Rabies

Rabies is a neurotropic  rhabdovirus that can affect any warm blooded animal. This means that the virus has an affinity for nervous tissue, this includes nerves, spinal cord, and brain. There are 3 main carriers of rabies in the United States, bats, raccoons, and foxes. Mongoose is the main carrier of rabies in Puerto Rico. The predominant wildlife host on the east coast, including Florida, is the raccoon.

Rabies is transmitted from the saliva of an infected animal to an exposed host. This usually takes place as a bite, but the virus can be transmitted from a scratch, if there is saliva on the nails of the infected animal. Rabies can be transmitted from aerosol exposure. This is especially important with spelunkers (cave explorers) who enter caves where there is a large population of bats. The virus can be inhaled through the mucuous membranes by a susceptible host.

Early clinical signs of rabies include fever, muscle aches, anxiety, and progress to hallucinations, deliria, seizures, muscle twitching, change in behavior, aggression (madness), and hydrophobia (fear of water). The incubation period is dependent on where the entry point of the vrus. The virus travels up the nerves, to the spinal cord, then enters the brain. The closer to the head the person or pet is exposed, the shorter the incubation period. Death without treatment is almost a certainty within 2-10 days after exposure.

Transmission of the rabies occurs via the saliva. The animal is capable of transmitting rabies when the virus migrates from the brain to the salivary glands. When a domestic animal with an unknown vaccination history bites a person, they are quarantined for 10 days. The animal can only transmit the virus when it is in the salivary gland and studies have shown that if they were infective at the time of the bite, they will be dead within 10 days. The bitten person then is subjected to rabies post exposure treatment. This treatment involves 5 painful injections and is very expensive, but without treatment, death is almost a certainty. There have been only a few cases of people surviving rabies without post exposure treatment.

All pets should be vaccinated for rabies and kept inside. Cats are more likely to contract rabies and more likely to transmit the disease because they are more predatory by nature and become much more aggressive when they develop rabies. The vaccination is inexpensive, safe and very effective.

Pancreatitis

As we approach the holiday season, we veterinarians prepare for an increase in the cases of pancreatitis.

 The pancreas is an organ attached to the small intestine.
It serves two basic functions:

The endocrine side produces insulin which enables the body to process glucose. Glucose is the body’s main energy source.

The exocrine side produces enzymes to digest food. Food must be digested in order for the intestines to absorb the nutrients contained in the food consumed.

When a pet consumes food that is high in fat, the pancreas gets overworked, swells and actually leaks enzymes into the abdominal cavity. This causes autodigestion and is very painful and can even cause death. The most common cause of pancreatitis we see in veterinary practice is when pets are fed people food. We see the most cases of pancreatitis the days after Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. The clinical signs of pancreatitis include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, painful abdomen, and inappetance.  Untreated cases can cause death.

Treatment is usually supportive with iv fluids, hospitalization, antibiotics, anti-emetics, and antidiarrheals. We often withhold food in dogs for several days to give the pancreas a chance to settle down. Feeding a dog with pancreatitis literally fuels the fire, stimulating the pancreas to produce more enzymes. A new treatment for severe cases of pancreatitis is hyperbaric chamber treatment. Some patients require surgery and drains. Management of dogs and cats with pancreatitis is done with a high fiber, low fat diet. Prevention is the key. We cannot say this loudly enough or more emphatically, DO NOT GIVE PETS PEOPLE FOOD!

Discussing pancreatitis with clients is a daily occurrence. Pancreatitis does not happen to every pet fed people food, but the risk is certainly much higher. The human analogy is not all smokers die of lung cancer, but your odds certainly go up if you do.

Pet owners often equate food with love. I am all for spoiling our pets, but this can be accomplished without endangering their health and lives. Have a safe holiday season!

Hypertension

Hypertension in our pets is not something most pet owners give a second thought to, but it is much more prevalent than you think. We associate hypertension in humans with stress, smoking, diabetes, obesity, too much salt consumption, or familial history. Hypertension in humans is often considered own primary, meaning an underlying cause cannot be determined. In animals, hypertension is usually secondary.  The most commonly associated diseases with hypertension are hyperthyroidism (in cats), Cushings disease ( overactive adrenal disease in dogs),  diabetes mellitus, and kidney disease.

The most common sign associated with hypertension is vision loss.  The retinas are very sensitive to high blood pressure and are usually the first organs to be affected. Unfortunately, a pet cannot communicate a loss in visual acuity, and often a pet owner does not realize this until the pet becomes acutely blind. This is most common in cats. The presenting sign is a cat that was normal one day, and the next has huge dilated, unresponsive pupils, and is bumping into things. Oftentimes once this happens, the retina has detached and the blindness is permanent.

