By: Dean Roles

CAN I: Constant And Neverending Improvement

Why is our team here at Centaur Training so successful?  We constantly achieve success where others have failed and when I say others I am referring to not only local but nationally, well recognized trainers also.  Most of these trainers have had their rejects pass thru our doors over the last 20 years.  To our delight we have been able to reconcile these relationships.

First and foremost I believe the answer to the question is our attitude.  Simply put, we have a No Excuses attitude.  We take Responsibility for every aspect of the training, especially the negative aspects.  We absolutely refuse to be victims, or to allow our people or horses to be victims.  Instead we empower them by defining the responsibilities of each of the parties involved in the training.  That understanding alleviates confusion and frustration between the parties creating empathy which allows teamwork.

Our success rate at achieving our client’s goals is, in reality, a little higher than 98%, compared to other trainers we win hands down.  I have noticed that failures usually include the blame game, blaming of the horse and/or their person for the failure.  Centaur Training also fails, the difference is what happens next!  We change it! How? C.A.N. I.?

Without a doubt, to master the horse one must master one’s self.  Self mastery starts with the realization that improvement is desirable.  Self mastery is only achieved by constant improvement.  We just don’t try and try again, we improve then we try again.  When success is finally achieved we still strive to improve upon that.  We make sure we never take pride in how we do something.  This allows us to easily modify what we are doing within the construct of the golden rules of equis.  The No Excuses attitude is a lot easier to maintain if you realize that every problem presents an opportunity to improve.

Remind yourself that we learn the most from our mistakes.  Humans really have a hard time accepting that mistakes are always part of improvement.  Mistakes made by the human or the horse provide opportunities for improvement in both.

Remember the “Proof is in the Pudding”.
Always accept your horses’ feedback and do not accept excuses.
Trust me, you can do this!  I know you can.

Testimonial:

I met Dean Roles during the summer of 2010.  Since then, my life and my horse’s life have changed in a positive direction.  I am no longer afraid to ride my once anxious, nervous, confused Tennessee Walker named Tony.  Building a close and solid relationship of trust and understanding with your horse is Dean’s foremost goal.  He asked me at our first meeting what I wanted to achieve with my horse.  My reply was that I wanted a safe and more relaxed horse to ride.  Thus began our first month of training.

When I brought Tony to Dean’s facility, I thought Tony had good ground manners.  Boy was I in for a surprise.  Dean informed me that Tony was the leader and I clearly was not.  Dean worked with Tony for the first couple of weeks while I observed his techniques with both groundwork and riding skills.  I didn’t miss a day of training…..five days a week.  Then it was time for me to get up in the saddle.  I was a nervous wreck with lost confidence and I am sure Tony knew it.  Dean certainly did.  But we worked through my fears with baby steps.

By the end of the next two weeks, I had regained my confidence and could not wait to get Tony back home and ride him in the ring.  What a different horse in just four weeks…..much calmer, less anxiety, and overall just a happier horse.  Winter came and went, as did summer whereby I was unable to ride due to a back injury (non-horse related).  However, this past August, Dean came to our farm and my training resumed through the end of October.  His techniques and ability to finesse a horse with what appears to be little effort is nothing less than amazing.

I cannot describe how happy I am that I chose Dean Roles to be my trainer.  He is a confident leader in the horse arena and is teaching me to be a confident leader with Tony.  If Dean were to ask you what are the two most important things you are in charge of with your horse, you would quickly reply “speed and direction.”  Once you have control of those two key elements you will be on your way to a happy and safe riding experience.  Thank you, Dean, for everything you have taught me and for everything you will continue to teach me. ~ Pam Nebel, Harrington, DE

Centaur Training, LLC

A full-service boarding/training facility.

22000 Heritage Farm Rd.
Bridgeville, DE 19933
302-245-5423
centaurllc@yahoo.com
www.centaurtrainingllc.com

By: Dean Roles

That was a simple little statement in my last article for the Woman’s Journal. The understanding of that statement is the key to the door that opens into the room where trust is created. Trust is fundamental to the exceptional relationship between horse and rider. For good or bad, that relationship will be the most important aspect of your life while you are sitting upon the beast.

Harmony is what allows you to
communicate clearly with your horse.

This will then facilitate soft and supple transitions in speed and/or direction easily without adding to the native tension, which the removal of native tension is one of the goals of training. Simply put, harmony is the silence between the notes. Without that silence, there is no music, just noise. Since the language used with the horse is body language, silence is achieved through non-interference of locomotion of the horse.

This non-interference is
only achieved through proper practice,

especially the movement of the pelvic region in the human while riding. That pelvic practice is usually best achieved through bare back riding while being longed on a calm quiet horse. No leg or rein aids are to be used during this exercise. Those aids or their suitable replacements are to be handled by the person longeing you.

The exercises are simple in nature
and primarily are achieved
by gaining enough balance
which enables the rider to relax

and then which in turn allows the rider’s pelvis to be moved properly without interfering with the horse. Your job as a rider is to realize the affect of the horse’s motion on you and to maintain proper position while absorbing the motion. The golden rule for these exercises is as follows Breathe! Inhale. Sit taller. Exhale. Relax. Continuous breathing, in and out, long deep breathes. Sit taller every inhale and become more relaxed every exhale. Remember to control your breathing and you will control your mind and control your body.

Start your exercises at the walk,
once you can maintain
perfect balance in the walk,
change direction and repeat.

