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573-336-3759

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Fear Free Veterinary Care Now Available for Pulaski County Pets

Local veterinarian earns certification to ease pets’ fear, anxiety during visits

Saint Robert, Missouri. – Can you imagine telling your dog, “Let’s go to the vet!” and seeing her tail wag? How about getting out your cat’s carrier and seeing him come running?

Local pet owners won’t need to imagine it if they visit Dr. Jim Hackworth in Saint Robert. That’s because he is part of a new initiative sweeping veterinary medicine designed to ease the stress, fear, and anxiety so many pets experience while at the veterinarian.

Known as Fear Free^SM, the training and certification program helps veterinarians modify their procedures, handling, and facilities to help pets feel safe and comfortable while receiving the medical care they need.

Dr Hackworth said, “The Fear Free^SM training interested me greatly after learning about it.  If you’ve ever taken a child to a pediatric dentist or a children’s hospital, you may have seen their approach to removing fear from a child’s stressful situation.  It’s made FUN!  I knew there had to be some kind of training for veterinarians, and Fear Free^SM is it!”

Founded by veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, the Fear Free training program was developed by board-certified veterinary behaviorists, veterinary technician behavior specialists, board-certified veterinary anesthetists, well-known veterinary practice management experts, and boarded veterinary practitioners experienced in Fear Free methods.

 “Providing veterinarians with the tools they need to ease this burden of fear and anxiety or our patients is the pinnacle of my 37-year veterinary career,” said Dr. Becker, who was dubbed “America’s Veterinarian” by Dr. Oz and appeared on “Good Morning America” for 17 years. “Veterinary professionals are hungry for this information. Animals and their humans need and deserve it. And now it’s here!”

To become certified, veterinarians and veterinary staff are required to complete a comprehensive, 8-part educational course and exam. They also have to take continuing education to remain certified.

“Anyone visiting our hospital in the past few weeks may have noticed we take a different approach  to our patients than other veterinary hospitals….minimal restraint, lots of treats, pain free (or pain reduced procedures), and sometimes requesting premedication to reduce fear, anxiety and stress.  We have many dogs RUN into the hospital – they have so much fun!  Cats may sit there calmly and purr and others like to play with us.  We’re trying very hard to make a visit as stress free as possible.  One thing we are asking our clients is to bring their pets in hungry….no breakfast.  They take our treats easier.  Sometime we’ll have folks bring in their pet’s favorite treat or toy or bedding/blanket.  Anything to help their pet not have as much “white coat anxiety,” Dr Hackworth stated.

Pet owners who would like their pets to experience the Fear Free difference can schedule an appointment by calling 573-336-3759.

About Dr. Jim Hackworth

Originally from Oklahoma, Dr. Hackworth began a lifelong love affair with pets as a child with his own family's pets.  He saw how much a pet could impact his family's personal life and how much love and affection we can share with our pets.  He became interested in veterinary medicine in high school and began working at a hospital at the age of 16.  He even met his wife at a veterinary hospital (she was 16 and he was 17!).  He graduated from Oklahoma State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and immediately entered the U.S. Army's Veterinary Corps, and served with soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines at multiple sites throughout the world before settling down in Pulaski County with his wife and children.  And if anyone asks, GO ARMY!

Dr Hackworth is passionate about pets being part of our lives and wants them to be part of our lives in a happy, healthy and enriching way.  With over 30 years as a veterinarian, he still feels he has the best job in the world.

Dr Hackworth and his wife have four daughters and five grandchildren.  His pets include two cats, one who enjoys chewing on his toes at 2 AM.  He also has three granddogs and two grandcats.

His email is drhackworth@bestfriendsah.com

Learn more at www.bestfriendsah.com

About Fear Free

Developed by “America’s Veterinarian,” Dr. Marty Becker, the Fear Free^SM initiative aims to “take the ‘pet’ out of ‘petrified’” and get pets back for veterinary visits by promoting considerate approach and gentle control techniques used in calming environments. Utilization of Fear Free methods and protocols leads to reduction or removal of anxiety triggers, which creates an experience that is rewarding and safer for all involved including pets, their owners, and veterinary health care teams. Learn more at www.fearfreepets.com.

We have seen a tremendous number of Kennel Cough Patients in the past couple of weeks.  Dogs are having a harsh dry hacking cough and will gag at the end of the coughing.  It sounds as if there is something caught in their throat (which is rather uncommon in dogs).  Some dogs will also have some sneezing.  Wildlife such as foxes and coyotes may carry the infection and spread it.  Also stray dogs or free-roaming pets may spread the infection

The vaccine is effective, but it does not protect against all causes of Kennel Cough, so even with the vaccine, dogs may get the infection.

