Update on the Malawi Project

Posted on June 18, 2013 by admin2

Liz, the Director of Villages in Partnership, just returned from a trip to Malawi, Africa, to update us on the progress our veterinary team made there and had much good news to share! The farm looks very encouraging.

The pigs are separated and at a healthy weight. All skin and bones back in March, they are now in good health and one is even pregnant!

The Angora rabbits have been culled and a short-haired breed added.

There are eight bee hives with the M’Buka Bee Keeping Club that now have bees and are expected to produce a harvest in three months. Three hives have already produced fourty liters of honey for the Chisupuli Bee Keeping Club producing much needed income for the village! One or two more bee keeping clubs will be formed in the next year.

The chickens are eating plenty of greens and roaming outside in the sunlight, while the farmers are building a storage bin for silage.

The Chief has been working with the Staubi village to get their fish pond up and running and is hoping to dig another fish pond in July.

The New Castle Vaccination program is working well in the villages now. This officer was visiting village 14 out of 20 to inoculate chickens. The people better understand the link between healthy livestock and good food for their families.

The week that this group was there, coupled with all of your donations last December, has provided abundant blessings for these villagers in Malawi that will carry them through the year!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Daniel Stobie, Malawi Africa, NorthStar VETS, Vets to Malawi, Villages in Partnership | Leave a comment

A Tribute to Rob Zombie

Posted on June 12, 2013 by admin2

On Sunday, June 9, 2013, we said goodbye to our beloved hospital cat, Rob Zombie. For anyone who knew him, he was a very special cat and considered a part of our NorthStar VETS family. He came to us about ten years ago after being hit by a car as a stray. We fixed him up (that’s how he came by his missing eye) and kept him as our hospital cat.

Robbie held many jobs over the years at NorthStar VETS. He worked for a long time as a blood donor helping to save lives on a regular basis. He eventually retired from that and became a greeter/entertainer in reception. This was his favorite job. Recently he was moonlighting as a grief counselor in our family room when people had to say goodbye to their pets, and he also tried his hand at working in our in-house pharmacy. Through the years, he always managed to stay active and find new ways to contribute to animal health.

A cat who knew how to enjoy life, Robbie developed a regular schedule for feedings and collecting treats from different people around the hospital. He made sure he kept in touch with everyone, and was even known for riding the elevator upstairs to visit our staff members in every department. In addition to all of the relationships he maintained with the staff, he also became a celebrity with our clients, making regular appearances on our Facebook page and schmoozing clients and their pets alike in our lobby.

We are all saddened by his passing, and know that he is still enjoying life on the far side of the rainbow bridge. Below are some things our staff had to say in response to this loss.

I just received word that Robbie (a.k.a. Rob Zombie), our hospital cat, unexpectedly needed to be euthanized tonight. He apparently suffered from a saddle thrombus. He was attended to by our doctors and surrounded by many of those who have loved and cared for him over the years.
Robbie has been a member of our NorthStar family for more than 10 years now. He has been a friend and companion to all of us and he has saved many lives with his selfless (although not without complaint!) blood donation. He has been a constant symbol of NorthStar VETS; always there.
Thank you for everything Robbie. We will miss you and never forget you.
– George Motley, VMD

I think one of the things that made him so special is that “he” made each and every one of us feel special. We all have our own memories of him and our special things we did with him. When you read the comments and listen to what others have to say it is as if he was a best friend to each of us individually. He should have been voted “Employee of the Month” many times over.
– Nancy

My darling Robbie,
My heart is broken to have had to say goodbye to you. You have been there every day of work since I started here 8 years ago. I cannot imagine work without you jingling down the hallway, biting then licking my hand while I rub your gut, waiting for your daily elevator ride to the lunchroom, finding you face first in cans of dog food, “tolerating” all your seasonal outfits. You brightened every rough day I had, along with all our coworkers and clients. You were and will always be our mascot, work will never be the same without you. I am so glad I was able to be there with you while you took your last breath. My handsome Robert, I will always love you, and never forget you. Until we meet again.
-Gillian

As far as words for Robbie, “He is one of a kind and will never be forgotten.”
– Beth

