Canine Vaccination Series: The facts about Enteritis

Dogs are at risk of enteritis (intestinal disease) caused by two common viruses, canine parvovirus and canine coronavirus. Canine parvovirus enteritis is generally considered to be more severe than coronavirus enteritis. However, parvovirus enteritis may be more serious if coronavirus is also present. Diarrhea and vomiting caused by these viruses can range from mild to severe and are accompanied by depression and loss of appetite. Unvaccinated puppies and young dogs are most commonly affected because they usually have not been previously exposed or vaccinated and are susceptible to infection. Viral enteritis is easily spread because of the large volume of virus in feces, which contaminates the environment and is readily spread from one animal to another. Severe cases of viral enteritis can be fatal due to dehydration and loss of appetite. Puppies are at greatest risk of death because of their limited body reserves.


Your dog receives protection against enteritis when they receive their annual canine distemper combo vaccine.  Part of the combo includes canine parvovirus and canine coronavirus. This is given once a year and occurs with their physical. 

Holiday Tips to Keep Your Pet Healthy

Holiday Tips

1. Keep all  holiday treats: chocolate, nuts, candy, baked goods, out of your pet’s reach
2. Put non breakable ornaments on the lower 2 feet of your tree. Kitties and puppies will think ornaments are toys.
3. No poinsettias, they are toxic. 
4. Even a small amount of leftovers can make your pet extremely ill.
5. Make sure your pet has an escape area from company in case they get over whelmed.
6. Give your pet their usual treats. Too many or new treats can cause severe intestinal upset.
7. Cats may drink from your tree stand so avoid treating the water.
8. No tinsel, cats and dogs love to eat it.
9. When salting your driveway or sidewalk use pet safe product.
10. Consider donating to our local shelters, many more pets are being abandoned then ever before.

Canine Vaccination Series: The facts about Infectious Canine Hepatitis

Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH), caused by canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1), is a worldwide disease of dogs. CAV-1 infects a wide range of tissues, including the liver (hence the name hepatitis), kidneys, spleen and lungs. Infected dogs typically develop a fever and abnormal bleeding, and experience loss of white blood cells, which are a key component of the immune system. Opacity of the eye("blue eye") occurs in some cases. Death, chronic hepatitis or severe illness may occur, and recovery may be gradual in nonfatal cases. CAV-1 is shed in urine and can survive outside the host for weeks or months.  


Your dog can contract CAV-1 virus through direct contact with 
infected saliva, urine, or feces either with your dog’s mouth or nose. Even a dog dish that has been licked clean can carry the virus. The tonsils and lymph nodes are the first body parts effected. The incubation period can last 4-9 days, after which the virus enters the bloodstream.


Your dog receives protection against infectious canine hepatitis when they receive their annual canine distemper combo vaccine.  Part of the combo include infectious canine hepatitis. This is given once a year and occurs with their physical. 

Canine Vaccination Series: The facts about Distemper

Canine distemper is a widespread virus that causes high mortality in dogs. Puppies and dogs usually become infected through airborne exposure to the virus contained in respiratory secretions of an infected dog or wild animal (raccoons, foxes and skunks).

Exposure is considered inevitable during a dog's lifetime, so canine distemper vaccination is almost always recommended. Puppies and young dogs without immunity are at greatest risk. Canine distemper virus infects various tissues in the dog's body, producing diarrhea, fever, nasal and ocular discharge, respiratory disease, appetite loss and neurologic signs such as muscular spasms and paralysis. The disease is easily transmitted and often fatal.

Your dog receives protection against canine distemper when they receive their annual canine distemper combo vaccine. This is given once a year and occurs with their physical.

Toxic Foods

HUMAN FOOD FOR PETS…. BAD IDEA. HERE’S WHY.

TOXIC HUMAN FOOD TO BEWARE OF….

ARTIFICIAL SWEETNERS (ESP. XYLITOL)

ONIONS

GARLIC

GRAPES AND RAISINS

CAFFEINE

CHOCOLATE

AVOCADOS

MACADAMIA NUTS

SEVERE ILLNESS CAUSING FOODS…

HAM AND GRAVY

MOLDY/SPOILED FOOD

STAGNANT WATER

DIET PILLS

IF YOUR PET GETS INTO ANY OF THESE ITEMS, DON’T HESITATE TO CALL US OR AN EMERGENCY CLINIC. EVERY MINUTE COUNTS.

