Hanson-Meekins Animal Hospital

December 2009 /January2010 Issue

Welcome to Hanson-Meekins Newsletter

The staff at Hanson-Meekins Animal Hospital is pleased to announce the first edition ofour "Online Newsletter." We will be updating it on a regular basis, so check back often. In upcoming issues well try to have some fun and fact-filled information for you. Remember if there is something you really want to learn about, send us an email to HansonMeekins@yahoo.com Wed love to know what interest you!

Winter Hazards

Winter is upon us, here are a few tips to remember. As most pet lovers know, winter can be a safety hazard. Below are some common dangers to watch for.

Antifreeze

Antifreeze or Ethylene Glycol is a potential danger in both winter and summer. Used in your car it has a sweet smell and taste and cats and dogs are attracted to it. Antifreeze is highly toxic and is rapidly absorbed. Signs of antifreeze poisoning .stumbling, as if intoxicated, vomiting and depression. The kidneys are most severely affected , they usually shut down and the animal is unable to produce urine. Success of treatment is dependent upon quick treatment. If you suspect your pet has got into antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately. A safe alternative is called propylene glycol, while it does cost a small amount more it is worth it for the piece of mind.

Arthritis

Cold, damp weather (does that describe us!) aggravates arthritis. Most commonly seen in middle and geriatric age pets. Some signs that your pet is may have arthritis, trouble getting up or laying down, going up or down stairs, snaps or cries when picked up. There are many treatments available both natural and medicinal. NEVER medicate your pets with human prescriptions or over the counter medications without first consulting your veterinarian. One Tylenol tablet can be FATAL to a cat!

Outdoor Animals

Does your dog or cat live outside? Make sure he or she has shelter that is safe, protects from them from rain, wind and cold. In our area we do not normally have severe cold weather, however, the ground still gets cold. Lift the floor of the shelter off the ground. Wooden pallets are usually easily obtained and for free. Place several layers of blankets on top of this to warm the floor. Straw can also be used. Make sure they have fresh water at all times. Also your pet may need extra calories to help him stay warm, so make sure he/she has plenty of food.

Salt and De-icers

When walking your pet, make sure to check his/her paws when returning home. Rinse off feet if your suspect that they may have walked in salt of another de-icing product.

Check back in February for our National Dental Month Issue.

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FEBRUARY 2010 ISSUE

FEBRUARY MONTH OF LOVE

February Valentines Day is traditionally known as the month of love,. Wed love to see photos of you and your furry family member sharing the love! Dont be shy.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pets can increase your happiness by 70 percent!

FEBRUARY IS NATIONAL PET DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

Did you know that pets need regular dental care, just like we do? More than 85% of dogs and cats older than four years have dental disease. How does a loving pet owner know if dental care is needed, and where can a pet owner go for advanced dental care?

Your pets dental health begins with YOU!

Regular examination of your pets teeth is a good place to start. How does your pets breath smell? How do the teeth look? The more you look at normal teeth, the better you will be at recognizing ABNORMAL tee

From top, three images show the progression from a clean tooth to heavy deposits with gum inflammation.

Here are some things to watch for that could indicate oral disease:

1. Bad breath (halitosis)

2. Broken tooth/teeth

3. Excessive drooling

4. Reluctance to eat, especially dry food, or to play with chew toys

5. Pawing at or rubbing the muzzle/mouth

6. Bleeding from the mouth

7. Discolored tooth/teeth

Regular brushing is good for cats and dogs! There are a wide variety of products available to help you brush your pets teeth. You want to make sure to use a toothpaste thats made just for them; they wont spit out the toothpaste so it has to be something they can eat (no human toothpaste for them!). They make pastes in different flavors like chicken and beef and some animals will really grow to love having their teeth brushed! Experiment with different brushes too! There are ones that fit over your finger, and then there are brushes that arent very different from the ones we use. Animals should have their teeth brushed 3 4 times a week (if you can do it everyday, more power to you!).

Unfortunately, monitoring and regular brushing probably isnt going to prevent all dental disease-your pet will still most likely need dental cleaning occasionally. Whenever you take your pet to a veterinarian, ask them what they think about the teeth and gums does it look like they could use a dental cleaning this year?

What causes dental disease, anyway?

Plaque results when bacteria normally found in the mouth mix with proteins and starches found in saliva to produce a gritty material that sticks to teeth. Plaque eventually turns into tartar, which accumulates on the teeth, especially at the gum lines. Plaque and tartar can result in gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gum tissue resulting in redness and swelling. Thats not all. By allowing plaque to remain on the teeth, day after day, the mouth becomes a more hospitable place for bacteria to live. These bacteria eat away at the support structures of the teeth, and over time, the tooth can become wobbly or even fall out.

Gingivitis is reversible. Bone loss, once it starts, is not reversible.

Dogs and cats do not have to suffer the pain and discomfort of untreated broken or loose teeth or infected gums. With the help of thorough examinations, dental care, and daily brushing, your pet can keep its teeth in its mouth where they should be.

If youve ever experienced dental pain, you know how bad it can be! Do what is best for your pet-regular exams, yearly dental cleanings and brush, brush, BRUSH!

NEXT MONTH WHY YOU SHOULD SPAY AND NEUTER!

