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New Tests and Treatments

Glaucoma in Dogs

Recent technological advances have made testing for glaucoma in dogs a much quicker and easier process. We now recommend that your dog have a reading a minimum of once a year. Certain breeds of dogs are predisposed to glaucoma.

Alaskan Malamute - Akita - American Cocker Spaniel - Basset Hound

Beagle - Boston Terrier - Bouvier des Flandres - Bullmastiff - Chow Chow

Dalmatian - English Cocker Spaniel - Flat-coated Retriever - Great Dane

Greyhound - Italian Greyhound - Miniature Pinscher - Norwegian Elkhound

Poodle - Samoyed - Schnauzer - Shar Pei - Shih Tzu - Siberian Husky

Smooth Haired Fox Terrier - Welsh Springer Spaniel - Wirehaired Fox Terrier

Please talk with a technician today about having a reading done while you are here. It’s never too early to begin doing annual readings and early detection could save your dog’s eye sight.

Exercise Induced Collapse (EIC)

Labrador Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Curly Coated Retrievers.

This inherited genetic disorder has been recognized as a distinct syndrome since the early 1990's. Only recently has there been a test developed to screen for it.

EIC is usually seen in field trial bred dogs. Affected dogs can tolerate mild to moderate exercise but become weak in the hind legs and collapse after 5 to 15 minutes of strenuous activity. EIC can lead to death because there is a tendency of these affected dogs to become hyperthermic, (over-heat) which can lead to heat stroke. Signs first become apparent in young dogs between 5 months and 5 years of age.

The good news is the disease is not progressive and if the owner is aware of the problem and does not allow the dog to participate in exciting or strenuous activity, the collapse is not triggered. Knowing that the problem is present can prevent early death of your dog. We recommend testing of all labrador retrievers, (all colors of lab are affected), Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Curly coated Retrievers under the age of 5 years. The test is a simple blood test that we send out. It takes 2-3 weeks for the results to come back. The results will show if your dog has the syndrome, is a carrier of the syndrome or is free of EIC.

All dogs being test must be micro-chipped. The cost of the test is $168.00 which includes all the shipping and handling of the sample.

MDR -1 TESTING

Certain breeds, mostly herding dogs, are prone to having a mutation at the MDR-1 gene site. This mutation can prevent the dog from processing some medications that are frequently used in veterinary medicine. Knowing whether your dog has a mutation could be very important to your dogs health.

Testing for the MDR-1 gene mutation can let you know if your dog has the mutation, is a carrier or is free of the mutation. Thanks to the progress in testing for gene markers the cost of the test has been reduced considerably. The cost is now only $110, which includes collection of the sample and shipping.

The most common breeds with this mutation are:
Australian Shepherds, Miniature Australian Shepherds, Collies, Shelties, English Shepherds, McNabs, Long Haired Whippets, Silken Wirehounds, Border Collies, Heelers,
German Shepherds

LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY

We now use Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) for use in dogs and cats with various acute inflammatory conditions. Joint arthritis, muscle injury, intervertebral disc disease and lick granuloma are just a few of the clinical conditions for which this therapy mode is useful. In cats it is useful for oral ulcers, arthritis, cystitis and many other conditions. It is offered as a single dose therapy or multiple dose package.

REGENERATIVE CELL MEDICINE

Dr Shackelford has his credentials for stem - cell therapy. This therapy uses your pets own fat cells to harvest the stem cells from. The stem cells are then used in treating chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, immune mediated poly-arthritis and tendon or ligament injuries. There is on going research for its use against cancer, systemic infection, severe allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, urinary incontinence and other difficult to treat conditions. For more information on regenerative Cell Medicine please call our office or click on the above Vet-Stem logo.