April is...Lyme Disease Prevention Month

Spring is here…and so are the ticks.  Ticks are more than just a nuisance.  They’re a potential health hazard for your entire family.

Ticks are responsible for several diseases, including Lyme disease.  Lyme disease has been reported in all 50 states, but it is most prevalent on the East Coast. 

Lyme disease was first described in 1883, but the cause of Lyme disease—a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi—wasn’t discovered until 1982, almost 100 years later.

The bacteria that causes Lyme disease is transmitted to pets and people via tick bites.  A tick must be attached for at least 24 hours before it can pass the bacteria through its saliva and into the bite wound. 

Both dogs and cats can become infected with the Lyme bacteria, but only dogs show symptoms of Lyme disease.  Horses can also develop Lyme disease.

Common symptoms of Lyme disease in dogs include fever, decreased appetite, listlessness, joint pain or swollen joints, and lameness.  Dogs may limp or seem painful in more than one leg.

Lyme disease is easily treated with antibiotics, such as doxycycline.  Most pets are treated for 3-4 weeks.  Sometimes antibiotic therapy kills most but not all of the bacteria.  If this happens and your pet’s symptoms reoccur, your pet may need to be treated again.

How to prevent Lyme disease in your pets:

1.     Pets should be checked daily for ticks.  Remove and destroy any ticks that are found. 

2.    A vaccine to prevent Lyme disease is available through veterinarians.

3.    Flea and tick preventives, such as topical medications or tick collars, are essential in reducing the number of ticks on your pets.

Got Pain?

We know that animals, like people, feel pain.  But pets don’t talk, so how can you tell when they hurt? 

1.     Certain conditions, like broken bones, are obviously painful.  Other conditions that might cause pain or discomfort include: 

     Dental disease

     Ear infections

     Arthritis or degenerative joint disease

     Intervertebral disk disease (may cause extreme pain in neck or back)

     Muscle strains or sprains

     Gastroenteritis, pancreatitis, or other conditions that cause vomiting and diarrhea

     Kidney disease

     Urinary tract disease, such as bacterial infections, urethral obstruction, and bladder stones

     Lyme disease

     Glaucoma

2.    Pets that are painful act differently.  Here are some common symptoms:

     Vocalizing (crying, whining, howling, or even purring)

     Limping or change in gait

     Pacing, unable to settle

     Listlessness, hiding

     Inability to jump or climb stairs

     Licking or chewing or pawing at or near the affected area

     Increased heart rate

     Panting

     Behavior changes (guarding the injured area, aggression)

     Decreased appetite

3.    Your veterinarian may use different types of pain medication for different types of pain.  Because these medications may have serious side effects in some patients, they should only be used when recommended by your veterinarian.  (NOTE:  Some over-the-counter human pain medications, like aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can be deadly to dogs and cats.  Never give your pet medication unless prescribed by your veterinarian.)

4.    Adjunctive treatment, such as acupuncture, laser therapy, or physical therapy can also alleviate certain types of pain in dogs and cats.  Ask your veterinarian if these procedures would help your pet.    

For more information about pain in animals:

International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management

Don't Forget Your Pets in the New Year!

 

Making New Year’s resolutions is a purely human phenomenon. Nevertheless, I’ve come up with 10 resolutions I’d like to see pet owners add to their lists this year.

 

1. Purchase pet insurance or start an emergency medical fund for your pet. Alternatively, apply for a CareCredit account.
2. Keep the number of your local veterinary emergency hospital on your refrigerator or by the phone.
3. Store your pet’s medical records, including rabies certificate, in an easy-to-access place. They may be helpful if your pet needs emergency treatment.
4. Pet-proof your house. Keep food, trash, plants, and medications out of reach of your pet. If necessary, confine your pets to a crate or small room when you are away from home or cannot supervise them.
5. Recognize uncommon signs of illness in your pets, such as hiding, inactivity, increased thirst, and increased urination.
6. If you go on vacation, be sure to leave emergency contact info for the person(s) taking care of your pet. Let your pet-sitter(s) know what you expect them to do in case of emergency, especially if you might be unreachable during your trip.
7. Don’t give pets over-the-counter medications (such as aspirin) unless prescribed by a veterinarian. Some human medications can be fatal to pets.
8. Make sure pets are supervised or on a leash when they go outside.
9. Help your pet maintain a healthy weight.
10. Schedule regular check-ups with your veterinarian. Prevention and early disease detection lead to healthier, happier pets.

