A Reason for Being

Donald H. DeForge, VMD

24May2013

"No one lives on the top of the mountain. It’s fine to go there occasionally —for inspiration, for new perspectives. But you have to come down. Life is lived in the valleys. That’s where the farms and gardens and orchards are, and where the plowing and the work is done. That’s where you apply the visions you may have glimpsed from the peaks."

Arthur Gordon

Leo Buscaglia wrote a book in 1982-thirty one years ago.  The book is called The Fall of Freddie the Leaf...a Story of Life for All Ages.  Somewhere along the way, this book has been lost in the New Millennium.  Leo states in his Introduction: "this book is dedicated to all children who have ever suffered a permanent loss and to the the grown ups who could not find a way to explain it."  You must read this book.  It is a book that is full of visuals for your children and can be completed in about 15-20 minutes.  It is not only for kids it is also for you.  It is not a book about death but a book about life.

There is one part of the book where Freddie, a leaf, is talking to the other leaves and says: "I love being a leaf; I love my branch; my light leafy friends; my place in the sky; the wind that jostles me about; and the sun rays that cover me with soft, white shadows."  Freddie asked Daniel, the largest leaf of the tree, and who was there well before all the other leafs what was his purpose in being a leaf?  Freddie knew that Daniel was the wisest leaf and he definitely could supply an answer.  Daniel stated that all of the leaves had a purpose......"A Reason for Being"

That purpose, Daniel stated, was to make things more pleasant for others and that is their reason for being.  Daniel commented, "We leaves make shade for old people who come to escape the heat of their homes; we provide a cool place for children to come and play; we fan picnickers who come to eat with checkered tablecloths...these are our reasons for being."  Daniel was indeed a wise leaf.

As I sit and review Dr. Buscaglia's book, The Fall of Freddie the Leaf, I think about the society that we are living in at this time and how flawed he would find it if he were with us today.  But knowing Dr. Buscaglia even though flawed he would never stop lecturing, writing, talking, and helping those who wanted to make it better....who wanted to make themselves better.

Leo Buscaglia was not an idealist.  He was a realist teaching in the 80's and 90's knowing that we could do better than what we are doing.  His message was simple..."we can only become happy when we give with open arms and ask for nothing in return."  He spoke about giving love...today that is defined as a final commitment between two individuals that want to spend their lives together....or at least believe this is what they want.  Leo's love transcends the romantic or the physical....it is a state of being.... a philosophy of giving....a commitment to living and being happy.

The love that Leo wrote and spoke about yesterday.... today has been replaced with disrespect, self-interest, ego, and personal gratification.  This same love has been replaced with stealing, cheating, and spreading rumors or lies for self benefit.  The joy of Leo's love has actually been replaced with a joy in hurting people.  The New Millennium finds pleasure not in helping but in destroying.  This is not a scenario of negativity but a description of the evening news that we visualize each and every day.

In the next week, keep a log of the strangers that you see coming out of grocery stores, coffee houses, gas stations, or public places you visit.  Look straight in their eyes and count the number of people that say "Hello" to you; or "Good morning/Good evening"; or smile and say, "Have a great day!"  I am not talking about the people behind the counters who are trained to say kind words by their employers.  I am talking about the person who is the stranger that enters your sphere during normal daily activities.  When you get to 25 encounters, you will find out that only one or two have initiated a kind word of welcome to you into their sphere.

Do we fear other people?  Have we placed blinders on ourselves not to let others enter?  Have we totally lost the values of two generations ago? Do we just not care?  Those are heavy questions and it is not for me to try to answer them in this short essay.  What I do know is that our society will continue to crumble in violence if we don't rethink the message that Leo Buscaglia spent over two decades teaching and communicating to all strangers........ he welcomed into his life.

Leo's Love was not for the young and not for the old.  It was for everyone.  He once commented, "Aged love is like aged wine; it becomes more satisfying; more refreshing; more valuable; more appreciated and more intoxicating."

