Introducing Dr. Heide Newton, DVM, DACVD

1. What made you decide to specialize in veterinary dermatology?

I have always had a special interest in skin disease since I had a dog with allergies.  When I worked as a general practitioner seeing all kinds of cases, I was always particularly intrigued by the skin diseases.  I was delighted to get the opportunity to study dermatology in depth during my residency.  I love the challenge of managing chronic skin diseases well and the long term relationships that develop with my clients and patients.  

2. What is the most challenging part of your job?

Each patient is unique even if the disease is common.  The most challenging part of my job is designing individualized treatment plans that work well for the patient and their humans.

3. What advice would you offer someone considering this career path?

Understand that most skin disease cannot be cured.  Most of veterinary dermatology involves managing chronic disease.

 4. What type/s of pets do you have?

Right now my family includes 3 dogs, 1 cat, 5 chinchillas, 1 parrot, 2 tortoises and 2 water turtles.

 5. What qualities do you look for when choosing the right veterinarian for your pet?

I want to see how the veterinarian treats my pet.  I look for someone who loves and enjoys them like I do and who shows compassion and gentleness.  I also look for someone who is a good listener.

 6. If you could speak to one type of animal, what would it be, and why?

I would love to communicate with dogs and learn how it is that they can show so much love to people so consistently.

 7. What personal accomplishment are you most proud of?

My strong, loving marriage.

8. What would I find in your DVD player right now?

I just moved in and haven’t unpacked any DVDs yet.

9. What book on your shelf has the most worn pages?

The Holy Bible

10. Which super power would you like to have and why?

I would love to be able to communicate with animals like Doctor Doolittle so I can understand my patients better.

Dr. Heide Newton graduated summa cum laude from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in 1988 and then continued there to earn a Juris Doctor with honors from the College of Law in 1991. After practicing law for a couple years, she attended North Carolina State University of Veterinary Medicine, and graduated in the top 10 percent of her class in 2000. After completing her residency in dermatology, she became a board certified Diplomate in veterinary dermatology with the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in 2006. She practiced in California until she joined Dermatology for Animals in Arizona in 2012. Dr. Newton also lectures for general practitioners, has published articles in veterinary journals and co-authored a textbook chapter, and lectured for the North American Veterinary Dermatology Forum 2010 Resident Education Forum for veterinary dermatology residents. Dr. Newton is available weekdays at both of our Ft. Lowell and Broadway locations.

Chocolate Toxicity

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abnormal heart rhythms, baking chocolate, chocolate, chocolate cakes, dog, seizures, theobromine, toxin

Chocolate seems to be almost ubiquitous in American homes these days.  From cookies and cakes to candies and bars, many homes are filled with chocolate.  The amount increases almost exponentially around the holidays – Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween – it’s as if we can’t celebrate without the symbolic chocolate confection.

But while we may love to indulge in these chocolate treats with the greatest harm affecting our waistlines, man’s best friend loves to indulge in these treats too with potentially much more dangerous outcomes.  What is it about chocolate that makes it so toxic to dogs?

Chocolate, of course, contains fat and sugar which themselves can cause temporary stomach upset if too much is eaten.  However, the toxic substance in chocolate is theobromine.  Different types of chocolate contain differing amounts of theobromine.  For instance, baking chocolate contains the most making it the worst for pets.  Conversely, chocolate cakes and cookies contain relatively little chocolate since it is only used to flavor and, therefore, little theobromine.

The clinical symptoms caused by theobromine toxicity are related to the size of the pet and the amount and type of chocolate eaten.  Symptoms that occur range from the mild including vomiting and diarrhea to hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures, and even death in severe cases.  Mild symptoms are more likely to occur when milk chocolate is ingested versus dark chocolate or when a large dog ingests chocolate versus a small dog.  A 10-pound dog would need to eat less than 2 ounces of milk chocolate for the start of mild symptoms whereas a 50-pound dog would need to eat about 8 ounces.  Similarly, a 10-pound dog would need to only eat about 1/2 ounce of dark chocolate for symptoms to start and a 50-pound dog 2-3 ounces.  It is important to note that the darker the chocolate and/or the smaller the dog the less chocolate that is needed to cause toxicity.  In addition, the more chocolate that is ingested, the worse the symptoms will become.