I’ll never forget Robbie coming up to bite my legs at 10:45 every night and scamper into in the phone room in hope of being fed every time I got up out of my seat. I always admired how brave (or just cocky) he was walking past all the large, loud dogs in the waiting room like “I’m the boss. And I’m headed to the pharmacy now to get my treats.” I know I’m going to find myself asking at 5:00 if anyone fed Robbie. He was such a perfect fit for our hospital and no kitty could ever replace him. We love you, Rob Zombie.
– Faye

My two favorite memories of Rob were a long time ago when he was young and mischievous . I was working front desk in the old hospital and noticed a lady waiting with her dog twitching. At first I thought she was ill or having a seizure, but then I realized she had very long hair and Rob was under the bench pulling on it. Needless to say, she nor her dog were pleased. The other was a little boy who asked me how we taught our cat to wink, he wanted to teach his cat to do that. I told him “next time” and his mother appreciated my response. Today I have been thinking of Rob and will miss him every time I visit.
– Charles

I’m going to miss him. He was such a part of the hospital. His personality was so unique. It made him so special.
– Nancy

To Robert,
I will never forget the first day I saw you ride the elevator to get upstairs for some food; I knew right then you were the coolest and smartest (and also possibly laziest) cat I would ever meet. I will miss opening doors for you, whether it would be to get to your food or to get in to the back so you could walk around ICU. I will miss not seeing you as a pumpkin next year on Halloween, no cat has ever looked so amazing. I will miss so much going in to the comfort room and seeing you laying there on the chair, the clients were always so sad to go in there but you made them smile, even when they were at their lowest. You brought so much joy to us each and every day and you will never be forgotten. We love you and miss you.
– Tina Batlivala, DVM

Here are a quick few memories of Robbie:

He used to ride the elevator up and down, mostly to visit the office for treats and also to get a piece of cheese in the break room.

He used to ride the stock room cart with Chris when Chris did inventory.

He tried to fit in any box-shaped item he could find, especially the outgoing mail box.

He never fully fit in the cat bed in pharmacy and would hang half way out during his naps in that room.

Every morning the Oncology team was in the building, he would come to the door and sit outside until someone noticed him and take soft treats from our hands. Sometimes he would come twice and ask someone different so he would get more.

He followed many different people around the building just to see what they were doing and if they were ever to get treat access, I was one of them.

He was too lazy to go under or over the reception swinging doors, so we would have to open them for him.

One of his favorite naps spots was on the arm chair in the family room in the afternoon sun. Some clients would allow him to stay during the euthanasia as moral support.

He used to try to run and hide from very pesky children who would not leave him alone, but never swatted at any of them.

He hated being in cages, and whenever it was required of him he would holler in protest almost incessantly, especially when people walked by.

– Rebecca

See more stories and tributes from NorthStar VETS staff and scores of clients at our page on Facebook. And to see candid photos of Robbie from over the years submitted by our staff, visit our page on Pinterest.

Posted in Pets | Tagged George Motley, grief, hospital cat, NorthStar VETS, Pet Loss, Tina Batlivala | 5 Comments

Ask the NorthStar VETS Vet: Transitioning from phenobarbital to Keppra for seizures

Posted on May 23, 2013 by admin2

Q: My chihuahua suffers from seizures and has been taking phenobarbital for the past 3 years. His last set of labs came back with significant elevation of his liver enzymes. What is the best way to transition to Keppra? Can the liver enzymes return to normal limits after discontinuing the phenobarbital?

A:Luckily, Keppra (a.k.a. leveteriacetam) is a drug that does not require a loading period to reach therapeutic levels like some other anti-seizure drugs such as phenobarbital and potassium bromide. Consequently, therapeutic benefits can be seen immediately upon dosing the drug and there is generally no need to “transition” your dog onto this drug. The dose can then sometimes also be adjusted as needed. The only downside to this drug is that it needs to be given more frequently, usually 3 times a day.

