Shawn M. Finch, DVM

To all of the Pet Savers in Omaha and beyond…

Thank you for all you do to help pets!

I think that you are great.

Happy May Day!

I have some pretty major issues surrounding the story “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.”  It is worse than “Rock-a-Bye Baby!”  Saying that is a kids’ story is like saying The Grimms Brothers’ Fairy Tales are for kids.  Who screens these things??

Recently, two seemingly unrelated and pretty routine (as far as my life goes) events occurred.  One of my Very Favorite Kids asked me to read him a story in Sunday School.  Later in the week, I did a pretty cool surgery.

Anyways, after my very small friend jumped off of my lap and ran to play with his Hot Wheels in the Super Cool Preschool Sunday School Room Fort, with a good thirty years before the horrors of the story we just shared really occur to him, I put my head down on the very small table and thought “Why?  Why did she swallow a horse?”  (She died, of course.)

So, to deal with the flood of childhood memories, I have come up with a happier version of the story.  Also, it is true, and based on the aforementioned pretty cool surgery I did later.

I know a young cat who swallowed a dime.

We removed it in time

When she swallowed that dime.

She’ll be fine.

The End

Even in Real Life, foreign body* ingestion can be very dangerous and even fatal.  Five possible outcomes to foreign body ingestion may occur:

1. It will pass.
2. It will be barfed.
3. It will cause a partial obstruction, which can cause illness and may progress to a complete obstruction.
4. It will get stuck and cause death.
5. It will get stuck and be removed - usually by surgery or endoscopy.

(*foreign body = veterinary speak for “stuff that ought not be eaten” that may cause a blockage in the stomach or intestine.  Toxins are another catagory of “stuff that ought not be eaten” and deserve their own post as they are also very dangerous.)

As with the old lady and the fly, I don’t know why Kitty swallowed the dime.  It was more a Retriever Puppy sort of thing to do than a Cat thing to do.  Cats tend to play with string and such and accidently swallow things that they are unable to spit out because of how their mouths and tongues work.

The dime became lodged in Kitty’s small intestine.  Food was unable to pass and the dime caused considerable pain and vomiting.  Without surgery, she would have died from lack of nutrition, or more likely, because the dime would have ulcerated through her intestinal wall, causing sepsis.

Such a cool surgery, but I hate foreign bodies because of the pain they cause and danger they pose.  (No, not really because of the story.  It is actually entertaining in a twisted sort of way.)  Kitty is home and well.  But how in the world does a person cat-proof an entire house, including making even spare change inaccessible, when cats can reach everything?? As complex as foreign body removal surgery and medication and aftercare can be…I think I had the easy end of that case.

Next up, an open and ongoing brainstorming list of every foreign body case we can collectively think of…Please add things your own pets have eaten and cases you have heard about or been involved with!  I hope that if you have had to deal with this with your own pets, your stories have ended as well as Kitty’s did.  And may you never (or never again) have to deal with a gastrointestinal foreign body with your own pet.

Stuff Pets Eat

golf balls

bouncy balls

rubber balls

tennis balls

wedding rings

engagement rings

electric blankets

pencil erasers

fishhooks

fishing line attached to fishhooks

buttons

leashes

rawhides

rope toys

chicken bones

glass

toy suction cups

Nerf darts

bullets

rocks

pantyhose

panties

socks

shoes

slippers

string

balloons

string attached to balloons

thread

needles

thread attached to needles

pacifiers

Gorilla Glue

rubber chickens

toy dinosaurs

Australian palm fruit

peach pits

fishing bait

possums

birds

rats

bunnies

beavers

table legs

door frames

tv trays

kennels

dental floss

poop

towels

stolen food scraps

pizza and the pizza box in which it came

fuzz from the bottom fabric under the couches

rubber bands

Nativity sheep

mulch

Nerf footballs

pins

condoms

tampons

pads

plastic bottles

bottle caps

Nylabones

plastic bags

paperclips

nails

bath mats

pens

pen caps

bright pink leotards

sticks

carpet

stuffed toys

plastic eyeballs of stuffed toys

dimes

Anesthesia for the Pet Practitioner, Third Edition

Five Stars!

