puppies and kittens born in the next six months alone. Sterilization is the proven, best answer to a pet-overpopulation problem. The HSGB asks all pet owners to be responsible and spay and neuter their pets. Our ongoing voucher program is still active and any residents we missed can call the HSGB at 352-2477 to schedule their pets for surgery. <br /><br /> The HSGB is grateful to the West End Foundation for funding this clinic, and to Old Bahama Bay for providing accommodation for our visiting veterinarians and technicians. Our Freeport volunteers were amazing and tireless; and provided invaluable assistance and support, as always.<br /><br /> Veterinarians for this clinic were chief vet Dr. Robin Brennen of New York City, Dr. Bridget Barry of Ithaca, NY, Dr. Louis Lembo of Columbia, TN, Dr. Deborah Sonnen-Campbell of Boston, MA, and Dr. Kristi Crass of Madison, WI. Technicians/assistants included Gregory Carastro of Amity Harbor, NY, Sloane Smith of Columbia, TN, Stephanie Neufeld of New York City, Amy Brinkman of Stoughtman, WI, Dustin Dennis of Ithaca, NY, Kristin Dennis-Peralta of Rio Rancho, NM, and Martha Kohn of Syosset, NY. <br /><br />The HSGB is overwhelmed once again at the generosity of these professionals who willingly give up their precious vacation time, and even pay their own way here, to help Grand Bahamas’ animals. The goal is an island with no roaming, diseased, starving dogs and cats and it is attainable with the support of the entire community. For ways you can help us continue this vital project, please call the HSGB at 352-2477.Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-23182576777349083772008-04-16T20:41:00.002-05:002008-04-16T20:44:42.412-05:00Individual Care<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwoEb1w1IhRgoVXf66D23cH1f9765g1C1_TUUwDbAfJox7QhR0U3OdYLe9OG_9LwHddYcaQQNkxkEs_L_b96E-FrixwyS2iPKr5Xu7XGDgrI4jdet526r0ssxS60jXQfXe1q9ibEYxXgf/s1600-h/Steph's+Bahamas+088.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwoEb1w1IhRgoVXf66D23cH1f9765g1C1_TUUwDbAfJox7QhR0U3OdYLe9OG_9LwHddYcaQQNkxkEs_L_b96E-FrixwyS2iPKr5Xu7XGDgrI4jdet526r0ssxS60jXQfXe1q9ibEYxXgf/s320/Steph's+Bahamas+088.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190024128832662626" /></a><br />Every patient at our clinic gets individual attention.Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-56929948302228942072008-04-16T20:36:00.002-05:002008-04-16T20:39:04.502-05:00Our Fearless Leader<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbch0XODywsgdC4WehP-SKbAgmG4kChvzfomLj2ZqnZYl8IF7N8OVNvlZ3MZoLBYmEgPWbWw1joFd2hGQazkzYEqAC2q1gPmmW673fhykmmM-CRPMFB90lR_J4Ahf6BWL6pJ3FujS3JUfO/s1600-h/Steph's+Bahamas+063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbch0XODywsgdC4WehP-SKbAgmG4kChvzfomLj2ZqnZYl8IF7N8OVNvlZ3MZoLBYmEgPWbWw1joFd2hGQazkzYEqAC2q1gPmmW673fhykmmM-CRPMFB90lR_J4Ahf6BWL6pJ3FujS3JUfO/s320/Steph's+Bahamas+063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190022741558226002" /></a><br /> Our leader is on the left. Greg is a licensed technician who is responsible for getting the animals under anesthesia.Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-72517267379450284152008-04-16T20:25:00.000-05:002008-04-16T20:26:27.309-05:00Sloane Says Hi!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwctLxz1oq_5elYUVfDXZ_Rh7SKolboDhQaVXFrUkyHIrYMEKzrIZ0LD6Y7Z6106pyfTMNDs5zofm434n_CsqWfWzIlklKTW_X0EuroDO9jrKbR8lZuC780cYPCYovNc7heKOzU1gmnZ2/s1600-h/Steph's+Bahamas+082.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwctLxz1oq_5elYUVfDXZ_Rh7SKolboDhQaVXFrUkyHIrYMEKzrIZ0LD6Y7Z6106pyfTMNDs5zofm434n_CsqWfWzIlklKTW_X0EuroDO9jrKbR8lZuC780cYPCYovNc7heKOzU1gmnZ2/s320/Steph's+Bahamas+082.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190019494562950210" /></a>Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-38414082127831398302008-04-16T17:41:00.003-05:002008-04-16T17:48:44.980-05:00Wednesday in the Bahamas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HAP1IEXsk2kznh2ARqOqiLZ9jYeyPaYAo0D14QvCOMEwPnZyjcrTOmOUKqbUPVpoIMjiflRNKp7Wphx9sy2YTcxMNvjYqTSc1ZChjTBjjbUcBmLzuODm89vW2A2bj-lQ6_O0ys3njIIn/s1600-h/IMG_2194.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-HAP1IEXsk2kznh2ARqOqiLZ9jYeyPaYAo0D14QvCOMEwPnZyjcrTOmOUKqbUPVpoIMjiflRNKp7Wphx9sy2YTcxMNvjYqTSc1ZChjTBjjbUcBmLzuODm89vW2A2bj-lQ6_O0ys3njIIn/s320/IMG_2194.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189978288646712370" /></a><br /><br />Today we spayed and neutered 55 animals in The Bahamas. This is a picture of my wife Sloane preparing one of the day's surgeries.Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-57339850170094516862008-04-15T16:28:00.001-05:002008-04-15T16:32:10.029-05:00Puppies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZIifVqfBOtU-iUPic-QxDK5bn0Ltn2DNzR19LxBhyphenhypheneuITKmqywKj4-fUfCI4XS-ImvMWjZkxO-NjkuFproaBr7BtPZDwrxQHl1BWp_IdhLhfXfE7dlCa-EuHHG1pgeRFZVognGxNj-lV/s1600-h/Puppies.