The new WISDOM Panel MX uses advanced gentic science to detect more than 130 American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized breeds in mixed breed dogs.
It may offer insights about a dog's personality or appearance.
It may help veterinarians initiate care plans with specific breed traits in mind.
It may offer insights about a dog's personality or appearance.
It may help veterinarians initiate care plans with specific breed traits in mind.
Ever wonder what kind of dog you have?
DNA testing is now available. A simple blood test can be done in our office and sent off to the DNA testing laboratory.
More on DNA Testing
DNA Profiling for dogs has been developed through years of scientific research. The information you gain from knowing your dog's genetic profile can prove invaluable for relating to your dog and assisting your veterinarian in treating your dog. A simple blood test is done and sent off to our DNA laboratory for analysis and within a few days to weeks, your results are back. The laboratory and WISDOM Panel MX we use will detect specific combinations of genetic markers to help reveal the breed heritage of your dog.
You can visit www.WISDOMPANEL.com for more information on DNA testing for your pet.
You can visit www.WISDOMPANEL.com for more information on DNA testing for your pet.
Get to know your dog better and provide more focused care for the breed or breeds you have.
Call our office today for an appointment. 816-880-6650
Call our office today for an appointment. 816-880-6650
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Routine dental check ups are many times not thought of as important health issues for your dog or cat. Dental treatment is as important to your pet as it is for you. Gum disease, loose teeth, bad breath and sores in your pet's mouth can lead to changes in your pet's kidneys, liver and heart. Routine dental cleanings and exams allow your veterinarian to check thoroughly the mouth, teeth and gums for potential broken teeth and infection.
Your Pet and Dental Health
Microchipping has been around for many years with a great success rate of reuniting lost pets with owners. As spring storm season approaches, the risk for pets running away during loud and damaging storms is much greater. Microchipping can aid in having your pet returned to you if he or she becomes displaced. Making sure your pets have collars with current tags is important as well. We all want our loved ones to be safe and to come home again in the event we are separated. Our hospital uses the AVID microchip. We have personally experienced reuniting pets and their owners through microchips. Please call our office for more information if you are interested in the benefits of microchipping.
Microchipping
Employment
If you are seeking employment opportunities with our veterinary practice you may do the following:
Email Carol McClure at sgamitywoodsah@yahoo.com
Fax your resume to 816-891-0194
Come by our office and fill out an application. 9300 NW 87th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64153
Email Carol McClure at sgamitywoodsah@yahoo.com
Fax your resume to 816-891-0194
Come by our office and fill out an application. 9300 NW 87th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64153
Amity Woods Animal Hospital
{Copyright (C) 2007 Amity Woods Animal Hospital. All Rights Reserved}
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Amity Woods Animal Hospital
9300 NW 87th Terrace Kansas City, MO 64153 816-880-6650
CANINE BLOAT (Gastric Dilation-Volvulus) is a digestive problem caused by the excessive swallowing of air while eating, gastrointestinal secretions, and gas from fermentation of food in the stomach. This is a LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY primarily found in large or giant, deep-chested dog breeds, but it also has been reported in smaller breeds such as the Dachshund and Basset Hound.
There are still many unanswered questions about this problem and a lot of research is currently investigating the problem.
The following recommendations are currently recommended:
1. Feed large dogs two or three times daily, rather than once a day, and at times when someone can observe after-feeding behavior.
2. Be alert for any actions from the dog that signal abdominal discomfort. These include: evidence of abdominal fullness after meals, whining, pacing, getting up and lying down, stretching, looking at the abdomen, anxiety, and unproductive attempts to vomit. Animals showing these signs should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
3. Establish a good working relationship with a veterinary hospital that offers 24 hour emergency service.
4. Make sure water is available to dogs at all times, but limit the amount immediately after feeding if the dog appears to over-consume.
5. Avoid vigorous exercise, excitement, and stress one hour before and two hours after meals. Walking is permissible as it may help to stimulate normal gastrointestinal function.
6. Diet changes should be made gradually over a period of 3 - 5 days.
7. Feed susceptible dogs individually and, if possible, in a quiet location.
8. Pay special attention to these procedures after animals return home from being elsewhere.
9. Dogs that have survived bloat are at increased risk for future episodes. Be sure to discuss preventive surgery or medical management with the veterinarian.
High blood pressure is a newly recognized condition in cats. It is thought that psychological stress may be a contributing factor just as in humans.
SIGNS OF THE CONDITION. Blood pressure is not as easy to measure in cats as in people. For that reason, most cases are not recognized early. The most common clinical sign on presentation is SUDDEN BLINDNESS. High blood pressure causes the retina to detach. The clinical sign most often seen is widely dilated pupils that do not constrict when
exposed to bright light.
CAUSES OF THE CONDITION. Heart disease and kidney failure are the major causes of hypertension in cats. Both causes are a result of aging. As the cat gets older, the kidneys begin to wear out making it harder for the blood to filter through. This causes a backup of blood into the arteries and an increase in blood pressure. Cardiomyopathy is a condition resulting in a thickening of the heart muscle making it pump blood harder thereby raising blood pressure.
HYPERTHYROIDISM is a condition frequently seen in older cats, which can also cause hypertension.
Blood pressure checks are important in all cats with heart disease, kidney failure, and hyperthyroidism.
