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Youth Science Institute
The community of Los Gatos is fortunate to have an institution
dedicated to science education and nature. The Youth
Science Institute (YSI) has three Nature Centers that are open
to the public. The closest is located in Vasona Park in Los Gatos;
the two additional campuses are the Alum Rock Center in San Jose
and the Sanborn Center in Saratoga. Although their programs are
geared toward children, there are also plenty of opportunities for
adults to participate.
The Vasona center has classrooms and exhibit areas in addition
to administrative offices. The exhibit room houses many species
of animals including snakes, turtles, fish, frogs, and two beautiful
chinchillas. It is currently undergoing an expansion and revision
- the new exhibit space will focus on the 400 year-old oak on one
side and the lake on the other, bringing more beauty and more space
than the current area. Science classes are offered for all ages
(preschool to about 3rd grade) in the afternoons for approximately
$16-20 per class.
Topics are varied: from studying the homes of different animals
and underground creatures, to discovering the magic of camouflage
and the mystery of migrating animals. They even offer classes on
the study of volcanos and discovering the magic of flight!
YSI also offers outings such as whale watching trips in Monterey,
night hikes in Sanborn park and boat rides through Elkhorn slough.
YSI's animal curator, Dorothy Johnson, cares for the animals with
the help of a junior animal curator (a young volunteer interested
in learning about and caring for animals).
LGD&C provides free medical advice and care for the animals
at the center when needed. YSI offers many ways to learn about and
explore nature. We encourage you to visit their web site at www.ysi-ca.org
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Have you ever wanted to work with animals or volunteer for
an animal shelter or veterinary hospital?
Would you like to learn more about nature and the animals
in it? Do your kids express an interest in animals, but you
don't know how to get them involved?
To help you explore fun ways to become involved, Paw Prints
will feature some helpful ideas in each of this year's issues.
We encourage you to open your hearts to animals in new ways
in 2002.
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February is Pet
Dental Health Month
February is a month dedicated to educating the public about the
importance of dental health for their pets. Remember to ask for
an evaluation of your pet's teeth at your next visit, and for ways
to help keep his or her teeth clean and disease-free for better
health in the future. If a dental cleaning is advised, your veterinarian
will discuss it with you in detail.
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| The Ultimate
Heeler from Down Under |
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The breed's name says it all; the Australian Cattle Dog has the
tremendous endurance, love of work and strong desire to please that
is necessary for a herding dog in Australia's varied and sometimes
rough territory. The Australian Cattle Dog is highly intelligent,
readily trained and possesses an uncanny problem-solving ability
that enables it to determine how much "heeling" (the quick
grip and release on the lower leg of a herd animal), one of its
charges requires. For example, adjusting for the amount of heeling
needed to get a wayward "troublemaker" to mind, vs. a
gentler approach for a younger or older animal that may be doing
its best but is naturally slower than the rest of the herd.
As with many of today's dog breeds, there are numerous theories
as to the development of the Australian Cattle Dog. The modern cattle
dog is believed to be a cross between smooth-coated blue merle Scottish
Highland Collies, selected dingoes, Dalmatians and black and tan
Kelpies.
The Australian Cattle Dog was officially recognized by the American
Kennel Club in 1980 and is sometimes referred to as the Blue Heeler
or Queensland Blue Heeler.
The Australian Cattle Dog is strong, compact and symmetrically
built. Its expression is bright and alert and its eyes are dark
brown in color. The breed's muzzle is of medium length and its ears
are pricked and moderately pointed. It has a smooth double coat
with a short dense undercoat and the coat color can be blue, blue-mottled,
blue speckle or red speckle. The tail is moderately bushy, low and
hangs in a very slight curve. The breed's height ranges between
17-20 inches at the withers.
Hard-working, energetic, and loyal, the Australian Cattle Dog is
also multi-talented. In addition to its outstanding herding ability,
the breed does well in obedience, agility and tracking activities.
Sources Consulted
"Australian Cattle Dog." 2002. American
Kennel Club. Online. 24 January 2002.
"Australian Cattle Dog." 2002. Australian Cattle Dog Club
of America Online. 24 January 2002.
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For the Birds has
Flown the Coop!
For nearly 12 years Los Gatos Dog and Cat Hospital and For the
Birds enjoyed a symbiotic relationship; we shared office space,
laughs, clients, staff, and admiration for one another. Over time
both practices grew tremendously and we found ourselves literally
bumping elbows and wings in the office. So over the New Year, For
the Birds moved to higher ground with more space to care for pet
birds. The room this has created in our hospital will allow us to
improve the quality of care we can give our dog and cat patients.
We wish For the Birds much success in their new home!
Their new location is at 1136B De Anza Boulevard,
San Jose, CA 95129.
Their new phone is (408) 255-1739.
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New Look for our Web
Site
 We
have made some changes that will help our clients navigate
around the site a little easier, added a list of services,
and updated the biographical section. We have also added a
hospital tour. We have removed the "prescriptions"
section from the site as many prescriptions require an office
visit before being refilled. For those of you with slower
modems, you will find that the site will load faster on your
computer!
We will be updating our site monthly, incorporating new graphics
and photos of the goings on in the hospital.
Please feel free to let us know if there is any particular
information you would like to see on our site.
