Ticks are one of our biggest concerns this week!!

While reviewing our week, the Westarbor staff agreed that ticks are still our number one complaint this week.  Here is some more information on ticks.  Never hesitate to call Westabor if you have further questions.

Don't be alarmed, but please take the time to understand the facts!

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. A spirochete is a type of bacterium. It is transmitted to dogs through the bite of a tick. Once in the blood stream, the Lyme disease organism is carried to many parts of the body and is likely to localize in joints. It was first thought that only a few types of ticks could transmit this disease, but now it appears that several common species may be involved. The most common type of tick to carry Lyme disease is the Deer Tick.

Can Lyme disease also affect people?

Yes, but people do not get it directly from dogs. They get it from being bitten by the same ticks that transmit it to dogs. Therefore, preventing exposure to ticks is important for you and your dog.

 

What are the clinical signs?

Many people with Lyme disease develop a characteristic “bull’s-eye” rash at the site of the bite within three to thirty days. For these people, the disease can be easily diagnosed at an early stage. However, symptoms of Lyme disease are more difficult to detect in animals than in people.

 

The characteristic rash does not develop in dogs or cats. Because the other symptoms of the disease may be delayed or go unrecognized and because the symptoms are similar to those of many other diseases, Lyme disease in animals is often not considered until other diseases have been eliminated.

 

Many dogs affected with Lyme disease are taken to a veterinarian because they seem to be experiencing generalized pain and have stopped eating. Affected dogs have been described as if they were “walking on eggshells.”  Often these pets have high fevers. Dogs may also begin limping. This painful lameness often appears suddenly and may shift from one leg to another. If untreated, it may eventually disappear, only to recur weeks or months later.

 

Some pets are affected with the Lyme disease organism for over a year before they finally show symptoms. By this time, the disease may be widespread throughout the body.

How is Lyme disease diagnosed?

Dogs with lameness, swollen joints, and fever are suspected of having Lyme disease. However, other diseases may also cause these symptoms. There are two blood tests that may be used for confirmation. The first is an antibody test. This test does not detect the actual spirochete in the blood but does detect the presence of antibodies created by exposure to the organism. A test can be falsely negative if the dog is infected but has not yet formed antibodies, or if it never forms enough antibodies to cause a positive reaction. This may occur in animals with suppressed immune systems. Some dogs that have been infected for long periods of time may no longer have enough antibodies present to be detected by the test. Therefore, a positive test is meaningful, but a negative is not.

 

The second test is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, a DNA testthat is very specific and sensitive. However, not all dogs have the spirochete in their blood cells. If a blood sample is tested, a false negative may occur. The best sample for PCR testing is the fluid from an affected joint.

 

How is Lyme disease treated?

Because the Lyme spirochete is a bacterium, it can be controlled by antibiotics. However, a lengthy course of treatment is necessary to completely eradicate the organism. The initial antibiotic selected to treat an infected pet may not be effective against the disease, especially if the infection is long-standing. In this situation, changing to another antibiotic is often effective. Occasionally, the initial infection will recur, or the pet will become re-infected after being bitten by another infected tick.

 

How can I prevent my dog from getting Lyme disease?

The key to prevention is keeping your dog from being exposed to ticks. Ticks are found in grassy, wooded, and sandy areas. They find their way onto an animal by climbing to the top of a leaf, blade of grass, or short trees, especially Cedar trees. Here they wait until their sensors detect a close-by animal on which to crawl or drop. Keeping animals from thick underbrush reduces their exposure to ticks. Dogs should be kept on trails when walked near wooded or tall grass areas.

How do I remove a tick from my dog?

Check your pet immediately after it has been in a tick-infected area. The Deer Tick is a small tick and only about pinhead size in juvenile stage, but a little more obvious in adult phase and after feeding. If you find a tick moving on your pet, the tick has not fed. Remove the tick promptly and place it in rubbing alcohol or crush it between two solid surfaces. If you find a tick attached to your pet, grasp the tick with fine tweezers or your finger nails near the dog’s skin and firmly pull it straight out. You may need another person to help restrain your dog. Removing the tick quickly is important since the disease is not transmitted until the tick has fed for approximately twelve hours. If you crush the tick, do not get the tick’s contents, including blood, on your skin. The spirochete that causes Lyme disease can pass through a wound or cut in your skin.

 

Is there a vaccine that will protect my dog from Lyme disease?

A vaccine is now available for protecting dogs against Lyme disease. This vaccine is initially given twice, at two- to three-week intervals. Annual revaccination is also necessary to maintain immunity. The vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective. Some pets will receive the vaccine every two to three years based on the vaccine used, your pet’s lifestyle and individual risk assessment. Be sure to discuss any questions you may have regarding the type and frequency of vaccination with your veterinarian.

Pets and Insect Bite Reactions

 

 

What causes a reaction to an insect bite?

Many people and pets are sensitive to the proteins contained in the saliva or venom of many biting insects. They may be born with certain sensitivities or, more often, they may develop sensitivities if they are exposed numerous times to a particular insect bite. Bee stings, and the bites of spiders, fleas and ticks are the most common causes of insect bite reactions in pets.

 

What are the clinical signs of an insect bite reaction?

The most common clinical signs associated with an insect bite reaction include swelling and redness at the site of the bite, “hives” or multiple red, raised swellings over the body, a swollen face or muzzle, difficulty breathing and vomiting. Some patients will progress to severe respiratory distress and anaphylactic shock. Death rarely occurs.

How is an insect bite reaction diagnosed?

Diagnosis is based on clinical signs and history. In certain cases blood samples will be analyzed looking for the presence of eosinophils, the immune cell associated with many allergic reactions. In severe cases, electrolyte levels will be monitored and a urinalysis will be performed to evaluate urine output and kidney function.

