Heal! Sit! Stay! Subscription Changes

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Holiday Hazards - Pet Safety Tips for the Holidays

FOOD

• Bones can cause choking, internal punctures.
• Chocolate may result in theobromine poisoning , over-stimulation of the nervous system, vomiting diarrhea, tremors, hyperactivity, and seizures.
• Fatty, spicy or sweet food causes gastric upset, pancreatitis
• Hot food burns mouth or can be the source of a throat ulceration
• Give healthy treats instead of sharing holiday goodies; keep dog out of dining area, don't leave cooking food or hot dishes unattended around pets.

ALCOHOL

As little as an ounce can cause alcohol poisoning in a small pet. Best to keep them out of reach, especially since some dogs find these tastes irresistible.

GARBAGE

Offers lots of dangers such as aluminum foil and pans, wrappers, plastic flatware, roasting bags, plastic six-pack rings, turkey lacing or skewers, and more. These can cause abdominal discomfort, intestinal blockage, internal bleeding, suffocating, choking, food poisoning, even death. Store garbage under sink, in closet or in a fastened container.

CANDLES, FIREPLACES, ETC...

Can burn pets or singe their whiskers, candles can be a fire hazard if knocked over, especially by those wagging tails. Don't leave burning candles unattended, be sure to extinguish them completely, and keep a screen in front of the fireplace while in use.

DECORATIONS

Angel hair, garland, tinsel, popcorn or fruit strings, artificial snow, lights, ornaments, fasteners for decorations such as glue, rubber bands, staples, string, tacks, tapes, hooks and pins can cause problems like cuts, intestinal obstructions and lacerations, and gastric upset. Keep well out of reach of pets.

CHRISTMAS TREES

Sap or preservatives may be irritating or mildly toxic, needles may puncture intestines. They can be knocked over or tempt male dogs to mark. Place tree away from pet or use decorative fencing around tree. Secure tree to wall or ceiling. Only decorate branches out of reach of pet and fasten decorations securely. Use bells as tree decorations (bell the tree, instead of the pet) for an early warning system.

ELECTRICAL CORDS can cause shocks, burns or electrocutions. Cover cords with rugs, place behind furniture, run through PVC pipe or otherwise make cords inaccessible to pets.

POTPOURRI, OR OTHER FRAGRANCES can cause nasal or respiratory irritations and burns or stomach upset if eaten.

COSTUMES can cause choking or strangulation. Don't leave on pet unsupervised.

PLANTS such as holly, mistletoe, poinsettia, Christmas cactus, hemlock, etc. can cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological or cardiac problems leading to coma or death. Place out of reach of pets. Spraying with bitter apple can help keep pets away.


GIFT WRAPPING paper, ribbon, and foam packaging can be dangerous if eaten. Wrap your gifts away from your pets. [You wouldn't want them to know what they are getting, would you?] Don't forget to put away your supplies when finished.

TOYS & TREATS, if small, can cause choking, distress or blockages. Overeating of treats may result in gastrointestinal upset.

GUESTS can add confusion and stress to pets, and are often more likely to feed or give treats to dogs inappropriately. Pets may "escape" as guests come and go. Unsupervised children may injure pets or vice versa. Advise guests not to feed your pets. Make sure your pets have a quiet place they can retreat to. If pets are extremely uncomfortable or anxious, you may consider boarding your pet for their own peace of mind.

To make the holidays safer and less stressful for your pet, try to keep as much routine as possible. Walk and feed them at their regular times. Just in case the worst happens, despite all your precautions, know the location of the emergency veterinary hospital and have the phone number posted where it can be quickly found.

These safety tips and precautions are a guide. Adjust and add to them as you see fit. They can also be used for your two legged children with few modifications.

A FINAL NOTE FOR THOSE CONSIDERING GIVING A PET AS A GIFT.

