What to do if your pet has a tick:

Ticks are a relatively common parasite in our area.  At times, they are a VERY common cause of concern (or even panic!) amongst pet owners.  If you have found a tick on your pet, here are some “Do’s and Don’ts" of removing the tick.

Do:

• Part the fur so you can see where the tick is attached to your pet’s skin.
• Grasp the tick (using a specialized tick remover or common household tweezers) as close to the skin as possible.
• Using firm, steady pressure, pull the tick away from your pet’s skin until it is removed.
• Clean the area where the tick was removed using alcohol if necessary.

Don't:

• Use flame or heat to burn the tick.
• Use alcohol, peroxide, or other methods to irritate the tick in an effort to get it to back out
• Freeze the tick off the pet

Methods that irritate the tick (burning, freezing, chemicals, etc) can cause the tick to regurgitate its stomach contents as it is removed.  This can increase the risk of disease transmission as Lyme Disease is carried in the tick’s gastrointestinal tract.  Simply pulling the offensive creature out is safer AND more effective.

The saliva of ticks is very antigenic.  This means it will produce a significant immune reaction in the animal that has been bitten.  It is quite common for a bump to develop after a tick bite.  It will at times look irritated, scabbed, and raised.  These reactions may take up to 3-4 weeks to completely resolve.

If your pet has been bitten by a tick, do not panic!  Thankfully, peak disease transmission occurs after the tick has been attached for 24-48 hours.  Quickly removing the tick will reduce the chance of disease transmission by quite a bit.  Using preventative products and regular tick checks will help with disease prevention and early diagnosis.

As always, we are more than happy to help you out with any tick related concerns.  Don’t hesitate to give our hospital a call!

Article Written By:

Derek Williamson, DVM

Companion Animal Hospital Vernon Hills and Crawford Animal Hospital

Help your pup conquer seasonal allergies with Cytopoint!

Help your pup conquer seasonal allergies with Cytopoint!

With warm weather right around the corner, allergies are starting to act up. Just like humans, many dogs are affected by seasonal allergies.  Allergies in dogs show up as skin problems, typically signaled by licking, biting, scratching, etc.  The discomfort from the allergy itself can be doubled when secondary (bacterial and/or yeast) infections on the skin occur. Though it depends on what your dog is allergic to, allergies are commonly seen seasonally in the spring, summer, and fall. 

There are many medication options for seasonal allergies.  All of them have their pros and cons.  Some common medications work well but have annoying side effects.  Others are very safe, but are only minimally effective.  Recently, a new injection known as Cytopoint was added to your veterinarian’s arsenal to combat the itch associated with your pet’s allergy.

What is Cytopoint? 

Cytopoint is an injection works by decreasing the itch associated with allergies.  It does this by blocking IL-31, a cytokine that triggers the process of sending itch signals to the brain.  Cytokines are a protein that signals other cells by binding to receptors on those cells.  Basically, the cytopoint blocks the itch from being felt by the brain and thus stops the licking, biting, scratching, and discomfort associated with allergies.

When given, Cytopoint begins relieving itching within one day and injections last for 4-8 weeks.  They can be repeated as needed.  Cytopoint is very safe for dogs of all ages, even those with other diseases, and can be used with many other common medications.  It has little to no side effects and has minimal effects on the immune system as a whole.

If your dog has signs that may be consistent with seasonal allergies, please don’t hesitate to contact us to see if Cytopoint might be a good fit for you!

Written by: Derek Williamson, DVM

Companion Animal Hospital Vernon Hills

Crawford Animal Hospital

The Dog Ate WHAT??

The dog ate WHAT??

I arrived at work one morning and was told by our receptionist that there was a client on the way with his 5 month old Shepherd. She said they thought had eaten nails that had been laying around in the garage. When they arrived, I told them the best way to visualize what is going on was to take a radiograph (aka x-ray) of the abdomen, since metal objects appear very clearly and densely compared to regular tissue.

  

      Here is the image I got:

     After the initial shock of learning his wife's engagement ring was in Jake's stomach, I told him we could retrieve it pretty easily. I gave Jake a drug that causes dogs to safely vomit within about 20 seconds. He preceded to vomit up his breakfast - and the diamond studded ring! 

    I love this radiograph so much because in all the years of taking x-rays, you never get one that so closely shows the object like this one.  Typically, all you will see a dense object and are unable to make out what it is because of the the angle being off or the inability to show it straight on, but this one was laying perfectly on it's side! A scary beginning made for a very interesting, and happy, ending! 

Written by: Dr. Megan Moser, DVM 

Companion Animal Hospital of Skokie

End of Life Care: Making Every Day Count

End of Life Care: Making Every Day Count

Being a veterinarian is often a rewarding job; we get to watch our patients grow and mature, perform preventative care to keep them healthy, and help heal them when they’re sick. However, being a vet also means that I sometimes have the unfortunate task of having to give bad news to pet owners. Whether it is a terminal cancer diagnosis, debilitating arthritis, failing kidneys, or something else, we know that medicine and surgery can sometimes only do so much and that eventually we must decide when it’s time to humanely end our pet’s pain.

