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 B.A.H. News | Health News
Bond Animal Hospital News
Spring 2007 updates Online medical records As you know, we're living through a revolution in information processing brought on by increasing computing power, and veterinary medicine has not been spared. We at Bond were early adopters of computers: Dr. Aspros learned programming on IBM mainframes and Dr. Bond bought our first PC, a TRS-80, in the late 1970s. We began using networked computers for billing and reminders shortly thereafter and have upgraded our equipment and software regularly since. Now we are actively moving towards keeping our medical records online through our network. Making all of our information available from any workstation (even, through the internet, at remote locations) promises to improve our medical recordkeeping and information retrieval to benefit our patients and improve our care. The information is easier to access, never misfiled and always legible. We've also instituted an industry-standard back-up procedure to safeguard your pet's information. You'll notice workstations in each examination room when you're in next time; please be patient as our doctors and assistants become more familiar with keeping medical records online! Continuing medical education We've set our lineup for our continuing medical education for the year. Dr. Wagner will be headed for the Western States Veterinary Conference, one of the largest in North America. Dr. Aspros attended the Connecticut VMA meeting in Hartford, and will attend the AVMA Annul meeting in Washington this summer. Dr. McKenzie will round out the year at the Atlantic Coast Conference. Dr. Arns will be attending the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) Conference in August, which will be combined with the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians. Dr. Hess will be speaking (as well as attending) the AAV meeting, and will be speaking at local parrot clubs on Long Island and New York City over the next few months. In addition to these meetings, all of our doctors attend local lectures and short courses to ensure that our patients benefit from the latest veterinary knowledge. Bird behavior Birds frequently have trouble adapting to captivity, even if they were born and raised to be human companions. We currently recommend that bird lovers review the "Captive Foraging" DVD (available at our office) to help you redirect your bird's energy into productive (and not destructive) behaviors. Dr. Hess and Erika (our exotic technician) have been "attending" a series of distance lectures on avian behavior. When they've completed this course we will be able to offer enhanced advice for clients with birds that have behavioral problems which impair their comfort, health and the relationship with their owners.
Summer 2006 Update This summer we've focused on patient management, computational power, and personal growth! We have undergone a significant advancement in computing power, with a major software update, a wireless network, and a shared server with two other practices. We hope to permit easier downloading of laboratory and radiographic data into our program and retain more of our medical records electronically in the future. Thank you for your patience while we update! In our continuing effort to improve dental care for our patients, we have set up a new anesthesia station in our treatment room. In order to ensure that patients in every area of the hospital are properly monitored when undergoing anesthetic procedures, we have also purchased a new multimodal monitor for this station, which continually assesses blood pressure, pulse oximetry, temperature, and EKG. Sarah, who is a student in the veterinary technology program at Mercy College, attended a pain management presentation in July so that our nursing staff is familiar with the most up-to-date procedures in veterinary pain management. Finally, we're anticipating a new Olympus microscope for routine cytology. Our fecal samples are now performed at our reference laboratory by zinc sulfate flotation under centrifugation to increase the sensitivity of the test; we've seen more Giardia as well as intestinal parasites diagnosed with this method over the last 6 months. In addition to better treatment, outsourcing this test allows us to acquire a more sensitive microscope with cleaner optics. Dr. Hess is a champion! A devoted gymnast and fitness buff (the stress is on "buff") she won two gold medals, two silver medals, and the all-around gold in Women's Gymnastics Master's Division at the Empire State Games in Syracuse, NY. Congratulations! Dr. Aspros was elected to represent District I (New York and New England) on the Executive Board of the American Veterinary Medical Association in June. The AVMA is the primary professional organization for 74,000 members of the profession and on veterinary care, animal welfare, public health, and education. He just completed 6 years on the Council on Education, the final a chair, accrediting both North American colleges and programs around the world. The Gay Games were held in Chicago this year, and Dr. McKenzie participated in team golf. Although he was a little disappointed in his scores (aren't we all?) he had a wonderful time competing. North American Model Horse Show is the premier model horse show of the year, held each year in Lexington, Kentucky (where bigger horses are sometimes seen). Dr. Arns is an active member of NAMHSA and attended again this year, where she entered selected events and had several wins, including Oscar Wilde! We focus on dental care! This year, we have dedicated ourselves to providing great dental care for our patients. To this end, we have installed up-to-date technology and focused on continuing education for our veterinarians and staff.
Be prepared to banish "doggie breath" (or "kitty breath") from your household in 2006!
Staff Updates!