Transitioning, or weaning, him off the phenobarbital is another story. Usually, your veterinarian will start your dog on the Keppra and simultaneously lower the dose of phenobarbital and then gradually reduce it further over time. Different veterinarians follow different schedules when doing this and there’s not necessarily a right or wrong way. You should, however, only make changes in your dog’s treatment plan based on the specific recommendation of the veterinarian managing your dog’s case. They are the only ones with the necessary information (i.e. your dog’s complete history, knowledge of recent lab work, and recent physical exam findings, etc.) to be qualified to make these recommendations. If your veterinarian is unsure about how to do this, they may want to refer you to see a board certified veterinary neurologist like Dr. Melissa Logan at NorthStar VETS.

If you can indeed get him weaned off the phenobarbital, or at least reduce the dose, it is very possible that his liver values can return to normal. The liver itself is an amazing organ that can regenerate healthy cells in the face of cellular damage. It is, however, also possible that they may not as there are sometimes other conditions contributing to the these changes. Every case is different. It is also important to know that elevated liver enzymes alone do not always imply clinically significant liver disease or impaired liver function. Regardless, rechecking the blood work on a periodic basis, along with routine wellness check-ups with your family veterinarian, at least every 6-12 months, is very important in monitoring your dog’s health status, especially in cases like this. The necessary frequency of these things, again, will vary from case to case. There may also be some liver health supplements that your veterinarian could recommend as well (i.e. S-adenosyl-methionine, Marin, etc.) that may be beneficial in some cases. Again, it is very important to discuss these options with the veterinarian managing your dog’s case before making any changes in your dog’s treatment plan.

George Motley, VMD
Emergency Department Supervisor

Melissa Logan, PhD, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

The information presented on this web site is not intended to take the place of your family veterinarian’s advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Discuss this information with your own veterinarian to determine what is right for your pet. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. We can not and do not give you medical advice via this blog. The information contained in this online site and emails is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad understanding and knowledge. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or advice of your veterinarian. We do not recommend the self-management of your pet’s health problems.

Posted in Pets, Veterinary Medicine | Tagged Dr. George Motley, Dr. Melissa Logan, Keppra, NorthStar VETS, phenobarbital, seizures | Leave a comment

Ask the NorthStar VETS Vet: Living with an anxious cat and long-term use of Prozac (fluoxetine)

Posted on May 23, 2013 by admin2

Q: One of my cats has been on daily Prozac for a year now (she is currently 3yo). Is it safe for her to take this medication for the rest of her life? What can I do to help her feel calmer, so that less medication or even no medication will work?

A:To answer your first question, in an otherwise systemically healthy cat, Prozac (a.k.a. fluoxetine) is generally a safe drug at recommended doses. The likelihood of it causing any long-term adverse health effects in your cat is low. As with any medication, Prozac does have a long list of potential side effects from decreased appetite to seizures and many others. The likelihood of these side effects occurring is generally very low and will usually subside if the medication is stopped. Having said that, no drugs are 100% benign and cats on long-term medication do need to be monitored.

If your cat were to have certain pre-existing conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, glaucoma, a seizure disorder, or other medical issues, there may be some increased risk associated with fluoxetine administration. In such cases, the decision to use fluoxetine, or not, should be made on a case by case basis and based on a consultation with your family veterinarian, sometimes in conjunction with a veterinary behaviorist. (It is also important to note that discontinuing fluoxetine therapy abruptly can sometimes cause problems so it is not advisable to do so unless specifically recommended by a veterinarian.)

The answer to your second question is a bit more complicated. Assuming that fluoxetine was prescribed to treat some level of anxiety resulting in unwanted behavior (i.e. aggression, inappropriate urination or defecation, or fearfulness), behaviors resulting from generalized anxiety can vary from pet to pet. There are many strategies that can be employed to try to manage these problems and what is ultimately effective will vary from pet to pet and be dependent upon a variety of factors (i.e. presence of underlying medical conditions, underlying cause of the anxiety, the patient’s unique environment, the presence of other household pets, etc.). The most effective strategies are often multi-modal involving manipulation of the patient’s environment to eliminate/minimize stressors, behavior modification, and the use of medications. An appropriate medical work-up should also be performed to rule out any non-behavior related medical problems as well. You should speak with your family veterinarian to be sure this has been done.