For the next month, I suggest keeping your dogs away from dog parks, public areas such of parks or playgrounds or other dogs.

This article may help answer any questions.  If your dog has not been vaccinated, or you want to check on vaccination status, please call us at 573-336-3759

http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/how-to-protect-your-dog-from-kennel-cough

As many of you know, I have recently started what I like to call “the medical merry-go-round,” seeing many different specialists in the past few weeks and more in the coming weeks.  I had to have surgery a few weeks ago which went very well, but as usual for a guy my age, more medical issues have arrived.

I’ve learned a lot of lessons the past few weeks and being able to compare my health care with the veterinary care we offer, all I can say is:

Do any living, breathing people work at insurance companies?  I have called mine several times, usually while on their website looking for answers.  Usually buried on page 67 of the website I find my answer before someone answers.  And the on-hold messages are actually looped, bringing you back to the same menu with no answers available.  You ought to check that.

When checking to see if your health care provider is in your insurance network, guessing is the best option.  The health care provider will tell you to call your insurance provider (see above) and the website may not list them but has a disclaimer at the bottom saying all approved health care providers may not be listed and to contact your health care provider…..another never-ending loop.

Why is everyone so interested in my birthday? I know for a fact that I was not the only person born on that date?  What if I don’t remember my birthday?  No health care?  It’s also listed on my driver’s license…see below.

Do you really need to copy my driver’s license and insurance card every time I have an appointment?  Why do you not believe me when I tell you once again that nothing has changed?  You greeted me when I came in by my name!

Eight pages of new client forms, some front and back?  Really?  Some would be able to be completed if only you would read my driver’s license and insurance card.

Price shopping for flea and tick medications prior to performing surgery on me did not endear me to you. 

Asking me about your cat who is urinating outside the litter box was a really nice conversation, but why don’t you focus on why my oxygen saturation level was low?  And take your cat to your vet!

And speaking of nurse anesthetists, that story about one of your friends performing a surgical procedure on a cat while using succinylcholine only…. I can only hope this was just an acquaintance and not a peer or a mentor.  You know and I know, that cat felt every bit of pain during that surgery but the succinylcholine did not allow him to move or respond.  He was paralyzed, not anesthetized.  He was awake during the entire process.  No wonder he died.  Your friend is a sadistic jerk that should have his license pulled.  I should have fired your sorry butt and demanded another anesthetist.  I was stunned someone with your knowledge would think that was comical.

  Recovery nurses, you rock!

 Physicians, get your exam rooms cleaned better.  You have dust bunnies multiplying under your hydraulic exam tables.  Just raise them and look.  I did.

Physicians, it really isn’t a physical exam when the only part of me you touch is my hand when you shake it.  Reviewing someone else’s medical notes isn’t a physical.  What if they were inaccurate?  It will be interesting to get that bill.  Then I'll be able to know how much a hand shake is worth.

Nurses -- By the way, those crackers you gave me post-op to see if I could keep them down?  Didn’t work…..lost them somewhere on I-44 on the way home.  Thanks for the memory.

No wonder so many of my clients say I take better care of their pets than their own physicians.

Dr. Hackworth

Brush Those Teeth!

Dental disease is rampant in dogs and cats. Bad breath, a painful mouth, loose teeth, abscesses, and cavities are something we see everyday, but  can avoided if we just take the time.  This video shows how to brush her pet's teeth.  We can help you if you need further help.

Cytauxzoonosis in Cats

Cytauxzoonosis in cats is a big problems for those of us in Missouri.  ALL outdoor cats (yes, even those that go out on the deck for a few minutes) are exposed to the ticks that carry the parasite.  It is very hard to successfully treat and we have had several cats this year die from the disease.  Protect your cats with a good flea/tick preventive and best of all, keep your cats indoors!

Dr Hackworth


Parasitic Infection of the Blood Vessels in Cats | petMD

Parasitic Infection of the Blood Vessels in Cats

Cytauxzoonosis in Cats

Cytauxzoonosis is a parasitic infection of the blood vessels of the cat's lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, and brain. The protozoan parasite Cytauxzoon felis can also infect bone marrow and the developmental stages of red blood cells, thereby causing anemia. An uncommon disease, cytauxzoonosis typically affects feral and domestic cats in the south-central and southeastern United States.

