Dr. Don DeForge Silver Sands Veterinary

A Cat's Deepest Secret Revealed Animal Doc AM-Multi-Media  Dr. Don Don DeForge 31July2012 One of the DEEPEST SECRETS of the cat that we love is pain and discomfort caused by impacted anal sacs. Each cat has two anal sacs.  If you lift the tail of your cat and look at 3 PM and 9 PM, as if you are staring at a clock, you will be face to face to the openings of these sacs.  Many times the veterinarian everts the anal mucosa to see the opening clearly.  In most instances, a mild sedative is needed for a complete exam of this site. No one knows their purpose but they can become impacted.  Everyone knows about the problem in dogs.  Normally in a dog or cat when there is a bowel movement the pressure allows the secretion found in these sacs to be expressed.  In some animals, this does not occur.   There are many reasons postulated why in some animals the sacs get impacted and cannot empty normally.  Here are some of these possible causes: Infection ...

Intervention: Saving Your Pet's Life Animal Doc AM Multi-Media-Dr. Don DeForge 24July2012 In 2009, a human study showed that the top two death problems that were preventable by INTERVENTION are smoking and high blood pressure.  Both have effective interventions yet they are responsible for the highest numbers of deaths in the United States each year. What about our companions.  Do they develop Hypertension--i.e. high blood pressure?  The answer is YES!  Hypertension can be just as dangerous to pets as it is to humans. At your next wellness exam or routine veterinary visit have your veterinarian check your pet's blood pressure.  An isolated high blood pressure reading is not a diagnosis of hypertension. Many pets go through "white coat syndrome" the same as people and have very elevated blood pressure because of anxiety or stress in the doctor's office.  If your veterinarian gets a high reading it must be repeated a number of times to see if the reading is c...

Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory: Not a Place for Dog's To Visit Dr. Don DeForge-Animal Doc AM Multi-Media 17July2012 Chocolate Toxicity: Chocolate contains Theobromine, a natural stimulant, found in the cocoa bean.  Unfortunately, dog's metabolize Theobromine very slowly. When ingested by pets in large quantity chocolate can cause: Vomiting Diarrhea Hyperactivity Increased Thirst Increased Urination Abnormal Heart Rhythm Seizures Even loss of life   Dark chocolate and Baking Chocolate are the most dangerous; one ounce of dark chocolate in a ten pound dog is life threatening.  If you cannot reach your own veterinarian call your local ER Center to see if the type of chocolate and the amount ingested is life threatening.  If you wish, you can call Poison Control for Animals-The ASPCA Poison Control Center has a 24 hour Emergency Veterinary Poison Hot line -at 888-426-4435. Xylitol Toxicity: Xylitol is another very toxic sweet substance that dogs are drawn to commonly. ...

Animal Doc AM Multi-Media July 10th 2012 with Dr. Don DeForge " Providing A Vacation for Your Pet " It's that time of year again called: VACATION.  Why not take your friend with you this year on vacation!  Forget the boarding kennel, inconveniencing relatives, friends, or neighbors: hit the road this summer with your beloved dog or cat. When taking your pet with you on vacation, there are some important tips to remember from Animal Doc AM, Dr. Don  DeForge : Create a detailed medical file of all of your recent exams, diagnostics testing, and include a letter from your veterinarian explaining in detail any medical conditions now being treated. Make sure you have a vaccine history with you including your up-to-date Rabies Vaccine Certificate dated and signed by your veterinarian. Make sure your pet is COMPUTER CHIPPED in case you get separated or the pet becomes frightened and runs away miles from home.  Most of the new COMPUTER CHIPS include medical history in ca...

July 3rd 2012-Animal Doc AM Multi-Media Dr. Don DeForge CANINES WITH THUNDERSTORM ANXIETY Coping Strategies We are now in the summer thunder and lightening storm time of the year and many dogs and some cats become very frightened by the sizzling, crackling, and loud bang of these storms.            Common signs seen in dogs with noise phobia are: Hiding Trembling Panting Whining Howling Pacing Destructive behavior in home Attempts to break through screens Pawing at the floor and scratching a door to escape Vomiting Urinating and defecating in the home Other violent behavioral changes      These problems are serious and must be addressed.  I advise all pet owners to have an immediate consultation with their veterinarian.  Don't let these problems get out of control.  Your veterinarian may ask you to see a specialist, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.      Discuss with your doctor ...

A Hidden Danger in Your Back Yard  "Lyme Disease" 25June2012 There are two factors necessary for Lyme Disease to exist: the tick perpetrator, i.e. deer tick; and the bacteria, a spiral-shaped bacteria {spirochete}, Borrelia burgdorferi.  Lyme Disease can be found throughout the United States and, also, is very common in Connecticut. In your special companion, the signs of Lyme Disease may include: Lack of Appetite Lameness Fever Acting distant or lethargic Resisting Exercise or play Swollen joints Kidney failure-documented with lab testing by your veterinarian As the disease progresses, there can be serious injury to the joints and in some instances fatal kidney disease. The Diagnosis of Lyme Disease is with a simple blood test by your veterinarian called the 4DXplus Test by IDEXX Labs.  This test will allow your veterinarian not only to check for Lyme Disease but also for three other tick born diseases.  From this test, you will also find out if your dog is Heartwor...

Animal Doc AM Multi-Media 19June2012 with Dr. Don DeForge Are You Poisoning Your Cat? There are three common poisoning areas in and around your home that can lead to serious toxicity in your cat: Over the counter and prescription medicines Plants Rodenticides, Pesticides, Herbicides, and Chemicals stored in your home Category #1 Medicines Be very careful with medicines.  Pills can be dropped on the floor that cats can lick up. Cats can also break open foil wraps and ingest medicines.  Knocked over pill bottles with lids non-secured are also attractive to cats.  Keep all of your medicines in locked medicine cabinets. Poisoning can occur with many medicines including: heart medicines, blood pressure medicines, anti-coagulant medicines, anti-depressants, and pain killers.  Never give your cat Acetominophen or Ibuprofen for pain.  Aspirin should only be used under the direction of a veterinarian in the new low dosage formulation. Category #2 Poisonous Plants There ...