FDA Issues Consumer Alert of Online Pharmacies

The FDA has issued a consumer alert of online veterinary pharmacies. The FDA regulators have documented unscrupulous practices regarding the sale of unapproved and counterfeit pet drugs, dispensing of medication without a prescription, and sale of expired medications, which includes the top two medications: anti-inflammatory and heartworm drugs. If you chose to use internet pharmacies, the FDA and Dr. Nicol recommend you check to see if they are accredited through the Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s Vet VIPPS (Veterinary Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site) program. We hope this helps you to keep your pet healthy and safe.

Learn more, here.

Quick Checklist for Traveling with Your Pet

1. Make sure your pet is comfortable with travel.
2. Make sure your pet has identification tags with up-to-date information.
3. If your pet does not have a microchip, have one implanted before traveling. Microchips secure your chances of getting your pet back if it ever becomes lost.
4. If you are taking your pet across state or international borders, a health certificate is required.
5. Make sure your pet's vaccinations are up-to-date.
6. Make sure your pet is allowed where you are staying.
7. Have a first aid kit on hand in case any injury occurs. This is especially important if you are going to be in a more remote location.
8. If  your pet does have any health issues make sure you have enough medication for the duration of your trip.
9. Bring a kennel with you in case you need a secure area for your pet to stay.
10. Bring items from home to ease your pet's behavior (bed, toys, etc.).

Click here to learn more about traveling with your pet.

10 Things to Think About Before Breeding

1. Is your pet parasite free? No fleas, ticks, ear mites, internal parasites and heartwormed tested negative.
2. How old is your pet? Breeding age is between 2 and 6 years old.
3. Are you prepared financially to care for all offspring from birth to death if you cannot find appropriate homes? 
4. Are you prepared for the behavior changes that may happen?
5. Is your pet a good representation of its breed? No confirmation defects, like height, hair color, etc.
6. Is your pet certified clear of breed specific genetic problems by a veterinarian? X-ray'd for hip dysplasia, thyroid negative, eyes clear, heart clear, tested for any bleeding disorders.
7. Is your pet current on all vaccinations?
8. Are you prepared financially to care for a pregnant animal? Pets cannot always conceive naturally and many times c-sections are needed. 
9. Do you have the space to provide a birthing area and nursery for the offspring to grow? We do not recommend birthing and raising offspring outside. There are too many risk factors. 
10. Do you have buyers lined up prior to birth?

What's so great about joint supplement?

Just like people, pets develop joint pain and stiffness as the age. The good news is they do not have to live the rest of their life in discomfort. One medication we recommend for joint support is Chondro-Flex (Dasuquin).

What causes joint pain and inflammation?
Cartilage provides a smooth, friction-free surface for opposing ends of joint bones. Cartilage, synovial fluid and underlying bones protect bones from each other and absorb shock as your pet moves, enabling flexible joints. Cartilage continually manufactures and maintains itself with its own specialized cells. Blood does not carry nutrients to cartilage; they enter from surrounding tissue and are carried by the synovial fluid. These nutrients are necessary for healthy cartilage production.

To view pictures of healthy joints and the process of deteriorating click here.

Age, injury, and risk factors such as obesity, size, activity and genetics may cause cartilage and tissue breakdown. When cartilage breaks down faster than it can reproduce itself, your pet may experience inflammation and great discomfort. Damaged tissue allows white blood cells to invade and release enzymes and free radicals, further deteriorating the joint. Enzymes also cause the synovial fluid to become watery and lose its lubricating capacity. The synovial fluid is less able to nourish the cartilage. This degeneration process spirals. Decreased activity and muscle atrophy result, making the problem worse.

What is Chondro-Flex (Dasuqin)?
Chondro-Flex (Dasuquin) Joint Care formulas were designed to provide maximum joint support for dogs, cats and horses with pain and joint stiffness associated with normal daily exercise and activities. They can effectively support connective tissue maintenance including joints, synovial fluid, tendons, ligaments and cartilage.

How do I know if my pet needs Chondro-Flex (Dasuqin)?
Optimal functioning of the joints (hip, shoulder, elbow, hock and stifle) dramatically affects your pet's mobility and activity level. Recent studies show joint pains and stiffness affects more than eight million adult pets in the United States which is often the first sign that owners mistake as part of the natural aging process. Activities such as standing up or walking stairs can become difficult, especially in older and larger pets. Early action is the best action. Regular check-ups with your veterinarian are the best way to monitor your pet's aging process. Have your animal examined if you notice limping, stiffness or a change in gait.

