ACC News
Welcome to the news page! We've added this page to keep you informed about stories that can affect you and your pet. Have a story suggestion? E-mail the webmaster!
MARCH IS FLEA AND TICK PREVENTION MONTH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-February 24, 2010
Does the mere sight of a tick make you queasy? Do fleas on your pets cause an edgy, “itchy” feeling. Fortunately, working with veterinarians, you can ease your pets’ discomfort and provide a sense of relief. What’s even better? Each dead flea or tick is one less potential vector for some pretty serious diseases.
Both fleas and ticks subsist by drinking the blood of other animals. Thousands of flea species exist along with hundreds of ticks. Whenever these parasites take a blood meal, they have the potential to carry blood borne diseases from one animal to another.
Experts from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) state that 75% of all emerging diseases are zoonotic in nature, meaning that they are passed from animals to people. Fleas and ticks are important vectors in this type of transmission.
Here are a few important diseases transmitted by fleas and ticks:
Lyme Disease, a serious infection in people, is perhaps the best known of all diseases spread by ticks. In 15 years, cases of Lyme have more than doubled in the United States with 93% of the cases occurring in just ten states. Our dogs are also susceptible, often showing lameness, fever, and possibly even neurological signs.
Despite its name, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is common throughout North America. This is another tick borne bacterial disease that can have serious consequences for people and pets. About 1200 people contract RMSF annually especially in the western and southeastern states. Dogs have served as sentinels for this disease, but symptoms are vague. Without treatment, this disease is fatal in both dogs and humans.
Ehrlichia are types of bacteria that specialize in living inside our white blood cells. Many military dogs returning from Viet Nam were diagnosed with this disease, although it is found naturally in the United States as well. Humans, dogs and cats can all become infected through tick exposure. Affected animals will have low blood cell counts, fevers and occasionally severe bleeding, kidney disease, and neurological disorders.
Tularemia is an extremely rare disease also known as "rabbit fever". Ticks can spread this disease to dogs and humans, but cats are most susceptible. Many cats are infected from ingesting diseased rabbits. Infected cats may show symptoms from mild anorexia to oral ulcers and severe dehydration. The CDC even has concerns that tularemia could be used as a potent biological weapon.
Other tick-borne diseases include anaplasmosis, southern tick-associated rash illness, and tick-borne relapsing fevers.
Like ticks, fleas can carry various bacterial agents, including tularemia mentioned above. However, it’s the "Black Death" or bubonic plague that has greater potential for destruction. Fleas pick up the disease-causing bacteria from rodents and can then infect both cats and humans. More than a dozen cases of bubonic plague are diagnosed in the US annually.
Murine Typhus is another bacterial disease caused by organisms similar to the bacteria that cause Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Symptoms are comparable to measles and this disease is found in southern California and southern Texas. Fleas carry the disease from opossums and cats to humans, although recent research has shown that ownership of cats does not significantly increase the risk for contracting this disease.
Fleas can also carry bacteria that cause Cat Scratch disease in humans and many different blood parasites that affect both dogs and cats.
Despite all of the doom and gloom, many of these diseases can be treated successfully if they are caught early. In addition, working with your veterinarian to provide protection against these parasites can keep the whole family, two and four-legged, safe.
Compared to the cumbersome and toxic chemicals of the past, the products available today from your veterinarian are very effective and quite safe. Using products like Frontline Plus or ProMeris, in conjunction with environmental treatments creates an integrated pest control plan that will help keep fleas and ticks out of your home and even your yard. And experts agree that is the key in effective control of these bugs.
Many different flea products are available over the counter in retail stores, but these products lack efficacy and have been implicated in toxic overdoses of pets. Play it safe…get the most modern and safest flea and tick control from your veterinarian, use it as directed and rest assured that you are providing the best protection for the whole family. To learn more about the deadly diseases carried by fleas and ticks, click HERE to see a video.
Ask your Animal Care Clinic Doctor about the right Flea, Tick and Heartworm Prevention for your pet.
