Travelling With A Pet

At Streetsville Animal Hospital we often receive a lot of questions regarding travelling with your pet so we thought in this blog we would highlight some of the most frequently discussed topics.

Travel Documentation

For entry to the USA from Canada your pet will require:

·         An up to date Rabies vaccination and vaccination certificate.  Streetsville Animal Hospital’s vaccination policy is to vaccinate with Rabies every 2 years.  If you are travelling with your pet in a year where your pet received DHPP and Rabies was not given, you will require a letter from us stating that it is hospital policy to vaccinate every other year and that your pet is up to date and protected
·         A health certificate stating that your pet is fit to travel and free of contagious diseases signed by a veterinarian.  These certificates are only valid to be used for entry into the U.S for 10 days and an exam is required before issuing one so please plan accordingly. You will not require a new health certificate to be issued for re-entry if your stay in the US is longer than 10 days

For countries other than the United States:

Each country has different entry requirements so it is up to our clients to do the appropriate research and provide us with paperwork to fill out in advance of your departure.  Some countries require Rabies titres, microchipping or deworming on a specific schedule so it is important to have all of these details worked out well in advance in order to accommodate a smooth experience.  Once you have all of the details and paperwork, we are happy to work with you to answer all of your questions, set up appointments and provide you with estimates for the services your pet will require.

Medication for Travel

One of the most common things we are asked in association with travelling is regarding medications such as sedatives or anti-anxiety medicine to help ease the stress of a trip.  There are some medications that are safe to use while travelling and some that we do not recommend.  These medications and recommendations are tailored specifically to your pet based on a number of factors including the behaviours they are showing, their age as well as the type and duration of travel.  We will work together with you to determine the best course of action to make sure that you and your pet are equipped for a smooth trip.  We often recommend trials with medicine before you leave so there will be no surprises about the efficacy of the medication on the day of travel.

Alternatives to medication:

There are also some over the counter products that can be used to help ease pets throughout potentially disruptive and stressful situations.  Feliway and Adaptil are products which contain feline and canine pheromones that can help calm pets when they are under duress.  They come in a variety of forms such as collars, sprays and wipes.  Although they may not always be as efficient as we would like, they are certainly worth a try, especially if medicating your pet is not something you are particularly comfortable with.

Familiarize Yourself with Your Destination

Be familiar with routine pet protocols for the region you are visiting.  For example, we have many clients who travel to Florida during the winter months.  Fleas and heartworm are very prevalent and much more severe in Florida than in our Canadian climate so even though we recommend prevention from June to November only, it is recommended year round in the Southern parts of the United States.  Therefore, we need to make sure that your pet will be protected during his or her stay.  The easiest way to get more details is to call an animal hospital in the region you are visiting and ask them for any information regarding preventive medications, common local diseases that are part of their routine vaccine protocols and for general recommendations they can provide you with for a pet that is visiting their area.

Tips for Travel

Travelling by Car:

·         A carrier is the safest way to travel with a pet in the car.  This will help them feel safe and also prevent distraction or interference with the driver.  Make sure the crate is large enough so your pet can stand up and turn around but not large enough for excessive movement

·         Cats should have access to a litter box in their carrier for long trips
·         If it is a long trip, take frequent breaks.  Allow your dog to stretch out his or her legs and use the washroom if necessary.
·         Make sure your pet has access to water, especially during the summer months.
·         During the coldest and hottest months, ensure that your trip does not require any stops that will leave your pet unattended in the vehicle

Air Travel:

·         Always discuss requirements with your airline before travelling with a pet.  Because all airlines are different, policies vary so it is important to make sure that all of your questions are answered and requirements met before the day of travel

·         It is always best not to travel with large pets who are unable to stay in the cabin in extreme hot or cold weather, try to avoid this if possible
·         Call the airline the day before travel to confirm that you are bringing your pet with you
·         If your pet is too large to travel in the cabin and must travel in the cargo hold, make sure to clearly label your pet’s carrier with live animal indicators and line the carrier with an absorptive material that will wick up any accidents that may happen

Please let us know if you would like more information on any of these topics discussed or if you have any additional questions, we would be more than happy to help!

-Jennifer

Allergies

Pets can have allergies just like us and may present them in ways that can cause discomfort.  We want to help make sure our clients are armed with the knowledge to not only recognize when their pet may be dealing with an allergy but also how to properly address the issue and keep our  four-legged friends happy and comfortable.