You should notice a slight difference in the motion from the left compared to the right, this is perfectly normal. The difference is normal in your ability to absorb motion from left to right, once both directions are mastered progress to the trot. Again, when balance and relaxation are achieved in both directions, progress into the canter. Warning, it is often the transitions between gaits that are the hardest to master. Using a well-gaited horse with nice transitions will be very conducive to your goal.

Body control results in clear communication.

Clear communication between the horse and rider is the conveyance that creates trust. Trust helps to create love and that is what it is
all about!

My name is Colleen Swain and I am 47 years old and a retired police officer from N.Y. I have ridden horses my entire life and thought I was a pretty proficient rider and had reasonable horse knowledge. Three years ago for my Christmas present I received a 19 month old gelding. I started searching for the right trainer and after six to ten recommendations I called Dean Roles. After a two hour conversation I chose Dean as my trainer. My gelding is now 5 years old and in my opinion, the best trained horse in my pasture. His ground manners are impeccable. Dean Roles’ special method of training you and your horse is remarkable.  The more I learned the more I wanted to learn. I honestly developed an addiction to gaining knowledge from Dean and my horse was truly happy at his farm. I am the mother of two daughters and I would say the satisfaction I got when I found Dean was the satisfaction you get when you find the perfect babysitter. With Dean your horse will reach its full potential.

Centaur Training, LLC
A full-service boarding/training facility.
22000 Heritage Farm Rd.
Bridgeville, DE 19933
302-245-5423
centaurllc@yahoo.com
www.centaurtrainingllc.com

By: Dean Roles

Well, I have spent a life time
trying to figure those two subjects out,

and I am smart enough to only address the latter. I have observed the effects of horses on humans for over twenty years, 6 to 7 days a week. It is quite amazing to watch a horse as it rips through someone’s psyche, disenabling any dysfunctional coping mechanism that may exist, and trust me, there is literally no more powerful self help tool on this planet then 1000 pounds of horse that must be controlled by love not fear, through relationship not oppression, through faith not doubt. Unfortunately most trainers work through fear and oppression. Anyone who has been involved in the equine world long enough certainly has observed that. In recent years, trainers and clinicians have disguised this oppression through passive aggressive techniques that still have the same affects that the brutal techniques of the recent past decade and unfortunately for many owners as soon as the oppression stops, that is when the training stops and the horse returns home, its just a matter of time until the rebellion starts and although there is always an exception to every rule in this instance that would be the horse that remains in a subdued state of mind just out of habitual apathy. The loss of true harmony between horse and owner is just as significant, whether the horse is in a state of rebellion or apathy. That harmony is the only true way and it’s loss is a grave mistake.

Besides finding the proper horse that is mentally
and physically suited to the equine endeavors you wish to do,
the most important decision you’re going to make
is which trainer you are going to use.

Since finding the right individual is of such vital importance lets briefly discuss how to choose a suitable match for you and your horse. The one rule that can save you a lot of time and money is  get off your butt and go meet the Trainer before making any kind of commitment. I’m always amazed at peoples reactions when I inform them that an interview process is required before they may book their horse for training with me. I find not only is that interview important for myself and the client but expedites also the training process, it is a must for the exchange of vital information. The following true story represents what such an exchange of information can prevent.

About 10 years ago I had a client from the Dover area that had me train a Paso fino for her. I did a good job and the woman was very pleased with the results, so she decided that it would be a wonderful idea if I trained a horse for her husband who had recently lost his arm in an accident as a birthday gift for him. Wow I thought, what a great opportunity  for this man to get a sense of independence and for me to have the challenge of training a horse to perform for this person at a high level with his physical challenge. So I trained this horse to do many wonderful things. I trained the horse to bow to be mounted with a simple tap of one hand to her shoulder. The horse neck reined at the slightest hand movement. In three months, I had taken a wild little Paso fino and made a safe one armed controlled dynamo. His birthday came and arrangements were made for the big surprise, unfortunately the surprise was mine, I had trained the horse with my right arm, the same arm that was lost by her husband in the accident. Needless to say, some retraining was required.

The interview process provides an opportunity to become
well informed about what to expect and what is required.

While following our simple but very important rule of getting off your butt, you should due the following:
1. Watch the trainer work with at least one horse, if possible have them work a horse within the discipline you are planning on using the horse.
2. Observe the other horses in training. Do the horses look healthy and happy? Do they look like you would want your horse to look?
3. Inspect the facility. Is it clean? Is it a safe environment, for your horse and for you? Is there a safe place for you to ride and horse to be trained? Do the horses there have a constant supply of fresh water and feed? How are the pastures? Do the pastures have grass or is it just a sand lot? How is the fence, is it a nice sturdy fence or is it about to fall over with nails sticking out all over the place?  Is it overcrowded? Are there clean stalls available if needed for your horse?
4. Ask if you will be able to observe them working with your horse. If not select another trainer! If your trainer agrees, during the first sessions expect it to look a little rough; due to the herd social structure the trainer will be forced apply pressure upon the horse physically to establish the bases of the relationship. The golden rule of force comes in to play here. Always use as little force as possible and always as much as needed!
5. Observe your horse immediately and closely when the session is over. The horse should be calmer and more confident.
6. Give the trainer a list of your expectations, what you would like them to accomplish with your horse, and discuss it, your expectations may not be reasonable!

I find in life often the way something begins
will closely resemble how it ends.

