Monday, December 15, 2014

Choosing a Christmas Reindeer

Christmas is almost upon us and children have by now finished their Christmas wish lists. I thought it would be appropriate to give parents some guidelines as to how to choose the perfect Christmas reindeer.

Selecting the right family reindeer can be a daunting task. There are so many sources of poor quality reindeer, that one must do their homework to prevent ending up with a “dud” reindeer. Most sources of reindeer do not allow exchanges or returns after Christmas. Children become attached quickly and it will become harder to exchange a misfit reindeer even if the reindeer source will allow it. Find a reputable breeder. The absolute best source would be from Kris Kringle himself. He has been doing this for generations, and his breeding stock is unmatched in quality and temperament. Mr. Kringle’s reindeer command a higher price, but his reindeer are of the highest quality and temperament, and can fly. The ability to fly is also something that is only seen in the reindeer raised by Mr. Kringle. Most reindeer cannot fly,  but this does not detract from their pet qualities. I would definitely stay away from Craigslist or ebay reindeer. These tend to be older reindeer, with pre-existing problems. Humane Societies and animal shelters tend to suspend reindeer adoptions during the holiday season so people don’t adopt them for the wrong reasons. Demand a current health certificate from a veterinarian experienced in reindeer medicine. A good source of names is the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association ) directory.

Descendents of one of his most popular reindeer, Rudolph, are the most expensive. The fluorescent, glowing nose is a recessive trait that is only seen every couple of generations. It is also a sex linked trait so only the males have the shiny, red nose. The ability to speak is pure fantasy folks, so don’t be disappointed if your reindeer cannot speak.

I do not recommend reindeer as house pets as they can be very difficult to house train. The tropical Florida climate is not ideal for reindeer, but one can look for the subspecies Reindeerensis floridensis, which have adapted well to our warm climate.

Reindeer do well with pelleted deer feed and good forage. It may be difficult to find deer feed, but most local feed stores can special order them for you. Do not give candy or table scraps as this can lead to diabetes. There is nothing worse than giving twice a day insulin shots to a reindeer. Been there, done that, not fun.

Dr. Kelly and his pet cow Norma, December 2013


I hope this helps and you enjoy your Christmas reindeer. Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Christmas is almost here and many of you will receive puppies as Christmas gifts. I have a series of tips I give to all my new puppy owners to ensure their new family members get off to good and healthy starts.

The most important step is to get your new puppy checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible. The veterinarian should perform a thorough examination to ensure you have a healthy puppy free of any diseases or congenital abnormalities. I always tell my clients that the most important visit they will ever have is that first visit so we can get that puppy on a good healthy start to life.



Feeding
Puppies should be fed puppy food. This is a no brainer, but you would be surprised what some people feed their dogs. There are many good quality puppy foods available on the market. I have no preference of dry vs. canned, but there are some advantages of feeding dry food. Dry food is cheaper, better for their teeth and doesn’t smell if not consumed immediately. I generally recommend to feed as much as a puppy will eat in 30 minutes, then pull the food up and do this two to three times a day. The toy breeds may need to eat three times a day to avoid hypoglycemia. Following this schedule will accomplish two things:
Housetraining- puppies poop after naps, meals and playtime, so what is going to happen if the puppy is allowed to free feed all day long?
Obesity prevention- puppies that free feed as puppies will free feed as adults and when they stop growing vertically, they will grow horizontally and have obesity issues.
Do not feed table scraps, people food. This can cause pancreatitis and metabolic bone disease in growing puppies.

Vaccinations
We normally vaccinate puppies with the core distemper, parvo vaccinations at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age. At 16 weeks, they are given a rabies vaccination. This is the time we normally spay or neuter, and microchip. Spaying a female puppy before her first heat cycle virtually eliminates any chance of developing breast cancer at a later date.

Heartworm Prevention
We start puppies on some form of heartworm prevention on the very first visit. Mosquitoes transmit heartworms and they will not respect the fact that these are puppies,  and not bite and transmit heartworm disease. The longer one waits to start heartworm prevention, the greater the chance that they will contract the disease. There is a six month incubation for heartworms, from the time they get bitten, until it shows up in the blood, so puppies younger than 6 months of age are not tested prior to administering heartworm prevention.

Parasite Control
We ask that all new pet owners bring in a fresh fecal sample, even if the puppy has been dewormed. It would be a mistake to assume that just because a puppy has been appropriately dewormed, it is parasite free. We outline flea and tick control both on the puppy and in the environment before a problem arises. It is always easier to prevent a problem, than it is to treat one.

