Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) is a condition which mainly affects breeds of dogs that are predisposed to disk degeneration. Trauma to intervertebral disks can occur in any dog but is seen most often in Dachshunds. Other breeds at risk include the Basset Hound, Pekingese, French bulldog, Beagle, Cocker Spaniel, Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso.

The onset of IVDD occurs when the intervertebral disks that sit between the vertebrae on a dog's spine become damaged. These disks function to absorb shock and forces on the spine. When trauma occurs, they become less able to withstand forces placed on the spine during activities like jumping and running up stairs. Excessive force placed on the spine can cause the disks to expand and/or rupture, which can be extremely painful for the animal and can cause permanent damage to the spinal cord.

Signs that your dog is experiencing disk trauma may be an arching of the back due to the intense pain of a ruptured disk. If a disk in the neck is damaged, your dog may not want to turn his head and may even refuse to eat or drink. In some cases, dogs will shiver and walk stiffly. A severe rupturing of a disk can cause paralysis, and it is imperative that if your dog is experiencing this, you seek veterinary care immediately.

If your dog displays symptoms of IVDD, crate him to restrict his movement and prevent further injury while transporting him to your veterinarian. If for any reason you cannot get to a vet, continue to crate your dog and only take him out to go potty as needed. Keep in mind that his condition may worsen as time passes before he receives proper care, so it is best to act quickly.

Treatment for IVDD varies greatly and can involve anything from cage rest and medications to surgery. Recovery depends on the degree of injury and location. Most often if the dog's legs are functioning after the injury, the chances that he will to return to normal are good.

If you own or plan to own one of the breeds of dogs that are prone to IVDD, there are a few things you can do to lower the risk. One is to buy a dog from a reputable breeder who owns dogs that do not exhibit signs of the disease. The second thing you can do is to keep your dog from becoming overweight. More weight leads to extra strain on the spine. Third, discourage bounding up the stairs and jumping on and off objects such as furniture. Finally, if you have to carry your dog, make sure to pick him up properly by placing one hand under his chest and the other under his rear.

Although symptoms typically arise between ages 3 and 6, IVDD can present itself at any time in a dog's life. The best thing you can do is to try to prevent the onset of this painful and sometimes disabling disease and never hesitate to seek the advice and care of your veterinarian.
 

In Minnesota we may not experience hurricanes or earthquakes, but there are a number of other disasters that occur that we and our pets might fall victim to. Recently several small towns were torn apart by tornadoes, and in the early spring we experienced many floods that forced people from there homes and closed roads. We want to make sure our pets are safe and cared for in these situations. In the case of floods, fires, blizzards or tornadoes it pays to be prepared.

The first thing to do is create an evacuation plan and practice it. Arrange for somewhere to go and make sure ahead of time that they will welcome your pets. Don't wait until the last minute to evacuate. If you wait to be evacuated by emergency officials you may be told to leave your pet behind.

Always take your pet when you evacuate, even if you think it will only be for a couple hours. Once you leave there is no way of knowing how long you will be kept away. You may not be able to get back to them for quite some time.
In case you are not home when a disaster occurs, designate a willing neighbor to look after your pets if they are able. Post a notice on your front door for emergency officials, that describes the number and species of the animals in your home. Include on this posting a description of where the pet might be found in the house. On this posting, you can also note which veterinary clinic is authorized to treat your pets in an emergency.

The next thing you should do is create a disaster kit for your pets. This should include the following items in easy to carry, water tight containers...

• Medications
• Pet First Aid Kit (talk with your veterinarian about things to include)
• Medical Records, including vet records and microchip information
• Sturdy leashes, harness, and carriers to transport animals
• Current photos and descriptions of pets to prove they are yours if you get separated
• Food and water for at least 3 days
• Bowls, litter boxes, litter, and a manual can opener
• Info about medical and behavioral conditions, as well as the phone number of your veterinarian
• A list of emergency contacts
• Toys and bedding if you have room
   

Make sure your pets also have on identification tags. Unfortunately many pets tend to lose their tags and collars when lost, so the best thing you can do for them is to microchip them. A microchip is a permanent form of identification that is implanted under their skin, and can be read by any clinic or shelter who finds them. A microchip can be implanted by your veterinarian at any time.

