This October is National Pet Wellness Month. It is a month set aside to emphasize the importance of regular health check-ups for your pets, especially those who have entered their “senior” years.  The term “wellness” is meant to incorporate all those things which we, your pets’ veterinary care team, can do to help see that they are able to live long, active, healthy lives.

To begin all pets should receive regular yearly physical exams. Dogs between the ages of one and six years should be checked yearly for heartworm disease as well as lyme disease, whose prevalence in our area is on the rise.

Cats are also in danger of contracting heartworm disease, particularly if they spend time outdoors. Consider testing your cat for feline heartworm as part of his Wellness Plan if any time is spent outside.

Pets age faster then us, and so they must be monitored for signs of age-related illnesses such as diabetes, renal disease, or heart disease. At Raritan Animal Hospital we recommend yearly Wellness blood work, in addition to those tests mentioned above, on all pets, particularly our senior pets. Wellness blood work often includes a blood chemistry to evaluate liver and kidney function as well as a CBC (complete blood count) to look for signs of infection or anemia. If your pet is just entering, or is well into his “golden” years, your veterinarian might recommend checking thyroid function as well as performing a urinalysis which can detect any early signs of renal disease.

While blood work plays a predominate role in monitoring your pet’s health, your veterinarian may also want to start incorporating some other procedures into your senior pet’s yearly health plan. Older pets, particularly large breed dogs, can start to show signs of osteoarthritis. Your veterinarian can help to monitor your pet for these signs and determine when it may be necessary to incorporate joint supplements or an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) into their daily regimen. He or she may also recommend taking a radiograph of your pet’s chest to help further evaluate the heart and lungs.

Take comfort in knowing there are a multitude of options available to help ensure that your pet maintains an active and healthy lifestyle well into his “golden” years. We at Raritan Animal Hospital recognize that every pet is an individual; our veterinarians will work with you to develop a wellness plan that is personalized to meet your pet’s needs.

Have You Heard of Leptospirosis?

Which of these two dogs are more likely to contract a severe bacterial infection: a small miniature pincher or a large Labrador retriever?  Give up?  The answer is that both of these dogs have the same risk of becoming infected by Leptospira interrogans,a harmful bacterium, that causes leptospirosis.

The bacterium is shed through the urine of infected animals such as rats and raccoons.  The autumn and spring seasons are especially dangerous as the bacterium can survive in the moderate temperatures and wet, moist soil.  Dogs typically contract leptospirosis infections by drinking from puddles contaminated by urine runoff, eating infected soil, or simply by coming into direct contact with infected urine. 

Dogs that have been infected by the bacterium will begin showing signs of fever, joint pain, depression, increased thirst, and nausea approximately a week after being exposed.  The bacterium then travels to the kidneys, eventually causing them to fail.  Symptoms of kidney failure include: increased drinking and urination.  The bacterium, when established in the kidneys, begins to affect other organs as well, particularly the liver.  Liver function, when compromised, is indicated by signs of jaundice or yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes.  Jaundice can also result in the production of darker pigmented urine, ranging from a bright yellow to dark orange. 

When leptospirosis is discovered early, antibiotics can help rid the body of the bacteria and prevent further organ damage.  However, if the infection is more advanced, hospitalization is required to administer the necessary intravenous fluids and antibiotics to support the patient through the illness.  If leptospirosis is suspected, it is best to submit a urine and blood samples to evaluate liver and kidney function at the first sign of symptoms.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease; it is contagious to humans.  When the bacteria are established in the kidneys, they can be shed intermittently through the urine.  A person who comes into contact with infected urine is at risk of contracting the disease and developing symptoms of kidney and liver damage.  Therefore, it is best to avoid contact with contaminated urine and wear gloves when cleaning up after infected pets.

Chocolate Toxicity

With the holidays right around the corner, many pet owners will be purchasing chocolate to distribute to children on Halloween, to give as gifts, or as an extra treat for themselves.  Most people are aware that chocolate is not good for pets, primarily dogs.  However, most people are not aware as to why it can cause problems.

In most cases of chocolate ingestion, the most prevalent symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting.  In some cases, the high fat content of chocolate can even incite pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, which can lead to more severe gastrointestinal signs.  True chocolate toxicity results from ingestion of large amounts of chocolate relative to body size.  The toxic ingredient is theobromine. Theobromine is found in moderate levels in milk chocolate and in even greater levels in both dark chocolate and baking chocolate.  The effects of theobromine can range from vomiting and diarrhea to hyperactivity, tremors, seizures, and even cardiac arrhythmias which can lead to death. 

Should your pet ingest chocolate, the best thing to do is call your veterinarian.  Try to assess how much chocolate and what type of chocolate your pet has eaten.  In most cases, your veterinarian can tell you if your pet has ingested what might be a toxic level of chocolate.

The Very Best for Your Bunny!

