Krissy's Critter Corner

When you have to Re-Home your pet.

2008-04-02T18:50:00.004-04:00

Sometimes life throws us curve balls and we are left with no choice but to find a new home for our pets.

Working in an animal shelter, there are often many different reasons I hear why people can no longer keep their furry friends.......allergies, lack of time, change in lifestyle and sickness just to name a few.

There are many different ways of trying to re-home your pet before deciding the euthanasia is the only way to end the relationship.

Here are a few ideas:

Animal Shelters

Check out your local SPCA, Humane Society or Municipal Animal Shelters to see if they take pets in for surrender for adoption. These animals would be placed in a kennel type setting or into a foster home, depending on how the organization is set up, and the staff will find a suitable family to match your dogs or cats needs.

Breed Rescue Groups

There are many breed specific rescue groups for purebred dogs and cats. These groups are very familiar with the particular breed that they rescue and their idiosyncrasies. They often have a network of foster homes that house these pets until a suitable match is found for their forever home.

Free Advertising

Consider advertising in the FREE section of your local newspapers. You can also post ads in your local grocery stores and vet clinics. When placing a pet yourself with a new family be sure to check them out and ask for references ( ie/ vet clinic, pet sitter or trainer that they use).

In any situation when trying to find a new home for your pet the most valuable information you can give the shelter, rescue group or foster parents is the TRUTH! Explaining in detail any medical or behaviour issues your pet has can give your pet the best chance at finding a new family. It allows the new family to fully understand the extent of attention and care your pet will need and helps them in picking the most appropriate addition to their family. This will also help to lessening the chance that the pet will be bounced around to multiple homes which is stressful on the animal.

WOW! Its almost been 2 1/2 years!

2008-03-23T21:50:00.005-04:00

WOW! Its hard to believe it has almost been 2 1/2 years that I have been working at the animal shelter. It is quite different from what I was doing in general veterinary practice and I am still loving it! The time has already gone by so quickly. Its hard to belive that at one point in my career I couldn't even imagine considering a job in a shelter. I am glad that the opportunity presented itself....it was just the change I needed. Of course I woulnd't be blessed with 2 lovebirds and a Siamese x all from the shelter.....how is it that I worked almost 12 years in vet clinics and never brought one home but have managed to gain 3 in 2 1/2 years at the shelter?

Keke & LuLu, although they have had thier trials and tribulations, have been a great source of entertainment. Being a first time bird owner..... I had a lot to learn and yes......they were very patient.

And sweet little Sadie. The miracle kitten. She is the sweetest little Siamese X that was born to a domestic medium haird all black mom. We thought she may be pregnant when she came to the shelter but after 10 weeks (usual kitten gestation is about 8 weeks) we booked her for a spay. The night before the surgery at the vets she gave birth to one lone all white kitten...my precious little Sadie.....she truely is a miracle!

Well as the saying goes.......time sure does fly when your having fun!

Adoption 101

2007-08-31T22:06:00.001-04:00

Here are the latest articles I have had published in the Sept/Oct issue of PETS Magazine!

Check out page 20 for "Adoption 101" and check out page 24 for "Sitters, Daycare or Kennel".

http://www.petsmag.dgtlpub.com/data/flash/PETS/9000000578/home.html

Hope you enjoy!....Hey why not subscibe to PETS Magazine for yourself!

Urinary Problems in Cats

2007-07-26T22:59:00.000-04:00

Hey Everyone!

I have to admit I have been a slacker with my blog. But I have been writing. Check out my most recent article on page 18 of PETS Magazine July/Aug 2007 issue...........

http://www.petsmag.dgtlpub.com/data/flash/PETS/9000000542/home.html

Idiopathic/Interstitial Cystitis

2006-09-10T22:18:00.001-04:00

Well I had my first experience with idiopathic cystitis, aka insterstitial cystitis, with my cat Sam. This is a inflammation of the bladder or unknown origin.

Sam is a DSH brown tabby and white 5yr old male neutered and up until now has had no problems. Last week he decided the best way to let me know there was a problem was to pee on my bed! With my RVT background and experience working in clinic I recognized this as him telling something wasn't quite right. Luckily I had a syringe at home and quickly collected the sample and took him to the emerg vet.

His urine sample showed no infection, normal amount of bacteria, high specific gravity, acidic PH and lots of RBC's. All pointing towards idiopathic cystitis.

Sam has always eaten a dry diet and has never been a big water drinker. He has always been consistent with his litter box habits.

There is no exact reason why this happens and can be brought on by stress. So I was racking my brain for things that may have changed that could have created stress for him. Then I remembered that I tried adding a litter deodarizer to his litter starting just 2 weeks before! I am sure this was the problem. The poor little guy probably couldn't stand the strong smell and was holding his bladder, which I think then irritated it.

Of course there are other contributing factors such as low water intake as a result of not drinking much water and being on a dry diet that prevent the bladder from being flushed out as often and increases the urine concentration. These affected cats seem to have more neuro transmitters in the bladder wall as well which I suppose makes them more sensitive as well as the fact they they seem to shed the lining of thier bladder( which is there as protection) more frequently.

Sam is now doing much better after limited treatment with metacam ( off label), using non-scented litter, adding canned food to his diet mixed with water to increase his water intake. I even went out and bought one of those fountain dishes to encourage him to drink more water. He was not treated with antibiotics as there was no infection present.

I am hoping that this change is what he needed to keep his bladder healthy and happy.... although this can be a recurring problem, I am keeping my fingers crossed that this was a one time deal!