Chocolate toxicity can be treated; however, as with any toxin, the sooner treatment is initiated the better for the pet.  If the chocolate was eaten recently, vomiting should be induced to decontaminate the system as soon as possible.  Further treatment is typically dictated by the amount of theobromine ingested and the risk for toxicity.   The mainstay of treatment includes activated charcoal to bind to the toxin in the GI tract and IV fluids to flush the toxin from the body.  Medications may be required to control any abnormal heart rhythms, seizures or other symptoms.

With the increased popularity of dark chocolate, particularly those >60% dark, the risk of toxicity in our pets is increasing.  So be careful, keep a close eye on your pets, and keep the treats out of reach.  If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic amount of chocolate or are unsure, the best solution is to call your veterinarian who can perform simple calculations based on your pet’s size and the amount and type of chocolate ingested.  She can then advise you whether treatment is necessary and what that treatment will entail.  Your local veterinarian is your best source of information and is always there to help you and your pet.

–Sara M. Hall, DVM

Understanding Your Pet’s Bloodwork!

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biochemistry profile, bloodwork, cbc, chem, complete blood count, pet health, red blood cell, red blood cells, SAVSEC, types of white blood cells, white blood cells

It’s difficult when you visit a veterinary office and hear things like CBC, CHEM, UA, TP, PCV (etc) being thrown around like they are common knowledge; when in actuality most people have no clue what they mean!  Here at Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (SAVSEC) we want YOU to be in the know….

Blood tests help us determine your pet’s health status and causes of illness accurately, safely, and quickly!  They also help us monitor the progress of medical treatments while your pet is in the hospital.  If you ever have questions regarding the blood work run at SAVSEC or at your local veterinarian, please do not hesitate to ask any staff member; we want you to understand our recommendations and be a partner in your pet’s care!

So, let’s begin with a lesson of bloodwork 101…

Complete Blood Count (CBC)
The most common test, a CBC gives information on hydration status, anemia (low red blood cell count), infection, the blood’s clotting ability, and the immune system’s ability to respond.

• HCT (hematocrit) measures the percentage of red blood cells to detect anemia or dehydration.
• HGB and MCHC (hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) measure hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment of red blood cells (corpuscles)
• WBC (white blood cell) count classifies and measures the body’s immune cells.  Increases or decreases may indicate certain diseases of infections.
• NEU (neutrophil) count may indicate infection or inflammatory process if elevated.  It can also be increased when a pet is stressed.
• LYM/BASO (lymphocytes and basophils) are specific types of white blood cells
• MONO (monocytes) may be increased in chronic infections and/or valley fever.
• EOS (eosinophils) are specific type of white blood cells that, if elevated, may indicate allergic or parasitic conditions
• PLT (platelet count) measures cells that help stop bleeding by forming blood clots
• RETICS (reticulocytes) are immature red blood cells, high or low levels help classify anemias

Biochemistry Profile (CHEM)
These common tests evaluate organ function, electrolyte status, hormone levels, and more.

