Sheehy Animal Hospital

2012-02-29T15:13:00.002-05:00

Heartworm DiseaseTesting and Prevention in Dogs

Heartworms are an actual worm- type parasite that livesinside the heart and blood vessels of the lungs of dogs. Heartworms causeinflammation and blockage of blood vessels in the lungs which causes coughingand difficulty breathing.

Heartworm disease is transmitted by infected mosquitoes.

Untreated heartworm disease can be fatal with severedamage occurring to the heart, lungs and other vital organs.

Preventing heartworm infection is easy with once a monthpreventative medications.

Treating a heartworm infection is difficult and costly!The process takes about 1 year and may cost over $1000!

Heartworms aretransmitted by mosquitoes. It takes 6 months from the time a dog is bitten byan infected mosquito until adult heartworms are present in the heart. Theheartworm blood test detects adult heartworms in the heart.

Puppies less than 6 months of age cannot possibly have adultheartworms so they can be safely put on preventative without a heartworm test. All puppies and dogs over 6 months of agemust be tested at least once a year to ensure they do not have heartworms. A monthly heartworm preventative must bestarted within 30 days of a negative heartworm test.

Rescued pets whose previous heartworm prevention andtreatment may not be known should have a heartworm test immediately; then againin 6 months because it is possible they are incubating a new infection.

We recommend all dogs be on heartworm preventativemedication year-round. Year-round preventative allows for protection evenif winter weather is warmer than anticipated. Year-round preventative helpsowners to stay in the habit of giving the medication. Most heartwormpreventatives also treat or prevent intestinal parasite infections that are arisk year-round.

Heartworm preventative medications work by killing immatureheartworms in the first 30 days after a bite has occurred from an infectedmosquito. This is long before the immature heartworms are able to begin theirmigration to the heart.

If heartworm preventative is stopped in the winter the lastdose must be given after all risk of mosquito activity has passed. If theweather is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit mosquitoes may still be active.

If heartworm preventative medication is stopped in thewinter the dog must be retested to ensure no heartworms are present prior torestarting preventative medication. Giving heartworm preventative medicationto a dog with adult heartworms can be fatal!

If you have any questions about heartworm disease or prevention please let us know.

2012-01-24T16:18:00.000-05:00

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.

2012-01-11T14:12:00.000-05:00

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.

2012-01-11T11:25:00.001-05:00

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.

2012-01-11T10:49:00.000-05:00

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.

The value of spaying your dog

2011-12-06T12:51:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered why it is so important to spay your dog? Spaying your female dog has the obvious benefit of preventing unwanted puppies, but it also has many health benefits for the dog as well. Unspayed female dogs over 8 years of age will frequently develop breast cancers. 50% of these breast cancers are malignant (they are aggressive and can spread to other parts of the body causing illness and death). The rest of the breast cancers are considered benign. These tumors may be restricted to the breast tissue, but sometimes become so large they will rupture and bleed. Female dogs spayed before their first heat cycle have their risk of developing breast cancer reduced to almost zero. Female dogs spayed after 1 year of age will still have some risk of developing breast cancer, but will still benefit by avoiding the risk of another serious disease called pyometra.
Pyometra is an infection of the lining of the uterus and is very common in unspayed female dogs over 6 years of age. Pyometra develops when bacteria gets into the uterus creating a large abscess. Toxins from the multiplying bacteria are absorbed into the blood stream and make the dog feel very ill. Symptoms can include fever, vomiting, lethargy, decreased appetite, increased water consumption and increased urination. It can be fatal. The only treatment is to surgically remove the infected tissue. Essentially we are forced to spay the dog under emergency conditions when she is already ill. The risk of surgical complications and therefore the costs are greatly increased over a routine spay on a healthy animal. Often the question asked, "My dog is 10 years old, is there any real benefit?" The answer is definitely yes! A routine spay on an older dog is far less risky and far less expensive than treating a pyometra. Often people wonder if their pet is too old to have anesthesia and surgery. Advanced age is not necessarily a reason not to do surgery if the pet is otherwise healthy. We always determine the pet's overall condition by giving a complete physical examination, and doing blood tests to evaluate liver and kidney function. At the time of the surgery we ensure the pet's safety by using the safest anesthetic agents available to us, using electronic monitors to ensure adequate heart rate and respiration, and intravenous fluids to support the blood pressure.

If your pet has not been spayed please consider these factors. Having her spayed will help her live longer, healthier, happier life and help you avoid some unexpected expenses down the road. Please call us at 248-615-7670 if you have any questions.

