February is Pet Dental Month

February is National Pet Dental Health Month

Let’s work on making it a year-round goal.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the month of February is National Pet Dental Health Month.  This was started to raise awareness to our pets’ oral health which is a fantastic goal.  I support this notion, but all kidding aside, it takes more than one month out of twelve to make a healthy mouth.

Unfortunately tartar happens.  We humans brush our teeth every day, twice a day.  When we visit our dentist (ideally twice a year) they can still find plaque and tartar to remove from our teeth.  Our four-legged friends are not that different in what causes periodontal disease, except that they don’t open up and say “ahhh” nearly as much as we veterinarians and owners would like.  It starts when bacteria and plaque harden to tartar.  This leads to inflammation and infection of the gums which eventually works its way to the roots of the teeth and at its worst, leads to loss of bone, loosening of the tooth, and loss of the tooth.

Even more concerning, advanced dental disease can lead to bacteria in the bloodstream which can cause microscopic damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys.

The key to managing dental health and therefore gum infection and tooth decay is prevention!  Brushing daily to every other day is the gold standard as this keeps the plaque from becoming hardened tartar.  However, when this is not an option, consider daily chewing activities.  When using products to clean you pets’ teeth, make sure they are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council and appropriate for your pets’ size and chewing capacity.  There are prescription dental diets that can be used as aids as well, as can a variety of oral rinses, sprays, and enzymatic chews from C.E.T.

Also, have your pet’s mouth checked periodically by your veterinarian.  If we recommend a professional dental cleaning, or dental prophy, take it to heart as we are trying to prevent your pet from having to have numerous teeth extracted.  Regular professional dental care is a great addition to the care you provide at home in order to control plaque and tartar!  Depending on breed, genetics, chewing habits, and home-care routine, some pets may need a professional prophy and evaluation every 6-12 months to maintain oral health – just like us!  Others will need it much less frequently.

Good luck folks!  Keep smiling and don’t be afraid to talk to us about your pet’s dental health, no matter what month of the year it is!

article written by:

Dr. Jessica Smith

Companion Animal Hospital Mount Prospect

Shedding Problems?

Shedding Problems?

When to worry about your pet's excessive shedding

Very frequently, pet owners bring their pets to the hospital to assess their pet’s excessive shedding; and frequently, these pets exhibit nothing more than what would be considered normal shedding in household pets.   When a cat or dog seems to suddenly shed its coat in excess, it can raise concerns about underlying disease and concern about fur collecting all over the floors and furniture in the household.

Shedding cycles and fur growth are affected by many factors including environmental temperature, day length period, hormones, genetics, nutrition, general health and numerous other factors.   These various factors will cause different pets to shed different amounts at different times.   Often, I have seen pets that have had routine amounts of shedding for years suddenly shed unprecedented amounts of fur, causing concern for the pet owner.   Even this sudden, unusual amounts of shedding is often not of concern.

If your pet seems to be excessively shedding and you notice bald patches, or the fur coat is thinning to the point where the actual skin is visible where normally skin would not be visible, then the fur loss may be an indication of an underlying health issue.  If your pet is healthy, happy, shows no signs of illness or itchiness and seems to be shedding a lot, as long as there are no signs of gross balding or visible thinning of the fur, your pet is probably experiencing an atypical - but otherwise normal - shed.

article written by:

Scott Petereit, DVM

Companion Animal Hospital Partners, LLC

Companion Animal Hospital Takes on Rare Case

Companion Animal Hospital takes on rare case with successful outcome

As a Veterinarian you will always have those cases that stick with you and remind you even on the toughest day that I love what I do and grateful to have the opportunity to work with caring people and great owners."Queen" White is one of those cases....

The Problem    

Queen was a 8 week old female German Shepherd puppy that presented for vomiting/ regurgitation.  She had been drinking her mother's milk but as soon as she went over to solid food the episodes started and we saw her two days after the vomiting had started.  Queen had a sweet disposition was incredibly adorable.  Dr. Johnson recommended radiographs to look at her gastrointestinal tract which looked somewhat abnormal, so we pursued doing a barium study which highlights different areas of the gastrointestinal tract and is able to pick up strictures and other abnormalities that a normal radiograph could not.  As we looked at the radiographs during barium study, my heart sunk because I could see the problem immediately.