Early diagnosis is key to good control just like in humans. We take it for granted that our blood pressure is measured every time we visit our own physicians, don’t our pets deserve the same? We encourage blood pressure checks in any pet 6 years of age and older at least twice a year, and in any pet that has a disease that is associated with hypertension. We include blood pressure checks in any pet with kidney disease, dilute urine, protein in the urine, Cushings disease, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism. We usually do blood pressure checks after we have the results of the bloodwork. If a cat is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, we treat that condition first, and oftentimes the blood pressure normalizes.

Blood pressure is measured in pets similarly to humans. A special inflatable cuff is applied to the foreleg of the pet and a series of measurements are taken. We usually take 3-5 blood pressure readings and the average is interpreted. This allows the pet to calm down and minimize the “white coat syndrome”, which can artificially elevate the blood pressure.The most important reading is the systolic blood pressure. We  want the systolic blood pressure to be below 160.

Treatment is similar to humans. The underlying disease needs to be controlled. The most common blood pressure medications we use in veterinary medicine are benazepril, enalapril, and amlodipine. These are the same medications we use in human medicine to control hypertension.
Hypertension is common and treatable if diagnosed early. Blood pressure checks should become as routine in veterinary medicine as it is in human medicine.

Hurricane Preparedness

We are at the peak of hurricane season and we are monitoring several systems in the Atlantic.  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.

Parvovirus

Parvo is a highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs. Transmission is mainly from exposure to the virus through feces from infected dogs. Parvovirus causes the lining of the intestines to necrose (slough). Clinical signs include diarrhea, often bloody, vomiting, lethargy, and dehydration. The less common cardiac form can cause sudden death. Most infected dogs are puppies and dogs that are not current on their parvovirus vaccination.

Parvovirus is a relatively new disease, appearing in the late 1970’s. There were widespread outbreaks and the mortality rate was quite high before the development of a vaccine. Puppies are vaccinated monthly in a series of 3 injections starting at 8 weeks of age until they are 4 months old. Boosters are given yearly after that. Parvovirus is highly contagious and the mortality rate in untreated dogs can reach 91% in as little as 24-72 hours. Concurrent illness with bacteria, parasites, and malnutrition worsens the clinical signs. Certain breeds are predisposed: Rottweilers, Dobermans, and Pit Bull Terriers. Treatment is mainly supportive and can be quite expensive. Dogs are hospitalized for several days on intravenous fluids, antibiotics, antidiarrheals, and anti-emetics.  Infected dogs that recover can shed virus in their feces for up to 3-6 weeks and should be kept away from any other dogs until this period is over. The virus can persist in the environment for up to a year and is cold and heat tolerant. The only disinfectant that effectively kills the virus is bleach. We recommend that infected dogs be taken to a small area in the yard to defecate, and the fecal material be picked up to avoid exposing other dogs by contaminating the environment.

There have been several parvovirus outbreaks locally. In these difficult economic times, dog owners are cutting corners with their pets’ health. The parvovirus vaccine is usually included the distemper vaccine that is given yearly to dogs. Prevention of this deadly disease is the key. It is an inexpensive, and safe way to ensure the health of our beloved canine family members.

Pet Insurance

Pet insurance is a good investment in your pet’s health. There are many insurance companies and plans, so it is important do do your homework. The best source of information is your veterinarian. We promote health insurance at our veterinary practice, because pets that are insured tend to be better taken care of. Pet owners are more likely to keep up with wellness programs, routine physical exams, bloodwork, and treatment plans.

Pet insurance is similar to human dental health insurance in the fact that it is a reimbursement plan. An insured patient pays for services, then submits a claim to the insurance company who then reimburses them a percentage of the bill. There are many pet insurance companies and it is up to the pet owner to research them and select the one that best fits their needs.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a health plan for a pet. Ideally, insurance is taken out on a young pet with no pre-existing conditions. I cannot tell you how many clients ask if they can get insurance when their pet is seriously ill. There is usually a waiting period for illnesses on most policies. An insurance company, for example,  will not pay for an anterior cruciate ligament tear a week after a policy has been taken out. Deductibles vary depending on the plan. There are plans that cover wellness exams, vaccinations, heartworm prevention,  spays and neuters. These tend to be more expensive and it may make more economic sense to pay out of pocket for wellness issues and take out a policy that covers accidents or catastrophic illnesses like cancer. This prevents financial euthanasia. There have been many cases of pets having treatable but expensive to treat illnesses that end up being euthanized because the owners can’t afford to treat.

For more information, you can contact us at our hospital at (772) 336-8111, or visit our website http://kellysanimalhospital.com/ and click links.

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 many 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. This past month we had 2 young dogs with unexplained kidney disease that were had not been vaccinated against leptospirosis by their previous vets. Their owners spent some anxious moments while we waited for the leptospirosis titers to come in.

We strongly recommend that all dogs be vaccinated against leptospirosis annually to prevent this potentially fatal disease.