• ALB (albumin) is a serum protein that helps evaluate hydration, hemorrhage, and intestinal, liver, and kidney health
• ALKP or ALP (alkaline phosphatase) elevations may indicate liver damage, Cushing’s disease, and active bone growth in young pets.
• ALT (alanine aminotransferase) is a sensitive indicator of active liver damage but does not indicate the cause.
• AMYL (amylase) elevations may indicate pancreatitis or kidney disease.
• AST (aspartate aminotransferase) increases may indicate liver, heart, or skeletal muscle damage.
• BUN (blood urea nitrogen) reflects kidney function.  An increased blood level is called azotemia and can be caused by kidney, liver, and heart disease, urethral obstruction, shock, and dehydration.
• Ca (calcium) deviations can indicate a variety of diseases.  Tumors, hyperparathyroidism, kidney disease, and low albumin are just a few of the conditions that alter serum calcium.
• CHOL (cholesterol) is used to supplement diagnosis of hypothyroidism, liver disease, Cushing’s disease, and diabetes mellitus.
• Cl (chloride) is an electrolyte often lost when vomiting and Addison’s disease.  Elevations often indicate dehydration
• CREA (creatinine) reflects kidney function.  This test helps distinguish between kidney (ie kidney failure) and non-kidney causes of elevated BUN (ie dehydration)
• GLOB (globulin) is a blood protein that often increases with chronic inflammation and certain disease states.
• GLU (glucose) is blood sugar.  Elevated levels may indicate diabetes mellitus or stress.  Low levels can cause collapse, seizures, or coma.
• K (potassium) is an electrolyte lost with vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive urination.  Increased levels may indicate kidney failure, Addison’s disease, dehydration, and urethral obstruction.  High levels can lead to cardiac arrest and death.
• Na (sodium) is an electrolyte lost with vomiting, diarrhea, and kidney or Addison’s diseases.  This test also helps indicate hydration status.
• PHOS (phosphorous) elevations are often associated with kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and bleeding disorders.
• TBIL (total bilirubin) elevations may indicate liver or hemolytic disease.  This test helps identify bile duct problems and certain types of anemia.
• TP (total protein) indicates hydration status and provides information about the liver, kidneys, and infectious diseases.

Canine Distemper Virus

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canine, canine distemper, canine distemper virus, CDV, dog, eye inflammation, gastrointestinal symptoms, greenish eye discharge, secondary bacterial infections, skin lesions, unvaccinated dogs

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is a highly contagious, incurable and often deadly disease. The virus occurs worldwide and is a leading cause of death in unvaccinated puppies and dogs. Besides domestic dogs, this viral disease infects other wild carnivores such as fox, wolves, coyotes, coati, raccoons, skunks, badger, bear, and ferrets. The CDV can infect dogs of any age but puppies between 3 and 6 months of age are most likely to become ill and die. Older dogs which have never been vaccinated are also very susceptible to infection and pregnant mothers can pass the infection to her unborn pups.

Early symptoms during the incubation period (3 to 6 days after infection) include fever, loss of appetite, and mild eye inflammation. These early symptoms are usually not noticed, but as the disease progresses the symptoms increase in severity. The symptoms of this disease are also variable depending on the body system most affected, making diagnosis of this disease a very difficult task. Respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms include runny eyes and nose (usually a thick green discharge), diarrhea, coughing, labored breathing, and vomiting. Respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms are exacerbated by secondary bacterial infections which is the reason some ill dogs appear to improve temporarily when placed on antibiotics. Once the nervous system (brain and spinal cord) of puppies and dogs is infected, the animal usually dies. Neurological symptoms include depression, increased sensitivity to light, touch, and sound, uncoordinated movement progressing to muscle twitching or spasm, paralysis, blindness, and seizures to include the “chewing gum fit” with foaming at the mouth. Occasionally, skin lesions to include hardening of the foot pads and nose may be seen. The terminal stage of this disease usually occurs 2 to 4 weeks after infection but may be delayed several months in older dogs that have a more developed immune system. Infection through the pregnant mother dog to her unborn pups can lead to spontaneous abortion, persistent infection in newborn pups, or the birth of normal looking puppies that rapidly develop symptoms and die within 4 to 6 weeks.

Infected dogs shed the virus through all body secretions and excretions. The main methods of disease transmission is by the dog breathing in airborne viral particles emitted by barking, sneezing, and coughing or by licking contaminated surfaces . A dog recovering from distemper can shed the virus (can spread disease) for 60 to 90 days after all symptoms have disappeared. Routine cleaning and disinfection using quaternary ammonium compounds or 10% bleach is effective in killing the virus in the environment.

