My Pet's Doctor Blog | MyPetsDoctor.com - Part 2

Workups Of Dog Urinary Tract Infections

July 5, 2010

Reader Meghan writes:
My 15lb female non-spayed Westie/Pomeranian mix had a UTI in April. She was treated with an injection and then given 2 weeks of oral Rx. The UTI went away about 10 days after the medicine was finished. However, she now has a UTI again. This time, the veterinarian gave her Convenia. I’m noticing on [...]

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Keep Pets Calm During July Fourth Fireworks

July 2, 2010

Fireworks can terrify a dog.
I suppose some cats may be bothered by them, too, but I’ve never had a client inquire about a kitty afraid of loud noises. I think it’s a safe assumption that if it hasn’t been a problem in 30 years of practice, it’s not common.
Many dogs, on the other hand, really [...]

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Steps In Caring For A Stray

July 1, 2010

Little Bit is such a cute little stray dog.
Little Bit gives us the opportunity to explain some special considerations about taking in strays.
First, your mother is not going to believe you if you tell her she followed you home, so just stick to the truth…you couldn’t resist her.
Second, if you have other pets, their safety [...]

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Oil Spill Affects Domestic Animals, Too.

June 30, 2010

Jethro is a 2-year-old Beagle.
Chance is a 3-year-old Boxer.
Buttercup is a full-grown yellow Labrador retriever.

Kim Holden of Fox8Live, WVUE-TV in New Orleans tells us that the so-called “trickle-down effect” of the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill is affecting man’s best friend in ways we might never have predicted.
Cats, too.
No, our four-legged friends are not becoming [...]

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Pets Can’t Think. Help Them.

June 29, 2010

Sometimes it’s necessary that we use more sense than our pets.
I pulled into a gas station to fill a can for my lawnmower. Our oldest son wants us to have a self-contained, battery-powered electric mower like his, but the terrain at our house is just too rugged for anything less than a brute of a [...]

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What’s In It?

June 28, 2010

“I’ve been giving Fluffy such-and-such for the last few months and she’s been doing great on it!”
I usually feel apprehension when I hear that sort of comment because of the answer to my response, “What’s in it?”
“Well, I don’t know,” is usually the answer from the now-sheepish pet owner.
Our pets are family, and our family [...]

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Delaying Dental Care Leads To Multiple Organ Damage

June 25, 2010

Winston came to see me for what was supposed to be a routine physical examination and vaccination visit.
As it turned out, Winston had a “leftover” problem from his last visit, 14 months ago.
At that time we had recommended a dental scaling and polishing because of substantial calculus buildup and gum disease, also known as gingivitis. [...]

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Is Your Cat Missing The Litterbox?

June 24, 2010

Litterbox accuracy can be a problem for cats as they get older, bigger, or both.
Some cats experience difficulty “hitting” the box with stool, while the majority of those with aiming failure have difficulty during urination.
To use a politically-incorrect term, fat cats
of any age can defecate and/or urinate over the edge of the litterbox simply because [...]

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How To SBI

June 21, 2010

One might reasonably think that, after 30 years of practice, I had seen just about everything there is to see.
Not so.
We have a program at our hospital we call “SBI,” which stands for Sample Brought In, and refers to stool samples clients bring in for their pets. Why would someone do that? Mainly because it [...]

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Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Affecting Pets?

June 18, 2010

The mainland Gulf Coast of Mississippi is almost completely free of Gulf of Mexico oil spill material, tarballs and all the rest.
While there has been some minimal contamination on Mississippi’s barrier islands (Horn, Petit Bois, Cat, Deer and Ship Islands, only Petit Bois and Horn have seen oil), only tiny amounts of oil have hit the [...]

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Heartworm Preventive Causes Medical Emergency

June 17, 2010

This notice just came in to MyPetsDoctor.com from the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association. If you have purchased “New Heart” heartworm preventive ask your pet’s doctor whether you should dispose of it, and how. Click here for instructions on disposing of unwanted medications.
MVMA Members,
One of your fellow members wanted to share an experience regarding a client [...]