 

Venomous spider bites such as the brown recluse often have slowly progressing, insidious clinical signs. Dark, necrotic (dying) tissue lesions that slowly spread are often the only clinical sign. Brown recluse spider bites often ultimately result in systemic shock and can lead to death. Fortunately, most spiders in North America are nonvenomous and cause only localized pain and swelling.

 

How is an insect bite reaction treated?

Treatment is based on the type of insect bite, the number of bites and the severity of clinical signs. Treatment typically consists of removal of the stinger or other insect parts, followed by administration of anti-histamines (diphenhydramine and/or cimetidine), epinephrine, and anti-inflammatory agents such as corticosteroids (prednisolone sodium succinate, dexamethasone sodium phosphate) as indicated. In patients that progress to systemic or anaphylactic shock, supportive measures such as intravenous fluids, corticosteroids, oxygen therapy and epinephrine are often administered.

 

What is the prognosis for insect bite reactions?

Except in rare cases of anaphylactic shock, the prognosis is excellent. Cases that involve tens to hundreds of bee stings merit a more guarded prognosis.  

Future insect bites should be avoided due to the fact that many reactions worsen with repeated exposure to the offending proteins or toxins. You should always tell your veterinarian if your pet has ever experienced an insect bite reaction so that preventive measures can be taken in the future. Many pets that demonstrate insect bite hypersensitivity are also hypersensitive to flea and tick bites, pollens and molds, and many foods.   

 

---

  This client information sheet is based on material written by Ernest Ward, DVM.

© Copyright 2005 Lifelearn Inc. Used with permission under license. May 10, 2013

Those darn ticks are b a c k !

Experts predict tick populations will increase dramatically in many areas of the United States.
For a number of reasons, tick populations in many areas of the country will likely explode this year, according to several parasitologists. “There has been an increase in tick populations over decades, but in the last 10 years, they have really exploded,” explained Susan E. Little, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVM, Regents professor and Krull-Ewing chair in veterinary parasitology at Oklahoma State University. “And it is not just more ticks, it is more ticks in more places.” There are many reasons that ticks and the diseases they carry spread:

• Warmer winters;
• Suburbanization, which brings together people, wildlife and ticks;
• An increase in white-tailed deer;
• Migratory birds that carry ticks to new areas;
• A movement toward the preservation of open space and the replanting of trees; and
• The use of fewer insecticides.

Winters in the United States have been milder than they were 20 or more years ago, when long periods of harsh weather used to kill off many ticks, explains Michael W. Dryden, DVM, Ph.D., university distinguished professor in veterinary parasitology at Kansas State University.
“Without the deep, hard, cold winters, we don't have the winter kill, and several ticks that were abundant in the South have moved North,” Dryden says. “It has to be really cold to kill a tick, at least 10 degrees F, and it has to stay that temperature for some time. All it takes is temperatures of around 40 degrees F for ticks to be active. If it just drops overnight and then warms back up, that doesn't help.”
Even areas that had a good deal of snow this year will not necessarily see a tick die-off, because the snow serves as a blanket.
“If they are under a snow blanket, it doesn't do much harm to them at all,” Dryden says.
Some ticks just aren't that bothered by cold weather, Little adds. “Ixodes scapularis, the black-legged tick, thrives in the winter months. The adult tick is out from October to February, although nymphs may not come out until May,” she says.
The serious drought that affected much of the country last year could put some negative pressures on some ticks.
“Last year was kind of a down year for Ohio ticks in general, although more blacklegged ticks were submitted to the Ohio Zoonotic Disease Program than ever,” says Glen Needham, Ph.D., associate professor of entomology at The Ohio State University. “We had an early spring and then a midsummer drought and that combination had a negative impact on ticks here. This seemed to extend the American dog tick [Dermacentor variabilis] season well into the late summer and early fall.”
But in other areas, ticks thrive in dry weather.

Ixodes scapularis nymph and larva next to a penny. Nymphs will become active very soon and are responsible for transmitting many of the tick-borne diseases in the summer. Glen Needham, Ohio State University

One of the biggest contributors to the changing epidemiology of tick populations is wildlife. Ticks hitch a ride to new areas on migratory birds, rodents, coyotes and other wildlife. But it is the white-tailed deer that has really helped them flourish.

