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.

 

 

Heartworm

It is that time of year again - heartworm season is upon us!  We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions to help keep our clients informed and ensure you are making the best decision for you and your dog!

What is heartworm?
Heartworm is a serious disease that is passed from dog to dog by mosquitos.  When a mosquito infected with heartworm bites another dog, the disease is then transmitted.  In infected dogs, worms grow in the heart and pulmonary arteries causing clogs which prevent normal blood flow and normal function of the valves. 

Is it fatal?

Yes.  If left untreated heartworm is a fatal disease.  Because signs of heartworm are not immediate, the disease can go unnoticed for a number of years until symptoms appear.  This is why it is important to test your dog even if they seem healthy. 

Why does my dog need to be tested if he/she is on the medicine?

Dr. Dunn recommends a test every other year for the following reasons:

1. It is possible the medicine has not been administered properly (missed doses, started before May 1^st or after June 1^st)

2. A dog can be underdosed if they gained weight during the course of the treatment
3. A heartworm preventive dose may be ineffective if the dog had vomiting or diarrhea when the medicine was administered
4. Bad luck – no medicine is 100% effective and occasionally animals with no breaks in the treatment will develop heartworm

It is vital that we know if your dog has heartworm before they show signs of illness.  Dogs can be treated for heartworm but the effectiveness of the treatment is based on how long they have had the disease and how severe the signs are.  We want to diagnose dogs before they show any signs so they can be treated and be perfectly healthy after the treatment is completed.  Based on the typical progression of heartworm disease in our area that means testing every other year.

Can my dog get heartworm from contact with another dog?
No.  Heartworm requires an intermediate host (mosquito) to be transferred from one dog to another.  The exposure of your dog to other dogs has no influence on the chances of your dog contracting heartworm.

What is involved with a heartworm test?
A heartworm test is a blood test.  We will draw 1 mL of blood which will then be sent to a lab and tested for the heartworm antigen.  It is not tested through feces like intestinal parasites.

Why do you recommend my dog be tested between April and June?
Once a dog is bitten by a mosquito infected with heartworm it takes 6 months for a heartworm test to show a positive result.  Therefore, we recommend testing 6 months after their last possible exposure from the previous year.  We recommend testing before June 1^st because it is preferable to have a negative heartworm test result before starting the prevention.

Why is heartworm medicine only given from June to November?
Because heartworm is passed by mosquitos it is only necessary to place dogs on prevention in the warmer months when mosquitos are present.

What kind of medicines do you prescribe to prevent heartworm?
We offer a number of different options to prevent heartworm, here are our 3 most popular methods:

Heartgard: a chewable treat given on the first of every month.  Prevents heartworm only.
Sentinel: a chewable flavour tab given on the first of every month.  Prevents heartworm as well as fleas.
Revolution: a topical treatment applied to the skin on the first of every month.  Prevents heartworm as well as fleas.

If you have any additional questions or need clarification on anything that is discussed here, please give us a call or send us an e-mail!  We are always more than happy to answer questions and discuss which decisions make the most sense for you and your pet!

-Jennifer

Valentine's Day Treats

Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show your pet a little extra love!  Follow these recipes to surprise your dog or cat with a tasty homemade treat on Valentine’s Day or any day of the year!

Cinnamon Honey Hearts
1/4 Cup Water
1/4 Cup pureed Banana
1/2 Cup plain Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Honey
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 Cup Oat Flour
1/4 Cup Rice Flour
1 Cup Wheat Flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 Degrees F (150 degrees C)

In a small bowl combine the cinnamon, oat flour, rice flour, and 1/2 cup wheat flour. Set aside. In a separate bowl mix water, banana, yogurt, honey, and canola oil with an electric mixer. Add the dry ingredients and mix until well blended. Mix in remaining wheat flour 1/4 cup at a time until a stiff dough forms.

Place on floured surface and roll to desired thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Bake at 300 degrees. If rolled to 3/8″ baking time is 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Tip: After shutting off the oven leave the dog biscuits in the oven for a couple hours to make sure they are completely dry and crunchy. Then they can be stored for a long time without worrying about spoilage.

