SENIOR PETS

Older pets tend to have a tougher time when the weather changes. If you’ve noticed your senior pet struggling to go up and down stairs, or having trouble rising up after a nap, they may be having an arthritic flare-up. We can prescribe them anti-inflammatory medications to help them feel younger again during the colder weather.

TICK PARALYSIS

Clinical presentation and signs

• Acute (occurs suddenly), progressive (gets worse as the days proceed) paralysis, first hindlimb then forlimb stiff gait (walking) that progresses to flaccid (limp) paralysis
• 5 to 9 days after tick attachment signs start, followed by the flaccid paralysis  in 24-72 hours
• Due to the salivary neurotoxin produced by certain gravid ( pregnant) female tick species

Dermacentor tick –dogs

• Ixodes tick- dogs and cats (but rare to occur in cats)

• Can occur in humans

• The dog is alert, and maintains the ability to urinate and defecate, and can  often still wag their tail

• The muscles of the chest can be involved leading to the dog being unable to expand their chest (breathe) and they can stop breathing leading to respiratory failure

Diagnosis/Treatment

• Rapid improvement after removal of the tick usually within 24-72  hours

• Hyperimmune serum to bind circulating neurotoxin, can have anaphylaxis risk

• If pet has autonomic dysfunction ie: mydriasis (wide pupils), peripheral vasoconstriction, arterial and pulmonary hypertension it can be treated with phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride 1 mg/kg as a 0.1% solution, iv, over 15 minutes every 12-24 hours and acepromazine intravenously

Prevention

• Avoid tick exposure

• Use appropriate veterinary approved topical flea and tick prevention

Rabies Virus

·       Rabies is a virus transmissible to warm blooded mammals via exposure to infected saliva through a bite, entering into open wounds and mucous membrane exposure.

·       Exposure to rabies virus is fatal, if not treated appropriately

·       Rabies virus can live in reservoir hosts such as raccoons, skunks, foxes and coyotes

·       A majority of human cases are actually due to bites from insectivorous bats, the bite is so small that the person often does not realize that they have been bitten 

·       In North Carolina of the animals presented to the state lab for Rabies testing

1.      50% of raccoons were positive

2.      86% of skunks were positive

3.      50% of foxes were positive

4.      0.5% of dogs were positive

5.      1.6 % of cats were positive

·       Of 2007 data, assessed in February 2008 in Nash County there were 2 cases of rabies in raccoons.

Information submitted to Animal Control from Veterinarians

·       A representative from Animal Control comes by once a month and received a printed out computer report of all rabies vaccinations administered by Riverside Veterinarians that states:

1.      Client’s name, current residential address, phone number, name of pet, with description of the pet, rabies tag number, when the vaccine expires for that pet, and what veterinarian administered the vaccine

·       When we participate in rabies clinics we fill out a 3-carbon copy certificate with the same information stated above, but it is handwritten. The owner receives one copy and the other copies go to the Nash County Animal Shelter

Rabies Vaccine Law

·       All dogs, cats and ferrets over 4 months of age are required by law to receive a rabies vaccine

·       In terms of the shelter animals, after the 72 hour hold the animals become property of the animal shelter and are required to have a current rabies vaccine.

Perhaps a better scenario is to have a veterinarian come into the shelter weekly and bi-weekly and vaccinate for rabies and evaluate any animals that may be in questionable health.

Chandra Meachem  Tucker ,DVM

ANAPLASMOSIS

• Transmitted by the deer tick or black legged Ixodes tick

CLINICAL SIGNS

•   Lethargy
•   High fever
• Swollen painful joints
•  Inappetent
• GI signs
• Silent infection

*     Snap test- will always be positive, even after treatment

• CBC-low platlet numbers, low white blood cells,
• Disease progression 
• Chronic joint pain
•  Rare neurologic signs
• Treatment- doxycyline, tetracycline
• Prognosis-may not be cured completely but appropriate therapy should help with a good quality of life
• No vaccine available

Heartworm Disease and Cats

Most of us have probably heard of heartworm disease in dogs.  But did you know your cat can also become infected?  Heartworm disease incidence is increasing in both indoor and outdoor cats.  Just like the disease in dogs, it only takes one mosquito bite to infect your cat.  Indoor cats are just as likely to become infected as outdoor cats.  In fact, it is thought indoor cats may be at a higher risk for infection because they have not developed a resistance to infection like outdoor cats have.  