COLD WEATHER TIPS FOR YOUR PET:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--LEXINGTON, KY,--December 14, 2009
As the temperatures start to dip, here are some great tips to keep your pet safe during the winter months:
1) Although some pets are conditioned to cold weather, veterinary experts agree that you should bring outdoor pets indoors if the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
2) Puppies, kittens, and short haired pets should come inside anytime the temperature goes below 40 degrees.
3) For pets with long hair, proper grooming is essential to help them maintain a layer of warming air within their coat. Pets who are heavily matted cannot keep themselves as warm.
4) If your pet must stay outdoors, be sure to provide shelter for your pet. A good “house” will have three enclosed sides, will be elevated off the ground, and will contain generous amounts of bedding such as straw or hay.
5) In cold weather, bigger is not always better. A house just big enough for your pet will warm up faster and retain heat better than something that is too big.
6) Your pet will need access to fresh water that isn’t frozen. Use heated water bowls and replenish them frequently.
7) Antifreeze is a common and deadly pet poisoning during colder months. If you suspect your pet has consumed any antifreeze at all, you must contact your veterinarian immediately!
8) Antifreeze has a sweet taste to pets, so they will readily lap up any spilled material. If you spill antifreeze, dilute the area well with water and sweep excess water into a rocky or sandy area. Cover area with soil to keep pets from licking at the rocks.
9) Cats love to warm up underneath car hoods. If your car is kept outdoors, or if cats have access to your garage, be sure to pound on the hood of the car prior to starting it. Many cats are killed or injured grievously by fan belts and moving engine parts.
10) Pets should not be left alone in vehicles due to the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning or hypothermia.
11) Our pets suffer from frostbite and hypothermia just like we do. Consider keeping dogs on a leash when they go outside. Many curious dogs off leash will explore “frozen” retention ponds, lakes or streams and fall through the ice into frigid water.
12) Older pets may suffer more from arthritis during these months. Ask your veterinarian about ways to help keep your senior pet comfortable during the winter.
13) Monitor all pets around wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and space heaters. These can cause severe burns!
14) This is a great time of year to see your Animal Care Clinic veterinarian about a “winter check up” for your pet. Their advice and expertise can help keep your pet safe and warm!
FORGOTTEN FELINES:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--LEXINGTON, KY,--November 17, 2009
Cat lovers are abundant across this country as is evident by the more than 80 million pampered felines sharing our homes. But, living outdoors is another huge population of cats that has far fewer admirers and lives in constant danger of imminent death, usually at our hands!
There is no way of knowing for certain, but experts estimate that the feral cat population in North American equals or even exceeds the “owned” cat population. A feral cat is one that is unsocialized to humans and actively avoids contact. Stray cats, on the other hand, are often ones that have left home or are cats that have been abandoned by their owners. These “strays” will often approach humans and even allow petting. All cats, feral, stray and owned cats who are simply roaming the neighborhood are all members of our domestic species, Felis catus.
Traditionally, feral and stray cats are caught whenever possible and taken to local animal shelters. There, if they are calm enough for adoption, they might find a new home, but the vast majority of these felines end up dying at the end of a euthanasia needle. According to Alley Cat Allies (www.alleycat.org) 70% of cats who make it into a shelter are killed, making euthanasia the number one documented cause of feline deaths in the U.S.
Alley Cat Allies started in 1990 proposing to stop the killing of millions of cats. Becky Robinson, one of the founders, remembers walking in an alleyway and seeing a whole colony of “tuxedo cats”. Watching the cats interact gave her insight into the social lives of these “wild” animals and prompted her to work towards their preservation. Since that memorable night, Becky and her volunteers have introduced Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) to the United States. Originally conceived in England, these TNR programs have helped improve the health of many feral cats through vaccinations and sterilization.
In a nutshell, TNR allows volunteers to capture feral cats using humane cage traps. The cats are then taken to participating veterinarians who anesthetize, neuter and vaccinate the animals. After an identifying notch is placed in the cat’s ear, they are allowed to recover in the cage and then returned to their original capture site and their home colony. Caretakers then monitor the overall health of the colony and conduct a population census while providing feeding stations for the cats.