Source: doggingtonpost.com

Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Biscuits

1 egg

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup mashed banana

1 tablespoon honey

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup wheat germ

1 egg white lightly beaten, for brushing

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet

Stir together the egg, peanut butter, banana and honey in a medium bowl; blend thoroughly.  Stir in the flour and wheat germ; mix well.  Turn dough out onto a floured board and roll to 1/4 inch thick. 

Cut into desired shapes with a cookie cutter, place on prepared baking sheet and brush tops with egg white.

Bake biscuits in preheated oven until dried and golden brown, about 30 minutes, depending on size.  Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

 

Source: allrecipes.com

Crunchy Tuna Cat Treats

1 (5 ounce) can tuna, no salt added and packed in water, drained

1 cup oat flour*

1 large egg

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 heaping tablespoon dried catnip

*It’s easy to make your own oat flour. Simply grind old-fashioned oats in a spice grinder until it is transformed into a light powder. There you have it — oat flour!

Directions:

Place a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment, combine drained tuna, oat flour, egg, olive oil and catnip. Blend until mixture is smooth. It will be thick but pliable and not terribly sticky.

Roll dough into 1/2 teaspoon balls and place on prepared cookie sheet. Use a skewer to press an X-shape into each cookie ball.

Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until they are dried on top and slightly browned. Allow to cool completely before offering to your kitty.

Place treats in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to seven days.

 

Source: designsponge.com

Please let us know if you try any of these recipes and how your cat or dog liked them – we would love to see photos as well!

-Jennifer

Why Do We Recommend Fecal Tests?

At Streetsville Animal Hospital we recommend fecal tests on 12 week old puppies and kittens as well as annual testing on dogs and outdoor cats.  So why does Dr. Dunn recommend fecal checks?  What are we looking for in there? When we check your pet’s stool we are looking for the larvae of intestinal parasites which can only be seen under a microscope.  An undetected burden of parasites can cause vomiting, diarrhea, a poor hair coat, scooting and irritation around the back end and dangers to humans as well.  There are many different parasites but the following are some of the most common parasites we diagnose and how they are transmitted.

Roundworms:

Roundworms are the most common intestinal parasite.  In fact, approximately 80% of puppies and kittens are born with them as they are often transmitted through Mom.  These worms can also be transmitted through ingestion after they have been passed in an infected animal’s stool.  Heavy burdens can cause diarrhea, vomiting as well as a potty abdomen in puppies and on occasion in adult dogs as well.  These worms are zoonotic which means they are also transferrable to humans.  A roundworm infection in a human will manifest as a skin or an ocular issue and children are specifically at risk.  

                                                               Roundworm Larvae

Hookworms:

Hookworms can be transmitted to cats and dogs four ways: orally, through the skin, through Mom’s milk as well as through Mom’s placenta before birth.  These little guys can lead to anemia, poor appetite, diarrhea and failure to thrive in puppies and kittens.  Although adult hookworms do not infect humans intestinally, their larvae can burrow into the skin and cause itch and irritation.

 Hookworm Larvae

Coccidia:

Coccidia are single celled organisms - they live in the intestinal tract and are transmitted through ingestion.  Adult dogs often do not show signs of this parasite but signs can be dramatic in puppies and kittens presenting as watery diarrhea, abdominal distress and vomiting.  The type of coccidia dogs and cats contract is not transmissible to humans.

                                                               Coccidia Oocysts

Tapeworms:

There are two different tapeworms that cats and dogs are most susceptible to.  One is through the ingestion of an infected flea and the other is through the ingestion of an infected rodent.  Tapeworms can lead to weight loss when they occur in large numbers, especially to puppies.  They are diagnosed when owners notice segments around the anus that look like little pieces of rice.  After a segment is submitted to us, we are then able to examine it under a microscope to confirm that it is a tapeworm as well as which type.  Tapeworms are transmissible to humans but it is not very likely due to the fact that an infected host must be ingested by a human for an infestation to start – ingestion of the segments does not lead to an infestation.

Tapeworm segment

All of these intestinal parasites are treated with oral medication and as long as strict hygiene is enforced they should not pose a threat to owners. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like any further information on fecal testing or parasites, we would be more than happy to help!