Diagnosis of this disease is challenging but is usually done based on the dog’s vaccination history, clinical symptoms and results of various laboratory tests to support a probable diagnosis. Unfortunately, laboratory tests frequently provide false results. At present there is no specific drug or treatment to kill the distemper virus. Ill dogs must be separated from other dogs with strict sanitation in place to prevent spread of this disease by the caregiver’s clothing, hands and feet. Infected animals may survive with supportive care that is medically intensive and prolonged. It is possible for survivors of CDV to have long-lasting effects of the disease; survivors may have teeth with enamel dysplasia, abnormal body walking gaits, decreased eyesight, and hardening of the foot pads and nose.

Vaccinations and avoiding contact with infected animals or contaminated environments are the best strategies for disease prevention. Following vaccination protocols based on the age of the dog is essential for adequate protection against infection. Vaccination schedules can start at about 6 weeks of age and continue until 12 or 16 weeks of age, with a 3 to 4 week interval between shots. Until the vaccination series is completed, the pup or dog is at risk to contract this deadly disease. Avoid taking a pup or unvaccinated dog to places where dogs congregate (parks, obedience classes, pet daycare, grooming). If absolutely necessary, visit only reputable establishments and training places which require proof of vaccinations and practice appropriate sanitation procedures.

Canine Parvovirus

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blood cell count, bloody diarrhea, canine parvovirus, death, dehydration, diarrhea, dog, low white blood cell, parvo, parvoviral enteritis, parvovirus, parvovirus infection, puppy, sick, virus, vomiting, white blood cells

Canine parvovirus (parvo) is a highly contagious virus that affects most members of the dog family (dogs, wolves, coyotes, etc).  The virus is fatal if treatment is not received, and can still be fatal despite aggressive treatment.

The main source of the virus is the feces of infected dogs.  Susceptible dogs become infected by coming into contact with the infected feces.  The virus is very sturdy in the environment and is resistant to heat, detergents and alcohol.  The virus is easily spread by surviving on the hair or feet of the infected dogs but is also spread by inanimate objects such as shoes, clothes, toys, food and water dishes.  There is no evidence that canine parvovirus affects humans, cats, birds or reptiles

Puppies under 5-months of age are the most susceptible to the virus and are the most seriously affected.  However, a dog of any age that is unvaccinated or undervaccinated can acquire a parvovirus infection.  Dogs develop clinical signs of illness within 7-10 days of initial infection.  The virus invades and destroys rapidly dividing cells, namely the cells that line the intestinal tract and bone marrow (where white blood cells are made).  Signs of illness are reflective of this.  The most seriously ill dogs will have a low white blood cell count, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea.  Many dogs only have vomiting, or diarrhea, and blood is not always present.  The virus kills dogs in two ways:

1. Diarrhea and vomiting lead to extreme fluid loss, dehydration and shock 
2. Loss of intestinal cells allow bacteria, that normally live in the intestinal tract, enter the blood stream and without white blood cells, the bacteria can cause a whole body infection (ie sepsis).

There is a rapid fecal test that your veterinarian can perform that only takes a few minutes for results.  This detects viral particles in the stool.  Sometimes the test will be negative even though there is an active infection, thus sometimes dogs will be treated for the virus if they have signs consistent with the disease.  Vomiting and diarrhea are often the first signs of the disease.  The presence and severity of the low white blood cell counts are variable.

Unfortunately, there are no anti-viral drugs against the parvovirus specifically, thus it is a disease of supportive care.  This means aggressive fluid therapy and monitoring.  Antibiotics are used as a preventative measure to decrease the risk of secondary bacterial infections, but antibiotics DO NOT treat the virus itself.  Hospitalization is required to treat patients with parvovirus infections, even if they do not appear very sick.  It is very common for dogs to become more ill before they get better, even with proper hospitalization and treatment.  This phenomenon is the reason why hospitalization can be prolonged, between 3-5 days (sometimes longer).  The vast majority of dogs do not spontaneously recovery from the disease without treatment.

Prognosis is largely dependent upon severity of illness, thus a dog with just diarrhea has a better chance than a dog with diarrhea and vomiting.  The worse prognosis is for dogs that develop low white blood cell counts or those who become septic.  The survival rate can range from 50-70% with veterinary-monitored at home care but can reach upwards to 90% with in-hospital management.