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MARCH 2010ISSUE

MARCH - THINK GREEN!

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of March? St. Patrick's day? Irish, Gold at the end of the Rainbow? Maybe like me you think, spring is almost here. For all of us in the veterinary field March reminds us of babies.Lot's of babies! And so our theme for this month is Why you should Spay and Neuter your pet.

Spring is just around the corner

and you know what that means more kittens and puppies, and sadly there just arent enough homes for them all. Thats why we want to tell you about the benefits of spaying and neutering your pet!

Why Spay or Neuter Your Pet?

Spaying is a general term used to describe the removal of ovaries and uterus of a female animal. Neutering is a general term used to describe the removal of testes, or castration, of a male animal. Neutering can be used to describe both procedures though. Both are done to stop animals from reproducing. This procedure is done by veterinarians on a regular basis. Here are answers to some questions you may have about this beneficial procedure.

Why should I have my pet neutered?

Animal shelters, both public and private, unfortunately are faced with an incredible burden: What to do with the overpopulation of dogs and cats that they cannot find homes for. Estimates across the country indicate that over 10 million healthy animals will be humanely euthanized at shelters each year, due to the sheer fact that there are not enough homes. Having your pet neutered ensures that you will not be adding to this tremendous burden.

What are some of the health benefits?

Through neutering, you can help your dog and cat live a happier, healthier, and longer life. Spaying eliminates the constant crying and nervous pacing that is a sign that a cat is in heat. Castration stops the mating drive in males, reducing the urge to roam, which in turn, reduces the risk of fights, injury, poisoning, accidents, and contracting diseases. If you have more than one pet in your household, all the pets will get along better if they are neutered.

A long-term benefit of neutering is improved health. Early spay/neuter nearly eliminates breast cancer, and totally prevents uterine infections and uterine and testicular cancer.

Isn't it true that you only need to "fix" female dogs and cats?

Absolutely not! A male animal can father thousands of offspring in his lifetime. Roaming tomcats fighting other cats are a neighborhood nuisance and are prone to develop infections and abscesses from their fighting. An intact male may also develop the bad habit of marking its territory by urine marking.

Neutering just cost too much!

The cost of caring for a pet, including providing veterinary care, should be considered before acquiring an animal. The costs of having a litter are often more than the cost of neutering. There could be complications requiring hospitalization or surgery. You will be faced with finding homes or keeping the offspring yourself or placing more animals into your local shelter. The cost of the well-being of not just your companion animal but of future generations should be considered.

Can't I allow my purebred dog to have just one litter?

Mixed breed or purebred -- there just aren't enough homes. Animal shelters receive purebred animals everyday. Responsible purebred breeders have homes for their dogs before they are born.

I don't even own a pet! why is this my problem?

All of us are affected by animal overpopulation. Millions of tax dollars are spent annually to round up lost, abandoned, and unwanted pets. Much of that money is spent to destroy these animals when homes cannot be found. Health is threatened by the danger of transmittable diseases, including rabies, animal bites, and attacks. Property may be damaged and livestock killed when pets roam in search of food. Animal waste, proving a serious environment hazard, foul yards and parks. It is only when all of us assume the responsibility for pet overpopulation that we will see any decrease in the problem.

Isn't it wrong to deprive an animal of the natural right to reproduce?

No, it's wrong to allow these animals to reproduce millions of unwanted offspring that are eventually killed because there aren't enough responsible homes.

If I find homes for my pets' litters then I won't contribute to the problem, right?

Wrong. Only a certain number of people want pets. So every home you find for your pet's offspring takes away a home from a loving animal already at a shelter.

Shouldn't every female pet have at least one litter before being spayed?

No. In fact, your pet will be healthier if she never sexually matures. Her personality will not improve either. She is just as likely to become less social and more aggressive after having a litter, as she is to become calmer and gentler.

Shouldn't children experience the miracle of birth?

No. A more important lesson to teach your child would be responsible pet ownership and concern for life by explaining why their pet should not have babies.

Doesn't neutering alter an animal's personailty?

No. Personality changes that may result from neutering are for the better. Not being distracted by the instinctual need to find a mate helps your pet stop roaming and become calmer; though not less protective of their territory.

Won't animal shelters take care of the surplus animals?

No. Shelters do their best to place animals in loving homes, but the number of homeless animals far exceeds the number of available homes. This leaves many loving and healthy animals in our community that must be euthanized as the only humane solution to this tragic dilemma. Only spaying and neutering can end the overpopulation problem.

NEXT MONTH...PUPPIES AND KITTENS!

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APRIL 2010

What could be cuter than a new puppy or kitten? There was just so much to say on this subject that we had to do 2 parts.

Part 1 is from Dr. Kelly Rainer, who writes"Know before you adopt."

Part 2 - From ourlobby posters all about vaccines, spaying and neutering, kitten and puppy proofing your home, intestinal parasites and socializing early.

We hope you enjoy the newsletter, gives us your input, and once again if there is something you'd like to learn about send us an email to HansonMeekin@yahoo.com.

Next Month....

Common Household Hazards and My Dog ate What?

Puppies and Kittensknow before youadopt!

