Hattie’s Corner

Ah, those long legs, that tiny waist, such an Italian beauty; that’s Gina Lollobrigida. This describes our first AVEC patient of the month, a wonderful Italian Greyhound puppy, “Gina Lollobrigida” Jancuski. Gina’s owners brought her to AVEC on November 2, 2009, following a traumatic injury to the left eye at the owners mountain home. Hope for a cosmetic, non-painful solution was initially very doubtful. “Gina” presented with hyphema (blood in the eye), uveitis (intraocular inflammation), and a secondary glaucoma. Needless to say, the owners were devastated, and only hoped that their beloved family pet would not have to lose her left eye. Dr. Powell-Johnson discussed the medical and surgical options with the Jancuskis. First, Gina’s left eye was stabilized and an aggressive topical and oral medical regime was initiated. Dr. Powell-Johnson developed a special relationship with this young patient, and when the clients had to go out of town on a trip that had been planned months in advance, she took Gina home with her each evening for several days. Gina and Hattie Mae developed a great friendship.

Over the next several weeks the pressure in the left eye started to increase, despite all medical therapy. Gina clearly was in pain. A  surgical procedure, cyclocryotherapy, was perforned, for the management of her glaucoma.

Take a look and Gina and her Mom, postoperatively. She is a happy, interactive puppy, and a joy to everyone that meets her. Keep kicking up those long legs, Gina Lollabrigida.

As we move through a new decade, healthy pets and clients are our goals. The lifestyle that we have as pet owners reflects directly on  the decisions we make for our pets’ overall health. Throughout the year we will feature helpful tools that can help to dictate positive lifestyle changes for you and your pet.

What types of food should you be working into your diet on a daily basis? Are you aware of what nutrients are found in a specific foods? Below is a helpful chart you can print up and utilize as a reference guide.

FOODS

Acorn Squash - Lycopen, Folate, Vit. A & C, Potassium

Almond - Potassium, high in unsaturated fats, Riboflavin, Magnesium, Zinc

Asparagus - Vitamin A & C

Barley - Iron and Minerals

Beef Eye of Round - Zinc and Vit. B6, however limit your red meat consumption

Blueberries - Antioxidants

Brussels Sprouts - High in Vitamin k

Cantaloupe - Great source of beta-carotene and Vit.C

Carrots - Vitamin A

Cauliflower - Vitamin C

Kidney Beans - Fiber, Iron and Protein

Mackerel - Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Vitamin D and Selenium

Okra - Vitamin C

Peaches - Vitamins A& C

Peanut Butter - Protein and Niacin

Prunes - Fiber, potassium, Vit A, B6, Antioxidants

Salmon - Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Sardines - Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Vit.D and Calcium

Strawberries - Vitamin C, Antioxidants

Tofu - Protein and Calcium

Tomatoes - Lycopene, Lutein

Walnuts - Low in saturated fats, high in unsaturated fats, Minerals and Folate

Watermelon - Lycopene, Vitamin A

White Fish - Omega-3 Fatty Acids

SO TRY AND WORK THESE FOODS INTO YOUR WEEK!

This is an excerpt from “51 Healthy Foods You Can Say ‘Yes’ To. Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter

Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart

I wanted to let you know the Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart program will air nationally on WGN America on November 15, 2009 at 11 am EST. If the program is confirmed to air in Atlanta, Tampa, or Miami I will let you know as soon as I hear.

Books!

Have you read any good books lately? Well there is a great new book out that really tells the story of Bats!! That’s’ right Bats!

My Mom, Dr. Gail Powell-Johnson coauthored the book and her contributing chapter is titled: Bat Vision and Ophthalmology, of course. How relevant for the fall season. Anyway, it’s an interesting book titled; Bats in Captivity: Volume 1: Biological and Medical Aspects edited by Susan Barnard. So next time you are in the office, ask my Mom to let you browse through this most exciting publication.

