PET TALES
Newsletter from Countryside Veterinary Service
November 2006
Greetings From The New Vet
Hello Everyone,
My name is Dr. Valerie Wise and I recently started as a long term small animal veterinarian at Countryside Veterinary Service on July 1, 2006. I grew up about an hour from Somerset, just across the border, in Edon, Ohio. I went to undergrad at the University of Findlay (Ohio) and graduated with a double major in pre-veterinary medicine and biology in 1998. I then went to The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 2002. I moved out to Bloomsburg, PA. for 4 years. There I practiced mixed animal medicine for a short time before deciding to do 100% small animal medicine. Bloomsburg Veterinary hospital was a great experience. There were 6 small animal vets so I was always learning a new way to do or research things. I grew more and more homesick being 8 hours away, so I started looking for a new small animal practice closer to home. Countryside Veterinary Service and I seem to be a perfect match.
I live with 5 cats currently (Chin-chee, Shelly, Anyaka, Cincinnati, and Rags) and hope to add a dog to my clan soon.
I hope to meet all of you and build a relationship that will be both lasting and beneficial to both of us as well as your pet. Please stop in to meet me soon.
Valerie N. Wise, DVM
GO BUCKEYES!!!!
P.S. Note from the manager: Sorry… I didn’t have a choice on the “Go Buckeyes” comment. However, if you would like to wear your Michigan Wolverines apparel for your next appointment, maybe we can help Dr. Wise realize the error of her ways.
(Go Blue!!)
Xylitol Toxin Cases On The Rise In Dogs
Xylitol is an artificial sweetener used in some chewing gums and candies and can also be used for baking. Although this sweetener has been used for years in other countries, it’s popularity in the United States has increased only in the last few years. This product is being added to more and more items everyday. Xylitol can have both short term and long term effects on a dog.
The most severe short term effect is a severe decrease in blood sugar. Although not seen in humans, in dogs Xylitol causes a rapid and severe elevation in insulin release. The high insulin drives sugar into the cells thus dropping the blood sugar to dangerous levels. These dogs become very weak, can appear intoxicated, begin vomiting, and in severe cases will seizure. These dogs need immediate attention as clinical signs can appear within 30 minutes. Treatment is to start intravenous fluids containing dextrose (sugar).
A severe long term effect is liver failure. At this point in time, researchers are unable to tell us why the liver is affected but most believe it is due to the break down of the Xylitol which is why increased liver values take longer to show up on lab work. There is no antidote at this time, so supportive care with intravenous fluids is the only treatment.
At this time the amount needed for toxicity is unknown, so please contact Countryside Veterinary Service if you feel your dog has ingested any Xylitol.
A well-trained dog will make no attempt to share your lunch. He will make you feel so guilty that you cannot enjoy it. ~~Helen Thomson