There are so many variables to consider that it is impossible to give you any good specific advice other than to recommend that you talk to your veterinarian about whether or not consultation with a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist is in order at this time. While there are many trainers and animal behaviorists out there, there is value in consulting with someone who is a veterinarian and has completed the necessary work and extra training to become Board Certified in this field. This may be especially true for patients, like your cat, that are still having issues despite having already sought out veterinary advice and tried the options available at the pet stores. Dr. Ilana Reisner is a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist and is available for consultation at NorthStar VETS if, after speaking with your family veterinarian, you collectively decide this is in order.

Unfortunately, true behavior issues in pets can be some of the most frustrating and difficult problems to manage. The level of success is often most dependent on the level of commitment, consistency, and patience the pet owner has in following through with what is often a complicated and long-term plan. With proper direction and perseverance, most behavior issues can be managed well, or at least improved upon.

George Motley, VMD
Emergency Department Supervisor

Ilana Reisner, DVM, PhD, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists

Posted in Pets, Pets, Veterinary Medicine | Tagged Cats, Dr. George Motley, Dr. Ilana Reisner, feline anxiety, fluoxetine, NorthStar VETS, Prozac, veterinary behavior | Leave a comment

Ask the NorthStar VETS Vet: Avoiding back problems in Dachshunds

Posted on May 10, 2013 by admin2

Q: What are some things or devises I could use on a Dachshund in order to avoid back problems?

A:“Back problems” in Dachshunds can be more accurately described as “spinal problems.” While the most common site for a Dachshund to develop a spinal problem is in the back or thoracolumbar spine, they can also suffer from problems in the neck, or cervical spine. To clarify further, when we talk about spinal problems in Dachshunds, we are almost always talking about issues associated with Intervertebral Disc Disease. This is a condition in which an intervertebral disc is protruding to some degree, or completely prolapsing, causing some level of compression of the spinal cord, and resulting in pain and/or neurologic dysfunction. Dachshunds are frequently associated with this disease and are likely more susceptible to it than any other breed.

The single best thing that you, as a Dachshund owner, can do to prevent problems associated with this disease is to control your dog’s activity. Ideally, every Dachshund should avoid high-impact activities, especially jumping, high-speed running, and any activity that will put excessive force on the spine. Some of the common activities that many Dachshunds take part in every day and ideally should avoid include:

Jumping up onto or down off the bed, couch, chair, car seat, etc.;
Going up and down steps, even at slow speeds! Standard stair cases are not well-suited proportionally to Dachshunds. Going up and down steps for them would be like a person climbing steps that are as tall as they are!;
Running at top speed to chase a squirrel, ball, dog, car, etc.;
Rough-housing with other pets or humans;
Tug-of-war (BIG NO-NO!)

The following are a number of “devices” that can help them avoid these type of activities. While they may seem overly simple or obvious, and you may already be using them, our doctors are certain that there are countless Dachshunds in the world today that are routinely not using these items:

Leash – Ideally coupled with device #2;
Harness collar – This is a device that in our opinion, no Dachshund should live without. This is a collar that fits around the dog’s whole upper body and helps distribute the force of the leash over a larger surface area rather than having all the pressure applied to the neck, as would happen with a traditional neck collar. This will certainly protect the dog’s neck and, if they are an aggressive leash puller, may also help prevent some of the twisting and turning motions that can happen along the rest of the spine when pulling hard at the end of a leash attached to a traditional neck collar. The leash and harness collar should actually be considered as a single device that should always be used together, and which every self-respecting, health-conscious Dachshund should demand from their caretaker.;
Dog crate – This is the single most effective way to prevent all the aforementioned high-risk activities that can happen when you are not home. Many dog owners are very resistant to this idea because they feel they are essentially punishing their pet by keeping them cooped up in a crate. When implemented properly, however, it can actually be a comforting sanctuary for them. Make it big, make it comfortable, feed them and give them treats in it; and you may find that they are quite happy to spend the day relaxing in it while you are out. Alternatively, keep your Dachshund confined to a room with no furniture on which they could jump.;
Ramp(s) – These can be bought or constructed and strategically placed throughout your home. Dogs can be trained to use the ramp instead of jumping up and down off furniture or using some stairs.;
Your own two hands – If a ramp is too impractical, pick your dog up to place them up and put them down from any place that they would otherwise have to jump. Carry them up and down steps rather than have them do it themselves. Ideally, Dachshunds should be trained to stay off furniture.
Measuring cup – This should to be used to measure the amount of food you are feeding your dog. Obesity is one of the most common health issues facing our domestic pets today and, good news, it’s avoidable! It has also been identified as an increased risk factor for Interverterbal Disc Disease. Every Dachshund owner (and every dog and cat owner for that matter) should ask their family veterinarian to give them guidelines on how much to feed their pet to maintain a healthy body weight. As the pet parent, you are empowered to enforce the recommended diet.

