Pet food safety

     In the wake of the recent pet food/snack recalls, we felt it prudent to provide a link to the FDA's website on recalls and withdrawals.  It is important to understand that the overwhelming majority of pet foods currently being manufactured are quite safe, however it is wise to review the information the FDA provides periodically.  If you have any questions regarding pet foods, please call our office.


http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/RecallsWithdrawals/default.htm

Just weight

     Apologies for the short lapse in our blog posting.  The holidays sometimes get a little hectic!  One of the things I've been spending time discussing with clients lately is weight management.  We had an extremely hot summer, and many of our pets didn't get as much exercise as they might normally have gotten.  Subsequently, we are seeing more pets now that are struggling with a few extra pounds.  There are several recommendations we make to our pet owners with overweight pets.  The first thing is that we need to have an objectively obtained list of all food/treat/snack items the pet ingests on a daily basis as well as all individuals who may offer these food/treat/snack items to the pet.  This gives us a baseline for what type of caloric load the pet encounters.  Second, we suggest that the first level of moderation occur at the snack/treat level.  All snacks (unfortunately) have calories.  This includes milkbones, rawhides, and the like.  Just as in humans, it's not the first snack that gets you, but the accumulation through time of all the snacks eaten.  We don't want to eliminate this important bonding experience from your pet, but rather we'd like to change the type of snacks to something more healthy.  Typical recommendations are using vegetables such as carrots, or marshmallows, or even small pieces of rice cakes.  The key is to substitute a less calorie dense product for the current treat.  Additionally, we look to address portion control in pets.  This is done through measuring with a marked dry measuring cup the exact amount of food being offered.  We typically recommend feeding pets twice daily, and allow access to the food for approximately 30-45 minutes.  Any remaining food at the end of that time period is removed.  The third item we try to adjust is the amount of activity the pet is getting.  Exercise is just as important for our pets as it is for us.  The key is small amounts of consistent activity more frequently.  It is far better to take your pet for a short but brisk walk 3 times a day than one long walk once a week.  Weight management in pets is a complicated issue, and there are a multitude of factors that must be considered in addition to the above items.  Every pet should have an individualized weight management program.  If your pet is overweight, please call and schedule an appointment for a physical examination and consultation.

More cold preparation

     Last week we talked about preparations to keep your pet warm and safe in the colder months.  Today, we are going to talk about some of the impact the cold weather can have on a specific population of pets:  our arthritic ones.  Arthritis is an all too prevalent condition in our pet population.  Animals, like humans, experience stiffness and pain due to arthritis and these symptoms tend to become aggravated by both cold and damp weather.  There are several things pet owners can do to try to minimize discomfort during this winter season.  First, make sure that your pet has a soft, well cushioned surface to sleep/rest on.  Things such as orthopedic foam or baby crib mattresses work well.  Make sure that the pet can traverse the house on solid, non slip surfaces such as carpet or rugs.  Many arthritic pets actually benefit from an increase in the frequency of walks; however do not necessarily increase the duration of the walks.  It is typically better for an arthritic pet to take multiple short walks throughout the day as opposed to one long walk.  Remember, if your pet experiences an increased amount of activity, that you can expect a corresponding increase in soreness or discomfort over the next few days.  This brings up the importance of making sure that your pet is on a quality joint support formula going into the winter season.  Additionally, some arthritic pets may require the use of additional medications intended for use during acute flare ups of arthritis.  It is critical that you discuss the use of any additional pain medications with one of our staff members or veterinarians prior to use.  Under no circumstances should ANY of the typical over the counter human pain medications be used.  Please call our office if you have further questions on how to manage your pet's arthritis.