The TNR programs are not without critics though. Bird watchers worry about how feral cats impact songbirds and other wildlife. Neighbors living near feral cat colonies are concerned about cats urinating and defecating in their yards. And, public health officials are concerned about potential transmission of diseases like toxoplasmosis, plague, and rabies. The website TNR Reality Check (www.tnrrealitycheck.com) maintains that there is little proof that TNR programs work to control populations of feral cats.
Ms. Robinson disagrees and points to several recent scientific articles that show TNR is a valid principle for controlling and even reducing the size of a feral cat colony. Furthermore, she questions the validity of claims by groups such as the American Bird Conservancy that these cats are the biggest threat to songbird survival.
Cat owners should take care that they are not adding to this controversial issue. Many of the cats in these colonies are abandoned at the site by their owners. Some people fear taking their cats to shelters and feel less guilty about leaving the cat alone outdoors if they know the colony has a caretaker providing food. This, however, is unfair to the people trying to maintain the colony and also exposes your unprepared cat to the dangers of the outdoor world.
If your personal circumstances change so that you are unable to keep your cat, don’t simply leave him or her at the mercy of the outdoors. Contact your local humane groups or shelters for their advice and assistance in re-homing your feline friend.
Dealing with the millions of feral and stray cats in this country will be a controversial topic for many years. But, as Becky Robinson says, “cats have lived on the outskirts of our society for almost 10,000 years. This is a fact we shouldn’t try to change.”
To learn more about the work of feral cat organizations across the country, you can visit www.alleycat.org, or ask your Animal Care Clinic Doctor.
EPA ARTICLE REGARDING ON-LINE PHARMACIES:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--LEXINGTON, KY, -- May 22, 2009
As a service to our clients, here is a reprint of the FDA consumer magazine article by Linda Bren:
Purchasing Pet Drugs Online: Buyer Beware
Red Flag: ‘No Prescription Required'
NSAIDs and Heartworm Preventives
Buying Heartworm Preventives Online
Licensed Internet Pharmacies
By Linda Bren
"Discount pet drugs—no prescription required."
This message, and others like it touted by many Internet sites, may sound appealing to pet owners, but the Food and Drug Administration says buying drugs online from such sites can be risky.
Some of the Internet sites that sell pet drugs represent legitimate, reputable pharmacies, says Martine Hartogensis, D.V.M., promotion and advertising liaison for the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM). But others are fronts for unscrupulous businesses operating in violation of the law.
"Some of these Internet companies are overseas, and there is a risk of the drugs not being FDA-approved," says Hartogensis. The FDA has also found companies that sell counterfeit pet products, make fraudulent claims, dispense prescription drugs without requiring a prescription, and sell pet drugs that have expired.
Pet owners who purchase drugs from these companies may think they are saving money, says Hartogensis, but in reality they may be short-changing their pet's health and putting its life at risk.
The FDA's CVM regulates the manufacture and distribution of animal drugs, while individual state pharmacy boards regulate the dispensing of prescription veterinary products.
Red Flag: ‘No Prescription Required'
Some foreign Internet pharmacies are advertising that veterinary prescription drugs are available to U.S. citizens without requiring a prescription. Or a foreign or domestic pharmacy will claim that one of its veterinarians on staff will "evaluate" the pet after looking over a form filled out by the pet owner, and then prescribe the drug.
A veterinarian can make a diagnosis and determine the appropriate therapy for an animal only by physically examining it, says Hartogensis. Prescribing sight unseen and without follow-up monitoring "is not a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship."
NSAIDs and Heartworm Preventives
The FDA's CVM is especially concerned that pet owners are looking to the Internet to buy two types of commonly used prescription veterinary drugs—nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and heartworm preventives. "Both drugs can be dangerous if there is no professional involvement," says Hartogensis. "It's not a concern if the owner uses a legitimate online pharmacy and mails in a prescription from their veterinarian, who is monitoring the animal," she says. "But if there is no veterinarian–client–patient relationship, it's a dangerous practice."