Housetraining
Puppies that are on a feeding schedule are much easier to housetrain. Do not spank or put the puppies nose in it’s mess. They do not know better and need to be educated. That is our job. Puppies are not that much different than children. I don’t think anyone would argue that infants are not spanked if they soil their diapers. My wife got our kids out of diapers with an M & M reward program. If they pottied in the little potty, they got 2 M & M’s. If they went in the big potty, they got 4 M & M’s because Mommy and Daddy did not have to clean the little potty. When a puppy has an accident in the house, take them to it and say no in a firm voice. Pick the mess up and take puppy and mess outside, place it on the ground and make a big deal and reward the puppy as if he/she had done it. Carry treats to reward the puppy when they go outside correctly. Positive reinforcement is the best way to housetrain a new puppy. We do not recommend crate training until a puppy is at least 12 weeks of age, because their sphincter muscles cannot hold in their urine or feces for longer than 2 hours.

Following these simple steps will help ensure that your Christmas puppy gets off to a good, healthy start.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Cardiac Disease

Cardiac or heart disease can take many forms, and have many causes (etiologies).

Congenital  is  when a problem is present at birth, usually as a result of an anatomical anomaly. Examples are patent ductus arteriosus which occurs when there is a shunt around the major arteries that supply the heart that does not close at birth. This is usually detected by a veterinarian at the pet’s first visit and is manifested by a very loud and pronounced murmur. Treatment is the surgical ligation of the shunt, reestablishing proper blood flow dynamics to the heart.

 The other congenital anomalies are septal defects of the heart. The septum is the wall that separates the 4 chambers of the heart. If a hole is present between the chambers, blood leaks through and causes the other chambers of the heart to enlarge due to an increased blood volume. Eventually heart failure occurs. The murmurs present in these cases are not as pronounced as the patent ductus arteriosus. Surgical correction is much more difficult because it involves in open heart surgery versus  ligating vessels outside the heart.

Valvular defects can be congenital or acquired. Acquired cases usually occur in older patients, usually smaller breeds. Predisposing factors include chronic dental disease that seeds the valves with bacteria setting up placque deposits, not allowing the valves to close properly, causing an audible murmur, and eventually causing other chambers of the heart to enlarge.

Cardiomyopathies are syndromes where the the heart muscle is affected and the heart gets larger. Certain breeds are predisposed, ie Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, and Great Danes.
Heartworm disease can cause permanent damage to the heart.  The severity of the infection and length of time with the disease before treatment, will contribute to the severity of damage to the heart.

Diagnosis is usually made during a routine physical exam.  Ideally the pet is not showing any clinical signs and a murmur is detected.  As heart disease progresses, the pet owner may notice coughing, especially at night and early morning. Exercise intolerance, weight loss, lethargy, and bloating may be seen as the disease progresses into heart failure.  We are very aggressive in promoting diagnostic tests when a cardiac abnormality is detected. We can do chest radiographs, electro cardiograms, blood pressures, and ideally, we refer to a cardiologist for an echocardiogram.

Dr. Patrick Kelly and his dog Ellie (Ellie was a rescue dog with heartworm and has residual heart disease controlled with medications)    


Cardiac disease, as in most disease processes, responds best when diagnosed early. There are many drugs available that help manage and slow down the progression of the disease. We do not ascribe to the commonly held suggestion that “ just watch him/her. If he/she starts coughing, or has exercise intolerance, we will pursue it further.” What you are then telling a client is we will wait until their pet is in congestive heart failure before we treat. If we had received the same suggestion from one of our physicians, I am sure most of us would seek a second opinion. Pets can lead long and productive lives with heart disease if they are diagnosed early and monitored routinely.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Housecalls

We at Kelly's Animal Hospital are now offering housecalls upon request. We realized there is an unmet need for our senior clients who are no longer able to drive and need help from others when their beloved pets need veterinary care.

My mother in law lives in an assisted facility that allows pets. She is very fortunate she has us to help with her dog and cat, but many others simply do not, and their pets go without much needed veterinary care.

We will begin accepting requests for housecall veterinary care. If your pet needs more than can be provided at home, we will transport them to our veterinary hospital for further evaluation, diagnostics, or hospitalization.

We hope this new service will improve the lives of our senior clients and their beloved pets.

