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Paul W. Skellenger D.V.M.

Canine Parvovirus (CPV)

In dogs, Parvovirus should be suspected whenever puppies are presented with lethargy, vomiting, &/or loose stools especially if there is blood in the stool (a hemorrhagic enteritis). Puppies 6 to 16 weeks of age are the most susceptible. This is due to the fact that puppies younger than this are usually protected by maternal antibodies they received in the mother’s milk (colostrum). Older dogs have acquired immunity from vaccination or previous exposure and may not show significant clinical illness if they do become infected. Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and English Springer Spaniels seem to be at greater risk for severe disease, but we see this devastating disease an all species of dogs.

CPV infects rapidly dividing cells of the intestine, bone marrow, and lymphatic tissues. The rapidly dividing cells of the intestine reside in valleys of the intestinal mucosal lining known as crypts. These cells then migrate to cover the hills of the mucosa known as villi. The virus is capable of severe enough damage to result in necrosis (cell death) of the intestinal crypt cells and this leaves no cells to cover the villi. The villi essentially are ulcerated, collapse, and digestive function is lost. Tremendous amounts of blood components and fluids are lost across this ulcerated mucosa and toxins and bacteria may be free to pass from the intestinal lumen to the bloodstream.

Rapidly dividing cells are also found in the bone marrow and the virus attacks these resulting in a drop in the dog’s white blood cell count. Both lymphocytes and neutrophils are affected (these are types of white blood cells). Neutrophils are the predominant white blood cell found in circulation and function as part of the rapid first line of defense against infection. CPV infection causes low neutrophil counts by cell injury in the bone marrow and due to depletion of circulating cells responding to the tremendous amount of damage to the intestinal wall. The lower the white blood cell count, the worse the illness and counts less than 3000 mean the dog is not able to defend against bacteria found in the digestive tract and the environment. Continue ...

Oral and Dental Health are Keys to Your Pets Quality of Life - What Do We Do About Tartar and Gingivitis

Paul W. Skellenger D.V.M. Treatment: Dental prophy. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia. After a thorough examination, the teeth are scaled using specialized hand instruments and an ultrasonic scaler. All plaque and tartar is removed and every tooth in the mouth is carefully cleaned. The teeth, gums, and the periodontal tissues are then examined by the doctor to be sure they are healthy, with special attention paid to areas below the gum line. Then the teeth are polished with a high speed polisher to smooth and restore the enamel. This is followed by a fluoride treatment. Immediate post operative care: The dental technician is responsible for all nursing care associated with the prophy itself. Once this procedure is finished, one of the treatment area technicians (who are also our ICU nurses) sees to it that the patient’s recovery is smooth and uneventful. What to expect the day of discharge: In most cases, normal activity is permitted right away. When you get home, offer a small meal and a small amount of water at first. Some pets may feel a little nausea associate with anesthesia, and it is best to offer small portions at first. Normal food and water can be offered after a couple of hours. Don’t expect them to be excessively tired, but some do take longer than others to come around. The next day they should be back to normal. What to do if you notice a problem: If you feel there is a problem for any reason, call our office or the local animal emergency clinic. Follow up: Daily tooth brushing is the best way to prevent future tartar and gum disease. Keep it simple. Brush the outside of the teeth and you can be finished in 10 to 15 seconds. We have chicken flavored toothpaste to make it easier. CET chews help when brushing cannot be done regularly. Most important, regular cleaning every 6 to 12 months is the ideal way to prevent health problems related to dental plaque and tartar. It makes their breath smell better too. Continue ...   Short Run SPC   Donald J. Wheeler, Ph.D. Learn how process behavior charts can be used effectively when limited data is available. Part One: Tracking the Process while Making Different Products - Difference Charts Charts for Mean Ranges - Zed Charts - The Role of Moving Range Charts Difference Charts for Subgrouped Data - Standardized Charts for Subgrouped Data - Part Two: Setting the Process Aim The Difference between Aim and Consistency - Settings the Process Aim Using a Sequence of values - Setting the Process Aim Using Difference ChartsSetting the - Process Aim Using Multiple Measurements 72 pages. Paperback. Appendix and Glossary   Building Continual Improvement: SPC for the Service Sector Donald J. Wheeler, Ph.D. with Sheila Poling It is no longer necessary to try fitting manufacturing examples into the service world! This book specifically addresses the complicated issues of using Statistical Tools in a service setting. Don Wheeler presents these concepts in the easy, reader-friendly style of "Understanding Variation" but with the in-depth content of "Understanding Statistical Process Control." Newcomers to these ideas will find new and comprehensive concepts discussed with great clarity. All of the case studies in this book are taken from actual companies. Readers discover where to start, what to measure, how to measure it, how to understand the measurements, and how to effectively use their business information and data. More than just teaching how to create process behavior charts, this book takes you beyond understanding data to help you build a framework in which to use it effectively. 329 pages. Hardback. 212 Figures, 62 Tables, Over 100 Examples, Exercises & Answers, Glossary of Symbols, Appendices, Bibliography, and Index. Design and Analysis of Experiments, 5th Edition By: Douglas C. Montgomery This best-seller describes the methods and techniques used in the design and analysis of experiments. It emphasizes the connection between the experiment and the model that the experimenter can develop from the results of the experiment. This new edition includes a wealth of coverage essential for statisticians, engineers, and scientists from many fields. Simple Comparative Experiments. Experiments with a Single Factor: The Analysis of Variance. Randomized Blocks, Latin Squares, and Related Designs. Introduction to Factorial Designs. The 2k Factorial Design. Blocking and Confounding in the 2k Factorial Design. Two-Level Fractional Factorial Designs. Three-Level and Mixed-Level Factorial and Fractional Factorial Designs. Fitting Regression Models. Response Surface Methods and Other Approaches to Process Optimization. Experiments with Random Factors. Nested and Split-Plot Designs. Other Design and Analysis Topics