TREATMENT is available if the condition is caught early enough. Once the retina has been detached for 24-48 hours, blindness is permanent. For long-term success in treating
this condition, it is important to determine and treat the underlying cause as well as the hypertension itself.
SIGNS OF THE CONDITION. Blood pressure is not as easy to measure in cats as in people. For that reason, most cases are not recognized early. The most common clinical sign on presentation is SUDDEN BLINDNESS. High blood pressure causes the retina to detach. The clinical sign most often seen is widely dilated pupils that do not constrict when
exposed to bright light.
CAUSES OF THE CONDITION. Heart disease and kidney failure are the major causes of hypertension in cats. Both causes are a result of aging. As the cat gets older, the kidneys begin to wear out making it harder for the blood to filter through. This causes a backup of blood into the arteries and an increase in blood pressure. Cardiomyopathy is a condition resulting in a thickening of the heart muscle making it pump blood harder thereby raising blood pressure.
HYPERTHYROIDISM is a condition frequently seen in older cats, which can also cause hypertension.
Blood pressure checks are important in all cats with heart disease, kidney failure, and hyperthyroidism.
TREATMENT is available if the condition is caught early enough. Once the retina has been detached for 24-48 hours, blindness is permanent. For long-term success in treating
this condition, it is important to determine and treat the underlying cause as well as the hypertension itself.
Hypertension in Cats
Canine Bloat - How you can avoid it.
Match your life-style, preferences and cost considerations with the right bird.
When selecting a pet bird, choose one that is right for your situation. Impulse buying of pet birds can lead to problems. Important considerations include:
o Space requirements
o Amount of care required
o Life span
o Cost
o Whether or not it was hand fed
o Noisiness
o Age
o Sex.
Most captive bred birds are now hand-fed. This practice results in much tamer and better adjusted pets. Hand-fed youngsters are often 2-5 times more expensive than wild-caught imported birds of the same species. Not all hand-fed birds are equal. Young birds which are simply fed and then left isolated until the next feeding are not as human-friendly as birds which get lavished with extra attention between and at meal times.
Younger birds are easier to tame and train. They may also come with a health agreement or guarantee which the mature bird usually does not. For most common breeds of cage birds (Budgies, cockatiels), it is best to get a bird which is 2-3 months old.
In many species there is marked difference between the temperaments of male and females. Male budgies are usually better talkers and less aggressive than females of this species. If you are interested in a singing canary, you will want to purchase a male. Female cockatiels are thought to be less aggressive than their male counterparts.
When selecting a pet bird, choose one that is right for your situation. Impulse buying of pet birds can lead to problems. Important considerations include:
o Space requirements
o Amount of care required
o Life span
o Cost
o Whether or not it was hand fed
o Noisiness
o Age
o Sex.
Most captive bred birds are now hand-fed. This practice results in much tamer and better adjusted pets. Hand-fed youngsters are often 2-5 times more expensive than wild-caught imported birds of the same species. Not all hand-fed birds are equal. Young birds which are simply fed and then left isolated until the next feeding are not as human-friendly as birds which get lavished with extra attention between and at meal times.
Younger birds are easier to tame and train. They may also come with a health agreement or guarantee which the mature bird usually does not. For most common breeds of cage birds (Budgies, cockatiels), it is best to get a bird which is 2-3 months old.
In many species there is marked difference between the temperaments of male and females. Male budgies are usually better talkers and less aggressive than females of this species. If you are interested in a singing canary, you will want to purchase a male. Female cockatiels are thought to be less aggressive than their male counterparts.
Choosing a Pet Bird
The thyroid gland is a small gland located under the skin at the center of the neck. It is controlled by another small gland called the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain. This gland signals the thyroid to produce and release thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone effects many parts of the body, from the hair coat to individual cell functioning.
HYPOTHYROIDISM is a condition caused by too little circulating thyroid hormone in the blood stream. This is usually caused by the thyroid gland ceasing to function properly. Most of the time, there is no biological reason why the thyroid gland is not working properly.
The most common SIGN of hypothyroidism is a loss of hair, often on the tail, hindquarters or flank that is NOT the result of scratching. It may range from a very thin hair coat to complete baldness. Other signs include dry scaly skin, dry brittle hair, bleaching of the hair coat, possibly oily skin, increased pigmentation of the skin, thickening of the skin, increased susceptibility to skin and ear infections, and high blood cholesterol. It also may predispose the pet to a condition called “dry eye” due to thickened tears.
Advanced cases of hypothyroidism may cause lethargy and obesity, even on a limited diet. The pet may not want to exercise, may seek out warm places, and may have cold clammy skin. Breeding dogs may have a lack of libido and/or irregular estrus cycles.
DIAGNOSIS of hypothyroidism is confirmed by blood tests.
TREATMENT of hypothyroidism is supplementation with thyroid medications. You should see an improvement in the overall condition of the pet in 2-4 weeks, but changes in hair coat take 1-6 months, depending on the rate of new hair growth for the particular pet.
HYPOTHYROIDISM IS TREATABLE BUT NOT CURABLE! The drug will need to be given for the rest of the dog’s life.
FOLLOW-UP IS IMPORTANT. Blood tests to monitor the blood thyroid levels must be done on a regular basis to re-adjust the medication dosage as needed to maintain proper blood concentrations of the medication.
Hypothyroidism