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZIifVqfBOtU-iUPic-QxDK5bn0Ltn2DNzR19LxBhyphenhypheneuITKmqywKj4-fUfCI4XS-ImvMWjZkxO-NjkuFproaBr7BtPZDwrxQHl1BWp_IdhLhfXfE7dlCa-EuHHG1pgeRFZVognGxNj-lV/s320/Puppies.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189587974903753762" /></a><br />Here are 2 of the puppies that we spayed at the clinic in the Bahamas.Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-73438806575494103162008-04-15T16:21:00.002-05:002008-04-15T16:28:03.607-05:00This Week in the Bahamas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqm5ydqDDrP07ftYBFr_C5ZS9nG5xNjoZLWjUoccAV8jFhYpZhOfg7Fypu1QBGfkucQPOHddy0OKebEHaL86QC0lx0TJhDS_BLPoAJkxmPhyphenhyphenaVXAN25AxyVyIlm0H37uSUL2moxRUpHV7/s1600-h/Sx.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqm5ydqDDrP07ftYBFr_C5ZS9nG5xNjoZLWjUoccAV8jFhYpZhOfg7Fypu1QBGfkucQPOHddy0OKebEHaL86QC0lx0TJhDS_BLPoAJkxmPhyphenhyphenaVXAN25AxyVyIlm0H37uSUL2moxRUpHV7/s320/Sx.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189586875392125970" /></a><br /> This week Sloane and I are in the Bahamas spaying and neutering local pets in an effort to help curb the feral dog population. This clinic is being held in a store front, where over the past two days we have performed 85 surgeries.Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-62916398918943238212008-04-13T20:33:00.001-05:002008-04-13T20:35:28.303-05:00This Week's BlogI'm in Freeport, The Bahamas this week performing spay/neuter for the humane society ( http://www.gbhumane.org/). I hope to post pictures of the pets we are helping and the people doing the work this week.Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-46724477222441494672008-04-10T20:36:00.001-05:002008-04-10T20:36:52.953-05:00Cheap PrescriptionsOK, the other veterinarians in my circle may start throwing rocks thought my windows, but here it is: You know how Wal-Mart and some other pharmacies are advertising $4 prescriptions? It turns out the offer includes some drugs I use every day in my practice. Some now I only keep a very small amount on my shelf and I send people to the Kroger down the road. The clients save money and I don’t have to pay my staff to count pills. They have more important things to do. The lists are almost the same from place to place so here’s the Wal-Mart link (http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=546834). Next time you need some medication for your dog or cat, you should check out the list, and send me a finder’s fee!Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4244701930098271975.post-73405634608780107662008-04-08T22:56:00.003-05:002008-04-08T23:24:19.396-05:00RAW DietsThen other day I was learning about food allergies on the web, at a site set up by some drug company. It's a good relationship, I get free continuing education, they try and sell me something. It works well when the company really tries to teach as well as sell. But, I made the mistake of typing "food allergy dog" into a search engine. It seems everybody thinks dog food is like feeding your dog poison. They all want to sell you something "organic" or "homemade" or my favorite "hypo-allergenic". Look up "hypo-allergenic" in the dictionary. You get a more specific definition for the word "thing". I don't know what any of those words mean on a bag of dog food.<br /><br /> One of the most violent reactions I get in the exam room is when someone wants to discuss raw diets with me. For those of you not familiar, raw diets are just what they sound like: uncooked meat. I wouldn't feed it to my dog, but I know people who feed this type of diet without any problems. Maybe I'm just lazy, but I like to just scoop the food out of a bucket and into a bowl. And, I've removed enough bones from dogs to think twice about willingly handing one over to a dog. Also, I've read some studies on the subject: how raw diets are incomplete or how they contain harmful bacteria. I'm not going to tell people not to feed a raw diet, but I think the arguments for a raw diet are a little flimsy. <br /><br /> Consider these two common arguments:<br /><br /> 1) "It's what the dog would eat in the wild". Well, that may be true, but considering the average dog only lives in the wild for about 3 years, it doesn't seem that what it eats is as important as IF it eats. Also, I don't think your dog would last long outside your home. When the last pack of wild chihuahua you've seen on the nature channel? <br /> Many of these people will feed horse or beef meat. Your dog in the wild would be eating much less appetizing fare.<br /><br /> 2) "The processing causes food allergy, thyroid disease, cancer, etc...)<br /> My only answer for this is that we eat nothing but processed foods and we do fine. As a matter of fact out food is getting MORE processed and our life span is getting longer. Pet food is whole lot less processed than some of that stuff you ate from the gas station in college and your doing just fine....Louis Lembo DVM MShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10788459747332743845noreply@blogger.com0