A mosquito bites your cat to cause infection and injects a larval worm into the body.  The worm migrates through the body causing inflammation and damage on the way.  The worm, most of the time, ends up in the heart and associated arteries where it grows into an adult worm approximately the size of a piece of spaghetti.  Rarely the worms can migrate to the skin or brain.  

The clinical signs observed in infected cats vary.  They can range from no signs to severe cardiopulmonary or neurologic conditions.  Most commonly owners report a cough or difficulty breathing (due largely in part to the inflammation caused by larval migration through the lungs), lethargy, chronic and random vomiting.
  

Diagnosis of feline heartworm disease can be performed using a blood test that will detect the presence of the worms actively in the body (antigen) and antibodies that the body produces against the worms.  Other blood work may also be run.  Radiographs to look at the heart and lungs may also be recommended.  Your veterinarian can help recommend appropriate tests and provide interpretation.

Unfortunately there is no safe, approved treatment to eradicate heartworms once your cat is infected.  Your veterinarian can provide medications to help treat the symptoms your cat is experiencing, and in some situations, this may be enough to allow your cat time to clear the infection after several years.  For this reason, monthly heartworm prevention is key to preventing this disease.  Prevention needs to be used monthly even in the winter months because in this area we still have mosquitoes year round, therefore the chance of infection is still possible.  

There are a couple of options available for prevention.  The most common ones are Revolution and Heartgard.  Revolution is a topical application that prevents heartworms, fleas, certain intestinal parasites, and ear mites.  Heartgard is a chewable tablet that prevents heartworms and intestinal parasites.  Consult with your veterinarian about which one is right for you and your cat. 

Microchips

Microchips have become a more common means for identification in pets. Clients come into our clinic with several common questions that I would like to share with you to help you make the decisions whether a microchip is right for your pet.

First, let's start with what is a microchip? A microchip is a very small computer chip that has a number programmed in it that is unique for every microchip. It is small enough to fit into a hypodermic needle to be injected below the skin, between the shoulder blades. Once injected, it will remain in your pets its entire life. It cannot be felt or seen.

Why would you want to microchip your pet? Microchips are a way to permanently identify your pet. They cannot be lost, damaged, or changed unlike tags that are attached to collars. Some pets have been reunited with owners thousands of miles away and over long periods of time!

How young can a pet be microchipped, and does it hurt? Pets as young as 6 to 8 weeks of age can be microchipped. It doesn't feel much different than when your pet receives vaccines. Your pet does not have to be sedated to be microchipped, though lots of owners elect to have the procedure done while their pet is already under anesthesia for its spay, neuter, or dental procedure. The microchip is designed not to cause an allergic response.

If your pet gets lost how will it be reunited with you? Most veterinary clinics and shelters have a microchip scanner. Whenever a dog or cat is found, it is scanned for a microchip. The scanner is similar to the one at a grocery store check-out and retrieves the chip number by sweeping it around the area of implantation (shoulder blades). The number appears on the scanner which can be used to contact the company of the chip and obtain the owner's contact information. Make sure you keep your identification information up to date with the microchip company. If your information changes the company can be called to update it.

Microchip identification has many advantages and is becoming common practice to have them implanted in pets. Many owners are electing for the procedure for extra piece of mind in case their pets are lost or stolen. The ease of updating information and the permanence of the identification are convenient and can be life-saving in many instances. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact your veterinarian. They will be glad to help you any way they can.

Hero Saves Poisoned Dog

Ultrasound Technology at Riverside Veterinary Hospital

We offer ultrasonography here at Riverside.  An ultrasound machine uses sound waves to produce an internal image of the body and its organs.  We routinely perform abdominal ultrasounds.  This allows us to look at the internal structure of the body's organs such as the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, stomach and intestines, and bladder.  We can identify diseases or abnormalities and can obtain tissue samples of the organs for evaluation.  It provides a less invasive way to see what's going on inside the body without surgery.  We periodically do heart ultrasounds or echocardiograms.  This allows us to look at the internal structure of the heart and its vessels.  If an animal has heart disease or a heart murmur we can use the ultrasound to find out what is causing it and monitor its progression.

