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Pictured here is Oskee, Dr. Sullivan’s dog.

The last weekend of March, I was fortunate to attend the American Animal Hospital Association annual conference in Nashville, Tenn. This conference brings together veterinarians from all over the world for continuing education.

While at this conference my eyes were opened to many areas of veterinary medicine that continue to evolve. One area in particular that I found fascinating was hospice care in the life of our terminally ill, aging, senior pets. My own dog, Oskee, is an aging senior with thyroid cancer, and it made me consider the real-life possibilities, treatments, and therapies I would want for him.

Hospice care focuses on symptomatic treatment and control of pain and symptoms while attending to our pets’ emotional and social needs. Simply treating for pain is not always the answer, and in many cases these patients need a more multi-modal approach that includes looking at their physical needs, social needs, and emotional needs. The physical needs include: addressing pain, mobility, hygiene, and appetite, among others. The social and emotional needs include: maintaining the human animal bond and dignity, adding social time, and, in some cases, behavior intervention of other pets in the house.  

I am happy to say that the doctors at the Medical District Veterinary Clinic at Illinois already do a wonderful job caring for our elderly, ill patients, but I am very excited about the possibilities moving forward. 

Drew Sullivan, DVM, Director
Medical District Veterinary Clinic

As allergy season approaches, we would like to announce a new and exciting treatment we are able to offer to our canine patients!

Canine atopic dermatitis is a common allergic skin disease. It may be caused by genes that make your dog more likely to have a reaction when exposed to allergens. It can also be triggered by allergens in certain seasons, as well as in the allergens in the environment year-round. Over time, the skin can become itchy, red, scaly, and irritated, and if left untreated, there is a risk of hair loss, as well as skin and ear infections.

Cytopoint is an innovative new therapy that targets itch at its source to help relieve the signs of atopic dermatitis in dogs. It is also known as “CADI,” which stands for canine atopic dermatitis immunotherapeutic.

It is different from traditional drugs that treat itch, in that it works like your dog’s immune system. It contains engineered antibodies, which is what an animal’s immune system uses to defend the body against infection or disease.

The antibodies in Cytopoint have been designed to specifically target and neutralize one of the main proteins that sends itch signals to the brain. This results in less self-trauma and irritation to the skin, which allows more time for damaged skin to heal.

Cytopoint is safe to use in dogs of any age, and can be used with many other commonly used medications and concurrent diseases. One Cytopoint injection helps control itch for 4 to 8 weeks, and effects have been seen as soon as one day after the injection is given. Some dogs have year-round disease and may need continuous treatment, while others may only need Cytopoint when symptoms worsen.

Please visit www.cytopoint4dogs.com for additional information on Cytopoint, and contact Medical District Veterinary Clinic at Illinois today if you would like to try Cytopoint for your dog.

Amber Slaughter, DVM
Medical District Veterinary Clinic

Welcome, all recent transplants and Chicagoans with failing memories, to the February dungeon of the Midwest Winter, when the cold and dark seem again unparalleled and again force us into investigation of television shows that we never otherwise would watch (The Rockford Files and Room 222 seem amazing to me right now). It’s also the time of year when the pounds of fur and warm pet bodies we collect on the couch can help cancel out the poorly insulated Chicago apartment windows we swear we will re-insulate next year. 

It is with this background I want to bring up an odd but interesting topic that everyone seemingly has an opinion about, based on something that their aunt’s friend told them at a wedding. The topic is genetic identification of your dog’s breed-specific ancestry. For the sake of ease, this conversation will have to be limited to dogs. My cats forgive me, so you should as well.

The idea behind the genetic tests to identify dog breeds is somewhat contingent on the idea that science is real (it’s been debated by some) and specifically the work of superstar canine geneticist Elaine Ostrander and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Dog Genome Project, which mapped out the entire dog genome about a decade ago.

• See this simplified news briefing from that time.
• There are great videos you can also watch here.

For the sake of this blog, I will not entertain the idea of teaching those who care about genetic biology, but I want to address a few things as it would relate to you and your dog and the benefits of knowing which breeds your mutt or “pure-bred” descends from. 