So when you see a person coming out of the market....for Leo....stop and say hello....for the aged having trouble reaching an article on a high shelf...for Leo...stop and help.....for your young child that wants the new electronic "toy"....for Leo....stop and do not buy it but sit down with them....read to them.....read with them....and supply love.  Share the mystery of Freddie the Leaf with your young child...make today the Beginning of love in their lives.  To bring love to others is a risk but it is a risk worth taking.

“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot
learn, feel, change, grow or love.
Chained by his certitude, he is a slave; he has forfeited his freedom.
Only the person who risks is truly free.” 
― Leo Buscaglia

Donald H. DeForge, VMD

Animal Doc AM Multi-Media

Facebook: Silver Sands Veterinary and

Time to Talk Fact: Special Edition with Don DeForge

Silver Sands Veterinary Center

17 Seemans Lane

Milford, Ct. 06460

E-Mail DonDeForge@aol.com

Phone 1-800-838-3368

Dr. DeForge welcomes comments to his Blogs.  Write to DonDeForge@aol.com

24May2013

  

Silver Sands Veterinary

Pain or No Pain-In Search of a Pet Hero!

DH DeForge, VMD  16May2013

“Of pain you could wish only one thing: that it should stop. Nothing in the world was so bad as physical pain. In the face of pain there are no heroes.” 
― George Orwell, 1984

Orwell states, "in the face of pain there are no heroes!"  As advocates of the companions we love, I would like to revise the Orwell statement.  The companion supplies to its caretaker unconditional love in return we can become their heroes by removing pain!

Pain exists and it is real in the companions that we love.  The pet owner must be knowledgeable about pet pain; anticipate its presence in different conditions and life stages; and most importantly seek help to eliminate that pain.

Below is a partial list of pain problems in our companions (i.e. dogs and cats):

• Orthopedic pain and osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease
• Disc slippage; Disc Prolapse
• Muscle, tendon, and ligament injury
• Trauma injuries during play and exercise
• Oral Disease including broken teeth, cavities, advanced periodontal disease, TMJ pain, and jaw fractures
• Cat and Dog Stomatitis-advanced oral inflammatory disease
• Cavities or Caries-i.e. Resorptive lesions with pulp exposure in cats
• Advanced ulcerated skin conditions
• Post-surgery pain after spaying and neutering
• Post surgical pain after exploratory surgery; mass removals; bone fracture repair; and other general surgery experiences
• Advanced outer ear infections
• Advanced anal sac impaction and abscessation
• Constipation
• Cystitis and urethritis
• Protracted Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Cancer-soft tissue and bone cancer
• Intestinal blockage
• Pancreatitis
• Male Cat: Urinary Tract Obstruction
• Male Dog: Urethral obstruction
• Glaucoma
• Eye Ulceration
• Eye Trauma
• Broken nails
• Airway obstruction with Stridor
• Long Bone Trauma from auto accidents
• Abdomen and Chest Trauma from auto accidents
• High-Rise Syndrome Trauma-High-rise syndrome is the phenomenon of cats or dogs falling from higher than two stories (7–9 m / 24–30 ft). This is generally from high-rise buildings, or skyscrapers, and is also used to refer to the injuries sustained by a cat/dog falling from high up.

When I discuss pet pain with clients, many are completely ignorant of the conditions that I discuss as being painful.  They note their pet shows no pain.  That is correct.  Pets are good "hiders" of pain.  Acute pain is the exception with expression of that pain.  The pet with a broken leg will whimper or meow differently than a pet who is not afflicted with pain.  

The most dangerous pain is hidden pain or occult pain.  Some have described this pain as "bad pain!"  It is a form of pain that is not expressed.  It is generally chronic in nature and the pet learns to live with that pain believing there is no life without pain.  That is the tragedy of "bad pain!"

Buscaglia teaches us that defeat is not as important as "regret"!  Pets with pain have a terrible quality of life.  They are helpless and alone.  They become emotionally detached with constant anxiety and fear.  Working with your veterinarian you must recognize and offset this pain.  It requires just a few moments of our day to recognize and find help for our pet in pain.  There will be no regrets after this is accomplished.