Call us at (772) 336-8111 for further details.


                                          Patrick Kelly, DVM and Jessica Khodadad, DVM

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Canine Lymphoma


Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. It is the most common type of cancer in humans and pets. Lymphoma can affect almost any part of the body. Dogs typically are presented with enlarged lymph nodes or glands. The ones that are usually the first to enlarge are the sub mandibular lymph nodes which are just below the jawline. Dogs that are brought in for “enlarged glands” are usually totally normal, eating, and active, but have generalized lymph node enlargement. Cats rarely present with enlarged lymph nodes. Their disease is usually manifested with gastro intestinal signs, kidney signs, or respiratory signs. Cats usually present thin, with chronic diarrhea, lethargic, and a lack of appetite. Palpable lymph nodes are more likely to be internal, with the lymph nodes that drain the intestines being enlarged. Diarrhea, and weight loss that is not responsive to treatment should alert the clinician and pet owner that lymphoma is a possibility.

Diagnosis is made with fine needle aspirates, or biopsies. Sometimes special stains have to be used to confirm the diagnosis. Lymphoma usually is very responsive to chemotherapeutic drugs. Lymphoma has been studied extensively in humans and effective chemotherapy protocols are readily available. Remission can usually be achieved in 93% of dogs using a combination drug protocol. Length of remission varies, but the usual first remission length is 12-13 months. Smaller dogs tend to stay in remission longer than their larger counterparts. Once dogs come out of remission, they have a reduced chance of going into a second remission, and the length of remission is usually half of the first remission.



The usual protocol is weekly chemo treatments for 4 treatments, then every other week for 20 weeks with a week off between cycles. Weekly CBC’s (complete blood counts) have to be done before chemotherapy treatments. The white count should be above 5000. If the levels are lower, the treatment is postponed. These drugs tend to suppress the bone marrow/immune system and make the patient susceptible to infection. Treatment is usually tolerated very well and the quality of life is excellent. I can attest to this. My dog Candi had lymphoma and survived 22 months with chemotherapy. My cat Charlie had nasal lymphoma, but did not respond well to chemotherapy and lived 3 months from the initial diagnosis.
Radiation therapy has shown promise in lymphoma patients especially those affecting the head and sinuses and is now available in several institutions in the state.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Canine Influenza

Canine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory virus. 80% of dogs that are exposed to the virus contract the disease. The virus is similar to the human influenza virus. It is the H3N8 strain that only affects dogs. There have been many outbreaks around the country. Texas is currently having an epidemic. Locally there have been cases reported in Palm Beach and Highlands counties.

Clinical signs of canine influenza include persistent, occasional ly moist productive cough, low grade fever, nasal discharge, lethargy, inappetance, and in severe cases, pneumonia, and even death.  The cough can persist up to a month and can be confused with the less virulent kennel cough. Kennel cough is caused by the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica and is treated with antibiotics. Canine influenza should be suspected in a dog that does not respond quickly to antibiotics.

Dogs that are at highest risk are ones that are kenneled in boarding facilities, go to grooming salons, doggie parks, and areas where they are exposed to other dogs. Canine influenza is generally spread through aerosol contact through coughing, direct contact like kissing, licking, and nuzzling . Transmission can also occur through contact with contaminated surfaces and clothing. A person can transmit the virus when they get the virus on their hands and touch things like doorknobs exposing other people to the virus.

There is no specific treatment for canine influenza. Treatment is supportive with antibiotics, hospitalization, iv fluids, and good nutritional support. Infected patients sometimes need to be hospitalized for many days on oxygen support.

Prevention and minimizing exposure is the key to controlling the disease. A well cared for dog, that is up to date on its vaccines, on a good plane of nutrition, and is current on heartworm prevention will be much more likely to have a good immune system, and more capable of fighting the disease. There is an effective, safe vaccine to prevent the canine influenza virus. It is given twice the first year, 2 weeks apart, and then yearly after that. Dogs that are boarded or groomed regularly should be vaccinated and pet owners should select those establishments that require dogs to be vaccinated against canine influenza over those that do not. Dog owners should avoid areas where dogs congregate like stores, doggie parks, kennels, and grooming shops when news that the virus is present in a particular area.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Ringworm

Ringworm is a skin disease caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. In humans it causes a red ring-like lesion that is itchy and was therefore misnamed a worm. The more proper terminology is not ringworm, but dermatophytosis. Ringworm fungi are soil borne organisms that affect many species of animals including humans. They are highly contagious, and spores from infected individuals can fall off the host and contaminate the environment. Some individuals can be carriers without showing any clinical signs.

