Dangers of Rat Poison

When purging your home of pests, keep your pets in mind.

Most of us will agree, rats are the most repugnant of pests, expecially when they rival the size of our cats.  However, if you find yourself scrambling to stifle a rat infestation by using poison, you'll need to be extra careful with your pets.

There are a number of chemicals commonly found in rat and mouse poisons that are very toxic to dogs and cats.  One of those chemicals is bromethalin, which kills animals by poisoning the central nervous system.  Brodifacoum is another and is an anti-coagulant.  It falls in with a group of chemicals that  keep blood from clotting, leading to spontaneous and uncontrollable bleeding. 

These chemicals can be deadly for dogs and cats.  Poisoning can take place directly or indirectly, such as when your pet nibbles on a rodent killed by the poison.

If your pet is unlucky enough to ingest rat poison containing either of these chemicals, the consequences can be dire, especially if not diagnosed in time.  If you think your pet may have ingested any type of poison call your veterinary clinic at once.  If after hours, call an emergency clinic.

Prevention is simple.  While it's understandable to want to rid your home of rats and mice it's important to make sure your pet does not have access to rat poison.   If you choose to use products containing dangerous chemicals like bromethalin or brodifacoum, you will want to be diligent about discarding dead rodents and keeping your pets away from the poison.



Heartworms

Only one bite from an infected mosquito can infect your pet with heartworms.
The American Heartworm Society advises to use heartworm prevention year
round no matter where you live.

April Special

Heartworm Test     15% off
Heartworm  Prevention   10% off



Microchip

1 in 3 pets will become lost during their lifetime.

According to the American Humane association, only about 15% of lost dogs
and 2% of lost cats ever find their way back home!
Having a simple microchip implanted under your pet's skin can mean the difference between being reunited with your lost or stolen pet, or never seeing them again.
We highly recommend all pets be microchipped.



Zoonotic Diseases

Zoonotic diseases are contagious diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans.  These diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.  Examples include rabies, intestinal parasites, (roundworm, hookworm) leptospirosis, cat scratch disease, ringworm, mange, and salmonella.
Keeping your pets on preventive medication year round is not only the best way to protect them from parasite infections, it also is the best way to protect people.  Keep all vaccinations current, and clean up pet feces immediately and practice good personal hygiene.



Spring time is allergy time.....YUCK

Canine Atopic Dermatitis also known as "atopy" is a common itchy skin allergy in dogs caused by a disorder of the dog's immune system..  It is an allergy to substances in the environment that are inhaled by the dog.  These substances are called allergens and cause the immune system to over re-act and release histamines.

Some of the more common allergens are:
    House dust mite
    Tree pollen
    Flowers
    Grass
    Mold Spores
    Fleas

The main symptom is excessive itching of the paws, face, groin, armpits and ears.  Dogs will often chew their feet or rub their faces on the carpet or furniture.  Owners may notice their dog licking, chewing and grooming for long periods of time.
The symptoms may be seasonal at first, for example the dog may be allergic to a pollen from a tree that only flowers for three weeks of the year, however as the atopic dog gets older the itchiness may occur year round. 
What is the treatment for Atopy?  Is there a cure for Atopy?
At present there is no cure for atopy in dogs but a degree of control can be achieved in some cases.  Often it is not one single treatment that is effective but a combination of two, three or more different treatments.



 

ACUTE PANCREATITIS

Pancreatitis means "inflammation" of the pancreas and acute means "quickly". 
The pancreas has many functions, including the production and secretion of digestive enzymes and the production of insulin.  Digestive enzymes are critical for food digestion, while insulin aids in the control of the metabolism and blood-sugar levels.

Causes of pancreatitis, obesity, high fat diets, liver disease, certain medications or toxins, and infection.    The introduction of a large amount of fatty food all at once can cause acute pancreatitis. 

Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, restlessness, and stop eating. 

Diagnosis is through bloodwork, radiographs, and on some occasions ultrasound and endoscopy.

Treatment includes hospitalization on fluid therapy, pain/anti vomiting medications, and antibiotics.

Prevention; don't let your pet become overweight, avoid high fat diets, avoid giving your pet table scraps, discuss all medications with your veterinarian, and don't let you pet in the garbage.