1.  Again, this is real. There are many who swear this is not real. I think the most common statement goes something like, “I know my dog is a pure-bred Dalmatian. I did the genetic test and it came back as 50% German shepherd. Thus I have concluded that they’re faking the results or they’re wrong.” Or more commonly, “Seriously, look at my dog. There is no way that she could be a dachshund, because she is 50 pounds.” I totally get it, and I get that we are invested in a mythology about our dogs and who they are and where they came from, but the main source of our genetic checking comes from a substantial database of identifiable dog breeds. The Mars DNA Wisdom Panel identifies more than 250 types of breeds. Lots of research has shown that veterinary and animal professionals (including breeders, veterinarians, and the person from whom you buy your dog food at the store), are correct in identifying dogs with mixed ancestry about 25% of the time. This means that we are less than guessing (non-technical). There are lots of questions you can read and videos you can watch here.
2. Knowing more about your dog breed can actually be helpful in your dog’s treatment and prevention. If your sweet little dog is genetically more German shepherd or Welsh corgi, maybe we are very careful about possible back pain and orthopedic issues due to their propensity to acquire degenerative myelopathy (a genetically linked disease that erodes parts of the nervous tissue in their spine). Maybe we are much more aggressive testing your part Dalmatian when he starts to have abnormal urination, due to their propensity to develop less commonly seen types of bladder stones. And of course, we should mention due to our staff’s specific and freakish love for Boxer dogs, whenever we have a known Boxer with a small skin bump, we always test for mast cell tumors, more so than other breeds. This certainly doesn’t mean that if we know you dog is part Rottweiler we’re going to suddenly saddle you with the burden of having to have a slew of tests done; it just becomes part of the discussion we have for the overall health of your dog.
3. I think it’s really helpful and, honestly, fun to know things about your dog based on their breed. There are certain predispositions that guide your dogs’ needs and may explain their “oddities.” If you don’t know that your sweet little puppy is mostly a Border collie (despite looking like a Yorkie), you may not understand why she is trying to push your two toddlers into the corner of the room every morning. It also may explain why they nip at your heels every time you’re trying to leave for work. I’m not saying it will make it nicer, but it may eliminate the need to “train” it out of them.

I have a crazy but loveable little mutt named Emerson that we found in Arizona after he was orphaned in a Navajo nation reservation in Flagstaff. We always assumed he was probably some kind of terrier and maybe a whippet, but after swabbing his cheek we found out that our nutball pooch had one Chihuahua/miniature poodle parent and a pit bull/unknown mix parent. This explained more than I could ever imagine and, truthfully, I felt a lot closer to him after knowing this. Emerson has every stereotypically “loud” trait about Chihuahua and poodles, along with the absolute best traits of pit bulls (being loving, warm, and happy). It’s important to know that because the one mixed-breed grandparent was so diluted, its breed type was not identifiable.

The test has limitations. Also, the information about your dog is not shared with anyone. If you live in a condo that bans pit bulls, you don’t have to worry about anyone reporting to your landlord. All the information stays with you.

Are You Interested in Learning Your Dog’s Ancestry?

We have started carrying the panels. You can buy them on your own, but honestly, it’s a lot harder to swab your dogs’ cheeks than you think. Partly because of the Chihuahua/mini poodle in my dog, and partly because he is the most stubborn dog in the world, it took five people distracting him and feeding him treats to get it. (I’m surprised he didn’t come back as 20% peanut butter.) We offer the panels and sampling here for you. We will collect the sample, and then allow you to log on at home, fill out the information, and send in the sample yourself. If you want us to send in the sample, we can, but we do not need to do this.

If you’re interested, you can ask us, or go on their website at www.wisdompanel.com and read more, watch the billion or so videos they offer, or just think about it. I think it’s fun and interesting, and on this 14-degree winter morning, that’s mostly what I’m looking for.

Brett Grossman, DVM
Medical District Veterinary Clinic

Happy New Year! We hope you and your family and friends—furry and otherwise—enjoyed a relaxing holiday break!

As we start a new year, it’s time to shed light on the most common disease occurring in adult dogs and cats, and a problem we see in patients every day at Medical District Veterinary Clinic: gum disease.

