Hinsdale Humane Society Holds 29th Annual Pet Walk and Run

Dr. Todd L. Prince works as a veterinarian for several animal hospitals around the Naperville, Illinois area. The places Dr. Prince treats animals include the Springbrook Animal Care Center, the Naperville Animal Hospital, the Wheaton Animal Hospital, and the Elmhurst Animal Care Center. Todd Prince, DVM, also supports several nonprofit organizations that support the cause of animals, including the Hinsdale Humane Society.

Founded in 1953 by six Hinsdale women who wanted to provide a better dog pound option for the area, the Hinsdale Humane Society has evolved over the years in the services it provides and the number of animals it can help. Today, the nonprofit organization has more than 300 volunteers who help find forever homes for the many animals in its care.

Since the Hinsdale Humane Society is a nonprofit organization, it relies on fundraising events and donations to fulfill its mission, with a recent event taking place on June 3, 2018. The annual pet walk and run, which was the organization’s 29th, was at Katherine Legge Memorial Park in Hinsdale. At least 450 participants enjoyed the stroller and pet-friendly 5K walk and run, which was emceed by Judy Hsu from ABC-7.

About the 2018 ABVP Symposium

A board certified small animal veterinarian with more than two decades of experience, Dr. Todd L. Prince provides clinical care for dogs, cats, and other small animals at several locations in the Chicago area. A doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM), Dr. Todd Prince is also a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP).

The 2018 ABVP Symposium will be held October 11-14 at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina in Tampa, Florida. The theme of this year’s event is “CE in the Sun!” and will feature opportunities for attendees to earn up to 23 hours of continuing education credits. The ABVP Symposium is one of the preeminent conferences for veterinary professionals in the United States each year.

Registration is currently open for the conference. There is also a block of rooms available at the Tampa Marriott for $199 a night if booked by September 18th. To learn more about the event or to register for the symposium, visit https://abvp.com/symposium.

Dog Training Services at Naperville Animal Hospital

Dr. Todd L. Prince received his DVM from the University of Illinois. Over the course of his long career as a veterinarian, Dr. Todd Prince has established relationships with several hospitals and clinics throughout the area, including the Naperville Animal Hospital.

Located in Naperville, Illinois, the Naperville Animal Hospital is capable of meeting a wide range of companion animal needs, including basic dog training. The hospital’s training services are overseen by Derrick S. Rollerson II, a Petco Dog Training Instructor Program (DTIP) certified trainer. Mr. Rollerson has experience educating fellow dog trainers and as a trainer for personal protection animals and guard dogs. He has also worked in areas of agility training and behavior modification, balancing positive reinforcement-based training with correction-based training as needed.

The hospital offers puppy training classes for dogs under six months of age and basic manners courses for older animals. Dogs must be up to date on all vaccinations prior to enrollment. To learn more about training services or Mr. Rollerson’s credentials and experience, please visit the Naperville Animal Hospital online at www.napervilleanimalhospital.com.

Three Easy Ways to Give to the Hinsdale Humane Society

A veterinarian at Illinois-based Wheaton Animal Hospital, Todd L. Prince, DVM, brings more than 25 years of experience to his practice. As an animal lover, Dr. Todd Prince maintains membership with multiple organizations that help pets, including the Naperville Area Humane Society and the Hinsdale Humane Society.

Tracing its roots to 1953, the Hinsdale Humane Society (HHS) is committed to the adoption and care of homeless animals. Here are three easy ways to support its mission.

1. Make a difference in an animal’s life without making the commitment of adoption by sponsoring an animal. For $50, an individual may choose the shelter pet he or she wishes to sponsor. Sponsors receive an HHS gift sponsorship certificate, and may have their name listed on the HHS website.

2. View the HHS wish list on its website to see what supplies the organization needs most, such as kitty litter and canned dog food. Then, easily purchase them through a link on Amazon.com.

3. Purchase a memorial brick at HHS’s Carla E. Fisher Memorial Garden at the Pet Rescue and Resource Center. Each brick contains a customized message engraved by laser, with funds going to support the society’s mission.

Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs

Todd Prince, DVM, serves as a small animal veterinarian in and around Naperville, Illinois. Board certified in small animal practice, Dr. Todd L. Prince is particularly interested in treating neurological diseases, a category that includes degenerative myelopathy.

Degenerative myelopathy, or DM, is one of the fastest progressing neurological diseases known to veterinary medicine. It is referred to as the canine version of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease, and can take away a dog’s ability to walk in as little as six months.

The disease develops when the white matter of the spinal cord begins to deteriorate. As the nerve fibers break down and the insulation between them falls away, the brain and limbs cannot communicate properly.

Degenerative myelopathy usually manifests first as reduced coordination in the hind legs. It may begin in one rear leg or both and causes the dog to have a wobbling gait, drag his or her feet, or fall forward onto the ankles. In time, the dog’s legs will begin to collapse when attempting to walk and standing will become difficult.

There is no treatment or cure for degenerative myelopathy, but owners can improve their pet’s quality of life and slow symptom progression through a regimen of moderate exercise. Range-of-motion work and water-based therapies can be particularly helpful. The use of a wheelcart can also allow the dog to remain independently mobile, assuming that he or she has sufficient strength in the front legs.

Dogs with advanced MD may develop urinary and fecal incontinence. In this case, the dog requires regular careful cleaning and a frequent changing of upper bedding layers. All dogs with MD need plenty of soft bedding to keep them comfortable so that they can enjoy their time as long as possible.

Recognizing Allergies in Dogs

Dr. Todd L. Prince, DVM, is a veterinarian based in Lisle, Illinois. At his practice, Dr. Todd Prince treats dogs for conditions such as allergies.