Canine Parvovirus

Get the facts about a dangerous, aggressive illness in dogs

This is one virus you DON’T want your dog to pick up.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) is a nasty, highly contagious illness, spread from dog to dog by direct or indirect contact with feces. That means that your dog can get CPV from either eating an
infected dog’s poop or simply sniffing an infected dog’s hindquarters! It can be especially hard on puppies who haven’t yet beenvaccinated because their immune systems haven’t yet fully developed.

CPV can affect all dog breeds, though for some reason some breeds it affects some breeds more than others, such as:

• Rottweilers 
• Doberman Pinschers
• Pit bull breeds
• Labrador Retrievers
• German Shepherds
• English Springer Spaniels

Symptoms
CPV shows up in two forms: intestinal and, more rarely, cardiac. Symptoms of the intestinal form of CPV include:

• Extreme vomiting
• Severe diarrhea, often containing mucus or blood
• Anorexia
• Lethargy
• High fever or, sometimes, a low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Severe abdominal pain

Because the intestinal form of CPV results in fluid losses and because the affected intestines do not nutrients and proteins properly, he’ll weaken, lose weight and become dehydrated pretty quickly.
The cardiac form of CPV tends to attack very young puppies, causing cardiovascular and respiratory failure and, unfortunately, often leads to death.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Every minute counts when it comes to diagnosis! If your dog is exhibiting one or more of the symptoms listed above, seek emergency veterinary care as soon as possible.
CPV is an aggressive illness and dogs tend to deteriorate soon after becoming infected. If CPV is suspected, your veterinarian will first perform a physical exam and then follow up with other tests to figure out the cause of your pooch’s discomfort. Such tests include:

• A complete blood cell count (CBC) to rule out blood related conditions; a low white blood cell count is usually seen with CPV infection
• Chemistry tests to screen for kidney, liver, and pancreatic disease as well as to check sugar levels
• Fecal test to detect the presence of CPV and rule out intestinal parasites
• Urinalysis
• Abdominal imaging, through x-ray or ultrasound, to look for intestinal obstruction, enlarged lymph nodes, and excess fluids in the intestines

Treatment
CPV’s pretty rough on dogs and pretty much always requires hospitalization for 24-hour care and monitoring. Left untreated, dogs with the virus are likely to die. However, since it’s a viral infection, there’s no cure for CPV. This means that your veterinarian will treat and support your dog and help them weather the infection.
Treatment is aimed towards managing your dog’s dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, and includes:

• IV fluid therapy
• Nutritional therapy
• Medications to control vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea
• In severe cases, blood plasma transfusions.
• Pain medications

In addition, antibiotics are often prescribed to prevent bacterial infections, which can take advantage of your dog’s weakened state and often prove to be fatal. In general, dogs shouldn’t eat or drink until symptoms have subsided, and fluid support is usually needed for several days. Your veterinarian will discuss the best course of action to get your dog back to his normal, happy, healthy self as soon as possible.
Management
CPV can be brutal on dogs, but survival rate is relatively optimistic, though it’s lower for puppies.
While recovering from CPV, your dog will have a weakened immune system for awhile and could be at risk for other illnesses. Fortunately, there are ways in which you can boost your dog’s immune system and keep him safe from illness. Options include:

• A healthy and balanced diet that is easily digestible
• Make sure your dog is fully vaccinated against other illnesses

Every dog and every case is different, so your veterinarian will help you formulate an effective management plan to get your furry friend back to strength.
For some time after recovery, your dog will remain contagious and should be kept away from other dogs. You’ll have to isolate your dog from other dogs, even – and especially – your own. And though recovery from CPV makes dogs mostly immune from getting the virus again, future immunity isn’t guaranteedandvaccination is generally recommended.
Besides taking care of your dog, you’ll need to spend some time disinfecting your dog’s toys, crates, kennels, and toys. Though CPV is not zoonotic (transferrable to humans), you definitely do NOT want it lingeringaround.
Prevention
The number one way to prevent CPV is vaccination. Puppies should be vaccinated starting at a young age, and usually the vaccinations should be applied in a staggered manner as directed by your veterinarian. Again, for each dog it’s different. Your veterinarian will provide the best recommendations for keeping your dog safe from CPV.