With National Dental Health Month coming up in February, we want to educate our clients about how to prevent and treat gum disease.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats will exhibit some stage of gum disease (also called periodontal disease) by two years of age. The early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, occurs when harmful bacteria cause the gums to become very red and inflamed. As the disease progresses, plaque forms both on the tooth surface and under the gum line. As bacteria and plaque increase, pets can experience pain, bone loss, and ultimately loose teeth.

How do you spot gum disease in your dog or cat? Unfortunately, this problem typically goes unnoticed and untreated in the earliest stages. Common signs of advanced dental disease include:

• bad breath
• red/inflamed gums
• loose teeth
• missing teeth,
• discolored teeth

Prevention is the key. The best way to prevent bacterial buildup in the mouth and periodontal disease is daily tooth brushing. We realize that may not be a very practical option for most of you, since there is often a lack of time or cooperation. Never use toothpaste marketed for people; choose toothpaste formulated for dogs and cats. Other options include dental rinses and dental chews. A list of products proven to help decrease plaque and tartar buildup can be found at http://www.vohc.org/accepted_products.htm.

For pets with developed periodontal disease, ultrasonic cleaning to remove all the calculus and plaque from the tooth surface and under the gum line is needed. We also recommend taking dental radiographs (X-rays) to check for disease near the roots of the teeth. Some dogs and cats seem predisposed to dental problems and need cleanings yearly, while other pets can go longer between cleanings.

When it comes to dental cleanings, the main difference between people and pets is anesthesia. If dogs and cats would hold still with their mouth open for 30 to 60 minutes, we would not need anesthesia to properly clean their teeth. As you know, this is not the case!

Please contact us with any questions you about your pet’s oral health or to schedule an appointment for a dental exam or cleaning.

Remember: February is Dental Health Month, and all dental procedures are 10 percent off for all clients and 15 percent off for students and staff of the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Drew Sullivan, DVM, Director
Medical District Veterinary Clinic

Thanksgiving has come and gone. The temperatures are now consistently low enough to bother the non-native Chicagoans. Bears fans are looking forward to the next NFL draft. And holiday music is leaking out of every single possible speaker, phone, and computer screen.

That means it’s time for us to be the sobering voice of reason and remind you of the dangers to our pets posed by the holiday season.

As your mind drifts to holiday gift lists, vacations, and the slew of abnormal scheduling that occurs during December, pay attention to these concerns and keep your beloved cats and dogs safe and happy.

In no particular order:

Gift Wrapping

Cats love ribbons. Cats eat ribbons. Cats are not meant to eat ribbons. If you have a cat, just avoid ribbons and if you get a gift with ribbons, throw the ribbons away immediately. If you are giving gifts to someone with cats, avoid ribbons. At the risk of disrupting the ribbon industry, I would be happy if ribbons were banned from holiday traditions.

Christmas Trees

Dogs and cats eat tinsel. Tinsel ingestion can lead to, minimally, stomach upset (diarrhea, vomiting, pain, etc.) and, maximally, foreign body obstruction that requires medical intervention.

Dogs and cats also like to chew on Christmas trees and wreaths. We have had a few cats, recently, come in for allergic reactions to glue or fake snow sprayed on wreaths. There is no great way of preventing your animals from getting to these things unless wreaths are hung in places they can’t get to and the tree is put in rooms that can be closed when you are not there to monitor your pets.

More seriously, you have to be careful that your pets do not chew lights and ornaments. Electrocution is possible, causing serious to fatal effects. Ingestion of glass ornaments can cause severe mouth and gastrointestinal bleeding, etc. And then as if this slew of fears isn’t enough to make you anxious, always remember that animals can knock over trees causing damage to themselves and your house.

On a lesser note, I think that every cat and most dogs are very tempted to defecate and urinate in the Christmas tree. Plan on needing some extra scented candles to mask the holiday urine and feces smell-fest.

