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THE PET POST - Coping with the Loss of Your Pet - By Thomas Anderson, D.V.M.
It wasn't all that long ago that cats and dogs were kept in the household to keep mice and intruders away. Things are much different these days as pets are playing a much more prominent role in our daily lives. One survey stated that over ninety percent of the household pets today are either spouse or child substitutes. Diagnostic procedures like MRI's would once be thought of as unjustifiable for animal use, but as we become more emotionally bonded with our pets, the cost of quality health care for them becomes less of a concern. The nature of veterinary medicine has changed drastically in the last thirty years. People demand for their pets the same quality of health care that they as humans receive, and they want it administered with compassion.

As a result of this human/animal emotional bonding, the death of a special pet may be very upsetting, even devastating. If you can communicate effectively with your veterinarian, it can sometimes lessen the shock of the loss, especially for children. When you first get the pet, find out how old it is and what is the average life span. This may lessen the "surprises" later for you and the kids.

Grief often begins as soon as bad news arrives. When serious illness is diagnosed, make sure to ask your veterinarian what to expect about the cause of the disease, the course of the disease, as well as treatment options and especially prognosis. Make sure that the veterinarian is well aware of any financial limits in advance so that a treatment plan can be tailored to your pet well in advance. Keep the lines of communication open with your veterinarian and with other family members. Ask for clarification on matters that you do not understand immediately to avoid any confusion later.

There are several things you can do once your pet has been diagnosed with a serious illness that can help ease the loss later if the worst does come. Review the course of the disease with your veterinarian and together come up with the different options. Helping make the decisions can help strengthen people emotionally. Several options usually exist: treat aggressively, moderately, or not at all. If euthanasia is a consideration, you may want to make some big decisions in advance like:

1. Who will make the decision? (Will the whole family be involved?)
2. What are the deciding factors?
3. Who will be present when the procedure is performed?
4. How will the remains be cared for?

Bonanza
In loving memory of Bonanza 1996-1997 "You will never be forgotten". Bonanza was loved and owned by Marie Tabsch.

Your veterinarian can help you make some of these decisions. Preparing in advance can be a tremendous emotional help for the whole family when the unfortunate day does come. One of the things that veterinarians get asked frequently is, "How will I know when it is time to put my pet to sleep?" Nobody knows your pet like you do and no one can make this difficult decision for you. But here are some factors to consider with your veterinarian to help you make this decision:
1. Is your pet able to ambulate? That is, can it get up and walk around freely with only a mild or moderate amount of pain?
2. Is your pet incontinent? Are they in control of their bowels?
3. Is your pet in pain? There are many new pain relievers out that your vet can prescribe if the decision is made to do so.

Your veterinarian can provide compassion and information that will help you understand what is going on, but ultimately you will have to make this very personal decision yourself with loving input from friends and family.

Dr. Anderson is a graduate of Auburn University. He owns and practices at Sabal Chase Animal Clinic near the Kendall campus of Miami Dade Community College, in the Shoppes of Sabal Chase at 10710 SW 113th Place, Miami, FL 33176. He does volunteer work with Animal Care and education, and Adopt-A-Pet, and is a member of the South Florida American Veterinary Medical Association. He can be reached at (305) 595-1450.
THE PET POST - Anal Sacs: A Misunderstood Part of the Animal Anatomy - By Michael Shaff, V.M.D.
"Doctor, help! My dog has worms." "Oh, what makes you say that?" "Because he keeps sliding around on his rear end." So many times I have heard a worried client make this statement. Actually the vast majority of the time, these "bob sledders" are experiencing problems with their anal sacs. But what are anal sacs?

Anal Sac

Dogs and cats, as well as a few other domesticated pets, possess two small sacs which are located on either side of the rectum at about 3 o'clock and at 9 o'clock. The sacs are about the size of a small grape on an average thirty-pound dog. They have a small opening or duct, which opens just at the exit of the rectum. Just beneath the skin, around the sacs are little anal glands, which secrete fluid into the anal sacs. This fluid has a sharp, pungent odor. The anal sacs are equivalent to the skunk's scent glands. Thousands of years ago the dog's ancestors probably used the glands, as do skunks, to spray enemies or to mark territory. However, over the years, through evolution, these structures became smaller and less specialized to the point of not really being used anymore, comparable to the human appendix.

