Question of the week: What is heartworm?

May 19, 2012 in Client Education, Question of the week by Lisa

Heartworm Lifecycle

Heartworm Lifecycle (via Trifexis.com)

Heartworm disease is a nasty but very preventable condition. Thankfully we see fewer cases here in the Bay Area than places like Texas and other southern states where it is more prevalent. That said, heartworm disease may be present wherever there are mosquitos and those are found just about all over the United States. Campus Veterinary Clinic advises heatworm prevention as a precautionary measure for many of our patients.

So what are heartworms? Otherwise know as Dirofilaria immitis, these nasty parasites as previously mentioned are transmitted by mosquitos. When infected, dogs may fail to present with any symptoms for years, at which time the worms can reach up to 30cms and number up to 300. They are also capable of living up to 5 years. Did we mention they are nasty?

The worms really start to cause problems when they start migrating towards the heart and lungs via the blood stream. In terms of symptoms, you can expect to see lethargy and a dry persistent cough. In more advanced cases there have been instances of congestive heart failure and death.

Veterinarians typically treat with a medicine called Immiticide. At the time of this writing, this drug is not available due to manufacturing problems. Essentially, this means we currently don’t have a treatment for heartworms. This makes it even more vital that your dog is protected. This drug kills the heartworms after which they are reabsorbed by the body. The treatment lasts several weeks and keeping the dog calm and rested is of utmost importance. Once the course of treatment is completed, a simple blood test should reveal whether the dog is negative for heartworm.

Of course, the best scenario is to never have to treat a heartworm infection at all. If it is determined that your dog has not been exposed to heartworm, you can consult with your veterinarian as to what is the best preventative to use. There are a number of options out there and we at Campus Veterinary Clinic most often prescribe a drug called Trifexis. This monthly tablet combines spinosad  (Comfortis) and milbemycin oxime (Sentinel). While working as a preventative for heartworm, it additionally serves as a flea preventative. Our doctors and staff are always happy to talk with you as to what the best options are for your dog. Please call us anytime during business hours for more information.

 

More news on pet food recall

May 16, 2012 in Food Recalls by Lisa

The Diamond Pet Company, makers of Taste of the Wild, Country Value and Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul among others, issued a voluntary recall on some of it’s product. The food originated in the company’s Gaston, South Carolina plant. As of this writing, a total of 16 people have been reported ill  from exposure to salmonella tainted dog food.

There have been no cases reported in California. Incidents have occurred in North Carolina, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey and Virginia.

If you have purchased any of Diamond’s products, you can refer to the website (http://diamondpetrecall.com/recall-home/) on how to proceed. This site will list the production codes that should be located on the packaging of the food. At this time, it appears that the recall does not effect California. If you have questions you can direct them to the company at 866-918-8756.

We will endeavor to keep you updated on any further news associated with the recall.

Question of the week: What kind of leash does my dog need?

May 14, 2012 in Question of the week by Lisa

The dog is a meandering creature by nature. Canines are  prone to exploring and given the choice prefer a less linear path than us humans. Getting safely from point A to point B with your dog often necessitates the use of a leash. Given the options out there, choosing the best leash for your dog can depend on a variety of things.

A standard leash with the lead that snaps onto the collar is best for basic training and every day use. It’s most often made of leather (more expensive but harder to chew through)  or nylon (less durable but waterproof and cheaper). The length is fixed averaging about 6 foot. It keeps the dog close to your side and allows for greater control when training.

Slip leads are the most rudimentary of leashes. They are typically a length of nylon with a loop handle and an adjustable slipping loop. These are most often used in clinical settings and are often seen in agility training.

Lots of pet owners opt for the retractable leash. This leash is usually up to 25 feet long and retracts into a plastic case with a handle. It allows dogs more freedom to move around and explore. However, these leashes are problematic in other ways. The distance it puts between you and your dog allows for less reaction time if a situation occurs. Running into traffic, altercations with other dogs or humans and tangling up with other leashed dogs happen easily. It allows your dog to lead you (versus you leading him or her) and is not ideal when trying to teach the dog not to pull on leash. There is also the risk of the leash snapping if the dog runs with it on. This recently happened with one of our own patients and the owner ended up trying to retrieve a very scared Pomeranian from the busy thoroughfare outside our clinic.

Ultimately it is you the owner that needs to determine what works best for you both. Your ability to control your dog be it due to their size or temperament can impact the decision you make on choosing a good leash. It may also be worth checking in with your regular veterinarian when figuring on the best choice.

Question of the week: Is the internet a good resource for veterinary information?

May 7, 2012 in Client Education, Question of the week by Lisa

Dog at computerThe internet has had a profound effect on how we gather both information and dis information. We depend on the web for so much these days, it’s hard to imagine how we ever got along without it. Whether it’s checking on the weather, getting directions to a location or keeping up on world news many of us consult the web daily.