If you are the sort to wrap a food gift and place it under the tree, please understand that your animals do not respect the lovely ceremonial waiting until Christmas morning to find out what is there. We’ve seen people put candies in stockings, meat products in boxes, and cakes and treats in bags, all to find everything gone in the morning. The subsequent and joyous Christmas morning ER visit may then be needed.

Hanukkah Candles

This also applies to all candles: Make sure to keep all open flames away from animals that could jump on the table and knock the candle over or be burned. Hanukkah candles are not to be extinguished for any reason, so that may mean making sure you don’t buy candles that last for hours. (Hint: The cheaper they are, the faster they burn.)

Treats

Cookies, cakes, pot roast, candied hams/yams, candy. Your animals want all of this. If you bake a cake and then set it down to go check on the kids, your dog will eat it. Your cat will jump on the counter and lick frosting from a bowl. They are probably working together to distract you.

Also, giving your dog a lick of turkey or ham juice may seem like a wondrous holiday gift, but if everyone at dinner or in the house does the same thing, you will be finding that diarrhea, pain, vomiting, and a trip to the ER may also be needed to take care of gastroenteritis/pancreatitis, etc.

As always, be super careful about chocolate.

The bottom line is this: Dogs and cats are a part of our lives and we want them to participate in our holiday fun. But they do not need to eat special things. Put a bow on their normal food or arrange their wet food in the shape of a Christmas tree. They will be happy.

Plants

Poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly can all cause gastrointestinal upset, especially if a large amount is eaten. More seriously is ingestion of decorative lilies and daffodils by cats. Christmas/peace lilies can kill cats. Daffodils, less so, but can cause severe irritation. Just be watchful of pets ingesting anything not normally in the house.

Pet Anxiety

Leaving the house for the day, bringing your dogs/cats to the in-laws, having the new downstairs neighbor check up on the animals…all these things can cause anxiety and secondary stress. Remember that our animals do not always find it fun to travel, see new environments with new smells, animals, kids, etc., or be alone or with strangers taking care of them.

If you have a sensitive dog or cat, try having the caretaker come over a few times before you go to meet the pet and make the pet more comfortable. If you need go out of town, consider finding an alternative, such as leaving your pet with people they already know and trust. If you are going to be gone for longer than normal, make sure pets have ample food and water. If they already suffer from known problems (like GI sensitivity), consider being proactive and giving them gastroprotectants (with our approval) before they get sick. Also think how a giant tree with flashing lights and noises in their favorite corner of the living room may affect their mood and security.

General Cold Weather Wintering for Our Pets

First, remember that your little 20-pound short-haired dog needs to be dressed for winter when going out. Not all of us have Alaskan Malamutes and Huskies. A quick trip around the block in 0-degree weather can be dangerous and uncomfortable. Get some nice winter clothes at the pet supply store or online now before it becomes horrible outside.

Also be careful about the temperature of your home. Maybe this is your first year with a pet and you are used to turning down the heat to 62 when you leave for work. Your little short-haired kitty may be really uncomfortable with that temperature. All pets are different, so talk it over with us, or assess on your own that they are doing their normal things like playing, eating, drinking, etc.

The salt on the sidewalks can cause serious irritation and harm to animals. I like using Mushers Wax on the dog’s paws when they get irritated. It also helps protect paws from the cold, to a degree. You can get this online or at most pet supply stores.

The cold weather makes a dog’s normal outdoor activities (walking, playing in the yard, socializing with other dogs, etc.) less frequent. Take seasonal depression into account when thinking about how your pets feel without these normal stimuli. Come up with some new indoor rituals to replace his extra walk, like fetching, wrestling, or various games. Try having play dates with other (fully vaccinated) dogs with whom your dog gets along. This doesn’t really apply as much to cats, but you should be doing this with your cats any way.

With winter weather comes the use of anti-freeze in our cars. Just be very careful and remember how toxic this is to all animals and humans. If you spill anti-freeze in the garage, DO NOT let your dog go in the garage. Do not leave it around unopened for it to spill even more. Do not throw out any rags with anti-freeze without securing them in a container that would be hard to eat or lick. Be careful of the feral or stray cats that may also seek sanctuary in your garage and also can die from exposure.