- Jennifer

Safe Transportation for your Cat

One of the most common frustrations we hear from cat owners is the act of getting them into the carrier to bring them in to the hospital.  It can lead to cancelled appointments, a few scratches and just general aggravation!  We want to help minimize any frustration so we would like to share some helpful tips to take into consideration if your cat is a reluctant traveler:

1.       The number one tip we offer to people is to get the carrier out a few days before the appointment and place it in an area where your cat can investigate.  Leave the door open and put a few treats in there, they may even wander in on their own. 

2.       Consider leaving the carrier out on a permanent basis.  We hear from some clients that their cats have learned to love their carriers.  Put a cozy blanket inside and a favourite toy to try to entice your cat into the space.  You can also remove the door or the top to help the carrier seem more inviting

3.       Make sure your carrier is an adequate size.  The carrier that worked well for Fluffy when she was a kitten may not be a comfortable space for her now.  She should be able to get up and turn around comfortably - a cramped space will only add to her anxiety.

4.       Try Feliway.  Feliway is a synthetic version of the pheromone cats use to mark their territory as safe and secure.  It helps create a sense of comfort and familiarity and assists them to cope with stressful situations.   Feliway comes in a spray, wipes and as an electric diffuser.  It is available through the clinic as well as at most pet stores.

5.       If an emergency arises there may not be time to prepare.  In those cases we recommended getting a large towel and wrapping up your cat before guiding them into the carrier.

We hope these tips help make your pet’s next visit to the Hospital a little less stressful.  Please let us know if you have any questions or additional suggestions that have worked for you in the past – we would love to share them!

-Jennifer

Cold Weather Tips

The cold weather is on its way! Here are some tips to help get your pet through the coldest months of the year.

·       Keeping long haired dogs trimmed can help to reduce the clinging of ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry on the skin. Don’t forget to trim the hair between the toes! This can be a common place for ice balls to collect.

·       Bring a towel on long walks to clean off irritated paws. After each outing, wash and dry your pet’s feet to remove ice, salt and chemicals. This is especially important for the pets who like to lick their feet – they can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals. Check for irritation on the pads and between the toes.  If you notice that they are chapped, you can use some unscented moisturizer to help restore them.

·       Dressing your pet in a sweater or coat is also a good way to retain body heat for short hair breeds.

·       If your dog will tolerate them, booties help minimize contact with salt crystals, poisonous anti-freeze and ice-melting agents. They can also help prevent sand and salt from getting lodged in between bare toes.

·       An alternative for dogs who will not tolerate booties is a product called The Invisible Boot.  It was recommended by a client and is a great alternative for dogs that are sensitive about their feet being touched. You can also try massaging Vaseline into paw pads before going outside helps to protect from salt and ice-melting products.

·       Remember, if the weather’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet. Please keep that in mind when you are ready to take them out for their walk or letting them out in the backyard.

·       Keep your cat inside! Despite a fur coat, it is far too cold for them to spend time outside in the winter months.

·       During the winter, if there are cats in the area, they sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. Fan belts can cause a lot of damage or death to a sleeping cat if the engine is started. Bang loudly on the hood of your car before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.

·       Do not hesitate to bathe your dog in the winter when they need one, but be sure to dry them thoroughly before taking them outside.

·       Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during very cold weather.

·       Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs so be cautious when housetraining in the winter. If your dog is sensitive to the cold take him outdoors only to relieve himself.

·       Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, away from any potential winter drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is a perfect place for a warm winter nap.

Winter also brings about some potential household hazards specific to cold weather. They include:

Antifreeze has a pleasant taste to our pets but unfortunately a very small amount can be lethal to both cats and dogs.  Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills and store the bottles in tight containers where your pets are unable to access them.
Ice melting products can be irritating to skin and mouth. Depending on the ingredient and the quantity, signs of ingestion would include excessive drooling, depression, vomiting or even electrolyte imbalances.

Rat and mouse killers are used more commonly during colder weather when rodents are looking for warm shelter. Place the bait in areas that are inaccessible to companion animals.

Please let us know if you have any questions about this information, we would be more than happy to answer them!

-Jennifer