Properly vaccinating your puppy by a local veterinarian is the best way to help reduce the risk of infection.  A proper vaccination schedule includes at least 3 sets of shots starting at 8-weeks of age.  Also keep your puppy away from potentially contaminated areas until they are fully vaccinated (ie dog parks).

Once your dog has been diagnosed with the virus, consider ALL areas he/she (and you) have been contaminated.  Only a 17% (1/2 cup to bleach in 1 gallon of water) chlorine bleach solution will kill the virus in the environment (DO NOT apply the bleach solution to your pets).  At least 10 minutes of contact time with bleach solution is needed to kill the virus.  Steam cleaning is also able to kill the virus.  All toys, bedding, furniture and the yard should be disinfected.  Disinfection becomes problematic for non-bleachable surfaces such as carpet or lawn.  If good drainage is available, thoroughly watering down the yard may help dilute any virus present (well-shaded areas should be considered contaminated for 7 months and areas with good sunlight exposure should be considered contaminated for 5 months).  You should consider your dog’s feces to be contaminated with the virus for 4 weeks past recovery from the disease and should therefore try to avoid high canine traffic areas (dog parks, dog obedience classes, pet stores, etc).

Why do the veterinarians take your pet ‘to the back’?

posted on December 5th, 2011 by Liane Ehrich http://m.examiner.com/pet-health-in-tucson/why-do-the-veterinarians-take-your-pet-to-the-back?cid=PROG-Examiner-Article-PetsList4-Vets-Back-Room

It is always a little upsetting when the veterinarian, or veterinary technician takes your pet “to the back” for a blood draw or nail trim. What are they doing back there? And why can’t you go with?

Every veterinary hospital in Tucson has one, it’s called the treatment room, and it is usually a catch-all location with several tables equipped for anything from nail trims to minor surgeries. The walls are usually lined with kennels for recovering surgical or hospitalized patients. This room is the heart of the hospital. Any time a pet needs to have blood drawn, a nail trim, or even a major cactus removal, they are often hustled into this room. 

The treatment room has several things that make it superior to the intake room for these minor procedures, first and foremost is that you are not there. As much as most people believe that their pets are far better with their ‘parents’ this is actually far from the truth, and pets, once away from owners are usually far easier to handle.

Second, though veterinary professionals are in the business because they love animals, they also have a job to do, and the longer any procedure takes to accomplish the more stressful it is for the pet, the owners, and the staff. So, in the back, though your pet will be handled with respect and care, it may not be handled with the same loving kid gloves that you yourself use. If the situation calls for it, cats will be scruffed, dogs will be muzzled. 

Even if your pet is a saint, and actually is one of the minority of pets that works better with the owner than without, the back offers better lighting, generally superior tables, additional staff, and all of the equipment necessary to get your pet the care it needs.

Remember, too that your pet is not the only one in the back, someone might be trying to restrain a cat that is about to explode, a doctor may be performing a minor surgery, or another client may be receiving tragic news, so you being allowed in the back, as part of the larger picture would be anything but helpful.

Though many veterinarians will allow your pet to be treated in your presence if you insist, please be aware that this makes everyone’s jobs more difficult, including your pet’s, so, keeping your pet’s health and the staff’s safety in mind, it is usually best to defer to the veterinarian’s wishes. If, for whatever reason, you feel that the staff treat your pet in a manner that is unprofessional, then change veterinarians.

 

Expedition Tanzania Update

The Reid Park Zoo has made a list of FAQ and answers available to their docents and now available to SAVSEC’s blog readers.

When will your new exhibit be complete?

Construction on Expedition Tanzania will be complete in January, and we hope to open in March, 2012.

What will the new exhibit be like?

The new exhibit will be 7-acres with more than 3-acres dedicated to elephant space. It will have a variety of surfaces for the elephants to experience including sand and dirt, a mud wallow, grass, and a shallow stream for wading – even a pool deep enough for swimming!

The state-of-the-art Elephant Care Facility provides “family suites” for our growing herd with sand substrate, heated concrete and air conditioning. Both the exhibit and the Elephant Care Facility are being built with the safety of the animals and the keepers in mind.