For more info on idiopathic cystis....

http://www.medi-cal.ca/pdf/doreennotes/idiopathiccystitis2005_en.pdf

DNA sexing KeKe & LuLu

2006-09-10T22:06:00.000-04:00

The birdie girls are doing great since KeKe's arrival. Although they don't seem to want to live in the same house, being both females they are too territorial, they sure do like to spend time playing outside of their cages together. LuLu is still the more dominant bird and will let KeKe know when she has had enough.

Earlier in the month I couldn't take the suspense any longer and decided to have them DNA sexed. After collecting a blood sample by trimming a nail and sending it to the lab I had a result in just a few days. I suspected they were both female and sure enough that's what the tests said too. I used a Canadian Company named Health Gene and found them quite efficient.

http://www.healthgene.com/

Somehow I feel better know that they are both girls.....At least I know I am not giving them a complex with their cute girlie names!

LuLu's new friend KeKe

2006-07-16T16:37:00.000-04:00

Yes I think I must have sucker written on my forehead.

We have had LuLu for some time now and since getting past the days she drives us crazy, with her high pitched chirping for attention, we have grown quite fond of her.

I have been wondering for a while if she would like a friend. I was hoping that if I did bring one home it may calm her down a bit. I happened to be in the pet store looking at a pair and noticing how content and quiet they seemed. It just so happened the next day when I came to work what was sitting there but another peach faced lovebird. I thought it was sure to be fate and took her home that afternoon.

Since then things have be quieter around the house and they both seem content to have company. I was an experience trying to cage them together and I am not sure that I will try that for a while. LuLu is definitely the dominant bird and wanted no part of someone sharing her mansion. So for now they sit side by side in their own private palaces and are content with the living arrangements.

I am not known for taking animals home as I have worked in vet clinic in the past for over 10 years and never felt the urge to need to. I guess these two stole my heart... the little clowns that they are! It as definitely been a crash course in bird care and behavior.

Microchips are only useful when info is current!

2006-05-22T17:30:00.000-04:00

Microchips are a great identification tool for pets. This small chip ( about the size of a grain of rice) is implanted by injection just under the skin between the shoulder blades where it remains for future identification if the pet is ever lost. The unique number that is encoded on the chip can be read by a scanner when the pet is lost and enters a veterinary hospital or animal shelter. Dog owners register their information ( name, address, phone number etc.) to this chip so in the event that their pet is lost and scanned they can be reunited with the info on the chip This newer method is much more reliable then the tattoos used in the past that often times smeared or faded over time.

The problem arises when pets are implanted with microchips and the information registered to them is not kept current. There are many pets that come into the shelter with microchips that have outdated information and are never returned to owners because we cant get a hold of them or they have adopted the pet to someone else and that new information wasn't registered. Unfortunately technology is only as good as the people behind it.

If you have a pet with a microchip please keep the info registered current and if you have adopted a pet have it scanned by your veterinarian and record the number. All shelters have lists of companies to call that have chips registered. This way you can update the info and greatly increase the chance of your pet making it home quickly.

Wildlife Babies are better left alone!

2006-04-30T10:53:00.000-04:00

Spring doesn't only bring nicer weather and new flowers blooming but a huge influx of wildlife babies.

This time of year we have received many calls from people who have found bunnies, squirrel babies as well as nestling and fledgling birds in their backyards and are wondering what to do with them.

Most wildlife babies are better left alone! Although some people mistaken their sighting for being in distress they are often just following natures course and have less of a chance of survival in human hands.

The following are some tips & info for the most common species seen:

Cottontail Bunnies:

Bunnies are born without scent and live in a nest separate from their mother. Most people find a nest of babies and think they are abandoned because they don't see mom around. Bunnies are feed 1-2 x daily when mom comes by the nest in the early morning or at dusk. She needs no more then 5 min to feed the babies and then moves on so she attracts little attention from predators. Bunnies are weaned around 3-4 weeks of age and begin to move away from the nest and eat on their own. This usually is the time when the white spot of hair on their head begins to disappear. At about 5 weeks of age they begin to separate from the rest of their litter and they are on their own.

If you have found a nest of bunnies in your yard and they look content and are warm leave them alone and try to keep your pets away until the bunnies have moved on. If they appear cold and are crying contact a wildlife rehabilitator.

Baby Squirrels:

We receive many calls from people who have found baby squirrels on the ground at the bottom of trees. Squirrels take quite a bit longer to develop in the nest ( eyes don't open until 36 days after birth) and have been known to be blown, pushed or fall out of the nest before then.

If you have found baby that has fallen from the nest the Mom will come to to retrieve them when she feels its safe to do so. In the meantime you can put them at the base of the tree in a box with a fleece blanket to keep them warm and keep your pets away from the area. If she hasn't returned for the babies after 24 hours contact a wildlife rehabilitator.

Baby Birds:

Nestlings are very young and can be distinguished but their lack of feathers or feathers that are just coming through. Sometimes after wind storms these babies may be blown out of nests or the stronger siblings in the nest may have pushed one out. If you can reach the nest you can place the baby back in it ( it is an old wives tale that mom will reject the babies if they have been touched by human hands). If the nest is too high to reach you can make a makeshift nest using a margarine container with small holes in the bottom for drainage lined with paper towels. Tack this new nest in the tree as close to the original nest as possible. The mother will hear the nestling and will go to the new nest to feed it.

Fledglings are young birds that have their new feathers in and are usually seen when learning to fly. They are often seen hopping and fluttering on the ground and appear injured but are really just learning how to fly. Don't be alarmed..mom is usually close by and will come to the ground to feed the baby until they get the hang of flying ( usually a couple of days). Again keep your pets clear of the area until they have left.

