I'm happy to announce the 2012 Animal Charity Grant.  It is open to animal and wildlife nonprofits in all 50 of the United States.  Details are at veterinarycreative.com on the Animal Charity Grant tab on the left hand side.   Please let the director of your favorite nonprofit know about this opportunity. 

Congratulations again to the 2011 winner - Spay Neuter Project of Los Angeles!

Normally, this blog is dedicated to providing information that will improve animal health. Well, the next two posts will focus on humans and helping people with cancer. When I was diagnosed with double hit lymphoma (non-Hodgkin's large B cell lymphoma and Burkitt's lymphoma), the lack of information surprised me. So, this post will focus on what I experienced during the CODOX-M plus Rituxan with IVAC protocol (also known as the Modified McGrath's protocol). The next post will address the delayed effects that occurred after the chemotherapy was over. I hope this helps all the patients and their care-givers get through this tough protocol. Please note, this is my experience and yours will likely vary. If you have questions or information to add, please comment. I want to do everything possible to help other people who are battling cancer. My prayer and best wishes are with you! As you walk this trail, I hope you are surrounded with love including that of animals - both at home and the hospital, they helped me enormously. << MORE >>

In early December 2011, I had the privilege of going to Costa Rica. Wow, what a great country! It is beautiful and filled with amazing animals. If you enjoy watching wildlife in their natural environment, I would strongly recommend a trip to Costa Rica. During a boat trip through a national park, I recorded the following video. Please listen closely and name this monkey. << MORE >>

Yesterday, I met a wonderful Chihuahua named Belle.  She is a two pound, kissing machine.  The pup wiggles her entire body when she meets a new person and then showers  them with affection.  I wish all Chihuahuas were as well-behaved as Belle.  Unfortunately, this is not the case.  I learned that the hard way.

  Isn't Belle photogenic?


I met my first chihuahua on an emergency visit.  Carlotta came into the clinic in full blown seizures after whelping two puppies.  She had eclampsia caused by low blood calcium levels from producing milk for her offspring.  Carlotta responded well to treatment.  The seizures stopped and her body temperature returned to normal.  Six hours later, she was ready to go home.  When I opened her cage door, Carlotta charged my hand with her teeth barred.  I managed to close the door before the little "land shark" made contact with my hand.  With my ego bruised, I retreated to the lobby, hoping she would be better with her family.  When her owner opened the cage, Carlotta leapt into his arms and covered his face with kisses.  On the way out of the clinic, she spotted me walking behind her family and gave me one last growl for good measure.  What a character!

All chihuahuas need socialization.  Socialize, socialize and socialize some more to keep them well-behaved.  Correct aggressive behavior immediately with gentle but firm commands.  Growling is just as much of a problem in a toy breed as a giant breed.      

 

To my family and friends, Please enjoy this holiday message made for you! << MORE >>

Costa Rica is a beautiful country filled with amazing animals. During a recent vacation to the Guanacaste Province, I took a river tour to observe flora and fauna. My guide, Olmon Sosa, pointed out the creatures pictured below. I would have never found them on my own. Name this well camouflaged animal.<< MORE >>

Last month, I toured the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum in Tucson. During the free-flight raptor show, I took these pictures of a beautiful hawk. Name this Arizona Hawk and the large cactus behind it. << MORE >>

Dogs may inherit a variety of dental problems from missing teeth to malformed jaws. Examine the pictures below and then name this common dental problem.<< MORE >>

Last month I visited the Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum, an organization designed to "inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation and understanding of the Sonoran Desert." My friends raved about this place that combines a zoo, botanical garden and natural history museum all in one gorgeous setting. The animals and plants, which are all native to Arizona, are displayed in large, natural habitats. All the animals looked calm and comfortable. I did not observe any abnormal, stress related behaviors. Please enjoy the pictures and visit their website, www.desertmuseum.org for more information. Better yet, visit this special site in Tucson in person! << MORE >>

Diagnosing hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) is much easier than hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone). A blood sample is collected and analyzed for the total amount of T4. In general the normal range of T4 for a cat is 0.5 to 4.7 micrograms/deciliter, although this might vary slightly depending upon the lab. A T4 greater than 4.7 is indicative of hyperthyroidism. Cats with values in the upper end of normal might require additional testing to detect hyperthyroidism.<< MORE >>