How does Chondro-Flex (Dasuqin) work?
Chondro-Flex (Dasuqin) acts as a 1-2-3 punch to help support and maintain healthy cartilage. Chondro-Flex (Dasuqin) is complete with Glucosamine HCI, low-molecular-weight Chondroitin Sulfate and Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Low molecular weight means the particles are smaller and more easily absorbed by the body. It is one of the most pure forms available.

Glucosamine HCI is a major building block of cartilage. It also makes up 50% of the natural lubricant found in synovial fluid. By supplementing naturally present Glucosamine, the body is able to facilitate the manufacture and maintenance of cartilage, and helps restore lubricant in the synovial fluid. Synovial fluid then regains the ability to carry nutrients to rebuild cartilage, insulate bones from friction and cushion the joint.

Chondroitin Sulfate blocks the enzymes that break down cartilage and dilute the synovial fluid. Chondroitin and sulfurs also are key components for lubrication in the joints.

MSM is a natural anti-inflammatory, noted for its exceptionally non-toxic nature. MSM supplies dietary sulfur necessary for collagen production, which helps form bones, tendons and connective tissue.

Why do we recommend Chondroflex (Dasuqin)?

• Safe and effective 
• Correct balance between all ingredients 
• Specifically made for animals
• Tested to ensure the correct ingredients are in the product (Not all supplements are tested)
• Economical
• We use it for our own animals

Pet Loss...How Do I Know When It Is Time

Perhaps the kindest thing you can do for a pet that is so sick or so severely injured that he or she will never recover normal health is to have your veterinarian induce its death quietly and humanely through euthanasia. Your decision to have your pet euthanatized is a serious one, seldom easy to make.

What should I do?
Your relationship with your pet is special, and you are responsible for its care and welfare. Eventually, many owners are faced with making life or death decisions for their pets. Such a decision may become necessary for the welfare of the animal and for you and your family.

A decision concerning euthanasia may be one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make regarding your pet. Your decision is a personal one, but it need not be a solitary one. Your veterinarian and your family and friends can assist and support you. Consider not only what is best for your pet, but also what is best for you and your family. Quality of life is important for pets and people alike.

How will I know when?
If your pet can no longer do with you and your family the things he or she once enjoyed, if your pet cannot respond to you in the usual ways, or if there is more pain than pleasure in his or her life, you may need to consider euthanasia. Likewise, if your pet is terminally ill or critically injured, or if the financial or emotional cost of treatment is beyond your means, euthanasia may be a valid option.

Your veterinarian understands attachment to pets, and can examine and evaluate your pet's condition, estimate your pet's chances for recovery, and discuss potential disabilities and long-term problems. He or she can explain the medical options and possible outcomes. Because your veterinarian cannot make the euthanasia decision for  you, it is important that you fully understand your pet's condition. If there is any part of the diagnosis or the implications for your pet's future that you don't understand, ask to have it explained again. Rarely will the situation require an immediate decision. Usually, you will have time to review the facts before making your decision.

As you make your decision, you may wish to discuss the care of the remains of your pet's body with your family and veterinarian. You have several options, and your veterinarian can provide information about burial, cremation, or other alternatives.

Reference: www.avma.org

Allergy Alert!

Many of our allergy patients are miserable right now. We typically think of allergy season as spring and fall, but August is a very bad allergy time. If your pet has begun scratching or licking more frequently please let us know. Especially, if your pet has already been diagnosed and treated for allergies.

Other signs to look for:

• Pustules on the skin
• Red and irritated feet
• Flaky, dry skin
• Red skin
• Waxy and or red ears
• Hair loss

What can you do to help your pet be more comfortable? Generally, we have to tweak their medication to help them get through the rough patch. Don't hesitate to call if your pet seems more symptomatic.

Tips for Finding a Lost Pet

When Jennifer Paterno of Belleville, N.J., learned that her 8-month-old Labrador retriever mix had let herself out of their new home and slipped a neighbor's grip on a frigid day last January, she did what experts advise panicked pet owners to do: She got busy, fast.

Paterno quickly made and distributed flyers with Jersey's photo and identifying information to area businesses, local police departments, and shelters. She posted notices on her Facebook page and on various online lost-and-found pets bulletin boards. A dozen neighbors and friends drove up and down streets calling Jersey's name.

