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PAWS for News TOWNANDCOUNTRYVETCLINIC.NET 682.730.8260
SEPTEMBER 2018
Down Under to the Lone Star State
Julie Hutt Helps Animals Around the World
Hey there!
match. After graduating again, Julie went right to work at different zoos around the country.
My name’s Stanley, and once upon a time, I was an unattached, single cat who liked to prowl from town to town, looking for the ladies. In other words, I was a stray without a place to call home. That’s how I ended up at Town & Country Veterinary Clinic. Unlike other animals, I wasn’t too worried about ending up at the vet. Everyone there is pretty cool, but Julie Hutt, the executive director at the practice, was my favorite person. Fortunately, she was smart enough to recognize how special I am. In 25 years of practicing veterinary medicine, I was the first pet she took home. Julie has also traveled a lot over the years, though she’s gone a lot farther than I have. After getting her bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology and management, Julie spent a year in Australia working for the national parks and wildlife services. She traveled the outback, working with saltwater crocodiles, hairy-nosed wombats, wild camels, and tons of other animals. And that was only the beginning! After leaving Australia, Julie worked with the Colorado Division of Wildlife and did a lot of fieldwork. It turns out, though, fieldwork isn’t as hands-on as you’d think. Julie spent a lot of time tracking and observing before she realized she wanted to work somewhere she could really connect with animals and help them get better. This inspired her to get a second degree, this time in veterinary medicine, from Colorado Mountain College. Being in the medical field runs in Julie’s family. Both her parents were in human medicine, and medicine always interested her. Pairing this interest with her lifelong love of animals was a perfect
Did you know that when you work in a zoo you have to travel around to locations that need help? I
didn’t. Julie worked in Florida, Idaho, California, and Indiana all in a span of just eight years. Wow — I liked to roam about, but that sounds exhausting, even to me! Julie decided to settle down and found an opportunity to get into dog and cat medicine here in Texas 11 years ago. Seven of those years have been spent at Town & Country with Dr. Nelson. True story: When Julie and Dr. Nelson worked at another hospital together a long time ago, Dr. Nelson said that if he ever bought his own clinic, he wanted Julie to manage it. Julie didn’t expect that phone call to ever come, but she was pretty happy when it did. After working with just about every animal you can think of, Julie says she really enjoys having a clinic home base to take care of. Julie has a hand in helping the hospital staff run smoothly, making sure the patients are well cared for and working to take care of the community as a whole. A lot of people come through the doors in need of help, from families with a sick dog to stray cats looking for a place to call home. It’s pretty cool that Julie is there to help them all.
-Stanley
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Treating Your Pets Like Family
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As proud partners of THE STAR, home of the Dallas Cowboys, we spend all year looking forward to football season. Whether it’s the NFL, college ball, or homecoming at a local high school, we’re here for every second. And true football fans know the game starts long before the coin toss, when you’re tailgating in the parking lot with other fans. While our hearts belong to the Cowboys, we have to admit there’s something about college tailgating you don’t see anywhere else. Tailgating is a college football tradition unlike any other. Schools across the country will claim to have the best, but few can back it up. Well, we’ve done the research and are counting down the top four schools for tailgating. 4. University of Washington The Huskies have a different take on tailgating from almost every other university in the country. While most schools gather in parking lots, Washington fans are out on the water. That’s right — this “tailgate” is known for the boats that pull into Union Bay right outside the stadium. 3. University of Wisconsin Walleye, cheese curds, and brats are just the beginning at Camp Randall. Wisconsin has great tailgating at the stadium, but the local hotspots of the surrounding area are even better places to show your Badger pride. If you can’t get into the arena to jump around in the fourth quarter, you can still join the tradition anywhere in Madison where there’s red and white. 2. Louisiana State University Geaux Tigers! LSU’s tailgate is something to be revered across the country because of its food options. While the jambalaya and barbecue are utterly fantastic, Tiger fans whip up something else when the University of Florida comes to town: alligator. 