Wildlife Baby Info :

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/guideto.htm

If you have a wildlife baby that you think has been abandoned you should contact a wildlife rehabilitator. Raising wildlife without the proper license is illegal and can result in a large fine. These people are trained to raise and release wildlife properly.

International Wildlife Rehabilitators:

http://www.tc.umn.edu/~devo0028/contactI.htm

If you are in Ontario check out these sites:

http://www.earthrangers.ca

http://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/index.html

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/csb/news/2005/jun15fs_05.html

Fatty Liver Disease Treatment in Cats

2006-04-16T22:07:00.000-04:00

Fatty Liver Disease aka Hepatic Lipadosis is a liver disease seen in cats when they have become anorexic or have a severe decrease in the amount of food they are eating.

Cats are unique in that they are not meal eaters and tend to graze on small meals throughout the day which allows them a constant flow of nutrients/energy into their bodies. When cats stop eating or severely decrease the amount of food they are eating their bodies mobilize their fat stores instead, to their liver, for breakdown to be used as energy. Unfortunately the liver can't handle this large amount of fat being mobilized and results in Fatty Liver Disease.

Fatty Liver Disease can be fatal if not treated properly. The good news is, if the cat is provided with the proper aggressive nutritional support they can achieve a 90% survival rate. Medications are also needed in the treatment of this disease but the most important aspect of treatment is providing the proper amount of nutrional support. Often treatment can last approximately 6 weeks and can be managed by owners at home.

There are some veterinarians who still believe that force feeding food provides enough nutritional support. Unfortunately this is rarely the case. In most cases the cats refuse the force feeding after minimal amounts of food are administered. This not only creates a breakdown in the human animal bond with the owner but also doesn't provide the adequate amount of nutrition. In some cases cats have developed a food aversion, to the food they are being force fed, which can be detrimental to their treatment as it is often a prescription diet needed for the treatment or recovery afterwards.

The most direct and effective way of providing nutritional support is by using a feeding tube either placed as a nasogastric, esophagostomy/pharyngostomy or stomach tube. These tubes are easily maintained and allow the appropriate amount of nutritional support without stressing out the cat or owners. The food is very easily measured and administered through the tube in several small meals throughout the day mimicking the cats natural eating behaviour.

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1455

There is no doubt about it in my mind. Tube feeding is the Fatty Liver Disease patients best chance at a full recovery!

LuLu the Lovebird

2006-04-05T22:11:00.000-04:00

Well it was bound to happen, working in an animal shelter. The day finally arrived when I had to bring an animal home I could not resist.

Her name is LuLu and she is the most beautiful little peach faced lovebird. She came to us at the shelter as a stray...Poor little thing. Left outside all by herself with no tail feathers...Or maybe she lost them to a neighborhood cat?

I never imagined such a small bird could produce so much sound! For the first 2 days she vocalized ( or shall I say screamed at the top of her lungs) non-stop. I actually had second thoughts and said to myself..."Kristina was have you got yourself into this time?". I have no personal experience keeping birds other than my school training. It is amazing how a tiny bird can have such a huge personality. She has settled down quite a bit now and only is really chatty in the am and late afternoon.

She has been quite entertaining in the 2 weeks that I have had her. Most info you read on the web talks about their limited (if any) ability to talk. I have to disagree. At least in her case. She often mimics what we are saying or whistling, to her, and comes up with other things we have no idea about.

She has been a great addition. Looks like she will be staying awhile!

Breeders are NOT Veterinarians!

2006-03-19T08:47:00.000-05:00

I recently had the experience of accompanying some friends on their quest for a puppy. After doing their research, on the breed they were interested in, they were on the hunt for a reputable breeder.

I directed them to the Canadian Kennel Club's Dogs in Canada Annual Magazine. This magazine is published every year and has all the CKC registered breeders listed by province.

They were able to locate and contact a breeder within a reasonable distance ( 45min away) and coincidentally they had a litter ready to go. Needless to say an appointment was made and we were on our way!

Being an RVT and having worked in small animal practice for many years I have had some experience working with breeders. To be completely honest on the most part they are a breed of their own! I respect the fact that in quite a few cases they have years of experience breeding and caring for a particular breed of dog but this in no way makes them veterinarians! They often have vast amounts of knowledge on the behavioral issues of these dogs as well, which is very valuable, but still does not qualify them as vets!

During our visit ( which resulted in the purchase of a very cute pup- who can go "just to look"?) I spent a serious amount of time biting my tongue ( actually I had to prevent myself from severing it completely). I had told my friends before we went that I was sure, from past experience, that I would have differing opinions as well as advice from the breeder and that I would tell them after the visit. I was amazed at the information this girl was passing along...even though she knew I was an RVT ( as my friends explained to her when we arrived).

Here are just a few examples of the poor advice:

Bath your dog with watered down dish soap! - Would you wash your own hair with this abrasive detergent? Probably not and doing so would result in skin issues I am sure! Dogs skin has a specific PH like us, they need shampoo formulated for dogs.
Tattoos are better then microchips because you don't have to have any fancy scanners to read them! In my experience tattoos are only readable for a short period of time. As the dog grows the tattoo stretches and fades. Also, all vet clinics and shelters have microchip scanners but not tattoo info. It was funny how when the breeder went to record the tattoo number on the paperwork she couldn't even read the tattoo and it was just done!
Don't pay for the expensive fecal testing your vet will recommend to you. We know our dogs have certain parasites so just ask the vet for the medication. We can send you home with a couple of days worth as long as you don't tell the vet you got it from us. No reputable vet is going to dispense medication without first diagnosing the problem. Treating with medication for a few days could have prevented the vet from seeing the parasite under microscopic examination and would have resulted in a negative test requiring no medication. The owners would have then made another trip at a later date to have to pup checked as the problem would have re-occurred as the amount of medication given from the breeder would not have been enough to successfully treat the problem just mask it for a few days. It was illegal for the breeder to even dispense medication to begin with!

