Found: Lost Dog!

A few times a year, we have stray dogs or cats brought to us to scan for a microchip.  More often than not, the pet hasn’t been microchipped, or the microchip hasn’t been registered making it useless.  However, twice in April we had some good luck. Two lost dogs were brought to us and both dogs were microchipped... and the registration information on both microchips was up-to-date allowing us to find the owners and get the dogs back home. 

Studies show that 1 in 3 pets will get lost in their lifetime, and without ID, 90% of pets will never return home.  In fact, getting lost is the number one cause of death in pets.  According to a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs are over 52% more likely to be returned home if they are microchipped, and cats are over 38% more likely to be returned home.  These statistics illustrate the importance of microchipping, and we find that many of the dogs and cats in our practice are microchipped.  This, however, is only the first step in the process.

The second step to getting a microchipped pet home is to make sure the registration information is current.  When we microchip a pet, we register that number with the owner’s address and phone number.  Oftentimes, information for one or more alternate contacts will also be included, increasing the chances of getting the pet home.  In a study we did in hospital a few years ago, we found that 40% of the microchips in our patients were not registered, or registered with inaccurate information.   In these cases, the microchip is useless because there is no information for the owner attached to it. 

What can you do to make sure your pet can get home to you if he or she gets lost?  First, microchip your pet.  Most dogs and cats tolerate the process very well.  We can do it at any visit.  Second, make sure your information is registered to the microchip.  If you move or change your phone number, make sure you update your information.  If we can’t find you, we will have a very difficult time getting your dog or cat back to you.  If your pet is microchipped, and you don’t know if it’s registered to you (or at all), we can help.  We can scan your dog or cat and check on the registration information.  We can’t change this for you, but we can give you the necessary phone numbers to take care of it.  Please talk to any technician for more information on microchipping and registration. 

What is a Cat Friendly Veterinary Practice?

We are Cat Friendly!

by Kelly L., CVT

In the US, there are millions more cats than dogs as pets, but cats see the veterinarian much less frequently than dogs.  One of the biggest reasons is that it is very stressful for cats (and their owners) to go to the doctor.  In fact, studies show that 58% of cat owners report that their cat hates going to the vet, and 38% of owners say that they get stressed just thinking about taking their cat to the doctor.  At Hallett Veterinary Hospital, we’ve become an American Association of Feline Practitioners designated Cat Friendly Practice to help make visits more comfortable for cats and their owners. 

What does this mean for you and your cat?

To be given the designation of a Cat Friendly Practice, we needed to prove that we have taken steps to assure we understand the specific needs of cats and have implemented feline friendly standards to decrease stress and provide a more calming environment.  

• Our staff has been trained in feline friendly handling and understanding cat behavior.
• We have an exam room dedicated to cats only.  This room is down the hall, away from the waiting room and our busiest exam rooms.  
• We have a Feliway diffuser which is a calming, synthetic feline facial pheromone running in the exam room all day.  
• We have installed shelves for cats to play on.  We can also do our physical exams on these shelves if a cat is more comfortable there.
• We have toys available for playful cats, and a window for cats that like to look outside.  
• Our staff goes slowly with cats using the least amount of restraint that is necessary to handle them.  We also have some lower stress techniques for handling uncooperative cats.  
• We try to do as many procedures as we can in this exam room rather than move the cat to another area of the hospital that may be unfamiliar and uncomfortable.  
• We have a separate cat ward for hospitalized patients to make sure they are away from noisy dogs.  

We are proud of our Cat Friendly Practice designation and work hard to provide a less stressful experience for cats and their owners.

We are an “AAHA Accredited Hospital”, but What Does that Mean?

All over our hospital, we have the American Animal Hospital Association logo posted.  We have the logo on our brochures, windows, reminder postcards, and even exam table mats.  That red and white logo means a lot to us.  Our accreditation by AAHA is something we’re very proud of, but what does that mean for your pet? 

Accreditation is required by human hospitals, but voluntary for animal hospitals.  We have voluntarily chosen to be accredited. The American Animal Hospital Association is the only association in North American that provides accreditation to animal hospitals. 

To be accredited by AAHA, our hospital must show that we provide an exceptional level of medical care and client service, and be measured against the most rigorous standards in the veterinary industry.  We are inspected by a representative of AAHA every three years.  We are evaluated on AAHA’s Standards of Accreditation, which is an extensive list of more than 900 standards that directly correlate to the care we provide for pets.  Some examples include: 

• Medical records
• Pain management
• Diagnostic services
• Pharmacy
• Anesthesia
• Hospital cleanliness

Only 12% of animal hospitals in North America are accredited by AAHA, and we are very proud to be one of them!  We have been accredited since 2005.