Colder weather is coming

     It seems that we have finally put the brutal heat of the summer behind us for good.  We still are fortunate enough to have some nice temperate days but we all know that colder weather is approaching, and we need to make sure that our pets are as prepared as we are.  If your pet is strictly outdoors, you should ensure that there is a well insulated shelter area for the pet to retreat to in times of cold weather.  For dogs, obviously some form of dog house is ideal.  Cats (as always) are a little more difficult, as they tend to seek their own areas to hide out in, but you can at least provide a small enclosure/hut with bedding in case they use it.  Outside water bowls should always be checked to make sure that the water hasn't frozen over.  Close monitoring of upcoming weather, especially if it is more cold than normal should alert clients that pets may need to be brought indoors or into garages as added protection.  Pet owners should also be extremely careful about access pets have to things in the environment.  Commonly, antifreeze is changed, and as many people know is toxic to pets.  Be sure that there are no other chemical agents around the yard/garage that could pose a health hazard.  If pets are primarily inside, then there aren't as many concerns, but you should remember that our indoor pets aren't as acclimated to cold weather, and should not be left outdoors for lengthy time periods.  Additionally, pets should not be allowed to come into the close vicinity of space heaters or other sources of heat (electric blankets, wood stoves, etc) as thermal burns can easily occur.  If you have questions about the cold weather and your pet, please call our staff for more information.

Itching for relief

     One of the most common complaints pet owners have is that their dog (usually), or cat (occasionally) has skin irritation and is chewing, biting, licking, rubbing, or all of the above.  This problem can be either relatively minor in scale or can be a major impediment.  There are a multitude of things that can cause skin inflammation.  Most commonly we see allergies (fleas, environmental, food).  Pet owners are obviously seeking relief for these itchy pets.  A safe at home medication to start animals on is benadryl.  Pets can also be bathed in oatmeal based shampoos to obtain temporary relief.  The most important thing to do is to have your pet evaluated when itching occurs, so that our therapy can be specifically targeted to your pet.  Pet owners should bear in mind that control of itchy animals can be a long drawn out process, so patience is crucial as we work through treatment options.  Rarely, it becomes necessary to refer our pets to a board certified dermatologist for consulation and further diagnostics such as intradermal skin testing.

Planning your travels

     As the holiday season approaches, pet owners are often left in a quandary about what to do with their pets during times of travel.  Midlands Veterinary Practice offers boarding for your pets during these holiday times.  Our facility offers climate controlled indoor runs and cages for your cats and dogs.  The holiday season is quite busy for our boarding facilities and we strongly recommend that you set up anticipated boarding as early as possible.  It's much better to have a slot reserved and not need it than to need it and not have it.  All pets that board with us need to have vaccinations that are up to date.  Owners who have had vaccinations administered at another facility will need to bring records of vaccination.  Our vaccination requirements for cats are rabies and rhinotracheitis-calicivirus-panleukopenia;  our canine requirements are rabies, distemper-hepatitis-parainfluenza-leptospirosis-parvovirus, bordetella, and influenza.  A special note regarding influenza vaccination is in order:  if your pet has not had an influenza vaccination, it will need to be given an initial injection, followed by a booster in two weeks, followed by yearly boosters thereafter.  In order to provide the most complete immunity, your pet should receive initial influenza vaccination and booster at least one month prior to boarding.  While your pet stays with us, please let us know if there are any additional services that need to performed, such as examinations, microchips, nail trims, or baths.  We welcome your pet during the holiday season if you're unable to have them travel with you.

A credit card for your pet

     Pet owners can't predict the future, and we all know that our pets are as likely as we are to have accidents occur that necessitate significant financial expense.  Most pet owners do not have a budget specifically for these instances, so when a crisis occurs we many times find ourselves racing around desperately trying to secure funds for our pets' needs.  One solution to this problem is the use of CareCredit.  This is essentially a credit card used for medical expenses (both human and veterinary expenses).  As with a traditional credit card, pet owners will need to apply for approval.  Fortunately the application and approval process is quite rapid.  Pet owners can apply online or on the phone and receive a response almost instantly.  CareCredit offers varying repayment options, allowing clients the flexibility to pick what payment arrangements work best.  Pet owners are encouraged to investigate CareCredit before an emergency happens.  Contact our staff for further details.