Did you know Riverside just recently got their AHAA accreditation?

Did you know Riverside just recently got their AHAA accreditation? This accreditation helps us go above and beyond for our clients. It provides a certain set of standards to follow that ensures good quality medicine practices with our patients. It challenges us constantly to provide more and better services, ensuring we are up-to-date on all the latest changes in veterinary medicine.

Click here to learn more about AAHA! 

 

Pet of the Month

This is Layla. She was found in Rocky Mount last week by one of our employees. She is approximately 12 to 14 weeks old and very sweet! She loves being held and her tail never stops wagging. She plays well with other dogs & is very humble. She has had her first vaccines and de-worming. She is looking for a loving home and is available for a small adoption fee. Please call us if you are interested.

Employee of the Month

Mrs. Murrill has been a receptionist at Riverside for over 29 years!  She has been described as, kind, hard-working, loyal, happy, a gentle spirit.  She has a great sense of humor and was always smiling.  She also makes amazing cheese straws!  She always would take time to listen and always seemed to be especially sympathetic towards owners whose pets passed away.  She is truly a special person.  She just retired last month, and we miss her tremendously! 

Tip for Dogs with Dry Skin

Here’s a tip for dogs with dry skin...bathe them less often, and make sure to brush their coat in an effort to rid the skin of dander. When you do bathe your pet, make sure to use a shampoo and rinse made for their special needs. Do not use a shampoo or conditioner made for people. If you would like some help picking out a dog safe shampoo and conditioner, please bring it to our attention at your next visit.

It's time to check in with our Book Club Participants!

It's time to check in with our Book Club Participants! Last month we posted the selection "From Baghdad, With Love" and we've enjoyed reading about Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman and his struggles to bring Lava, a spunky puppy found in an abandoned house in Fallujah, safely to the U.S. and away from danger.
This book gives an incite to a Marines inner battle with the horrifying surroundings of war and the emotional struggle to be a fierce soldier while showing sympathy for a small animal in need.
Kopelman, in more than one instance, wonders if his fellow Marines will mock him if they realize how much he cares for Lava, the puppy he discovered.
Kopelman and the members of the First Battalion, Third Marines also known as the Lava Dogs, heard a noise in the abandoned home that served as their command post, they all raised their weapons in defense. They were shocked to discover a small dirty puppy in the midst of all the bombings and war torn surroundings. 
Kopelman writes, "The best part is how these Marines, these elite, well-oiled machines of war who in theory can kill another human being in a hundred unique ways, become mere mortals in the presence of a tiny animal."
Apparently Lava was in the home when it was stormed by the Lava Dogs, but not one of the men could find the courage to put him out on the streets. The book details the treatment of strays in war zones and the cruel and inhumane way they are disposed of and often used in bombing attacks by insurgents in Iraq.
Knowing Lava's fate if left to his own, Kopelman begins a long journey to get Lava safely into the states. Many people put their lives at risk to help in Kopelman's mission, including Anne Garrels, journalist for the National Public Radio.
In one nail-biting chapter, we realize just how dangerous the task is of getting Lava to the U.S. when Anne and Lava get to the Jordanian border. The scene is tense already as border patrol is strict and checkpoints are frequently subjected to bombings. Even a sneeze can be mistaken as a signal and can get you killed.
Lava probably senses the tension and in one fell swoop escapes the crate and continues to have Annie chasing him around their SUV. It sounds comical but this was no laughing matter to the border patrol and Lava and Anne were turned away.
 The hardest part to read is the frustration of Kopelman to go through this journey via email. Kopelman had to have the help of many people due to his commitment to the military and the location of his unit. Much of the book details his reactions to e-mails from Anne and also John Van Zante, director of Public Relations at the Helen Woodward Animal Center in California. John was also crucial in the fight to get Lava to a safe place.
In April 2005, after over 6 months of striving, Lava was able to land at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois.
Lava is now living well with Lieutenant Colonel Jay Kopelman and his wife, stepson and their other dog Koda.
We thoroughly enjoyed the book club selection and recommend this heartwarming story to other animal lovers. What did you think of Lava's story?
Did you have any favorite parts? Comment your thoughts and stay tuned for next month's book club selection!