Most animals go through life and never have any problems with their sacs. However, some dogs (especially miniatures and toys) do have problems. The anal sacs are normally expressed regularly when your pet exercises vigorously or moves its bowels. Sometimes the small openings or ducts get plugged or dried up and cannot be emptied normally. Your pet will lick or chew at the anal area or will be seen "bob sledding" along on its rear end with the back legs straight out in front. Usually your pet will be able to express the sacs in this secondary manner. If the secretion in the anal sac is not emptied, impaction and infection will occur.

If one or both of the anal glands are simply impacted, you may want to try to treat it yourself at home. Cover the anal area with a tissue or paper towel. Place your thumb and your finger at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions outside the anal area. Squeeze firmly in towards the center and a little bit backwards. The anal sac contents should exit from the duct of the anus. You will know you have done it correctly because you will smell the secretion. (See Figure 1). If you are unsuccessful and your pet still seems uncomfortable, go see your veterinarian.

Sometimes owners may not notice the early warning signs and the anal sac impaction proceeds to become an anal sac infection or abscess. If this occurs in one or both of the sacs, the area adjacent to the anus will become red, swollen and painful. If and when the abscess ruptures, pus or a blood-tinged fluid may drain from the opening.

Obviously, this situation calls for an immediate visit to your veterinarian. The veterinarian will most likely flush and fill the anal sacs with sterile water and antibiotics as well as dispense oral medication until the infected tissue heals. Often this treatment will require sedation or anesthesia as the rectal area is quite painful. 		Owners can help prevent these problems in their pets. If your pet is prone to impactions, then frequent expressing of the sacs by you or your veterinarian can decrease the chances of anal impactions or infections from developing. If your pet has repeated bouts of infection, then the anal sacs can be removed surgically.

Although anal sac impaction is the most common anal sac problem, there are a few other "anal problems" that a conscientious pet owner should watch for.

Anorectal Polyps are benign growths of the rectal lining that may or may not be seen to poke out of your pet's rectum. These growths do not spread but can cause local discomfort, straining, or blood tinged formed stool. Surgical removal is the best treatment and is usually curative.

Perianal Gland Tumors are usually benign growths (adenomas) that come from modified sebaceous glands of the skin in the rectal area. They do not come from the anal glands but may occur in the same area or even on the underside of the tail. Multiple tumors may be present. Although they are benign, they often have raw bleeding surfaces that will not heal. These tumors are primarily found in males and are thought to be hormonally stimulated. Rarely a malignant form called a Perianal Gland Adenocarcinoma will form. Finally, an Anal Sac Carcinoma is a malignant tumor derived from the anal glands of the anal sac itself.

Therapy differs depending on the extent of the tumor. Perianal Gland Adenomas usually respond well to surgical excision. At the same time it is advisable to neuter the male dog to remove the hormonal stimulation and decrease or limit recurrence. Incompletely removed masses often respond well to the castration. If not, they can often be treated with radiation therapy. Perianal Gland Adenocarcinomas and Anal sac Carcinomas both invade tissues locally and spread by the blood stream and lymphatic to distant sites elsewhere in the body. If these conditions are caught early enough before metastasis, then surgical excision followed by radiation therapy offers a possible treatment. However, the long-term prognosis is poor. Each case is a little bit different and your veterinarian is the best person to advise you as to what the treatment is best for your pet.

Overall, it is important to remember that your pet scooting its bottom over the floor could be a signal of an anal sac problem, it could be a possibility that it is caused by worms. Worms account for about 10-15% of those "bob sledders." Most of these cases are due to tapeworms. The tapeworm is the only worm you will actually see with the naked eye. Tapeworms can pass out of your pet's rectum and cause itching of the anal area. Should this be the cause of the problem, your veterinarian can prescribe an anthelminitic for your pet to rid it of the tapeworm. After that a good flea control program can prevent future tapeworm infection. Either way, it is important to observe your pet's behavior and follow up with your veterinarian when you notice any change of abnormalities. It's the best thing you can do for your pet.

Dr. Michael Shaff owns and practices The Animal Clinic of Woodmont at 8295 N. Pine Island Rd in Tamarac, FL. A university of Pennsylvania graduate, he is also a member of the South Floria Acaamy of Veterinary Medicine. He can be reached at (954) 726-3647.