So youve decided to get a new pet. Congratulations! Adding another member to your family can be a fun and exciting time, but always bear in mind that it is a long term responsibility! Cats can live up to 20 years and dogs can live 10-20 years, depending on the breed. That is years of hard work and medical care! Never rush into this decision; make sure you have the time and financial resources before acquiring your new pet.

Where to get puppies and kittens

The next question is Where do I get a puppy or kitten? There are several options. In the past, people would go to a pet store to pick out a little fur ball, but less and less people are choosing this route. Nearly all of the dogs in pet stores come from puppy mills or backyard breeders (despite what store owners may claim). These dogs are bred for the sole purpose of making a profit, and their health and well being are rarely if ever taken into consideration. There are increased risks of health and behavioral problems with these dogs due to poor genetics, poor sanitation and emotional trauma theyve experienced.

Another option is to consider adopting a puppy or kitten from a shelter or rescue group. Due to the pet overpopulation problem in this country, ten million healthy animals are euthanized every year, simply because there are not homes for them all. Adopting an animal from a shelter is a wonderful act of charity, and you can know that you are doing your part to help! The last option is usually to go to a breeder. This is a good idea if you have done your research and have decided you know exactly what breed of dog you want. Finding a breeder is easy; finding a GOOD quality breeder takes a little work. Sadly, not all people professing to be reputable and responsible breeders are. A good breeder will all but interrogate you. You should also have the chance to question the breeder. If you are not sure or uneasy with an answer, do not hesitate to ask for an explanation. If at any time you get an uneasy feeling or just are not satisfied, look elsewhere. Here are a few things to ask about:

• What is the asking price of the puppies?

• What health tests have been done on BOTH parents of the litter?

• What temperament testing and socialization has been done?

• What goals does the breeder have with the breeding program and how does the breeder go about to achieve this?

• What does the breeder feel are the strengths and weaknesses in the breed and the breeder's program?

• Can you see the pedigrees of both sire and dam? Can you see at least the dam?

• What type of contract does the breeder have for pet or show puppies (it should include a spay/neuter agreement and health guarantee)?

• What does the breeder feed the puppies?

• What inoculations have been given?

• Can you get references of previous puppy buyers?

• Can you have your own vet examine the puppy before you fully commit?

• Are you active in any breed clubs (all breed or ideally breed specialty)?

For more information on finding a good breeder, simply do a search online for questions to ask a dog breeder and you will find numerous websites with helpful suggestions.

After you get your new puppy/kitten

Bringing a new animal into your home can be very scary for them! Some will deal with it well, and start romping about right away and others need a little time and patience. Introduce new pets to the old pets slowly and always supervise them! It is a good idea to have your old pets seen by your veterinarian before acquiring a new pet to make sure they are in good health.

New pets need a lot of supplies and it is best to have these items BEFORE bringing the new animal home. This includes bowls, toys, treats, leashes, collars, carriers, litter boxes, food and beds. If you plan to crate train your puppy, having a crate already assembled and ready to go is a great idea.

The other thing to do immediately after getting a new pet is to visit your veterinarian!

Puppy and kitten health checks

Visiting your veterinarian after getting a new pet can be very beneficial. They can evaluate the overall health of your pet, recommend dewormers, flea prevention and vaccination schedules, and talk to you about common concerns such as house training, what food to feed, and anything else you might be worried about!

Overall, research, research, RESEARCH!

The best thing you can do before going out and getting a new pet is to do your homework! Consider normal behaviors of cats: do you love your leather sofa? Can you handle litter boxes in your house? Cats have a deep instinctive urge to mark their territory with their claws you will need to be prepared to train them to use a scratching post if you are worried about your sofa or possessions, then maybe a cat isnt the right pet! Do you work long hours? Maybe you should think about an older dog and not a puppy house training a puppy can be cumbersome! Look at your lifestyle and what you can afford - in general, big dogs eat more and cost more than little dogs and cats. Consider different breeds do you want a very active dog or a lap dog? There are many things to take into account. You will be responsible for this pet its entire life and they will look to you for care.

PART 2

Puppies and Kittens

Our doctors and staff are here to help you as you start on your relationship with your newest family member. The most important gift that we can give you is the knowledge that will make you better able to care for your pet, at any stage of its life. Hanson-Meekins Animal Hospital appreciates your trust!

Caring for Puppies and Kittens

The first thing you should do with your new kitten or puppy is make an appointment to see a veterinarian. Young animals, whose immune systems are not yet running at full force, are more vulnerable to parasites like fleas and worms as well as respiratory infections and other conditions. Your veterinarian will record your pets weight, perform a physical exam, and possibly do a fecal exam or a blood test, in order to rule out parasites or other potential problems. There are several conditions, such as orthopedic problems, that can be effectively treated if they are caught when animals are young, so seeing a veterinarian early is vital. Its also important that your little pet sees the veterinarian because he needs to be immunized. Puppies and kittens are initially immune to many diseases because of the antibodies they receive from their mothers milk. After weaning, however, they need to receive a series of vaccines in order to develop immunity on their own.

