Do dogs get embarrassed wearing silly props or if they get a bad haircut? Dr. Ernie Ward thinks so.

Dr. Ernie Ward

I recently got a bad haircut. I was embarrassed. In fact, it happened the day before I hosted the annual Calabash Christmas Tree lighting and parade. I wasn’t happy but I soldiered on.

The reason I mention this is because of a complaint I heard from a client recently. She had taken her dog to her groomer (not ours, thankfully) and reported that its hair was cut so short her pooch acted embarrassed. She told me how her dog came home and hid under the bed after her haircut. She wouldn’t come out for several hours, even when her husband came home. Do dogs get embarrassed if they have a “bad hair” day? I’d never really given it much thought.

Turns out some canine behavior researchers have. Dr. Marc Bekoff, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado, has observed dogs for thousands of hours in his career. He concludes that dogs do have feelings of embarrassment, shyness and humiliation. Another researcher, neurobiologist Dr. Frederick Range at the University of Vienna, agrees. His studies demonstrate that dogs have other secondary emotions such as jealousy, guilt and empathy. I’m guessing Markoff and Range would definitely agree with my client that her dog was embarrassed by the bad haircut.

Not every animal behavior expert agrees. In fact, most say researchers such as Markoff and Range are off their rocker (you don’t want to know what they say about me). The traditional notion is dogs only experience “instant-reaction” emotions such as fear, joy, sadness and anger. Established thought would state embarrassment is far beyond the emotional reach of dogs. I’d love for them to meet my menagerie and still believe that. Not only do my dogs feel secondary emotions, they’re also capable of being downright silly. Study that, superstar know-it-all experts.

In my own experience posing as “Santa Paws” for nineteen years and witnessing an almost endless parade of dressed-up and dolled-up dogs and cats, I can tell you some pets are clearly

Dr Ernie Ward aka "Santa Paws" and two potentially embarrassed dogs.

unhappy with what mom and dad are doing to them. These are pets I’ve seen since baby teeth days that suddenly act very strangely when a pair of faux antlers is perched atop their heads. They dive for cover, bolt out of the room or cover their face. Some even turn nasty. Let me tell you, most dogs and cats aren’t as fond as you are of the little elf costumes and Santa hats.

At the other end of the spectrum are the ham-it-up-hounds. These dogs L-O-V-E to dress up and prance around. They’re the Lady Gaga’s of the canine culture without the other odd behaviors. That’s another study for our big-shots to ponder.

I believe most of us intuitively know that dogs and cats have feelings. To me, those feelings include some form of embarrassment. So talk to your groomer and give them details on exactly what your dog wants from its next haircut. If your dog gets embarrassed, you have no one to blame but yourself. And don’t forget to toss out those antlers…

Dr. Ernie Ward

Each New Year we’re inundated with lists of things to do, buy, and become. This year I’m taking the opposite approach: here are the things you definitely don’t want to do, purchase or aspire to be more like. It’s time for my Anti-Resolutions for your pets.

1)      Don’t buy junk food treats.

You know what I’m talking about. Those tiny calorie grenades are killing your pet. This year, feed fresh crunchy veggies or treats with simple ingredients such as sweet potatoes.

2)      Don’t read pet food labels.

If you can’t comprehend what’s in your pet’s food, imagine how they feel. The most important decision you make each day for your pet is what you feed it. Choose wisely.

3)      Don’t make excuses to skip walks.

You both need to walk more. Buy a coat, umbrella or even a pair of galoshes, but don’t miss your walks. You’ll both live longer and be healthier because of it.

4)      Don’t avoid the animal shelter.

Go visit the county animal shelter so you can see for yourself what’s working and what needs to be fixed. I hear too many complaints from residents who’ve never set foot there. How can we make something better when we don’t know what’s wrong? If you’re truly concerned about the state of stray animals in Brunswick County, go visit, talk to the employees and decide how you can help.

5)      Don’t put off your pet’s exam.

I know money’s tight but that little lump, cough or limp may be the start of something more serious. Often I’m left with simply too little time to help an ill patient. If I had a quarter for ever case I could’ve saved had I only seen it six months earlier, I’d be retired by now, or at least have a big jar of quarters. And don’t go to the vet only when your pet is sick. My mission is to preserve health and prevent illness. Going to the vet or physician should be an opportunity to learn how to stay healthier longer. You should leave each appointment with advice on how to improve you or your pet’s life. If not, ask for it.