By choosing to take your pet to an AAHA accredited hospital, you can be assured that we are dedicated to providing your pet with the best medical care possible.   Our veterinarians and staff believe that keeping pets healthy is our top priority.  As a pet owner, you can expect to receive the highest quality care from a well-trained, professional team that cares for your pet like it was one of our own.
 That red and white logo means a lot to us, and we hope it means a lot to you, too!
 

August is National Immunization Awareness Month!  And, just like us, it is important for our pets to stay up to date with their immunizations!

 by Michelle B. 

You receive a reminder from your veterinary clinic letting you know your pet is due for vaccinations.  You love your pet and want to keep him healthy, but you may wonder how necessary these vaccinations really are.  Does my indoor cat really need a rabies vaccine?  My dog doesn't go any further than my backyard, does he really need a distemper vaccine?  The answer is yes, our pets should have certain vaccinations, along with a yearly exam.  Rabies and distemper are considered core vaccinations for both dogs and cats and need to be updated on a regular basis. 

Rabies is a fatal disease in humans and in animals that is easily prevented with a vaccination.  It is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system.  The virus is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals, usually through a bite, but can also be transmitted through a scratch or if saliva from an infected animal comes into contact with broken skin.  Any mammal is a potential carrier, although here in Wisconsin, skunks and bats are the most likely carriers.  The Rabies vaccination is recommended for both dogs and cats.  Many people ask, “Why do I need to vaccinate my indoor animal?”  First, it is the law in most communities and is required in order to get a dog or cat license.  Second, unexpected things do happen.  A bat may get into your home and expose your indoor cat or dog.  While, it may seem unlikely, the consequences can be severe and fatal.  One of our clients found a bat in their home that turned out to be positive for rabies! Here at Hallett Veterinary Hospital, we recommend a Rabies vaccination every 3 years for dogs, after the first year, and every year for cats.

The canine distemper vaccine, which you will commonly see abbreviated as DHPP or DHLPP, protects against more than just the distemper virus (D).  It also protects against canine hepatitis (H), canine parvovirus (P), and parainfluenza (P), along with leptospirosis (L) in many cases. 

• Canine distemper attacks the respiratory, digestive and nervous system of dogs and is very serious and can be fatal in approximately 50% of untreated dogs.  Wild raccoons can carry and spread the canine distemper virus.

• The canine hepatitis portion of the vaccine protects against both canine adenovirus-1 and adenovirus-2, which affect the liver and respiratory systems.  Canine hepatitis is almost always fatal and acts quickly, causing a lot of pain. 

• Parvovirus is highly contagious and has a death rate of nearly 90% in untreated dogs.  It causes debilitating diarrhea, vomiting and fever.

• Parainfluenza is a respiratory virus that can affect dogs.

•  Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal bacterial disease that infects the liver and kidneys and can cause kidney failure.  It is transmitted through contaminated soil, water and the urine of infected animals and can be transmitted to humans.  In fact, we have treated several dogs for leptospirosis this year.

Here in Wisconsin, we recommend boosting the leptospirosis vaccination yearly, due to increased exposure risk, as leptospirosis is prevalent in our area.  The canine distemper vaccine is initially given as a series of three vaccinations every four weeks to puppies and unvaccinated dogs, boosted at 1 year of age and then every three years. 

The feline distemper vaccine, which is commonly abbreviated as FVRCP, also protects against a number of diseases.  These include feline rhinotracheitis virus (FVR), calicivirus (C) and panleukopenia (P).  Feline rhinotracheitis is a respiratory disease that can result in chronic, often life long, infection and sometimes eye disease.  Calicivirus is also a respiratory disease that can cause mouth sores and oral pain.  Panleukopenia is a severe and highly infectious disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract, immune system and nervous system.   It causes a decrease in white blood cells and can be fatal.  All three of these diseases can be found in the environment and can spread through contact with infected cats.  The feline distemper vaccine is initially given as a series of three vaccinations every four weeks to kittens and unvaccinated cats, boosted at 1 year of age and then every three years.

There are several other vaccinations available for both dogs and cats that are not considered core vaccinations and should be given based upon the pet's environment and exposure risk.  These include bordetella or kennel cough and Lyme disease for dogs and feline leukemia for cats.  Your veterinarian will gladly help you determine if these vaccinations are necessary for your pet's health and protection. 

So, when you receive that reminder for your pet's vaccinations, just remember that these vaccinations protect your pet against serious and potentially fatal diseases.  They help to protect the members of your family as well, as some of these diseases can be transmitted to humans.  If you have further questions about your pet's vaccines, be sure to contact Hallett Veterinary Hospital.  Any member of our staff can help explain the importance of these vaccines and help you decide when and if your pet should be vaccinated.  

Michelle B. is a receptionist at Hallett Veterinary Hospital.