Have a happy and healthy 2011!

The Bitterness of Xylitol

Not all sugar-free products are created equally.  At least not for my canine friends.   In fact, one of the artificial sweeteners, XYLITOL, is extremely dangerous to dogs.   So it’s important to know if you have food, gum, or candy containing XYLITOL in the house.  If you do, take extra precautions to keep it away from your canine companions.  Believe me, it’s worth the effort.

 

Why is XYLITOL so dangerous to dogs?

 

XYLITOL causes increased insulin production in dogs, which can cause low blood sugar.  Dogs with low blood sugar may be weak or unable to walk.  They may have tremors or seizures which can lead to death. 

 

In some canine patients, XYLITOL causes liver failure.  Depending on the severity, liver failure may or may not be fatal.  Unfortunately, liver transplants are not available for dogs at this time. 

 

Dogs that eat XYLITOL may also develop a coagulopathy, which means their blood won’t clot normally.  This can lead to internal bleeding, which can lead to death.

 

What should you do if your dog eats a product containing XYLITOL?

 

First of all, don’t panic.  Try to assess how much of the product your dog actually ate and prevent them from eating more of it.

 

Next, contact your veterinarian.  They may ask you to make your dog throw up.  If you aren’t able to accomplish this, ask your veterinarian for help. 

 

You may also be asked to contact a poison hotline, such as the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, where you can speak with a toxicologist.  These veterinarians work with poisonings or suspected poisonings every day and have access to the most up-to-date information.  Their help can be invaluable.

 

How is XYLITOL poisoning treated?

 

There is no antidote to XYLITOL, but early supportive care may help prevent problems later on.  Depending on how much XYLITOL your dog actually ate, initial treatment might include: 

• intravenous fluids
• dextrose supplementation (to raise blood sugar levels)
• blood sugar monitoring
• liver enzyme monitoring

Patients who develop liver failure or coagulopathy need intensive care and may be hospitalized for several days.  They may benefit from blood and/or plasma transfusions.

 

Can dogs live a normal life after eating XYLITOL?

 

It depends on how much XYLITOL they ate, if they received treatment, and how their body responded.  Some dogs recover fully; others don’t survive. 

 

Remember, the best way to keep your best friend safe is to keep XYLITOL out of reach.

Halloween Tricks and Treatments

Ah, Halloween!  There’s a nip in the air, leaves to chase, and strange creatures ringing the doorbell.  What more could a dog ask for?

And don’t forget the candy.  Many of my canine friends will be keeping both eyes on the candy dish on Halloween night.  Which means their owners should keep the candy dish out of reach and well-guarded.  Just in case.

Halloween can be a busy night at veterinary emergency rooms.  Fortunately, many of these visits can be avoided with a little planning.  Below are some of the more common reasons for canine and feline ER visits around Halloween, along with tips to help prevent them.

1.     Poisoning 

Candy or foods containing chocolate, raisins, or certain types of nuts can cause severe or even fatal reactions in dogs and cats.  Sugar-free candy or gum that contains the artificial sweetener, Xylitol, can also be deadly.   

TIP:  Always keep Halloween candy away from dogs and cats.  If you think your pet has eaten food containing chocolate, raisins or grapes, nuts, or xylitol, contact your veterinarian immediately.

2.    Trauma

Although many pets love to participate in Halloween festivities, others may become frightened and leave the safety of their house.  Pets can be difficult to see at night, especially if they are in or near the road. 

TIP:  Make sure your pet is confined or well supervised during trick-or-treat times and Halloween parties.  All pets should wear an identification tag on their collar in case they accidentally get loose.  A fluorescent or reflective collar makes it easier to see pets at night.

3.    Burns

Curious pets can get their noses or paws burned by playing with jack-o-lanterns.  They may inadvertently knock over candles and start a fire. 