The next day, employees of a local towing company who had a stack of the flyers spotted Jersey and called the police. The police called Paterno, and the group cornered Jersey a few blocks from home.
Paterno and Jersey were lucky. Jersey wasn't wearing a collar, so she had no tag. She also didn't have a microchip, which would have identified her if she had ended up at a shelter or veterinary clinic with a microchip scanner.
But Paterno otherwise did the right thing, experts say. She acted quickly and covered a lot of ground in her search.
WebMD asked experts for more tips on the best way to find a lost pet. Here's what they said.

Don't Wait

Start your search right away.
"Get out immediately and start shouting and making a lot of noise," says Emily Weiss, PhD, senior director of shelter research and development for the ASPCA. "The simple 'lost' posters are often good ways to get the word out, knocking on doors, waving down cars... most dogs and cats stay fairly close to where they were originally lost."
Some shelters will euthanize untagged animals, especially cats, between 48 and 72 hours, depending on the hold period, she says.

Read the rest of the article,  Tips for Finding a Lost Pet.

When the Fur Flies: Pet Deshedding Tools

Tired of finding pet hair, here, there and everywhere? Learn how you can reduce the hair flying around your house, click here for full article.


Another handy deshedding tool that we highly recommend is a Furminator. To learn more about Furminators, click here. Furminators work great on dogs and cats. The best part is Furminators don't pull and rip the hair out which makes it a lot easier to groom your pet. 

The Dangers of High Temperatures

With high temperatures we have to be very careful with our pets. Dogs and cats can succomb to heat exhaustion.

Tips to keep your pet cool:

• If you have air conditioning leave it on while at work.
• If you don't have air conditioning make sure you have open windows and fans to circulate the air.
• Restrict your pet's activity level especially for older pets.
• Make sure your pet has plenty of access to water.
• Don't leave your pet in the car! Within a matter of minutes a car's internal temperature can escalate well above the outside temperature.
• If you leave your dog outside while away from home make sure they have access to shade and water. With high temperatures dogs cannot be outside for an entire work day.

Pets Highly Susceptible to High Temps:

• Older Pets (8 years of age and older)
• Dogs with smooshed in faces: Pugs, Boxers, Sharpeis, Bulldogs, Mastiffs, etc.

Signs of Heat Exhaustion:

• Bright red gums & skin
• Excessive panting
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Feet become sweaty
• Will lay stretched out for long periods of time
• Rapid heart and respiratory rates

If your pet appears to exihibt signs of heat exhaustion they should be see by a veterinarian right away. Prolonged heat exhaustion can result in death.

3 Spring Toxins to Watch For

1. Daffodils

Daffodils contain lycorine, which triggers vomiting. Ingestion of the bulb, plant, or flower also can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and possibly even cardiac arrhythmias or respiratory depression in pets. Severe symptoms may require immediate treatment.

2. Lilies

True lilies, including Tiger, Day, Asiatic, Easter, and Japanese Show lilies, are all highly toxic to cats. Even small ingestions (such as eating the pollen or just two to three petals or leaves) can result in kidney failure and potentially death. If you see a cat eating a lily, immediately bring the cat and the lily plant to our clinic.

3. Fertilizers

Ingesting most only causes minor gastrointestinal irritation, but some fertilizers can be fatal to pets that eat them if the pets aren't treated. It is best to keep all lawn products in labeled, tightly sealed containers that are out of pets' reach. This is especially true for the more dangerous fertilizers:

• Blood meal. This is dried, ground, and flash-frozen blood. If eaten, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and severe inflammation of the pancreas.
• Bone meal. This is made of defatted, dried, and flash-frozen animal bones that are ground to a powder. If consumed in large amounts, bone meal can form a large, cement-like mass that obstructs the gastrointestinal tract and could potentially require surgery.
• Rose and plant fertilizers. Some of these fertilizers contain disulfoton or other types of organophosphates. As little as one teaspoon of 1 percent disulfoton can kill a 55-pound dog. Organophosphates can cause severe symptoms, such as salivation, lacrimation, urination, defecation, seizures, difficulty breathing, hyperthermia, and even death.

The best tip we can offer is not to plant the above flowers at your house and be very careful with the products you use on your lawn. Even if your pet does not typically eat things, even coming into indirect contact with these toxins can be risky.

Most Pets Do Not Show Dental Pain

We cannot begin to stress enough the importance of dental disease prevention in pets. Learn more about dental disease and why you probably won't see signs of discomfort in your pet, click here.

Interaction is Key!

Interactive Toys
Do you ever wonder if your pet is bored? Interactive toys are a great way to provide stimulation for your pet, including: maintaining a healthy weight, providing mental exercise and all around helping your pet behave better. Dogs especially can develop obnoxious and destructive habits if not provided with an outlet for energy.