 Expedition Tanzania will provide Zoo guests with an exciting opportunity to see these animals in a beautiful environment. Additionally, educational exhibits and displays will provide hands-on learning opportunities to engage guests of all ages.

Why are we bringing more elephants here?

The need to increase the herd size in Tucson to at least 3 elephants, preferably more, remains a priority. Reid Park Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is required to meet or exceed very high standards set for animal welfare. In 2005, AZA indicated an urgent need for all zoos managing elephants to make a future commitment to the captive breeding program by adding space, resources and animals to existing zoo habitats. AZA standards require a minimum of 3 elephants because they are social animals and we recognize the importance of keeping them in larger groups when it’s possible.

How many animals will you be receiving?

The current plan is for Tucson to receive 2 female African elephants and their offspring and 1 male African elephant. The exact animals will be determined when Expedition Tanzania is closer to completion. The plan is to work with Shaba to introduce her to this herd in the new space.

If Shaba is staying here, what will happen to Connie?

A collaborative agreement between the San Diego Zoo and Reid Park Zoo has been made to move Connie, the Asian elephant, to San Diego Zoo’s state-of-the-art Elephant Odyssey habitat. This $40 million exhibit was built expressly to cater to the needs of older Asian elephants with accommodation and staffing to address age-related issues that would be expected. We feel these special accommodations and ability to integrate with a large Asian herd is a wonderful opportunity for Connie.

Won’t Connie and Shaba miss each other?

We are not sure. Connie and Shaba have lived together for 29 years, so they know each other well. However, we do not want to assume that Connie and Shaba are not capable of meeting new elephants. For example, Connie lived with a male elephant for many years. When he died, she was able to integrate well with Shaba. We are excited for both “girls” to have the opportunity to join larger herds of their own species.

Reid Park Zoo staff members have been working with management staff members from San Diego Zoo and Safari Park over the past several years to adjust the way we train and interact with elephants to closely mirror the training and husbandry techniques utilized in San Diego. We use the same words, the same routine, and the same positive rewards so that when the move happens, they will be as stress free as possible and provide for a smoother transition for all elephants involved.

We will also be sending two of Connie’s long-time keepers with her when she moves to San Diego until she gets settled in. Similarly, keepers from the Safari Park will help with the arrival of the new herd in Tucson. They will have familiar voices and loving support from the human members of their “herd” as they make the move. Our keepers have already spent time in San Diego getting to know the staff and the exhibit.

Why and how are elephants trained?

Training is used to facilitate routine elephant management and care, and to promote exercise. Training enriches elephant’s lives by providing physical and mental stimulation that promotes individual well-being.

We have used “protected contact” to manage elephants since 1994. There is always a barrier between the keepers and the elephants which allows the elephant to walk away whenever it wants to. We use only positive rewards, and there is no tolerance for abusive interaction. We do not even use the word “no” with the elephants!

We encourage you to call Zoo Administration at 520-791-3204 for any additional information.

Reid Park Zoo’s website is www.tucsonzoo.org

“A Dog’s Purpose” and a Human’s Commentary

To put this book review in perspective, if W. Bruce Cameron, author of “A Dog’s Purpose,” was my waiter, I would have to leave him a verbal tip. Aka, tell him over and over again how fabulous his service was, yet leave him no monetary affirmation.

He did not have me at page one. However, after struggling through the first 91 pages and having to wait to re-reserve it at the public library to finish reading it, he had me from page 92 through the last 319^th page, the night before the book was due again. Personally, he should have stopped at Chapter 25. I felt robbed for reading the following 60 pages because they did not deliver a well thought-out closure to the novel.

The book was recommended to me by my mother and I imagine its success can be attributed to dog lovers’ word of mouth worldwide. As a zoologist and active zoo docent, I was trained never to anthropomorphize animals. In public. That is, to not assign human attributes to anything that is not human. But face it, we all cannot help but not do it. That double negative is as effective as Cameron’s first person dog perspective. It works for me only in an accepted suspended reality, yet does the main character a disservice, by making the dog’s portrayal of experiences sound forced and elementary.