NSAIDs are often prescribed for pain relief in dogs with degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) or with pain after surgery. As recommended on NSAID labeling, dogs should undergo blood testing and a thorough physical examination before starting NSAIDs and should be monitored during NSAID therapy. In addition, each NSAID prescription should be accompanied by a Client Information Sheet that explains important safety information to the dog owner.
Buying Heartworm Preventives Online
Heartworm disease is a potentially fatal condition transmitted by the bite of a mosquito that is carrying the larvae (infective stage) of the heartworm parasite. "It only takes one infected mosquito to transmit heartworm disease," says Sheldon Rubin, D.V.M., secretary of the American Heartworm Society (AHS) and veterinarian in private practice in Chicago. The larvae enter the bite wound and migrate through the tissue of the animal, where they grow into adult worms that live in the arteries of the lungs and in the right side of the heart. Dogs, cats, ferrets, and some other mammals can get heartworm.
Heartworm preventives, administered daily or monthly depending on the product, kill the larvae before they become adult worms.
All 50 states have reported heartworm disease, says the AHS, which recommends using heartworm medication for dogs year-round, nationwide, and getting dogs tested yearly to make sure they're not infected with heartworm.
"Testing is important even in dogs regularly treated with heartworm preventive products due to the occasional reports of product ineffectiveness," says Hartogensis. If the animal is infected, a yearly test can ensure an early diagnosis and maximum benefit from treatment.
An Internet pharmacy veterinarian, of course, cannot perform the heartworm test because it requires drawing blood from the animal. If the test isn't done, a pet owner could be giving heartworm preventives to a dog that has heartworms, leading to severe reactions.
"The manufacturers of heartworm medicine do not sell to Internet pharmacies unless they are owned by a veterinarian and have a pharmacy license," says Rubin. "There is no better source for heartworm preventive than your own veterinarian. It's fresh, it came directly from the manufacturer, and it's 100 percent supported." This means if a dog or cat is on heartworm preventive and gets heartworm disease, the manufacturer works with the veterinarian, says Rubin, which significantly reduces the cost to the client. If you purchase preventives on the Internet without having your pet seen by your veterinarian, "nobody stands behind them—the veterinarian doesn't, the manufacturer doesn't."
Cats are at risk for developing heartworm disease, too, says Hartogensis. "Even one heartworm can kill a cat." Testing for heartworm infection in cats is more complex and not as accurate as the test for dogs. The AHS does not recommend yearly testing of cats, but does suggest testing prior to starting a preventive to establish a baseline reference. If heartworms are found in dogs in the area and mosquitoes get into the house, cat owners should consider putting their cat on a heartworm preventive, says the AHS. Your veterinarian will know the risk in your area and can guide you on whether a preventive is indicated.
Licensed Internet Pharmacies
The FDA recommends making sure a Web site is a state-licensed pharmacy within the United States before buying online. Consumers should check with their state board of pharmacy or the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) to see whether an online pharmacy has a valid pharmacy license and meets state quality standards.
The NABP has established a voluntary certification program called Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS). The NABP certifies online pharmacies that comply with state licensing and inspection requirements, along with other criteria.
Only pharmacies that sell human drugs are VIPPS-certified at this time. The NABP and the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) are considering expansion of the VIPPS program to accredit veterinary pharmacy practices.
Some veterinary hospitals have valid relationships with state-licensed Internet pharmacies known as outsourced prescription management services. These pharmacies usually stock more medications than the veterinary hospital is able to do, and they work directly with the veterinarian, require a prescription be written by the veterinarian, and are supportive of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
Talk with Dr. Butch, Dr. Egan, Dr. Putnam about any and all prescription needs.
SAVING PETS' SMILES AND SOMETIMES, THEIR LIVES!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-- LEXINGTON, KY.-- February 6, 2009
Ollie did not feel good. The young Golden Retriever mix missed her family and was completely confused by her surroundings. Ollie had never been confined in a cage, nor had she ever been somewhere with such strange smells and noisy neighbors. On top of everything, her mouth hurt terribly!