It might be hard to imagine today, but there was a time when white-tailed deer in the U.S. were in danger of being over-hunted. Many states instituted conservation efforts, such as limiting when deer can be hunted. This conservation effort has been one of the most successful in history, and today an estimated 30 million deer roam this country.
“Ticks get moved around a lot, especially on migratory birds, deer and coyotes. Once they are dropped off into an area, they are moved within that area by smaller wildlife,” says Needham.
In addition, more and more people are encroaching on wildlife as they move from urban areas into rural and suburban areas, putting themselves and their pets in harm's (the tick's) way.
And there has been a move to decrease mass sprayings of insecticides and to preserve open space and plant more trees. Although these are great steps to preserve the environment, they have a downside—more ticks.
Ticks are the major cause of vector-borne diseases in the United States, but two ticks are particularly troublesome: I. scapularis and Amblyomma americanum (the Lone Star tick).
They have spread across nearly half of the country, and in many states they overlap. Together, they have been implicated in the transmission of nearly a dozen human and animal infectious diseases, including anaplasmosis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease.
D. variabilis is also a “bad actor” transmitting Cytauxzoon felis, a deadly feline infection, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which can be deadly for both people and dogs.
The Canaries
Because ticks are spreading to new areas, dogs especially can serve as the “canaries in the coal mine,” according to Needham. Veterinarians might see new ticks and diagnose emerging diseases in an area before medical doctors see them.
“Dogs are often the first indicator of a tick-borne disease in an area, because they are out in the habitat,” Needham says. “If they are not protected by anti-tick products, they will pick up ticks and get sick. Veterinarians must keep abreast of what diseases are prevalent in the area where they practice. That can be a challenge. Here in Ohio, we are seeing the emergence of the deer tick. Veterinarians are not used to seeing that tick here.”
Co-infection is another emerging problem, says Little. “Co-infections are becoming the rule in many areas.”
This makes both diagnosis and treatment more challenging because dogs might have two sets of signs.
“If the dog does not respond to the doxycycline [the antibiotic used to treat many tick-borne bacteria], I encourage veterinarians to continue looking because there can be other pathogens on board.”
The other area where veterinarians can be particularly useful is teaching clients about the diseases that are present in their area and recommending the best protection for that pet in that area. This is vital to limit the extent of these pathogens, the experts say.
“Owners do not take the risk seriously enough,” says Dryden.
“They take the risk seriously for themselves, but not their pets. Veterinarians or their technicians must spend time with the owner talking about the importance of tick-transmitted diseases in their area and what they can do to protect their pets from getting these diseases. They cannot just throw a tick product at the dog or cat and say ‘We're done.'”
There are data that suggest that pet owners apply spot-on tick prevention products an average of four months in a given 12-month period, Little says, so veterinarians need to remind people that they must be vigilant in applying the product.
Little and her group recently did an experiment in which they walked 10 healthy beagles in a tick-invested area every day for eight weeks.
Over the course of the study, each dog got an average of 100 ticks on it and every dog seroconverted to ehrlichia and rickettsia, she says, although the researchers did not allow them to become ill.
“That means the risk of a tick-borne infection is 100 percent,” she says.


By Marie Rosenthal, MS
For Veterinary Practice News

 

Warm Weather Poisons and Hazzards

FF

For the next couple of weeks, we will give you more information on potential dangers for our pets. 

Summer is around the corner.  (We hope) With that comes a myriad of fun outdoor activities along with home and garden projects. While summer is meant for relaxing at the lake with friends picnicking, watching fireworks, and cleaning up and readying yards and gardens for the upcoming growing season, it’s potentially fraught with toxic exposure to your pets! Summertime brings new opportunities for potential pet exposures to harmful and dangerous substances. Outside pets should be confined to a safe area or supervised at all times. Bottle, bags, and other containers should be tightly closed and locked away in the garage or basement.

During the summer months, Pet Poison Helpline is inundated with calls involving yard and garden products (including bone meal, fertilizers, and insecticides), mulch and compost pile ingestions, and exposures to outdoor plants and mushrooms.1 As with all poisonings, early recognition and decontamination (including emesis induction and activated charcoal administration) are key to a successful outcome. Here is some basic information for you to know about when dealing with these exposures.

Heat and humidity:

While not poisonous substances, heat and humidity from summer weather can be deadly to pets. Most pets don’t perspire like humans, but use their lungs to get rid of excess heat. As the ambient temperature and humidity rise, their ability to cool in this manner fails and they suffer from heat stroke. Common signs of heat stroke include rapid heart rate, heavy and noisy breathing, dazed appearance, glazed eyes, drooling or vomiting, and collapse. If your pet shows any of these signs bathe him with cool, not cold, water and seek immediate veterinary care.

Pets should not be left in a car on a hot day or allowed to ride in the back of open trucks. Pets left in cars quickly develop heatstroke as the temperature inside the car reaches 160° in just a few minutes. Dogs riding in the back of open trucks can suffer from heatstroke as well as sunburn or thermal burns from the truck’s hot metal areas. Rocks, dirt, and other pieces of flying debris can injure the dog’s eyes and face.

Salt water toxicity:

While it’s probably not at the top of your toxin lists, salt water is a dangerous poison, particularly if you take your dog to the beach! If your dog loves to play on the ocean beach, heed caution. Dogs don’t realize that salt water is dangerous, and excessive intake can result in severe hypernatremia, or salt poisoning. While initial signs of hypernatremia include vomiting and diarrhea, salt poisoning can progress quickly to neurologic signs like walking drunk, seizures, progressive depression, and ultimately, severe brain swelling. Hypernatremia needs to be treated very carefully with IV fluids by your veterinarian. Help avoid the problem by carrying a fresh bottle of tap water and offering it to your dog frequently while he’s frolicking on the beach.

Compost bins or piles:

While we applaud you for composting, make sure to do so appropriately – your compost shouldn’t contain any dairy or meat products, and should always be fenced off for the sake of your pets and wildlife. These piles of decomposing and decaying organic matter and molding food products have the potential to contain tremorgenic mycotoxins, which are toxic to both pets and wildlife. Even small amounts ingested can result in clinical signs within 30 minutes to several hours. Clinical signs include agitation, hyperthermia, hyper-responsiveness, panting, drooling, and vomiting, and can progress to serious CNS signs (including incoordination, tremors, and seizures!). Ruleouts for this include toxins that cause “shake and bake,” such as metaldehydes (snail bait), strychnine, organophosphates, and methylxanthines. Prompt decontamination is the key if the patient isn’t demonstrating clinical signs yet – this includes inducing vomiting and giving activated charcoal. Once the patient is symptomatic, aggressive supportive care includes the use of IV fluids, temperature regulation, cooling methods (cooling down to a temperature of 103.5⁰ F/39.7⁰ C), IV muscle relaxants (methocarbamol), and anticonvulsants (i.e., diazepam, phenobarbital).