Also, despite the projections for a cold Chicago winter, fleas and ticks are still around. We’ve been treating many dogs this season for these parasites. Ticks can live when it is above freezing. When you decide to go on a holiday hike in the forest preserve during a 40-degree Saturday, pets can have tick exposure. You cannot always see ticks, but they are there.

Lastly, New Year’s in a city is always loud. If the most recent Cubs outbreak of loud celebration can tell us anything, it’s that the animals of Chicago did not like the secondary outbreak of fireworks, pots and pans, screaming, and (in our case) Scottish bagpipes being played for hours outside our window. Dr. Kelly Ballantyne, our veterinary behaviorist here, previously discussed how to help noise-averse dogs. In general, remember that having anti-anxiety medications can be very helpful for this situation. Just being aware can help prevent the situation getting out of hand. Closing windows, using white noise distractors, and being attentive and helping your pets get through the countdown on New Year’s Eve can really help. The most common side effects of severe stress is gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite), self-trauma (licking, biting), and sometimes aggression toward other animals or owners.

Thanks for reading. I hope your holidays are wonderful and stress-free for you and your pets.

P.S. We like pet holiday cards in case you are the sort to send them out to people.

Brett Grossman, DVM
Medical District Veterinary Clinic

Dear Friends,

As some of you may have heard, as of December 9, Veterinary Specialty Center will no longer be providing emergency and specialty services at the location next door to Medical District Veterinary Clinic.

While we have enjoyed a working relationship with VSC at Illinois over the past four years, the change does allow us to focus completely on the health and wellness needs of our primary care patients and their families.

Within the next month we will be adding a third doctor, Dr. Amber Slaughter. Dr. Slaughter is originally from Oak Park, but is currently practicing in Seattle, Wash. We are excited that she will be moving back to Chicago and joining our team.

The addition of Dr. Slaughter will allow us to have more available appointments, and we will be exploring the possibility of extended hours. We will let you know very soon what our recommendation will be for our clients who need afterhours care for their pets.

We thank you for your loyalty to Medical District Veterinary Clinic and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. We promise to continue to serve you and your pets with the highest level of care and compassion.

If you have any questions regarding this change, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Sincerely,

Dr. Drew Sullivan and Dr. Brett Grossman

Illini Pet Fair
Saturday, November 19
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Medical District Veterinary Clinic
2242 W. Harrison, Chicago
Free Admission

You and your pet are invited to join us outside of the Medical District Veterinary Clinic for Illini Days fun at the Illini Pet Fair, hosted by the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

We’ll have a photo booth with fun props (for you and your pet!) and we’ll post images to Facebook, where we’ll hold an Illini Days 2016 Best in Show bragging rights contest. Our clinic’s medical director, Dr. Drew Sullivan, will be on hand 9-11 a.m. and veterinary behaviorist Dr. Kelly Ballantyne from Veterinary Behavior at Illinois will be there 11 a.m.-1 p.m. to chat and answer your questions. Plus, there will be giveaways and goodies for you and your pets, including apple cider, hot chocolate, paw print cookies, Rice Krispie treats, and Einstein doggy bagels. Get a free “Illini Pet” tag so your little buddy can show some Illini pride! We hope to see you there!

Obesity is a major problem for dogs and cats in the United States—in fact October 12 was National Pet Obesity Awareness Day. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, over 50% of dogs and cats are either overweight or obese. Obesity is often overlooked as a problem by pet owners, but as a veterinarian, I feel it is very important that owners understand the risk factors associated with obesity in their furry family members. Our society has become accustomed to the overweight look. The new “normal” for dogs and cats is overweight. The ideal weight animal is now often viewed as “skinny.” Additionally, with the ever-growing human-animal bond, we are seeing more obesity, since food is often viewed as a form of love. Dogs love treats, and when they give us those little eyes, how can you resist just one more treat?

If you knew what “just one more treat” could do over the years, it may help you resist. There are many risk factors associated with excessive weight in animals. The list includes many of the same risks factors seen in humans: osteoarthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and respiratory disease, cranial cruciate ligament injury (knee injuries), kidney disease, and decreased life expectancy due to poor quality of life.