Just like humans, dogs can develop allergies. These allergies are misguided reactions by the immune system to foreign substances. Dogs have different types of allergies, including skin allergies and food allergies. Skin allergies are by far the most common.

Skin allergies may be caused by dust, mold, pollen, or flea bites. Symptoms of skin allergies include constant itching, sneezing, inflamed skin, and scabbed skin.

Food allergies can also cause itchiness, especially on dogs’ ears and paws. Other common symptoms of food allergies are gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, vomiting, ear infections, and foot infections.

There have been cases in which dogs suffered anaphylactic shock from severe allergic reactions. This is why recognizing allergy symptoms in dogs is important. If you suspect your dog has an allergy, consult a veterinarian to get a proper treatment plan.

Hinsdale Humane Society’s CARe Pet Therapy Program

Dr. Todd L. Prince earned his DVM from the University of Illinois. Passionate about animal care, Dr. Todd Prince supports the Hinsdale Humane Society.

For over 35 years, the Hinsdale Humane Society has been using pets to provide additional care to humans through its pet therapy programs. One of these is the Canine Assisted Rehabilitation (CARe) program. CARe was developed in partnership with therapists at AMITA’s Paulson Pediatric Outpatient center. As part of the program, therapists incorporate therapy animals into their sessions to help people achieve their session goals more quickly. These goals include improved motor skills, work on sensory issues, and speech therapy.

Today the partnership has grown to include inpatient visits to Bolingbrook campus and LaGrange. The pets are led by teams into delivery, postsurgical, and rehab units where they interact with patients and staff. They are also incorporated into group training for teens and adults with behavioral issues and, with additional pet training, into AMITA’s hospice care facility.

The use of pet therapy has proven successful because animals provide unconditional acceptance, are nurturing, and provide mental stimulation. They also encourage patient relaxation leading to reduced blood pressure and heart rate.

Hemangiosarcoma in Dogs

Dr. Todd L. Prince, a board-certified small animal veterinarian, has been meeting the medical needs of dogs and cats for more than 30 years. Dr. Todd Prince focuses much of his work on diagnosing and treating animal cancers.

Hemangiosarcoma, or HSA, is a type of cancer found more commonly in dogs than in any other animal. It grows first in the endothelium, a layer of cells that lines certain organs and body cavities, and spreads into the blood vessels. It is most common in larger-breed dogs that are middle-age and older, male dogs being slightly more prone to the disease than females.

Some dogs develop dermal hemangiosarcoma, which originates on the skin as red or black growths on hairless areas. The disease is more common under the skin and is particularly prevalent on the liver, kidneys, or spleen.

Internal hemangiosarcomas often go undiagnosed until a dog presents with severe clinical symptoms. For example, the dog may develop a distended abdomen or a mass that is apparent to the touch. In other dogs, the first sign is internal bleeding, which causes periodic weakness and pale gums.

Hemangiosarcomas tend to have a poor prognosis. Surgery alone correlates with an average survival time of only three to six months. Chemotherapy can give a dog up to a year of life, although this may be longer if the mass is in the spleen alone and is discovered through routine abdominal ultrasound, before clinical symptoms develop.

Signs of Feline or Canine Adrenal Gland Cancer

A practicing veterinarian since 1984, Todd L. Prince, DVM, received his board certification in small animal care in 1993. Dr. Todd Prince draws on a particular knowledge of feline and canine cancers such as pheochromocytoma.

“Pheochromocytoma” is the clinical term for adrenal gland cancer. It is uncommon in both dogs and cats, although it can occur particularly in older animals. It affects the glands that are located at the front of the kidney, nestled among fatty tissue where they regulate hormones such as epinephrine, aldosterone, and cortisol.

Adrenal gland cancers usually make themselves known because the tumor causes increased production of a particular hormone. In most cases, this hormone is known as glucocorticoid, an excess of which results in Cushing’s syndrome.

A dog or cat with this condition will eat, drink, and urinate more than usual. The belly may become swollen and the animal’s hair or fur may begin to fall out. Any or all of these symptoms may be intermittent or may not be present at all.

Some older pets with adrenal gland cancer will have a more rare type known as pheochromocytoma, which produce an excess of catecholamines. Most often diagnosed in dogs, the symptoms include decreased appetite and weight loss, lethargy, a rapid heartbeat, and high blood pressure.

The condition is treatable with surgery, which must be performed by an experienced professional. Animals that successfully undergo this surgery usually need hormone supplements throughout their lives.

Grooming Services at the Elmhurst Animal Care Center

Todd L. Prince, DVM, a graduate of the University of Illinois, has maintained board certification in small animal practice for more than 25 years. Dr. Todd Prince practices at the Elmhurst Animal Care Center and the Naperville Animal Hospital, while also supporting philanthropic veterinary organizations, such as the Hinsdale Humane Society.

In addition to offering a wide range of preventative and diagnostic medical support, the Elmhurst Animal Care Center also provides pet owners with a number of animal grooming services. Though first-time pet owners may consider grooming a luxury or indulgence, longtime owners know that proper grooming is an important part of the overall health of their pet.

Grooming services at the Elmhurst Animal Care Center include baths, nail trimmings, anal gland expression, and medicated shampoos and conditioners. Baths are infused with a special cleansing agent that removes dirt and debris from fur without aggravating the animal’s skin, leaving pets with healthy, smooth coats. Baths can also be prepared for animals dealing with allergies and related dermatological conditions.

To learn more about grooming services or to schedule an appointment, please visit the Elmhurst Animal Care Center online at www.elmhurstanimalcarecenter.com.