TIP:  Keep lighted pumpkins out of your pet’s reach and don’t forget to blow out the candle when you leave the room!

4.    Foreign bodies

These are things that cats and dogs eat that aren’t digestible, like clothing, candy wrappers, coins, and toys.  Halloween costumes may contain parts that can be easily swallowed.  Pets who ingest foreign objects may need surgery to remove them.

TIP:  Trash cans or wastebaskets should be covered or inaccessible to pets.  If you dress your pet up for Halloween, make sure the costume doesn’t have parts that could easily be chewed off and eaten!

Whatever you do this Halloween, have a good time and remember to keep your pets safe!

Give Your Favorite Technician a Hug!

Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week is October 10-16.  This is one of my favorite weeks because I get to show the technicians I know how much I appreciate them. 

What exactly does a veterinary technician do?  Well, many people think of them as a nurse for animals.  That’s a good start, but it doesn’t even begin to describe the jobs that most technicians perform every day.

Let’s look at a typical day in the life of one of our technicians.  (Keep in mind, of course, that no day in the ER is typical!)  Here is a partial list of tasks they would be expected to complete by the end of their shift:

Assist with anesthesia and surgery

Take x-rays

Obtain blood, urine, and stool samples

Perform laboratory tests, such as urinalysis and blood work

Place intravenous catheters

Prepare and administer IV fluids and other medications

Council owners on disease processes, medication administration, and home care

Provide tender loving care

As you can see, being a veterinary technician is a lot of work!   

What type of training do veterinary technicians need?

There are many types of programs out there.  Some offer a choice of associate’s (2 year) degree or bachelor’s (4 year) degree.  On-line programs are gaining popularity as well.

Here are some websites to visit if you want to learn more:

National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America

Massachusetts Veterinary Technician Association

To all you techs out there, keep up the good work.  We couldn’t survive without you!

 

World Rabies Day

Help me celebrate World Rabies Day (September 28, 2010)!

Facts about RABIES:

Almost 6,700 cases of RABIES were reported in the United States in 2009.  Three people died.  In Massachusetts, there were 130 cases, including 9 rabid cats. 

Any mammal, INCLUDING HUMANS, can become infected with RABIES.  In the United States, RABIES is most commonly seen in raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes. 

RABIES is caused by a bullet-shaped virus.  The virus is found in the saliva of infected animals. 

RABIES is usually transmitted through bite wounds.  Rarely, people have become infected with RABIES from saliva entering scratches on their skin, by visiting bat-infested caves or through organ transplants.

RABIES is a DEADLY disease.  Once the symptoms occur, it’s almost always fatal.

RABIES can be prevented. 

Steps you can take to prevent RABIES:

Have your dog or cat vaccinated by a veterinarian.  In Massachusetts, both cats and dogs are REQUIRED to be vaccinated for the RABIES virus.

Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet has any contact with a wild animal or is bitten by another dog or cat.  Even if your pet is vaccinated for RABIES at the time of exposure, it may need a booster.

Don’t pet or approach wildlife, especially if they are acting sick or disoriented.  Nocturnal animals that are out during the day (such as raccoons or skunks) may be rabid.  Report strange behavior in wild animals to your animal control officer or the state wildlife department.

Don’t touch dead wildlife.  Contact your local animal control officer to arrange pickup and disposal.

Contact your primary care provider if you are bitten by an animal, even if that animal is vaccinated for RABIES.  Your physician can determine your risk of contracting RABIES and may take steps to prevent you from getting the disease.

What you should know about BATS and RABIES:

Bats may carry the RABIES virus without appearing sick.

Bats found in your home may need to be tested for RABIES if:

• Any person or pet touched the bat;
• A child, mentally impaired person, or pet was in the same room as the bat; OR
• A bat was found in the same room as a sleeping person.

If you find a bat in your home and there is potential for exposure to any person or pet, contact your local animal control officer.  The bat should be caught and submitted for RABIES testing.  If the bat escapes or is not available for testing, contact your primary care provider, local health department, or veterinarian for instructions.

To learn more about RABIES contact:

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Center for Disease Control

World Rabies Day