Zoonotic Diseases

How many of you know what zoonotic disease is? It is a disease that can be transmitted from man to animals or from animals to man. Some examples of these organisms include Toxoplasma, Giardia, Toxocaia to name a few. Close physical contact between owners and their pets is quite common as our pets are considered family members, but keep in mind that this contact can impose an increased risk of transmission.

We (pets) love all these things below, however, consider the transmission of zoonotic pathogens the next time you let your pet:

1. into your bed
2. walk onto kitchen counter and food preparation areas
3. lick your face and mouth

Does your owner change the litter box frequently; wash their hands regularly after contact with their pets?

These are words that may help keep you and your pets safe!

Check me and my Mom out in a local Atlanta paper! Some nice people came to talk to my mom about helping animals’ eyes. You can see a neat photo of me getting my eyes checked out with a slit lamp biomicroscope! Read about us here.

Here are some photos of Xi Lan, our newest addition in the Panda family at Zoo Atlanta. Earlier this year, Xi- Lan had his first ophthalmic examination. How cute is that face!

Over Dr. Powell-Johnsons’ career, she has examined both adult Pandas, Lun Lun, and Yang Yang. Their first offspring, Mei Lan, has had a complete ophthalmic examination as well.

Ailuropoda melanoleuca (Giant Panda), originated in China and are mostly related to bears. Xi Lan was born at Zoo Atlanta on August 30, 2008, and is Lun Lun and Yang Yangs’ second offspring. We are so proud of Lun Lun, as she is a good Mom.

AVEC is committed to the conservation and animal husbandry, as it relates to both domestic and nondomestic species. Pandas’ natural habitats are being challenged, and it is important for the next generation to protect and cherish these majestic creatures.

Just checking in! My Mom and Dad just traveled out of town for a few days. So I really had fun with my petsitter in the evening, and hanging out with my buddies at my favorite daycare, Piedmont Bark, during the day. They are great there, and the owner, William, is my neighbor and a pretty cool guy.

I have finally convinced Mom to start carrying a few of my favorite things at AVEC. So, the next time you are in the neighborhood, stop in and say hello and inquire about Hattiemaes’ Favorite Things:

• Wysong Dream Treats - chicken, pheasant
• Doctor’s Dream Treats - Healthy Teeth
• Archetype Burgers
• Archetype Buffet

The Archetypal Fresh Variety is a potpourri of special non-thermally processed foods that you can use to vary and supplement various diets. The food is cold processed, which is great, as heat is the enemy of nutrients. It’s 99% meat and there are no grains, which unnaturally dilute the diet with high levels of carbohydrates. Also, Archetype is free of additives used to create color, texture, taste, stool consistency and shelf-life. And best of all, its has yummy things that I like, such as cold processed meat, organs, bones, collagen, antioxidants, fruits and vegetables,and even probiotics.
HAVE YOU SEEN HOW SHINY AND BRIGHT MY COAT IS LATELY?

Another FAVORITE THINGS is Snook’s Sweet Potato Dog Chews. They help to keep my teeth healthy and clean. Since the food I eat doesn’t have a lot of additives, and I chew on Snook’s, my teeth are sparkling and white, and I don’t need a denistry every year. The dried sweet potatoes are organic, and on a hemp rope, so I love to romp through the house tossing them around. Every now and then I break one off, and yummy, yummy, yummy.

Oh well, talk with you soon!

EARS - Used in conjunction with loose skin between eyes and on forehead to express feelings especially useful when in scrounging mode!!

MOUTH- Loose and flabby, tends to leak profusely especially after drink or when in the vicinity of chocolate or other goodies.

TAIL- Short and stumpy can sound like a military tattoo when rapidly thumped against floor at the mention of a walk.

HEAD- Broad and extremely hard, doubly so when in sudden contact with your chin during enthusiastic greeting or during play.

EYES- big and brown with built in twinkle, can look sad but this only a trick to get his own way or to avoid punishment after misdemeanor!!!!

CHEST- broad and muscular, usually stuck out proudly when being praised for good behavior.

Note: Boxers make excellent pet dogs for fairly athletic families who are willing to spend plenty of time out of doors, walking and playing. He hates to be left behind on family outings.