Holiday Safety Tips

2011-12-03T15:42:00.000-05:00

v Ice melts and salts, if ingested, can result in significant gastrointestinal inflammation. These products can get on your pet’s paws and they may ingest it when they lick or clean their paws. One way to prevent ingestion of salts and ice melts is to wash your pet’s feet before coming indoors.

v Antifreeze poisoning is common in the winter. Even a small amount of antifreeze is extremely toxic. It has a sweet taste that attracts animals, but it can cause permanent kidney damage or death. Don’t let animals drink from puddles, and make sure to clean their paws when they come in from outside.

v Prolonged exposure to the cold weather, especially with a high wind chill factor, can lower the body temperature. This is called hypothermia, a condition that can interfere with normal bodily functions and can result in injury or death. Pets can also suffer from frostbite.

v Secure your tree. Many trees have been sent swaying by a rambunctious pet. Pets can be injured if the tree or ornaments fall and break

v Hide the cords. Electrical cords are a grave danger to pets. Cords can cause electrocution, serious injury, even death. Secure the cords higher than your pet can reach them or hide them under special covers.

v Choose safe ornaments. There is no perfectly pet-safe bulb, as any ornament can be ingested. Pet “safer” bulbs would be plastic or wood. Put glass bulbs on higher limbs; do not use edible ornaments or fragile, easily breakable decorations.

v Tinsel and garland can be eaten and caught in intestines. Cats are especially attracted to the bright shiny tinsel and should be avoided in households with cats. Ingestion of this material can cause intestinal obstructions that may lead to emergency surgery.

v Sweep and water. Sweep up pine needles. Ingestion of needles can cause vomiting and gastric irritation. Do not use preservatives in the stand water. They can be toxic if consumed by a thirsty pet.

v Certain plants are a menace to dogs and cats: Poinsettias irritate the stomach and eyes. Berries of the Jerusalem cherry, holly berries, mistletoe, amaryllis, chrysanthemum, rhododendron and winter broom are all toxic.

v Alcohol and chocolate are toxic. Keep drinks and sweets out of a pet’s reach. Symptoms of poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, hyperactivity and seizures.

Turkey

bones left in an accessible place are almost irresistible to pets, but they can lodge in animal’s throat or block the intestinal tract. Remove leftovers from the table and do not leave the garbage where your pet can get to it.

Remember if your pet has any problems this holiday season or you have any questions about pet safety give us a call.

Donations

2011-11-30T19:04:00.001-05:00

Have you had a great experience at Sheehy Animal Hospital? Go to our website, http://www.sheehyanimalhospital.com/ and leave us an online review. We will donate $1, in your name, to the non-profit group Tailwaggers 1990.

Discounted Examinations

2011-11-28T13:33:00.000-05:00

We are offering a NEW SPECIAL to first time clients at Sheehy Animal Hospital. Come in on Thursdays and recieve $25 off your pets exam. Tell your friends (if they mention your name we will give you a $20 credit on your account towards your next visit)!

Pictures with Santa

2011-11-16T16:16:00.000-05:00

We are so excited to be taking pet (and people) pictures with santa again this year. They are only $5.00 per picture and the proceeds go to the Furby Fund.
The Furby Fund is a donation based fund that helps us take care of abandoned and surrendered animals, as well as, wildlife.
Bring your photogenic feline or your beautiful bird. Santa loves all critters.
See you all on December 10, 2011 from 9:30 am until 2:30 pm at Sheehy Animal Hospital. 18790 Middlebelt Rd Livonia MI 48152. If you have any questions please give us a call 248-615-7670
Happy Howl-adays!

Tips for a stress free vet visit

2011-11-09T18:06:00.000-05:00

For some pets a trip to the vet is just another chance to get out and meet their adoring public, but for others just leaving the house can be a stressful event.
Because we want your pet's experience to be as positive as possible here are some tips to reduce the stress associated with veterinary visits.

- Drop in with your pet for a few social visits before your actual appointment. Stopping by when there are no medical procedures makes the hospital a pleasant place to go for petting and yummy treats.

- Reserve extra tasty treats for veterinary visits so your pet will have something really special to look forward to when coming to the vet.

- Keep your pet just a little hungry before their visit so they will be interested in the treats that are being offered.
- Bring a small rubber backed rug or bath mat if you have a small pet that will be placed on the examination table. The smell of home and the secure footing will make your pet feel more confident.

- Accustom your pet to the carrier (if needed) and to car rides before hand.
- Keep yourself calm. Pets are very good at reading our emotional states and if they see that their humans are all stressed out it can cause them to become stressed out as well.
- Some animals that are extremely anxious may benefit from anti-anxiety medications or sedatives prior to their visit. Our doctors will be happy to discuss whether medications may be beneficial to your pet.