Paws for a Cause

At this time of the year, many people think about giving to homeless shelters, soup kitchens or children’s charities.  While these are great causes to donate to, some other causes fly under the radar.  While animals don’t understand the traditions of this time of year, they are also in need of help.  As animal lovers, we are asking for your help to give back to animals that aren’t lucky enough to have a warm home or a loving person taking care of them.  We are holding a donation drive for some local animal welfare organizations. This year we are collecting donations for the Animal Protection Society of Durham and CLAWS Inc.  By giving to these two organizations, you are helping improve the life of animals at the shelter and injured or rescued wildlife.

The Animal Protection Society of Durham (APS) is our local animal shelter; They take care of stray dogs and cats.  They provide housing, food and medical treatment if needed.  Things needed for the shelter are:

• Pedigree Small Bite dry dog food
• Purina One dry adult cat and kitten food
• Friskies canned poultry platter
• Non-clumping kitty litter (preferably Tidy Cat)
• Large sized Kong toys for dogs over 40 lbs.
• Peanut butter (all brands and sizes)
• Bedding for dogs and cats (fleece blankets can be found at Walmart for $2.88 ea.)
• Toys new and used (clean and in good condition like the expensive toys you buy for your cat that would rather play with rolled up paper)
• Collars and leashes
• Bleach and other disinfectants. 

 If you’d like more information on the APS, please visit their website - http://www.apsofdurham.org. You can learn about volunteering, meet a potential new family member or make a monetary donation.

CLAWS Inc is a local non-profit organization that provides education, rescue and rehabilitation for both wildlife and exotic species. They have helped many raptors (hawks, owls, etc.), song birds, otters and skunks just to name a few; We rely heavily on their assistance when we have wildlife emergencies. CLAWS does not receive government funding and relies heavily on donations to continue their work.

 Some things to donate would be:

• Gas cards - They spend a lot of time on the road picking up animals in need of rehabilitation.
• Solid sided crates of all sizes (dog and cat type)
• NUTS, NUTS and more NUTS, including acorns!  If you have these in your yard that you do not need, please consider raking them up, bagging them and donating them to the animals at CLAWS!!!
• Paper Towels - you would not believe the number of these they go through
• Clorox Wipes
• Rattles for the Owls (yes, actual baby rattles)
• Pack n Play type play pen WITH a top that zips.  Animals can, and do climb
• Multi-level ferret type cages
• Critter Beds
• Snugglesafes - to keep the animals warm and safe in the winter months
• Canned goats milk
• Gift Certificates to PetSmart or Ferret Depot

For more information on CLAWS, please see http://www.nc-claws.org. You can check availability for educational opportunities, sponsor a rehabilitated or resident animal or make a donation on their website.

 We will accept donations for both organizations throughout the end of the year.  If you’d like to learn more about either of these organizations or think you can help in an alternate way, please let us know!

Canine Cardiomyopathy

Do you own a Doberman Pinscher, Boxer, Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, Cocker Spaniel, Newfoundland or St. Bernard?  If you do, your pet is at risk for developing a heart muscle disease called cardiomyopathy.  Cardiomyopathy can affect dogs of any age, but it is most common in middle-aged or older dogs.  Dogs can be affected by cardiomyopathy and show no outward signs or symptoms until the disease has become severe.  Signs the dogs with cardiomyopathy may show include a heart murmur, abnormal heart rhythm, cough, rapid or labored breathing, fainting or a distended abdomen.  A veterinary cardiologist can help by screening at risk dogs with an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) and/or 24 hour ECG monitoring (called a Holter monitor).  Early diagnosis of cardiomyopathy allows early treatment that can slow the progression of the disease and increase the quantity and quality of your dog’s life. 

If you have a dog that is at risk for cardiomyopathy, talk to your primary care veterinarian about routine screening for cardiac disease and how a veterinary cardiologist could be involved in your pet’s care.

Meet our new Internist!