Vaccines

Vaccinations for kittens generally include rabies and a "combination" vaccine for feline distemper and respiratory illness, and can also include feline leukemia, depending on where the pet lives and whether or not he goes outdoors. Puppies receive more vaccines, this too is usually a combination vaccine which covers distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, parvovirus.Rabies is normally given when they are older, each state has it's own individual regulations, and sometimes bordetella. If you've adopted your puppy or kitten from a humane society or a reputable breeder, he has probably already had his initial vaccinations. He needs to continue to be vaccinated every four weeks, however, until he is four to five months old. After this point, you and your veterinarian can discuss how often he will need booster shots.

Spay/Neuter

We prefer to neuter and spay dogs around 6 months of age. Pets that have been fixed are less likely to get into trouble, because they are less likely to wander away. Spaying before the first heat reduces a females chances of developing mammary tumors; they also cannot then develop an infection of the uterus (a pyometra) or uterine cancers. Neutered male dogs are at a much reduced risk of prostate disease, perianal tumors, and testicular cancer.

Kitten- and Puppy-Proofing Your Home

One of the most important things you can do for your kitten or puppy is give him a safe environment to live, play, and explore in. You can think of young cats and dogs much like you think of toddlers: theyre not entirely stable on their feet, theyll put almost anything in their mouths, and theyre curious enough to get into just about everything. With that in mind, you can take a few of these precautions to keep your home safe for your little pet.

Keep toxic and dangerous materials, such as cleaning solutions, antifreeze, and medications, in a locked cabinet or in a room your pet doesnt have access to. (See Ten Tips for a Poison-Safe Household). Dont trust an unlocked cabinet near the ground inquisitive kittens and pups have been known to paw doors open.

Patrol your house with an eye out for small holes or gaps in floorboards, walls, baseboards, heating vents, and anywhere else a small animal could squeeze into and get stuck. While youre at it, look over your furniture for potential hazards. Kittens in particular can squeeze into holes underneath box spring mattresses and upholstered chairs, and they can be trapped in the mechanism underneath a reclining chair.

Try to remove everything in sight that is small enough to be chewed or swallowed, including paper clips, coins, rubber bands, staples, pen caps, thread, dental floss, earrings, needles, and thumbtacks. Puppies from the larger breeds might even be able to swallow something as large as a pen, a rock, or a piece of silverware. Objects like these can choke animals if swallowed, or they could do a lot of damage to the digestive system.

Until your little one becomes very stable on his feet, you may want to block off stairs and ledges with a baby gate or a wide piece of plywood. Remember, puppies and kittens can jump surprisingly high, so youll want to use a tall gate.

Both dogs and cats tend to think that the toilet is their own private water fountain. Small pets can fall in and injure or drown themselves when they try to drink, and automatic toilet bowl cleaners can be harmful or even fatal if drunk in large amounts or by a young animal. Keeping the toilet lid shut should ward off problems.

Watch out for heavy or fragile objects placed on unstable bases. A carousing puppy could accidentally knock over a lamp on an end table, for example. An iron sitting on an ironing board could also be easily toppled.

Young animals have the instinct to chew, so you may want to cover electric cords with rugs or plastic cord guards, which are available at hardware stores.

Some of the prettiest plants inside your house or in your yard may be poisonous to your pet. Keep azalea, daffodil, rhododendron, oleander, mistletoe, hydrangea, morning glory, diffenbachia, sago palm, Easter lily, and yew plants out of your kitten or pups reach, as they can all be harmful or even fatal to animals.

Young animals need a safe haven to stay in when they cant be supervised. You can confine them to a crate or take one room of the house and make it into your pets home for when youre gone. It should include a soft, warm place to sleep and plenty of toys, and it should be regularly examined for the hazards listed above.

Intestinal Parasites

When your puppy or kitten is seen by our doctors, they will discuss parasites and the best treatment possible for your puppy or kitten.

Tapeworms are transmitted by fleas (the tapeworm egg is inside the flea, when your pet eats the flea, the egg hatches). You will know your pet has tapeworms if you see small white worms (they look like a grain of rice) in your pets feces, or by seeing small tan objects (like sesame seeds) in their bed. Tapeworms require a special medication, but also require active flea control, or your pet will become infected again very quickly.

Intestinal parasites (hookworms, whipworms, and roundworms) are the most common parasites that affect our pets. In large numbers they can affect the growth and development of your pet. They can also be transmitted to people, although it is difficult.

Heartworm disease is transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Heartworm disease occurs when adult worms begin growing in the heart and lungs of your pet. We do not have a severe problem with Heartworm in Coos County, however in 2009 we did have a case which developed in Coquille. We now recommend that you place your puppy on Heartworm preventative especially if he or she will travel with you. Heartgard is our choice of heartworm prevention for dogs and Revolution for cats. Both drugs also help combat some intestinal parasites. Dogs over 6 months old and not previously on heartworm prevention require a heartworm test prior to starting either drug.

Coccidia and Giardia are internal parasites that typically cause watery, mucusy diarrhea, with or without appetite changes or vomiting. If your puppy or kitten is infected with either one of these organisms, we will diagnose it by doing a fecal examination. Both diseases are treatable, but with different medications than are used to treat other conditions. Giardia is potentially transmittable to people, so we strongly recommend thoroughly cleaning up your pets feces if they are infected with Giardia.

