Camden-Inner Harbor Veterinary Services

07/26/2024

Found wagamama by accident, a favorite restaurant of mine here in Boston, USA.

My first noodle bar experience, was this restaurant, near the casino, in Leidseplein Amsterdam, in the late 90s.

Makes sense as I'm attending a once every 4-year international veterinary dermatology conference here at Cannacon Haynes Convention Center, Boston

So happy to experience this once again nearer to home.

04/27/2024

Look at me . . . developing proficiency in vascular access imaging.

I’m in NOLA training at the AVBP (American Board of Veterinary Practitioners) annual meeting.

At this intensive three-day ultrasound workshop, with additional lectures on MSK (musculoskeletal) injuries, I’m learning Ultrasound - guided procedures (biopsy and sample collections) and AFAST & Focused Spleen, TFAST, Fundamental Echocardiology, Vet BLUE, Global FAST.

Ultrasound is the ‘new’ stethoscope, in that POCUS (point of care ultrasound) can and should be used in every veterinary routine appointment to catch emergent issues without the time / expense of radiographs and labwork that can take days for results / evaluation.

Wouldn’t you appreciate learning at your next vaccine appointment, whether that slight limp or GI upset has a serious cause - at the time of the appointment ?

Does it need a specialist consult, or can we provide answers to help you make decisions here and now?

This ‘is’ the future of veterinary medicine. I don’t care what your Momma says … !

(Photo by Greg Lisciandro, DVM, DABVP, DACVECC; textbook author of: ‘Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Techniques’)

04/16/2024

Lunchtime study session after early AM euthanasia. I re reading the lecture notes from next week’s FVMA annual meeting in Orlando, FL.

Excited about beginning MSK ultrasound training with Deb Canaap at V.O.S.M. (Veterinary Orthopedic and Sports Medicine) in Annapolis Junction.

This is the next step in my journey in helping older pets better ambulate as they age.

MSK (musculoskeletal) issues are poorly diagnosed and treated in older dogs, most are simply prescribed an NSAID such as Rimadyl (carprofen) without educating the pet parent how to massage the tissues at home to prevent scar tissue leading to contracture and disuse atrophy.

We’ve all seen it, those older pets struggling to keep up on the daily walk with their heads held low to take the pressure off of the lower back and hips.

New drugs such Librela help manage the expression of pain, but they do nothing to prevent tendon contractions and scar formation.

My skillset in Chinese medical massage (Tui Na), therapeutic laser , and now ultrasound will be instrumental in my quest to keep geriatric pets moving more comfortably without daily drug therapy.

12/31/2023

When you’re one of the first to receive the two-volume, 2024, 9th Edition, that your ordered and paid for 9 months before, …. you can claim you take your knowledge and profession seriously!

02/13/2023

Even after 3 years, I consider it an honor ‘to show’ I care as much for my client’s health as I do for their hairiest family members. I recently upgraded to and I’m better understood and comfortable, with no behind the ear strap pain.

01/27/2023

“Thank you Dr Johnny … you have amazing bedside manner !” “Wow! No. Thank you. Are you sure …?”

(I scare myself, seeing my reflection, in my mask and headlamp ..)

10/14/2022

This is my first acupuncture patient for the morning, Hopalong ‘Cat’sidy …

09/22/2022

After the electro acupuncture treatment, I teach pet parents Tui Na techniques, here Ms King is stretching Polly along the GV or Du meridian. This skill is called: Ba Shen Fa.

09/17/2022

After 3 years - finally - back in Gainesville for my own 1.5 hr acupuncture treatment!

Cupping, Tui Na and electro acupuncture…

Dr Deng is the best! She keeps me healthy so I can do the same for your fur babies !!

09/17/2022

After 3 years - finally - back in Gainesville for my own 1.5 hr acupuncture treatment! Cupping, Tui Na and electro acupuncture… Dr Deng is the best!

09/17/2022

Look who’s back in horse country USA !!

09/10/2022

The C19 hysteria, real or imagined, taught me a ‘mantra’ a few years ago.

I flow thru life as if I’m in a multi year mini series like the characters in ‘The Walking Dead’ only every person reacts differently to the outbreak.

Many don’t knew if they’ve ever had it.

Since I don’t care to learn how my body/mind will react, I chant a simple ‘ditty’ when challenged why I mask:

“I don’t wanna Catch it, Get it or Give it! …… Got it?”

09/09/2022

Guess who just received his 3rd Booster!

