Here A Duck, There A Duck-Don't Let Your Dog's Food Quack

Walk down any cereal aisle and you will see the cure for our taste bud boredom.  Cinnamon cereal, cereal with dried berries, cereal in vivid Technicolor, sugary or branned it's all there folks.   Many dog food companies are trying to brainwash you into thinking that our four legged friends need this same variety in their dishes, also.  Nutrition is a subject near and dear to my heart.  I don't want the broad blanket term "good quality" ingredients that are often more marketing gimmick than substance.  Nutrition is a very personal decision.  You must decide what fits for your family.  As long as you have made an informed decision, then it is the right one for your pet.

Walking down a local pet super store's aisles the other day I looked through the dog foods for sale.  I guess overall I must applaud them.  They have made true quality, natural, holistic, healthy food much more readily available than ever before.  Food lines that are free of destructive chemicals and have good nutrition sources such as Wellness, California Natural, Fromm, or Merrick are right there on the shelves.

One massive disservice that pet stores and pet food companies are doing you and your pets is making every protein source under the sun available.  Sometimes 3 or 4 in one bag!  It's not your fault- you are just trying to provide some variety to your pet.  Beef, chicken, certain fish types, even lamb are perfectly acceptable for over the counter feeding.  However, just for the fun of it some manufacturers are offering duck, buffalo, rabbit, venison, and other novel proteins for the taking.  Some under the misguided heading of being an "allergy" formula.  This practice is DANGEROUS for your pet!

I equate duck, or rabbit with medicine.  If your pet develops a food allergy or intolerance the only way to combat this is by giving it ingredients it has not had before and therefore NOT allergic to.  If your pet has been exposed to these proteins during a badly performed food trial, that food source is now useless to treat your pet.  Often these over the counter products are a mix of hypoallergenic proteins with known allergens such as corn, soy, or wheat.  Perhaps the company just got done manufacturing a beef formula then switches over to running a line of duck formula without proper sanitation.  If your pet is allergic to beef now some of that beef has just gotten into your pet's duck bag.  BOOM, problem!

These pet food manufacturers mean well.  It is a great idea to make allergy control more accessible.  However, allergy control must be handled in a responsible manner.  If your pet has eating/appetite issues, itching/allergies, or digestive issues please work with your vet before introducing these novel proteins.  You wouldn't hop behind the Walgreens pharmacy counter and pick out medications that sounded like they might help.  Doesn't your pet deserve the same protection?



Chris

Team Veterinary Care?

Our Creed at Morris Hospital is a team approach to veterinary care.  You say "I'm not a vet.  How can I help?"  The simple answer is, a lot.  You are an invaluable diagnostic tool.  You live with your pet.  You know their quirks, eating habits, sleep patterns, even their potty habits.  You know, well, when something is wrong.   Your job, as the voice of the pet, is to say something is wrong.  Our job: to listen and to dig.

Going to tell you right now, we aren't always going to find an answer.  We can run tests, observe, even send you to a specialist.  Guess what?  We're not always going to be able to give you an answer.  Unfortunately, sometimes the pet has to get sicker to point us in the right direction.  Even with the greatness of modern science at our disposal, a diagnosis can elude us.  

So what is your part in all of this?  To be there reminding us that the problem still isn't resolving; the keep us apprised of changes, good or bad, in your pet's condition.  To help us "monitor" the pet 24/7.  We can help you to keep symptoms in perspective, but we will never belittle your observations.

What's our part in all of this?  To listen.  Sounds simple, but wow, some people just don't get it.  Dr. Morris went to the doctor today, and her own personal physician did not listen to what she was saying about her body.  My mother can't get doctors to listen regarding the changes in her body.

Our promise to you: To listen, to dig, and to support.  We may not always have answers.  But we promise never to ignore you as insignificant in the process.  

Chris
Office Manager
Morris Hospital for Veterinary Services
26684 Grand River
Redford, MI 48240
313-537-6100
http://www.morrisvet.com/
http://morrisvet.smugmug.com/

Judgement Calls and Your Pet

You know, as an owner you have much on your shoulders.  Being a responsible pet owner is very similar to parenting.  You have to decide the correct "school" to take your dog to.  You have to carefully select sitters.  You have to give them excellent nutrition.  AND on top of all of that, walk the health care high wire.

Health care judgments can be this monstrous burden at times.  Is there really a problem?  Am I overreacting?  Is that normal?  Maybe it isn't normal, but is it an emergency?  Is this something I can treat at home?  All of these questions can really put stress on the caretaker.  Add in financial issues and BOOM: powder keg!

Make no mistake there can be much pressure with these types of decisions.  Add in the fact that the pet may be exhibiting subtle symptoms-your gut just nagging that something is off- and yikes.  This is one reason that it is imperative that you have a veterinary clinic that you can trust and that mutually trusts you.  Working together, you can come up with a plan of action.  There are various levels of immediacy of care.  We use different metrics to help you decide urgency of treatment.  Is the pet's life in danger?  Is the pet suffering or uncomfortable?  Is it safe to wait?  Is it safe to just watch and see?

Lean on your vet as the resource that they can be.  We are here to serve and help.  Sometimes a 5 minute phone call can relieve much worry.

chris

Pet Nail Trimming

One of the most scarry things a pet owner can do is trim their pet's nails.  Pets squirm and one wrong clip and BOOM a Niagra Falls of blood.  As the picture shows there is a small blood vessel inside the protective housing (toenail).                       

Canine

                                                                                           Feline







When trimming the canine claw go slowly until you stop seeing dry, crumbly toenail and start to see a fleshy bullseye.  This is a good indication that you are to hit the quick.  If you do simply apply Qwick Stop Powder.  This will stop the bleeding and help prevent infection.  In the dog you can usually trim more off of the front feet than the back feet.  Toesnails often need to be trimmed every 4 weeks.

Felines often need their nails trimmed every 3 weeks.  They have a distinct clear hook and can have the entire hook removed without hitting the quick. 

Chris
Office Manager
Morris Hospital for Veterinary Services
26684 Grand River
Redford, MI 48240
313-537-6100
http://www.morrisvet.com/
http://morrisvet.smugmug.com/