Rabbits can make wonderful house pets, providing years of love and entertainment for owners when cared for attentively.  Providing a safe and healthy environment for your rabbit will ensure that you and your pet benefit mutually from the relationship.

Rabbits can be housed indoors in a pen or cage, or outside in a hutch. Indoor housing however, offers your pet protection from outside elements such insects and extreme temperature.  Once you have decided where your rabbit will be housed, make sure to supply them with a shelter that is completely enclosed on all sides except for the entrance, as most rabbits need a hiding space.  In general, grate type flooring can be used so that your rabbit’s droppings can fall through and be caught.  However, there should be a section of solid flooring where your bunny can rest.  Rabbits are also capable of being litter box trained. If a litter box is provided, be sure to use an organic based litter such as CareFRESH® (no wood shavings) and make sure the box is large enough to fit your rabbit.  To entice your rabbit to begin using the litter box, fill it with a medium layer of litter and place a large pile of hay at one end of the box.  Many owners prefer to let their rabbits have free run of the house. If you are going to let your rabbit roam, be sure to bunny-proof the house first.  Rabbits are natural chewers and will seek out objects such as wires, wood, and carpeting.  They also like to throw things, and will often try to pick up any object that they can fit in their mouth.

The staple of any rabbit diet is plenty of fresh grass or timothy hay.  This can be offered free choice throughout the day.  In addition, a small amount of timothy-based pellets can be fed based the size of your rabbit.  A good rule of thumb would be to feed 1/8 to ¼ cup of pellets per 5 lbs of rabbit. The Oxbow Hay Company carries a high quality line of rabbit pellets and hay.  Small amounts of fresh, dark leafy vegetables should also be offered.  Rabbits have a sweet tooth so be sure to offer them small amounts of sugary treats, such as fresh fruits.

Just as is practiced with dogs and cats, all rabbits should also be spayed or neutered.  Spaying and neutering rabbits should ideally occur when they are between 8-10 months. Doing so can prevent both behavior problems and reproductive diseases later on in life.

To ensure a healthy life, your rabbit should be seen by a veterinarian once a year. Common health problems in rabbits include diarrhea, malocclusion (overgrown incisors), and trichobezoars (hairballs).  Signs of disease that require immediate veterinary attention include sneezing with nasal discharge, coughing, diarrhea, lack of fecal pellet production, and loss of appetite. Make sure to bring a fresh fecal sample along to your visit.

Talk to your veterinarian for more tips on keeping healthy rabbits!

New Hope For Overweight Dogs!

Today an estimated 17 million dogs are overweight. Obesity is a medical condition, one that carries with it many serious health risks. For example, dogs that are obese tend to have problems with their joints, primarily arthritis. Obese patients are also prone to heart disease as well as respiratory trouble. As a result of these health risks, dogs that carry excess body weight have more trouble running, playing, and even climbing stairs. Ultimately their health and activity levels decrease, adding to the problem at hand.

The benefits of managing your dog’s weight do not lie with improved appearance alone.  Rather, weight management is about starting your dog on the path to a longer, healthier, and more active life.  If you and your veterinarian are concerned about your dog's weight, then the answer may lie in Slentrol.  Slentrol® is a medication, taken once daily, to help curb your pet's appetite. It decreases hunger by blocking the assembly and release of lipoproteins into the bloodstream. In conjunction with the launch of this new product, we at Raritan Animal Hospital are proud to introduce a new weight-loss program for our overweight patients.  Enrollment in the program includes a weight-loss plan utilizing Slentrol® that is tailored specifically to your pet, as well as monthly updates and weigh-ins with our technicians. Ask your veterinarian today if Slentrol® is the answer for your dog!

Changes in Vaccination at Raritan Animal Hospital

Vaccination is important to keep your pet safe from many common, contagious diseases, as well as to protect people from zoonotic disease, such as rabies. The key to a successful vaccination program is to provide the safest vaccines available only as often as needed to maintain effective immunity. Based on the most current literature, we at the Raritan Animal Hospital have made some changes to our existing vaccination protocol.

The most noteworthy change comes regarding feline vaccination. There is literature available that links vaccines with a specific type of tumor in less than 1% of all cats. The tumor is called a vaccine-associated sarcoma, and the presumed mechanism of action is inflammation at the injection site, causing mutations to cells and eventually tumor growth. While this type of tumor is very uncommon in the patient population, we felt there was reason to seek out safer, effective vaccines. As a result, we have changed all of our feline vaccines (rabies, distemper combo, and feline leukemia) to a non-adjuvant vaccine. An adjuvant is a substance which, when mixed with an immunogen, or vaccine, elicits a more marked immune response. Removing the adjuvant from the vaccine decreases the risk of long term inflammation at the injection site, thereby reducing the risk of tumor formation over time.