Put your effort in at the beginning and you will most likely receive the outcome you’re looking for. I am going to conclude this article with a list of big red flags to look for if you encounter one or more of these situations remove your horse immediately!
1. If the horse loses a significant amount of weight
2. The horse seems mentally distressed for over a two week period of time
3. The horse consistently receives new injuries without good explanation
4. If the training stops progressing over a protracted period of time
5. If the trainer appears to be unreasonably frightened of the horse
6. If your gut tells you to

Having horses is like having young children; it is your responsibility to make sure he or she remains safe while you provide them with the best education possible. Just remember horses don’t lie, trust them, trust yourself. Horses are not to be objectified, to do so is an invitation for disaster. Finally if it is not fun you missed the point!

My name is Colleen Swain and I am 47 years old and a retired police officer from N.Y. I have ridden horses my entire life and thought I was a pretty proficient rider and had reasonable horse knowledge. Three years ago for my Christmas present I received a 19 month old gelding. I started searching for the right trainer and after six to ten recommendations I called Dean Roles. After a two hour conversation I chose Dean as my trainer. My gelding is now 5 years old and in my opinion, the best trained horse in my pasture. His ground manners are impeccable. Dean Roles’ special method of training you and your horse is remarkable.  The more I learned the more I wanted to learn. I honestly developed an addiction to gaining knowledge from Dean and my horse was truly happy at his farm. I am the mother of two daughters and I would say the satisfaction I got when I found Dean was the satisfaction you get when you find the perfect babysitter. With Dean your horse will reach its full potential.

Centaur Training, LLC
A full-service boarding/training facility.
22000 Heritage Farm Rd.
Bridgeville, DE 19933
302-245-5423
centaurtrainingllc@yahoo.com

]]> http://thewomensjournal.com/20110821/of-woman-and-horses/feed/ 0 http://thewomensjournal.com/20110807/an-unexpected-way-to-cope/ http://thewomensjournal.com/20110807/an-unexpected-way-to-cope/#comments Sun, 07 Aug 2011 14:43:43 +0000 heather http://thewomensjournal.com/?p=13680 The Spending time with a dog may be a surprising way to improve health and wellness.

It can lower blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, release endorphins, and diminish physical pain.  Pet-assisted therapy can  improve emotional well-being by lessening depression, encouraging communication, and increasing socialization.

Pet-assisted therapy group PAWS for People got its start in 2005

and has been growing and expanding on its mission to lovingly provide elders, children, and folks with disabilities individualized, therapeutic visits with gentle, affectionate pets.

PAWS for People has a variety of programs which visit numerous locations.

There are programs designed for elders, children, and one-on-one situations. Many are familiar with programs such as hospital visits, but PAWS for People is unique with programs such as PAWS for Reading and work with Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers. PAWS for
Reading allows children to improve communication skills by reading to an animal who won’t correct or judge mistakes. Visits to Bowling
Green Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center provide patients with love, comfort, and stability to help progress toward recovery.

The activities that occur on visits are tailored to each different program.  Many visits, such as PAWS for Reading, or a visit to the Cancer Center benefit from a calm dog who will simply sit and listen or wait to be pet. But other visits require a more energetic dog.  Summer, a one-year-old golden retriever, enjoys visiting the Sterck School for the Deaf, where the children learn valuable skills by playing with her.

PAWS for People is constantly evolving to help those in need of therapy.
To learn more about PAWS for People, visit www.pawsforpeople.org or call us at (302) 351-5622

Dr. Margaret J. White, DVM

Dogs and cats are invaluable members of the family; however in some cases they can transmit disease. A zoonotic disease is a disease transmitted directly or indirectly from animals to people. People most at risk of developing a zoonotic disease are children under 5, the elderly, pregnant women, and people who have poor immune systems due to chemotherapy or chronic disease. The risk of developing a zoonotic disease can be drastically reduced by providing good preventative medical care to your pets. Keeping your pet on year-round monthly flea and tick preventatives, on monthly heartworm/intestinal worms preventatives, and properly vaccinated can keep the human members of your family healthy too.

Vaccines can protect your family against diseases such as Leptospirosis and Rabies. Dogs and other animals can transmit Leptospirosis to people through infected urine, and you can prevent your dog against contracting Leptospirosis by keeping him currently vaccinated. Leptospirosis in people can cause a high fever, severe headache, vomiting and eventually liver and kidney disease if left untreated.  Rabies is a well known viral zoonotic disease capable of being transmitted by all mammals to people thru bite wounds and contact with infected saliva. Rabies is nearly 100% fatal in humans if medical care is not received. In the United States, most recent human cases of Rabies involve exposure to bats. Other wildlife such as skunks, raccoons, and foxes also commonly transmit Rabies. Cats are a higher Rabies risk than dogs in this country since they are more likely to be outside hunting and less likely to be vaccinated against Rabies. In other parts of the world, stray dog’s bites are the primary source of Rabies transmission.  All states require dogs and cats over 3 months of age to be up-to-date on Rabies vaccines to protect public health.

