'Tis the Season for Parvo

The canine parvovirus (or just "parvo") infection is a highly contagious virus affecting dogs.  The most common form affects the intestinal tract causing lethargy, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and loss of appetite. 

The less common form affects very young puppies and can attack the heart muscle, usually leading to death.  The intestinal form is usually seen in puppies six weeks to six months old.  I have, however, diagnosed Parvo in dogs 9 months to 1 year old that have not been vaccinated.

Transmission

The virus is transmitted either by direct contact with an infected dog, or indirectly, by the fecal-oral route. Heavy concentrations of the virus are found in an infected dog’s stool, so when a healthy dog sniffs an infected dog’s stool, it will contract the disease. The virus can also be brought into a dog's environment by way of shoes that have come into contact with infected feces. There is evidence that the virus can live in ground soil for up to a year. It is resistant to most cleaning products, or even to weather changes. If you suspect that you have come into contact with feces at all, you will need to wash the affected area with household bleach, the only disinfectant known to kill the virus.  This virus only affects dogs; it cannot be transmitted to people or other animals however, people and other animals can carry the virus between dogs.

Diagnosis

If you suspect your puppy may have Parvo, the quickest way to diagnose it is a rectal swab snap-test that takes approximately 10 minutes to complete in the clinic.  There are also confirmatory tests available through external laboratories if a false negative is suspected.  Diagnosis is important to predict length of illness and treatment needed.  

Treatment

There is no cure for Parvo.  The only treatment is supportive care including fluids to re-hydrate, antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections, and medication to combat nausea and diarrhea.  This virus can cause death, even despite treatment.

No one can predict the severity of illness for each puppy.  Some puppies may need minimal treatment and some may need intensive care including hospitalization, intravenous fluids and medications for a week or more. 

Vaccination is THE ONLY way to prevent illness from Parvovirus!  Please vaccinate your dogs!  

My 2 Cents

I get very upset when I see puppies with Parvo because it is preventable.  If you have recently adopted a puppy, try to avoid public places like dog parks, kennels, and pet stores.  Even though a dog may be adequately vaccinated for Parvo and not currently ill, they can carry the virus. 

If your puppy has had a vaccination at 8 weeks old, this is NOT ADEQUATE PROTECTION!  They need boosters every 3-4 weeks until they reach 4 months old to be protected.  If you don't know the vaccination status of your new puppy, assume they have never been vaccinated.  

BE PROACTIVE IN YOUR PUPPY'S HEALTH!

Diamond Dog Food Recall

Diamond Naturals Dog Food Recalled

by: Kimberly Porter (petmd.com)

Diamond Pet Foods has voluntarily recalled its Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice dry dog food, as it may be contaminated with salmonella.

The food in question was distributed to customers in the following 12 states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Customers in any of those states who have purchased Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal & Rice products with the following production codes and best before dates should stop feeding the food to their dogs and discard it immediately:

• 6-lb bag with the production code DLR0101D3XALW and best before January 4, 2013
• 20-lb bag with the production code DLR0101C31XAG and best before January 3, 2013
• 40-lb bag with the production code DLR0101C31XMF and best before January 3, 2013
• 40-lb bag with the production code DLR0101C31XAG and best before January 3, 2013
• 40-lb bag with the production code DLR0101D32XMS and best before January 4, 2013

No illnesses relating to the product have been reported and no other Diamond products were affected.

Dogs that have eaten the food, or people that have handled it, could become infected with salmonella. Pets with salmonella may display a decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. People infected with salmonella should watch for nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever.

Customers who have purchased these specific products can call            800-442-0402      , or visit www.diamondpet.com, for further information or to obtain a product refund.

Subtle Signs of Illness in Your Cat

This information is taken from the Healthy Cats for Life website and gives some great information on assessing the subtle signs of illness your cat may be having at home.  Use it as a guideline to determine if you need to have them examined by your vet!  I have only list a few, to see the complete list visit this link.


                                                              Inappropriate Urination
Client education about litter box care and normal elimination behavior is important for prevention and treatment of medical and behavioral problems. Clients should be aware that inappropriate urination and defecation often accompany an underlying medical condition and do not occur “to get back at the owner.” 

A cat that is urinating inappropriately may have any number of conditions associated with the behavior, including lower urinary tract disease, kidney disease, urinary tract infection and diabetes mellitus. It can also be a sign of arthritis, which makes it difficult for the cat to get into the litter box. 

Blockage of the urinary tract signals a veterinary emergency. A blockage is treatable, but timing is critical. Once identified, the cat must receive veterinary care as soon as possible. Otherwise, fatal complications could develop. Signs include straining in the litter box with little or no results, crying when urinating and frequent attempts to urinate.


Changes in Activity
A decrease or increase in activity can be a sign of a medical of condition. As cats age, there is increased risk for arthritis. Discomfort from systemic illnesses can also lead to a decrease in activity. It's important to understand cats don't usually slow down just because they are old. More activity is often caused by hyperthyroidism. Changes in activity warrant a visit to your veterinarian.


Unexplained Weight loss or Weight gain

A change in weight does not necessarily correlate with a change in appetite. Cats with hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus can lose weight despite good appetites. Many other diseases cause both appetite and weight 
loss. If your cat goes to the food dish and then backs away from it without eating, nausea may be the source.
Weight changes often go unnoticed because of a cat's thick coat. You can assess body condition by feeling gently along the ribs. The ribs should be easily felt but not prominent.
On the other hand, obesity has become a serious health concern in cats, with increased risk of diabetes mellitus, joint disease and other problems. Cat owners can purchase small pet scales to chart weight at home. Take the cat to the veterinarian if there are any unplanned changes in weight.

Signs of Stress
Yes, your cat can be stressed despite having an “easy” life. Boredom and sudden lifestyle changes are common causes of stress in cats. Stressed cats may spend less time grooming and interacting, or they may spend more time awake and scanning their environment, hide more, withdraw and exhibit signs of depression. They could also change their eating patterns. These same signs may indicate a medical condition. It is important to rule out medical problems first and then address the stress. Because the social organization of cats is different from that of people and dogs, changes in the family, such as adding a new pet, should be done gradually. Please contact your veterinary hospital for information on how to successfully make changes in your household.

Bad Breath
Studies show 70 percent of cats have gum disease as early as age 3. It is important to have your cat's teeth checked every six months to help prevent dental disease or to start treatment of problems. One of the early indicators of an oral problem is bad breath. Regular home teeth brushing and veterinary dental care prevent bad breath, pain, tooth loss and spread of infection to other organs.