Our changing vaccination schedule, therefore does not affect the feline distemper protocol at this time. However, the non-adjuvant rabies vaccine is only approved for one year, making annual vaccination necessary. All cats, both indoor and outdoor, are required to be vaccinated against rabies by the township for human safety reasons. Changes to the feline leukemia vaccine come in its administration as we now have a transdermal vaccine for cats. The vaccine is injected through the skin without use of a needle. Frequency for feline leukemia vaccination is one year, and it is only recommended in cats that go outdoors or cohabitate with a leukemia positive cat.

Canine vaccination protocols have not changed dramatically. Unlike their feline counterparts, there are no large studies of vaccine-associated sarcomas in dogs. This is presumably because they are not seen, or at least not with the same frequency as in cats. We continue to recommend annual vaccination with the canine distemper virus combo (which includes parvo) and every three-year vaccination against rabies. Lyme disease continues to be prevalent in this region, so good tick control and Lyme vaccination is also recommended. In addition, the Bordetella vaccine is strongly recommended for “at risk” dogs who go to dog parks, puppy class, the groomer, or who have regular contact with other dogs. Bordetella bronchiseptica, is an airborne bacteria associated with “Kennel Cough,” so direct contact with another dog is not needed. We often see dogs diagnosed with Bordetella infections that have no clear history of exposure, eliciting the recommendation that all dogs receive at least annual vaccination. Dogs who are at greater risk of getting infected receive twice-per-year vaccination. Last, we recommend that all dogs be vaccinated for leptospirosis, a zoonotic disease with increasing prevalence in our region. Please read more on this disease in the article above entitled “Have You Heard of Leptospirosis?”

Finally, there is a new injection available for dogs targeting the bacteria that cause dental disease. The new “dental vaccine” targets the Porphyromonas bacterin, which is responsible for bone loss in periodontal disease, resulting in a higher frequency of tooth extractions in dogs. This vaccine is given annually and is recommended to be administered after dental cleaning or after spaying/neutering in puppies, once they have their full set of adult teeth. While this is not a substitution for at-home dental care, it may reduce the number of teeth lost to dental disease over the lifetime of a pet.

Ellie’s Story

August 29, 2007 was an ordinary Wednesday evening at Raritan Animal Hospital.  The doctors and staff were all busy helping clients and tending to patients.  Simply put, the hospital was running smoothly as usual.

However, the comfortable, set pace of the evening was soon broken when a shepherd mix named Ellie was rushed through the hospital’s doors. Ellie’s owners were frantic.  Moments earlier, Ellie’s owner had been shredding papers, all the while trying to keep the curious dog away from the machine. Her curiosity in the paper shredder soon led to an unfortunate event; Ellie’s tongue had become stuck in the machine. 

Ellie’s owners were quickly escorted into an exam room where a doctor could better evaluate her condition.  Dr. Ross was first to examine Ellie. She was in shock, having lost a significant amount of blood.  Without hesitation he brought Ellie to the surgical area, where an intravenous catheter was placed to administer fluid therapy to help stabilize her. Ellie was given a sedative so that the doctors and aiding technicians could survey the damage to her mouth.

The machine had removed most of Ellie’s tongue, but the surgeon on that evening, Dr. DiFrishia, was able to suture the surrounding blood vessels in order to stop the bleeding. In the meantime, Dr. Ross was able to obtain the removed portion of Ellie’s tongue from the machine and preserve it on ice in the hopes for reattachment. As the minutes continued to pass, one of the hospital’s reception staff began to seek out the aid of a specialist in the area who might be able to further repair Ellie’s injuries and possibly reattach her tongue. Other members of the staff, took the time to comfort Ellie’s owners who where still in shock from the night’s events.

Meanwhile in surgery, it became clear the demands of Ellie’s injuries would require advanced specialized care. She had lost a significant amount of blood; it was likely Ellie would need a transfusion.  She would need constant monitoring and if possible surgery to reattach her tongue. Dr. Ross and Dr. DiFrishia began making decisions as to which facility was best equipped to treat her injuries.

The doctors were soon in agreement; they would refer Ellie to the University of Pennsylvania where she would receive more advanced care.  Due to her fragile state, Dr. DiFrischia and Dr. Ross felt Ellie would need to be sedated for transport. It would be the only way to insure her safety during transportation.  Although Raritan Animal Hospital does not offer pet transportation services the doctors decided to go above and beyond offering this service to Ellie’s owners.

The two doctors, accompanied by veterinary technician, Victoria Arbona, started packing up the necessary equipment and transported Ellie safely to the University’s hospital in Philadelphia.  A few hours later they rushed Ellie into the University emergency room, where hospital staff took over her care. Although, the staff at the University of Pennsylvania was unable to reattach Ellie’s tongue, they were able to provide her with the advanced care she required to recover from such a traumatic injury.  Today despite not having a tongue, Ellie is managing well. Her family is working with a nutritionist and amazingly Ellie is learning to adjust to life without her tongue. Thanks to her family’s quick actions and the dedicated staff of Raritan Animal Hospital Ellie has been given a second chance at life!