Symptoms and Types

Symptoms associated with cytauxzoonosis are usually severe, including:

• High fever
• Dehydration
• Pale gums
• Depression
• Loss of appetite (anorexia)
• Yellowish skin (jaundice)
• Enlarged abdomen due to splenomegaly and hepatomegaly

Causes

The parasite is transmitted from the bite of an infected ixodid tick, which are known to roam in areas shared by reservoir hosts like the bobcat and Florida panther.

Diagnosis

You will need to give a thorough history of your cat’s health to your veterinarian, including the onset and nature of the symptoms. He or she will then perform a complete physical examination as well as a complete blood count, biochemistry profile, urinalysis, and electrolyte panel.

The bloodwork will typically reflect changes due to severe anemia caused by a combination of red cell membrane destruction (hemolysis) and hemorrhaging. In addition, the blood smear may reveal the erythrocytic form of the parasite, which is one to two micrometres in diameter, inside the red blood cells.

Splenic and bone marrow aspirate, meanwhile, are best used to identify to demonstrate the extraerythrocytic form of the parasite.

Treatment

Cats with cytauxzoonosis should be immediately hospitalized and given supportive therapy, which often includes blood transfusions.

Living and Management

Unfortunately, most infected cats die within two weeks after showing initial signs of the illness. Moreover, cytauxzoonosis is not contagious to humans, but can be transmitted to other cats by blood or tissue inoculation.

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I had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever a few years ago and felt like I had the flu for 3-4 solid months.  We see dogs with RMSF here in Missouri so I sympathize with them.  Dr. Lundgren did a good job informing us with this article

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever 

Authored by: Becky Lundgren, DVM

The female Rocky Mountain wood tick (left) has a scutum (a shield) that covers only a small part of her back, while the male’s scutum covers his entire back. Photo courtesy of CDC.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is caused by Rickettsia rickettsii. This intracellular parasite is transmitted to dogs through the bite of an infected tick. The ticks that can transmit RMSF are the Rocky Mountain wood tick, the American dog tick, and the brown dog tick.

In the United States, RMSF is most common in the southern Atlantic states, western central states, and areas of the mid-Atlantic and southern New England coastal states. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about 1 to 3 percent of the tick population carries R. rickettsii, even in those geographic areas.

An infected tick has to feed on an animal for 5 to 20 hours before the organism activates and becomes infective to a susceptible animal. Transmission of the Rickettsia can then occur due to the bite or from exposure to the parasite while handling the tick.

Clinical Signs

Clinical signs will show up 2 to 14 days after the bite occurred. The parasite creates an inflammation of the body's small blood vessels, which results in damage to all the organs of the body.

Common signs include fever, lethargy, inappetence, pain, eye/nose discharge, nosebleed, cough, enlarged lymph nodes, lameness, skin necrosis/sloughing, hemorrhage, and peripheral swelling. Petechial hemorrhages (tiny hemorrhages in the skin) will occur in about 20% of affected dogs. Up to one third of the infected dogs will have central nervous system signs (lack of voluntary coordination of muscle movements, weakness, balance problems, cranial nerve abnormalities, seizures, stupor, spinal pain, etc.). Any organ in the body may be affected and the clinical signs may be mild or severe enough to result in death.

Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests for RMSF include blood tests looking for severely low platelet count, plus coagulation profiles, blood chemical analysis, and serology. (Paired titers, from blood samples taken 14 to 21 days apart, are often needed, but a single high titer in dogs that have clinical signs is consistent with an active infection.)  Response to antibiotic therapy is suggestive, but not diagnostic.

Treatment/Management

Specific treatment relies on the use of appropriate antibiotics. Response to the antibiotics usually is seen within 24 to 48 hours, although advanced cases may not respond at all to treatment. The most common antibiotics used are tetracycline, doxycycline, and minocycline. Chloramphenicol is usually reserved for pregnant bitches or young puppies. Fluoroquinolones, such as enrofloxacin, have shown efficacy, but their use is generally restricted to older animals. Side effects to any of the antibiotics may be seen. Your veterinarian will choose the antibiotic that best suits your pet's age, pregnancy status, etc.

Blood transfusions to treat anemia and other supportive therapies may be needed.

Prevention

Limit your dog's exposure to ticks and to tick-infested areas, especially from March through October. 

