What to Expect When You’re Expecting…a Fur Baby!

What to Expect When You’re Expecting…a Fur Baby!

               The excitement of bringing home a new puppy is unrivaled to most, but there can be a lot of uncertainty and questions for new pet parents or if it has been awhile since a new four legged fur baby has been in your home!

               Puppies and kittens make frequent veterinary trips in the first few months of their life to ensure lifelong health. Booster shots, food nutrition, learning about safety precautions and training are all things that new pet owners should understand, and talking to your veterinarian is the best place to start.

               It can be scary for your new fur baby their first few nights at home, and in order to make them feel safe it is important to give them their own space in a quiet, warm area to relax. It is also important to get them in for their first exam within the first week of adoption. We will break down the different core vaccines for both puppies and kittens as well as other simple treatments to guarantee pet health.

Puppies:

• Bordetella
•  Bordetella bronchiseptica is the most common bacterial agent responsible for kennel cough in dogs.  This vaccine is required for boarding but is highly recommended for all dogs.  This vaccine is given one time after 8 weeks of age and some clinics will booster it 3 weeks later.
• Distemper (DHPP)
• This vaccine integrates multiple defenses against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. Vaccine is a series of 3 boosters, each given 3-4 weeks apart.
• Leptospirosis
• Lepto is bacteria that is spread through stagnant water where small rodents, wildlife will live and urinate. This can be lethal to dogs and should be given especially when living in cities or by  forestry preserves. This vaccine is a series of 2 boosters, given 3-4 weeks apart.
• Rabies
• This vaccine is mandated by law! This is a one-time vaccine that is given is on or after your pet is 16 weeks old and is good for 1 year.
• Influenza
• Yes, dogs can get the flu like humans. Although this is not considered a “core” vaccine it is better to be safe than sorry if your pets daycare, boarding facility, groomer (etc) were to have a flu outbreak. Vaccine is a series of 2 boosters, given 3-4 weeks apart.
• Lyme
• The prevalence of ticks in the United States is increasing at an alarming rate. In addition to flea/tick preventatives, this vaccine is an extra defense mechanism. And yes, it should be given even if you live in a city. Ticks can travel from wooded areas to alley ways on the bodies of little critters! Vaccine is a series of 2 boosters, given 3-4 weeks apart.
• Fecal Test
• This is done once a year to check if your puppy has any intestinal parasites. But before you get nervous, they are very common and easily treated! It is best to get this done once a year, or if you notice your pet having loose stool.
• Heartworm Test
• This is a simple blood test done to check if your puppy has been exposed to heartworm. If positive, you and your vet will talk about treatments for your pet. If negative, ask your vet about heartworm preventatives that might fit your pet and lifestyle the best.

 Kittens:

• FVRCP
• This vaccine protects against the 5 most common cat viruses that they can be exposed to. Vaccine is boostered 3 times, each given 3-4 weeks apart.
• FELV
• Protects against feline leukemia. Vaccine is boostered 2 times, 3-4 weeks apart.
• FELV/FIV Test
• This is a simple blood test that will be run on your kittens first vet visit to see if they are negative for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.  
• Fecal Test
• This is done once a year to check if your kitten has any intestinal parasites. But before you get nervous, they are very common and easily treated.

That was a lot of information, but once these boosters are done your pet should only have to come in for their annual exam and annual vaccines! It is important to educate yourself on what your pet needs to stay healthy and keep track of when the boosters for each vaccine are due. In addition to these core vaccines, there are some preventatives for fleas and ticks as well as heartworm so that your pet is not at risk of contracting heartworm or lyme disease from infected mosquitos or a flea wrecking havoc on your pet’s skin.

It may seem like a lot for a tiny four legged animal, but if you start out your pet’s health journey on the right foot, you will have many happy years with your new pet!

Written By: Dr. Megan Moser, Companion Animal Hospital Wicker Park

Zoonotic Disease: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

A Zoonotic disease, is one that, by definition, “is transmissible from animals to humans under natural conditions and can also be an infection or disease that is transmissible between animals and

humans”. This is particularly important as the strength of the human-animal bond continues to grow and develop between ourselves and our companion animals.

Studies have shown that not only do people in the community lack general knowledge about the scope, importance and prevalence of zoonotic disease, but more alarmingly, a survey of physicians themselves, has found a lack adequate knowledge and awareness of zoonotic disease as well as general discomfort in addressing and communicating these public health threats and concerns to their human patients.

In contrast, accredited veterinary schools are required to provide instructional education about zoonotic disease to veterinary students as a requirement of being recognized as an accreditated school.  In particular, courses highlighting the importance of epidemiology, zoonoses, food safety, the complex interrelationship of animals and the environment and the overall contribution of veterinarians to general public health is a curriculum requirement for most, if not all, veterinary students. No such accreditation requirement exists in U.S. medical schools.

So, how does this affect you, the pet owner?

Well, considering over 50% of all US households have one or more pets, the potential risk of contracting a zoonotic disease is a clear and present concern.

What are some examples of Zoonotic Diseases? 