Slug and Snail Baits:

Slug and snail baits are commonly used on the West coast and in warm-weather conditions, and are available in a variety of forms (pellets, granular, powder, and liquid). The active ingredient is typically metaldehyde, which is toxic to all species (particularly dogs).2 When ingested, metaldehyde results in clinical signs that resulted in the nickname “shake and bake.” Within 1 to 2 hours of ingestion, clinical signs of salivation, restlessness, vomiting, and incoordination are seen, which then progress to tremors, seizures, and secondary severe hyperthermia. Treatment consists of early decontamination, supportive care, temperature regulation (cooling down to a temperature of 103.5⁰ F/39.7⁰ C), anticonvulsants, and muscle relaxants. Generally, the prognosis is favorable if treatment is quickly and aggressively implemented.

Mole and Gopher Bait:

Surprisingly, most veterinary professionals aren’t very familiar with mole and gopher baits, which typically contain zinc phosphide. Other types may contain bromethalin. Neither of these active ingredients have an antidote and both can result in rapidly developing, life-threatening symptoms. Zinc phosphide is often manufactured in a poisoned “peanut” form but can also be found in a pelleted or powdered form. When zinc phosphide combines with gastric acid, it results in rapid phosphine gas formation within the stomach. This toxin is made worse by the presence of food in the stomach, so make sure acutely poisoned pets aren’t fed anything when this toxicity occurs! This gas causes severe gastrointestinal inflammation, abdominal distension, and cardiovascular insufficiency (similar to symptoms of a GDV or bloat). Pulmonary congestion and edema may also occur.1 Clinical signs develop rapidly within 15 minutes to several hours and include vomiting, salivation, abdominal discomfort, bloating, depression, labored breathing, tremors, and weakness.1 Once clinical signs have developed, the prognosis is guarded.2

A word of caution to veterinary staff: second hand phosphine gas exposure can result in significant health risks to healthcare providers working in unventilated areas. By the time the phosphine gas odor has been recognized (which smells like rotten fish and garlic), there has already been significant exposure to staff.2 So, whenever inducing emesis in a patient with this toxicity, do so in a well ventilated, outdoor area, and contact Pet Poison Helpline for more information on treatment.

The other toxin is bromethalin, (we discussed this last week) a neurotoxin, which is found in a pelleted grain or as a gummy worm-shaped strip. These lanced gummy worms are placed underground as mole bait. Dogs can readily dig this product up and ingest it. Because cats aren’t typically digging outside, there are fewer exposures to cats – that said, cats are very sensitive to bromethalin also. Bromethalin results in signs of cerebral edema (mentally obtunded, seizures, abnormal pupils, etc.), incoordination, and paralysis. As no antidote is available, treatment is centered around aggressive decontamination to limit absorption, supportive care, and drugs to decrease cerebral edema (i.e., Mannitol). The prognosis is based on the amount ingested and the severity of clinical signs. The more severe the symptoms, the more guarded the prognosis becomes.

New rodenticide has no antidote! Please read!

New rodenticide without antidote alarms pet toxicology experts. 

 

2008 EPA regulations may have unintended but dangerous consequences.

 

Fluffy got into the rat poison in the garage? Get the Vitamin K!

Not so fast, warns Ahna Brutlag, DVM, MS, a diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology and assistant director of veterinary services for Pet Poison Helpline. The ingested substance may be bromethalin, the new toxin of choice for rodenticide manufacturers. There is no test save necropsy to detect its presence--and no antidote.

Why are manufacturers switching to bromethalin? Because in 2008 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a decision prohibiting the use of second-generation or long-acting anticoagulants in residential settings. Manufacturers became compliant with these new regulations in 2011, with many using bromethalin instead of anticoagulants in their products.
Brutlag says the EPA’s changes--designed to make rodenticide safer for children, pets and wildlife--may actually make diagnosing and treating rodenticide poisoning more difficult, thereby increasing the risk of harm. “We feel like it was well-intentioned but we’ve ended up with some really frightening consequences,” Brutlag says. “With anticoagulants at least we know there is a very effective test and there’s an antidote.”

Bromethalin is a neurotoxin that affects mitochondria in the brain and liver. According to the Pet Poison Helpline, it results in decreased ATP production, which affects sodium and potassium pumps; as a result, lipid peroxidation occurs, resulting in sodium accumulation within the cell. Edema of the central nervous system (CNS) may result.

The rapid onset of bromethalin poisoning leaves veterinarians little time for error. “The symptoms come on faster and it’s harder to treat,” Brutlag says. With anticoagulant poisoning, veterinarians had three to five days before bleeding began--maybe a week before death. But with bromethalin, clinical signs associated with CNS edema may be seen within two to 24 hours. Once the animal starts showing neurological signs--CNS stimulation or depression, abnormal behavior, ataxia, hyperesthesia, seizures, coma--successful treatment becomes more difficult and more expensive. An animal may have only a couple of days before succumbing. Even in successful cases, Brutlag says treatment requires more emergency care and hospitalization.

“Since there’s no antidote, decontamination is the most important intervention,” Brutlag says. But she worries that not enough veterinarians are familiar with how to decontaminate bromethalin exposure.
According to the Pet Poison Helpline, the median lethal dose (LD50) of bromethalin for dogs is 2.38-3.65 mg/kg, with a minimum lethal dose of 2.5 mg/kg. Cats are more sensitive, with a significantly lower LD50 of 0.54 mg/kg. Severity is dose-dependent, but if the poisoning is discovered within 10 to 15 minutes of ingestion, it’s safe to induce emesis at home, Brutlag says. After that small window, induction of emesis should take place at a veterinary clinic where the animal can be monitored for acute onset of CNS signs and be given multiple doses of activated charcoal--four to six doses over 24 hours.

