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 Next week, May 20-26, 2012, is National Dog Bite Prevention Week!! Did you know more than 4 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs every year? Children are the most common victims with senior citizens the second most common.
One of my most emotionally scarring events as a veterinarian involved being bitten by a very large dog while on a home visit. The dog allowed me to examine him and vaccinate him. While I was conversing with the owner and getting ready to leave, the dog decided to jump and bite me in the face. Not a good day to say the least. This week’s blog is going to focus on the dog owner’s perspective and responsibility in bite prevention.
It is important to remember that any dog can bite if provoked. With that in mind, here are some helpful points:
- Carefully select your pet. Don’t get a dog or puppy on impulse. Once you have made a careful selection, utilize your veterinarian for information about behavior, health and suitability.
- Make sure your pet is socialized. Socialization should begin in puppyhood with gradual exposure to a variety of situations under controlled circumstances. This exposure should be continued on a regular basis.
- Do not leave a baby or child alone with a dog. Because so many dog bite injuries happen to young children, it may be best to wait until children are older than 4 years of age before bringing a new dog or puppy into the home. Children should learn not to approach strange dogs or try to pet dogs through fences. They should learn to ask permission from a dog’s owner before petting the dog.
- Train your dog. Basic commands such as ‘sit”, stay, come are key to building a bond of obedience and trust. Use a leash in public to ensure you are able to control your dog.
- Keep your dog healthy. Have your dog vaccinated against rabies and other preventable infectious diseases. Parasite control and overall health care are important because how the dog feels affects how it behaves.
- Be a responsible owner. License your dog. Obey leash laws. If you have a fenced yard, make sure the gates are secure. Spend time with your dog; walking and regular exercise keep an animal healthy and mentally stimulated. Dogs that are frequently left alone have a greater chance of developing behavioral problems. My motto is: “A tired dog is a good dog J”
- Be alert and know your dog.
What to do if your dog bites someone:
Even if the bite can be explained like someone accidentally steps on its tail, it is important to take responsibility.
- Restrain the dog immediately. Separate it from the scene of the bite. Confine it.
- Check on the victim’s condition. Wash wounds with soap and water. Professional medical advice should be sought to evaluate the wounds and the risk of rabies and other infections. Call 911 if a response by paramedics is required.
- Provide important information including your name, address and information about your dog’s most recent rabies vaccination. If your dog does not have current rabies vaccination, it may be necessary to quarantine or even euthanize the dog for rabies testing. The person bitten may need to undergo post-exposure prophylaxis. This type of situation is no fun for anyone involved. Keep your dog’s rabies vaccine up to date.
- Comply with local ordinances regarding reporting of dog bites.
- Consult your veterinarian for advice about dog behavior that will help prevent similar problems in the future.
Dogs are great companions!! By acting responsibly, dog owners can not only reduce the risk of unfortunate incidents but also enhance their relationship with their dog.
**this information taken from AVMA website www.avma.org and AVMA brochure entitled “Dog Bite Prevention”
Responsible-Pet-Ownership-EnglishColor
This week we are celebrating National Pet Week. I have included a link to the AVMA’s brochure on Responsible Pet Ownership. In summary, as responsible pet owners we need to start by choosing our pet(s) wisely. The kind of pet that fits our lifestyle. Then, make a commitment for the life of the pet to properly care for that pet with training, exercise, preventative health care, obedience to laws, and preparing for emergencies and illnesses. We need to also recognize when the pet’s life quality is declining and make appropriate decisions.
I would say I see people struggle with two of these points the most. The first being proper training, exercise and mental stimulation. Pets need training from the very beginning so they learn to accept and behave properly in and outside the home. Whether visiting a local park or going to the veterinary clinic, pets can and should learn to walk calming and properly on leash with their owner. They can learn to accept new surroundings, situations and other animals. It does require an investment of time but would alleviate many issues we see as far as inappropriate elimination, destructive behavior, “hyperness”, jumping, fear, biting, etc, etc.
The second struggle I commonly encounter is lack of planning for emergencies, injuries or unexpected illnesses. While routine health care can prevent many health issues, things still happen. Knee injuries, accidents, broken bones or teeth, kidney disease, or cancers for example can affect a pet at inopportune times and require significant expense. Having a plan in place or a contingency fund can help alleviate some of the anxiety and decision making when those events happen in the life of a pet. It would be wise to explore options such as Care Credit or pet insurance before something happens to see if these are appropriate for your pet and budget.
