Interview with Waipahu Vet Clinic in Hawaii

Questions and Answers

1. What are the 3 best qualities that a vet must have?

- 1). Becoming a veterinarian is a big challenge, which requires a great deal of hard work, commitment, and dedication!   First, to become a veterinarian, one must attend school for many years.  While at school, students must study long hours and often spend just as much or more time “working” after classes have finished for the day.  Even after Vet School is completed, the hard work and long hours continue.  Once veterinarians begin to practice in a clinic or hospital, they must spend many hours at work, and often spend their off hours checking in on patients, researching and consulting with other veterinarians on challenging cases, and speaking with clients about their pets.  So, one of the best qualities for a veterinarian, or someone considering the field of veterinary medicine to have is dedication. 

- 2). Compassion is another trait, which is very important for veterinarians to possess.  Not only must we be compassionate toward our patients, but we must also extend this compassion, empathy, and care toward our clients.  For many people, a pet is just as important as any other member of the family.  We form a special bond with our pets because we nurture and care for them, just like we would a child.  Because of this, it can be particularly difficult to cope with illness or loss of a pet, especially since they cannot tell us with words that they appreciate our love and care!  It is important as a veterinarian never to forget that we are not just treating “animals,” we are treating confidants, companions, and family members!

- 3). The third quality, which is extremely important for a veterinarian to have is an aptitude for problem-solving.  Our patients cannot tell us what is bothering them, where they’re hurt, or why they’re not acting like themselves.  We must be very observant of our patients, pay attention to the details provided to us by their owners, and we often must be innovative in putting all the pieces together to determine a diagnosis and treatment plan.

2.  How often should a puppy and adult dog visit their vet?

One thing many people do not realize is just how often puppies need to go to the veterinarian.  Their first check-up often comes on the day they’re born, as dogs sometimes require surgical intervention to safely deliver a litter.  It is recommended that puppies should see a vet at 6 or 7 weeks of age for their first exam, vaccine, fecal check, and deworming, as long as the puppies have been healthy, feeding normally, and thriving up until that point.  After that, they will need to be seen every 3-4 weeks until they are at least 4 months old in order to booster their vaccines, recheck stool for intestinal parasites, prescribe heartworm and flea & tick preventative medications and check the progress of their development.  After their vaccine series is completed, they should be seen again at about 6 months of age if they are to be spayed or neutered, or in 6 months’ time for a general check-up.  Their first “yearly exam” should come one year after their last set of vaccines (at about 16 weeks of age).  At this visit, we give vaccines, check their stool for worms, and take a blood sample to check heartworm disease status.

Adult dogs, as long as they are healthy, should be seen at least once per year for vaccines, heartworm test, and fecal check.  Many owners who board their dogs, or take them to groomers, dog parks, or day care, will also return to the veterinarian every 6 months to booster the kennel cough vaccine.  Of course, if puppies or adult dogs are exhibiting any unusual symptoms or behavior, they should be seen by a veterinarian.

3. What is the proper way to clean a dog's ear?

 The proper way to clean a dog’s ear is with an ear cleaning solution formulated for dogs.  This solution can be purchased at a veterinarian’s office or pet store, and many formulations are safe to use for cats, as well.  The solution is poured into the ear, massaged to help break up any wax or debris in the ear canal, and then wiped out with a cotton ball.  It is important not to use cotton tipped swabs in dogs or cats ears, as a sudden movement or shake may cause the swab to go too far into the ear, and you’d risk injuring the eardrum.  For most dogs or cats weekly cleaning, and cleaning after bathing or swimming is sufficient to keep ear infections at bay.

4. How can I stop my dog from barking every time I am out of the house?

Dogs are very communicative, just like people, and they express themselves by barking for a number of different reasons, and certain breeds seem to be more vocal then others.  One of the most effective ways to stop unwanted behaviors is through the use of positive reinforcement training techniques, commonly referred to as “clicker training.”  The basic principle is that desired behavior is rewarded, rather than punishing for unwanted behavior, as dogs tend to respond better in this way.  A clicker is a small device that makes a very distinct sound, the concept being that this sound is first associated with something positive (rewards, such as treats) and then with the desired behavior (not barking).  Sometimes, pets bark when their owners leave the house due to anxiety.  This can often be corrected using clicker training.  In extreme cases of separation anxiety, pharmaceutical intervention may be necessary, but these medications are always most effective when used in conjunction with behavior modification.

5. What is the best way to control fleas and ticks?

There are a number of different flea and tick products on the market.  Prescription medications tend to be more effective, longer lasting, and safer than over the counter products.  The most effective flea and flea/tick preventive medications come in oral (pill or chewable tablet) or topical (liquid drops placed on the skin).  In addition, the environment must be treated for fleas and ticks.  This involves treating the yard, or outdoor areas where the pet goes, and treating the interior, which usually involves regular vacuuming and washing to remove flea larvae and eggs from carpets and bedding.

6). What are some dog caring tips you can give to a new dog owner?

 First, new pet owners should be prepared that having a dog is a big commitment, which they must honor for many years.  Many dogs and cats end up in shelters each year because families ended up not being able to properly care for them.  It is important for new dog and cat owners to do their research—read books about caring for pets, and ask their veterinarian questions about proper pet care.  The most important rules to follow are:

-          Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for how often they would like to see your pet for check-ups.

-          Keep your pet clean- check for fleas & ticks, bathe often, clean ears regularly, and brush teeth daily.

-          Keep your pet’s vaccines and bloodwork current.

-          Make sure your pet takes a heartworm and flea/flea & tick preventative medication each month.

-          Be responsible- unless you plan to breed your pet, you should have your pet spayed or neutered; it can prevent serious health problems later in life.

