WHY I WON'T CALL THE COPS BECAUSE YOUR DOG ATE YOUR POT BROWNIE
"I swear, doc. There is no way he got into weed."
"You're positive? He's stumbling, his attitude changes between agitation and extreme lethargy. It's pretty classic for pot. It makes no difference to me. I just need to know so I can treat Duke. We won't call the police."
"Positive."
"Alright....We need to run blood to try and figure out what's going on and admit him to our hospital to be placed on IV fluids."
"Wait...... you really won't call the cops? Ya, I'm missing a pot brownie. Don't tell my wife."
For any vet that has been around long enough, that is a pretty typical conversation for a "pot dog". The questions are part of a typical history. History taking is one of the most important things we do every day. It’s the part of the examination where I ask you questions about your pet. These will be questions such as- what medications is your pet on, is your pet drinking normally etc...In school, we had many lectures on history taking. Every professor said that this was the most important part of the whole exam. We didn’t believe it. It seemed silly. We have stethoscopes, finely tuned hands and a vast array of testing at our disposal to figure these things out. How much difference can a few words make when I have the power of an MRI? Truthfully, a single sentence out of your mouth could change everything for your pet.
A dog urinating blood can lead into a conversation on why you do not need to “relieve” your male dog or why giving your dog a lot of table salt and pumping on its stomach is not a viable or safe way to induce vomiting. It really does not matter what you tell me, so long as you have something to tell me. There is nothing more costly (for your pet's health and your pocketbook) than no information. The difference between how much water your pet is drinking is the potential difference between diabetes, a urinary tract infection and about a dozen other slightly less common diseases. What medications your pet is taking could make the difference between getting better or a lot worse. YOU are the most important part of my exam. You, being an active participant in your pet’s health is what will help your pet live a longer and happier life.
Here are a few other things to keep in mind when your vet is asking you questions:
• If I ask if he has taken any medications, please list EVERYTHING. A good rule is that if it is not JUST food, it is a medication.
• Unless you purposefully got your pet high or drunk I will not call the police or SPCA. I just need to know so I can help your pet. 
• Nothing is off limits. We've seen and heard a lot. A large part of my job is touching blood and poop. Not much frightens us.

Feline Tooth ResorptionWhat is tooth resorption? 
Historically called feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORL), cervical line lesions, neck lesions, feline caries, cervical line erosions or feline cavities the current term, according to the American Veterinary Dental College, is tooth resorption (TR). TR occurs when cells called odontoclasts destroy the tooth root surfaces by causing the enamel to be resorbed. As the disease progresses, the different layers of the tooth are resorbed and the pulp cavity becomes exposed, causing pain and sensitivity. The resorption continues until the tooth is weakened and ultimately fractures.
What causes tooth resorption?
The cause of these lesions is unknown; no one knows why odontoclastic cells begin to resorb the tooth root. Some researchers believe that infection or inflammation from periodontal disease may lead to the migration of odontoclastic cells into the area. Others believe that diet has a role in causing these lesions.
What cats are at risk of tooth resorption?
All cats can develop feline tooth resorption. In fact it's one of the most common oral conditions seen in cats. Certain breeds of cats like Siamese, Persians, and Abyssinians appear to be more susceptible to the disease but again any cat can develop these lesions.


Symptoms of tooth resorption
Feline tooth resorptive lesions can cause many issues:

• Pain
• Mouth sensitivity
• Tooth fractures
• Tooth loss
• Anorexia (inappetance)
• Weight loss