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Retractable Leashes

June 16, 2010

I’m not a fan of retractable leashes.
The mechanism seems to be too difficult to handle in an emergency. Many, many times I have seen clients in our clinic’s lobby struggle to control their pets when one wants to rush over and “visit” with another. People fumble with the button, forget how to lock it, and [...]

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FreauxFreaux’s Dad Comes To The Rescue

June 15, 2010

I love it when great stories like this come to me from clients and readers. Those of you who have visited the
Pet Names Page are familiar with FreauxFreaux, and this story is from her dad:
Sharing a personal story that you will appreciate:

A friend, I’ll call her DJ, called me early yesterday morning from Virginia in a [...]

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Dissolving Urinary Tract Stones With Diet In Dogs And Cats

June 14, 2010

Urinary bladder stones in dogs and cats can present substantial challenges to a veterinarian.
The most common problem occurs when we see a patient with recurrent urinary tract infections that seem to clear up, then relapse. Further investigation often uncovers bladder stones, also known as calculi (the singular is calculus), we can’t palpate (feel). Then we [...]

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Decompensation Syndrome In Dogs And Cats

June 11, 2010

Decompensation is a term that describes the syndrome that occurs when pets (and sometimes people) seem to go downhill very suddenly.
Take Hunter (at left), for example.
Hunter came to see us today feeling and looking really bad. The obvious question was, “How did she get to feeling this bad this fast? All day Sunday she felt [...]

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Dr. Randolph Has MORE Grandbaby Time In New Orleans

June 10, 2010

Ok, Ok, so I’m taking a little time off to spend with grandbabies. Could you possibly blame me? Thursday we went to New Orleans, LA, with our main goal of visiting the Audubon Institute’s Insectarium.
First stop: Biegnets at the Original Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter!

We placed our beignet order and in no time [...]

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Dr. Randolph Has GrandBaby Time!

June 10, 2010

Our son, Jeremy, his wife, Regina, and two of our grandchildren are here to visit for the week. Here we are Wednesday at Pirate’s Cove in Pass Christian, MS, enjoying po-boy sandwiches and Barq’s.

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Chemosis And Conjunctivitis in Dogs And Cats

June 8, 2010

Chemosis is a term that describes swelling of the conjunctiva. Conjunctiva is the clear tissue that surrounds and protects the globe (eyeball).
Conjunctivitis, then, is inflammation of the conjunctiva. While “conjunctivitis” is often misused to be synonymous with “pinkeye,” the terms are not interchangeable. “Pinkeye” is a nonspecific term used by laymen and physicians alike to [...]

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Have New Pets Examined Before Exposing Existing Pets

June 7, 2010

I ran into Tracie at the Subway. Upon recognizing me she said, “Oh! Dr. Randolph! I’m glad I ran into you. I took in a new stray recently and I did the stupidest thing…I put him in with my other cats before I had him Feline Leukemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus tested.
“I knew better. [...]

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Pet/Client/Veterinarian MedicoLegal Relationship

June 4, 2010

Debbie writes:
Dear Dr. Randolph, Does a cat have to be examined to have Revolution flea control [and heartworm preventive]prescribed? My cat was last examined December of 2008 (17 months ago). He is a healthy, happy cat who has been treated with Revolution monthly for 2+ years with no problems. His next shots are not due [...]

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Preparing Your Pet For Laboratory Tests

June 3, 2010

Preparing your pet for laboratory testing varies according to the type of test being performed.
The two most-commonly performed tests, fecal flotation and heartworm test require no preparation at all. However, to save your pet from the discomfort of staff having to obtain a stool specimen with a rectal probe, bring in about a tablespoon of [...]

