Here is a picture from our recent book signing with Floy Morway, our good friend, celebrating the publication of her book 'The Cat Lady of Concord'. 

For more information about Floy and her book, visit:

http://www.bunkerhillpublishing.com/Books/catlady.htm

HomeAgain Microchip Update

HomeAgain has announced a new exciting pet recovery program.  Pets with newly implanted chips will have a lifetime registration of the chip for $10.00 and the option to participate in a yearly pet recovery program for $14.99 which includes proactive search and recovery efforts, access to Animal Poison Control, and a vaccination and health record data base for the protection of your pet if it is rescued.  This yearly program is also available to pets that have been previously implanted with the HomeAgain chip or any other microchip. Please call us if you would like any information on the new program

Avian Influenza

Littleton Animal Hospital has received several inquiries about avian influenza.  Unfortunately, much of the media coverage regarding avian influenza is inflammatory and sensationalized, focusing only on the “worst-case-scenario” of the virus mutating to a form that may be passed from person to person.  We have provided some helpful and accurate websites for your information.  The websites include information about the virus, how it is spread, risks for people, and information on pet risks.  Please be assured that the veterinary community is watching this disease closely and monitoring any potential effects to pet health. 

Center for Disease Control:  www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/

American Veterinary Med. Assoc:  www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/avian_faq.asp

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations:  www.fao.org

Canine Influenza

Recently, outbreaks of canine influenza virus have been reported in Florida and some New England states.  Affected dogs may show signs ranging from a mild, persistent cough to clinical signs of pneumonia.  The virus is believed to be closely related to an equine influenza virus.  Currently, the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Cornell’s Animal Health Diagnostic Center are working to identify the virus.

The virus is spread through aerosolized respiratory secretions, contaminated objects and by people who have contact with infected and uninfected dogs.  The incubation period is very short, and infected dogs will show signs 2-5 days after exposure.  Infected dogs can shed the virus for 7-10 days after the initial appearance of clinical signs.  Many dogs get sick from the disease, but the fatality rate is very low, only 1-5%.  Most dogs respond to either in-patient care (IV fluids and antibiotics) or out-patient care involving oral antibiotics or combinations of antibiotics.  Currently there is no commercially available test for the virus and a vaccine does not exist.  It is believed that the virus is killed by routine disinfectants.

If your dog is showing any signs of cough, nasal discharge, and or difficulty breathing, you should have your dog evaluated by a veterinarian.  Below are some websites containing additional information about canine influenza.

 www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/canine_bgnd.asp

Morris Animal Foundation:  www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/PDF/Canine%20Flu%20Advisory.pdf

Internet Prescription Products

Many of our clients have come to us with questions regarding getting their pets' heartworm, flea and tick, and even medical prescriptions filled using an internet pharmacy.  This is to inform you of our stance on this issue.

We have several concerns regarding getting your pet products from these pharmacies.  Our main concern is that the origin of the products you buy online is suspect.  Many times they have come from overseas and may not have been stored in appropriate conditions or shipped properly.  Sometimes the medications come from illegal sources.

If you buy your pet's medications from your veterinarian, it becomes part of your pet's legal medical record.  This medical record validates the guarantee on all medications.  If the medication does not work properly or if your pet has a reaction, the company that makes the medication will reimburse you for the failure of the medication or treaments needed but only if you have purchased it through your veterinarian.  If you have purchased the product over the internet, the company will not guarantee the product.

We would like to urge you to support your local veterinarian and your local economy.  In a recent price comparison, our prices for Heartgard® and Frontline® were comparable within five dollars and cheaper on Advantix® when compared to a major internet pharmacy.  In addition, when you buy Frontline® or Heartgard® from your veterinarian, you get rebates and free doses of medication.  Nevertheless, we will match all internet prices for these medications when requested.  It is our wish to give you and your pet the best service available.  If you still wish to buy these medications over the internet, a prescription will be given. 

Vaccine Protocol Update

We have decided to modify our current vaccine protocol for distemper vaccines in dogs and cats.  Since some vaccines have been shown to cause problems (for example injection-site fibrosarcomas in cats), many veterinarians are trying to decrease the number of vaccines that pets receive, while still ensuring that the animal is protected against dangerous diseases.  The problem is that, until recently, there has not been any research proving that immunity from vaccines lasts longer than one year.  The latest studies have shown that these vaccines actually are effective for much longer than one year in most animals, although some are still only guaranteed for one year by the manufacturer. 

Based on these promising studies, new guidelines have been proposed by the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Association of Feline Practitioners recommending that veterinarians switch to vaccinating for distemper every three years in dogs and cats.  Therefore, once a dog or cat has received its first annual distemper booster at one year of age, the next distemper vaccine will not be due for three years.  

For outdoor cats, we are still recommending yearly feline leukemia boosters.  Based on risk assessment, dogs may still need to have yearly leptospirosis, Lyme, and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccines. All dogs and cats are required by law to be vaccinated for rabies every three years as well.     

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our new protocol or if you still wish for your pet to receive yearly distemper vaccines.  If you would like more information on vaccines in general (such as how they work, why younger animals need more frequent boosters, etc.) or fibrosarcomas in cats, please go to our "Pet Library" page and type in the desired search term. 

Lyme Disease Update

Lyme disease is highly prevalent in our area.  It is caused by an organism called Borrelia burgdorferi which is spread by the deer tick.  We see many dogs with clinical signs of the disease and many more test positive for exposure to Lyme disease.  The most common symptom is lameness that sometimes shifts from one leg to another.  Other signs are lethargy, fever, and loss of appetite.  Rarely, the organism can affect the kidneys and this form can be fatal.   Dogs do not show the typical "bullseye" shaped rash which is classic in the human form.

We can diagnosis Lyme disease very easily by a simple in-house blood test that also tests for heartworm and ehrlichia (another disease spread by ticks).  A positive results means that the dog has been exposed by the disease and not necessarily that it is symptomatic.  The symptoms can occur at any time but it is estimated that only about 5-10% of positive dogs will ever get the clinical disease. 

Since the test we routinely perform indicates that a dog has been exposed to the organism, we need to do another test to determine whether the dog has an active Lyme disease infection and should be treated.  This test is called the Quantitative C6 Antibody test and we will usually have the results within one to two days. 

Lyme disease is treated with an antibiotic called doxycycline.  It is given once daily for 28 days.  There is some research showing that the Lyme vaccine can have some activity against the organism so we recommend that a dog testing positive for Lyme disease be vaccinated if it hasn't been already.   

If your dog tests positive on our in-house test, don't panic.  We will give you three options on what to do next:  1)  send off the C6 test to determine whether or not treatment is warranted  2)  treat your dog with doxycycline anyway even though we can't tell if it is an active Lyme infection or 3) do nothing and treat your dog if it starts showing symptoms.  We advise that all symptomatic dogs be treated. 

In severe cases of Lyme disease, dogs may develop kidney damage. For this reason we recommend closely monitoring the urine for protein leakage and blood tests to check for kidney disease.  The doctors will discuss the testing needed to be sure that your dog does not have kidney damage.

Since the disease is spread by ticks, the best prevention is tick control with a monthly topical product or collar.  A tick must be attached for over one to two days in order for the disease to be transmitted so daily tick checks are of utmost importance.  

At this time, there have been no reported cases of Lyme disease in cats. It is believed that cats do get Lyme disease, but are able to clear it from their system.  No vaccine is currently available for cats at this time.  Topical tick control is available and recommended for cats as well.  More research is being done on just how the disease affects cats.