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Friday, August 15, 2014

Which Vaccine-Related Side Effects Should You Be Concerned About?

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

All vaccinations bear the risk of potential side effects. The most common side effects caused by routine vaccinations include:
  • A Low-Grade Fever
  • Tiredness/ Lethargy
  • Loss of Appetite

These side effects are a natural response to the vaccine’s effect on the immune system. The side effects occur within a day of the vaccination and last between 24-28 hours. If your dog or cat has these symptoms, keep an eye on them and make sure they are drinking water. If symptoms last more than 48 hours, call your veterinarian right away, as they will be able to treat the symptoms.
 

RARE SIDE EFFECTS

Rare side effects include an allergic reaction to the vaccine. These reactions could happen within minutes or hours of the vaccination and could include:
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Difficulty Breathing
  • Possible Collapse
  • Swelling in Face and Body
  • Hives
  • Extreme Lethargy
If your dog or cat exhibits any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately as these reactions could be life-threatening.
 

Why Your Pet Needs the Bordetella Vaccine

Is your pet in frequent contact with other animals? Are the often in a day care, boarding, or grooming facility? If you answered yes to any of these questions, making sure your dog or cat stays up-to-date on their kennel cough vaccination is extremely important – here’s why.

Kennel cough is a general term used to cover an upper respiratory infection caused by a number of different organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Everyday inhabitants of the airways can serve as hosts to transfer these organ- isms into the body of your dog or cat, which is why kennel cough is so contagious in environments with high concentrations of dogs and cats.

A significant portion of these airborne agents don’t have preventative vaccines, however Bordetella does. Immunizing against the preventable organisms reduces the likelihood of a life-threatening illness from developing.

WHAT IS BORDETELLA

Bordetella bronchiseptica is a highly contagious disease of the upper respiratory tract that is transmitted through airborne pathogens, saliva, and respiratory secretions such as sneezing and coughing. This highly resistant bacteria cannot be destroyed by the environment and therefore tends to linger in the air for an unpredictable amount of time. Dogs and cats can rapidly acquire the disease through the air and direct contact.

SYMPTOMS

The most common sign of kennel cough is harsh, dry cough that is often followed by gagging and coughing up foamy mucus. In severe cases, or when left untreated, the virus can turn into broncheophenmonia which could potentially lead to death; especially in young kittens and puppies, dogs and cats with underlying conditions, and senior pets.

RECOMMENDED VACCINATION SCHEDULE

Puppies and kittens should receive their first Bordetella vaccination when they are 8 weeks old, with a second vaccination at 13 weeks of age. After the first the year, it is recommended to administer a booster every 6 to 12 months. If your pet is in frequent contact with other cats and dogs it is highly recommended to administer the booster every 6 months to keep them fully protected from the virus.
It’s important to keep in mind that while immunizations cannot always guarantee 100% prevention, they will reduce the severity of the disease along with the potential for spreading the bacteria to other pets. Immunizations are not only important for keeping an individual pet protected, but also for keeping the population of pets safe collectively.

August Has Officially Gone To the Dogs

August 3rd-9th is International Assistance Dog Week (IADW). IADW was created to recognize all the devoted and hardworking assistance dogs that help individuals with disability related limitations.

The goals of IADW are to:
  • Recognize and honor assistance dogs
  • Raise awareness and educate the public about assistance dogs
  • Honor puppy raisers and trainers
  • Recognize heroic deeds performed by assistance dogs in our communities
 
Find out more about assistance dogs and IAWD at AssistanceDogWeek.org.

National Check the Chip Day: A Reminder to Keep Your Pet's Microchip Updated

August 15th is National Check the Chip Day

Losing your pet is a horrifying experience for pet owners and pets alike. Microchips can help you find you pets and bring them back home should they ever lose their way.  However, it’s important to understand that microchips are only effective if the registration information provided is accurate.

“Check the Chip Day” is collaborative effort between American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), which serves to remind pet owners to have their pets microchipped and keep the registration information up-to-date.
Take advantage of this reminder. If your pet isn’t already microchipped, schedule a microchipping appointment for them. After your pet has been microchipped, bring them into NOVA Pets for a FREE scan and to find out how to keep your registration information updated.

Born With Feline Distemper: Lola's Story

A kind-hearted neighbor found a litter of several five-week-old stray kittens. Knowing that without medical attention, these poor kittens had no chance of survival, he brought them into NOVA Pets for help.  Soon after their arrival, unwelcome symptoms - vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and high fever – kicked in. The kittens had Feline Distemper, a highly contagious parovoviral infection that causes severe acute gastro- enteritis and leukopenia in cats. Dr. Masood and his veterinary staff began treatment immediately but sadly, within an hour of receiving treatment, only one survived; she was named Lola.