✩✩✩✩✩

I love this book.

Anesthesia is the most important thing we do as veterinary teams.

Those are some pretty strong statements.  OK, not the first one.  I love almost every book I read.  I have no minimum standard.  Everyone’s in!  But I love this book on a whole deeper level than most.

Is anesthesia really the most important thing we do as veterinary teams?  I mean, we do a lot of things!  I asked my own team the other day, actually as we were all standing around a dog who was at the beginning of an anesthetic procedure.  Around the dog… “Yeah.”  ”Yeah.”  ”Yeah.”  ”Yeah.”  ”Really, guys?”  I said.  ”We do a lot of things.”  They proceeded to tell me exactly why anesthesia is the most important thing we do much more articulately than I am about to do here, but I will try to share their wisdom…and my convictions…with you.

Anesthesia is the most important thing we do.

I realize that is a sweeping statement.  I realize that between all the team members and all the pets and all the clients and all the diseases and injuries and preventative care measures, there are countless things we do, and it is unfair to say ONE thing is the most important.  It is.  Nothing else we do carries the same risks, even to healthy pets, as anesthesia does. It is a powerful thing. This book reflects that well.

The Cover: I would be remiss if I did not mention the cover of Anesthesia for the Pet Practitioner.  It has a sleepy (not sedated, just sleepy) Golden Retriever at the top!  What’s not to love?  SO cute!!  And the bottom half of the cover is a pretty blue with a bit of orange.  Still getting used to the orange, but it is nice.  So…

Five Stars on the Cover!

✩✩✩✩✩

The rest of this review is at:

The Wagging Tail Blog

I was going to put it all in one place, but The Wagging Tail is a professional site geared towards veterinarians, and I did not want to leave out the silly parts of my review, you know, like how cute the cover is!  Also, Banfield’s website was just updated, and it looks amazing.  I haven’t clicked through all the pages, but what I have seen looks really neat.

So that is here, and more is there, but if you really want to know if the book is all that…don’t take my word for it!  I think you will really like this one, vet teams.  I saw that it on Amazon for twenty-two dollars new - crazy inexpensive for a veterinary text!  I may buy a copy to have at home.  I also just saw that it is available online for free!  I am still not used to “turning pages” on the computer screen, but if you are not stuck in the last millinium and like things like Kindle and iBooks, you will like that cool feature!

And to all our other friends…Aren’t you glad we obsess about this stuff?  Do you agree that anesthesia is the most important thing that veterinary teams do?

Dr. V has a Brody Signal - it is a picture of her super cute pup that she puts over a flashlight and shines into the night.  Other pet lovers the world over see the signal, get the message and join her in her mission to make the world a better place.*

Today’s Mission:

“A Virtual Fundraiser to Aid Animal Relief Efforts via World Vets”

I do not think we even know how bad this tsunami and earthquake disaster in Japan is yet.  Not everyone is found.  The nuclear scare is not over.  I cling to stories of individuals because the big picture is just too much.  Everyone seems to be two degrees from loved ones in Japan.  Or one.  Or zero.  World Vets is in Japan, helping with relief efforts.

Sometimes people rescuers need to focus on finding and rescuing people and need pet rescuers to come along side of them to rescue the pets.

Sometimes pet owners need to know they are loved, and we understand how awful it is to be be seperated from and even lose loved ones.

Sometimes communities need to know that we care and that we long for a concrete way to show that and that we would do anything to make the situation better, even though we cannot fix it.

Sometimes people cannot take in the horror of an entire country in pain and need to hear one encouraging account of a rescue…a reuniting…a hopeless situation that ended happily.

Pray for Japan

Reach out

Support World Vets

“Rejoice with those who rejoice.