1. University of Texas Are we biased when we say the University of Texas has the best tailgating in the country? Not if it’s true! When a school is known for football and tailgating, you know they do it up right. Home of the best barbecue in college football, not even 100-plus-degree weather can stifle Longhorn spirit. When someone yells “Texas!” there’s always a horde of bleeding- orange fans ready to shout back “Fight!” and flash those Hook ‘em Horns. Tailgating is as American as football itself, and no matter where you’re tailgating, you’re in for a good time. If you’re tailgating this weekend, be sure to party hard, party safe, and raise your glass to one of America’s best traditions. Tailgating at Its Finest 4 Tailgates So Good, You Might Miss the Game
Prepare Your Garden Autumn Steps for a Better Spring Garden With fall just ahead, it’s a good time to think about your spring garden. For a beautiful garden next year, begin preparing this fall. Here are a few ways to get a head start! PLANTING BULBS If you want beautiful flowers in April, you should start planting bulbs now. Many flower bulbs need to be in the ground before winter settles in; this helps activate the bulbs’ biochemical process that allows them to bloom. Getting the bulbs into the ground before it freezes allows their roots to grow deep enough to protect them from the biting winter weather. Among the flower bulbs you should plant soon are tulips, daffodils, irises, and hyacinths. CHICKEN WIRE After you’ve planted your bulbs, there’s a risk that uninvited guests will dig them up. There are a few ways you can ensure that your bulbs remain undisturbed throughout the fall. One way is to place chicken wire over your bulbs after they’ve been planted. This keeps rodents from digging them up and allows the plants to grow through the gaps in the wire. KEEP YOUR GARDEN TIDY Once you’ve harvested your best fruits and vegetables, go back through and harvest the rest, even if you don’t plan to eat them. Make sure your garden is clear of old vegetables, fallen leaves, and weeds. Leaving decaying plants in or on top of the ground can spread diseases into the soil and attract unwanted pests to your garden. HEALTHY SOIL Pulling up weeds and all of your vegetables can help keep the earth free from rotting plants, but there are other steps you can take to ensure that your soil stays full of nutrients. Pick up a kit to test the pH levels of your soil. Most gardens thrive in soil with a pH of 6.5. Add compost to your soil supply now to give it time to break down during the winter months.
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Treating Your Pets Like Family
TOWNANDCOUNTRYVETCLINIC.NET
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Hard Truth About Dog Breath
The Tooth Fairy Weighs In
Hey, it’s me, the Tooth Fairy.
Cat people, you’re not off the hook either. Felines also need their teeth brushed regularly. Just like with humans, an animal’s oral health is connected to their overall health. Tooth decay and gum disease have been linked to heart disease, kidney failure, and other chronic illnesses. Fortunately, there are plenty of dental treats that can help reduce plaque buildup, as well as pet-friendly brands of toothpaste and toothbrushes. Dog owners can get some advice on brushing at Rover.com/blog/how-to-brush-your-dogs-teeth . Meanwhile, cat lovers should check out Petful.com/grooming/how-to- brush-cats-teeth-right-way . Keep in mind that, while brushing and special treats will help prevent dental problems, a toothbrush can’t clean away hard tartar. When tartar builds, you can brush your pet’s teeth all day long but it won’t make a difference. If you lift up your pet’s upper lip and see brown, then it’s time for a professional cleaning with your vet. Tiffany, I hope this answered your question! Maybe one day, when pet teeth are properly cleaned, I’ll be adding Fido and Mittens to my list!
Recently, I got a letter from Tiffany, age 6, from River Oaks. She wanted to know why I don’t come to visit when dogs lose their teeth. Usually I only write for dentist newsletters, but I decided the best way to answer this question was with the help of your local vet. The reason I don’t pick up dog teeth is because dog teeth are disgusting! Now, this is not the dog’s fault. While their paws are adorable, the lack of opposable thumbs makes it difficult to brush and floss. This duty falls on their owners, but a lot of people don’t realize their dogs’ teeth need to be brushed too. Dog breath is a common problem pet owners have to deal with, but the truth is you shouldn’t be able to smell your dog’s breath any more than you can smell your own under normal circumstances. If something smells rotten, then something is rotting! When a whiff of your dog’s breath knocks you down, it’s a sign that your dog has a serious health issue.