Socialize Early

Puppies and kittens enter the world not knowing about people or the world in which we all live. Puppies and Kittens need to learn about the things, people and other animals in their environment. If they are not properly taught, they may grow up to be fearful, anxious and /or antisocial. Start slowly with quiet one-on-one interactions and work your way up to interaction with multiple people in noisier environments. Behavior problems are cited as the top reasons why pets are relinquished. Early training and socializing are the best way to create good manners and a solid bond.

Last but not Least

Love them! Just like you, your puppy or kitten will thrive with lots of love! Enjoy them and may you have a wonderful long life together!!

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MAY 2010

Hanson Meekins Animal Hospital

MayNewsletter

Common Household Poisons

Dogs and cats, being the curious creatures that they are, will often get into products around the house that can potentially cause disease. These may be foods or ingredients that are ok for people, but can be debilitating to animals. Being aware of these common household items that are toxic to animals can help save your pets life!

Also please keep in mind, if your pet ingests any of the following, or any other potential toxic substance, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY! Often we can induce vomiting and decrease the amount of illness, but this requires fast moving on both the owners and the doctors parts. It's very important that you bring the poison packaging with you, since this may help doctor determine best treatment for your pet.Never hesitate to call either your doctor or the ASPCA poison control center at (888) 426-4435

Food and food ingredients

• Chocolate While chocolate is tasty for
  us, you should be aware that its tasty to your dog too! Chocolate can cause pancreatitis and severe heart problems in dogs, and can be potentially fatal. The darker and more bitter a chocolate is, the more toxic it is to dogs and cats. Baking chocolate is the worst, followed by bittersweet and dark chocolate, followed by milk chocolate and chocolate flavors.

• Raisins and grapes These little fruits have the ability to cause kidney failure and sometimes death in dogs. It doesnt make
  all dogs sick, but its not worth the risk!

• Macadamia nuts We arent sure yet why these nuts can make dogs sick. Toxicity is only seen in dogs (not cats) and causes depression, weakness, fevers, and
  vomiting. Most of the time dogs do well after they become sick, but it is still a good idea to contact your veterinarian if your dog should eat any!

• Xylitol - Xylitol is an artificial sweetener
  found in many types of gum, candies and other products. When dogs ingest this, it causes their blood sugar to drop to dangerously low levels, resulting in depression, loss of consciousness and seizures. Xylitol can also cause liver failure and death.
  

Home and Garden products

• Prescription and over-the-counter
  medications The NUMBER ONE cause of toxicity in pets is owner induced! Many drugs that are safe for people can be toxic to animals, so always consult your veterinarian before giving your pets ANY over the counter medication. Cats are especially sensitive, so NEVER give cats any type of over the counter pain relief! Also be aware that dogs will eat ANYTHING including your prescriptions! If this happens, contact your veterinarian immediately.

• Pest control poisons (snail bait, rat/mouse poison) In this part of the country, snail bait is one of the most common poisons in dogs. It is flavored to
  
  attract snails and slugs and is also tasty to dogs. Very little bait is needed to make a dog extremely sick. Snail bait causes twitching, seizures and death soon after ingestion. The seizures can also make them hyperthermic, which can results in brain damage. Rat poison is also very common. It takes several days for the rat poison to cause disease, but it eventually leads to internal bleeding and death, by inhibiting the bodys natural clotting abilities. Snail bait and rat poisons should be used with extreme caution in any home with pets.

• Lawn fertilizers - Keep all pets away from
  lawn chemicals and fertilizers for24-72 hours after applying to your lawn. Ideally, you should wait until it rains or until you water your lawn to allow the chemicals to wash down into the soil.

• Household cleaners and chemicals
  Dogs can be like human children they will get into ANYTHING! Prevent your pet from ingesting toxic cleaning supplies by keeping them stored out of reach of your pet.

Miscellaneous

• Ethylene glycol (antifreeze) - Antifreeze
  ingestion can be fatal and unfortunately, it tastes sweet to animals and attracts them. It can cause kidney failure and death, and cats are more sensitive to it than dogs. Keep an eye on your vehicles for any leaks and keep your pets safe!

• Flea and tick medications - Always make sure you follow the instructions on the box before giving your dog or cat a topical flea/tick treatment. Some topical that are ok for dogs are toxic to cats (permethrins) so you should NEVER use a dog product on a cat. Talk to your veterinarian before using a flea/tick product they should be able to guide you so that you make the
  safest possible decisions for your pet!

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June 2010

HEARTWORM DISEASE

How do dogs and cats get infected?

It all starts when an unsuspecting mosquito bites an infected animal, cat or dog and also ingests microfilariae (baby heartworms). For the next two weeks, the microfilariae mature to their infective larval stage, all while living inside the mosquito. As soon as they mature, they all travel to the proboscis (mouth of the mosquito) and await their chance to invade another one of our beloved pets. The adult mosquito then bites the dog, or cat, and the pesky juvenile heartworms enter the bloodstream through the bite wound. The juvenile heartworms then travel through the bloodstream directly for the heart where they reside. There, in the heart, they lay until they mature into adult worms and reproduce to make millions more of microfilariae for seven whole years to begin the life cycle once again!

We dont have a lot of heartworm infection in the west coast, or do we?