Most of us have been taught as children to avoid touching dog or cat stool.  This is sage advice since multiple zoonotic diseases are transmitted by contact with stool. Toxoplasmosis can be spread by contact with cat stool or soil contaminated by cat stool, but most cases are acquired from eating contaminated meat.  Cats are only capable of transmitting the Toxoplasmosis parasite to humans for 10-14 days after exposure, and therefore human exposure to pet cats is a small risk. 50% of people have actually been exposed to Toxoplasmosis, but only women initially exposed during the first trimester of pregnancy are at a health risk.  Toxoplasmosis can cause miscarriage and birth defects.  The likelihood of transmission of Roundworms  from pets is moderate to high. Roundworms of cats and dogs are transmitted through the stool and can rarely cause blindness, respiratory disease, and liver disease. Hookworms are another intestinal parasite of dogs that can contaminate soil and beaches. The larvae can penetrate human skin and migrate thru the body causing intolerable itching. Keeping your pets on year-round heartworm with intestinal parasite protection,  as well as testing your pets stool for intestinal parasites twice yearly can protect you family from roundworms and hookworms.

Some zoonotic diseases can be transmitted to your family by close contact with an infected pet’s fur and skin. Ringworm is a fungal infection that causes bald patches, scaly areas, and itching in people and pets. Cats that live in multi-cat households or outside  can have the fungus on their fur and not necessarily have evidence of skin disease. Thus, people can contract Ringworm from what appears to be an apparently healthy cat. Scabies is a mite that burrows under the skin of both dogs and cats and causes severe itching and bald, red areas. Scabies can crawl from infected cats and dogs and burrow into the skin of people. Some flea and tick preventatives also protect cats and dogs from Scabies.  Cat Scratch Fever, also known as Bartonella, can be transmitted to a person by a cat bite or scratch. Cats acquire Bartonella bacteria from infected fleas and ticks, and then infected flea feces enter a human wound from a bite or scratch.  Irritation at the site of the wound , swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, and fatigue can develop in the infected person.

After discussing the potential health risks to your family from pet ownership, it is important to note the many health benefits from pet ownership. Pet ownership encourages regular exercise, provides  companionship, and can help teach children responsibility.  Studies have shown that pet ownership is linked to reduced incidence of allergies in young children, decreased depression among the elderly, and a decreased risk of hypertension. In general, the human members of the family are more at risk from contracting infectious diseases and parasites from each other than their pets.

Guidelines to protect your family and your pets:
1.    Have your veterinarian test your cat’s and dog’s stool twice yearly for intestinal parasites
2.    Keep all cats and dogs on year-round, monthly heartworm and intestinal parasite preventatives
3.    Cover sandboxes to prevent stool contamination from outside cats
4.    Pick up dog and cat stool regularly especially in yards where children play
5.    Wash your hands after contact with soil, stool, or pets
6.    Check daily for ticks on your family and pets
7.    Pregnant women should wear gloves if they have to clean the cat’s litter box
8.    Clean scratches and bites from cats and dogs immediately
9.    Vaccinate your dog against Leptospirosis and all cats, dogs and ferrets against Rabies
10.    Keep all cats and dogs on year-round, monthly flea and tick preventatives.

Dr. Margaret J. White, DVM is currently Chief of Staff at Centreville Veterinary Hospital in Wilmington, DE. She has 13 years experience in small animal medicine and surgery, and works with dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small mammals. Dr. White graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in 1997 and with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the Catholic University of America in 1992.

By: Dr. Don W. Coats, DVM

Dogs and cats look and smell better when they are clean. Cleanliness provides a distinct health advantage, for them and the rest of the household as well. I need to point out that there are many pet owners who otherwise follow good medical schedules, yet overlook some important duties of home health care. The issue is bathing. Most humans in our society shower almost daily and we don’t even sleep on the floor or roll on the endless variety of materials that our dogs do. Fortunately dogs and cats do not sweat, so offensive chemistry of body odor is a different process and rarely need daily bathing. However many dogs produce excess body oil which collects dirt, in combination turns rancid, causing the typical doggy odor. The basic issue of bacterial and fungal contamination to the owners should not be overlooked. I don’t want to sound alarming, but pets do carry skin pathogens that could affect their owners. Staph, ringworm and fecal contamination are some of the obvious concerns.
It appears that some owners become insensitive to pet odor. So this message is a reminder to those who provide good medical pet care and are willing to read this article but for some reason don’t appreciate the value of bathing their dog — and sometimes the pleasure of doing good work. Most dogs should be bathed monthly and for various dermatological reasons as often as weekly. While only some older cats may need regular bathing, brushing is the healthy alternative.
Veterinary dermatologists now agree that some allergies, once thought to be primarily triggered by inhaled allergens (Atopy) are indeed affected by surface contact. If your Golden Retriever gets seasonal hot spots, frequent bathing and thorough drying is likely to reduce the frequency and severity of these episodes. Furthermore, if this practice becomes routine, you also are more alert to early signs of chewing and can mitigate an episode by trimming the spot, cleaning it more and administering antihistamine. Please confirm this plan with your veterinarian.
A good tip for the paw lickers, (with stained areas on the fore legs and belly), is to wash these areas daily. Many allergies are to house mites and other allergens. So washing the paws/legs and abdomen can be very helpful. Also ask your veterinarian if he/she agrees with using a free fatty acid spray on these areas.
Special care dogs are the wrinkled face breeds (Brachycephalic) where moist detritus accumulates in the grooves of the skin. Some faces are so severely affected that the folds actually rub on the corneas. Some of these faces need corrective surgery. However, many owners elect not to have this done because it changes the breed appearances that they like. Only the moderately effected faces can be significantly improved by home care. Regularly cleaning and medicating those faces can make a difference. In addition to frequent bathing, the effected grooves should be cleaned daily with antibacterial soap and a scant amount of triple antibiotic ointment applied to the depths of these grooves.
As cats are notoriously adverse to bathing they deserve qualifier comments. We should point out that with a little persistence most cats CAN be bathed at home, aided by a firm hand and attitude of resolve. Start the procedure in a deliberate, but slow confident manner. It might require two people, one holder and one to do the bathing. Sometimes a muzzle is a good idea. Another alternative is a bath net which totally contains the kitty while the bathing more readily takes place through the net mesh.
Older kitties need bathing when they start to neglect self grooming, and the hair over the middle of the back starts to look clumped or tacky. They also accumulate layered dander between the toes which should be washed out once a month or so. Long haired cats naturally require more frequent care and inspection under the tail where fecal material can adhere. Incidentally, paw cleaning after the “toilet” can be aided by placing a pile mat around the litter pans.
Admittedly bathing a cat is a difficult matter and regular brushing, especially for younger cats may be sufficient, or at least meet the limits of tolerance.