6)      Don’t forget your dog or cat’s heartworm preventive.

Heartworm disease is fatal to dogs and cats. There is no treatment for cats (aka DEAD) and the medication for dogs is on a several year backorder (seriously). Think your indoor cat isn’t at risk? Not according to research from the vet school in Raleigh. This is not the time to gamble with heartworm preventive.

7)      Don’t ignore that pesky behavior.

Little behavior problems turn into big troubles, quickly. If your dog is barking at passing cars, lunging on the leash, or jumping up on guests, talk to your vet (that’s our job). If you intervene with behavior problems early, you can often correct them easily. Wait until your dog is biting the delivery man, it may take a while.

8)      Don’t forget to hug your pet each day.

And be thankful for all you have this year. I hope 2012 is you and your pets’ best year yet! 

Follow me on Facebook to keep updated on breaking news, gossip and other lively activities.                    

(from the FDA website)

O’Neal’s Feeders Supply, Inc. Recalls Arrow Brand Dry Dog Food

Contact:

Consumer:
800-256-2769

Media:
Ed O’Neal
337-463-8665

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 13, 2011 – DeRidder, Louisiana – O’Neal’s Feeders Supply, Inc. today announced a voluntary recall of its dry Arrow Brand  DOG FOOD – because it contains corn which was detected to have higher than the acceptable levels of aflatoxin.. The affected products were manufactured between Dec. 1, 2010, and Dec. 1, 2011. No illnesses have been reported in association with these products to date.

Affected products are:

ARROWBRAND 21% Dog Chunks SKU #807 40 lb. bag

ARROWBRAND Super Proeaux Dog Food SKU #812 40 lb. bag

ARROWBRAND Professional Formula Dog Food SKU #814 50 lb. bag

The recall only applies to the above products with the following Packaging Date Codes Lot numbers 4K0341 through 4K0365 and 04K1001 through 4K1325.

The affected dry dog food products were distributed in the state of Louisiana and Texas. Retailers have already been instructed to remove the affected brands and products from store shelves.

While no adverse health effects related to these products have been reported, O’Neal’s Feeders Supply, Inc. is implementing this recall as a precautionary measure. Consumers are urged to return affected products – whether in opened or unopened packages – to their place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact 800-256-2769 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mold by-product. Pets that have consumed any of the above recalled products and exhibit symptoms of illness including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea should be seen by a veterinarian.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm285254.htm?source=govdelivery

 ###

Petrus Feed And Seed Stores, Inc. Recalls Its 21% Dog Food

Contact:

Consumer/Media
318-443-2259

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - December 12, 2011 – Petrus Feed and Seed Stores, Inc. today announced a voluntary recall of its dry dog food – 21% Protein Dog Food in 40 lb Petrus Feed bags. The product is being recalled because the product was manufactured with corn which tested above acceptable levels for Aflatoxin. The affected products were manufactured at Cargill’s manufacturing facility located in LeCompte, Louisiana between December 1, 2010 and December 1, 2011.

The recall only applies 21% Dog Food, packaged in 40 lb Petrus Feed bags with the following packaging Date codes (lot umbers) LL1001 – LL1335.

The affected dry dog food was distributed in Petrus Feed and Seed in Alexandria, Louisiana.

While no adverse health effects related to these products have been reported, Petrus Feed and Seed Store, Inc. is implementing this recall as a precautionary measure. Consumers are urged to return affected products – whether in opened or unopened packages – to their place of purchase for a full refund. For more information, contact 318-443-2259, Monday – Friday, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM and Saturday, 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM.

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mold by-product. Pets that have consumed any of the above recalled products and exhibit symptoms of illness including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea should be seen by a veterinarian.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm285234.htm?source=govdelivery

###

Dr. Ernie Ward

Cooking during the holidays?

How about including your pets? In case you missed them, I wrote a couple of columns on Vetstreet recently that give you advice on how to avoid holiday weight gain in your pet (and you) as well as some simple, healthy and low-calorie recipes for your pets. If you want these sorts of articles and lively conversation about pet and health topics, be sure to follow me over on my Facebook page.