Preparing for disasters is like having insurance. You hope you never have to use it, but are sure glad you have it when you do. Don't let your pets become victims in natural disasters. Being prepared will keep them safe during those unexpected times.

For more information on disaster preparedness click here
For more information on microchips please click here
To find out how your local emergency services are helping to keep your pet safe click here
 

Summer is here and the 4th of July is right around the corner!That means fun in the sun, parties, and of course fireworks. 


Most of us will enjoy ourselves as we "ooh" and "ahh" at the lit sky.  Unfortunately this is  not the case for most of  our pets. 
 

For many of our animal friends, this will be the worst time of the year.  Pets that have anxiety to storms or other loud noises will probably react the same, or worse, to fireworks. 

Signs of stress can include excessive drooling, pacing, barking, hiding, or destructive behavior.  This destructive behavior can damage not only our homes but the dogs themselves (i.e. kennel chewing/ chewing feet). 

Dogs left outside in these situations will go under or over fences.  In fact, this time of the year is when the most pets are lost or separated from their owners (due to stress).

Cats that are left outside are at a high risk of getting lost, injured, or being mistreated.  The best things we can do for our worried pets is to keep them inside  

Do your best to keep pets on their regular schedule.  Stay at home to comfort them, or play music to drown out the noise of fireworks. 

In extreme cases of stress pets can be medicated with anti-anxiety drugs.  For more information on anti-anxiety drugs please contact your veterinarian.  

If you plan on lighting off your own fireworks please be responsible and pick up any waste left over.  The remains can be dangerous to pets if they are stepped on or ingested.

If you follow these precautions and make sure your pets are safe and comfortable you should all be able to enjoy the holidays together.  Happy Independence Day!!!

Many children dream about someday becoming a veterinarian; I was one of these children. As a kid I thought I could snuggle puppies and kitties all day long and it would be the best job in the world. Little did I know the journey that was before me when I decided this is what I wanted to do.

 In high school I loved math and science and learning how the body and world work. This scientific mind is needed in the veterinary field. In college I continued on in science and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. I worked at a kennel and breeding facility and volunteered at the humane society to gain experience. I also shadowed veterinarians to get a feel for how a veterinary practice works.

A love for animals and science are only the beginning building blocks of what it takes to be an excellent veterinarian. What really matters is how you can relate to people. People are most vulnerable when they are with their pets because there is no other relationship like the one they have with their pet. A pet gives unconditional love and often times they can be viewed as best friends and even family. Being able to relate to people when they are most vulnerable is a gift that comes from life experience.

The first time I applied to Veterinary School I got eight rejection letters. At the time it crushed me. Luckily I was working at Carver Lake at the time and focused on the patients and clients I was working with every day. I took a year off from applying. I worked on the website researching and writing articles. I found other ways to work with animals through pet sitting, and helping Dr. Ekenstedt with her research at the University of Minnesota. I also re-took a few of my college courses to get better grades.

This year I applied again to three schools. With the University of Minnesota I had to do additional paperwork regarding my residency and in the end did not get in. I was offered an interview at Iowa State University and got on the wait list, and as I was waiting the University of Wisconsin Madison accepted me. I will be starting Veterinary School in Madison on August 30th.

This journey of getting into vet school was not an easy one. There were a lot of ups and downs, and "is this really what I want to dos." In the end it paid off. Anything that you truly want in life is worth the wait and effort. The time spent waiting and preparing has only shaped me into the person and doctor that I want to be.

Please stop in and see me before I leave! My last day will be Friday, August 13. I want to say thank you to all the doctors, staff, clients, and patients at Carver Lake. You have all helped guide me in this journey, and I will hold each of you in my heart as I take the next step to becoming a Veterinarian.

Carver Lake Veterinary Center would like to take this opportunity to thank Christine for everything she has done for our clients and patients over the years. Although we are very proud of her and know that someday she will be an excellent veterinarian, we are going to miss her smiling face around here terribly. We wish her the best in all her veterinary endeavors and are glad we got to be a part of her journey.