“Should clinical signs arise, patients are treated with standard measures to reduce cerebral edema including IV fluids, mannitol, etc.,” Brutlag wrote in an impact statement for the EPA. Prognosis is poor for patients exhibiting persistent seizures or paralytic syndrome.
The negative impact on pets from bromethalin poisoning has Brutlag and others wishing for preregulation standards. In fact, manufacturers of the rodenticide brand d-Con have refused to comply with the new EPA standards, continuing to use an anticoagulant as its active ingredient. “Even though it’s a potent anticoagulant, at least it’s an anticoagulant,” Brutlag says. The Pet Poison Helpline and d-Con both cite the dangers of using a toxin with no known antidote as reason for the EPA to revisit the 2008 regulation standards.

Brutlag concedes that it may be difficult to return to preregulation standards now that bromethalin products are on the market. For her, the best solution may be to simply educate pet owners and veterinarians. She travels the country giving lectures on the dangers of rodenticide poisonings--most recently at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Fla. She says most veterinarians don’t know about the EPA’s regulations and the change in active ingredients. “They’re shocked and concerned,” she says. “Being able to inform veterinarians that this change has occurred is crucial.”

Jan 29, 2013
By: Julie ScheideggerDVM360 MAGAZINE
 

REAL KISSES ONLY FOR YOUR PETS!!

Holidays and chocolate seem to go together. For birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day and many other holidays — chocolate is everywhere. But, there is someplace chocolate should never be, and that’s in your dog.

 Chocolate is toxic to dogs and can kill them. And since a lot of the chocolate treats might be the kids’, make sure to pass along the message to them to never give chocolate to Rover.
Here’s why chocolate is so dangerous for dogs:

 

Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound in the same family as caffeine. In certain quantities, theobromine is toxic to dogs. In general, the minimum toxic theobromine dose in dogs ranges from 46 to 68 milligrams/pound (mg/lb). Half the dogs that consume 114 to 228 mg/lb or greater of theobromine will die. Lots of things can play a role in whether your dog will have a toxic reaction including the amount of chocolate your dog ate, your dog’s size, and whether your dog happens to be extra-sensitive to theobromine. One of the most important things in chocolate toxicity is the kind of chocolate your dog ate. For instance:

• Milk chocolate contains 44 mg of theobromine per oz. (704 mg theobromine/lb milk chocolate)
• Semisweet chocolate chips contain 150mg/oz. (2400 mg theobromine/lb semisweet chocolate)
• Baking chocolate contains 390mg/oz. (6240 mg theobromine/lb baking chocolate)

 

So, if we do the math, Rover is eyeing the ears and tail from a leftover chocolate bunny. How much would he have to eat to get a 46 mg/lb dose of theobromine? Depending on the type of chocolate, he’d have to eat:

• 1 ounce per 1 pound of his body weight of milk chocolate bunny
• 1 ounce per 3 pounds of his body weight of semisweet chocolate bunny, or
• 1 ounce per 9 pounds of his body weight of baking chocolate bunny.

And, if Rover eats enough chocolate, he might show signs of chocolate toxicity:
Theobromine toxicity can cause a variety of signs ranging from mild to severe. These signs can include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, restlessness, hyperactivity, urinating more, muscle spasms and seizures.

If you think your dog has eaten chocolate call your veterinarian immediately! Only your veterinarian can determine the proper treatment for your pet.

Bernadette Dunham, DVM, PhD, is Director of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine
Carmen Stamper, DVM, is on the Communication Staff of FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine

Lawn Chemicals and your dog!

We all want a healthy, green lawn for our families to enjoy. But, did you know that using synthetic lawn chemicals in your yard may increase your dog's risk of developing certain types of cancer? If being more environmentally-conscious wasn't enough motivation for you to consider organic lawn care, consider the health benefits for your furry family members (and your two-legged kids too!).

Increased Risk of Transitional Cell Carcinoma (bladder cancer) and Lymphoma

"A landmark 2004 study from Purdue University showed that dogs exposed to chemically treated lawns, specifically those treated with a chemical called 2, 4-D dramatically increased the risk of Transitional Cell Carcinoma (bladder cancer) in Scottish Terriers by four to seven times that of dogs not exposed to these toxins. A follow up-study is underway. Other breeds considered at high risk of developing this difficult to treat type of cancer include Shetland Sheepdogs, West Highland Terriers and Beagles.

Studies also suggest that there may be a link between Lymphoma, one of the most common types of cancers in dogs, and exposure to lawn chemicals. In a 1991 study published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute, a link was found between 2, 4-D and malignant lymphoma in dogs and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in people. According to the study, "researchers report that dogs were two times more likely to develop lymphoma if their owners sprayed or sprinkled the 2,4-D herbicide on the lawn four or more times a year. [And] even with just one application a season, the cancer risk was one-third higher than among dogs whose owners did not use the chemical." Breeds at highest risk of developing lymphoma include Boxers, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Scottish Terriers, West Highland Terriers and Pointers. Although there is still some controversy over the initial research linking lymphoma with these chemicals, it seems wise to err on the side of caution when it comes to the four-legged members of your family.

2,4-D is a very common ingredient in many broad-leaf weed killers and to give you a better picture of how toxic this chemical is so you can draw your own conclusions, it was also a primary component in Agent Orange, used during the Vietnam War and known for its highly toxic effects on human health, including causing cancer, birth defects and other diseases.

Why Dogs are at Increased Risk from Lawn Chemicals

Although most lawn care companies will try to convince you that their products are safe for your pets, there are a few things to consider before treating your lawn.