As veterinary professionals, we do our best to help our clients navigate through the entire life journey of their pet. We are happy to help in any way we can. We want each pet to have a long, happy, healthy life!!!
 Is my yard dangerous???
Many of us have been busily working in our yards and landscaping weeding, treating the lawn, etc. WVC staff are often asked about hazards in the yard for pets, dogs in particular. Although it is not possible to rid the yard of EVERY potential problem, you can reduce the risks considerably.
When it comes to landscaping, try to become familiar with the plants and bushes that are planted. Some plants like azaleas, lilies of the valley, caladiums and foxgloves are toxic if ingested. Other plants like aconitum and bella donna can cause skin reactions if touched and are deadly if eaten even in small quantities. It is certainly not practical to rip up your entire yard; but consider removing the most dangerous plants. Curious puppies are the biggest issue as they are prone to taste anything and everything.
The list of plants that are harmful to pets is longer than the list for humans. There are two links included below for more information about toxic plants. But, you can train a pet to stay away from certain plants. Sprinkling them with cayenne pepper or a commercial repellent may help.
Also, take care with pesticides and herbicides, and don’t assume organic is necessarily safe. Both cacao hull mulch and blood and bone meal fertilizer can be toxic to dogs; they seem to be irresistible to them as well. If you use a professional lawn care service, check with them to see if the products are pet safe.
http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/index.html
http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/publications/poison/poison.html
Although we may be reaching for our warmer jackets this week, there is no doubt that spring has sprung in northeast Ohio already. We enjoy the beautiful landscape but those who suffer from seasonal allergies are getting hit a little early this year. Our pets can also have seasonal sensitivities; we are seeing some of those patients sooner that usual. If you notice your pet itching more than usual or repeatedly licking at their feet and other places, they may be dealing with similar issues. A trip to the veterinarian is the first step to getting to the underlying cause and getting some relief.
In the spring, humans tend to suffer from environmental allergens like pollens, grass, and dust. What kind of allergens can affect our pets?
There are 3 main allergies that we consider for our pets:
- Flea saliva- it is important to remember that it only takes a single bite to set off a flea allergy reaction. There is not always a flea infestation.
- Environmental allergies- pollens, molds, grasses, trees, dander, mites, dust, etc
- Food allergies-certain foods can trigger allergic reactions in some pets
Most itchy pets are dealing with one or more of these triggers. In some cases, like flea allergy, monthly flea protection is an easy treatment. Other cases may require more complex care such as dietary management, essential fatty acids, antihistamines, topical therapies and even desensitization therapy. Another important part of the examination is to look for secondary infections from bacteria or yeast, which can exacerbate itch and require specific therapy.
Although there is no immediate cure for allergies, we work diligently to find a reasonable routine to help manage your pet’s symptoms and keep your pet as healthy and comfortable as possible.
What is “strangles”? Strangles is the common name for a Streptococcus Equi infection in horses. This bacterium localizes in the glands of the horse, usually under the chin or below the ears. The glands become swollen and painful. The local swelling may cause the airway to become constricted making it difficult to eat, drink and in severe cases breathe; thus the name “strangles”. You may think of this as a severe case of Strep throat. Other bacterium may mimic these symptoms in a less severe form. Therefore a diagnosis of “strangles” may only be made by a culture of the pus inside the gland or a series of blood test monitoring for specific antibodies. For your horse to catch “strangles”, it must contact the bacterium, usually from another horse. A sick or recently recovered horse sheds bacteria into the environment where a susceptible horse may pick it up. The bacterium may be passed with shared grooming equipment, stall cleaning equipment, shared feed or water sources and nose to nose contact. A horse which has recovered from strangles may become a carrier. A carrier has no signs of the disease, but continues to shed bacteria (especially under stress). The only way to detect a carrier is by performing three consecutive throat cultures. If all three cultures are negative, the horse is considered negative. The carrier state might be cleared with intensive therapies like a guttural poach lavage. The guttural poaches are lavaged with an antibiotic preparation multiple times or instilled with an antibiotic containing gelatin. After the therapy, the culturing process is repeated. How do you protect your horse from this hidden danger? Isolating your horse from all other horse contact of unknown status or vaccinate to aid in the prevention. The Wellington Veterinary Clinic recommends the use of the intra-nasal Strep equi vaccine annually as part of your wellness plan for at risk horses. At risk horses are those that reside in a boarding facility or regularly come in contact with other travelling horse on trail or at the show.