Some of these suggestions may seem either overly simplistic (i.e. leash), or even a little extreme (i.e. crating your dog every minute your are not home), but they are the same practical suggestions our doctors have made to the caretakers of dozens of Dachshunds suffering from Intervertebral Disc Disease treated on an emergency basis. Lucky for some Dachshunds, their disease was mild and they were able to benefit from these suggestions before facing the prospect of surgery. Others, after expensive surgery and sometimes a paralyzed pet, wish someone had told them sooner.

George Motley, VMD
Emergency Department Supervisor

Melissa Logan, PhD, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology)

Posted in Pets | Tagged back problems, Dachshund, intervertebral disc disease, IVDD, NorthStar VETS | Leave a comment

Are you prepared for a pet emergency?

Posted on March 13, 2013 by admin2

emergency, trauma and critical care department at NorthStar VETS You never know when your pet will have an emergency. An emergency can be a very stressful and traumatic event and can happen at any moment. At NorthStar VETS we are here to make you at ease during any type of medical emergency. From a broken toe nail that won’t stop bleeding to more critical emergencies such as respiratory distress, we are here to handle any type of situation. But before you walk in our door, here are some ways to prepare yourself and your pet to allow for a smooth transition to our facility.

Put us in your contact list, (609) 259-8300, so you can call us on your way
If your pet has not been to our facility before, stay one step ahead of the game and fill out a new client form now, before an emergency occurs
Keep your pet’s documents, records, medical or vaccine history in a secure and easily accessible location
Make sure you have a safe and secure carrier for each pet with your name and contact information on the carriers. This applies especially to cats; cats can get spooked a lot easier than dogs on their way to the vet
Place your pet’s leash or harness including tags/identification in a convenient location; preferably by the front door
Make sure you have a fresh supply of all your pet’s medication; checking the expiration dates regularly

In case of evacuation due to a natural disaster, etc., here are some additional ways to help prepare you and your pet for the unexpected.

Keep us in your contact list, (609) 259-8300
Make an emergency survival kit; this may include bandages, isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, etc. Discuss with your family veterinarian what you may need in your emergency survival kit
Make sure you have basic necessities such as food and water, litter and trash bags to dispose fecal matter and a pet safe cleaner
If your pet has a microchip, make sure you have the identification number with your pet’s documentation; be sure to keep all documentation/medical records in a water resistant bag
Take and keep a photo of your pet just in case your pet gets lost or separated from your family
Make sure there are emergency boarding facilities in your area for your pet or a pet friendly hotel/motel outside the danger zone
Hang a pet emergency sticker outside your home to notify rescue authorities how many pets live there. Please do not abandon your pet(s) unless your life is in danger!

This blog was written by one of our veterinary technicians, Tamara. To learn more about the 24/7 emergency service offered at NorthStar VETS, visit www.northstarvets.com

Posted in Pets | Leave a comment

Rehabilitation after orthopedic or neurologic surgery

Posted on January 31, 2013 by admin2

If you had a knee surgery or a hip replacement, your surgeon would be sending you for post-operative physical therapy. We in the veterinary world are starting to catch up to our human counterparts…and this is a great thing for our pets! The success of a surgical procedure can be dependent on what we do for physical therapy in the post-operative period. (For clarification, physical therapy is a human term, and physical rehabilitation is the term we use for veterinary patients)

Why physical rehabilitation?

