Who is the Expert?

Toffee & Beignet, Yin and Yang

written by Carol A. Smock, Founder

Something happened in my family recently that had me asking, "so who is the expert anyway?"  I was diagnosed with Valley Fever and worried that if I had contracted it, my dogs may also have been exposed and could be dealing with this horrible disease.  So, off to the Veterinarian we go...

I love my Clinic.  Dr. Tenney SAVED my Toffee Nut's life last year by amputating one of his toes that had a spindle cell carcinoma attached.  They suggested radiation afterward to be sure we got it all, but after careful consideration, I opted *not* to put him through it.  I met a new doctor on Saturday who would draw their blood - she's lovely too.  Well educated. Well spoken.  Kind and compassionate.

We talked at great length about the fact that I refuse to give Heartguard, Frontline or Vaccinations.  I explained that I've lost two already to cancer and I want to try this Holistic approach to see if it makes a difference.  I explained that while I don't pump their bodies full of poisons and toxins anymore, I still have them tested for Heartworms and other diseases on a regular basis, often performing a full panel of bloodwork annually.  I give essential oil supplements and feed the highest quality food I can buy.  I also explained how I've read extensively about this chosen lifestyle and I've consulted many who could be deemed experts in arriving at my decision.

She was respectful, although I could see she was cautious.  And, I DO respect that.  My dogs' bloodwork came back...  the 10 1/2 year old who just had a battle with cancer last  year - PERFECT!  And, while he showed exposure to Valley Fever, he does not have active infection.  The 4 year old was negative for Valley Fever.

So, this begs the question, just who is the expert when it comes to our pets?  While I would never suggest that Veterinarians are not the most educated and knowledgeable, sometimes, there are experts out there who didn't go to school for their degree.  Sometimes, an expert can be someone whose lifetime has been spent learning by doing (as John Lloyd Wright suggested is the best method of learning), taking chances and risks and studying the results.

I trust my doctors.  I really do.  But, they believe in Western Medicine and I'm learning that I believe in an Integrated Approach.  I'm thankful that they respect me enough as a pet owner to "learn by doing".  They are there to warn me of possible impending doom and to make sure we are testing my pets along the way to insure their safety.

I want to call your attention to a Special Newsprint Section that published in the Washington Post yesterday. It was titled Pet Wellness and the website is http://www.petcarenews.com/.  I encourage you to take a look at what this special section has to offer - good information about nutrition, behavior and general health & wellness.  There are also some great articles on Rescue and Adoption.  A word of warning, it's not all written by veterinarians...  but there is great information in it for you to digest and discuss with your doctor.

Brown Dog Foundation LOVES pets.  We respect the doctors who study for years to save them.  But we also know that often times, "experts" walk among us.  And sometimes, the expert may be us.  After all, who knows your pets' behavior and patterns better than you?

Pet Insurance

Written by Andy Chmiel, VP of Business Development at Medicare.com
Brown Dog Foundation, National Board Officer (Treasurer)

It seems these days you can insure anything. Your hands... if you are a surgeon, your voice... if you’re a singer, and even your back side... if you’re Jennifer (J-Lo) Lopez. As a licensed Insurance agent I was intrigued when this product hit the main stream market a few years back – Pet insurance. A unique way for people to make sure no medical surprise disrupts their pet’s everyday life.

My team of agents reviewed the products and found out that this all started in England with a company named Veterinary Pet Insurance or VPI. Their first pet insurance policy was sold back in 1947. While Pet insurance has been around for quite some time, less than 1% of Americans have taken advantage of this opportunity. As more and more Americans choose to pursue their careers, they want to share their success with a devoted and loyal companion. No, not always a spouse, but four legged and feathered friends too. More and more empty nesters are adopting ‘loved ones’ to care for in their golden years. Americans have never been more poised to spend more time with their beloved pets then right now. These Insurance plans are just what the public needs.

The policies begin at $10-15 a month for a basic plan and grow to $60-80 a month for plans which cover medications, well checks, and surgeries. Monthly premiums will depend on the age, breed and general health of the pet. Some employer groups have offered pet insurance as part of their employee benefit package and a greater number of folks are saying ‘yes’.

Getting a plan might be as easy as calling your current insurance agent but may require getting online and doing some research. Find a plan that will fit your life style and budget but most importantly the needs of your pet.