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ALL Pets Need Preventive Care

June 2, 2010

“She’s never been sick before.”
That was the caller’s response to our question, “What doctor has been caring for your pet?”
“She’s only four years old and she’s never had to go to the doctor,” he continued. “She never goes outside, so I thought she was safe. Now she has tapeworms.”
“Like little people,” Kristi explained, “kittens and [...]

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Temperature Acclimation Certificates For Pet Travel

June 1, 2010

Airlines may sometimes require that you provide a temperature acclimation certificate for pet travel.
While very small pets may be able to travel in the cabin, under the seat in front of you, larger pets are required to ride in the cargo area of the plane.
Oxygen is supplied in ample quantities there, but temperature control is [...]

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MyPetsDoctor.com Remembers Memorial Day

May 31, 2010

Today is Monday, Memorial Day, May 31, 2010.
Today we will take the day off from work.
Today we will grill meat and eat it on buns.
Today we will fish, boat, swim, play golf and tennis, watch TV, go to dog parks and generally do our best to be worthless.
Today we will mark the unofficial beginning of summer.
Today, [...]

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Juvenile Pyoderma In Puppies

May 28, 2010

Juvenile pyoderma, known colloquially as puppy pyoderma, is a condition of young dogs characterized by pustules of infection, most notably on the hairless surface of the lower abdomen.

Cousin Ian helps out on Remington’s visit.

Pyoderma: the Latin prefix “pyo” means “pus,” and “derma” refers to the skin.
Cute little Remington, who goes by “Remi” for short, has [...]

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You Can’t Hold Your Own Pet During Veterinarian’s Treatment

May 27, 2010

A MyPetsDoctor.com reader writes “Dr. Randolph, when I take my kitty to see his doctor I like to hold him myself, but my veterinarian won’t let me. Is that standard practice everywhere?”
Indeed, it is.
I was in my 20s when I made the decision to become a veterinarian. When I told my Uncle Sam, he told [...]

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Veterinarians In The Vanguard Of Wellness Testing

May 26, 2010

Previously we have discussed veterinarians as leaders in prevention of disease and suffering.
If you, or your pets, have high blood pressure the potential for blindness and kidney damage apply to all species and heart attack and stroke for people. Several common conditions in pets can result in excessively high blood pressure including hyperthyroidism in cats [...]

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Whipworm Transmission In Dogs

May 25, 2010

Lacy has whipworms.
One look at Lacy and you might be inclined to say that Lacy can have anything she wants! Actually, she falls into the category of a gentle giant. In fact, she’s more than a little timid when she comes into our hospital.
Lacy had a birthday yesterday. It was her 8th. If you know [...]

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Good Outcome After Canine Mammary Cancer Surgery

May 24, 2010

This is Cinnamon. Isn’t she adorable?
Notice the grey hair? Notice a little cloudiness in her eyes? Cinnamon is no youngster. Indeed, despite her small size, she’s almost 11.
For whatever reasons, Cinnamon didn’t have spay surgery when she was young. Previously we have discussed how that predisposes dogs to mammary (breast) cancer. Now, time has caught [...]

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Reeves Elementary Thank You Notes

May 22, 2010

Now all of the Reeves Elementary School Thank You Notes have been displayed that Mrs. Lipski’s and Mrs. VonderBruegge’s students wrote when Dr. Randolph of MyPetsDoctor.com visited their Reeves Elementary First and Second Grade MultiAge Classroom. The collection is simultaneously updated at this link.

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Train Your Furniture-Scratching Cat To A Scratching Post

May 21, 2010

Kenneth M. Martin, DVM
Veterinary Behavior Consultations, LLC
www.veterinarybehavior.com

Scratching is a normal and innate behavior of the domestic house cat. Approximately 60 percent of house cats will scratch furniture without the presence of any underlying behavioral problem (Morgan & Houpt, 1990). The potential problem of scratching should be considered before obtaining a cat. Because the behavior is [...]