 Why heartworm test?
There are several reasons why yearly heartworm testing is important for both the individual patient as well as the dog population as a whole.
A national AAHA study (2009) showed that only 55% of clients purchase heartworm prevention for their pet. Furthermore, only 15-20 % purchased enough to cover the pet for the entire year. We also know from studying the biology of the heartworm that it only takes 50 days from the time of an infected mosquito bite for a heartworm larva to grow to the juvenile stage. A monthly preventative product will not kill this stage. Therefore, missing just one dose of prevention could result in an infected dog.
Be honest, have you ever forgotten your dog’s heartworm prevention- even just once? I have! I am a working mom with 3 active kids; my brain is a quagmire of work responsibilities, “to do” lists, practice schedules, grocery needs, dinner menus, homework, and “Oh, by the way, Mom, I need…” Can I get a witness?!?! I even have my smart phone send me an alert for my dog’s prevention, and I have still forgotten to actually give it.
A second reason for heartworm testing is the fact that no product is 100% effective. We have seen this most strikingly demonstrated in the Mississippi delta area where over the past several years high numbers of dogs have tested positive that were “on prevention”. While most of these cases were found to be due to missed doses of prevention, researchers did isolate some heartworms that were not easily killed by traditional heartworm products. Since then, we have seen labeling changes on monthly prevention products; no longer do they claim 100% protection. The only way to know if our products are working is to test the patients taking them. Monthly heartworm preventative products purchased and endorsed by veterinarians are still guaranteed, so if a dog would become positive, the manufacturer can cover treatment.
In the current climate, we see a wide range of other potential issues. There are many who still only use heartworm prevention during the summer months. Just for the record, our practice and several veterinary authorities including the American Heartworm Society have recommended year round prevention for many years now. On line Internet pharmacies claim to provide products equivalent to those sold by the veterinarian. Have you ever asked where the product is coming from? It makes me very nervous that these lines of sale are not disclosed. It also makes me very nervous to know that counterfeit product has been documented and that I have seen packages of product not even written in English. Equivalent product? I doubt it.
With this in mind and the fact that the heartworm is spread by mosquito bites, do you want your dog socializing in the park or boarding next to a questionably protected dog???? Are you confident that all your neighbors give their dogs prevention?
 A couple years ago we looked at our own clinic data and with the help of the Pfizer Company, constructed a map of heartworm positive dogs diagnosed by our clinic. The blue box with an “H” is the clinic location. Each red dot is a confirmed positive case. The circular red “target zone” is the area a typical mosquito might travel potentially carrying heartworm larvae. Are you in any of these target zones?
The only way we can assure that our patients are adequately protected and monitor our population for infection is to test them. We recommend that every dog take prevention every month, year round AND that each dog be tested yearly. So, when we are insistent about heartworm testing your dog, we are not trying to be difficult. We just want to keep your pet healthy. That is what we do.
The state of Ohio is seeing an increase in the number of deer ticks, or blacklegged ticks. These are the ticks that carry Lyme disease. The deer tick was first found in Ohio in 1989 and have shown up in low numbers in the past two decades. In a recent associated press article it was reported that last year, 1800 blacklegged ticks were found on deer heads submitted by hunters and 183 more were submitted to the state for identification by others. By comparison, in 2010 only 29-blacklegged ticks were found on deer heads and 45 were submitted to the state for identification. At this point, there has not been a subsequent increase in the number of cases of Lyme disease.
It is unclear what has spurred the increase. Some researchers suspect weather conditions have helped the tick population to survive and thrive.
An article just posted from Science Daily suggests a connection between acorns, the white footed mouse and blacklegged ticks. A research team headed by Dr. Charles D. Canham has been studying these connections for 2 decades. The acorn crop varies from year to year influencing the winter survival and breeding success of the white- footed mouse. The white-footed mouse is a preferred host for the blacklegged tick. They reported that in 2010 acorn crops were the heaviest with the mouse population following suit the following year. Then in the fall of 2011 the acorn crop was scarce. This sets up a situation where the ticks will be looking for alternative sources for a meal like humans, dogs etc.
The take home point is to take proper precautions for yourself and your pet if going to potential tick areas. For example, a walk in the woods, brush, or around water sources like ponds, lakes and reservoirs might also be inviting for ticks. Use a veterinarian recommended tick product on your dog, proper clothing for yourself and check for ticks after your walk. Lyme disease vaccine is recommended for pets that travel to known Lyme endemic areas of the country like Pennsylvania or the East coast.