(No) trick or treats

     It's scary how fast the year is going by, and now Halloween is just around the corner.  We want you and your furry family to have a safe and enjoyable holiday.  A few reminders are in order about this holiday.  First, remember that candy and snacks are for kids and adults, not our pets.  Make sure that all bags of candy and snacks are kept in a secure area not accessible to pets.  Make sure that pets and young children with candy are not left unsupervised.  If your pet ingests a candy or snack item, be sure to check with our staff or if we are closed with the staff of South Carolina Veterinary Emergency Care to determine the appropriate course of action.  Remember that there will be an increase in activity in and around the house on Halloween, so be sure that all pets are placed in a secure and comfortable place, such as crate or bedroom until trick or treating is over.  Additionally, monitor all outdoor activities closely.  It's easy to have a pet become nervous or excited and run off.  It is generally encouraged have all pets kept indoors during the majority of this holiday, as malicious behavior is especially common during Halloween.  With a few extra precautions, this Halloween can be a safe and happy one for pets and for you.

safe travels

     The holiday season is closing in fast, and for many pet owners that means traveling to see family and friends.  Of course we want to bring our pets along on these travels, but it's as important to take safety precautions for our pets as it is for us.  There is a tendency to give our pets free access to the vehicle while traveling, however this is an unsafe practice because we need to be focused on our driving.  Dogs should be either safety belted into a dog specific seat belt during travel, or placed in a securely fastened crate or kennel.  Cats should be placed in a securely fastened crate or kennel.  Some pets may exhibit motion sickness or anxiety during travel.  Please contact our staff for further information on how to handle these specific cases.  If travel with your pet is not an option, please contact us for information on boarding your pet for you.  We wish you and your pets safe and happy travels this holiday season!

look out for leptospirosis

     The midlands has been the recipient of some heavy rainfall recently, so we wanted to remind everyone about a somewhat forgotten disease called leptospirosis.  Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the microscopic spirochete Leptospira.  This organism is typically found in standing water.  It is transmitted through intact or cut skin surfaces or via mucous membranes.  Rodents and other wildlife are the typical hosts.  This spirochete enters and spreads rapidly throughout the body, causing fever and lethargy.  It typically targets the liver or kidneys.  Although infrequently diagnosed, the disease can make pets quite ill, and the spirochete poses the risk of transmission to humans as well.  Prevention of leptospirosis is through minimizing access to standing pools of water; excellent cleansing/disinfecting if in a kennel situation; and routine vaccination.  Leptospirosis is typically included with other puppy vaccinations and because it has a short duration of immunity pets must receive yearly boosters.  If your pet is not current on its leptospirosis vaccination, call our office today for an appointment.

That darn dog

     Last week we discussed Feliway and its use in some problem behaviors our felines may exhibit.  This week, we focus on a similar product intended for our dogs.  D.A.P. (dog appeasing pheromone) is a chemical copy of the pheromone produced by the mother dog at birth that helps to calm puppies.  The effect of this pheromone lasts throughout the dog's life.  D.A.P. may be useful in several situations:  excessive barking; inappropriate elimination (either urine or feces); chewing; anxiety; or to help adapt a new puppy/canine to a home.  D.A.P. comes as a diffuser, a spray, as well as a collar.  As with Feliway, results vary.  Dog owners should give the product at least a month long trial, and should still practice other behavior modification techniques, as D.A.P. is not intended as a stand alone answer to all behavior problems.  Call our office today for more information!

That darn cat

     Cats are important members of the domestic pet household, but too often they garner negative attention due to inappropriate behaviors such as clawing furniture, aggression, and urine marking.  Many pet owners have experienced this situation, either with their personal cat, or through word of mouth.  There are numerous ways of approaching the treatment of these behaviors.  One important component to consider is the use of the product Feliway, which is a synthetic analog of the natural feline facial pheromone.  Facial pheromones are important for cats to feel safe and secure in an environment or situation.  Feliway comes as both a plug in diffuser as well as a spray formulation.  Not every cat responds to Feliway, and responders may take several weeks to begin showing results.  However, due to the ease of use and lack of any toxicity, as well as the added benefit of not trying to administer an oral medication to a cat, Feliway is a viable and easy product to use.  Cat owners should understand and remember that there are a multitude of causes of inappropriate feline behaviors, and that Feliway is not an answer to all problems.  Owners who are interested in using this product with their cat should contact our office and set up an appointment to have a physical examination performed and to discuss whether Feliway is a product that may be of use.