What kind of signs do pets show when they are suffering from allergies?

Typically in animals, allergies manifest in the form of itch.  You may notice your pet shaking their head and rubbing their face on the ground as well as chewing their sides, legs and feet.  If allergies become severe, your pet can cause irritated skin, lesions and hair loss by excessively chewing and scratching.  Even though allergies and infections do not always come hand in hand, infection can be caused if the symptoms of itch are not addressed soon enough.

Do all pets who have allergies require treatment?

No.  If your pet has enough itch to cause infection or affect their quality of life, that is when intervention is recommended.  If your pet’s itch is low grade or temporary enough to not cause an interruption to their daily life, there is often no need to intervene.   

Can pets be treated with antihistamines?

Histamine is a chemical released by inflammatory cells in the skin.  In people histamine is the major cause of inflammation and itch with allergies.  However, histamine is not the major chemical released in the skin of our allergic pets.  For this reason it is rare for antihistamines to effectively treat our pet’s allergies.

Is there a cure for allergies?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for allergies but they can be managed efficiently.  The treatment for allergies differs on which type of allergies your pet is affected with.

What are the different types of allergies?

Environmental Allergies: 

These allergens include but are not limited to plant pollens, dust mites, weeds, grasses and mold.  Environmental allergies can be especially frustrating due to the fact that they are very difficult to isolate. During seasonal transitions it is very common for us to see a lot of itchy pets and spring and fall are the two most common allergy seasons.  Blood and skin testing can be done to isolate allergens and based on those results an injectable serum can be custom made in an attempt to control itch and maintain comfort.  Medications can also be used to manage environmental allergies and is the most commonly used method.

Food Allergies:

Some pets develop hypersensitivity to various ingredients that are very commonly found in commercially prepared diets.  Food allergies are supported by the perception that the pet is consistently suffering from itch all year round. In this case, a food trial will be recommended to rule out whether it is in fact an ingredient in your pet’s diet that is the offending allergen.  A food trial consists of transitioning your pet exclusively on to a hypoallergenic diet and offering them nothing but the prescribed food during the length of the trial.  Although there are many diets in the pet store that claim to be hypoallergenic, it is important to pick a diet that contains no ingredients that your pet has ever been exposed to, only then will it truly be a hypoallergenic.  It takes 6 to 8 weeks to confirm whether the change in food is going to be an efficient way to manage your pet’s allergies.

Allergies are among the most frustrating conditions to deal with and are very individual based on the patient.  If you are concerned that your pet may be showing some of these signs or are interested in additional information, please let us know and we would be happy to have a conversation with you.  At Streetsville Animal Hospital we are here to help and will work together with you to develop the best strategy to make sure your pet is living its happiest, most comfortable life!

-Jennifer

Raccoon Rabies Update

Veterinary Alert

Update: Raccoon Rabies Hamilton Ontario December 10, 2015

On December 2, 2015, a sick raccoon in Hamilton ON had a significant altercation with two dogs. The raccoon was euthanized and tested for rabies as a precaution. Test results were received on December 4, and were positive for rabies (raccoon variant). Subsequent surveillance testing of wildlife carcasses collected by municipal animal services in the preceding weeks confirmed three additional positive raccoons with raccoon-variant rabies on December 9.

These are the first cases of raccoon-variant rabies ever detected in Southwestern Ontario. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) annually distributes wildlife rabies vaccine baits along the US border in the Niagara region and along the St. Lawrence River in order to help protect wildlife from incursions of raccoon-variant rabies from New York State. As of December 7, the MNRF has initiated hand and aerial baiting in the Hamilton area where the positive raccoons were found.

This is a reminder to veterinarians, particularly in Hamilton and Niagara regions, to remain vigilant for cases of domestic animal exposure to potentially rabid animals. The last case of raccoon-variant rabies in Ontario was detected in 2005, and the last case of fox-variant rabies was detected in 2013. However, there continues to be a risk of incursion of fox rabies from northern regions of the province and of raccoon rabies from New York State. Contact with rabid bats also remains a risk in all regions.

The best protection against rabies for both domestic animals and people is to avoid contact with potentially rabid wildlife and to keep domestic animals up-to-date on rabies vaccination. Rabies vaccination for dogs and cats is a regulatory requirement in most of the province. If you suspect a domestic animal may have recently been exposed to a potentially rabid animal, it should be vaccinated (or revaccinated) as soon as possible if it isn’t possible to have the offending animal tested.