Generalizations about shampoos and the bath process:
Pet shampoos are often described as hypo-allergenic, suggesting that they are gentle and yet assumed to have sufficiently cleansing (detergent) properties. Skin diseases might require follicular flushing, degreasing, antifungal additives or even emollients. For regular home bathing most “name” brand shampoos will have enough detergent property to get the job done without being too harsh. Veterinary dermatologists tend to discourage the use of human shampoos on pets as they are formulated for more acid, sweaty hair. Human shampoos often target hair conditioning rather than the skin under the hair.
When bathing your pet, be sure to use eye protection with a touch of Vaseline or ophthalmic ointment and bathe the head last and rinse it first. Soaking time and skin massaging are important to get your pet squeaky clean.

Bathing a Bichon
So who will bathe my Bichon?
Lather her smooth and soft
Shoulders, back and rump
White and calmly sculpted?
Cup her head with your palm
Comb wet fingers
the length of her back
Let her smile, a doggy smile
And uncurl her tail, pointed,
A grateful  pose,
Where love and work are one.

Dr. Don W. Coats, DVM graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 1966 and has been practicing at Centreville Veterinary Hospital for 40 years. He is pleased to continue active practice in a profession that, different than any other, provides the unique life experiences of observation, learning and healing …“We follow pets through their life spans and observe human families grow and mature, expand and return. Veterinarians are very fortunate to serve and view into our culture and into medicine through the particular portal that the profession provides.

Don loves bird watching and the study of natural history. He enjoys running, fly fishing and backpacking. He and his wife Marti are active in Lower Brandywine Church and he, in the Centreville Civic Association. They have raised four children, now have four grandchildren, two rescue terriers, three cats and three bee hives.

WINDCREST
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
3705 Lancaster Pike
Wilmington, Delaware 19805
(302) 998-2995
24 Hour Emergency
www.windcrestanimal.com

GRAYLYN CREST
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
2006 Marsh Road
Wilmington, DE. 19810
302-996-9259
www.graylynanimal.com

By: Dr. Kathryn Stoltzfus

We all know that our pets age faster than us but we can now do a lot more to help them in their “super-senior” years. Noone likes to think of their pet as geriatric, but no matter how we label this period they have some unique medical issues that can be easily addressed to help them live as long and healthy a life as possible.

Just like human healthcare, the advances we have seen in pet health care means that our pets are living longer. In fact, based on the last AVMA survey, 39% of the owned pet population is over 7 years and this percentage will continue to grow. Our pet’s lives are divided in four distinct periods – pediatric, adult, senior and geriatric. Looking at the chart below we can see that senior is the transition from adult to geriatric. This is the time when your vet will discuss starting to monitor bloodwork, monitor weight and dietary changes.

“Old-age” is not a disease but it does represent the effects of time on the body, mind and internal organs. This bears no absolute relationship with true (chronological) age. This is why it is important to have a full evaluation by your vet to assess not only the physical but also the mental health of your pet.

As we know from humans, 40% of the aging process is genetic, this is pre-programmed and until gene therapy is widely available we can not change this. But, we can change/help the other causes of aging – oxidative (free-radical) damage, accumulation of toxic substances in the cells and immune system compromise.

One of the easiest measures of your geriatric pets health is their weight – are they too heavy or have they lost weight, or lost lean muscle mass? As pet’s age they decrease the amount of saliva they produce making the kibble less appealing. Their teeth may hurt, they may have some undiagnosed medical problems or they may have lost some of their sense of smell or taste buds. Some of these are easily fixed – add water, add flavor enhancers, but some require more in-depth work up to find the cause. They will often have loss of hearing and sight; this can lead to behavioral changes. They may not hear you and stop responding to your call or if they can not hear themselves, they can start barking all the time. Hearing loss can be helped with high pitched whistles in the early stages but unfortunately these higher frequencies are lost with time. There are normal aging changes in the lenses that need to be differentiated from cataracts. Just like in people examination of the retina and the intra-ocular pressure is an important component of their geriatric assessment.

As your pet ages they may have less tolerance for the heat and the cold. In the hot weather they may not be able to pant and cool themselves, leading to heat stroke. As their body composition changes they may have problems keeping warm and need that sweater or coat. We need to make sure that we monitor our pet’s response to the change in weather – providing cool or heat as needed.