Cats tend to be affected more readily than dogs, and kittens are the most easily infected because of their immature immune systems.

Clinical signs in pets tend to be non-specific and can look like most any other form of skin disease. Scabs appear on the skin that may or may not have the red ring around them. Most cases are diagnosed when a pet has not responded to an appropriate course of antibiotics to treat the much more common staph infection.

Diagnosis is made definitively with fungal cultures. Screening tests include fluorescence under a Wood’s lamp and looking at hair samples microscopically. Most ringworm cases will fluoresce under a Wood’s lamp, but not everything that fluoresces is ringworm. Microscopic identification can be difficult, so most veterinarians do ringworm culture tests when ringworm is suspected.

Treatment is aimed at minimizing shedding of the spores into the environment while treating the patient. Some cases require shaving to facilitate topical treatment with antifungal shampoos. Oral antifungal medication: itraconazole and griseofulvin are the mainstays of successful treatment but it can be expensive and typically must be given for at least 6 weeks. Infected animals should be segregated from other pets and human family members to reduce the risk of infection and to prevent shedding of infective spores throughout the environment. Lime sulfur dips can be effective, but are very foul smelling (rotten eggs), and can stain clothes and carpets. Some pets fight off the infection without treatment, but those cases are rare. The environment can be disinfected by using dilute bleach to disinfect animal bedding and carpets.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

TruePet Wellness Plans

TruePet Pet Wellness Plans

TruePet Pet Wellness Plans help your pet live longer through affordable preventative care. Our plans don’t just treat illness, they eliminate problems before they happen by paying close attention to details such as vaccinations, dental hygiene and nutrition. Pet Wellness plans also assist busy pet owners by notifying them of upcoming appointments, so you never have to worry about missing an important checkup or vaccine.

What are TruePet Pet Wellness Plans?

TruePet Pet Wellness Plans save money on the preventative healthcare that you were already planning to give to your other family member. • All Necessary Preventative Healthcare Services together in one plan. • 12 Affordable monthly payments. • Never pay full price for an Exam, only a $10 Co-Pay!

What is included?

• A $10 Exam Co-Pay on Scheduled Exams • All Necessary Vaccines • Free Nail Trims • Additional Discounts and much more...

How do I enroll?

Enrolling is easy. To learn more about creating a Wellness Plan that’s right for your pet, call us at (772) 336-8111 or visit our office today.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Intervertebral Disc Disease

The vertebrae or backbone are a series of bones that support and protect the spinal cord. In between these vertebrae are disks that cushion the bones and act as spacers between the vertebrae. These disks can herniate or protrude into the spinal column causing pain and neurologic deficits. This tends to occur in middle aged to older, small, long back breeds. The most overly represented breed is the dachshund, but this syndrome can occur in all breeds including the larger breeds.  We see an average of 3 cases a week in our practice.

The clinical signs can range from mild back pain to complete paralysis. Typically a dog will present with the complaint that it is not jumping up on the couch as usual, and cries when picked up. Often the owner will say their appetite is less and they may be reluctant to “go to the bathroom.” This occurs because the back and neck are painful and the dog is reluctant to bend to eat, or assume the position to defecate or urinate. On the physical examination there may be conscious proprioceptive deficits, weakness especially in the rear legs, and pain when the neck is manipulated or the back palpated.  CP deficits are documented when the toes are turned with the topside down. The dog should immediately right the foot to the proper position. A delay signifies and interruption in the signal from the foot to the brain. More serious clinical signs include dragging the rear legs, crossing of the rear legs when walking,  and a frog legged stance.
Diagnosis is made on clinical signs, and occasionally with radiography. The more serious cases are referred to a veterinary neurologist who will perform myelograms, or an MRI to identify the exact location of the herniated disk.

Treatment depends on the severity of signs. Early cases are treated with cage rest and steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, pain medication, and intravenous polyethylene glycol. We have a therapeutic laser machine that is a wonderful treatment modality. The light laser is anti-inflammatory, and relieves pain. This is also used post surgery to speed up recovery. A study at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine showed that paralyzed dogs that received post operative laser therapy walked an average of 5 days post op versus dogs that didn’t that walked an average of 17 days later. There are no side effects and we use it extensively in the treatment of iv disk disease. Surgery is recommended by a board certified neurologist if there is significant paresis or weakness in the legs, or if the dog is very painful and does not respond to medical treatment. Prognosis depends on the severity of the herniation,  how soon after the occurrence of the disk herniation the dog is seen by a veterinarian, and how aggressively the dog is treated. Surgery involves removal of the disk, and occasionally making a window in the vertebrae to make room for the disk material.