The list is exceedingly long, but here are some of the more well-know examples of zoonotic diseases: HIV, Ebola, Bubonic plague, Rabies, intestinal parasites (giardia, roundworms, tapeworms, etc), ringworm, salmonella, Lyme Disease, influenza, E. Coli, Dirofilariasis (heartworm disease), chlamydia, bartonella, anthrax, leprosy, tuberculosis, West Nile, Zika virus, eastern/western/venezuelan encephildes and the list goes on and on.

So what can you do to lower the risk of contracting a zoonotic disease?

1.      Ensure you are properly handling, storing and cooking all food intended for human   consumption. The importance of this has been highlighted with the recent Raw Food pet   diet trend (not to mention this is NOT a nutritionally complete nor well- balanced   approach to meeting your pet’s nutritional needs).

2.     Good personal hygiene and hand-washing practices.

3.     Ensuring all pets are on monthly, year-round flea, tick and heartworm prevention.     Protecting yourself against insect vectors is also extremely important.

4.     Prompt yard clean up/litter box maintenance practices.

5.     Maintaining your pet’s annual/semi-annual immunizations. Maintaining your immunization status is equally important.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Companion Animal Hospital’s friendly and knowledgeable veterinary staff members. Additional reading materials, a complete list of zoonotic diseases and references for this article can also be found at www.cdc.gov.

Written By: Dr. Christine Tuma

Companion Animal Hospital Round Lake

Rabies Vaccine - Why does my pet need that?

Rabies Vaccine - Why does my pet need that?

These days, we rarely hear about a domestic animal with rabies virus, and when a human gets rabies, it makes the evening news!  However unseen, rabies virus is endemic to the continental United States, which results in many of our wildlife animal friends still affected.  

How common is rabies? 

In the latest epidemiologic report from 2010, the CDC identified 6,153 cases of rabies in animals and 2 human cases.  Of those, 92% of cases were in wild, undomesticated animals.  Domestic species accounted for 8% of all rabid animals reported in the United States in 2010. In 2010, the number of reported rabid domestic animals decreased compared to 2009 among all domestic species except cats.  The principal hosts today are wild carnivores and bats. As you can see, rabies virus is still among us!  Your pet needs the rabies vaccination to prevent possible exposure.  There is no treatment for dogs or cats, and infection with rabies virus for pets is 100% fatal.  And the bottom line is, rabies vaccination is the law.

The law comes into effect if your pet is reported to medical workers or the police for scratching or biting a person, or in some cases, another animal.  If your animal is current on their rabies vaccination, you will get a ticket for the bite/scratch and you are required to home-quarantine your pet for 10 days.  If your pet is not current of their rabies vaccination, you will get a ticket for the bite/scratch and you are required to impound-quarantine your pet at a shelter or veterinary clinic for 10 days.

Rabies vaccines are very safe.  Less that 0.05% of animals have a reaction to the rabies vaccine.  Also, rabies vaccines are 100% effective in preventing rabies infection!

By: Amanda Schnitker, DVM

No Sharing!!! Zoonotic Diseases - Part 2

What is a Zoonotic Disease??—Part 2

In this second article discussing zoonotic disease, I will focus on other infections, besides parasites, that pets can share with people.  A zoonotic disease can be transmitted from animals to people. 

Ringworm—Ringworm is actually a fungus.  It can create a round spot where it infects the skin.  It is itchy and annoying.  It is seen in many species of animals, both wild and domestic, but is more often seen in puppies, kittens, or pets from shelter environments.  It will linger on surfaces and on bedding used by an animal.  Not all animals will have apparent ringworm, but can carry it and give it to others.  After diagnosis, it is treated with topical or oral medications.  Home disinfection is also important to prevent reinfection. 

Leptospirosis—Leptospirosis (lepto) is caused by a bacteria.  Initially, a lepto infection will be much like the flu, but it can progress to cause liver disease, kidney disease, or meningitis. It is shed in the urine of infected animals, where it can stay in the soil for weeks.  Animals that we have in our yards, such as mice, raccoons, and squirrels can carry lepto.  It is also associated with water sources such as lakes and rivers due to animal contamination.  People can become infected by contact with broken skin, mucous membranes (mouth, eyes) or by drinking contaminated water.  It can be treated with antibiotics and supportive care. 

Rabies—Rabies is a fatal viral infection.  It is carried by mammals, with skunks, raccoons, bats, and fox being the most popular in the United States.  In our area, bats are the source of most exposures.  Rabies is fatal.  In humans, a vaccination series can be given after exposure to prevent infection.  In pets, however, this is not the case.  If an unvaccinated pet is believed to be exposed to rabies (bitten by a suspect animal, found playing with a bat, etc.), euthanasia may be recommended.  A prolonged, strict quarantine is another option.  A vaccinated pet that is believed exposed has a shorter quarantine period.  Keeping your pets’ (including indoor cats) rabies vaccination current is strongly recommended; it just saves tremendous worry and difficult decisions if an exposure were to occur.  If you are bitten by an animal, washing the wound with soap and water for 15 minutes, then seeking medical care is important. 

There are many more zoonotic diseases.  This is only the top of a long list.  While it can be unnerving to know that there are illnesses our pets could potentially give to us, good pet hygiene, cleanliness, and preventative care will keep us safe and healthy! 

Sources and References:

www.dhs.wisconsin.gov

www.cdc.gov

article written by:

Laura Rau-Holl, DVM

Wolf Merrick Animal Hospital, Kenosha, WI