New Addition To Internal Medicine Team: Lauren E. Sikorski, DVM

We would like to welcome Lauren Sikorski, DVM, the newest member of the internal medicine team at Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists.

Dr. Sikorski graduated from Rollins College where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature with a concentration in Australian and French Studies. She continued her education at St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine where she was awarded her Doctorate Degree in Veterinary Medicine. An honors student at St. George's University, she graduated salutatorian of her class. Following veterinary school, Dr. Sikorski completed an internship in animal medicine and surgery here on Long Island and a residency in internal medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Sikorski's professional interests include endoscopy and bronchoscopy, diagnostic ultrasound, infectious disease, hematology, hepatology, nephrology, and interventional radiology. She is a candidate to receive board certification from the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine with a specialty in internal medicine.

Dr. Sikorski will be available for consultations at the Bohemia location beginning July 27.

Dog Flu Spreads, But Vaccine Is Available

This summer has proven to be a very active flu season - for dogs, that is. Pet owners, their canine companions and veterinarians across the country are on high alert against the H3N8 canine flu; areas including Florida, New York City, Philadelphia and Denver have all been particularly hard hit by the flu.

Help is on the way, though. In May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the first vaccine for canine influenza. The vaccine is now making its way to veterinary hospitals and animal shelters across the country.

Canine influenza is an extremely contagious respiratory infection. Signs of the infection include cough, sneezing, runny nose and, sometimes, a fever. Canine influenza bears a close resemblance to other canine respiratory illnesses and only diagnostic tests can confirm the presence of canine influenza. It was first discovered in 2004 and has so far been documented in 30 states.

Almost all dogs exposed to canine influenza become infected; about 80 percent fully develop the illness, while about 20 percent do not. Most dogs recover quickly; however, some dogs may contract pneumonia due to a secondary infection.

While the death rate for canine influenza is low, secondary infections and other complications can sometimes lead to death. Recently, two Philadelphia animal shelters were quarantined due to the death of six dogs from canine influenza. It is spread wherever dogs are in close contact with one another--kennels, shelters, day care centers, veterinary hospitals, pet stores and grooming facilities are all high-risk areas. Dogs that stay at home or have limited contact with other dogs are at low risk.

Like the flu that you contract, canine influenza is mostly treated by providing supportive care while the virus runs its course. Antibiotics may be used if secondary infections develop. The canine influenza vaccine is a "lifestyle" vaccine and is recommended for dogs at high-risk of contracting the virus.

Canine influenza does not infect humans. Contact your veterinarian today if you believe your dog has contracted canine influenza or if you'd like more information about the vaccine.

Study Shows Cats Have People Well-Trained

Cats are well-known for their independence and resistance to doing as they're told. Training a cat to do most anything is a difficult task, but according to a new study, cats are masters at training their people. A study in the latest issue of Current Biology has found that cats use a unique purr - a sort of cry or meowing sound combined with the purr you might hear while petting your cat - to prod humans into feeding them or giving them attention.

Loud meowing might not get a cat what he or she wants, according to Karen McComb of the University of Sussex, one of the study's authors. But insistent purring - which McComb called "solicitation purring" - sends a kind of subliminal message that taps into a person's nurturing instincts, McComb says. The solicitation purr contains a high-pitched sound that somewhat resembles an infant's cry, which is part of the reason why humans can't help but rush to meet their feline friend's desires.

McComb's own cat, which wakes her up in the mornings with a prodding purr, inspired the study. After talking with other cat owners, she has found that other felines use a similar tactic when craving food or attention. To identify the purr that cats use, McComb's study team had cat owners record their cat's cries (the researchers found early on that cats did not use solicitation purring when strangers were present). The cries were then played back and humans were asked to judge the cries based on urgency and pleasantness.

"We found that the crucial factor determining the urgency and pleasantness ratings that purrs received was an unusual high-frequency element - reminiscent of a cry or meow - embedded within the naturally low-pitched purr," McComb said. "Human participants in our experiments judged purrs with high levels of this element to be particularly urgent and unpleasant." When the high-pitched sound was removed from the solicitation purr and played back for the human test subjects, they reported the purr was less urgent.

Not all cats use this purr, according to McComb; however, some use it exceedingly well and might "dramatically exaggerate it when it proves effective," she said. Most often, the insistent purr is used in smaller households where a cat is likely to have a close relationship with his or her owner. When other cats or many people are present, McComb believes cats find a regular old meow to be the best way to get noticed.

While the phenomenon of solicitation purring may be news to scientists, cat owners have always known the old saying is true - dogs may have masters, but cats have servants.