I believe that a major problem contributing to pet obesity is pet food companies feeding guidelines. In most cases, pet owners are not purposefully trying to make their animals overweight. They feed according to the guidelines, then they add in treats and dental chews and the occasional table scrap. Dogs and cats don’t need that many calories. When owners are feeding their entire daily caloric need in food, then supplementing treats, this results in weight gain and, ultimately, obesity.

We recommend dogs be fed on a daily caloric need versus based on the feeding guidelines on a bag. We are more than happy to calculate your pet’s daily caloric need based on his/her ideal body weight. We would also be happy to discuss lower calorie food options that may help your little one get to his/her ideal body weight as soon as possible, thus reducing the risk for the many above-mentioned health risks.

Drew Sullivan, DVM, Director
Medical District Veterinary Clinic

Veterinary technicians are vital to our practice and to the care of your pets. If we were to compare a veterinary technician to a position in the human medicine field, they play a role very similar to a registered nurse (RN). October 16-22 was National Veterinary Technician Week. I would like to let our clients know how much we appreciate all our technicians do for us.

The following is a short list of the many duties they perform: providing client education on wellness care, behavior recommendations, nutritional recommendations, preparing animals for exams or surgery, monitoring animals during surgery, collecting lab samples, running laboratory test, taking X-rays, administering medications and vaccines, and maintaining patient records.

Here at Medical District Veterinary Clinic we are fortunate to have six certified veterinary technicians on staff. Thank you to our amazing team: Candace Crawford, Kelsie Dolezal, Alexandra Garcia, Kyleen Linsemeyer, Crystal Redinger, and Priscilla Wegrzyn. Next time you are in let them know how much you appreciate them—this clinic would not be the same without them. See our profiles of them on our Facebook page.

Drew Sullivan, DVM, Director
Medical District Veterinary Clinic

Pet owners share some common misperceptions about the importance of monthly heartworm medications. So here’s a public service announcement that could save your pet’s life.

Heartworm infections have been diagnosed in all 50 states of the United States. Dog-to-dog transmission has been documented in 49 (good job, Alaska). Heartworms are presumed to be rampant in wild canids (such as wolves), which act as a holding tank for the infection.

Every single dog that ever goes outside is at risk for receiving a bite from a mosquito and subsequently is at risk for contracting heartworm disease. This includes tiny little Chihuahuas that never leave their owner’s arms and dogs that just go to the dog park once in a while. One bite, one infection, that’s enough.

Mosquitoes do not generally do their mosquito thing when temperatures reach below 50 degrees F. That being said, with erratic and warming temperatures, we are seeing temperatures often climbing above this threshold even in the late fall months and early spring.

Some clients suggest that they stop medicating their pet in September and begin again in March or April. This is a not an effective strategy. There are often warmer temperatures late in the year, and the mosquitoes do not care what month it is.

Heartworm protection is easy to give and relatively cheap. There are many different brands from which to choose and different rebates offered for bulk buying. If one buys a year’s worth, it generally comes out to about $10 a month. The cost of treating heartworms is substantial (especially with bigger dogs). It would surpass the cost of heartworm preventative for your dog’s whole life. Treatment for heartworm also is long, can be painful, and in some cases can be fatal.

Though some breeds, including collies, are known to have reactions to heartworm medication, the medication is generally safe and without complications for most dogs.

There are some homeopathic, more natural insecticides that can help fend off mosquitoes, but there is not one specifically designed to prevent heartworms. Your dog is at risk without heartworm medication.

So what should you do?

The safest thing to do is to make sure that your dog is on heartworm preventative all year long. If you live in a state, such as California, that doesn’t see heartworm disease very often, but you travel with your dog to environments with the disease, your dog is at risk and should be tested. In fact, every dog should be tested once a year to confirm that heartworm disease is not present.

Also, just a quick note that heartworm can be transmitted to cats (though this is rare) and humans (though this is even rarer). Mostly canids, wild and domestic, are at risk.

If your dog is not current on a heartworm test, or if you need heartworm preventative, or if you have any questions or concerns, let us know.

Brett Grossman, DVM
Medical District Veterinary Clinic