It would not be an understatement to say I was shocked! So, CKC registered or not take what breeders say with a grain of salt. When you get a new puppy you should visit your veterinarian within a few days and ask them all your puppy questions. They are looking out for the best interest of your puppy. The are in the business to keep your pet healthy and happy and to see them live the longest life possible. Their livelihood depends on it!

Dog Licencing..Is it necessary?

2006-02-04T23:38:00.000-05:00

Working in a shelter, where we enforce animal related by-laws, we deal with people licencing or not licencing their dogs on a daily basis.

Most municipalities have by-laws for dog licencing and if owners are caught without a dog licence they could be subject to a ticket just as you would if other by-laws were broken.

Those who don't licence their dogs are not only in contravention of the by-law but are also decreasing the chance of being reunited with their dog should go stray.

Although many think that dog licencing is just a "money grab" for the city they live in, I assure you the money is put to good use and dogs do benefit from wearing their tag... at least at the shelter I work in.

Dogs that are licenced and wearing their tag...

Can be identified, if they wander away from home or are injured on the road, and reunited with their owner promptly
In most cases can return directly home instead of spending time in the shelter. This decreases the chance that they may be housed in areas with other dogs of unknown health status and the stress associated with being in a shelter type environment.

In most cities the money from dog licencing.....

Allows the shelter to house feed and care for stray dogs in the city until their owners can claim them or they go up for adoption
Allows animals that are sick to be seen by a vet and treated with medications
Allows animals that are going up for adoption to be vet checked, vaccinated and microchipped
Contributes to community education initiatives relating to animals
Pays for staff to provide these services to the community

So purchasing a dog licence is more than buying a new piece of jewelry for your dog... it could be what saves your dogs life!

Body Worlds 2 at the Ontario Science Centre

2006-01-29T21:45:00.000-05:00

I have been wanting to get to this exhibit since it opened in September. This past weekend I finally made it there.

It was interesting to say the least. The exhibit consisted of both animal and human cadavers that have been preserved through a process called plastination by a German anatomist named Dr. Gunther von Hagens.

http://www.koerperwelten.de/en/pages/gunther_von_hagens.asp

This process prevents the decay of tissues and preserves them in their natural state. It was quite a site to see.

http://www.koerperwelten.de/en/pages/plastination.asp

I was amazed that the bodies were on display without the protection of glass cases so you could walk right up to and move around the bodies to see them from every angle.

I am sure this exhibit will prove educational to all, including those studing & working in human and veterinary medicine.

They had a great display of a camel. I was amazed that such a large animal could be preserved in one piece.

I am not sure how one decides to donate their body for plastination and display but they definetly have offered the public at rare look at how we are really made up.

If you don't have a weak stomach and have the opportunity check it out!

http://www.koerperwelten.de/en/pages/home.asp

Disney's Animal Kingdom

2006-01-29T20:56:00.000-05:00

While in Orlando for the NAVC we stayed a few extra days at Disney.

Of course being an animal person we had to make a stop at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

I was there on a few occasions in the past. Once when the park opened and twice to spend the day job shadowing to see what life was like working in a zoo type setting.

I was amazed as usual on this past visit. The habitats for the animals are exceptional. The are large and very well designed with many natural species of flora and fauna. Of all the animals we saw that day I only saw one that looked a little anxious and that very well could have been because it was feeding time.

Disney has really outdone themselves, in my opinion, by providing wonderful places for their collection to live and by providing their guests with great opportunities to learn more about the Animal Kingdom!

NAVC Orlando 2006

2006-01-29T20:29:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of attending the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC) 2006 this year in Orlando Florida.

http://www.tnavc.org

The conference was definetly a well oiled machine. With over 15,000 people in attendance (including veterinarians, veterinary technicians as well as office managers and support staff) one could see why so many people attend.

Aside from the numerous lectures to choose from ( including tracks dedicated to small animal, large animal and exotics) the conference centres and accomodations were top class. With such a huge conference, the lectures were spread out among a few resorts and transportation on coach style buses were exceptionally planned to transport delegates to and from each location.

It is definetly a must see at least once in anyones career in veterinary medicine!

New Website

2005-11-19T10:48:00.000-05:00

We just had a fresh new website designed for our boarding kennel! Check it out!

http://www.cooperkennels.ca

Life Working Outside the Vet Clinic

2005-11-12T09:44:00.000-05:00

I think it is safe to say that most RVT's start off working in vet clinics, some spending most or all of their careers working in clinics. The reason behind this being the large, and ever-growing, amount of animal hospitals as well as the fact that it is the job position where you , in most cases, utilize most of your skills. The job can also be very rewarding working with cases from the beginning to the end. Unfortunately, in some cases, the pay is inadequate and the stress is high and the business focus is more on the money then the care of the pet.

After working in this area of veterinary medicine for 10+ years I decided it was time for a change. In May I decided to resign from my job in an animal hospital and I took 5 months off ( thankfully spring and summer here in Ontario!). It was great! It gave me time to chill out and seriously think about what I wanted to do with my career next.

I stumbled upon a job posting for a city run animal shelter (also responisble for animal control) and the rest is history! I am fortunate to work with great, fun staff, have more than decent pay and benefits and be learning something new everyday. Although I practice way fewer "tech" skills, the job is rewarding in other ways such as watching sucessfull adoptions and reunions.