Cancer In Animals

Cancer is an often life-threatening disease that many people think affects only humans. So, it comes as a shock to many pet owners when their pet is diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer in animals is not uncommon and is very similar to cancer in humans. Like in humans, it can either be genetic, environmental or just a random mutation. The common types of cancer are diagnosed more frequently only because we can detect them more easily. These cancers involve the lymph nodes, limbs or skin tumors. Tumors located in organs or inside body cavities are more difficult to diagnose and are often not detected until the animal develops clinical symptoms.

In order to identify the type of cancer, aspirates and biopsies are performed. Once the cancer is identified, it is "staged." This is accomplished by lymph node sampling, ultrasonography and / or radiology examination.

Treatment depends on the type and location of the cancer. If possible, surgical removal of the tumor is performed. Some types of cancer are responsive to chemotherapy, which include a variety of oral and injectable medications. Dogs and cats tend to tolerate chemotherapy well and rarely develop side effects that are seen in humans. Prior to treatment, blood and urine tests are performed to asses the overall health of the pet.

There are a number of indications that an animal may have cancer. The best way to detect the commonly diagnosed types of cancer is for owners to carefully feel their animals all over once a week. Pet them thoroughly once a week and feel for abnormal lumps, bumps, swellings, and any area that's just plain painful. Open, ulcerated wounds that take a long time to heal (or not heal at all) might be another potential sign of cancer.

Some non-specific symptoms of cancer include a lack of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, or diarrhea. Also, certain breeds are more prone to cancer than others. Breeds such as boxers, Bernese mountain dogs, and golden retrievers are overrepresented in the development of cancer. There have even been studies that have traced the family trees of dogs. These studies have suggested a genetic predisposition in certain families.

Often, the diagnosis of cancer leaves owners feeling that there is no hope for their pet. However, many types of cancer can be successfully treated and these pets can return to a normal life.

Before beginning a cancer treatment, many things need to be taken into consideration. Most important is the animal's quality of life verses the aggressiveness of the treatment. The same types of drugs that are used in human cancer therapy are used in veterinary cancer therapy. The chief difference is that we tend to use lower doses at less frequent intervals.

Chemotherapy is offered at Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists. Our primary goal is to obtain a cure. If a cure is not possible, the goal of chemotherapy is to provide a better quality of life for your pet. We recommend treatment only if it is appropriate for your pet.

Our chemotherapy protocol is designed so pets don't become terribly ill. In fact, most pet owners don't even realize that their pet has had chemotherapy. Less than 5 percent of the animals develop severe vomiting, diarrhea or a drop in their blood counts. Compared to the side effects of chemotherapy in humans, hair loss is very uncommon in pets.

For many people, their pets are more than just animals; they are members of their family. Usually pet owners want to do everything that they can to prolong their pets' lives and keep them feeling healthy. Chemotherapy is an excellent method for treating many types of cancer in pets.

Traveling With Your Pet

Americans are crowding the highways for summer vacation, taking their four-legged friends along for the ride. But before pet lovers hit the road, it's important to take their pets' needs into consideration.

While on a trip, it’s good to keep your pet's routine as close to normal as possible. If you've never traveled with your pet, start with very short, round-the-block rides before you put them in the car or truck for the long trip. Your veterinarian can give you some good advice and recommendations in order to make your pet more comfortable during the trip.

For the safety of both you and your pet, it's best to travel with dogs and cats in pet carriers. In case of an accident, airborne pets are very prone to injury. Carriers are especially important for cats as they can end up on your shoulder, your head, or get under your feet. It's a potentially dangerous situation if you need to stop quickly and they are under the brake pedal.

Though keeping a pet "strapped down" for safety is important, people should not use standard safety belts on their pets. These belts are designed for human positioning and dogs don't conform with much success. However, there are canine "seat belts" which are actually harnesses that attach to the car's seat belts and may be used to hold dogs in place during the trip.

Owners should also plan for extra stops if pets accompany them on a trip. Due to the stress of the trip, many cats do not eat, drink or use the litter box. These items should be provided for them, especially if it's your first trip with your cat. If they don't use the litter box, take them out at rest stops on a harness leash and see if they go.

The number of stops depends on your pet’s habits. Most pets eliminate shortly after they eat. Therefore, if you can control when the food goes in, you can usually control when it goes out.

In terms of exercise, owners should follow their pet's normal schedule. If you take your dog for a 30-minute walk in the evening at home, you should do the same when you arrive at your destination. Also, exercising your dog before he or she gets into the car generally makes the trip more relaxing.

Many pets enjoy getting out of the house, as long as it's not a trip to the veterinarian. However, if you're planning to drive non-stop, or if your pet may be a nuisance or unwanted, it is probably best to leave them at home. Some trips can cause unneeded stress on a pet.

It is an especially good idea to leave pets at home if they have current health problems that may worsen on the trip. For instance, if a pet has a respiratory problem and the trip is in the mountains, the trip may aggravate the medical condition.

