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Leptospirosis: A Hazard to Pets and Humans!
Skipping Vaccinations Does
Not Save Money in the Long Run !!!
We all LOVE our pets and give them a central role in our lives. It seldom enters our thoughts that their health coulfamily with dog.jpgd directly affect the health of our family. But this is indeed very true!!
Recently, major national television networks have reported a national trend in pet owners canceling or missing appointments with their veterinarians for their pet's yearly vaccinations - in order to save money. Skipping vaccinations when they are due can put our pets at risk for serious, life-threatening diseases and in the long run, cost even more!
Leptospirosis is one of these serious diseases and is being diagnosed with increasing frequency in southeastern Wisconsin. We have had 3 confirmed cases in dogs at the Animal Emergency Center and Specialty Services since the first of the year. Not only does leptospirosis present a health risk to the infected dog, but is also a health risk to the human family and other dogs in the household.
What is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a disease that is caused by several strains (serotypes) of a bacterium called Leptospira. Affected dogs can be carriers without symptoms or suffer illnesses ranging from mild (depression, anorexia, fever) to severe (kidney failure, liver failure, diffuse vasculitis, death).
How is it spread?
Many species of wild and domestic animals (including dogs, cattle, horses, swine, rodents, swine, raccoons, and deer) are susceptible to leptospirosis and can excrete the bacteria in their urine. Their urine can then contaminate water, moist soil, or vegetation with the Leptospira bacterium. The bacterium stays viable in the soil as long as the soil is moist. Humans can acquire the infection if this contaminated material or urine from their pet contacts abraded skin, mucous membranes, or is ingested.
Vaccination for Dogs
There is a good vaccination available for dogs against at least 4 of the 6 serotypes of Leptospira. Dr. Richard Goldstein, an expert in infectious diseases from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, recommends that the Fort Dodge or Pfizer vaccination (containing 4 serotypes of the bacteria) be given yearly. He recommends that dogs be vaccinated in the spring so that their immunity is highest in the fall when exposure is most likely the greatest.
Leptospirosis in Cats
calico cat.jpgAlthough cats develop antibodies after exposure, they appear to be less susceptible than dogs to both spontaneous and experimental infection with Leptospira. Clinical signs are usually mild or not apparent. Vaccinations for leptospirosis are not available for the cat at this time.
Talk to your primary care veterinarian about vaccinating against leptospirosis !!!
Bird Toy WarningBird toys made of rope strands covered with beads and blocks are available through pet stores and catalogs. The toy is hung in the cage, allowing the bird to play with and chew on the blocks and beads. Unfortunately, once the bird has removed the beads and blocks, multiple strands of rope are left hanging in the cage. This remaining maze of ropes can provide a life-threatening hazard for pet birds should they become entrapped, potentially damaging their legs, wings, or resulting in strangulation. One of our Pet Alert Pet Owners lost her pet bird this way and has asked that we distribute this warning to you. Below are photographs she provided of the bird toy.
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pg The entire staff of the Animal Emergency Center and Specialty Services gives a heartfelt "Thank you" to this special bird owner for the photos and information for this Pet Alert. We are saddened by your loss. We invite other pet owners to share any experiences or information that might warrant a Pet Alert. Send information to christinaaec@aol.com.
Voluntary Recall of Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits by PetSmartJanuary 21, 2009
The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that PetSmart is voluntarily recalling seven of its Grreat Choice Dog Biscuit products that contain peanut paste made by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). PCA is the focus of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation into potential Salmonella contamination of peanut butter and paste made at its Blakely, Ga., facility.
The recalled products include only the following types of Grreat Choice Dog Biscuits sold between Aug. 21, 2008, and Jan. 19, 2009:
* Small Assorted 32 oz., UPC 73725702900
* Small/Medium Assorted 4 lb., UPC 73725700601
* Small/Medium Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700605
* Small/Medium Assorted 10 lb., UPC 73725702755
* Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700638
* Extra Large Assorted 8 lb., UPC 73725700779
* Peanut Butter 4 lb., UPC 73725700766
Contact your veterinarian if your pet has eaten any of these biscuits. Signs of illness from Salmonella can include depression, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dehydration, and shock.
What is Salmonella?
Salmonella is a bacteria that can infect the gastrointestinal tract of animals and people. Animals with salmonellosis may be asymptomatic carriers or become ill with diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain. There is concern that pets that may carry salmonella could pass the bacteria to their human family. This is of particular concern in people that are more likely to have severe illness from salmonella, to include the elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems.
Frostbite and HypothermiaCold Weather Can Cause Frostbite And Hypothermia
Injury to your pet's feet, skin, and ears can occur within minutes after exposure to subzero temperatures. Owners should be aware of signs of frostbite and hypothermia for early recognition and proper intervention.
Frostbite in dogs and cats occurs most frequently on the ears, tail, scrotum, and feet. Signs of frostbite include flushed or reddened skin or foot pads initially, then white or grayish color changes, evidence of shock, scaliness of skin, and eventual sloughing of skin or foot pad surfaces.
* Do not rub or massage frozen surfaces
* Warm the affected areas by using warm moist towels.
* Continue warming as soon as the affected areas become flushed.
* After warming, gently dry the affected areas.