First, lawn care companies are only obligated to provide information on "Active Ingredients" in their products. This list of active ingredients often leaves out the many "Inert Ingredients" that are also found in the treatment products, many of which are known carcinogens or have documented health risks associated with them. One chemical that is often considered an inert ingredient is 2, 4-D, the focus of the Transitional Cell Carcinoma study. If you are curious about the information that these companies are willing to share, I encourage you to contact them for more detailed information about the full chemical content of their lawn care products so you can evaluate their safety for yourself.  Secondly, dogs are not people, and generally speaking, lawn care companies are concerned with how their products may affect people. Dogs are at greater risk of exposure and potential side effects from lawn care chemicals because:

• Dogs do not wear clothing -- chemicals get on fur and are more easily absorbed into the skin.
• Dogs do not wear shoes -- chemicals are absorbed through the paw pads and chemicals can be tracked into your home and they may be ingested when dogs lick their paws, as they often do.
• Dogs (and children) have a higher ratio of skin surface in relation to their body size, which gives them a proportionally larger surface area which can absorb toxins.
• Dogs don't just walk on the grass, they roll in it, lay in it, sniff around in it and dig in it -- all opportunities to inhale, ingest and absorb more toxins than the average human would.
• In addition to walking on and playing in grass, it's not uncommon for dogs to eat grass while out in the yard, either intentionally or as part of all of the sticks and other things that they chew on while outside. Chemically treated grass was never meant to be eaten.

Ways to Reduce Your Dog's Risk

While there is no way to guarantee that your dog will not develop cancer, there are some proactive things you can do to reduce their risks -- especially when it comes to lawn care chemicals. 

Use only natural lawn care products in your yard. Examples are using corn gluten meal as a natural weed killer and fertilizer, or diatomaceous earth and boric acid for pest control. Reducing exposure is the best way to prevent potential side effects.

Be aware of ALL the environments in which your dog may be exposed to lawn chemicals. Even if you don't use them in your yard, consider yards you pass when going on walks, the parks where you and your dog play, and other public areas that may be treated.

Always wipe your dogs paws off after walks to remove any residue, and wipe down their fur as well if they have been out playing in treated grass.

Talk with your vet about your dog's specific risk of developing Transitional Cell Carcinoma or Lymphoma so you can be more aware of the signs and symptoms of these cancers. For breeds at highest risk of TCC, consider regular urine testing, especially after 6 years old, to catch cancer at its earliest stages.

Information Retrieved from Georgia's Legacy, Canine Cancer Resource 

ONLINE PET PHARMACIES! BE A.W.A.R.E

Ordering heartworm and flea prevention online has some risks.  The doctors and staff of Westarbor Animal Hospital want you to understand these risks.  What can seem like a money saving decision, can effect your dogs health.  Please read the following information. 

Be Online Pet Pharmacy AWARE:

A- Ask your veterinarian

W-Watch for red flags

A-Always check for site accreditation

R-Report problems and suspicious online pet pharmacies

E-Educate yourself about online pet pharmacies

Online Pet Pharmacies

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Protect Yourself and Your Pet:

Be Online Pet Pharmacy

A.W.A.R.E.

One-page Handout³

“Affordable pet prescriptions!”
“Pet meds at discount prices!”
“No prescription required!”
“Your best source for pet meds!”


If you’ve ever searched online for prescription pet medicines, you’ve no doubt seen eye-catching, attention-grabbing claims. They sound convincing in their promises of convenience and lower prices. But are these claims always true?

Internet sites that sell pet drugs can be reputable pharmacies. However, others are fronts for businesses breaking Federal, State, and sometimes, International laws. Illegal online pharmacies may sell medicines that are counterfeit, outdated, mislabeled, incorrectly formulated, or improperly made or stored. These medicines may not contain the actual drug, may contain contaminants, or the incorrect amount of drug, may not work as well due to age or being stored in conditions that were too hot, cold, or humid, and may not have the proper directions for use. If you are unhappy with ordered products, illegal online pharmacies may fraudulently leave you with no way to get your money back.

If you still want to purchase your pet’s prescription medicines online, remember you can protect yourself by doing your homework and being online pharmacy A.W.A.R.E.

A— Ask Your Veterinarian

Before you purchase online, talk with your veterinarian! Your veterinarian wants what’s best for you and your pet. Ask your veterinarian questions like, “Do you trust the internet pharmacy site?”, “Have you ever worked with the pharmacy?” “Have other clients used that site? If so, what were their experiences?”

W—Watch for Red Flags

When buying from online pharmacies, keep an eye out for red flags. Be careful if the…

• site does not require veterinary prescriptions for prescription medicines.

Websites that sell prescription veterinary medicines without valid veterinary prescriptions are breaking the law. Under the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act, a pharmacy can’t sell you a veterinary prescription medicine without a valid prescription or other type of order from a licensed veterinarian. Online questionnaires or consults don’t take the place of valid veterinary prescriptions. Sites that sell drugs without requiring valid veterinary prescriptions rob both you and your pet of the protection provided by a veterinary physical exam.

• site has no licensed pharmacist available to answer questions.

Can someone answer your questions about your pet’s medicines?

• site does not list physical business address, phone number, or other contact information.

If something goes wrong with your order, can you get in contact with them?

• site is not based in the United States.

If an out-of-country site fraudulently takes your money, there’s not much the US government can do to help you get your money back.

• site is not licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy where the business is based.

If the business is based in the United States, check to see if it is properly licensed in the State where it is based by contacting that State's Board of Pharmacy. Contact information for each State Board of Pharmacy is available on the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) website: http://www.nabp.net/consumers/board-of-pharmacy-contacts/⁴⁵

• site does not protect your personal information.

Keep yourself safe from identity theft! Make sure the site you use is secure.

• site’s prices are dramatically lower than your veterinarian’s or other websites' prices.

If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

• site ships you medicines that you didn’t order or that look very different from what your pet normally takes.

Don’t give these medicines to your pet! Contact the site immediately!