September 2005 Update: Our hospital supported the relief efforts undertaken by the American Veterinary Medical Association Foundation that followed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. One of our (emergency clinic) doctors was mobilized as a member of VMAT-2 (Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams), and we were responsible for time-sensitive shipments of medical supplies that were used to treat animals in Mississippi and Louisiana. Some of our clients are supporting these efforts through the New York State Veterinary Medical Society (NYSVMS); you can send a check to the NYSVMS marked "emergency animal support" if you wish to join them. Alternatively, you can support the work of the HSUS (The Humane Society of the U.S.) or the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) in their relief programs. We wish Dr. Wagner best wishes on her marriage on September 4, 2005! Based on Dr. Aspros' attendance of the AVMA Annual Meeting in July we have updated our fluid therapy regimen and our chemotherapy protocols. All our doctors regularly attend continuing education presentations and share the results of the latest in research and therapy; we hold weekly meetings to discuss evolving diagnostic and therapy perspectives and to standardized care of our patients. We now have new surgical lighting in treatment and surgery rooms. You can better treat what you can see well (and the lights are cooler on our patients, too!) Bond Animal Hospital is home to a new, high tech, syringe pump, which will make administration of small quantity intravenous drugs more precise and safer for our patients.
Health News
Spring 2006 Update: Unusual toxicities for pets Xylitol can be toxic to dogs Xylitol, a sweetener found in certain sugar-free chewing gums, candies, and other products can potentially cause serious and even life-threatening problems for pets. According to Dr. Eric Dunayer, of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, dogs ingesting significant amounts of gum or candies solely or largely sweetened with xylitol may develop a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, loss of coordination, and seizures. "These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product. Therefore, it is important that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately." Dr. Dunayer also stated that some data appears to point to a possible link between xylitol ingestions and the development of liver failure in dogs. However, he cautions, "as there is not yet enough solid information pertaining to the relationship between xylitol and liver failure, it would not be appropriate at this point to draw any firm conclusions." He advises pet owners avoid offering their animals food meant for human consumption and to be especially diligent in keeping candy, gum, and other foods containing xylitol out of the reach of pets. "Typically the main concerns are with products that contain xylitol as one of the first ingredients," advises Dr. Dunayer. As with any potentially toxic substance, should accidental exposures occur, it is important to contact us or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for immediate assistance. Lilies are toxic to cats "All parts of the lily plant are considered toxic to cats, and the consumption of even small amounts can be life threatening," says Dr. Steve Hansen, a board-certified veterinary toxicologist and Senior Vice-President of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. "Cat owners must be vigilant and take these dangers into consideration when selecting plants for their home or purchasing a gift which will be left behind in someone else's home." The following is a list of lilies dangerous to cats:
Safe alternatives include:
Within only a few hours of ingestion of the lily plant, a cat may vomit, become lethargic, or develop a lack of appetite. These signs continue and worsen as kidney damage progresses. Without prompt and proper treatment by a veterinarian, the cat may develop kidney failure in 36 to 72 hours. According to the Cat Fanciers' Association, "Part of being a responsible pet owner is to educate yourself on the many different health issues facing your pet. Removing dangerous plants from your cat's home is an important part in having safer, healthier, and happier pets." To help educate cat owners about the dangers of lilies and other plants, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has a list of common types of dangerous lilies and a list of non-toxic plants. To download the materials visit www.apcc.aspca.org or www.cfa.org. Teflon toxicity in birds Many people keep their pet birds in the kitchen. It's a natural gathering place for family, friends, and pets. But bird owners should be aware that there are potential dangers in the kitchen, too. Cooking fumes, smoke, and odors that have little or no effect on people can seriously sicken and even kill birds, often quite quickly. Under normal cooking conditions PTFE-coated cookware is stable and safe. Many studies have found that PTFE-coated pans that are heated to above 536°F release toxic particles and fumes, in a reaction called "pyrolysis." This is a very high temperature, and is rarely reached during normal cooking. Most cooking in PTFE-coated cookware is performed at temperatures between 250° and 400°F. On the other hand, if a PTFE-coated pan is allowed to boil dry, or an unfilled pan is heated on HIGH, toxic fumes can result. PTFE-coated drip pans (pans under the burners) will reach over 600°F or higher within minutes during normal use because of their close pr! oximity to the heating element of the burner. Never use PTFE-coated drip pans in a household with birds. Product brand names containing PTFE include non-stick Teflon, SilverStone, Supra, Calphalon, All-Clad, Circulon, Emerilware, Farberware, Meyer, KitchenAid, Krups, and George Foreman. The stain repellants StainMaster and Scotchgard also contain PTFE. Below are some safety tips by Dr. Karen Rosenthal, DVM to keep your feathered friends safe (annotated from the Dupont website):
December 2005 Update: Holiday health tips! According to Dr. Gail Golab of the American Veterinary Medical Association, owner should pay attention to the risks of winter and the holiday season. Areas to pay attention to include:
Canine Influenza Update After consulting Cornell, the University of Florida and the CDC, the AVMA has issued guidelines for the control of canine influenza. Owners should always be aware of the possibility of contracting contagious diseases at boarding facilities, and should inquire about the experience and health protocols at the kennel you choose. However, there is no cause for alarm or for altering your plans for kenneling your dogs over the holiday season (and beyond). Although we have treated both the mild and severe forms of canine influenza in our practice, we have seen no serious long-term effects.
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