Is it snack time yet?

     Pet owners love their furry friends and as a result often we are looking for things to give our pets as treats or snacks.  We wanted to focus on the idea of treats and snacks and make sure that pet owners are utilizing appropriate and healthy choices for these important parts of our pets' lives.  We will focus primarily on dogs for this discussion.  There is a common misconception that bones are appropriate treats/chew toys for dogs.  This is an exceedingly dangerous misconception.  Dogs certainly used to eat bones in the wild, but the important thing to remember is that these bones were raw, not cooked; and these bones were chewed thoroughly, not swallowed whole.  Our domesticated dogs, however, are not very tolerant of bones.  It is our firm belief and recommendation that no bones of any sort ever be offered to a pet.  The probability of negative consequences is high.  Our pet owners should also exercise caution when offering their pets any appropriate chew item or treat, and monitor the pet during eating that item to ensure that it is chewed thoroughly and swallowed without incident.  We also want to remind pet owners that any treat can be used or given in excess, even something innocuous like milkbones.  We strive to maintain the most healthy population of pets possible.  Our recommendations for treats and snacks for most pets involve the use of common vegetables such as baby carrots or green beans.  We highly encourage any and all pet owners to check with us prior to using treats, snacks, or chew toys with their pets.  An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure.

Disaster preparedness

     We recently had a hurricane scare when Irene moved through.  Fortunately, our area was spared, but as we enter hurricane season, it is important to be prepared for disasters.  Planning is the most important aspect of dealing with a disaster or evacuation scenario.  Pet owners should take steps to find alternate housing, either with  friends, pet friendly motels, or boarding facilities in the event of emergency.  Additionally, find veterinary offices in the same areas in case your pet needs medical care.  Have a copy of your pets' medical records and vaccination history readily available.  Keep a list of these phone numbers in an easily accessible place.  Make sure that you have a properly functioning crate/kennel for each pet in the household so that you may safely transport them in the event of an emergency.  Make sure you have enough food (dry food is recommended) and water (make sure the bottles are shatterproof) for your pets.  If your pet requires a prescription diet or medication, be sure to have ample quantities on hand.  Pets should have identification tags with current information and/or be microchipped.  Make sure all family members are familiar with the emergency preparedness plan.  With careful planning you can minimize the impact a disaster or emegency has on you and your pet.

Online pharmacy now offered through MVP

     There are numerous internet pharmacy options available for our pets.  You may have even used one in the past.  Standard online pharmacies such as 1800PetMed offer many, but not all products that your pet may need.  The issue with these pharmacies is that product is diverted through a third party and thus manufacturer guarantees are minimal to non existent.  In order to better serve our clients, Midlands Veterinary Practice has partnered with the veterinary direct online pharmacy VetSource.  VetSource will offer our clients the ease of home delivery; competitive pricing with standard online pharmacies; a reminder system for the next dose your pet needs; the option of single dose purchasing (something not availabe through other online pharmacies); and full manufacturer backing of product guarantess (also not available through other online pharmacies).  We will begin our foray into this online pharmacy world slowly, of course, and will initially offer heartworm and flea medications as well as several additional items.  We will be expanding these offerings with time.  Clients interested in signing up should go to http://midlandsvetpractice.vetsourceweb.com/index.pml.