Loss of lean muscle is a problem in the geriatric pet. This can be due to loss of muscle fibers from inactivity, low protein diets (unless medically supervised) and decreased sensitivity to the energy supplies. This can exacerbate lameness and weakness in the geriatric patient. Rehabilitation therapy, balanced protein diet and even creatine supplements can be used. Comfort is also very important – consider a heated padded bed for your pet to help ease the pain of joint disease. To help with arthritic changes we have many options to consider – pain medications such as Rimadyl™ or we have even started using some of the human medications such as Tramadol and joint supplements such as Cosequin™ or Dasuquin™.

Your pet’s skin may show signs of aging – becoming dry and scaly. They may be graying of the hairs on the face and the nails become longer and more brittle. This can be helped with less bathing, post bathing conditioner, topical emollient (oils) or humectant (moisture) sprays. The geriatric pet is more prone to skin infections and as such any lesions should be checked as soon as possible.

As you can see there are many ways that your vet can help your pet. As a geriatric they age at a rate of 1year (dog/cat) to 4 years (human), so they should really be seen 2-4 times yearly for monitoring and a full exam, including blood pressure and eye pressure checks. Your vet can discuss the best monitoring for organ health as well as the best diet and supplements to help your pet live as long as full life as possible.

Dr. Kathryn Stoltzfus, BSc, BVSc, MRCVS graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1994 and is currently an Associate Veterinarian at Windcrest Animal Hospital. She has a special interest in feline medicine and surgery, geriatric medicine, and general surgery and is a fellow of the AAFP. Dr. Stoltzfus was inspired to be a veterinarian after reading James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small. The most memorable part of her career was when she helped remove a large hairball from an elephant’s stomach. The most rewarding part of her job is knowing that everything we do to help the owner/guardian provide the best care for their pet and seeing those pets grow from kittens/puppies and the relationship that develops with the whole family. Dr. Stoltzfus is a member of AVMA, AAFP, Cornell Feline Health Center, DVMA and AAHA.

WINDCREST ANIMAL HOSPITAL
3705 Lancaster Pike
Wilmington, Delaware 19805
(302) 998-2995
24 Hour Emergency

TALLEYVILLE VETERINARY HOSPITAL
3001 Concord Pike
Wilmington, Delaware 19803
(302) 478-0648

HOCKESSIN ANIMAL HOSPITAL
643 Yorklyn Road
Hockessin, Delaware 19707
(302) 239-9464

By Dr. Kathryn Stoltzfus

Pets need their teeth cleaned too…..We all know that oral health is important for us but we seem to forget that our cats and dogs need tooth care too. Dogs and cats are living longer and as such we need to take care of their teeth. They do not brush and floss daily and we can no longer think that dry food alone provides them with adequate treatment.

By the age of 3 yrs over 80% of all dogs and cats have some form of dental disease; this can have serious consequences for their general health. The bacteria in the mouth can seed to other areas of the body such as the heart, kidneys, intestinal tract and joints causing infection and disease. Therefore, it is important to start regular dental care for your pets early in life.

Puppies and kittens start life, just like people, with deciduous (baby) teeth that fall out by the age of six months and replaced with the adult teeth
(42 in dogs and 30 in cats). Even at this young age it is important to check to make sure the baby teeth have fallen out as this can cause problems and will not allow the adult teeth to erupt correctly.

Starting home care at an early age is key; your pet may not like this and must be trained to accept this treatment.  NEVER use human toothpaste (the detergents are toxic). Try special flavored paste for cats and dogs, which contain enzymes to help control plaque. This can be introduced as a treat on a finger, then slowly introduce a brush into the mouth. Select a brush appropriate to the size of your pet – less than 30lbs you can use a mini brush or finger brush.

For larger pets try a special angled brush with soft bristles. Work the paste into the bristles to prevent the pet from simply licking this off. Use gentle oval motions as you move around the mouth.

The picture to the left shows correct brush angle to clean the teeth. Daily removal of plaque is the key to oral health, without this the plaque (accumulation of food particles and bacteria) will build up at the gum line. If the plaque is not removed, then in 3-5 days, as the minerals in saliva combine with it, it will become tartar or calculus. This is irritating to the gums and causes inflammation (gingivitis). This will eventually cause damage to the tooth attachment (periodontal disease). Once you notice the yellow/brown accumulation at the gum margin, then it is time for a professional cleaning. Simple brushing will not remove this material and using a fingernail or a home dental scaler will miss the material accumulated under the gum margin. This will continue to allow the bacteria to eat away at the tooth’s support structure (periodontal disease).
A professional cleaning has to be done under general anesthesia to allow complete examination of the pet’s mouth, to probe each tooth to check for any pockets of infection, any injury and to allow x-rays to be taken to look at the tooth roots and for any periodontal disease. It also allows for complete pain control (local blocks) and to protect the respiratory system from the bacteria from the mouth.

Once you have had a professional cleaning it is important to start/continue adequate home care.  Brushing is the best – studies have shown that adequate health can be maintained with brushing 2-3 times weekly, but daily brushing is needed to prevent gingivitis. There are special treats,rinses, water additives and food that may help in controlling plaque build up but they will not prevent this.

When looking for treats or other products to help with oral care check for the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of approval (or check out www.vohc.org for information on products and standards). There are many products for oral health, diets specially designed to increase chewing and plaque removal, rinses and gels for use daily, water additives to help decrease the bacteria in the mouth, chews to use in place of regular treats and special toys for tooth care. Care needs to be taken, as some dental toys can be too tough and lead to dental fractures.

