Motion sickness is a very common problem in our canine companions. As many as 1 in 6 dogs experience sickness while traveling. Finally, there is hope for these poor pooches. There is a new FDA-approved medication to treat motion sickness in canines called Cerenia. Given 2 hours prior to travel, Cerenia prevents motion sickness in up to 93% of dogs. It is safe, non-sedating, and can be given once a day for up to 2 days in a row. If you would like to learn more about Cerenia, please contact your veterinarian or visit www.Cerenia.com.

Most people know that a veterinarian’s primary responsibility is keeping pets healthy and safe.  However, very few people realize that veterinarians also play a key role in protecting the public from zoonotic disease, or disease transmitted between animals and people.  Rabies is one of these dangerous and devastating diseases.

Rabies is a rhabdovirus which is relatively unstable in the environment.  Transmission occurs most frequently from bite wounds in which diseased saliva comes in contact with the blood stream.  New Jersey is enzootic for the bat and raccoon variants of the rabies virus. Positive cases have also been found in skunks, groundhogs, foxes, cats, and dogs.           

The following are a set of guidelines developed from the Middlesex County Public Health Department.  These guidelines are in place to protect you and your pets from this lethal infection.

1. Immediately report a bite from a wild of domestic animal to your local health department.  Wash animal bite wounds thoroughly with soap and water as soon as possible after the bite.  Contamination of open cuts or scratches with saliva of potentially rabid animals should also be washed off immediately.  Consult a physician as soon as possible.         

2. Immediately report any wild animal showing signs of unusual behavior.  Signs of unusual animal behavior could be that the animal may:                                                                                                                              

                     -move slowly                                 -have increased drooling                   

                     -may act as if it is tame                -act aggressive                                  

                     -appear sick                                  -have difficulty moving         

                     -have problems swallowing          -have paralysis                                

                     -have an increase of saliva          -bite at everything if excited

Residents should avoid any contact with the animals and call your local animal control officer or local police department.         

3. Be sure that all family pets are up to date on their rabies vaccination.  If unsure, please call your veterinarian.           

4. Animal-proof your home and yard.  Make sure all garbage containers have tight fitting lids, do not leave pet food or water outside, do not allow rainwater to collect in outdoor containers or equipment and keep yard free of garbage and debris.         

5. Do not feed or handle wild animals.         

6. Avoid contact with stray animals or pets other than your own.         

7. Try to prevent your pets from coming into contact with wild animals.         

8. Screen off vents to attics and other areas that could provide shelter for bats. 

It is especially important to note that even indoor cats and dogs need to be vaccinated against rabies.  Failure to do so puts your family at risk and may result in fines by the township.  Please call us if you need to verify that your pet is vaccinated against rabies.

During the winter we introduced the Wisdom Panel, a new test that analyzes a dog's genetic code to determine what breeds he or she is comprised of. Our veterinarian, Dr. Quinn recently submitted a sampe from his own dog, Rockne, for analysis.

Take a minute and look carefully at Rockne's picture to the left.

Can you guess what breeds make up this handsome canine?  

The answer is revealed at the end of this newsletter. 

Good luck with your guess!

Spring is here and with it comes the opportunity for more time spent outdoors with our pets. Greater time spent outside can also bring more opportunities for pets to become lost. Make sure you have provided your pet with the best chance of recovery should he or she slip loose from the yard or house.  Don't rely on luck alone, take the time today to learn more about the importance of pet identification, particularly microchips and the role they play in keeping your pet safe! Microchips provide an important extra level of protection in case your pet loses his or her collar and tags. Cats in particular are less likely to wear collars and tags, so it is especially important to consider microchipping them. Even a strictly indoor cat can slip out an open front door and get lost. Providing your dog or cat with both tags and a microchip can ensure a happy reunion if your pet becomes lost.

At Raritan Animal Hospital we implant pets with the AKC Trovan Microchip. As with other veterinary microchips the AKC chip is small in size (11.5 mm length and 2.2 mm diameter) resembling a grain of rice. The microchip is made of biocompatible glass that will not cause a reaction once in place. Once implanted the chip becomes anchored in place as a thin layer of connective tissue develops around it. The chip will not migrate nor is there any chance of it passing out of the body. The chip will function for the life of your pet, giving you piece of mind that your pet will be returned safely if lost.