A—Always Check for Site Accreditation

In addition to following Federal and State licensing and inspection requirements, in 2009, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) created a voluntary accreditation program called Vet-VIPPS (Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites). Vet-VIPPS accredited online pharmacies:

• are appropriately licensed in the states from which they ship drugs

• have successfully completed a 19-point review and online survey

• undergo yearly VIPPS review and re-accreditation

• undergo NABP on-site surveys every three years

Vet-VIPPS accredited pharmacies must also meet other strict criteria, including protecting client confidentiality, strict quality assurance, and making sure prescription orders are valid.

R—Report Problems and Suspicious Online Pet Pharmacies

If your pet has a problem with a medicine purchased online (for example, a reaction to the medicine or the medicine not working), first contact the medicine’s maker. To report problems directly to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) call 1-888-FDA-VETS. For a copy of the reporting form (FDA Form 1932a) and for more information on how to report problems, visit the following website:

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/ReportaProblem/ucm055305.htm⁶.

Protect yourself, your pets, and others! Don’t fall victim to illegal online pet pharmacies. Report suspicious online pet pharmacy sites to the FDA and the NABP at:

FDA: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/ReportaProblem/ucm059315.htm⁷

NABP: http://www.nabp.net/⁸⁹

E—Educate Yourself about Online Pet Pharmacies

The best defense you have against illegal online pet pharmacies is education. Do your homework and be online pet pharmacy A.W.A.R.E. before you purchase your pet’s medicines online. An informed consumer is an empowered consumer.

Canine Heartworm Disease! It can happen to your dog!

We talk everyday about heartworm tests, heartworm preventative and giving your dog the monthly pill or topical.  We hear some clients say their dog lives indoors and heartworm isn't a worry for them.  It is a genuine concern for every dog owner.  When your dog goes out to potty or for a walk, they are exposed to mosquitoes.  These pests are also commonly found in our homes.  It only takes one mosquito to infect your dog.  Once infected, the treatment for heartworm disease is both costly and dangerous to your dog.

Please read the following information.

 

 

          

 

CANINE HEARTWORM DISEASE

 

What causes heartworm disease?

Heartworm disease or dirofilariasis is a serious and potentially fatal disease in dogs. It is caused by a blood-borne parasite called Dirofilaria immitis.

Heartworms are found in the heart and adjacent large blood vessels of infected dogs. The female worm is 6 to 14 inches long (15 to 36 cm) and 1/8 inch wide (5 mm). The male is about half the size of the female. One dog may have as many as 300 worms.

How do heartworms get into the heart?

Adult heartworms live in the heart and pulmonary arteries of infected dogs. They have been found in other areas of the body, but this is unusual. They live up to five years and, during this time, the female produces millions of offspring called microfilaria. These microfilariae live mainly in the small vessels of the bloodstream. The immature heartworms cannot complete their life cycle in the dog. The mosquito is required for some stages of the heartworm life cycle. The microfilaria are not infective (cannot grow to adulthood) in the dog - although they do cause problems.

As many as 30 species of mosquitoes can transmit heartworms. The female mosquito bites the infected dog and ingests the microfilariae during a blood meal. The microfilariae develop further for 10 to 30 days in the mosquito and then enter the mouthparts of the mosquito. The microfilariae are now called infective larvae because at this stage of development, they will grow to adulthood when they enter a dog. The mosquito usually bites the dog where the hair coat is thinnest. However, having long hair does not prevent a dog from getting heartworms.

When fully developed, the infective larvae enter the bloodstream and move to the heart and adjacent vessels where they grow to maturity in two to three months and start reproducing, thereby completing the full life cycle.  

Where are heartworms found?

Canine heartworm disease occurs all over the world. In the United States, it was once limited to the south and southeast regions. However, the disease is spreading and is now found in most regions of the United States and Canada, particularly where mosquitoes are prevalent.  

How do dogs get infected with them?

The disease is not spread directly from dog to dog. An intermediate host, the mosquito, is required for transmission. Spread of the disease therefore coincides with mosquito season. The number of dogs infected and the length of the mosquito season are directly correlated with the incidence of heartworm disease in any given area.  

It takes a number of years before dogs show outward signs of infection. Consequently, the disease is diagnosed mostly in four to eight year old dogs. The disease is seldom diagnosed in a dog less than one year of age because the young worms (larvae) take up five to seven months to mature after infection.

What do heartworms do to the dog?

Adult heartworms: Adult heartworms cause disease by clogging the heart and major blood vessels leading from the heart. They interfere with the valve action in the heart. By clogging the main blood vessels, the blood supply to other organs of the body is reduced, particularly blood flow to the lungs, liver and kidneys, leading to malfunction of these organs.

Most dogs infected with heartworms do not show any signs of disease for as long as two years. Unfortunately, by the time clinical signs are seen, the disease is well advanced. The signs of heartworm disease depend on the number of adult worms present, the location of the worms, the length of time the worms have been present, and the degree of damage to the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys from the adult worms and the microfilariae.

The most obvious signs are a soft, dry cough, shortness of breath, weakness, nervousness, listlessness, and loss of stamina. All of these signs are most noticeable following exercise, when some dogs may even faint.

Listening to the chest with a stethoscope will often reveal abnormal lung and heart sounds. In advanced cases, congestive heart failure may be apparent and the abdomen and legs will swell from fluid accumulation. There may also be evidence of weight loss, poor condition, and anemia.

Severely infected dogs may die suddenly during exercise or excitement.

Microfilariae (Young heartworms): Microfilariae circulate throughout the body but remain primarily in the small blood vessels. Because they are as wide as the small vessels, they may block blood flow in these vessels. The body cells being supplied by these vessels are deprived of the nutrients and oxygen normally supplied by the blood. The lungs and liver are primarily affected. 