Heartworm disease

     The southeast a hot spot of a multitude of pests and diseases.  One of the most important issues facing our pets is heartworm disease.  Heartworms are, literally, worms that reside in the heart and associated vessels of both dogs and cats.  Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitos.  The life cycle begins in an infected dog with circulating immature forms of the heartworm that are taken up into the mosquito along with a blood meal.  Inside the mosquito these go through several larval cycles.  The mosquito then feeds again and injects these larval stages into your pet.  These larval stages migrate through the body until they reach the heart and finish their maturation process into adult worms.  These worms interfere with the heart and associated blood vessels, leading to a host of consequences including potential death.  One of the most common clinical signs of active heartworm disease is coughing.  The only way to diagnose heartworms in dogs is a simple blood test (diagnostics for cats are much more difficult).  Should your pet test positive for heartworms, treatment is availabe.  All dogs should have yearly heartworm testing, and a current (within one year) negative heartworm test is required to refill heartworm prevention for dogs.  In our geographic location, heartworms are considered endemic, and monthly prevention should be given each month throughout the entire year.  There is a misconception that only outdoor dogs are susceptible to heartworms; this is a fallacy.  Every dog is susceptible, as there is no such thing as a mosquito free environment.  We also recommend monthly heartworm protection year round for cats, but to due to species differences cats do not require yearly heartworm testing.  There are a multitude of products available on a prescription basis that are extremely effective for the prevention of heartworms in your pet.  It should be noted that there several holistic methods purported for heartworm prevention, none of which have any scientific basis of support.

Insuring your pet's health

     Health care costs are constantly rising for both pet and human health care.  Veterinary medicine is in a unique time period with a huge explosion of cutting edge diagnostics and technologies entering into day to day practice life.  Our goal at Midlands Veterinary Practice is to provide pets access to the best medical care availabe, either through us primarily or through referral to board certified specialist.  We feel that all pet owners should investigate obtaining pet insurance as a means of countering some of the costs of health care for our pets.  Pet insurance is similar to human insurance in that you can choose various amounts and or types of coverage to carry.  There are extensive lists of conditions that are covered by pet insurance as well.  Pet owners should understand pet insurance does not typically have co pays, as human insurance does.  Initial payment will still need to be made, and the receipt of services, along with a explanation of the treatment from the providing veterinarian are then submitted to your insurance company for approval and subsequent payment for the amount covered.  There are multiple pet insurance carriers in existence, and we encourage you to investigate several different ones in order to find the plan that best suits you and your pets.  Veterinary Pet Insurance and Trupanion are the two we commonly discuss with clients.

VPI link:
http://www.petinsurance.com/affiliates/PPCGoogleAdwords.aspx?ec=CI0133&src=adwords&gclid=COzlpqKlwKoCFQHf4Aodaloq6A

Trupanion link:
http://www.trupanionpetinsurance.com/?gclid=CJOBpL2lwKoCFUff4AodWEu65w

Don't leave home without it...

     All of us value our pets, and the possibility of having a pet lost, displaced, or stolen is a situation we hope we never have to handle.  But we can't follow our pets around 24/7 (I'm not sure we really want to know all of the things they are getting into, anyway), and we certainly can't control every facet of their lives.  One of the ways we can try to protect our pets is by having a HomeAgain microchip implanted.  This microchip is approximately the size of a grain of rice.  The microchip is implanted under the skin in the area between the shoulder blades using a large gauge needle.  Pet owners should be careful not to manipulate the injection site for 24 hours to allow the microchip to firmly be seated in the underlying tissue.  Each microchip has a unique identification code linked to it.  Pet owners register their pet with HomeAgain's national pet registry, and the microchip can be scanned by any pet organization, animal control agency, or veterinarian.  Should your pet ever be displaced from you, this unique identification code could be read and you could be contacted to be reunited with your pet.  HomeAgain will aid you in creating lost pet posters, and will send out real time lost pet alerts in your area.  Some people may be hesitant to consider microchips for their pets if they are indoors or rarely unsupervised, but all it takes is a single incident and without a microchip, the chances of recovering your lost pet significantly diminish.  Contact our office for further information regarding pricing, or to set up an appointment to have your pet microchipped.

