Posts from January, 2014

January is National Train Your Dog Month.  Many people want a quick and easy answer on how to train your dog.  Here are a few things to consider.

Getting a dog is a major commitment.  If you have a dog, you should invest some time in training your dog.  Training your dog will bond you with your dog, decrease the chance of behavior problems down the road and help make him part of the family.  Training, just like many other things in life takes lots a practice.  Practice makes perfect! Continue…

This dog has a firm swelling above his left eye.  The swelling has been present for several days and is getting larger.   The picture to the right is the microscopic view of fluid that was removed from the mass.

What’s your diagnosis and treatment plan?

I will post the answer in the comment section later in the week so be sure to come back to see if you were correct!

If you have an Ask Dr. Anna question you would like answered, please post them in the comments. Stay up to date on all the latest by subscribing to my blog.  Also “like” me on Facebook.

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month.  Are you aware that dogs can get glaucoma?  Watch for these 5 warning signs and save your dog’s eyesight!

Glaucoma is an increase in pressure within the eye that affects vision. Healthy eyes produce and remove fluid from the eye to maintain normal pressure. Glaucoma occurs when this process is disturbed. Congenital or primary glaucoma is rare in dogs. Cocker spaniels, Bassett hounds, Chows, Shar-Peis and Boston terriers are the top five breed predisposed to primary glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma occurs when some disease process disrupts the normal flow of fluid within the eye. Cataracts, lens luxation, and blood in the eye are just a few of the diseases that can cause secondary glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a very painful condition and is considered a medical emergency. 

Signs of glaucoma include:

1.  Squinting the eye closed
2.  Excessive tearing
3.   Swollen eye
4.  Vision loss
5.  Cloudy cornea

Diagnosis is made by testing the intraocular pressure of your dog’s eye. Most veterinarians will refer you to a veterinary ophthalmologist for a definitive diagnosis of glaucoma. If secondary glaucoma is diagnosed early and managed properly, vision may be preserved.

Canine glaucoma can be treated medically or surgically depending on the underlying cause. The goal of therapy is to preserve or regain vision by maintaining normal eye pressure. Canine glaucoma can be difficult to manage and unfortunately, some chronic end stage cases require removal of the eye to alleviate pain and further medical problems. Forty percent of dogs with glaucoma become blind within the first year of treatment. Fortunately, blind dogs adapt quickly to their environment and can live normal lives.

This is the roof of a cat’s mouth.  What’s your diagnosis?

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Meet Olivia!  As you can tell she is one of a kind and she is our only “lap” dog.

In the fall of 2011, someone brought this frightened, cute little dog into the clinic.  She was so scared and I just couldn’t stand leaving her at the clinic alone and afraid.  So I had the grand idea of taking her home to play with my pack for the weekend. 

She immediately fit right in.  In fact, she brought Jade out of her shell and taught her how to play and that’s all it took to become part of our pack.  Olivia loves attention and likes to sit on laps.  She is scared of everything.  Sometimes I think she is afraid of her own shadow!  She has an extreme noise and thunderstorm phobia.  But with medication and a Thundershirt we all survive.

I would love to hear from you, so please share your comments and questions.  If you have an Ask Dr. Anna question you would like answered, please post them in the comments. Stay up to date on all the latest by subscribing to my blog.  Also “like” me on Facebook.

Dr. Anna was born and raised in Guthrie, Oklahoma. As a teenager, Dr. Anna found her beloved pet dead on the side of the road left to die without any help. That was the moment she decided to become a vet and vowed to help other people and their pets. After a few years of practicing in New Hampshire, Dr. Anna became homesick and decided to return to Guthrie to be with her parents and five other siblings. Family and friends are a major part of our lives which is why we treat our clients at Guthrie Pet Hospital as family.  Dr. Anna and her husband do not have children but are very proud pet parents and therefore, treat every four legged friend as part of the family.    

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January is National Thyroid Awareness Month.  Did you know that dogs and cats develop thyroid disease?   Dogs commonly develop hypothyroid disease which is due to an underactive thyroid gland.  Continue…

Get plenty of rest!

Eat healthy and drink lots of water!

Play often!

A Q-Tip a day keeps the doctor away!

Lotion makes your skin soft!

If you get stuck, don’t give up.  Try again!

And most of all, stay safe!

Looking forward to serving you and your fur babies for many years to come!

If you have an Ask Dr. Anna question you would like answered, please post them in the comments. Stay up to date on all the latest by subscribing to my blog.  Also “like” me on Facebook.

January is National Thyroid Awareness Month.  Did you know that dogs and cats develop thyroid disease?  Older cats commonly develop hyperthyroid disease which is due to an overactive thyroid gland.  Dogs commonly develop hypothyroid disease which is due to an underactive thyroid gland.  This week I will discuss hyperthyroid disease in cats and next week I will discuss hypothyroid disease in dogs.  Continue…