Remember February is designated Pet Dental Health Month to help remind pet owners of the importance of proper dental care. Veterinary dentistry is becoming more common and sophisticated; pets can have root canals, crowns and even braces. There is also a dental vaccine against Porphyromonas sp.  bacteria that are present in 75% of all cases of periodontal disease; at this time the duration of immunity of the vaccine has not been determined and it is not recommended as a core vaccine by the American Animal Hospital Association; but watch for further information.

But care starts at home, with routine oral exams and regular brushing. It is important that at every veterinary visit there is an dental assessment to see if cleaning is advised or if there are any other concerns such as abnormal swelling, any gum or oral masses or broken teeth.

Useful websites:
www.virbacvet.com/cet
www.vohc.org
www.petdental.com
www.avdc.org
www.veterinarypartner.com

Dr. Kathryn Stoltzfus, BSc, BVSc, MRCVS graduated from the University of Liverpool in 1994 and is currently Chief of Staff at Talleyville Veterinary Hospital. She has a special interest in feline medicine and surgery, geriatric medicine, and dentistry. Dr. Stoltzfus was inspired to be a veterinarian from an early age after reading James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small. The most memorable part of her career was when she volunteered in the Himalayas. She participated in a spay/neuter and rabies vaccination project and was lucky to be called upon to help a local leopard at the Royal Himalayan Zoo (surgery at 12,000ft outdoors)! In her spare time she volunteers her time at Faithful Friends Shelter. Dr. Stoltzfus is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Feline Practitioners, Cornell Feline Health Center, Delaware Veterinary Medical Association, American Veterinary Dental Society, International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, and American Animal Hospital Association. She has served the local veterinary community as Newcastle County representative for the DVMA Board and is accredited by the USDA.She and her husband,  David, have a family of animals including a Dalmatian, Rudy; Terrier mix, Fongo; American Staffordshire, Jack; and a Himalayan cat, Muffin. In her spare time, Dr. Stoltzfus enjoys Tae Kwan Do, skiing, bicycling, and gourmet food.

WINDCREST
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
3705 Lancaster Pike
Wilmington, Delaware 19805
(302) 998-2995
24 Hour Emergency
www.windcrestanimal.com

TALLEYVILLE
VETERINARY HOSPITAL
3001 Concord Pike
Wilmington, Delaware 19803
(302) 478-0648
www.talleyvilleveterinary.com

HOCKESSIN
ANIMAL HOSPITAL
643 Yorklyn Road
Hockessin, Delaware 19707
(302) 239-9464
www.hockessinanimal.com

centreville
Veterinary Hospital
302-655-3315
5804 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE
(next to Buckley’s Tavern)
www.centrevilleveterinary.com

By: Amanda Lawrie, DVM

Dogs and cats, on average, age 7 times faster than people. Because of this veterinarians consider pets that are age 6 years and older to be senior or geriatric pets. There are of course exceptions to this rule which include, but are not limited to, giant breeds such as the Great Dane, Newfoundland, and Wolfhound who are considered senior at an earlier age. At the point when an animal is considered to be geriatric recommendations start to change. For pets of all ages, biannual wellness exams are the best way to be sure that your pet is healthy and up to date on preventatives and vaccinations. For senior pets the biannual wellness exam coupled with annual screening blood work and urinalysis are essential tools for the early detection of health problems. Since dogs and cats can not tell their owners when something changes, or if something is bothering them, we unfortunately tend to pick up on disease processes later. This puts the veterinarian, the owner, and the pet at a disadvantage since early detection of most disease processes makes treatment much easier and more successful.

The physical examination provides more information to the veterinarian than most owners are aware. An animal’s weight can be one of the earliest indicators of a problem. Weight loss in the face of a good appetite is a red flag. This is because many disease processes cause an animal to enter a state of cachexia. The term cachexia describes weight loss and loss of muscle that occurs secondary to an increased nutritional requirement. Various diseases cause an increased nutritional requirement by changing an animal’s metabolism. The exception to this is an animal with owners who are actively pursuing weight loss for them. Weight gain can also be a warning sign for disease. In the absence of a change in diet or exercise, weight gain can also indicate a change in the body’s metabolism. This is seen in diseases such as hypothyroidism which is a common problem diagnosed in middle aged and older dogs. Aside from weight as an indicator of disease, diagnosing obesity and providing owners the necessary tools to help their senior pet to lose weight can add years and quality to the pet’s life. Other body systems evaluated during the physical examination for potential warning signs of disease include the oral cavity, chest, abdomen, skin, lymph nodes, thyroid gland, and reproductive organs.

The general senior panel recommended annually for dogs and cats includes a complete blood count, chemistry profile, thyroid level, and urinalysis. The complete blood count, or CBC, evaluates the red and white blood cells as well as the platelets. It can show changes, such as mild anemia or an increase in white blood cells, which commonly occur secondary to many diseases. The blood chemistry evaluates blood protein levels, kidney values, liver values, blood glucose, and electrolytes. It screens for common diseases such as renal insufficiency, liver disease, diabetes, hypo- or hyperthyroidism, and Cushing’s disease. Often overlooked in importance, the urinalysis is a key diagnostic tool in early disease detection. Urine samples are evaluated for appropriate concentration, pH and the presence of protein, glucose, bilirubin, blood, ketones, and crystals.