Prevention entails keeping the dog physically fit, as overweight dogs have a much higher incidence of intervertebral disk disease. I try to discourage clients with predisposed breeds to allow them to get on couches and beds as puppies. It is much easier to train them not to do this than to try and keep them off a bed after the condition develops.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Hurricane Preparedness

We are heading into the hurricane season and forecasters are predicting a below above average season. It only takes one like Hurricane Andrew to cause devastation. Pet owners should prepare before a hurricane is on their doorstep.

There are many things people can do to protect their beloved pets in the event of a storm.


  • Make sure their pets are up to date on all their vaccines and that proof of vaccinations are in a readily accessible place. If you have to evacuate and board your pets at a boarding facility or veterinary hospital, you will have to show proof of updated vaccinations.
  • Make sure any medications your pet may need are refilled. It may be days to weeks  after a hurricane makes landfall, before veterinary hospitals or pharmacies might be able to reopen.
  • Consider microchipping your pet. Pets can become lost if dwellings are damaged during a storm. Microchips enhance the odds that your pet will be returned to you safely.  Make sure the microchips are registered with updated information.
  • Make sure you have enough food and water for your pet for at least a week. Provide the boarding facility with both for your pet. Power and water may be lost for days to weeks after a storm hits.
  • Make provisions for your large animals like horses. We bought wax markers and wrote our cell phone numbers on both sides of our horses. In the event of a hurricane where the barn is damaged, horses may wander off. We also microchipped our horses. We installed hurricane garage doors and hurricane panels on our barn and had it reinforced to withstand 140 mph winds. The barn has withstood 3 hurricanes and the horses were very safe and comfortable.
  • People who are forced to evacuate should go online and find hotels and motels that are pet friendly. ( http://www.petswelcome.com/ ,  http://www.pet-friendly-hotels.net/ ). Do not wait until the last minute to get reservations.
  • Contact your veterinarian long before a hurricane becomes an imminent threat and see if they have hurricane boarding facilities. Most animal hospitals are not equipped to handle that many animals in a situation where electricity and water may not be available.


Hurricane season can be extremely stressful. By following these simple steps, it will make a difficult situation easier to endure and ensure your beloved pets remain safe.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Easter Lilly Toxicity

Easter is almost upon us and one of most popular holiday plants is the Easter lily. Easter lilies are extremely toxic when ingested, and cats are most commonly affected because of their habits of nibbling on plants.

Two years ago my wife Carolynn received a belated birthday bouquet of lilies from her brother. It arrived on a Saturday morning. I came home at 1 pm from work and noticed this large bouquet of lilies on the counter. I asked my wife what are those, and she replied,” aren’t they beautiful? George sent them to me as a belated birthday gift!” I told her that we needed to get the lilies out of the house, they are extremely toxic if ingested, and we have 9 indoor cats. Carolynn was shocked and said that she already had to shoo several of the cats away from the flowers.

Thursday morning, she called me at work and said she noticed Midnight, our 1 ½ year old cat had not eaten now for the second day, and was hovering over the water bowl. I told her to bring him right in. His body temperature was 92 degrees Fahrenheit, 10 degrees below normal, and bloodwork revealed he was in profound kidney failure. We immediately began intra venous fluids, and placed him on a heating pad and transferred him to the Animal Emergency and Referral Center for critical care. We approved all measures to save, him including dialysis. He was there for 2 days and unfortunately did not respond. His kidneys completely shut down and I had to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanize my beautiful cat.
Lilies are extremely toxic, and all parts of the lilies are poisonous.  A small piece ingested can cause irreversible kidney failure unless treatment is begun within 18 hours. We did not know Midnight had consumed the lily and by the time he showed clinical signs, it was too late. I urge all my clients not to have any lilies around the house. This is especially important during the Easter season as lilies are ubiquitous. Clinical signs are vomiting, dehydration, lethargy, inappetance, and increased thirst and urination as the kidneys fail. If a cat is known to have ingested lilies, it is critical they be taken to a veterinarian immediately. Vomiting is induced and intravenous fluids are begun. Mortality rates approach 100% in cats that are treated 18 hours or more after a lily is consumed.