The Diagnosis     

Queen had a persistent right aortic arch which left untreated would mean death.  This congenital abnormality occurs when the right aortic arch which normally regresses during development does not and wraps/ compresses the esophagus.  This causes the esophagus to stricture down at the site of the irregularity and severely distend in front of it collecting food and then causing regurgitation.   We typically will see this problem in very young puppies because milk or watery substances can pass much easier then solid food. 

There is a surgery to correct the problem but usually handled by a Boarded Surgeon because of the delicacy of working in the thoracic cavity.  This is a costly surgery and some puppies do not recover even with the surgery.  As I presented all the options to the client, Mr. and Mrs. White really wanted to give Queen a chance and were willing to pay for the surgery even with an unknown outcome.

The Plan

I called Dr. Hammer at Companion Animal Hospital of Norridge, a Boarded, skillful, experienced surgeon to see if they would see the White's and Queen for a surgical consultation.   Dr. Hammer not only saw them he performed the surgery a few days later.  The surgery involves going in to the thoracic cavity and removing the persistent right aortic arch segment by ligating both sides and removing the part that is compressing the esophagus.  He also went in a ballooned out the strictured area to try and open it up more.  Queen recovered from the anesthesia and surgery well.

   Little Queen is a fighter and with patience and small meals frequently throughout the day, she will continue to thrive and get in to trouble as every puppy should!

Queen's case stayed with me is that this type of congenital abnormality is pretty rare.  I had heard about it during Veterinary School and read about it, but honestly I never thought I would get to see, diagnose, and treat a case.  We call these the ZEBRA cases.......rare cool cases.

Queen's story continues and her recovery again reminds me of my love of this field.

Written By:

Megan Moser DVM

Companion Animal Hospital of Skokie

What is heartworm?

Veterinary staff talk about heartworm prevention frequently when you bring your pet to us for care, but do you know exactly what heartworm disease is? 

Heartworms are parasites.  They are approximately 1 foot long, slender, white worms that live in the heart, lungs, and nearby blood vessels.  Altering the normal function of the heart and lungs, they can cause heart failure, lung disease, as well as affect other organs.  Dogs are the natural host for the parasite, but it can affect many other mammals, including cats.  In cats, heartworm is hard to diagnose because the worms often do not mature into adults.   The current tests available detect adult heartworms. 

The mosquito is a necessary part of the development cycle of heartworm.  The mosquito does not simply move baby heartworm (microfilaria) from one mammal to the next, but rather, a phase of heartworm growth happens in the mosquito.  The mosquito is the only insect that can carry, grow, and transmit heartworm disease as infective larvae. 

The cycle of heartworm starts with a mammal with adult worms producing microfilaria (baby worms).  Those microfilaria are picked up during a mosquito bite, and days later, are deposited into the next mammal.   It will take six months for that exposure to grow to adult worms in the heart.  Heartworm preventatives eliminate larval stages of the parasite before they can develop into adults.  Heartworm preventative is ineffective on adult worms. 

A reservoir of potential heartworm carriers exist within our countryside and community.  Considering the nearby wild population of fox and coyote, as well as stray, relocated, or neglected dogs, the opportunity for exposure to heartworm constantly exists. 

Prevention of this serious disease is far easier than treatment.  Heartworm can be treated but long term effects on the heart and lungs may remain.  The current recommendations of the American Heartworm Society is year around preventative.  Maintaining a pet on year around preventative takes any guesswork out of the wide seasonal variations even the northern climates may have, accounts for mosquito adaptations to tolerate colder climate, and possible overwintering of mosquitoes.  Many preventatives also have a de-wormer for intestinal parasites as an added benefit.

The American Heartworm Society website has information for pet owners, including incidence maps and the answers to many questions you may have.  https://www.heartwormsociety.org/   As always, feel free to contact Wolf Merrick Animal Hospital if you have any questions or concerns regarding the health of your pet. 

Source:   https://www.heartwormsociety.org/

article written by:

Laura Rau-Holl, DVM

Wolf Merrick Animal Hospital, Kenosha, WI

What is Lepto?