Reminder of who to call in cases of potential rabies exposure:

1. Human exposure to a potentially rabid animal - Local Public Health (PH) Unit

2. Domestic animal exposure to a potentially rabid animal, no human exposure - Local veterinarian / OMAFRA

• Animal owners should be directed to contact their local veterinarian as the first step for any animal health concerns.
• Veterinarians can call the OMAFRA Agricultural Information Contact Centre: 1-877-424-1300 for assistance.

3. Abnormal wildlife, no domestic animal exposure, no human exposure - MNRF or CWHC

• For terrestrial wildlife, call the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) Rabies Hotline: 1-888-574-6656.
• If a sick or injured bat is found, consider contacting the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) at 1-866-673-4781.

 

Halloween Tips

To ensure you and your pet have a safe and Happy Halloween here are some tips that will make the night fun for everyone!

• Your pet can easily become anxious and frightened with the doorbell frequently ringing to reveal children in unfamiliar clothes and masks. Confining your cat or dog to their own safe haven for the evening (like their crate or a closed room) can help calm their nerves, make them feel secure and ultimately prevent them from running out of the frequently opening front door.
• If you walk your dog around the neighborhood while children are trick-or-treating, be sure to use a sturdy collar or harness and leash, and be careful around unfamiliar children and adults. Again, the costumes and masks may make your pet uncomfortable and frightened with people they are usually comfortable with.
• Be sure your pet is wearing identification tags with your name and phone number clearly indicated on them in case you become separated from your pet or they escape from the house.
• If you're dressing your pet for Halloween, use safe, non-flammable and non-toxic items that your pet is comfortable in and that don't restrict their movement, breathing or vision. Even though pets in costumes are very cute, some cats and dogs are very unhappy wearing them.
• Lastly, keep all candy out of your pet's reach — especially chocolate, which is toxic to dogs and cats. Consumption of even small amounts can cause seizures, muscle tremors and vomiting while larger doses can be fatal. Stick to their own treats and they will be just as happy.

Following these simple tips will help keep your pet safe, healthy and out of any scary trouble this Halloween.  Please let us know if you have any questions, we would be more than happy to help.

-Jennifer

Xylitol Poisoning

We want to make our clients aware of a sugar substitute which is toxic to dogs and is now being used in some peanut and other nut butters.  This product is called Xylitol.  Because peanut and other nut butters are a treat that pets commonly enjoy, we feel that it is important that our clients are aware of this potential danger.

Xylitol is safe for humans to consume due to our different metabolic rate.  Xylitol is absorbed relatively slowly in humans causing little to no reaction and quite rapidly in dogs causing blood sugar levels to drop which can be quite harmful. 

Although we are not certain why, Xylitol can also cause damage to the liver.  Signs and symptoms typically develop 8 – 12 hours after exposure.  How a pet reacts is dependent on the amount of xylitol ingested in relation to the size of the dog. Complications can range from temporary illness to acute liver failure and even to death.

Symptoms of Xylitol poisoning include:

·         Vomiting
·         Lethargy and weakness
·         Diarrhea
·         Collapse
·         Seizures

At Streetsville Animal Hospital, we often hear from clients about how their pets enjoy peanut butter as a treat, as a filling for their Kong or as a way to administer medication.  It is very important that labels are checked before offering any type of nut butter, especially ones purchased at health-food stores. 

Some alternative names for Xylitol are:

·         1,4-anhydro-d-xylitol
·         Anhydroxylitol
·         Birch bark extract
·         Birch sugar
·         D-xylitol
·         Xylite
·         Xylityglucoside
·         Zylatol

Treatment for Xylitol poisoning differs depending on how quickly it is discovered.  If it is within 30 minutes, vomiting can be induced although beyond that timing, hospitalization and aggressive supportive care is required.

If you have any additional questions regarding this information, as always please feel free to give us a call and we would be more than happy to help!

-Jennifer

Frequently Asked Questions - Fleas

Along with the warm weather comes flea season!  To help keep our clients informed, here is a list of our most frequently asked questions about fleas.

 

How can my pet get fleas?

There are a number of different ways your pet can get fleas:

·         From a dog or cat your pet associates with that has a flea infestation

·        From an environment frequently exposed to wild animals such as squirrels, rabbits, raccoons and skunks

·        From a previously infested environment.  Flea pupae can lay dormant in environments for weeks before emerging as adult fleas ready to infest

·        From facilities that offer services which require boarding and have recently housed an animal infested with fleas such as kennels or grooming facilities

 

How can I confirm my pet has fleas?