How to Ward Off Holiday Weight Gain in Pets

We’re in the final stretch of that terrible trifecta of weight gain: Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. The 39 days in between these holidays offer a multitude of meals for your family to gorge upon. The trouble is that we also share these food celebrations with our pets, resulting in the accumulation of unwanted pounds for all of us.

By the time the last bit of confetti has fallen, many of us are in desperate need of a fresh start — and a diet. So what’s an animal lover to do? How can we share the holidays with our pets in a more healthful manner? continue reading here…

3 Vet Special Holiday Pet Recipes

The holiday season is here, so bring on the goodies! I love the smell of my kitchen this time of year: simmering sweet potatoes, roasting almonds, aromatic amaranth.

OK, maybe my kitchen smells a little different than yours, but you get the idea. I’d like to offer a few healthy, easy, low-calorie treats for the fine feline and dandy dog in your life. Prepare these alongside your own cooking and offer them to your pets instead of our (almost always) high-calorie fare. continue reading here…

Enjoy!

Dr. Ernie Ward

It had been a tough year. The toughest you can imagine.

Two weeks prior to the end of his tour in the Middle East, a road-side bomb had taken her father. She’d been with him a grand total of one-hundred eighty four days her whole life. A scant six months spent with her father out of her five years. Her dad was a photograph, a video chat, a man her mom and grandparents told her about. She loved him dearly even though she hardly knew him. And now he was gone.

Before his deployment a year before she was born, her father had brought a puppy to keep her mother company while he was away. Booker was a mixed Lab and shepherd; big enough to scare a burglar yet small enough for a fourteen-month old to hold on to for her first steps. In many ways Booker was a father figure to her: strong, protective, caring and playful. Booker was her best friend and the two were inseparable. She had clung even closer to Booker since her Dad passed away, so much so that her mom was becoming concerned. She’d overheard her daughter whispering to Booker about her father not long ago. “Bookie, can you talk to Daddy?” her baby girl had asked their dog as the two played. “Can he see us from heaven?”

When her mother told me about this, I told her I had spent countless hours talking with my dogs as a child. I reasoned this may be therapeutic for her daughter and encouraged her to discuss this with a counselor. My guess was they’d use Booker as a way to foster the discussion on her father’s passing. I didn’t have to tell her I thought Booker was the best counselor a little girl could ever have.

As for Booker talking to her Daddy, I advised her to ask her daughter what she thought. If her daughter believed Booker could talk to her father, I’d tell her to have Booker send messages for her.  It might be a good way to find out what sorts of issues and questions she had about her father’s life and death. If she didn’t know if Booker and her father still communicated, I’d tell the little girl that no one really knew for sure but that I was certain her Daddy could see and hear her from heaven.

I saw the girl again recently. After she told me how excited she was to see Santa, she asked me a question. “Dr. Ward, how does Santa know what Booker wants? He can’t tell him.”

I recalled the conversation with her mother a few months earlier. “What do you think? Do you think Booker can talk to Santa?”

“I don’t know if he can talk to Santa, but he talks to my daddy all the time.”

I could barely hold back my tears. “I’m sure Santa knows exactly what Booker wants for Christmas. I’m also sure your daddy loves and misses you very much.”

Our pets heal us in ways we never can. They teach us lessons we can never teach. Booker is so much more than a pet. This holiday season be thankful for the furry friends we are fortunate enough to share our lives with. And be especially thankful for Booker and the tens of thousands of pets helping mend broken lives this year.

Dr. Ernie Ward

The little girl looked up at her mother and asked a simple question, “Mama, does Rascal love me?”

In nearly twenty years of veterinary practice I hadn’t heard that question before and certainly not from a six-year old. Rascal was at my clinic and was very ill. As in chances-are-he’s-not-going-to-make-it ill. I had just remarked that I was sure Rascal loved his family very much. Now I wondered if it were really true.

Proving love is tricky. I love my parents, my wife and children, sister and even my kid brother. I believe they love me (even my brother). I also love my four pets and feel they love me in return. But how do I really know? Turns out I’m far from alone in pondering this question.

One of the earliest Greek philosophers, Empedocles, defined the four classical elements of fire, earth, air and water. What is seldom noted is his proposal that Love and Strife actually created and separated the elements. But he couldn’t prove it. Confucius, Plato, Aristotle, Thomas Aquinas and practically every great mind has deeply explored the concept of love. Is it real? Where did it come from? Where does it reside? Is love unique to humans? And you know what? We’re still no closer to answering this girl’s question.