Since, these lesions usually start at the gum line, they are often covered with gum tissue or tartar and therefore may be difficult to detect without a thorough oral examination. As the lesions progress you may notice drooling, trouble eating, reluctance to eat or a decrease in appetite and occasionally bloody saliva or swelling around the mouth and jaw.
Diagnosis of tooth resorption
Your veterinarian may identify a feline tooth resorptive lesion while performing an oral exam during your pet's check-up or during a dental cleaning. Dental radiographs (x-rays) are necessary to properly evaluate the extent of tooth and tooth root damage and determine the appropriate treatment.
Treatment of tooth resorption
The treatment will depend on the lesion and the extent of tooth damage.
Some veterinary dentists will do a restorative treatment (filling) for mildly affected teeth.
Teeth with more damage should be extracted. Since feline tooth resorption is a progressive disease some veterinary dentists feel that extraction is the best option for all affected teeth, even those with mild damage. It is important that people realize these lesions are very painful and simply leaving the affected tooth alone is not an option. If your pet has these lesions your veterinarian will help you determine which treatment option is best for you and your pet.
Prevention of tooth resorption
Without knowing the cause, no one knows exactly how to prevent feline tooth resorption lesions from forming. The best thing you can do is take your cat to the veterinarian regularly so they can prevent periodontal disease, which may be a contributing factor to the formation of feline tooth resorption lesions. In addition your veterinarian will examine your cat for early lesions and treat them before they become advanced and painful. For more information about feline tooth resorption, speak with your veterinarian or visit the American Veterinary Dental College website.

  
Ear infections are one of the more common reasons for dogs to visit the vet.  Cats however are not as prone to ear infections. Ear infections in dogs and cats are generally different than ear infections in humans but no less painful.  There are many factors that lead to dogs having ear infections and if there is any question about a possible infection your dog should visit the vet as soon as possible.  Some ear infections may heal quickly, but others can be chronic and painful for your dog.
Some of the causes of an ear infection include:

• Bacteria
• Yeast 
• Ear mites
• Allergies
• Anatomical issues
• Conformation of the ear
• Breed disposition

Often times, multiple causes are present and need to be controlled before resolution can be achieved. Since ear infections can be quite painful for your pet, it is a good idea to be aware of what signs to look for.  Some of the common signs of an ear infection may include:

• Hot or painful to touch
• Odorous 
• Head shaking
• Scratching at ears
• Inflammation of the ear ? occasionally you can also see wax at the canal
• Ear discharge

When a pet has an ear infection the vet may recommend different tests to diagnose.  Things such as an ear swab, culture or even blood tests may need to be done.  Depending on the diagnosis, medication may be prescribed to heal the ears.  Typically a recheck of the ears is recommended due to reoccurrence being a possibility. It is very important to get ear infections treated as soon as possible. Not only are they painful, but the longer an infection is present the harder it is to resolve and the pet is more likely to have chronic changes in the ear which could result in the need for surgery or even make complete resolution impossible.


If you find your dog seems to continuously get ear infections there may be an underlying cause that needs some investigating by the vet to help heal or control the infections.

Obesity


Obesity is our pets? number one health threat and it is in our hands as the owners to prevent obesity. One main component of obesity is how much we feed our pets.
A study found that fewer than 2 in 10 (18%) pet owners feed their pet(s) the amount recommended on the pet food package.
https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/documents/canada-s-pet-wellness-report2011
Overweight pets face many weight-related disorders.  Four of the common conditions include:
Decreased Life Expectancy
It has been proven that pets who eat less (recommended amount) will live a longer life.  The more your pet eats, the heavier it becomes and the more likely he/she are to develop different medical conditions which shorten their life span.  Just by controlling the food intake, our pets could live longer happier lives!
Arthritis
Arthritis is the number one medical condition associated with obese dogs and cats.  A study showed that 61% of cats had evidence of arthritis on radiographs.  For cats it is only a matter of 1-2lbs that will affect their small joints.  For people 1-2lbs does not always seem like a big deal but for a furry friends it can cause big problems!
Diabetes
A significant number of overweight cats are being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  Dogs on the other hand are more prone to a condition known as Insulin Resistance (dangerously high insulin and blood sugar levels).  One way to prevent type 2 diabetes is to feed an appropriate amount of food to maintain a normal weight.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is known as the ?silent killer?. There are no signs for an owner to look out for, and you cannot see the damage done until it is too late.  It is not a bad idea for pets to have their blood pressure checked at annual exams.


Our pets are unable to make decisions on their own, so we as owners need to be cautious about how much our pets are eating to prevent obesity.  It only takes a few extra pounds to cause serious problems for our furry friends.  Protect them by discussing options with your vet.  They will be happier and enjoy a longer life with you.
http://pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/5-reasons-why-pet-obesity-a-serious-problem/page/0/2