The benefits of physical rehabilitation are numerous! Decreasing pain and inflammation, improving mobility and joint range of motion and helping regain muscular strength and endurance are just a few of the benefits.

Initial treatment

Postoperative physical therapy begins immediately after surgery. Cryotherapy, the use of ice applied to the surgery site is of tremendous benefit in decreasing swelling and pain. Icing can continue every 6 hours for 3-5 days, once a pet is taken home after surgery.

Passive Range of Motion and Massage: Both of these techniques, which are easy to perform, are also started shortly after surgery. Passive range of motion helps to maintain joint movement in pets who are not yet using their limbs as they should be. Massage feels good to us and feels good for our pets. It is very helpful in improving local blood flow and decreasing muscle tension, which is common after surgery.

Leash walking: In pets that have had orthopedic or neurologic surgery, a crucial part of rehabilitation is beginning slow leash walking. The key word here is SLOW! Teaching pets to walk slowly often “forces” a pet to use the affected leg even when they do not want to. It also helps to “retrain” animals to walk after neurologic surgery.

Progression of Rehabilitation

Laser therapy at NorthStar VETS Approximately 2 weeks after surgery, we begin formal rehab. At NorthStar VETS, we meet with clients and patients to assess the pets’ pain level, recovery and formulate a plan of home exercises. These exercises may include more intensive walks, stretching, weight shifting exercises and beginning some strength training with tools such as physio rolls, cavelettis, wobble boards, etc. At this time, we will also begin underwater treadmill therapy. The underwater treadmill is extremely beneficial, especially in early recovery, because the pet is buoyant in the water which reduces the strain on the affected limbs or limbs.

It is hard to say how long a physical rehabilitation program may take because each pet is an individual. However, we do know that pets heal faster and get back to better function sooner with rehabilitation therapy. Finding a certified rehabilitation professional is the first step. They will work with you to develop a program to meet the needs of you and your pet, and help you to get them on their feet as fast as possible.

For more information on rehabilitative therapy, visit the rehabilitation page at www.northstarvets.com or call us at 609.259.8300.

Pamela Levin, DVM, CVA, CCRT
Dr. Levin earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of New Hampshire in 1992. She graduated from Ross University, School of Veterinary Medicine in 1998 after completing her senior clinical rotations at Oklahoma State University. Dr. Levin has practiced as a small animal general practitioner and emergency and critical care veterinarian in New York, New Jersey, California, and Massachusetts. Pam has served as Director of Emergency Medicine at a small animal referral and emergency hospital in Massachusetts. Dr. Levin received her Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture in 2009 through The International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and her Certification in Canine Rehabilitation Therapy in 2011 through the Canine Rehabilitation Institute. Prior to joining NorthStar VETS in 2011, Dr. Levin served as staff acupuncturist at a small animal referral and emergency hospital in New Jersey. Dr. Levin’s areas of interest include improving patient’s quality of life though pain management, therapeutic exercise, and noninvasive alternative therapies. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association, American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture, International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians, and the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management.

Posted in Pets, Veterinary Medicine | Tagged neurologic surgery, NorthStar VETS, orthopedic surgery, veterinary rehabilitation | Leave a comment

Denisse gets a glimpse of life as a Veterinarian at NorthStar VETS

Posted on January 25, 2013 by admin2

Denisse came to visit Northstar VETS through the kindness of Mary Spano Gleckner and the Ashley Lauren Foundation. This foundation helps children and their families who are negotiating pediatric cancer. That help can come at many different levels including “Making Dreams Come True”.

Denisse, a lovely 12 year old girl in a 3 year battle with Osteosarcoma, has a dream of becoming a veterinarian. NorthStar VETS’ team turned a typical Saturday for them into a very special day for an exceptional young lady.