First of all, it is not a matter of the number of mosquitoes, but it is a matter of heartworm positive animals (dogs or cats, which have been infected by the heartworm parasite) and vectors (mosquitoes in this case). It only takes one mosquito bite to cause the heartworm infection and, as you may know, we have many people coming from all over the nation, with their pets that can potentially carry the heartworm parasite.

you can see in the MAPPED illustrations, the incidence of heartworm infections is growing in our state of Oregon.Last year, there were several dogs who tested positive for Heartworm disease thathad never left Coos County!

How do we prevent heartworm disease?

The most popular form of preventing heartworm disease is giving monthly preventatives. The way the preventatives work is by going after the juvenile heartworms in the bloodstream and killing them before they reach adulthood. The monthly preventatives, however, do not kill the adult heartworms that may already reside in your pets heart.

Does prevention have to be Year-Around?

Among dog owners who had their pets on heartworm preventatives, only a third of them had their pets on heartworm preventatives year-round. The administration rate is peak (at its highest point) in the humid summer months and it gradually goes down all while the heartworm transmission increases during this gradual decline in administration. It is imperative that our beloved pets are protected year-round to protect them and their furry little friends as well!

In addition, most heartworm preventative producers pay for the diagnostic tests and treatment if your pet develops a heartworm infection while being on their monthly preventatives and are checked annually.

How do we treat adult heartworm infections?

Some of you may think: Oh, my dog can easily be treated with a magic pill like they treated him when he had those long white worms in his stool. This is not the case! First of all, the adult heartworms are killed very slowly to prevent the death of your pet! Your pet must be hospitalized for two days to make sure the first dose goes as planned. After hospitalization, you can take your pet home, but it doesnt end there. Your pet is then put on a strict cage rest order (very long time-outs in a kennel) for at least two months. We want your pet to remain sedentary to maintain normal blood pressure and heart rate to prevent dead heartworm debris from clogging up your pets blood vessels! And all this time that your pet is sitting around, he must be given medication and supportive care which can be a pain in the butt for you and your pet.

The bottom line, it is important that your pet be tested for heartworm every year and that he is given a monthly heartworm preventative to ensure the best quality of life for your pet. Prevention is the key; you dont have to live with the expense and complication of treating an adult heartworm infection. Taking these first steps ensures many more years of happiness with your pet!

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July 2010

Salmon Poisoning

What is it? Why you should be concerned.

What is Salmon poisoning disease?

Salmon poisoning is a very common, and deadly, disease of dogs that affects our area. Salmon poisoning occurs when our dogs eat a fish in the Salmonid family which includes Salmon, Trout, Steelhead, or Grayling that have been infected themselves by a rickettsial organism known as Neorickettsia Helminthoeca. The rickettsial organism is carried by a fluke with the name of, Nanophytes Salmincola.

I know this may all sound like something from a sci-fi movie, but the cycle is very simple. When our dogs spot a luscious piece of rotting, and raw, salmon beside a body of water, they go into a frenzy of rolling in it, lying by it, contemplating it, and most unfortunately, eating it. The dogs ingest the fluke and it reaches the dogs intestine. As the fluke is digested, the rickettsial organisms are released and they travel throughout the blood stream and the body of the dog causing the well-known clinical signs.

It usually takes about 7 days for a dog to become ill after being exposed to an infected fish.

STEELHEAD SALMON TROUT

Can my cat get infected Salmon poisoning too?

The plain and simple answer is, no. Only Canids such as dogs, foxes and coyotes are the only species of animal affected. Interestingly, there has been no report of human infection.

How do dogs get exposed?

Most of the time, dogs are infected because they got into fish remains that were improperly disposed of. Many times, the dogs may have drunk water out of a bowl that was used to clean the fish. It is very rare, but fish fertilizer sometimes contains salmon products and can infect your pet!

My dog just had dried salmon skin, is he going to be alright?

No! Only salmon that has been properly cooked is safe. Dried, smoked, or frozen salmon can still cause this fatal disease!

What are the clinical signs? Clinical signs include.. Vomiting (persistent), Anorexia (lack of appetite), Fever, Diarrhea which may have blood in it, Weakness, Dehydration, Extreme weight loss, Generalized lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes).

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of this deadly disease is simply made by observing the clinical signs and conducting a fecal test. Lets say for example, we know that you went on a fishing trip last weekend and you now see that your dog is very lazy around the house, he is vomiting, and has bloody diarrhea. We would then want to take a fecal sample to rule out any other diseases that may be causing your dog to feel bad. We look under the microscope for any signs of fluke ova in your dogs stool sample and if we find them, then that is indicative of Salmon poisoning and we start treatment.

Fortunately, treatment is fairly simple if the illness is caught early on. An antibiotic is prescribed to kill the rickettsial organism which is the main factor in causing the horrible clinical signs. Then a de-wormer is given to your dog to destroy the fluke that may be still living in the intestines of your pet. Your pet will also receive anti-diarrheal and anti-vomiting medications to make him feel as comfortable as we can.

If there is a delay in treatment and your dog becomes dehydrated and develops bloody diarrhea, then he would need to be hospitalized for fluid therapy and supportive care. Once treatment is started, however, your pet starts to get better soon and the prognosis is excellent. If for any reason this illness is not treated, the dog may die in an average of 14 days or less.