Fleas are most commonly found around the base of your pet’s tail but not exclusively. You can try parting your pet’s fur to see if you notice fleas moving around on your pet’s skin.  You may also be able to see small dark flecks that look like pepper which is flea dirt.  You can try transferring some flecks on to a white piece of paper and then wetting your finger tip before applying pressure to the fleck and moving it across the paper.  If it leaves a red streak, it is flea dirt.  Of course if you are suspicious of fleas and would like us to check your pet for you, we would be more than happy to!

 

 Adult Flea

Won’t my pet be itchy if they have fleas?

Not always!  Only animals with flea allergy dermatitis react to being bitten by a flea.  Some animals are diagnosed with a flea infestation without showing any sign of discomfort.

How do I treat fleas?

The treatment Dr. Dunn recommends for fleas is a topical (meaning it is applied directly to the skin) medicine called Advantage.  This solution is applied between the shoulder blades and absorbed through your pet’s skin.  Advantage kills 98-100% of the adult fleas on your pet within 24 hours of the first application.  Dr. Dunn recommends two treatments for two consecutive months to kill the adult fleas on your pet and to interrupt the life cycle of any eggs that have been laid in the fur.

 

                                                     

Do I need to treat my house?

Yes!  This is a very important step.  As mentioned earlier, flea pupae can lay dormant in cracks and crevices in your house and emerge as adult fleas ready to infest your pet.  The rooms and furniture that your pet has access to as well as their bedding needs to be thoroughly cleaned and treated with a spray called Siphotrol.  This product kills fleas in all life stages and has residual properties as well which will ensure no future infestations related to this episode if used properly.

How can I prevent fleas?

We provide a number of different options for prevention when it comes to fleas.  All flea prevention is given from June until November:

·         Advantage – topical ointment applied once a month that prevents all life stages of a flea

·        Sentinel – heartworm and flea prevention in the form of a chewable tablet.  The tablet is administered once a month with a full meal

·        Revolution – heartworm and flea prevention that is applied topically once a month

·        Nexgard – flea and tick prevention in the form of a chewable tablet which is given monthly

We hope this article was helpful, please let us know if you have any further questions, we would be more than happy to answer them!

-Jennifer

 

 

 

 

Canine Influenza Information

As of April 15, veterinarians in Chicago and the American Midwest had reported more than 1,000 cases of canine influenza, as well as six deaths.

The outbreak was originally attributed to the H3N8 virus, which has been circulating in the U.S. dog population since 2004. However, testing by scientists at Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin has revealed that the virus is H3N2, which can be found among dog populations in South Korea and southern China but has never before been identified in North America. There is no reported outbreak of the virus in Canada at this time.

There is no evidence that this strain of canine flu can be passed to humans, but it is known to cause infection and respiratory illness in both dogs and cats. Symptoms typically include high fever, loss of appetite, coughing, nasal discharge and lethargy. Severity can range from showing no signs to illness resulting in pneumonia and sometimes death.

All dogs, regardless of breed or age, are susceptible to the virus, which is spread through the air from dog to dog or on contaminated objects and people. The virus can survive on hard surfaces, clothing and hands, continuing to infect other dogs.

Cornell University is advising veterinary professionals that diagnostic testing of samples can be done using a broadly targeted Influenza A matrix reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay (Rt-PCR). The canine-specific Influenza A H3N8 Rt-PCR in use in several laboratories will not detect this virus.

Serology is currently not available, according to Cornell, because the H3N2 virus is different enough from H3N8 that antibodies may not cross react. It’s not known if the current vaccine for H3N8 will also protect against the new virus.

Advice for pet owners

In the event of an outbreak in Canada, veterinarians should advise pet owners to avoid areas frequented by other dogs and practice good hygiene, such as thorough hand washing, changing clothes after seeing an infected dog and disinfecting hard surfaces. If an owner suspects their dog is ill, they should call their veterinarian to make arrangements for examination.

Pet owners considering travel to areas affected by the outbreak should speak to their veterinarian about how to keep their pet safe. Upon returning to Canada, pet owners should monitor their dog for symptoms, including fever, loss of appetite, coughing, nasal discharge and lethargy. Pet owners who suspect their pet may be infected should contact their veterinarian immediately.