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Pet Press KALISPELL JUNE 2019
406.755.6886 WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM
TREATING TETON Overcoming Great Mountains
If you follow our Facebook page, you’ve probably seen the updates we’ve been posting about my dog, Teton. At the end of March, Teton was diagnosed with lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph system.
Early remission is a great sign, but if a number of weeks pass and they aren’t improving, we re-evaluate. Our goal is to make sure a pet has the best quality of life. If chemotherapy isn’t improving their quality of life, we won’t continue. Fortunately, in most cases, the dogs I’ve treated do respond well and are able to enjoy up to another
While my son was home for spring break, he noticed Teton had lost weight, wasn’t acting quite like himself, and had a couple of bumps under his jaw. When my wife and I returned from our vacation, I drove Teton straight to the clinic to run some tests. It’s never great to tell someone their dog has lymphoma, and it really wasn’t great to hear, but it was a great that we caught it super early. I started him on chemotherapy immediately and Teton responded well and was in remission after only one week.
great 12–18 months. I have been fortunate to actually cure a few dogs in my career that have had lymphoma! Hopefully that will be Teton, but if it isn’t, at least I can give him a good life until the end. I’m an incredibly pragmatic person. Life is precious because it doesn’t last forever. I have that same attitude with my own life and with my dog’s life. It sucks that my dog has cancer, but it’s not unusual for a 9-year-old male golden retriever to have lymphoma. All we can do is take care of him the best we can.
Teton has been running around with the other dogs in the backyard less than two hours after his treatment.
There’s no “good” cancer, but I am relieved that it’s lymphoma, because we have good chemo option available to treat it. Hearing the word chemotherapy understandably scares clients, because we know how sick it can make some people. The good news is that dogs aren’t like that. It’s very rare for dogs to lose their hair or even vomit. Even the dogs that do react, they usually are only sick one day after chemo and are fine once we start them on some nausea medication. I expect them to have an excellent quality of life throughout their treatment. Teton has been running around with the other dogs in the backyard less than two hours after treatment. As I mentioned, not all cancers respond to chemotherapy. There have been cases when I’ve advised clients not to start their dog or cat on chemo, and instead help them be as comfortable as possible during their last days. Even after starting a pet on a protocol, we might not finish it.
At the moment, I’m optimistic about Teton’s future. Dogs on chemo usually do quite well, until
the day they don’t anymore. Sometimes they take a bad turn in just two months, but we’ve been doing chemo treatments for several weeks now and Teton is still his wild, counter-surfing self. I’ll be happy to talk about how Teton’s doing to anyone who comes by the office, but if you want regular updates, be sure to follow our Facebook page at Facebook.com/AnimalClinicOfKalispell . I’ve been posting updates after chemo each week, so there are lots of great pictures of him to enjoy.
—Dr. Jevon Clark 406.755.6886
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CHECKING IN WITH THE KING OF COUNT ow’s Teto
Good Boys of Antiquity DOGS IN ANCIENT LEGEND Far before humans had written histories, we had dogs. From hunting and shepherding to playing and relaxing, our early ancestors had canine companions by their side, and their appreciation shows. As storytelling developed around the world, our four-legged friends became important characters. Here are a few ancient legends for the historical dog lover. Tarascan Spirit Dogs Many Mesoamerican cultures featured dogs prominently in their myths and legends, especially in regard to the afterlife. One of the most notable of these comes from the Tarascan state, an empire that rivaled the Aztecs. The Tarascans believed canine spirits would search out the souls of lost humans and guide them safely out of the mortal world. Leave it to dogs to create ghost stories with happy endings. Tuiren the Wolfhound In Irish folklore, Tuiren was a beautiful woman to be wed to Iollan Eachtach, but this love made Iollan’s faery sweetheart jealous. In an attempt to ruin the young woman’s wedding, the faery turns Tuiren into a hound and gives her to Fergus Fionnliath, a renowned dog- hater. This cruel act backfires when the Irish wolfhound wins over Fergus, teaching him to love not just her but all dogs too. In fact, the man is crestfallen when his hound is revealed to be a human. Tuiren’s nephew, the hero Fionn, cheers Fergus up with a new puppy! Yudhishthira’s Stray The Indian epic “Mahabharata” is thought to date back to the eighth or ninth century B.C. and tells the story of two warring families. Toward the end of the tale, prince Yudhishthira and his family begin to ascend the Himalayas to reach heaven, and a stray dog joins them on their journey. One by one, Yudhishthira’s companions fall, until only the prince and his furry friend remain.
Hey, Teton here!
I know a lot of people have been pretty worried about me. Humans get nervous when they talk about cancer. I wanted to let everyone know that I’m doing great.
When I was first diagnosed with lymphoma, Dr. Clark started me on the Wisconsin Protocol, which is the most effective treatment for canine lymphoma. It’s similar to the chemotherapy treatment used on humans. Over the course of 26 weeks, I’ll rotate through four different drugs. Most treatments don’t take much time, and some are oral medications. Twenty-six weeks sounds like a lot, but it does go by fast when you feel well. I don’t really feel like I have cancer, which can actually be a problem sometimes. Lots of pet owners will notice lumps appear on their dog or cat, but they don’t do anything because their pet isn’t acting any differently. The reason I’m doing so well now is because Dr. Clark caught the lymphoma early. It’s important for pet owners to pay attention to any unusual changes, especially if they have a dog breed with a high risk for cancer, like goldens, boxers, and Bernese mountain dogs, among others.