We began in Dentistry with Dr. Lewis and he had Lancelot, the cougar, already sedated and underway with his tooth extractions. His being here was an awesome bonus to her visit today! Having undergone many medical procedures and surgeries of her own, Denisse had no problem getting up close and personal with Lance as Dr. Lewis continued to work on his mouth. When I told her prior about the possibility of blood she said it was no problem at all. She listened to his heart with the stethoscope, viewed his extracted teeth and learned as Dr. Lewis explained his problems. Touching his paw and being so close to a big cat like this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for her. She took it all in and loved every minute of it. (See the video on the NorthStar VETS YouTube channel.)

On from Dentistry we headed to surgery, CT and MRI where Dan B. went over scans including those of a chinchilla, turtle, parrot and even a liver shunt CT angiogram. Again a seasoned patient in her own right, she let us know she would be having a CT within the next couple of weeks. That CT would precede what would be her 28th surgery. Denisse has Osteosarcoma and has been battling the cancer courageously for 3 years. Her concern throughout today was if the animals have any pain. She has to deal with it always. It seemed important to her to know that the cougar would not experience any pain when he went home. I assured her he will be made comfortable. She said pain is not good. I agreed.

We continued onto the nursing wards where she had some hands-on time with employee pets (Jillian’s and Deon’s). Though tentative with the big dogs, she gingerly held a Yorkie when encouraged by Dan B.

Heading over to Exotics she saw a gecko, rabbit and conure. Onto an African Grey exam with Dr. Doolen and Stephen, then to PT where Jillian explained the underwater treadmill while a patient did his laps. She was thrilled but at this point very tired. We knew it was time to end and though she was excited to see more she just couldn’t go on. Denisse explained a low blood count was making her feel this way. (See Denisse and Jillian at the aqua treadmill on the NorthStar VETS YouTube channel.)

Being on a 10 day break from chemo, Denisse was able to have enough strength to come to NorthStar VETS. We were blessed to have her. We let her know she is welcome back at anytime. She hopes she may get the chance to do so again in the future. In February, she goes for that 28th surgery, so keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

For information on the Ashley Lauren Foundation, visit www.ashleylaurenfoundation.org

The mission of The Ashley Lauren Foundation is to bring hope and help to children in New Jersey who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Their goal is to ease the journey when pediatric cancer is diagnosed by:

Providing resources for financial and material assistance as well as emotional support so the journey is never without hope
Connecting with community, friends, and family so the journey is never alone
Ensuring that young adults ages 18-21 are provided the same services afforded the youngest patient so the journey is a bridge to the future
Forming a link with centers of care so the journey is never without direction

Eileen Schuck

Marketing Assistant at NorthStar VETS

Director of Vet-i-Care

Posted in Veterinary Medicine | Tagged Ashley Lauren Foundation, children with cancer, NorthStar VETS, veterinary specialty hospital | Leave a comment

NorthStar VETS rehabilitation and pain management department

Posted on January 21, 2013 by admin2

NorthStar VETS is a 24 hour specialty practice in Robbinsville, NJ. We have a fully equipped rehabilitation department staffed by 2 veterinarians with advanced training in canine rehabilitation and acupuncture. We utilize many of the same techniques and equipment used in human physical therapy centers and offer a variety of modalities including:

Underwater treadmill
Therapeutic laser therapy
Therapeutic ultrasound
Neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES)
Manual therapies (massage, stretching, joint and soft tissue mobilization)
Therapeutic exercise for improving range of motion, strength and balance
Acupuncture and electroacupcunture
Pain management including medications and supplements where appropriate

Pets suffer from many of the same ailments as people

In the human world, you would never consider NOT having physical therapy after an orthopedic surgery! The same is becoming true for our canine friends, many of whom who have sustained the same injuries and had the same surgeries that we have. Rehabilitation is known to speed recovery, improve mobility and help to restore function. The same is true for our pets.

Rehabilitation for older pets
Rehabilitation is not just for patients recovering from surgery or injuries. We cannot forget about our older pets. Just as we can experience arthritis, so too can our pets. This is a very painful condition that can really affect quality of life. We may think that our pets are “just slowing down” but this is often a sign of pain. Using a combination of therapies, we are often able to make a big difference in our senior pets lives by helping to improve their mobility and lessen their pain, allowing them to live out the “golden years” as best as they can.