There definelty is rewarding work for technicians outside the veterinary clinic. Sometimes we just have to step out of our comfort zones to see what else is out there! Something that is sometimes easier said then done but always rewarding in the end!

PETS Magazine Sept/Oct Issue

2005-09-24T23:55:00.000-04:00

Just a reminder to check out the most recent Sept / Oct Issue of PETS Magazine.

My article titled Handling Your Pet in an Emergency is published in this issue.

Hope you enjoy!

If you would like to subscribe to PETS Magazine visit their website at :

http://www.petsmagazine.ca

Pets affected by Hurricane Katrina

2005-09-01T00:25:00.000-04:00

With the recent Hurricane Katrina in the southern US there has not only been mass destruction for humans but animals as well.

The Humane Society of the United States has mobilzed a rescue unit to the area and will be posting updates as they can.

http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center

There is also a rescue oragization called Noah's Wish. They specifically work to resuce animals affected by disaster.

http://www.noahswish.org

Donations are always accepted and volunteers needed.

Looking to adopt a pet?

2005-08-25T12:46:00.000-04:00

Adopting a pet is a great way to add to your family! With pet over-population continuing to occur there are always many pets needing a home. If you are thinking of getting a pet I would suggest checking out your local shelters to see if there is anyone there who would be the perfect match for your family.

I recently came across a webiste servicing the US and Canada. It lists shelters and rescues searchable by city or postal code. I was surprised to see that there were a handfull listed for Hamilton and Burlington Ontario! If you are looking to adopt a pet you may want to check this site out. There are many deserving pets that are waiting for a great home!

http://www.petfinder.com

If you don't have the time or space for a pet, volunteering your time at a local shelter or adopting a pet financially for a year can be just as helpful and rewarding.

I also came across a website for a local aviary that runs with the help of many dedicated volunteers. This aviary is located in Hamilton and houses many different varieties of birds. It is open to the public on Sundays from 1-4pm. You can also "adopt" a bird on a yearly basis and the money you donate goes the upkeep and feeding of that particular bird for the year. What a great idea!

http://www.friendsoftheaviary.ca

Kristina Cooper , RVT Resume

2005-08-25T12:32:00.002-04:00

Well I thought I would try this out and see if I could post my resume in case any onf your were wondering about my animal care background.

Kristina Cooper, RVT

krizzteena@hotmail.com

Objective: To obtain work in the animal care field utilizing my past education and experience.

Experience and Skills

2005-Present Animal Care & Licensing Attendant- City of Burlington

Perform RVT duties for both domestic and wild animals needing care in a shelter environment. Educate, enforce and inform residents about the local animal control by-laws. Maintain and organize dog licensing files working with 22 outlets across the City. Deal with the public assisting with matching and completing animal adoptions. Assist in training other staff on AMANDA software as well as utilizing Microsioft Outlook, Word, and Excel.

2005 - Present Freelance Writer

Specializing in articles covering veterinary and general care for a variety of species of domestic animals. Currently over 150 published articles both in print and online.

1998-2005 Registered Veterinary Technician- Ancaster Animal Hospital

Performed all duties required of a Registered Veterinary Technician in the areas of: nursing, radiography, anesthesia / surgery, dentistry, clinical chemistry, hematology, parasitology, urinalysis, cytology, husbandry and hospital management.

1983-2005 Kennel Manager- Cooper Kennels / Farms

Cleaning of cat and dog kennels, administered medications, bathing all sizes of dogs and cats, booked reservations, invoiced clients and managed kennel staff, set up and maintenance of poultry barn, monitoring and care of poultry.

1993-1997 Veterinary Assistant -The Cat Clinic

Assisted in surgery, sterilized surgical kits, developed radiographs with manual processing technique, cleaned cages, fed and bathed both hospitalized and boarding cats, gathered patient history and assisted with appointments.

Formal Education

1999-2002 Ridgetown College, University of Guelph

Graduated, with honors and within the top five of the class, with an
Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology.

Recipient of the Merial Proficiency in Canine and Feline Medicine award.

Courses included: Anesthesia / Surgery, Radiography, Dentistry, Clinical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Genetics, Hematology, Cytology, Microbiology, Urinalysis, Parasitology, Lab Animal Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Livestock Production and Management, Canine / Feline Management, Nutrition and Animal Nursing.

Continuing Education

2001-2010 Ongoing profession conferences/lectures attended including OAVT, NAVC and WVC.

2005 Attended the Bayer Advantage Multi Seminar, Pfizer Dental and Pain Management.

2004 Attended the Vetmedin CHF talk, Hills / AAHA Veterinary Compliance Seminar, Medi-Cal Taking Dental Care To The Next level Seminar, Medi-Cal Hot Topics in Nutrition, Pet Food Labels, An Update on Pancreatitis, Renal Disease, Chronic GI Disease and the Novartis Zoonotic Parasite Seminar.

2003 Received the designation of Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT)
after completing the N.V.T.E with success.

2002 Completed the Gencor Bovine Artificial Insemination Technician course. Obtained Standard First Aid (Including 1 & 2 rescuer, infant and child CPR) certificate from the Canadian Red Cross.

Association Memberships

2002-2010 Member of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (O.A.V.T.)

2004 Associate Member of the Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians (A.Z.V.T.)

References available on request.

MUST Love Dogs

2005-08-13T23:10:00.000-04:00

With the release of the new movie " Must Love Dogs", it got me to thinking about just how much of an impact pets have on our lives....even our relationships!

The National Hartz Survey on the human-animal bond

http://www.hartzadvancedcare.com/About%20Hartz/prSurvey.asp

found the following:

Women and special bond with pets

According to the survey, women pet owners show a particularly strong bond with their pets. Here’s what we found out.

