BVAH Pet Health Update

 

 

Customized Parasite Control

 

These days, our dogs are more social than ever before. Day Care, Puppy Classes, Dog Parks, Grooming, and Dog Parties are now regular events in a pet's life. We humans like to take our dogs to neighbors' and friends' homes to visit. Because of this, the spread of parasites and disease is even more likely than in the past.

Another issue is that some parasites can also be spread to humans as well . These diseases are called zoonotic:  animal to human, or vice versa. Larval migrans is a problem in humans (mostly children) that ingest parasite eggs. The eggs turn into larva, and the larva migrate through tissues such as the eye and the brain.  Another zoonotic parasite is Giardia, which is an intestinal parasite that causes severe gastrointestinal upset and can put a person out of work for weeks.

Most parasites are spread via fecal- oral routes. For example, Rover  goes to the park, steps in a pile of feces, licks his feet clean, and has just ingested  some other dog's parasite problems. You hope that there was nothing in that fecal matter, but how do you know? Rover then goes on to groom himself with his dirty mouth, spreading possible parasite eggs on his fur. Rover's owner pets him, and then gets parasite eggs on her hands. Rover's mom then bites her fingernails, and ingests parasite eggs. Locally, we have seen a large number of hookworm, whipworm, and giardia.

Another parasite that is very common in our rural community is Scabies, or sarcoptic mange. These skin parasites are found in wild fox, coyote, and other mammals that stick their faces down rodent holes! (pet dogs).  This parasite causes severe itching, multiple small scab- like lesions, and can also be allergenic. Scabies is also contagious to humans.

Control of Parasites is done in many different ways. Fecal exams allow the vet staff to determine if there are intestinal parasite eggs, cysts,  or larvae in the system. Fecals should be run at least once a year, more often if there is a problem. Routine de-worming is essential. Most of the time monthly heartworm prevention is adequate in controlling the majority of these parasites. There are exceptions, however, as tapeworms, lungworms, giardia, and coccidia are not eradicated with heartworm medications and require different prescriptions.  If there is a scabies problem, certain monthly heartworm meds will help control this as well.  For pets that seem to continually have parasite issues, monthly heartworm medications are a must.

BVAH has recently enrolled in a program that allows us to have medications custom -made for your pet . Medications are generic equivalents to name-brand products, and offer a more affordable alternative with a broader array of parasite control. For example, currently tapeworm and roundworm meds are separate entities with hefty price tags . This program would combine those 2 medications with  a more budget -conscious cost.  The program is designed for monthly de-worming on a year-round basis, like your current heartworm medication now.

We all love our pets- just not their unwanted friends! Please ask about a customized parasite control plan tailored for your specific pet.

 

LYME Disease- New InsightLyme disease and other tick-born diseases are  now a nation-wide problem, with more pets and people being diagnosed across the country than ever before.  We used to think that these illnesses were only common in the northeast and the south, but  recent advances in testing have uncovered a bigger problem than was originally thought.

Lyme disease can be very elusive, as there are different stages to the illness. Initially, there may be a fever and generic signs of illness, like vomiting. The tell-tale bulls-eye target lesion is NOT usually found on pets. Advanced illness can show as arthritis, kidney disease, or neurological signs. Treatment involves antibiotics. The Lyme organism is best known for causing  secondary problems that involve the immune system and can be worse than the lyme illness itself. Conditions such as Lupus or rheumatoid arthritis may be triggered by Lyme disease.

NEW TESTING is available that can determine  if your pet has been exposed to the disease, or if your pet may currently be ill from it. These diagnostics can also help veterinarians determine the need to treat or not.

PREVENTION:  A tick ,must be attached to a pet for 24-36 hours before the disease is transmitted , so the best way to prevent tick diseases is to remove the tick as soon as possible.  To remove a tick, simply grab the head with tweezers and gently pull it out.  It is NOT recommended to burn or drown the tick, as it then vomits the Lyme organism back into the pet's skin when it is stressed.

TICK CONTROL helps. Products like ADVANTIX, FRONTLINE,  or tick collars can help decrease the number of ticks on your pet, but no product is 100 % effective.

NEW VACCINES  are Safe and Effective. If your pet is in the woods or tall brush a lot, or you find ticks on your pet every year, you may want to consider vaccinating your pet.  The vaccine can be administered by a technician, and the first time vaccine recipients must get a booster 2-4 weeks later. This vaccine also requires a yearly booster.

 

 

Drug Shortages

 

 

The medical fields, both veterinary and human,  have been subjected  to un-announced drug shortages these past 3-4 years. In most cases, the reason was stopped production due to FDA issues, but some have had problems with raw material availability. We have tried to attain supplies of these medications, but the problem is country-wide.

Medications that are currently affected are listed below. In most cases, we have been able to substitute other medications for the shortages.

· Deramaxx. For pets on this drug, we are switching to Metacam or Previcox.

· Interceptor. Heartguard is still available, but for pets that are sensitive to ivermectins, the only alternative is a new product called Trifexis. (see front  page)

· Sentinel. This is also being replaced by Trifexis.

· Generic Clomipramine. Name Brand product is available- Clomicalm.

If you have questions about these medications, please call us.

 

 

Mange- A Fox's Best Friend

 

 

In our countryside settings, we are neighbors with many wildlife species, including the  red fox.  These animals are the largest source of  mites that cause a condition called mange, or "The Mad Itch". Fox get infested with these critters, and eventually their populations die off due to the severity of the disease; There exists a cyclical nature to the overall fox populations because of this problem.

Our pets become involved because they, too, are susceptible to mange via direct or indirect contact with fox and their environment. A typical example would be  one where Rover sniffs out a dead fox and decides to roll in the carcass. Gross, but realistic. (We all know dogs like to bathe themselves in disgusting  things….)  So Rover now has exposed himself to the fox , and 1 week later, he starts getting itchy.

Humans can also get mange! When Rover comes home and sleeps on the couch, Guess what? The owners start getting itchy too!

House pets can get mange, too, when the disease comes to them. We have had several patients that were exposed when the sick fox- looking for food- arrived on their porch or in the yard.

Mange is easily treated, but detecting the mites can be difficult. Prevention  is possible with the use of ivermectin-type  monthly preventatives, such as Advantage Multi or Revolution. For those pets that have had mange in the past, these medications are a must, as the likelihood that the fox  are still in close proximity is pretty high.

 

 

Our  BVAH Rabies Vaccine Policy:

 

· All patients MUST be current with Rabies vaccination.

· Proof of Vaccine is required.

· Pets that receive care at our facility that are found to NOT be current will be vaccinated.

· Exemptions will be based on documented adverse vaccine reactions only.

· Protect your pet and yourself!