Keep in mind that one of the busiest and most crowded times of the year in animal shelters is after the holidays as unwanted pets fill the shelters. Before giving a pet, make absolutely sure the recipient wants a pet, and what kind of pet. Be sure the person is mature enough to handle all the responsibilities of pet ownership. Along with the pet, add a spay/neuter coupon, vaccine information and "how to" booklets or handouts. Or better yet, give a certificate that says you will help them find the pet of their dreams: Not only will you be sure they are getting a pet they want and are ready for, but you will also give the gift of your time and company. And the certificate could be redeemed at the animal shelter after the holidays...

Art courtesy of J's Magic Galleries

© Melissa Zebley, DVM

Canine Influenza - Treatment, Prognosis & Prevention

How is it treated?

As with any viral illness, treatment is primarily supportive, consisting of good nutrition and husbandry practices to assist dogs in mounting an effective immune response, coupled with appropriate antibiotic therapy to treat secondary bacterial infections. The more severe form of the disease is also treated with antibiotics, along with fluid therapy. The new flu appears susceptible to the 2 most common anti-viral drugs, but those drugs are not licensed for use in dogs and may have unexpected and undesirable side effects.

Is it fatal?

Fatal cases of pneumonia due to canine influenza have been reported, but the fatality rate has been low so far, estimated between 1 and 5 %. To put that in perspective, parvo, which affects primarily puppies, and distemper, which can affect any age dog, both have mortality rates that can run as high as 80%.

Is isolation necessary?

Yes. Because the virus is easily transmitted, and almost all dogs will be susceptible, any infected dog should be isolated from all other dogs, and very strict hygiene practices followed. In fact, any dog showing possible symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, or nasal discharge, regardless of cause, should be isolated from other dogs not only until the dog is fully recovered, but until the potential shedding period has elapsed. This is true of any contagious or infectious illness.

How to protect your dogs?

There are a number of things you can do to protect your dogs – most of which are simply good common sense. To start with, keep your dog in good overall health. Make sure your pet is following a vaccine schedule as recommended by a veterinarian. While there is no vaccine yet for canine influenza, there are vaccinations that decrease the likelihood and severity of other canine respiratory infections. If you board your pet, make sure that the kennel is clean and well maintained, and that they have a plan for isolating any dogs that develop signs of "kennel cough" or other disease in a separate area. Don't take your pet to dog parks or other places with lots of dogs if he or she has signs of kennel cough or other infectious disease, and immediately remove your pet from the locale of any other dog showing such symptoms. Make sure your pet has current ID tags with your address and phone number clearly displayed – this will ensure that he or she can be promptly returned to you in the event of an escape and will prevent or limit the exposure to kennel cough or other diseases in an animal shelter. If you work with or are around other dogs, practice good hygiene and infection control as described below. In addition, change clothes before handling your own pets, and do not allow animals to "kiss" or lick your face.

How can the virus be eliminated in the environment?

As an enveloped virus, it is believed to be killed by routine disinfectants, such as quaternary ammoniums and 10% bleach. All clothing, equipment, surfaces and hands should be cleaned and disinfected after exposure to dogs showing signs of respiratory disease to prevent transmission of infection to susceptible dogs. Clothing can be adequately cleaned by using detergent at normal laundry temperatures.

Are there any travel or activity advisories?

As long as good infection control practices are in place, you should not be overly concerned about taking dogs to training facilities, dog parks, kennels or other areas frequented by dogs. When bringing your dog to such places, ask whether respiratory disease has been a problem there, and whether the facility has a plan for isolating dogs that develop respiratory disease and for notifying owners if their dogs have been exposed to dogs with respiratory disease. Dr. Cindy Crawford, one of the principal investigators involved in discovering and researching canine influenza, answered a similar question thus: "I am taking my two Pekinese to be groomed next week… I will continue to board my pet greyhound at boarding kennels when I need to. I will continue to show dogs at the AKC sanctioned shows. So I, myself, will continue on with my routine activities with my own dogs. They will go to dog parks. They will participate in other community activities with other dogs." She further explains that dogs with or just recently recovered from respiratory illness should be kept at home until a couple of weeks have elapsed to allow that dog to fully recover and to prevent infection of dogs he might come in contact with.

