Canine Influenza

Canine influenza is a respiratory disease that can cause coughing, runny nose, watery eyes, loss of energy, and/or loss of appetite.  The signs of infection are similar to those of other respiratory diseases in dogs, but the coughing caused by canine influenza can last for several weeks.  With proper care, most dogs generally recover.  However, canine influenza can lead to more severe or even life-threatening infections, such as pneumonia, and has been fatal in up to 8% of cases.

Because canine influenza is caused by a relaively new virus, dogs have no natural immunity to it.  And since it's highly contagious, visiting places where dogs congregate, such as kennels, doggie daycares, dog parks, or groomers, puts dogs at higher risk for catching this new virus.  Making things more difficult is the fact that dogs can spread the virus before the coughing and other signs of sickness appear.

The best way to protect your dog from canine influenza is through vaccination.  Fortunately, the USDA has issued the first conditional license for a vaccine that aids in the control of the disease caused by canine influenza.  A conditional license is issued to meet a special circumstance such as the emergence of a new virus for which there is no existing vaccine.

Like human flu vaccine, the canine influenza vaccine does not completely prevent infection, but it can dramatically reduce the severity of the disease.  The vaccine also significantly reduces the amount of virus that dogs shed, minimizing spread to other dogs - so it's the ideal way to protect our local canine community as well.

We recommend vaccinating dogs against canine influenza and have vaccine available. Please call us or e-mail us to discuss any questions you might have or to set up an appointment.  To give your dog the most complete protection, the inital vaccination requires two doses of vaccine give 3-4 weeks apart, followed by a single dose given annually.

If you would like to read more about canine influenza, www.doginfluenza.com offers a lot of good information.





The Value of Neutering your Male Dog

Having your dog neutered is an excellent way to help reduce pet over-population and avoid behavior problems.  What many people unaware of are the numerous health benefits it can provide in a dog's senior years.

Common behavior problems seen in un-neutered male dogs include marking their territory after 6 months of age.  If they only did it outdoors it probably wouldn't be much of a concern, but the house is part of their territory and even well housebroken dogs may forget themselves when stressed or excited.  Neutering before marking behavior starts is almost 100% effective in avoiding this behavior.  Once marking behavior starts and the longer it goes on the less likely neutering is to completely control it.  This is because the behavior is learned as well as hormone influenced.

Because of their desire to wander looking for "girlfriends" un-neutered male dogs make up the largest percentage of animals seen by veterinarians for hit-by-cars.  Neutering reduces that concern and the expensive veterinary bills that go with it.  Neutering helps reduce aggression between 2 dogs in the same household.  It is virtually impossible to have 2 un-neutered male dogs in the same household without fighting.  The dogs are always challenging each other for dominance.  Neutering both of the dogs will help them to get along.

The health benefits for older pets include reducing or eliminating the risk of certain cancers, eliminating prostatic infections and removing the risk of developing perineal hernias.  Two types of cancer are prevented by neutering-testicular cancer and perianal tumors.  Perianal tumors are not by themselves life-threatening, but because they often become large and bleed easily they become a nuisance.  Sometimes they will go away if the dog is neutered but some need to be surgically removed.  In either situation the surgery will be more costly in an older animal that needs more extensive blood work and more expensive surgical preparation that if it had been done when he was young.  Prostatic infections in un-neutered dogs are very common in dogs over 7 years of age.  Because the prostate is closely associated with the bladder secondary bladder infection and urinary accidents may occur.  Even if the bladder remains unaffected the dog may still leak infected prostatic fluid from the penis.  Prostatic infections are extremely difficult to cure without also neutering the dog.  Neutering shrinks the prostatic tissue reducing the site of the infection.  Perineal hernias are another serious health concern for older un-neutered male dogs.

The muscles on either side of the tail support the rectum.  As the dog ages and the prostate enlarges the muscles weaken allowing the rectal wall to bulge outward.  Small bulges may be managed by increasing the amount of fiber in the diet.  Large protrusions can become life threatening if an abdominal organ slides back into the area and becomes trapped.  When this occurs emergency surgery is required to release the trapped organ and repair the hernia so it will not occur again.  This emergency surgery is at least 5 times more expensive and certainly more risky than a routine neuter on a young dog.

So save yourself money and frustration, have your male dog neutered at 4-6 months of age and never have to worry about these problems down the road.

It's Not Just Bad Breath...

According to the AVDS (American Veterinary Dental Society), 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3.  Often oral disease is indicated by bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, yellow or brown tartar on the teeth, loose teeth or tooth loss, pawing at the face and mouth and depresssion.

If your pet will allow it, open it's mouth and look inside.  Look for the warning signs of  gum disease.  Bad breath, red and swollen gums, a yellow-brown crust of tartar around the gumline, and pain or bleeding when you touch the gums.

Here are 3 Steps to Successful Dental Care for Your Pet

Step 1:  Take your pet to the veterinarian for a dental exam.  Don't wait for his annual checkup if you suspect a problem.

Step 2:  Begin a dental care regiman at home.  We can suggest steps that may include brushing your pet's teeth.  One of the most convient and effective ways to combat oral disease is feeding special formulated foods proven effective in combating plaque and tartar buildup.  The Seal of Acceptance from the Veterinary Dental Society apprears on products that meet defined standards for plaque and tartar control in dogs and cats.

Step 3:  Schedule regular veterinary checkups.  These are essential in helping your veterinarian monitor the progress of your pet's dental health routine.  We can help you shedule the appropriate visits. 

10 New Years Resolutions for your Dog

#10  I will tolerate those homemade bandannas more.

#9  I'll bark at the mailman less.

#8  I'll do better "holding it" until morning.

#7  I'll introduce myself in more appropriate ways.

#6  I won't steal food as much.

#5  I won't bite the vet anymore. (we think this should be number one)

#4  I'll stay out of the cat's litter box.

#3  I will recognize the difference between furniture and fire hydrants.

#2  I will beg less.

And #1  I will eat less and exercise more.