So after realizing the combined genius of Sigmund Freud and a bunch of other snooty intellectuals could do no better than a “maybe,” I figured I’d give it a try.

I sat cross-legged on the floor and asked the child, “Does your mommy love you?”

“Yes! And I love her, too.” She smiled at her mom.

“Good.” I replied. “And does your mommy make you feel good and happy when you’re with her?”

“Yes. She makes me laugh a lot.”

“And does your mommy smile when she sees you in the morning and puts you to bed at night?”

“Yes, sir. My mommy is always happy.”

“And does Rascal wag his tail and get excited when you see him in the morning or after you come home from daycare?”

“He goes crazy and licks me all over!” she practically squealed with delight.

“And does he curl up next to you when you’re sleeping? Does that make you feel happy inside?”

“Rascal makes me feel very happy. He’s my best friend in the whole wide world.”

“All of those things tell me that Rascal loves you very much. You see, love is a special feeling between you and Rascal that makes you feel like you’re the most important person in the world. Do you think Rascal thinks you’re the most important person in the world?”

“Me and mom are his most favorite people.”

“And is Rascal very important to you?”

“Yes. He’s my best friend and I love him very much.”

“That settles it. I believe Rascal loves you.”

I don’t really know how the philosophers and scientists don’t get it. To reduce the relationship many (most) of us have with our pets to simply “food-oriented” or a “conditioned response” is insulting. My wife could make the same argument about me: she feeds me well and I get very excited to see her at the end of a long day. But the love we share is deeper than her (awesome!) cooking. Love is a special gift and I cherish it whenever it enters my life. And I know love when I feel it, despite whatever research and big-word books might say. Rascal agrees.

Dr. Ernie Ward

Does this cat look stressed to you? It could be.

She didn’t looked stressed. Not a bit anxious or even nonplussed. She was a cat, after all. But I was convinced stress was the cause of this kitty’s conundrum.

Camo (because she was brown, tan and white) looked quite peaceful as I completed my exam. She had been brought to my office because she was chewing the fur off of her stomach. “It must be fleas.” her owner remarked. I couldn’t find any evidence that fleas were the cause. The typical symptoms of flea allergy dermatitis in cats include hair loss on the back and tail base, scabs around the face and neck and tiny flecks of black debris called “flea dirt.” Camo was clean. Besides, her owner was religious in applying Camo’s monthly heartworm and flea preventive. “Maybe it doesn’t work anymore.”

It appeared as though Camo had surgically removed the hair from her tummy area. Straight lines, smooth skin, a perfect bikini wax. Her owner reported that she would catch Camo licking several times a day. “Probably eating the fleas.”

Camo’s mom was right. Cats that repeatedly, persistently, compulsively groom themselves most commonly have an underlying medical problem. Demodectic mange, food allergies, atopy (inhalant allergies) and fleas are the usual suspects. There was something in Camo’s medical history that made me more suspicious of stress.

60% to 80% of a good doctor’s diagnosis comes from a thorough medical history. Whatever you do, be sure to tell everything, however embarrassing or unpleasant, to your veterinarian and doctor. It helps us help our patients better.

In passing Camo’s pet parent had mentioned her address had changed. Change is challenging for many cats. The old saying “cats are creatures of habit” is true. My two cats each have their own chair, bed and if we change something (anything) it’s at the risk of washing a bedspread (or two).

As I discussed Camo’s condition further, I discovered that the move was the result of a recent divorce. Turns out Camo had been a bit of a “daddy’s girl” and wasn’t handling the separation well. In fact, the chewing had begun when things started getting a bit heated at home.

I recommended some additional environmental enrichment in the form of food puzzles, remote-controlled toys and laser (FroliCat), daily owner-administered massage (“Camo cuddles”), a couple of facial pheromone diffusers (“Camo calmers”), a low-carbohydrate diet (“Camo crunchies!”) and playing soothing classical music whenever Camo was left alone. In addition, Camo’s favorite chair was taken from her old house and placed in the new condo. Within two weeks of starting these simple treatments, Camo was feeling better. Within two months most of her hair had regrown.