I called the local news agencies, television stations and asked that my story be told to prevent another cat owner from going through the grief, we suffered. No one took us up on the offer, they didn’t feel it was newsworthy enough. I called FTD and asked that they consider placing warning labels on their Easter lilies so clients with cats can take preventive measures. It also fell on deaf ears. I hope this article informs cat owners, so no one has to go through the pain we suffered with our dear Midnight.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system. It is the most common type of cancer in humans and pets. Lymphoma can affect almost any part of the body. Dogs typically are presented with enlarged lymph nodes or glands. The ones that are usually the first to enlarge are the sub mandibular lymph nodes which are just below the jawline. Dogs that are brought in for “enlarged glands” are usually totally normal, eating, and active, but have generalized lymph node enlargement. Cats rarely present with enlarged lymph nodes. Their disease is usually manifested with gastro intestinal signs, kidney signs, or respiratory signs. Cats usually present thin, with chronic diarrhea, lethargic, and a lack of appetite. Palpable lymph nodes are more likely to be internal, with the lymph nodes that drain the intestines being enlarged. Diarrhea, and weight loss that is not responsive to treatment should alert the clinician and pet owner that lymphoma is a possibility.

Diagnosis is made with fine needle aspirates, or biopsies. Sometimes special stains have to be used to confirm the diagnosis. Lymphoma usually is very responsive to chemotherapeutic drugs. Lymphoma has been studied extensively in humans and effective chemotherapy protocols are readily available. Remission can usually be achieved in 93% of dogs using a combination drug protocol. Length of remission varies, but the usual first remission length is 12-13 months. Smaller dogs tend to stay in remission longer than their larger counterparts. Once dogs come out of remission, they have a reduced chance of going into a second remission, and the length of remission is usually half of the first remission.

The usual protocol is weekly chemo treatments for 4 treatments, then every other week for 20 weeks with a week off between cycles. Weekly CBC’s (complete blood counts) have to be done before chemotherapy treatments. The white count should be above 5000. If the levels are lower, the treatment is postponed. These drugs tend to suppress the bone marrow/immune system and make the patient susceptible to infection. Treatment is usually tolerated very well and the quality of life is excellent. I can attest to this. My dog Candi has had lymphoma for 17 months and is undergoing her second cycle of treatment and is in her second remission. My cat Charlie has nasal lymphoma and just started his first round of treatment last week. The tumor has shrunk almost completely and is barely detectable.

Radiation therapy has shown promise in lymphoma patients especially those affecting the head and sinuses and is now available in several institutions in the state.

Monday, March 31, 2014

Heartworm Disease

April is National Heartworm Disease Awareness Month!

The hot summer months and humidity bring with it mosquitoes which can transmit many diseases to pets and humans. Heartworm disease is prevalent in dogs and to a lesser extent cats and ferrets. Mosquitoes feed on the blood of warm blooded animals. Mammals infected with heartworms have circulating larvae in the bloodstream. When a mosquito ingests blood from a heartworm infected animal, the larvae mature and develop in the host. The larvae eventually migrate into the heart and pulmonary vessels where they mature and cause clinical signs of heartworm disease.

The clinical signs of heartworm disease in dogs often to do not become evident until  late in the course of the disease. These  signs include coughing, exercise intolerance, lethargy, collapse, and even sudden death.
Heartworm disease diagnosis in cats can be challenging. The disease in cats tends to cause signs that mimic asthma. Coughing is the predominant sign, but vomiting and acute sudden unexplained death has been reported. There is no treatment for heartworm disease in cats because cats go into anaphylactic shock when the worms die. The object of heartworm treatment is to kill the heartworms which could induce anaphylaxis. The drugs that are used to treat heartworm disease are also toxic in cats.

Heartworm disease is preventable in all the affected species. The heartworm prevention comes in many forms including : chewable monthly tablets, monthly topical applications that have flea prevention included, and now a 6 month shot for dogs.