Mourn with those who mourn.”**

*Dr. V does not have a Brody Signal.  *sigh*  I wish she did.  But her super awesome blog Pawcurious works just fine when pet lovers need to be gathered for a common goal.  I think she should do both.

**Romans 12:15 (New International Version of the Bible)

March 18, 2011 Veterinary Practice News Article:  Vets, Animal Groups Rally to Help in Japan Relief Efforts

March 15, 2011 is…

Adopt the Internet Day.

In honor of Petfinder’s fifteenth birthday, pet lovers/bloggers everywhere are spreading the word about adoptable pets.  Here are some fun ways you can help…

If you have a website, write a blog post about Adopt the Internet Day.

Dedicate today’s Facebook status and picture to an adoptable pet from Petfinder.

Adopt a pet!

Share an adoptable Petfinder pet on twitter with the hashtag #adopttheinternet.

For more great ideas right from Petfinder, click the super-cute badge.  (Also, you can cut and paste the badge into your own blog post if you would like.)

Happy Birthday Petfinder!

May the next fifteen years bring you even closer to obsolete.

(I mean that in the nicest every-pet-has-a-forever-home sort of way!)

Thank you for being a Pet Saver on the grandest level.

Also, just as important, today is my Mom-in-Law Karen’s birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAREN!!  I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!

Our herd is down from eight to three, 37.5% of capacity, and we are not repopulating.  Fortunately, Max the Cat, Noodle the Poodle and Joy the Puppy all tolerate hugs*, because they have been put on Grief Duty.  I find myself asking “Who’s next?” and waking the poor things up if they are sleeping too comfortably.  Noodle has been known to sleep with all four paws up on occasion.  He has been the recipient of the rudest awakenings.

In an attempt to back off from this dangerous path, I am making the conscious decision to appreciate my pets on a day-to-day basis and enjoy the time I have with them.  Yes, approximately 67% of the remaining herd is oldie-old, but they are also all healthy, and probably tired of being included in my late night panics.  So hold me accountable.  There is much grieving yet to do, but I do not want to miss out on today.

I can’t really pull myself out of this of course, even with all of your wonderful support (And you ARE wonderful - thank you so much for walking through this with us) - This is going to take the power of God Himself.  While I hope you are in a happier season, this next quote is a good reminder to us all, and then a word of “encouragement” from my very favorite singer ever, Rich Mullins.  And then, I will come visit the blogs of other pet blogger friends on the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop.  And then…I am going to go hug my cat.

“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

-Jesus

“It’s hard to be like Jesus.”

-Rich Mullins

*Note:  Hugging most dogs is ill-advised.  Normal dogs do not like hugs.  Hugging most cats is just asking for it.  Our pets are all sorts of special.  Do not attempt this at home unless you are a Trained Pet Hugger.  I am not.  I just have really tolerant pets.

Edie Jarolim of “Will My Dog Hate Me?” and Amy Burkert of “Go Pet Friendly” challenged people who blog about pets to answer a set of questions about their site on this, the tenth day of January.

I try to keep up with pet blogs, but was challenged at a whole new level this past weekend, when I joined the Saturday Pet Blog Hop for the first time.  (Yes, I have visited every single one of the 134 140 sites!  Woo!  You guys have some cute pets!)  THAT is where I heard about The Pet Blogger Challenge.

I am always up for a great group project, especially when it involves pets or blogging or both, and don’t tell Edie and Amy, but I think they are awesome, and I will most likely do anything they tell me to do.  Here are their questions…

1. When did you begin your blog?

September 1, 2006

2. What was your original purpose for starting a blog?

My original purpose was to get pet preventative care information to pet lovers in a broader way than just one-on-one in the exam room, veterinarian to client (which I still think is super important!)

My brother Dave suggested that I publish a newsletter for our family and mutual friends.  I loved the idea!  I tried to talk him into helping me print, staple and deliver newsletters to our friends, and he talked me into putting all of the newsletters onto a website that he offered to design for me.  (Dave, you were right, this is much more fun!)