So the next time you go fishing with your dog for that big salmon, be sure to watch your dog carefully. Even if your pet wags his tail and begs for some fresh meat, look away and instead give him a milk bone dog treat!

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August 2010

Weight Management in Dogs and Cats

Dr. Kari Christianson

So youre saying my pet is fat

There has been an increased incidence of overweight and obese pets in todays society due to excess calories in their diet. Your pet is considered overweight if it is up to 20% over its ideal weight and obese when it is 20-25% over its ideal weight. Obesity leads to an increased risk for health problems including diabetes mellitus, arthritis, heart disease, increased blood pressure, heat intolerance, and difficulty breathing and can shorten your pets lifespan.

What we can do for your pet

We determine if your pet is overweight or obese using a body condition score (BCS). BCS is a numerical assessment to measure the amount of body fat within your pet by feeling certain areas that accumulate fat and observing their outward appearance. We also need to rule out any medical conditions that can cause weight gain before beginning a weight loss program, such as hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism, and can develop a program tailored to your pets needs. If your pet stops eating at any time, please contact us as soon as possible. This can lead to a life threatening disease in cats called hepatic lipidosis.

Diet History:

Providing us with an accurate list of all the food your pet receives each day is vital to creating an appropriate diet plan. You should include the name and amounts of any commercial food, human food, treats (including those used to give medications like cheese or pill pockets), supplements (e.g. fish oils, glucosamine, etc), and chew toys (e.g. edible Nylabones) to accurately determine the amount of calories your pet is receiving each day. You can bring food packaging with you to show us as well.

Rechecks:

Regular rechecks with us to weigh your pet and evaluate weight loss are essential. It only takes a few minutes to hop on the scale and check progress. Every animal has different energy requirements and the diet may need to be adjusted several times before weight loss is seen. We want to slowly reduce the amount of calories your pet ingests. Initially, we reduce the calories by 20% and see how your pet responds. If they continue to gain weight or remain steady at their recheck appointment, we then reduce the calories by another 10%. This process continues until we reach a steady amount of weight loss appropriate for your pet. Your pet can safely lose up to 2% of its body weight each week so it may take over a year before they reach their ideal weight.

Therapeutic Foods:

There are several commercial foods available with restricted calories that provide adequate nutrients for your pet. Some of these diets include EVO Weight Management, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Calorie Control CC High Fiber, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Calorie Control CC High Protein, Purina Veterinary Diets OM Overweight Management, Iams Veterinary Formula Weight Control D Optimum Weight Control, Iams Veterinary Formula Weight Loss Restricted Calorie, and Hill's Prescription Diet r/d. When approaching your pets ideal weight, an over the counter diet can be selected with our help and transitioned to over 5-7 days. Adjustments in the new food may be required to maintain the pets ideal weight so regular rechecks are still important.

What you can do at home

The key to managing your pets weight ultimately relies on homecare.

Treats:

Treats should consist of less than 10% of your pets overall diet and we can help you figure out how much your pet should receive each day. Some more healthful (and often less expensive) treats include baby carrots, ice cubes, air-popped popcorn (avoid if your pet has a corn allergy), unflavored rice cakes, and unsalted green beans and many pets like them just as well as higher calorie treats. Other people foods are often too high in sugar, fat, or salt for our pets leading to GI upset or other health problems and should be avoided.

Feeding Times:

You can increase the number of meals your pet receives each day by decreasing the amount in each meal. You can also try weighing out the food, as this is more accurate then using a measuring cup, especially if you ever need to have someone else feed your pet. If you have multiple animals, you should feed them separately. Some strategies for cats include a) feeding the thin cats on a counter or raised surface where the overweight cat is unable to reach their food, b) feed the thin cats in a box with a cut out in the side that only they can enter, or c) actually physically separating and feeding the cats in different rooms.

Exercise:

As with people, exercise is very helpful for weight loss in pets. If your pet is healthy enough for exercise, you can play a retriever game with your dog or go for progressively longer walks. You can use a laser pointer or feather teaser to entertain cats.

Feeding Times:

You can increase the number of meals your pet receives each day by decreasing the amount in each meal. You can also try weighing out the food, as this is more accurate then using a measuring cup, especially if you ever need to have someone else feed your pet. If you have multiple animals, you should feed them separately. Some strategies for cats include a) feeding the thin cats on a counter or raised surface where the overweight cat is unable to reach their food, b) feed the thin cats in a box with a cut out in the side that only they can enter, or c) actually physically separating and feeding the cats in different rooms.

Exercise:

As with people, exercise is very helpful for weight loss in pets. If your pet is healthy enough for exercise, you can play a retriever game with your dog or go for progressively longer walks. You can use a laser pointer or feather teaser to entertain cats.

Tracking Progress:

Use a chart to track your pets weight loss progress and take before and after photos. An example chart is available for your use, but can easily be made. Microsoft Excel can be set up to automatically calculate the percentage of weight loss at each recheck when you type in the current weight. We can teach you to check the BCS of your animal at home as well. The ultimate goal is for the pet to lose weight and the ideal weight is just a guide. The actual BCS and return to function or improvement in health will determine the success of the weight loss program as well as the ideal weight.

Support Groups:

You can join or even start a support group as there are now several for people with overweight animals that often exercise together, keep you motivated, and share ideas about what worked for them.