Once pain is suspected, it is time to visit the veterinarian to discuss the testing necessary to allow definition of the cause of that pain.  Once the cause is defined, the pain is graded and a pain treatment plan is established by the doctor.  Your veterinarian will teach you how you can grade your pet's pain at home by observing:

• Movement or Activity level changes
• Behavior Patterns altered
• Vocalization-Crying-Loud Meowing-Barking pattern change
• Sleeping habits-not consistent with past-not resting enough or maybe sleeping more
• Tactile Behavior-no able to be touched or help-i.e. guarding when lifting
• Quietness
• Restlessness
• Unable to move neck left or right; and up and down
• Snapping or hissing at family members
• Well groomed patient develops and unthrifty coat-esp. in cats
• Teeth chattering or Grinding
• Excessive licking
• Rubbing face-dermatolgical or oral pain
• Increased eyeball size-possible glaucoma
• Limping
• Difficulty getting up or difficulty lying down
• Not wanting to go on walks or exercise
• Not wanting to play fetch or chase balls
• Drinking excessive water
• Difficulty urinating or defecating

Pain is REAL.  Do not stop giving the pain medicine that your doctor prescribes after surgery.  If you have not been given pain medicine, please speak to your doctor about a pain control program during recovery.

There are many alternatives that are very safe for pain control.  Please do not pain medicate on your own.  Never take another pet's pain medicine and give it to a different pet that you feel is in pain.  Seek the guidance of a veterinarian.  Never change pain medicine dosage without talking to your doctor.  Make sure that all pain medicines are in a medicine cabinet or a locked cabinet where pets and children are protected from accidental ingestion.

The pain medicines that veterinarians use are varied depending on general health of the patient; age; breed; weight; and condition being treated.  See the list below for common pain medicines that veterinarians are utilizing today.

• Opiates: Morphine-Oxymorphone-Hydromorphone-Buprenorphine
• Fentanyl Transdermal Pain Patches-care and caution in geriatric patients
• Tramadol-a central acting opioid-minimal side excepts except for lethargy
• Gabapentin-useful in dogs and cats-minimal side effects-groginess can occur
• Steroids-cannot be used in all patients because of pre-existing medical conditions
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug-NSAIDs-talk to your doctor about side effects with concurrent conditions.  Do not use human NSAIDs in pets.  There are specific animal NSAIDs that your veterinarian will prescribe if they feel this is the best drug for your pet's pain
• Alternative Therapy including: low-level laser therapy; targeted pulsed electromagnetic therapy; acupuncture; massage therapy; Eastern herbal analgesics etc.

Before starting any analgesic program, the veterinarian should seek help in diagnosing the cause of pain with a veterinary pain specialist; an internal medicine doctor; a radiologist; a neurologist; or an orthopedist.

Pre-treatment laboratory testing is essential to be sure the drug chosen will not complicate a pre-existing medical condition.  Patients in liver, kidney, or heart failure may need reduced dosage amounts of pain medicine because it could take them longer to remove these pain drugs from their body.  Other pain medicines cannot be used at all because of problems with detoxification due to liver or kidney failure present along with pain.  Other choices for pain control must then be chosen by your doctor.

Finally, in the cancer patient or terminally ill, seek the assistance of a doctor that provides a Hospice setting for animals.  The cancer patient or the terminally ill patient needs a home hospice setting.  The hospice veterinarian will work with your regular DVM; an emergency center; and your family to be sure there is a pain free quality of life during these precious days in the End of Life Stage for your pet.

Remember, pain control is not just for the terminally ill.  Pain control is for all patient in each life stage: Puppy/Kitten; Adulthood; Geriatric; and End of Life Stage.  Our companions supply to us "unconditional love" in return it is our obligation to find and remove pain in conjunction with a trained health professional.  Become your pet's HERO today.  It will become an important journey of love!

“Unconsciously we all have a standard by which we measure other men, and if we examine closely we find that this standard is a very simple one, and is this: we admire them, we envy them, for great qualities we ourselves lack. Hero worship consists in just that. Our heroes are men who do things which we recognize, with regret, and sometimes with a secret shame, that we cannot do. We find not much in ourselves to admire, we are always privately wanting to be like somebody else. If everybody was satisfied with himself, there would be no heroes.” 
― Mark Twain

Silver Sands Veterinary Center: 

DH DeForge, VMD

VIOLENCE in AMERICA
Winning to Lose or Losing to Win

It seems like a day cannot go by without reading about another violent tragedy in America.