Is there a vaccine?

Not yet, but work is underway and has been for a few months now.

Can a dog be re-infected?

Unknown at this point.

Can humans and other animals become infected or transmit it?

There have been no known cases of humans becoming infected with the H3N8 virus from horses or dogs. While the possibility cannot be excluded, there is no evidence at this time of transmission of canine influenza from dogs to people or other animals, and it is believed to be unlikely. However, while it appears people cannot become infected with the virus, they can serve as physical carriers, transmitting the virus from infected to susceptible dogs, so good hygiene and infection control practices as described above should be observed.

How serious is the disease?

While the disease is highly contagious with virtually no dogs having any immunity, and a few fatalities reported, canine influenza is generally mild and self-limiting, and is not widespread at this time. Other causes of canine respiratory illness are much more common, and can be mistaken for the canine flu, causing undue panic. As long as common sense is followed, dog owners should not be overly concerned.

Where is it present?

The virus has been documented at greyhound tracks in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Florida,Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Texas, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

It has also been documented in pet dogs in California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington State and Washington, D.C.

These cases occurred in animal shelters, humane societies, rescue groups, pet stores, boarding kennels, and veterinary clinics.

There has only been 1 documented case in North Carolina, which occurred in a family of 5 dogs in Sanford, following apparent exposure while on vacation at the beach (which beach was not stated).

__________________________________________________________

Bibliography

"Control of Canine Influenza in Dogs – Questions, Answers and Interim Guidelines"
October 17, 2005
http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/ganine_guidelines.asp

"UC Davis Canine Influenza Update"
September 28, 2005
"Veterinary Advisory – Canine Influenza Virus (Canine Flu)"
August 16, 2005
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/msmp/protocols/canine_influenza/civ.htm

"Influenza Virus Infection in Racing Greyhounds"
2005 ACVIM Conference Proceedings.
Cynda Crawford, DVM
http://www.evsrl.it/vet.journal/approfondimento.php?codnotizia=1500
Translation by Google

"A New Deadly, Contagious Dog Flu is Detected in 7 States"
New York Times
September 22, 2005
Donald G McNeil Jr and Carin Rubenstein
http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=
F10E14FC3C540C718EDDA00894DD404482

"Is the Doggie Flu Epidemic Overblown"
Roanoke Times, Virginia, USA

"Canine Influenza – Frequently Asked Questions"
October 2005 NC Public Health,
NC Dept of Agriculture Veterinary division,
NCSU College of Veterinary Medicine

"Canine Influenza virus Detected in Dogs in New York State"
September 29, 2005
Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center
http://www.diaglab.vet.cornell.edu/news.asp

"Canine Influenza – H3N8 Equine-Like Virus"
Biological Risk Awareness Education Newsletter
October 17, 2005

"Media Briefing on Canine Influenza"
September 26, 2005
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/transcripts/t050926.htm

"Bronson alerts Public to Newly Emerging Canine Flu"
FL Depart of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Press Release September 20, 2005
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/press/2005/09202005.html

"Canine Influenza Virus Surfaces"
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
JAVMA News November 1, 2005
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/nov05/051101a.asp

"Veterinary Advisory"
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets

"Virulent Dog Virus Hits Area Kennels"
New York Times
September 25, 2005

"Dog Flu"
Snopes.com

"New Flu Jumped From Horses to Dogs"
CBS News
September 26, 2005
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/26/tech/main885971.shtml

"Transmission of Equine Influenza Virus to Dogs"
Science Express
September 29, 2005
P.C Crawford, Edward J. Dubovi, William L. Castleman, et.al.
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/1117950

