2023_NorthStarVets_Pets_Digital_Issue

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HAPPY, HAPPY, HEALTHY PETS HEALTHY PETS PUTTING THEIR WELLNESS FIRST Spotlight on Specialty Medicine A look at innovative pet treatments and techniques Deck taht supports the headline about pets making you DENTISTRY AND ORAL SURGERY Gum disease (gingivitis and the more severe periodontitis) is the most diagnosed disease in dogs and cats. In fact, by the age of four, 80 Kirk Herrmann, DVM, DAVDC percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats will show signs of dental disease. If left untreated, gum disease not only can cause bad breath, tooth decay and tooth loss, but once the bacteria gains access to internal organs through diseased gums, more serious health problems like heart, liver and kidney disease may follow. A growing number of studies suggest that the healthier the mouth, the healthier the pet. That's why seeing your veterinarian for routine dental cleanings and checkups is an important part of good pet care. The NorthStar VETS® Animal Dentistry and Oral Surgery team provides these advanced services: Oral Surgery • Surgical extractions, including ful mouth extractions for stomatitis patients • Minimally invasive jaw fracture repair • Oral surgical oncology, including oral tumor biopsy, mandibulectomy and maxillectomy • Repair of cleft palate defects and oronasal fistulas • Muscle biopsy for suspected masticatory myositis cases Periodontal treatment • Professional dental cleaning • Closed and open root planing • Advanced periodontal surgery • Crown lengthening procedures for tooth fractures that extend below the gingival margin Endodontic treatment • Root canal therapy • Vital pulp therapy • Surgical root canal therapy Prosthodontics • Full metal crowns for fractured teeth • Three-quarter crowns for cage-biter's wear • Radiography (X-rays) and CT scan Teleradiology DERMATOLOGY Like humans, dogs and cats commonly experience skin disorders. In fact, there are hundreds of different skin disorders recognized in pets. Because the signs often appear the same—itchy skin and digestive problems are common—accurately determining the cause and Gregory C. Griffeth, DVM, DACVD the appropriate treatment requires specialized testing and in-depth diagnostic expertise. At NorthStar VETS®, the Dermatology department provides a variety of diagnostic tests that can help determine the cause of your pet's skin disorder. And veterinarians are specially trained to recognize, diagnose and treat skin diseases, so your pet can go back to living life symptom-free. The goal at NorthStar VETS® is to identify the clinical problems, understand the underlying pathologic process and to find the best way to keep your pet comfortable and as free of skin problems as possible. In order to do this, the team has you fill out a questionnaire to identify the problem, get an idea of how long the problem has been ongoing, and how it has affected your pet. NorthStar VETS® also examines records from your family veterinarian to see what therapies have been tried in the past, and what medications your pet has been given. 24 NorthStarVETS ® .com
HAPPY HEALLTHY PETS To try and identify possible diagnosis, multiple modalities may be employed. The results of some will be available right away, and some may be sent to a lab. NorthStar VETS® may consider: • Skin scraping for parasites • Flea combing for fleas • Cytology (cell analysis) of lesions in the skin and hair coat that may show us different bacteria and/or fungal elements • Bacterial and/or fungal cultures for severe skin or ear disease to identify particular bacteria/fungal organisms and target the most useful systemic medication • Blood work to rule out any underlying systemic illness • Skin biopsies if indicated • Aspirates of masses/tumors found in skin • Video-otoscopy (a miniaturized camera that allows us to view and photograph the ear canal and eardrum) • CT scans/ MRI for evaluation of middle and inner ear disease if indicated Once NorthStar VETS® has identified the cause of your pet 's skin disorder, the team will have a differential diagnosis, if not a definitive diagnosis, and work with you and your primary care veterinarian to develop a treatment plan. This might include: • Systemic and topical therapies to clear infections in the skin • Allergy vaccines for immunotherapy in dogs with certain allergic diseases • Dietary changes for dogs with different allergic disease • Long-term management of chronic skin or ear diseases, which may require ongoing treatment using the most up-to-date medications and treatment regimens Conditions NorthStar VETS® diagnoses and treats: • Allergies, the most common cause of skin problems in pets; allergies are usually food-related, environmental, or contact-related. • Cutaneous and subcutaneous infection of the skin, commonly caused by bacteria and fungi • Parasitic infestations due to fleas, ticks and other parasites • Immune-mediated disease, occurs when the body's own immune system attacks the healthy skin • Ear infections, often breed-related (dogs with flopped ears are more susceptible) but can be caused by allergies • Middle and inner-ear diseases • Skin tumors • Haircoat abnormalities • Genetic abnormalities of skin and coat • Endocrine and metabolic disease affecting skin and coat CARDIOLOGY Just like humans, companion animals can have heart (cardiac) and lung (pulmonary) problems. These conditions fall into two categories: congenital (present from birth) or acquired (developed over time). Hyeon Woo Jeong, DVM, DACVIM Seeing a doctor who specializes in cardiac conditions can help your pet achieve the best possible heart and lung health—and that’s exactly what you’ll find at NorthStar VETS®. The Cardiology Department is staffed by highly trained veterinarians who specialize in diseases that affect the heart and lungs of companion animals. NorthStar VETS® provides a full range of cardiopulmonary diagnostic and treatment services to ensure the best-possible quality of life for your companion: • Cardiac consultation • Heart murmur evaluation • Breed screens for congenital and acquired heart disease • Thoracic and cardiac echocardiography (ultrasounds) • Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) interpretation • Diagnosis of thoracic and pericardial neoplasia (abnormal tissue growth) • Removal of fluid from the thorax (pleurocentesis), the abdomen (abdominocentesis) and the pericardium (pericardicentesis) • Pre-doxorubicin (brand name: Adriamycin) treatment evaluation to determine if your pet’s heart is healthy enough to withstand this cancer treatment • Pre-Radioiodine (I-131) treatment evaluation to determine if your pet’s heart is healthy enough to withstand this hyperthyroid treatment • Pre-anesthetic evaluation • Pacemaker implantation • Valvuloplasty Among the most common conditions that NorthStar VETS®’ veterinary cardiologists treat area: • Congestive heart failure • Pericardial and pleural space disease and neoplasia • Pulmonary (lung) disease • Congenital cardiac disease (patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonic stenosis, aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) • Acquired cardiac disease (valvular insufficiency, dilated cardiomyopathy, muscle disorders, pericardial disease) • Arrhythmias Tackling Your HEALTH CONCERNS Our experts take your pet health questions head-on and provide important insight. the concern My pet appears to be having an allergic reaction. What should I do? If you witness Ross Taylor, DVM itching, redness, facial swelling, hives, vomiting or sneezing, have your pet examined by a veterinarian. Some allergic reactions can progress to severe swelling, vomiting and troubled breathing. Do not give your pet medication at home without speaking to your doctor. If you cannot get immediate veterinary care, give your pet a 1 mg per pound oral dose of Benedryl if the animal is not vomiting. the concern We were outside in the cold for an extended period of time, and my dog seems very cold. What should I do? Once inside, check your dog's axillary (armpit) or ear temperature, says Dr. Ross Taylor, a veterinarian in the NorthStar VETS® Emergency/Critical Care department. A normal temperature for a cat/ dog is 99-102.5 degrees. If the temperature is below 98 degrees, your pet should be seen by a veterinarian for supportive care and/or diagnostics (bloodwork, radiographs, etc.). the concern My dog got bitten by another animal. What are my next steps? If there are visible wounds, have your pet examined by a veterinarian to see if they need stitches, drains and/or surgery, says Dr. Taylor. “It is also advised, if there are wounds, to booster the rabies vaccine to help prevent possibly contracting rabies,” Dr. Taylor says. Pet Perspective 25
Page 1 and 2: YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR KEEPING PET
Page 3 and 4: YOUR TRUSTED SOURCE FOR KEEPING PET
Page 5 and 6: RealPets, RealPeople ■ Amazing re
Page 7 and 8: REAL PETS, REAL PEOPLE SUCCESSSTORI
Page 9 and 10: REAL PETS, REAL PEOPLE PHOTOGRAPHS:
Page 11 and 12: SUPPORT SYSTEM Veterinary oncologis
Page 13 and 14: REAL PETS, REAL PEOPLE SAFETY TIPS
Page 15 and 16: 5 3 WITH YOUR PET IN NJ O T S G N I
Page 17 and 18: 10 GET CLEANED UP There will be no
Page 19 and 20: 22 GO WHALE WATCHING Jersey Shore W
Page 21 and 22: PHOTOGRAPHS: (RED HORSE) COURTESY O
Page 23 and 24: GIFTS FOR PETS 6 The Name Game Hous
Page 25: can also help improve symptoms of a
Page 29 and 30: HAPPY HEALLTHY PETS Comprehensive C
Page 31 and 32: NIBBLES & BITS your dog away from t
Page 33 and 34: NIBBLES & BITS FETCH PET BAKERY Mul
Page 35 and 36: MY SHELTER PETS ARE MY BEST FRIENDS

2023_NorthStarVets_Pets_Digital_Issue

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