 Last week marked the 50th anniversary of Poison Prevention week. Each year the ASPCA hotline answers over 150,000 calls of possible pet poisonings. The most common call is related to pet’s consuming medications. According to the AVMA, the most hazardous room in the house is the bathroom.
Human medications can make pets very sick. Never give a pet any medication unless directed by your veterinarian. As a general rule, medications should be tightly closed and stored in a secure cabinet above the counter. Childproof caps offer little discouragement to a dog determined to get into the bottle. I have lost count of the number of times I have seen chewed up pill bottles left as evidence from a “great game” dreamed up by a playful Labrador in their owner’s absence.
Beware of these common medications:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen
Acetaminophen
Cold medicines
Prescription drugs
Diet pills/Vitamins
Antihistamines
Antidepressants
Bath soaps, toothpaste and sun blocks should also be kept away from pets. They can cause stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhea. Keep toilet lids closed…eewwh! That’s all I have to say about that!
If you have concerned about a pet poisoning please contact your veterinarian (WVC 440-647-4100), veterinary emergency clinic or ASPCA Hotline 888-426-4435.
 I have been enjoying this early spring weather, the sunshine, the warmth and then, “Ouch!” I swatted a mosquito trying to suck my blood!! Then, my thoughts turned to all the parasites that are awakening early this year as well: mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas in particular. (Although, I am not sure we ever got out of flea season this year!!)
So, it seemed like an appropriate time to remind everyone that pets should be on their flea/tick and heartworm preventatives. We recommend parasite prevention for every pet, each month, year round, but I do know that some choose to “take a break” from giving these products.
Some reasons we recommend year round use of preventatives includes variability in weather like we have experienced this past year. Many parasites are temperature sensitive and can “emerge” from dormancy to start feeding even if the calendar says it is too early. In the Mississippi Delta region we have become aware of an inordinate number of dogs that have come up heartworm positive while reportedly taking prevention. Careful review of many of these cases has shown that even missing one dose of prevention can result in a dog becoming heartworm positive. How many of us can admit to slipping on occasion? I am guilty; I admit it! The Mississippi Delta phenomenon has also brought up the question of possible resistance to preventatives. This has yet to be proven. However, potential lapses in prevention and potential resistance, reinforces the need to test dogs each year for their heartworm status.
We want to keep our pets healthy! Parasite prevention allows us to virtually eliminate many diseases that can affect the pets and their people. It is well worth the effort!
March has been designated as, “Expanding girl’s horizons in science and engineering month”. I remember science being my favorite subject in school and an important foundation for my veterinary training. I loved exploring the details of body systems, learning about muscles, nerves, and blood supply, how plants turn sunlight into energy, etc. How marvelous and wonderful is the creation! There is such intricate detail and interaction within and between cells and their lifeforms. The higher the levels of education the more intricate the detail we studied and, still, we humans do not fully understand all the complex cell functions and communications. Then to learn how those cell functions can go awry and how different chemicals and drugs can influence those cells and their functions. For example, in certain types of heart disease the heart muscle weakens. Drugs like Enalapril can attach to that heart muscle causing it to contract better and improve the heart function and help the patient. How cool is that!!!
My husband and myself perform embryo transfer as part of our veterinary practice. There are two pictures of equine embryos at the top of this blog post. It still amazes us to see the microscopic embryo of a cow or horse and realize that in its current state it contains all the information it needs. Not only that, in a very short time it will become a 1000 lb creature. How grateful I am to my teachers and mentors for expanding my horizons, and how privileged I am to be in a profession that continues to amaze me everyday!
To help encourage other young minds, I am offering a “Vet for the Day” contest. Boys or Girls aged 11-18 years of age can submit a 300-500 word essay in response to this topic: How my favorite subject in school will help in my future profession. The essay can be submitted by email: wellingtonvets@hotmail.com, snail mail: WellingtonVeterinary Clinic P O Box 387, Wellington, Oh 44090, or the essay can be dropped off at the office. Entries need to be received by March 31, 2012. The winner will get to spend a day with me at the clinic and the winning essay will be published on our blog.
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Next week, May 20-26, 2012, is National Dog Bite Prevention Week!! Did you know more than 4 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs every year? Children are the most common victims with senior citizens the second most common. 