"An Update on Canine Influenza in Wisconsin"
Ronald D. Schultz, PhD and Christopher W. Olsen, DVM, PhD
http://www.oakwoodhillsanimalhospital.com/

Yoon K-J, Cooper, VL, Schwartz KJ, Harmon KM, Kim W-II, Janke BH, et al.
"Influenza virus infection in racing greyhounds [letter].
Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]
2005 Dec [date cited]. Available from
http://www.cdc.ncidod/EID/vol11no12/05-0810.htm

Personal correspondence:

Association of Shelter Veterinarians list serve
American Association of Housecall Veterinarians list serve
Berner-L list serve
From W. Jean Dodds

Canine Influenza - History, Symptons & Diagnosis

What is Canine Influenza?

Canine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection of dogs that is caused by an Influenza A subtype H3N8 virus.

Where did it come from and how long has it been around?

The exact origin is unknown, but it is thought to have mutated from a virus that causes equine influenza. While the first recognized outbreak is believed to have occurred in racing greyhounds in Florida in January of 2004, antibodies to the virus have been detected in stored serum samples from 1999-2003; no antibody has yet been detected in samples from prior to 1999.

Who is most at risk?

Because the virus is new to dogs, they have no natural immunity, meaning that all dogs exposed, regardless of age or breed, are susceptible to infection. Nearly all dogs that are exposed to the virus become infected, and approximately 80% will show clinical signs of disease.

How is it transmitted?

The virus is easily transmitted from dog to dog. The virus is spread by aerosolized respiratory secretions, contaminated inanimate objects, and humans moving between infected and uninfected dogs. Infected dogs may shed virus for 10 days from the onset of clinical signs. However, nearly 20% of infected dogs will not show any signs of illness and can become silent shedders and spreaders of the infection.

What is the incubation time?

The incubation period is 2 to 5 days after exposure before clinical signs may appear.

What are the signs and symptoms?

There are 2 general clinical forms – a milder syndrome and a more severe pneumonia syndrome. It is currently thought that about 80% of dogs with the disease will develop the milder illness, with signs including cough, low grade fever and nasal discharge. The most common clinical sign in the milder form is a cough that lasts for 10-21 days, despite treatment with antibiotics and cough suppressants. Most dogs have a soft moist cough, while others develop a dry hacking cough. Many dogs will have a thick nasal discharge which quickly resolves with appropriate antibiotic treatment.

A small percentage of dogs will develop a more severe illness with pneumonia and a high grade fever. Clinical signs of this syndrome include lethargy, weakness, rapid or shallow breathing, and a high fever between 105 and 107 F. This is likely to progress to pneumonia.

What other diseases can it look like?

The milder form looks very similar to kennel cough, especially when a dry hacking cough is seen. While both diseases are usually self-limiting, kennel cough usually resolves in 7-10 days, whereas canine influenza can take as long as 4 weeks to resolve.

How is it diagnosed?

Current diagnostic tests rely on detection of antibodies to the canine influenza virus, which can be detected as early as 7 days after the onset of symptoms. The preferred method is to obtain an acute sample during the first couple days of illness, and a convalescent sample 2 weeks later. This is to enable a comparison of titers to determine the presence of an active infection. If an acute sample was not obtained, the convalescent sample alone can determine if the dog had been infected at some point in the past.

When should you take your dog to the vet?

Keep a close watch on any dog that begins coughing, sneezing or exhibiting other signs. Contact your veterinarian if your dog develops a nasal discharge or fever (normal dog temperature is 100-102.5 F), or has a cough that persists. If the dog becomes depressed or stops eating and playing, the dog should be seen immediately.

Any dog showing signs of respiratory illness should be kept away from other dogs – including waiting outside the veterinary clinic until the dog can be immediately seen by the vet, to avoid exposing other pets to potential infection.

Canine Allergies 101 - Environmental

Environmental allergies are also known as atopy.