Destruction of lung tissue leads to coughing. Cirrhosis of the liver causes jaundice, anemia, and general weakness because this organ is essential in maintaining a healthy animal. The kidneys may also be affected and allow poisons to accumulate in the body.

 

How is heartworm infection diagnosed?

In most cases, diagnosis of heartworm disease can be made by a blood test that can be run in the veterinary hospital or by a veterinary laboratory. Further diagnostic procedures are essential to determine if the dog can tolerate heartworm treatment. Depending on the case, we will recommend some or all of the following procedures before treatment is started.

Serological test for antigens to adult heartworms: This is a test performed on a blood sample. It is the most widely used test because it detects antigens (proteins) produced by adult heartworms. It will be positive even if the dog does not have any microfilaria in the blood. This occurs in about 20% of the cases. Dogs with less than five adult heartworms will not have enough antigen to give a positive test result, so there may be an occasional false negative result in dogs with early infections. Because the detected antigen is only produced by the female heartworm, a population of only male heartworms will also give a false negative. Therefore, there must be at least five female worms present for the most common heartworm test to diagnose heartworm disease.

Blood test for microfilariae: A blood sample is examined under the microscope for the presence of microfilariae. If microfilariae are seen, the test is positive. The number of microfilariae seen gives us a general indication of the severity of the infection. However, the microfilariae are seen in greater numbers in the summer months and in the evening, so these variations must be considered. Approximately 20% of dogs do not test positive even though they have heartworms because of an acquired immunity to this stage of the heartworm. Because of this, the antigen test is the preferred test. Also, there is another blood parasite that is fairly common in dogs that can be hard to distinguish from heartworm microfilariae.

Blood chemistries: Complete blood counts and blood tests for kidney and liver function may give an indication of the presence of heartworm disease. These tests are also performed on dogs diagnosed as heartworm-infected to determine the function of the dog's organs prior to treatment. 

Radiographs (X-rays): A radiograph of a dog with heartworms will usually show heart enlargement and swelling of the large artery leading to the lungs from the heart. These signs are considered presumptive evidence of heartworm disease. Radiographs may also reveal the condition of the heart, lungs, and vessels. This information allows us to predict an increased possibility of complications related to treatment.

 

Electrocardiogram:  An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a tracing of the electric currents generated by the heart. It is most useful to determine the presence of abnormal heart rhythms.

Echocardiography: An ultrasonic examination that allows us to see into the heart chambers and even visualize the heartworms.  

How are dogs treated for heartworms?

There is some risk involved in treating dogs with heartworms, although fatalities are rare. In the past, the drug used to treat heartworms contained arsenic so toxic effects and reactions occurred more frequently. A newer drug is now available that does not have the toxic side-effects, allowing successful treatment of more than 95% of dogs with heartworms.

Some dogs are diagnosed with advanced heartworm disease. This means that the heartworms have been present long enough to cause substantial damage to the heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, and liver. A few of these cases will be so advanced that it will be safer to treat the organ damage rather than risk treatment to kill the heartworms. Dogs in this condition are not likely to live more than a few weeks or months.

Treatment to kill adult heartworms: An injectable drug to kill adult heartworms is given. It kills the adult heartworms in the heart and adjacent vessels. These injections may be divided and given thirty days apart.  

Complete rest is essential after treatment: The adult worms die in a few days and start to decompose. As they break up, they are carried to the lungs, where they lodge in the small blood vessels and are eventually reabsorbed by the body. This can be a dangerous period so it is absolutely essential that the dog be kept quiet and not be allowed to exercise for one month following treatment. The first week after the injections is critical because the worms are dying. A cough is noticeable for seven to eight weeks after treatment in many heavily infected dogs.

Prompt treatment is essential if the dog has a significant reaction in the weeks following the initial treatment, although such reactions are rare. If a dog shows loss of appetite, shortness of breath, severe coughing, coughing up blood, fever, and/or depression, you should notify us. Response to antibiotics, cage rest, and supportive care and intravenous fluids is usually good in these cases.

Treatment to kill microfilaria: Approximately one month following treatment to kill the adults, the dog is returned to the hospital for administration of a drug to kill the baby heartworms or microfilariae. Your dog needs to stay in the hospital for the day. Your dog is started on heartworm preventive after this treatment. 

Other treatments: In dogs with severe heartworm disease, it may be necessary to treat them with antibiotics, special diets, diuretics to remove fluid accumulations, and drugs to improve heart function prior to treatment for the heartworms. 

Dogs with severe heart disease may need lifetime treatment for the heart failure, even after the heartworms have been killed. This includes the use of diuretics, heart drugs, and special low salt, low protein diets. 

Response to treatment: Dog owners are usually pleasantly surprised at the change in their dog following treatment for heartworms, especially if the dog had been showing signs of heartworm disease. The dog has a renewed vigor and vitality, improved appetite, and weight gain. 

Are changes made in the treatment protocol for dogs that have severe heartworm disease? 

Yes. The state of heart failure is treated as described above. However, we also treat the adult heartworms in a two-stage process. Only one treatment with the drug to kill the worms is given initially. This causes the death of approximately half of the worms. One month later, the full treatment is given to kill the remaining worms. By killing them in two stages, the severe effects on the lungs are much less likely to occur. This protocol is also used in moderate cases to provide a safer treatment.

 

How can I prevent this from happening again?

When a dog has been successfully treated for heartworms, it is essential to begin a heartworm prevention program to prevent future recurrence. With the safe and affordable heart preventives available today, no pet should ever have to endure this dreaded disease.

  This client information sheet is based on material written by Ernest Ward, DVM.

© Copyright 2005 Lifelearn Inc. Used with permission under license. March 20, 2013