I can appreciate his approach to storytelling by utilizing a dog that is continually reincarnated, aware of the events of each successive life, and is able to incorporate insight on how they build upon each other. The theme of the novel is that every canine exists to serve a specific purpose. This idea was first introduced to me when I interviewed a self-proclaimed “animal communicator” (as a newspaper reporter) who also stated that dogs need to have a job to do to make their lives’ seem meaningful. I buy that. I feel the same way about my existence, and statistics on retired people enforce this need for a higher purpose than basic survival, gene dispersion and watching cable.

But I cannot stress my disappointment in Cameron’s statements on the second to last page. “People are vastly more complicated and serve a much more important purpose. The job of the dog was ultimately to be with them, remaining by their sides no matter what course there lives might take.” Sadness.  Cameron’s take on the life of dogs is that they are here to serve humans only. Even if they are being abused. How sad. I don’t understand why the author chose to have the dog reincarnated the last time to reunite with his owner in a past life. That’s where Cameron lost me. Not only does it further dis-suspend belief but it doesn’t contribute any advancement to the story. It discounts the actions of his previous lives.

I am a dog guardian to a loyal, protective and pure soul that I am so grateful to have in my life. And I’m sure many fans of “A Dog’s Purpose” may fail to agree with my take on this book, because I believe it had promise with good intention, but hopelessly failed to fully deliver the intricacy of the canine spirit and the human bond through bad plot development. But hey, that’s just this human’s post middle school book review’s function.

www.southernazvets.com

D.I.Y. Cat Hammock

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Ever since I returned from the Amazon rainforest, I have had a mosquito net around my bed and a hammock hanging somewhere in or outside of my house. So, after rescuing a kitten, I figured he would enjoy the same amenities.

It took me only 20 minutes and cost less than 5 bucks to make this cat hammock that I suspended from my dining room/camping table. 

Here is a link to a PDF with step-by-step instructions and alternate ways of creating your very own customized cat hammock. DIY_cat_hammock

 

 

 

 

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“Suck in your stomach, keep both knees bent and don’t make eye contact. Breathe. Remember, when he charges you, you charge him. And kick him in the pressure points of his jaw if he attacks.”

By 19 years old, I had already accomplished my life’s goal. I was training tigers.

Now, on the cusp of turning 34, I came to Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center, (SAVSEC), from a ski town in Colorado, as a professional writer, semi-professional dancer, graphic/product designer and domestic and sexual violence victim advocate - with a degree in zoology.

“Improving the quality of life for animals and the people who love them,” are the words we stand by. Animal welfare has always been my defining attribute, but this blog and its associated social media is not about me.

My goal as the Business Development Representative is to incorporate our online presence foremost as a resource for our clients, and to build a stage for which all of our employees can express their passions, concerns and assistance to the challenging role of being a pet guardian, and also serve as a reader forum.

This blog will be a dynamic platform for readers of all ages, from a teenager learning how to care for a first puppy to veterinarians and interns conducting companion animal research. It is directed towards everyone – internal employees, our clients, referring DVMs and anyone interested in learning how to create homemade pet toys, read animal related book and movie reviews, receive internal updates from the Reid Park Zoo and Tucson Wildlife Center – all topics associated with our shared appreciation and respect for animals. 

Like any type of parent, there is no comprehensive, sanctioned manual on how to provide the best care for our furry friends. We learn as we go, and monetary restrictions do play a part in our animal care decisions. We understand and sympathize with that.

SAVSEC’s role is to support both patient and client in the best way possible by providing you with all the options to best serve your pet’s health needs. I have witnessed the brilliant empathy our staff embraces when confronted with your pet’s health concerns.

At SAVSEC, you will find a dedicated team to address your pet’s health issues using the most professional and personal approach, with integrity at the forefront of all interactions. And I personally pledge to be available to you to ensure all of your needs are being met.

Welcome to the launch of our digital entry into the blogosphere, where I promise to keep you entertained, well informed and confident that you are bringing your cherished pet to the best place to realize his or her potential.

Thanks for visiting and Happy New Year!

Allison Plean

www.southernazvets.com