It is important to state that the three screening tests included in the senior panel are all evaluated in light of each other as well as in light of the physical examination. Performing the tests individually does not provide as much information as performing the entire panel. Many common diseases may show up as only 1-2 abnormal values on each of the different tests. It is also important to point out that veterinarians do not evaluate each set of annual bloodwork and urine as separate entities. Each time lab work is performed it is evaluated alongside all previous values so that trends can be monitored. This is one of the best ways to diagnose problems early.

To conclude, the most important way to ensure your pet is healthy is to have him/her regularly examined. Your veterinarian will be able to give you an objective view of your pet’s overall health and pick up on subtle changes since the last visit. It is often difficult to appreciate minor changes when you are with your pet everyday. Changes such as slight weight gain/loss, hair coat changes, eyesight changes etc, can all be early indications of disease processes but difficult to pick up on a daily basis. Aging gracefully is something that we can assure our pets do by following recommendations.

Amanda Lawrie, DVM received her undergraduate degree in Animal Science from the University of Delaware in 2003. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2007 with a degree in Veterinary medicine. She then went on to do a Small Animal Rotating Internship at the Animal Medical Center in NYC. After completing her internship Dr. Lawrie worked as an emergency veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center. Her professional interests are in Emergency and Internal Medicine.

Dr. Lawrie grew up in Wilmington and now resides back in the area. She lives with her husband Rob, who is also a Small Animal and Exotic Veterinarian in Pennsylvania, and their son, Jackson who is 8 months old. They also have a Beagle named Vayda and Lab mix named Claire, a cat named Bean and a hamster named Shorty. In her free time she loves to watch Georgia Football, Go Dawgs!

WINDCREST ANIMAL HOSPITAL
3705 Lancaster Pike
Wilmington, Delaware 19805
(302) 998-2995
24 Hour Emergency
www.windcrestanimal.com

TALLEYVILLE VETERINARY HOSPITAL
3001 Concord Pike
Wilmington, Delaware 19803
(302) 478-0648
www.talleyvilleveterinary.com

HOCKESSIN ANIMAL HOSPITAL
643 Yorklyn Road
Hockessin, Delaware 19707
(302) 239-9464
www.hockessinanimal.com

Centreville Veterinary Hospital
302-655-33155804
Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE
(next to Buckley’s Tavern)
www.centrevilleveterinary.com

Cancer is a disease that is of concern to many people as they may have experienced it directly or indirectly. Our pets are also susceptible to cancer. Today large strides have been made in cancer treatment, and our pets can be cured of cancer, or at least be given the opportunity to live disease free for significant periods of time. We can provide quality of life for animals afflicted by these frightening diseases.

Cancers can take many forms, and there are various treatment and palliative options available to us. In some cases, cancers can be prevented by early sterilization. This significantly decreases the incidence of mammary and prostatic cancer. Certain breeds or lines of animals have an increased prevalence of cancer. White animals are more susceptible to solar radiation and skin cancer. Skin cancers, lymphoma, bone cancer and cancers of various organs, leukemia and many others are recognized in animals. Cancers can affect young and old animals. Early diagnosis and treatment are key elements in the fight against cancer. Frequent routine clinical examination can detect certain cancers early. We recommend six-month exams for your pets. If your pet develops any of the following: lumps, has weight loss, a loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lameness, abdominal swelling and shows lethargy. Your veterinarian can use various diagnostic tools to identify they type of tumor your pet may have. These could include blood-work, urinalysis, radiographs, ultrasound, needle aspirates, biopsies, and bone marrow studies. In certain cases advanced studies such as MRI’s, CT scans may be indicated.

Cancers and tumors may be benign or malignant, with the latter manifesting as infiltrative or having the capability to metastasize (spread). It is important that cancers be staged, both in order to determine the extent of the cancer and to determine appropriate treatment and prognosis. Staging involves investigating local and distant spread to lymph nodes, lungs, bone marrow and other organs.
Treatment options can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy or combinations of the above. In many instances, surgery may be curative. In certain cases, palliation is the goal. Chemotherapy is viewed as a treatment that causes harm by many people. Although chemotherapy has side effects, we have many tools at our disposal to eliminate or relieve them. Quality of life is important to us, and the bonus is if we manage to cure or get an animal in remission. Nausea, anorexia and immune suppression can generally be well managed or prevented. Radiation therapy can both cure and relieve pain from certain cancers such as bone cancer.

If you know what your pet’s enemy is, you can with your veterinarian take appropriate steps to combat it.  

Dr. Louis Snijders graduated from Ondersteporrt, University of Pretoria in South Africa. His mother, Dr. Lorraine deJager, is also a veterinarian and since he took his first steps at a veterinary practice, Dr. Snijders has always wanted to make a difference in the quality of life for animals and seeing the joy on their owners’ faces.

Dr. Snijders is an Associate Veterinarian at Windcrest Animal Hospital and is part of the Critical Care & Emergency Care team. His most memorable experience in his veterinary career was doing three esophageal surgeries in one week shortly after graduating.

Dr. Snijders, wife Rachel, sons Anthonie and Tristan have a family of pets including Shinto, a Jack Russell Terrior; Regie a budgie; as well as Billy, Nanny, Casper and 160 other cashmere goats.

Dr. Snijders’ hobbies include classic cars, sport photography and farming. He is also an internationally qualified fencing referee and has participated as a fencer in various countries.