Dr. Flood grew up in Roswell, GA, a suburb of Atlanta and is a graduate of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.  She completed a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. 

Following her internship, Dr. Flood successfully completed a residency in small animal internal medicine at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at Cornell University.  Dr. Flood was awarded the Outstanding Clinical Resident Award during the final year of her residency program. Upon completion of her residency, Dr. Flood accepted an associate internist position at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls, NJ.  Dr. Flood was a member of the Garden State staff for seven years.  During her tenure at Garden State, Dr. Flood performed the duties of an associate internist and held several management positions including Director of the Internship program and Director of Technicians.  She left the northeast to be closer to her family and was an associate internist in several referral practices in the Southeast.

Prior to joining the staff at Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital, Dr. Flood completed a one year fellowship in small animal oncology at the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center and most recently was in practice in Nashville, TN. Dr. Flood was awarded the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine Young Achiever’s award for her achievements in veterinary medicine to date. 

Dr. Flood’s primary areas of interest include hepatobiliary disease, gastroenterology, immune-mediated disease, oncology, and ultrasonography.  Dr. Flood is a board certified veterinary internist and a member of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.  Currently, Dr. Flood resides in Durham with her two small dogs, Tiny, a Chihuahua and Lucy, a Shih Tzu.

Please help us welcome Dr. Flood to the TVRH family!

Feline Heart Disease

Unfortunately, heart disease isn’t a problem that only affects people, cats can have heart problems too!  The most common heart disease in cats is called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition where the heart muscle becomes thick and stiff.  This abnormal heart muscle can’t relax properly, and the heart can’t fill with blood as easily as it should.  The exact cause of HCM isn’t known, but genetics are suspected to play a role.  Other diseases can cause heart changes that mimic HCM including hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland) and high blood pressure.

Most cats with HCM initially don’t show any symptoms, but a heart murmur or abnormal heart rhythm heard by your primary veterinarian can sometimes be a sign of an underlying heart problem.  Cats with HCM may develop fluid in or around their lungs, a condition called congestive heart failure, and this can cause rapid and labored breathing.

Some breeds of cats have a higher risk of developing HCM than other breeds, but any cat can develop HCM.  Breeds at increased risk include the Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Sphynx, Bengal, British Shorthair and Persian breeds.  Most affected cats are middle aged, but even young cats can develop HCM. The most accurate way to diagnose HCM is with an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart.  Veterinary cardiologists have specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in pets and can work with your primary care veterinarian if heart disease is suspected.  Unfortunately, there is no cure for HCM in cats, but medications are available to help treat the disease.

If you have a middle-aged cat, make sure to see your veterinarian yearly so they can evaluate your pet for any signs of heart disease.  If you have a cat that is a breed known to be at risk for heart disease, talk to your veterinarian about the possibility of screening for heart disease with an echocardiogram. 

Did you know that heart disease isn't just a human problem?

Unfortunately, dogs get heart disease too, and about 10% of all dogs have some type of heart disease.  The most common type of heart disease in dogs is called chronic mitral valve degeneration, which causes a major heart valve not to close properly.  This condition is common in small and medium sized middle aged to older dogs.  Breeds known to be at a higher risk for valve disease include Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Dachshunds, Chihuahuas and Poodles, but any dog can be affected. 

The most common sign of valve disease is a heart murmur heard with a stethoscope.  Symptoms of valve disease you might notice at home include cough, rapid or labored breathing, fainting, or decreased exercise tolerance.  If you notice these signs you should have your pet evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Annual examinations with your veterinarian can help detect a heart problem before your pet is having symptoms at home, so make sure to have your pet evaluated regularly.

There is no cure for heart valve disease, but there are medications that can lengthen your pet’s life and improve their quality of life.  Veterinary cardiologists specialize in treating heart disease in pets and can work with your primary veterinarian if a heart problem is suspected.  If you have a middle aged small or medium sized dog, talk to your veterinarian about heart disease at your next visit.