7. How do I get rid of worms?

The best way to get rid of intestinal parasites in dogs and cats is to bring a stool sample to your veterinarian for analysis.  He or she will prescribe a deworming medication based on what types of parasites are found.  Prescription deworming medications are the most effective way to get rid of parasites.  A monthly heartworm preventative medication will prevent certain types of intestinal parasites, and a monthly flea preventative medication will help to prevent tapeworm infestations.

8. Why does my dog cough? What can I do to get rid of it?

Dogs and cats can cough for a number of different reasons, including respiratory irritation, respiratory infection, viruses, collapsing trachea, heartworm disease, or heart failure.  If your pet is coughing, it is a good idea to take him or her to your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment, as it could be indicative of a serious problem.

9. How do I prevent my dog from being naughty and chewing on furniture?

 Dogs and cats can turn to destructive behaviors such as chewing, shredding, or clawing items in the home when they have high anxiety, or are simply bored.  Often, the best fix for this problem is as simple as providing extra enrichment for your pet.  Pets are usually less destructive when they have plenty of exercise, so play with your cat, or take your dog for nice, long walks or runs.  A nice, long game of fetch will help your dog release some of his or her energy, making it less likely that he or she will turn to the furniture when bored.  There are a number of different puzzle-like toys available for pets as well.  These often involve some type of plastic or rubber in which you can hide treats or kibble.  These toys work well when you are away from home; they give your pet something to keep his or her mind exercised while you’re away.  However, when introducing a new toy, it is a good idea to monitor your pet while playing with it at first to make sure he or she doesn’t destroy and eat the toy!  Also, you should inspect your pet’s toys regularly to make sure no pieces are missing!  It is a natural behavior for cats to claw at surfaces.  Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, you can try introducing different toys or scratching posts around the house for him or her to play with.  Keeping your cats nails trimmed will reduce the amount of damage they may cause.

10. If my dog gets bred, can she get an abortion?

If your dog is intact, you must very careful to make sure she does not get accidentally bred; this can happen if you turn your back for just a moment if there’s an intact male nearby!  Also, intact female dogs are more likely to escape from the house or yard in search of an intact male.  If your pet does accidentally get bred, she should be taken to a veterinarian to determine if she has become pregnant (not all matings result in pregnancy!).  There is a procedure by which a dog’s pregnancy may be terminated, though this is not an inexpensive procedure, treatment has a number of unpleasant side effects in dogs, including vomiting, panting, cramps, and excessive salivation and this treatment usually involves hospitalization.

11. What are a couple best dog foods you would recommend?

It is important to feed your pet an appropriate food for his or her age.  Most commercial dog and cat foods are available in special formulations for puppies/kittens, adult, and senior dogs/cats.  Commercial dog and cat food contains all the nutrients and minerals your pet will need to grow and maintain proper health.  Most veterinarians encourage owners to feed pets dry food, as it helps to prevent tartar from building up on teeth as quickly.  Dogs and cats do not need to eat table food; in fact, many of the foods we eat are too rich for our pets and can cause stomach upset or a potentially life-threatening condition called pancreatitis.

12. What nutrients should a puppy need and are vitamin supplements necessary?

Puppy and kitten foods are formulated to have higher caloric content than adult foods.  This is because puppies’ and kittens’ bodies require extra nutrients to grow.  If fed a commercial puppy or kitten food, most young pets will not need vitamin or mineral supplements, however, small dogs are particularly susceptible to low blood sugar, so they must be given frequent small meals throughout the day.

13. What are the most common allergies canines can get?

Dogs suffer primarily from reactions to allergens in food or in the environment (mostly grasses, pollens, or insects).  Though less common, some dogs can suffer from contact dermatitis, which can be caused by laundry detergents, cleaning products, or perfumes.

14. HOw do I know if my dog has an allergy and what do I do if my dog has an allergy?

There are different types of allergic reaction that you should look for in pets.  Typically, food or environmental allergies will cause a dog to become very itchy.  Over time, chronic allergies and itching may cause bacterial and/or yeast infections on the skin, in the ears, and even in between the toes.  This type of reaction is different from what we think of as an acute allergic reaction.  An acute allergic reaction is more severe and can be characterized by swelling of the face, hives, vomiting, or difficulty breathing.  Reactions of this type can be serious and should be assessed by a veterinarian right away.  Commonly, these types of allergic reactions result from insect bites or stings or reactions to vaccines or medications.

15. What kind of vaccinations is there?

In the state of Hawaii, there are two basic vaccines that are recommended for dogs—they are the bordetella or “kennel cough” vaccine and the distemper combo vaccine.  The bordetella vaccine protects dogs against a respiratory infection, which is easily passed between dogs.  It is called “kennel cough” because this virus spreads quickly in small, confined environments, like kennels.  The distemper combo vaccine protects dogs against distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza.  There are different versions of this vaccine, which also protect against coronavirus and leptospirosis.  Parvovirus is a virulent pathogen, which affects the digestive tract of unvaccinated dogs and is spread through contact with contaminated feces.  Though this virus is not transmissible to humans, it is very easily spread between dogs.  The virus can live in the environment for up to a year, meaning once an infected dog leaves feces in an area, any dog, which walks through that area could potentially be exposed, even if the feces have been picked up or washed away by the rain.  That is why it is so important to completely vaccinate puppies! 

Cats also require a vaccine to protect them against several viruses, to which they are particularly susceptible—feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia.  Depending on their risk of exposure, cats may also be given a vaccine for feline leukemia, feline immunodeficiency virus, and feline infectious peritonitis.  Since Hawaii is a rabies- free state, the rabies vaccine is only required for pets traveling off island.  There are different vaccines required for pets living on the mainland.