Regardless, we should proceed with caution when trying to figure out what’s going on with a sick dog or cat. If you surf the web long enough you can find at least two different answers to one question! Which sites can you really trust? It’s not always an easy to tell what sites are reliable and which are not.

One of the sites we endorse is VeterinaryPartner.com. This site is a good resource for general veterinary questions. It may provide a starting point for concerns you have about what is going on with your pet. It is generated by an organization called VIN (Veterinary Information Network) which is a database trusted by veterinary professionals worldwide. The information is up-to-date and reliable whilst the same can’t be said for a lot of other websites out there.

The bottom line is that the virtual medicine and advice given online is not 100% accurate. It is always best to defer to your veterinarian when in doubt as they often have an established relationship with you and your animal. This collaborative effort between you and your pet’s doctor will provide the best route for safe and effective medical treatment.

Newsletter (May/June)

May 3, 2012 in Newsletters by Lisa


 FOOD ALLERGIES

Skin allergyJust like people, cats and dogs can be allergic to certain types of foods. The reactions can develop at any stage in your pet’s life and the more your pet eats the food, the stronger the allergic reaction becomes.

Food allergies may show up concurrently with allergies to pollen, dust, etc. Symptoms include:

  • Itching, especially face, feet, trunk, limbs and anal area
  • Ear problems, often yeast-related
  • Skin infections that respond to antibiotics, but then recur as soon as the antibiotic therapy ceases.

Occasionally dogs with true food allergies may have increased bowel movements, soft stool and vomiting. Food allergies should not be confused with food intolerances, which are not true allergies and generally cause diarrhea and vomiting.

If you suspect your pet has allergies or chronic skin problems, visit your veterinarian. The type of condition and severity of the symptoms will determine how your veterinarian decides to treat them.

Testing for Food Allergies

Redness and hairloss from skin allergies

Your veterinarian may put your pet on an “elimination diet,” which tests to see if your pet is allergic to his current food.  For example, if you are currently feeding your dog both chicken and beef, your vet may switch him to a diet that is strictly venison. Other options include duck, fish or rabbit. The food should contain a single protein source and ideally should not have a protein or starch that you’ve previously fed your pet.   Reading the ingredient list is important to determine what is in the food.  Many diets that are labeled fish or lamb will have many other proteins and starches added.

In cases of severe food allergies, your veterinarian may put your pet on a diet involving hydrolyzed protein. A hydrolyzed protein is a protein that has been broken down into smaller proteins, which minimizes the chance that the protein will elicit an allergic reaction.

Royal Canin and Hills are the two brands of prescription limited ingredient diets and hydrolyzed protein diets we carry.

In order to know if the diet is the right choice for your pet, he must eat nothing else besides the directed food for a minimum of two months. There are no “cheat” days when it comes to an elimination diet. Even a single milk bone defeats the entire purpose of the diet, and your pet will have to start the diet again for another two months. If your pet’s condition improves after two months of strict dieting, we know that the diet is working.  Concurrent skin infections must be controlled or else that will also contribute to itching and make it appear the diet is not helping.

There is no diet that can prevent a food allergy.  Pets can eventually develop allergies to the duck or venison which would warrant a diet change again.  “Grain free” diets are not necessarily better and pets can develop allergies to the ingredients in these diets as well.

Consulting your veterinarian is best before switching diets to determine what course of action is most appropriate for your pet.

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FOXTAIL SEASON IS HERE

FoxtailsFoxtails can pose a serious threat to your pet. It’s shocking, but what may seem like a harmless plant can potentially create serious complications.

Foxtails can be inhaled or they can burrow their way directly through the skin and into the body. Extra caution should be used around foxtails if your pet has a thick coat. Once inside the body, foxtails continue to burrow and could potentially cause trauma to the lungs or other organs.

Foxtail season starts around May, when the grasses start drying out, and is most severe during the summer.

Tips for foxtail prevention:

Anesthesia is often required to remove an internal foxtail so it is best to minimize your pet’s exposure to the plant.

  • Check your dog’s feet daily and remove any foxtails.
  • For dogs with thick, wooly hair: Carefully comb the coat or give your pet a close whole-body trim during foxtail season.
  • Get rid of any foxtails in the yard.
  • Be aware of foxtails in your neighborhood and avoid walking your pet in those areas.

Signs your dog may have an internal foxtail:

Nose: Sudden extreme sneezing, pawing at the nose, bleeding from the nostril

Ear: Tilting and shaking of the head, pawing at the ear, crying, moving stiffly

Eye: Sudden squinting of the eye;  Swelling around eye accompanied by tears and mucous discharge

Throat: Gagging, retching cough. Compulsive grass eating, stretching neck and swallowing.

As always, we recommend calling your veterinarian immediately if your pet exhibits any of the above symptoms.

 

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