The moral of the story is the importance of a good medical history. Without it, I would’ve pursued a medical condition and perhaps used drugs that wouldn’t help. While Camo’s case was certainly the exception (hair loss in cats, think pests and pollens), we can’t forget how sensitive and emotional our dogs and cats really are. Changes in our world affect them, sometimes deeply. A calm Camo is a healthy Camo. And don’t dare move my Freddie’s chair!

(Freddie is the kitty in the picture above. That’s HIS chair.)

Dr. Ernie Ward

Pet owners and veterinarians are always looking for that one tip, trick or advancement that will help pets live longer, healthier lives. Me, too.  And I found it.

The most important decision you make each day for your pet is what you feed it. Same goes for us. Of all the variables in life we can control, diet and nutrition have the greatest influence on health. Want your pet to live longer? Feed it well. You want to be functional well into your eighties? Start with how you’re fueling your body.

Everyone knows this.  It’s no secret. The problem is it’s no fun. It’s not exciting or ground-breaking. It’s eat your veggies. It’s exercise daily. It’s stay lean and fit. That’s not going to grab any headlines.

In my book “Chow Hounds” I laid this all out in plain English backed by hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific studies. If you want your pet to live longer, feed it a high-quality diet and keep it thin. Of course it’s more complicated than that, but that’s a big part of it.

In these trying economic times, I’ll tell you straight up if you want to save money on your pet’s medical bills, feed it better and exercise it more.  Sure, this may mean spending a little more on cat chow than you’re used to, but odds are you’ll save money over your pet’s life. Earlier this year I calculated the annual cost of treating a diabetic cat for Good Housekeeping magazine. If you do it bare bones, internet-special cheap, it’s going to run about $1320 a year. That’s a lot of cat food. Remember that most (if not 99%) type 2 diabetic cats are due to excess weight. Yep, we caused our cat’s diabetes. The same is true for humans. It’s our own fault the vast majority of the time. Now back to the cost of feeding a good diet. One of the better cat foods is Orijen. Feeding ½ cup a day will set you back about $175 a year or $15 a month. Way cheaper than dealing with diabetes. Just as important is not to overfeed your pet. Too much good food still results in obesity and we’re back to more in medical bills. Measure each meal with a measuring cup. Skip junk-food treats and substitute with raw veggies.

I generally prefer low or no-grain diets with a high protein percentage. I’m partial to fish-based organic diets as an alternative to factory-farmed livestock. Low-glycemic index foods are ideal. I typically look for at least 35% protein as a starting point for most pets, higher for cats. I also like some of the new high pressure pasteurized raw foods such as Nature’s Variety. If you’re considering a raw diet for your pet, I urge you to look at these safer options.

A lot has changed in pet foods since the 2007 recall. If you haven’t kept up with advances in pet food, maybe it’s time. The next time you pour that kibble or crack that can, think about how important that choice is for your pet. It’s the most important decision you’ll make all day.

On a personal note, it’s one month until my next Ironman, Ironman Florida in Panama City Beach, Florida on Saturday, November 5. An Ironman triathlon consists of a 2.4-mile swim followed immediately by a 112-mile bike and ends with a 26.2-mile full marathon. A busy day.  If you’re not already following the conversation on Facebook, check it out. In addition to all sorts of pet and veterinary medical questions and tips, I’ll be posting info on my final Ironman preparations and race-day updates. Click here for my Facebook page. 

Dr. Ernie Ward

It came up suddenly. One day Boomer was fine; the next he had a dime-sized red sore on his side. At first his owner thought it must be a bug bite. Two weeks passed and even though the angry red lump seemed to shrink a little, it was still there. It didn’t bother Boomer so another two weeks passed.

By the time Boomer came into my office the mass had been present for almost a month. It was now the size of a half-dollar and another red spot had appeared a few inches away. I didn’t like the looks of it and told Boomer’s owner so. I suggested we take a fine needle aspirate to determine what the growth was. A needle aspirate is just how it sounds: we take a thin needle, insert it into the mass and draw out a few cells to send to a pathologist. Occasionally we don’t get enough cells for a definitive diagnosis, but usually we get a good idea if we’re dealing with a benign or malignant growth.

I was suspicious this was a particularly nasty brand of cancer known as a mast cell tumor (MCT). 48 hours later my fears were confirmed: Boomer had intermediate grade MCT.