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| Musings and Memoirs of a
Middle-aged Nurse |
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It was January 1984. I'd graduated from the Foothill College Animal
Health Technician Program in 1978. I had worked at a few other hospitals
and was looking for something new-a focus, a challenge, some like-minded
people. I walked into a tiny veterinary hospital on University Avenue
and asked for a job. (When I say tiny, I mean tiny…you could
talk on the phone, go to the bathroom, and develop x-rays all in
the same room).
The employment interview was casual, conducted across the surgery
table by a young veterinarian named Kyle Frandle. He was, and still
is, completely unpretentious and unassuming, relaxed, jovial, and
confident. He treated me with respect-unlike any other veterinarian
I'd met before. I thought to myself "who IS this guy?"
At the time the hospital staff consisted of two part time technicians,
and veterinarians Kyle Frandle and Helen Power. Dr. Martin Fremont,
founder of Los Gatos Dog and Cat Hospital in 1947, was phasing out
his work schedule. The place just FELT right…Nurse Strom had
found a tiny new home.
Well, that tiny home moved in 1989 into a large building (and soon
to be larger). Now we have over 20 staff and 5 doctors! Quite a
difference…but the basic pretext has always remained the same:
Treat others as you would like to be treated (One of many "Kyle-isms").
This philosophy is why I have been hanging around for 17 years.
Los Gatos Dog and Cat Hospital is a place like no other and it is
because of Kyle and the people he has surrounded himself with. In
a way, they are all reflections of him-some stronger in certain
traits than others, and each bringing to the mix their own type
of talent. He is generous beyond measure, especially if it will
benefit the common good. He is a visionary who is never content
with status quo. And he has created a nurturing, caring and supportive
work environment-we are all encouraged to be self-starters and to
express ourselves openly with confidence.
I love our exceptionally high quality of veterinary medicine, the
tender nursing care we give our patients, our casual professionalism,
and the emphasis on continuing education. Most of the time, work
feels like play to me (what could be better?).
Career lives change. I went from being in charge of virtually all
facets of the hospital and working 5 days a week, to being blissfully
relieved of most of these tasks and cutting back to a lovely part-time
schedule. I am SO proud to be a part of this fabulous group of dynamic
individuals. It's amazing to see all that has transpired and continues
to unfold. I look on in amazement. I used to feel like the "hospital
mum", and now as years pass I feel like the "hospital
grand-mum". Whew! I think I'll stick around as long as I can
still bend down and clean those lower cages. Hurray for yoga!
Written lovingly by Marie Strom
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Ask the Doctor
Q: I've just learned that my dog may be at risk for
hypothyroidism. Can you explain how this condition is detected
and if there is treatment available?
A: Hypothyroidism is fairly common in dogs, especially
the Golden Retriever, Labrador, and Doberman breeds. Affected
dogs have a low level of thyroid hormone, which may result
in weight gain, poor coat quality, sluggishness, increased
thirst and urination or excessive panting. A simple blood
test is used to diagnose the condition and results are usually
straightforward; occasionally additional testing is necessary
to confirm the diagnosis.
Supplementation with thyroid hormone is given by the pet
owner at home. It is usually given twice a day and lifelong
supplementation is required. Treatment is very effective and
has few side effects, but does require monitoring. We recommend
a blood test about one month after starting treatment to be
sure the correct dosage is being given and then periodically
thereafter.
Q: Can cats get bone diseases?
A: Bone diseases in cats are rare but do exist. Congenital
skeletal problems are most commonly seen in purebred cats,
although any cat can be affected. Hip dysplasia (incongruity
of the hip joints), fused vertebrae (common in the Manx cat)
and other congenital problems can lead to arthritis or cause
trouble with locomotion. Joint injury can also result in arthritis.
Hypervitaminosis A can cause severe skeletal changes, whereas
vitamin D imbalances, poor nutrition, or defects in metabolism
can cause a decrease in bone density and increased risk for
fractures. Diseases of the bone marrow are varied, but include
cancer and some forms of leukemia. Signs of bone disease in
cats are extremely variable, ranging from lameness or stiffness
to general malaise, or anything in between. If your cat is
diagnosed with a bone disease, the treatment options and prognosis
will depend entirely on the type of bone disease present.
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Trivia Challenge
"Furry Felines"
1. There are four tabby patterns. Can you name them?
2. What is a locket?
3. If a cat is referred to as a grade 0, what does this mean?
4. Pencillings refer to what coat characteristic?
5. What is a self coat?
Trivia Challenge Answers
1. Striped, Spotted, Classic, and Abyssinian.
2. A white or contrasting color patch under the neck.
3. A cat with no white in its coat pattern.
4. The delicate, pencil-like markings on the faces of Tabbies.
5. A cat that is considered to have a coat that is solid in
color.
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Staff
News
A new year is beginning.
Tom is bringing it in with a new home he purchased in Felton.
He and Dr. Condreay will be neighbors!
We say good-bye to our receptionist, Lissa. You can still
see her if you are also clients of For the Birds, as she
has moved with them to their new home to answer phones and greet
clients.
The entire staff and their families gathered together Sunday, January
13th, for a New Years/Holiday brunch at Pasatiempo Golf Course in
Santa Cruz. Much feasting and visiting was done by all!
Several of us staff will be making the annual trek to Las Vegas
in February for the Western States Veterinary Conference.
Our hospital kitty, LooLoo, has been with us one full year.
You can see her perched on her stylish condo just beyond the dog
scale.
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