...More Information on Canine Influenza

Yesterday (4/13/15) we received an email from the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Lab stating that the current outbreak of Canine Influenze is from a new strain of the virus that has not been seen in the U.S. previously. Here are our current recommendations regarding Canine Influenza Virus:

• Avoid dog parks or other areas where dogs congregate - for now. 
• Don't travel with your dog - especially to the Chicago area - for now.
• If you must travel with your dog or if there is no way to avoid having your dog contact other dogs, consider vaccinating for Canine Influenza.
• Wash your hands and change clothing if you are in contact with other dogs before coming home to your dogs. 

Please note that the current vaccine will not protect against this new strain (H3N2) but it will protect against the old strain (H3N8) of Canine Influenza that is still out there. There does not seem to be any cross-protection between strains of the virus. 

If you dog is coughing, has a runny nose or fever, call your veterinarian. Testing must be done within the two days of symptoms. 

Here are some additional links for more information:

Cornell University

AVMA

CDC

We will continue posting updates as we get new information.

Update June 2015: The canine influenza outbreak in the Chicago area seemed to burn itself out with time. Occasional cases may continue to pop up around the country but there is still no vaccine for this strain and it doesn't seem to be widespread at this time. We don't recommend avoiding dog parks, travel etc. at this time. 

Canine Influenza Update

Canine Influenza is easily transmitted between dogs

Canine Influenza has returned. This time in the Chicago area. I received an email today with some of the details. One report indicates that there may be 1,000 sick dogs and 5 deaths. My first thought was "quick, we need to order some Canine Influenza vaccine and start vaccinating dogs again". Of course, that email was from a vaccine sales rep. So as usual, I checked in with veterinary infectious disease specialists and reviewed notes on the virus again.

Here's what we know:

• Canine Influenza is highly contagious but most dogs have mild symptoms and recover quickly.

• Some dogs will get severely ill and a few will die.

• Virus transmission can occur after close contact with an infected dog or even from contact with toys or surfaces that contact an infected dog.

• Vaccines are available - dogs are considered protected about four weeks after the first injection (it is a 2 shot series, three weeks apart).

• This is an outbreak, not an epidemic. Most outbreaks with this virus die out after a few weeks.

• Canine Influenza does not transmit from dogs to people or from dogs to other species.

• Coughing dogs should be tested for Canine Influenza but the tests take 3-5 days to show results.

• As with most viruses, treatment involves providing supportive care early on and waiting for the body to fight off the virus. Antibiotics do not help unless there is a secondary bacterial infection.

So...
In Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, we are not recommending mass vaccination of dogs at this time. If your dog has been to a daycare or boarding facility or dog park in the Chicago area AND is coughing, see your veterinarian now. If you take your dog to dog parks, stay current on kennel cough vaccine since that is much more common than Canine Influenza.  If you are at a dog park and there is a coughing dog, leave.

We will continue to monitor the Chicago outbreak and notify our clients if the situation changes. I'm glad to know that the vaccine is available in the event that the outbreak spreads closer our area.

Is Beneful REALLY Harming My Pet???

by Kelly N. CVT

By now, most major news sources have run the story about a massive lawsuit filed by an individual in northern California that claims Purina Beneful has caused the death of one of his dogs and severe illness in his other two dogs.  There are now several thousand complaints against Beneful and the harm it is causing pets. 

Take a deep breath.
Like many pet food recalls, this lawsuit story is getting hugely blown out of proportion.  Let’s look at this label from a bag of Beneful:

As I understand it, the lawsuit suggests that propylene glycol is the ingredient causing internal bleeding, liver failure, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and kidney failure.  The problem here is that PROPYLENE glycol sounds very similar to ETHYLENE glycol.  Ethylene glycol is antifreeze, a substance that is very toxic when ingested.  Propylene glycol, on the other hand, is not antifreeze.  In fact, anyone reading this blog has most likely ingested propylene glycol today.

How can this be?  

Propylene glycol is a PRESERVATIVE that is in many food products and medications.

According to the FDA, propylene glycol, as a food additive, is metabolized well in the body and is used as a normal carbohydate.  The FDA recognizes propylene glycol as an additive that is “safe” for use in food.  Long-term use and substantial quantities can be consumed without causing toxicity.

There is one ingredient on that list that concerns me. 

Look at what is listed just BEFORE propylene glycol.  SUGAR.  I don't believe sugar has any business being in dog food.  Dogs don’t need it.  Sure, the food tastes great and dogs will readily eat it; too much of it, actually.  Many of the dogs that I see eating Beneful are overweight.  Being overweight has more health risks than the so-called “killer food additive”.

We love our pets and want to do the best we can for them.  Nutrition for our furry friends has become a hot topic recently. Last month I attended the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas and spent hours attending pet nutrition lectures presented by board certified veterinary nutritionists.  If you ever have questions or concerns about what you’re feeding your pet, please contact me.