* Wrap in a blanket and transport immediately to veterinarian.
Hypothermia can cause mental dullness, severe mental depression, and loss of consciousness in a pet exposed to cold temperatures. The skin is typically very cold to the touch. Wrap the pet in a blanket to conserve body heat and transport immediately to a veterinarian. The veterinarian will provide intravenous therapy with warm fluids, begin slow rewarming from the core first. Careful monitoring of the heart is critical.
Prevention is the BEST Medicine!
The best approach to winter hazards is prevention.
* Keep your pets indoors during the cold and snow.
* When outside, allow short hair pets to wear warm sweaters.
* Place booties on their feet.
* Wipe pet's feet off to remove cold water and road salt that can cause irritation.
* If your pet must stay outside in the cold weather, make sure they have a clean, dry and well-insulated shelter and fresh water.
* Accompany your pets outside when possible and shovel a path for them in the back yard.
* If it is too cold for you to be outside for long, it is probably too cold for your barefooted pet!
Be on the Look-Out for Winter PoisonsCold weather brings many potential hazards to our pets. Many of the substances necessary for our comfort and transportation during the winter can lead to fatal metabolic problems when ingested or inhaled.
Keep Antifreeze out of reach!With the current economic crunch, many car owners will opt to refill or replace the antifreeze in their radiators at home, leaving small puddles or buckets of antifreeze open to the pet. Other sources may include toilet bowl water with antifreeze (to prevent freezing in vacation homes), some developing solutions for photography, and puddles along the street where cars have parked. The active ingredient, ethylene glycol, is a sweet tasting and smelling substance that is fatal to your pet if left untreated. Ethylene glycol is so attractive to pets that they have been known to chew and open sealed containers to ingest the contents. As little as 2 tablespoons of the substance can be fatal to a small dog or cat.
The initial problem is due to the ethylene glycol which causes changes in the pet's brain. The substances made as this chemical is broken down in the body are toxic to the kidneys and can lead to deadly kidney failure. Signs that your pet may show after ingestion include: staggering and "drunk" behavior (within 1-10 hours of ingestion), "spacey" abnormal mentation, loss of consciousness, seizures, vomiting (green fluorescent liquid), excessive urination, no urination, and eventually death.
If you suspect that your pet may have ingested antifreeze, TIME is of the essence. You must take your pet to a veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. If ingestion occurred within the last 1-10 hours, a blood test can be done to confirm that ethylene glycol has been ingested. If positive, ethanol (vodka or wood grain alcohol) or a newer antidote, will be administered intravenously and continued for at least 24 hours. Peritoneal dialysis can be used to remove the ethylene glycol and its toxic metabolites from the blood stream, often preventing any kidney damage. When ingestion has occurred over 12 hours previously, the parent chemical antifreeze may no longer be detectable in the blood, but the metabolites are likely present. Peritoneal dialysis and other supportive care for kidney failure may be the only treatment available.
The best treatment is PREVENTION:
* keep pets out of the garage
* remove all antifreeze from surfaces never drain into open containerkeep antifreeze in enclosed cabinets with a latch or lock
* have antifreeze work done by professionals at a garage
Rat & Mouse Poison Can Be Deadly To Pets Too!Cool weather can bring rodents into the house and many homeowners place rodenticides in nooks to keep them away - falsely thinking that pets can't get at it. These products are made to attract rodents by their smell and taste and will also attract our pets.
Most rodenticides work by causing the blood not to clot within the rodent, leading to fatal hemorrmouse-rat-poison.gifhage. Unfortunately, this will also occur in pets that ingest the poisons or ingest a rodent that has eaten rodenticide. Clinical signs that your pet may show result from internal bleeding and include labored breathing, bloody vomit and/or stool, and bruising of the skin.
If you suspect your pet has ingested poison, bring your pet and the package to a vet immediately. Your vet may induce vomiting and administer activated charcoal to prevent further absorption of the poison. The antidote is vitamin K1.
There are new mouse traps available that do not utilize poisons, but kill and trap the mouse within an enclosed environment. These are easy to use, much safer for pets, and affordable. You will want to keep these away from areas where pets can place a paw or nose into the open port, causing injury.
Other Toxic Substances To Keep From Your PetsOlder windshield washer fluid can be composed to methanol. This is toxic to animals and can cause acute blindness. Similar to ethylene glycol, these dogs will act "drunk", hysterical or become unconscious. Time is of the essence, and immediate veterinary intervention can be life-saving. Prevention is the best treatment. Only use windshield washer fluid that does not contain methanol.
Be very careful as you are putting your summer clothes into winter storage. Mothballs and mothflakes (composed of naphthalene) are toxic to pets, especially cats. Exposure can be by ingestion or by inhalation if the pet is locked in a closet with mothballs in high concentration. Vomiting and labored breathing are the usual complaints. A change in the blood can occur causing low oxygen and the lungs can become congested. Treatment must be instituted rapidly by a veterinarian.
Sidewalk or pavement rock salt, when ingested in sufficient quantities, can cause vomiting, dehydration, brain injury, and eventually death. Keep rock salt containers covered and away from pets. Make sure that the feet and legs are cleaned of any residual salt after walking your pet over pavement in winter.