Here are some great toys to keep your pet entertained:

Puzzle toys: these toys make your pet think in order to find a treat or another toy, click on this website for some examples, www.pawlickers.com/products/toys/puzzles-games.

Chew Toys: these toys will allow your pet to chew for hours. Kong Company is a great resource for this type of toy, www.kongcompany.com/worlds_best.html. Busy Buddy Company is another good resource, www.busybuddytoys.com/index.cfm.

Cat Fly Toys: these toys bring out the natural predator in your kitty. Fly toys are designed to get your cat leaping in the air for their "prey."


The key to keeping your pet active is interaction from you and a favorite toy or game. Experiment, find out what it is your pet likes to do best and provide that stimulation on a daily basis.

Mistakes People Make Feeding Cats

This article offers some insight into properly feeding your cat to maintain its health. Another important tip to remember: don't free feed. Many cat owners will leave out a bowl full of food throughout the day. Not only can this lead to obesity in cats, but it also does not give a good indication of whether or not your cat is eating. When cats don't feel well they will gradually stop eating. When a bowl full of food is left out it is hard to tell how much they are in fact eating throughout the day. We recommend measuring your cats food daily so you always know how much has been consumed. This will greatly help diagnose any medical issues if your cat becomes ill. View the article by following the link: Mistakes People Make Feeding Cats

All About Ticks

Many of our clients are concerned about ticks and preventing them. The main time to worry about ticks in this part of the state is May, June and July. Ticks are more prevalent in woody areas and tall grassy areas. To learn more about ticks visit this wonderful website, http://www.dogsandticks.com/index.html. You will find a wealth of information. For tick prevention we recommend Advantix. Advantix is a topical flea and tick prevention. It is a liquid that is applied directly to the skin every 30 days.

To view a map of tick prevalence visit this site, http://www.dogsandticks.com/NA-map-lyme-disease-dogs/index.html.

The Facts About Heartworm Disease

What causes heartworm disease?

Heartworm disease is caused by a worm called "Dirofilaria immitis." Heartworms are most commonly found in dogs. However, they can infect a wide variety of mammals including cats, ferrets, sea lions, bears, foxes, wolves, coyotes, and even people. Adult heartworms generally live in the heart and major arteries of the lungs, although they may be found in other areas of the body.

How are heartworms transmitted?

Heartworms can only be transmitted from one animal to another by mosquitoes. Adult worms produce microfilariae (small, immature heartworms) which may be found in the blood of infected dogs. The mosquito ingests heartworm microfilarie when biting an infected host (usually a dog). The microfilarie develop in the mosquito into "infective larvae" and are deposited with saliva on the dog's skin as the mosquito is feeding. The infective larvae pass through the skin and migrate through the body tissues.

What are the signs of heartworm disease?

 

Many dogs infected with heartworms may not show any evidence of infection in the early stages. It can take 6-7 months for symptoms to even begin to appear. This is why prevention and heartworm testing are so important. Initially, dogs tend to develop cough and experience difficulty breathing. They may exhibit decreased tolerance to exercise, develop fainting episodes or suffer severe weight loss. Since the heart and lungs are affected, many of the clinical signs seen are typical of heart failure, pneumonia, or other debilitating disease. The severity and onset of clinical signs relate to three things: number of heartworms present, duration of the infection and the dog's response.

 

How do I know if my dog has heartworms?

 

You don't unless your dog is heartworm tested once a year preferably in April or May. Heartworm testing requires a small blood sample.

 

My dog rarely goes outside. Can it be infected with heartworms?

 

Heartworm infections have been reported in dogs that rarely go outside. If a mosquito carrying heartworm infective larvae enters the house, it can bite your dog and the larvae may infect your dog. In addition, most dogs have frequent short trips outside which mosquito bites may occur.

 

Heartworm Disease is Preventable

 

Many heartworm preventions are on the market. The product we recommend is Interceptor. Why do we recommend Interceptor? Interceptor is safe for all dog breeds, prevents heartworm disease, internal parasites, and is the product Dr. Nicol uses for her own pets. We do not recommend any products that Dr. Nicol wouldn't use on her own pets. Interceptor is given orally once a month in the form of a flavored tablet.

 

Take Heartworm Disease seriously. Make Sure your pet is tested once a year and on heartworm prevention. It is far easier to prevent heartworm disease than to treat it!