Lola is now one of the three feline friends living in the kitty condos at NOVA Pets Boarding Retreat.  Along with her buddies Max and Obee, she enjoys wandering around the office and sitting on the other side of doorways - tripping people as they walk through. 

Feline Distemper is known by a number of different terms, including Feline Parvovirus (FPV), Feline Infectious Enteritis (enteritis refers to the inflammation or infection of the small intestine), and Panleukopenia (a term referring to the development of a low white blood cell count). However, it is important to understand that these are all colloquial terms for a severe and life-threatening disease in cats.

The Feline Distemper virus affects a cat’s immune system by destroying white blood cells and leaving the cat unable to fight off other diseases and infections. It can also cause acute gastroenteritis, which affects the cat’s digestive functions and renders the intestines unable to digest food or absorb nutrients. In certain instances, some of the kittens in the litter may be born uncoordinated and have tremors, especially of the head. These nervous system changes are caused by the effect of the virus on the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordinating muscle movement. This condition, called “cerebellar hypoplasia,” is what Lola now lives with.

So what causes feline distemper? Kittens acquire the virus in-utero or through breast milk if the mother is infected. Generally, kittens who have been exposed to the virus before birth have a very small chance of survival. Adult cats, on the other hand, acquire the virus through contact with infected blood, feces, urine, or fleas. It can also be transmitted by people who have handled infected cats without washing their hands properly, or by objects - such as bedding, toys, or dishes - that have been used by infected cats.

Feline Distemper is extremely contagious and chances of survival are low. The most important and reliable tool for preventing this fatal virus is keeping up with the appropriate vaccination schedule. This consists of  four FVRCP vaccinations, which should be administered three weeks apart. The shots are usually started at six to eight weeks of age, but can be given to unvaccinated adult cats as well. An annual booster should then ad- ministered for the remainder of the cat’s life.

Lola was lucky to survive, and while she does enjoy a life filled with love and happiness, the cerebellar hypoplasia limits her ability to play and jump freely the way her other feline friends do.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

How Much Do You Really Know About Heartworm Prevention?

Did you know mosquito bites can be life-threatening to dogs and cats? If a mosquito has acquired worms and then bites your pet, they are now hosts for the parasitic and deadly heartworms. The good news is that prevention is easy. Here are some tips to help you prevent your dog and cat from heartworms.
 
Heartworm Prevention

The first step to heartworm prevention is to administer a heartworm parasite test to ensure your pet is free from any existing heartworms. Preventative treatment can be harmful - or even fatal - to dogs who have a current heartworm infection; therefore, it is essential to complete this blood test before beginning a preventative program. Once adult heartworms have been ruled out, your pet can begin to receive monthly treatment to avoid future infestations.

Heartworm preventatives work by destroying the immature or larval stage of the parasite. It only takes a few months for a larvae to mature into an adult heartworm – once this has occurred, treatment becomes more complex.

Heartworms are parasites that are transmitted through mosquitoes and are commonly found throughout the United States. When a mosquito feeds, they inject a larval stage of the parasite into the dog or cat’s blood stream. Within a few months’ time, the larvae will mature into adult heartworms and can grow in size up to several inches long. These adult parasites live in your pet’s pulmonary arteries and heart muscle, and can block the normal flow of blood – therefore straining your pet’s heart. They can also cause damage to the lining of your pet’s blood vessels – giving rise to blood clots that can cut off circulation to their lungs.

If your dog is diagnosed with adult-stage heartworms, they should be treated with an “adulticide” injection to remove the parasite. It is important to treat your dog as soon as possible to prevent further infestation.

Cats diagnosed with heartworm disease are not typically treated the way dogs are, because the “adulticide” used for dogs can be dangerous to cats. As high as 20 –30% of heartworm-infected cats would die during such a treatment. Instead, cats should immediately be placed on a monthly preventative and should be watched closely at home. Emergency treatment should be sought if your cat begins to have difficulty breathing, but cats are naturally more able to clear heartworm disease on their own than dogs.
 
Heartworm Symptoms in Dogs and Cats

Cats typically present with only one or two adult heartworms, but this number is still a substantial burden for a cat and should be treated. Heartworms die sooner when hosted inside a cat than in a dog – and cats also appear to be more resistant to heartworms, but symptoms in both types of pets should be taken seriously.

There may be no visible signs of infection for dogs presenting with small numbers of heartworms, but more heavily infected dogs will tire easily when exercising and may cough. With serious infections, weight loss may occur and fluid may accumulate in your pet’s abdomen due to congestive heart failure.

In cats symptoms may include coughing or vomiting and sudden, critical difficulty in breathing as a result of a blood clot to part of their lungs. These symptoms present in the same manner as asthma in cats, so it is important to consider and test for heartworms when these issues occur.