Trying to beat the heat

     Everyone is facing the brutal heat of summer in Columbia, and our pets are no exception.  Extra precautions are necessary if we are to avoid heat stress, exhaustion, or heat stroke.  There are several factors to consider when evaluating protective measures for heat in our pets.  The first is the breed of pet.  Brachycephalic (short nosed, like english bulldogs and pugs) breeds need to be monitored more closely due to their preexisting difficulties associated with breathing.  The age and body composition of the pet also have a profound influence.  Pediatric and geriatric pets should be monitored much more closely, and obesity has a profound impact upon heat tolerance in our pets.  Additionally, pets with long hair coats (shepherds and chows, for example), have a more difficult time and may require shaving of their hair coat to minimize heat stress.  Owners should ensure that the yard/exercise area is as well shaded as possible, and that there is plentiful access to fresh clean water.  Any exercise or outdoor activity should be performed in the early mornings or late evenings when the heat is lessened.  Care should be taken in the length of time allowed for any activity.
     Pets do not sweat, as humans do, so they have to cool themselves off in different fashion.  Panting is a main method of cooling.  Heat can also be lost through the ears and paw pads.  Pets who are suffering from heat stress may show excessive panting, lethargy, a diminished response to commands or decreased awareness to the surroundings.  More severe cases can show more severe neurologic signs, and may develop severe gastrointestinal signs as well, such as vomiting or diarrhea.  If owners have any concern that their pet may be suffering from signs of excessive heat exposure, it is highly recommended to seek veterinary help as soon as possible.  Immediate cooling measures can be instituted at home until the pet can be admitted for veterinary evaluation.  Do not place the pet in any sort of ice bath.  The best method of water cooling a pet is to use lukewarm water.  Rubbing alcohol can be frequently applied to the foot pads in order to speed cooling.  Rapid presentation to a veterinary facility, however, is the best option for pets suffering from any sort of heat stress.  With a few modifications to our daily routine, we can ensure our pets continue to enjoy the summer safely.

So you wanna be (flea) free?

     It's the middle of the summer, which means Columbia's flea season is in full effect.  Keeping your pets and your environment flea free is a constant battle, but we are here to help you sort things out!  First, we recommend that all households maintain a consistent flea control program in both the external and internal environments as well as on the pet year round.  Our local climate doesn't offer much of a reduction in the flea population during the cooler months.
     In the external environment there are several options available.  If you have the time and inclination, local external environmental control can be accomplished through the use of a product such as Bayer Advanced Lawn and Garden care (active ingredient cyfluthrin).  Older products such as Diazinon and Sevin are not as effective as they once were.  Initial application with the liquid formulation will result in a quick knockdown of adult fleas, but this does not provide much long term control.  This is why subsequent follow up applications of the granular product should be applied every 2 weeks for 3 applications, and then repeated monthly thereafter.  Within the home itself, it is recommended that you consult a professional pest control company.  The bombs and foggers that are available over the counter are minimally effective.
     Primary flea control, of course, hinges upon control on the pet itself.  The advent of topical, spot-on formulations of flea control (such as Frontline and Advantage) revolutionized flea control, but our practice noted a distinct decline in their efficacy and have since changed our recommendations for flea control.  For owners wishing to provide for both flea and tick control, we carry an excellent topical product, Vectra 3 D, which is applied monthly.  For clients that only have to focus on flea control, we carry an oral flea pill, Comfortis, which once again is administered monthly.  The newest product available (and the one many of our clients are transitioning to) is Trifexis, provides complete heartworm, hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm protection combined with the adulticide flea activity of Comfortis in a single monthly pill.  Dogs must have a current negative heartworm test prior to starting Trifexis.  For our cat population we carry two excellent topical formulations.  Vectra for cats is strictly for flea control, and is applied once monthly.  For clients looking for a more inclusive product, we carry Revolution, which provides protection against heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, fleas, and ear mites.  It is applied monthly.
     We strongly recommend our clients purchase clinically proven flea control products through our veterinary facility as they have a proven record of safety and efficacy.