Your ultimate goal is the health and well being of your family’s best little friend. As a person that plans everything out I am sure that when the right little furry friend enters my life I will weigh the pros and cons and do my own research on insurance. It just makes sense to be a responsible pet owner who prepares for the financial surprises of being a pet owner.

Chance - My Latest Inspiration

In late 2008, my friend Amy Wolanski suggested that we put a team of runners together to raise money for Brown Dog Foundation's National Program. We engaged two of her friends and two of mine, for a team of six.

One of the girls, Katie, shared several stories with me about her roommate's dog, Chance, a five-year old pitbull. Katie loved Chance a lot! Chance trained with her, kept her company and made her laugh when she was too sore to do anything else. Katie had a deep bond with Chance and repeatedly said, "I don't know what I would do if we couldn't save Chance."

At the end of March this year, Katie called me. Chance had been diagnosed with Osteosarcoma - bone cancer. She said, "It all makes sense now why we raised that money. I never expected it would hit so close to home. Chance's mom has a job, but she doesn't make a ton of money. Treatment for Chance will be outside her reach. I'm going to do everything I can to help, but if we fall short, can Brown Dog help?"

Over the next several days, we moved Ashley through our process of Prequalification, the Application for Assistance and securing information from the Veterinarian. They decided to amputate his leg and consider a few short rounds of chemotherapy to buy him some time.

Just before the 2nd round of chemo, Chance developed another tumor and fluid in his chest. The prognosis went from favorable to not. That was mid-May. On June 6th, Chance was unable to keep going. He passed away quietly with his mom at his side and the Doctors at Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners who provided his treatment and hope for his family.

Osteosarcoma is one of the most vicious of canine cancers taking the life of the dog within a year. Most dogs seldom survive past 6 months, with or without treatment. Osteosarcoma occurs ten times more frequently in dogs than in humans. Sometimes, providing a regimen of holistic supplements and a cancer-fighting diet in addition to amputation and chemotherapy can improve length and quality of life. In our experience with the condition, all three pets we assisted had different results. You know Chance's story, here are the other two:

Loki (2007) - a 10-year old German Shepherd owned by a young couple who had just relocated to Tennessee. In the process of selling their home in CA and buying a home in TN, they were unable to provide for Loki. They paid for the amputation of his leg and Brown Dog paid 75% toward 4 chemotherapy sessions (with donated medications). Loki lived nearly 9 months post treatment.

Winnie (2008) - a pitbull mix who had enjoyed a 13 year lifespan. Winnie's owner opted not to amputate her leg. She chose the less-invasive palliative treatment of pain management and steroids. Winnie's owner decided not to amputate her leg. Winnie lived for 4 months post-diagnosis.

So, why is Chance my latest inspiration? We are thrilled that we could give Loki, Winnie and Chance a good quality of life for their last months with their family. We also know that their families greatly appreciated the opportunity to try everything possible. Loki's family donates and volunteers. Winnie's mom made several quilts and bags for us to auction off before she passed away in 2009. And, Chance's mom is already trying to figure out how she can get involved.

Your donations make it possible for us to provide this hope to more families.

Saving Money on Your Pet's Prescriptions

When a pet is diagnosed with a critical and chronic illness, the cost of prescription medications to provide a good quality of life can break the bank. Today, there are many options available to pet guardians to save money in this area. Your doctor will write a prescription that you can have filled elsewhere. And we recommend that you set up regular monitoring appointments with your Veterinarian if you choose to purchase medications from an outside resource.

Human Pharmacies - a few years back and to meet competitive pricing demands, human pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS, WalMart, Target and grocery stores, created a $4 list. These drugs can be purchased in 30 day increments costing the purchaser only $4/month. At $4/month - just about any condition can be treated without forcing the family into financial ruin. Kroger has just announced their Pet Pharmacy Program.

Online Suppliers - one needs to be cautious in this arena as not all online suppliers are equal. We recommend FarmVet or Drs. Foster & Smith. For medications that are animal specific or are more expensive than the $4 list, you can often buy in bulk which will result in significant savings.

For those who prefer the alternative medicine route - a good resource is the Dog Owner's Guide: Alternative Medicine. If you decide to go this direction, however, we encourage you to consult a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine who has a certification in Holistic Medicine.