Women (16 percent) are nearly three times more likely than men (6 percent) to say they would dump their boyfriend/girlfriend that their pet didn’t like
Nearly a third of women (31 percent) say they spend more time with their pet than their spouse/significant other vs. only 15 percent of men
29 percent of women ages 18-34 say they notice celebrities pets in the news now more so than before

Human-like habits of pets

Whether getting under the covers or the dining room table, our pets are becoming more like us or maybe we becoming more like our pets? Among those who own dogs and/or cats:

About one in three (32 percent) say their pet watches TV; dog/cat owners in the Northeast are more likely to say their pet watches the tube (41 percent) than those in the West (30 percent), south (29 percent) and Midwest (29 percent)
Nearly a half (48 percent) say that their pet sleeps on the bed and hogs the covers and the pillow
51 percent of dog owners and 40 percent of cat owners say their pet sits by the dinner table and begs for human food

In another study the Ontario Veterinary Medical Assosciation (OVMA)

http://www.ovma.org/pets/human_animalbond.shtml

stated this...

PETS: AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FAMILY
More than 50% of Canadian households own pets of some kind. Dogs, cats, birds and other companion animals are living in more than five million homes. For their owners, these animals are more than pets-they are part of the family.

Each year, Canadian families spend about three billion dollars on their pets. This exceeds consumer spending on children's toys, footwear, eye care, and dental plans.

A recent survey of pet owners revealed that nearly 80% of respondents gave their pets holiday or birthday presents. More than 60% signed their pets' names on cards or letters. A slight majority (51%) gave their pets human names.

While virtually all pet owners talk to their pets, an astounding 94% spoke to their pets as though they were human. One-third of respondents spoke to their pets on the telephone or via the answering machine. More than 90% of pet owners believed their pets were aware of their moods and emotions.

WOMEN THINK PETS ARE THE CATS MEOW
Many women believe their pets are more sensitive than their spouse or children.
Recent surveys of pet owners revealed some interesting facts about how people relate to their pets:

Nearly 50 percent of women relied more on their pets for affection than their spouse or children.
More than 40 percent of women said their pets understand their emotions and moods better than other family members.
When asked if they were more likely to lose their temper with a family member or a pet, 67 percent of women said a family member.
Nearly 90 percent of senior citizens claimed that the presence of pets in their household had a positive impact on their health.
Pets reduced stress for 70 percent of the survey respondents

The results are in-pets are wonderful, loving companions. Pets are good listeners and they never talk back. In fact, when it comes to affection and friendship, pets often outshine people.

With pets being a huge part of our lives and our familes it's no wonder they dictate a lot of our relationship decisions.

For more info on the human-animal bond visit the Human Animal Bond Assosciation of Canada at:

http://www.habac.ca/about.htm

Dogs in Cars NOT a good idea!

2005-07-31T15:25:00.000-04:00

With Ontario hitting record summer temperatures and humidity levels this summer I am amazed at how many people are still leaving their dogs unattended in the car while they are shopping!

In case you are not aware, this is extremeley dangerous! Temperatures rise very quickly. Think about it....how does it feel this time of year when you get into your car? Something like a sauna? Well imagine feeling that but with a fur coat on!

Dogs , unlike their human conterparts, can't sweat and have to rely on panting to release excess heat.

Leaving your dog (or any pet for that matter) in the car, even if the windows are open, can cause heat stroke and possibly death....even if its only for a few minutes.

Pets can also develope heat stroke if left outside to long in the heat and humidity or even living in un-air conditioned homes.

Those breeds that are most at risk are those with long dense coats ( e.g. shelties, samoyeds) and those with pushed in faces ( e.g. bull dogs, boston terriers).

Signs of heat stroke can include: excessive panting, red gums ( may trun blue), fast pulse, salivation, lack of co-ordination, muscle tremors, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, glazed over stare or anxious and coma.

Heat strole can lead to liver and kidney failure.

If you think you dog may be suffereing from heat stroke contact your vet immediately!

In the meantime spray your dog off with cool water - NOT COLD - and give them a drink of cool water.

If you notice a pet in a car in the heat unsupervised that appears in distress call your local humane society or animal control to notify them. This is considered unresponsible pet ownership!

Accredited VT Programs in Ontario

2005-07-11T17:54:00.000-04:00

WOW! I was amazed to see, while searching through the OAVT website, that there are now 9 accreditied veterinary technology (VT) college programs in Ontario! http://www.oavt.org/colleges.htm . When I graduated just a short time ago in 2002...it seems...there were only 4 programs that had accredited status. It goes to show that the veterinary industry is definetly growing by leaps and bounds everyday. In Ontario if you want (after you have your diploma in Veterinary Technology) to continue on and write the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam) to receive your Registered status you must be a graduate from an approved accredited college and be a member of the OAVT. Right now this accreditation is granted by the OAVT after certian criteria and standards are met for the program. WAY TO GO! to all the programs who have been sucessfull in aquiring this status. You are helping to "raise the bar" in veterinary technology!

Pets Magazine

2005-06-29T12:57:00.000-04:00

Pets Magazine Cover July/Aug 05

Have you checked out Pets Magazine? If not I suggest you give it a read. This Canadian mag focuses on pets and pet health and is sold and distributed through veterinary clinics and hospitals. You can also purchase a subscription through their website http://www.petsmagazine.ca . I first read this magazine last year when it was given to me at the annual OAVT conference. I was impressed right away. The articles are interesting and informative. I decided I liked it so much that I wrote an article for it on Canine Cough and it happens to be published in the most recent edition. Get your copy and check it out!