If you're concerned about your pet getting car sick, talk to your veterinarian about a tranquilizer or sedative to calm him before the trip. Before giving any type of medication, contact your veterinarian to make sure that it is safe.

Finally, it's a good idea to call ahead and make reservations with hotels, motels and campgrounds that accept and welcome pets. Before you leave home, make sure you have included all the necessary supplies, including plastic bags, to clean up after your pet at rest areas.

Adopting A Pet From A Shelter

You see a cute, tiger-striped kitten with white paws and green eyes, just begging for your attention. Or maybe it's a handsome, tail-wagging Labrador mix who couldn't be more friendly.

If you're like most of us, falling in love with a pet is easy. And no wonder! Sharing your home with a four-legged friend can be one of life's greatest joys. Dogs, cats, and other pets give us unconditional loyalty and acceptance, provide constant companionship, and even help relieve stress after a hard day's work.

Adopting a pet, though, is a big decision. Dogs and cats are living beings who require lots of time, money, and commitment - over 15 years' worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt a companion.

Things to Consider

The fact that you're thinking about adopting a pet from an animal shelter, rescue league or humane society means you're a responsible and caring person. But before you make that final decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to think about these questions:

Why do you want a pet?

It's amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they get a pet. Adopting a pet just because the kids have been asking for a puppy usually ends up being a mistake. Don't forget that pets may be with you even after your children leave home.

Do you have time for a pet?

Dogs, cats, and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you're tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of the year. Many animals are given up because their owners do not realize how much time it takes to properly care for them.

Can you afford a pet?

The monetary costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, kitty litter, and other expenses add up.

Are you prepared to deal with special problems that only a pet can cause?

Fleas, scratched-up furniture and accidents from animals who aren't yet housetrained are just a few of the inconveniences that you can face.

Can you have a pet where you live?

Many rental communities don't allow pets, others have restrictions. Make the necessary inquiries before you bring a pet home.

Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet?

If you're a student, in the military, or travel frequently as part of your work, waiting until you settle down may be a wise choice.

Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind?

Adopting an energetic dog or a breed that is unsuitable to share your small apartment (a Border collie), for example, is not a good idea. Choose an animal who will be comfortable in your surroundings.

Who will care for your pet if you go on vacation?

You'll need either reliable friends and neighbors, or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.

Will you be a responsible pet owner?

Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pet are all part of being a responsible pet owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.

Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime?

When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime.

Get an Animal for Life

Sure, it's a long list of questions. But a quick stroll through the animal shelter will help you understand why answering them before you adopt a pet is so important.

Please, think before you adopt. Sharing your life with a companion animal can bring incredible rewards, but only if you're willing to make the necessary commitments of time, money, responsibility, and love—for the life of the pet.

Much of the information for this article has been contributed by the Humane Society of the US.

Presidential Pets

How Well Do You Know Our Presidents' Dogs?

Question 1:

What president had a dog who pulled off the French ambassador's pants at a White House event?

• Ulysses S. Grant
• Teddy Roosevelt
• Woodrow Wilson

Question 2:

What assassinated president had a dog who was murdered?

• Abraham Lincoln
• William McKinley
• John F. Kennedy

Question 3:

What Cold War-era president housed four "pupniks" after his dog had a Soviet romance?

• John F. Kennedy
• Gerald Ford
• Jimmy Carter

Question 4:

What president ordered a destroyer to retrace its route when he learned his dog had been left behind?

• Harry S. Truman
• Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Dwight D. Eisenhower

Question 5:

What president caused public outcry when he picked up his beagle puppies by the ears?

• Theodore Roosevelt
• Herbert Hoover
• Lyndon B. Johnson

Question 6:

What president had a spaniel whose dog house was decorated with framed political photographs?

• John F. Kennedy
• Ronald Reagan
• George H. W. Bush

Question 7:

What president said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog"?

• Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Harry Truman
• Bill Clinton

Question 8:

What president claimed his dog Checkers was the only campaign gift he ever accepted?

• Calvin Coolidge
• Dwight D. Eisenhower
• Richard Nixon

Question 9:

What president had 36 dogs, but would not let his slaves keep dogs?

• George Washington
• John Adams
• Thomas Jefferson

Question 10:

What president had a dog who sat in his own hand-carved chair during cabinet meetings?

• James Buchanan
• Rutherford B. Hayes
• Warren Harding

No other president loved his dog as much as FDR. Fala, a Scottish terrier, was Roosevelt's constant companion. After FDR died in 1945, Fala went to live with Eleanor in Val-Kill. When Fala passed away in 1952, he was buried next to FDR in Hyde Park, N.Y.

GET THE ANSWERS

We hope you enjoyed reading our newsletter!

Sincerely yours,

Dr. George Kramer and the Staff at Atlantic Coast Veterinary Specialists
www.atlanticcoastvet.com