He and his wife Sara had a gorgeous Great Dane at the time, so we named the site after her, The Official Riley Fan Club.  He even made buttons and fan club cards - so cute!  They still have Riley and later adopted James, the wonderful English Mastiff, and the website became Riley and James.  I went from publishing kind of long, formal entries every other month, to my current practice of publishing about twice a week.

Riley and James and…Riley and James!

3. Is your current purpose the same?

Yes!  The methods have changed over the years, but the purpose of Riley and James is the same, to provide pet preventative care information to pet lovers.  I also want it to be a fun site, and to be able to share some of my own pets’ stories.  I recently came up with a Purpose Statement, at the recommendation of Problogger, and buried it in a long, rambling post.  I will repost it here, and then at the Website Update, maybe somewhere more prominent!

The Purpose of the Riley and James Website:

To Promote Preventative Care of Pets in Order to Enrich the Lives of Pets and Their People

4. Do you blog on a schedule or as the Spirit moves you?

At first, posts were every other month.  In 2010, I posted about twice a week.  Now I am trying to do that (way more fun, and I can post shorter, more random stuff) and I am trying to post on Mondays and Fridays, to give myself a schedule to follow.

5. Are you generating income from your blog?

No, but I hope I am making pet lovers think about important things, and providing good medical information, and that I am playing a part in pets living longer, healthier lives.

I do work for Carefresh, and have written for Veterinary Economics and Firstline.  I do not think I would have met any of the wonderful people involved with those groups if I had not been writing online.

6. What do you like most about blogging in general and your blog in particular?

I know those of you who do not know me in person do not believe me (because you have told me so!) but I am an extreme introvert.  Unless I am completely comfortable in a group, I will always choose listening over talking.

With the blog, I am able to formulate my thoughts and get them out there, without worrying I will not be heard because my voice is too soft or I am not articulate enough.  I think I have valid things to say, especially when it comes to veterinary medicine and related topics, but I will not necessarily say them outloud in Real Life.  It is great to have this outlet.

7. What do you like least?

I really, really love everything about doing the Riley and James website and all of the writing and online interaction opportunities that have come from it.

8. How do you see your blog changing/growing in 2011?

I hope to become a better writer, take cuter pictures (That will be hard to do without Fuzzy and Wuzzy), make a dent in the puppy mill and cat overpopulation problems, connect in more ways with the pet community at large…I just think it is going to be a really great year, and I am excited to see it unfold.

Oh!  Also, Dave is updating the website this year! If you know Dave Nelson, or his company, Secret Penguin, you know he does incredible work!  Check back soon for the great updates!  I will keep you posted.

*****

Coming Soon to Riley and James:

My daughter Abby will review the kids’ book, Marvin, The Golf Caddy Dog, by Harold R. Mann, an Omaha author.  Our friends at Nebraska Humane Society know I like reviewing books and that Abby just read this one, and suggested I have her do a guest post - book review.  Her first blog post, woo!  Great idea, guys!  Thanks!

Bunny Trails: My latest article is up at Omaha.net…

Arthritis in Cats and Dogs

I wish it did NOT feature my own Max the Cat and Ebony Dog, but aren’t they gorgeous??

Earlier this year, I started facebook page for Banfield, The Pet Hospital of Papillion.  It has been a very fun learning curve and a very fun project!

I still have not learned all of the ways in which to utilize facebook.  The group of people who “like” the page is just the neatest group of people ever (you).  So far we have posted some pet tips and links to articles here and there.  And of course, since it is me, there have been a few smart alec comments too. : )

Let me know what YOU would like to see on facebook!  I can amuse myself all day, but that does not necessarily help you or your pets, and that is the idea behind the page - to help you be better informed, be encouraged, get to know us, and to help your pets have the very best medical care they can have, either with us or because we have helped you become empowered to be super awesome advocates for them (hopefully both!)

So send me all of your great ideas.  If you like the page, tell your friends about it.  Thank you for all of your support here and there and in Real Life.  I think you are the very best.