Pet Insurance Makes Sense

2005-06-23T22:31:00.000-04:00

Please, please, please....If you own a pet consider pet insurance for them. If you don't own a pet tell someone who does about pet insurance. It could be the difference between life and death for our furry companions!

Pet Insurance has been a lifesaver for many ill and injured pets. With the cost of veterinary services in todays world you can't afford not to have it . Plan coverage can be as basic as accident insurance ( if you pet is hit by a car for example and needs lifesaving treatment) or as elaborate as covering routine examinations, vaccinations, dental cleanings and blood work.

Working in small animal practice I have experienced owners having to euthanize their pets because the treatment was going to be too costly. No one should have to face that.

With the average major procedure costing between $1500-$2000 these days, insurance is well worth having, or at least considering.

The following links are to some reputable insurance companies available in Ontario.

http://www.petplan.com

http://www.vetinsurance.com

http://petcareinsurance.com

School Trained Veterinary Technicians vs On the Job Trained Veterinary Technicians

2005-06-16T12:45:00.000-04:00

Well this topic has been the cause of many heated debates and I for one think that the only person that should assume the title of veterinary technician or work as a veterinary technician are those who have graduated from an accredited veterinary technology program.

What's the difference some may ask? Well there are many differences.

On the Job trained techs have had no formal post secondary school training in veterinary technology. That means that they lack the fundemental knowledge and skills that all technical procedures are based on. The skills they have aquired are those that have been taught to them at the workplace, usually by a veterinary technician or another On the Job trained tech. It can be assumed then that the level of skill aquired is based on the skill level of the one teaching the particular task. This I find discerning as the one teaching the task may have no formal training and may be passing along incorrect methods of performing these tasks. As many working in the field know, not all veterinarians are technically inclined either making them not always the best teachers. By lacking the background knowledge that makes up the framework for why we do what we do, how can you know if what you are doing is accurate? or what steps you can take to make sure you provide valid results every time? And this doesn't even get into a discussion on uneducated people doing anesthesia!

I am sure I will take a lot of heat from the On the Job trained techs out there for my viewpoint but I feel strongly about this!

I started out working as a vet assistant/receptionist in a small animal practice that had no technician. Because I was keen to learn, the vets started to teach me some technical skills. I was happy and confident with my skills and thought it was cool that they gave me these growing responsibilities, I had no fear. At that point decided I would like to take a formal program and enrolled in an accredited course for veterinary technology. I did not realize how little I knew until I started going to school and I probably wouldn't have known either if I hadn't enrolled in the program. I am so glad that I did because I realized how much more there was to know as a technician and how easy it is to learn other peoples bad habits that have been taught to you when you are On the Job trained. So I am not some technician who only went to school and then started working in practice....I started out as being trained on the job, so I speak form experience when I say there is no comparison.

The other advantage of being school trained at an accredited college is that you can continue on to become a registered veterinary technician. This requires you to write and pass a national exam as well as keep up with continuing education and belong to the OAVT. This ensures that technicians are continuing to upgrade their skills and knowledge in the fast changing world of veterinary medicine.

In Ontario you can't legally call yourself a Veterianry Technician unless you have graduated from an accredited program. But there are still vets out there who think it is fine to call anyone they have doing technical jobs a technician. This is apalling. Unfortunately it is still legal for vets to delegate technical jobs to whomever they feel is fit, but the OAVT is working to try to change this. Hopefully self-regualtion of technicians in the near future will help. Would a vet be happy if people they were working with called themselves vets because they could perform similar tasks without the background knowledge??? I doubt it.

How would owners feel if they found out that uneducated/unqualifed people were perfoming procedures on their pets when there are properly trained capable people out there to hire? I would guess they would be just as upset as if they found out that the nurse that just took their blood was really not a nurse but the janitor that the doctor decided to call a nurse!

Hopefully, if you are a pet owner and have read this, you will ask your veterinarian next time if they have school trained and registered veterinary technicians!

Summer Fun For Pets

2005-06-03T13:22:00.000-04:00

As many of us get ready to prepare for the upcoming summer season lets not forget about our pets!

Most dogs also like the weekend trips to the cottage and many pet owners enjoy doing summer activities with their pets like fishing and boating, hiking, swimming, and many other outdoor activities with their pets.

Here are a few reminders of whats available to help your pets have a safer summer season!

Don't let your pet ride loose in the back of a pick up truck or your backseat. It can be distracting to the driver and your pet may be injured. There are many seatbelts available for dogs. Make sure your dog is buckled in! Cats transport well in carriers. http://www.petsafetybelts.com/
Remember when boating with your pet to provide them with a life jacket too! Yes dogs and cats can both wear them! http://www.pooch.ca/
Be careful with fishing tackel around pets. Hooks have been known to be eaten and caught in skin. It's never a bad idea to know the phone number to the local vet in the area.
Pets can wear sunscreen too! Just make sure it is paba-free. Dogs with pink skin and light coloured coats are more prone to sunburn and potentially skin cancer. http://www.furlongspetsupply.com/dog_sunscreen.htm
Protect your dogs eyes from the UV light of the sun by using specialized dog sunglasses! These are great eye protection, especially for dogs with eye conditions like pannus. It would also be great protection for those dogs who like to ride with their heads hanging out the car window. http://www.doggles.com/
Pets can't sweat and have to pant to release excess body heat. Never leave your pet in the car! The temperature rises so quickly and can cause heat stroke in your pet which can be fatal! Here are some other helpful summer reminders: http://www.torontohumanesociety.com/caringforPet/petshot.html

Hope everyone in your family including your pets have a safe and happy cottage season!