The bottom line.

Weight loss in your pet can be a challenging long-term commitment, but even small improvements make an incredible difference for your pet and their quality of life.

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2010 NEWSLETTER

Hi Everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the summer months, although we really haven't had that much summer weather! The leaves on the oak in the back yard are already turning as well as the leaves on the blueberry bushes.

Our newletter will now only be published once every two months.The clinic has been pretty busy for the last month and we LOVE it! More like what it used to be. Butbeing busy also means that our doctors have had very little time to write.Wedo hope to continuepublishing the newletters for all our clients. I believe it's a great learning tool for all of us. And as I have said if there is something you would like to learn about... Help our doctors out and make a suggestions...

Have a great week!

Food Allergies in Dogs and Cats

Kari Christianson DVM

Introduction:

A food allergy is an abnormal immune response to ingestion of a protein within the diet. Pets usually develop food allergies over time, but they can arise at any point in their life. Common items pets may be allergic to include proteins like beef, soy, chicken, egg, and fish, or other ingredients like wheat, corn, and dairy products. These items are commonly used in pet foods so animals are exposed to them more frequently leading to a higher reported rate of food allergy. There is nothing special about the foods themselves that makes them more allergic than other foods. It may be a single item causing the allergy or multiple. Eliminating the agent or agents from the diet should resolve the symptoms of itching, hair loss, paw chewing, face rubbing, inflammation of the ears, recurrent skin infections, vomiting, and diarrhea. If these signs do not improve or resolve, the pet may have an underlying condition, a concurrent skin infection, or an allergy not related to its food and a veterinarian should be consulted.

Diagnosis:

The diagnosis of food allergy is made through an elimination diet trial over a period of about 12 weeks on average. All skin infections must be treated and cured before starting and controlled during the trial so it may take up to 6 months to fully complete a diet trial. If the trial is successful, the allergy symptoms improve and may even completely resolve. If not successful, a different diet may be tried or further diagnostics can be performed if a non-food allergy is now suspected. A challenge with the original pet food can be made after 6 months and the pets reaction observed. Usually, increased itching will be seen within hours and up to 14 days after consuming an item the pet is allergic to. Owners can choose to remain on the elimination diet if it is successful and is a complete and balanced pet food. Otherwise, different items can gradually be added into the diet to see if they cause a reaction from the pet and you can eventually create a list of items to avoid and find a diet that fits those requirements. The pet must have a washout period between each introduction so it may take years to identify all the offending items.

Available Elimination Diets:

The most common elimination diets are commercially made, have limited ingredients, and contain a protein source that your pet has never ingested. Royal Canine, Purina, Iams, and Hills all produce therapeutic pet foods that can be used in an elimination diet. Natura produces California Natural and Innova EVO over the counter pet foods that are acceptable as well. Special home-cooked diets formulated by your veterinarian can also be used. Another type of food that can be used is called a hydrolyzed protein diet where common proteins have been cleaved into small pieces that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. This process is not perfect, however, and some larger proteins may still exist and trigger the allergic reaction. These foods include Royal Canine Hypoallergenic HP, Purina HA, or Hills z/d and z/d ultra.

Keys to Success:

An elimination diet can be very difficult. They last a very long time and owners must be very strict. The pet cannot consume anything outside of the elimination food, even in very small amounts, or it can ruin the diet trial. This includes any treats, as well as cheese, pill pockets, and other items used to give medications; chew toys (Nylabones, rawhides, etc); flavored supplements; and certain medications such as Heartgard, which contain beef flavoring. If you just cant resist giving your pet a treat, you can give them an item less likely to cause a problem such as marshmallows or special hypoallergenic commercial treats, but there is still a risk. Multi-pet households must make sure the pet is not eating any of the other pets food and it is sometimes easier to put all the animals in the house on the elimination diet. Outdoor pets must be confined to ensure they are not eating anything while roaming. Any switches to a new food should be made slowly over 5-7 days to allow time for the pet to adjust. Keep a journal and record any changes in the amount of itching, the appearance of skin lesions, appearance of ears, any vomiting or diarrhea, appetite, and weight changes. Also note if the pet consumed anything outside of the elimination diet and any associated changes.

Supplements:

Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids found within fish oils can be beneficial in animals with allergies. They can decrease inflammation, improve the haircoat, and are safe with very few side effects; even pets with allergies to fish are often able to take them. They can be a simple and affordable supplement to the diet, but work best when combined with other treatments.

Final Thoughts:

Food allergies cannot be cured and are a lifelong condition, but can be managed through diet. A new allergy may develop at any time and the need arise for a different diet or new elimination diet trial. Please let us know if we can assist in the control of your pets allergies.

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HOLIDAY ISSUE 2010

Our Holiday Issue for 2010 is a combination of Halloween, Thanksgiving , Christmas and New Years are thrown together. Now we aren't trying to throw a damper into your fun and festivities, but as we know "AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE". With all the festivities, and fun, we thought it important to let everyone know of some of the hazards you could come across. We hope you find it informative and hopefully this information will keep all of your wonderful furry family memberssafe and happy so that they may enjoy many more years of holiday festivities with your families.

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February 2011 Newsletter