Inspect your dogs closely for ticks. If you can remove a tick within a couple of hours after attachment, the organism will not have had time to modify and become infective. Wear gloves when removing ticks, as the infective organism can get into your body through abrasions, cuts, etc.

Use tick control products to prevent tick attachment and/or to kill attached ticks.

By VIN Community Contributors

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=3574

Why cats lick us

My cat Patience licks me constantly, especially at night.  I thought others might enjoy this article.

Dr. Hackworth

Why Cats Lick People: It's Not just a Matter of Taste

February 16, 2016 (published)

Laura Hedden, editor of VIN This Week

When I was a kid, we had a black cat we called Spider. There weren't many things Spider enjoyed nearly as much as licking and sucking on chins and earlobes. He wasn't always gentle about it either... he was more like the owl in the old Tootsie Pop commercial - two or three licks and then CHOMP! One minute he'd be contentedly purring sweet nothings while 'nursing' on a chin or an earlobe and the next he'd latch on tight, hanging there like big, furry costume jewelry.

As kids we thought it was pretty funny and weird and I've always wondered why he did it. Was there some reason that he found those particular bits of flesh irresistible or was he just weird?

One answer might have been that he thought we tasted pretty good. When your body breaks down proteins from the foods you eat, ammonia and urea are produced, which are later in your sweat. Sweat also contains sugar and salts, such as sodium, chloride, and potassium. When your sweat evaporates, it can leave sweet or salty residue on your skin that animals can smell and/or taste. Maybe to Spider we were all just giant, walking, talking kitty treats.

Some cats do find our natural human ‘flavor’ to be pretty tasty, but things we put on our bodies also make us more appetizing to our feline friends. We usually attribute bizarre appetites to dogs since they’ve been known to eat stuff like kitty poop, shoes, rocks and other gross stuff, but sometimes cats also find the most unusual things to be delectable. If your cat seems attracted to licking areas where you apply lotions, cosmetics, or topical medications, it’s a good idea to check with your veterinarian to make sure they won't harm him. Some medicinal creams and topical hormones have been found to cause major illness and even death in pets.

“There definitely is a risk for cats licking transdermal creams that are now increasingly commonplace in human medicine,” says Michele Gaspar, DVM, DABVP, MA, feline internal medicine specialist and consultant for the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). It’s important to understand that cats differ from dogs in their responses to hormonal transdermals. This article from the VIN News Service explains more. 

Cats also lick as a form of bonding. Mother cats begin bathing their kittens as soon as they’re born, licking away the placenta, blood, and other fluids. They also use licking to help stimulate their babies to urinate and defecate on their own. (Aren’t you feeling lucky to be a human and not a mother cat right about now?) Kittens learn to groom themselves by watching mama kitty and often practice grooming each other, so it’s not surprising that cats would try to bond with their humans in the same way. One of my son’s cats (I passed the crazy cat person gene on to him) rarely passes up an opportunity to lick his hair and scalp. A co-worker of mine says her cat loves to lick her fingers and the top of her foot.

“I believe that when cats ‘groom’ their humans, it's a type of bonding and probably means that the kitty considers us very special,” says Gaspar. “So, when my Emmy ‘grooms’ me (usually at 2 a.m.), there's a part of me that thinks she might consider me a ‘hot mess’ and another part of me that is happy that she thinks of me as her BFF!”

As any cat owner knows, cat tongues are covered with tiny barbs, called papillae, that help them comb dirt and debris from their fur when grooming and also help them to strip the flesh from the bones of their prey. Since they lack thumbs and therefore can’t hold a hairbrush, this is a convenient feature from your cat’s point of view, but, if your kitty likes to spend lots of quality time ‘bonding’ with you, it may start to feel like it’s your flesh that’s being stripped. If you prefer to keep all your flesh on your bones, you can learn the signs that your cat is about to start slowly devouring you like a lollipop and redirect her attention with a toy.

If your cat isn’t much of a licker and suddenly develops an affinity for the taste of your skin or hair, or begins licking and grooming herself excessively, it’s a good idea to get her checked out by your veterinarian; there are some disorders that could be to blame for the change in behavior.

With all that I now know about why cats like to lick humans, I guess it's equally possible that Spider was motivated by what, to him, were yummy flavors on our skin, or that he could have been seeking the same comfortable, secure feeling that he remembered from nursing on his mother, all the while letting us know he felt like part of our family and that he trusted us.

Or, maybe a little bit of both.

Or, maybe he was just weird.

http://www.vin.com/vetzinsight/default.aspx?pid=756&catId=5861&Id=7215707