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Pet Dental Hygiene Important For Overall Health

May 20, 2010

Good pet dental hygiene is important not only for oral health, but for overall health.
Dental calculus leads to gum disease. Gum ailments lead to kidney disease, heart disease, abscessed teeth, loose teeth and loss of teeth.
Take Richie. Not literally. His owners love him too much. Still, Richie is a good example of a mostly-healthy dog [...]

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Treatment Of Cuterebra Larva Infestation In Cats And Dogs

May 19, 2010

Cuterebra. Pronounce it CUTE-uh-REE-bruh.
They are anything but cute.
Cuterebra is a bee-like fly which lays her eggs in places where target mammals will come in contact with them. Such locations as the orifices of bird and squirrel nests, burrows and animal paths are favorites. Eggs may be laid on stones or vegetation. The fly’s goal is [...]

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Follow Doctor’s Instructions Exactly

May 18, 2010

Sometimes misunderstandings occur in medical care.
When talking to your physician or your pet’s doctor, listen for words like “permanently” and “forever.”
Like many medical offices we distribute many handouts and educational literature. In fact, our practice software allows us to put educational information right on our clients’ receipts, keyed to the procedures we performed that day [...]

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Dr. Randolph Goes To Louisville

May 17, 2010

For the last several days I’ve been on the road. A rush trip was necessary to deliver our first granddaughter’s eighth birthday present, a cedar hope chest I made in my “spare time” over the last year. I call her PPG for Pater’s Precious Girl. Her real name is Sara Riley. In true Southern Belle [...]

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Reeves Elementary Thank You Notes

May 15, 2010

Each Saturday, until they are all displayed, we will add the Thank You Notes that Mrs. Lipski’s and Mrs. VonderBruegge’s students wrote when Dr. Randolph of MyPetsDoctor.com visited their Reeves Elementary First and Second Grade MultiAge Classroom. Two new Notes will appear Saturday mornings, and the
collection is simultaneously updated at this link.

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Control Dogs Digging Holes

May 14, 2010

A reader writes to ask why her mixed breed dog digs. The most common reason is to reach a cool place to lie anytime the ambient temperature is warmer than is comfortable for her. On our Mississippi Gulf Coast, that could even be in December!
Further, it’s the nature of some breeds to dig. Terriers, Dachshunds [...]

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Use Medications Safely

May 12, 2010

We must be very careful with medication.
In a recent discussion on pharmaceutical safety we made the statement, “There is no such thing as a 100% safe drug.“
Take this recent discussion that occurred in our examination room: “Dr. Randolph, Tylenol isn’t safe for dogs, is it?”
“No, acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, just as it can damage [...]

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Airline Loses Paco, Microchip Could Help

May 11, 2010

Your dog is lost. Now what do you do?
If you live in a cell-phone commercial your dog is quickly found in the food court at the airport.
If you live in Canada and travel via Detroit it may be a different story.
Josiah Allen took a trip to Mexico and planned to come home with one more [...]

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Flea Bite Allergy

May 10, 2010

Flea Bite Allergy is also called Flea Allergy Dermatitis. While the latter name sounds like a patient is allergic to the very presence of fleas, that’s not actually the case.
Flea Bite Allergy (FBA) is actually an allergy to the saliva of the flea. No, fleas are not expectorating on your pet, making him itchy.
Fleas, like [...]

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About the Doctor

Dr. James W. Randolph is a small animal veterinarian in Long Beach, MS. A 1980 graduate of Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine his special interests are Dermatology and Internal Medicine. In his spare time he enjoys weekly teaching a Sunday School Class at a nearby nursing home, singing in the choir in his Baptist church, furniture making and other woodworking and bass fishing. He is married to the talented artist Brenda Randolph, and they enjoy visiting their children and grandchildren whenever possible. They are allowed to share their home with sweet poodle, Pearl and grouchy black cat, Martha.