Pets and Plants

2005-05-27T09:26:00.000-04:00

Iris

Well seeing that SouthWestern Ontario has been having some great weather lately I have been doing a lot of gardening. While I have been spending time doing this I got to thinking about pets and plants.

I am sure that many are not aware that some of the plants that you have in your homes and in your gardens can be toxic and potentially fatal to your pet. Although there are many plants that are not harmfull there are just as many that are.

ASPCA list of TOXIC PLANTS:

http://www.aspca.org/site/FrameSet?style=User&url=../toxicplants/M01947.htm

ASPCA list of NON TOXIC PLANTS:

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=apcc_nontoxicplants

If you pet has ingested any plant you should contact you vet immediately so that they can advise you and provide you with the proper treatment of you pet to help prevent a fatal outcome. If at all possible you should know the name of the plant, how much of the plant was eaten and the approximate time it was eaten at. if you are not sure of the name bring a piece of the plant along with you so the vet can try to identify it.

If you can't reach your veterinarian please contact the ASPCA Poison Control Centre:

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=apcc

The best thing you can do is prevent this situation from happening is by planting only pet friendly plants in your gardens or by planting only those known toxic plants in areas where your pets don't have access.

The Lion Cut

2005-05-23T21:19:00.000-04:00

Bob with his "Lion Cut"

One may ask... "What is a Lion Cut?". Well its the fancy name for a shave down , for our long haired feline friends, except the head, legs and tail are left long. Your beautiful longhaired cat suddenly is reminescent of its wild ancestor the lion, hence the name the "Lion Cut". To be quite honest I had no idea either until I owned a Himilayan with an extremely thick haircoat. Groomers I am sure love this concept which definetly beats brushing out mats and large amounts of undercoat in the spring. From my personal experience the lucky cat who receives this fashionable haircut also prefers this form of a spring cleanup as brushing out mats can be very painfull. OUCH!

Having lived with my Himi Bob (who has experienced the Lion Cut twice, most recently this past weekend) for the past 14 years I can say the hair and the brushing is never ending. I thought that when I first shaved him it would turn this already shy cat into a total recluse but both times he has amazed me. In both cases he has become more socialble ,affectionate and happy. Go figure! So it really doesnt bother me any to have him shaved down...besides the fact that it cuts down on the hair in the house!

So if you are thinking of getting a long haired cat in this crazy busy life that we all lead you may want to remember that the nice picture with the long beautifully well groomed coat that attracted you to the breed in the beginning will soon be replaced with that of a beautiful well groomed "Lion Cut", which may I add makes for a great conversation topic!

http://www.thecatgallery.com/himalayan_cat_models_page_8.html

Happy Victoria Day! Oh No...the dog hates fireworks!

2005-05-20T16:17:00.000-04:00

Well it's that time of year again...the first long weekend in our spring/summer lineup!

This celebration in Canada is known as Victoria Day and I am sure many will be celebrating with food and drink and enjoying time with family and friends.

Another festivity that we also enjoy at this time of year is Fireworks. Unfortunately many of our canine friends do not share in the excitement. There are quite a few dogs out there who are nervous wrecks when it comes to fireworks. The sudden and loud sound, of fireworks, can turn a dog into a panting, pacing and drooling nightmare.

Luckily there are methods that can be used to help lessen the anxiety assosciated with the occurance of fireworks such as retraining with the use of CD's with fireworks sounds and using the newly available Dog Appeasing Phermones.

The following are a few links to check out on the topic. I hope you find them usefull.

Happy Victoria Day!

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1657&S=1&SourceID=47

http://www.spca.bc.ca/Animalbehaviour/fear.asp

http://www.soundsscary.com

A little bit about RVT's

2005-05-19T22:28:00.000-04:00

Well being a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and having worked, in the past, in a small animal hospital I know first hand how little the public knows about RVT's. That is why I wrote the following article...

Registered Veterinary Technicians…Nurses of the Animal Kingdom!

Have you ever wondered who looks after Felix and Fido when they have a visit to the vet?

Pet parents now, more than ever, have a special relationship with their animal companions. Nowadays more than 70-85 % view their pets as children. That is why it is so important for pet parents to know who is looking after their "kids" when they take a trip to their local veterinarians office.

Veterinarians are often seen as the main health care provider for pets. Behind every great veterinarian there is a full team of superb pet health care staff including:
Registered Veterinary Technicians(RVT), Veterinary Technicians (VT), Receptionists, Groomers and Veterinary Assistants.
Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT’s) are an integral part of the health care team of many animal hospitals across Ontario. RVT’s are also found working in zoos, shelters, research facilities, veterinary teaching hospitals, medical laboratories, on farms, for the government, for animal drug and food companies and as educators in veterinary technology programs.

Veterinary Technicians are educated and trained at accredited colleges to perform such tasks as: anesthesia, dental cleanings, surgical assistance and monitoring, blood taking and IV catheter placement, nursing care, laboratory testing, xray taking and developing, nutrition and client education to name a few.

The title of RVT is obtained after a veterinary technician writes the National Veterinary Technician Exam successfully. RVT status is upheld by meeting continuing education requirements and membership in the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (www.oavt.org) on an annual basis.

In many ways Registered Veterinary Technicians are the nurses of the animal kingdom!

So the next time you take your beloved "fur kids" to the veterinarian ask who is a part of your pets medical team and accept nothing less than what you would expect for yourself.

Kristina Cooper, RVT
Ancaster, Ontario.

Welcome!

2005-05-17T12:25:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Krissy's Critter Corner!

A blog for pet lovers, those who work in the veterinary or animal field and anyone else who is interested.

Hope you all enjoy!