Banfield, The Pet Hospital of Papillion

What is the most important thing going on right now?  The Blogathon! What does all of Nebraska think is the most important thing going on right now?  KICKOFF!

GO BIG RED!

I grew up in Nebraska so my blood is Husker red, as it should be.  I LOVE football season.  I LOVE getting together with our family for game day.  I LOVE the snacks, I even love the fuzzy AM radio commentary in the background.  Most of all, I love the grey Nebraska sweatshirt that Dad bought me twenty years ago right before I started college at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

Even though I yell about the importance of our state flag and state history every time we drive past a bank flying a big red “N” flag instead of the proper state flag with our official state seal, I secretly even kind of love that.

The Official Flag of the Great State of Nebraska

The Actual Flag that is Flown in the Great State of Nebraska

I have a confession though.  (Looking around…Oh good, they are all focused on kickoff.)  *whispering*  I do not like football. During prevet at University of Nebraska at Lincoln, I went to ONE SINGLE football game and just about died of boredom.

When Nebraska (my prevet school) played Iowa State (my vet school), all the Finches and all the Nelsons and all the Babcocks came to Ames, Iowa and went to the game together, and I LOVED that day, because of the friends and family part.  I do not even remember who won, though I assume Nebraska did - Iowa State should stick to training vets…and engineers and stuff.

At least when the game is on TV, I am in a comfy living room or Jones’ garage, surrounded by people I love and tables of great snacks.  I love everything about Husker football…except the game itself.

I will be right back after I hide my Nebraska Citizen Card.  When this gets out, They are going to try to revoke it.

So ENOUGH about football.  In honor of kickoff, I thought for this post we could talk about…

Pets Named Husker!

In Littleton, Colorado I had an adorable West Highland White Terrier patient named Husker.  There are quite a few Husker fans in Colorado, which I enjoyed.  I felt less homesick surrounded by Nebraska folks.  Eventually being surrounded by Husker fans and spending time with Husker the Westie once or twice a year was not enough, and we moved home to Nebraska.

While epidemiology studies and obesity studies and such are all kind of neat, THE BEST thing about the national Banfield database is the ability to learn how many Banfield patients are named Husker.  The grand total is…four hundred and eighteen!  Thirty-three of the fifty states have Banfield patients named Husker.  Colorado leads with 74.  Next is Texas with 51 and Arizona with 43.  Nebraska is FOURTH with 36!

At the practice I am at now we have one cat named Husker, three dogs named Husker and one hedgehog named Husker Hedgehog.  I have quite a few Bo patients, though I doubt they are named after THE Bo, it’s just a cute retriever name (and a cute presidential dog name).  I do not have any Tom patients, but that is not such a great pet name.  Maybe for a cat, but even then, if you want a plain old cat name, Max, of course, is much better.

Max the Cat cares as much about football as I do.

Clicking here will bring you to the webpage with information about Bradyn and an opportunity to donate towards the training of his service dog from 4 Paws for Ability. ♥

A while back, I posted a series of Pug Health Articles written for Pug Partners of Nebraska.  Here is a list of those articles, in case you need to find them quickly!  They are not just pug-specific.  But the poor dears do lend themselves so well to health issue discussions!

Introduction:  Pugs are cute, but they do have issues.

(haha I still think that is a hilarious title!  Woo!  I crack myself up!)

Allergies

Anal Glands

Coprophagia

Dental Disease

Ear Care

Eye Care

Orthopedic Issues

Paw Care

Respiratory Issues

Skin Care

Weight Management

If there are other Pug (or any) topics you would like me to cover, please let me know!  I always thought Dave and Sara should get a Boston Terrier to match Riley the Great Dane’s markings, and a Pug to match James the Mastiff’s markings.  Don’t you agree??

Mona Lisa, the super cute Boston Terrier

Ebony (our gorgeous Lab Mix), James and Riley (also gorgeous!)

Typhoon, the super cute Pug