We have just left behind the Boston Marathon Bombing and each night we read new stories of innocent killing.  As a referee, I was saddened by the story that you are about to read.  A father and a referee who lived wanting to assure good sportsmanship and fair play has been lost.  

Each year we here about parents beating up umpires and referees.  Youth umpires and referee numbers have decreased because of the fear of being hurt.  The pay is minimal and the risk is great.  Mentors try to assist in the recruitment of young referees but cases like this have young people asking themselves if they are prepared to take on the task of official.

Knute Rockne at a different time in a different place had wonderful ideas and beliefs about sports.  His quote below has much meaning but is not seen clearly today as being significant.

"One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than a hundred teaching it!" Knute Rockne

Coach Rockne would be appalled by the violence in sports today.  The lessons of sports are to prepare youth for greater challenges in life.  Not many who play sports will have professional careers in their sport.  Parents instill in youth when they are 5-6 years old the concept of winning. Coaches take the "win-at-all-cost" mentality to the young player right into high school.  Many youngsters walk away from sports because of coach favoritism or the tiredness of the constant "win-all" mentality.  

There are good parents and there are good coaches but they are in the minority.  As the benefits of sports college scholarships continue to escalate, parents push harder.  Coaches know that if they have losing records their jobs are in jeopardy in high school coaching positions.  The parents make or break the youth coach/manager who is under pressure to win.  All of this is picked up by the player.  The anger of parents and coaches becomes ingrained into the athlete.  Fights erupt on fields and referees are threatened.

Please read the story below:

MURRAY, Utah — Ricardo Portillo's daughters had begged him to stop refereeing in a soccer league because of the growing risk of violence from angry players.

Now they must plan his funeral.

Portillo, 46, succumbed to injuries late Saturday that had put him in a coma for a week after police said a 17-year-old goalie punched him.

Authorities say the teen struck Portillo after the youth was called for a foul and issued a yellow card.

"The suspect was close to Portillo and punched him once in the face as a result of the call," police spokesman Justin Hoyal said in a statement.

The suspect had been booked into juvenile detention on suspicion of aggravated assault. Hoyal said authorities would consider additional charges since Portillo's death.

Hoyal said an autopsy was planned. No cause of death was released.

Portillo, of Salt Lake City, suffered swelling in his brain and had been listed in critical condition, Dr. Shawn Smith said Thursday at the Intermountain Medical Center in the Salt Lake City suburb of Murray.

Daughter Johana Portillo, 26, said last week that she wasn't at the April 27 game in the Salt Lake City suburb of Taylorsville, but she had been told by witnesses and detectives that the player hit her father in the side of the head.

She did not immediately respond to a request for comment by the Associated Press on Sunday.

Portillo's family said he had been attacked before, and Johana Portillo said she and her sisters had pleaded with their father to stop refereeing because of the risk from angry players. But he continued because he loved soccer.

"It was his passion," she said. "We could not tell him no."

The unaffiliated soccer league, Liga Continental de Futbol, updated its Facebook posting Sunday with a tribute to Portillo, including a number of photographs of him refereeing and playing soccer. It also set up a bank account to accept donations for his family.

Associated Press

May 5, 2013, 7:11 p.m.

I ask for your prayers tonight for referee's Portillo's family!