What about laser therapy?

Laser therapy at NorthStar VETS Therapeutic laser is another non invasive therapy used to help with pain. Laser uses a beam of laser light to deeply penetrate tissues without damaging them. Laser energy induces a biological response in the cells which can decrease pain, reduce inflammation and speed healing. It is commonly used for arthritis, strains, wounds and other dermatologic conditions. It is simple and painless to apply and is oftentimes used in combination with other modalities to enhance its effects.

The role of acupuncture in rehabilitative therapy

Last but not least, what about Acupuncture? This ancient Chinese modality has been successful in treating a variety of ailments in both humans and animals. It is not invasive, not painful and can be very beneficial in controlling pain, improving energy level and improving quality of life. Most animals are able to relax and come to enjoy this therapy.

All of us want our pets to be happy, healthy and pain free. There are many ways that we can accomplish these goals. Dr. LoScrudato and Dr. Pamela Levin at NorthStar VETS will do a comprehensive exam and review medical history to come up with a plan that best meets the goals and needs of each client and patient. Our patients love to see us because they know we are making them feel better!

For more information on rehabilitative therapy, visit the rehabilitation page at www.northstarvets.com or call us at 609.259.8300.

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What is Veterinary Rehabilitation?

Posted on January 10, 2013 by admin2

Physical rehabilitation is the treatment of injury or illness to decrease pain and restore function. A rehabilitation veterinarian treats acute injuries soon after they have occurred and chronic injuries or diseases that have been affecting your pet for a long time. Rehabilitation is also important in speeding the recovery after orthopedic and neurologic surgery.

Goals of Rehabilitative Therapy

Maintain or restore joint range of motion
Improve muscular strength and coordination
Decreasing swelling
Manage pain
Promote healing
Improve weight bearing and prevent compensatory gaits
Prevent repetitive injuries in sporting dogs
Improve mobility in senior and arthritic pets
Weight loss in obese pets

Rehabilitative Techniques

Aqua treadmill therapy at NorthStar VETS Physical rehabilitation is hands-on work. Using techniques such as massage (yes, pets love it as much as we do), mobilization of soft tissues and joints, and targeted therapeutic exercises, we are able to accomplish these goals. We incorporate lots of equipment that you have seen at your gym or physical therapy office, such as exercise balls and bands, stairs, water treadmills, ramps and electro-stimualtion units. In addition, we commonly incorporate therapeutic laser which is a very useful modality that when applied to affected areas, can increase blood flow, decrease inflammation and improve cellular energy.

How pet owners can help rehabilitate their animals

Animals cannot rehabilitate themselves, so owner participation is a big part of what we do. All of our owners receive “homework” or exercises that we would like them to perform at home. Exercises are progressed over time as the animal becomes stronger. We also must be prepared to treat compensatory problems. Often, when a pet has been lame or painful for a long time, they change their body mechanics in an attempt to take the weight off the affected area or part of the body. As a result, other parts of the body can become affected. Rehabilitation addresses these common secondary conditions, using hands-on therapy such as massage, thermotherapy (ice or heat) or therapeutic laser (which increases cellular energy, decreases inflammation and improves blood flow).

Most of our rehabilitation patients really come to enjoy their time with us, and why not? Liberal doses of praise, lots of attention and plenty of treats seem to win over even the most skeptical pet!

For more information on rehabilitative therapy, visit the rehabilitation page at www.northstarvets.com or call us at 609.259.8300.

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Update on the Malawi Project

A Tribute to Rob Zombie

Ask the NorthStar VETS Vet: Transitioning from phenobarbital to Keppra for seizures

Ask the NorthStar VETS Vet: Living with an anxious cat and long-term use of Prozac (fluoxetine)

Ask the NorthStar VETS Vet: Avoiding back problems in Dachshunds

Are you prepared for a pet emergency?

Rehabilitation after orthopedic or neurologic surgery

Denisse gets a glimpse of life as a Veterinarian at NorthStar VETS

NorthStar VETS rehabilitation and pain management department

What is Veterinary Rehabilitation?

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