Dr. Don DeForge Silver Sands Veterinary

       Don DeForge, VMD~~~ Silver Sands Veterinary Center ~~~ 31May2016                                     SilverSandsVeterinary.blogspot.com Dogs Never Die…..  They Just Go To Sleep The story below is listed as anonymous.   It is not my words but has been sent to me to report in my Blog: SilverSandsVeterinary.blogspot.com Please enjoy it.  Don’t worry if a tear comes into the corner of your eye…I had the same tear when I read it the first time.  Take care of your older pets.  They provide unconditional love and ask ONLY for food, water, and a small return of the love that they provide to you without any strings attached.  Don DeForge, VMD Some of you, think they have recently lost a dog to “death”! I don’t really understand this. I’ve had no desire to explain, but won’t be around forever and must send my thoughts. Dogs never die! They don’t know how to. They get tired, and very old, and their bones hurt. Of course they don’t die. If they di

     Dr. Don DeForge                   Silver Sands Veterinary Center                              21May2016 Babies, Kids, and Kittens The Hidden Danger Babies-Kids and Kittens-Cats--- A Hidden Danger Parents are always concerned about injury to their baby or toddler.  Even as toddlers develop into small children parents protect and monitor every move that the young person makes.  The first step; the first "real" food; the first ice cream cone;  the first activity at gymnastics; the first swim; and even the first swing of a baseball bat-----parents are there watching; helping; and protecting! In a past blog, I discussed the Zoonosis of Toxocariasis-an intestinal parasite of puppies, kittens, and adult companion animals that can parasitize children and adults. The AVMA-The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that veterinarians  take a proactive role in the prevention of zoonotic diseases.  Today, this blog will review the most up to d

Silver Sands Veterinary Center                    06May2016                       Donald H. DeForge, VMD Zoonoses One Hidden Danger Toxocariasis and Your Pet From the Center for Disease Control Toxocariasis FAQs What is Toxocariasis? Toxocariasis is an infection transmitted from animals to humans (zoonosis) caused by the parasitic roundworms commonly found in the intestine of dogs ( Toxocara canis ) and cats ( T. cati ). Who is at risk for Toxocariasis? Anyone can become infected with  Toxocara.  Young children and owners of dogs or cats have a higher chance of becoming infected. Approximately 13.9% of the U.S. population has antibodies to  Toxocara . This suggests that tens of millions of Americans may have been exposed to the  Toxocara  parasite. How can I get Toxocariasis? Dogs and cats that are infected with  Toxocara  can shed  Toxocara  eggs in their feces. You or your children can become infected by accidentally swallowing dirt th

Silver Sands Veterinary Center           Don DeForge, VMD                                         03May2016 A Child's Goodbye As veterinarians we all face death on a daily basis.  The most difficult death is the euthanasia of a very ill older dog or cat who has been the buddy of a child for all of that child's life.  Parents many times will ask if their child can be part of the euthanasia.  There are many factors that go into that decision and the final decision is always made by the parent.  The maturity and age of the child; the emotional strength of that child; and the pre-understanding of euthanasia before it occurs.  This is a complex topic and is not the reason for this essay. This essay is about comfort and compassion.  One of my heroes Dr. Leo Buscaglia wrote a book on death an dying to help children [The Fall of Freddie the Leaf] i.e. during the loss of a pet or the euthanasia of a pet that is suffering and has no medical chance of recovery from