This can be allergies to pollens, mold, other animals, plants, housedust, etc. It can be seasonal or year round. Classic skin lesions are on the abdomen, inner thighs and armpits. The gold standard for diagnosis is skin testing, but some labs have fairly accurate blood tests. (Sidenote - several labs advertise blood tests for food allergies but I recommend checking with a dermatologist first.)

Treatments include avoidance of allergens when possible, or antihistamines. Steroids are often used, but merely mask symptoms by suppressing the immune system, and have a whole slew of other nasty side effects. I use them only for the short term and as a last resort.

Cyclosporine is a new treatment that selectively suppresses the allergy portion of the immune system. It's supposed to be extremely effective, and very safe - but pretty costly for big dogs. As for antihistamines - Benadryl is effective in some dogs, but my experience has been that is not quite 50%. For any antihistamine, I recommend a two-week trial at the high end dose and frequency. If we see improvement, then you start decreasing the frequency and amount to get to the lowest effective dose. If we don't see any improvement in two weeks, then that particular antihistamine is unlikely to help, so you try a different one. Just like people, dogs have different responses to different drugs, so what might work for one may not work for another.

Also see Canine Allergies 101

Canine Allergies 101 - Food

A food allergy is usually year round and typically affects the feet and face.

Dogs that do a lot of paw licking and face rubbing are fairly classic. Another indication is strong displays of itching, similar to flea allergy. It can take as long as six months to develop an allergy to a new food, unless the new food contains an ingredient to which they have already developed an allergy. I do NOT recommend switching around to different foods unless you're ready to do a food trial. Once off the offending food, it can take as long as 12 weeks to clear up the skin lesions and itching.

By switching foods, likely all you are doing is increasing your pet's potential exposure to allergens. This makes it much more difficult to find novel protein and carb sources for when you do an actual food trial. Besides, I have yet to find a single commercial diet (by which I mean, one you can buy in the grocery store or pet food store) which will work as a food trial. For this, you must have a SINGLE novel protein source and a SINGLE novel carbohydrate source. Check the ingredient list very closely - once you get past the first few ingredients, you will almost always find additional proteins or carbs. Look carefully; sometimes they will list "meat meal" or "animal fat," or something generic like that. If so, it's unlikely that meal or fat is from your novel source.

While most dermatologists recommend food trial as the first step in diagnosing the cause of allergies, most of the time I don't. Having done it with my first dog, and again more recently with one of my cats, I understand what a pain it really is, so save it as a last resort; usually after we've ruled out other causes. Also, on a food trial, they can't have ANYTHING other than the designated food - not treats, not flavored medicines, nothing. One more reason a food trial is so difficult.

Also see Canine Allergies 101

Canine Allergies 101 - Fleas

Since it is Summer, let's start with flea allergies. Flea allergies are usually seasonal, except in warmer climates, or where fleas have gotten into the house.

Typically, though not always, skin lesions are distributed along the back, and down the back legs and tail; sometimes around the neck as well. Flea allergy can be one of the itchiest diseases found in dogs. Contrary to common thought, the lack of finding a flea on the dog is often a red flag for flea allergies. A dog with flea allergies starts scratching and biting as soon as the flea bites - so either the flea gets destroyed, or finds a more hospitable host. Either way, you will rarely find a flea on a flea allergic animal unless they are really inundated. If you see any fleas on your other pets, and none on the affected one, then flea allergy is definitely part of the problem.

Fortunately, flea allergy is one of the easiest conditions to treat today. Whether you see fleas or not, with an itchy pet, the first thing I ALWAYS do is start a good flea prevention program. Even if fleas are not the whole problem, they often contribute to it. My preferences for flea control are Frontline or Advantage. I've not been very impressed by other commercial flea protection. And while "natural" remedies work well enough for the average dog, I wouldn't count on them for the 100% control you need for a flea allergic dog.

Also see Canine Allergies 101