Food Hounds !
PAWSitively Hilarious !
DR. NELSON’S SOON-TO-BE-FAMOUS BRISKET
Ingredients
• • •
Prime brisket Yellow mustard
• •
2 cans beef broth
Worcestershire sauce, to taste
Preferred brisket rub
Directions
1. Use a sharp knife and trim the fat from the brisket to 1/8–1/4-inch thick on the “fat side.” Then, brush on a thin layer of yellow mustard on both sides. Apply rub by hand to brisket. Rub is dealer’s choice. It can be simple salt and pepper, or the preferred beef/brisket rub. 2. Wrap brisket in plastic wrap and then wrap the whole thing in tin foil. Place in refrigerator for at least 4 hours. 3. Pour beef broth into a small pot and add a few splashes of Worcestershire sauce to make au jus. Heat pot until sauce starts to steam. Remove brisket from foil and plastic wrap and place it in a pan. Pour au jus over the top.
4. Prepare smoker with any kind of wood. Oak is traditional for Central Texas barbecue, though Dr. Nelson recommends a combination of apple and hickory. Heat smoker to 225 F and place brisket inside, fat side up. Let cook overnight. 5. Brisket is done when thermometer, placed in the flat of the brisket, reads between 195 and 205 F. Remove brisket from smoker and wrap in tin foil. Let rest for at least 30 minutes. 6. When ready to serve, be sure to slice against the grain.
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Treating Your Pets Like Family
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Inside
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A Word From Stanley the Cat
America’s Best Tailgating Get a Head Start on Next Spring’s Garden
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Why Isn’t There a Tooth Fairy for Dogs? PAWsitively Hilarious The Perfect Tailgating Brisket
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Pigs to the Rescue
That’ll Do, Pig
Oinkers That Saved Their Owners’ Bacon
More and more Americans are keeping pigs as pets than ever before. With their keen intelligence, laid-back amiability, goofy snorts, and, of course, their stubby little legs, it’s no surprise that people take to these plump, fuzzy animals. And here’s an extra bonus: Apparently, they also save lives! Take the aptly-named Lucky , for example. When Illinois resident Ina Farler woke up to the frantic porcine screams of her best friend, she knew something was up. “He would jump down, run to the door, and then jump back on the bed and hit me really hard,” she told Chicago 5 News. “When I sat up, I realized the room was really smoky.” Her house was ablaze, and her room was quickly turning into an oven. But thanks to Lucky, she was able to grab her two grandchildren, escape from the house, and call the fire department to stifle the blaze before it took down the entire property. Lucky isn’t the only hog to have saved the day. Jo Ann and Jack Altsman adopted Lulu the pot-bellied pig after baby-sitting her for their daughter. Lulu grew to be great pals with Bear, the family’s American Eskimo dog. When Jo Ann suffered a heart attack while her husband was away on a fishing trip and no one else was
around, Bear and Lulu teamed up to rescue their beloved owner.
Sensing something was up, Bear barked furiously to get the attention of Lulu, who was out in the yard. Though she’d never come into the house from the yard before, she
crammed her bulk through the much-too-small doggie door. In the process, she scraped her belly badly, drawing blood, but she pressed on in order to check on Jo Ann. Realizing that something was seriously wrong, she slammed back through the doggie door and scrambled out into the road, where she lay down. Lulu eventually convinced one conscientious motorist to slow down and see what the commotion was about. He found Jo Ann unconscious in her home and quickly dialed 911. Though Lulu wasn’t allowed in the ambulance, her owner was rescued and recovered after an intense open-heart surgery. And, of course, Lulu got patched up too!
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Treating Your Pets Like Family
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