At this city shelter, the staff realized Ollie’s attitude was not normal for her breed. Investigating, they found the crowns of her four canine teeth had been literally cut off at the gumline! Known as crown amputation, some people have used this practice as a means to disarm a dog’s primary defense mechanism of biting. Without large canine teeth, the severity of bite wounds is supposedly reduced. But, the use of bolt cutters or wire snips to cut the teeth at the gumline and the lack of anesthetics or sterile technique often leads to major complications. Veterinary organizations, including the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) have expressed serious concern with this painful practice.
These dogs are so painful and prone to nipping (as a compensation mechanism) that shelters will often euthanize these dogs without seeking medical care. For Ollie, her condition became a life or death situation!
Fortunately, Golden Retriever Freedom Rescue in Denver, along with Deer Creek Animal Hospital heard of Ollie’s plight and sought to find a solution that would not only save her life, but free her from pain as well.
Like our teeth, dogs have an inner chamber of the tooth known as the pulp cavity. This hollow cavity (or chamber) contains the blood and nerve supply of the tooth. Anyone who has ever broken a tooth can surely empathize with the pain she was feeling. To make matters worse, Ollie was at high risk for developing serious infections of the gums, the nerve or even the underlying jaw bones.
At Deer Creek, Dr. Kenneth Lee was called upon to help. According to Dr. Lee, simple extraction of the four broken teeth was not an option. “Dog’s canine teeth extend well below the gumline and often are closely associated with the jaw bone.” He adds “extracting these teeth had the potential for causing serious damage to the jaws.”
Dr. Lee opted to perform root canals and was able to save the roots of the four teeth. After removing the vital tissue from within the pulp cavity, Dr. Lee used restorative materials to cap off the roots and prevent any potential infections. Sadly, since the crowns had been cut at the gumline, he was not able to place any artificial crowns and restore the actual tooth.
The good news is that Ollie is alive and doing well at her new home. Her dental surgery and post-operative care actually stopped the pain and her “forever” family says that she has adjusted well to her new life.
Thankfully, Ollie’s type of trauma is not extremely common, but millions of pets do suffer from serious dental disease. These pets may also exhibit behavioral changes due to their pain. Unfortunately many of these pets are relinquished to rescues or even euthanized.
Your pet doesn’t have to suffer from dental disease and you don’t have to tolerate “doggy breath”. Making a dental plan with your veterinarian will not only prevent dental disease, but may stop other health problems as well.
The first step is to have your veterinarian do a complete oral exam on your pet. Note any areas of excessive tartar build-up and any other concerns, such as fractured teeth, bleeding gums or ulcerations in the mouth.
Next, if appropriate, schedule a complete dental cleaning with your veterinarian. Cleaning will remove the tartar and plaque, reducing bacteria that cause serious illnesses, such as heart disease. Using digital x-rays allows the veterinarian to see under the gumline, a crucial step in preventing future dental problems.
After the cleaning, your veterinarian may apply a barrier sealant to help repel plaque-causing bacteria. This high tech - low cost – sealant gel is easy to continue at home and will help prevent further build up of plaque and tartar.
Home care is a vital part of maintaining your pet’s dental health. From routine brushing to special water additives and chew toys, your veterinarian can help make caring for your pet’s teeth easier. Some foods are even designed to help remove plaque build-up! The best news? These products not only remove plaque, but help to minimize bad breath. For some pets, they just might be lifesavers as well.
To see what you can do to protect your pet’s smile, visit our advanced dentistry page right here on our site.
Talk with Dr. Butch, Dr. Egan, Dr. Putnam and Mike McCullar (CDVT) and find out what at-home dental products are recommended and be sure to use them routinely. Ask your Animal Care Clinic doctor about how advanced veterinary dentistry helps pets right here in our practice.
Special thanks to Tom Dock and the Veterinary News Network (VNN) for their help in preparing these stories.