Carroll Academy: Not Winning to Lose but Losing to Win!
The opposite story was available over the weekend on ESPN Sports. There is a high school in Tennessee named Carroll Academy.  It is not the typical high school.  It is a high school and adolescent intensive day treatment program...i.e. a custody prevention center.  [See below]The stories of the young girls shown at Carroll Academy were heart wrenching.  Many coming from broken homes with parents who are drug or alcohol addicted or in trouble with the law.  These young people have minimal or no parental guidance and have fallen into trouble.  Most, fortunately, have not found serious trouble yet.  Carroll Academy wants to stop it from progressing or developing further.  When the Academy has completed their task, these young girls are sent back to regular high school.
I bring this Academy up because sports is a major part of the rehabilitation.  You see the Lady Jags have lost 213 consecutive games.  They never win!  They never come close.  They are beaten 100 to 6 or 75-4....but they return week after week.  Their coach states, " we don't care about winning at Carroll Academy.....I don't care if I ever win a game....we do try to win...but I do not expect these young girls to win because most have never had a basketball in their hands till then come to the Academy." 
 He goes on to explain that sports should be made to symbolize the struggles of life.  There are many struggles and not all are victories.  We learn from each defeat and we become stronger...we become better human beings.  Please view the Carroll Academy website and read the testimonials from former students who have made it in life because of Carroll Academy.....because they have found someone and found a place where people care about them; losing they find out is not bad!  In their last game in 2011-2012 they scored 29 points.  This was a modern school record.  They were playing as a team.  They were excited and yes they lost.  The team signed a ball and gave it to the coach.  They sat with tears in their eyes not because they lost but because coach cared about them very much.  At that point, the headmaster sang to them a song that coach wanted them to hear....It was "My Girl"!  Take a moment and hit the link below and see this ESPN feature....Losing to Win!  It will be the best 15 minutes you have ever spent.  Please believe me....just hit the link.  
Believe in youth.  Explain to your kids that winning is not the most important part of life.  Surviving the struggle; helping those who seek your counsel; and being happy.....that is what is important in life!

 http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9242142

From the Carroll Academy Website:

An integrated team of professionals providing compassionate, cost effective, competent care for at risk adolescents referred to them by five juvenile courts for the purpose of preventing more intensive court involvement and consciously teaching/modeling functional life and academic skills necessary to assume meaningful and productive citizenship in our society.

PURPOSE

Carroll Academy is an Adolescent Intensive Day Treatment Program operated by the Carroll County Juvenile Court and licensed by the State of Tennessee. We are funded by the Department of Children’s Services of the State of Tennessee as a custody prevention agency. We serve the Juvenile Courts of Carroll, Henry, Henderson, Weakley, and Benton counties, who order students to our program for six months or until they complete our behavioral plan. We transport each student to and from our program each day as ordered by that court for the purpose of behavior modification and intervention. Each student receives counseling, balanced meals, appropriate educational services, family intervention, and group life skills training while a part of our program.625 High Street
Huntingdon, Tennessee 38344
731-986-1350

Dr. DeForge welcomes comments on his blogs.
E-Mail DonDeForge@aol.com
Silver Sands Veterinary
17 Seemans Lane-Milford, CT 06460
www.SilverSandsVeterinary.com
1-800-838-3368
Animal Doc AM Multi-Media is written and produced by Dr. Don DeForge; all statements are his opinion only and do not reflect the opinion of any others.
06May2013

Silver Sands Veterinary-04May2013

Pet Advocacy: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

DH DeForge, VMD

What is a pet advocate?  Most  dictionaries give the definition than an advocate is a  a person who speaks or writes in support of a cause; something that is quite important. Other dictionaries state an advocate is a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; i.e. an 

intercessor.

 When speaking about an advocate for a companion animal, I like to use the words true friend!

Dr. Leo Buscaglia, my mentor, wrote a poem about unconditional love.  He writes about the human spirit; the unconditional love of a pet should be our mirror to return that love without hesitation.

Unconditional Love... 
I will love you no matter what. 

I will love you if you are stupid, 

if you slip and fall on your face, 

if you do the wrong thing, 

if you make mistakes, 

if you behave like a human being 

I will love you no matter. 
--Leo Buscaglia--

The lines of this quote that are most meaningful to me are:..."If you behave like a human being; I will love you no matter."  Stop and think about that line.  Are you your pet's advocate yesterday, today, and tomorrow?  Try to think of any one person who has supplied unconditional love to you without a reservation.  I am not saying that you have not been loved or are not in love!  What I am saying is that somewhere in your friendship; your relationship; your marriage......... strings have been connected to that unconditional love.

It is our responsibility to return unconditional love to the companions that are........the children in our homes.  We seem to get into a flow; a daily repetition and we forget our companions.  Many times we miss when they are ill; other times it is too late when illness is identified.  