When your pet has been diagnosed with a terminal disease, it is a devastating feeling. However, I also see it as an opportunity to truly make the most of your time with your pet. I have had to let three senior pets go over the last few years due to terminal diseases and I’d like to share some insight on what I have learned about making every day count.  

1   1) First, have a thorough talk with your pet’s doctor. Consider asking questions like:

a.      Are they in pain and if so, how will we control it?

b.      Are there any dietary restrictions I should be aware of?

c.      Are there any physical activity restrictions I should be aware of?

d.      What kind of timeline can I expect for this disease progression?

e.      What clinical signs should I be watching for with this disease? What should I do if I see these signs?

Basically, the goal of this conversation is “what can I do at home to keep my pet comfortable and how do I know when they’re no longer comfortable?”

2   2) Next, think about what your pet enjoys and go do that thing with them.

a.      Does your dog like swimming? If so, plan a trip to the beach (or an indoor pet pool if weather isn’t cooperating- check local training and boarding facilities for dog friendly pools). 

b.      Does your pet like to ride in the car and go new places? There are many affordable vacation rentals that are pet friendly, so you can plan a road trip with your furry friend.

c.      Does your dog like to eat (I mean, what dog doesn’t?!). Take them to a boutique pet shop to pick out a fun new treat! Some restaurants have outdoor dog-friendly patios, so look into that as well.

d.      Does your pet like meeting new people and animals? Look into local fests that are dog friendly and go check them out with your furry friend.  

    3) Consider a photo shoot with your furry friend. Take lots of pictures of all the good memories you’re making, as you’ll cherish these moments after they’re gone.  One complaint I hear sometimes is that owner’s wish they had more pictures of themselves with their pet, so don’t be afraid to take some selfies with your cat or dog!

4   4) Try to spend a little time every day doing something enjoyable for both of you. Perhaps your dog likes getting out of the house, so taking them for a walk or drive around the block could be fun. Play with toys at home. You don’t always have to do something big; remember, these daily moments are just as important as the big gestures!

5   5) Take comfort in doing nothing. Sometimes just relaxing at home with your pet can mean everything to them! Turn off your phone, put on a movie, and just cuddle on the couch and enjoy each other’s company.

6   6) Consider a farewell party. Invite the people (and perhaps other pets!) that are close to your pet to come say their goodbyes. Try to make it a celebration of life! Reminisce about your favorite moments with your pets, what you love most about them, and just enjoy being surrounded by people that love your cat or dog as much as you do.

Remember to not push your pet to do anything they are 
uncomfortable with; the goal is to do things that are fun for BOTH of you! While saying good bye to your pet will be one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do, having these memories to look back on will help to ease some of the hurt.

Written By: Dr. Erin Walsh
Companion Animal Hospital Mount Prospect

Heartworm - it's not just a summer threat!

Why is it so important to keep your pets on heartworm preventative year round? Check out this video to learn just what heartworm is and the importance of year round prevention!

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

What's the deal with worms?

What's the deal with worms?

Picking up your animals' feces is often not a pleasant task, but did you know that there could be friends hiding out within?

Roundworms 
This parasite is very common in puppies and kittens, they are infected while in the uterus as well as when they ingest milk. Adult worms look like spaghetti. Symptoms are a potbellied appearance in puppies. This parasite also has the potential to be zoonotic. Visceral larval migrans occurs in humans that accidentally ingest roundworm eggs. The larvae migrate to liver, lungs, brain, and most commonly the eyes.

Hookworms
Animals are infected by ingesting eggs or directly by worm penetrating through skin. These parasites live in the small intestine and feed on blood with teeth and cutting plates. It can be fatal due to loss of blood. Symptoms include bloody stool, pale gums, and anemia but only in cases of heavy infections. This parasite also has the potential to be zoonotic. Cutaneous larval migrans occurs in humans when larvae penetrate feet when walking barefoot typically in grass and sand. The larvae migrate producing winding tracks of inflammation and is very itchy

Whipworm
Can be hard to diagnose because worms do not shed large amount of eggs in feces. This is most common in dogs kept in small lots or on chains. The most common symptom is diarrhea with mucus and blood.

Tapeworms 
Dogs and cats get tapeworms from fleas and also if the animal hunts rodents. Sometimes the  tapeworm segments (prolgottids) can be seen around the anus and look like rice grains. 

Giardia
This is a protozoa not a worm that likes to inhabit water. Pets are infected when sniffing or eating cysts or drinking contaminated water. The most common symptom is chronic diarrhea. This is also zoonotic and causes humans to have diarrhea and terrible stomach cramps. 

Annual fecal tests are important to screen our pets to be certain that your pets are not affected by any of these parasites. Even if your pet does not go outside,parasites can be brought into the house on our feet or by other pets. Monthly heartworm prevention will protect dogs from roundworm, hookworm, whipworm, and tapeworm infections depending on the product 

Written By: Dr. Kat Baker

Hyde Park Animal Hospital & Clinic