This is the ‘new’ Pfizer bivalent BA4, BA5
I’ve had the ’jab’ 5 times, the last, my fourth, was in December 2021.

My practice is geriatric medicine - and many of my clients are older with older dogs/cats.

It’s my responsibility to keep my clients safe as I am in and out of homes/businesses on a daily basis.

I’d never forgive myself knowingly affecting someone’s long term health by not taking advantage of available preventatives.

And it was free!

“Eyes that travel, See !”

07/22/2022

Whose got the best job? I do …
I don’t care whatcha Momma says!

07/09/2022

Yo! Do yourself and your pet a favor!

Increase your essential fatty acid intake.

Omega-3s are found naturally in some foods and are added to some fortified foods. You can get adequate amounts of omega-3s by eating a variety of foods, including the following:

Fish and other seafood (especially cold-water fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines)
Nuts and seeds (such as flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts)
Plant oils (such as flaxseed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil)
Fortified foods (such as certain brands of eggs, yogurt, juices, milk, soy beverages, and infant formulas)

Don’t be bedeviled in taking encapsulated ‘supplements’. Give your dog/cat their Omega 3 fatty acids from ‘whole foods’ which their body will recognize and utilize.

07/09/2022

06/10/2022

‘Pharaoh’ receiving his 3rd TCVM acupuncture treatment turns to Mom to thank her for integrating Eastern and Western medicine during his chemo therapy for cancer (lymphosarcoma).

05/07/2022

“Say: Hi! ‘Miss Charlie’ ….”

03/16/2022

Certified Vet Tech: “Dr Johnny, I love your ‘toupée !”

Me: “Hmmm, Thank you?”

Hospital staff in unison: “Toupée?
Don’t you mean ‘Beret’ !!!

01/28/2022

Aww!! Look at that cute face with the ‘salt n pepper’ hair on his head and chin! This is ‘Chumley’.

01/22/2022

Outta the hospital back in the home doing what I love - caring for older pets with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCVM). This is Macintosh - she’s dealing with age related degenerative joint disease. I’m employing integrative medicine: a fentanyl patch for pain as well as electro-acupuncture. Mom is changing the diet to help with weight loss.

01/21/2022

Just because you’re working ‘crazy hours’ under intense pressure doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your health.

Eating well doesn’t have to mean expensive…

01/14/2022

Practicing pandemic medicine - has become a ‘masterclass’ of improvisation. Daily, going on three years now, I swallow ever increasing lumps of fear. Through fogged up glasses I peer - mining information to provide ease and comfort. In the home, I find words for answers, my colleagues hidden behind storefront walls, can only surmise. I witness the pain and shame of doing without - pulling together funds - to help pet’s shaking because there is no heat. Winter is frightful. Adding the uncertainty of what tomorrow brings makes my day-to-day almost Shakespearean in grief - witnessed.

12/21/2021

The best gift you can give to your pets is the learned skill of creating meals out of whole foods.

11/21/2021

It’s convenient to be able to capture and evaluate your pet’s ECG (electrocardiogram) in a home setting. Many breathing and heart-related concerns and can be observed with telemedicine prior to scheduling an appointment with a specialist.

11/21/2021

Dogs and cats sometimes have breathing issues or undiagnosed heart murmurs which can be breed specific or age related. During an annual physical wouldn’t it be advantageous to have this evaluated ‘in the home’ where your ‘loved one’ is likely to be relaxed and less stressed?

Reach out. Let’s add an ECG (electrocardiogram) to your pet’s annual physical examination.

11/21/2021

Providing veterinary hospice care isn’t simply about the ailing pet, it’s about being able to say ‘goodbye’ with dignity. Jack is a fighter! Diagnosed with a heart based tumor, this golden doodle recently had surgery to remove his pericardium, to reduce the pressure on his heart from fluid accumulation.

At home now - from the - with his family around him fixing easy to digest congees (food therapy) and providing love and attention Jack is living his best life getting bi weekly Chinese integrative medical care.

I think I’m a lil jealous … care

10/29/2021

Interested in transitioning to cooking for your cat?

Here’s a neat way to get started.
Incorporate a ‘guaranteed’ ringer for flavor.

By promoting flavor, a combination of taste and smell, you’re establishing a key scent or anchor for a diet change.

Sprinkle fish flakes like bonito or dried seafood over your cats’ meal as your transition to different proteins.

Add new items slowly, jotting down the response to new textures and don’t forget to add ‘crunch’ especially if your cat is use to eating kibble.

I crumble up some fresh soup crackers and mix the ingredients all together….