Art Linkletter states it the best:

"The two best interview subjects are children under 10 and people over 70 for the same reason: they say the first thing that comes to their mind. The children don't know what they're saying and the old folks don't care."
    Art Linkletter

So what happens during those years between 10 and 70?  We collect pets when young and forget them when we travel away from home or go to the university.  We develop relationships and/or marry and we become self-absorbed in our lives; our pets continue to stare with unconditional love but we do not see them! Next, we have children and the pets are now subjugated with extra treats or sent outside because we are "in-love" with our new babies and toddlers.  As the children grow comes sports, dancing, ballet, gymnastics, theater etc. We become more and more tired.  Other times, we try to relive our lives through our children and have them perform on stages we have never had the opportunity to reach.  Our pet companions drift father from our focus.  While this is happening, the unconditional love FROM our companion pet never ceases............ yet we are so busy we do not acknowledge this special gift that is given freely to us.  We do not see unconditional love but we see obligation.  Pet food, flea and tick products, heartworm prevention, vaccines, and vet visits are problems in our lives rather than love.  

There is a minority of pet advocates who get through all of this and who share in the splendor of unconditional love unceasingly.  With or without children, complicated lives never stop them from returning unconditional love to their pets.  For them, a trip to the veterinarian is not a chore; not an obligation; but an exercise in love.  The money they spend on pet food each year is not an annoyance but a thank you for their pet's love.  They enjoy seeing their pets eat with happiness and grow in good health with quality foods.   Just as they seek quality foods for their own diets, they want their pets to have the same type of quality animal food.

As our pets age, the separation from them becomes greater.  Obsolescence replaces loving contemporary friendship.  The Human-Animal Bond becomes stressed.

Age is not a disease.  The Human-Animal Bond must grow stronger with age because this is when they need us most!  One of the leaders in geriatric and cancer care in the United States, Dr. Alice Villalobos has established the HHHHHMM Quality of  Life Scale.  It is a way for the pet owner in consultation with their veterinarian to be sure that the pet who has given unconditional love all of its life is cared for properly in their geriatric years....i.e. especially when suffering from terminal disease.  Dr. Villalobos' letters stand for Hurt; Hunger; Hydration; Hygiene; Happiness; Mobility; More GOOD days than bad.  No pet should live in pain----hurt means pain!  There are wonderful and very safe prescription medicines for pain as well as alternative systems for pain control that can be advised by your veterinarian.  Happiness means that your pet should be interacting with the family and responsive to all that is occurring in their lives.  On the other hand, red flags should be noted if your pet seems lonely, bored, indifferent, anxious or afraid.  

When there are more bad days than good days quality of life is being compromised.  If the two way connection of the Human-Animal Bond is breached seek help immediately.  Find compassion in your veterinary counsel.  Take the time to sit down and discuss with your health care professional the good and the bad that you note at home.  Find a hospital that identifies with or provides Pet Hospice.  To be your pet's advocate at this stage in life, you must be observant of your pet each day.  Dr. Villalobos describes the importance of gentle brushing and grooming; massages; short walks; or maybe taking your pet for a ride in a wagon if the pet is not fully mobile.  How simple it is to take a moment to share unconditional love during a time Dr. Villalobos describes as the "End of Life Stage" in the progression from early life to adulthood to geriatric.  The "End of Life" stage is not about giving up but giving more care, more love, and greater strength to the Human-Animal Bond.

Why does it take the "End of Life" for many of us to find unconditional love.  Buscaglia states, "I will love you no matter what!"  When we lose a friend, a relative, a partner, or a spouse we always question whether we did all that we could and whether we told them enough times how much we love them.  Those who lose their companion, their pet, have the same questions.  Our pets are our children.  We want them to be comfortable and happy.  Our lives are busy but never to busy to forget to tell them we love them and SHOW THEM that we care!

I instruct our nurse-caregivers that compassion is as strong a medicine as an intravenous treatment; that telling a pet in our hospital that we love them is equal to any new medicine available for treatment; and holding a pet in their arms with affection is critical to recovery.  Pets need to know they are loved when away from home.  Patient recovery is expedited with decreased hospital time.  