Symptoms that occur after an adulticide treatment may indicate a problem and need for a recheck.
 
Heartworm Preventions Dos and Don’ts

DOs

- Begin a heartworm preventative program and maintain regular treatments, as recommended by your veterinarian. Heartworm preventatives given on a monthly basis are more than 99% effective.

- If your dog has been diagnosed and treated for adult-stage heartworms, keep him or her confined and do not allow exercise for 4-6 weeks after treatment. When not confided, you should keep your dog on a leash. Call your veterinarian immediately if your dog begins coughing or if he/she does not seem well.

- Understand that dogs with heartworm disease generally do not display symptoms – so it is important not to wait until you see symptoms to begin a Heartworm Preventative Program.

DON’Ts

- Don’t stop heartworm prevention during the winter unless instructed to do so by your veterinarian. Warmer climates require year-round prevention measures.

- Don’t assume that your pet is safe from mosquitoes because they have a long coat or because you keep them indoors. Many long-haired dogs and cats become infected with heartworms, and approximately 1/3 of cats with heartworm disease are reported as living 100% indoors.

- Don’t assume a cat is coughing due to asthma. Many cats that were formerly thought to have asthma have been found to have heartworms instead. The symptoms for both are identical, but blood testing and x-rays/ultrasound can help determine a proper diagnosis.
 
When to call your Veterinarian

Call Your Veterinarian

-If your dog or cat with heartworm disease has sudden severe breathing difficulty. This is an emergency.

- After “adult-stage” treatment for heartworms, if your dog starts to cough or stops eating.

Routine Follow-Up

- Dogs should be re-tested for heartworms approximately 3 - 4 months after their treatment. Occasionally, a second treatment may be needed to kill all the worms.

- Healthy dogs on a Heartworm Prevention Program should be tested for heartworms annually.

Did you know that NOVA Pets Health Center offers FREE heartworm injections for dogs – just schedule an appointment to begin your canine friend’s heartworm prevention.

For more information, on heartworm disease, please visit: www.heartwormsociety.org.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Fire Safety and Your Pet

Pet Fire Safety
Most home owners take the necessary precautions to avoid accidental home fires, but few consider the possibility of their pets being the inadvertent source of the hazardous flames. 
According to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), “An estimated 500,000 pets are affected annually by home fires, and a new data analysis by the National Fire Protection Association shows that nearly 1,000 house fires each year are accidentally started by the homeowners’ pets.”

Below are some preventative measures you as a pet owner can take to keep your pets from causing a fire and what to do in case an accidental fire should occur.

Tips for Preventing Your Pet from Starting a Fire


1.  Keep a close eye on your pet when there are open flames in the house
Pets are curious by nature and can often be rambunctious; especially during their younger years. A lit candle could cause havoc should your pet run into the table and accidentally knock it over. Cooking appliances and fire places are also areas in a pet’s detective radar, so be sure to monitor them closely and make sure to extinguish open flames before leaving home.

2.  Remove Stove Knobs
According to NVFC, a “stove or cook top is the number one piece of equipment involved in your pet starting a fire.” Stove knobs should always be removed or covered so your pet can’t tamper with them while you’re out of the house.

3.  Use Flameless Candles
Flameless candles omit light through a light bulb instead of an open flame. This will allow for a dim and relaxing ambiance without the risk of your pet knocking over the candle and starting a fire.

4. Pet Proof your home
Examine your home for things that may enable your pet to accidentally start a fire such as loose wires and other potential hazards.

Ways to Ensure Your Pet is Safe Incase of a Fire

1. Keep pets near an accessible exit area while away from home

When leaving your pets home alone, be sure to keep them in areas that are easily accessible so firefighters can easily find and rescue them.

2.  Secure young pets

Keep young pets, such as puppies and kittens confined in a secure location away from any possible fire hazards. Using crates and cages or keeping pets behind baby gates in a secure accessible area are great options.

3. Practice Pet Fire Drills

Pre-plan a few different ‘pet friendly’ escape routes and run through some mock fire drills with your pet so that you and members of your household are familiar with different escape routes. It’s also a good idea to keep collars and leashes in a visible and easily assessable area in case you have to evacuate with your pet on the fly or firefighters need to rescue your pet.
4.  Consider installing and using monitored smoke detection services

Battery-operated smoke detectors are useful when you’re home; but what about when you’re not. Monitored smoke detectors can save pets lives when they are home alone and unable to escape.

5. Display a pet alert window decal

Display a pet alert window decal on your window. These decals let firefighters know that pets are in the house.  On the decal, be sure to include the number and types of pets in the home, in addition to your veterinarian’s name and phone number.