Homesweet Homemade Cat Treats June is Adopt a Cat Month! If you’re bringing a new cat or kitten into your family, we have the perfect recipe for a treat that will make them feel right at home.
Ingredients
• • • • • • •
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
When the god Indra finally appears to offer Yudhishthira passage into heaven, he brings bad news: The dog
1 1/2 tsp organic catnip
1/3 cup dry milk
1/2 cup milk
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
cannot come with him. But Yudhishthira refuses to abandon his dog, explaining that he could never leave such a loyal,
1 tbsp honey 1 large egg
steadfast companion. Anyone who’s turned down a great apartment offer because they don’t allow pets can relate.
Inspired by DIY Network
WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM
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R SURFING ? Recent statistics indicate that 67 percent of male golden retrievers and 63 percent of female golden retrievers die from some form of
A NEW ERA OF PET CARE Building the Veterinary Laser Center When we first introduced the K-Laser, our new therapeutic laser, at the clinic, we weren’t sure how our clients would take to having something out of a science fiction story treating their pets. We are delighted to see how much our clients trust us as they embrace the future of pet care.
cancer. It’s not fun to think about, but there are large studies ongoing to figure out why goldens have such a high rate of cancer and what can be done about it. In the meantime, being a dog with cancer just means I get to go to the clinic almost every week! As the dog of a veterinarian, the clinic is like my second home. I love getting to visit. There are always other dogs to play with, and I get lots of treats because everyone loves me. Plus, trips to the clinic mean I get to ride in dad’s old truck all by myself, which makes my whole day. Cancer is scary, but honestly, I feel like a million bucks! I’m still able to run around, play with my friends in the backyard, and steal butter off the counter when Dr. Clark isn’t looking — just don’t tell him about that last one. -Teton
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been able to use the therapeutic laser in many innovative and effective ways.
• Post-op: We’ve used the K-Laser immediately after surgery at the incision site to decrease inflammation and speed up healing. • Dermatitis: After treating skin lesions or chronic dermatitis with our therapeutic laser, clients report seeing their pets healing far quicker, sometimes fully healed before the follow-up two days later. • Dental: The K-Laser has been used right after dental extractions and treated cats who were suffering from very bad gingivitis. • Pain Relief: Most of our efforts have been made in this area. Clients report a noticeable difference after the K-Laser is used to treat pets with sore muscles and other soft tissue, back, joint, and knee troubles. Clients are able to see their pets feeling better immediately. Bringing the K-Laser into the clinic wasn’t a decision we made lightly. We only bring in tools and technology that we are confident will offer clear benefits to our patients. We are committed to our growing role as the Veterinary Laser Center. This new treatment takes only a matter of minutes and can make a huge difference in a pet’s health and well-being.
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. Combine dry
ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Add in wet ingredients and mix until dough forms.
3. Roll dough on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thick. Cut into small shapes as desired. Transfer treats to a greased baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes. 4. Carefully remove from oven and let cool completely before serving to Kitty. Treats can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week, or frozen and thawed as needed.
If you have any questions about how the therapeutic laser works or if it can help your pet, don’t hesitate to ask. Everyone on staff has been trained and is certified to use the K-Laser. Give us a call at 406.755.6886 to learn more today!
406.755.6886
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
406.755.6886 WWW.KALISPELLVET.COM 1408 AIRPORT ROAD KALISPELL, MT 59901
Inside
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The Truth About Dogs and Cancer
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Dogs in Ancient Legend
Checking In with Teton
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Organic Catnip Cat Treats
Big Wins for the Veterinary Laser Center How to Stay Dry While Camping in the Rain
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3 Tricks to Keep Your Gear Dry
EVEN ON A RAINY OUTDOOR WEEKEND
Incoming clouds can really rain on a weekend camping trip. Getting wet isn’t just a nuisance; it can be dangerous in cold climates. Outdoor experts, like the instructors at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), know the tricks to keeping dry, even on the wettest days. Here are three tricks these pros swear by. 1. Line Your Pack With a Plastic Bag Garbage bags are an easy and cost- effective way to waterproof your pack. As you’re preparing for your trip, put the garbage bag into your backpack first and place your sleeping bag, clothing, and any other items that must stay dry inside it. Carefully twist and fold the bag inside your pack to close it up, place any items that are okay to get wet on top, and look forward to having dry, warm clothes. 2. Use Your Body Heat to Dry Damp Clothes There’s nothing like getting to camp at the end of a hard hike and taking
off your pack to finally relax. But if you got caught in a rainstorm or had to cross a river, you might not feel the same sense of relief. An effective way to dry wet socks and other clothes is to use your own body heat. Once you’ve changed into something dry, place wet socks between your layers of clothing, allowing them to warm and slowly dry. Insider Tip: While weight is a consideration for backpacking, it’s worth it to carry an extra pair of socks designated for sleeping so you’ll always have a dry pair to look forward to when you arrive at camp. 3. Suit Up Your Sleeping Bag Moisture that collects in the night can lead to a damp sleeping bag, and you want to do everything you can to retain heat in wet weather. Get better sleep by using your rain jacket to further insulate your sleeping bag. Put your jacket around the end of your sleeping bag and zip it up, creating a heat trap that will keep your toes toasty. Insider Tip: Keep wet gear out of your tent whenever possible by storing it in the vestibule rather than the main space.
Happy trails, and stay dry out there!
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