Pets can be microchipped as early as 6 to 8 weeks of age. If your pet does not already have a microchip consider having one implanted at the time of their spay or neuter. Microchipping is not limited to puppies and kittens and should be considered even if your pet is already an adult. Microchips are implanted using a hypodermic needle in the same manner as a vaccine and therefore do not require your pet to be asleep. However, some pets hate needles no matter how small. In those cases, implantation can be done during elective procedures or at your pet’s next dental cleaning.

While microchips are not currently mandatory in the United States, if you plan on traveling be aware that some countries require that your pet be implanted with a microchip as well as being current on all vaccinations. And remember, while microchips are a permanent means of identification for your pet, they do not eliminate the need for him or her to wear ID tags. Often the first person to find a lost pet will not have access to a scanner. However, a found pet is not wearing tags that person will most likely contact someone who can better manage a lost pet and has access to a scanner such as a nearby veterinary hospital or local shelter.

As more pets are being implanted with microchips it is becoming the norm for all veterinary hospitals and shelters to scan found pets for microchips. If your pet is already microchipped be sure to inform your veterinarian so they can record your pet’s chip number in the medical record. When a chip is identified in a found pet we will contact the necessary database to help reunite that pet and owner. For this reason, registration is the key to successful pet recovery.  While several databases exist, the American Kennel Club hosts the largest national non-profit companion animal rescue database.  At Raritan Animal Hospital we will submit your pet’s registration to the AKC Companion Animal Rescue database as part of his or her microchip implantation procedure. Once the AKC receives your pet’s enrollment form they will contact you with a confirmation letter as well as provide instructions on how to

keep your pet’s information current should your contact information change.

According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, only about 2 percent of cats and 15 percent of dogs that enter U.S. animal shelters as strays every year are reunited with their owners. Help change those numbers and feel better about your pet’s safety, ask our veterinarians today about MICROCHIPS.

Providing The Best Care For Your Pig!

Next to rabbits, guinea pigs are one of the most common patients seen at the Raritan Animal Hospital. In most households a healthy guinea pig will live an average of 5-6 years.  They have relatively few health problems; but once sick they often do not handle treatment well, so preventative care is extremely important!

Guinea pigs do very well on most commercial pelleted diets. The best pellets contain at least 20% crude protein and 16% fiber.  Most available diets will need to be supplemented with Vitamin C.  Supplementation can be provided in several forms such as a powder added to the drinking water or offering a small amount of vitamin C containing foods such as orange slices, cabbage, or kale as part of the diet.   Provide your pig a small handful of hay for grazing as well.  It is very important not to change the type of food you offer; guinea pigs are very sensitive to any change in their diet.  Even offering a different brand of pellet can cause your guinea pig to develop diarrhea or stop eating.  If a change must be made, do so slowly, over a period of a few weeks.

Housing for guinea pigs is relatively simple.  A solid floor with an organic bedding works well.  Beware of slotted cage floors as thin legs can sometimes slide through the bars.  Provide a shelter for your pig to hide in and sleep.  Temperatures should be kept at 65-79oF, as guinea pigs are susceptible to heat stroke. Food can be offered in dishes, but make sure you clean them frequently, as guinea pigs will often go to the bathroom in their food dishes.

If you want to breed your guinea pig, it is important to do so before six months of age.  Complications can occur if they have their first breeding after that time due to a small pelvic canal, often making a c-section necessary.

Your guinea pig should visit the vet once a year for a wellness exam.  Make sure to bring a stool sample with you.  The most common problems seen in guinea pigs include dental disease, skin diseases, gastrointestinal upset and reproductive problems.  In addition to a thorough physical exam, your veterinarian may want to run additional tests including blood work and radiographs should your guinea pig shows signs of illness. Providing a safe environment, a high-quality diet, and regular examinations are essential in helping your guinea pig live a safe, long life.

Rockne's DNA Code revealed genetic markers at a medium level for 2 breeds:

    BEAGLE and SCHNAUZER

His DNA code also showed markers at a trace level for 3 breeds:

     COCKER SPANIEL, VIZSLA,

      and YORKSHIRE TERRIER

While some of the above breeds are certainly evident in Rockne's appearance, others may be revealed in other ways such as behavior and temperament.

The results of the panel are fun to see but more importantly, they can help pet owners understand their canine companions a little better!