Announcing Dr. Carrie Poff, DVM
Hudson Veterinary Hospital is proud to announce our newest addition, Dr. Carrie Poff, DVM. Dr. Poff graduated from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. After graduation, she worked as an Associate Veterinarian in a busy small animal practice in Troutville, VA. Prior to her professional school, Dr. Poff attended Virginia Tech, where she earned a B.S. Degree in Biology in 1998. She moved to New York in 2006 and joined HVH in September.

Dr. Poff is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New York State medical Society and the Westchester/Rockland County Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Poff specializes in small animal care and her special interests include dermatology, opthalmology, ultrasonography and surgery.

Renew your prescriptions now!
Did you know that you can renew your pets' prescriptions online?AND that they are available in special flavors?
You can pick them up in hospital or have them mailed to your home from our new ONLINE PHARMACY! Call for more information!

Dr. Poff resides in Westchester County, with her husband Peter and her 8 year old Boxer Moe. She enjoys hiking and the outdoors, and is becoming a NYC sushi expert.

Case of the Month - Otitis Externa
Atypical case of ear infection

Ear infections (otitis) are one of the most common conditions I see in my practice. They are most often found by the owners. Their pets are shaking their heads or scratching at their ears which may have a yeasty smell or discharge. When I look in the ears I see the typical discharge from bacteria, yeast or mites. Usually the skin lining the ear canal is very red and inflamed. Atypical infections present with no observable symptoms and do not appear to be affecting the pet in any way. The following case shows us what can be lurking under the surface.

'Benji' was a 6 month old Labradoodle who entered my hospital for a routine neuter. Other than intestinal parasites, he had been a normal puppy and had received the typical course of vaccinations. Because he was a very wiggly puppy for his pre-op exam, I could not view all the way down his ear canal with my otoscope. What I could see externally was normal.

After the surgery was completed, and before 'Benji' came out of the anesthesia, I examined his ears again, this time with the Vet Videoscope.

The Vet Videoscope has a tiny digital camera inside a probe. It transmits color pictures and videos that can be magnified up to 35 times normal size. The picture is so clear and detailed that we can diagnose earlier and treat conditions more effectively. The pictures can then be printed or stored in your pet's medical history and computer records.

What we found in 'Benji's' ear canal was definitely a surprise. We found a severe infection deep in the ear that completely occluded the canal. Ear mites were seen as well. If 'Benji' had been more cooperative on the pre-op exam I would have diagnosed the ear infection through my otoscope, but I would NOT have been able to see the ear mites. As well as being uncommon in dogs, mites are virtually impossible to see with the non-magnified otoscope. I would have treated him for the bacterial and yeast infection only. Instead, the ears were flushed and cleaned through the videoscope and a new one-time ear mite treatment was instilled in the ears. The ears responded quickly and routinely.

You can actually see a video on our website of earmites, the ear canal and some of what is described above! Take a look by clicking here.
*Video courtesy of Louis N. Gotthelf, DVM, taken with the MedRx Video Vetscope system.

Ear infections in dogs and cats are very different than those in children. Most children get otitis media, or middle ear infections. Putting drops in their ears usually does not cure the problem. Pets typically get an infection of the outer ear canal (otitis externa) and most problems will respond well to ear treatments with an ointment applied twice daily.

Some dogs will develop more severe infections or recurring problems that may involve the middle ear (otitis media) which are caused when the infection has ruptured the tympanum (ear drum). Otitis media in a dog or cat is a much more serious problem than otitis externa. Often when it occurs we do not know because we cannot see the tympanum on routine exam (the ears are too painful or we cannot see through the infection). Flushing the pet's ears must be done carefully as to avoid further damage. With the videoscope we can better and more safely flush the ear canal to visualize the tympanum. If it is ruptured we can place a catheter thru the videoscope into the middle ear to flush it, then pack it with antibiotics (similar to placing tubes in the ears of children). This procedure is generally done under light anesthesia.

Infected Ear

Healthy Ear