MCT’s originate from a cell we all encounter every time we are bitten by a mosquito, bee or have an allergy attack. Mast cells are tiny “bomb cells” containing inflammatory chemicals originally designed to fight parasites such as worms and allergens. MCT’s are one of the most common skin tumors in dogs accounting for almost 1 in 5 skin masses. We don’t know why MCT’s occur but are more common in Boxers, bulldogs, Boston terriers, labs and Goldens, Shar peis and Cocker spaniels. Dogs can be affected at any age while older cats are most affected, although much less frequently than dogs. Fortunately for us, MCT’s are rare in humans.

Surgery with wide margins is the preferred treatment. Some dogs will require additional radiation therapy and possible chemotherapy. A new experimental MCT vaccine, Palladia, is being used by some veterinary oncologists and seems to help about 40% of dogs with advanced or severe MCT.

My plan for Boomer consisted of surgery followed by a change in diet, weight loss and nutraceuticals. Surgery was challenging but successful. We initiated a no-grain fish-based diet and stopped all commercial processed treats and substituted with broccoli, carrots, and blueberries. Boomer began a twice-daily walking program based on the fact that exercise and weight loss lowers cancer risk. We also started daily probiotics, a daily anti-oxidant supplement and herbal tincture with several Chinese herbs known to aide in cancer. One year later Boomer remains cancer-free and is down 10 pounds. While I continue to remind Boomer’s parents that MCT can recur at any time and any place, I’m pleased Boomer has enjoyed a year of normal (if not better) life.

Boomer got lucky. His cancer could’ve easily exploded leaving a void in the hearts of his family. If you see a strange-looking sore on your pet, have it examined immediately. You never know when that tiny lump may be a deadly cancer bomb in disguise.

Dr. Ernie Ward

“It’s not any better.”

Those four words strike fear into the hearts of any medical professional. As I listened to the owner of the three-year-old cocker spaniel, I reflected that in veterinary medicine we’re typically given one opportunity to fix the problem. And that’s not fair – or realistic – in many cases.

Before you conclude this is simply some self-centered whining, let me share a story. My close friend M began experiencing knee pain after I cajoled him into joining me for a half-marathon. After visiting his local physician, knee surgery was recommended. I advised M to try physical therapy, weight loss and nutritional supplements before pursuing surgery. What did I know, I was just a vet? Fast forward three surgeries (and four years) later, more pain than ever and yet he’s still patient with his medical care. Crazy. But not as frustrating as the pet owner in my exam room complaining that the ear infection we treated over a month ago was back and I had failed to fix the problem. Where’s M when I need him?

The fact is that in biology and physiology things are rarely black-and-white, clear-cut and a single pill or potion will cure ‘ya. If it were that straightforward we’d already have robot doctors (and don’t think they’re not trying). Medicine, especially veterinary medicine in which we’re speaking on behalf of a patient that can’t tell us what’s wrong or how it’s feeling, is even more challenging. That’s part of the reason I love being a veterinarian but also one of my greatest frustrations. At least a person, even a child, can tell you where or if it hurts. Not so much with dogs, cats, horses and the other critters I care for. When’s the last time your dog told you it felt a little queasy, had a headache or just wasn’t felling 100%? We rely on intuition and non-verbal communication to interpret what our pet partners are telling us.

As I listened to the client, I noticed in her chart that she hadn’t returned for her scheduled two-week recheck appointment.

“I didn’t come in because I didn’t think I needed to.”

Turns out her dog’s ears had improved, at least temporarily. The reason your veterinarian wants to see your pet for a medical recheck is to avoid such a scenario. Had I seen her dog in two weeks as originally planned, there’s a good chance I would’ve discovered that while the ears looked fine to the naked eye, the microscope would’ve revealed yeast or bacteria requiring additional or different medications. Ear infections often require several weeks or months to fully resolve, especially in long-eared breeds such as cockers. Many times on an ear recheck that isn’t exactly where it should be, I’ll order a culture-and-sensitivity test to help better diagnose and treat. I’d love to perform this extremely helpful test the first time I see an ear infection. Truth is, it’s more money spent and because most ear infections will respond to traditional treatments within two to four weeks, I generally reserve this test for stubborn or severe cases. Call me thrifty but I’m looking out for your pocketbook.

I want to cure every illness in a single visit. That’s not going to happen every time. Next time your veterinarian asks you to return for a recheck, do it. That increases our chances of hearing “It’s better.” Much better.