It is a triad: pet: home advocate: and doctor.  Working together, unconditional love is returned; quality of life is maintained; and a pain free happy life is possible through all stages of life.  Give your pet a hug today and tell them you love them.  Share this openness and unconditional love of your pets with your children-yesterday, today, and tomorrow!

Dr. Don DeForge

Medical Director Silver Sands Veterinary

17 Seemans Lane-Milford, CT. 06460

1-800-838-3368

www.SilverSandsVeterinary.com

E-Mail DonDeForge@aol.com

Blogger: Animal Doc AM Multi-Media

Dr. DeForge welcomes comments and thoughts on his essays.  Please address them to DonDeForge@aol.com

Silver Sands Veterinary Center-A Zoonosis: Toxocariasis and the Human Animal Bond

Adapted from The Center for Disease Control Fact Sheet

01May2013

Donald H. DeForge, VMD

We have reached the beginning of Spring 2013 and it is time to enjoy that special bonding between companion animal and pet owner.  It is an exciting and happy time of year when pets and people bond to their fullest.

Many people do not realize that there is a zoononsis called Toxocariasis that can affect not only their pets but also the pet owners by contact with pet feces.  It is a parasitic disease in people caused by infection with a roundworn, Toxocara, found in dog and cat feces.  Zoonoses are: Diseases which are biologically adapted to and normally found in lower animals but which under some conditions also infect humans. 

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/zoonoses#ixzz2S4xYW4Wz

The Center for Disease Control in their FACT SHEET, Toxocariasis, describes in detail how pet owners can develop this disease from their pets.  Toxocariasis is a very serious illness which can cause organ damage and even blindness in people who are infected.  Those at highest risk are children; dog and cat owners; and people and kids who accidentally eat dirt.  Dogs and cats can shed Toxocara (i.e. roundworm) eggs in their feces; people can be accidentally infected by eating or swallowing dirt that has been contaminated with Toxocara eggs; although rare people can also become infected by eating under cooked meat that has Toxocara larvae.  Children who handle and eat pet feces are easily infected!

Here are suggestions from myself, Dr. Don DeForge and the CDC on how to prevent Toxocariasis:

• First, especially, if you have children discuss Toxocariasis as a zoonosis with your pediatrician and/or your health care physician
• If your pet is infected call your pediatrician and/or health care professional immediately
• Second, ask your veterinarian to review Toxocariasis with you and to help you in the control of parasites in your dog or cat.  Be sure to have a detailed discussion and have all of your questions answered
• Teach your children to wash their hands before eating and after playing with the pet they love
• Do not allow the pet to lick your children or yourself in the face
• Do not allow your very young children to eat dirt
• Avoid Pet Play Groups where feces is prevalent and many times not collected
• Restrict animal waste sites to areas away from child play areas
• Cover sand boxes
• Wear gloves when disposing of fecal matter; do it promptly.  If not wearing gloves, wash your hands after handling pet feces
• Take your pet to the veterinarian and let the doctor explain the proper deworming programs
• Use your yearly Preventive Health Care Exam with your veterinarian to review any questions you have about parasites in the stool or feces of your pet.  Bring a fecal sample for lab examination to this visit.
• Go to the Companion Animal Parasite Council website and read about deworming programs that are effective;  remember one deworming is not a deworming program!
• Do not rely on negative fecal sample reports as a statement of complete health and freedom from Toxocariasis or other intestinal parasites; reports today are not truly negative but only written: no parasites seen.  A deworming program is never based on a  no parasite seen fecal report.  Have your veterinarian explain why scheduled dewormings are essential.
• Ask your veterinarian to set up a testing and treatment plan that will prevent this zoonosis from infecting you, your family, and friends.

For more information go to parasites@cdc.gov 

Dr. Don DeForge  01May2013

Animal Doc AM Multimedia

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Medical Director-Silver Sands Veterinary Center

www.SilverSandsVeterinary.com

17 Seemans Lane Milford, CT. 06460

1-800-838-3368

DonDeForge@aol.com

Questions are welcomed and will be answered by Dr. DeForge personally