Heartworm treatment is expensive. Heartworm prevention is inexpensive and safe. Heartworm disease can cause permanent damage to the pet’s heart. Pets that are not on heartworm prevention, especially in Florida where the mosquito is the state bird, are likely to result in the pet becoming infected with heartworms. I tell clients it’s the proverbial, “ You  can pay me now or you can pay me later!”
There is no reason for an animal to develop heartworm disease. Yearly heartworm blood tests and monthly heartworm prevention will ensure our pets will not contract this potentially deadly disease.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Canine Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease transmitted by the spirochete bacterium Leptospira spp.  The bacteria is shed in the urine of an infected host which can include mice, raccoons, skunks, deer, sheep, dogs and even humans. The bacteria remains viable in the environment as long as it is moist, so it is most prevalent in Florida during the wet summer months.
Dogs most commonly come in contact with the bacteria by licking urine off the grass, or drinking from puddles in the yard that have been contaminated with infected urine. Clinical signs are jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes), bloody urine, fever, lethargy, vomiting, inappetance, and kidney failure, and death. The incubation period in dogs is 2-20 days. In humans the signs include lethargy, fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice, and death. The incubation period in humans is 4-14 days. People who are exposed to contaminated water such as surfers, and professionals who are exposed to contaminated urine such as veterinarians, and slaughterhouse workers are most at risk.
Diagnosis is made from blood samples and fresh urine in early infections.
Treatment if caught early, is with antibiotics such as penicillin, and doxycycline. Penicillin is given initially to control shedding of the bacteria in the urine, then doxycycline is used to get rid of the carrier state. The key is prevention. There are no vaccines available for humans, but there are effective vaccines for dogs. The canine leptospirosis vaccine contains the 4 most common serovars, and is included in most distemper/parvo vaccine combination protocols. There are some veterinary practices that do not include leptospirosis vaccine in their annual vaccination protocol and 3 years ago we had 4 cases of leptospirosis. Two of the dogs were not current on any vaccines, and the other two came from veterinary hospitals that did not include leptospirosis in their vaccine protocol. We were able to save two of the dogs. This also posed a significant risk to the owners’ health. We advised them to avoid contact with their dogs’ urine and confine the area where their dogs urinate to limit the area that could become contaminated.
We strongly recommend that all dogs be vaccinated against leptospirosis annually to prevent this potentially fatal disease.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Veterinary Dental Care



February was National Pet Dental Month. We extended pet dental month at Kelly's Animal Hospital through the month of March due to the overwhelming response by our clients. This is a good time to re-evaluate your pet’s oral health.  Oral care is second nature for us humans. We religiously brush and floss our teeth at least twice a day and have our teeth professionally cleaned twice a year.
A recent survey showed that only about 5% of pet owners routinely brush their pets’ teeth. Most clients are open to the idea, but when it comes to implementing oral care into their busy daily schedules, reality sets in, we tend to not follow through. The best time to start oral care for our pets is when they are young. This then becomes part of the daily routine for both pet and owner.  There are many good products to help us maintain good oral health in our pets from chicken flavored toothpaste, soft toothbrushes, finger cots, oral rinses, water additives and dentachew treats and oral care diets.
Good dental hygiene is important in our overall health as well as our pets. The bacteria that grow in our mouths create gingivitis causing erosion of the gums and tooth loosening. The bacteria that generate in the mouth can become systemic affecting the heart, kidneys, and liver.  Prevention is the key to sound dental health. A favorite expression of mine is “ Better to catch something early than to wait and have the treatable become untreatable!”
We do comprehensive dental cleaning, scaling and fluoride treatment on our patients, just like we receive at our own dentists. Because dogs and cats have not mastered the rinse and spit technique, they must be sedated for the dental prophy. We take great care and require pre-anaesthetic bloodwork to make sure there are no unknown issues that could affect anaesthesia. All animals are intubated and the anaesthesia we use is the same ones that are used in human practice. All animals have heart and oxygen saturation monitors. The procedure normally takes about 15-20 minutes and most patients are awake with 10 minutes,. We call all our pet owners as soon as their babies are awake, and they can usually go home by early afternoon.
Age is not a limiting criteria for doing dental care. We have had numerous patients that came from other veterinary practices that were told that their pets were too old and it was not worth it. I absolutely do not ascribe to that philosophy. I would rather do a dental cleaning on a healthy pet that is eating well, regardless of age, than to wait until they stop eating because of loose teeth, or a tooth abscess and then do the dental cleaning. The pet is now more compromised and a greater anaesthetic risk. I keep telling my clients that age is not a disease and as I get older and grayer, I hope my own doctors have that same consideration for me.
Take advantage of pet dental month and get your pets’ mouths evaluated. We are discounting the cost of dentals this month and your pet will be healthier for it.