Leptospirosis is a bacteria which can be found in the environment.  It is most common in stagnant or slow moving water, but can also be found in soil.  Leptospirosis is spread via the urine of infected animals.  This includes many species of wildlife that may move in and out of our yards on a daily basis.  Urine contaminated water (such as puddles, ponds, rivers, etc) can serve as a source of infection.  The bacteria can infect many mammals and primarily causes liver and kidney failure.  It is a very life-threatening disease which can unfortunately be spread to humans as well!

Symptoms can vary quite a bit by the severity and form of Leptospirosis.  The most common symptoms to watch for include fever, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tenderness, and urinating/ drinking a lot.  These symptoms can be associated with many other diseases, making Leptospirosis a bit difficult to diagnosis.

Elevations in liver and kidney values may make your veterinarian suspicious of Lepto and there are more specific blood tests that can be subsequently run to diagnose the disease.  Treatment consists of antibiotics and often aggressive, in hospital care is necessary.  Even with aggressive treatment, this disease can be very life threatening.

The best news is that Leptospirosis disease can be prevented by vaccination.  We recommend a yearly vaccine which will produce immunity towards the most common Leptospirosis serovars.  Prevent your pets from drinking standing water outside, especially after flooding or heavy rainfall.  If you see symptoms that may be consistent with Leptospirosis infection, please make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible as early diagnosis and treatment is crucial for success in treatment. 

Ask us to learn more about the Leptospirosis vaccine.

article written by:

Derek Williamson, DVM

Companion Animal Hospital Vernon Hills and Crawford Animal Hospital

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

Thanksgiving Staples that are Hazards to Pups

Happy Thanksgiving from Camp McDonald Animal Hospital!  We have so much to be thankful for, we are sure you do too.  Enjoy your holiday and keep your pets away from the Thanksgiving Day feast.

Have you heard of Bark Box before?  Several of our team's dogs get one delivered every month.  Gina says "Olive" knows its for her before she even gets it in the front door.   Its a box full of fun new toys and treats arriving monthly on your door step.  Check out their website here.  

Our holiday safety tips come straight from the Bark Box website this time.  Check them out:

‘Tis the season for sharing and caring. But if you care for your dog, here are 11 things you will NOT share with them on Thanksgiving.

Note: This list comes from the ASPCA’s list of hazardous foods for dogs. Of course, some dogs have stomachs of steel and can eat everything from light bulbs to onion sandwiches, but this list is for folks who want to be extra careful. 

1. Salty Turkey Skin

Your Thanksgiving turkey will be basted in a number of tasty herbs and spices, like sage or dill, which are bad for your dog’s tummy. The fatty skin, added salty brine, and added butter isn’t very good for dogs either. When they start throwing the puppy dog eyes, you can give those pups a tiny piece of turkey breast though!

2. Turkey Bones

When the turkey’s gone, the bones that remain are NOT a good chew toy for your dog. They are brittle choking hazards that easily splinter if chewed.

3. Stuffing

This Thanksgiving staple often contains onions, which poison dogs’ blood cells.

4. Garlic Bread

Garlic is a member of the onion family (as far as dogs are concerned), so this is also bad for their blood.

5. Fruit Salad

A good rule of thumb is to not feed dogs fruit with seeds or pits. These inflame doggie intestines. Yuck! So, no plums, peaches, or grapes. That includes raisins!

6. Sausage

Sausage is more than meat. Sausage also contains, onions, garlic, and a bunch of other ingredients we’ve already mentioned.

7. Pecan Pie

Dogs shouldn’t be eating dessert anyway, but nuts can cause muscle spasms and weakness of the legs for up to 48 hours. Walnuts and macadamia nuts are the worst.

8. Booze

Whether wine or beer, alcohol is simply not good for dogs. Grapes and hops are both toxic to dogs, and so is the alcohol itself.

9. Pumpkin or Sweet Potato Pie

This one’s tricky. Both pumpkin and sweet potatoes are good for dogs. But for Thanksgiving many people add cinnamon and nutmeg to their pumpkin or sweet potato dishes which isn’t so great for our pups.

10. Ice Cream

Just like humans, some pups handle dairy just fine– others get a tummyache. It really depends on your pup.

11. Moldy Foods

I’m sure you don’t intend to feed your dog moldy, rotted food, so what I’m really trying to say is watch your dog around your overflowing trashcan. Moldy foods produce harmful mycotoxins, which just sound scary and do serious damage to your dog’s health.

For more food hazards check with the ASPCA.